Bab 81: A Talk with My Old Master
~~~(POV: Nathan Opal)~~~
~~~(Location: Hyperspace, On the way to Ord Mantell)~~~
My meditation is interrupted by the blinking of my ship's Holo-Terminal. General Reylex Gorna must've gotten my message to Satele. It's nice to see someone competent enough to do a simple task on the Republics' side. From what I've heard over the Holo-Net. He told the Senate my conditions to make settlements on Tatooine.
The Holo-Reports stated no progress towards an official declaration of war with the Empire. I thought I'd give them a gentle push, but that's no use, and I'm not going to waste any more of my time trying to help the Senate come to a decision. The blinking stops as I press the accept button, and my old Master appears before.
There is a silence between us, but I can feel her pain at the mere sight of me. Satele does mean a lot to me. We share a bond through The Force, which helps me stay connected to her. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about, Nathan." Her voice is even and calm, and she's controlling her emotions. Especially her pain.
I squint my eyes slightly as I feel that she's in turmoil. Not with me, but with another person important to her. Jace Malcom is the source of these feelings. "Don't mask your feelings in front of me, Satele. I can feel them no matter how much you try to hide them." We're getting off-topic as to why I called her. But I know that Jace is important to her. He's the one that fathered Theron.
She cringes ever so slightly. She takes her arms from behind her back and instead leaves them at her sides. "What I'm dealing with is not your concern, Nathan. Now, why did you want to talk to me." I'd rather speak to her in person. Talking over a Holo isn't the most secure way to do things. So having her meet me on Ord Mantell seems the best choice.
She'll probably protest, so I'll have to give her an incentive to come. "I want you to meet me on Ord Mantell. Save us an argument and come. There are things we need to talk about. I don't want to do this over the Holo. And bring Theron. I'll need someone with his contacts." Her emotions skyrocket, and she quickly brings them under control.
Most of what I'm feeling from her is conflict. She feels like leaving for Ord Mantell to meet with me is somehow betraying the Republic. Along with bringing the son she abandoned to the adopted son she accepted. "Why should I do this, Nathan? You're not an ally to the Republic." The persistence that she shows is both good and bad.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to play this card. "Because I want you to come, Satele. You're the only person I still trust." I don't know how deep the Star Cabal runs in either the Republic or the Empire. All I can remember about this time at the moment is there are moles everywhere. There is a flutter of hope and maternal love from Satele at my words.
I'll not ruin those feelings... Not right now. She straightens her back and raises her chin slightly. "Okay... I'll meet you on Ord Mantell... I'll contact Theron... I haven't talked to him since he was little..." I feel incredible shame and failure from her. Before I can say anything, she turns off the Holo-Call, and I'm left alone.
~~~(POV: Theron Shan)~~~
~~~(Location: SIS headquarters on Coruscant)~~~
I enter my personal quarters, and I plop down on my bed, but as soon as I do. The Holo-Terminal in my room goes off. "Can't I get a moment to myself?" I swear. Sometimes, I'm the only competent SIS Agent in the entire Republic. As I approach the Holo-Terminal and turn it on, my whole body and mind fill with dread.
The Grandmaster of the Jedi Order is contacting me. Otherwise known as my mother. "Hello, Theron... I was hoping that I could discuss something with you?" This is going to be good. The last time I saw my mom was when I was being taken off Tython kicking and screaming for her. All she did was turn her back and walk away.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone