“I’ve got to get back to Vader…now that the senate is in on this, there’s no telling what problems could ensue.”
Jix grabbed me tightly by the wrist.
“Aria, you can’t protect Vader. At best, you can only hope to give him a warning.”
“I’ve endangered the 501st by leaving them…”
“Calm down and let’s think…Mon Mothma’s too smart to place herself in such jeopardy…there must be a reason…”
A reason? Yes…but what?
“Jix, Tarkin has been secretly funding these separatist cells for months now…possibly longer. All the major systems are demonstrating now. What if it’s more than what we think? What if she’s…”
“Trying to organize?” Jix interjected, cutting me off.
“Exactly. But how? How could they possibly plan to go up against the Empire? It would be suicide for them…”
Jix shook his head. “I don’t know…I only know that if we don’t approach this the right way, we’ll never know what the real plan is.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Comm Vader. Tell him something’s come up, hold him off, and transit back to Exactor.”
“And the 501st?”
“I’ll contact Commander Assu.”
I nodded. “I’ll tell Vader to send down the first few squadrons of the garrison. It has to look like we know nothing.”
“Understood. Get back to Vader. I’ll take it from here.”
“Take care, Jix.” I replied, with a slight smile, “You know, you’re becoming less annoying day after day…”
“Tease. Careful Corellia…I know I’m dashing, but if Vader were to see you flirting…”
“Oh hush.” I replied, kissing him on the cheek, “Enjoy, cause that’s all you’re ever getting.”
“I can die a happy man.” he smirked.
“Comm me once you’ve appraised Assu of the situation.”
“Will do.”
I scrambled back to the field where Jix left my TIE. The stench of charred flesh from the numerous dead crept at my senses from just over the hill, as did the smoke from their still smoldering armor. War was not foreign to me, and I had long since accepted death as a constant.
How then, did this seem such a tragic waste of life? In the span of a few hours, these men had died, both sides for reasons they deemed important enough to give their life willingly. The separatists would die to prove their point, just as I would lay down my life for Vader…for the day his Empire would come to fruition.
It would be difficult, I realized, now that the separatists were willing to die for their cause.
I opened my comm frequency as the deep baritone hissed almost instantly.
“Just now returning my calls, Brisard? Incorrigible beyond your means…”
“My lord, I can and will explain upon my return.”
“Your return? My orders were for you to secure the royal family until I return with a proper garrison.”
“Jix is informing Commander Assu of the change in plans.”
“I never ordered a change in plans, Brisard!” Vader fumed.
“Don’t shout at me…”
“Don’t change my plans without consulting me!”
“A little trust would go a long way right now, Vader.” I countered, “Search your feelings. You know I would never betray your trust.”
Vader paused. “What do you require of me, Brisard?”
“Only that you hold off from transit back to Chandrila until I brief you on what I know. Deploy the first few units of the garrison. I can’t say anything more until I see you in person.”
“As you wish, Brisard. I look forward to hearing whatever explanation you have…it had better be good.”
I gave an audible chuckle as I keyed in the launch sequence and brought the fighter into orbit.
“I never disappoint…”
