Entry 18

After leaving Skywalker I went back to my hotel to contact my commanding officer. The peace treaty between the New Republic and the Empire could result in a modification of my orders and a change of my current mission.

When I arrived to my room I locked the door and pulled the shades. I then retrieved my encrypted portable transceiver from the hidden compartment in my luggage and keyed the code for Commander Darten.

Eventually the image of my senior officer appeared above the transceiver projection base. He smiled good-naturedly. "You must have heard the news, Colay."

I nodded. "Yes sir. Do I continue on my current mission?"

He rubbed a hand over his chin in thought. "Yes, continue what you're doing. There's something going on in the unknown region. Either it is a wayward Moff consolidating power, the New Republic, or some entirely different entity amassing weapons and technical systems in that area. We need to know what's out there. Have you had any progress?"

I shook my head. "The traders delivering products to the region said they don't know the coordinates of their destination. They were told to go to a specific area in space and wait to be contacted. I haven't found anybody who has previously made the trip, but I haven't heard any rumors of missing cargo haulers. If people were going into the unknown regions and not coming out, we'd hear about that."

"That's true." He gave a curt nod of his head. "When our recon group didn't return that definitely didn't go unnoticed."

I drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I need to report that the rebels are here investigating the same thing I am…specifically Luke Skywalker."

Commander Darten smiled widely. "Oh, is he now? That gives credence to the notion that the New Republic isn't involved with the shipments." He leaned forward toward the transmission camera and grinned. "Did he see you? I bet that put a scare into the man."

I glanced away, embarrassed that only a peace treaty prevented me from becoming the rebel's prisoner. "He saw me sir. He didn't appear to be nervous." I hesitated for a moment. "You're right, sir. He did try to recruit me again."

Commander Darten continued to grin and his incessant smile was beginning to unnerve me. "He is insistent."

I averted my eyes. "I said no, and quite emphatically, sir. I don't know why he continues his recruiting attempts."

Darten laughed. "Have you looked in a mirror lately? He's a young man. I suspect his interest in you is more personal than professional."

I gritted my teeth as a blush heated my face. "I assure you sir, I am not encouraging him to…pursue me in either capacity."

His smile turned into a lopsided grin. "Maybe you should."

I went slack jawed by that comment. "Sir, I hope you are not suggesting…"

"Wait, wait, wait," he said with a wave of his hand. "I am not suggesting you bed the man, if that's what you were thinking. Stang, all I need is a sexual harassment complaint this close to retirement." He forced out a breath and composed himself. "What I am suggesting is you talk the man up. Find out as much as you can about the New Republic. Peace treaties are known to falter. Know your enemy and your allies because the two can switch readily." He pointed a finger at me. "But there's another reason I want you to cultivate a friendship with Skywalker. The man has close ties to General Han Solo—who's a former smuggler. If anybody can get a cargo run into the area it would be him. See if Skywalker is working with some of Solo's smuggler friends. He might have a plan to infiltrate and investigate these shipments. If so, I want you in that loop, if possible."

I inwardly groaned and closed my eyes so my commander didn't see me roll them. "You want me to become friendly with Skywalker."

"Professionally friendly. You can determine the depth of that camaraderie."

I heaved a sigh. "He'll immediately suspect my change of heart. He's not a fool. He'll know I want to get close in order to spy on him."

Darten threw up his hands in a 'who cares' gesture. "Do you think that'll dissuade him? Is he going to push you away, knowing your true intent?"

I grimaced. I doubt anything short of shoving a blaster against Skywalker's head and threatening to kill him would diminish his interest in me. I am probably the first Force-user he has encountered since the death of his master. He desperately wants somebody to help him in his foolish journey to Jedi-hood. "No, his interest in me was undeterred by the fact that I captured and turned him into the Empire. I could probably tell him I was ordered to spy on him and he'd be delighted."

"Then do it. Find out everything you can. Your connection to the man will put you in a unique position. He is closely connected to just about every high-ranking rebel leader. If he begins to trust you, the rebel leadership might lower their guard. As long as you keep our secrets safe, it is an excellent position to be in."

"I don't want to be in any position with Skywalker," I muttered under my breath. I guess I didn't grumble that softly enough because it provoked a fit of laughter from my commander.

"You'll be fine, Colay. We're at peace and Skywalker doesn't appear to hold any animosity toward you. Use him to further your mission. Let me know if you discover anything."

"Yes, Sir." When my commander disconnected the signal I suppressed the urge to throw the transceiver against the wall.

I didn't want to chat up Skywalker and become his fake friend.

And I definitely don't want to be around another Force-user, especially one that is untrained, impulsive and possesses an incredibly strong connection to the Force. Those three things are never a good combination unless you want a visit from the darkside.

The last thing the galaxy needs is another Darth Vader.