Zahn has returned.
I got a message via comm, old Republic code. Good thing I remembered how to decode it. Otherwise I would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep, blissfully ignorant of everything I know now.
The message was to meet in the arboretum, alone. I left the appropriate messages and went as requested, meeting EmQuai and having to listen to Zahn's little commentary from the shadows. The man hasn't changed in ten years. Condescending, snide, obnoxious... he always rubbed me the wrong way. Though he never dared to do anything in my presence, I've heard the stories and read the reports. I know what kind of person he is. There should be no question why I was hesitant to take him out of carbonite freeze ten years ago.
Apparently THEY are our new contacts with Starwraith. Not that anyone ever really made any sort of formal deal or arrangement with Starwraith, it just happened. All of a sudden we have allies... if they are truthful about their intentions. Thus far everything they've told us has been on the level. This time the revelation was that messages were being sent, and we could track down the destination of these messages, hopefully gaining some insight into their sender. And oddly enough, these messages were being sent to Hoth, former HQ to the Antaran Rangers.
Things went badly on the planet, from the perspective that our presence did not go unnoticed. I told Darn to keep himself hidden in the Force, but it was obvious he completely ignored me. This matter will be dealt with later. I saw two strong Force-users on the planet before I concealed myself, one tainted and one very Dark.
A battle ensued. The team made short work of some Stormtroopers, though some of our team had moved on and only later was I appraised of their encounter with Demida Trisk. Trisk apparently was killed. I have mixed feelings on this, as the woman has saved my life, but also attacked me. She could have attacked me on Hoth... but did not.
Approached by a Force-user of some sort, possibly a Jedi... wanted to duel me. Not only that, but knew a lot about me. More than I am comfortable with. More than even I know, really. I have... family? Alive? I had thought all of my relatives killed when I was young, with the exception of Ari, who should be dead...
I have to go home.
This potential duelist wanted an honorable fight, one which he was denied because of the unnecessary intervention of Darn, and the later arrival of Karlo. Karlo's recklessness I can understand, sometimes his concern for me overrides all his common sense and Jedi training. I am both disapproving and yet flattered by his actions. But Darn... he interfered in what should have been a fair, honest, one-on-one fight. I thought he understood the warrior's code, what with his background. But perhaps I have been entirely too trusting, too forgiving.
Karlo killed this person, whose name I'm afraid I never did quite catch. I feel sad, like something has been taken from me. A fight? I should not be looking for fights. Answers? Perhaps, though I never needed them before. But I'm afraid that eventually curiosity will get the better of me.
Zahn and EmQuai retrieved the messages from the computer in the base, and relayed them to us. The discoveries here were terrifying. This person has been manipulating the fleet. But worse, they seem to have access to Kalita... my darling girl. I have always sought to protect her, but the greatest danger was right under our noses.
All signs indicate the Queen at this point. Karlo's mother. Or not really her, perhaps some impostor. Perhaps this is related to that disappeared Mon Cal technician from so long ago, something I haven't given thought to in years.
Frightened. This person... this traitor... knows everything about us. This person welds enormous power on Hapes. This person has looked after my daughter, and could be sitting with her right now...
How do we handle such a delicate situation upon our return to Kamino?