An idea struck him and he acted upon it before he could even debate the merits or flaws. He focused on the sleeping form in front of him, summoning up his considerable abilities. As gently as he could Dray reached out to her mind, trying to open her thoughts to him. Tentatively he began to probe the girls consciousness, a normally slow process made almost interminable due to his circumspect manner.
Bracing himself, Dray prepared to enter her deep subconscious. That was where a Force-sensitive being maintained a protective barrier that would prevent another Force wielder from penetrating his or her inner mind. This powerful shield violently pushed back such an intruder… The stronger the push, the greater the beings strength in the Force. It was a technique often used by Jedi Masters to sense the potential of their students.
Dray centered himself and stepped across the threshold…
It was as if someone had shot him out of a proton torpedo launcher, straight into the heart of a supernova.
Dray let out a scream so high-pitched his own ears could barely hear it as he was flung through the verdant forests of Vigil. He cut a green swathe through the underbrush, his body smashing tree branches to splinters. His stomach heaved as his flight lasted impossibly long before coming to a jarring end in a small lake. Dray landed with a hearty splash in the icy water… Nearly half a mile away from his camp.
He floated there in the water, contemplating what he had just experienced. He wasnt sure how much time had passed before he noticed the girl standing at the edge of the lake. Her hair was a morning jumble and she stifled a yawn with a hand as she stared at him in bewilderment. “Are you okay?”
Drays head was pounding hard, the rhythm beating out a single word that played in his mind over and over.
“Incredible.”
“Whats your name?” he asked her over lunch. It wasnt the most nutritious meal, but he had very little left in the way of prepackaged healthy rations. He did his best to offer her a good mix of berries, meat, and an assortment of desiccated victuals ready-to-eat. Those little silver bags, stamped with the seal of the Republic, were the bane of every soldier but would always do in a pinch.
“Nova,” she finally replied. “My name is Nova.”
“Thats very pretty.” He smiled at her, but she kept a neutral expression.
“Thank you.” She chewed thoughtfully on a tranglo berry. “I like this place. It reminds me of my aunts garden. Only bigger.” Her eyes wandered for a moment before settling on him. “Why are you here?”
“You know, you can call me Lian if youd like.”
She nodded and said: “Did you come here because of your heart?”
Dray arched an eyebrow, studying the girl. “My heart?”
“I can feel it. I think it weighs more than my daddys ship.” A shadow passed across her face for a moment and Dray thought she was about to start sobbing again. Surprisingly, she did not. “Thats why I thought you were evil at first. Because of the things you did.” The shadow was back, only more like a storm cloud now, borne of intense concentration. “Bad things.”
“I…” The words died on his lips. How could she know?
“I know because you told me, Lian. Only I dont think you meant to. But it was there…” She pointed a small finger at his chest, right toward the space his physical heart occupied, but knew that wasnt exactly what she was referring to…
Dray kneeled down next to her. “I think you have a very special gift, Nova. Has anyone ever told you that?”
The girl nodded slowly, but her attention was no longer directed at him. Her eyes widened, and he felt a twinge of fear run through her. A moment later he knew why as a subtle pulse vibrated through the Force.
Nova sensed them just before he did and she had no formal training. Amazing, he thought as he spun a graceful circle. Midway through the revolution, his lightsaber burst to life with a soothing hum. The golden blade shimmered like a mirage under the afternoon glare sending ripples of heat down his body.
Two beings emerged from the thick foliage, both dressed in midnight blue jumpsuits. They advanced with the sinuous gait of true predators. Their movements were mirrored in uncanny unison and Dray noticed an unmistakable resemblance. The intruders were brother and sister, probably twins. The only appreciable difference was hair length, his was shorn and shaven, while hers was a flowing ebony jungle.
Both radiated the icy heat of the dark side. Dray could smell it on them with the bittersweet piquancy of a finely aged roke wine. The male was the weaker of the two and neither one alone could overpower him. Working together, however… That was a different story, altogether.