CHAPTER THREE
Come home.
The voice is faint, as if far in the distance.
Come back...my child.
He awakes on icy ground, his body numb. He tries to make himself move, but it feels like he is pinned to the ground...or his body just does not want to move.
Get up, my child. Come to me...
An invisible force pulls him up, as if he is a marionette on strings. The voice calls to him again, louder than before.
Come home, my child. Come back...to Mother.
* * *
Jaden Korr woke with a start. He was still in his Z-95 Headhunter, the Far Wanderer, resting in his pilot seat as his R6-series astromech droid flew the ship through hyperspace.
It was one of those dreams again, the ones he had been having ever since he had become an agent of the Watcher. He wasn't exactly sure what that title actually meant, or why he was chosen, but he and the Dark Jedi Starkiller were given little choice. Since then, Jaden had been acting as the Watcher's 'eyes and ears' by exploring other Force philosophies.
R6-O3 beeped, indicating that they were reaching their destination. Jaden brought the Far Wanderer out of hyperspace and the planet Deralia came into view.
He wasn't exactly sure what had brought him here, other than another strange dream which showed him the Outer Rim world itself, as well as a person's name, a name which compelled him to follow it.
Toah Jarsan.
* * *
"You two sure do like playing games."
Sev Nep spared a glance from the dejarik game he was playing with Jast Kyjar and Lumpy to look at Anakin Solo. The four of them, along with the assigned Alliance, Imperial, Jedi, and Dark Jedi teams, were sitting in the Forge Seeker's lobby room, awaiting orders from the Trucemaker via Captain Jaon.
The Sullustan trooper smiled. "Hey, whatever passes the time, right?"
"Right." Anakin glanced at the dejarik table and smirked. "Your Kintan Strider seems to be in dire straits."
Sev turned in time to see Jast's holographic Mantellian Savrip piece strangle his Kintan Strider one. Scowling, the Sullustan crossed his arms.
"If Walking Carpet here hadn't taken down my k'lor'slug, you would've regretted that move."
Jast smiled smugly. "Wookiees don't take names like that kindly."
Sev glance at Lumpy, who merely growled in response. "Sorry," the trooper murmured.
At that moment, Captain Jaon's voice spoke through the room's intercom. "Hate to ruin whatever fun you guys are having, but we've just arrived at our first stop: Tatooine."
Both Sev and Jast's faces visibly fell.
"Tatooine?" the latter said. "Why are we going back there? I thought we were going straight to the Lehon system."
Anakin shrugged. "Guess not."
"Meet Security Chief Sol Paun in the conference room," Jaon went on. "He will fill you in on your mission."
Jast let out a sigh as he got up from his seat. "Things just keep getting better and better."
* * *
The Chief of State's office was occupied by four beings: the Chief of State himself, Cal Omas; Senator Triebakk of Kashyyyk; Senator Dumed of Kaal; and a Bith member of the Jedi Order. Considering the 'status' of the planets that the two senators represented, and that both the Bith species and the Jedi Order valued peace, it was clear to the spy that hid in the room's ventilation shafts what was going on.
"I understand your impatience," Chief Omas was saying to the two senators. "But you must understand that it isn't exactly easy trying to find two systems that are no longer in their respective sectors."
"We understand," said Senator Dumed. "We are mainly concerned about what the public thinks. People are quite...outspoken of their disappointment over your lack of action."
Omas sighed, the creases of stress making him look older than he already was. "Do you think I don't watch the HoloNet? You think I haven't seen the throngs of angered civilians who demand for a new election?"
The white-haired man got up from his desk and sadly stared out the wide window which oversaw the busy streets of Galactic City. This prompted a disdainful sneer from the spy; if the Chief of State was trying to prompt sympathy by acting slightly melodramatic, he was doing a terribly bad job.
"I had promised myself to do what I could to ensure peace to the galaxy." Omas hung his head. "And look where that's gotten us."
"Do not blame yourself, Chief Omas," said the Bith Jedi. "Nothing could have prevented this war; not even the Force."
Omas smiled, though it had little mirth. "I appreciate your wisdom and support, Master Jedi, but it will do me little good."
Pausing for a moment as he gazed out the window, he then said, "I am considering about resigning from my position as Chief of State."
This evoked a grin from the spy. Perhaps he wouldn't have to perform his duty. It would be quite messy anyway.
"You needn't do that, Chief," Dumed said. "Like Master Ahar said, you are not responsible for any of this."
Senator Triebakk growled his agreement, folding his large, furry arms over his chest.
"Again, I appreciate your support," Omas said. "But this is something I can no longer handle."
Turning his back to the window, he said, "We shall hold an election tonight. Within a week, a new Chief of State shall be chosen."
"Are you sure about this?" Dumed asked.
"More so than I could ever be."
Smiling gleefully, the spy crawled back down the shaft, plotting his next objective.
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