The next day was filled with Force-assisted rock climbing for the two Jedi. Yisheera’s plan dictated that they approach the Thul fortress from the mountain face into which it had been built. Thus they had to travel north until they reached the mountain, and then begin to climb it to reach the point at which they could begin moving into position to descend on House Thul. By noon they reached the actual rock face of the mountain, and by sunset were in position to begin moving laterally across to a position just above House Thul.

The only thing of note that had happened that day was discovering several Imperial probe droids, but they had managed to either avoid or deal with them without raising any alarms. Their rations had finally run out, and as they sat around the fire, eating the roasted mountain shrew that Kayle had caught, Yisheera found herself staring up at the starry night sky. Despite the dark shadows of the multitude of ships in orbit, the sight was still a beautiful one.

“Kayle?”

“Hmmm?” The boy looked up from his spit-roasted piece of meat, grease staining his face.

“What are we going to do when we get back to Coruscant?” Kayle’s brow wrinkled in confusion. He wiped the grease from his mouth before speaking.

“Whaddya mean Yish?”

“I mean us. We’ve grown so apart lately. I feel like there’s a distance between us that wasn’t there growing up.” Kayle seemed to stop and think about that.

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” He said. “I’ve felt it too the past couple years.”

“So what should we do?” Yish asked. “I mean, we’re Jedi, we have responsibilities and studies, we can’t just play around like when we were younglings.” Kayle nodded in agreement, considering things for a moment.

“Well,” he said finally, “just because we’re in training to become full-fledged Jedi Knights, doesn’t mean we can’t hang out more often.” He paused and seemed to consider his next words carefully. “We could make more of an effort to be partnered together when the opportunity presents itself, or we could use our spare time to assist each other in our studies and training, and if the day ever comes when we get the same time off, there are lots of places on Coruscant where we could go and have fun.”

Yish smiled. “Yeah, you’re right.” She turned to look at him. “I’m glad we had this talk.” Then she laughed. “Funny how we had to get stranded together for it to actually happen.”

“This might be the best thing that ever happened to our relationship.” Kayle joked. Yish settled down on her patch of dirt, laying her head down on the bunched-up robes that acted as her pillow. Kayle finished his meal and tossed the stick away, cleaning his face off with his sleeve. Then he followed Yish’s example. The two fell asleep looking at the stars, and dreaming of what might be.

___________

Imperious walked steadily down the hall towards the communications room. He was not going to be late for his appointment, although why it had been scheduled in the middle of the night was beyond him. He didn’t need sleep, at least not as much as normal beings did, but he definitely preferred it. Reaching the room, he entered and sealed the door shut with his personal code so that no one could enter or leave. Then he booted up the communications terminal, and activated the holoprojector. In moments the call connected, and a tall, lanky, pureblood Sith appeared before him. Imperious bowed before the digital apparition.

“Darth Vowrawn.”

“Imperious my boy, how goes the clean up?” Vowrawn seemed exceptionally cheery, but Imperious chalked it up to Operation Omega being only two days away from realization.

“Very well my lord.” Imperious replied. “I’ve locked down all security threats and have an iron grip on the planet. My forces are spreading across Alderaan even as we speak, and I’ve appointed a trusted supervisor to every noble house to act as my eyes and ears.”

“Excellent.” Vowrawn said with his signature enthusiasm. “Now please, indulge me, how are our special guests doing?”

“The Jedi are thoroughly enjoying their accommodations.” Imperious replied with malicious humor. “Just today I visited them to ensure they were taking full advantage of our hospitality.”

“Marvelous, marvelous.” Vowrawn said, rubbing his hands together with eagerness. “Are you absolutely sure I can’t just take them when this is all over?” He asked in a wheedling way. “I have several contacts who are just frothing at the mouth to have their very own Jedi slaves.” Imperious smiled politely.

“My lord, I would be honored to surrender them to you, but the operation does call for their executions immediately following the launch.”

“No one would have to know.” Vowrawn prodded. “I won’t tell if you won’t!” The twinkle in his eye and playful tone of his voice made it hard for Imperious to tell whether he was joking or just being charming. While the young king was enjoying negotiating on somewhat equal terms with a member of the Dark Council, he knew he was playing a dangerous game here.

“Come now, Darth Vowrawn.” He said in a serious, supplicative tone. “Why put me in this position? Why not negotiate with the rest of the Council?”

“Those bores?” Vowrawn snorted. “I’d have more luck convincing a Nexu to surrender its freshly slaughtered meal.” Imperious tried again.

“But surely my lord they don’t care about the fates of a few Jedi.”

“Then why so defensive?” Vowrawn asked, his tone as full of gleeful triumph as his eyes. “Surely they wouldn’t think to punish a newly crowned king for exercising his authority over his subjects?” Realizing he had lost the intellectual bout, Imperious surrendered.

“Very well.” He said. “I must withhold one of them from you however, he is far too valuable to me to be given away, and far too powerful to risk letting him live in any case.” Vowrawn looked disappointed.

“While I’m displeased to lose such a prize, I understand and applaud your caution. That trait will serve you well in the coming years.” Imperious accepted the truce.

“Thank you, my lord. If I may ask, how are things proceeding in orbit?”

“Oh it’s delightful up here!” Vowrawn said, obviously pleased. “The view is spectacular, and everyone is so focused and determined. I haven’t seen such splendid teamwork and cooperation since the Sacking!”

“Not surprising given the nature and scale of this operation.” Imperious said, smiling as he remembered the tales he had heard of the legendary event decades before.

“Oh, by the way,” Vowrawn added. “Darth Nox sends his regards. He asked me to pass along a message to you when next we spoke. He’s simply too busy with his own preparations to contact you personally, so I promised him I’d handle it.”

“Very well,” Imperious said, his interest piqued, “what’s the message?”

“If I remember correctly…” Vowrawn said, seeming lost in thought, “and this is a direct quote: A series of events is unfolding that cannot be stopped or diverted. Let your faith in the Force suffuse you, and the Dark Side will answer your ambitions.” Imperious nodded.

“That certainly sounds like him. I promise to meditate on this wisdom.”

“He will be pleased to hear that, I’m sure.” Vowrawn said with a twinkle in his eye. “Enjoy your new station, your majesty, and prepare to be the Empire’s stronghold in the Core. Imperial Alderaan will not survive without a strong leader, but the Dark Council knows you are up to the task.”

“I will not fail the Council or the Empire.” Imperious promised.

“No. I’m sure you won’t.” Vowrawn said, his smile vanishing moments before he did.