Bodhi Rook - THE PILOT

“I wont let anything happen to you.”

“Get behind me.”

“I would die for you.”

“I’ve got you.”

“I wont let them hurt you.”

“Tell me who hurt you.”

“Who did this to you? I’ll kill them!”

“I’m here for you, always.”

“Sit down, tell me what happened.”

“Take my hand, I got you.”

At that, he kind of wanted to start crying- and he wasn’t sure if he could hold back tears if they started. “I’m glad you’re here, Jyn,” He smiled- his cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling. He didn’t know what else to say- he didn’t know if it would make it past his lips. He was glad she was here, he was glad he wasn’t alone, he was glad that she- despite never  really having known the man-  was so much like Galen.

he stopped, still, turned just slightly. He shook his head. “I didn’t stand up- I lied. Lying isn’t fighting, it’s lying.”

“Could…” He stared. “No… no, I- I’m not even sure why I helped you. I couldn’t- I’ll- I’ll just leave you be, then.” He knocked his fists together once more, twice, and dipped his head, turning.

She touched his knee cautiously, ready to pull back should the man be at all uncomfortable. With a gentle nudge, she peered into his mind. She was nearly sucked in by the vacuum of jumbled thoughts that awaited her. So much suppressed pain and sadness lurked behind those big, lost eyes. Guilt and regret swirled about in him like a cyclone. He was damaged. So damaged and obviously desperate for help of some kind. She used her energy to soothe some of the more agitated parts of his mind. Trying to calm the whirling emotions to keep him relaxed and to make sure she didn’t lose herself. But what was strange was the fractures in his mind. They were unusual. Unnatural.

There were very few things that could cause such a disturbance. All of them had belonged to the Jedi while they still existed. Living anomalies, ancient Sith artifacts, Jedi safeguards. She saw multiple cases of this often. The extermination of the Jedi Order had left those relics without a safeguard. They got out into the public, wreaking havoc on the galaxy. Her first encounter had been with a plague inducing orb on Tara V. A smuggler opened it and unleashed an ancient Sith plague on the people. It fed on the energy of the Circle, though the Jedi and Sith both used the term Force. People literally rotted away, losing chunks of flesh and limbs before going mad.

“Ah, Bodhi- Rook. I’m Bodhi Rook. I’m from- uh- I’m from Jedha, I was born there- I… I’m on Yavin 4… I came here with my friends- they’re in the- they got hurt. They’re being looked after.” He took a deep breath, calming himself. “Bodhi. Jedha. Yavin.”

The mention of Jedha was the first red flag. Not only was the place a warzone, it also housed a Jedi temple. It was where they harvested kyber for their lightsabers. She could think of at least four artifacts held there that could alter the mind. The name Bor Gullet came up then, making her scowl at empty space. Of course those Jedi idiots wouldn’t have killed that accursed thing. They likely wanted to “study it”. She couldn’t imagine why. It was a threat to innocent lives. They should have been as selfless as they said they were instead of being self serving, arrogant fools. It was that kind of thinking that got them slaughtered by the Sith.

“If- If that will help-” He took a deep breath. “Then, yes. Yes- you can do it.” He wanted help, he needed it. He needed to remember what his mother’s face looked like. He needed to remember what his aunt’s name was. He didn’t know who this woman was- but he found that he trusted her. She reminded him of JYN. He had followed Jyn, he had followed Cassian. Cassian- who was still in the sickbay. Jyn- who hadn’t left his side since arrival. The two bravest people he’d known. He wanted to be brave like them.

“This won’t hurt,” she said as she slowly raised her fingers up like approaching a skittish animal. She placed her index fingers on his temples. Her thumbs came to rest on the ridge of his brows. “You may see strange, unfamiliar things. Just ignore them. I’m connecting my mind to yours.” She refrained from going into detail about what he might see. She just hoped he didn’t see anything to traumatizing when they connected. Maybe he’d just see training or a random conversation like most others she’d healed in the past. “Alright, just close your eyes and breathe, Bodhi.” She started rubbing his brow muscles. Most patients liked it. Said it helped them relax.

Kly’tem shut her eyes and carefully allowed a part of her Circle energy to wrap around his own. Gently, she prodded at his mind. There were almost no defenses. They’d all been shattered by that beast. No wonder the poor man suffered so greatly. He was overstimulated. Like a raw nerve fiber being touched by the entire galaxy. She continued rubbing his brow as she started peering around. His memories and thoughts were a jumbled mess. Like light refracting off of glass shards. As she glanced around, she saw much pain in his memories. He hadn’t really enjoyed life with the Imperials based on what she saw. But one man stood out. A science officer. Something about him was soothing to Bodhi Rook in some way.

“Maybe, maybe…” He sighed. “My father- he was a pilot. That’s why I wanted to do it… Wasn’t- I wasn’t sure if I even liked it. But- But if I hadn’t done it… I wouldn’t have met you-” He paused, the rest of the words dying in his throat. He wouldn’t have met Galen.

She touched his knee cautiously, ready to pull back should the man be at all uncomfortable. With a gentle nudge, she peered into his mind. She was nearly sucked in by the vacuum of jumbled thoughts that awaited her. So much suppressed pain and sadness lurked behind those big, lost eyes. Guilt and regret swirled about in him like a cyclone. He was damaged. So damaged and obviously desperate for help of some kind. She used her energy to soothe some of the more agitated parts of his mind. Trying to calm the whirling emotions to keep him relaxed and to make sure she didn’t lose herself. But what was strange was the fractures in his mind. They were unusual. Unnatural.

There were very few things that could cause such a disturbance. All of them had belonged to the Jedi while they still existed. Living anomalies, ancient Sith artifacts, Jedi safeguards. She saw multiple cases of this often. The extermination of the Jedi Order had left those relics without a safeguard. They got out into the public, wreaking havoc on the galaxy. Her first encounter had been with a plague inducing orb on Tara V. A smuggler opened it and unleashed an ancient Sith plague on the people. It fed on the energy of the Circle, though the Jedi and Sith both used the term Force. People literally rotted away, losing chunks of flesh and limbs before going mad.

“Ah, Bodhi- Rook. I’m Bodhi Rook. I’m from- uh- I’m from Jedha, I was born there- I… I’m on Yavin 4… I came here with my friends- they’re in the- they got hurt. They’re being looked after.” He took a deep breath, calming himself. “Bodhi. Jedha. Yavin.”

The mention of Jedha was the first red flag. Not only was the place a warzone, it also housed a Jedi temple. It was where they harvested kyber for their lightsabers. She could think of at least four artifacts held there that could alter the mind. The name Bor Gullet came up then, making her scowl at empty space. Of course those Jedi idiots wouldn’t have killed that accursed thing. They likely wanted to “study it”. She couldn’t imagine why. It was a threat to innocent lives. They should have been as selfless as they said they were instead of being self serving, arrogant fools. It was that kind of thinking that got them slaughtered by the Sith.

"If- If that will help-" He took a deep breath. "Then, yes. Yes- you can do it." He wanted help, he needed it. He needed to remember what his mother's face looked like. He needed to remember what his aunt's name was. He didn't know who this woman was- but he found that he trusted her. She reminded him of JYN. He had followed Jyn, he had followed Cassian. Cassian- who was still in the sickbay. Jyn- who hadn't left his side since arrival. The two bravest people he'd known. He wanted to be brave like them.

“I don’t doubt that,” He knocked his fists together nervously, trying to look anywhere but at this newcomer. He seemed to shrink slightly, backing away. “I just- I wanted to help,” He said quietly. He almost added an ‘i’m sorry,’ to the end of it, but decided to stay silent instead.

“Not insane,” He repeated, lips curving into a tiny smile. “Still not a very good pilot.” He joked, because he felt like they needed joking. Just once, just a little. He needed it, and he thought that she needed it too.