Not to worry. We’re still flying half a ship

[Corvus Raaf]

There were two reasons that routine missions sucked. Firstly they tended to be really boring. OK, she was able to keep herself busy meditating or practising Faalo’s Cadences – but of late she’d grown accustomed to people around her and found the solitude of space lacking in stimulation.

The second reason was that when the routine became less boring, the excitement level tended to swing to the opposite end of the continuum. And this mission was definitely the latter type.

Heading back from a Council mission, she’d been asked to divert to a nearby planet - as she was the closest - and pick up some urgent and valuable medical supplies that she was then to take to a colony in need. Valuable equates to people seeing profit in them and profit invariably means pirates. By using a single Jedi in an average ship, the plan was to avoid too much attention.

But someone must have talked and no sooner had she left the planet than she’d been ambushed. Although no ace pilot, she had enough about her (and a decent ship) that she’d been able to give them the slip and engage the hyperspace drive. But she’d taken damage and when the ship left hyperspace too soon for her planned destination, she knew something was up.

The droid beeped to confirm what she already knew. They weren’t at Ossus – in fact nowhere near it. A quick diagnostic of the volume of red flashing lights said much of the navigation electronics had pretty much been fried. She wasn’t going anywhere quickly.

The planet below didn’t look familiar to her but the scanner told her it was Voss. She knew little about it – but it wasn’t registered as unfriendly, so she decided it was the best course of action to land and ask for repairs.

Manually turning the ship on a trajectory to enter the planet’s atmosphere, she opened up a channel.

“This is Jedi Knight Corvus Raaf of the Jedi Order, requesting permission to land. My ship’s flyable but the hyperspace unit needs replacing and I was hoping you could see your way clear to helping me out.”

The red lights were now joined by a series of regular beeps and noises that didn’t bode well. One by one the flight systems were shutting down.

“Hello, Knight Raaf again. Thought it best to tell you that I have an important update to add to my previous message. My optimism for the ship’s capabilities was a little...over-stated. I suspect I’ll be coming in hot. Please advise where’s best to land.”

And then as an after thought, “Oh, and thanks.”

It was then that the ship started to fall apart – literally. She looked to the droid that was now making frantic noises and trying to divert energy and keep as many systems functioning as it could. “Not to worry. We’re still flying half a ship.”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor leaned over the wing of the blue and grey E-wing starfighter, his own personal ship from the days of his time with the Republic Jedi Order, and one that had served him well. Now able to fly with the Silver Jedi Rangers and his Clutch fighter acquired from the dominion of Shri-tal, Connor still used his personal craft when he wanted to be free of the Silver Jedi label, and this one was such time.

Outside on the Northern strip of the Silver Jedi Temple, he was preparing to leave without anyone, bar one, knowing where he was going and why.

Cleared by Master Heavenshield to leave for Rhen Var, something that had only been done as a favour from one who saw what the disgraced Knight was doing, Connor was about to depart to begin the final stages of his own personal redemption when the com started to buzz and a voice spat out over the frequency.

Well, Silver Jedi ship or not, he still wanted to know what was going on.

Bringing his head up, he listened to the request of another Jedi, and one sounding like they were in great trouble. Looking to the sky, he saw nothing. Depending where this Corvus Raaf was, it irked Connor he was seconds from leaving and now he couldn’t just ignore a plea, even if it sounded like she couldn't pilot a ship. Sighing, he leaned into the cockpit and hit the transmission switch.

”Corvus Raaf. This is Connor Harrison of the Silver Jedi Order.”

He omitted the embarrassing Padawan rank. Another Jedi out on Voss? This was going to be interesting. What were they doing out here?

”Follow my frequency as best you can to lead you to the Temple of the Silver Jedi. Come in North Side.”

Biting his lip, his eyes flicked upwards to watch for the stricken craft.

”If not, put her down as safely as you can and we will come to you. Over.”

Still nothing. Why did it seem female Jedi were the bane of his progression in this life.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Finally someone responded. Connor Harrison. She’d heard of the Silver Jedi Order but her knowledge wasn’t much deeper than that. It wasn’t as such a taboo subject at the Jedi Order but people tended not to bring the subject up. Silly really – but Corvus fell into line with the rest and never broached the subject.

"Thanks for the offer. Most of my systems are…er…shot. As soon as I see something that looks like a Temple, I’ll do my best to avoid it and aim for the North side. I may have mentioned I’m coming in hot. The malfunctions mean I entered atmosphere a little too fast and apart from steering, I’m not left with a lot to work with. On the plus side, you won’t be able to miss me. Mine’s the one that’s on fire. Oh, and may the Force be with us."

She turned her attention back to the yoke and tried to keep control of the ship’s roll and pitch. How she’d regulate its speed would be another matter. All she could do was try to get as close to a stalling position as possible and then turn back into a dive. It helped – and as the ground loomed ever larger, she saw the Temple. Impressive! Now, the North side.

"Ah! Which way’s North?"

The droid bleeped a response and she nodded sagely. "Thanks, good call."

Changing course, she was pleased there were places she could land that were away from things she could hit. Not an entirely good way of meeting new friends and influencing people.

Finally she was able to set what was left of the ship down. Landing would have been too polite a word for it. She bumped and bounced her way along a field about a kilometre away from the Temple and finally the impact with the ground dissipated the kinetic energy the ship had. Corvus was aware of a small cut over her right eye – but otherwise she was unscathed.

"Another happy landing eh, young Padawan?" She tapped the droid on it's 'head.' "You did a great job. I’m just going to see the welcoming party and then we’ll have this thing back in the skies, eh?"

Corvus unstrapped herself and promptly fell onto the roof of the cockpit. It had only been the harness that had kept her in place – as the ship was in fact upside-down. The tiny cut above her eye was now enlarged by the impact with the glasteel of the cockpit’s canopy.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

As the Knight spoke, amidst a flurry of beeps and loud engine noise, Connor scanned the skies above and caught sight of the ship coming towards them from the West. A thin black line started to form, and the close it came, the large the line became; forming to become a trail of black smoke from a busted engine.

Connor stood up and watched as the ship came down, but too high to make a landing on the Temple grounds, and best for it as it looked like the pilot was now in no control of the mechanics. With a roar, it came over head, sending sparks up in the sky as it came down at too steep an incline to be pretty.

Without waiting, Connor closed the cockpit for the ship and slid down the wing of his ship to land on the pad, breaking into a run forward watching the Jedi skid along the ground; a field up ahead that was split from the temple by a small river running across it.

And then the craft turned upside down, an awesome but scary sight as the scuffed wing propelled it up slowly to hang in the air for a split-second before coming down on it’s top. Connor kept up the run, the sound of creaking metal louder as he approached and the smell or burning getting stronger from the engine.

Wincing at the awkward sight before him, Connor surveyed the craft but couldn’t make it out very well thanks to the smeared smoke and oil, or whatever it was, adorning the side. The pilot however, was very much alive inside. He dropped down to his knee and saw a figure inside the cockpit, on her back and not looking very comfortable.

”Is everything alright?”

Dumb question, but he had to suss out her response.

”Hold onto something.”

He couldn’t wait and let her fester in a smoking craft, and so he stood up and concentrated to turn the ship over with the Force. Thankfully his recent training had cleared his mind of the inner conflict he was feeling, and the thought of helping another amplified his ability to gently pull the ship over to crunch down on its landing gear with a thud across the grass. The smoke twirled around as he brought the ship up and over, snaking into the sky but with no sign of fire.

Connor exhaled and moved around to the cockpit, the figure still inside…upright or not, he couldn’t see.

”Welcome to Voss, Jedi Raaf.”


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was conscious but if a medical droid was able to check her out, he’d no doubt state she was concussed.

”Is everything alright?”

‘Now that was a really dumb question.’ “Yes, absolutely fine.” And that was an even more dumb answer. “Is my Padawan OK?”

When he asked her to hold onto something, she grabbed the nearest thing she could reach – the droid. “OK, I’ve grabbed.”

“I’m glad you’re here. I think my Padawan may have taken a blow to the head, so if he sounds a little muddled, you’ll understand. Yes? Did you know you were upside down before? But now you’re the right way up. Well done that Jedi.”

“Where am I exactly?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Rolling his eyes, he moved to the cockpit and, after a few pushes, managed to break the already loose seals and roll it backwards. It would need to be replaced before she could go back up, the cracks and holes wouldn’t cope with the atmosphere.

”Padawan?”

Offering her his hands, Connor took hold of her and guided her out the ship, her weight falling on him and with no evident strength after such a quick and scary landing.

”You mean your droid?”

Grasping her wrist, Connor looped her arm over his shoulder and took them a few steps away from the ship, now easing with smoke, and placed her down in the short grass. Looking around, he counted his blessings she hadn’t gone any further and off the top of the staggered cliff race the Temple was housed on, or into the pocket of trees to the right.

”He’s fine…it’s fine. How do I get him out? Where’s your release?”

Ignoring her ramblings, the Padawan knelt down and scanned over her with his dark eyes, taking in her wound, smoke stained clothing and a firm, confident look overall.

”You’re on Voss, Allied Tion sector. You’re a little way from where I’d expect a Republic Jedi to be – do you remember what it is you’re doing here?”

As he spoke, Connor looked around for something to help with her wound but had nothing to hand. He gently raised his hand to her temple and emitted a slow release of calming, soothing waves of the Force from their surroundings, aiming to calm her pain and relax her state of mind until he could get a clear answer from her.

”Tell me your name and where you are from again, please.”


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus allowed the Jedi to lift her down, she’d have words with him later about calling her Padawan a droid. A little lacking in emotions, yes – but a droid? That was a bit harsh.

Then he asked her lots of questions, or perhaps one question over and over. It was all a bit blurry now. And she was starting to feel nauseous. “You’re not a Voxyn are you?” The connection made sense to her at least.

When he touched her head and the Force flowed through her, it had an immediate effect. Her head started to clear and her eyes were able to focus so much better now.

She smiled at him. “Thanks. Is that my blood?” She was aware he had a crimson stain on his hand, where he’d touched her temple.

Breathing deeply and connecting to the Force, she calmed herself and started to regain all of her senses,

“Voss, yes. I was heading for Ossus but I ran into some pirates. I managed the jump but the ship started to malfunction and I ended up here. Well not here but…” She pointed towards the sky. “And then it kind of started to fall apart.”

She tried to move but the pain in her head suggested she remained still. She listened to it. “Sorry, I’m probably not making as much sense as I should. I’m Corvus. Corvus Raaf. Knight of the Jedi Order. And I’m based on Ossus.”

“And you’re Connor, right? I’d bow but you’ll forgive me if I wait until another time.” She glanced down at her robes. Apart from a few cuts and the odd singe, only the small amount of blood was unsightly. “Not looking my best. Sorry. I presume I didn’t damage anything? No buildings?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He smiled as he watched his hand on her temple, ignoring the delirious Voxyn comment. He had a number of witty responses but she’d probably take them literally. Gradually, as the smell of burning electrics faded – or they were simply acclimatised to it – Connor saw a flicker of life come back to her and he brought his hand away slowly.

Wiping the blood between his thumb and forefinger, Connor nodded.

”It is, but don’t worry, it’s a surface wound. I’ll sort you out.”

Drumming his fingers on his knees, he half-listened to Corvus talk and half-looked around for something to help her wound, or at least patch it over. Fingering his belt, he looked at her and smiled softly. She was a pretty one, and couldn’t have been much younger than he. It was refreshing to see a welcoming, friendly face rather than a fake one with a false smile.

”I’ve nothing on me at present – do you have a medkit at all that you know of in there? And please, you don’t need to bow, not to me. I would however to you, Knight Raaf, but think I’ll try fix you first. I’ll owe you.”

He reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder.

”No buildings damaged, but your ship is going to need, uh, a little work. Does anyone know you’re here? We can leave for my Temple if you wish or wait until you feel up to it. Oh, and trust me – I’ve seen worse looking Jedi.”

A little smirk flicked up on his lips. He hadn’t done that for a while.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

The colour was returning to Corvus' cheeks and she was able to stand - albeit a little wobbly.

"I think I'd rather move, if it's OK with you. And when you say you've seen worse looking Jedi, that passes as a compliment in these parts? Yes?" Her tone was slightly mocking and she smiled to show no malice was intended. She was feeling better but not entirely in control of her mental faculties just yet. She closed her eyes and pulled the Force close to her. Opening them again, she felt better than before. Her first act was to put that 'durasteel wall' back up in her mind. The thoughts and emotions around her weren't strong but in her weakened state they made her feel a little giddy.

She smoothed the hem of her robes with the palm of her hands. "Nobody knows I'm here but I guess the ship's systems will have sent out some sort of distress call. But then again, maybe not." She kicked a piece of the wreckage and only now realised how much damage the ship had taken. "Sorry about the mess. If you've got a broom I could..." She made a sweeping motion with her hands. "OK, bad joke. Kana says my sense of humour's got worse recently. Oh, Kana's another Knight in the Order. She'll be the best with a blade one of these days." There was genuine pride in her voice as she voiced her honest opinion.

"So, do you have stimcaf?"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Watching as Corvus stood, she was a little wobbly on her feet but had a determination to her voice and stance. Connor linked his hands behind his back, nodding slightly to each sentence she muttered, quipped and explained. A little mumble of acknowledgement here and there, a little smile at her joke and a nod of the head when she wanted to move.

But a shake of the head about the caf.

"I see. Yeah, um, no, I mean I'm afraid not regarding the caf. Sorry. I was actually about to leave the planet so you just caught me."

He held out his arm for the Knight.

"Come on, Knight Corvus. Let's take a walk and we will go about getting you patched up, refreshed and this ship mended. Shouldn't take too long and hopefully you will be on your way before the sun sets."

Looking around, the sun was nearly at it's peak. However, the last thing Connor needed was the Republic searching for one of their own and clashing policies with the Silvers out here.

"Let me show you how real Jedi do things. And you can tell me all about how the Republic is faring out there."

The grin came again, arm held out for her to take or refuse.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was in two minds. The walk sounded sensible but to take his arm or not? She didn't want to appear an invalid but then falling flat on your face was never a good look.

So she accepted his offer of help. "That sounds like a plan. I don't wan to impose, so as soon as I can, I'll be on my way. Perhaps a domestic flight off-world might be quicker than waiting for repairs. Anyway, what do you mean 'real' Jedi. And why are there Silver Jedi anyway?"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

"The Order of the Silver Jedi is home to a new era of Jedi. We are devoted to the protection of all those helpless in the galaxy, aiding those in need if. We serve the Light side of the Force, acting as peacekeepers and negotiators bringing peace through non-violent means. Although we are willing to call upon our powers in order to protect those around us and ourselves."

Connor let her take his arm and slowly began the walk to the Temple, being careful where to stand and what patch of land to walk over as not to throw Corvus off balance, still wobbly on her feet.

"We are an elite group joined together in this fight against the dark side and to bring to justice those that seek to destroy the rightful freedoms of all citizens of the Galaxy. Subjugation, tyranny, removal of civil rights will not be tolerated and we will move to fight against all aspects of evil. Among us are philosophers, theorists who provide wisdom and knowledge. There are those among us, our stewards, that serve to protect the Silver Jedi by vigilance against the dark side of the force and they are there to hand down discipline if required."

He slowed by the river and helped her over a few stones to the other side, holding tighltly as he guided her.

"All in all, we serve the people of the galaxy, we fight only when necessary, and only when it is peace that is the goal. The defense of the weak and innocent are our main priorities and we will do all in our power to see that this promise is upheld."

With a small nod, he ended his little speech he had used many times.

”Want to join up with us? We have a superb meditation garden here y’know. Finest in the Outer Rim.”


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Walking and fresh air were helping her clear her head, slowly – and she was able to take in what the Silver Jedi was saying.

Corvus wrinkled her nose occasionally, and at other times nodded but listened without interrupting.

“OK, that was a lot to take in at once, but let’s see how well I was listening. To start with,” and she clumsily started to count off the topics on her fingers – which was difficult as she was still linking with her host. “To start with why do we need a new era? I mean the Code has survived for millennia – through thick and thin it has served the Jedi. From the Brotherhood of the Darkness – to the Rule of Two – to the Separatist Army – to the Yuuzhan Vong. Just wondering is all?”

“I ask, as your devotion to the cause is the same as mine – but just one little, tiny, teeny, teensy difference.” She pinched her thumb and first finger together to illustrate her point. “Elite sounds like…elitism. I mean, it sounds arrogant – and isn’t the Code very clear on this matter? We are no better than those who cannot use the Force and so if you rank even Force Users in this way it feels…odd. But then I feel a little odd at the moment anyway. Semantics, maybe?” She nodded vigorously at this point and the wound in her head started to bleed again slightly.

“And don’t get me started on evil.” She now waved her hand in a wide arc for emphasis and her voice had raised an octave and quite a few decibels. “But if you honour the law – as the Code states – how do you decide which laws? In the Republic, we are bound by one set of laws, but even we must respect local rules – even if they differ from what we perceive to be just and fair. So what I’m at least trying to say is; who decides what’s tyranny and what level of civil rights are acceptable? Surely not the Jedi? Or have I misunderstood?”

“And why do you need individuals to guard you against the Dark Side? Surely you do that for yourself. Don’t you?”

“But all in all, it sounds so similar to the Jedi Order, it makes me wonder why it isn’t one and the same. I mean, where I come from, the Green Jedi had different views to the old Council and so it was easy to see why Corellian Jedi saw themselves as a different group. Their insistence to only help Corellia and not the wider galaxy was one of the reasons I chose to leave. But that’s old news.” She waved a dismissive hand to punctuate the last sentence.

“And it’s lovely to be invited to join but the offer of a nice garden isn’t going to swing it you know.” She stared down at her fingers. “Was I counting something?” She looked up at Connor and smiled. “But the garden does sound lovely.”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Listening intently, Connor guided her towards the Temple and onto the Northen landing pad. His E-wing craft was still there – ready to go. As he walked past, his eyes darted left to scan the ship out of habit.

He was about to speak to answer her question, but didn’t get the chance before another came out. He smiled to himself, listening to the questions he too had asked a good year or so ago when he found the Silvers. But, as usual, two sides of the light from different origins and different foundations. The motives were the same, but their way of doing was varied.

Connor walked into the hangar, quiet save for a few Clutch fighters, Ranger transports and a number of pilots and technicians. His eyes scanned for one of the salvagers and as he locked eyes, beckoned him over with his hand. Sounds, sparks and flashes of light and work surrounded them.

”You were counting, but I lost count myself. Hold on.”

Turning to the yellow suited human, Connor relayed the situation and the request to salvage and fix the ship as best they could for a fellow servant of the Force. The tech nodded and moved away. Connor returned his gaze back to Corvus.

”We will get to work on your ship right away, and it’s of course up to you how you want to proceed but you are more than welcome to stay as my guest here until tomorrow so they can patch your ship and you can rest.”

Moving through the hangar, Connor guided Corvus into the sleek white and grey corridors that led down the isolation chambers and medical bays; a place he knew a little too well.

”You’re probably right to question, I mean, I can question the Republic’s way of doing things. History has a way of repeating itself and so we aim to operate – how do I put this – out of the umbrella that is the Republic and away from the corruption that always endangers it, but still fighting that one evil out there. Respectful of planetary laws and procedures, we still will take the fight to those intent on causing illegal unrest using violence, fear and terror and, of course, practise the dangerous Dark Side arts.”

Looking at the cut on her head, she needed attention and fast. Guiding her through the corridor, passing a couple of other Jedi, eyeing up the unknown woman, he arrived in the bays, illuminated by warm amber and purple lights across the slick marble flooring and white walls.

”Ok, just cut the chatter for now – come into the medbay. It’s just down here, more in the depths of the Temple. Is there anyone I can contact in your Order to let you know where you are Corvus?”


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus allowed herself to be guided but was disappointed once it was clear they weren’t going to the garden.

The hangar was full of…ships – and despite her Corellian heritage, she never really found them that interesting. Except for her Protector Class Corvette – which she had decided to name ‘Raven’ for no apparent reason whatsoever.

At the mention of counting she stared at her hands. Had she been counting? If he said so, it must be true. He was a Jedi! And then Connor spoke to a man with a suit that was way too bright. Nobody looks good in yellow.

“Thanks for sorting my ship out. A new coat of paint when I get back and Camellia won’t notice it’s even been damaged.”

The prospect of staying here overnight suddenly seemed preferable to flying anytime soon. “And a little bit of rest would be wonderful, thank you. And stimcaf, yes?”

At least they were leaving the ships behind – but the sterile corridors they were now in felt so lifeless and sad. But Connor was speaking again and distracted her.

“I hope I didn’t offend you by asking questions. When I say ‘why?’ people sometimes hear ‘why on earth?’ Never my intention. Sorry. Won’t happen again. You have my word as a Jedi!” She gave a strange salute by way of sealing this promise – and managed to hit her own forehead and re-opened the wound which – by this time – had managed to close up again.

She was less steady on her feet now and he could feel the weight of her on his arm growing heavier with each step.

“Oooh look, a disco…” she said as she saw the amber and purple lights. “Do you dance?” And with that she promptly passed out.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Corvus was getting heavier on his arm, even though she was speaking through some slurred words and obvious observations. Connor winced as he took her to the medbays opposite the isolation chambers and passed under the illuminated ceilings leading to a private bay with just the one bed and an array of medical treatments.

Turning to her with a wry smile, Connor soon lost it as she passed out in his arms and went limp, causing him to quickly support her full weight as he head rolled forward and legs gave way.

”Corvus? Woah, woah…ok, come on…don’t do this…”

With a small grunt, he rolled her onto the bed, but she was facing the wrong way. With a sigh, he gently lifted her legs, caught within her heavy robes.

”Great…”

Muttering to himself, totally out of his comfort zone, the Silver Jedi manipulated the Republic Jedi into a better position on the bed and laid her arms on her chest, careful to cause any…discomfort. Stepping back, he keyed into the com-link on the wall by the bed.

”Healer to Medbay…2, please. Connor Harrison requesting aid. Out.”

Now he had to wait for either a protocol droid or a fellow Jedi to help give Corvus the once over. As he waited, Connor turned and pulled open a drawer with fresh bandages and vials of bacta. He took them to the bed and pulled open the bandage with his teeth and brushed her hair away from the freshly open wound, blood both dry and fresh on her head and face.

By the time she came around, hopefully she would be patched up and in a better state for Connor to take care of her.

IF he was still here. The fact he was ready to leave for Rhen Var was on his mind. Maybe he could leave her here with another Jedi and she could make her way –

Shaking his head, Connor knew this wasn’t what was going to happen. Redemption started with helping others. His personal journey had to wait until Corvus was fit, well and ready to leave and he would be here until she did.

He started to work on the wound. Maybe when she came around he would tempt her with those gardens.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus fell into a deep sleep. In her dream she was performing acrobatics on the dance floor. One minute she was face down, the next her legs were swinging around and she was facing the ceiling. It was a strange dance. And the new Jedi was there too – calling her name over and over.



Her head was slightly sore but not overly so. And she was lying on a bed. Gingerly she opened herself up to the Force and sensed her surroundings. There was a Jedi nearby. Connor? Otherwise they seemed to be alone.

She could remember crashing, and Connor and a walking banana – or was that the dream? And a garden.

She opened an eye and lifted a hand to her head. A bandage and bacta patch told her she’d been unconscious long enough to have been looked at. Confident the worst was over, she opened her other eye.

Her eyes adjusted to the light and the face of Connor came into focus. “Hi. Jedi Knight Corvus Raaf. But I’ve probably already told you that. Right? And did you mention stimcaf?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

A good hour or so passed and in that time Connor was able to get some air and even get to his chambers for a last sweep to make sure his little hideaway from everything was in one peace.

Returning to Corvus, he filled in a number of Jedi on the way just what he was doing and left a com-message with Grandmaster E’ron of the situation. He doubted he would hear from her, and he knew he was doing the right thing. Her faint murmurs and shuffles let him know she was on the way back to reality.

Coming to stand at the end of her bed, Connor watched her come out of her sleep and back to Voss.

”New engine is being fixed onto your fighter as we speak. When that’s in place and tested, you’ll be good to go. Well. The ship will be. As for you, I think you should stay here for the night and rest.”

He placed a hand on the toe of her boot and patted it gently.

”Welcome back Corvus. Sorry…Knight Raaf. And yes, you told me that before. Remember me?”


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled weakly. "Jedi Connor Harrison, right? I'd bow but..." she indicated her current predicament with a wave of her hand.

"How much rubbish did I actually say after the ship landed?" She knew the term was a gross overestimation of the way the Corvette had come down - but it sounded a lot better than the alternative.

She lifted her head and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Waving away any attempts to stop her she added, "Don't worry, I'm not getting up yet - but I feel more comfortable like this." Actually the medical team had done a good job on her. Her head was tender but not sore and she felt no other obvious aches or pains. "Almost good as new," she said and touched her forehead again. "And yes, I'd love to stay the night." The double entendre was lost on her.

"And I distinctly remember a garden being mentioned. The most beautiful, yes?" And as she edged off the bed to stand on her own two feet she added, under her breath, "What's a girl got to do to get a hot drink in this place?" She looked up and smiled at Connor. "Just kidding!"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

”Rubbish? Oh, a fair bit.” Connor smiled.

As Corvus spoke and made herself a little comfier, Connor began to busy himself to pack away the vials and cloth on the small metal table beside her. A small chuckle here and there, a raise of the eyebrows at her comments as he cleaned the room distracted him from her chat.

”I can find you quarters to stay if you like, or you can take mine and I will use alternate chambers so you have privacy.”

He closed the cabinet with the bacta inside and turned to her, seeing her stand and a little colour to her face with a resolve not to stay in the Medbay much longer.

”Caf, yes. Of course. I will arrange for that.”

Stepping to the door, he gestured out with his hand and offered his arm again.

”Care to take a walk in those gardens? We have some wonderful peaches out there.”

The double entendre struck him as soon as he said it but extinguished it with a small swallow.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]