When Komand entered the cave, she found out that it could be pretty dark in secluded places. Discovery of the century. The woman ignited the lightsaber, and the crimson light filled the surroundings, reflecting off the ice and snow. She sighed, understanding that it will be a long way.

"Now where should I go?" Komand mumbled to herself.

A funny thought occurred in her mind. Everything is so simple when you can always count on some mysterious force to show you the way. Komand closed her eyes and pointed at the random direction. She opened her eyes and smirked. Alright, here it comes.

After walking about hundred meters through the dark corridors of the cavern, Komand started to shiver already. Her race wasn't made for ice climate. She pressed a small button on her coat and it started to warm up. She sighed in content and continued her way. There was a slight edge before her. Komand slid down the snowy hill and got down, sending gusts of snow in the air. It was when it actually ended, and there were only rocks beneath her feet.

The apprentice continued her journey deep in the icy caverns. It was beginning to get boring, really. She found nothing even closely resembling a crystal after continuously searching for it. Komand had to go deeper and deeper into the cave. She wasn't worried about losing directions in that endless labyrinth, the Force was a very universal guide in every hole its users could get into. However so far it was guiding her in circles. Komand passed the same corner five times, and on the sixth time there was a tick mark on her forehead.

She decided to go through, literally. Komand saw an ice wall, and a 'corridor' behind it. She pierced it with her lightsaber and made a circle, before pushing it out with the Force. The woman went through the newly made hole and continued her way. It wasn't much different, except for the number of stalactites and stalagmites around, which wasn't exactly the most important matter. That was until the apprentice heard a roars on a distance, along with a terrified scream. Komand's eyes widened in shock, before she ran towards the source of the noise.

Komand soon got to the source of that sounds, or more exactly the sources. Asharl panthers, feline predators about two meter in length. Four animals had two toes on each foot tipped with non-retractable claws. They had blue fur which was incredibly dense, yet smooth, across their entire bodies. Their heads were broad an they lacked ears, while their beady eyes were located beneath pronounced brow ridges. Expressive, the asharl's snout was blunt and their hall filled with large exposed teeth. Large, tentacle-like sensory organs grew from their shoulders, one on each side. Thick nerve bundles ran up the fronds from which the panthers could pick up the vibrations that came from behind, preventing any threat from catching the asharl unawares.

More importantly, she saw a girl snuggled fearfully in the corner. Komand narrowed her eyes and turned on the lightsaber.

"Hey, kittens, pick someone of your strength!"

The apprentice took battle stance as the felines turned to her. Typical, they decided to pick the bigger pray. She gripped her weapon tightly, waiting for them to strike. Suddenly one of them lunged at her from behind, as expected. Komand spun around and stabbed the animal in its head. She then pushed away the other beasts who tried to jump on her. They hit the icy walls of the cavern and fell on the floor. They got on their clawed feet quickly, before attacking again. Komand rolled her eyes and charged a lighting in her free hand, before frying one of them to death.

She jumped to the side and chopped another feline's head off in the process. Then she missed a hit of the last predator, luckily its claws left the apprentice unscathed, she was only tossed away as her lightsaber flew out of her hand. When the panther prepared to tear her apart, Komand  rolled away from the beast's path, jumped on her feet and pulled the weapon into her hand. The predator growled again and started pacing in front of the woman. It then ran at her. With bored expression she lifted a rock and threw it at the approaching animal. However, it jumped out of the way and lunged forward, only to have itself being stabbed in the head and pinned to the ground. Komand took a breath and got on her feet.

Ahsoka had been watching the display in awe. She hadn't seen a Jedi actually fight before. But there was one detail which made the girl fear her savior.

Komand looked at the girl and felt fear radiating off her. Why would...ah, yeah, the lightsaber. She turned it off and put the weapon on her belt. The apprentice raised her hands in a gesture of peace and gave a small smile.

"Don't worry, girl, I mean you no harm," she said calmingly, taking off the hood of her black coat.

"You...you are a Sith!" Ahsoka exclaimed.

"What? No, I am not. This lightsaber is a few hundred times older than me," Komand shook the weapon in her hand.

"But you also threw a lighting! The Jedi are forbidden from doing it."

"Aren't you the observant one. This rule is boring," the woman put her right hand on her waist. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm a Jedi Youngling, I was supposed to find my kyber crystal. I found it, but I can't find my way out."

"I see," Komand mumbled thoughtfully, before sighing. "Alright, let's stick together."

"And if I don't want to?" Ahsoka raised her eyebrow.

"Then you will get eaten by other asharls or maybe gorgodons. Not much choice there is, huh?"

Ahsoka crossed her hands and looked at the distance. The girl had to admit that Komand was right. If there will be more creatures, she won't survive through that ones.

"But what are you doing on Ilum if you aren't a Jedi?"

Komand shrugged. "I need another crystal for my lightsaber. Red color seems to scare off the people. So, are you going or not?"

Ahsoka nodded and the woman turned around, strolling away. The girl followed her.

The group continued their way. Judging from the path they were using, Komand guessed that she was getting closer to the surface. Then she found an underground river. It was rather wide, about five meters across, wild and fast. The noise it was creating was almost deafening. It was weird, but the sunlight was getting through some holes in the ceiling, so she could turn off her lightsaber. Komand kneeled near the river and cupped some water. She was thirsty, so she drank some ice cold liquid.

After that they kept going through their path. Komand looked back at the shivering girl and sighed.

"Sorry for sounding too harsh. I'm just a bit annoyed."

"That's okay. But annoyed at what?"

"I have been walking in this hole for gods know how long. And I have yet to find my crystal," Komand muttered.

"You are looking for the crystal, too?"

"Well, yes," the woman said, a bit embarrassed. "Phantom said that I need to 'trust my feelings', but everything I have seen so far are rocks, ice and snow. I have been walking in circles."

"Who is Phantom?"

"My Master and...lover," Komand blushed lightly. Saying it aloud felt much different from thinking about it. "He is really nice, sometimes scary, sometimes annoying as hell."

Both females chuckled at that. Then Ahsoka felt a strong wind coming from certain place. "Hey, look, there must be the entrance," the girl called.

Komand raised her eyebrow and looked where she was pointing. She walked forward, and judging from the increasing speed of wind, or its presence in the first place, it must have been an exit. And it was the exit, indeed. Once they stepped outside, the Force users were greeted by a wild snowstorm again. However, even through the flying snowflakes, they noticed lights on the distance.

"That must be our ship."

-Back to the present-

"So that's basically how we got here," Komand finished.

They had decided to continue the conversation in the main room. Danny was pacing around, listening to the story without a single interruption. Komand was sitting on a sofa, along with Ahsoka, who was given a cup of hot chocolate in order to warm up. The girl was silent throughout the conversation, too, only observing the people she was stuck with. Phantom was much younger than she had expected, she had never seen a Master who was younger than twenty. Yet again, they weren't the Jedi.

"I see," Danny rubbed his chin, before looking at the girl. "What shall we do with you..."

"Uhm, show me the way to our ship?" Ahsoka said uncertainly.

"Hm, yeah, that's probably the best choice," Phantom shrugged. "Komy, if you don't mind..."

"Coming, coming. What would you do without me?" Komand got up, smirked and went to the cockpit.

Ahsoka snickered at the exchange and Danny's expression. They both then followed the woman into the room and situated on their seats. The Fury rose from the surface and up in the air. Komand looked at Ahsoka.

"So, where is your ship?" She asked the girl.

"It should be somewhere on the northern side of the mountains," Ahsoka responded.

"Not very informative," Komand grumbled. "Guess we will have to fly around till we find it."

"I don't think that's necessary," Danny caused the others to turn to him. He only gestured to the front illuminator with his eyes.

There was a small dot in the sky. Komand pressed a button and the image became clearer. The Paladin corvette was already higher in the air, without any indication that it was going to stop. And indeed, it was at the orbit, right before it jumped to hyperspace. Ahsoka's eyes widened in shock.

"How...how long was I unconscious?" She whispered.

"You were unconscious?"

"Yes, or I think so, I...have failed," Ahsoka said grimly. 

"Well, you couldn't arrive sooner than eight hours ago," Danny mumbled softly.

"Eight hours?!"

"Yes," Phantom responded curtly. "The night is coming, and from my calculations nights last twenty two days here."

Komand looked at the computer. "Nineteen days, dummy," she deadpanned, causing the ectoplasm to flush to Danny's cheeks and ears.

"Twenty two, nineteen, I'm not very good at math," he said, crossing his hands. "I have a dejavu."

"So they aren't going to return here for nineteen days?" Ahsoka asked weakly.

"I think so," Danny leaned back in his seat. "They have probably assumed that you are dead. If they stayed for too long, no one would have escaped. For NINETEEN days this place turns into domain of hell on Ilum."

"Won't be the first one," Ahsoka mumbled. "Now I have to wait here until they come back."

"It's not necessary. You are aboard of a ship which is equipped with hyperdrive."

The girl looked up at him hopefully. "You can take me to Coruscant?" She asked.

"Well, not exactly. I doubt the security will take kindly to me and Komand owning a military vessel. Besides, when they find out our data is nonexistent in their records, we will have a chance to see how Republican prisons look inside. No, that won't do. My offer is for you to wait in our home, then we will take you back on Ilum when they return. How does that sound?"

And yes, Danny hadn't told her about owning a communicator. He could just call Obi-Wan and inform him, but the man had other plans. Komand meanwhile watched him curiosly. Phantom wouldn't have done something so risky without having a reason to do so. Ahsoka contemplated the decision throughly. It's not like she had any choice. The girl knew what she could do. And surviving in a frozen wasteland for nineteen days was not one of them. She had to rely on the help of that strangers.

"Thank you, sir. I don't know your name, though."

"Danny. Komand, get us back to Babylon, please."

The woman nodded, before directing the interceptor to the orbit. Komand proceeded and let the computer to calculate coordinates. It was easier than carrying an astromech droid around. The group patiently waited untill the calculations were over, before Ahsoka broke the silence.

"I've never heard about this planet," she commented.

Danny leaned back, putting hands behind his head and smirking. "Well, we have a Duchess of that planet on our ship."

The girl's jaw dropped. "Really?" She whispered in awe, looking at blushing Komand.

"Since we got a new ruler, this title is nothing but an annoying nickname," she said.

"Aww, I thought you liked it when I said it," Danny pouted.

Komand just turned away, her face still red. Yes, she enjoyed it, but only when her lover said it. When the computer let out a beep, she pulled the lever and the ship jump to hyperspace. Danny tapped on the chair with his finger, before looking at his girlfriend.

"So, I take it you haven't found a crystal," he said calmly.

The woman hissed slightly. "Uhm, noo..."

"There must be something else then," Phantom hummed in thought, before snapping his fingers. "Bingo. We can change the color of the crystal you already have."

"How do you offer to do that?" Komand raised her eyebrow. Ahsoka was interested, too.

"Through the cleansing ritual. You can form a real bond with your crystal and it will change color. I had a book with detailed description somewhere."

"You have paper books?" Ahsoka asked.

"Why everyone is questioning that?" Danny exclaimed in exasperation.

"Because you are the only one to use them?" Komand offered teasingly.

"Only and proud of it. Alright," Danny clasped his hands. "I have smuggled some Nutella here. Now I need to recall where I put it so we could have breakfast."

"What is this?"

"The food of the gods," Phantom said dramatically, before walking out of the room.

Ahsoka looked at Komand in confusion. "Is he always so..."

"Loony? Quite often, but he is smarter than he looks," she whispered the last part. Both of them snickered.

The following hours went calmly, without any mishaps. However, Ahsoka was still uncertain being near them. The girl didn't know a thing about the strange couple. And since she fully relied on their welcoming attitude, Ahsoka was wary of asking important questions. By occasion everyone was in the main hall. It was a big oval room with a furniture typical for living rooms. Komand was sitting on an armchair, reading some book on her datapad. Ahsoka seemed bored. She had taken her hot coat off, so she was only in gray youngling robes. Danny meanwhile got an idea.

"How about watching the news?" He asked. Without receiving the answer, he turned the monitor on by pressing a button on a remote.

It looked like a typical news channel. There was a symbol of the channel in the corner, a running line nearby and a Babylon time in another corner on top. There was a black studio with multiple lights, in the center was a wide table with a news presenter behind it. The man was well into his thirties, with black mustache and short hair tied back. There was a metal device circling around his head and connecting to his ear. The man was wearing black and gray leather clothes.

"And we have news from our military station on Doisac. This station was created on the order of the Emperor Phantom after the signing of Csilla Agreement. Its purpose is to monitor the movements of the foreign vessels in order to prevent sudden invasions. The station's head operative wishes to share what they have recently detected."

A hologram of the officer appeared on a seat next to the presenter. He was a three meters tall ape-like being, there was something from rhinoceros in him too. He had rough gray skin, black fur and beard. He preferred to wear their species' armor rather than Stormtroopers plastoid, a very big plastoid. The armor consisted several separate parts made from gray metal. However, he had put an Imperial officer badge on his shoulder plate. You could feel a militaristic air around him.

"Captain Maximus, glad the connection came through," the presenter greeted.

"Likewise," the alien said in deep voice.

"So, what is this matter you have found?"

"Our deep space scanners have picked multiple movements through the systems not so far from the Imperial borders. It is a big fleet, we counted at least four hundred vessels."

"Don't you think that could be the Chiss? It is the Galactic North after all."

"This fleet was found in buffer zone. It could be them, but in that case they are breaking the treaty the Emperor has signed one year ago. I have already requested an audience with the Imperial Council where I shall give proofs about the foreign force near our borders. I say that we must destroy this threat before they attack us, and I cannot act without permission or any proper fleets."

"No offense, sir, but do you have an authority to command navies? You are a Captain of ground forces, after all."

"I was speaking figuratively. I meant that the fleets should be assigned to our planet."

"Oh, I see, what about..."

Phantom turned off the monitor and put a hand on his chin. Komand knew that her lover was thinking up something.

"What Empire are they talking about?" Ahsoka asked.

"On papers it is Second Infinite Empire," Danny shrugged. "People just refer to it as 'the Empire' and I call it a Sith Empire just for the fun of it."

"You have a strange humor," Ahsoka said sarcastically.

"You will get used to it, girl," Komand added, rolling her eyes. "Who do you think that trespassers are?" She asked Danny.

"Not a clue, this Jiralhanae looks like a warmonger. I guess he indeed has to prove his findings before the Council."

"Aren't all of them war hungry?" Komand raised her eyebrow.

"True. I have a feeling that we shouldn't give weapons to bloodthirsty monkeys who had once nuked their own planet."

"Oh, and where is your famed multiculturalism?" the woman said dramatically.

"I am multicultural, I respect other cultures and races, but. So should they. They must understand that their constant desire for war is not appreciated within the Empire. Anyways, I need to make a few calls, don't enter my quarters, please."

"You mean my quarters?" Komand asked, raising her eyebrow.

"You are welcome to join afterwards," Danny smirked teasingly, before disappearing behind the metal doors.

After that Ahsoka got bored again. Meditations really weren't her thing. She just lied on a sofa, blowing raspberries. The girl looked to the side and saw that Komand had decided to take a nap. Ahsoka decided to check what Danny was doing at the moment. She got to the room and she immediately heard a familiar voice.

"Is it below President Lockheart to talk with me personally?" Phantom asked.

"The President is dead, sir."

"Explain."

"Lockheart was bitten by a Krate basilisk when he was visiting the planet. Holding a meeting on the open air was a mistake."

"Just wonderful, what the humans think about that?" 

"They are unhappy with such development."

"Let me guess, the Empire is to blame."

"Indeed, sir. Their leaders are trying to convince the populace that the Security Bureau is responsible. There are motives and there are ways for us to do so."

"I don't recall ordering his murder. Neither do you, Keeper, right?"

"Of course, My Lord."

"What are the supposed motives?"

"Lockheart was against joining the Empire from the beginning. That meeting was with the biggest bank on Krait. Taking loans from the local banks instead of Central Bank should have secured the autonomy of the planet. If they couldn't return the loan to Krait, then it would have only led to bickering, but it won't be the same when they don't return money to the state."

"It would have given us a reason to tighten the screws," Danny finished. "I see. But that's not us who did this, which leads to the only side which can gain profit from destabilizing the country."

"That dissidents are like gnalroaches, they get everywhere," the Keeper grumbled. "It is only logical. They are viewed as terrorists, so they won't be able to rule relying on people's will. If the country is in turmoil, however, everyone with weapons could do that."

"How humans are showing their displeasure?"

"Protests. Local police is not doing anything with them."

"Contact the governor and order the Stormtroopers to maintain order, but do not attack unless someone attacks them. In that case, beat the provocateurs with shock sticks. Report about developments immediately."

"Yes, my Lord."

With that everything fell silent behind the door, right before it opened. Ahsoka nervously looked up and saw Phantom looking down at her.

"Oh, hey, I was just..."

Danny's expression softened as he sighed.

"How much did you hear?"

"Uhm, something about riots," Ahsoka said uncertainly, not sure what to expect.

Phantom gestured for her to come in. The girl followed and sat on a small chair. Phantom poured the Burgundy wine into a glass.

"As you have probably guessed, I'm not a simple smuggler," he said. "And yes, I am occupying a very comfy place in Imperial hierarchy."

"But...you are a Jedi, yes?"

Danny looked at her. "In a way. After all, there was a time when some of the Jedi were feudals. Some owned entire planets and held the titles of Lords. Funny, isn't it? Jedi Lord sounds rather unusual."

"And you are one of them?"

"No, I'm merely saying that you don't have to be a power hungry Sith to play a role, even if significant, in the government."

"You were acting really harsh," Ahsoka commented.

"This is a harsh world, kiddo."

"I've never seen you in the Order, have you left it?"

Danny snorted, taking a sip of the drink. "You would have left the Order, too, if you looked at it from a different perspective. But no, the Jedi never found me when I was a kid. I'm...self taught, you can say. But, I know a lot of things. Enough about me, I don't know a thing about you, girl."

"Well, I'm ten years old and I'm from planet Shili."

"Go on," Danny pried.

"I've been in the Jedi Order since I was three. Master Plo Koon found me and brought to the temple where I belong," Ahsoka smiled.

"And your parents?"

The girl's smile faded. "I don't remember them, I was an orphan by the time Master Plo discovered me."

Danny patted her on shoulder. "Hey, that's alright. You have a new family, don't you?"

"Well, there is my clan, but we don't talk much with each other."

"Ouch. If it helps, I wasn't on good terms with my parents."

"No, it doesn't help," Ahsoka grumbled.

Danny sighed. "Yeah. I thought so. But, I might have something to cheer you up."

"And that is..."

"I can order to make details for your lightsaber. You've got your crystal, right?"

"Wow, really?" Ahsoka gasped. Phantom nodded, and she beamed brightly at him. But then the girl looked conflicted. "But...I don't have anything to pay you back for everything."

Danny smiled. "Don't worry, I don't need anything from you. I'm just glad to help. Besides, wait before you see the place you will be staying in."

Before she could ask what he meant, the communicator beeped again. Danny sighed and rubbed his temples. "You may go if you want. I have a lot of work to do after my vacation."

"Okay," the girl said, going out of the room.

Their trip was coming to an end, and the group started to wait in the cockpit. Ahsoka looked at Komand curiously.

"What's this planet like?" She asked.

Komand rolled her eyes, not looking up from the datapad. "Babylon is an ecumenopolis and the capital of the Empire. Six hundred billion people," she finished, pressing a few buttons. "Coming out of hyperspace now."

The white lines appeared around the ship, before dispersing. Ahsoka was impressed by the sight, even if she had seen Coruscant before. Babylon's night side glowed with multicolored dots, forming beautiful shapes. Thousands of ships were departing and arriving on the planet in the controlled traffic lines. A considerable Home Fleet, consisting hundred ships and including Hyperion, was stationed near the moon. Receiving a permission to land, the ship flew to the lightened side of the planet.

"Where are we going?" Ahsoka asked.

"We are going to the Imperial District in its northern belt."

"What's so important there?"

"It is the center of the Empire's politics," Danny crossed his hands. "All governmental buildings stand there: Supreme Court, The High Council and the Imperial Palace. There are also the Headquarters of the Intelligence and the Ministry of War. Everything is on close enough proximity on planetary scale. The Court is secluded from the rest, though. No one wants the judges to grow buddies with another ministries. The district also consists living places for the officials."

"Oh," Ahsoka said. "So we are going to your home?"

"Yep," Komand answered, without looking away from the 'road'. "Hey, Danny, I just thought, this ship is not very practical."

Phantom rolled his eyes. "Meaning?"

"Well, it's like you said, we are driving a military vessel. Not exactly the way to be discrete."

"Hm, I can see your point. We'll think up something."

Soon the ship descended on a landing platform. The group came out of the ship, and Ahsoka's eyes were ready to jump out. On close proximity, the Palace, or at least what she had assumed was the Palace, looked very majestic. When she finally looked down, Ahsoka noticed that two adults were waiting for her. She blushed slightly and followed.

"What are we doing here?" The girl asked.

"We live here," Danny said in amusement, without looking back.

"But...this is the Palace of the Emperor, right?"

Phantom smirked and glanced back, before winking. Ahsoka's jaw dropped slowly as she realized what was going on. Her thought was confirmed when several guards in black armor and opened helmets stood still.

"Your Highness, we are glad to see you returning back in safety," the chief of security greeted.

"Thank you, Commander. I will be fine on my own from now."

The chief nodded, before his eyes fell on Ahsoka.

"And who is..."

"She is something we don't share outside of the Palace, am I clear?"

"Yes, My Lord," the man bowed.

The guards stepped aside and the group walked another hundred meters towards the doors. Danny opened them with a light flick of his hand, but when they entered, a blue wisp escaped from Phantom's mouth. He didn't have time to react when something clutched his leg with excited squeal.

"Daddy!" Dani exclaimed in joy, earning a laugh from her father and a smile from his girlfriend.

"Someone help, the Emperor is under attack!" Phantom moaned jokingly, before picking up the giggling girl and hugging her tightly. "How are you doing, princess?"

"Great, we've been playing with HK ALL time," she moved her hands to show how much time they had been playing.

Phantom and Komand looked confused. "He really played with you?" Danny asked in bewilderment.

"Yep," the girl beamed. "There he is!" She pointed her finger at the column.

HK peaked slightly from behind it. "Begging: Please, move this demon away from me," he whimpered.

Danny and Komand blinked, before looking at the girl.

"Alright, what in both worlds happened here?" Phantom asked.

"Answer: It was an unstoppable torture. Endless suffering."

Dani was smiling innocently, all she was lacking was a glowing nimb above her head.

"You are exaggerating," Komand stated.

"Exclamation: EXAGGERATING?! I still can't find some of my details. She. Is. Evil."

"Does that look evil to you?" Danny asked, lifting the girl.

"Warning: You don't know what is hidden under the cover."

When Phantom put Dani on the ground, the child noticed Ahsoka. Before everyone could even blink, she was already near the older girl. The togruta jumped in surprise slightly.

"Hi, I'm Dani, who are you? What are you doin' here? What's your favorite color?"

"Uhm, I'm Ahsoka, my favorite color is red, and I'm staying here for a while, apparently."

"Cool, c'mon, I'll show you the Palace!" Dani babbled excitedly, pulling Ahsoka after her. The latter was surprised at the white haired girl's strength.

"Should we watch over them?" Komand asked.

"Good thinking. H...where is that droid?"

He heard rapid metallic clanking and saw a tiny bit of orange plating running behind the corner.

"Looks like we are alone," Danny deadpanned.

"Good. Danny, we have to talk."

"Let me guess, that's about Ahsoka. I have reasons for helping her out, Komy. I promise I'll tell you when the time comes, but until then, be as welcoming as possible," Phantom gave a peck on her cheek, before strolling off. "I have to go for a Council session. Look after the kids while I'm gone, alright?"

"Fine, shoo," the woman waved him off.

Danny rolled his eyes with amused smirk and dissappeared in a cloud of smoke.