Operation Darkness: Helping Hands
by Vickie Boyd


Even after a long, hot shower, the pain had not gone away. Neither had
the weakness. I tried to use the Force to help me, but even that wasn't
working. With help, I dressed and sat in a chair near the tanks.

My mind's eye could see these tanks full of bodies, Mendellian and those
of Terra Group too. A tear slid down my cheek. So many lives would be
lost. This wasn't the Empire. This was worse.

I reached to the table beside me and picked up my comlink. Flipping it
on, I commed a familiar number. "Rekla, I need you to bring me something
to Medical."


Twenty minutes passed before the boy, no, young man arrived. "What do
you need this for," he asked as he handed me the staff I had acquired a
few years back at a Renaissance Festival.

I took the six foot piece of wood and ran my hand along its length. It
was stained cherry and had two purple leather handholds. My hand grasped
the hold near the top and I pulled myself to my feet. "Have they created
a command center yet?"

I could see in his eyes that he knew something was wrong. "You're
hurting, aren't you?"

I sighed. Rekla was young, but he knew me better than most. I admired
him and wished sometimes that he were my own child. "One of the
creatures hit me with his weapon when I was fighting in the other
galaxy."

"And the bacta couldn't fix it? I thought bacta could fix anything." He
sounded slightly frantic. Perhaps he was afraid of losing me.

"Sylvana helped some. Perhaps we can find another cure soon. Now, you
didn't answer my question." I favored him with a smile.

He nodded. "Yes, would you like for me to take you to the command
center?"

"Please."



It was like walking into a scene from a John Grisham novel. Thayer's
cabinet members and military advisors were wandering from place to
place, making arrangements for this, securing that. At the central table
where a three dimensional layout of the island lay, Kirret and Reth
stood pointing to various places.

Kirret looked up as I approached. "Jedi Boyd. Good to see you up and
about."

I tried to not lean on the staff too hard as I replied, "Thank you,
Madame Councilor. I've come to help in any way I can."

"Please, you know you can call me Kir."

"You're the one who started with the formalities." I smiled lightly.

Thayer suddenly appeared at my side. "Ah, Jedi Boyd..." He was unable to
finish since we began laughing. "What is so funny?"

Reth smiled. "Nothing, Thayer. Vickie here has just volunteered to
help."

The King of Mendellia turned to me. "Are you sure? You've just gotten
back from a fight of your own."

"With these creatures," I replied. "You have no idea what you're in for,
Sir. I fear Mendellia will suffer heavier losses than she has ever had."

Thayer paled for a moment, but the grim determination shone through. "We
shall overcome, Lady. We Mendellians don't give up easily."

"How well I know, M'Lord." I smiled. Fatigue suddenly swept over me and
I grasped the staff tighter.

Thayer caught me in his arms. "You are still not well."

"Bacta drains my strength. I just need some rest." I telekinetically
moved a chair over and sat down.

Worry covered the King's face. "Then you shall get rest. I order you to
bed. When and if we need you, you will be summoned."

"M'Lord, I am fine. I told you..."

He held up a finger. "Not another word." He motioned to two members of
the military. "Escort Jedi Boyd to her quarters. Make sure she gets some
rest, even if it means standing guard outside her door."

The two Mendellians saluted. "Yes, sir."

There was no arguing with a direct order from the King. "Make sure I am
summoned well before the fighting begins. You *will* need my help."

"I promise you that," Thayer said. I knew he would keep that oath.