<u>Where The Heart Is</u>

A few days after the events of Filling the Void

Dev Baskalar stood there, packed and ready to go.

"Thanks for all your help, Dev. Free Port would have been slagged if it weren't for you." Captain Greggs said conveying his thanks to the Jedi Padawan.

"Captain, your thanks are hardly in order. What happened here, happened <i>because of</i> not in spite of my Master and I." Dev replied, still upset over the events that had transpired.

Captain Greggs shrugged slightly feeling the akward moment.

"What are you gonna do now? Are you going to return to the Jedi Order on.." Before he could finish his thought he was cut off abruptly.

"My connection to the Jedi Order died with Rade Mar." Dev said, pausing to take a deep breath. "I can't return. I have nothing to return to." Dev had a troubled look on his face as he came to the cruel realization. He really did have <i>nowhere</i> to go.

"Well... if you need anything.." Greggs said, not sure exactly how to console the distraught Jedi.

"Thanks." The younger man said with a nod.

"I guess it's time I went <i>home</i>, Captain." Dev said as he looked up at the Captain.

"Where's that?" Greggs asked, curious about Dev's homeworld since this is the first he'd heard of it.

"I... I don't know. Not yet at least." Dev revealed.

"You mean.. you don't know where you're from?" The Captain asked, clearly surprised.

"No sir, I was taken from my parents at a very young age to join the Jedi Order. I was never told who, or where, my family was. I never asked, to be quite honest. Rade Mar was the only family I've ever known, or needed for that matter. I..." Dev began to say, but stopped himself.

"What is it Dev?" Captain Greggs asked.

"Rade Mar was the only family I ever knew, and I let him down. I let him die."

"Dev, what happened to Rade was not your fault. You can't let his death haunt you." The Captain replied, trying to console the boy.

"I suppose it's time for me to leave the Jedi Order behind, I think it's time to find my family." Dev said, not exactly sure what that meant.

<i>Where is my family? <b>Who</b> is my family?</i> Dev thought to himself. Dev Baskalar hoped that he would be able to start a new life by finding and rejoining his family. He hoped that they'd welcome him with open arms. After nearly 19 years, was it possible that they forgot him?

Only time would tell. And soon, that time would come.

"One please, to Knossa." Dev said to the haggard woman standing behind the counter.

"Ossus?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am." Dev said as he slid the credits along with his identification, across the counter.

"One way?"

"Yes." He said, nodding.

There was a momentary delay as the tickets were printing out. The woman looked up from the printer and flashed Dev a quick smile.

"Here you go." She said as she handed him his boarding pass for the flight to Ossus.

"Thank you."

<b>Several hours later</b>

"The local temperature here in Knossa is 78 degrees. Thank you again for flying with Galactic United. We hope you enjoy your stay here on Ossus." The stewardess said in here post-flight announcement.

Dev stood up and stretched as he let out a soft yawn. It had been a long flight, luckily he'd been able to sleep through most of it. Dev gathered his luggage which consisted of a single bag which was large enough to contain everything Dev owned. Dev didn't own much.

The stewardess nodded and smiled warmly as Dev exited the shuttle.

Dev immediately went on his way, he'd never been to Ossus before but he knew where he had to go. Rade Mar had talked about the Great Jedi Library on several occasions.

The Great Jedi Library had stood for over five millenia, the knowledge held within was remarkable. From ancient artifacts pre-dating hyperspace to dangerous Sith relics stored in the Library's Chamber of Antiquities. If there were any record of Dev Baskalar's past, it would be found in the Great Jedi Library. Dev was counting on it.

After renting a speeder bike and uploading a local map to his datapad, Dev was ready to seek out the Library. After navigating the Eocho Mountains for nearly an hour, Dev saw the Library in the distance. Nestled on a hill protruding from the mountains, the ancient structure was quite a sight. With its four towers climbing towards the heavens, the Great Jedi Library did not disappoint.

As Dev reached the Library, he noticed that it didn't appear to attract many visitors. As Dev approached the entrance he saw a woman standing there, clothed in a Jedi Robe bearing the symbols of the Ansata. The intricate designs represented her devotion to knowledge and learning. The way she was looking at him, it almost seemed as if she'd been waiting for Dev.

"Greetings young Jedi." The elder Jedi said as she smiled brightly. Her white hair was pulled back in a bun, a lightsaber was clipped to her side. Dev wondered when the last time was that she had to use it.

"Hello, my name is Dev Baskalar." Dev said as he bowed to the Jedi Mistress.

"Greetings Dev Baskalar, I am Maraka Nossa, Keeper of Jedi Knowledge." She said, returning with a slight bow.

"I need your help Maraka." Dev said as he approached her.

"I see, walk with me Dev." She said as she turned and began to walk into the library.

"I need to find my parents."

Maraka Nossa stopped walking, "Dev..."

Before she could continue he interrupted her. "I'm leaving the Jedi Order."

Maraka Nossa remained silent for a moment before she continued to walk down the hall.

"I suppose you've given this decision quite a bit of thought?"

"Yes, ma'am. There's nothing left for me in the Order."

"A bold statement indeed, Dev Baskalar."

"I can't be a Jedi, Maraka. Not without him."

Maraka paused again, turning to face the young man. The puzzled look on her face clearly showed that she didn't know who exactly Dev was speaking of.

"Rade Mar, my master. He was murdered on Gelgelar, we were setup by the Sith. Master Mar devoted his life to helping others, and in the end, it cost him his own life.

Without Master Mar's guidance, I can't be the Jedi he wanted me to be. I'm all alone." Dev said, clearly discouraged.

"With the guidance of the Force, none of us are alone Dev Baskalar. Your Master commited his life to the teachings of the Force so that you could benefit, and one day pass those teachings on to another generation.

Here we are." Maraka Nossa said as she typed a few commands into the console. "Here's the information you require Dev. It looks like you have a decision to make." She said as she turned the display so that he could read it. She placed a hand on Dev's shoulder and smiled at him before walking away. She hoped that the Force would guide Dev Baskalar in the right direction.

Dev looked down to the monitor, reading the information with great interest. A puzzled look came across his face as he whispered to himself, "Telos?"

Dev sat there aboard the shuttle, staring out into the middle of nowhere. He glanced down at the copy of the <i>Telosian Times</i> he'd picked up at the spaceport.

<b>Four Found Dead in Gruesome Murder</b>, read the headline, Dev shook his head. <i>What's wrong with this Galaxy</i>, he thought to himself as he flipped the page to the sports section without paying any attention to the article. <b>Skullcrushers rout Dreadnaughts in Smashball Final</b>. <i>Eh.. a violent sport, but at least nobody died</i>, he thought as he folded the paper and tossed it on the empty seat next to him.

Dev took the datapad out of his bag and typed in a few commands, the screen then displayed the information he discovered on Ossus at the Great Jedi Library.

<i>Baskalari</i>, that was the name of the village where his family lived. It was named after his ancestors who settled in the region nearly a millenia ago. The village rested in a small valley amongst rolling grasslands, most of its current inhabitants were related to Dev in some way. It was here that Dev would find his family, they resided in a small home a few hours outside Citadel Station. Apparently Dev had a younger brother and sister as well.

Dev leaned back into his seat taking a deep breath, this was a lot to absorb. Over the course of a week Dev lost his Jedi mentor Rade Mar, and found out he'd been born in a small agricultural village on Telos. Now he had brothers and sisters? Definitely a lot to absorb.

"This is your captain speaking, we'll be arriving on Citadel Station within the hour folks. The local temperature's a balmy seventy-two degrees. We hope you enjoyed your flight, and thanks again for flying Galactic United."

Then reality began to set in, this was the moment of truth. Soon Dev would be face to face with his family, his <i>flesh and blood family</i>. Dev coulnd't help but feel nervous, he'd run through the encounter so many times in his head since he'd made the decision to come home.

<i>What will I say? What will <b>they</b> say? Will they be <b>happy</b> to see me?</i>

Soon, very soon, Dev would have the answers to these questions, and many more.

The speeder glided across the vast grasslands en route to Baskalari. A million thoughts were still whirling around in Dev's head as he rehearsed what he might say upon meeting his father and mother for the first time.

"Hi.. I'm... Dev?

Hello sir, ma'am." Dev shook his head.

"Mom. Dad. Nice to meet you."

Dev was beginning to feel overwhelmed, perhaps it was better if he didn't have anything planned. Just then Dev saw a sign for Baskalari, 20 kilometers away, Dev would be there any minute.

As Dev approached the village he pulled out his datapad, confirming that the coordinates he had were correct. It appeared that they were. And in that moment Dev's apprehension was replaced with excitement, for all that time Dev had spent <i>worrying</i> about meeting his parents, he finally realized that he was actually going to meet his parents. This was not a moment to be analyzed or rehearsed, this was a moment to <i>enjoy</i>, and to remember for the rest of his life.

And Dev Baskalar would remember this moment, <i>for the rest of his life</i>. In many ways, the following moment would shape his very destiny.

The speeder slowly came to a halt as Dev parked it along a wooden fence.

<i>This is it</i>.

There was a walkway which spanned about a hundred meters, the area was not very highly populated. Each home was about a kilometer or so apart, leaving acres of unmolested grasslands inbetween.

Dev dismounted from the speeder bike and stopped for a moment, taking his time. Dev began to walk down the brick pathway which lead to the front door, the sun was beginning its decent towards dusk. The pre-twilight sky was like a pastel masterpeice painted by the Gods themselves, as if to say <i>Welcome home, Dev</i>. The perfectly hung clouds lingered across the coral colored sky. For a moment, and if only for a moment, Dev Baskalar was truly happy.

"Dev." The voice called out, it hit Dev like a ton of bricks as he stopped dead in his tracks.

He appeared there, like a shadow of his former self. A Jedi apparition flowing softly in the wind.

"Master!?"

"It is I, Dev. I am here in hopes that I can guide you, one last time." The spirit of Rade Mar said earnestly.

"But... Master, I.."

"You must return to the Jedi Order, Dev." Rade Mar said, interrupting him.

"Master Mar, I've come so far.."

"There is nothing left for you down this path Dev, heed my words my pupil."

"I'm so <i>close</i>, Master Mar. Without you, there's no place for me in the Jedi Order."

"The Jedi Order may be the <i>only</i> place for you Dev. If you follow down this path, all you will find is anger, hate... and suffering. I have no more time to instruct you my student, please obey an old man's final request." Rade Mar said, expressing a melancholy grin.

"May the Force be with you, Dev Baskalar, <i>always</i>." Rade Mar said, vanishing as quickly as he'd appeared.

"Goodbye... <i>Master</i>." Dev said, thinking that would be the final conversation he'd have with his former mentor. There was so much left unsaid.

Rade Mar was explicit in his instructions, Dev was to return to the Jedi Order.

Dev stood there, gathering his thoughts. His journey had taken him this far, he was finally <i>here</i>. <i>Home</i>. Perhaps Rade Mar was right, perhaps Dev was too quick in making his decision to leave the Jedi Order. But he'd come too far, curiosity alone overwhelmed him. Dev would obey Rade Mar's instructions, Dev would return to the Jedi, but he had to take the final step. He had to meet his parents.

Dev Baskalar took a deep breath, gathering his composure before continuing down the brick path. As Dev approached the door, he heard several people talking inside. Before he reached the entrance, a man walked out abruptly.

"Who are you kid?" The man said, shutting the door behind him. Something wasn't right.

"I'm... who are you?"

"Who am I? Kid you don't just stumble onto a crime scene and start questioning Detectives. I'm gonna need to see some.."

Dev interrupted before the Detective could continue.

"Crime scene? What are you talking about? <i>Detective</i>?"

"Shit kid... what are you? The one sentient in the System that didn't hear?"

"Wait... Detective... my <i>family</i>."

"Who are you kid?"

"My name is Dev Baskalar sir."

The Detective paused for a moment as he stared at Dev.

"Hey Frank, get out here!" He said, raising his voice so that <i>Frank</i> could hear him from inside the house.

"Ya? What is it?" Frank said as he walked out of the home, the door slightly open behind him.

"<i>Dev</i> Baskalar?" The Detective said.

"<i>Dev Baskalar</i>? What are you talkin' about Mike?"

"This kid says he's <i>Dev, Baskalar</i>."

Frank changed his focus to Dev as the other Detective revealed his identity.

"I don't know about any <i>Dev</i> Baskalar, Mike."

"What's going on??" Dev said, beginning to suspect the worst.

Neither Mike, nor Frank had ever heard of <i>Dev</i> Baskalar.

"Are you related to.."

"I'm here to see my parents, Detective." Dev said, clearly shaken at this point. "My brother, my <i>sister</i>."

"Dev.. I.." Mike said, looking up to Frank, the other Detective.

"Where are they, Detective?"

"Dev... they... I hate to be the one to tell you this Dev."

Dev's heart began to beat faster.

"Your family's <i>dead</i>."

And in that moment, it hit him like a ton of bricks. His heart beat faster and faster, his eyes began to well up with tears.

"No...

<i>Noooooooooooo.

Nooooo.

No.

No.

No, it can't... Detective...</i>" Dev said, shaking his head, he was almost delirious at this point.

"It can't.. <i>be</i>."

"How? Detective? How? It can't be... I just <i>found</i> them!!! I just <b>FOUND</b> them!!!" Dev said, his fear turning to rage.

"Dev.. I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this."

"What about my brother and sister Detective? <i>Jordan..</i>? <b><i>Emily</i></b>?" Dev said, sounding almost hopeless.

"I'm sorry Dev."

Dev Baskalar fell to his knees, first Rade Mar, now <i>this</i>. Jordan and Emily, they were just <i>kids</i>.

Dev's head slumped into his chest, he'd seen death before, he'd taken lives throughout his training as a Jedi. He'd seen others die. But until Rade Mar died before his eyes, he never really <i>experienced</i> death. Now his family. It was almost too much to handle.

"How?" Dev cried,"<b>HOW</b>?"

"Dev, they.."

"<b>HOW</b>!????!?" Dev cried out in rage. His family didn't deserve whatever foul tragedy had befallen them.

"How did they die, Detective? How did my family <i>die</i>?" Dev asked, pleading with the Detective.

Frank stood there behind Mike, stone faced and silent. Many times the role of a Detective was not an enjoyable one, but times like this ranked among the worst.

"Dev.." Mike replied, not wanting to reveal the gruesome nature of his family's deaths.

"Detective, I need to know. I came halfway across the Galaxy, I <i>have</i> to know." Dev said, beginning to regain his composure as he rose back to his feet.

"They were... they were <i>murdered</i>, Dev."

Dev stood there, shaking his head, his eyes shut tightly as tears streamed down either side.

"<i>Why</i>? Detective? <i>Why?</i>"

"We don't know, Dev. Yet." He corrected himself. "We don't know yet.." He repeated, trailing off.

"Your Uncle arrived shortly after.."

"My <i>Uncle</i>?" Dev said, not knowing to who they were referring.

"Davin, your Uncle, Davin Roark."

"He's out back, Dev. We'll take you to see him." Frank said, speaking for the first time since he'd come outside. Frank closed the door behind him as he took Dev by the shoulder, escorting him around the house to the back.

He sat there. His eyes wide, red from several hours of excess tears, he stared out into the atmosphere blankly.

"Davin," Frank said, awaking the man from his conscious coma. "Dev.. is here."

"Dev?" He said, squinting, confused. "<i>Dev</i>?" He said as he looked up to his nephew.

"I haven't seen you since..." Tears began to flow freely from the man's eyes once again as he stood, embracing Dev Baskalar.

Dev stood there confused for a moment, and then embraced the man in return.

"Heidi... <b>Kennedy</b>.. They loved you so much, Dev." The man said embracing his nephew, his head buried in his shoulder. "They loved you <i>so much</i> Dev."

Dev couldn't help but feel the emotions, tears streamed down his face continuously at this point. He had to find out how his family died, he had to know what evil caused their departure from this world. But for now, he couldn't help but focus on the emotions which overcame him.

"Dev, you're a Jedi now..." Davin Roark said, as he and Dev Baskalar sat side-by-side on a bench outside his parents home.

Dev turned his head to his Uncle who sat to his right, but was too tired to correct the man.

"What happened, <i>Uncle</i>?" Dev said awkwardly, using the term for the first time.

"I... I don't know Dev." Davin said, as he seemingly looked to the stars. "I was coming over to watch the Smashball match with Kennedy and Jordan..."

He paused, memories of the bloody massacre returning to him.

"I walked up to the door.. I heard <i>noises</i>. Something wasn't right."

"Then I heard it."

"Heard <i>what</i>!?"

"Speeder Bike, it just flew away, <i>gone</i>... in the blink of an eye."

"Speeder Bike?"

"Ya... it was one of those <i>Razalon</i> bikes.. you know? All circular... futuristic looking?"

Dev's eyes widened, the Sith who killed Rade Mar on Gelgelar piloted a similar Speeder Bike.

"The pilot..."

"I don't know... I couldn't see him... it was dark. Plus he was wearing a cloak, so I couldn't really make anything out." Davin said, glossing over the last fact.

"A <i>black</i> cloak?"

"Ya, how'd you...?"

Dev stood up, walking towards the house. He paused as he reached the rear entrance to the home, local law enforcement was still finishing up their investigation of the crime scene. Dev entered the home, unbeknownst to him, tracing the footsteps of the man who had brutally murdered his family.

"Dev! You don't want to see that!" Davin said following Dev, stopping just outside, not wanting to see what lie inside <i>ever</i> again.

Dev continued, as if he didn't hear the man.

"Kid, you can't..." One of the plain clothes officers said, as Dev shoved him aside without acknowledging him.

Dev reached the living room, pools of blood dried into the wood flooring in four separate locations, with outlines of the corpses where they once laid. Dev's eyes narrowed, not able to hold back the tears as he began to cry out. He looked over to the holoproj, there was a video still running, the sound was turned off.

An infant, a <i>baby</i>, running around in his diapers. His two parents, looking on in the background, <i>smiling</i>... <i>happy</i>. A young Kennedy and Heidi Baskalar. Dev broke down further as he saw the image. He'd never met his father and mother, and had only just now laid eyes on them for the first time.

Rage welled up inside Dev, the Sith that had taken the life of Rade Mar, he <i>had</i> to be responsible for this. Dev stood there in the middle of the scene where his family was brutally murdered less than 48 hours ago, tears running down his face, the look of anger hung on his face in a way which made it seem like it might be permanent.

Dev marched outside the house, exiting through the rear of the home. He stopped briefly as he reached his Uncle.

"I'm gonna find him Uncle Davin, I'm gonna find the man the man that did this... <i>and then</i>," he paused looking directly into the eyes of his dead mother's brother. "I'm going to <i>kill</i> him."

Dev continued towards his speeder, <i>determined</i>, he had a purpose. He was going to track down the Sith that killed Rade Mar, that killed his father and mother that he had never known. The evil being that took the lives of his brother and sister, he was going to find him, and he was going to end his life.