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Kivu’rik’ardok had a little brother, Kivu’raw’nuru, but when she was seven and he was five, he disappeared, and she never would know what happened to him. That is, until she was adopted by the Mitth, put on a military track and reached bridge rank.
However, it was strange, Thrika noted immediately. Sky-walkers were female, And she had not heard of a single instance of a male one for hundreds of years. So was that really the explanation? She found a different one when she met Jedi Anakin Skywalker, the last name’s irony not lost on her. He told her of the other Chiss he knew: A Jedi, like him, named Raw’nuru. It took everything out of her not to immediately drop what she was doing and go find him.
Whatever reason the Ascendancy had for sending him to the Jedi must’ve been important, and however much pain it brought her, she could not interfere with that. Sky-walkers were not meant to go back to their families, that much was clear, but still, she wished she could see him one last time.
Little did she know, she would get the chance. But it wouldn’t be until she was exiled and made into a Grand Admiral when she would cross paths with him again. However, it wouldn’t exactly be on the best of terms.
~
“Tell me about the Jedi.” Thrika said
“Pardon?” Vanto seemed to be extremely surprised by her request.
“The Jedi, were they not warriors who fought in your war?”
“They were.” Vanto said with clear hesitation. “But they betrayed the republic and tried to kill the Emperor while he was still Chancellor, so they were eradicated since they were dangerous. At least that’s what I’ve been told.”
“All of them?” Thrika asked, feeling a fresh pain grow in her chest.
“Well, maybe not all.” Vanto said with a shrug. “I’m sure there are some that have survived up to this point, and I know that there were others that stayed loyal to the Empire, or at least that’s what the rumor says. But we really shouldn’t be talking about this.” He said, shutting down further conversation on the matter.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.” Thrika felt a little bit of treacherous hope seep back into her. There was a chance that he was still alive, no matter how small.
“Anyway,” she said. “You were telling me about the legends you’ve heard of the Chiss?”
~
“Your feelings betray you, your thoughts dwell on a brother.” The Emperor said. Thrika felt herself stiffen slightly at his words.
“Momma, where is Vurawn?” Vurika asked.
Her mother stayed silent, not giving any answer to the question her daughter had asked.
“Did something happen?” Vurika’s heart started to beat faster with fear.
Her mother gave a small nod and Vurika started to sob.
“Well?” The Emperor paused expectantly and narrowed his eyes “Speak your mind, Mitth’rik’ardokodo.”
“I had a little brother.” Thrika looked down at her lap. “When I was seven and he was five, he disappeared. I still don’t know what happened to him.”
“Did he die?” Thrass asked gently.
“I don’t think so.” Thrika said with a darkness. “Regardless, the day you and I met was his starday, and his loss was dwelling heavily in my thoughts. I didn’t mean for you to notice.”
“That’s quite all right. I wasn’t worried really, just curious.” Thrass took her hand. “If it makes you feel better, I can see if I can access any records and perhaps find out what happened to him.”
“I don’t need you to do that.”
“Well, at the very least, will you accept me as your brother now? I know I’m not a replacement, but I hope that I can at least be there for you when you need anything.”
Thrika felt a smile creep it’s way onto her face. It was nice to have a brother.
“My brother died years ago in an encounter with… Jedi.” Thrika said cautiously.
“I see.” The Emperor nodded “I assure you they will not be a problem anymore.”
“Did any stay loyal?” Thrika asked, despite full knowledge that it wasn’t a good idea.
“Some.” The Emperor admitted, eyes narrowed even further. “Though all those who did have renounced the Jedi title.”
“I see.”
“And if by some strange set of circumstances you were to encounter a Jedi, they are to be swiftly dealt with, do you understand?”
“Yes, your highness.” Thrika said, composure fully regained. “Rest easy knowing you can count on my loyalty.”
“I hope so, Mitth’rik’ardokodo. I hope so…”
~
There was a strange sense of familiarity Thrika had when speaking to Nightswan. It was almost as if they were old friends instead of adversaries. Perhaps it was the familiarity of fighting for so long, but there was something else.
He gave her knowing looks, reacted uniquely at her words. Nightswan even smiled at her a few times however briefly.
When she asked him to go to the Chiss Ascendancy any of that strange friendliness disappeared entirely.
“No.” He said darkly.
“There are threats that will eventually come back to hurt your people.” Thrika reiterated calmly. “If you go, you can help the Ascendancy get rid of them before they have the chance to arrive.”
“No.” Nightswan said again, harsher. “If you really expect me to abandon my people just to go to a place where they rip children away from their homes in the name of research, then you’re sorely mistaken.”
“Pardon?” Thrika was slightly taken aback.
“Have the rumors not reached you, admiral?”
“What rumors?” Thrika made extra sure to keep her eyes from narrowing.
“That I work with a Jedi.” Nightswan said, a glint in his eyes.
“A Jedi. Fascinating, I had thought that all of the Jedi were killed in the war.”
“There’s still some around.” Nightswan shrugged.
“Those are just rumors, aren’t they? Besides, even if you were working with a Jedi, I don’t know what that would have to do with this conversation.”
“Just that I know things you don’t, and the only way I will ever tell you is if you join me. You should know by now that the Empire isn’t good. You might be.”
“I think you know I can’t leave.” Thrika said firmly
“Well, in that case I will have to bid you ado. It has been… an experience fighting against you. Farewell, Admiral.” Nightswan said before walking away without so much as another word. His curiosity may have been satisfied, but hers was just beginning to bloom anew.
~
Vanto was gone. Thrika had asked him to go. She watched him fly away.
She was happy, really. He was going to be a great help to the Chiss people. Still, somewhere deep within her, she had the uncomfortable feeling of loosing another.
~
Thrika had observed Raw’nuru from afar many times up to that point. She had long since realized he was the Jedi Nightswan had referred to. That conversation still struck a chord every time she thought of it. Best not to dwell on the past and instead focus on the task of dealing with the Lothal rebels.
She watched him fight side-by-side with Kanan Jarrus and the boy. His yellow gold blade contrasted with their blue and green ones perfectly as they moved together in sync, seemingly predicting one another’s and their enemies movements a moment before they occurred. She had watched as he worked in tandem with the Mandalorian Sabine Wren, how two warriors were able to use each other’s strengths to their advantage and cover each other’s weaknesses without flaw. She noted the times when he would help Hera Syndulla in even the smallest of ways just to make things easier for the General who was already stressed out enough as it was. He was kind, selfless, intelligent, and brave. He was a Chiss through and through, rather he liked it or understood it or not.
~
“I see your fate. Like many arms surrounding you in a cold embrace.”
“Anakin Skywalker is dead.”
~
The yellow-gold blade moved with the same speed and grace as the man who wielded it.
Raw’nuru deflected every blaster bolt that came his way. He was surrounded on all sides. This was her chance to catch the Jedi.
“Tag! You’re it!” Vurika yelled after her hand touched her 4-year-old brother’s back.
“No fair!” Vurawn complained with a pout, “I tripped.”
“Too bad!” Vurika giggled and started running the opposite direction.
He ran fast, Thirkia was faster. She grabbed the back of his tunic and pulled him back. He twisted around, trying to escape her grip.
Before Raw’nuru could escape, the Grand Admiral ordered her death troopers to stun him and he was unconscious in an instance, his extinguished lightsaber clattered to the ground.
~
“Your brother is sleeping. Don’t bother him.”
“But I want to play right now.” Vurika grumbled.
“He’s still little, he needs to take naps more often than you do. When he gets older he’ll be able to play more often.”
Raw’nuru’s eyes opened and he looked at Thrika almost immediately.
“You’re awake.” She said, actually smiling a little despite herself.
He looked at her from where he lay restrained with undisguised disgust and remained quiet.
“Oh don’t be like that, you’re my guest.” She grabbed some supplies off the metal table in the middle. She saw Raw’nuru flinch in the corner of her eye. “I’m not going to torture you.”
Thrika put a little bit of the gel on her fingertips and raised her hand to his face. He tried to get away from her, she sighed.
“Now really, it’s just bacta. When my trooper stunned you, you hit your head on a rock and got a nasty gash on your head, sorry about that.”
He calmed a little, continuing to look at her with a defiant expression. She gently applied the gel to his head and a bandage overtop.
“I bet it must be difficult to get proper medical care considering your physiology and… lifestyle.”
“Maybe the Empire has made no attempt to properly meet your needs, but the Jedi made extra sure I was well cared for.” Raw’nuru said scornfully.
“And the Rebels?”
“We get by. It would be far easier without the Empire.”
Thrika hummed but didn’t say anything. She moved on to care for his other wounds. Gently each cut and bruise was covered in bacta and then bandages if necessary. He stayed quiet, his muscles tense and his eyes focused forward, not looking at her.
“There, all better.” She said softly. “Now, I’d like to talk.”
“I’m not giving you any information. Try all you want, but I will not break. I will die before I tell you anything.” Raw’nuru said with underlying venom.
“Oh, you misunderstand. I do not wish to ask you questions about your rebel alliance at this time. I want to know more about you.”
“I’m guessing it’s because I’m Chiss?” He asked. It was a question that he already knew the answer to. But she could tell that he just wanted to hear her confirm it.
“What else?” Thrika shrugged a little “I want to know how you came to be here, how one of our own got so deeply involved with the affairs of Lesser Space.”
“I could ask you the same question, Grand Admiral.”
“But you’ve been in this so much longer than I have, Master Jedi.”
“I see no problem with satisfying your curiosity, but I want you to answer me first.” His eyes narrowed. “Why are you working for the Empire? Did the Chiss send you?”
“My story is a tad… complicated.” She sighed. “I was exiled by my people, by our people. I went against standing orders, and they stripped me of my rank and sent me to a deserted planet where I was supposed to live out the remainder of my days. However, I encountered the Empire and decided that if I joined them, they might one day aid our people.”
“I see. Why still fight for them if they cast you out?”
“Because no matter how far I go, I cannot escape the fact that I am a servant of the Chiss. My duty is to protect them, regardless of if they want me to or not.”
“Interesting perspective.” Raw’nuru’s expression was measured, calm.
“And you? How did you end up a Jedi?”
“I too was exiled.” He said
“No. The truth.” She said, not falling for his krayt spit as Vanto had once called it.
“The truth…” He glared at her for a moment, then sighed. “ I don’t remember much, when I was five, I was dropped off near the Jedi Temple. All I remember is the Chiss told me my name, my age, my species, and that I was meant to join the Jedi and monitor their actions. I have a little memory of my life before the Jedi took me in. When they did, They trained me and raised me up as if I was no different from any of the other younglings. That is all I know.”
“Fascinating.” She said softly “I figured it must be something like that when General Anakin Skywalker informed me of your existence.”
“You knew Anakin?”
She nodded.
“Interesting.” Raw’nuru appeared lost in thought. A bit of hair fell into his face and Thrika raised her hand to move it. Once again, he flinched back from her.
“Oh would you calm down?” Her voice rising a bit, slightly annoyed. “I’m not going to hurt you. I am a Chiss warrior, I would never dream of harming an Ozyly-esehembo.”
“What?” He asked, brows knitting together.
“Have you really forgotten so much of your native tongue? A Sky-Walker.”
“I don’t know what you’re playing at. If this is to rub in Anakin Skywalker’s fate that your Empire brought upon him, I want no part of it.”
“It’s not about him. Sky-walker is what we call our navigators, the process abilities with the Force, like you. You are a Sky-walker.”
“That seems like a bit too convenient of a coincidence.”
“Trust me I know, I felt the same way when I first met him. His death was regrettable, by the way.”
“He’s not dead. Surely you know by now what his true fate was. You’re so smart.”
“I have been informed that he died.” She said, he was right, of course. She did know the truth, and admittedly she didn’t like it. But it wasn’t her life, it wasn’t her decision. She had to continue serving the Empire.
“I suppose, in a manner of speaking that is true.” Raw’nuru said, and then his gaze fell.
“Did you succeed in your mission, Raw’nuru?” She asked, there was an uncomfortable feeling. Something she needed to know but was fairly certain she wouldn’t like the answer to.
“Oh you mean that the Chiss gave me? I don’t know. They said that they would monitor me, and they would come back to get me one day. They never did. It doesn’t matter to me, I had the Jedi and that was all I needed.”
“So, you never heard from the Ascendancy again?” She pressed.
“No.” He said firmly.
“Not even when-“
“No, Not when the war started, not when we were all hunted and most of us killed, and not when I was on the run unsure of what to do or where to go.”
“I don’t understand.” She said, her usual composure cracking. “Why would they leave a Sky-walker to fend for himself?”
“I don’t know. And I don’t care. They abandoned me, they took me away from a family that I will never remember and never know. And then when my other family was murdered by the thousands, they didn’t bother to even look for me.”
“You really don’t remember your family?” She asked.
“The only family I’ve ever known was the Jedi. No one else.”
“That’s not true.” Thrika caught his eye and he held her gaze.
“What do you mean?” His expression remained strong and defiant, but somewhere deep down there was curiosity. Fear.
“I am your sister.” She said. It wasn’t how she wanted to say it, but she felt that if she didn’t right then, she would never be able to.
“You’re lying.” He growled.
“Am I?” She asked. “Search your feelings.”
She saw his eyes widen, she expected to see flashes of her own memory reflected on him. But nothing. There was recollection, yes but it wasn’t from memory, it was from the Force which she knew so little about.
“I don’t care. You may have been my sister by blood once, but it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“That’s not true,” she shook her head. “I can help you. I can send you back home to the Ascendancy. There are girls there who need your help. They, like you, are gifted with the Force but they don’t understand what it is and they don’t know how to master it in the way you have. If you go there, you can teach them what you know. Help the Chiss fight against their enemies that will one day come around to threaten the Empire as well.”
“Why would I go back to a people who did not care to come back for me?”
“Because they need your help. I thought you Jedi were all about helping?”
“The Rebellion needs my help. What will they do if I’m not around to help fight against the likes of you?”
“Raw’nuru. You are not unintelligent, surely you know they can’t win. Why don’t you go join the fight that really matters?”
“This fight matters! And we can win if we don’t give up hope.” There it was, that classic rebel foolishness. To think it even poisoned the mind of her brother.
“The Jedi failed because they couldn’t see the bigger picture.” She said. “Don’t let their fate be yours.”
“The Jedi died because of your Emperor. They were my family. Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger are the only others I know of. They are my only family. I will not betray them.”
Thrika stiffened. She wanted to pretend like his words didn’t cut deep. They did.
“Fine.” She turned her head up. “You don’t want to be cooperative? I suppose I will send Governer Pryce in here to do what she will. Then you will be turned over to the Emperor. You have chosen your fate.”
She waited a moment, but he didn’t say another word. She walked out of the room, fuming in anger. How could a Chiss refuse to help his own people? How could her brother refuse to help her?
~
“Vurika?” The small voice whispered from the doorway.
“What is it, Vurawn?” She asked back, rubbing her eyes of sleep.
“Can… can I stay with you?” He asked, nervously gripped his stuffed toy.
“Are you scared of the thunder?”
The little boy nodded slowly. Vurika almost rolled her eyes but then she remembered how when she used to be scared she’d run to her parents room.
“Okay, come on.” She said, moving over to make room for him. He climbed onto her bed quietly and crawled under the blankets next to her.
When the lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, she held his hand. And it wasn’t too long before he fell sound asleep. He knew he was safe because his big sister was by his side
In front of Thirka stood a man. The Jedi, a traitor to the Empire, and a Rebel through and through. He has single-handedly caused more damage and more serious blows to the Empire than any other Rebel. It was her job to fight the Rebels, to keep the Empire’s order in place. He had just escaped, causing all sorts of chaos on her Star Destroyer. When she looked at him she should’ve seen him as nothing more than an enemy to the Empire.
But instead she saw a little boy who loved to sit in his mother’s lap and draw pictures. She saw a little boy who stole his sister’s dolls and arranged them into scenes only he understood. She saw her little brother. She knew that she could never hurt him, she couldn’t fight him, but she didn’t know what she could do.
Behind the measured control of his eyes and his trained Jedi calm and warrior-like intensity, She saw a scared little boy who didn’t understand why his big sister would want to hurt him.
“Go.” She said. “Before I change my mind, go. But I don’t ever wanna see you again.”
For a moment he looked at her as if he didn’t believe what she was saying. Then turned and ran away. Back to the Rebels she knew.
Away from her forever.
~
“I very much fear I will never see you again. The growing Chaos in the Ascendancy ones of coming more. If you don’t return quickly, there may be nothing left for you to return to.”
“I understand.” Thrika looked at Ar’alani. Her friend, her former commanding officer. Someone who was almost like family to her. Almost. “But there is something I still have left to do. I will return as soon as I finish this business.”
“Then do what you deem is right.” Ar’alani said with a stiff expression. “And may warrior's fortune ever be in your favor.”
~
“Tell your brother you’re sorry.”
“But momma! He started it!” Vurika pouted.
“I don’t care who started it, you hit him, which was not the appropriate response.”
“Fine.” She turned and looked at her little brother who was still crying. “I’m sorry, Vurawn.” She mumbled.
Thrika was wrapped up tight in the arms of the creature. Ezra Bridger stood with his arms outstretched. On his comm, panicked voices begged him to leave.
Raw’nuru’s voice was strangely calm. He was still pleading with Ezra to leave, but there was something about the way he said it had indicated he knew this had to be done. Even if he didn’t like it.
“Tell my brother I am sorry.” Thrika heard herself say.
Ezra looked at her and narrowed his eyes.
“Your sister said she’s sorry. I don’t think I believe her. But I just thought you should know.”
“ Ezra, please! Get out of there! ”
“I can’t do that.” He said, a resolve in his voice. “It’s up to all of you now.”
Thrika saw the cursed beasts ahead of them disappearing into hyperspace. That was her fate, one that she could not escape.
“And remember.” Ezra said “The Force will be with you, always.”