Chapter 2

Far away from Coruscant, what was left of the Imperial fleet had gathered. Several Star Destroyers flanked the flagship, a Super Star Destroyer called The Scorpion. The various admirals and captains had been brought aboard to give Lord Scorpius their daily reports. Lord Scorpius sat in his chair, staring out a view port as his officers talked. He was tired of being in exile. He had foreseen his triumph over the Republic and the Jedi. He was a Dark Jedi, a new breed of Sith. And he was growing impatience. When the last officer sat down and the room fell silent, Lord Scorpius got to his feet. He clasped his hand behind his back and began pacing the room.

"You've reported all this to me before. If we remain stagnate much longer, the Empire will truly be dead. I will not stand for that. I have repeatedly requested that you find me Force-sensitive individuals and anyone who has left the Jedi Order. Why is it, then, that my training rooms are empty of new faces? If you do not produce results soon, I am afraid you will all have to be replaced."

All the officers shuddered. They knew what the Emperor was getting at. If they continued to fail him, he'd kill them. Quiet murmuring filled the room. Scorpius waited until they were silent again. He faced them, his expression quite unreadable.

"I take it that I've made an impression then. Send your best here. I will place them under Bellador's command. If they fail, I'll be getting new officers. Choose wisely. Now, leave me."

They got up and left Lord Scorpius. He walked to the view port and grinned.

"I know you feel the shift Skywalker. I will not be denied again. It has been foreseen."

From behind the Emperor, a young man cleared his throat. He knelt down and waited for Scorpius to turn around. The Dark Jedi smiled, but did not face his servant.

"James, what do you have to report? I hope you come barring better news then my officers had for me."

Bellador got to his feet and walked over to his master. He had a cocky, lopsided grin. He was handsome, though his eyes held nothing but cruelty within their depths. He glanced at the view port and crossed his arms.

"My Lord, you already have their loyalty. They are desperate to not fail you again. But, enough about them. I do have some good news from Coruscant. The debate in the Senate continues. The anti-Force movement is beginning to take hold. Skywalker won't know what's going on until it's to late. I also have word on a Jedi who left the Order. She's young and fairly strong in the Force. Strong enough that they made her a Knight earlier than anyone else her age. The rumor is, she left the Order because she was not given a satisfactory answer as to why her parents are dead. I think she would be a…prime candidate as a Dark Jedi. She's just left the core system and seems to be heading for Agamar. Would you like my contact to continue to follow her?"

Scorpius thought for a moment. Then he nodded and looked over at Bellador.

"Yes. And once the best of the fleet have arrived here, I want you to confront her personally and bring her to me. She'll be my proof to Skywalker that I am still someone to be reckoned with."

"As you wish Master. I'll bring her directly to you."

Bellador nodded and left the room.

………………………………...

Mira sat in the captain's chair with her eyes closed. They were on their way to Agamar, though Jayce didn't know it yet. He was sleeping. They'd been friends for as long as she could remember. So, naturally, she didn't want anything happening to him. Jayce would probably protest at being taken home, but Mira didn't want to have to explain to his mother why her eldest son was dead. She sighed as she tried to get a little more comfortable. It'd be a while before they arrived, so she had time to think about what Jacen had tried to say to her. Maybe she had cut him off too soon, but she knew Jayce was getting trigger happy. Better that she just leave. But now that she was alone and it was quiet, his words were echoing in her mind.

"I hate it when they're right. It's too late though…too late."

She opened her eyes and stared blankly at the display on her nav computer. Mira had been struggling since she left the Order. Part of her didn't want to leave, but she felt to hurt, to angry to stay. Anger is not something a Jedi is suppose to feel. It was moments like these that made her heart ache to be back on Yavin. She shook her head. She told Jacen she couldn't go back. She had to stand by that decision…or did she? Jacen did say they needed her, didn't he? 'There's just no way though…' She thought to herself. It felt impossible. Mira shut her eyes again.

"Mira? Something wrong?"

Jayce had woken up and was standing behind her. He knew something was bothering her but he didn't know how he knew. He sat down next her and rubbed her shoulder.

"Come on. I know something is bothering you. Tell me, please?"

Mira sighed.

"You really don't want to know Jayce."

He frowned. His fears were confirmed. She was considering going back to them. He couldn't allow that. Mira was all he ever wanted and he finally had her to himself.

"That Jedi wants you to go back to the Order, doesn't he. Mira…they lied to you. I don't understand why you're even giving his words any thought."

She simply shrugged, then looked over at him. She could sense his mistrust of the Jedi, and his desire to keep her to himself. Mira frowned at him. She'd never sensed this from him before. It worried her a little.

"Jacen wouldn't have come to find me if they didn't need me. And he's never lied to me, just the Council. I…I just don't know. I probably won't go back."

Mira turned away from him, struggling to keep her emotions even. She was starting to feel uncomfortable around him.

"Jayce….please don't think about me like that. We're friends, nothing more. I can't see us that way….I'm sorry."

Without realizing it, Jayce had tightened his grip on Mira's shoulder. She couldn't be serious. She just couldn't be.

"Mira, I know we're friends. But you're all I think about. And we make one hell of a team, you can't deny that. Why not just take the next natural step? Why dismiss it before you've even considered it? You're free now. You only have to answer to yourself. We can be together. It feels right to me. Mira, please, look at me."

Mira winced as Jayce tightened his grip. She then turned back and stared at him as though she had never seen him properly until now. How could she have missed this? 'If I meditated like I used to, I wouldn't have missed it.', she thought. She stood up quickly, backed away from him and shook her head.

"No Jayce. We can't be…like that. How….when…when did you start…thinking this way?"

Jayce blinked at her as she stood up and moved away from him. This wasn't the reaction he was expecting. Yes, he did figure on Mira putting up some resistance, but she seemed almost afraid. He thought she knew already, clearly this was a shock to her. He got up and moved closer to her.

"Mira…I've always felt this way. You…you didn't know? I thought you, of all people, would have known, even before I did. But…is it really that horrible of an idea? We've known each other since we were children. No one knows me better than you. And no one knows you better than I do. Mira, just…just think about it. Please…"

He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently, closing his eyes. He was probably going to be smacked across the face at the very least or thrown to the other side of the cockpit at the very worst. But this moment was worth it. Jayce had wanted to kiss her for a very long time, and it seemed right now. Reluctantly, he released her, opened his eyes and smiled sheepishly. This was a turning point.

Mira, on the other hand, stood stock still. What in the name of the Force was he doing? All she did while he kissed her was stand there, staring at him. No one had ever kissed her before. And she never thought Jayce would have ever kiss her. It took her a moment to realize that he'd released her. Hand shaking, she brought her finger tips to her lips, then shook her head.

"I…we…umm…"

She was at a loss for the right words. Last thing she wanted was to hurt him. But she didn't know what to say. Only thing she did know was that this didn't feel right. Jayce had always been her dearest friend. Mira had never thought anything different about him. He was changing the rules on her though, turning things upside down. She shuddered a little and started inching away.

"I…I can't deal with this right now Jayce. I…"

"Mira, don't go. Please just talk to me."

Again, she shook her head. Mira slipped passed him and left the cockpit to meditate in her quarters. Jayce stood there, now feeling like a idiot. He punched the panel where Mira had been leaning against. He had rushed things. 'Good going, laser brain.', he mumbled. She'd never let him that close to her again. He dropped back into the navigator's chair and shut his eyes. He needed to think. He had to save the situation or he'd lose her forever.

………………………………...

Alliances will be made...
Lives will be destroyed...
Friendships will be tested...
Leaders will arise...
The Dark Side will Grow...

Master Luke was leaning on the railing outside the guest quarters near the Senate Building. He was waiting for Jacen to return. Luke already knew that Mira wouldn't even listen to his nephew. He sighed slightly. He had felt the disturbance in the Force and knew that they would need every trained Jedi to keep the Republic in tact.

Jacen cleared his throat as he walked up behind his uncle. He could sense Luke's worry for all of them. He tapped him on the shoulder, then leaned on the railing as well.

"I am sorry I failed. She wouldn't listen. I think it was more because she didn't want her friend blasting me where I stood. I sense that he will cause many problems for her and for us Uncle."

Luke nodded.

"I sense that as well Jacen. We need to convince her and the others who have left to return. Go to Agamar. That's where she was heading. I had control send me her flight plan once she left the system. Wait to contact her after she's re-entered orbit. Mira's going to leave him there."

Jacen bowed slightly to his uncle.

"I'll leave right away. I just hope you're right about her leaving him on the planet."

"I hope I'm right too Jacen. May the Force be with you."

He smiled slightly as Jacen turned and left. Leia wouldn't be happy with him, but Jacen had to go. Luke knew that Mira still trusted Jacen and if he sent anyone else, she'd retreat further into the outer rim systems. Too many lives were at stake. Shaking his head slightly, Luke turned and went back inside.