"Not only watching, but making sure that no one made any strategic mistakes...or misplaced the mass amount of scrolls, parchments and holocrons we retrieved from Quensu. Because I think he'd be guarding those ferociously." He returned the smile, placing a hand softly on the middle of Aria's back and rubbing it gently for a few moments, allowing the solemnity of the occasion pass over them. He hoped she could get some kind of closure from the incident, to spark the kind of healing she would need to move forward.
"And I don't think you'd need his saber to keep him in your heart." He snorted a chuckle.
"Aaaand I'm fairly certain he would've mocked me for being sentimental, but oh well." Another couple of minutes passed.
"Whenever you're ready, just say the word. We can stay as long as you'd like."
__
Journeying to Taris was strange on a number of levels, one of which included passing by Neta's old quarters and realizing that not only was that room theirs, but the ENTIRE ship was going to serve as their mode of transportation from here on out. She had of course taken all of her supplies and personal effects except for a small holocron that was in the cockpit with a slip of paper attached to it that proclaimed in Neta's hurried scrawl:
"Data terminal in Coruscant. Think you'll like what you find." The cryptic message was then followed by coordinates that could be plugged into a navigation unit, the duo affirming they would explore Neta's parting gift when they were done on Taris. Other than the small surprise, however, things were deadly quiet. Coming from the ordered chaos of Zinuthra to the stillness of hyperspace was a surreal experience, one that prompted him to do a number of things that he didn't necessarily have the luxury of doing while on Zinuthra. Like shower for more than five minutes or play Sabaacc with Aria or even try to talk to the Tuk'ata, which produced more snorting and groans than anything. In summary, it was peaceful.
And it was almost uncomfortable.
Speaking of discomfort, with Taris coming up on their radar, Aria began to pace in the war room, doubting whether or not she could meet his parents.
"Hey, we're in the same lifeboat here. I haven't seen them in fourteen years and I...i'm terrified to think that with the way Bracknell came after us that he found out about my parents." He exhaled vehemently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"But, my dear, we're going to be fine, right? Idealism is what got us to topple the biggest threat to galactic peace and so help us if it's not going to be what helps us make it through this. I mean, it's going to be fine! Fine!" A nervous laugh followed his attempted reassurances, making his way back to the cockpit to preoccupy his thoughts with landing.
"Now where was the base again?"
____
After getting some directives from Alliance customs, who had reached out to the ship for landing authorizations, they parked their new vessel in the hangar of Republic Outpost Echo. Once off the ship, they were greeted by a retinue of Alliance troopers who took one look a their lightsabers and almost all smiled collectively. Apparently the past six months had featured a joint effort between a few Republic and Imperial bases to try and house any Force sensitives that were planetside or in the vicinity. As base commander Mylo Igera put it: "It took mass genocide, but the Republic and Empire finally managed to put aside their differences to buck the system...and it felt really good." Indeed, what was once a Republic base now had Imperial accented voices humming alongside the normal bustle. Optimism was the order of the day now that Bracknell was out of the picture and it made Yerbol feel all the more satisfied that he and Aria had fought as hard as they did. Maybe, JUST maybe they would have lasting peace. Maybe.
In regards to his parents, Mylo informed the duo that they were indeed alive and well, having checked in on the settlement census about a month ago. They received directions to the settlement, hopping on speeders not a moment after and slicing through the verdant Tarisian countryside for about a quarter of a mile before a cluster of homes appeared on their right, their circular shaped roofs packed in via a stone wall that surrounded the settlement for what Yerbol assumed were protective purposes. When they got to the entrance and dismounted, Yerbol's face broke into a grin.
"Dad had been talking building something like this. To protect us all from those 'infernal Rakghouls!'" He chuckled in nostalgia, approaching the thick, grey barrier and walking through the unguarded entrance to find his home just like he remembered it...well, with many more settlers, gardens and other evidence of a booming population(for Taris). Just about fifty yards off was a broad shouldered man gesturing vividly to a smaller man in stature, the latter nodding in agreement with the broad shouldered man, whose short hair was a mixture of grey and black. Yerbol could hear the enthusiasm as the man spoke:
"You see that, Earl? If we can get the Alliance to agree to this, then we'd have everything we need!"
"I'll get it all worked out, Vol, see if we can't get a vote on it." The man named Vol clapped a hand on Earl's shoulder.
"Always the resourceful one." Earl strolled away, prompting Vol to turn around, his blue eyes dancing with a kind of youthful mirth that was unquenchable. His navy colored t-shirt and khaki colored shorts showed off toned musculature that, if one looked closely, had stretch marks from a time much more muscle occupied the body than now. Yerbol's hand trembled as he made eye contact with the older man, who squinted a bit, then drew closer. Yerbol managed to choke out:
"Hi Dad." Without a word, Vol threw his arms around the boy, cheering loudly as he squeezed his son tightly in his arms.
"I can't believe it." Vol muttered tearfully, withdrawing from the embrace and planting a hand on his son's cheek.
"My goodness you've grown. I suppose that's what'll happen when you fight off evil for a living, including toppling an Empire." Yerbol's brow furrowed.
"So you did know..."
"Your face was all over the holonet! My son, a terrorist!" He threw his head back and laughed, telling his son:
"I knew you were out there doing good. I knew that Tython and Korriban and this premise of genocide wouldn't go unpunished and you! You did it!" He then looked to Aria with a knowing smirk.
"And this must be Aria, your partner in this whole affair." Without warning, Vol hugged the young woman, although not as hard as Yerbol in order to preserve her spinal integrity. As he withdrew, he told her:
"You've got some guts, kiddo. Not in regard to restoring order to the galaxy, but to putting up with this lug! It was hard enough to do at home."
"Dad..."
"What, can't I embarrass you? I'm your father, it's in my genetic disposition. Now come on, your mother is going to want to see you."
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El Taco Taco
The Elvenqueen