Chapter 7

She was in eternal darkness. The long tunnel stretched farther than she could see. She turned, sensing a figure nearby. But she saw no one. Then a maroon lightsaber ignited. Cold sweat trickled down her back and raspy breathing echoed in the tunnel. With startling realization, she knew the figure. Darth Vader.

When Vader spoke, it sent chills down her spine. "Arryn Mindalen. I have been waiting for you. You can sense me in your dreams. You feel the burden I have laid on you. You struggle, knowing that Anakin Skywalker was Obi-Wan's last apprentice. You walk in his footsteps. Join me and I will end this fear!" His voice grew soft, as if trying to be friendly. "You do want that pain to end don't you? You know it is the right path! Together we will serve the Emperor. Obi-Wan Kenobi holds you back from your true potential! Let your anger go and I will show you the power of the Dark Side!"

"No!" she cried in agony. "I won't!" Arryn mentally blocked out the pain that Darth Vader was emitting and searched the figure of evil, looking for even a faint glimpse of the boy he once was. "Anakin, how could you betray the whole order? You turned your back on the very people-"

"I am no longer Anakin Skywalker," Vader interrupted. "And the Jedi are weak."

"I have read your journals-you loved training! You loved everything about becoming a Jedi! What changed?"

"You are idling for time. If you will not accept my offer, then you too will be destroyed."

Arryn's hand subconsciously went to her lightsaber. "So may it be." In a flash, her lightsaber was drawn. Vader attacked. Arryn had to work her hardest to parry blow after blow. One simple mistake could mean sudden death for her.

"Do not forget, we have the same teacher. Your technique and mine are nearly identical. I know what moves you are about to make." Arryn said, gritting her teeth in misery as Vader attacked and lightly singed her arm.

"Foolish words. You are stalling," Vader growled.

Vader was right. Arryn was stalling because she was tiring. They both knew it. She tapped into her reserves of energy and focused on her task. But her muscles were weakening and she knew she couldn't hold out much longer. The flooring of the cave was rough and loose roots rose from the ground. In her fatigue, she stumbled upon one of them and cried out. The last thing she saw before the blackness hit was a crimson lightsaber striking at her neck…

Arryn screamed. She sat up in her bunk on the ship, gasping for air. Anaria's leaned over the railing of the bunk above her.

"Are you okay? You sounded as if you were dying!" Anaria said, her face full of concern.

Arryn nodded. "I had a nightmare."

"What was it about?" Anaria asked gently as she climbed down to sit on Arryn's bunk.

Arryn took a deep breath. "I was in a tunnel or cave or something. It was really dark and cold. Then I sensed a presence behind me. And it was Darth Vader. He said that I belonged to the Dark Side and that if I didn't willingly succumb, then he would kill me."

Anaria gave her hand a squeeze. "Don't worry. You won't turn to the dark side! It was just a dream. You are probably feeling anxiety over the mission. I'm not sleeping well either. Don't worry about it, Arryn."

Arryn gave a small smile. "I'm glad I'm not the only one."

"Are you okay now?" Anaria asked. Arryn nodded in response. "Okay, well I'm going back to bed."

"I'm sorry for waking you up. Good night." Arryn said. There was no reply. Arryn sighed in the darkness. After that terrible ordeal, there was no way she could get back to sleep. It was going to be a long night.

Arryn got out of bed several hours later. She showered and dressed before anyone else was awake. She poked around the ship in restless curiosity and settled in front of a large view port overlooking the stars for meditation. She didn't get very far when she sensed a presence behind her. "Good morning, Master," she said.

"You look tired," Obi-Wan said to Arryn, arching an eyebrow.

The Padawan gave a little shrug of lethargy. "I didn't sleep very well."

It was hardly news to Obi-Wan. "Because of your nightmares?" Arryn was surprised that he knew, but didn't show the emotion.

"I don't know why they haunt me," Arryn answered.

"There are numerous reasons behind nightmares, "Obi-Wan said. "There is hardly reason for disheartenment."

"But are these more than dreams…" Arryn started to say, but she stopped and sighed.

"Or are they premonitions?" Obi-Wan said, smiling gently as he recalled a similar conversation with Anakin several years earlier. "Arryn, not every dream is a vision or mystical connection. Some dreams are just…dreams and even Jedi have dreams, Padawan. They will pass in time. Don't worry."

Arryn nodded, still somewhat unconvinced. She shrugged it off and followed Obi-Wan to the bridge where he looked at the location monitor.

"It appears we are closer to Bondori than first anticipated. We will be there in less than six hours."

"Six hours? Is that good?" asked Arryn.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes. It means that we have more time to locate the Sith. But you should concern yourself more with meditating then on our travel time," he said, a stern look on his face. "Siri should be awake soon and she will want to get started quickly."

"Yes, Master," said Arryn. She left the bridge and headed to a small alcove off of the main chamber. She sat down and focused her energy. Arryn tensely repeated a breathing exercise for nearly an hour until she was interrupted by Elantra, who informed her that Siri was awake and waiting for her in the makeshift training room. Arryn nodded and left.