1 Birth And Tragedy Amongst The Stars (Prologue I)
~~~(POV: Jedi Knight Krayla Azure)~~~
~~~(Location: Private Room, Transport Ship Endurance, Corellian Hyperroute)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 20 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 585 BBY)~~~
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The contractions are getting closer in time... The medical droids attend to me as the pain continues. I was hoping to be back at the Temple before giving birth. Sadly, my due date came a little early.
I should've stayed there for my entire pregnancy to begin with. A diplomatic incident on a world in the Rim took my attention. The council was against my traveling in such a condition, but I sensed it was me who was supposed to help with the incident.
"You're contractions are almost five minutes apart, Master Azure. It won't be long before labor starts."
As much help as the medical droids are, it's not as comfortable as the idea of giving birth to my children at the Jedi Temple.
"Are they doing okay? There aren't any complications with them, right?"
The Jedi Code and way is to forgo attachments and remain detached from others. Being a mother changes that... My training as a Jedi says it's not allowed, but I've come to love my children. They're a gift from The Force itself.
My children are special.
Nine months ago, I became pregnant. When I was told that I was, it was hard to swallow. I had never been with a man before. And then I was suddenly pregnant.
When the Jedi High Council investigated, they sensed with The Force I was telling the truth and that I wasn't lying. It was a few weeks after I found out I was pregnant, and when I told the council, it was decided that I hadn't broken the Jedi Code.
I've only been a Knight for two years. Motherhood was never in the plan.
"Your babies are doing wonderful, Master Azure. You'll be able to hold them soon enough."
I'm lucky amongst Jedi that has had children. There are repercussions when this happens, but I didn't break the Jedi Code.
"That's good... That's good..."
I'll admit, I'm already tired from the stress. Had I known the onset of labor would be so tricky, I would've prepared. Learned how to ready myself for this particular part of the process. My eyes drift to the light of hyperspace out the window.
It's hard to believe that I'll finally hold my children in my arms after nine long months. There was a point in time I wanted to keep their genders a mystery, but I couldn't help myself around a month ago.
I'll be having a boy and a girl.
Fraternal twins were given to me by The Force itself. My babies are a miracle to me. A miracle to The Order.
A couple more minutes pass, and that's when I feel another contraction roar through me.
"HHHHAAAAAAAA!!"
The sound leaving my lips is a hissing scream this time around. The actual birth of my children is supposed to be worse than this pain. I'm not looking forward to it, but it's unavoidable now. There are drugs that could help.
But I want a natural birth.
~~~(POV: Jedi Grandmaster Aleya Zana)~~~
~~~(Location: Personal Chambers, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 48 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 585 BBY)~~~
"Master Azure has begun labor, Master Zana. Her vital signs are strong, and so are the babies. It could take several hours, and we still have 30 hours before we reach Coruscant."
One of the medical droids informs me of young Azure's state... The girl had her 20th birthday a few months ago and is about to become a mother... Her Jedi responsibilities come first, and she knows that.
Knowing her children will be raised in The Order makes it easier for her. We've already confirmed they're force sensitive. We could sense it before Azure left for the diplomatic mission. Knight Azure herself has a midi-chlorian count of 17,700.
One of the highest in The Order.
When the children are born, we'll also have their blood drawn and tested. She was quite large by the time she left, and the council was initially against her going to help.
We decided to allow her since we also sensed the same as she did.
"That's excellent news to hear. After her labor is over and she's done resting. Have her call me on the holo. In the meantime, take care of her. This will be a great test to endure."
The holo is shut off with that, and I lean back in my chair. What's happened to Krayla is a first. A pregnancy born of The Force itself. Twins, no less. She's held to the Jedi Code and its teachings since she was a youngling.
When we found out she was pregnant, I was disappointed in her. Believing that she found a person she loved and began a relationship.
How wrong I was... Along with the rest of the council... We questioned her, and she didn't lie. Not a single time.
"All I can do now is wait..."
Krayla and I are good friends. She's the former padawan of the man I trained. I've seen my teachings, along with his, imparted to her. She's powerful and wise for her young age.
Seeing her as a mother and a Jedi Knight will be interesting. I know she can't leave her love for them behind. I wouldn't if I were her. Krayla's situation is special. Unique. Only time will tell how this all develops.
~~~(POV: NC-12 Medical Droid)~~~
~~~(Location: Private Room, Transport Ship Endurance, Corellian Hyperroute)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 35 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 585 BBY)~~~
"Waaah!!"
"Waaaaaahh!!"
The daughter has been delivered two minutes after her brother's birth. I gently take the baby over to the table and wrap her in a blanket. Placing her next to her brother. Two other medical droids tend to them as I return to Master Azure.
Sweat runs down her head as she looks at her children across the room. She did very well. I take a rag and wipe off some of the sweat near her eyes so it's easier for her to see.
"Bring them here... I want to hold them..."
Protocol dictates that I not allow contact between mother and child until sufficient time has passed for me to make sure she's stable and clean.
"I'm sorry, Master Azure. Until we've cleared you medically, it'd be best for them to remain out of sight."
As I say that, the two droids attending to the babies are taken away. Her head follows them to the door. She's not struggling or fighting to get up and follow. All mothers struggle with this part. Since she's a Jedi, her handling of it is far better than what I've seen.
Before I can say anything else, an alarm goes off.
"Code Brown! Code Brown!"
That's not good. I look over to Master Azure, and she's sleeping. That's good. She doesn't need to be awake for this. I move behind her bed and press a button to unlatch it from the floor. Moving toward the door.
Suddenly, the transport ship exits hyperspace, and everyone in their rooms runs to any available escape pod.
The ship shakes violently, and everyone falls down except for us. I rush past everyone and head for the command deck. As I enter, there are people on the ground passed out. The impact was worse up here.
I move the bed toward one of the closest escape pods and place her inside. As I turn around, one of the other medical droids brings the daughter to me.
"Where is the son?"
This isn't good.
"NC-15 was destroyed in the impact. Protocol says I take the closest child to me."
I rush out of the escape pod and move down the corridor as quickly as my metal body will take me. People run past me, heading in the opposite direction for any escape pods that can be found.
As I enter the room, I see NC-15 on the ground in pieces. The baby boy is screaming on the table, and I approach him. I lift him and leave the room as quickly as possible. The halls are becoming empty.
I won't make it to the command deck in time. As I turn the corner, all the escape pods are being jettisoned. Except for one. All the way at the end of the hall. It's about to close.
"Wait! Please wait!!"
A head sticks out the door and looks down the hall to see me. My metal body only moves so fast; I'm lucky when a woman leaves the escape pod and meets me halfway.
"I've got him!"
She takes him from me and runs back to the escape pod. Another impact occurs, and I fall to the ground. As I do, I watch the escape pod's door close.
Good.
I saved him.
I did what my programming said.
~~~(POV: Annabella Saydra)~~~
~~~(Location: Escape Pod, Outerspace)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 31 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 585 BBY)~~~
The transport ship blows up as I watch from the viewport of the escape pod. We're packed to the brim in here. A storm of meteors crashes into the leftover debris of the ship. I'm pretty sure everyone got out.
"Gah."
"Ahh."
The noise from my arms takes my attention, and I look down. Seeing a newborn baby that I saved thanks to that medical droid only moments earlier. The bluest eyes I've ever seen tiredly look back at me.
He looks like he was just born. I wasn't aware of any women on board that were so close to a due date. His eyes stay open just a little longer before they close again, and he's sleeping.
"Wow. Talk about a shock. When was the last time you heard a rouge debris field intercepting the Correlian Hyperroute?"
One of the technicians of the transport ship was able to get on our escape pod. It's nice to see he's got a sense of humor.
"That's one way to put it. Coruscant will be alerted in a little while. These escape pods are hyperdrive capable, so we don't have to wait for help. I can take us to the nearest colonized planet. We won't have to wait three days for rescue."
Seems like people are already solving the problem. Not much for me to jump in with or for. Instead, I find an open seat. Some people will have to stand or sit on the ground. Having an infant in your arms allows for an open seat.
"You're my good luck charm, huh..."
I lift the baby closer and hold him like a person should. He snuggles closer, and my heart melts a little. I've never been a mother before, and don't think I'm mommy material.
Nevertheless, until I find him a permanent situation or his actual parents, I'll have to take care of him...
Ugh, I'm not looking to take care of a newborn...
"I can get us to Denon since it's the closest planet. We can get help there. I'd tell the other escape pods, but it looks like communications are out due to the debris from the ship. Everyone in favor?"
Voices come from everyone in agreement. Denon is a world second only to Coruscant. I'll be able to get some help with this little guy there. Not to mention, he'll probably get pretty hungry by then.
"Alright, it'll take about 11 hours to get there, but we'll make it."
Denon is the location where the Corellian and Hydian hyperroutes intersect. Been there a couple of times.
The guys who know what they're doing mess with the console, and we enter hyperspace. Leaving behind the rest of the escape pods. They'll have a similar idea if they know what's good for them.
For now, we've got to worry about us. Trying to save another escape pod when nothing is wrong is an excellent way to get killed.
"Looks like it's you and me for a while, little guy..."
The sleeping bundle of love does make me smile. I'm sure the mother must be worried to death about this. I know I would.
~~~(POV: Jedi Knight Krayla Azure)~~~
~~~(Location: Rescue Ship, Outerspace)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 20 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 585 BBY)~~~
"Master Azure... It's imperative that you feed your daughter..."
The medical droid hands my little girl to me as we're resting in the medical bay of the rescue ship. We were in that escape pod for two and a half days. My thoughts are halted as I look upon my little girl...
Instead of fighting it, avoiding it, or ignoring it. I lower my medical gown and place her in a position to feed. It's not long before she's pulling away at her food source.
It's painful at first, but I get used to it. It's my first time feeding one of my babies... My baby... A terrible pain goes through me as I think about my son... Left behind on the transport ship...
The only lives lost were the crew on the command deck and the direct impact sites of the meteors.
Then my son too.
"The Jedi High Council wishes for an update... Shall I patch them in?"
A simple shake of my head is enough of an answer and the medical droid leaves. As my daughter feeds, all I can do is silently cry.
Never in my life have I felt such pain... My soul feels like it's been taken from me... That's when I feel a small hand run across the place she's feeding from, and I look down...
"I've still got you... I've got you..."
It hurts so much... But she makes it hurt a little less...
~~~(POV: Annabella Saydra)~~~
~~~(Location: Living Room, Apartment, Denon)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 31 Years)~~~
~~~(Date: 585 BBY)~~~
The little tyke sucks away at the bottle as he's resting in my arms. I've gotten no help when it comes to finding this one's parents. Apparently, the passenger manifest doesn't state any pregnant women were on board.
Lucky me...
Thus begs the question of how a newborn baby was on the ship. I know the Republic lacks when it comes to major issues, but you'd think they know how to count people who come on and off ships.
"Tragedy and disaster have struck a transport ship traveling the Corellian hyperroute. Several are dead from a rogue debris field of meteors. Coruscant is issuing a state of caution on the Corellian hyperroute until investigations are clear."
Holonet reports aren't usually interesting since so much happens across the galaxy. That story changes when one of the major hyperlane routes is disturbed.
"Aaaahh!!"
An expression of joy comes from the little guy in my arms as he pushes away the bottle. A sigh escapes my lips. Seems my little friend here has gotten a burst of energy.
I think it's fair that I don't know how to entertain or care for a baby. Never planned to be a mother. Now, ones dropped into my life. I'm still trying to find answers to where he came from, but until then, he's my problem.
The Republic offered to send him to an orphanage until his birth parents or someone adopted him. But I was a part of the system for a long time, and it's not something I'm throwing a helpless little baby into.
Out of all the priorities The Republic has, taking care of and helping orphans isn't one of them.
"You've become a real pain in my butt; you know that, mister?"
My voice is more caring and happy than anything. In truth, I'm a little glad to have the company...
One thing I've learned is that he likes it when I hold him up and let his feet stand on my legs. He's not strong or flexible enough to stand up yet, but he does like pretending. Most of the time, he sleeps and cries.
It's only been eight days since he was given to me on the transport ship. This is all I've found when it comes to entertaining him.
"Laaa!"
A happy announcement comes from him as I smile at him. His hand moves to me as if asking to come closer. I bring him into my chest, and he lays his head on my shoulder. I can't help cuddling the guy a bit.
Rocking side to side comes to me at this moment, thinking it might be something he likes. I gently run my hand along his back in comfort.
As I look down, I see his eyes already closed.
While I don't want to be a mother...
I care about this ball of love...
