"How in the world did you end up here before us," Harry asked Obi-Wan a short time later as he sat at a small circular table overlooking the Alderann landscape with the Jedi Master, Senator Organa, and Commander Trest.
"I had not intended to leave at all, as you already know," Obi-Wan began. "However, not long after we parted ways I felt a disturbing presence in the Force, a dark presence that could only mean one thing..."
"Sith," Harry finished for the benefit of the others at the table.
"Yes, Sith. I thought at first it must be Vader, but this presence was different, not familiar to me. I'm afraid this is where you will have to enlighten me, Harry. I have little doubt you were in direct contact with this presence."
"I was," he grimaced. "I wish it had been Vader, because what I learned seems to have even more serious implications. I fought a Sith who called himself Darth Iratus. He wore red robes and said that he was one of an ifndependent group of Sith who have aligned themselves with the Emperor."
"There are more of them?" Senator Organa asked.
"Yes, and we have no idea how many. He was more inclined to fight than to spill all of his secrets to me. Although, he would have been better off talking, because it cost him an arm."
"So he still lives?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"He lives. He'll have to get artificial arm recommendations from Vader, but he's alive." Harry confirmed.
"Then it was the right decision for me to leave. This Iratus will get word back quickly to Vader and the Emperor that Jedi are on Tatooine. You're an unknown to them, and so far they have no reason to believe that I have been on Tatooine. That should keep any suspicious eyes away from Vader's family and son."
"You still haven't explained how exactly you managed to leave, Obi-Wan," Harry reminded him.
"Well, after I grabbed everything that would hint that a Jedi had been residing in my hut, I began walking. The Force was with me, for I happened upon a trawler headed for Mos Eisley. Once there, I had to get creative, as the ruckus in Bestine had the Imperials in a full state of alert. I won't go into exhaustive detail, but I managed to stash myself on an imperial supply vessel. Once we were clear of Tatooine, I convinced the captain that it was best that I take over."
"They won't be able to track the ship?" Harry frowned.
"I disabled all of tracking mechanisms on the ship before I made the jump...and the captain and his crew are now permanent guests of Senator Organa. They won't be telling anyone tales of hijacking Jedi."
A cough from across the table interrupted their conversation, "Not that I'm not pleased for your reunion, but there are some serious matters that need to be discussed," Commander Trest stated, gruffly. "Our entire operation on Tatooine has ended, and we've lost two-thirds of the assets and men."
"It's unfortunate that men were lost, but it won't be the last time we suffer casualties," Bail commented. "Maintaining a presence on Tatooine was always just a hopeful prospect with the Imperials and the Hutts at every turn. The base may be gone, but we've also gained two new allies." The Senator nodded at Obi-Wan and Harry.
"And we've also gained invaluable information," Obi-Wan added. "Now we have a better idea of what we're facing. These other Sith could have continued to operate without notice if Harry had not forced their hand."
"Do you have any idea who they might be?" Harry inquired.
"Hmm, impossible to know for sure," Obi-Wan noted, scratching his beard. "It is a mistake to think that because a being is Force sensitive that they are automatically affiliated with the Jedi or the Sith. There have always been smaller sects of Force users around the galaxy. Some of them have been akin to peaceful religious groups, while others have been hostile, looking for some semblance of power. Obviously, the ones we are dealing with now are out to make a name for themselves. Say what they might, they are serving the Emperor. You said that this Sith wore red robes, but do you recall anything else about his attire? Any symbols that may give a hint as to an origin?"
"No, nothing that I can remember. There could have been something that I missed though," Harry confessed. "It's too bad I don't have access to a penseive."
"Pensieve?" Obi-Wan frowned.
"Um, it's something from where I come from. It allows you to extract a specific memory and review it." Harry knew that was a rather simplistic explanation, but he didn't feel the need to get overly detailed about something he would never see again.
"Sounds useful," Obi-Wan responded. "While we don't have one of those, you may try meditating. Sometimes relaxing the mind and looking into the Force can reveal things we may have overlooked."
"I'll give it a try," he promised.
"For now we will have to operate on the basis of what we currently know, which is little," Senator Organa added. "That means gathering information is of utmost importance now. The Rebellion's forces are few in number, dispersed widely, and relatively untrained. For us to have any successes we need to be several steps ahead of the Empire."
"Do you have any assets on Coruscant?" Obi-Wan asked.
"None that I am aware of," Trest responded, turning his gaze to Bail.
"No. All of our information from Coruscant comes from what I can gather on my diplomatic trips, or from my fellow Senators. The reality is that the Emperor has the planet on lockdown. There is surveillance everywhere, and clone patrols roam the streets. Even as Senators, we are on a leash. We go only where the Emperor wants us to go. The Senate is simply a ruse to make people think a government still functions."
"If you need to move around Coruscant without attracting attention, I could help with that," Harry volunteered.
"How so?" Bail asked.
"My friend here has a set of unique abilities, that are beyond the capability of even the Jedi," Obi-Wan explained. "They enable him to blend into his surroundings and avoid attention."
"It works well against the stormtroopers," Harry elaborated. "There isn't much I can do to mask my presence from other Force users, though, so if we can avoid the Sith, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Well we may be in luck," Bail exclaimed. "One thing our sources do know is that the Emperor will be off of Coruscant in a few days time. The Empire is in the process of constructing something. We don't know exactly what it is, but it's a significant project. He'll be off planet for a time to inspect the progress."
"What about Vader?" Obi-Wan frowned. Harry could tell that the prospect of facing his former apprentice again was something the Jedi Master did not relish.
"Lord Vader should not be an issue," Bail assured. "He's rarely on Coruscant, as far as we can keep track. Unfortunately, the reason for his extended absence is because he's doing his best to track down every hint of surviving Jedi."
"Then we'll plan on making an incursion onto Coruscant. However, we can discuss specifics later," Obi-Wan stated. "I believe everyone could use some rest after all of the day's excitement."
"Of course," Bail nodded. "Your companions have already been shown to their quarters. Obi-Wan, I'll leave you to direct master Potter to his. Please let someone know if you require anything else." With that, Bail and Commander Trest left Obi-Wan and Harry alone for the first since his arrival on Alderaan.
"It is good to see you in one piece," Obi-Wan spoke. "I have to confess, I was concerned when I felt the disturbance through the Force. I had anticipated you coming into contact with stormtroopers or Imperial officers, but not with a member of a different order of Sith."
"Well, I can't say I wasn't surprised by it. He was strong, but he was impulsive," Harry explained. "I was able to exploit that."
"A defensive, patient mindset is always best against an opponent ruled by their emotions. It's difficult to stay calm in those situations, but keep faith that the Force is your ally and that it lingers all around you. You are never truly alone in a fight. And with your other abilities, it's even truer."
"Do you thing going to Coruscant is worth the risk?"
"At this point, we must start somewhere. My friend, the same one that found that lightsaber you carry, knows many things about many things...specifically information about things he probably shouldn't. If there is some scrap of information that will be useful to us, I trust he will have it."
"And what shall we do until then?" Harry asked.
"We continue your training. I don't mean to be critical, but you were fortunate that your meeting with the Sith turned out the way it did. He probably has practiced with a lightsaber for decades, and you have only just started. There may be a price on the head of a Jedi, but this man has seen you and been beaten by you. The Sith hold grudges. It is important that you are up to the challenge."
"I know I need to be better," Harry admitted, easily. "When do we start?"
"Tomorrow. I think there has been enough practical experience gained for the day. The lodgings here are infinitely more comfortable than the deserts of Tatooine, so enjoy them tonight and be ready to start early."
He could honestly say that he felt the best he had since the moment he found himself mysteriously transported from a forest in Scotland to the sandy swath of terrain on Tatooine. The room he had been shown to had not just been a room, but a complete suite. The main room contained a sitting and dining area, and the bedroom was large with an attached bathroom. As soon as he had been left alone, he had shed his clothing and luxuriated in the warm spray of the large shower for half an hour. The water had washed away the accumulated dirt and grime from his skin and hair, and also eased all of the tension from his body.
He was sitting on the end of his soft bed, running a towel through his damp hair, when a chime echoed from the main room. Setting aside the towel, he walked across the room and activated the door to his suite. He was unsurprised to see Nola standing on the other side, similarly clean, and sporting what he could only describe as some mixture between a dress and robe, the color of violet. She went to speak, but then glanced down, causing Harry to do so as well, and he suddenly realized that he was only wearing the pair of pants he had found in a cabinet in his room. He was a little flustered at her attention, because he wasn't sure if it was on his physique or the faded mark on his chest that evidenced where the possessed locket had previously rested. Either way, he cleared his throat and drew her attention again, though she seemed unapologetic at being caught staring.
"Hi," she greeted him, warmly. "I didn't get a chance to see you again after we landed, so I just wanted to...check in."
"I'm fine, but thanks for checking. How are you?"
Nola shrugged, wrapping her arms around her torso. "Cold, mostly. It will take a little while to adjust to a different climate, though it is beautiful here. Truthfully, I'm glad to be away from Tatooine. It was home, but it wasn't the most pleasant place to live."
Harry nodded in understanding. "You'll be safe here, for as long as you want to be. No one has any reason to think you were involved in any of this, and no reason to be after you."
"I would be safe if stayed here, but I already told you I want to help," she responded stubbornly. "Whatever you're doing for the Rebellion, I want to be part of it."
"What about your Father?"
"I think he means to speak with Trest about some sort of position. He won't sit around idly either."
"I can't really guarantee anything, but Obi-Wan and I are going to Coruscant to meet one of his contacts in a few days. Walking around the capitol of the Empire won't be safe at all, and I don't think Obi-Wan would be comfortable taking you along."
He was immediately afraid that his words would come off as overprotective, but Nola eased his worries. "Harry, I realize I'm not trained for battle. I know I can't fight a Sith, but I'm willing to help any way I can."
"Well, we should rectify the no training problem. I'll speak with Senator Organa, and see if you can work with some of his security force. Maybe that way you can accompany him to Coruscant when we go."
"That sounds like a good start," Nola agreed, while at the same time trying to suppress a yawn. "I think that giant, soft bed they gave me is calling to me. I'll see you tomorrow."
"At some point, I'm sure," Harry, stated. "Obi-Wan and I are training early tomorrow. I'll make sure to come see you after we're finished, and then we can talk to the Senator."
"Sounds like a plan. Have a good night, Harry," Nola offered, taking a quick, but obvious glance down at his chest again, before turning back to the main hallway that led to their suites.
Harry just smiled and offered his own goodnight to her retreating back.
Harry woke with a start the next morning, and looked around quickly for the reason why. He somewhat blurrily saw a figure standing in the doorway to his room, and reached over to place his glasses on his face.
"I've meant to say something to you about those, but we really need to get that problem taken care of," Obi-Wan commented.
"How does that work in this galaxy?" Harry asked, sliding his legs over the side of the bed.
"It's a quite simple process really, depending on the extent of your vision. Usually they just hold a monitor up to your eyes, and it uses a serious of energy beams to right the problem. It's nothing to fret over."
"If you say so," Harry shrugged. "Though, I am rather attached to them at this point."
"Yes, well they aren't very common anywhere, and it will be something that draws unneeded attention to you," Obi-Wan explained. "There is also the fact that you don't need them falling off your face or breaking while your in the middle of a battle."
"Okay, okay, I get the point, no more glasses," Harry sighed.
"Good. Now let us get started on your training today. It's almost light out." For the first time Harry noticed that Obi-Wan held a cloth bag in his hands, and the same bag was soon flying across the room at him. Harry caught the soft projectile easily and glimpsed inside.
"What is this?"
"Well if you are going to be a Jedi, then you can at least look the part. I may think some of the Order's teachings need to be amended or completely thrown out, but the uniform is not one of them." Again, Harry hadn't noticed because he was still only half awake, but the Jedi Master looked almost like a new man compared to their time on Tatooine. His beard was gone and his hair was trimmed shorter. He wore dark brown pants, a clean white tunic, and belt to which his lightsaber hung. All in all, he looked younger, like a fighter and no longer like a desert hermit. "Meet me in the other room when you're ready. Bail arranged for a space where we could train without interruption or prying eyes. We may be safe here for now, but there's no reason for us to advertise anything."
Obi-Wan turned around and left him to get ready. Harry looked down into the bag and saw the Jedi clothing, and a saw a part the new future that awaited him. He looked up from the bag, and realized he was only missing one thing. He closed his eyes and reached out into the Force. He could feel it moving through the contours of the room and when it moved over his target, he willed it back towards him. His hand reached out and he grasped the silver and gold hilt. It didn't give him the sense of familiarity that his wand had, but it was getting there.
