Ahsoka Returns – Chapter 6: Here's to the New Republic
Author's note:
At this point in the story, Ahsoka, Luke, Ezra and Reema try to make sense out of things as the Empire continues to implode and scavengers pick over the carcass. Much has been written over the past couple of years about Luke Skywalker – myself included, as he was a supporting role in my main Ahsoka (AU) trilogy – which of course continues on, but in this story, he will now take a prominent role. I've thought hard about how I would write him and whether he, in the end, would become the character we see depicted in TLJ. You all will just have to see for yourselves. For the most part, I want my characters to be like real people, flesh and blood, who have hopes, dreams, agony and despair. Ahsoka Tano, for me, was a gripping persona that I saw depicted by Dave Filoni in animated adventure after animated adventure, and the more I saw of her, the more important she became to me.
It all came to a crescendo that day on Malachor. All Ahsoka ever had in her life was Anakin. He was the only one that understood her, the only one he could show his true self to, and the one who refused to give up on her. But part they did, and Ahsoka was left to muddle through the next 17 years or so – a half of her admittedly short life up to that point – and come to terms with so many unresolved feelings. So, the duel took place and then, miraculously, she was yanked away from that uncertain fate and then returned to a galaxy very different than the one she left. This is a different type of tale than the one I told in Ahsoka and the Rebellion, a story about her redemption and rise to power. Ahsoka here is still very much a person in search of herself, a theme that will play out here, just as it does for Luke, a young man still attempting to make some sense out of his life after a crazy four years. A period that took place after an astromech droid with a secret plan inside showed up on his doorstep and forever changed his world.
Thanks to followers: Lord Revan Reborn
Chapter 6: Here's to the New Republic
Traveling the Galaxy, 4 ABY, 5 months, 0 days
After a few days, a period during which Ezra Bridger and his recently rescued "first mate" Reema Andujah ventured to several Core worlds, the pair were discussing it in the elegant lounge area aboard the ship. For most of this period, the young Coruscanti girl was fascinated by everything – the ship and its appointments, the places they visited, and the exciting sense of space travel. She proved to be a fast learner and became friendly with the SA-1R droid known as "Sara," a unit that often seemed almost human.
"Ezra, it seems like you've been many places in the Galaxy."
He smiled, finding her constantly inquisitive mind to be somewhat entertaining.
"I have, but most of these were far out on the Outer Rim. The Core was mostly controlled by the Empire and we didn't want to take the risk as we were all wanted as rebels and traitors. This is my first trip to this region and to Coruscant."
She looked at him admiringly. "It may be my home, but I'm so happy to be away from it. Chandrila seemed nice and they were so friendly. Someone told me the New Republic was going to make that the new capital planet."
He nodded. "I heard the same … in fact, in about a month, there will be ceremonies for the New Republic government there." Ezra took a sip from his caf mug, and added, "I'd like to be there. All my life, it seems, we fought against this evil empire, and now, we're finally winning the war."
She looked around a bit and noticed Sara attending to some task, then asked. "Ezra, you said you had close friends that you fought beside. Whatever happened to them?"
"I'm not sure, entirely. There was Sabine Wren of Mandalore. She's the one that taught me how to handle a jet pack. Then Hera Syndulla of Ryloth, our leader, and captain of the Ghost, and of course, the guy that showed me about the Force, Kanan Jarrus – but he died on Lothal, saving us from the Imperials. And one more – Zeb Orellios, he was a Lasat. I have no idea where he might have gone. But the one I miss the most is Ahsoka Tano. She was once a great Jedi warrior, and the last time I saw her was on this strange planet called Malachor. I still don't really know what happened to her, only that we all thought she was dead too – but we never really knew."
"Do you want to find them? I mean, I'm ready to go anywhere, Ezra. I can handle myself."
"I saw that. You have the Force, too, it seems. How did you know you had it growing up on Coruscant?"
She smiled and reached out to touch him, placing a hand on his left forearm, while tilting her head slightly and grinning at him.
"I'm really not sure. It just seemed like I always knew it, but I had no idea what it was called." Reema took a deep breath, turned to him and smiled. I'm starting to trust him …
"It always seemed to come to me when I really needed it. Many nights I would go to bed hungry and there were times when I was really skinny and scared, but I always seemed to find a way. I learned how to fight to survive, and I was a fast runner and could jump, sometimes great heights, even three metres up. And I also learned how to steal food when I had to and then trick people into not knowing it was gone."
The girl's adorable dark brown eyes were boring into Ezra's consciousness and he too was getting strong feelings.
"Reema … I … never met anyone quite like you. But I'm sure the Force brought us together. After I had gone to Lothal, I asked the Force to direct me. It took me to Coruscant – and ultimately, to you. When I saw you fighting that day, I knew I had to help. And now I know why."
He turned to her, and took her hands, which she happily gave him. Without knowing how it happened, the two of them felt an energy transfer – one that went both ways.
"Reema – do you want to do great things with your ability? I came to realize that I wanted to, once I learned what the Force could do. I helped to win the battle to free my home planet from the Empire."
"Sure. In just this short time, my life has changed. I want to see where it takes me."
Reema let go of his hands and suddenly wrapped both of her thin arms around him and hugged tightly, her head resting on his shoulder. Ezra felt himself becoming more and more attracted to this strange young woman, yet it was a most natural feeling. The Force has brought us together. She is wonderful, and so brave and strong.
As she relaxed her grasp, Reema sat back and smiled again.
"Let's find out together, Reema."
She then moved in for a kiss, something she had never done before with anyone, but it felt most natural. Ezra had so far found her presence most comforting, but now it had become exciting as well. In the past, he had felt some attraction to Sabine, but never received anything like it from her in return. Now, a Force-sensitive girl, one of strength and a rough sense of beauty and sensuous power – that she herself was likely only now beginning to understand – had entered his life and it felt like nothing else ever had. Ezra returned the kiss and there was a moment of passion between them.
Reema then pulled back, as she felt herself losing control.
"Sorry about that, Ezra. It's just … that … I've never had anyone in my life that could understand me."
"No … it's quite all right … I know just how you feel."
"So, where should we go?"
He thought for a minute. "The Force has brought us together. Let's see where it takes us."
Reema simply nodded and the two cuddled up together.
The Wheel Space Station, 4 ABY, 5 months, 15 days
The past 45 days had gone by rather quickly. Luke and Ahsoka had stayed together on The Wheel, sharing a two-bedroom suite in one of the better accommodations on the giant space station, paying for it from an account that Ahsoka realized she had – once her R6 droid pointed it out to her. The two of them also went exploring some planets in the area and came to see the environmental degradation that Palpatine's empire had wrought on once-scenic worlds.
One of these was Centares, a once verdant world that had been relentlessly strip-mined for various raw materials, and whose bodies of water had become cesspools of various chemical wastes. As they looked it over, Luke turned to Ahsoka.
"Thank you for showing me places like this. The more we see together, the more obvious it is to me that we have so much work to do after the Empire is driven out. And I see now that my father was one who helped to make it possible."
Ahsoka nodded, and added softly, "And Anakin was the one who relentlessly hunted all the remaining Force-sensitive people in the Galaxy – because his emperor demanded it."
"Ahsoka, why do you think he failed, though? It seems to me there were still people around."
"Luke, I think it's because the Force comes to people somehow. It has nothing to do with whoever your parents are. I'm pretty sure mine had no ability, for example, just like Anakin told me about his mother."
"But Leia and I may have inherited ours," he said slowly, then added, "but maybe we didn't. It would be good to know."
"I don't think we can, Luke. There are so many mysteries. Take Obi-Wan, he had no idea how the Force came to him either, and I've learned more about the Emperor and his family on Naboo. They didn't know about the Force either."
"Ahsoka – when did you learn these things?"
"I had so much time on my hands after the Purge. I came to places like The Wheel because the computer systems had access to so much knowledge. It's amazing to me that the Empire just let that happen … but, then again, I also came to understand that there was so much that they couldn't control."
Luke nodded. "I agree. It just makes sense. The Galaxy is far too big. Even though they built over 20 thousand star destroyers."
"And many of those have also been destroyed. I've been reading about that, too. The rebellion really gathered strength after Yavin and the first Death Star was destroyed – by you!"
He laughed. "I couldn't have done it without Ben telling me to trust in the Force. That was the moment all of this became real to me. But it still was slow going for a while. I got into so many scrapes and tight spots."
"Wish I'd been there to help," she stated softly. "But I'm here now, so let's figure out what's next."
After they returned to The Wheel, Ahsoka found a space that would serve as a suitable training room. As they opened the door and went in, she noted, "We'd talked about this. Now, let's do it."
"Sure. How might we?"
"Let me see your sabre."
He handed it to her and she activated it. After getting a feel for the weapon and taking some reverse-grip swipes – a tactic that puzzled him, as he'd never seen it before – she asked:
"How did you find the crystal for this one?"
"Well, that's an interesting thing. For a while, I carried my father's lightsabre and trained with it until Bespin, when I confronted him. He was too strong for me and I lost my hand and the sabre with it – I still don't know where it went – but I later returned to Tatooine and found Ben's old home. In it, there were instructions on how to build a new one. He even had some parts, and I was able to buy others in Mos Eisley, but no crystal."
"What did you do?"
"I learned to how to make one – using the Force as a guide."
"Impressive. But, you know, I once trained the younglings in how to do similar things when I was a Jedi. Except we would go to places like Ilum to find our own crystals. I never knew how to make one from scratch."
"So how did you make your sabres?"
Ahsoka smiled at that. After handing Luke's sabre back to him, she held up one of hers, then opened the hilt.
"I took my crystals from the weapon made by one of the Inquisitors – and then reversed the bleeding process. I made it purely white because I wanted to follow the Light side."
"Bleeding?" Luke asked. Now he was quite curious. As much as he had learned, he realized there was much more to know.
"Yes. It's been said that those on the Dark Side do this by using the Force for evil purposes and the crystals are 'bled' to show their domination. Your father had done this – sometime after he became Vader, but I'm not sure when – and so did these Inquisitors."
"I never knew about them. Both Ben and Yoda never mentioned anything about Inquisitors."
"I think that may be because we killed off the last three of them on Malachor – the day my memory is now drawing a blank. There was this evil former Sith named Maul. That guy was bitter and dangerous about what had happened to him before … and he basically killed them. But he left when your father showed up and it was really down to Anakin and myself – I had helped my friends to escape so I took him on alone."
Luke shook his head. "That had to be brave. Did you think you could take him?"
"I really wasn't sure. As we fought, I got the upper hand early on, but then we stopped after I had sliced open his mask. It was then when I realized it was Anakin, and it had been all along. I felt his great pain and my heart went out to him."
"Incredible. How did he take it?"
"For a minute, I thought I had made a breakthrough. But the Dark Side quickly overrode any memories in him of our time together. He said I would have to die. And things got vicious after that, but … that's all I remember."
Luke looked her in the eye. "I'm so sorry you weren't able to bring him back. Maybe things could have turned out very differently."
She then shook her head, as her lekku swayed and bobbed. "We'll never know."
They were silent for a minute, then Ahsoka changed the subject.
"Let's get in some training. Let me show you something."
She took one of her sabres, lit it, then calmly waved a hand over it, lowering its intensity. She then did the same with her other blade. Luke looked on, mystified.
"How did you do that?"
"Through the Force. Jedi always knew how to set a lightsabre to training level intensity. I can show you how it's done."
With that, she quickly called Luke's lightsabre over to her, lit it, then waved her free hand over the blade, which diminished in intensity and changed color slightly to a softer green.
Luke watched, still mystified.
She explained further. "A Kyber crystal – even a synthetic – still is communicated by and through the Force. You were able to build it the same way. Now, just take control, using your own native ability."
She handed the lit blade to him and he held it out, while concentrating. Soon he found he could reach the control level by reaching out to the crystal. He modulated the power up and then back down.
"I think I got it," he remarked.
"You'll get comfortable with it. It just takes experience." She paused, then started walking into the training space.
"Let's see what you got, Luke," she said playfully.
Ahsoka stepped forward, with both of her white blades lit and ready. Luke – almost instinctively – drew his and raised it. She poked at him at first, carefully using one blade, then the other. Then she initiated an offensive maneuver, which Luke quickly parried, easily pushing both of her blades back on her. Ahsoka did a full roll in mid-air, then came at him with more intensity. Luke fell back and moved into a defensive position, from which he was able to temporarily keep him at bay. She then responded with a mild Force push that knocked him off balance and she attempted to jump over to his position with both blades acting as a scissors that seemed to cover all of the perimeter around her.
So that's why she holds them backwards … it's so she can cover more space. Luke tried to think of a way to counter her but Ahsoka easily evaded any aggressive moves he came up with.
"You're holding back," she shouted. "I know you can do more."
Luke stepped up the intensity, pushing hard against her blades, but she continued to frustrate him with her speed and acrobatics.
"You're just so fast, Ahsoka!" He then made up his mind to make her come to him. On her next charge, he stepped forward aggressively and swung hard at her midsection, causing her to back up. Luke followed up with another blow, finding the sabre light in his hands as he reached out with the Force. As he did, everything started to slow down in his mind and he began to find her weaknesses. He continued the attack and Ahsoka bailed out, lifting herself up vertically, then again rolling in air over to a position behind him. But Luke was ready, swinging around 180 degrees and on the attack again. Ahsoka's answer was to again Force push him and regain her balance. She then went on the attack and increased her speed even more, throwing a bit of confusion into his mind. For ten more minutes, the duel continued, but Luke was tiring and Ahsoka proceeded to finish him off, standing over him as he lay on the floor.
"OK, OK, you got me."
She smiled, switched off her blades and helped him up.
"You did great, Luke. You have much natural ability, and you certainly remind me of your father … let's take a break."
He shook his head, but smiled back at her. "I guess there's always much more to learn. How do you do all those jumps and spins?"
"I'm a Togruta. We have some natural ability in this area, but the Force increases it for me. I can jump six or even eight metres if I have to. The skill helped me in my early training and saved my life several times during the war."
They went off to their hotel suite and changed clothes, then headed to a quiet bar elsewhere on the station.
As they sat, drinking ale, Ahsoka referenced their training session.
"Luke, you have real talent and good instincts. You will need to get in ever better shape."
"Why are you so good, Ahsoka? Haven't you been out of action for a while?"
She shook her head.
"I really don't know. But one thing I do know, and that's we Togruta age slower than humans. On that scale, I'm only a couple of years older than you are physiologically."
"Whatever," he chuckled. "But I think we could make a good team."
"Maybe …" she laughed. "It's been a long time since I worked with anyone else."
"Ahsoka, could we find a way to rebuild the Jedi once the Empire is gone? I think it would be the best thing we could do for the Galaxy."
"Luke, let's take it slow. I'm not sure rebuilding the Jedi is such a great idea."
"Why?"
"Because the Jedi didn't always have the answers. It's clear to me they had no idea about this Palpatine guy. We all thought he was good and someone we could trust as the Chancellor, but he was secretly planning a takeover. And for that, he needed to get us out of the way … and he succeeded. And that's why we got the Empire."
"Ben never told me much about any of that. Neither did Yoda. Did they know?"
"I have to believe they did. But I think they wanted to bring you along slowly, so you could face Anakin."
Luke nodded. "Which I was able to do … but, not until he scared me by mentioning turning my sister to the Dark Side. That enraged me and I found the energy to beat him."
"Wow – I had no idea it went that way. No one else likely does either, now that Anakin is gone."
"Ahsoka, I would appreciate it if we keep this between us."
"I understand. There were times that I too got a bit angry. It seemed to make me stronger, but I know I was letting the Dark Side in. So, I had to spend time meditating about that. My true strength comes from trusting in the Force … it's never let me down."
Chandrila, Core region, 4 ABY, 6 months, 5 days
A few weeks later, the ship Mira Bridger returned to the Core world of Chandrila. Ezra and Reema had arrived to join the festivities marking the beginning of the New Republic and the decision by its leaders to establish the government on this world for the time being, as Coruscant was still very much in a state of turmoil. Both of the young Force users were formally dressed for the occasion and Reema was excited to finally be able to wear something beautiful as she chose a long satin gown and robe of turquoise silk. Ezra was also dressed like a nobleman as he too had discovered that Su had left him access to plenty of credits. They also found excellent accommodations in the main city as this was a rather civilized planet that had all the modern technology and creature comforts that could be found on Coruscant.
The planet was also rather well defended and never was totally subdued by the Empire, a situation Palpatine hoped to address once he had succeeded in destroying most of the Rebels' fleet at Endor. But, of course, his plans went sideways as Luke Skywalker and his friends turned the tables on the Imperials and they lost not only the second Death Star, but at least three Super Star Destroyers and many smaller ships – not to mention the Emperor and Lord Vader as well. The past six months after Endor saw the Rebels press their advantage and quickly move toward a mopping up phase as the Imperial remnants retreated to the Outer Rim and tried to marshal what forces remained. They were down, but certainly not out, as two leaders – Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax and Admiral Rae Sloane – had each taken control of separate battle groups and had gone in different directions.
Ezra managed to run into his old friend Hera Syndulla, who had made the trip to Chandrila from Ryloth, along with her father Cham. The Syndullas were a bit skeptical that the New Republic could succeed in bringing the Galaxy under their governance, but were willing to keep an open mind. At a cocktail party the night before, Hera spotted Ezra and made her way over to where he and Reema were standing.
"Hey there! Remember me?" Hera laughed.
Ezra heard the familiar voice and could scarcely believe it. "Hera?" He turned around to see the green-skinned Twi'lek approaching. The two rushed together and hugged.
"It's really you!" Ezra shouted.
"I should say the same … So glad you are back. Where did you go?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Let's just say I went on a long, strange journey. Now, I come back to find the Empire is almost beaten."
Hera beamed. "And we started it – by driving them off Lothal. You should be proud."
"Hera, I would like you to meet someone … my new friend Reema."
The Coruscanti curtsied politely to Hera, who stuck a hand out for her to shake.
"Pleased to meet you. Ezra, where did you find this lovely lady?"
"Another long story. Let's just say the Force brought us together."
"Well, I'm happy for you."
The three of them continued to converse for a while, and were joined by Cham. Then, things quieted down as the New Republic leadership made their way into the expansive ballroom, led by Mon Mothma, who had been voted in as the Chancellor-designate. She remembered Ezra from their time together on Yavin about five years earlier. He stepped up to her and bowed.
"Congratulations, Madam Chancellor."
"Thank you, and good to see you, Mister Ezra Bridger. So glad you are back. We took great comfort when we learned of the outcome on Lothal, and we were inspired to press the rebellion further."
Soon, Mothma made her way to the head of the main table, shaking hands and slapping backs, then stood behind a podium to give a short speech. She took the mic and spoke.
"Greetings to all … It's so gratifying to see all of you here tonight …" Mothma said slowly, as the applause died down.
"To salute this great victory … and to look back on all we've accomplished. And though we still have some more to go, it is time to set in place the framework and structure for our new government. In the days to come, the New Republic Senate will be seated and we will ratify the New Republic Constitution for the Galaxy. So, on behalf of everyone tonight, who helped to make all of this possible … Here's to the New Republic!"
Unknown Regions, 4 ABY, 6 months, 10 days
At about the same time, a fleet of Imperial ships was massing in the Unknown Regions, to the west of the more populated and explored portion of the Galaxy. One of the barriers to further settlement of this vast region were the various impediments found as one entered the region. These included black holes and gravity wells, vast solar storms and rogue magnetospheres. So many ships were lost without a trace that most inhabitants of the "known" Galaxy were leery of ever trying to enter it. But somehow, there were those that learned of a passage and they included this fleet of Imperial remnants.
In command of these remnants was the Super Star Destroyer Ravager, and newly promoted Grand Admiral Rae Sloane. A dark-skinned inhabitant of the lesser-known Core world of Ganthel, Sloane joined the Imperial Naval Academy at age 23 and rose through the ranks after her quick thinking as a cadet saved the Emperor's life. Rae's career blossomed as she became a full admiral by about 3 ABY and was in command of the ISD Vigilance while at the Battle of Endor. A loyal imperial, she watched, horrified as the Rebels destroyed the second Death Star and knew in her heart that the Emperor had perished, despite the insistence of others that he still was alive and any reports to the contrary were treasonous propaganda.
About two months after Endor, she met with Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax, who gave over the Ravager to her and took the Vigilance to an unnamed location. Sloane then was named Grand Admiral by an as yet unknown authority, whom Rae believed was a stand-in for the now-deceased emperor. It was said that Darth Vader also somehow perished but there were no witnesses. The new Grand Admiral realized it was in her best interests to leave the situation as ambiguous as possible. Each ISD that joined her group had been given secret instructions on how to navigate the treacherous space along the western fringes of the known Galaxy and then make its way to join the Ravager, where they would presumably be given further orders.
The Grand Admiral, wearing her dress white uniform for the first time, then called a meeting of all officers holding the rank of captain or higher to join her aboard the Ravager. As they filed into the large conference room, she occupied the chairman's seat. Once everyone was present, she called the meeting to order.
"Good day, everyone. We are gathered here today to take stock of which forces remain of our once-mighty Empire. I want to personally commend everyone that still believes in the mission of the Empire, which is to keep the peace and thus maintain order and prosperity in the Galaxy. While we no longer currently possess the power to overturn the unlawful rebellion, we have to face facts. I will be soon traveling to Chandrila for peace talks with the leaders of the Rebel Alliance, who are now calling themselves the New Republic."
She continued. "Fleet Admiral Rax will soon be meeting with our Supreme Leader and our new strategy will be decided. Until then, we will keep in close contact with each other."
Lianna, NE Outer Rim, 4 ABY, 6 months, 25 days
On the planet Lianna, a beautiful world located on the northeastern Outer Rim, and the galactic headquarters of the famed armaments maker Santhé-Sienar Corporation, Imperial Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax approached in an Imperial shuttle. He had departed the ISD Vigilance some five light years' distance from the planet so his arrival would raise no inordinate level of suspicion. Gallius Rax, born on the desert planet Jakku, was a longtime friend of Sheev Palpatine, his boyhood sponsor before the future emperor became Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. Rax had promised Palpatine that, in the event of the Emperor's death, he would see to it that the Empire itself be dissolved and its forces either spread far and wide or also destroyed.
So now the time had come and Rax proceeded to Lianna, where the TIE interceptor series craft had been designed and constructed, along with many other craft. The Santhé Corporation had existed for almost 200 years and merged with Sienar Fleet Systems about 50 BBY. At this time, the combined firm was being run by the granddaughter of Kerred Santhé, who considered her his only rightful heir. On his deathbed in 12 BBY, his granddaughter Valles promised him she would see to it that the firm was not only in good hands, but that it would one day become the pre-eminent maker of weaponry in the Galaxy and that the Santhé name would be known far and wide.
Valles Santhé was, by all accounts, a very attractive and brilliant woman – short of stature, light-skinned, having long black hair and a pleasing countenance – with an exceedingly high "social IQ" that usually gave her the upper hand in most, if not all, business encounters. She was also a woman of massive ambition and was not content to just run the family firm, as she gradually had taken control of her entire planet and the surrounding sectors as well. Very well-versed in how to manage money, she was, by this time, one of the richest individuals in the entire Galaxy. Money was more than a tool in Valles's hands, it was a weapon, and one she utilized with maximum efficiency.
As Rax landed the shuttle, he opened his com device.
"Black Widow – this is Galli. I await your command, my Lady."
He received a simple text in return. "Proceed to the agreed-upon location."
Quietly nodding, the admiral prepared to debark from the shuttle. At this time, he was not dressed in an Imperial uniform, but in slightly casual business attire, so he would blend in with the Liannese. Although the planet was a leader in many areas of the Galactic economy, the people were often quite informal in their daily doings and almost everyone on the planet had a good job that paid well and allowed for ample vacation time. The local "fun planets", such as Cantonica in the Corporate Sector and neighboring Vaynai – a sunny resort world with much gambling and sporting events – profited greatly from the many Liannese who vacationed there.
Rax, having left the landing platform, boarded a tube transport that took him underground and about 10 km into Lianna City, the bustling yet elegant capital of the planet. As he emerged back above ground, Rax walked quietly to a street curb and hailed a speeder. He was whisked a few blocks away and then into a non-descript office tower, where a lift took him a few levels below ground. As he stepped out, he activated the com.
"I am here, milady. So looking forward to seeing you again."
He had only to turn around and there she was, a sleek figure dressed in a black body-contoured "cat suit" that left little to the imagination, and with a luxurious black cloak over her shoulders. Not immediately visible was the lightsabre hilt attached to her waist, yet concealed by the cloak.
"Ah, Galli … how good of you to arrive so promptly." She spoke in an elegant, clipped Core-world accent that oozed sophistication and polish.
"My Lady, your wish is my command …"
Valles extended her right hand, which was encased in a black satin glove. Rax bowed low and kissed it gently. As he straightened his frame, she nodded her head toward a door and led them into an empty conference room, which had only a bare table and set of basic chairs. She took a seat and he did likewise. As they sat down, she spoke first.
"Have all preparations been made?"
He nodded and she continued.
"Very well, our good friend Rae Sloane will take it from here. I want her to go to Chandrila and engage the New Republic leadership with talk of a peace settlement. Once she is there, you will carry out Operation Black Hawk. See that the damage is extensive, but not enough to severely affect governmental operations. I want complete deniability, and Rae is to be affected as well, so she will be seen as an honest dealer that had no idea of remaining rogue elements. Of course, she is to survive the attack …"
"Understood, my Lady."
"As for the Vigilance, I trust that no one noticed its presence in the sector?"
"No, my Lady. We took all precautions. It is five light years away … in open space."
Valles smiled, then reached across the table toward him, caressing his forearm with her satin-gloved hand. A quick shake of her head caused her hair to shift and release a most pleasing aroma (of Liannese blossoms) from her heavy perfume. The admiral felt most soothed and relaxed as he inhaled the soft sweetness. She spoke in a hushed tone.
"Galli … I've always admired your … efficiency. You have performed well … and you shall be rewarded."
Valles pulled back from the table and rose, signaling the meeting had concluded. Rax rose as well, bowed to her and clicked his heels with military crispness. She watched as he exited, and he then returned to the spaceport – one of many in Lianna City – and was on his way back to the ISD.
A bit later, Valles had returned to her spacious office atop the 215-story Santhé Tower that overlooked the entire city. Ducking into a changing room, she took off the catsuit and donned a blue floral dress of elegant Liannese silk, then proceeded to her desk, a bare surface with just a set of three computer monitors. Then, she waved a hand and one of them sprang to life as she started to review her various plans. Another monitor was lit and the Galactic news and doings started to play back for her. As she sat back in her elegant chair, she chuckled and broke into a smirk.
Ah … things are unfolding ever so perfectly. Now that Palpatine and Vader are out of the way, there will be no one to stop me. Mon Mothma … I shall allow you to have your little ceremonies and your amusing Constitution. What difference will it possibly make? By all means, please relax …
At that, Valles raised her right hand and suddenly, her lightsabre came flying across the room to land in her palm. Caressing it for a second, she placed it in a desk drawer, then tapped the intercom. A voice answered.
"Lady Santhé? What is your wish?"
"Lasivia … I would like you to send a fresh bouquet of some of our finest blooms to Chandrila. Addressed to Chancellor-designate Mon Mothma."
"Very well, my Lady. And what shall the greeting be?"
"Dearest Mon. Many congrats on a well-deserved appointment. We'll talk soon. Yours always, Valles."
"Got it, my Lady. Anything else?"
"That is all, Lasivia. I shall be heading out in a few minutes, have the hover craft dock at its usual spot. I will be at the suburban palace, resting."
Valles then grabbed the sabre from the drawer and shut off the intercom. She walked briskly across the main area of her office and through a portal that led outside. An elegant hovercraft docked silently. She opened the portal and boarded it. As it sped away, she looked back toward the building, and yawned gently. Another productive day …
To be continued …