The Earthly Jedi Knights

Chapter 8: More about Palpatine

Brandon reluctantly went back to what he had to do, but he was already running toward her in his mind and soul. Before he reached the Stargate, he thought that he had to be with her. "I cannot allow that bastard to take her. She went through far too much already."

When Marion saw him, she smiled, "What can I do for you, Emperor Jedi?"

He told her all that had been said including the recent Force conversation. "I will not allow her to be anything of the Dark-side of the Force."

Marion said, "She won't. From all that I understood what she went through, she won't." Without having the ability to use the Force, Marion realized that he was thinking of the dreams Palpatine gave him. She said nothing in response, but she said, "Emperor Jedi, I will do all that I can for all of you. I'll give you reports of what everyone finds about the descendants of the Dark Force."

"I know you will, Marion. I am very grateful for your love for Sam."

"She is family after all. Oriana is my grandmother."

Rosemary said, "That makes you, family too, Brandon." After walking close to him, she continued, "I know that you're suffering, in your soul, because of the fears Sam had gone through. I can also see the fears in you, of what you will be facing."

He was quiet for a time. He said, "Those dreams he gave me, were the worst things I have ever experienced in my life. I knew that it was not Nomi and the others torturing me, but..."

Rosemary interrupted, "But they did just the same."

He was far too in his memories of that dream... to even nod his head in reply. After a while, he said, "I know that Nomi will not hurt me at all, but I am so afraid to face anything like that again."

"Who wouldn't be? You're at least facing those fears right now. I would be anxious if you simply went on like they never happened."

Nomi put her arms around her husband from behind. "I love you more than anyone or anything. No matter what will happen to either you or Sam, I want you to know that."

Brandon turned his head around while still sitting with his back towards her, "I know that love. I knew it then, and I know it now."

Nomi had tears from those memories of that dream. "It hurts me just as much to have you see an image of me hurt you like that." With a crying voice, "I could never think of hurting you. If you ever had dreams like that again, my love, I will be there in them to fight for you. I swore to you that I will do all to protect you in battle. I still hold to that promise."

"I remember us both giving those pledges."

"I don't want to lose you."

"You will not. It is Sam that he is after."

"My love, this isn't just about Sam. He desires both of you. His ambition is to forge a new Sith, and a singular apprentice wouldn't suffice. By corrupting her, he aims to create a conduit for the Dark Side. Her unique abilities, amplified by his influence, would grant him dominion over the darkness itself. With her as his puppet queen, he could then unleash a devastating blow against the Jedi Order."

Brandon felt from her there is a lot more to be told.

Nomi moved to sit beside him. "There is something that Oriana told me about Sam that I think it is time for me to tell you all.

**********

Sam is still shaking over the reality of what Jolinar just told her. "Why did I not see this?"

Oriana replied, "Even with all the powers you have, my daughter, you can't know everything that is happening in life. You aren't the person who has merged the realities but only shared a product who and what she was."