Chapter Text
--︱Epilogue
Felucia
Even out of the sunlight, a wet heat wrapped around every living thing. Filling the spaces in the massive fungal jungles that covered the surface. Oppressively humid, it was but one more reason this planet had stayed largely unsettled for so long. The other was the frequently deadly creatures and semi-sentient plants that were happy to consume anyone that fell into their trap. For the uninitiated, a wrong step or wandering too close to certain plants would mean certain death.
For Sera Misari though, she wouldn’t change her posting for anything. The constant sweating took a bit of getting used to, but she found the world majestic in its natural beauty. Massive purple fungal platforms like skyscrapers around her, their stems so study that she’d seen the tops used as landing pads for shuttles. Ferns the size of full-grown trees on other worlds waving in what little breeze blew through here. Incredibly wide, bell-shaped flowers of verdant green with tall orange pollen tubes jutting out toward the sky. Somehow it almost reminded Sera of her old master’s lightsaber.
Felucia also held a strong affinity for the Force. It permeated everything, giving the planet its varied and lush vegetation. Everything living here lived in a symbiosis with the Force, whether light or dark. Sera had learned about worlds like this back during her Padawan days, but it was completely different to experience it firsthand. As a Miraluka, her species never developed eyes like most humanoids. Instead, they relied on ‘Force sight’ and using the energy of living things to process the world around them. Standing on a planet like this, her sight felt clearer and sharper than almost anywhere else in the Galaxy.
Walking at a steady pace along the closest thing to a trail, she removed the canteen from her belt and took a measured sip. Without hydration, anyone out here for hours would find themselves with heatstroke or worse. It helped that she dressed for the weather, even if it took her a few days to part with her regular Jedi robes. Thick fabrics, the broad shoulders, wide skirt, and patterned embroidery were all things that represented her well in the halls of Coruscant or when she fought on Corellia - but she was a long way from either. If she needed her robes again, they were packed away safely in a chest back at base.
Conferring with other Jedi before deploying, Sera had settled on a more practical sleeveless tunic, rugged pants, a solid belt, and boots commonly worn by explorers. Without sleeves and utilizing lightweight fabrics, it let her move quickly without tiring. She had foregone wearing armor as well, trusting as she did usually that the Force would protect. The only holdover from her outfit was her lilac-colored blindfold, which was more for others’ comfort than her own, hiding her lack of eyes behind something colorful.
Soil under her feet was soft and loamy, which was far better than the thick mud she’d encountered in other regions. Rain belts moved across the planet all the time, which meant sudden weather could slow down movement considerably. Even speeders were affected, having to wait on ground troops or heavy transports lest they get caught without proper reinforcements.
Beams of light cut between the towering plant life and cast patterned shadows across the ground. When the sun caught the forests just right though, everything sparkled like multicolored glass. Brilliant and vibrant colors dancing around her, constantly shifting throughout the day. There was nothing that could compare. She loved walks like this, giving her a chance to take it all in and keeping her fit doing something she enjoyed.
Usually on a scouting trip like this, she would have brought one of the domesticated mounts. Her personal one was a brightly feathered orobird that moved fast and could handle the heat well. It worked better on longer trips, however, so she’d skipped risking the beast. Instead, she had her military satchel strapped across her back with a mix of rations, survival gear, and flares for signaling in an emergency.
Sensing danger waiting for her behind the stalks ahead, Sera slowed to a stop. Trust only in the Force, and it’ll never steer you wrong. A smirk formed at the edge of her mouth. One of the benefits of not having forward-facing eyes was the ability to ‘see’ in all directions. At least a half dozen lifeforms, fear and tension their dominant emotion. Probably armed as well, considering how close she was to the last known Imperial position.
“There’s no need to hide. You’re welcome to come out and talk.”
As she expected, a squad of Imperial troopers in full armor burst from cover and rushed into the clearing. Forming a semi-circle, they kept their weapons trained on the woman in case she made a move to attack. A standard formation for conducting an ambush, Sera noted silently. That way all the soldiers had overlapping fields of fire without endangering their comrades.
“Don’t move, Jedi.” The middle one spoke. Most likely the Sergeant. “ You’re surrounded and have no chance of escape.”
Sera was polite but didn’t move to raise her hands. “There’s no need for violence. You’re all welcome to come back with me quietly and surrender.”
He scoffed at her brazen assumptions. “You’re not in a position to negotiate.”
“Neither are you.”
Tightening his grip on the weapon, the soldier prepared to fire. “We’ll see, Jedi.”
Anticipating where the bolts might land, both blades of Sera’s saberstaff blazed to life in a windmill of light green. Most of the wave of ionized bolts were redirected into the ground, but she was able to reflect a couple accurately enough back at her attackers. The Sergeant took one of his own shots to the shoulder, spinning him as he fell. Another was struck in the chest and collapsed backwards.
It was a sound strategy, but she knew it was only a matter of time before they shifted tactics to break her defense.
Using one hand to deflect with her saber, Sera reached out with her free hand and focused herself. From the path around each trooper’s feet burst thin vines that reached forth like tentacles from a hidden beast. Wrapping around wrists and weapons, it tore the blasters from their hands. Vines wrapping around calves and thighs pulled them off balance before holding them a half meter above the ground.
Sera had always had a particular fondness for nature. Wandering the gardens and forests of Tython as a Youngling, befriending the local animals she crossed paths with as she traveled. They represented the living Force in its purest form. Even during her time on Corellia, she had convinced her master to prioritize the zoo to protect the escaped creatures there.
Only one of the group escaped the initial grasping, trying to fire on the plants before another vine wrapped around his waist. Trying to fight it only distracted him long enough to be overwhelmed. Within moments, the remaining enemies were bound up in natural restraints.
During her training at the Academy, her instructors called the ability ‘Plant Surge.’ An apt enough description. Drawing on the Force to channel life energy into plant life, she could affect how rapidly it grew. It also gave her some control over the direction it grew as well. An uncommon skill, to be sure, but not unheard of among the Order.
Restraining a hostile foe with easily available plant life was frequently a non-violent way of solving problems as well.
The sounds of armor clinking in the full run came from behind her, but these Sera could sense posed her no danger. The Republic’s 333rd Infantry had given her the headstart she’d asked for, but was likely drawn by the sounds of battle. She couldn’t blame the ‘Triples’ for their concern. They were a good group, even when it was clear they found her adherence to the Jedi Code made her seem aloof.
Fanning out as they came from the fungal stems, most of these troopers cautiously moved past the Jedi. Taking in the strange scene before them, they crept closer to seize the fallen weapons and assess the remaining enemies.
“Are you hit?” The firm voice of their leader asked with more than a touch of worry as he came upon the aftermath.
Catching her breath, the Jedi motioned calm. "Most of them survived the ambush. Please make sure they're taken care of and their wounds are treated. Perhaps a couple of them will even repay our kindness with information."
The officer stepped forward, lowering his weapon now that the threat had passed. "Incredible work, Master Jedi! I'll have a speeder ferry them back to base immediately."
"Although I appreciate your respect for my order, Lieutenant, you can just call me Sera. I haven't earned the title of 'Master' yet, but perhaps someday." Sera smirked at his enthusiasm.
"As you wish, Mas- Sera."
Clipping her saber hilt back on her belt, Sera nodded approvingly. The Force had allowed her to spare a few more lives than if these soldiers had met without her. For now they’d gained a bit more territory, and if the prisoners were helpful, perhaps she could even help end the war on this continent in the next few weeks.
Something weighed on her though. A sadness and conflict that felt far off yet starkly near. It wasn’t the battle before her. She took a deep breath and tried to focus on the feeling. This felt like her own master was somehow in distress. Dealing with pain and struggle, but not in immediate danger. A terrible place to be, but there was nothing the young Jedi could do at the moment for her mentor. She had a mission to finish first.
Instead, she silently resolved to reach out once she was back at base. It had been far too long.