Noise sprung up from city streets. Unending, cacophonous noise. The boots of the Jedi thudded softly in the dirt streets. The market of the small outpost in the southern hemisphere of Ithor bustling with activity. Alex’s eyes were closed while she walked. She listened. The hum of the Darkside pulsing in the back of her mind. That sore 30 miles outside these city walls. They did not belong here. She clicked her tongue. Her Order managed to keep the Imperials at bay, but they remained a parasite. A growing infection on the planets surface. Alex longed to burn them away. Who could stop her? No one really. The garrison left behind was resolute but overwhelmed. They could not stand against her…but she knew this was not the way.
How many years ago was it now? A decade or more since she’d told Max negotiations were her strength. What would he think of her now? Itching to grab her lightsaber and lay waste to the Imperial Fortress. It would be so much easier than trying to talk their way into a resolution. Alex took a deep breath. Slowly, she returned to herself. The sounds of the market remained but the pulse of the Darkside was shut away. She had done as necessary, confirmed the Sith remained. There was no need to let the feeling linger in her mind.
Perhaps that was what colored her thoughts. She scanned the crowd. Padawan Unduli was meant to meet her here. Alex extended her mind for the young Jedi. He would be able to find her easily enough. First, they would try talking. She remined herself that every diplomatic victory was worth hundreds, thousands of lives. She did not need more blood on her hands. Not when they were already stained red.
@Scoobert