I am trying to figure out when I truly knew that Fox was a traitor. I felt that he was always capable of it, but are we not all capable? Do we each have a weakness, leverage that the Empire can use to destroy our lives? Can we ever let go of the fears that the Empire uses to control us?

After some reflection, I realize the Empire does not have that hold on me anymore. Anyone that truly understands them will realize that any promise they make is a trap. The way we can defeat their power is to show the world their true face and expose their lies. My fear of loss is gone - as long as the Empire exists there is no future, and the only way to avoid the destruction of all I love is to stop them.

I will choose to keep trusting others, and some may betray me, but the good-hearted but timid folk who stand by now will see the difference in how we operate; and perhaps they too will rise and together we just may overthrow the madness that controls our galaxy. Fine words - I think I shall save them for a public address - we just need to slice into the INN network!

The sun rose again this morning; a bright, clear day after a rough night. Yesterday was nearly the end of us, of the Balmorran Resistance, my new family. Amazing what a difference a day makes - I do not have to worry about slipping up and losing my job anymore…

On the 22nd we had received a message from Fox that was ominous - the Reactor Core compromised, but a new contact that could help. Those that were not invited to the party went to the Medbay, but it sounds like they returned to help Marv pack things up on the 23rd when no one came back - I do not know why, but I suppose they thought the security system was sufficient enough warning. And now all the Takkas are missing - but I am getting ahead of myself.

I hired a taxi and went to the Den with Damaria - may as well make it into a date; we could not grab more attention than our last banquet, right? She was looking fine again, but I still have not had the nerve to have a serious talk about our future, and the Reactor Core was preoccupying me. Well, we should have lots of time this week, with all of my meetings cancelled, no more paperwork to submit, and Compatriot giving us strict orders to lay low!

When we arrived, I heard the music style and saw the other guests, and decided to flick the switch on my holocostume to something more… street worthy.

Fox ushered us in, and was eager to serve us drinks. I was too obliging, and all of us fell into his trap. My vision went blurry, and I could only vaguely hear explosions before my world dissolved.

My dreams were vivid. I was at the theatre, on stage, and of course forgetting my lines. Standard nightmare. I was lost, had no idea who I was, or what the drama was about. Whispers in my head, sparking thoughts, conjuring up images from my memory. “Where is D'Gane? Who is Compatriot? Name your allies…”

And then I saw her. Damaria walked onstage, as I remembered her from the Gala. As in most dreams, the facts swirled, and as she took my hands in hers, we were standing, overlooking the Swift Estate, along the cliffside. She was waiting for me to speak, and I froze, as on the stage. The moment stretched out, and as she turned away, my voice returned. “I love you!”

Damaria turned back, and as she pulled the trigger on her blaster she said, “I know.” As I fell backwards off the cliff, I heard Circe's laughter. Normally a dream would end with a fall, but my rage built up. “You are a ghost, Circe, and your power over me is gone. Not everyone is a traitor, there is good in this galaxy, and many good people. The Empire will fall, along with its minions.” I was standing once more on the stage, speaking passionately, the audience standing and applauding - except for two. Commander Larness and an unknown figure. I stretched out my arm with deadly intent, and they were picked up and flung backwards…

And my vision cleared, and I was hunched against a cell wall, and across the room I saw two figures, pressed against the back wall as if by an unseen hand, and I realized my arm was still outstretched. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the movement of a guard, and something hit my head hard.

My next memories are scattered. A brief glimpse of Damaria being dragged into the room, and voices. A glowing red double lightsaber flashing upwards. A shout from Damaria, then hurried voices. The door opening, and Master Xenrad's voice. Then the closeness of Damaria, and Xenrad's hoverchair beneath me.

I vaguely recall walking through the prison, several guards twitching on the floor, and someone making a comment about Merlyn's coffee. We somehow managed to recover our confiscated gear - and a good thing, too; my staff is a family heirloom, and all I have left now.

But I certainly remember the disruptor pistol shot I took in the arm. Thankfully not a direct hit, and the pain cleared my mind. A fast and furious firefight; and when I saw Larness escaping, I only thought to stop him. I ran after, gathered my will, and stretched out with the Force again. His feet still running, but now in mid-air, I floated him gently back into the centre of the room, where Sprend was waiting. A clear shot flung the Commander out of my control and he fell to the floor. Trooper fire streaked across the room towards Sprend and he was down, but the troopers were quickly dispatched as well.

With no one hostile left in the room, and Merlyn attending to Sprend, I bent over Larness. A pulse, though weak. Recalling what happened to Seth, and understanding the importance of the intel we needed from Larness, I spoke to the team: “Anyone who tries to kill him will be Forcibly moved. Understand?” Damaria was by my side, and helped me get our nemesis down through the entryway and into the waiting Vibrovan.

Our arrival at the Reactor Core was surreal. From the back of the van, beside Damaria and with Larness at our feet, I saw the flames but not much more. And then Dash accelerated hard, and the van smashed into the side of the building. Officer Madar's face appeared, ghastly, on the windshield, and I think he spoke but I did not catch the words.

We found Marv just inside the doors to the Reactor Core - I wonder if Madar was torturing him or something - and we dragged him out, Merlyn and Tor providing first aid. We ended up back at the Medbay, trying to recover.

Compatriot contacted me through our comm at the Command Centre this morning, and she is up to speed. She told us to sit tight, that she was pulling some strings, and that resources are on the way, but could not say more now.

The Takkas are gone; Vinny and Via still missing; Marv will bear scars the rest of his life, and we are driven underground. Anything left at my estate is useless to me now - trappings that will not help me on the run. Most of my income was going into maintenance anyway. Fox's absence hurts - I told him once that he had a place here with us; I was so sure he wanted that too.

But Sprend, Tor, Merlyn, and Dash remain. And Damaria - whom I really need to speak with. Nothing holds us back now - may the Force be with us, and with the good people left on Balmorra.