THE LONG WAIT
“Time catches up on everyone in the end. And those who have taken the path that I have chosen can be split into two groups. The patient and the stupid. Though it seems that most of the patient turn out to be stupid as well. But I have been very patient, and it has paid off well.
“The Force gives every being a chance to fulfil their destiny, or turn away from it. But I have made my own destiny. I have made my path my own to command.
“I have fought Jedi Masters. I have seen the greatest of the Light turn away to the Dark. I have seen a planet die in solar fire, and laughed as its population lay extinguished. I have taken down mighty enemies, and I have destroyed pitiful others who never had the slightest chance of hurting me. I enjoy acting in purpose and at whim in equal measure.
“Now the test for the destiny I have set for myself is at hand. My remaining enemies are few. Of the two who were entwined with my fate, one is burnt out and retired; his will weak. Not an enemy at all, now. The other turned a different way. People might say he has done a similar thing to me. It is all illusion. He is as pompous and restricted as he ever was, and that purpose now consumes him. I shall not see him.
“The Force works in traditional ways, and their lines should take up their struggle. No-one to face there, either. One dead, slain by the darkness that only he could see. Too late to stop him warning the others, though with amusement I watch his warning squandered. The other, injured, unable to fight. Injured by the machinations of that same pompous man. Even outside our struggle he tries to deny me.
“And so the line passes down still further. They will send children to try and kill me. So be it then. I knew it would come. I look forward to seeing them try. But I never knew which one it would be. Kenobi? Or Trilanger?
A door opens, revealing a Jedi sitting down quietly in a small hold on the ship. His name is Gallagher.
“But now it is clear. I didn’t plan this. The Force has returned this one to me. And his downfall began on a mission with Trilanger. What happens now, could not be more obvious.”
(It becomes clear that this last line was spoken out loud)
“My friends will rescue me soon,” says Gallagher.
“No they won’t.”
“They will! And not just Trilanger. Andro will never stop.”
Sienar laughs.
“I know! I can feel his barely suppressed anger coming for me even now. Delightful! I do hope you will encourage him, Gallagher. Encourage those feelings of failure, his shame, his anger…”
“Don’t try your childish tricks on me! I am no Padawan and nor are my friends. Your tricks will not tempt us!”
“You have no idea what I am capable of.”
“I know you are capable of arrogance, and arrogance is the downfall of all.”
“In thinking you can contest my will, the arrogance is yours. I've seen it before from your type. Your Master was a fool, and your father was complicit in his foolishness. And now... your friends will not rescue you. They will not stop me either. They will fail.”
“That is a song they have heard many times before, and it will never be true.”
“What they have heard before is of no consequence. Listen to me, Gallagher. Nothing you or your friends have ever faced is like me. Pirates? Slavers? Irrelevant. The Trade Federation? A pathetic obfuscation, thrown up in your way to hide the real menace. And even that menace itself is of no great consequence.”
“You are talking about the Sith…” says Gallagher, but Sienar presses on.
“And Kuylen? Blind. And how I would have loved to have seen the moment when he realised that blindness! A fool, with only one follower of any real insight.”
“How do you know these things?”
“I know more than you can comprehend. And so be sure. Be very, very sure. You and your friends have never fought anyone, anything like me. This time… they will meet far more than their match. And you know what, Gallagher? I can see into your heart. And you believe me!”
Gallagher does not reply.
“We have arrived.”