The sun was setting. There was a slight nip to the air. Vickie stopped the speeder bike near a rock outcropping. She had been riding a few hours after meeting up with Mike. An annoyed sigh escaped her lips. "Michael, why did you of all people come after me? And alone, especially after the letter I left Sci."
She rubbed her eyes in frustration. She had not sensed the Dark Jedi in hours. However, she had felt something else, something elusive. It could have been Josh, but she wasn't sure.
Looking towards the rocks, she saw a dark opening. "Ah, good. A place to sleep." Grabbing the duffle from the bike, she covered it with a reflective net. With a slight shimmer, the bike disappeared from view. "I just hope I remember where it is in the morning." She began the long ascent to the cave.
Vickie pulled a glowlamp from her back and ignited it. The soft yellow glow illuminated the entrance to the cave. Stooping to the floor, she checked for tracks. Luckily, she found none. "Good. I don't have to fight over the covers." She pulled an emergency blanket from the duffle and started looking for anything burnable to create a small fire.
She was able to scrounge up a few sticks. Grabbing a few rocks, she made a small firepit. Soon she had a small, yet steadily warming, fire. She pulled a ration bar from the duffle and lay back on the blanket. "What the hell am I doing here?" she asked herself aloud.
Atoning for your past actions.
She started at the voice and looked up to see what looked to be a ghostly version of Kelly standing above her. Closing her eyes, she sighed and lay her head back. "Why are you here?" She took a bite of the ration bar.
The other Jedi snorted. Oh right, you didn't expect me to know what you were doing? You're projecting it hard enough. How do you think Mike found you?
"Probably a tracker on the bike." She took another bite and swallowed it.
You know those things'll kill you, right? Kelly pointed at the ration bar.
Vickie's brow furrowed in confusion, opening her mind to her twin. She felt the invasion immediately, but didn't close her off. Why are you doing this?
Because I want to know YOUR side.
She rolled over onto her side and tossed the ration bar towards the duffle bag. "Well, you're partly right. I want to prove to everyone I do belong and I made a mistake. But..."
Kelly raised an eyebrow. Go on. And make it quick. The distance is killer.
Vickie smirked slightly. "This is the first actual Dark Jedi I've ever felt. I have to face him to prove myself."
Why do you feel the need to prove yourself? You survived all that time with Erisi and that Thrawn clone. Remember, I know what you went through.
"That doesn't prove me to be worthy of being a Jedi. I was lucky."
Ohhhh, now I get it. It's that 'self doubt' thing we have. Well, guess what? I have no doubts about my abilities anymore. I spent time with some very competent Jedi and they showed me just how good we really are.
"Well, those Jedi aren't here, but this Dark Jedi is. It's a one way ticket to Knighthood or death, whichever the Force chooses for me."
The now red haired twin sighed and shook her ghostly head. You still haven't figured it out, have you? The Force doesn't choose for you. It guides you. It gives you choices and allows you to make the right decision on your own.
Vickie sat up and looked at Kelly. "Y'know... you look exactly how I pictured Shaana." Tears welled in her eyes.
Kelly's eyes met her twin's. Be careful, Vic. I want you to be able to tell your niece that one day. Her image began to fade. I have to go. Please remember that I love you. She shimmered out of existence.
For the first time in a long while, Vickie allowed herself to cry.