Chapter 8

Yavin space, Misera VI Personal chamber

"My Lord." A voice pierces through the black mass. A voice that sounded familiar. I waded through the darkness with more zeal. "My Lord." The voice called out to me again. I tried to avoid it, but it was coming so very close. The world around me shook. "Lord Severe!" My name, the voice knew my name. But that wasn't my name. That was the name I hated. The name that caused fear in my peers. The name that brought destruction and chaos for another. Her. "Oneida!" she mused. Her fingers clawed at my face, trying to pry open my eyes.

My eyes opened and that was when the screaming started. Someone was standing over my bed. "General Hasca!" His eyes were locked on mine. He cried out again in agony. I laid there for a moment realizing what had just happen. I didn't sleep with my blindfold on. When I woke General Hasca looked into my eyes.

"General, when I say, I want you to blink, alright?" the general simply nodded. I shut my eyes. "Now." General Hasca fell to the floor panting. I got out of my bed and knelt beside him. "That is why I tell you to knock." I said with a smirk. He chuckled as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Now tell me general, what was so urgent that you felt the urge to disturb my sleep?" I stood and took the blindfold from my night stand and tied it over my eyes

General Hasca rose and dusted himself off. "We have entered the Yavin system, and are now approaching Yavin 4."

"Good, prepare my shuttle. I want the Misrea VI to stay out of Yavin VI's atmosphere."

"Yes my Lord." He bowed and began for the door. "My Lord, if I may trouble you further?"

"Of course." I said. He turned back to me and clasped his head.

"What was that?"

I raised an eyebrow. "That, my dear general, is my curse from the Force. I can no longer use my normal eyes to see. They have become weapons. I now must always have constant, minute connection with the Force if I wish to have any sight. That is why I see you through this blindfold. That is why I can see when my eyes are closed." I sighed. I didn't like answering questions about myself. If there was one thing I learned from being a Dark Lord of the Sith, It was to hold back personal information until you know intentions."

"What was that I felt in my head? It was like something boring into my brain and squeezing it at the same time." He looked directly where my eyes were. Didn't get enough last time, did you? My patience was beginning to wither.

"General Hasca, that is a story for another time. I want to get started as soon as possible. Time is not on our side. As I spend time standing here explaining to you, she is growing in power. Our army stands waiting for our call. Once I have my new apprentice, we shall begin our crusade against the Dark Mistress, and topple her thrown."

The general bowed again and walked swiftly out of the room.

Rain. That was all I heard in the medical wing. All the humming and beeping if the machinery was drowned out by the downpour outside. The occasional crack of lightning was really the only excitement I had for the day. Just a little ironic. Rainwater had dripped down from the stone windows high on the wall. I sat up in bed, groaning. Sitting around for the last day made me stiff.

"You should try to relax." Master Skywalker said as he walked into the room, his blue and gold Chancellor robes flowing behind him.

I nodded my head in respectful greeting, and he nodded back. "Not many people can just shrug off a force lightning, but you seem to be trying. And with some results I might add." He sat in the chair next to my bed.

I smiled at his compliment and slide back down in bed.

"Rish, I understand if you want to ask me anything." He said. I studied the old man's face. He was not as wrinkly as his pictures portray. As a matter of fact, his features made him look younger then he actually was. His hair was peppered and short. Very well kept. The only deformation I could notice was his crocked fingers on his right hand.

"Actually Master, what happened to your hand?"

Master Skywalker looked down at his hand and laughed. "That wasn't what I meant by Answering questions, but I suppose I can share the story."

"Back when I was first sworn into office as Chancellor… you do know that the Grand master of the Jedi Council is always the Chancellor in order to guarantee no dark influence in the Senate, correct?"

I nodded.

"Well anyway, I was sworn in. Not twelve hours later there was an attempt on my life. Although I was well protected, I was still injured, and, although I was the Chancellor, I was still a Jedi Master. So in haste instead of reason I pursued my attackers. I was lead through the bleak ally ways of the lower cities of Corasant, and into factories and warehouses. Finally, I caught up to them and stopped them. Or so I thought. I was so proud and tiered I didn't notice that one slipped out of sight. He came from around the corner and shoved me off the railing of the metal compression section of the assembly line.

"The fall didn't injure me, but when I tried to get up my arm was stuck under a pile of metal. Now by this time, I was exhausted, so the Force was out of the question. I tugged and pulled until I got my arm loose then the blasted hammer-happy droids caught my hand and began pounding away." He laughed at the memory and held his crippled hand.

"When they found me, my hand was a sack of bloody bones and skin. The senate wanted to sue the company of not intervening, but I wouldn't have it. I wouldn't let someone else pay for my mistakes. That same company constructed a synthetic hand for me, although some of the bones were broken beyond repair."

"Wow…. One more question. Why are you in your chancellor robes?"

"Oh, I just got back for the Capital, but that is no concern of yours." He eyed me then rose from his chair. "There's nothing else?"

"No not really." He began to walk around the corner. "Wait!" a thought just came to me. "There is something. Is Findlen alright?"

"Findlen is fine… well as fine as he can be. He is being held in the detention area." He stared at me for a moment then smiled. That was my signal to continue.

"Why did he fall?"

Master Skywalker walked back over and sat again. He put his crushed hand on my shoulder. "Or do you mean why did he fall when he touched you?"

"He didn't touch me Master."

"Ever?" his eyebrows rose as looked at me from over his nose.

"Well, we did have a fight, but that was just the other day."

Master Skywalker sighed and folded his arms against his chest. "I suppose you are now old enough to know what you are capable of."

"Capable of?" I echoed. What did he mean? Was I evil? Did I have some kind of Jedi flaw? Master Skywalker's face grimaced. He could sense my thoughts through the Force.

"Calm yourself Rish, your fear is unfounded. Also it is a little disturbing. Fear is what caused Findlen to fall down the path that he did. What I mean is that you are gifted. When you were brought to us, we took a count of the midi-clorins as is policy. We noticed an unusual amount in your blood. After taking the ample to the lab, we discovered that you have a power of persuasion. Not until recently, we found that the power is most affective when touch is involved. When you last Touched Findlen you sowed the seeds of your power. When you edged him on in class, he responded the way he thought you wanted him to. But I must advise you Rish, Learn form Findlen- "

"I'm … I'm going to be a Jedi Ambassador?"

Master Skywalker smiled. "Most likely yes, you will grow to be an ambassador or a senate guard, but that is a discussion for anther time. After your graduation, we'll talk about your future."

I was overjoyed. Finally, I had a purpose. I had something to look forward to after my Padawan years. I sat up and hugged Master Skywalker around the neck. He chucked as he patted me on the back. My muscles were screaming but I didn't care.

"But this gift can also be a curse Rish. Always be wary of the dark side. You could attract some unwanted attention."

"Of course master…. Wait we don't have an Ambassadors to instruct me."

"I am already handling that. Rish don't forget about Findlen. Don't be tempted by the darkness, do you understand?"

I nodded. "Master, are you investigating Findlen's proclamations?"

Master Skywalker rose. "Master Arn and Ters are looking into it. They volunteered…. I'm glad, because with Master Re-oz in the Medical bay, we're short one instructor. I hope my help is on his way."

"Who is it, if I may ask Master?"

"Hum? Oh, you won't rest until I give you an answer will you? Very well…. an individual strong in the arts of sword play and the Force… I believe his name is William. William Oneida."