AN: Sequel to An Enemy Within. Thanks for all who reviewed that story back then! Some of those characters are still around, some not. Also, there are more characters from the SW books and all, than were in that one. You might be able to understand this one without having read AEW, but I recommend you read it before reading this. Makes it easier.

This chapter puts the things in motion, and introduces the main characters.

DISCLAIMER: Star Wars, not mine.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

A youngish human man rushed through the streets of Katraasii Spaceport. He passed curious human inhabitants, as well as annoyed non-humans who shouted after him with languages he couldn't really understand.

He also passed several Imperial stormtroopers, who only glanced at him as he ran. This wasn't the first time he was doing this. No, not even close. He had done the same every single day. Why? Because he always slept too late, and he had to hurry to get to his work place on time.

Today especially was an important day. Rumour said, that an important guest was coming to inspect the Spaceport. So, he was hurrying even more than usual. Unfortunately because of this he managed to collide with a few inhabitants who fell to the ground. He just shouted 'sorry!' at them before he continued his run.

Finally he made it to the prefect's office and he stopped panting in front of the door. The stormtrooper who was standing in guard just spared him a quick glance before he stood aside to let the young man to open the door so that he could step in.

As soon as he was inside, a familiar voice of the prefect greeted him. "You're late."

He gulped. "I know, sir. It won't happen again."

The prefect snorted at this. This was coming from someone who had been late every single day. And he had always promised not to do it again. He rolled his eyes. "This will not continue. The new ruler of the Empire is visiting our spaceport and he has requested an assistant for himself. That will be you."

The young man's eyes widened. "But sir, how could I be better than someone else? Surely-" The prefect's angry glare silenced him.

"Listen. One of our spies, one of the Fists really, has gone missing. She had been infiltrated in to Coruscant, then she was granted a leave of absence for personal reasons. This has lasted too long already. The Grand Admiral wishes to find her.

"You, as a one time member of the Royal Guard can sense Force. This is why you might be able to find her. You are sensitive, aren't you?" The younger man can only nod at this. "Good. Chimaera will be here within an hour. Grand Admiral Thrawn will not be staying here for long. Now, go and pack your belongings. You won't be returning here."

Captain Gilad Pellaeon watched the hyperspace through the large viewports of the bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera. They had been tracking down several of those, who worked for the Empire and were able to sense the Force, for weeks now. Ever since the previous ruler had died, and Thrawn had been the only remaining Grand Admiral who was still alive.

Or, rather, ever since Thrawn had discovered that one of the Fists was still working for the Empire, although she had been on LoA for a long time. Three years if the records got it right. And now they were looking for her. He didn't even know what was so special about her.

A familiar voice brought him out of his reverie. "What is in your mind, Captain? Maybe you wonder why we're looking for a single Fist. Why wouldn't we send someone else to find her?"

Pellaeon turned to look at the blue-skinned Grand Admiral who was sitting in his command chair. The admiral was apparently able to read minds. He sighed. "Yes, admiral. Why are we looking for her? What's so special about her?"

Pellaeon could've sworn that the admiral's red eyes were glowing brighter for a moment. "Ah, you see, captain, that the one we're looking for is the only Fist who isn't human. She's Arkanian."

That name the captain had heard. That species had a quite a reputation. Not to mention that they were claimed to be more intelligent than any humans. And that they loved science, even to the extent of genetic manipulation and cyber enchantments. Like what they did to the stocky Yakan. From primitive dim-witted species, to intelligent but emotionless, via cyber enchantment experiments. Not to mention that they had claws. And blank eyes. He wondered which ones would be creepier, Thrawn's glowing red eyes, or Arkanian blank, milky white eyes. He shivered at the thought.

Again Thrawn brought him back. "I see you have heard of them." His voice was certainly amused.

Pellaeon glanced at him, and saw the faint smirk on the admiral's lips. "I have, sir."

Thrawn chuckled. "I can also imagine what stories. Don't be fooled, captain. The stories are probably true, but the one we're after wasn't raised as Arkanian. According to the records, Emperor's son raised her from very young age. If she hasn't returned to her home planet and absorbed the Arkanian mindset, she will not try any experiments on this crew."

Pellaeon nearly sighed in relief at this. "Who is she, anyway?"

Thrawn grinned. "Her name is Thelea Jeth." The captain's eyes widened as he heard the surname. "Yes, captain. She's descendant of the one of the most famous Jedi Masters of old times. She's descendant of Arca Jeth."

From her usual observing point near the viewports Thelea Jeth observed her home planet. It had been three years since she was made the admiral of one of the smaller fleets within the Arkanian Armada. Three years she had kept her distance to both the New Republic and the Galactic Empire.

She turned her head to look at her captain, and an old friend, Wellen Carlan. He was the only human on board her personal command ship, the Moonlord. He was talking to one of the crew members at the moment.

The ship's bridge wasn't swarming with people yet, since they were only waiting for the next task. Each time they were sent out of the solar system, Thelea worried about having to face her old superiors. Didn't really matter from which side. She didn't want to meet them at all. Not yet.

From Wellen her eyes went back to her home planet. Arkania. That's where her parents were. Ever since joining the Armada, she had been able to meet her parents constantly. Under her parent's tutelage she had also learned more of the Force and had become quite powerful Jedi.

She startled as she heard Wellen's voice. "Admiral, would you like to join me to a walk?"

She turned to look at him, and shrugged, before walking to him. "Certainly, captain." She flashed him a smile, and they left the bridge side by side.

The two had ended up to one of the botanical recreational areas. This one resembled botanical gardens, and had samples of plants from numerous planets. Among the corridors taking from one planet's vegetation area to another there were numerous benches and fountains, and open areas.

The two were inhabiting one of the benches in the area that had Corellian plants in it. They were sitting side by side, both silent, watching the plants in front of them. Well, Thelea was. Wellen's eyes kept glancing at the Arkanian next to him. His eyes took in her golden-hued skin, white silky long hair, and the fair structure of her face.

His eyes also found her milky white eyes which made her scary when she was staring someone. Her eyes were always blank. Quite literally. And you never knew where she was looking at. The same was with most Arkanians onboard.

His musings were interrupted a soft chuckle coming from Thelea. He startled and looked up to her face that was still facing forward. "You kept looking at me from time to time, Wellen."

Wellen felt heat creeping to his face. "I…" That was all he could say, when Thelea turned to look at him. He felt his arm moving upwards, all on its own. Slowly his right hand reached forward and upwards, until it finally found a resting place on her cheek.

He felt her to tense under his touch, but soon she relaxed. Neither did any move to break the contact. Her eyes were unreadable as their gazes locked. "Thelea, when..?"

He was silenced as she placed one clawed finger on his lips. "Don't say it. You want to know when your feelings for me got as deep as they are now." He only nodded, not even being surprised by her apparent ability to read thoughts. She was a Jedi, after all. And he already knew she wasn't reading thoughts, but emotions, and the Force.

Silence reigned a bit longer, before Thelea removed her finger from his lips, and stood up. "This cannot be, Wellen. I'm your direct superior officer. Not to mention that I'm not a human, when you are."

She started walking towards the exit but was stopped by a hand grabbing her arm. She turned her head to look at Wellen who had got to his feet and stopped her. Wellen wasn't short, but she towered over him easily. "Captain Carlan, let go of my arm. This is an order."

Her voice had turned harsh, but he wouldn't relent. Instead of letting her go, he tugged at her arm abruptly, bringing her to him, face to face, only little space between them. "I don't care about those things, Thelea. I'm falling in love with you."

Her eyes widened at his words, but before she had any time to respond, he closed the space between them and pressed his lips to hers.

At first she stiffened at the contact, but as his lips moved against hers, she responded to the kiss. But only for a few seconds, before she freed herself from his loosened grip and was meters away from him in an instant.

Locking their gazes once more she spoke. "I will leave to take care of a personal matter. The ship is until then in your command. If my fleet is sent somewhere before my return, another admiral will command it."

As soon as her last word was said, she left, leaving one very stunned Corellian standing among the plants that were from his native planet Corellia.

"So, you still wish to go, child?" The man who had talked studied his daughter carefully.

Thelea glared at the older man, for his choice of words, but decided to let is slide for now. "Yes, father."

Thelon Jeth narrowed his white eyes at her. "You know it will be dangerous, do you not?"

She bowed her head. "Yes, father. This is something I must do."

He placed his clawed hands on her shoulders. "Then go. May the Force be with you, my child. Be careful."

Thelea stood in front of ship that was built more than four millennia ago. This particular hangar was used to hold the famed SunGem, the seventy meters long Delaya-class courier, that could match most star fighters in speed and manoeuvrability. The SunGem was once owned by Arca Jeth, her ancestor, who had built inside it more than adequate facilities for training Jedi.

She entered the ship and after leaving the bag that had the things she needed at one of the storage spaces, she made her way to the cockpit, and strapped in. As soon as the hangar roof was opened, she switched on the repulsorlift engines that lifted the ship through the opening.

The 21 ionengines were already warming up, and as soon as she was high enough, she switched to them. She manoeuvred the ship by the Armada, and as soon as she was far from any gravity field, she checked if the navigation computer had made its calculations.

It had. So, she activated the hyperdrive, and was on her way.

Wellen had stood in front of the bridge's viewports for fifteen minutes before a courier craft was noticed leaving the Arkania. His eyes followed as the ship he knew to be Sungem flew by the fleet, and eventually made a hyperspace jump.

After the ship had vanished, Wellen walked to his command post and sat down. He was immediately approached by one of the younger officers, who wasn't sure if he should speak or not. Wellen solved that problem. "What is it?"

"Umm, sir. I was told to tell you, that we have orders." He held a datapad at his captain, who took it curiously. He glanced at the text the screen showed before handing it back to the young Arkanian.

Then he stood up. "Listen up, everyone." Right away all eyes on the bridge were trained on him. "We will leave for a mission as soon as the substitute admiral arrives. Treat this one as you would treat our own admiral. Is this clear?"

The crew agreed and Wellen sat back to his command chair, before turning his attention to his memories of what happened between him and Thelea. The words that left his mouth were whispered, and no one else in the bridge was able to hear them. "Be back soon, dear."