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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 3223319" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 420: Seperate PathsEven after a decade of it, Marix still despised politics. But they always seemed to be necessary and she didn’t want to accept that there might be a chance she was good at it. Instead, she decided to attribute any skill at politics to her training in combat, as Marix always treated situations like this as a fight, of sorts. There just always seemed to be many more feints and misdirections than she liked to deal with.    Thankfully, though, this Admiral seemed to have much the same thinking. It was obvious that, after the battle, certain things had to be settled and decided. Bringing the New Republic to the edge of Alraxian space was dangerous enough without any of the politics involved, but now Marix was left to figure out how to handle the aftermath. It did not help that her mind was elsewhere, but at least there wasn’t much question as to what had to be done. The Alraxian Empire would not be joining the New Republic in their war effort. She thanked them for the assistance they provided, but made it clear that her people had problems of their own to deal with, which was completely ignoring the fact that, even if the Alraxian Empire was doing just fine on its own, they wouldn’t be asking for help.    “They are likely to come back,” Rulae Nok, Jyren’s old friend, spoke up when the two leaders had finished the body of the discussions.    Marix turned her eyes to the blue-skinned Duros and allowed herself a small nod, “I know how the war is going for the New Republic. The Vong are already beginning to push the Core Worlds. That makes this far away from the front lines of the battle. I believe that you have more to worry about from the Vong than we do.”    In all honesty, that was a blatant lie, but it was necessary. She had to present a strong tone and keep the Alraxians as independent as possible despite what Jyren might have wanted. He wasn’t exactly around to argue at this point, either. Of course, the situation she describe was true, and since none of the others, save Tobias, in the briefing room had any real idea of the Alraxian Empire, then they would likely believe it...or something close to that.    After a few moments of a rather uneasy silence, Admiral Tarus looked across the table to where Marix stood, “You understand that it is doubtful we can assist you if you are attacked again.”    “I do,” Marix said in a not-so-polite way, then added turning to where the blonde, human woman sat silently, “And as I said, we are grateful for your assistance. I believe I already know what the Vong are interested in my people for.”    “As do I,” the Jedi spoke up finally in a calm, if not a little detached, voice. When that got her a pair of looks from the Admiral and Rulae, she shrugged, “They are shapeshifters...we have already seen what the Vong do with prisoners. Enslave them and...alter their genetics. While they have their own suits that can make them look like a species they aren’t, imagine the prospect of actually becoming a species they aren’t. They would be able to infiltrate every single one of our planets without the slightest way for us to defend against it.”    At that, Rulae looked worried...or at least, as much as a Duros’ small amount of features could show any emotion. But the older Admiral had obviously had enough things like that thrown at him through his time in command to keep a perfectly straight face. With another slow nod, his eyes went back to Marix, “I am going to have to report this to my superiors.”    Marix simply nodded, but she had no words for him. Jyren had obviously known the consequences of bringing this fleet to protect the Gate, and while it had succeeded, she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d thought about what would happen after. He had a bad habit of looking too far ahead, but barely an hour earlier Jyren had shown he was looking directly at the moment...had he finally focused his sight on what she’d been telling him to for so long, but also forgotten to look ahead at least slightly?    A sigh escaped her involuntarily, which just made her angry with herself for losing her restraint. After another few moments, she spoke up again, “We will not change our encryption codes. If you find out anything that could help us...use them same frequency Jyren input into your system.”    The Admiral nodded, understanding that her request was more about Jyren than anything about the war. He didn’t need the Force to see her struggling to keep a neutral expression for the past standard hour. Normally, at the conclusion of a meeting, he would stand to signal it was over. But as they were all standing, save for the young Tobias who was sitting in the chair in front of the Empress. Since his usual method wouldn’t work, the Admiral simply started to move around the table.    It seemed to work, as Commodore Nok was taking the cue well enough and moving to the side so that the Admiral could pass and go about the duties of preparing the fleet to leave. But the Admiral found himself stopping when Rulae stepped over to Marix and looked up(as was necessary considering how much taller she was) and said in a formal tone, “Raan....Jyren told me that he was protecting his home and his family by keeping everything a secret, even from me. He told me all he could, but always stopped himself. When we left Obroa-Skai after it was attacked and he learned for the Vong’s interest in your people...he...he was terrified...” he paused a moment, looking down to see that Tobias was staring up at him with an empty look on his face, “On the way here, he told me you would be furious with him. Jyren...laughed about it but I’d only ever seen him that worried once before, years ago. Perhaps I don’t even have much of a point with any of this. I just wanted to make sure you know that he was trying to do the right thing...like he always did.”    Marix looked down to the Duros, studying the large red eyes curiously for a few moments before allowing herself a nod, “I know...but thank you.”    The Duros returned the gesture and then, with a gentle pat on Tobias’ shoulder, left the briefing room. The Admiral and Venda started to the door again, ready to lead the guests to their ship, but while Tobias stood up, it was easily noticeable that Marix only turned around to face them both as they had reached the door.    When she had their attention, Marix said, “I would like to ask one more favour of you.”    Both the Admiral and Venda noticed her eyes were on the Jedi woman this time. Despite this, Admiral Tarus decided it was his place to respond, “I will do what I can.”    Marix then placed a hand on Tobias’ shoulder, a gesture that caused the young Alraxian to flinch noticeably. It was obvious she didn’t usually do something like that unless he was in trouble. But as there were no claws that dug in with it, a confused expression passed over his face and he turned to look up at her with the same question on his face. After a quick glance down at him, Marix said, “I would like you to take Tobias to Yavin IV.”    “What?!” Tobias sounded as shocked as his face suddenly became. He suddenly spun around to face her, “But what about—“    ”If you do not go now, Toby, you won’t have another chance,” Marix’s voice told him that she wasn’t lying. And while it didn’t seem like she wouldn’t let him go after...but there just wouldn’t be any way to.    The young Alraxian bit his lower lip and shook his head, “But Jyren...”    Marix’s hand on his shoulder shifted to Tobias face and a bit roughly forced him to look up at her, “Look at me. Do I have to put my claws into you before you believe that I’m still here?”    For a long moment, Tobias’ silvery-green eyes didn’t seem to show anything that made any sense...and neither did his feeling in the Force. But then it came to a focus, and he managed a nod even if he couldn’t find any actual words to go with it. For once, he was understanding what she meant when she always said that words never really could grasp things like they were supposed to.    With that end of it settled, Marix looked up and past him to the two watching them. It took no time before the Admiral said, “Yavin is on the way to the Core from here.”    And then, with a bow, he turned and left the briefing room to the bridge. It left only the two Alraxians and the Jedi woman whom Marix knew only about through a few impressions she had received through the link from Jyren before...    The blonde-haired woman, who reminded her a bit of Jen Zaarin Voort, also bowed, but then added, “I am due back at the Academy, myself. I will....I will take care of your son.”    “Thank you,” Marix returned the bow, then started for the exit, not needing nor wanting an escort out, though she knew she was going to get one. But she stopped a step in front of the door and turned back to look to Tobias, “Jyren is alive, Toby. You do not need to be stuck to my side every second of every day to know that.”    “But I can’t feel—“    ”He is alive.”    The words were strong enough to blast through the hull of the ship. No response came, and even if it had, Marix had left. She wasn’t going to hear argument about it. When it came down to it, Tobias was right. He couldn’t feel Jyren...she couldn’t either. Through the Force or through their link. Loki was right, he’d found a way to protect them...to protect her...to cut off the link. To end it so she wouldn’t die with him.    If she didn’t have an escort with her as she headed back to the hangar, Marix would likely have punched a very deep hole in the durasteel wall.</blockquote>

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