Celes grinned at Grev, the most fun-related expression she'd worn the entire mission.
"Didn't say I wanted one, but thanks."
That Old Fossil:
EMBER CANNOT FLEE. THE CHOICE IS VICTORY, DESTRUCTION OR SLAVERY. EMBER HOPES FOR VICTORY, ACCEPTS DESTRUCTION RATHER THAN ACCEPT SLAVERY. EMBER'S FRIENDS MAY YET PROTECT EMBER.
The grin vanished when Ember "spoke" to them again. Her reply was sent sort of vaguely upwards.
"Destruction and slavery are off the table, Ember. We aren't going to let the Empire hurt you."
That Old Fossil:
As the Rebels decided what to do with the prisoners, the Princess presence was now again in Thuraya's thoughts. She flexed her fingers and began to bring them together. The Princess twitched and spasmed. To the unwary, it might seem she was having a nightmare rather than beginning to choke. "This is how you will end." She whispered.
"That is how she started, child." Sundancer said. "That is the Dark Side whispering to you, having lost two servants. Don't give it another." The menace dispelled, Thuraya relaxed her hands. "Feel the life around you and rejoice." The shadow left her. Though later Thuraya would wonder how it was so easy to squeeze the Sith's throat without training...
Celes's attention moved to Thuraya and Sundancer, with an eyebrow going up. She wasn't entirely sure what just happened, but clearly the girl had done something the Jedi didn't approve of.
That Old Fossil:
"Like most Imperial servants, the Vornskyrs have received discipline but not compassion. They would thrive under a Master who would truly care for them. As for young Thuraya, it would do Ember good to have a friend. They are both children in their way."
YES!
Grev Longtooth:
Grev considers what Sundancer has said, as the vornsky that Shira went to pent remains stock still under Grev's stern gaze. "two force capable children will need a guardian." He growls out in his deep voice.
"Sounds like they'll need a whole Rebel fleet. So what's the plan? Leave Thuraya and the Jedi here, after we came all this way to find him? Or did you just volunteer?"
That Old Fossil:
DeeJay waited for the right moment to give the happy news, a protocol droid to the last. "'Star's autopilot is back online and says that the ship is ready to liftoff at your command."
Celes glanced at DeeJay for a moment, gave a nod, and then turned to Ali.
"Captain, there's still the matter of the prisoners. They're too dangerous to bring to the base. We'll need to arrange another prisoner transfer point to keep its location secret. Think we can arrange that?"