The conquered Ghost Zone region had received a status of Imperial province. It was the smallest, though. Phantom planned on getting more allies, maybe even vassals, securing the Empire's position. Some leaders visited him, and Danny, previously suspecting that, remained in the Zone. They were asking to sign either non-agression pacts, aligning treaty or protection requests. The most interesting moment was when Dora came to him, seeking protection. Danny gave her a warm greeting, before agreeing on her proposal. In exchange for protection against foreign threats, she allowed Imperial commissars to enlist volunteers among her people.

Since the prison fell under the Empire, all prisoners' cases were reviewed by Jurisdiction Committee. Most of them were freed and even offered to join Stormtroopers, since Walker made new pointless rules each day at the breakfast, at lunch and at diner. Not many agreed to join, though, they had own concerns. However, one person was ordered to be brought before the Emperor despite his protests. He was led by the guards through the corridors.

He was wearing a full suit of metal armor, with green flaming hair pulled into mohawk style, and green eyes without pupils. Above his suit of armor, the prisoner was wearing orange prison robes.

Finally the person was pushed inside the room. There the prisoner saw the new warden. What he did NOT expect is to see a damn raptor standing behind the desk. He had yellow scales, and that caste of society mostly consisted scientists of the former Imperium, and was positioned in the middle of pyramid. He had a device on his throat, which allowed to speak Basic, despite throat's build. But it was unneeded when conversing with ghosts.

"What the hell are you?" The prisoner asked rudely.

"The warden of course," the alien squawked. "My name is Spil'ktlik, but I summoned you here not to chat with you myself. His Majesty wishes to speak to you."

Before he could say anything, the prisoner heard a voice to his side.

"My, my, the armor got quite rusty, Skulker. For how long have you sat here?"

The ghost turned and saw grinning Phantom, who was sitting on an armchair with crossed legs.

"Whelp?"

"Hello to you too, tin can," Danny deadpanned, drinking from a glass. "Take a seat."

Skulker was pushed forward with the butt of the guards' guns. Glaring at them, Skulker still sat on a chair.

"What do you want?" He asked the stark haired man.

"Ah, you see, there is a problem, pal. You have attempted to hunt down a rare animal, which is forbidden not only by Walker, but by our laws as well. Which means our respected warden can't let you out," Danny gestured at the Ssi-ruuk. "But, you can earn my signature under document of forgiveness of your crimes. I have a task for you. Fulfill it, and you will be free."

"I'm interested."

"Of course you are," Phantom mumbled, making another sip.

Skulker narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Danny chuckled. "I was gone for one year and you made your girlfriend pregnant. I don't even want to know how you managed to pull that off."

The hunter's jaw dropped. "I'm....a FATHER?!"

"Yep. I'm being merciful because I have a daughter myself. So, I think you want to see the birth of your kid?"

"Can I see him?" Skulker obviously missed the part about Phantom's daughter.

"Well, not yet. Ember is on her sixth month. But, you may see her before you depart on your task, yes. You can communicate with her during the completion as well, if you don't share details, of course."

"Just tell me what you need."

Phantom took out a datapad and handed it to the man. "Here is the entire information. But in short, I need your hunting skills. You could find me on another side of the globe without any sensors, so I want you to find the one who tried to assassinate me. You will be given a ship and a personal pilot."

Skulker examined the device and read it. "Are there any leads?"

"Yes, the controllable rockets used by the assassin are made only on Krell war factories. Krell is a heavily industrialized planet in central sector of the Empire. It once belonged to one of the Noble Families, and they still possess some influence over that world. Some in the board of directors may still sympathize loyalists."

"Then why not get rid of them?"

"First, I don't know who exactly is guilty of treason. Second, we lack loyal and at the same time professional personnel. Do you know Zimbabwe? They confiscated the land from white farmers who stayed since colonial times and gave it to black ones. But since they didn't know a thing about agriculture, their economy spiralled downwards. I had to choose between POSSIBLY disloyal directors or an obvious blow to Imperial industry, which had already suffered during the civil war. Anyways, the rest of the information you may need is there. Are we in agreement?"

"I need to repair my armor."

"You have four days, the longer we wait, the assassin gets further. And don't try to fool me, you will regret this quickly. Spil'ktlik, would you kindly to free him and send along soldiers to accommodate him home?"

"Yes, My Lord," the alien bowed, before watching the Emperor leaving the room.

Phantom was planning to return to the capital soon, or maybe even go to the frontline, but he could not do that without fulfilling one last thing. When Danny came out of the portal, he became invisible and flew upwards. He didn't want an unwanted attention to such a private matter. It concerned only him, him and people buried under several meters of dirt.

His white boots made a soft thud after hitting the stone ground. In a slow pace Danny walked through the metal fence, before stepping on a path made of small gravel. It crunched quietly beneath his feet, as the ghost went deeper and deeper inside the graveyard. He saw multiple gravestones, black, gray, with pictures or without them. Not a single living soul was present on that territory as of right now. At the moment, Phantom fit his name as never before. Under the light of pearly white moon, which hadn't yet reached its peak, he truly looked like a ghost he was - a shining figure almost soundlessly wandering among fellow dead.

Finally Danny reached his destination. A tall bronze memorial, a pedestal with three statues, two girls of different age and one boy. On a pedestal was an engraved writing 'Gone, but not forgotten'.

Danny slowly traced his palm down the writing. "Some things aren't set in stone, they are set in bronze," he said in heavy voice. A heavy lump formed in his throat for the first time in entire year as sorrow came over him. "I'm sorry," Danny rasped. "It's my fault, I know you would have told me it isn't and I know you won't respond now, but..." he let a shaky sigh. "If only I left in time, that...beasts wouldn't have killed you. My ignorance is as guilty as they are, and I think I will carry this burden on me for eternity."

He then looked up, the soft green glow of his eyes was reflected by a small tear slipping down his left cheek.

"I just hope that you can forgive me, guys," Danny whispered.

His hand was covered with bright blue light, and a glassy flower made of ice grew in his hand.

"Rest in peace," he put the flower on the pedesrial, before dissappearing in a cloud of smoke.

Phantom returned on Hyperion very soon, right into his quarters. There he was greeted by an adorable sight, which made him smile faintly. Dani seemed content playing with Komand, while the latter glared daggers at the older ghost. The girl had put several flowers in her hair and proclaimed the woman her fairy guardian. Komand was touched, of course, but she disliked that Danny didn't join the embarrassment. Phantom walked to get himself a cup of coffee, all the while keeping a smile on his face. He had people to care for, and that's all what mattered.

"One day, Phantom," Komand threatened softly. But her look completely obliterated threatening image. "I'm going to get you back for this."

Danny heard this from another end of the room. He turned around with a cup of coffee in his hand. Coffee machine was a part of furniture now. Phantom walked to her playfully.

"Good luck with that, dear," he smiled, lowering his head. "I'm untouchable."

He became intangible, and Komand's boot flew straight through his body. Keeping a grin on his face, Danny stepped away from her. Suddenly, a voice communicator beeped on his table, and Phantom walked over to answer it. Dani meanwhile opened the bag of hair bows, making Komand curse internally for even allowing her to buy it during their small shopping trip. Phantom asked her to buy a few toys for the girl, and maybe some clothes.

Danny watched as the girl put the bows in Komand's hair, before pressing a button on the communicator and putting it to his ear.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Your Highness, there is a situation," The officer's voice was heard from another end.

Dani then turned to her Daddy and her eyes lit up. The girl approached the Emperor, with a bunch of brows in her small arms. Danny's already pale skin became white as paper sheet as he realized what was about to happen.

"Dani," Phantom whispered, moving the phone away. "I'm talking."

"I'll be quiet," she swore with puppy eyes. Danny felt his ice orb for a heart melting down.

Sighing and giving a nod, Phantom sat on a bed, as the girl climbed on it as well. Komand laughed quietly from her place at seeing Dani putting all the hair brows into Danny's snowy locks, while he was talking. The arosen issue was an unexpected arrival of a shuttle. Apparently, Phantom forgot to mention that they were having guests. He ordered the officer to greet them and lead to the bridge. He will soon get there as well. Danny made a duplicate and sent him there, and Komand was willing to join. Original Danny stayed with baby girl, who was having fun judging from her happy giggles.

Phantom walked through the corridors, before noticing his friend's confusion.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"Did you make a clone of yourself or..."

"Duplication. Both bodies share the same consciousness, and if one of us is killed, the second will still remain alive and completely non harmed. Helps with paperwork."

Her expression was a mixture of amusement and surprise. Phantom was pretty much immortal if he could just move his consciousness into another body.

"Sometimes I wonder why you need military," she commented as they were going up inside the elevator.

"I can't destroy fleets or armies with a flick of a hand. Yet," he responded with a playful smirk.

Komand rolled her eyes, before the doors slid open. After casual greeting procedure, the two started to wait for their guests. Soon the door slid open, and the Grays family walked in, looking around in amazement. Komand crossed her hands and raised an eyebrow. She didn't know humans had different skin colors. Danny grinned and clasped his hands, once he put the cup on a table.

"Ah, finally," he greeted and approached them. "I trust your trip went well."

"You didn't need to land a ship right in a middle of the road," Valerie deadpanned.

Danny snorted, before patting her on shoulder. "Well, you see, Val, those people are not used to roads," he gestured with his palm towards the crew, who didn't get a single word.

"So, what is going to happen now?" Mr. Gray asked.

"Lightspeed or something?" Valerie added.

Phantom smirked. "Well, you see, Hyperion is equipped with class 1.5 class Hyperspace engine. The fastest to be put on a ship of this size. We actually travel faster than light."

"This is not possible," Damon noted. "How can you break the laws of the universe?"

"We simply follow the laws of another one. Commence hyperspace jump to Babylon!" Danny ordered.

The crew had previously prepared to do that, so all what was needed is pull the lever. White dots of stars turned into lines as the ship launched several light years away in a blink. Phantom interrupted humans' stunned observation by snapping his fingers.

"Let me show your temporal quarters," he said. "Your belongings will be taken there."

As they walked through several corridors, which took quite some time, since the ship was two miles long. Danny was lively chatting with Valerie, sharing tales of events which happened with each other during the last year. Komand was confused about a strange feeling deep inside her stomach, she never felt anything like it, but it made her angrier for some reason. Thankfully, when Danny accompanied Grays to the room, he left them alone to get accustomed.

"Komand," he suddenly snapped the woman out of her thoughts. "You alright, you have been quiet the entire way."

She looked up and saw Danny's worried face. For some reason, she found it cute.

"I'm fine," she responded curtly, looking away with reddening face. "It was your friend, I take it?"

"Yes. She and her Dad, I've offered them a job."

An awkward silence settled between them, before Danny came up with an idea.

"Hey," Komand looked at him. "How about a little training?"

She smirked slightly. "If you are up to it, 'Master'."

The next two hours had passed incredibly quickly. And in a specialized room two Force users were occupied with dueling. Komand was sweating and panting for breath, and Danny would have been too if not for physiology. He was holding an ectostaff, while she turned off her lightsaber. He was working only in the defensive, slightly poking her sides with weapon, showing her the flaws. That's why he picked the staff, so he won't accidentally cut her, besides, there were also double bladed lightsabers, so she could learn fighting against it as well.

"For thousandth time...this is...UNFAIR," the apprentice panted. "You never get tired!"

"BUT I get very hungry. I really want to eat now," Danny's stomach growled. "On a good side, you are getting better."

A fully trained lightsaber combatant should know all six forms of combat, and Komand was now studying the last one, called Niman. It was a mixture of all forms, possessing all their bonuses and all their disadvantages. Danny didn't think it could be called a fighting form, in his opinion it was a simple improvisation and swapping of forms. But, Komand had to learn it, Phantom won't let her lose and die. He will do everything to make her stronger.

"So, ready for another round?"

Komand turned on the crimson blade and took a battle stance. "Bring it."

Danny decided to play in offensive, and lunged forward. He swung the blunt weapon and the woman blocked it and made a step back, not letting his superior strength to overwhelm her. Danny smiled internally, she became very thoughtful in the fights. He attempted to use another end of the staff to strike on unprotected side. Komand made another step back, moving the lightsaber down. The staff was forced to go upwards, and she had an opportunity to kick her Master with her elbow, but Danny parried the strike.

"Good one," the ghost commented as he formed some distance between them. "But I won't buy the same trick twice."

They engaged in another series of blows and parries. So far they were evenly matched, since it was only a sword fight, without the Force usage. Komand made another strike and Danny parried it by raising his weapon. The apprentice used her leg and kicked Phantom in gut. Danny made a step back, before she continued to swing her blade in a whirlwind of strikes. His natural ghostly reaction helped him quickly react to her attacks.

Phantom blocked another hit and suddenly slipped it lower in his hold, and to her surprise, his face was now right near hers, as well as the edge of the staff. He grinned.

"Boop," he said, slightly poking her nose with the staff. In reality, it would have been a lightsaber, so she lost.

Komand narrowed her eyes and turned off the lightsaber. She sighed. "Damn it," she cursed under her nose. "When will I do it?!"

"Patience, Komand, you are actually doing wonderfully. In one year you have learned what takes decades to master for an average Jedi or a Sith," Danny smiled brightly.

The apprentice smiled slightly at the praise. "Well...I had a nice teacher," she mumbled, refusing to look into his eyes.

Phantom put a hand on her chin and gently turned her head to face him. Neon green eyes were intertwined with deep purple ones as she looked up at the taller man. Komand had a surprised expression on her face as she reddened. Neither of them said anything, Danny could feel a bit ragged breath of his apprentice on his face. He couldn't feel anything from her, because of a sheer whirlwind of emotions inside of her. He wasn't able to pinpoint the exact feelings. When Danny was about to say something, his eye caught something.

Two Force Users let go of each other. Valerie was standing in a doorway with amused expression on her face.

"Am I interrupting anything?" She asked.

"Oh...ehm...no, you are not," Danny rambled as the ectoplasm flushed to his face, causing a wrong assumption rise in "Right, Komand?" He asked.

"Yes, nothing," the apprentice mumbled, but everyone heard the phrase nevertheless.

Why did Danny feel sadness?

"I'll get going now," Komand said, walking out of the room and giving a brief glare at the dark skinned woman.

Valerie raised her eyebrow as the door shut behind the yuth. "Who was that?" She asked.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce you two," Danny facepalmed, putting another hand on his belt. "It was Komand, she is my apprentice."

"Apprentice?"

"It's a long story, but in short, this is the first step in recreating the Je'daii Order. I'll teach her, she will start training others while I take another apprentice, etc. We practice using both the Light and Dark sides of the Force, so we are neither Jedi or Sith."

"But you rule the 'Sith Empire'," she said confused.

"I have my political reasons for this temporal name. Now we conquer new lands and reclaim the ones which once belonged to the Old Sith Empire. When we engage the Republic, the name will be changed. The banner will stay, though, it's cool."

Valerie rolled her eyes. He was still kid deep inside. "So...is Komand something...more than the apprentice?"

Danny furrowed his eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You really are the clueless one," Valerie shook her head.

"Alright, alright, I am, mind sharing why?"

She smirked, "You know what, figure it out yourself, master of intrigues."

"Hey, where are you going?" Danny asked at seeing the woman going away. "Hey!"

The door closed, and the still clueless Emperor was left alone.