The Path of Dreams

~Chapter 8~

Galactica Opera House, Coruscant

“…The recent events presented a terrible blow to the Galactic Alliance…” Jacen, or as he really began to think of himself, Darth Troddeln only half listened to Cha Niathal as she addressed the Senate in its temporary home, the Galactica Opera House, concerning the events of the past two weeks. The newly constructed tribute to the arts was one of the few places that was large enough to contain the thousands of members of the Senate, the Judicial branch, the Jedi Council, the highest ranking officers of the military, the HoloNet reporters and finally the curious. Normally, he would have been seated with the Jedi Council since he was a member of that pitiful collection of weaklings, but today he was seated next to Darklighter and wore his new grey dress uniform with its black pinstripes. His new rank insignia would be pinned on after the announcement of his promotion.

Normally, the advancement of an officer, especially only a level one general, didn’t receive such a grand ceremony, but Cha insisted that the promotion would breathe hope into, not only the fighting beings of the GA Military, but also into the still mourning Senate. Another fifty Senators had died, raising the total to three hundred seventy-one, plus twenty-five judicial members. Many in the government were beginning to place blame on the assassinated Cal Omas, who put a restraining tether on the GAG, but even more importantly to Darth Troddeln’s plans, many in the Senate were also laying blame on the Jedi Council and particularly Luke Skywalker, who had recommended that Omas restrict GAG in the first place. The belief was that if the GAG would have been able to perform its duties, the bombing would have never happened.

He covertly looked around the large elaborate theater. The stage was in the center of the bowl-shaped space, which was completely surrounded by raised rows of royal blue plush seating. Rich red carpeting and heavy draperies completed the over-the-top decorating. The final touch was room-size holograms of Old Republic buildings and portraits of famous actors from the time period as well. To his taste, the décor seemed too old fashioned for a modern building. Troddeln didn’t particularly like the Old Republic Rival that seemed to be plaguing Coruscant architecture in its reconstruction. However he had to admit, he did find it interesting that the GA wanted to look like the Old Republic, considering it was reordered by a hidden Sith, just as he would bring much needed order to the GA.

The Sith Lord reached out into the Force and probed several of the so-called Jedi Masters who were seated on the opposite side of the stage area. He couldn’t see them with his eyes but he could feel the simpletons’ emotions through his hidden probe. First, he touched his aunt and felt her customary distrust of Niathal and of him. Then he came to Corran Horn, Kyle Katarn, Tresina Lobi and Kenth Hamner, and all but smiled when he sensed their unquestioning approval for the way things were being handled. Of all the Masters, those four were his biggest supporters, except when they felt he crossed the line, which he had been careful not to do recently.

He had learned, not long after making his Sacrifice, that patience was the Sith’s greatest ally. He realized he had to be patient, because rebuilding the galaxy to his plans took time. He could pretend to be the perfect Jedi Master for as long as it required, and he would use the Jedi as long as he could.

Troddeln continued down the line of Jedi Masters without them even noticing the gentle whispery probe. Kyp Durron, Saba Sebatyne, and Octa Ramis were his greatest opponents. He frowned because having so many questioning the position of Niathal and his wasn’t acceptable. However, there was another reason he wasn’t happy with the dissenting opinions from those particular Masters. Durron and Sebatyne were leaders and, despite their narrow-mindedness, they could be powerful foes. Although the other members of the Council, Ossus Academy Administrators Tionne and Kam Solusar, were absent; Troddeln knew that they too wavered between supporting him and questioning his positions. The only other Master present was his uncle, but there was no need to read his thoughts, Troddeln already knew them.

Finally, his attention was brought back to the Chief of State, and he smiled as she concluded her speech, “Despite the unpleasant events of the past several days, there has been one glimmer of hope and order. Colonel Jacen Solo has severed valiantly, and his investigations have produced several leads and, ultimately, arrests of those who would cause such harm to our great city and government. Over the past two years, Colonel Solo has performed his duties effectively and proficiently, transforming a hodge-podge of security, police, Special Forces and military personnel into an elite group of individuals, who has spurred fear in the hearts of the enemy all over the galaxy. Many have criticized the Galactic Alliance Guard for not being able to predict and prevent this latest and most terrible attack on us; however, the media and, thus, the public do not, and cannot know about the hundreds of threats this unit, under the brilliant command of Colonel Solo, has forestalled.

“Nevertheless, I feel that I should take some of the responsibility of the inability to predict and stop the attack that destroyed our Senate building, and has taken the lives of so many of our fellows. If I had not allowed certain factions of this government to demand restrictions on the GAG’s ability to function, this atrocity would not have occurred. Therefore, it is my duty as Chief of State of the great and glorious Galactic Federation of Free Alliances to make very certain such things will never cast shadow over our freedoms again.”

She looked at Troddeln, and he felt the usually subdued Mon Calamari’s increasing excitement as she went on, saying, “It is my honor and my responsibility to advance this young, brilliant leader to the rank of General. General Solo and Admiral Darklighter, will you please step forward?”

Troddeln glanced at Darklighter and almost couldn’t contain the smirk that threatened to come to his lips. The Supreme Commander was all but fuming as they made there way across the stage from their seats to a standing ovation, loud applause and whistling. Good, Troddeln thought and finally allowed the smile to touch his lips. It won’t be long before Darklighter is gone. His star is fading and mine is rising. He already is being blamed for the loss of the Bothan Sector. It won’t be long before I find something else to pin on him.

They came to a stop before the Chief of State and, as he and Darklighter saluted her, he knew he would wait until the perfect time and for the perfect event to disgrace the Supreme Commander, because Darth Troddeln had learned to be very patient.

~

Luke watched the ceremony with a heavy heart. He could sense Gavin’s misgivings as well as those of every Jedi in attendance, but for the most part the entire Opera House was joyous. One would swear Jacen was being promoted to Supreme Commander not just a brigadier general. From Jacen, Luke could only feel a humility and honor, but that was all. All of Jacen’s other emotions seemed to be hidden behind a durocrete barrier.

Kyp Durron leaned sideways from his seated position beside the Grand Master, and the younger Master seemed to read Luke’s thoughts as he gave voice to the fear that was eating away at Luke. “You know, Luke, he’s eventually going to be Darklighter’s replacement, don’t you?”

Luke stared at the younger man and swallowed, but he kept his emotions strictly under control. It wouldn’t do for any of the Jedi to see him so concerned. “What makes you so sure?”

Kyp flashed Luke a lopsided grin and then gestured with his hand as he looked around at the still applauding crowd before meeting Luke’s eyes again. “That is what convinces me. The Senate loves him. The public loves him. The Confederacy hates him. And the government and many in the military see Jacen Solo as the answer to all of their many woes. The glorious hero to some; the hated despot to others, but most importantly he is feared by all.” Then Kyp became very serious again and Luke was stunned by the intensity his dark green eyes took on as he went on, “And quite frankly, that is what scares the vapin’ Sith out of me.”

Luke pulled his eyes away from his friend and fellow Master to watch as Gavin Darklighter pinned the rank bars of general on his nephew’s lapels. Suddenly, a chill settled down his spine and Luke found himself staring at the old vision that he had been having for two years. He suddenly was facing a dark and completely cloaked figure. As the vision disappeared as quickly as it came to him, he felt a brush of another’s presence—shadowy, oily and vague—but Luke recognized it. The presence of a being he had been trying to find for two years—Lumiya.

~~~

GAG Headquarters, Jacen Solo’s Private Office

Troddeln had sensed her even through her incredible shielding long before he entered his office and he frowned. They had agreed that she wouldn’t return to Coruscant, but would remain either at her asteroid or at the ancient Sith academy he had stumbled across eight months ago on Korriban. He was instantly suspicious when he saw her gazing out the window as she leaned against the front of his desk with her arms loosely folded before her. She said without turning, “You have done well today, Lord Troddeln.”

Troddeln moved further into the office and looked back to make sure the door had closed the entire way. He scowled as he hissed, “You are never to address me as that when there is a possibility of being overheard.”

Lumiya, the once beautiful Emperor’s Hand and secret apprentice of Darth Vader, was more cyborg than human these days—thanks in part to having her starfighter shot down by Luke Skywalker during the Rebellion. She was dressed as she normally was when she came to him: her head wrapped and her face veiled in an opaque scarf, and dressed at the height of fashion in a dark tailored business suit. The Dark Lady of the Sith, who first approached Jacen Solo with what had become his destiny, slowly turned and Troddeln could sense her subtle amusement. “Emmm…I seem to remember another Sith Lord who felt the same way. Amazing, the similarity.” She moved from her spot and came to stand before Troddeln, “But you are correct,—” she looked around the room for dramatic affect, “—one never knows if the walls have ears.”

Troddeln sent another glare at his former master, if he ever really considered her as such, and moved over to his desk; there he scanned the items on top to ensure there was nothing out of place. He never did quite trust her, and now that he was the true master, he trusted her even less. “What do I owe this pleasure?” he asked as he looked back at her.

She sat down on the chair before his desk and said, “I just wanted to congratulate you on your promotion, General Solo. Is that a better title for you? I seem to remember the other preferred Emperor over Sidious.”

“I’m sure that you do,” he responded dryly as he sat down on his large nerfhide chair. “Things are progressing nicely. A few more battles like the disaster Bothawui has turned into and Darklighter will be begging to be replaced.”

Troddeln got the sense that Lumiya was smiling as she replied, “And you will make sure your star is the first one Chief of State Niathal sees on her dark horizon. But why stop with Supreme Commander when Chief of State or perhaps Emperor would be better?”

“I’m content with Supreme Commander for now. Niathal still has her usefulness. But there will come a time that she will stop being useful. The galaxy is being broken, torn down like an old graniteslug infested building, and I must ensure that it is completely taken down to the foundation. Then the time will come for the rebuilding, which will bring about a long and lasting peace, and definite order,” Troddeln said as he sat back in his chair to study the woman across from him. “When that time comes, that is when I will want to be at the top.” Troddeln smiled and added, “Of course, those most loyal to me will share in the glory of helping with the reconstruction.”

“Ahh…And that will include your cousin?”

“Yes. And the rest of the Jedi, once I’m able to control the Council—or have destroyed it.”

Suddenly, she stood and looked out the window again. She scoffed, “You plan to control the Jedi?”

Troddeln flashed her a malevolent grin and dryly replied, “It isn’t as hard as you may think. I have great sway over the so-called Master’s Council already and they don’t even see the manipulation.”

She turned from the window and countered, “Except for your uncle.”

Jacen gave her a short bitter laugh, “Oh, my uncle could become a problem. But for now I keep him around for entertainment.” Then his voice and eyes became hard as stone as he went on, “Trust me, Lumiya, when he becomes a problem, he will be taken care of. Just as anyone else who stands in the way of my vision of peace and order.”

She was silent for a moment, and then she moved back the chair and sat back down as she asked, “How is your apprentice doing?”

“Ben is progressing well. He is slowly overcoming his fear of using his emotion and touching the Dark Side. In fact, he has done so twice within the past two weeks with incredible results.”

She readjusted her scarf and nodded. “Good. Do his parents suspect?”

Troddeln left out a short humorless chuckle. “They are aware of his using his emotions, but I’m not concerned about them turning him away from me. I’ve dealt with that before. Ben is as much an unformed piece of Naboo clay now as he has always been, except now I’ve discovered that our Ben has a weakness that I have every intention of exploiting.”

“Oh?” She fixed him with an inquiring stare and Troddeln could sense her interest pique. “And that would be?”

He raised his brow and grinned maliciously. “Ahh…I think I will keep that to myself for now. However, I will let you know this: I’ve found the golden key to my young cousin’s heart and ultimately his soul.”

~~~

Horn Apartment, Temple District, Coruscant

Mirax Terrik Horn was finishing with the evening meal, when she turned to her daughter, who was leaning against the work station counter of the kitchen. “So, has Mara said anything about you completing your trials soon?”

Jysella met her mother’s brown eyes and gave her head a shake. Then she pushed off the counter and left the small food prep area. This really wasn’t a topic she wanted to discuss; however, she knew her mother would press the issue.

“Jys, she assured me just the other week that you seemed more than ready.” Mirax wiped her hands on a towel and followed Jysella out of the kitchen. “What’s changed? You were so exited when you told us about being ready.”

Jysella busied herself with setting three plates around the table. She had agreed to have dinner with her parents after her return from Mullin the day before. Last evening, to Jysella’s relief, had been counseled due to her mother having to take care of some business, but she was unable to avoid being with her parents tonight. It wasn’t that she disliked spending time with her parents; it was just that her mother never seemed to see things her way. She loved Mirax dearly, but sometimes her mother forgot she was nearly nineteen not nine.

Finally, Jysella said as she glanced back over her shoulder at her mother, “Nothing’s changed. I just want more time. I don’t feel ready yet to be a full Knight.”

Mirax may not have been Force-sensitive, but she had an uncanny way of being able to read people, and that didn’t exclude the three Jedi in her family. After a moment of her mother studying her impassive expression, Mirax put her hands on her hips and accused, “Jysella Horn, does this have anything to do with Ben Skywalker?”

Jysella let out a long sigh and turned away from Mirax, her voice trembled as she asked, “What would make you think that?”

Mirax laughed and Jys glared over her shoulder at her. Mirax then said, “You should know that you can’t hide things from me. From your father, yes—from me, no. How it is that he’s the Jedi and I’m not? But when it comes to you and your brother, you both are like an operational datapad to me.”

Jysella turned away again and went to stand by the large front window of the sitting area. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared out at the cityscape, as early evening darkness settled into deep shadows across the transparasteel and durocrete surfaces of the buildings on the other side of the deep canyon where lanes of traffic buzzed by. She felt her mother come up beside her. “Jys,” she said more gently, “what’s the matter?”

Finally, she faced her mother and softly said, “Mom, I’m in love.”

Mirax was so stunned she leaned against the glass of the floor to ceiling window. “Jysella, please tell me it’s not with who I think it is.”

She turned back to the window and swallowed as she responded, “Is it so wrong for me to love him? Master Luke disapproves of my friendship with him, what is he going to say when he finds out that I’m in love with him? And Master Mara,” she turned back to Mirax, “I don’t even want to think about what she will think.”

Regaining some of her composure, Mirax straightened up and narrowed her eyes, “So, what does Ben feel for you?”

Jys closed her eyes and instantly remembered his loving arms around her and his fiery kisses. Even just thinking about it caused her stomach to flutter and her heart to speed up. Then she opened her eyes and met her mother’s. “He loves me as much as I love him. I’m I wrong to love him this way, Mom?”

Mirax turned away and walked over to the couch where she sat down, and seemed to be deep in thought as she buried her face into her hands for several moments. Eventually, she looked up at her and said, “Jysella, he is so young. Too young to even begin to think of making such declarations. Sure a crush or a half-worshipping puppy love is one thing. But I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Jys. And I’ve seen the way you look at him. I think that is what concerns Luke; Ben is too young to be feeling like this for anyone. You are an adult and he technically is still a child. A child that is living a life way too advanced for him.”

“That may be true to some extent, but he still is more adult than some so-called men who are my age,” Jysella countered defensively.

“Jys, I’m concerned where this is going. Are you willing to wait until he grows up? Will he still want you when he does? Jysella, this love you feel for him may seem like it’s real but, trust me, it’s only a passing fancy.”

Jys threw her arms in the air and spun away, “See? This is why I don’t tell you anything! You just commented on the sincerity of how he looks at me and now you say something like that?”

Mirax stood and Jys could sense that she was trying to remain calm. “You are twisting my words and my meanings, young lady. Jysella, I just don’t want to see you hurt. But if this is the path you think you are to follow, I’ve been around long enough to know I can’t stop you. I only hope that you realize what you are doing. You are the adult here, Jysella, not Ben. Remember that.” Then after taking a deep breath she concluded knowingly, “Refusing to take your trials isn’t going to stall your age. You can’t be an apprentice forever.”

“I know,” she whispered. “But I’m so worried about Ben, and I feel that if I love him now, he…” She let her voice trail and turned away again as she hugged herself against the sudden chill she felt.

“Jys? What do you mean?” Jysella could hear the concern in the older woman’s voice. Mara and Mirax had always been close and Ben held a special place in Mirax’s heart, despite her disapproval of his feelings for Jysella.

Jysella didn’t get the chance to respond to her mother. Suddenly, the front door slid open and an extremely distraught Corran quickly entered. He came to a stop when he saw them. Jysella and Mirax instantly knew something had happened—something bad.

“Corran, what wrong? Was there another terrorist attack?” Mirax asked as she moved to stand before her husband, putting her hands on his upper arms.

Corran took her into his arms and just held her for a long moment. Jysella could easily tell that whatever it was, it was personal. She selfishly let out a breath of relief, because she knew Ben wasn’t or wouldn’t be involved. Suddenly, another possible reason for her father’s bewilderment struck her.

“Valin!” she exclaimed and Mirax looked terrified.

“Corran?”

Finally, he let go of his wife enough to allow her to meet his bright green eyes. Then quietly he announced, “Valin’s okay but, Mirax, they arrested him.”

“What? Who arrested Valin? The Confederacy?” Anxiety painted Mirax’s words.

Regardless of her relief that her brother was unharmed, Jys instantly was worried. She and Valin had always been close, despite their eleven year age difference. She reached out into the Force to find her brother, and eventually she did. He seemed alright even though his emotions were a maelstrom of anger, grief, frustration and terrible regret.

Corran shook his head and said, “No. The information is sketchy, but apparently he defied a direct order when he remained with an EV enemy female pilot that he may have shot at.”

“Syal?” Jysella was horrified. No wonder Valin had seemed so bewildered.

Corran glanced over at his daughter as if he had forgotten she was there. He slowly nodded. Then he went on, ”It seems when he was questioned about it, he said that he would fight no longer on the side of the GA. And that his loyalty lies with Corellia.”

Mirax and Jysella both stared at the Corellian Jedi Master. Finally, the implications of what Corran didn’t say hit Mirax and she whispered, “He committed treason?”

“Yes.”

She turned away and let out a strangled sob as she said, “Why did he have to do it this way? If he had finally came to his senses and wanted to do the right thing and support Corellia…”

Corran was hurting, Jys could feel the pain in her father. Valin and Corran had never really had a great relationship, but even Jys understood what her bother did and what the outcome would be. Corran glared at Mirax’s back and countered rather heatedly, “What is that supposed to mean, Mirax?”

She spun and thundered, “It means that our son is brave enough to face treason and the consequences, while you parade around wearing the green of a Corellian Jedi Master, and have the audacity to call yourself Corellian, and yet you have your head so far up Jacen Solo’s ass you can’t see daylight!” She glared at him for a long time but Corran seemed to have lost some of his fight.

He did nothing but stare at his wife. Realizing that Corran was as upset about their son’s imprisonment, Mirax finally laid her hand on his arm. The contact prompted her to whisper, “Corran, I’m sorry…” When he didn’t move away she asked, “Is he okay?”

Corran’s voice was thick as he replied, “Yes. He’s worried and he’s angry. But I think physically he’s okay.”

Then she went on, “You know as well as I do that it was only a matter of time. He loves Syal. We both know that. What would you have done if you had faced this?”

Corran looked like he deflated even more, and Jys wondered if she ever saw her father confused, as he quietly answered, “I would have done the same thing. You and the kids have always been the most important things in my life, Mirax.” He paused and, after a long moment of heart wrenching silence, he brokenly added, “I would even lay down my life for you.”

Through her tears, she sadly smiled and reached up to lay her hand on his cheek. "Despite what you think, you and Valin are very much alike.” Then Corran took her into his arms and they held tightly to each other as Mirax's quiet sobs filled the apartment.

Suddenly, Jysella wondered what would become of her family. Oh, Val, she called out as she sent her love and support to her brother through their sibling bond, though it was weak, Jysella felt his relieved acknowledgment.