Collision alarms blared in Annika's ears as she struggled to control her dysfunctional ship. The woman was on a crash course to the green and blue planet of Alderaan. Unfortunately, the woman didn't have the luxury to appreciate its breathtaking charm. Her stolen starship whipped through the planet's atmosphere, leaving gooseflesh on her arms. With all her strength, Annika pulled the yoke towards herself, attempting to level out the ship, for a somewhat smoother crashlanding.

She clenched her jaw and waited for the impact.

THUD!

The ship had touched down on a pale white stretch of land and skidded to a halt. Snow had accumulated at the ship's front, from when it was dragged through, obscuring Annika from the scenery outside. Alarms continued to echo through the starship, ringing in Annika's ears.

She gathered her scarce belongings, which consisted of a seasoned blaster and an engraved lightsaber. After holstering her weapons, the woman aggressively pushed the jammed side door open, revealing cream-colored scenery as far as the eye could see.

Sharp winds bit at her lightly sun-tanned face and arms, causing her to shiver. Annika wearily gazed down at her thin worn-out poncho and faded cargo pants. She knew that her current clothing would never do in this harsh weather. She needed to find the capital.

With strategic steps, Annika scaled the totaled starship in mere seconds. From the roof, she could easily make out the silhouette of several towers. Annika leaped off the hunk of junk and began her journey through the clean snow, just before a small explosion sounded from the fractured vehicle.

Glad that wasn't my ship, She thought to herself with a faint smile.

Annika trudged onward focusing on her surroundings and not the searing pain in her heart. Solitude and silence were no longer her companions. Not after...She roughly shook her head, forbidding her mind to wander down that dreary road. Instead, she placed one foot in front of the other, tipped her chin upward, and pulled her shoulders back. However, her unwavering posture soon morphed back into a slouched position, for the relentless winds had her shivering uncontrollably.

The strands of hair framing Annika's face gently whipped against her exposed skin. The woman sighed in irritation and decided to pull her wavy auburn locks up into a loose topknot. She concentrated on regulating her body temperature, by creating friction in her hands. Annika made her way through the frigid terrain, holding a steady pace and keeping her thoughts on the path ahead.

Mile after mile, she walked until at last, she reached the shining capitol, located amid colossal snow-capped mountains and forests. A sense of dread overwhelmed Annika when she thought about the tough conversations ahead. She had no idea how anything would play out, for her future was brimming with uncertainty. Nevertheless, Annika continued on, allowing herself to hope for the best but expect the worst. She was going to meet her sister after a long twenty-one years, after all. What could go wrong?

✵  ✵  ✵

Astrid calmly chanted in her head, Inhale...exhale....inhale...exhale, Until her trembling subsided. She opened her hazel eyes, adjusted her meditative position, and gazed at the golden sunlight streaming through her window. The serene abode, purposefully fashioned to emit tranquility, was bathed in a warm luminosity. With one last deep breath, the woman gracefully pulled herself from the smooth floor and stood tall.

In an attempt to conceal the shadows beneath her melancholy eyes, Astrid reached for a clear jar containing one of her many concoctions and smeared it onto her under eyes. The voluminous gel quickly absorbed into her clean skin producing a cooling effect. Much to her annoyance, the jar was nearly empty and she would have to gather more. Heading for the door, Astrid grabbed her aged jacket and stuck her arms through the thick brown material. After slipping on a pair of rough gloves, she briskly walked into her shaded garden, knelt down, and plucked a variety of roots.

"Mistress Levera?" A mechanical voice inquired a few yards from Astrid. She didn't bother turning around but rather hummed in reply. "Someone is here for you. And she claims she must speak with you urgently."

"Tell her to take a seat, please. I will head in momentarily." She responded in a light and velvety voice.

The droid objected to her preoccupied answer, "It would seem that she is not here for medical purposes. I suggest you speak to her presently." Astrid turned her head giving the protocol droid a quizzical glance.

She thought for a moment before sighing, "Alright then. I'll be right in." Astrid peeled off her work gloves and thermal-lined jacket then rinsed her hands thoroughly. She strode into her domicile, wondering what business the stranger had.

Upon entering, Astrid froze midstep, something she had never once done. The woman seated before her radiated an unruly and disorganized ambiance. This, however, was not what had startled the Medic. Nor was it the similar auburn hair. But rather the striking hazel eyes that were, without a doubt, identical to her own. She'd recognize those eyes anywhere. It would be impossible to mistake the lovely green and amber irises as unfamiliar. She had seen them every day until she was nine years old.

When her mother died.

Astrid's stomach flipped as her mind raced, creating theory after theory. But each time every conclusion mystified her and she grew confused. Then, she averted her eyes upon realizing she was openly staring at her guest. The Medic cleared her throat and seated herself opposite the strangely familiar woman.

"How can I help you?" She questioned while masking her curiosity.

"I was hoping to speak with you," She hesitated, glancing at the protocol droid, "In private."

Astrid signaled for the droid to leave them. She turned her attention back toward the woman, gesturing for her to proceed.

"Right," Annika began, "I-uh-I'm not sure how else to say this...but..."

"We're related?" The Medic prompted much to Annika's surprise.

"I-" She stared at her in disbelief, "Y-yes. As a matter of fact we are." Annika straightened her position so as to find her words. "Do you already know who I am?"

"Not specifically, but we do look alike, wouldn't you agree?"

"That we do," She let out a nervous breathy laugh, "I recently found out who my parents are, Rodiah and Jade Levera. I am their firstborn daughter, Annika Levera."

Astrid sucked in a sharp breath at the proclamation, "I had assumed that we were cousins perhaps. But you're saying that we're sisters?"

Annika simply nodded in reply.

A thousand fresh questions erupted in the Medic's mind.

"How is that possible?" She finally questioned the woman.

"Well, you see...I was taken away when I was only months old. I was to become a servant of the republic and later aided the war effort." Annika realized how vague her response was, but she wasn't sure how much to tell her sister. Although Astrid radiated an aura of maturity and trustworthiness, an air of mystery clouded her senses.

"If you were a loyal servant of the republic, where do you stand in the Galaxy's current state of rule?" She queried innocently.

Annika decided it was best to answer honestly, "I am not sure." She quietly said.

"I respect that." Was Astrid's response. "But back to the matter at hand, I can't imagine why my parents would never tell me about you," she creased her brows and practically whispered, "Unless...they simply didn't get the chance."

Annika understood what she was insinuating. She knew her mother and father had died when she was young.

The Medic took a deep breath, "Are you searching for a place to stay?" Her words were kind, but her face remained void of any emotion, which puzzled Annika. The Jedi slowly nodded in confirmation. Astrid looked away as she spoke, "I'm afraid I can't offer you anything with stability. You see, I don't stay in the same place for too long. If that's a problem, I'm sure-"

"No, no! That would be perfect, truly," Annika felt herself smile with joy for the first time in days. Thank the force! If she was constantly moving around, it would significantly lessen the Empire's chances of finding and killing her. "I can't thank you enough for displaying such kindness!" She sincerely said, bowing her head in gratitude.

Astrid replied with a light smile, "We're sisters, aren't we?"

Annika's grin grew even wider as she processed her sister's words. She sighed in contentment, realizing that she wasn't alone. 

Not anymore.

─── ❖ ── ✦ ── ❖ ───⋮✧