Towards the future I see

Chapter 34 Part 3

It took a while but the preparations for Vader's quarters were finished faster than I expected. My quarters were moved closer to his. Once again, I had a small room for myself, instead of a suite near Thrawn’s own suite. At least my part was done quickly. As for the First Legion and the Vader’s Lambda and an old Separatist freighter Darkhawk, I heard there were some problems. For one part it was the Chief Hangar Master Xoxtin and for the other part Rukh. A noghri that was now somehow acting as a bodyguard and an agent for Thrawn.

I don’t recall when Rukh came along to Chimaera, but there were several long time periods of me remaining in my quarters, so it could have been one of such occasions. He could have been aboard longer since I sometimes completely missed him when he used his cloaking device. Rukh seemed to enjoy tormenting Commander Kimmund and his men by trying to get inside the Darkhawk and making them run after him. As long as I didn’t need to get scared of that creeping Noghri, I really didn’t care where he was.
My job now was to keep everything ready for Vader. And by doing that keeping him less angry at the crew of the Chimaera. I rather not see any officer or crew member being choked by the Force if I could help it. Could I help it, was another matter.

I felt the ship jolt and hyperdrives shutting down as if we were pulled out of hyperspace. Were we there already? But the stop felt a bit… forced. Was there something on our way? I was with Vader when the stop happened, giving him the report of his equipment and receiving a bit more information about the mission. Vader felt how the ship left the hyperspace too and got up from his seat. He had just informed me that we were headed to Batuu. A planet at the edge of the Unknown Regions. He also told me that the Emperor had felt a disturbance in the force, which was the whole reason for this mission. We have to go to Batuu and figure out what it was and possibly deal with it. He also wanted more information about Bendu right before the ship came out of hyperspace.

Instead of continuing the discussion, Vader left his quarters and I followed along. We went to the bridge of the ship. He wanted to know why we had come out of hyperspace. I sensed no enemy attack on the way to explain the sudden delay, and when we got to the bridge I could see through the viewport that there was nothing outside.
Vader and I stood at the side and observed the crew working on the situation. According to maps and calculations, we were not there yet. But also according to them, there was nothing that could have made us come out of hyperspace this soon. I heard Commodore Faro reporting to Thrawn about the engines, how they were working, and that techs found nothing wrong with them. Vader came closer and pointed out that the fault could be of the crew. I could sense that Faro and probably everyone else on the bridge was nervous, scared, restless, or maybe they had all those emotions when Vader was present.

Instead of listening to their conversation. I closed my eyes and searched through the force again. There was nothing out there, nothing living. But there was no mass that could make us come out and disable us to make a hyperjump. At least, nothing I could find. Could it be mechanical?
I heard Thrawn suggest moving away a bit and trying again later. Vader decided to leave and go back to his quarters but he made a stop to warn Thrawn about his bodyguard Rukh and how he has made trouble trying to sneak into the Darkhawk. Thrawn informed that even Rukh had his role in this mission but Vader just made a sour comment that Thrawn didn’t feel so secure without a bodyguard after the events of Atollon. I tried my best to hold down my own emotions. Atollon would forever be a sour reminder of Thrawn's failure. But for me, it was an experience that warned me of the consequences of seeing my visions in real life. Despite all the ill talk, Vader turned to leave but halted when he came to me.

“Remain here and inform me of any changes.” He said so only I could hear him.

“As you wish, my Lord,” I said keeping my eyes down. He grabbed my arm, the left arm that was still hurting from the cut I made to myself. I managed not to whimper in pain, but it was so hard to keep my face from wincing.