Mardici Guro stood still, shock washing over him

Mardici Guro stood still, shock washing over him. "A Jedi betrayed you? And here I was thinking Count Dooku was the end of traitors." He shook his head. "So what do you want me to do?"

"Whatever you would do if we weren't on board." Kalana replied. "We would like to join your crew though."

"Master, the beacon said go into hiding that's hardly hiding." Jenso replied.

"All we have to do is cloak our force signatures at all times and we'll be hidden. Admiral, we'll be the best officers you've ever had, with us guiding you in battle no ship will be able to match you."

Mardici thought for a moment then said, "Very well. You may choose any cabin you wish. We have several open, I lost many pilots when we took out the ship guarding the planet." He returned to the bridge.

As soon as he entered several officers looked at him nervously. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Sir you should watch what came on the HoloNet while we fought there ship. We just watched it."

He turned to the holographic projector. An image of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine rose up. He was still hooded and looked much older. He listened as Palpatine mentioned the Jedi plot to overthrow the Republic and assassinate him. When he mentioned how the attack left him scarred, he thought so that's why he looks like he's aged so much. He looks half-dead. Then when the Chancellor mentioned that the Republic was being changed into the First Galactic Empire, Mardici couldn't believe that everyone was cheering. The image died. "Do you still trust the Jedi, sir?" one officer asked.

"I do more then him. He says the Jedi tried to overthrow the Republic, but we just saw him do it. I think we're headed for dark days."

Three months later.

Mardici walked into the governor's quarters on Contruum, his home world. The governor looked up from his desk. "Mardici, glad you could make it."

"I'm at your service, sir."

"Yes, but I have much to ask you. First off, why did you dismiss your first and second mate's, they were probably the best officers you ever had."

"They're ready for their own command. They can't do that while under mine."

"I don't buy that. I watched you rise in rank. Either they upset you or you're hiding something. I know you better then you think."

Mardici sighed. "Sir… if I told you the truth, you'd have to arrest me."

"I doubt anything to do with dismissing officers could lead to a court-martial. Go on."

"Sir, I replaced my first and second mates with two people more suited for the job. They're….They're Jedi. A master-apprentice team."

"I see. I hope you can explain why you trust them."

"I can sir. First off, the Emperor claimed they tried to overthrow the Republic, and he did just that immediately thereafter. And also, he ordered the attack on Kashyyyk, using the explanation Jedi were being hidden there. After supposedly killing the Jedi, he enslaved the Wookies. I don't trust the Emperor. If the Jedi did try to assassinate him, they probably had a good reason."

"You're echoing what I've been thinking for a while. Our problem is that I don't think the Emperor totally trusts us. Our Senator was a member of the Petition of Two thousand."

"Why are you telling me this, shouldn't you be calling security?"

"Because you're close to the Emperor. He trusts you as his best captain. The Petition was created as the war drew to a close, so you're not tainted by it. Therefore, you can be a valuable asset to the Rebellion."

"The Rebellion? Are you saying we're joining the Separatists, that there are actually some left?"

"No. Bail Organa and Mon Mothma have been in secret gathering people who hate the Emperor and organizing them. They want to challenge the Empire and restore a democracy. But they're still weak so their remaining hidden at the moment. We will join them when the time comes, but until then, we are going to be the Empire's staunchest supporter. I've fired our senator and sent him to act as our representative in the Rebellion. Anyway, all I'm saying is you are going to be collecting what info you can as a high ranking Imperial officer. When the time comes that you're discovered, you defect, giving the Rebellion a powerful ship, what is called again?"

"A Star Destroyer. As if a ship could do such a thing."

At that moment and aid rushed in. "Admiral! The Supreme…er… the Emperor is requesting you report to the Imperial Center immediately!"

"I'd love to, but I've never heard of such a place."

"Oh, the Emperor renamed Coruscant the Imperial Center."

Mardici sighed, "Tell him I'll be there as fast as my ship can travel."

"Go on." The governor said. "If you have to fight the Rebellion do so, just make sure you stay in the Emperors good graces."

Aboard his ship, he nodded at the Jedi and said "Let's go. The Emperor wants us at Coruscant as soon as possible."

The ship lifted off and entered hyperspace. "What's this about Admiral?" Jenso asked.

"No idea. Do you know?"

"We just got called here as fast as we could."

After a moment of silence, Kalana asked. "So does your governor have a problem with us?"

"None. In fact, I have good news. Two senators have started gathering troops for a Rebellion. They wish to restore the Republic. At the moment, they're still in hiding, so I doubt this is about them."

"Master, we should find out where they're based. The Rebellion needs the support of surviving Jedi. Also, if the Rebellion is victorious, we can resurrect the Jedi."

"No. We run the risk of leading the Empire straight to the still weak Rebellion. When the Admiral is instructed to defect, then we'll turn." Kalana looked at the swirl of hyperspace then said, "If you'll excuse us Admiral, I'd like to give Jenso little saber practice."

"Go on."

Several hours later, Mardici walked to the hanger, were the Jedi practiced at, watched by the amazed marines. Mardici had seen them fight but remembered the first time he watched, completely amazed.

This time was no different. Kalana and Jenso's lightsabers were a pair of blue blurs. Jenso back flipped away from a swing of Kalana's lightsaber then held up his hand, palm foreword and an invisible force flung Kalana backwards, but she flipped in midair and landed on her feet, crossed the distance between them in a single bound and brought her saber sharply downward at an incredible speed and a second later they had resumed there fast pace clashing of sabers.

Mardici shook his head in amazement at the spectacle. "Are you almost finished?" he called.

"Probably not." Jenso replied, not breaking the pace of the fighting.

"You might want to stop soon, we're nearing Coruscant."

"They've been at this since they entered." One marine said, with an awestruck look on his face.

"That was hours ago." Mardici said. At that moment Jenso smashed Kalana's lightsaber so hard she was knocked backwards. In a blur, Jenso knocked it from her hand and flicked his saber to her throat. The marines broke into cheers.

Smiling broadly, Jenso returned his lightsaber to his belt. Also smiling Kalana said. "Jenso, you just beat me for the first time. And I wasn't going easy either. I feel there is nothing more I can teach you. Not since you helped the Admiral win that mock battle last week."

"Thank you, Master."

Kalana placed her hands on Jenso's shoulders. "Jenso, I think in the present condition, we will break from tradition. Jenso Alinin, in the absence of the Jedi Council I confer on you the rank of Jedi Knight."

"Thank you, Master."

Kalana stepped away from him and said, "Now draw your lightsaber for the first time as a Jedi Knight." Jenso did so, holding the saber straight up in front of him, his eyes closed, the deactivated it and slipped it to its hiding place inside his sleeve. Kalana held out her hand and her lightsaber flew to her hand. She also hid hers. "In answer to your amazement, Admiral, it takes a while for us to tire. We can draw strength from the Force."

"I see. Anyway, we received a transmission from Coruscant. Naboo has been defying the Empire. The queen has been harboring fugitive Jedi and is building up a military. I'm to take a force of stormtroopers and Darth Vader to Naboo."

"Darth Vader?" Jenso said. "Who is he?"

"Probably the Jedi traitor. Didn't you say Darth is the beginning of any Sith Lords name?"

"It is. Jenso, while he is on this ship, don't even sleep. Keep your force signature cloaked at all times."

"What about you, Master?"

"I'm going to leave for Naboo as soon as we leave hyperspace."

"But…Master, you said-"

"I know what I said. If Naboo fails, you'll be the only Jedi left. You must remain behind. And do not leave Mardici until he defects. That is an order. Even if I die, follow it." The ship shuddered as it returned to realspace. "Don't try to stop me Mardici."

"I won't. Good Luck to you Jedi Master. I sincerely hope you and the Naboo win this battle." Kalana vaulted into her Jedi starfighter and took off. "Put the other fighter in the hanger, make sure it's hidden." Mardici ordered his marines. Mardici looked at Jenso, he had tears in his eyes. "Don't worry. She is very powerful and wise. I'm sure she'll be fine. Anyway, be happy, you're a Jedi Knight now."

Jenso didn't reply, he just turned and headed for his cabin.