Disclaimer: *see first chapter*

"Good… Now that you have established yourself, I want you to request a meeting tomorrow. Request surrender terms first, pretend to offer the Rebels a small state similar to the Hapan cluster. I have no doubt they will refuse. From there, discuss affairs, stall, and distract the Rebels." ordered Thrawn over the comlink. "Of course." replied Lee, saluting even though Thrawn was light years away. Tapping the earpiece, he ended the conversation and sat down to rest for a moment. However, one of the two stormtroopers guarding the door knocked once, announcing a visitor. 'Ah, the mechanic is here. I think I'll watch the work, and intimidate this Rebel' To his surprise, he saw the Rebel girl walking in. He turned, and demanded "I didn't know you were a mechanic. I thought you were the daughter of someone important. And a Jedi." Lee noticed the girl blushing slightly, and considered it. However, he dismissed it as unimportant. He also noticed a grimace on her face as she appeared to enter the field of the ysalimir. He smirked.

Jaina shuddered upon loosing all her force sensed. It left a blank feeling in her, as she had become used to the force and using it. Flicking her ponytail behind her shoulder, she turned to look at the sharply dressed Imperial. "You're right about both. But I also like machines, and fixing things. Thats why I came here… To fix something." Jaina was sure that Lee could see right through her lies, but he appeared rather disinterested. She wished she could sense him with the force and feel his presence. Without the force, Jaina was blind to what Lee was thinking. She approached the broken food machine, and knew after a few seconds of looking at it that the fix was easy. However, she realized that she could also make it look more difficult and extend her time here. Smiling, she took out her multitool and started tinkering with the machine, sneaking glances at Lee as he sat in a chair , reading something on a data pad. The procedure coming naturally to her, she entertained a daydream of turning this officer to the side of the New Republic, to her side.

'Apparently the base on Rordis 9 isn't as strong as we thought' concluded Lee, sending a message to Admiral Pellaeon that suggested his thoughts on defeating it. Lee had gotten to know Pellaeon during his time with Thrawn, and the two frequently exchanged communications on various matters of the Empire. Pellaeon valued his insight, and Lee valued Pellaeon's experience and the chance it gave him to talk. Since accepting Thrawn's offer to join him as a trainee and travel the galaxy, Lee had devoted himself entirely to the Empire and hardly knew anyone to talk to. Lee had no idea where his old planet was, and even if he did, he couldn't think of any reason to go back. Finishing the message, he looked up at the girl, wondering what was taking so long. He asked "What is taking so long? Are you sure you can handle it?" He noticed the girl jump slightly upon hearing him speak, and sputter back 'Of course! We're just going to need a new part. I'll request a droid to send one down." Lee sighed, knowing that would mean the girl staying and that he would have to wait even longer to take the shower he wanted. However, Lee avoided expressing his annoyance, sitting back down and looking at the datapad again.

Jaina felt relieved. She was sure that Lee had noticed her watching him. However, he still seemed distracted with whatever he was doing. Proud of herself for thinking of ordering a new part, she pulled out her com link and requested the droid. Then, she nervously sat herself as close as she could to Lee, on a chair a meter from his. She decided to try and start a conversation, and while blushing asked "What sector are you from?" Lee looked up and looked at her for a second, as if considering what she had said and what to reply. He dryly said "I don't know. Somewhere on the fringes of the galaxy. My planet was not yet capable of interstellar flight. It was Grand Admiral Thrawn who discovered the planet, and myself. He gave me a career, a purpose." "But that purpose doesn't have to be with the Empire!", protested Jaina. "The Empire tried to enslave the galaxy!" Jaina noticed Lee sigh, as if bored with the conversation. "The Empire brings order to a galaxy lacking it. It stopped civil wars, regulated intergalactic trade, and fought menaces such as the spice trade. I consider myself honored to serve such an organization, and such a great commander." "My mother told me about Thrawn. She told me about how he lied to the Noghri people and forced them to die for the Empire!" Jaina spoke stronger now, on a slight hope that she could convince Lee of the error of his ways, to get him on their side and make things a lot easier for her. However, Lee stubbornly continued. "The Noghri betrayed Thrawn and nearly killed him. They broke their oaths and are a dishonorable people. But then, you wouldn't understand. If your mother is who I think she is, Head of State Organa Solo, then you will surely have been brought up to believe such things. But thats not how things work. The Rebels seek a return to a failed system that will destroy the galaxy." Annoyed now by such words, Jaina snorted, barely containing the sadness of her failure. She changed the subject, asking Lee "Hmmph… Anyway Lee, what do you do? Other than serve the Empire?" "Its Emissary Lee to you. And serving the Empire is my life. I have little time for other things." Blushing, Jaina realized her mistake. She attempted to cover it. "Well, then its Miss Jaina Solo to you. And that's ridiculous. You have to do something other than work for Thrawn!"

Shaking his head, Lee looked for a way to end this conversation. The Rebel girl, Jaina, continued to press him for details about his life and convince him that the Rebels were good. As if! Addressing her last question, he responded quickly "I wake up, I eat, I train with Thrawn, I I sleep, I help the Empire however I can. And I enjoy doing it!" Lee ended sharply, standing up and walking to the beverage machine. He ordered water from pure comet ice, a luxury he had come to enjoy. At that moment, the door knocked and a droid came in carrying the part Jaina ordered. Lee felt relieved. The girl could finally finish the repair and be gone. He stood by the wall, hands behind his back in Imperial military fashion, watching the girl finish. Lee noticed her looking back at him often, and playing with her hair. He wondered what that meant. Perhaps she was intimidated. It would seem fitting. After all, the young Jedi was without her force powers and it probably put her on edge. Following his train of thought, he recalled learning about force users and noticing how unfair the whole concept was. How a small group of people could manipulate things with their whims. Lee disliked the idea, and thus enjoyed the company of a ysalimir to negate such things. Finally, the girl finished and Lee urged her to leave. She seemed almost resistant, getting a drink herself and stopping to say "I'll see you later Emissary Lee." Her enthusiasm confused Lee, as he was sure he had done nothing but frustrate the girl with his pro Empire sentiment. But, now glad to have some privacy he started the now working food machine and hung up his uniform to take a shower and rest to prepare for tomorrow, for his work here on Imperial Center had just begun.

Thanks to all my readers so far, especially any reviewers! I'll see about getting another chapter up this weekend! I hope people are enjoying the story, and show it by taking a moment to review it. It matters!