Ronderu fell into an uneasy sleep. Nightmares plagued her mind. She dreamed was in a barren wasteland of industrial buildings—the Works. In the distance, the skyscrapers of the Senate district rose, tall, stately, and proud.

But ahead of Ronderu, there was a huge black tower, and it felt live; there was something tormenting the somber structure. Ronderu entered the tower, and right away the atmosphere began to asphyxiate her. The filthy air made her throat dry and she could barely see due to all the smog.

In front of her was a distinct shape—Jalaen. Ronderu tried to call out to her, but the air was choked out of her lungs. The floor began to look uneven, like the black void would swallow Ronderu whole…

Ronderu opened her eyes in a flash. She was drenched in a cold sweat and breathing hard. Jalaen stood in the alcove that led to the Annex. One shaking hand clutched the collar of her robe. "Mother," she whispered, "Did you send me a dream?"

"What do you mean, Jalaen?" Ronderu asked.

"When Kalee was invaded, I had a series of visions," Jalaen explained. "I thought they were sent from you, so I had what I needed to know to rescue you." Jalaen walked over and snuggled against her mother.

"What has you up this late?" Ronderu questioned, afraid that her daughter had the same nightmare as she.

"I had this terrible dream that I was in this big, black tower," Jalaen began, but Ronderu swiftly put a finger to her child's lips.

"Say no more," Ronderu said softly. "I just had the very same dream."

"Does it mean anything, like my dreams on Kalee?" Jalaen asked nervously.

Ronderu was struck with a cold fear. "Maybe," Ronderu whispered.

The huge grandfather clock rang, announcing that it was 2 o'clock am standard time. But its eerie clang scared the two Kaleesh.

Rubble walked into the room. He must have awoken when Jalaen left, Ronderu mused. "Creepy," Rubble commented, seeing Ronderu and Jalaen in the silver moonlight. "Ronnie, Jal scared?"

Ronderu smiled at her fond nickname. "We've had bad dreams," She told Rubble.

Rubble crawled onto the bed and gave Ronderu and Jalaen a hug. "Feel happy," He reminded them.

Jalaen smiled. "Thanks, Rubble," She told the young Kaleesh.

For the rest of the night, Ronderu and Jalaen dozed off, while Rubble constructed his plan.

000

Jalaen and Ronderu were presented breakfast in bed, thanks to Qymaen and Rubble. They had let Radame sleep in.

Qymaen went back to sleep. He wasn't happy that Rubble had awoken him so early, but he was concerned about Ronderu. She needed all the sleep she could get.

"Tell dream!" Rubble commanded, as he gnawed on a piece of buttered toast.

Jalaen and Ronderu explained their nightmare to Rubble. He thought about it for a while.

"Me think premonition," Rubble began. "Gods say go Works. Most important. But poison. Rebreathers!" Rubble held up two rebreathers he had secured for them. "Find out what Gods say. Come back."

Jalaen was amazed by Rubble's conclusion. "We'll go, Rubble," she promised.

Ronderu nodded. "If we're not back in two hours, tell Qymaen, Kiel, and Shaak Ti where we are."