The next day, my mother returned. I met them on the landing pad of my fortress-palace-headquarters. She was the first to descend the ramp, followed by a recognizable Zygerrian.
"Hi, Mom."
"Shade," she nodded. "Kassh, this is your employer and master," she said, stepping aside and gesturing toward me.
"Ahem," the Zygerrian muttered, nervously drumming his fingers as he looked at me. "Pleased to meet you. Kassh Tanrakko."
"Shade Aero. Has the task been explained to you?"
"Yes."
"Then let us proceed. While your assistants get settled and unload, I will show you the subject."
"Of course. I'm all for it!"
Amusingly, I felt real enthusiasm from this fellow. Apparently, his professional pride demanded that he understand what had gone wrong.
Following me into the fortress, I recounted the recent events to the Zygerrian, also hinting that if anything happened to Talia, the experiments would be performed on him by my mother. Kassh took it to heart and, judging by his aura, would prefer to shoot himself rather than fall into Aala's hands. Yes... she certainly knew how to motivate him.
When we descended to the living block, Kassh's introduction to Talia did not go well.
"Y-y-you!" the Twi'lek snarled the moment she spotted the Zygerrian.
In that same second, I had to catch a pitcher flying straight at Kassh's head.
"Talia, calm down," I said, raising a hand and using the Force to try and soothe the instantly agitated girl. "I'm the one who brought him here. I understand his face is the last thing you want to see, but he will help." Closing the distance with my beloved, I pulled her into a half-hug, forcing her to focus on me. "Hush, don't be angry, Sunshine. Don't worry, if he hurts you, I'll hurt him so badly he won't know what hit him," I whispered, stroking her head.
"U-huh. Sorry, Shade."
"It's alright, sweetheart."
"I will need some time to observe and conduct a series of tests," the nervous xeno interjected. "Nothing major, just an examination."
"A psychogram?"
"That included."
"Proceed. Talia, may I leave you?"
"Uh-huh."
"A-a-and if there's... an emergency?" the Zygerrian immediately expressed concern, but one of the bodyguards simply waved him off. "Ah... question withdrawn."
Leaving them, I stepped out into the corridor where my mother was already waiting for me.
"How did everything go?"
"As it should," she shrugged. "I spoke with the Queen and arranged things so that there would be no grievances against us or the Mandalorians."
"Good."
Following her to the nursery, I let the woman go first.
"Now, now, where are my little ones?" Aala practically ran to the crib, changing right before my eyes. Picking up a happy Deimos, the Togruta immediately and joyfully started some game with the lad. I turned to the nursery droid standing nearby.
"How are they?"
"All is well, Master. The children were with their mother before your arrival. At the moment, we were playing."
"You'll be left with them more often now."
"Oh... that information makes me happy. I feel needed. Thank you for the warning. In that case, could you draw up a feeding schedule? Your spouse flatly refused to feed the children with substitutes."
"She will draw it up herself as soon as she's free. Anything else?"
"No, Master."
"Beep-beep!"
"What now, Ziro?" I turned to the droid.
"Notification. Jabba the Hutt arrives in one hour. He requests permission to visit your palace."
"Permission granted."
"Who's a big, scaly monster? Who's got a grumpy faaaaace?" Aala continued playing with the children.
"Mom, I'll need you in an hour. I promised Jabba I'd introduce you to him."
"Shade, you chased me away from my previous grandchildren; let me enjoy these ones, will you?" she said, distracted.
"I won't. I also want peace, quiet, and security in my territories. So you won't see any rest until I do!"
"And what do I need to be there with this Hutt for?"
"You have something I don't."
"And what's that?"
"Charm and allure that are impossible to refuse."
"Oh, you flatter me," Mom waved me off, following me out of the room.
"And afterward, I want to ask you to fly to Coruscant."
"And what did I lose there?"
"Your target is Alexi Garyn. According to intelligence reports, he is the leader of Black Sun. I don't have time to deal with him personally, and I wanted to ask you to speak with him. Black Sun must submit to us."
"Why do you need them?"
"I told you, there's going to be so much scum breeding now that we'll be exhausted fighting them. Therefore, I want to know where and when the strikes will be. And also, use them to pluck those who interfere with our consolidation. Don't forget, I want to conclude an alliance with the Trade Federation soon, and they must see firsthand that no one dares to attack them under our protection. And those who do dare, we will know about them. Hutts on one side, Pykes on the other, and Black Sun on the third. That will be enough to stay informed about the criminal world and secure at least one flank."
"I understand. By the way, Shade, what about the Jedi? Isn't it time to finish them off?"
"No. They have enough problems as it is; let them scramble. In the current circumstances, it's to our advantage. If we remove them now, real chaos will begin. Can you imagine what happens if the main negotiators between the major players disappear from the galaxy? What if Kuat, for example, clashes with Corellia? Purely theoretically."
"I see."
And then it hit me.
"You piece of... filth," I muttered, freezing mid-step.
"Shade?"
"I realized what Damask's next move will be! If the Order weakens even more, if something, say, accidentally falls on it, it will be a fiasco. Nothing will prevent Damask from rebuilding power around himself or his pawn. Oh... I need to at least warn them."
"Save the Order?!"
"Quiet. I don't believe I'm going to do it either. But if we're doing business, it's better with these indifferent types than with proactive darksiders. Give these ones bread and salt, remove the particularly rowdy ones, and they're happy. But the dark ones will never rest."
"That's true. But I don't think the Jedi will be in a good mood. Especially after their money problems started. And not without our... ahem, ahem... fault," Aala replied, hiding a laugh behind a cough.
"Forget it; the bankers are down for now anyway. But what we can play on is the 'I told you so' angle. Rub their faces in it, tell them not to get underfoot, or better yet—turn the campaign around. Can you imagine if the Jedi start preaching about how noble the Mandalorians are for trying to bring order to such chaos?"
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
"What are you laughing at? I'm serious. It's a phenomenal PR stunt. I'd try to pull it off just to see the looks on their faces!"
"Whose? The Mandalorians? The Jedi? Or maybe the Terrans? I'm sure the latter will be the most shocked of all."
"You're right."
"Maybe finish them off then? Say, declare ourselves saviors and go bring order, nominating you for the post of new Chancellor and convening a new Senate? I'm sure you'd look great in that office, he-he-he."
"Uhhh..."
"I'm joking!" she nudged me with her elbow and laughed. "Althouuuugh..."
"Ne-ver!" I chopped the air with my hand. "No politics. Me, of my own free will, entering that viper's nest?!"
"Fine, okay," she spread her hands. "Not Chancellor, but Emperor. Is that better?"
"Mom..."
"He-he-he-he."
"Do you know what you are?"
"I know perfectly well."
"Oh, you."
Thus, bickering and teasing each other, we discussed the plans. When the Hutt arrived, we were already in the living room, meeting the slug while sitting in chairs opposite each other. Mom, as usual, had her legs kicked up over the armrest and was in a semi-reclined state.
"Baaaa!" the Hutt exclaimed, spreading his arms as he appeared in the doorway, smiling broadly and slithering inside. "Tabuchi atappo Aero! Tukapa achori."
"My master is very pleased to see you in good health, Master Aero. He greets you," the droid trailing behind the Hutt immediately translated. "He begs forgiveness for being late."
"Hello, Jabba," I smiled. "I was starting to think you weren't coming."
"Tukacha apoono takochipa," the Hutt spread his hands apologetically.
"My master apologizes once more. Urgent business demanded his attention."
"Oooo, atuka tavochi Aero toppa?" he gestured toward Aala.
"And this must be Lady Aala, correct?" Mom turned her head and remained silent. The Hutt himself waved a hand, and one of his guards immediately stepped forward, carrying a tray.
"Otako chappa Alderaan."
The cloth was whipped away, and I was slightly struck by surprise.
"These are unique Alderaanian pastries," the droid translated. Mom looked at me suspiciously, and all I could do was shrug. I didn't think the Hutt would actually go all the way to Alderaan just for pastries! However, he definitely earned a point in my book for that.
"Chapokka anori ichigo Shade. Apachcho toka napoka," the Hutt grunted, wiping sweat from his brow.
"My master hopes you will not be angry, Master Shade. He has brought more gifts and asks for the same good-neighborly relations with you as before."
"Of course, Jabba. No hard feelings. But if you want to improve your karma, I can actually do you a favor and ask for a little help with something."
"Atuka?"
"You see, we need to acquire certain components. We're paying, don't worry—your task is just to find them."
"Chukata apoon."
"My master agrees and wishes to know what needs to be delivered."
"Here is the list," I handed a tablet to his assistant. "As I said, you only need to find them; delivery and payment are on us. Besides that, how do you feel about helping us a bit with the exchange of goods and currency? We have goods, you have peggats. What do you say?"
And right then, I saw the Hutt's eyes light up with greed. These were finished small reactors, made in a small batch as prototypes, and we needed to put them somewhere (plus good advertising for the product). There was weaponry, chemical equipment, and other small items.
For about two hours, we discussed all the contract terms with this slug. Once we agreed, I concluded the conversation with the news that Mom would be the one conducting business with him on my behalf if needed.
No sooner had I said goodbye to him than Ziro notified me that a Jedi had arrived and was requesting an immediate audience.
"Right... Okay, Jabba, on that note, I think it's time to part ways."
"Certainly. My master dares not take up any more of your time. All the best!" the droid bid farewell, while the Hutt was already briskly slithering out the door. Look at that—such a bulk, but when pressed, he could be sent to the races.
"I'll go check on Talia," Mom said, taking the treats.
"You meant to say 'cheer her up'?"
"Yes. Exactly that."
Waiting until she left, I nodded to the droid.
"Call the Jedi in."
"Accepted. Request sent."
"Who did the wind blow in this time?"
"Unknown."
"Great. Why are they here?"
"Unknown. But she knows you are here and was very insistent on a meeting."
"Jedi is a diagnosis," I grumbled, tiredly propping my masked cheek on my hand, and immediately heard chuckles from the Mandalorians. "Fine. Most likely, it's their messenger. You two, bring the Sith holocron."
"Yes, Mandalore."
Sitting in the chair, I waited for the new guest to appear. At first, all was quiet, except for a strange energy I felt somewhere on the periphery. Then, the source grew closer. Focusing on it, I didn't immediately realize it was a living object radiating the Force so strongly. A familiar Force. It wasn't the Unifying Force like mine, but at the same time, it wasn't polarized like the Jedi or the darksiders.
Less than five minutes passed before a beautiful female figure appeared in the doorway wearing a long dress. It was ornate, of a grayish hue, with her hands clasped in front of her, hidden under long sleeves. Pale skin, loose long golden hair, a refined, sweet face with pigments in the form of a pattern, and long ears like an elf's.
This figure was that mysterious source of the Force. Standing before me was, at the very least, a representative of the Je'daii. Intrigued by the Force and surprised by the beauty of this girl, I scrutinized her unceremoniously, glad for the mask I wore. I was certain that whatever her race, she hadn't aged precisely because of the amount of Force she held—a trait common to Tythonians.
Moreover, the Force itself was on her side, whispering to me that this lady could and should be trusted. It didn't feel like a suggestion or anything else I had encountered. It was so strange that, I admit, I was even a little frightened.
"What an... interesting person has come to visit us," the thought flashed through my mind.
"Greetings, Shade Aero," the girl bowed respectfully. Another strange point—I didn't see a saber on her. "My name is Fay. I apologize for such an unceremonious intrusion upon your time, but I ask to be received in your home."
This lady spoke very softly, almost melodiously. Her voice was truly enchanting—the kind that could charm men in an instant, no Force required.
"Of course. Please, have a seat," I gestured to the chair opposite me. She didn't look like a Jedi... Not in the slightest! "Ziro, send a request for drinks and treats for our guest."
"Accepted."
"Thank you," the girl smiled.
"Fay, I was told you are a Jedi," I said, holding up a hand to stop the Mandalorians appearing from the corridor with the holocron. "Is that so?"
"Yes. I am a Jedi."
"You don't look much like a Jedi..." I drawled skeptically, eyeing the guest again.
"I understand what you mean, but it is true. I am a true Jedi."
"I've seen Jedi. You are not like them," I shook my head.
"Perhaps. Do you know that a Jedi is, first and foremost, a guardian of peace and justice?"
"Yeah, in the Republic," I stifled a smirk.
"Not in the Republic," she shook her head. "In the galaxy. It's just that many have forgotten. I am a Jedi, Shade Aero. But I am not part of the Order."
"Um..." Wow. I was actually at a loss. "Fay, please explain. How does that work?"
"When I realized the Order had lost its way, I left it and gave myself to the Force. A Jedi is obligated to bring peace and tranquility wherever their path leads."
"Right, with the help of fists and sabers," I smirked.
"That is where the differences begin. I believe that is wrong. There should be no war. The war between Sith and Jedi is as foolish as a quarrel between two embers. They are the same; they both belong to the same whole."
"WAT?! What was that??? Have I finally lost my mind, or is a Jedi actually lecturing me on the unity of the Force?!"
"I believe that even in the darkest adept of the dark side of the Force, a spark of light must flicker. There are no evil creatures. Only those who have stumbled. And my task is to at least try to help them, to return them to the path. Not by force of arms, but by word and by the Force."
"Allow me to disagree, Fay. Not everyone can be helped," I shook my head.
"I am not saying everyone can be helped. But everyone deserves a chance. Whether they take it is another question. And if they miss it, it will be their fault, for one can lose oneself."
"Lose oneself?" I caught the word. Looking at the door where Mom had disappeared, it dawned on me. "You know, that is far from a humane technique. Forcing someone to experience pain, the memory of the past, and simply crushing their mind... it's cruel. Sometimes it's more humane to just cut them down."
"I do nothing," she shook her head. "They do it all themselves. It is hard to describe; one must simply see it at least once. Feel it."
"Fine, Fay. Let's leave the subject; we'll both stick to our own opinions anyway. Returning to the point, tell me: for what reasons has such an unusual Jedi come to my home?" At this question, drinks and cookies were brought to us.
"The Force led me. Thank you," she nodded to the droid.
"Oh. You are welcome, dear guest," the droid immediately replied, rolling back out.
"I have heard much of you, Shade Aero. Mandalore the Creator. The last Tythonian. In the Outer Rim, I have increasingly encountered squads of Mandalorians. They catch pirates, stop lawlessness on planets, take in children left without parents, or simply those from poor families. If before people were wary of Mandalorians, now they welcome them. The Mandalorians themselves also speak highly of you. I was told you are the great Mandalore the Creator. The one who united the clans, the one who is returning Mandalore to its former glory. Furthermore, I have seen how you treat your subjects here on Tatooine. You are a worthy ruler, though a quite bloody one."
"And how do you know how I treat them?" I arched a skeptical eyebrow. "I thought you just landed."
"No. I was already here and observing. And I know where you are headed. The Hadian Empire, correct?"
At these words, I tensed, though Fay gave no outward cause for alarm.
"Shade Aero, I know what happened in your time. I know what became of it afterward. In the distant regions, I have found many interesting things. And I want to say that I have nothing against you or your goals. On the contrary, I am very pleased to see the restoration of such a state. If what I have read is true, it will be a relief to know there is such a calm and safe haven. However, I want to ask you something. I know, I feel, that you are not involved in recent events, yet you can resolve them."
"?!"
"I know what you intend to do, Shade Aero. In the near future, you will fly through the rim worlds and gather abandoned worlds under your flag. They have already seen your people, and behind you will be a force capable of protecting them. You will develop while the rest sink into chaos—that is so, and it is your right. But I beg you, help me prevent a global war of all against all. The galaxy hangs by a thread; the fire that breaks out will not be extinguished for a long time. In return—I will help you reclaim the Hadian Empire bloodlessly."
"Girl... ahem. First, you don't even know who I am. Second, I am seeing you for the first time in my life. Yes, the Force is on your side, I feel it and believe it, but nevertheless. Third, who are you to offer me something like that, and more importantly, why should I listen to you?"
"Because you are Shade Aero. You saved this galaxy then, twenty-five thousand years ago. You laid the foundation for something greater. And I ask you, help me save it now. Even from itself."
"Go to the other Jedi with that. If you are guardians of peace, then guard it. Leave me out of it. And don't touch the past," I shook my head gloomily. "I was merely protecting my home. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides, this galaxy has repeatedly destroyed my descendants and followers."
Strangely, I felt no resentment, anger, or pressure. Fay seemed not to notice my tone, continuing to radiate kindness toward her fellow being.
"And what if I say that outsiders are coming who will devour everything they meet on their path? And what if a global conflict begins—everyone will lose?" she tilted her head to the side.
"Hm... Now that part, tell me more about."
"I... don't know much for certain. I have simply seen images in visions. They are nightmarish... And then I saw you."
"What did you see?"
"Devourers."
"Show me?"
She nodded and, standing up from the chair, approached me. Rising from mine, we sat opposite each other on the floor. Fay knew Force mental techniques perfectly and easily transmitted the image of the alien from the vision. A ghastly fellow... and I had seen him somewhere before.
About a meter eighty tall, a face distorted by scars, a severed nose, sharp teeth. Clad in some kind of living armor... I had seen something similar back in the days of the Rakatan Devourers, but no, it wasn't them. Too many differences; these were clearly different peoples.
"Fay, I need time to think everything over."
"Of course."
"You can stay here; be my guest."
"I am most grateful," the girl bowed, placing a hand over her heart. Though, judging by what I felt the moment our minds touched, she was at least five hundred years old. And unlike a certain green runt, she was truly—a Jedi. Hah, almost funny. The Sith are extinct, the Jedi practically too... and in the world run dark liars calling themselves Sith and false Jedi. Ridiculous...
Rising from the floor, I nodded to one of the fighters.
"Escort Lady Fay to the guest quarters."
"Yes, Mandalore."
"Shade Aero."
"Just Shade," I shook my head.
"Thank you. Shade, before I leave, I ask you once more to help me. I understand your pain. All of yours," she looked at the people. "But I believe... I have seen that there is compassion inside you," at that moment she looked me straight in the eyes, and no mask could help. "Even after all these years, you have not forgotten yourself."
"Still, why did you come to me? Not to the Order, not to anyone else, but to me?"
"The Force," she smiled and shrugged. "We all walk the path it has laid for us."
Silently watching the girl disappear behind the door, I stood for a while, processing the new information. What news, what visitors.
"This is why I hate planning," I grumbled into the void.
"Mandalore?"
"Nothing. Ziro, summon Radiy to me immediately. Have him set up a communication channel right away; I need to know who Fay is—attach her photo to the request. Also, I need data on whether there are humanoid, toothy creatures in living armor with ugly faces, remotely resembling humans, in the distant regions."
"Accepted, request sent."
Taking a deep breath, I headed to the kitchen.
"Where are my favorite bars... I want snack bars, not all of this."
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan