The path to the submarine yacht started from the pier. Which was located in the domain of House Organa. And I arrived as an invited guest of House Antilles. Which automatically gave me minus a hundred to reputation. However, I was hardly bothered by this circumstance. In fact, lately, I've felt as if something has fallen into place inside me. In my mind. What didn't add up before — character, worldview, views on many issues — all fell into place, like a mosaic. Maybe it's the effect of studying at the University? After all, here I seriously buckled down to studying itself and began to understand many things. Before, I was constantly swayed and tossed from side to side. And my views were just crazy, there's no other word for them.
But now, it's as if a veil has fallen from my eyes. And parallel to this, I experienced a qualitative leap in mastering Force abilities. It's precisely the Force; I trained, meditated, learned to apply techniques with less concentration. Character, by the way, can directly influence Force abilities. After all, a lot depends on the Gifted one's emotions: the Dark and Light Sides of the Force. However, I have started to develop a more scientific approach here. While studying the philosophy of the Unknown Regions, which actually copied that of the Earth I came from, I deduced for myself that analyzing the Force through the prism of the color of the sides and the emotions of the Gifted one is possible, but it's not for me.
So a "view on the Force and its abilities" was also added to my agenda. Having taken an interest in this question, roughly speaking, in January, I buried myself in the Order's Archives, or rather in the historical chronicles that contained information about all the currents of the Gifted in the Galaxy. Those that have survived, naturally. I was looking for descriptions of how other currents viewed the Force, what they wanted, how they directed it, and what they achieved in the end. The Matukai, as some of the first I encountered, were the first to be studied. I was interested in this Order if only because of my own abilities. After that, I switched to the Dathomirian witches and the Sith. The most important thing a Jedi must observe when studying such knowledge is to never try to involve emotions in the study. Nothing good will come of it.
And I researched their views, also recalling facts from my past life. However, there is a difference. In my past life, I didn't have fourteen thousand midi-chlorians and a talent for the Force. And in my past life, I didn't experience everything I did in this one. So the formed views from my past life could influence my conclusions, but not in the first or even the second place. As a result, I haven't yet advanced in forming what could be called a new view of the Force itself. But it sounds interesting: to try to develop my own concept of the Force and, possibly, get a chance to become much more powerful than all known Gifted individuals. However, there's a chance that my own people will off me, or that what I come up with turns out to be unusable nonsense spewed by a diseased mind.
Knowing about these chances, I still couldn't help but try to do at least something. Before, I would have stopped, remembering the thousands of attempts by Jedi and other Gifted to reinvent the Force for themselves, as well as their failures. After all, why bother? Everything is already known, history has long been written, you just need to add a little something to stay afloat yourself, not die. But now I know — that's the position of an idiot. I have a second chance, a second life. I don't know where it will lead me. Maybe to a fight with Palpatine, on a tropical planet, as I dreamed? Or I'll die much earlier, in a skirmish with some other Dark Sider, if only with our current enemy. Perhaps only the Force knows when and where I will end my path in this Galaxy. But generally, what does it matter that this is a long-written history? You have to try, no matter how it's written and wherever it leads. Do everything I can, and even more. So — no excuses, like: "well, it's already known, so. . ." There are moments that I certainly don't want to change. Well, and there are those that literally beg to be changed. And for the latter moments, I will need everything I can do for myself. A new view of the Force, a new fencing style, political skills, military command. I need to learn a lot, if not everything. I need to discover and reconsider — a lot, if not everything. And it is then, doing what I must, that I can achieve the best result. One I will never regret.
The Organa guards glared unpleasantly at Antilles, who was walking ahead of me. And the Antilles guards walked beside us. The Apalis Coast was represented by a small port town, entirely under the authority of House Apalis, which, in turn, was a staunch supporter of House Organa. Even the guards here were from House Organa. A light sea breeze refreshed us. The town looked beautiful, built of stone which, according to information, the first colonists had quarried in the nearby mountains that rose not far from the town itself. I was wearing a silver three-piece suit and a black shirt. I took my lightsabers with me. In a special format. Taking them out of the statue of Larik in the morning, I placed them in the BB-7; there was a compartment inside the droid for storing them, made of neuranium. Getting this metal was difficult, but possible for a person of my standing. In the end, I was provided with another couple hundred grams of this substance, this metal. Using Force Forging, over many weeks, during my meditations, I diligently lined the internal "pocket-grooves" of the BB-7, which I had designed so it could additionally hide my lightsabers. Because of the neuranium I used to line these pockets, scanners couldn't detect anything lying in the pocket. On scans, everything was perceived as part of the droid's own structure. Thank grandpa Sidious for the idea. After all, it's better to learn from others than from your own experience. Who other than me can understand that?
Amella Doyn, walking beside me in her favorite green dress, tried to stay close to me. Mia clung to Antilles, while Rulana and Delon were already on the "Alderaan's Blue" and were supposed to meet us there.
"Tyvi," Bail said quietly, gently moving Mia aside and taking advantage of the noise our procession made, as well as the fact that it was quite loud near the port where we were. "About what we discussed. . ."
"I delivered your message to the intended recipient," I said. For once in the last three months, Jonal hadn't been chewing me out over voice comm. How much he pisses me off at times like this. Master Jonal Ezar is definitely a Master of Dun Moch. "The Shadow has been directed" more precisely, I myself, as the one staying close to him, am supposed to pick up everything Bail has. "When he arrives on the planet, you'll know."
"How?" the Antilles heir asked me.
"Oh, trust me. When he comes, you definitely won't forget it. Or you will, depending on how you look at it. . ."
"Do you know who was sent here?" Bail asked me. "Who is he?"
"Are you serious?" I said, even louder, looking at Bail. "I just said: a Shadow. Does the position tell you nothing? That guy won't want you to expose him. You wouldn't ask a spy of your own House to reveal his background in some situation, would you? Let's just agree that asking about his identity is not the best idea; I'd even say — it's dangerous."
"Could he kill me?"
"He's an acquaintance of my uncle and taught me, at his request. And yes — he can enter your mansion, cut everyone down with a lightsaber, including your fencing instructor, walk out, and then repeat the same with the Organa."
"Regarding the latter, I wouldn't even mind," Bail chuckled.
"But you have an idea of his strength now?" I asked him.
"Is he the one who taught you to fight like that?" Bail replied with a question.
"Yep," I said grimly.
"Interesting, maybe he'll teach me too. . ."
"That's unlikely. The Shadow is, you know, too busy a Jedi to teach a spoiled aristocrat the art of fencing." Is it me, or did the universe itself just snicker here? No, I'm doing this solely for the mission. If you think about it, I generally enjoy communicating with aristocrats. At least — Bail is a smart man. Delon is straightforward and honest, noble. And among the girls, Rulana, Delon's chosen one, is calm, though sometimes. Her character is more like Amella. Except Amella is flaring up non-stop, twenty-four seven. She can flare up about anything, by the way. Because her views often don't match the objective reality around her, while Rulana is usually a meek lamb next to Delon. But without him — she's a real devil. Mia, who's actively clinging to Bail, is so calm that I think if you cut off her arms, she wouldn't even squeak. Her family's purchase of an aristocratic title is a shame for many. Well, Miya's own father decided that his daughter simply had to justify the House's investment. So they just molded her into a beautiful statue, an icy statue. Cold and calm. Well, Amella. She's Amella, and that says it all.
"What if I offer him money?"
"Jedi aren't very interested in that, especially Shadows. However — he might agree. But you need to understand one simple thing. He doesn't know how to hold back. In my first lesson, he almost cut off what makes a man a man with a lightsaber," Bail gulped. "He," I closed my eyes, "won't hold back. He'll use the Force even against the non-gifted. As he says in battle, I always give it my all, and then come what may."
"I see, so I'll just prepare all the promised information for him," Bail said, finally focusing on what lay ahead.
Right at the pier, there was a real procession, where I could spot Oderis Yoluk, Bail's sister — Breha, and Bail's father — Olaren Antilles. Oderis was a refined, short human male, dressed in standard Jedi attire. The man had white hair and nodded briefly to me, then greeted Bail. Olaren Antilles was an older copy of his son. Roughly speaking, he embodies what Bail himself will look like in about twenty years. And Breha was a twelve-year-old girl, just starting to develop as a young woman. She had hair black as pitch and regular facial features.
"Father, Master Oderis, sister," Bail greeted them.
"Son," Olaren nodded. "And his friends. I'm very glad to see you here," the man smiled. "I hope you'll have a good rest on the 'Blue'."
"Will you be coming with us, father?" Bail asked him.
"No," the man shook his head. "I have business here, on the surface. Urgent business," he looked at his son. "So you'll look after Breha. Your boat is about to leave. Hurry up."
The man stepped aside, and Oderis followed him.
"How are things, Breha?" Bail asked his sister. "I heard you're simply shining at the Academy for Young Ladies."
The Academy for Young Ladies on Alderaan was a special institution where girls of different standings were taught. Contrary to its name, it was essentially a girls' boarding school. And after it, they enrolled in the University of Alderaan. For instance, all the girls in our company were graduates of this Academy.
"Brother," the girl beamed. "I haven't seen you in a long time." Breha really only appeared at Bail's home on weekends. And not always. I'd only seen her twice in my entire year on Alderaan. "As for the Academy — I finished the current year with top marks in almost all subjects."
"Is that so," said the classmate.
"Even in etiquette?" Amella asked. "Who teaches it to you?"
"Mizla Desh," Breha named her teacher, turning to Amella.
"Mizla?" Amella's fists clenched. "That old woman absolutely refused to give me a top mark, considering me too unrestrained. She never gave anyone a top mark, as far as I can remember! But especially me! In what way am I not restrained?!"
"What an incredibly wise and intelligent woman," I remarked. Bail grinned and nodded.
"Tyvi," Amella turned to me.
"What?"
"You could use some lessons in etiquette yourself, that's what! It seems your sense of tact has died. . ."
"Yep, at birth, along with my conscience," I continued to torment Amella. "But well done, Breha. Keeping a standard of top marks in all disciplines is a task on the 'impossible' level."
"Said the one who does it successfully," Mia interjected.
"Thank you for the praise, Tyvi," the girl beamed. Yes, I had very little interaction with her, but overall I liked the girl. Warm, kind, and smiling. "Oh, our boat has arrived."
And indeed, a submarine appeared at the edge of the pier. It was supposed to take us to "Alderaan's Blue." The boat looked like a transport bus, with windows on practically all sides.
"All aboard who have tickets!" a man's booming voice rang out.
Everyone present rushed towards the boat. Oderis approached me and touched my shoulder.
"A word," he said, barely audibly.
"What?" I asked him, slowing my pace and watching the others load onto the ship.
"Are you aware of the struggle between Organa and Antilles?" the man asked me.
"Half the galaxy is aware of it," I replied.
"Then you should know that recently, the Antilles' security service has been observing strange movements on Alderaan itself regarding their House."
"Strange movements?" I asked curiously. Will I have to get involved in Alderaan's politics? "What is it about?"
"If the House intelligence report is to be believed — someone is very carefully probing the situation around House Antilles, and especially around Bail," the man looked at Bail, who was talking to his sister.
"Is it Organa doing this?" I asked directly. "Alderaan's politics are not my problem. So, one way or another, I'm not going to get involved."
"No one is asking you to get involved in the confrontation with Organa," Oderis shook his head. "I understand that your mission is different."
"Then what do you want from me?" I asked the man. "Speak directly, without hints. You yourself understand the environment I've been moving in for a year now and how sick I am of these hints and convoluted phrases. I'm not a Consul, after all, but a Guardian. And you, I'm sure, understand what kind."
The man glanced at me warily.
"Just protect Bail, as much as you can," Yoluk asked me. "Unfortunately, Olaren only has one former Jedi — me. And I have to stay with him. Ideally, he wanted to send a whole platoon of guards with him, but I said it was unnecessary."
"Did you reveal me to him?"
"No," the man shook his head. "I just think that all the possible contradictions and stirring are weak probes. And everything will resolve itself after the negotiations between Olaren and Mazicia. But until then, Bail needs to stay away and not be an eyesore to anyone from Organa, or their allies."
"And why not just transfer him to the House estate, far away from Aldera?" I asked a perfectly logical question.
"Reputation," Oderis replied laconically. "It comes first for aristocrats. 'What will people think of me? What will they think of my family?' And so on. It makes them neglect logical decisions sometimes. In any case, I hope you heard me."
"Yeah, protect him from 'some kind of advances' that may or may not happen on an elite submarine yacht," I said grimly. "You do know — the political situation and the games of Alderaan are none of my concern."
"But Bail's well-being is your concern. I don't know what you want from him, but you clearly don't want him harmed. So," he grinned, "you'll do everything in your power. Besides, isn't it a Jedi's duty to protect the weak?"
"Weak? Him?" I asked in surprise. "First time I've seen a weakling who can buy up an entire city. But… you think something might happen on Alderaan's Blue?"
"Until Olaren and Mazicia reach an agreement, it's generally better to be ready for anything. Enjoy your vacation, young Jedi."
"Enjoy my vacation?" I muttered angrily, staring at the back of the retreating Oderis Yoluk. "Are you kidding me? You've ruined it!"
* * *
The sea of Alderaan was beautiful, clean. For millennia, Alderaanians had invested in ecology, trying to avoid the need to place harmful industries on their world. And they had succeeded… In fact, the planet was incredibly clean. The submarine had only been moving about ten minutes before it began to descend. For me, it felt like nothing had changed, but Breha was clearly uncomfortable with such a sudden change of environment. She glanced nervously at the armored windows, around which were lights that illuminated the surrounding space — all so we could enjoy the views. The others gazed into the water with delight, studying the fish swimming past… Finally, when according to the captain's announcement we had descended to the hundred-meter mark, a huge cruise liner appeared before us. The liner was about nine hundred meters long.
It practically illuminated everything around it and really did resemble a huge liner from Earth. Only underwater.
"Alderaan's Blue used to be a deep-sea vessel for studying the planet's hydrosphere. A couple of thousand years ago," said the captain, "when it had fulfilled all its tasks, it was bought by House Apalis and converted into a tourist ship. It contains two casinos, four pools with saunas, Jacuzzis, massage parlors, rooms… with specialized services." He glanced at the girls.
"What kind of services?" Breha asked curiously. "Are they related to those places my dad forbade me to go to?"
"What did he forbid?" asked Bail.
"He forbade me from going to 'dance clubs,'" said the girl, crossing her arms. "What are these dance clubs? Is there something in dancing that I'm not allowed to see?"
"I think," I said, putting a hand to my chin, "the problem is more that you still know too little. You're one of the best, Breha — I can address you informally since we're officially and formally acquainted — in terms of knowledge. But this requires the knowledge of your older schoolgirls."
The girl looked at me with interest.
"I think Amella, Miya, and Rulana will be happy to enlighten you about that knowledge," I said. Doyn shot me an angry look, while Breha began staring at Amella with interest.
Bail gave a thumbs up with his right hand, which clearly meant I'd performed a feat. And what about me? Did I have nothing better to do than explain to a little girl what they danced there and what other services the dancers could provide between numbers?
"Ahem," the captain cleared his throat, noticing that we had resolved the problem. "There are also several top-class restaurants and observation decks. The liner will travel a hundred miles over two weeks and end its journey in Shorlako City. You are among the many passengers arriving there now."
The interior of the liner was truly incredible. Expensive finishes, carpets, chandeliers — everything was styled like a castle. As if a castle had been moved into a ship and sent underwater. Our cabins were among the best. Bail had secured them through his father. A couple of minutes after arrival, I noticed the presence of Jaiko Mecetti and company, as well as someone from House Organa. The journey promised to be interesting and definitely hot.
"Taivi, Bail," as we reached the second floor, where our cabins were, we were met by Delon, accompanied by Rulana. "Finally you've arrived, otherwise Mecetti's sour face was already getting on my nerves."
"Delon," Bail shook his friend's hand, and then I repeated the gesture. Meanwhile, after the handshake, Delon nodded to Miya, Breha, and Amella. "Any news? Have you planned the cultural program yet?"
"Of course! In two weeks, so many interesting events will happen! A card tournament, opera, dancing every evening, ahem," he looked at Breha, "for everyone, yes. And also, there's a fencing tournament!"
"A fencing tournament?" asked Bail.
"Exactly!" Amella shot a glare at Delon, but he didn't bat an eye. "I've already signed up. And I bet you and Taivi will want to participate too. Especially Taivi. He'll tear everyone apart."
"If I were interested," I snorted. Like I have nothing better to do than beat up non-gifted beings in fencing… Although, wait. This is decent training. "Alright. That sounds interesting."
"So you're going to participate?" asked Bail. "And what was your first sentence about?"
"What about?" I said thoughtfully. "Just a couple of seconds ago I thought I could find a much more interesting activity than beating aristocrats with a training sword, but then I remembered. This is excellent training. And I love training…" Bail and Delon smiled. Finally I approached my room.
Definitely, it would be fun here. I opened the door and looked at the interior. A large double bed, a holoprojector, my own separate refrigerator that definitely stored alcohol, a separate bathroom with a door from my room. According to the description, it had a Jacuzzi with five different massage modes. Well, when else could I live it up so lavishly? Let's party… BB-7, who had arrived with me, swiftly rolled into the room. At first, the girls had a fit of adorableness when they first saw BB. But my droid quickly became uninteresting to them, largely because he usually rolled behind my back and tried to hide behind me from beings he didn't consider enemies.
"We have two weeks to have fun, BB," I said. "Then we'll get back to work."
"Does Master plan to complete the Order's mission?" inquired BB.
"Of course… And not only…"