In Memoriam

[Nida Heavenshield]

Terminus Undercity
Post Rebellion

Terminus was no stranger to violence. Drug lords exerting force over their respective territories and petty criminals were in no short supply, as were spacers and smugglers of all sorts. Sitting at the intersection of the Corellian Trade Spine and the Hydrian Way, the urban world had caught the eye of several galactic powers. Only a short while ago, the First Order and Outer Rim Coalition had fought for control of Terminus.

The battle had been brutal, with casualties piling up on both sides, but the scrappy rogues of the Outer Rim had come up victorious. As with the aftermath of any battle, there were many broken pieces to pick back up. Entire city blocks had been swallowed in the flames of war, leading to multiple civilian casualties. It had only been days since the battle was declared over, and still they were pulling people—and bodies—from the rubble.

Nida had arrived planet side as part of a search and rescue team, working with the Coalition’s Jedi order to assist the people of Terminus in rebuilding. As she gingerly picked her way through the debris, Nida marveled with abject horror at how extensive the damage was. Her sister Yula and uncle [member="Dax Fyre"] had been in the thick of it, and after checking them over, she’d ventured out into the streets with the other medics. Triage tents and checkpoints had been set up, but those were makeshift at best. Medical ships and mobile hospitals had started to filter in, as well as ragtag allies and anyone who was capable of lending a hand.

Though quite small, the young Zeltron was nimble and managed to balance her way across the rubble, scanner clutched in one hand and the strap of her supply bag in the other. A red splotch appeared on the screen, accompanied by a series of beeps and she jumped, startled into action. Her head snapped down towards her feet and she knelt to the broken ground, frantically digging through the wreckage. “Over here! I’ve got someone!” There was a desperate edge to her voice as she called for the others, and the few that were close by responded to her alarm.

With some assistance, they managed to partially unearth the badly burnt head and torso of a woman, skin blistered and charred. Nida first checked the pulse at her wrist, then pressed two fingers to the woman’s neck, just below her jaw. Deflated, she shook her head. “She’s gone.” Likely passed long before they got there.

The team simply rose and disseminated through the battlefield once more, eerily silent in reverence as they continued to work. Nida wiped the sweat from her brow and smoothed back her hair, a nervous habit of hers. Days like these were always long, especially when there were more recoveries than rescues.

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil had been through citywide destruction before. During his time as a Sith he had walked through them, killing survivors with a merciless vendetta and even causing the destruction. This was different. Gone was the superior belief of the Zambrano. The belief that there were lives below him. How could he actually believe that? His hazel eyes scanned in horror at the sheer destruction.

He had tried to help. Tried to save lives. But his power was useless. The skills he had learned did nothing to help people who were bleeding out or going into shock. And what power he has in the Force was the sort of thing that caused this. He knelt among the rubble, a boy no older then him in his arms. He tried to stop the bleeding, that much was evident by the volumes of blood that drenched the ex-Sith's clothing, and failed.

Long dried tears stained Kahlil's face as he stared up at the sky. He had come to help, but had been useless so far. The overwhelming feeling of death around him just had him frozen.

[member="Nida Perl"]

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Each time they unearthed a corpse, it weighed on Nida’s mind a little more. She wasn’t the only one—it was a natural thing that would happen to anyone with an ounce of empathy. Her preceptor had taught her to compartmentalize, to push it all down and away until after the job was done. After all, what good were you if you broke down in the middle of the job all of the time? Still, she had noticed that the old man often smelled faintly of whiskey. Luckily, this was not the first time handling a mass casualty incident.

With a sigh of defeat, Nida tied a black band around the woman’s wrist, designating her as deceased. Once all of the living were recovered and being treated, the dead would be unearthed. She stood, taking a few moments to regain her balance on the hazardous terrain before continuing her search. She’d only made it a few paces away when a sound, however faint, pricked her ears. It was a cry. Muffled and soft, coming from the direction she was walking away from.

The Zeltron spun on her heel and sprinted back, collapsing to her knees and frantically tearing into the pocket of debris around the lifeless woman. The more she dug, the more clearly she could hear the distressed wail.

“Help! I need help over here!” She could not see the victim yet for there were too many obstructions to dig through, and she was rather small. “Someone’s alive! I think it’s a child!”

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Eventually the young man set the body down, gently closing the eyes that had lost all light. Kahlil had killed hundreds, but he had never actually seen the light leave the eyes of another person. He wiped his face clean of the tears as he stood, trying to think of what he was going to do next. He had no idea what to do, no idea who to help. At least, not until he heard a voice yelling nearby.

[member="Nida Perl"] 's voice filled his ears and immediately began running. He rushed over rubble and ended up beside the pink skinned girl ripping chunks away. It was going to take too long. The child was going to suffocate if they took too long. "Back off." Kahlil hissed to the Jedi beside him as he too stepped back. Once she was clear he raised a hand. The ex-Sith hadn't practiced his spells in a long, long time. He had forsaken them.

But if it could help, he'd use it.

A sphere of darkness coalesced before him, filled with hate. It dripped with the Dark Side before he launched it at the rubble. An eruption of black formed, burning away everything to ash that drifted in the air. It took a lot of focus, but Kahlil was able to keep the child unharmed by the detonation. He lowered his arm as sweat dripped down his forehead. He was suddenly and incredibly tired. "Gey them out.."

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

In crisis mode, Nida didn’t stop to question the man who’d run over, nor did she manage a glance his way. She simply drew back, moving away from the immediate vicinity to let someone who could help, help.

What she didn’t expect to feel was a deep sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. It came on suddenly, and for a moment Nida thought she was going to be sick. But this, it was unlike any sickness she’d experienced, a feeling so intense that she’d only felt in the presence of…

Magenta eyes widened as they witnessed the burst of inky black matter consume everything in its path, reducing the already charred debris to cinders in a matter of moments. Incredibly, the child had not been evaporated and Nida urged herself forward, breaking into a fast jog.

“Oh no, little one…” She cooed with concern, wrapping her arms around a toddler and pulling him from the rubble. He was badly burned on his hands and feet, suffering only a few minor lacerations and bruises on his face. It was at this point she realized that the woman they’d discovered earlier was laying on top of her son, protecting him from the building’s fall. “It’s alright…we’re going to help you.” She continued with the soft voice, working rapidly to remove a bottle of clean water from her bag.

Pouring it over his wounds, she continued to shush the child who was wailing away in pain and fear. She was too focused on treating his physical ailments right now to try and calm his mind.

“Could you grab the bandages from my bag?” She looked up to the stranger for the first time, struck for a hot second by his shock of white hair before turning back to the child. Something into her told her to fear him, but in this desperation, she did not care. “We need to cover the blisters before they get infected. Poor little guy is probably going to need skin grafts.”

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Of course." Kahlil had taken the time to recover from his spell. The toll it had taken on him, well. It was no wonder he was so weak. But there was no time for that as the child was still in danger. He went over to the bag mentioned, searching through it with a vivid eagerness to find the bandages. Once found he rushed right over to the pair, beginning to clean and wrap his burns as gently as possible.

It would still hurt none the less.

"How close is the medical vessel?" He didn't look up from his work as he addressed [member="Nida Perl"] , but there was an urgency in his voice. "The sooner we can get him in there the sooner we can end the pain. He's been through enough."

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

As Kahlil helped to clean and bandage the boy's wounds, Nida administered an antibiotic stim. The child had been in the rubble for far too long, and he’d be lucky not to acquire an infection in his state.

Once their work was done, Nida hoisted the child into her arms and swept back his hair, doing her best to try and calm the child. “There’s a triage set-up not far from here.” She pointed to a smattering of white-topped tents in the distance with her free hand. “They’ll assess him further there and decide where he needs to go. He’s stable enough for now, which is a very good sign.” Though she had an idea of what they might do, that was a decision better left to the more experienced doctors and healers. This situation could have turned out a lot worse.

Gradually, the toddler’s cries dwindled into whimpers and he gripped at Nida’s robes while settling his head against her chest. There was still fear in his eyes, but Nida’s growing empathy abilities helped to settle him for the time being.

“Thank you, by the way. For your help.” As they moved back towards the triage area, the young Zeltron looked up towards her newfound companion with curiosity. He wasn’t wearing a uniform, nor a set of robes. Was he with the Coalition? It was possible, as they had all types. “May I ask…what was that?” She was careful to word things gently, skirting around any potential for offense as she alluded to the strange dark power he had used earlier.

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Thank goodness.." A sigh of relief escaped Kahlil as [member="Nida Perl"] reassured that the child was going to be alright. It was bad enough he used his dark power, but if it had cost the life of the boy or been in vain, well. It was unlikely he'd be able to stand himself for much longer. He watched in silence as the Jedi set about using her skills, calming the boy through the Force. So that was a Jedi's strength?

He needed to learn that.

The hazel gaze fell as she asked him what he had done. It was his greatest shame. "Something dark I thought I had given up. It seems I have a long way to go to get rid of this taint."

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Nida’s attention was admittedly split between the child in her arms and the young man at her side. Like many she had met among the Coalition and even the Jedi, he had an aura of mystery about him. And strangely, regret.

The mention of darkness wasn’t entirely surprising, considering the feeling of primal dread that had gripped her when he’d unleashed a sphere of dark ilk. Such things were still a mystery to her. “In any case, you helped save this little one.” Nida could help but smile down at the boy in her arms. By now, they’d made it to the triage unit where she handed off the child to one of the doctors.

It was then when she turned to the young man fully, exhausted from her day’s work of picking through the rubble. Typically the triage unit worked in 12 hour shifts, and her own had just come to an end.

“Thank you, again. Can I…could I have your name?” She asked tentatively before supplying her own. “I’m Nida.”

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Once the child was safe Kahlil's shoulders visibly relaxed. It was like a whole weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He was still tired from using his spell earlier, but at least now the young man could smile at something positive for a change. He turned his attention to [member="Nida Perl"] as she asked for his name, and his jaw clenched. That was usually the point where things went downhill for him.

But, he was tired of hiding himself from the galaxy because of his father. "I'm Kahlil Zambrano."

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

What Nida had expected for him to answer, it was not this. Not the one name that would quite a conversation into somber silence, the person who’d brought indiscriminate destruction to so many lives. The person who’d been responsible for raising an empire of Sith, for conquering part of the galaxy, for taking many wives and siring innumerable children. Not a name that, without even realizing it, Nida had an unsettling connection to.

All congeniality drained from her face as she stood there, stunned into silence. She had figured if she were ever to stand before a Zambrano, it would be in a far more hostile environment, likely with her blood on the edge of a blade, or staring into bright golden eyes moments before her death.

“…Why have you come here?” Her voice wavered, fear lacing every word yet she spoke with a surprising harshness.

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

There it was. The name defined who he was. Kahlil had expected the reaction from [member="Nida Perl"] when he said his full name, but it still cut him deep. He practically flinched at the harsh questioning, his gaze leaving the pink girl before him to the ruined city around him. Why had he come here? To help? No, it was far more selfish then that. To try and make amends. To try and undo the wrong he had done in his Father's name.

"I'm just trying to do whats right for once." He mumbled. There was no reason to stick around anymore, not if he was going to scare those around him. "I'll head out."

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

That was not the reaction Nida had expected from a Sith. Well, perceived Sith. They’d always been painted as monsters to her—terrors that stole away in the darkness and plotted to rip away everything from the Jedi and the common people. And maybe that was what they were, but would someone up to nefarious deeds simply give her the most recognizable Sith family name?

“Wait—” She was still anxious, but Nida reached out to place a small hand on Kahlil’s arm. “Don’t go, please.” While terrified of the dark, she was intrigued by what she felt around this young man—guilt, regret, and a desire to do better. Despite the danger and her own naivety, she couldn’t forgive herself if she chased him away for trying to help.

“I was…startled when you told me your name, Kahlil. To be honest, I still am.” Nida figured that she wouldn’t need to explain why, as he seemed to be well aware of his situation. Nervously, she tucked a lock of violet hair behind her ear, then again as it drifted stubbornly back into place. “But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be here.” It was at this moment where Nida had to remind herself that not all of those who walk in the light, began there.

It was then, with her hand on his arm, did she notice how fatigued he’d become from their work. “At least stay until you’ve regained some of your strength. The least we can do is give you a meal as thanks for your help.” She straightened up, an earnest look in her eyes. “After that, feel free to leave if that is what you wish.”

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil glanced back to [member="Nida Perl"] with what looked like concern in his eyes. He could tell just how afraid she was of him. Of who his family was. Part of him just wanted to leave to avoid it, but.. He felt like he was about to drop and it showed. What he had done with his spell had quite literally sapped the vitality from him and he'd probably have made it outside the camp before he fell flat on his face.

He gave a small nod, his eye meeting Nida's own for a brief moment. ".. Alright."

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

With Kahlil’s acceptance, Nida felt relieved as there was no need to push further. Part of her simply wanted to inch away from the mysterious young man, but another part of her felt that there was more than meets the eye to Kahlil. After all, he wouldn’t have revealed his family name that easily if he intended to attack her or the camp, right?

She lead him over to one of the tents, each one the same indistinguishable beige. It had admittedly taken her a few days to find her way around with everything looking the same. Soon, the pair was settled into the tent with their lot of rations.

“It’s not the best tasting, but it has all of the nutrients needed to keep most organics up and running.” She gave him an awkward smile, not too fond of the lackluster meal herself. But still, it was sustenance. Nida bit into a ration bar, having gotten used to the bland taste by now.

“So…how’d you find your way to Terminus? Heard about the battle?” Her tone was much more conversational and friendly this time around.While not on as large of a scale as some of the other galactic conflicts, the First Order and Outer Rim squabble had gained some media coverage. Terminus was important for trading, or so she’d been told.

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil took a bite of the bar and did his best to not make a face. But he made a face. His faint smile turned to a grimace as he slowly chewed on the bar [member="Nida Perl"] had given him, trying to be appreciative of the food he was given. After he choked down the first bite he casually set it aside. He'd have to eat that later. Instead he turned his attention back to the woman, nodding.

"Heard about the damage really. This is about as far away as I can get from my.. Family. So I figured it'd be a good place to try and help."

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Nida chewed thoughtfully on the ration bar. Her curiosity over Kahlil was a good distraction from the taste, or rather, the lack of. While she had gotten used to the bland food, some conversation always made it go down easier.

“We can always use the help.” She nodded, part of her wishing to prod further into his lineage. “The galaxy always seems to be burning somewhere, it seems.” Looking down, she tried to find out what words were supposed to come next in such a grim line of thought.

“So…where did you learn to do that?” Referring to the black sphere of energy he’s released earlier, she realized that this probably wasn’t the best transition of topic.

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Some would see the whole galaxy burn if they had the chance." The conversation wasn't really heading anywhere, that much was clear. Kahlil wasn't sure how to talk to people. If they weren't trying to kill him, he was manipulating them. That's not what he wanted to do anymore. He took up the bar for another bite, but immediately stopped as [member="Nida Perl"] asked her next question. He slowly set the bar down, glancing away.

"Sith Sorcery. I learned a number of spells from my time in the Order. All useless knowledge now."

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Nida remained quiet and watched Kahlil. She watched him speak, the tension is his body as he sought the words he was looking for. There was turmoil in him, but she’d begun to learn that there was turmoil in everyone.

“You helped that child with it.” She spoke softly, looking down at the bar in her hands. Suddenly the compressed nutrient lump didn’t seem as appetizing. The Sith were still very much an enigma to her. The few times she’d gotten close enough for a glimpse into the other side, she’d been burned.

Silence lulled between them, and she needed to break it.
“After this, I’ll return to the Silver Jedi. Would you like to join me, Kahlil? You could help even more people that way.”

[member="Kahlil Zambrano"]

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"It was the only thing I knew how to do, but it could of just as easily hurt that child." Kahlil stared at his open hand where he had used his spell. The dark still lingered, he could feel it worming it's way into his body, his mind. Though. [member="Nida Perl"] 's offer caused the young man to blink and stare at her blankly, confused. Join the Silvers? The Jedi? She knew who he was, and more importantly she had seen his spells. They weren't very Jedi like.

"I.." He took a breath, glancing down. "..yeah. Okay."