34

                                    

                                          
The trio woke up early so they could get moving onto where they had to be. There was a possible Separatist city a few days' travel away. The city looks like a fortress and the walls can be seen from a distance away. In fact, the trio could hardly see the walls from the lake where they were refilling their canteens. Sal put her face in the water and drank a decent amount so she wouldn't be thirsty. The downside is that she may need a few extra bathroom breaks.
                          
"Fill up the canteens. If Master Windu is right, this city has a moat around it and various wells in the city. I don't know how clean that water is, though," Obi told the other two. Sal and Cody were dumping the canteens in the water and they filled up to the top. Sal put the canteens away and Cody hauled the bag. She grabbed the clothes bag instead and put some of their other items in there. Mostly just rations that would weigh Cody down. Not that the clone was weak or anything, they would just have to be quick to get to the bus stop in time.
                          
Sal tripped on the scratchy cotton dress she was wearing, as Obi-Wan claimed it looked like the average refugee woman's outfit. She didn't like it, no, but if she didn't wear it their cover might be blown. Nothing is worse at the moment than their cover being blown in a Separatist-controlled space.
                          
The trio walked to the bus stop while the sun was slowly rising. The stop was at the edge of the city and is the cheapest way to get to their next destination. Walking there would take weeks. Months, even. And with the lack of water from the village to the fortress would mean possible dehydration and mission failure.
                          
A few days before the mission, Obi-Wan started creating force-bonds with both Sal and Cody. They had more than enough time and it would be the easiest way to communicate. Sal made a bond with Cody (without him noticing) and can only sense his emotions. Communicating with emotions is better than communicating at all.
                          
A huge bus pulled up and all of the refugees got in. Each separate traveling group got their own small compartment in the bus. Obi-Wan found them a small room with a seat that could also be used as a bed. There was a big window and a cubby under their feet for their bags. Sal sat next to the window and Cody slid in next to her. Obi-Wan squeezed into the end space and the General slid the flimsy compartment door shut.
                          
'Get comfy, you two. This will be a long ride. I don't know if anyone is listening so let's refrain from physically talking,' Obi-Wan said through their force bonds. Cody jerked and looked confused. Both Jedi sensed his confusion in the force.
                          
'Will do, Master,' Sal replied back, and Cody looked even more confused.
                          
Obi-Wan held in a chuckle. 'Cody, dear, don't be afraid. This is a force bond.'
                          
Cody seemed to be less confused and more scared. He was the one out of the loop when both Jedi made force bonds. It's not like he would understand or believe it anyways.
                          
'Put shields up and we can't read your mind,' Sal suggested.
                          
Cody did as told and Sal put pressure on the barrier. It surprisingly didn't crack. Cody was using a lot of mental strength to keep the shield up, though.
                          
'We can practice that more in these coming days,' Sal told Cody when he lowered the shields. Cody nodded and grabbed a ration bar. They brought a bunch of those because they were cheap, small, and practical.
                          
Cody bit into the bar and passed it to Obi-Wan. The General took a few bites and let Sal eat the rest.
                          
After a couple hours of viewing the scenery from the window, Obi-Wan felt both Sal and Cody's lack of entertainment.
                          
'Does anyone want to hear a story?' Obi-Wan asked them. Both Commanders nodded instantly.
                          
Obi-Wan started explaining his story but Sal zoned out. 
                          
...
                          
Fire raged on the shadow planet.
                          
"Casualties?" Sal asked.
                          
"2/3 the battalion," a clone replied. Sal huffed.
                          
"Master's gonna kill me for this one."
                          
"That's if he doesn't kill us first."
                          
"Let's hope our plan works. We can't risk losing more of the vode."
                          
"Agreed. Let's get moving, Commander."
                          
...
                          
The world felt empty. Sal dragged her bags and held in her tears. She was alone now.
                          
All alone.
                          
Her life was never going to be the same again.
                          
One risk can make one downfall.
                          
...
                          
"Hurry up, Captain!"
                          
The armored Captain ran up to the others.
                          
"Some days I regret promoting you, Captain."
                          
...
                          
"You are dead. You can't be alive."
                          
"I am alive indeed. Who are you?"
                          
...
                          
"Come on, Ad'ika!" Kaleb yelled. A young Sal followed him. She tripped but he kept her up with the force.
                          
"Maybe I should go slower next time?"
                          
"Please, Ori'vod."
                          
...
                          
"You were RECKLESS, Commander. RECKLESS! He could have died, but now both of you are injured!"
                          
...
                          
"I DIDN'T DO IT!"
                          
...
                          
Sal woke out of her dreams. Except, she hadn't known what most of those visions were.
                          
'You alright, Sal?' Obi-Wan asked her in the force.
                          
'Yeah, just a few visions,' She replied.
                          
It wasn't just a few visions. She couldn't piece any of it together, it went by so quick.
                          
She only felt pain and suffering.
                          
Was that her guaranteed future? If not, she had to fix it. But she knows nothing about it. How can she help prevent a future she knows nothing of?
                          
It was just a dream, she told herself. Nothing more.
                          
Only time will tell if that statement was true or not.