The blue streaks of hyperspace were the same color as Seraphina’s eyes. Besides watching the endless tunnel of cerulean go by, she glanced at her master from time to time, expecting him to tell her why they were going to Naboo. Dabir didn’t explain their reason for traveling to that particular planet.
The streaks of blue faded away, indicating that the two Jedis had just exited hyperspace. Before them, floating in the dark expanse of space was Naboo. Seraphina directed the ship towards the blue-green planet. After landing more roughly than either Jedi would have liked, Dabir stood and exited the ship. Seraphina joined him.
“What are we here for?” she asked.
“I need to pick something up.” Dabir answered calmly before walking towards a village.
“You pick right now to run an errand!” Seraphina exclaimed. Reluctantly, she followed her master.
“Patience, young one.” Aven said softly. “It is very important.”
Seraphina grumbled something incoherent but continued to follow Dabir through the winding streets. When Master Aven stopped in front of a trading booth, Seraphina looked up. The only person there was a young man slightly older than she was. His jet black hair fell into his deep blue eyes, hiding the beads of sweat on his tan brow.
“Nathan Mahir…” Dabir said as he approached the boy. “You’ve gotten taller since we last met.” Seraphina trailed behind Aven, studying the young man as she approached. “I would like to introduce my Padawan, Seraphina Skywalker.” Dabir Aven gestured to Seraphina.
Nathan nodded politely towards her, not saying anything to her, but Seraphina knew that he was trying to keep his curiosity from bombarding her with questions. Dabir and Nathan exchanged a few words before Nathan nodded.
Dabir gestured for Seraphina to start heading back to the ship. Seraphina started in the direction of the shuttle, followed by Dabir and Nathan who were talking quietly. Seraphina hated not being able to hear what they were saying.
Maybe I could try something…she thought. Seraphina focused on the Force, using it to enhance her hearing. In seconds, every sound was amplified, making her feel like she was about to go deaf. She tuned out the other sounds and focused on her master’s conversation. Force Listening was slightly new to her though the first time she tried it was an accident and it resulted in her losing hearing for three days. But since becoming stronger in the Force, she had confidence that she could use it again without becoming permanently deaf.
“Have you told her anything about me?” Nathan was asking.
“No,” Dabir admitted. “She didn’t need to know.”
“If I am to protect her-“
“I know. She has a right to know. But she’s always been independent and hates being…ah…’babysat’.”
“I understand. But she has to know at some point.” Nathan argued.
“And I agree. I didn’t tell her yet because she would never agree.”
“If what you told me is true, then perhaps she will comply.”
“Perhaps. She’s too much like her family.”
“How so?”
“You will see. But if my suspicions are true about this new Sith, then she must be protected. If he discovers her, which I’m afraid he already has, then he will hunt her down.”
“Very well. I will not tell her about my role in your journey.”
“Thank you, Nathan.”
Seraphina let the amplified hearing dwindle away. Why would I need protection? And did Master Dabir say ‘new Sith’?
She climbed into the ship and settled in the pilot’s chair, waiting for Dabir and Nathan to get in and take a seat. Dabir sat down in the copilot’s chair while Nathan stood near Seraphina. She tried not to show that she knew somewhat of what they had been talking about.
Once they had taken off, Dabir said, “Set a course for Corellia.”
Both Seraphina and Nathan gave Dabir a strange look. “Corellia, Master?”
“Yes, there’s one more thing I have to pick up.”
Seraphina entered the coordinates into the hyperdrive system and once again the ink black vastness of space turned into a tunnel of blue streaks. “We’ll arrive on Corellia in two hours.”
“Good,” Dabir said. “How about I pilot this thing while you rest for a while?”
“Master, I’m fine.” Seraphina argued.
“Come now, Seraphina. I can tell you’re tired. You spent a while trying to fix this bucket of bolts and before that you had to battle TIE fighters. Get some sleep.”
Seraphina knew that she was tired, but she dreaded sleep because sleep meant dreams. And her dreams did not give her a peaceful rest. Though she hated the dreams, she knew that she had to sleep. Force Vision was not a fun attribute to have.
“Fine.” She finally agreed. After getting out of the pilot’s chair, she sat in the seat behind it. Dabir moved to the pilot’s seat and Nathan sat down in the copilot’s. Seraphina closed her eyes and almost immediately, she was assaulted by dreams.