A Galaxy Freed (Book 4)

Chapter 4: A Change of Pace

          On the flight back to Coruscant there was nothing but ecstatic conversation between the men. I knew they enjoyed fighting droids, but I never knew they enjoyed it that much. If it wasn't for me being focused on saving Echo, I'm sure I would've heard them laughing as they blasted them apart back on Raxus. Fives and Echo were by themselves chatting with Rex. I'm sure they Rex and Fives both had many stories to share with Echo while he was away. I kept my distance. Fives needed this. I was sitting there alone, in my thoughts. Something kept itching at the back of my mind. What we saw back at the Senate Building... what Vinera did to those men... I had no idea what she was planning. Or what she was trying to learn. And why did I not sense her back on Raxus after we rescued Echo? If she was so important to her, then why would she give him up just like that? Were we just another piece in her game? The thoughts sent chills down my spine. This war was far from being over.

           "Are you alright?" I turned around to whoever said that. They were now sitting beside me.

"Ah, Master Secura. Everything is fine. I was just thinking is all."

"Might I ask what it was you were thinking about? It seemed like something was bothering you."

I felt comfortable around her. Her demeanor was kind and yet, serious. Even if what I was thinking sounded absurd or out there, she would still hear me out wholeheartedly. "Back at the Senate Building when we were searching for Echo, we ran into a couple Knights. We disarmed them, but they seemed willing to accept their deaths. One of them said, 'You're too late! Our Empress has already won this war! Her grand plan is already in motion!'. It got me thinking. Are we just pawns in her game as the Republic was for Palpatine during the Clone Wars?"

She took what I said and thought on it for a moment. "From what I can sense from her from the short time I saw her on Coruscant, she is striving for complete control. How she plans to achieve that, I am unsure of. We're walking along a dark road. All of us. The Jedi Council included. We have tried to look into the Force to give us an answer, but everything is...clouded."

"I see." I was reminded of what Fives and I overheard the Council speaking about when we were heading to our room that night. But now was still not the right time to bring it up.

"But just know this." Her eyes lit up. "There will always be hope. That is something that will always shine through. Something we can always hold onto. We will win this war and finally bring peace to the Galaxy."

I thought it best to leave it at that. "Thank you, Master Secura. I feel a lot better now."

"Anytime, Kane. If you ever need to talk, you know how to contact me." She smiled and got up to return to her conversation with Commander Bly.

           It would be no time before we were back on Coruscant. Preparing for our next step in this war. Mandalore. The people of that planet are extremely powerful and knowledgeable in the ways of war. I mean, from what I've heard that's what they love to do. It's what they live to do. If we can get them to join us against Vinera, we'd have a huge advantage. Ahsoka was already there tried to gain an alliance with them. But with still no word from her as of yet, I fear it's going to be a lot more difficult than simply asking them and hoping they agree.

           "Men," It was Master Secura. "Prepare for landing. Assist the wounded off first. They need to be taken to the medical facility as soon as possible. Oh, and take the clones that were rescued from the lab with you as well."

"You heard the General, men," added Bly. "Gather up the wounded and the rescued and get ready to exit the ship."

Echo seemed nervous. Fives was confused as to why he was feeling this way. I met up with them. Echo was shaking. "Are you okay, Echo?", I asked him.