The Hand of Thrawn

By ThrawnAgent84

Note-This is a FanFic based on Star Wars. Star Wars and all that it contains belongs to George Lucas. The Story contains O/C's. Ok, now we got all the legal stuff out of the way, here's the story. Hope you like it.

Chapter One- The Vision

It was a cloudy day on Wayland as Marilia was walking home from a friend's house. Her dark brown hair was flowing behind her in the breeze. "It's going to rain soon." She thought as she looked down the way to see a landspeeder coming up fast. Must be Relias making another delivery. He's the only one that would drive like he had a whole fleet of Tie Fighters behind him. Marilia moved out of the way a little bit as she watched him zoom past her making her hair fly even more.

Marilia looked around and saw nobody else near her. She decided it was safe enough to practice. She concentrated, felt the breeze, the rocks around her, and felt a familiar energy surround her. She opened her eyes still concentrating and found that she was walking about 3 inches off the ground. She gave a smile as she took it up to another inch. It felt good to use the force again.

--

Her parents since finding out her gift forbid her from using the force or even telling anyone she has force powers. They became afraid of the Guardian of the Mountain and what if he would have discovered her force abilities. Of course he would have forced his training upon her and mold her into whatever he wished. They had a sigh of relief though when an Admiral from the Empire came and took the Guardian off world but still the threat of spies still lingered. It was just last month that the Rebels attacked the mountain and destroyed the Guardian. After the Rebels took over the mountain for a brief period, there was another battle, and then the Imperials regained it which everybody thought was just a resurgence of Imperials. Marilia was still forbidden to use the force in fear of anyone taking her off world. Her parents were the traditional type who didn't like to meddle in galactic affairs and tried to teach their daughter the same way. Marilia still used the force in secret to try to gain more strength in her abilities.

--

Marilia felt a tremble in the force and quickly got both feet on the ground. Within minutes of doing so, another landspeeder was approaching with a squad of Stormtroopers, and there were also a few blue skinned aliens with red glowing eyes sitting upfront. "Must be the changing of the guard at the mountain." Marilia thought. She reached out with the force to try to sense anything as the Speeder passed by. "There is something big that is going to happen and somehow I am involved. What's this?" All of a sudden before her eyes she was receiving a vision. It was one of those aliens that she had seen in the speeder but this one was different. He was taller and seemed to be in charge. The vision left her and she then realized that she was standing in front of her house and her mother was watching her.

"What happened, Marilia? It looks like you've seen a ghost. Marilia, where you using your gift?" Her mother Rosia asked sternly as Marilia noticed her father looking up from the Holo-Projector.

"No, Mom, I wasn't. I just saw a bunch of Stormtroopers and some kind of new alien going to the direction of the mountain." Marilia said "What's wrong?" She could sense that there was something going on. The environment had a tense feeling.

"Come and see for yourself." Her father, Juralias said making room in front of the Holo-Projector.

Marilia looked at the screen and almost gasped. THE REBELS HAVE BEEN DEFEATED! THE EMPIRE ONCE AGAIN IS VICTORIOUS! The screen was flashing underneath video of cheering Stormtroopers and then the camera moved what seemed the inside of the Imperial Palace on Coruscant. In the middle was a throne surrounded by the Royal Imperial Guards. Then all of a sudden there was a booming voice over the intercom, "CITIZENS OF THE EMPIRE! MEET YOUR NEW EMPEROR, GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN!" Marilia couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her mouth. The same alien from the vision stepped out. Tall, rather handsome, and wearing the same white uniform. Marilia ignored her parents' stares and concentrated on the screen. Grand Admiral Thrawn was being escorted by many of the same aliens in black uniforms and a human admiral. The Grand Admiral stood in front of the throne and was about to speak.

"Marilia, what's wrong?" Rosia asked real concerned.

"Nothing, Mom. I want to hear." Marilia said with a touch of impatience.

The new Emperor stretched out his hands to calm the cheering crowd. As he looked around, he smiled at his new empire, and then held placed his hands behind his back as he spoke into the Holo-Vid.

"Citizens of the New Empire, the Rebels have been defeated at Bilbringi and their presence has been wiped clean from Coruscant. Their leader Mon Mothma has been captured to be tried for war crimes. The great Jedi Luke Skywalker and his companions have been killed. We took back what was taken from us at Endor. Our pride, our glory, and most of all the galaxy. Once again the Empire is victorious. This however will be a new empire. When the former Emperor Palpatine sent me out to the Unknown Regions, I not only brought new worlds into the former Empire but also built my own faction all on the orders of Emperor Palpatine. The new faction was called The Hand of Thrawn. Emperor Palpatine foresaw the threat posed to his Empire by the former Rebel Alliance. He sent me out to create this new faction as a back up just in case of what happened at Endor. I came back to fill Palpatine's wishes but also bring about my own vision of the Empire. From now on everybody will be treated as they wish to be treated. If you seek peace, you will receive peace but if you seek war be warned, war is what you will receive. Many of you have questioned my origin and here is your answer, I am Chiss and these are my fellow people. The New Empire that I created in the Unknown Regions was a joint effort between Chiss and Human, such as this new empire shall be. This new empire will be a joint effort between the Imperial Palace here on Coruscant and the Chiss Ascendancy on Csilla, my home world. Further knowledge of my people will be available soon but now let me assure you the Chiss are not here as invaders but as partners for the new peace and to share in the glory of the Empire. Once you learn more of the Chiss you will understand, why I have invited them to join our new empire. There will be a new position that will be directly underneath me. The position of Prime Minister shall be awarded to an old trusted friend of mine and the whole reason why I joined the Empire, Admiral Voss Parck. There is still work to be done to rid the Rebels from the galaxy and much rebuilding has to be done. I ask for patience during this period, rebuilding the effected worlds has already begun as well as the formation of a new government; this process will take some time. As I look out into the crowd I see the new blood of the Empire. The Stormtroopers and the Naval Personnel that will protect the citizens of the new empire and the everyday citizens that makes up the economic, cultural, and civic backbone of the galaxy. This new empire is for everybody regardless of species, economic disposition, or race. Welcome to the age of the New Empire!" Grand Admiral Thrawn finished as he took his first seat on his new Throne.

With that, the Holo-Projector went black but then reappeared to the scenes of cheering crowds outside the Imperial palace on Coruscant and throughout the galaxy.

--

"Well, that's it. Once again the galaxy will be in turmoil." Juralias said shutting off the Holo-Projector.

"When wasn't it in turmoil? I wonder how this will affect us." Rosia said as she heard a loud thump beside her and turned to see Marilia lying on the floor unconscious.

"Help me, Juralias, Marilia fainted." Rosia called to her now alert husband.

Both parents helped carry Marilia to her bed in the next room. As they set her down on the bed. Rosia looked up at her husband realizing what had taken place before the news came of the new government.

"Juralias, I think she was having one of those visions when I saw her outside. Her eyes were distant. Whatever it was it must have been triggered by seeing those Imperials pass by. I think it was about what had just happened." Rosia said as she looked at her daughter.

"I hope so, dear. I hope so cause she seemed to recognize the new Emperor. I read that a force vision tends to be about either the force user or someone or something close to them." Juralias spoke in a distant tone as walked out of the room and sat down again.

"Oh my" was all what Rosia could say as she headed to the kitchen to start fixing dinner. With the galaxy once again changing and now something was wrong with her daughter it was all too much for her to bare. A housewife from a line of many housewives, all of this was beyond her and like many occasions when her daughter's force abilities became an issue, she felt lost, and this time she felt lost and scared.

--

Marilia after being overwhelmed by the vision becoming a reality was now in the grip of the force. "What does all of this have to do with me?" She asked into the force. Within minutes she got her answer.

She was all of a sudden on a balcony overlooking Coruscant. It was night, the buildings around her shined with lights and the traffic flew by as the stars above shined down. As she was admiring the view, she felt a hand touch her shoulder, and then she felt the squeeze. She turned around startled. There before her was Emperor Thrawn. He placed his hand on the side of her face and then softly said "Marilia". Behind her came a large explosion. It was deafening and there came more. She turned around to see the city ablaze and seeing many ships in orbit. Ships that she never seen before. She turned around to see the Emperor laying on the floor in a pool of blood. Marilia could only run to his side and confirm what she already knew. That Emperor Thrawn was dead.

Marilia snapped back to consciousness and soon realized that she was out for the whole night. She laid in bed for the longest time not knowing what to make of the vision. "What am I supposed to do? I can't do much on Wayland and I can't really walk up to Emperor Thrawn and tell him of my vision. What can I do?" Was all Marilia could think. Was it just a warning of future events or was she supposed to somehow prevent it? Marilia decided to hold off on dwelling on it. She must have scared her parents and it's now time to go and convince them that she was alright.

--

As Marilia stepped out of her room her parents were sitting down and eating a meal of local vegetable soup. They stopped eating as they noticed her. As always it was her mother who spoke up.

"Marilia, are you ok?" Rosia asked

"Yes, Mom. I guess the recent events just shocked me."

"We know you had one of those visions, Marilia, about the new emperor. Just what was it about?" Juralias asked sternly.

"It was nothing, father. I just saw him in a vision nothing else. It must have been triggered by viewing those Chiss passing by."

"Maybe you should get out more. You only went out yesterday. One day out of a month. Why don't you go and visit another one of your friends to get fresh air." Rosia said.

"It's okay, Mom. I think you are right. I'll clean up and go to Jenava's house. I think it would be good to see her again." Marilia said knowing her parents don't quite like her.

"Ok, honey. At least you'll be getting out of the house." Rosia said a little bit nervous. Jenava was a girl who liked to explore too much in places where she should just leave alone. She always feared that she would tell Marilia about the mountain.

"If you have any more of those visions, you'll tell us, Marilia. For your own safety, we just want you to be careful." Juralias stated while looking at his daughter carefully.

"Yes, Father, I will." Marilia said as she went to the shower room. Sometimes her parents can be a little over protective.

The hot water felt so good, especially after a hard fall to the floor, and helped calm her nerves after the visions. Marilia stretched out with the force to help give her peace and thought about her knowledge of the force. Her range of powers included force jump, push, pull, seeing, and mind trick. She practiced them all at night when her parents were asleep. The hardest was mind trick but she can use it for only about 2 minutes. Her ultimate goal is to build her own lightsaber but she knew that was a long way in the future. She trained and learned secretly from a book that Jenava had given her about the Jedi and the Sith. Marilia didn't favor each side but considered herself a grey neither light nor dark.

She felt through the force that something was going to happen soon. She decided to let whatever it is to happen. It is the will of the force and she will follow.

Marilia shut the water off, she stepped out of the shower, and dried off. As she got dressed, she felt a presence but couldn't place it. Then she felt multiple presences, only one of them human but the rest seemed alien. She got dressed in a hurry feeling the urgency.

She went out of the refresher to be met with a group of Imperial units standing around her living room. There were only one human and the rest was Chiss. Marilia let out a surprised gasp. The group looked at her as well as her parents who are standing on the opposite side of the room. They looked frightened.

"I'm glad that you could join us. Don't be alarmed, we are just on a routine search, we are doing this to all the houses. I'm General Fresk and this is Commander Thrask of the Chiss Ascendancy. He is the leader of these fine troops. Who would you be?"

"My name is Marilia." She said a little nervous. They all were looking at her. She didn't feel any intention of harm from them but still it is a shock.

"Do you mind if you would lead us on a tour as to say of your home, so we can effectively search? Your parents seem too nervous and I don't want to put them through anymore stress." General Fresk asked.

"I don't mind, General. I'm sorry but your presence is quite a shock to all of us." Marilia said looking over at her parents. Her mother looking like she is about to faint and her father giving her a nervous look.

"I understand and I apologize. We have orders to do this for everybody in the region."

"It's ok, General. Where would you like to search first?" Marilia said looking over at Commander Thrask. He just stood there observing everything very closely.

"Well, how about this room first? We would like to also ask a few questions as well."

"No problem, Sir" Marilia said. She knew that they had nothing to hide and as far as the questions go it shouldn't be too hard.

"You seem calm more calm than others that we encountered, why is that?" Fresk asked giving a signal for others to search the room.

"To be honest, sir. I'm just as nervous as my parents but I keep my composure. If you wanted to harm us then you would have done so by now."

"True, have you been on Wayland, long?"

"Yes, sir, all our lives. I've never been off system and I'm sure neither have my parents." Marilia said as she watched the search team move from the living room to her parents' bedroom.

"What is your opinion of the victory of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the establishment of the Chiss Empire?" Fresk asked as the search team moved from her parents' bedroom into her bedroom.

"I feel that it will help bring order in the galaxy but truthfully, sir, I haven't really been keeping up with current affairs. You know, how out of touch the outer worlds can get. Especially on Wayland." Marilia said, she felt something and it wasn't good.

"Sir, you better come and see this." It was Commander Thrask. He was standing just outside her room. General Fresk looked over at her and Marilia noticed her parents' frozen stiff.

"Marilia would you care to join me in your room?" General Fresk asked sternly.

"Sure." Marilia said nervously.

Marilia followed the general into her room. The Chiss, Thrask was standing by her bed and the opened box that was on top of it. The General was looking through the contents.

"Would you care to explain these, Marilia? Do you have the force?" this time it was Commander Thrask asking the questions. As he pointed to her collection of information on the force.

"I guess you can say that, Sir. I'm not trained though. My parents forbid me to use my powers. They were afraid of the Guardian even when the guardian was defeated they were still worried. I have been teaching myself at nights. Sir, would it be ok if you mention none of this to my parents? I pose no threat to anybody, I swear."

"It is fine by me, Marilia. I believe you and I am certain that you can understand my concern. Have you ever been up to the mountain?" Thrask asked giving a slight smile.

"Excuse me, Sir, but what mountain?" Marilia asked in shock.

General Fresk turned around and gave Marilia a surprised look.

"Your parents have really been holding out on you. Well, I guess it's for the best. It's really nothing just an old storage place of old equipment from the Old Empire. The guardian or Joruus C'Boath used to use that as his base so to say." Fresk said bewildered.

"My parents have always been a little over protective of me. They fear that I'll go offworld and join in some cause." Marilia said a little less nervous.

"Well, if you like, you can join the Chiss Empire. I'm sure that you can get fully trained and serve the Empire." General Fresk said as his comm unit started to beep. "Excuse me.

"General Fresk keyed the unit. Marilia could hear a smooth deep voice on the other end. The General seemed to have gotten a little nervous. As the General was talking, Marilia turned to the Commander.

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking a question?" Marilia asked shyly.

"I don't mind." Thrask replied looking down at Marilia.

"I've heard stories of how the Old Empire interrogated citizens and how they usually did searches. I'm wondering, what happened that changed those methods?" Marilia asked.

"Grand Emperor Thrawn has made it a rule to treat citizens with respect. He has stated that you'll get more information and more help if you are yourselves helpful and respectful." Thrask said smiling.

"Wow, Grand Emperor Thrawn sounds like a really great leader."Marilia said amazed. This Thrawn sounds as if he is going to be really good.

"He is, Ma'am." Thrask said with a hint of pride.

"I'm sorry to cut this short but we have been ordered back to the base. Marilia, if you ever want to join, here is my card. I hope you will consider it." General Fresk said shaking her hand.

"I will, General. Thank you and it's been an honor to have met you all." Marilia said smiling.

As they walked out of the room, Marilia and the Commander shook hands. Marilia put the General's card into her pockets before her parents could notice. They closed the door on their way out. Marilia could hear their landspeeder as they headed back to base. Her parents looked at her stunned.

"What the hell was that, Marilia? You might as well have invited them to dinner." Juralias snapped.

"Well, it's better than just standing there in shock. What if nobody helped them? They would have taken that as suspicious." Marilia said upset.

"Marilia has a point, honey." Rosia said looking at her husband. Rosia was just getting back to her calm state and noticed so was Juralias.

"Ok, ok. What happened in there?" Juralias asked Marilia suspiously.

"Nothing, they just thought that they found a weapon but it turned out to be something else. That's all." Marilia said calmly. "Well, I better head down to Jenava's house. There are a few things I want to take with me to her house. She has been begging to see my collection of galactic singers weekly holo cards." Marilia lied. She had to hide her collection of the datacards and holo cards about the force. Her parents would definitely search her room now. "I almost forgot, Jenava wanted to see my collection of holo-cards about Galactic Entertainment Weekly. She has pretty much been begging me for the longest time." Marilia added.

She went to her room and dumped her Weekly holo-cards over the force informations. She then picked up the box and walked out of her room. As she neared the door, her father stopped her, and he looked nervous.

"You be careful, I think that something is up and contact us as soon as you reach her house." Juralias said as he moved away from the door.

"I will, Father. Don't worry." Marilia said as she stepped out of the door. She got her weight under the box and then turned around and closed the door behind her.

--

As the door shut, Marilia felt a familiar presence and turned around to find Commander Thrask. His glowing red eyes looking right at her, he gave a slight smile, and then moved to stand beside her.

"Commander Thrask, I thought that you headed back to base?" Marilia asked surprised.

"I decided to stay and wait for you. I knew that you would want to get your reading material out of the house as soon as possible." The Commander observed looking at the contents of the box she was carrying. "I hope you don't mind if I come along."

"I don't mind at all. I'm I in any trouble?" Marilia asked concerned.

"Not at all. I just wanted to understand more about your situation and also your reaction to seeing us."

"Sure, Commander." Marilia said.

"Why does your parents forbid you to use the force really?" Thrask said as he looked down at Marilia.

"Just as I said, Commander. They were afraid of the Guardian and also that I might be taken off world. My parents are the kind that are afraid of potential. If I would become powerful in the force then I might be lost to the galaxy. They want me to just marry and settle down. I just don't think that I can do that."

"Sometimes parents are like that. I remember my Aunt and Uncle were worried about their one son's actions. At the end he was exiled by the Chiss. He soon was discovered and rose to greater power. Do you know anything about the Grand Emperor Thrawn?"

"No, just that while I was walking home, I had a vision of him. It was brief and all I saw was just his face. I then went inside the house to discover who he was. Other than that I don't know. I heard that he was here months ago but my parents kept me in the dark." Marilia said looking up at the Chiss. Something about him was familiar.

"What about your friends? Didn't they speak of it to you?"

"Well, my friends are mostly concerned with the daily singers and band music strips rather than current events. They all have one track minds." Marilia said sighing.

"That's a shame. Why were you so calm around us? Most people were afraid and nervous." Thrask asked while walking with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Well, as I said, if you really wanted to harm us then you would have done it a long time ago. I also didn't feel any threat. Also I feel something familiar with you, Commander. Something that ties you to the Emperor. Yes, you look a little like him."

"Impressive, the Emperor as it turns out is my cousin. The same one I mention before." Thrask asked giving Marilia a surprised look.

"Wow, what is he like and why was he exiled?" Marilia looked up at the Commander. Her eyes were a little wider.

"He is a great man. A master strategist and a very fair leader. He was exiled cause he and the rest of the Chiss did not agree with some of his tactics. Even though his tactics saved a lot of his own people."

"Sounds like the galaxy is lucky to have him then." Marilia said. She then looked sad.

"Marilia, did you have any more visions of the Emperor." Thrask asked looking concerned.

"I don't know, if I should tell you or not but I will. I had a vision after I passed out hearing of the Emperor's victory. I went into shock learning of my vision came true. The vision was that I was on a balcony on Coruscant. It looked like it was in the Imperial Palace. From behind me came the Emperor. Then as soon as he said my name. There was a loud explosion. I looked back to the skyline to see the city on fire and ships firing on buildings. There was a bright light and loud bang. I looked back to only see the Emperor lying on the ground dead."

Commander Thrask stopped in his tracks and looked at Marilia startled. He never left eye contact with Marilia. "Can you describe any of the ships, Marilia?" His voice all of a sudden urgent.

"The biggest one, had a long neck and a wide body shape. It was unlike any ship that I have seen or heard of. Perhaps, a Chiss ship?" Marilia said. She was nervous. She hoped that this 

wouldn't turn into a major case. "I am not sure of how accurate my vision was, Commander. The force could have just been playing tricks with my mind."

The Commander looked at her with a sense of urgency. "It was doing no such thing, Marilia. I know who that ship belongs to. It's the Chaf Envoy. The Flagship of Aristocra Formbi, he was the one that got the rest of the Chiss council to exile Thrawn and he has always been a strong opponent of him. I must get word to the Emperor as soon as possible. Marilia, I might need you to verify it. Will you?"

"Yes, Commander. I will." Marilia said. She started shaking a little. What was she getting herself into?

"Good, you must not tell anyone about this. Do you have a comlink?" Thrask asked

"No, Commander."

"Ok, here. This is my spare one. I'll go back to base and contact my cousin and if we will need you I'll comm you. If that does happen can you meet me at Mount Tantiss? I'll send a speeder down for you. I suggest you stay over with your friend tonight. It will be easier for you if you're not with your parents. We will then take a shuttle to meet the Emperor." Thrask said as he looked down at Marilia. She could tell that he was worried.

"Ok, Commander. I understand. I will follow your instructions. I'll use Jenava's holocomm to contact my parents to inform them that I'll be staying over at her house. Jenava won't say a word if she sees me go. She knows of my force ability and has been telling me that I should just runaway." Marilia was in total shock at the moment and she felt a little scared. She placed the comm. Unit in her one pocket.

"That's good. Marilia, don't be scared. Everything will be good. It's good that you told me. Even if it doesn't come true, it's best to be careful, and that is what we are doing." Commander Thask said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "Now show me where your friend lives so I know where to send the speeder, if we need you."

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Marilia could sense the Commander's urgency and her own fear. There up ahead was Jenava's house. Marilia reached out with the force to calm herself. She could feel that whatever is going to happen it is her destiny. Tonight is the night that her destiny will be decided.

"We are here, Commander." Marilia said stopping. She could see Jenava looking out her window. "I will await your call, commander."

"Thank you, Marilia. Remember that no one is supposed to know the exact reason why you are leaving if you have to." Thrask said noticing Jenava at the window.

"Don't worry, Commander. I will keep it a secret."

"Thank you again. If not tonight, I'll see you again. Bye for now, Marilia." Thrask said as he shook her hand. He then turned back to walk to the stopped speeder that was back at her house. His walk was fast walk but not in a panic sort of way.

Marilia watched him go for a little bit longer. She was calmer but now the trick is to explain everything to Jenava in a way that didn't give anything away.

--

Jenava opened the door to Marilia before she even had to knock.

"Marilia, are you in any trouble? I saw that same alien when the Imperials came and searched my home." Jenava asked in a rush.

"No, I'm not we were just chatting. They found out about my force ability but agreed not to let my parents know. Here is all my stuff about the force. I was hoping that you could keep them safe for me. My parents are more than suspicious now."

"Sure, no problem. Anything wrong, Marilia?" She asked as she closed the door. "May parents won't be home till tomorrow night, you can stay with me until then."

"I was just about to ask that next. Thanks." Marilia said as she looked over at the holo-projector.

"What's happening, Marilia?" Jenava asked a little frightened.

"Let me contact my parents first and then I'll explain to you as much as I can."

"Sure, it's right over there." Jenava said as she continued to stand there. Her arms were crossed in front of her. She was so nervous.

"Thanks. Don't worry. Everything is ok." Marilia said as she put in the codes to her parents holo-projector. Her father's image came up and he did not look to happy.

"Marilia, where have you been? We have been waiting for you to contact us." He asked sternly.

"Sorry, Father. Jenava and I just got caught up in gossiping. I'm sorry, I lost track of time." Marilia said. She never flat out lied like this to her parents before but this was an emergency.

"It's ok. Is there something else you want, Marilia?" Juralias asked as he watched his daughter carefully.

"Yes, Father. I was just wondering if I could stay over at Jenava's house tonight. I thought it would help me get myself on track."

"Ok, just call me in the morning to let me know when you are coming home."

"I will, father. Thank you."

"No problem, just be careful."

"I will." Marilia said as she closed the projector.

"Ok, now tell me what's going on, Marilia." Jenava said from behind her.

"Ok, but let's go to your room first." Marilia said as she walked over to Jenava. She could sense her friend's fear and really hoped that she could calm her down.

They reached Jenava's room. Once there Marilia set the box down on the floor and the two friends sat on the edge of the bed. Marilia let out a sigh. She also put her hand in her pocket to check for the Comm unit. It was still there.

"Ok, well you know how you said that I should just run away? Well, I have that chance. It might not happen but if it does then I'll get a call from a comm unit that I have. Next a speeder will come to the front of your house and I'll go with a new friend of mine offworld."

"Oh my stars, Marilia, are you serious? Why and who is this new friend of yours. Was it that alien?" Jenava asked startled.

"I can't tell you the specifics, I'm sorry, Jenava. I wish that I could but I was told to keep everything in total secrecy. So it's official. The thing is that it might not happen so this is all just in case. I'll need your help."

"I might not understand what's going on but I'll help you." Jenava said looking at Marilia stunned.

"Ok, if I leave tonight. I need you to call my parents and act distraught. Say that I ran off to the local spaceport and flew off planet. Say that you tried to stop me but couldn't. I waited till you were asleep and sneaked out of the window. Tell them that I was secretly friends with a smuggler and went to join his crew. That's all you have to say. Remember they have to buy it so be as panicked as you can be. Even cry. Can you do this for me, Jenava?"

"Sure. I'm glad that you are getting a chance to go off world. Though I hope you know what you are doing. You really wouldn't have a future here. Whenever did force users ever been housewives?" Jenava said smiling a little.

"I agree. I'm not totally sure what I am doing but I know that the force is leading me somewhere. Let's just say that perhaps the future of the galaxy is at stake but I'm not sure how big this will become." Marilia said as she could hear a faint beeping noise coming from her pocket. "Well, it is a go." She said as she took the comm unit out of her pocket.

Jenava watched as Marilia keyed the comm. She could tell that her friend was nervous. Jenava nearly gasped as she heard Marilia's conversation.

"Yes, Commander. I am here with my friend and she agrees to cover for me."

(…………………………………..)

"I'll be waiting right here, Sir. I'll see you there. Over"

(…………………………………..)

Marilia keyed off the comm and stuck it back into her pocket. She turned to look at Jenava, who was looking at her in total shock now. "The speeder is on its way. Let's go to the front to keep an eye out for it. Remember whatever you see, you can't tell anyone." Marilia said as she sat up.

"Ok, ok, I get it no word, I promise. Marilia, a commander?! The same commander that was searching the houses? The alien one?" Jenava asked as she followed behind Marilia to the front window. The street lamps were glowing outside and no sign of the speeder yet.

"Yes, he is also the cousin of the new Emperor. The species of alien is Chiss. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you anymore." Marilia said as she watched outside. She was so nervous that she started to shake a little again.

"Oh my! Marilia, what did you get yourself into? Just be careful, ok?"

"I will. Either way, the force is leading me to this. I'll be going off world at least." Marilia said trying to smile past her nerves. "I'm scared believe me. I am scared of what the future might hold. Or what my destiny will be. But I know I have to do this. It is what the force has given me and it is what I must do."

"I understand, Marilia. Just whenever you can, come and visit me. My parents are usually away anymore and I'll be here." Jenava said as she hugged her soon to gone friend. From over Marilia's shoulder she could see a speeder pull up. The driver was one of those Chiss. His red glowing eyes were looking towards the door. "You best be going. Your ride has arrived."

"Thanks, Jenava for everything. You have always been a great friend. I'll visit when I can. I promise." Marilia said giving her friend another hug. She then released Jenava and turned towards the door.

"Good luck, Marilia." Jenava said as she stood at the door as Marilia was walking to the speeder.

"Thanks, Jenava." Marilia said as a tear ran down her face.

The two friends waved bye to each other as the speeder started its journey to the meeting place with Commander Thrask. Marilia then turned to look forward to see the driver just put down his comm unit.

"There has been a change of plans, Miss. We will be meeting the Commander at the spaceport. There is a shuttle waiting for both of you." The driver said.

"Thank you, sir." Marilia said. She was still nervous and sad.

Her sadness came from having to leave to her parents and her friend. Though her parents were hard to deal with, she has always loved them, and always hoped to make them proud. Her friend, Jenava was one of the most loyal friends that a person could have. They often went around the forest exploring. Even getting into trouble but Marilia's force powers always came in handy in a tough situation. Now she is off on an adventure that she does not entirely understand yet. Here she was a young woman, from a world that is just starting to get the basic technology back, and who has never been off world. Here she is about to go and meet the new Emperor himself. It was hard for her to truly comprehend all of the recent events. What's more is that she is also scared about what the future might hold. Why is the force taking her from her family and her friend? As they neared the spaceport, a quote came to mind, perhaps guidance from the force. "With great change, comes great sacrifice." Marilia sighed, she let go of her emotions, and she let the force guide her. As she neared closer to the spaceport, she could see the Commander standing in front of a shuttle. Marilia could feel her destiny fast approaching with every progress of the speeder.

To Be Continued………………………………………………….

10 Page