Grinning, Alera landed the f1ghter in the hangar, the cockpit lid sliding open, and she leapt out. “Thanks for flying with me, G.” She patted the droid’s dome and crossed her arms, waiting for Derek to land. The gunship slid into its place beside her ship, and Derek was quick to get out. “Kid!” He slipped off his helmet, a grin over his face. “That could have gotten you k1lled.” “But it didn’t. Now, I’ve got meditation with master.” He nodded, pushing away a lecture. “Very well. See you around, Alera.” Alera passed groups of clones in the hangar before stepping out of the Republic’s base into the windy street of Coruscant. Hailing a speeder, she sat back, enjoying the glowing city passing her by. “Have you been long in Coruscant?” the droid driver asked her after a moment of silence. “Not too long.” She sat up and straightened her back. “You are a new Padawan then?” “Yeah.” “Congratulations. Here is where we part.” Alera looked up and stepped out onto the platform of the Temple. “Thank you.” Several Jedi passed her, nodding respectfully to her as they did. Alera smiled, a gentle breeze blowing through her short white hair. The ends now reached her shoulders while her braid still hung just behind her right ear. “Danta.” Ahsoka Tano stopped her inside the Temple when she came through the door. “Tano.” Alera returned her bow, and the two parted ways, both smiling to themselves. Climbing a staircase, Alera passed down a long hall, headed to Master Dyarron’s room. Alera spotted Master Windu, and she ducked her head away. “Alera Danta,” his hard voice said, stopping her. Alera groaned but smiled politely, remembering her master’s words. “Master Windu.” She bowed, her yellow eyes watching warily. “What can I do for you?” “How has your training been going?” he demanded. “Very good. Master Dyarron is an excellent teacher.” “Of course. Are you on your way to see him now?” His eyes darted down the hall to her master’s door, and Alera shifted, her chest tightening under his accusing gaze. “I am, for meditation. Will you excuse me?” He nodded but grabbed her arm before she could scurry away. “Alera,” he began in a whisper, “Master Dyarron is not as he appears. Be on your guard.” With a shiver, Alera freed herself from the heavy presence of Master Windu, which gave her a headache, and hurried to Master Dyarron’s door. Her knock was not answered immediately, but soon, she heard him call her in. Master Dyarron faced the opposite wall as the door shut behind Alera. She walked to her usual seat, crossing her legs and preparing herself. “You are uneasy,” he noted without opening his eyes. She smiled softly and nodded, closing her own eyes. “I met Master Windu in the hall.” “Have you mastered your personal feelings on this matter?” “Not yet, but I’ve made progress.” “Good. That is best.” “Do you like Master Windu much?” There was a soft pause. “He is a wise Jedi.” Alera clenched one hand. “He is.” “Derek took care of your flight test?” “Yes,” answered Alera with a small laugh. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” The master and padawan lapsed into silence, and Alera disappeared into the Force map in her mind, sensing the separate presences of the Jedi in the Temple, many of which she could not yet identify. “Did you really go to Rodia?” she asked in a whisper, and Master Dyarron looked up at her, his blue eyes watching her while she still remained deep in concentration. “Yes, Alera Danta.” “Then what were you doing?” Her forehead creased when Master Windu came up beside Master Yoda in his private room. She sighed and relaxed, her shoulders falling. “I was looking for someone.” “Who sent you?” He smiled, still watching her. “You are perceptive.” “I spoke with Master Yoda,” she explained, opening her eyes and folding her hands in her lap. “He says that you don’t receive missions when you have a new Padawan.” “He’s right,” her master said, his eyes growing serious at her tone. “It was a more personal mission. I thought I would take the chance when I could, though I apologize now for abandoning you.” “I’ve managed, and it’s fun to have you come back, and I can impress you.” He chuckled, his worn face fading away. “I’m glad to hear it.” “Who were you looking for?” Master Dyarron hesitated and sighed. “My sister, Alera.” Her eyes widened. “So you did understand.” “Yes,” he nodded, catching her meaning, “I know what it feels like to lose someone close.” “What happened?” She leaned forward, chin in her hands. “That’s a story for another time.” He waved his hand and settled back into his meditation. “It’s time for your training now.” But Alera kept her eyes open, observing her master, her yellow eyes full of curiosity. Waiting a few moments, she sighed and crossed her legs again, joining her master once more. “You’re curious. You’re asking yourself questions and forming your own story,” he stated. “I can’t help it.” She reached out, her hand opening the window to let in fresh air. “I know. But right now, you know all that you need to know.” Master Dyarron stood up, sighing and running his hand over his face, and she followed suit, adjusting her tan robes. “I can’t clear my head today. You should meditate with Master Yoda.” “Master Windu is with him,” Alera said and crossed her arms. “Is he?” Master Dyarron laughed, and she relaxed. “Well, on your own then.” Alera nodded and stepped to the door. “You’ve gotten very good.” Turning back, she replied, “Only because you taught me.” After the door shut, Alera sighed and sauntered down the hall, her mind reeling.
Master Dyarron stood up, sighing and running his hand over his face, and she followed suit, adjusting her tan robes. “I can’t clear my head today. You should meditate with Master Yoda.” “Master Windu is with him,” Alera said and crossed her arms. “Is he?” Master Dyarron laughed, and she relaxed. “Well, on your own then.” Alera nodded and stepped to the door. “You’ve gotten very good.” Turning back, she replied, “Only because you taught me.” After the door shut, Alera sighed and sauntered down the hall, her mind reeling.
