Outer Rim - Approaching Mustafar

When heading to the Mustafar System, a phrase such as "Vader's Ghost" – a growing part of the New Republic vernacular – takes on new meaning. Kendy's recent exposure to a number of Force sensitive beings had her contemplating ways Darth Vader could be lingering around his old haunt.

While they'd been in transit, Luke had spent a great deal of time alone. He poured over the few texts and resources he had found on the Jedi of the Old Republic and the even more limited information he'd found on the Sith. He read, contemplated and meditated for hours upon hours every day.

"I'm missing something – something I should know. It escapes me. I'm afraid if I don't discover what it is soon there will be terrible consequences." Luke seemed to be talking to himself more than to Kendy. Kendy turned in the copilot's seat to face him. He had a look on his face that Kendy didn't recall seeing before. This must be what Grhan has been talking about, she thought.

"Master Skywalker, I wish I understood what it was like to have...intuition? Forgive me if that is a poor choice of words. I can only speculate that at times you feel as though the weight - and fate - of the Galaxy are on your shoulders."

Luke nodded slowly. "Actually, you pretty much nailed it."

Kendy wasn't one to mince words, but she was a little more careful when talking to Master Luke Skywalker. He was - after all - Luke Skywalker. "Just a thought, but wouldn't that imply that you alone are greater than the Force itself? It's just a layperson's observation, but I worry you are expecting too much of yourself."

Luke looked genuinely challenged by that observation. He looked contemplative at first, then started to nod again, only this time he was smiling. "Good point," he said. "I suppose I'm just convinced I already have the information I need to uncover Nash's methods. It's like a shadow at the very edge of my peripheral vision. I need...clarity."

"Nash" was Nash Windrider, a former friend of Kendy's from her time at the Imperial Academy and her brief stint in the Imperial military before defecting. He had developed an interest in her roommate and best friend, Ciena Ree. His feelings grew more intense after his home world of Alderaan was destroyed. And then came Darth Vader, who somehow caught Nash in his web. The year before, Nash was apprehended by the Jedi during his misguided attempt to "rescue" Ciena and kill the love of her life - and Nash's former Academy roommate - Thane Kyrell.

"And you think you'll discover this on Mustafar?"

"Probably not. But, that's actually not the purpose of our mission. We know Nash sent one of his 'couriers' to Mustafar. We need to find out why. That's only one of many pressing concerns. What is Nash's end game? You know, we'll probably need to visit a few more 'spooky' places before we can make sense of anything." Luke smiled at his use of the "Kendy" term.

Kendy nodded and yawned. "Oh, goodness! I'm sorry! I really didn't mean to do that." Great way to show the boss you're interested, Idele. Wait - Idele Solo! Kendy smiled at the thought of her new name. She'd never admit she had thoughts like that - it would tarnish her "tough as nails" image. But she wasn't fooling anyone. Everyone knew she was completely gooey over Grhan. Sadly for her, Grhan knew it, too. His teasing was quite merciless.

"No, no - don't apologize. I've got the ship. You go get some sleep." Luke smiled his friendly smile. Kendy felt badly for Luke. In the entire Galaxy, it seemed not one Jedi from the Old Republic remained who could guide and advise Luke. Kendy had trouble believing this. She thought with the Empire's destruction, there'd be Jedi emerging from anonymity who were apprentices or Padawan learners at the time of the purge. Yet not a one appeared. This saddened Kendy, which means it must be indescribably worse for Luke.

"Thank you, Master Skywalker, for everything."

He nodded and returned to the controls - and his lonely thoughts.

Kendy showered and dressed for bed. Grhan was reading Luke's notes on conversations he had with Obi-Wan Kenobi, or "Ben", as Luke informally referred to him.

"I am so tired," Kendy said, climbing under the sheets and blankets. "It's so coooooold," she complained, curling up into a ball. Grhan put down the datapad and using one arm pulled her over next to him. Her toes touched his leg and he jumped.

"You're an ice cube!" He grabbed her right foot and started to rub with his warm hands. Kendy quietly filled him in on her brief conversation with Luke in the cockpit. Grhan indicated that Luke would not go deeper into this discussion with him than he did with Kendy.

Something was causing Luke to be less open, and Grhan was very unsettled about it. Grhan confided in Kendy that he feared Luke did not trust him. He felt as though what had happened on Jelucan, and the discovery that Nash was able to exercise mind control over him, somehow made Luke question Grhan's worthiness as a Jedi.

"Grhan, no. You cannot believe that. Master Skywalker is dealing with something that is personal."

"He said that to you?" Grhan asked. His tone was incredulous and oddly defensive.

"For stars sake, no, Grhan. Master Skywalker would never confide in me like that. It's just obvious. You're missing it because of your own frustrations with what Nash did. Master Skywalker has not lost faith in you. Please, trust me as an outside observer on this."

"I'm sorry. I realize I was…defensive. I can't explain it. I feel so…"

"Vulnerable?" Kendy offered.

Grhan looked at her with the smallest hint of a smile. "Exactly. That's it. I wasn't thinking of it that way, but that's exactly how I feel. It makes me ill – physically ill – to think that while I thought I was interrogating Nash, he was actually weaseling his way into my mind. It's even worse because I don't know how or when he did it." He now had her other foot and Kendy was warming up.

"It's not going to happen again, Grhan. You have to believe this. If you can't, then you really do need to talk to Master Skywalker. What we're heading into is unnerving enough. I need my confident, amazing husband to get these doubts out of his head. I am certain if Master Skywalker had any concerns about you, you wouldn't be with him on this mission."

"Or, he didn't want to risk leaving me out of his sight." Kendy looked at Grhan and could see him struggling. She was going to do something about it, and she had good idea what would help.

"Well, I, for one, am glad you're not out of my sight. Looking at you is one of life's greatest pleasures." Kendy rolled on her side and laid her arm over his chest. She loved being with him. She didn't think it would ever be possible to want time away from her husband. And he was very easy to look at.

"Looking at me, huh? It's one of life's greatest pleasures? Anything else on that list with my name attached to it?"

"I'm so glad you asked," Kendy said.

Kendy spent the next two hours reminding Grhan of one thing he didn't need to have any worries or doubts about, and he slept better than he had in weeks.

Luke sat in the cockpit and scrolled through the various ways he could describe this mission in his head. He was honest with Kendy, and had been honest with Grhan. Still, he knew Grhan sensed there was more. He simply couldn't bring himself to share what Nash had somehow uncovered. Yes, they were headed to Mustafar and Darth Vader's Castle. Only, Luke knew that this was his first visit to his father's home.

"16 hours," Luke quietly said to as he settled back and watched the Star Gazer navigate the blue sea of hyperspace.