The Holocron and the List

The hum of the holoprojector filled the cabin with an intermittent blue glow. Cal was leaning over the table in the center of the ship, focused on the message being projected in front of him. A woman spoke in a grave and serious tone, recounting the situation on Kashyyyk.

I was in a corner, leaning against the wall, pretending not to listen while chewing on a piece of dried meat I had found in the pantry. Whatever was happening on Kashyyyk was not my problem.

But then, amidst all that speech about the Imperial occupation and attacks on the resistance forces, a name reached my ears like a blaster shot.

Saw Gerrera.

My eyes shot up immediately.

Now I was interested.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I focused my attention on the conversation. The woman spoke of a recent Imperial offensive and how Saw and his group were fighting with everything they had but needed reinforcements. Cal's voice was firm when he assured that he would return to Kashyyyk to help.

When the message cut off and the holographic image disappeared, I pushed off the wall and took a few steps toward the table.

—What exactly are you planning? —I asked, the distrust clear in every word.

Cal looked up and eyed me warily. But before he could answer, Cere intervened with that characteristic Jedi Master tone, the one I never quite tolerated.

—Kashyyyk is under heavy Imperial occupation. The Wookiee resistance needs support.

—And Saw Gerrera is involved —I pointed out, crossing my arms.

Cal nodded.

—We're helping the Wookiees resist the Empire.

I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh, devoid of humor.

—And you think that's a good idea?

Cal frowned, but I continued before he could respond.

—You're making a huge mistake. The Empire has already noticed your presence, and if you keep leaving a trail on every planet you visit, they're going to hunt you down like an animal. You should stay hidden.

—It's not that simple! —Cal slammed his hands on the table, his anger clear in his voice—. We can't just hide while the Empire destroys everything.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, exasperated by his idealism.

—Do you know what happens to those who try to fight the Empire head-on? They die.

Cal clenched his teeth, but instead of arguing with me, he turned his gaze to Cere.

—There's a lot more to this —he said, his voice more controlled.

I turned to Cere, waiting for an explanation. She hesitated for a moment, then took a breath and spoke firmly.

—We're looking for a holocron. It contains a list of information about Force-sensitive children. The next generation of Jedi.

A shiver ran down my spine. My body tensed.

—Excuse me?

Cere held my gaze.

—If the Empire gets that holocron, those children…

I took a step toward her, feeling frustration build in my chest.

—Do you have any idea what they'll do to those children if they find them?

Silence took over the ship. They knew the answer. Cere looked away, and Cal clenched his fists.

—That's why we have to find it before they do —the redhead said.

The air felt heavy. Something wasn't adding up.

—How the hell does the Empire know about that holocron? —I asked—. And more importantly… Who created it?

Cere looked at me again.

—It belonged to Cordova.

I rolled my eyes and exhaled, my sarcasm tinged with a hint of relief.

—Old Cordova... —I murmured—. Trilla once told me he was your master.

Cal's expression changed in an instant. The tension in the air thickened.

—How do you know Trilla? —he asked, his tone hardening.

I looked at him, surprised by his reaction.

—What do you mean, how do I know her? We were friends when the Order still existed.

Cal kept looking at me with an expression that hovered between caution and fear.

—And how do you know about her? —I asked.

He didn't answer. Instead, he shot a glance at Cere, one I couldn't decipher, and then lowered his gaze.

That look… something was wrong. I turned my head toward Cere. This time, something like hope stirred inside me.

If Cal and Cere knew something about Trilla… did that mean she was alive?

My heart pounded in my chest. Until now, I had assumed that every Jedi I knew was dead. That Trilla was dead. But something in the way they avoided my gaze told me the story wasn't that simple.

My lips parted.

—Cere… I need to know… Is Trilla…?

But Cere didn't answer.

She remained silent, her jaw clenched, her eyes fixed on the floor. That silence told me more than any words ever could.

I looked at Cere and Cal, breathing heavily, feeling anger start to rise within me. I knew it at that moment.

—She's alive —I murmured.

Both avoided my gaze, confirming my suspicions. Fury struck me like lightning. Trilla was alive. And Cere hadn't told me.

—Why didn't you tell me the second we reunited? —I demanded, stepping forward.

Cere didn't answer. She kept her head down, lips pressed together.

—Answer me! —My voice echoed in the cabin, desperation lacing every word.

Cere remained silent. I took another step toward her, fists clenched.

—Cere!

Before I could say anything else, Cal spoke in a fearful voice:

—With the Empire.

I frowned.

—What did you say?

Cal swallowed hard, visibly nervous. He avoided my gaze.

—She's with the Empire...

My stomach sank.

—No… —I murmured, shaking my head—. That can't be.

Cal took a deep breath, looking at me with something close to pity.

—She's an Imperial Inquisitor.

The words hit my mind like an explosion.

No. No. No.

I stood frozen. It couldn't be true.

The Trilla I knew… would never have turned to the dark side. Never. She couldn't. I didn't want to believe it.

Not after losing Anakin to the same fate.

I stepped back, feeling the ground beneath me tremble.

—I don't understand… —I murmured, bringing a hand to my head, trying to process the information—. It doesn't make sense.

I looked at Cere, searching for answers, hoping she would tell me it was a lie.

—Trilla would never have betrayed you… —I said firmly—. She was your Padawan!

She was your family —I wanted to shout, but i couldn't.

The words hit her like a physical blow. Cere's breath hitched, her face twisted in pain, and suddenly… She started to cry. Soft, broken sobs escaped her lips. Her hands trembled. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper.

—She didn't betray me...

She paused.

Her eyes met mine, filled with guilt, with remorse.

—I was the one who betrayed her.

———

damn