WotH Chpt 20

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 20 ==
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===Questions that Need Answers===
"This is the way to start your morning," I smiled as I sat on my front porch, a mug of coffee in hand I smelled the early morning dew and watched the horizon begin to glow a brilliant sapphire and gold.
 
Leaning back in the rocking chair, I took a sip of the liquid gold and exhaled. I was content and would enjoy this moment while it lasted.
 
"It is not often that I witness someone truly enjoy a morning such as this," a voice said from just out of my view on the left.
 
"Master Yaddle," I turned my head so that I could see her with my good eye instead of my blurry peripheral. "Is there something I can do for you?"
 
"I am curious," Yaddle walked up the steps. "May I take a seat next to you and ask some questions?"
 
"Of course," I replied as I stood up and made to move inside. "Would you like some coffee?"
 
"I will accept a small cup," Yaddle smiled. "I have not had this 'coffee' before."
 
Moving just inside the door, I opened the cabinet and get another mug out, pouring some coffee into it before stepping back outside onto the porch.
 
"It's a bit bitter," I handed her the mug. "But I enjoy it," I sat back down in my chair. "Now, you had some questions, and I'll answer them if I can."
 
Yaddle simply sipped at her coffee and looked out at the same horizon that I was for a minute, enjoying the peacefulness of the dawn.
 
"I do have questions," Yaddle said as she used the force to slowly rock her chair. "But they can wait for a time."
 
At that, I relaxed my shoulders and continued to sip my coffee while I read the leather-bound book that rested beside the rocking chair.
 
Finishing my coffee, I set the book back down before turning my full attention to the diminutive green figure that was seated beside me.
 
She simply continued to sip at her own mug as she seemingly faded away into observing the local star as it rose over the horizon.
 
"You are interesting," She said after a moment of silence. "You seem just as content here as you are leading your people," Yaddle rocked back and forth in the chair. "Why continue to act as a mercenary?" She finally asked. "You could have retired on this world, and done whatever you wanted as a wealthy man. So, tell me, Colonel Hull. What is it that drives you forward? What is it that you truly seek and desire that only this way of life can provide?
 
I paused for a minute, thinking about the questions that had been asked and slowly digesting them before searching myself for the answers.
 
"I was born too late for the Age of Sail and Exploration," I said after a time. "And too early to roam and make the great discoveries of the stars above. And yet, there is always this burning desire to step forward and seize the future with my own hands, to take destiny and break it over my knee," I paused to breathe. "Or at least, that's what I thought for nearly a decade. Nowadays I realize that the great adventure that I had sought out for so long was right in front of me. Unfortunately, it was far too late a revelation for me to be able to do anything about it."
 
I stopped for a minute, taking a breath and shoving the lingering sorrow to the side yet again.
 
"I'm a mercenary because I've come to love this kind of life," I finished. "I love the people that I work with, and I enjoy seeing the people underneath me grow and become a part of something more than any one person. I do this because I'm here to stay, the life of a soldier is harsh but fulfilling, and to be completely honest," I looked Yaddle in the eye. "I always wanted to be in the military, and this is the closest I've ever been to that. These are my people, and I will endeavor to take care of them as long as I am able."
"I see," Yaddle said as she closed her eyes and considered what I had said. "I will meditate on this," she rose from her chair. "It was a pleasure to share a drink with you, I will see you again when it is time to negotiate."
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===Forming a Plan===
"Well?" Dooku asked with a raised eyebrow from his meditations.
 
"The man is a good choice," Yaddle settled down beside him. "I believe that he will hold to his convictions and promises, provided that we do the same."
 
"He will have nothing to fear from me," Dooku exhaled, the force seeming to flow in and out as he channeled it. "I have decided on a course of action."
 
"Oh?" Yaddle asked.
 
"I need you to go back to the Temple and gather those who would be willing to assist," Dooku's eyes snapped open. "I will take these Marksman and drive the Banking Clans out of Serenno, then, I will petition the Senate to intervene."
 
"And if that does not work?' Yaddle asked. "What will you do then?"
 
"That is something that I still need to meditate on," Dooku confessed. "but the words that the Tarkin brothers spoke have lingered with me, and I feel that I must consider them more."
 
"I will see if I can borrow a ship from the Marksman," said as she thought about their conversation. "They may be willing to allow us to negotiate the uses of one of them as a part of our contract."
"I will discuss it with Colonel Hull," Dooku agreed. "After all, we must make haste, I can sense that there is much that hinges on this."
 
"Hmm," Yaddle agreed. "Ahead of us lies a crossroads and we will see what comes of our decisions. But know this, regardless of what you decide to do in the future, I will remain by your side old friend."
 
A weight seemed to lift off of Dooku's shoulders as the force flowed into him, the man seemingly de-aging a decade as he stood up. "Thank you," he swung his cape up onto his shoulders. "I am ever in your debt, Yaddle. Now, we have much to do and little time to do it in."
 
"Agreed," Yaddle stood up and began to follow him. "The time to move is now."
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Chapter 20