Summer holidays at Alderaan University were spent in different ways. Initially, I thought of focusing on training, leaving the planet for a while. To return to the planet where I trained with the mentor Lorm. But plans were adjusted by two people. The first was Master Jonnal Ezar himself, who directly asked about my results at the end of the academic year. And he was clearly not interested in my academic successes. Reprimanding me for getting too carried away with the new, forgetting about the mission, he informed me that several more Jedi Archaeologists and even one Shadow had disappeared. Most likely, they are all dead. And now all informed Masters are literally on their ears, because the Shadows have not been able to cope for several years. And I'm lounging around here...
Having received a significant reprimand from my superiors, I was forced to reconsider my plans and began to listen carefully to what Bail said about how to spend the summer holidays. The practice of this is present only between the second and third year, and I did not intend to drag it out. I planned to find out all the information by the third year, pass the exams externally, and leave Alderaan. My desire intensified especially after Jonnal's reprimand. People are dying like flies here, and I'm lounging around on Alderaan, among noble society. At least I felt ashamed of this state of affairs. We do what we can and how we can... But after Jonnal's reprimand, I realized that I was not giving my all on this mission, just relaxing.
Naturally, my efforts to gather information yielded results. After another training session, during which I sent Bail to the floor first, then Delon, and then both at once, Bail, after drinking water from his bottle, decided to start the conversation, which I generally expected.
"What are you going to do when the holidays officially start?" he asked all of us. Rulana, sitting next to Delon and helping him recover from the unequal fight with a Jedi who didn't use the Force, looked at Antilles with curiosity.
"Are there any suggestions, Bail?" I voiced the general question for everyone.
"Of course," he nodded. "We can go on an underwater yacht that sails in the sea."
Alderaan had several seas at once, whose coasts could be used as beaches in the summer. People went there for weeks and even months to rest. Many Alderaanians loved not only to travel to the seas or mountains of their planet's continent, but also to go beyond the planet, exploring other planets. Fortunately, every sentient inhabitant of the planet had money for interplanetary flights. Almost... And Alderaanians bought the best rooms in the best hotels because they were rich and successful in many factors, in fact. This includes the planet's location, correct trade and financial policies, and the right choice of allies at certain times in galactic history. Which, however, did not save this beautiful planet from destruction by the Death Star.
This time we were at the enormous Antilless estate, located three kilometers from the University. It was a huge, three-story palace, decorated with the Antilless house flowers and their guards almost at every step. Bail's father, his sister, and his Jedi mentor were absent from the estate at the moment, according to Bail - they flew away on House business. And now Bail offered an interesting way to spend the summer - to go on a luxury submarine. In my first world, only one submarine could be called that - it was the USSR submarine, and later Russia's project nine hundred and forty-one, an incredible behemoth by Earth standards, which had, in addition to weapons, even a swimming pool and a gym for the crew. And since the Far, Far Away had advanced far beyond the technologies of the Soviet Union and even the USA - then "underwater hotels" and yachts appeared here, where aristocrats could rest.
"What yacht are you talking about?" Amella asked.
"The Blue of Alderaan," Bail said.
"Blue?" I asked, puzzled, recalling the latest news and facts. "But isn't it near the coast of Apalis? That's the domain of House Organa."
"Yes," Bail sighed. "It is. But my father is offering me a tour. My younger sister, Breha, will also be there. I don't know what father is planning, maybe he wants negotiations with Organa?"
The entire essence of the relationship between Organa and Antilless can be described by one phrase: a game for the throne. As I have long known, Alderaan was previously ruled by members of House Pantir. They were the ones most often elected to this position, and Alderaan has an elective monarchy, albeit lifelong for the elected. The position of Kings among the members of House Pantir was passed down almost by inheritance. But they successfully died long before the present day. The result of this was that everything turned into a confrontation between rich aristocratic houses. Among which Organa and Antilless stood out. Every time the monarch of Alderaan died, having lived to some impressive numerical values for the human race, elections for a new vice-king were held. If the Pantirs were the Kings of Alderaan, then after their death, the position began to be called "Vice-King of Alderaan." Although some of them called themselves "Kings." In general, Alderaan traditions are complicated.
The current vice-queen comes from House Organa, Mazicia Organa. This is already the fifth Organa on the throne, and there is a growing quiet dissatisfaction among the Antillesses, saying, "You've been ruling for so long, maybe give us a chance?" Mazicia has an heir, Bail, and it is he who is being groomed for the position of the new monarch of Alderaan. The king has not yet died, and they are already playing the game of thrones, a funny place. Everyone anticipates who will be elected the new vice-king when Lady Mazicia deigns to end her earthly journey. Although here, it's more likely all due to the quiet dissatisfaction with the hegemony of House Organa by their closest political rivals - Antilless, the ambitions of Antilless themselves, primarily Bail's father Antilless - Olaren, and the presence of a capable heir from the Antilless side, who have also actively begun to recruit weaker aristocratic Houses to their side. Therefore, there was talk of contradictions in the elections, which, it seemed, were not even planned in the near future. It's funny - Bail Organa is thirteen years old, and Bail, but Antilless, is nineteen. Ordinary citizens, before the elections, were supposedly allowed, but were counted according to a rather strange system of coefficients of zero point six - zero point four. The number of votes from aristocratic Houses, given by the heads of these Houses, was multiplied by zero point six. And the number from ordinary citizens - by zero point four. This applied to each candidate. In this strange way, the "support coefficient" of each candidate was calculated.
At the same time, in the HoloNet news agenda from Alderaan, other candidates have long been, as it were, pushed aside. Either Organa or Antilless. The people actively argued on the forums and, as is usual in political disputes, some from the two different camps promised to find someone and show who was right by the good old, paternal method of beating their opponents. As a wise man said: "This is politics." Antilless actively escalated the situation, seeking to discredit Organa, and it was already rumored that the elections would even begin much earlier than the official death of the forty-year-old woman, seemingly not according to the law, but big money and ambitions of Antilless work wonders. They say they will hold elections in advance to avoid hypothetical chaos during the future election of the monarch when Mazicia dies.
The aristocratic families froze in anticipation, observing the favorites. And they do not disappoint, creating one news event after another. Moreover, it is worth noting that both Antilless and Organa consider all options, both prolonged confrontation and peaceful resolution of issues. There is no talk of elections, not in the near future.
"Personally, I intended to visit Tustra," I informed Bail of my plans. "But an underwater yacht sounds clearly more interesting than what I could get during my holidays on Tustra. The Great Winds see, it's interesting. I've never been to such places."
"Oh, it's a wonderful place," Miya said with an important tone. "Bars, dance clubs, casinos, swimming pools, gyms, saunas... Everything you need for leisure. And all of the highest quality. So if I were you, I would accept the invitation without hesitation."
"And I'm not hesitating," I shrugged. "I agree."
"Perhaps I will too," Delon said, looking at Rulana. "And you, Amella?"
"Naturally, my father and I will agree to my presence," Amella snorted. "That no other options are provided. Otherwise, you'll get into something," she looked at me.
I just shrugged. So I have a plan for the summer. And I shouldn't forget about the main mission again.
"Taivi, a word," Bail called me when we were all about to go home. Rulana and Delon had already left the hall. Unlike Miya and Amella, who were gathering rather slowly. The man nodded to the side, and we moved away from the girls. Once away from the girls, he came close to me and quietly, barely audibly, said, "Taivi, do you know anyone among the Jedi?"
"Acquaintances among the Jedi?"
"Correct," he nodded. "You said your uncle, a Jedi, trained you."
"But he died in the Outer Rim, Bail," I said sadly. It seems I'm not overacting.
"You said that too. But maybe you know someone else?"
"Why such a question, Bail?" I asked him with concern. "Is someone threatening you? Maybe you should contact the Order directly?"
"No," he shook his head, swallowing. "We can't do that under any circumstances. But maybe you can help us establish indirect contact with the Order? So, do you have anyone, or not?"
"Let's say," I nodded, smiling approvingly, "my uncle introduced me to a Shadow."
"A Shadow? Who is that?" Antilles asked me. "I've never heard of such Jedi."
"Not surprising," I shrugged. "Few people have heard of them. Even among their Order, according to my uncle, not everyone knows about their existence, considering them something like Guardians. Shadows are special Jedi, trained to kill Dark Gifted and search for particularly dangerous artifacts of the Dark Side of the Force. That's what the woman told me about herself."
"Dark Gifted?" Bail's eyes widened in surprise. "Sith?"
"Sith," I confirmed, "and not only Sith. There are many kinds of Gifted in the galaxy who, in theory, can become targets for Shadows. And why are you asking me about Jedi, Bail? Why can't you contact them through your mentor?"
"Mentor," Bail looked at the floor. "He doesn't really want to contact his former comrades, calling them 'crazy, orthodox monks' - and he was so polite with me. When he realized that I was a Shadow and, hypothetically, had come to kill him. However, where is he wrong? The main drawback of the Jedi is words, not actions. We all talk about the Light Side of the Force, about the Will of the Force. But for most sentient beings, the mythical Will and the equally mythical Light Side of the Force are irrelevant. Actions define reality, not words. That is why: Jedi who suffer from dogmatism and sit on their butts - they do not command any respect from the people. But those who back up their words with deeds - about them, the rumors are exclusively in a good light."
"So what's the problem, Bail?" I asked him. "What do you want from me? For me to connect you with the Jedi?"
"No," he shook his head. "Um... I don't know how to explain the situation to you... in which I found myself a couple of months ago... out of my own stupidity and inexperience."
"Speak directly and without concealment," I said.
"Then... It happened last spring. One of the employees of House Antilless offered us to sign a contract with one sentient being," - so-so-so. - "He praised him as a very worthy sentient being. Then I wanted to please my father, so that he would not be disappointed in me. So I signed the contract without looking. At first, everything went well, we transported goods, according to the customer's order. But then, unexpectedly, the ship was stopped. Jedi stopped it and found artifacts on it... Some kind of. What did you call them?"
"Dark Side of the Force," I reminded him.
"Yes," he shuddered. "The captain of the ship died a couple of days after the Order's investigation began. The ship was requisitioned. Rumors spread about our company, as if we were transporting something forbidden. But we are not smugglers from the Outer Rim! Father covered up the case, the employee was fired. But..." he swallowed, "I have some papers that the employee worked with, contracts, and information about where the cargo was picked up and where it was delivered." I felt my eyes widen in surprise. Jackpot. The Gifted we are looking for cannot consider people like Antilless as insignificant. And he surely left more traces with them than in Lotar's case! No matter how much Bail wanted to please his father, he wouldn't have gotten involved with this Gifted without any information. And that means I can get valuable information about our target through him.
"And what about the employee?" I asked Bail.
"And why are you interested?" the man asked me, looking at me suspiciously, although he answered anyway. "He died at home from some illness."
Coincidence? Or is the Gifted cleaning up loose ends? He wouldn't have risked going to Antilless, he could have just been satisfied by eliminating the intermediary.
"It's a dangerous business, Bail," I said. "But I think I can contact my acquaintances, and they will send someone to you. Just keep in mind that they will send Shadows... And they are... somewhat peculiar, my friend."
"I don't care who they send. As long as I have everything I signed, all that information - I'm really scared, Taivi," the man said. "The ship's captain was a healthy, young man who died. Just died! And that employee's death looks strange. I... I don't want to put myself, my House, at risk. If you can contact them and call a Jedi to me, I will gladly give him everything he asks for regarding this matter. And I'll pay you extra..."
"Bail," I sighed heavily, putting my hand on his shoulder. "We are friends. What payment? I'll help you for free. It feels like this information that your family has is very important. The Jedi will help, the main thing is to summon the right Jedi. I'll send a message today."
"Thank you, friend," did it seem to me or did he really have a weight lifted off his shoulders?
"You're taking a long time," Doin said. "Look, Alderaan will soon be behind the horizon."
The star of the system is named after the system. Although sometimes it's a bit disorienting.
"Are you okay, Bail?" Miya asked solicitously. "I think someone overdid it in training," she looked at me threateningly.
"I don't know anything," I shook my head. "They attacked first."
"You asked them to," Doin said. "Stop making excuses."
"I can escort you," Bail looked at the girls. "I just need to wash up a bit. Please excuse me."
"I don't have time to wait," Amella said impatiently, adjusting her green dress.
"Then Taivi will escort you," Miya smiled. "And I'll wait for Bail."
Just call a speeder here. Yes, they are not very fond of them in Aldera. But all the rich, aristocratic houses could use them twenty-four-seven.
"I don't need to be escorted," Amella snorted, "especially by someone like him."
"A lady's wish is law," I shrugged.
"What?" she asked sharply. "And that's all you'll say?"
"And what should I say, Amella?" I asked the girl. "You said you didn't need to be escorted, especially by me. And that means I won't. Will you call your family's speeder? Or will you get there yourself? It doesn't matter to me, really."
"You know, I've changed my mind," she crossed her arms. "Escort me home."
"Not likely. And I won't even think about it," I stated. "Your house is in the other direction from mine. Plus, you're acting like you're ordering me. And I'm not your servant, I want to remind you."
"So I have to ask?! Maybe I should get on my knees?" Amella asked loudly. Bail cleared his throat, and she glared at him, making him look away. Heel...
"That would give me aesthetic pleasure, Amella," I said. "Many dream of bringing you to your knees. But no. Let's not get your favorite dress dirty. You've read novels about beautiful knights and ladies, haven't you? Have you forgotten how a lady asks gentlemen to escort her home? At least like that."
"Ladies don't ask," Miya interjected, "gentlemen themselves offer their services."
"But I don't want to offer my services now. Besides, she can call a speeder for herself from her House's estate. Or is that difficult?"
"You're an unfeeling blockhead," Doin said loudly.
"Believe me, I have my reasons for being that way," I grinned. "And they are more important than many things. And as for whether I need to escort you. If you ask nicely, like a polite person, I will agree to consider your request. Well," I glanced into the girl's blue eyes, "I'm waiting."
"Sir," she said quietly, "will you escort me home? I'm afraid to go alone at night."
Bail couldn't help but chuckle, for which he earned a preventive slap on the back of the head from Miya.
"So be it, lady," I bowed slightly. "I agree to escort you and protect you from any danger. I will be waiting for you in the lobby."
Night fell on Alderaan. The streets of Aldera were pleasantly lit. It was warm, so we walked like this. I in black pants and a white shirt, and the girl in her favorite green dress. The street was empty, it was an aristocratic district, after all. In the commercial district, where there were many cafes and snack bars, it was definitely lively. Amella was torn between the desire to walk closer to me and the fact that I was clearly humiliating her. But what could I do? I only want to protect her, mainly her mental health. Because soon I will fly away from this planet... The University can be finished externally. And I'm unlikely to return here often. After all, I'm not Taivi Lanian, who after graduating from the University will go to work as a bureaucrat or manager, but Light Flaingstar, who will go to fulfill his Jedi duty. Or am I just overthinking Amella? She doesn't seem like an easy girl who needs a "hit it and quit it" relationship, moreover, it would be too much for her... So what should I do? And this is in the context of the escalating confrontation between the disgruntled Antilless and the ruling Organa.
"Well?" the girl asked, walking next to me. "Aren't you going to say anything?"
"And what should I say according to your novels that you read? Should I compare your eyes to the stars that sparkle in the sky, or give some other compliments?" I asked the girl. "Don't forget - I'm an unfeeling blockhead. And I'd rather read the 'Accounting Manual' than romantic nonsense from HoloNet. The latter will at least be useful to me."
"Hmph," Amella snorted. "With a character like that, you'll never get married."
"I'm a sephi, if you forgot. We live at least two hundred years, and a maximum of four hundred. So don't worry too much about me."
Right in front of us appeared a group that I sincerely did not want to see today... Jaiko Meceti, Renard Calypso, Valir Alor, Magbet Rina, and Linda, the very Gifted one playing the role of guard for Jaiko himself. What truly distinguished the tapanians was their similar style of dress. They all and almost always dressed in a classic three-piece suit. The only difference was in the color. Jaiko preferred classic black. Renard - scarlet, Valir - yellow, and Magbet wore gray. Linda wore black pants and a matching shirt, unlike the other girls in our group, who wore dresses below the knee.
"Amella," the aristocrat straightened up, looking at the girl. "I'm surprised to see you here, so late, and under the protection of someone like him."
"Gentlemen," Amella bowed slightly, I repeated her gesture. Then we both nodded to Linda. She was not considered noble and did not enjoy special respect in the group. "Taivi agreed to escort me to my family's estate."
"Agreed?" Renard asked. "Lady, this protector is quite weak. I would advise you to choose someone better."
"Better?" Amella replied to him. "Just now, Master Taivi showed himself perfectly in battles against our friends."
"With all due respect, lady," Valir Alor took the floor, "a real battle that can start because of your beauty and a training one are very different." Having finished his speech, he looked at Jaiko. The latter nodded.
"He's right, lady. Taivi doesn't know as much as we do, he hasn't had all the teachers we've had. I can protect you better," he said pompously.
"And what do you say?" Magbet asked me.
"A lady's wish is law," I stated phlegmatically. "If she considers me unsuitable for her protection, I will leave."
"I will consider it so," Amella said. "Glory to the Force! When I see proof that you cannot protect me, sir."
What?
"And what other proof can be presented?" Jaiko grinned. "Even a girl will beat him. Linda."
Where did I go wrong in my words? I wasn't allowed to analyze my recent behavior. Linda closed the five meters separating us, appearing before me and, amplifying herself with the Force, tried to break my nose. Like that, straight on? I crossed my arms in front of me in a block. The blow was heavy, even pushing me back slightly.
"What are you doing, sir?" Amella asked Jaiko.
"Me? What am I doing?" Jaiko asked her innocently. "It's just that Linda decided to show that, as a man, Taivi isn't the most reliable."
Not the most reliable? I could beat her so badly without a lightsaber that her own mother wouldn't recognize her. However, I don't want to break my cover. But I don't want to be beaten either! This means I'll use the Force in "passive" mode. If I start to strengthen myself, she'll expose me immediately. But if I only use the Force to predict events and analyze weak points, it will be harder for her to expose me. I got ready for battle, raising my right hand and beckoning Linda.
"I'll break both your arms as a lesson," I said simply.
"That's impossible," the girl rushed at me again, but this time I felt my favorite and familiar sense of foresight. I struck at the advancing Linda, but she jumped, ending up above me and delivered a downward kick from her right leg, which I dodged to the side. The girl landed and immediately attacked me with punches and kicks. But it's useless... I see where each of her blows will land. Including... I see all her weak points perfectly. Where she'll dodge, how she'll block, how and where I should strike. In a fight with a faster and more experienced opponent, my sensory perception is not something I can rely on. But in a fight with an equal or weaker opponent, such an advantage is an ideal support. Will she cover her neck after exchanging blows with me? Then take a blow to the body. The blow was successful, she lowered her hands and sighed heavily, which I took advantage of, delivering my favorite high kick. The girl fell on the road.
"What were you saying about impossibility, Linda?" I asked the girl. "You attacked me in the middle of the street. Any camera will confirm this. And since I can't leave this without consequences, and you," I looked menacingly at the now pale quartet of aristocrats, "have gotten on my nerves, perhaps a small demonstration-punishment will do you good! Don't get up," I said, but the girl got to her feet and attacked me with a straight punch to the face, amplifying herself with the Force to the limit of her abilities. Having foreseen the blow, I moved aside, grabbed her hand with my left hand, and before she understood, delivered a strong blow to her arm with my right hand. The crunch of the girl's bone was heard...
"AAAAH!" she sobbed. Lowering her hand, I grabbed her left arm in a hold before she could recover. She probably only heard about the cruiser? Or not at all. A moment later, the same crunch came from her left arm. I grabbed the girl by the neck and lifted her slightly off the ground.
"You pathetic bastards, remember what happened here. This is the last warning, Jaiko. You don't mess with me, I don't mess with you. Otherwise, next time I'll take a vibro-blade and cut something off you. Do we understand each other?" I asked him.
"Yes," the aristocrat gritted out.
"Take your trash," I said, throwing the girl to the ground. "Let's go, Amella," I grabbed the girl's hand and quickly led her away from the crowd of aristocrats. They can't do anything to me. I defeated Linda, and they clearly understand that victory over a Force-sensitive is worth a lot. They themselves are not Force-sensitive and are clearly weaker than Linda.
"You have incredible strength," the girl said quietly.
"I told you where my abilities come from," I said grimly. "And be sure – I haven't shown even half of it."
"But Linda is clearly Force-sensitive," Amella said. "I know about it, my father told me. So how did you defeat her? Could it be..."
"Force-sensitive... Non-Force-sensitive," I chuckled. "There's no such thing. There are either idiots or smart people. This girl is definitely sensitive to the Force, everyone in the group knows that, not just you. But she doesn't know how to use her abilities. That's why she lost to me. I hope she learns her lesson."
"I hope they leave us alone," Amella said, agreeing with me.
Ten minutes later, we approached another huge building. However, it was more modest than the one the Antilles had. At the same time, unlike the others, the Doyns clearly preferred a modern style. The mansion stood out among its neighbors. The lantern allowed me to clearly see the main two-story building, flanked by two five-story towers.
"Thank you for escorting me," the aristocrat said.
"You're always welcome," I shrugged. "Only next time, learn to ask rational people for help properly, Amella."
"I've always treated you normally!" Amella said, a little too loudly. "It's all you... You're always looking at me... As if I don't exist at all."
"An interesting accusation, I'll remember..." I didn't finish. She quickly closed the distance between us and kissed me on the lips, then, smiling strangely, turned and ran home, humming some little song. "And how am I supposed to hold back and remember the mission?" I said in shock to the void. "And Mila... " I sighed heavily. "Although, maybe she wouldn't want me to restrain myself... because of her."
I turned and walked towards the hotel.