Operation Darkness: In the Secret Place by Durandir "Every time I see it," said Kristy as we looked out over the Caldera, "it's more beautiful." "Isn't it, though?" I agreed. The lake glistened now in the early morning light, calm and serene, as if its vast basin held not water but peace in liquid form. To us, on the fringes of a war, it was an anomaly, and a welcome respite. >From the lift it was a short walk over to the little house--well, little by Palace standards; I wonder when those standards replaced my old Hoosier ones?--once dedicated to the use of vacationing Kings and Dictators. Now, signs marked it as Caldera One, the first, we hoped, of many at this site. Already half a dozen new buildings surrounded it, and as many more were under construction. This corner of the mountaintop wasn't quite so peaceful, but in the present circumstances it meant hope. The caldera--or rather, the bit of a lakeshore where Caldera One had stood for decades--was to have become Terra's first Jedi Academy. After the founding of Terra Group and the discovery of Force-sensitive Terrans among us, we got to thinking that there ought to be more such potential Jedi out there on our planet. And if so, then someday we'd need them; as Terra entered more and more into the intergalactic realm of affairs, we'd want the protection of our own Jedi Knights. So we took the little house on the lakeshore and made it the center of a place, secret in that corner of Mount Atner's cratered top, where the Jedi potentials could come apart from the world to train. Then the Yuuzhan Vong came, and it looked too late for our Academy. But the Caldera was still a refuge. The secretary established in the onetime parlor of Caldera One knew me by sight--though I suppose it's a rare Mendellian that doesn't, these days. She smiled and curtseyed and went to tell the Director that we were here. Moments later, Director Rees Revo welcomed us into his office that had lately been Thayer's study. Once a well-reputed professor of geology and anthropology at the University of Munich, Dr. Revo had returned to his hometown of Darwinia to take up a position as chief administrator of the boarding school there--he'd been, in effect, Thayer's and Kirret's principal during their school days. Between this administrative experience and his considerable knowledge of Terra's ways--and especially his skill with people and his gentle wisdom--he was the ideal choice for the director of our Caldera project. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing smoothly, "it is an honor. And Captain Henscheid as well--I hope you are enjoying your visit to the Caldera?" "Yes, it's always wonderful to see," Kristy smiled. "Thank you," I said, as he motioned us to seats. "How goes the work here, Rees?" "Aboveground, quite well," he said. "I believe we can finish construction of the dormitories ahead of schedule." "And the rest?" "I'm afraid the tunnels have given us difficulties." "Oh, dear." I looked down for a moment and considered; it was the tunnels that held the most hope. Caldera One and the other buildings on the mountaintop would be useful, of course, and generally secret enough. But they would be far too vulnerable to any enemy spacecraft that might chance to fly over. Mount Atner's peculiar system of tunnels, however--old lava tubes, linking all the corners of the island--those had possibilities, and the plans for Caldera Refuge made great use of them. We'd just have to take what we could get. There was no more time to wait. "I don't suppose you've had the news yet, out here," I said cautiously. "Well, Highness," said Revo, "things are sometimes delayed." "We're at war, Rees." His pale blue eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed to a heightened intensity. "What has happened?" "Luna Base was invaded sometime in the middle of the night--our night, at least--by aliens called the Yuuzhan Vong. The base is lost; four agents of Terra Group on duty there were killed in action." "A grave loss," he frowned. "And, if I may say so, Lady Atner, such news is far from encouraging." "Such news," I said sadly, "has been very discouraging indeed, yes." "What I mean," he said, "is that given the status of Terra Group in Mendellia--you know, for a secret organization, it's quite remarkable the extent of the legends growing up about you--you are folk heroes among the populace. In such a case, to think that nearly a third of you should fall in a single battle--'twill seem ominous to all who look up to you." "And you're saying that's all of Mendellia," I frowned. "Not quite all. But a great many will find more fear than sorrow in the loss of your teammates." "But is the destruction of the base common knowledge yet?" Kristy asked. "Maybe the Terra Group losses can be kept top secret. At least for now." "For now," I sighed. "Then once the Vong get back, the people will have a whole new reason to fear." "Remember," said Rees, "the function of a hero. Don't underestimate what good the people's respect for you can do." "But let's not overestimate it, either," I smiled. "And let's make use of what other resources we have besides heroics. Tell me, Rees--how quickly could the Caldera be made ready? At least somewhat so?" "For the Jedi?" The Director stroked his chin in thought. "Oh, no. As a refuge. From what we know of the invaders, there'll be a great need for a safe place. A secret place." I closed my eyes. "Luna Base fell so quickly; I don't see how the Palace can stand against them. So . . . just in case." Rees nodded. "You saw the dormitories that are completed already, I assume. Those could be occupied at any time." "How many people . . ." "Built to house fifty each, but at need they could hold perhaps a hundred, perhaps a bit more. Five buildings completed. Five hundred people." "That's a start," I said. "What about the rest of Caldera? Belowground?" "My lady," he said, "we'll make it our foremost priority. Wartime priority. You shall have your tunnels--though I cannot say with any certainty how quickly they can be finished." "Godspeed to you," I smiled. "And thank you."