Talus City had been the center of military activity for many days, but now the streets were quiet. Now and again an armored transport cruised the empty streets. Occasionally a citizen dashed from a doorway and into the shadows. The remains of flags and flyers littered the ground. Despite the days of unrest, there now existed an uneasy peace between the citizens for Talus City and the Liberation Front Army.
The sound of footsteps broke the silence as the group filed through the streets. Lead by the Jedi and followed by a Liberation Front escort in drab gray uniforms, the procession moved through the streets toward the Senate building. As they walked Qui-Gon turned to look at his apprentice. With the scars healing and clean clothes, Obi-Wan looked much better, but there was no spring in his step and Qui-Gon could tell that he was still quite weak. Behind him, the Divine Prince walked proudly, his limp hardly noticeable.
An assembly of soldiers in the same drab grays as their escort stood in formation before the doors of the large parliamentary meeting room that Astrid Stovall had made her office. As they entered, Astrid stood up and gave them a welcoming smile. Qui-Gon recognized immediately that much of her power of people came from her superb skills of manipulation. As the group was shown in, she set about ordering her escorts to seating her guests. There were enough chairs to go around, but Qui-Gon saw that through her directions, he and Obi-Wan were to remain standing behind the Divine Prince. She had also been careful to separate the Prince from his cabinet. Instead, she placed next to him Governor Laoul and his aides. Like a game of chess, she made the opening moves that set her up to win.
She looked the group over for a few minutes and then spoke.
Her welcoming speech seemed genuine and when the Divine Prince thanked her for allowing him to see her, she listened to him attentively. Once the initial pleasantries were over, however her demeanor changed. Surprisingly, she focused her attention on Obi-Wan.
"And this must be the Jedi I've so come to admire. Obi-Wan Kenobi." She said the name slowly, letting it roll off her tongue. "Are we feeling better?" Her voice was teasing, almost flirtatious. Obi-Wan nodded in silence. "You still look a little tired though." Staring through her, Obi-Wan said nothing.
"I must admit I was expecting someone a little older." She said to him and smiled, "I suppose we have that in common. People underestimating us. I suppose then that your are an apprentice to this Jedi here." She pointed at Qui-Gon.
For a moment, Obi-Wan wasn't sure if he could speak. Finally, he found his voice. "I am his apprentice," he answered.
"So that makes you a 'Padawan'? Is that correct?"
"It is."
Astrid got up and circled to the front of her desk and her voice took on a casual tone. "You know, I didn't care about any of this until a week ago. But, when the Rengaian government called you two in, I suddenly found myself with a reason to learn. What I find interesting is that you are subservient to a Master who would send you to your death in the forest."
"It was I who got us lost." Obi-Wan admitted.
"So it was. On one of my speeders if I recall. No matter. I find you Jedi very interesting indeed. For instance, another thing that fascinates me is your method of killing."
"Killing?"
"Yes. You see my research indicated that the Jedi are pacifists and that you only fight when threatened and resolve nearly all conflicts peacefully. Is this true?"
"Yes."
She was clearly enjoying herself. Astrid pulled herself up onto the edge of her desk. "That's what I like so much about you Obi-Wan Kenobi, because apparently you don't follow that code. And so it would appear that your technique of disarming a man and then stabbing him with your lasersword is very effective."
Obi-Wan turned paler. "That's not what happened."
"It's not?"
"No." Obi-Wan looked up at Qui-Gon. "That's not what happened." He repeated. Qui-Gon said nothing, only placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder.
"That's what my scout told me. The one watching you from above with the speeder you went looking for. He said that's exactly what happened." Astrid leaned forward from her perch on the desk and whispered. "With instincts like that, I'd ask you to come work for me. Since the Jedi won't want an apprentice who breaks the code when he thinks no one's looking."
Obi-Wan backed up a step. Perhaps she was right. Maybe he hadn't needed to kill that soldier. Yes, the man had threatened them but then again he had been disarmed. Maybe he had acted too fast when he killed him. He wasn't sure and the memory of the smell of burning flesh made him suddenly sick to his stomach. He couldn't think of anything to say to her or Qui-Gon.
"You'll make a hell of a general someday, Obi-Wan." Astrid Stovall said gleefully.
"Enough!" Qui-Gon shouted. He was irritated by her tactic of bullying Obi-Wan. It was clear she saw him as a weakness, a way to irk both he and the Divine Prince. It was clear to him that she was aware that Obi-Wan had been ill and was still recovering, hence he and Obi-Wan remained standing while the rest sat. She wanted to make them uncomfortable. He was about to say more when the Divine Prince rose.
"Madam Stovall." He said. She rolled her eyes.
"What is it Little King?" she asked addressing Menalu for the first time since their initial greeting. Dash-te stepped forward to correct her and Menalu held out his hand. She could call him whatever she wanted, as long as she would listen to him.
"Madam Stovall, I did not ask to have this meeting so you could interrogate the Jedi. It is imperative that I speak with you about what is happening in Rengaia."
She sighed. "Well, you brought them. I was merely curious." She got up and walked back behind her desk and sat down. "What is it you want to speak to me about?"
Menalu took a deep breath and steadied himself. "My people have never been a problem to you or Talus. We have lived together peacefully for centuries. And thus I do not understand the need for your recent attacks. You have marched soldiers through our villages and desecrated that which we hold sacred. I must ask you to end these actions at once."
Astrid considered his words for a few moments. "Or you'll what?" she asked. "What will you do if we don't stop?"
"We have no army, no way of fighting you. But, we will resist you in every way possible. The Yebbi will not put up with torture or genocide."
Again, Astrid Stovall appeared to consider his words. She leaned back in her chair with her eyes closed a moment. Then she addressed the group. "I find it amusing that you would come to me now with this request when you ignored me when I made my first proposals to your government."
"The actions of the Rengaian regency when I was four years old are not something that I can do anything about. However, I can listen to you now."
"But why should I talk to you now? Why should I negotiate with you when I already have what I want?"
Menalu was at a loss. "Compassion." He said.
"This isn't about compassion, this is about what is right. This planet no longer belongs to religious fanatics. It belongs to the people who make it work. You'll have to get used to that."
"Then this meeting has no purpose."
"Perhaps not, but I'm glad you came anyway. And I enjoyed talking to you Obi-Wan." At the mention of his name Obi-Wan looked away.
Menalu motioned to the rest of the group. "Let's go." He said. He turned and walked to the door where he was blocked by two guards.
"I have a different idea. Why don't you stay here? Be my guest." Astrid suggested.
"You're taking us prisoner?" Menalu asked.
"Don't be silly. I know better than to try and imprison two Jedi. My offer is sincere. Be my guest. How long has it been since you slept in a bed?"
Realizing that she wasn't truly giving them a choice, Menalu accepted.
* * *
Astrid Stovall put the group up for the night in a barracks. They were not prisoners, but there were guards posted at the door. There were better places for them to stay, but the idea of the delegation from Rengaia staying in a military barracks amused her and so she'd put them there. Despite the austere surroundings, it was not uncomfortable. They sat on the bunks in small groups, talking quietly and contemplating their future and their people's future. Obi-Wan sat apart from the group with Qui-Gon.
"You never told me what happened in the jungle." Qui-Gon said.
"You never asked."
Qui-Gon could sense his padawan's reluctance. "It's alright, Obi-Wan. I'm not angry."
Obi-Wan took a deep breath, "It's like she said. He sneaked up behind us. He threatened us and I used the force to take his blaster away. But then," He paused, "he lunged for it and I killed him. I used my lightsabre. I don't know why. It all happened so fast."
"Sometimes, when we're open to the will of the force, things happen. Things we don't always understand."
"But I killed him."
"Were you angry with him? Were you afraid of him?"
"No. It was to protect Mena… His High Holiness. I only wanted us to reach the rock. And then I was sorry I killed him." He stopped as though unable to say more.
Qui-Gon put his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulder. "It's okay."
"I was afraid though. Not of the soldier, but I didn't want to die. I thought I wasn't supposed to be afraid." Obi-Wan pulled away from Qui-Gon and sat at the other end of the bunk.
"Why would you think that? Fear can be an ally as well as an enemy. It tells us when to be cautious and when we're injured, it reminds us that we can't do everything alone."
"You're not afraid of anything."
"Of course I am. I was afraid that we wouldn't be able to find you and the Divine Prince. And then when you were on board you were dying and I was afraid there wasn't any way to help you. If you'd died, it would have been …" Qui-Gon stopped. He didn't know if he could put it into words. To lose one who had become such trusted friend and companion. It would have been too early. How could he explain that the sight of Obi-Wan bleeding on the floor struggling to breathe while he'd been powerless to help would haunt him for the rest of his life?
Obi-Wan had never heard Qui-Gon talk like this. He didn't know what to say.
Qui-Gon broke the silence, "When you are a knight, and you have an apprentice you will understand. If the apprentice is in pain, then the master feels it as if it was his own. It's the way it is."
"Does it go the other way too? Does the apprentice ever feel the pain of the master?"
"Sometimes." Qui-Gon answered.
Obi-Wan was about to say more when the door swung open. Governor Laoul entered followed by his two aides. They each carried large black duffle bags. "This is everything you asked for." The Governor said. He dropped the bag on the floor. Menalu unzipped it and looked inside at the charcoal gray uniforms of the Liberation Front army. "Excellent." He said.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stepped forward for a better look at the bags. "What are you going to do?" Qui-Gon asked.
* * *
Menalu's plan was much revised from his earlier one, but the goal remained the same. He now realized that in order to preserve his people's way of life, he needed to leave Yebbis-Corta and plead his cause to the Republic. He had asked for Governor Laoul's help and he had handed over a ship capable of travel through hyperspace as well as the uniforms to help the group move more easily through the patrolled streets.
The only problem was that there was no pilot to fly the ship so with out the help of the Jedi the plan wouldn't work. Carefully, Menalu explained his ideas to the Jedi and at the end asked again for their help.
"I can fly the ship." Obi-Wan offered immediately.
Qui-Gon knew he could, but that wasn't the point. "It's not that easy Obi-Wan. We can't get involved. This is not our war to fight." He said.
"But we're not fighting. They need our help and we can use the ship to go home. You said yourself that they're the origin of the Jedi. We have to help them. Please, Master, this is the right thing to do." Obi-Wan pleaded.
Qui-Gon looked down at his apprentice standing beside the Divine Prince. They looked like ordinary boys and yet in their eyes there was strength and a wisdom that was beyond their years. Perhaps it was because they were not ordinary. One would grow up to be a Jedi Master and the other the undisputed sovereign of his people. And Qui-Gon found that despite the fact that it didn't make logical sense to carry out this plan, his heart tugged the other way. "We'll go." He said.
"Thank you Master!" Obi-Wan shouted and threw his arms around Qui-Gon. He wanted to hug Menalu as well, or at least shake his hands or pat him on the back, but with so many people watching he couldn't risk breaking the protocols. Menalu, recognizing the discomfort stepped back and bowed.
"Thank you, Master Qui-Gon," he said, "We are in your debt." Then he slowly backed away. There was much to do and he couldn't afford to waste a minute.
* * *
Menalu stood in the unfamiliar trousers and tunic and slid his feet into his new black leather boots. He took a few cautionary steps. They were like nothing he'd ever had on his feet before; they were so stiff and heavy. But the Liberation Front soldiers in Talus City didn't wear sandals so they would have to do. He placed a small brimmed cap upon his head and turned to Obi-Wan.
"Am I disguised?" He asked.
Obi-Wan hid his smile with his sleeve. "You look different." He said.
The rest of the group was similarly dressed in gray uniforms. Only Dash-te Dey remained in his robes.
"I cannot go, Your High Holiness." He said.
Menalu furrowed his brow. "Why?" he asked.
"I lied to you. I do not deserve to go." When Menalu shook his head, Dash-te continued. "I should have told you about the dreams, but I didn't know what they would mean. Don't you wonder why I called you into a retreat on the morning the pavilion was destroyed? And I lied about the negotiations, there never were any. I only knew I needed to get you away from the temple."
"I know." Menalu said. "I felt it as well. I forgive you. Please come with us. You're my political advisor. My teacher. I will need you where I'm going." Menalu felt like screaming. So much had happened over the past few days that it was difficult to comprehend. To lose his home and now his beloved tutor who had been at his side since he was a little boy. It was too much to bear. He thought of himself a few days before, throwing flower petals at his new friend on the terrace. Had that really happened? Was he even that same person?
"It is I who cannot forgive myself." Dash-te said.
"But, you found me. Who will be my teacher?" Menalu asked.
"You've learned all that I can teach you. I have advised the cabinet that you be enthroned in majority as the true leader of the Yebbi two years early. You are ready Your High Holiness." Dash-te bowed low, finally lowering himself to the ground in the formal supplication posture.
"Please arise, my friend." Menalu held out his hand to Dash-te. He took it and climbed to his feet. "I need someone to act as my ears and voice here. Please, be my liaison here."
"It is my honor." Dash-te said and bowed his head.
"You haven't much time," the Governor interrupted. "There is one more thing that I've brought." Laoul opened the last bag to reveal a tangle of blaster rifles. For a moment nobody spoke. "You may need them." He said.
It was Sheniko, dressed in the same trousers and tunic as the rest with her hair tied up in cloth, who finally stepped forward and disengaged one of the rifles from the pile. "I am no longer a monk." She said and slung it over her shoulder. For a long time nobody else moved.
Menalu then stepped forward and carefully pulled a second rifle from the bag. "There is no better disguise." He said. Menalu had never touched a gun before. His only previous experience with a weapon had been with Obi-Wan's lightsabre just days before. He wasn't sure what to do with it. Qui-Gon stepped forward, took it from him and held it out by the strap. Menalu ducked his shoulder beneath it and then let it's strange weight settle there. He turned to face the cabinet. "We don't have to use them, but by carrying them, we may save our people. It is time for us to accept the fact that our world is changing and change with it."
Slowly, a line formed and the monks, now armed for the first time in their lives, were ready to make their escape.
"Here is the route to the hangar." Governor Laoul held up a small map for Qui-Gon to study. "Please, protect the Divine Prince." He said.
"I promise I will." Qui-Gon said.
To Menalu he said, "When you reach Coruscant, contact us immediately and we will begin working together to end this occupation. I don't want to live like this any more than you."
"I will, and thank you for all you've done for us Governor Laoul."
Governor Laoul bowed humbly and then turned back to Qui-Gon. "May the force be with you." He said.
Qui-Gon thanked him and then turned to the group. "Are you ready?" he asked.
"We are ready." Menalu answered. Obi-Wan looked at Menalu who smiled nervously. He reached out with the force and said to his friend "Don't be afraid."
"I won't be." Menalu whispered.
As Qui-Gon lead the group out the door, Dash-te called to Sheniko "Give E-yadu my love" and Qui-Gon saw tears shining in her eyes.
* * *
Lead again by the Jedi the group walked in twos through the darkened streets in silence. Dressed as they were they were hardly noticeable to the passing transports. As he walked beside Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan tried to mirror the movements and posture of his master. Qui-Gon walked easily, with his arms swinging at his sides as though he was out for an afternoon stroll.
When they arrived at the entrance the hangar, Qui-Gon signaled the group to fall back to the sides of the street. Obi-Wan retreated to the shadows and was joined by Menalu and several monks. He looked out at the entrance and saw several rows of men and women guarding it.
"We're almost there." Obi-Wan whispered. Menalu nodded. In his head, Obi-Wan heard Qui-Gon's voice, "Ready Padawan?" he asked. Obi-Wan turned to look at his master and together they rose out of the shadows to face the soldiers.
They were fired on almost immediately and used their lightsabres to deflect the blaster fire. Connected through the force, they fought side by side as a single entity. Obi-Wan had never felt closer to his master in battle before. It was then he realized what it meant to be a Jedi. As a student in the temple he had always imagined himself as a warrior, fighting pirates and saving princesses. Now he realized that that was wrong. That was what it meant to be a Jedi. Behind him waited people who he cared about and needed his help, not as one with fighting skills, but as a symbol. He was a symbol, one that had served the galaxy for longer than he could conceive, of peace and justice for all beings. He was not a warrior, but a defender. Moving with a fluidity that came so naturally that it was almost alien to him, he fought to clear the way. As the last of the soldiers retreated, Obi-Wan smiled, not because he was going home, but because he finally understood who he was.
* * *
Obi-Wan couldn't read the Talusian alphabet, but the ship's controls were in a familiar enough configuration. He took the pilot's seat with Qui-Gon beside him as copilot. As he flipped switches and heard the engines begin their warm up cycle, Menalu slid into the cockpit.
"Qui-Gon, this ship is bigger than expected. It will hold hundreds of people." He said.
"It's too risky, Your High Holiness. I'm sorry." Qui-Gon said.
"Too great a risk to save hundreds of lives?"
Qui-Gon shut his eyes. He knew the risk of getting involved. The right thing to do was to take the Divine Prince to Coruscant where he could work out the affairs of the Yebbi from a safe distance. To remove people from the planet would only create more problems, both for those who would suddenly be refugees far from their home and for the Senate who would need to find homes for these people. Then again, Obi-Wan was right, as the origin of the Jedi; these people deserved their support.
"Should I set course for Coruscant, Master?"
Qui-Gon opened his eyes and once again let his heart decide. "No. Where is the nearest village in Rengaia?"
Menalu leaned over the to point to the navigation console. "Here." He said, "It's the monastery at Riesling. It is small and there's a village. The many influential teachings have come from the monks there. The monastery also contains a large portion of our national treasury."
"Set your course for Riesling." Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan smiled. He'd seen enough death on this trip and so he didn't mind this final stop. He was glad to be saving some lives for a change.
* * *
Riesling was much smaller than Es-Speeth had been but was similar in that the monastery towered above the village beneath it. It was difficult to tell in the dark, but the city seemed fairly untouched despite the numerous tanks and soldiers camped around the perimeter.
There was no room to land the big cruiser so Obi-Wan dropped the group off on the roof of the monastery. Qui-Gon told him to fly to a safe distance to wait and then return in one hour to the roof to pick them up. Reluctantly, he obeyed. He was relieved that the people with the tanks did not try to stop him from leaving.
On the roof Qui-Gon divided the group into two. The 8 members of the Cabinet would mobilize the monks in the monastery to carry as many scrolls of teachings and as much of the national treasury to the roof and then wait for pick up. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon, Sheniko, and Menalu would go down to the village.
It was a long walk down the hill and Qui-Gon found himself concerned that an hour wouldn't be enough to get everybody ready.
"Do not worry." Menalu told him, "The Yebbi are a strong people. They will run all the way if that's what it takes to be free." Qui-Gon hoped he was right.
The village was very different from the majesty of the temple above. It was a maze of simple thatched roof huts that led into large square. The square had once been a bustling marketplace no doubt but now it was silent. Liberation Front of Talus propaganda hung from the walls and at one end a makeshift platform had been built. It was obvious that despite the fact that the soldiers stayed at the perimeter, Liberation Front occupation had begun.
"Wake everybody up. Tell them to pack only what they can carry. They have one hour to get to the roof of the temple." Qui-Gon said. Menalu and Sheniko nodded and the three split up.
Soon the streets were filled with people. Some were dressed and carried light bundles. Others however remained in their bedclothes and wandered the streets in confusion. Qui-Gon could feel their fear, but in many of their minds was a resolute understanding. Many of the people ended up in the square, milling around. Very few of them were actually on the road to the temple. Qui-Gon found Menalu.
"We need to get everybody moving." He said.
"I've never done this before." He said and looked around. He saw the speaking platform in the far corner and climbed onto it. At first nobody took notice so Menalu cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted until hundreds of pairs of eyes looked his way. "The Liberation Front will take control of this village if you stay." He said, "We are going to Coruscant to try to save our people. There is a ship that can carry all that will go?"
"What will we find there?" a voice shouted from the crowd.
Menalu glanced at Qui-Gon. "I don't know. I only know that we'll be free there." Menalu heard a noise and saw that the soldiers, curious about the noise had left the perimeter and were now climbing onto the rooftops. "You must hurry" Menalu shouted, "The roof of the temple is where you must go."
And as though on cue, the soldiers began firing into the crowd. Menalu ducked and felt Qui-Gon drag him down to safety. "It worked. They're going." Qui-Gon said. Menalu looked out and saw that the square was emptying and the road to the monastery had become crowded with people. As he predicted most of them climbed at a dead run. Around them the soldiers were setting fire to the dwellings giving the population further impetus to leave.
"It's time for us to go as well." Qui-Gon said. Menalu looked around for Sheniko, but didn't see her anywhere. "She'll be fine." Qui-Gon said and tugged on Menalu's arm until the two of them joined the throng running up the hill. A young woman in rags struggled to run with her two young children. She tripped and fell and was momentarily trampled until Qui-Gon picked her up off the ground. He picked up one of the screaming children. Menalu grabbed the other smaller boy. Without a word she got up and continued her ascent.
"Who are you?" she asked Menalu as they ran.
"Nobody," he said, "it doesn't matter."
At the temple Sheniko guided the group though the maze of halls and rooms up to the roof where they joined the monks.
Qui-Gon looked out at the sky. Obi-Wan should be returning at any minute. He looked around him at the hundreds of people gathered. Many of them, particularly the monks, sat in silent meditation and prayer; they were saying goodbye to their homeland perhaps. Families clustered together tightly, children still half awake looking out with large frightened eyes. There was fear, but there was also determination and pride. These were people who would not be broken. As Qui-Gon surveyed the group, he had to admire them. They were true pioneers. They had chosen in an instant in the middle of the night to give up the life they new and pursue a path their ancestors had never dreamed of; and had done so with a dignity and composure that was worthy of any Jedi.
In the distance, Qui-Gon saw the running lights of the Talusian ship on its return flight. Obi-Wan was a good pilot and the ship banked toward the temple roof with an ease that demonstrated his skill. Qui-Gon exhaled in relief. It was over. They were going home. It was a surprise then, when he was knocked off his feet by blaster fire.
He had only let his guard down for a moment, but it had been long enough for the soldier who had scaled the wall to take aim. As the tallest person in the group he'd been an easy target and now he lay on the roof while the ringing in his ears subsided. He was lucky. In the dark the soldier hadn't really known what he was shooting at and had hit him in the left shoulder. It had been enough to knock him over and burn through his clothes to the skin, but he would survive. When the pain was bearable, he opened his eyes and found Menalu and Sheniko leaning over him with worried expressions.
"I'm okay." He said and sat up. Around them several soldiers continued to fire on the crowd in random bursts. The ship was close, but it was still a few minutes before Obi-Wan would land.
"Quick, Qui-Gon, how does this work?" Menalu held out the blaster rifle that he wore on his shoulder. Qui-Gon gave a cursory lesson; how to fire it, how to aim, which end was dangerous. Menalu held the gun over his head and fired it into the air until it overheated.
The soldiers stopped firing on the group for a moment. Menalu turned and pointed the now useless rifle at the soldiers. "Drop your weapons." There was hesitation and Menalu took aim on one of the soldiers. He dropped his gun and the other's followed in kind. Only one soldier remained armed. He grinned and pointed his rifle at Menalu. Menalu stood frozen and stared into the man's eyes.
The ship hovered above them and its ramp was lowered. Sheniko began directing people aboard and into the cargo bays. Menalu remained locked in a stalemate with the soldier. But, he knew it wasn't really a stalemate. "If you shoot me," he said, "my soul will be reborn. Will yours?"
The soldier said nothing and Menalu wondered if the two of them would remain there indefinitely when he felt Qui-Gon tap him on the shoulder. "Time to go." He said.
Menalu lowered his rifle and was surprised when the soldier did the same. He took one last look at his planet. On the temple roof were the scattered bodies of those who did not survive the final assault. He would have liked to bring them with, but he knew it was not possible. Instead he said a silent prayer that they would be reborn elsewhere as free people. Then he turned and walked up the ramp with Qui-Gon.
* * *
Qui-Gon's first stop was the cockpit.
"I'm alright Obi-Wan." He said as he entered.
"I was worried." Obi-Wan said without turning around.
"I know." Qui-Gon said. "We're ready. Set course for Coruscant. It's time we went home."
Obi-Wan turned away from the controls smiling. "With pleasure." He said.
* * *
In the large cargo hold monks and families waited in silence. Then, as they felt the pull of the jump into hyperspace, they threw up their hands and cheered. It was the start of a new life, and one that they might not have chosen otherwise. But they were happy to be free, and the Yebbi were not the type to dwell on their problems.
They rejoiced in a great mass, laughing, hugging, and singing prayers of hope and happiness. Menalu found himself at the center of the group and for the first time people openly touched him, shaking his hand and throwing their arms around him. He realized that nobody knew who he was, just a young man who had donned a soldier's clothes and fought back. He was a hero, but this time for his own merits and not those of his predecessors, and he was enjoying himself. Once he caught Sheniko's eye, but she turned away laughing.
It was a bittersweet victory. He would miss his home, but he was jittery with
the anticipation of his new life and duties. He would someday restore the
lives of his people, he was sure of it. But, right now, it was so nice to
just be one of them.
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