Towards the future I see

Chapter 36 Part 3

When we arrived at Batuu, I had mixed feelings. I had a vision alright, but not of Amarde's past. It was the past of happenings in Batuu and Mokijv. At least a mix of it. The Mokijv had an impact on me when I saw how the planet had suffered. Without noticing I had thought about it during the dance. Now I knew why Mokivj was like that. I also had I good idea why Vader was at the edge of his patience most of the time.

When I arrived with him at the bridge, I could spot the planet from a distance. Wondering why did we leave hyperspace so soon, I got to regret that question in my mind when Thrawn and Vader began yet another subtle argument about how to proceed. I don’t know who was more nervous, me or Commodore Faro. I could tell she was wondering about the worst possible outcome. I felt the tension and how it could suffocate me. Luckily, that tension didn’t last long. Vader agreed that he and Thrawn would go alone to the surface of the planet. Thrawn left to prepare himself for the trip to the surface, while Vader left for the hangar, and I followed him. But once we were alone in the elevator, he spoke to me.

“I understood that Grand Admiral had called for you,” Vader said with a voice that made me nervous. I had spent a long time with Thrawn and Vader's voice began to sound threatening.

“Yes, my Lord,” I answered.

“I also heard that he calls for you quite often. I wonder for what.” Vader said.
I mentally face-palmed myself, I forgot that stupid rumor. Surely, he noticed how tense I went. What should I say? I can’t lie, he knows immediately. If I say combat training, he will get angry. If I say Thrawn knows of my ability, he will get angry. What else was left?

“He calls me to have a small conversation.” I began with a calm voice. Vader didn’t like it if I stuttered. “Sometimes, he lets me use the training room for… dance practices.”

“Dance practices,” Vader repeated the word as if confirming what he heard. “You still continue those useless hobbies of yours.”

He wasn’t angry but he was annoyed. Better that than having to face his fury.

“I’m sorry, my Lord. I have kept them to a minimum. But Grand Admiral has asked about my people and… encouraged to keep learning of their ways.” I said trying my best not to sound too nervous.

“He has?” He asked. This will not end well. For me or Thrawn. He said to come to him if Vader was too angry but I doubt he can do anything against the Sith Lord.

“So, he called you to dance?” Vader kept asking sounding like a father whose daughter was caught in the act of doing something she wasn’t supposed to do.

“Actually he also called to teach me Sy Bisti,” I said. “It turned out that my people spoke it before moving to the planets of the Outer Rim.”

“And for what purpose are you learning it?” Vader asked.

“To understand better my people and learning a new language isn’t a bad thing. It might even be useful.” I said in excuse.

“A Wild Space trade language, useful?” Vader asked sounding more annoyed. I flinched as I heard his tone. This will not end well. Or maybe it could. Instead of lashing out at me, Vader remained still, his face pointed in front of him. “There is something else you aren’t telling me.”

“Yes, my Lord. I assumed that it held low priority, so I haven’t mentioned it. Especially, since you received such an urgent mission from the Emperor.” I said lowering my eyes.

“You have till we reach the hangar.” He warned.

“It’s about my visions. There is a very unpleasant side effect if I witness my visions happening in real life.” I said quickly. The elevator was about to reach its destination. I managed to end my sentence just before the door opened. No one was near to hear, fortunately.