Chapter 41

The Force spoke to us both that night. Three days later, Gabrielle was confirmed pregnant. Immediately, she was removed from flight status as per S.O.P. There was an abundance of medical evidence that proved that the stress and strain of a single pilot fighter craft usually resulted in a miscarriage.

For some time now, General Naz had been shifting more and more of his responsibilities over to me. I never thought to question it until I heard the rumors that he was grooming me to take command of our base. I thought the idea so ludicrous, that I dismissed it out of hand.

Or at least I did, until I came to my office one day to find it empty save for Warbler. He was as much at a loss as I was until a message came to report to central HQ. When I arrived, I found I had been assigned to the office next door to the General and that a personal staff had been assigned to me directly.

I was being referred to as 'Commodore' wherever I went on the base now and my XO, Tregor Mithell, was now the CO of Red Group. I could take nominal command whenever I chose, but he would still be the official CO. At first I wasn't too happy about my change in status but short of resigning, there was nothing I could do about it really.

Just as Wedge had taught me so long ago, 'Rank hath its privileges.' I had Gabrielle assigned to my personal staff as the squadron liaison. Though from the outside, this may have looked like nepotism, in reality it was simple efficiency. That and while on duty and in uniform Gabrielle and I kept our interactions very professional. She loved flying as much as I had come to enjoy it and as the liaison to the squadrons, she could still run simulator training, but couldn't actually fly anything except observation flights. For a time at least. But when she began to show, it was simulator supervisor duty only.

From the start, Gabrielle's pregnancy was like any other. During the first month, she had the occasional bout of morning sickness like any other woman but with the Force, her morning sickness was positively mild. By the second month, the morning sickness was gone and by the third month, I could sense the child was a boy and that he would be strong in the Force.

By the fourth month, Gabrielle showed the physical signs of pregnancy and was placed on light duty. No more observation flights or simulator runs but she did turn into a really hard, but fair, simulator supervisor with a reputation for throwing curves at the pilots during simulator exercises.

Dieter was looking forward to having a little brother around. Gabrielle and I took a little time every day though to make sure he didn't feel neglected. As the fifth month came and went, Gabrielle could only sleep on her side, when she did sleep that is. I had noticed that more and more of her free time was spent in the rest trance, and I was beginning to get concerned.

From my own experience while Gabrielle was away training, I knew that depending on the rest trance versus regular sleep was mentally unhealthy. While the trance state helps restore the physical energy, you don't dream. If you don't dream regularly, it can have an effect on your waking mind.

Together, my wife and I had chosen the name Ryu Jayks. Ryu wasn't much of a puncher or a kicker while in the womb but when he did, we both felt it because of the bond I share with my wife through the Force. Thankfully, I was able to block most of the backwash of pregnancy-induced emotion and physical illness, but I think that Ryu was some how able to pick up on that and he would use an instinctual Force 'hammer' to beat at the mental blocks I had erected as if to say: "Remember me?"

The sixth, seventh and eighth month passed with little incident. Our son was growing both physically and in the Force. Gabrielle insisted on working to the last possible moment. When asked, her justification was: "No one is going to wait on me or pick up my slack if I can help it!"

Finally, as the ninth month came, my concern for her reached a peak. Not wanting to be a burden to anyone is all well and fine, but even I knew that a woman must take it easy as the due date approaches. I believed Gabrielle was pushing herself too hard. It was time for me to take action though I didn't look forward to it.

I spoke with Medical which had been monitoring her pregnancy from the start. They agreed with my observations but out of respect, they asked me to put her on Maternity Leave privately. It never looks good if Medical relieves someone of duty.

The day after my talk with Medical, I called Gabrielle into my office. She walked in, saluted and said: "How can I assist you Commodore?" I marveled how she seemed to glow in the Force as our son grew. I said: "Actually Gabrielle, (signifying this was a private matter) I think I can help you. We've never had an argument our entire marriage have we?" Gabrielle looked a little confused and said: "No Ronin, nothing major anyway. Why do you ask?"

I said: "Because I think we're about to have one." The confusion became more evident as she said: "What do you mean?" I said: "I mean that effective immediately, I am placing you on Maternity Leave until further notice."

Abruptly, the look of confusion quickly became one of exhausted anger, not Dark Side anger, but simple physical exhaustion type. She said: "What are you talking about Ronin! I am ready and willing to work until my due date. I don't need nor do I want any M.L."

I stood and had to use the voice I reserved for inspections. I said: "In case you haven't noticed Commander, you've been pushing yourself too hard, you spend almost all of your free time in the rest trance and this disregard for orders on your part is all the proof I require to tell you that you need to go home, and take a good long nap to dream of what our son will grow up like. I've spoken with Medical and they asked me to place you on Maternity Leave. If Medical does it, it becomes an order and is marked in your service record as 'Medically unfit for duty,".

I dropped my 'military' voice and said: "I'll ask you this only once Gabrielle. Will you please take voluntary M.L.? I'm asking as your friend, your husband, your partner and lastly as your commanding officer."

She said: "Sure I've been tired lately. You would too if you had to carry this extra weight for nine months," as she pointed at her midsection. I made no attempt to hide the plea in my voice as I made one last attempt to make her see reason: "Please don't make me make it an order."

Gabrielle said: "Nonsense. I won't obey it." As soon as she said it, she knew she had gone too far. My voice took on the 'military' tone again as I regretfully said: "Commander Shase-Jayks, you are relieved of duty until further notice. If you refuse this order I will confine you to quarters under guard and you know I will if I have to."

She stiffened to attention, saluted and said: "As ordered lead." I returned her salute and watched as she left my office. When the door closed behind her, I fell back into my seat too stunned to stand after what I had just done.

The end of my day couldn't come fast enough. As I left for the night, I went to the gym instead of home to vent my frustration in the only healthy way open to me at the moment. I entered the gym to see it in heavy use but there was an empty corner. After changing clothes I went to this empty corner, stretched all my muscle groups out and began the most intense workout I have ever had.

After going through all of my basic techniques, I began to review every last one of my kata. After my unarmed forms, I took up my Muramasa blade once more. Its spirit sang to me as we worked together once again. After sheathing my sword, I took up my lightsaber, activated my special seeker globes at maximum difficulty and maximum stun.

Three steady sounding beeps brought me out of my defense mode. I had been sparring for thirty minutes straight. After closing down my lightsaber, I stepped into the punching bag ring with its five bags at adjustable heights.

The entire time I was in the ring, the scene between Gabrielle and I played itself over and over in my mind. While my workout had enabled me to sweat out the frustration and the Force took my negative energies and turned them into positive ones, I still felt disgusted with myself for the route I had taken.

Using the Force, I activated the elevation control of one of the punching bags until it was as high as it could go, several feet in fact, to allow a proper workout for someone from a heavy gravity world. Focusing all of my intent, I leapt up and yelled out: "Shin-Shooorryyyyuuuuken!" My fist, once more encased in blue fire, connected with the punching bag and split it in two. I landed in perfect form as stuffing material floated down around me.

Ignoring the pain of the burn on my fist and arm, I repacked my seeker globes, my Muramasa and my lightsaber and took a long, hot, water shower to cleanse myself of the vague sensation of pond scum in human form. As I stood in the shower, I felt that I had somehow wronged the one person in the entire galaxy I thought I could not and only she could forgive me. Then I thought: "How could she forgive me? If she hasn't moved out yet, she will soon."

I got dressed again and went home. It was getting late and as I got closer to home, I could still sense two minds inside, three if you count the instinctual surges from my unborn son. I stepped inside and put my lightsaber next to my wife's. She was in bed sleeping for real this time as I knelt down next to her side of the bed and gently caressed her mind through our bond and was greatly relived to sense only peace, no anger, no sense of betrayal, just peace.

I put my head down on the mattress next to my wife's where I knelt and dozed off. I awoke to the gentle touch of my wife's hand on my face. I started to speak when she silenced me with a kiss and then said: "Shhh my Knight, I forgive you, now come to bed." I said: "I love you more than I have words to say Gabrielle." She smiled and said: "I know."

Nothing more was ever said of our one and only major argument. The recording system in my office had suffered a strange malfunction and only recorded my putting her on M.L. and her acknowledging her orders and leaving. My personal comlink was keyed to Gabrielle's at all times. Best of all, without her duties to interfere, she soon caught up on her sleep.

My unofficial status and duties as the General's XO continued unabated until one day, the General called me into his office for a private meeting. I thought to myself: "This is odd. This will only be the fifth time I've ever spoken with him outside of a regular meeting."

I got to his door early as I always am for meetings and was about to touch his door chime when I heard his voice from inside say: "Come in Commodore." The door opened and I started to walk in but got no further than a few steps when an intense pain went through my gut. Caught so completely off-guard, I fell to my knees gasping for breath. The pain brought to mind all of the descriptions I had ever read of Seppuku, or Ritual Suicide.

Focusing on the source, I found the pain emanating from the bond I shared with my wife. It was time was all I could think. The General helped me to my feet as the pain ebbed long enough for me to rebuild my mental shields and reinforce them. The pain had been so sudden and unexpected that it had blasted right through the normal strength shields I employed every day to shield myself from the normal onslaught of emotions from everyone around me.

The General asked: "What's wrong?" I said: "Begging your pardon General but my wife needs me right now. Can we talk later?" Understanding lit his face as he said: "What are you doing still standing here then Commodore? Go to your wife." I thanked him and then ran through the halls to Medical and my wife.

By the time I got to Medical, Gabrielle was already there. I went into the birthing room and stood at my wife's side holding her hand in mine. She gripped it hard and looked into my eyes before another contraction worse than the others made her wince. Touching the Force, I said: "Remember the Force. There is no pain. There is peace. There is the Force."

She sank into the Force as I boosted her strength with my own. Through the Force, I could actually sense the mind of my son as his tiny body was caught up in forces he had no way of comprehending. As he was being squeezed and pushed towards the unknown, his little mind started to flutter in fear. I tried to sooth his mind but to no avail.

Another contraction came but Gabrielle was unphased because the Force was easing what had to be pure agony into mild irritation. Later, whenGabrielletold methis, our faith in the Force was made stronger for it. Ryu's fear became terror as I attempted to sooth him again. I wasn't expecting any kind of response when without warning, his mind reached out to mine and his fear subsided. The next sound I heard were his cries ringing out as Gabrielle and I brought our awareness back to the present. Our son was taken away for cleaning and routine testing to ensure his health but Gabrielle and I already knew through the Force that he was fine.

Later, in a recovery room, our son was brought to us and set into his mother's arms for the first time. If such a thing as a typical baby exists then our son Ryu was it. He squirmed at first but settled down as our minds reached for his and he reached back and recognized us for what we were, his parents.

Gabrielle said: "He's so beautiful." His tiny hand clutched at my finger as I cleared a stray lock of hair from my wife's face and kissed her. I said: "You're both beautiful to me." I kissed my wife again as we bonded in the Force and our son in a circle of life and love.

It was, quite simply, the happiest day of our lives.

Chapter 42

With the Force as our ally, life didn't change too drastically. At first, the Force would wake us both a full second before Ryu would wake up to be fed. Gabrielle only considered it natural that she breast feed him, so she did. After he was weaned, she and I took turns feeding him if he woke up at night, although truth be told, I enjoyed holding my son so much, I usually fed him and let Gabrielle sleep.

She let it slide at first but then was quite insistent that she take a turn or two so I could sleep. When she asked me why I took so much joy in it, I said: "I don't know the math though I suppose someone, someday will or already has, but if you factor in that you were the sole provider of child care for 24/7 for nine months, I must owe you almost as much time as a care provider now. It only seems fair to me that I take care of Ryu and you sleep."

Surprised that I had put that much thought into the subject, she could only blush, give me a kiss and say: "I love you." I just smiled sweetly back to her and said: "I know." All too soon it seemed, Ryu was switching to solid food. Of all the times in my previous life on Earth, when I asked my friends: "How's parenthood treating you?" I finally understood the slight glow that suffused their features as they told me: "Parenthood is great, you should try it sometime."

It is a strange feeling only those that have experienced can truly understand. To love something so totally, so unconditionally, that a person would lay down their life to preserve it. I found myself in the same position. I knew to save my son's life; I would have challenged five Darth Vader's without the slightest pause.

I continued with my duties but made sure to spend a little time with my son and wife every day. Once, a junior officer mumbled under his breath I should get a droid to take care of my son so I could focus on my duties instead. I took that man to task privately and even threatened to resign my commission. At first he thought I was joking. When I took off my rank insignia, handed it to him and left, I think he got the picture pretty clearly.

Before the day was out, the junior officer presented himself at my door, with a formal verbal apology and a handwritten note from the General granting me leeway in my duties as needed. I was determined not to abuse the leeway granted me and I heard no more complaints.

By the time Ryu was three years old I decided to discuss his future education both in life and in the Force with Gabrielle. As we got ready for bed that night I said: "Gabrielle now is as good a time as any to figure out what form Ryu's future schooling will take. We've already started his Force training in little ways by telling him to listen to the Force and to go with his gut feeling. Master Yoda never really spoke to me about the Jedi children in the Temple on Coruscant. I know he has to go to the basics but what of his formal Jedi Training? You remember what Yoda said, that you and I can never return to Dagobah. What do you think we should do?"

Gabrielle listened and said: "Lately, I've had images of some kind of . . . academy for young Jedi. I can feel its several years off yet but I think between us, we can take care of the most important aspects until this academy is built. I also believe that if you teach him your Teras Kasi, it will be a great source of discipline for him. Still though, I know he's Force sensitive but I want him to have as normal a childhood as possible."

I said: "I understand what you're saying but just like you said, he's Force sensitive. Because of this, he won't have a normal childhood. When he grows up, he won't have a normal life either. He'll meet friends and make enemies like we all do but he'll also make the kind of enemies the Jedi of the Republic had, the kind who want to kill him just because he is a Jedi." Gabrielle sighed and said: "I know that but knowing doesn't make it any easier," as she turned out the light.

Before the month was out after our talk, we received word that the Rebellion had just been dealt a serious blow. The group from Yavin 4, the ones responsible for the destruction of the Death Star, had been on the run for three years now. Just as they set up a new base on the ice planet Hoth, the Empire found them and chased them off the planet at the cost of many rebel lives. Shortly after that, Gabrielle and I felt a tremendous surge in the Force as the man who destroyed the Death Star, Luke Skywalker, found his way to Yoda and began his training.

Perhaps six months after that, a recall notice was issued throughout the Rebel Alliance. All ships and as many personnel as possible were to assemble near the planet Sullust. The day after the notice was issued; General Naz called me back to his office to finish the meeting of almost three years before. As I walked into his office, I remembered the only other time I had been here, the sudden pain, the birth of my son, and all the joys of fatherhood.

General Naz looked at me as I walked in. My first visit had been so short I hadn't noticed any of the interior. Like the man himself, his office reflected the life of career military, with few objects to weigh him down. I saw a couple of holo-cubes that probably contained family pictures. A few real paper books, a rarity in this time and place of the bookchip, as well as one or two small souvenirs from his travels. All of it could have been placed into a single bag and taken with in the event of an emergency.

He said to me: "You weren't planning on collapsing again were you Commodore?" I chuckled and said: "No sir hadn't planned on it. You asked to see me?" He said: "Indeed I did. Take a seat if you will. We have a few things to discuss."

This comment piqued my curiosity as I accepted the offered seat and directed my full attention on the General. He said: "In the years I've known you Commodore, no, let me amend that. In the years I've known you Ronin, I've seen you take on jobs as they came to you. You never sought them, they sought you. When they found you, you would just shrug and tackle it head on with no complaint. I first saw in you a man claiming to be Jedi then proving yourself one, humbly ask to join our cause and serve under the command of others when you could have been the one giving orders. You started as a Flight Officer in command of three other pilots then the role of squadron XO fell in your lap and finally a full squadron CO with eleven other lives depending on your judgment."

He continued: "From there, you found yourself with the honorary title of Commodore, in the unenviable task of Chief of Operations for a whole base. You've been captured and beaten and had thankless jobs thrust upon you. You've never wanted recognition for, in your own words 'just doing your job', and you still got dirty with the regular rebel soldier. If I've never told you before Ronin, I'll tell you now, you've proven my faith in you and the Jedi a hundred times over. I'm proud of you and now I can finally tell you this to your face . . . thank you for everything."

I was flattered by the praise but got over it quickly enough. Privately, I wondered where he was going with this. I didn't have long to wait for an answer. He said: "As you know, all available Rebellion personnel and vehicles have been recalled to Sullust to mount what we hope to be one last offensive against the Empire. I know that you can't come with us, so I won't even ask. I've been authorized to leave a skeleton crew behind to maintain this place as an emergency rally point if our offensive fails. Just between you and me though, if our offensive fails, I doubt there will be many survivors at all."

He finished with: "I can't think of anyone I'd rather have than you for this assignment. A few people from Red and Gold groups will be staying behind as will a smattering of other skill groups to help keep you self-sufficient. My question to you, Jedi Jayks, will you accept this final assignment?" I knew my answer even before he asked.

I was home, meditating on my decision. I believed I had made the right choice. My duty was clear. I had no regrets. Just as I was finishing my meditation, I sensed the minds of my wife and two sons. They came in talking amongst themselves just as I recovered from my suspended split. I cleared my throat and said: "I have an announcement to make."

They fell silent as I said: "I've just received my new orders." Dieter was in his mid-teens now and his studies as historian continued as seriously as ever. Ryu was in his most exploratory stage and was always moving around and getting the feel of various objects in the Force. Gabrielle had never reclaimed her status as XO of Gold Group after Ryu had been born but remained on the inactive duty roster. She had wanted to be a full-time mom and was doing a wonderful job of it.

She looked at the General's rank plaque on my chest and said: "So long as we stay together, we'll go anywhere you will." I said: "General Naz has been authorized to leave a skeleton crew behind on this planet to serve as an emergency rally point if the offensive against the second Death Star fails. He has chosen me as the new CO; effective as soon as the Change of Command is complete which will be next week. Officially, I'm a General now."

Gabrielle gave me a hug and a kiss as Dieter shook my hand and said: "That's so epic dad!" Ryu couldn't care less as that the dust bunny on the floor had his full attention at the moment. Gabrielle said: "It's about time you accepted promotion. I think you deserve it and I think anyone who has ever served with you would agree." I said: "Stop, I'm just . . ." Gabrielle and Dieter both chimed in and finished my sentence: "Doing my job!"

Exactly one week from my promotion, the Change of Command ceremony was held. I was feeling decidedly chaffed in my new dress uniform and uncomfortable as well at all the attention directed at me by the various sentients gathered there that day in their own dress uniforms.

General Naz saluted me which I returned in kind as he said: "General Ronin Jayks I stand ready to be relieved." I said: "General Malory Naz, I stand ready to relieve you." We dropped our salutes in sync. As he stepped away from the podium, I stepped up. Deciding at that moment to vape my prepared speech, I instead spoke from the heart. I said: "Friends and fellow warriors. The Rebel Alliance has become a home-away-from-home for me, and all of you, an extension of my family. It has been an honor and a pleasure serving with you. Although I cannot join you in your final fight against the Empire, please believe that my thoughts and hopes go with you, each and every one. May the Force be with you all."

My speech, though short, brought forth a roar of applause as I took Gabrielle on my arm and stepped down from the platform. As with all formal events there was a reception, or in this case a going away party that I had to attend. Gabrielle and I mingled for a time and accepted the many congratulations and hand or convenient appendage shakes. Perhaps two hours passed until she and I were able to slip away to the privacy of our quarters and spend the rest of the afternoon making love with ruthless abandon.

Transports started flying out the next morning as everything but the most essential equipment was packed up to be taken away. Going to my trusty X-wing one last time, I had Warbler get into his socket as we took one last flight to feel the G once more. My ship had to be put into the vehicle pool so when we landed, I removed the memory chips from my ship, the ones that enabled only Warbler to talk to it, and put in a set of new ones. Except for the obvious signs of use on my ship, it was for all intents and purposes, a new ship ready for its new pilot when it got to Sullust.

As a going away gift, Terraca, the Chief of Maintenance had made a miniature of my X-wing complete with its kill-silhouettes on the side for me. She had made one of Gabrielle's Y-wing as well and given them to us before she left on her transport. On the day the last transport was to leave, General Naz came to me in my office, the one that had been his until recently. He said to me: "I'm weary of battle. When this is all over, I'm going to retire and see about leading a colony ship here. I've gotten rather fond of the place. One of my instructors once told me that if you become attached to a planet, its time to retire because you won't be able to focus on your job. He followed his own advice, now it's my turn."

I said: "General, even after this battle is over, the Alliance will need every ounce of strength it can muster if it's to survive and become a new government for the galaxy. They'll need you sir." He smiled tiredly and said: "Take a good look at me General Jayks, I'm a soldier, not a politician. The battles to be fought now will be wars of words, not weapons. The campaigns to follow won't be for freedom but for some mynock of a politician's reelection. It's time for me to step down and let new blood and new ideas carry the Alliance forward."

I listened and considered his words. I said: "If that's how you feel General Naz, then I hope you find fair winds and following seas." He smiled again and said: "That is how I feel General Jayks, thank you." I saw him to the transport where Tregor Mithell and Jex Torrel were waiting. Commander Mithel, formerly my XO now the CO of Red Group said: "It's been great serving with you sir. Take care." We shook hands as he got aboard his X-wing and prepared to fly escort. Jex, the former clone trooper alpha unit came up to me and said: "I was happy to see the Jedi weren't as extinct as we thought them. If you ever need a shadow again, I'm your man." I smiled and said: "Thank you very much Jex but you just worry about making a new life for yourself. Look up your daughter and grandchildren in the Corporate Sector sometime." He saluted me and said for the last time: "As ordered Lead." With that he promptly did an about-face and marched up the ramp.

The General was last to board. We shook hands one last time as he went up the ramp. I stepped back and watched the transport and its escort until they were too small to follow.

The next morning, I called for a meeting with all of the remaining ground staff. Including myself and Gabrielle, there were a total of twenty-four adults, all couples, and a handful of children ranging from Ryu's age of three to Dieter's age of fifteen and several droids.

I walked in and the call rang out: "Attention on deck!" I knew it was for me that it had been called, but I still felt the familiar dislike of attention on me as I said: "At ease everyone." When everyone had sat down, I took my own seat and said: "Thank you all for electing to stay behind. The plan is really simple. As of now, 0900 hours, this is no longer a military base of the Rebel Alliance. Our cover story will be common enough. We were an advance party for a colony. Our ship experienced serious system failures. We barely made it out of hyperspace to find this planet. Though not our intended destination, it was habitable and we found an abandoned Rebel Base. We fixed what we could, tore our ship apart for materials and we've been here ever since."

I continued with: "General Naz said he would someday lead a real colony here but since none of us know if he actually will be able to, we have to assume we're on our own. He left a relay satellite that is sliced into the nearest holo-net receiver in place so we can still receive news reports. We were left enough agricultural tools, seeds and implements to supplement our food supply as well as medicines and the like. For those of you who wanted to be farmers before the Empire turned you into fighters, now's your chance. I'll take a vote on what we should name our colony. It may be hard to accept at first, but I believe this will be our best chance to survive for the present. You'll need to put away your uniforms and start using first names."

Malec Dun had married Ardra Dreel while the two were still in Gold Group and he was now my XO. Malec said: "Begging your pardon General, but what will we do if we're paid a visit by anyone but our own forces?" I said: "Good question Malec. If we get a visit we'll extend every courtesy possible. If it's a trading vessel, maybe we can become regular customers of theirs and help give some weight to our cover story. In fact, practice the cover story until its second nature."

Ardra spoke next. She said: "What if it's an Imperial ship?" I said: "Again we'll extend every courtesy but we won't kiss up to them. If they leave a detachment of troops, we'll wait and play along until the ship leaves. After that, we'll gently try to sway them to our new way of life. Then we can destroy their communications and openly give them the choice of joining us. If they don't . . . we may have to eliminate them."

Left unsaid were dozens of other 'what ifs' but we would cross them if and when we came to them. We took our vote and the name of our colony became New Hope. The next few weeks saw us closing down the unneeded sections of the base. In fact, when our base had been built originally, it had used several modular prefabricated units. The base had been designed to cooperate with the existing environment. All of the facilities had been laid out within walking distance in most cases while automated defense stations kept the known, large predators out of our area. Some of us stayed together in our single family dwellings and became neighbors in fact as well as proximity while others set up a little way across from us giving the place a genuine village-like feel of its own.

Along with the vote for a colony name, I was named the official 'head administrator'. Malec Dun had spearheaded that idea so I got him back in kind by naming him my Assistant Administrator and his wife Ardra became our Chief of Security. I suspect there may have been a few annoyed words between him and his wife that night but they took on their new tasks without complaint.

As I had asked, uniforms disappeared, use of first names became common and latent skills and specialties came to the surface that had been repressed by the war. Among the personnel left me, their skills ranged from emergency medical, techhead, tinkerer, and jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none. We had been left two landspeeder-type repulsor craft and a bare bones maintenance bay as well as some minimal medical facilities.

Some time after the colony had been more or less finished; I was meditating in a suspended split while Gabrielle was taking a nap with Ryu cuddled up next to her. Through the Force, came a shriek of such ferocity, I fell out of my meditation position while Gabrielle had fallen off the bed and Ryu awoke crying. As I stood up, a little dizzy, I made my way to the bedroom as Gabrielle got up off the floor. She too was a little dazed as we both comforted Ryu until he was convinced it had been a nightmare that couldn't hurt him.

There was only one thing that could cause such a disturbance in the Force, the death of the Emperor.