CHAPTER 5

"KORUN TOFF, I NEED YOUR HELP."

The Queen's words were authoritative and commanding, but also possessed a hint of desperation. One of her dearest friends was incapacitated in a bizarre and unprecedented circumstance, and now she sought the help of the only person on Naboo who might actually be able to heal her friend.

"I am at your service, Your Royal Highness," the Jedi said, down on both knees on the marble floor, lowering his head in submission.

"A cherished friend of mine has been taken by a strange and unexplainable malady. I have read stories held by our archivists of how the Jedi were renowned healers. Are you able to offer your aid?"

He raised his head to behold the Queen. "I have spent many years in exile, Majesty, and most of that time spent in constant meditation. I most certainly will call upon the Force for your friend's healing."

Sosha let out a sigh of relief. "We are in your debt, Jedi Toff."

"Jakku? What do you mean, 'Jakku?' Why the hell would we go to Jakku?"

Moff Skeloska's expression was one of mixed bewilderment and rage.

"Skeloska, I don't make the orders, I just follow them. And so do you."

Grand Admiral Rae Sloane appeared on the holo before the Moff, decked out in the white uniform unique to the few who had been vested with the power and office of Grand Admiral of the Empire. In spite of her advancement, she was under the direct command of Counselor Gallius Rax, who had seized control of the remainder of the Empire. Rax had given her the duty to command all remaining members of the Imperial navy to make haste to the Inner Rim world of Jakku, where they were to make their final stand against the New Republic.

"So be it," Skeloska barked, hastily cutting off the line.

"Shall I prepare the coordinates for the jump to Jakku, sir?"

"You will absolutely do no such thing, officer. And if anyone among you has any objection to my command whatsoever, I'll have you jettisoned from my ship!"

Not a single word was spoken in objection, not even so much as a murmur. It was clear at this point that his efforts to terrorize the Outer Rim territories were coming to a swift halt, and a new course of action would be needed. Thrawn had not contacted him for some time, and any attempts to reach him had failed. Wherever he was in the wild regions of the galaxy, his frequencies changed consistently, rendering him untraceable by any possible means.

"I was appointed governor over Chommell. Irramis Skeloska! Not Rax, not Sloane, nor anybody else!"

He practically foamed at the mouth as he spat out his words. He was beyond infuriated at this point. As alarming as this seemingly erratic behavior was to his officers, they had worked alongside the man long enough to know that, for all of his volatility, he was clear and concise in his orders, and effective in ensuring their success.

They also had a very clear understanding that his word was law, no matter who else may have held seniority over him. Surprisingly, it was this very behavior that had first gained him the attention of the Emperor in his years serving as an admiral. His ruthless tactics were enough to have persuaded Palpatine of his unwavering loyalty and devotion to the Empire.

"Shall I set a course for Naboo?"

Skeloska slowly turned his head in the direction of the officer asking the question, and cracked a smile. "That's the right answer, Officer Harrows. But first, a few brief stops within my favorite locations in the Chommell Sector. I believe Queen Soruna will have much thinking to do before we make our final stop."

Night had long fallen upon beautiful and tranquil Theed, and the moon shone brightly above the city. But the streets were far from tranquil: a Gungan dignitary could be heard yelling frequently in his native tongue, and those who were able to translate could only detect complete gibberish and nonsense in what he shouted at the top of his lungs.

He had made such a scene that Naboo authorities seized hold of him, and had to tranquilize him just to contain him. By then, the alarm had been raised throughout most of the city, with concerned citizens looking towards the scene of the commotion, discussing with one another the implications of such an event.

What had occurred with Sasha, the Queen's handmaiden, had remained thus far a secret from the rest of the populace, but the abnormality of this particular event involving the Gungan dignitary, and the terrifying peculiarity of whatever had gripped Sasha, was certainly enough for Ayken Sallow to rush to the Queen's chambers.

The two handmaidens guarding the entry into the luxurious quarters belonging to the sovereign gave way without question, and Ayken made no hesitation as he marched his way into his wife's bedroom.

"My Queen."

Sosha stirred at the low, gentle voice of her husband. Ever since the incident at the lake, her sleep had not been as easy as she would have liked. She had at last managed to fall asleep late, but owing to her anxiety over her most loyal friend, coupled with the fact that she was a relatively light sleeper, it took nothing for her to sit up against her pillows.

She rubbed her eyes and blinked a few times. There was a very dim light in the room, enough for her to behold the charming, smooth face of her beloved. She smiled and reached to stroke his face.

"What a welcome surprise, my love," she said softly.

He couldn't help but smile at her, but it was fleeting. She could see the look of consternation on his face.

"What is it? Is it Sasha?" She sat up, now fully alert, her heart pounding for fear over her dearest friend.

"No, I have no news on Sasha at the moment, nor yet if the Jedi has been successful in his interaction with her. No, I've just received another report that is no less alarming, of a similar occurrence within the city itself."

Her anxiety became visible as her brow furrowed. She stared at him intently.

"A Gungan dignitary was wandering the streets tonight, shouting at the top of his lungs. From what reports have gathered, he was yelling and screaming in a very bizarre manner, and most of what he was saying was inane. Even those familiar with their language reported that nothing he was saying made any sense at all. He was thrashing about wildly at times, almost as if gripped in madness. It took a tranq just to stop him. They were unable to contain him."

The Queen's face was contorted with dismay and worry. The very peace and safety, the security for which Theed was so famous, was suddenly disrupted by yet another alarming anomaly, and merely within days of what had occurred with dearest Sasha. Scenes and memories from the terrors of Operation: Cinder suddenly flashed across her mind as she sat in deep thought. Not wasting the moment, her husband grabbed hold of her hand, though remained silent, waiting for a response from his sovereign.

"Madness. It's just pure madness," she said at last, almost gasping, after spending several minutes in deep and troubled thought. "What could it all mean?"

"Nobody knows, my love," Ayken said quietly, stroking her hand, bearing with her in her anxiety.

"At least with Operation: Cinder, we knew how to act immediately. Now, the very fabric of normalcy is being torn, and I have no explanation for it. Could the Empire have left some malicious disease or parasite?"

Ayken shook his head. "Dr. Patal was stumped. There was absolutely nothing wrong with Sasha, no signs of anything parasitic or otherwise."

She shook her head, her eyes roving to and fro as she tried working through the variables, the probabilities. "Truly, it will take the work of a Jedi to help us. I can't sleep anymore."

Throwing the sheets aside, she got up, her handmaidens moving quickly to attend to her. "I must go and be with Sasha. I must see what's going on. Sorna, make ready for my departure. I've already waited far too long."