*One Month Ago . . .*

The flight to Selonia goes quicker than I expected, it seemed we had only just jumped into hyperspeed before we were dropping back out and the captain's voice sounded over the intercom. Selonia . . . a name I had not heard in many years. A name that brought back blood-stained memories.

Since it is a legit investigation conducted through the Senate, only one other Jedi Master comes with your aunt, her company, and me. It is strange . . . after so many years of having my master by my side, I feel empty inside. Master Tai Jitso tries to fill the void with lighthearted conversation, but it isn't helping. I know he means well.

A week passes. It's not hard to locate my mother's estate, but what awaits me adds another shock to my desolate state: My uncle has become my step-father. How could this happen? When? But I knew how--that murdurous uncle of mine only married my mother for my deceased father's heritage.

The whole ordeal is overwhelming. Seeing mother again, being back in that house, that . . . room. The murder weapon still on the wall above the mantel. I'm listening to the accusations, the proof being laid out before my mother and . . . uncle. But I was raised with aristocrats for nine years, I knew what kind of power my uncle held, and what kind of friends he had.

Days go by . . . Your aunt is sympathetic, but there is really nothing we can do. It's a nine year old murder case that can't be solved so long as my uncle can buy his way out of it. I want justice. The law cannot give it to me.

I leave my lightsaber behind and sneak out of the luxurious occomodations that your aunt secured for us. After nearly two weeks in the city, I know its moods and paths like a dear friend, it doesn't take me long to reach my mother's grand estate. As I'm thinking about how to get inside, I remember an old servants' escape tunnel that was used during the civil wars; memories flood back to me as I retrace my childhood steps and make my way through the tunnel.

With gloved hands I take down the weapon that had once been used to kill my dear father. I was raised Jedi, stealth and care, fighting and technique, it was all drilled into me until it had become second nature. All I dwell on as I go through the house are the memories of that night so long ago. When I finally reach the master bedroom and get through the security, I feel oddly calm as I raise the weapon . . .

. . . I don't know where I am. It's dark, I'm cold. All I can hear are screams. Oh, yes, those are my mother's screams. I'm in an alley, the ground is damp with the dew. My uncle is dead. No one will know. No one will suspect it was me. I'm just a girl, after all.

What now?

A voice inside my head is calling for me. I stumble to my feet and make my way back to the ritsy hotel, back to my room. Quickly changing into fresh clothes and throwing the other clothes into my suitcase, I drop onto the bed and sleep. I still hear the voice, it's soothing. It drowns out the screams of my mother. It calls me back to Coruscant . . .

--
All that's left is for us to decide what to do with the time given us.

I made a promise, a promise, Mister Frodo. And I intend to keep it.

Always in motion is the future.