Chapter 8
***
Si entered the war room, where General Kale Hundi, Kel Sagnome, and Junni D’layeo were crowded around a computer screen. Kale looked up at Si as she approached the terminal.
“Good morning, Your Highness. I trust you slept well?” Kale tried to hide his blushing cheeks.
“Yes, very. You haven’t seen my handmaidens, by chance, have you?”
“Um, no. Here’s the plans we acquired. Can you read this language?” he turned the screen toward her.
Of course she could read the plans, written in the Sith script. She could only hope that the Jedi could not. If they recognized the familiar dark writings, then the council would know the Sith were still around. What would Sidious do to her then, if he found out she had spoiled his elaborate schemes?
“This script is similar to another I know,” Si suddenly had an idea. “I could take the disc to Onderon and build a ship like the one shown, and test it.”
“That is genius! We shall give you any possible materials you may need, of course. I’ll get some blank discs for you, so that you can record any information you may find. Then we can present your findings to the Galactic Senate.”
Si smiled at Kale, who added, “We will arrange to have all materials loaded on your ship along with these plans.”
“Well, I doubt I would have enough room on my ship. Could you possibly loan me a cargo ship? One of my own pilots could fly it.”
“Well, certainly, Your Highness. I shall make arrangements immediately.”
“Thank you. I shall retire to my room for now.” Si smiled sweetly before walking out of the war room. She tried to remain as calm as possible. This was too easy. Way too easy, she thought. She resolved to contact Maul as soon as she found those damned handmaidens.
***
Ti’ie, Da’ie, and Jun’ie weren’t missing. They were perfectly fine and having the time of their lives. Tuyen, Devin, and Jonah had decided to take the girls out for a holo-movie. The three servants were having so much fun, they had lost track of time.
***
Gage was sitting in his room, trying to figure out what to do about Stephanie. Eenine rolled in the room, reminding Gage about Si Tingiri.
“You’re right Eenine. I should get my mind off this damned marriage, anyhow.” Gage left the hotel room and walked up to the front desk. “What room is Caleea Nor staying in?”
The snobbish man looked Gage up and down, clearly disgusted. “I will need to see some official ID before that information can be given.” Gage handed the man his fake ID.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you had clearance. She is staying in Room 189-K.”
“Thank you,” Gage turned his nose up at the man, and walked briskly away.
***
“Oh, this day has been just great. First the movie, then lunch. It was so much fun,” Da’ie said to her date, Devin. Ti’ie and Tuyen, and Jun’ie and Jonah were walking next to them as all six walked down a street of N’croth.
Jonah turned to his five companions and remarked, “It’s a shame Princess Nor couldn’t have joined us. From what you’ve told us about her, I’m sure she would have enjoyed the delicious suuri steaks.”
“Oh no! Si! We completely forgot about her!” Ti’ie exclaimed, dropping Tuyen’s hand and speeding toward the hotel. The other girls chased after her, and the three boys followed.
***
Si was in her suite, checking over the list of materials the General had brought by. When she was done, she wrote her okay on the paper and sent it back via the mail tubes in the wall. She was just about to begin packing up her things when Ti’ie burst in to the hotel room. Da’ie and Jun’ie promptly followed.
“So sorry, Si, we were sightseeing. We completely lost track of time,” Ti’ie gasped while trying to catch her breath. The other girls just nodded their heads.
Si looked at her three handmaidens and replied calmly, “I am disappointed in your behavior, but I am not going to waste my energy by yelling. Final preparations are being made for our departure. I want you three to finish packing up my stuff, load it on my ship, and then wait for me here. Do you understand?”
“But-”
“Do you understand?” Si’s harsh words cut through Jun’ie’s rebuttal.
“Yes, Si,” the girls replied in unison. Si acknowledged with a quick nod, then swept out the room in her many-layered gown.
After she was gone, Ti’ie turned to the others and said, “Boy, she’s really pissed off.”
***
“Everything is set, Your Highness. Your departure is scheduled for tomorrow morning,” the dock attendant said, as soon as Si had stepped onto the platform. A cargo ship was being loaded up with materials. It sat next to her own ship, the Summer’s Crown.
Si looked around at the endless boxes being brought out to the landing bay. She turned to the dock attendant and said, “Could you possibly hurry this up a bit? I must return home.”
“Certainly, Your Highness. We can have your ships ready for departure within 6 hours.”
***
“Is it safe for us to come in?” Devin whispered as he peeked his head around the door of Si’s suite.
“Yeah, she’s gone for the moment,” Jun’ie motioned for the three boys to enter.
“Sorry we weren’t there to defend you. We didn’t want to be in the way,” apologized Jonah.
“No, it’s all right. Si would have had you beheaded if she’d known we were with you,” said Da’ie.
“Oh, I wish you guys could come with us. We have to leave tomorrow, and we’ll never see you again,” Ti’ie whined as tears ran down her face.
“Well, they could come with us,” suggested a hopeful Jun’ie.
“That’s right! We could hide you on the ship! You could go home with us! Once we got back to Coruscant, Si wouldn’t send you away,” Da’ie remarked.
A confused Devin said, “Coruscant, I thought you lived in Onderon.”
Da’ie clapped her hand over her mouth as she exclaimed, “Oops!”For disclaimer, see chapter 1.