The Next Step

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Enos Estate, Lake Country, Naboo.

35 ABY

Tonak "Blue Fox" Enos.

It was late in the night on Naboo.

From inside my tower, I was impervious to the chill winds and light rain that battered the outside of my home, comfortably garbed in a silk robe drinking a cup of steaming caf and reading a datapad on the history of the Rebel Alliance.

"And in 3 ABY, the Rebel Alliance faced its first devastating loss in over six months, a record for the outlaw geurilla fighters. Darth Vader, under the watchful eye of the Emperor, landed the entire 501st Legion, dubbed "Vader's Fist" onto the frozen and desolate plains of the eight planet in the Hoth the Rebels fought valiantly-"

From downstairs, I heard my door chime.

I frowned, puzzled, "Who would come to my door, my door, at midnight?"

Again, I heard the door chime.

I set the datapad on the desk, and grabbed my scattergun (a pump-action weapon that fired eight small caliber blaster bolts with devastating power at close range) and proceeded to the lift.

Well, I thought, I'm about to find out.

The lift halted, and the doors opened into my office. I crossed the carpeted floor silently, moving through the darkness like a ghost. I navigated down the hallway, across the living room, and into the small hallway that led to the front door. I had a holo that constantly showed the outside of my door, an idea I implemented after the Jedi just barged in.

It showed the Queen of Naboo, her captain, and a small child.

By the Force, what does she want?

I trusted the Queen, and therefore eased a hand forward and unlocked the door on the control pad.

Queen Mandia Kellani ducked past the door as it slid to the side, wasting no time getting in out of the rain. Her guests followed suit, dripping water all over my marble tile.

"Queen Kellani," I said, lowering my weapon and dipping my head, "It's an honor, as always, though admittedly very late for a house call."

The captain boldly extended a hand, which I shook, more out of respect for the Queen than him individually. The child, a young boy with short blonde hair and startling green eyes, remained hidden behind Captain Tenava.

"I apologize, Tonak Enos," the Queen said, "But you know I would never come to your home unless there was a legitimate reason."

I nodded, and waved a hand towards the living room. "Please, your Majesty, have a seat."

She followed me into my elegant family room, and took her seat on the couch. The captain chose to stand, not surprising, and the boy sat next to the Queen. I dropped down in my armchair, and held up a hand to politely stall the Queen's obviously well prepared speech. "Dexter!" I called.

After a moment, the white protocol droid shuffled into the room. "Yes, Master Fox."

"Bring me, the captain, and the Queen a cup of caf. And, uh," I looked at the kid uncertainly, "Bring someting that human children drink. Nothing alcoholic."

"Sir," Dexter said somewhat impatiently, "You may not have anything non alcoholic. Shall I settle for water?"

I suppressed a grin. I was a mercenary, what could I say?

"Yeah, that'll be fine."

"As you wish, sir."

I then turned to the Queen, offering her my full attention. "Well, milady, I'm ready to hear what I'm sure will be a very interesting speech."

The Queen nodded. "Blue Fox, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Another one?" I interrupted, "Don't I already sort of hold onto something for you?" I asked, tapping the side of my head to remind her that I still remembered she'd committed treason in the form of building three Star Destroyers capable of laying waste to the Alliance in a matter of weeks.

"Yes," she replied, forgoing all of her formalities, "You do. But this is different. You told me that when the Empire attacked your home and took you, you said word for word, 'If there ever was a place where men are forced through their own private Hells and turned into killing machines with the knowledge and teachings to bring an entire government to its knees, that would be where I went.' Did you not?"

I nodded gravely, "I did say that, milady. And it's exactly true."

She shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. "Life is not easy, especially not in today's galaxy. The Empire attacks without mercy, the Alliance has infighting that destroys lives daily, and there are rogue governments only a second away from being fomed within both factions. People are getting hurt in the crossfire," she placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, "During the Ragnos Crisis, a young man from Ord Mantell joined the Imperial Legion. During the man's training, he was found to be a natural scout. He became a scout trooper, and he served for twenty years with distinction, earning enough medals and honors to fill this room. You've heard of him, I'm sure. Well, after he retired, he settled down on Coruscant with his wife and five year old son. After that, nobody's sure what happened. I imagine you make plenty of enemies as a soldier. His house was demolished, and the Coruscant police found him and his wife both dead. In the wreckage of their house, was this boy. Now, I happened to be on Coruscant when this happened, and took the boy into my care. But, given his lineage, he will never survive in the palace of Naboo. He'd be assassinated once his attackers found out he survived. No, he needs to be brought up to defend himself, given the same chance you were given."

I shook my head, cutting her off. "Milady, no. I cannot raise a child."

She reached out and took my hand in hers, "Tonak," she pleaded, "Yes. He will die if he goes anywhere else. You're invisible, and you're the best at what you do. I do not like the idea of this boy becoming...becoming a hired gun, but at least he would survive. Raise him, train him as you were trained, and give him a chance!"

"Why do you care?" I demanded, "Yes, it's a shame a child would die for his father's career, but the galaxy isn't fair."

The Queen hesitated. "His father," she took a moment, breathing heavily before continuing, "His father was Peyton Vex. Yes, I'm serious. And Vex once went rogue against the Empire and saved my life when he was supposed to kill me before I could be elected Queen. I owe him a debt, and now by ensuring his son is well taken care of I can clear that debt."

Now it was my turn to hesitate.

Peyton Vex was the single most renowned sniper in the past century, probably more. He'd had over a thousand confirmed kills, and the single longest headshot with a blaster rifle, killing his target at over three miles. There was a famous story told by all who knew anything about snipers, and it was the tale of how Peyton Vex had assassinated a New Republic captain on Tatooine, and then evaded capture for sixty-eight days, while simultaneously killing off twenty-three other snipers that were hunting him. The man was a legend, the greatest sniper of all time.

And his son now sat in my house, orphaned.

It was almost my duty to raise the boy, out of respect for someone like me. A fellow warrior, regardless of what team he chose. Vex was one of my idols, and now I was being asked to protect and train his only child, his one heir. It was not an offer I could refuse.

"For you, milady," I said after a while, "I will do this."

The Queen's face lit up, and she leaned across the couch and wrapped my in a hug, surprising both me and Captain Tenava.

She released me, still holding my hand, "Thank you, Tonak. Thank you."

I shrugged, "He will be trained as I was. And he will hate me for it."

She shook her head, "Only until he is old enough to know what you've done for him."

I looked over at the boy, studing him.

He was thin, as his father had been, but I saw physical potential. He would never be as large as I was, but he'd be strong nonetheless. His father had been average height, and I imagined he would also be. His eyes, green as the brightest emerald, were intelligent. That, I knew, was also from his father, one of the most cunning and clever men to ever live.

He would make a great Praetorian.

And yet, he seemed afraid. It was natural for a five year old boy to be frightened by me. The Chiss had glowing red eyes without the pupils humans had, giving us a slightly demonic appearance.

"Are you scared, boy?" I asked.

Slowly, the child nodded.

I rose from my seat, and knelt down in front of him. For a long moment we stared at one another, until the child released the Captain's leg and stood in front of me, like he was ready for whatever was next.

"Fear is natural," I said, "But you cannot be afraid all the time. Be brave, be strong, and you can do anything."

The boy slowly nodded.

"What is your name, kid?"

"Kadren Vex," he said.

I nodded with him. "Well, Kadren Vex, I guess you're going to live with me now. Go, grab your bag and take it down that hallway there, to the first room on the right. That's your room now."

The boy obliged, grabbing his bag and hurrying off into the dark.

"You're doing the right thing," Tenava said, "He'll be safe with you."

"I hope so," I replied, staring at the floor where the boy had just been, "I'm not a parent, never wanted to be."

"Then be a mentor," the Queen said, "Be his guide. Give him the skills he needs, make him invincible, and then offer him the chance to leave when he comes of age. Should he choose to do so, you would then have known that he can take care of himself, no matter what the Galaxy throws at him. I will help you in any way I can, just say the word."

I thought for a moment, wondering what a Queen could do for me.

"When I was eight," I said, "Before the Empire took me, I worked at my dad's shipping company. I cleaned crates and tools. I would like to restart that company. I will purchase my ships, and my crews, but I cannot do it as the Blue Fox. Nobody knows what the Blue Fox looks like, so that leaves Tonak Enos as a free and innocent Chiss. I would like your help in securing my father's port, all three bays, back down by the river. If I can reform my shipping business, I can have a legit income, to show him that there is more than one option to have wealth in the galaxy, something other than what I do. And, it will be my retirement plan."

The Queen smiled. "I will not only reopen Enos Shipping Incorporated, but I will personally purchase three freighters to occupy your docking bays. There are unemployed crews and pilots here in Theed City. All you'll have to do is find guards for your cargo, and contacts to ship with."

I thought of my D-60s and smiled. "I've got security covered. As for contacts, I've made a few over the years. Honest merchants with reputable businesses. Thank you, milady. I accept your offer."

"He cannot go by Kadren Vex," the Queen said gravely, "You will have to give him an alias, as you have one. And even in the civilian world, he will need a different name."

I nodded. "I suppose we shall give him my last name, then?"

"That is the plan."

I nodded again, and walked the Queen and her captain to the door to see them off, considering what I'd just signed up for.

At the very least, I thought, I've gained an apprentice. Someone to carry on the teachings of the Praetorians.

Though, that's a very dangerous concept.

Dexter shuffled into the room, carrying a tray of mugs and a tall glass of water.

"Oh dear," he cried, "Am I late?"

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Author's Note: This is the end of the "One Day at a Time" series. However, as the Star Wars timeline of Novels stops at 45 ABY, I shall begin my own, partly AU story to kick off from there. The Blue Fox, and his new apprentice, will play key roles in this new story, so please stick around and continue following my work. Check me out on FictionPress under the same name!