The average T-6 Shuttle is just a maneuverable, unarmed Jedi craft that's used for traveling short distances. At least not spending too long inside. However, this one in particular had a lot more space inside. The cockpit had a bunch of glass so that the pilots could see outside with their eyes, after all, for whatever reason, the Star Wars pilots rely more on vision than actual technology. They did have an auto-pilot, but during combat, they did everything themselves.
Looking at the sandy brownish-orange planet getting smaller in the distance, Daesha breathed out a sigh and rubbed her reddened eyes again. Even though she was still angry and upset, she cared much more about keeping her only remaining 'attachment' safe. Looking over at the serious face with dry cheeks and slightly shriveled tentacles splayed around, the purple girl couldn't help whispering again: "Sorry…"
"You don't have to keep apologizing. Although the truth might be unsettling, at least we know the reason for your dark visions. I also feel like… We've already accomplished whatever the Force needed from us."
"But what else did we do except for… Well, we murdered that monster."
"We didn't murder him." Kikha shook her head, "At most, it was unintentional manslaughter. However, this is the Outer Rim and the Republic has no jurisdiction here. So we didn't commit any crimes. Don't worry about getting in trouble. Even if you report everything truthfully, the Jedi Council will understand. This kind of thing happens all the time."
"I don't know if I should be happy or afraid to hear that…"
"Try not to think about it too deeply."
"Yes, Master." Daesha looked out towards the starry void and asked, "Should we… Just go home now? It feels like we just spent two weeks flying around and now another week for the return trip…"
It would be unrealistic to search the desert for clues on nothing but a hover bike or other 'land' vehicles, so aside from refueling in Mos Espa and briefly exploring the city, they really hadn't left the ship for very long. Even so, as an amphibious Nautolan, Kikha was still 'dried out' and exhausted. While the little girl was just mentally fatigued and upset, but full of energy.
"Don't worry. As soon as we leave the Outer Rim, we'll be safe."
"I-What was that?!"
"That…" Those pitch-black eyes stared out at the void as she pushed back the wave of sadness that washed over her, "A friend… Has returned to the Force."
"No… You mean…" Daesha seemed to see a familiar face in her mind, a blue-skinned Twi'lek girl about her age, "Is Eldra-"
"No. Not Eldra. It's her Master. My Master."
"I'm so sorry… But then what about Eldra? Is she still alive?"
*Beep~! Beep~!* They received a distress signal, but then there was also another beeping from a communicator…
Kikha reached out and turned on the communicator, "Master Windu, is this about-"
"You know exactly what this is about." The stern and masculine voice came from the small speaker, "Return to Coruscant immediately."
"But Master Windu, did you receive news about Eldra Kaitis? She's the current Padawan of my Master… Was…"
"We've sent someone to find Kaitis. You don't need to worry about that. Right now the two of you have a bounty on your heads in the middle of Hutt Space. I never would have authorized this field trip of yours if I knew how reckless you would be… I'm disappointed, Kikha."
"Sorry, Master Windu…" The young woman looked over at her apprentice and felt a little embarrassed, "We'll hurry back as soon as possible. Just… Please make sure you find Eldra quickly. There are far worse fates out here than simply returning to the Force."
"I expect to see you back here within seven days. No delays. Understood?"
"Yes, Master Windu."
"Good." He hung up the communicator from his side and Kikha breathed out a long sigh, looking over at the smiling brat beside her again.
"Master… Are we really not going to try to find Eldra?"
"We're going back to the Temple." Kikha shook her head, "Even if we wanted to find her, we wouldn't know where to start searching. By the time we turn up any results, there might be dozens of Bounty Hunters on our tail. If something happened to us, then maybe even more Jedi would sacrifice themselves to save us. I'm sure Master Windu sent someone much more experienced and powerful than us."
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