Chapter XIII By Matthew Hardy People all over the galaxy saw this message from Warmaster Tasvong Lah, including the Jedi council and Senate on Coruscant. “Well now what are we going to do about this?” Asked Master Hammer. “Well clearly you’ve never had a bounty placed on your head,” commented Kypp. “Until Master Skywalker returns all Jedi Knights, Padawans, and Initiates will be confined to the Jedi temple for mutual protection. Only Masters may leave the temple if either contacted by the Senate or Chief of State. Mind you that this is only temporary, we will continue to do our duties and fight the Yuuzhan Vong and their allies wherever that may be.” “What of the Jedi off world?” Asked Clighal. “They will have to lay low, get off worlds that are unfriendly, and work their way back to Coruscant or Yavin 4. Masters Kam and Tionne can gather those Jedi and Initiates there and bring them back to Coruscant.” Said Kypp. “You think that people will heed this message from the Vong for our heads? Asked Clighal. “Absolutely!” Exclaimed Kanan. “They will believe that betraying us to the Vong will save their worlds. But, we all know, the word of the Yuuzhan Vong is all lies. Otherwise Ithor would still be a living vibrant world. We cannot trust the Yuuzhan Vong to keep their word. Soon enough, they will begin advancing again and nothing will be spared as promised.” “I agree with you Master Kanan.” Replied Kypp. On the Chimaera: “Admiral, sir. We’ve sustained damage to the hyperdrive. It is leaking. I don’t think we have enough power to reach Commenor with the rest of the fleet.” Said his chief engineer. “Can you fix it Mr. Scott?” Asked Paelleon. “Yes sir, but we will need to drop out of lightspeed somewhere to repair it and refuel the drive system.” He replied. “Where is the closest place we can reach with the repair facilities we need?” Paelleon asked his navigations officer. “Only one system we can reach sir,” he gulped. “Corellia.” “Wonderful,” groaned Paelleon. “Alright set course change and notify Admiral Kre’Fey of our situation Lieutenant.” “Yes sir.” He replied. “I will inform Empress Jade or our situation personally.” Said Paelleon. “In the meantime continue damage assessments and make repairs to what we can while in transit.” He ordered the bridge crew. “Captain has the con.” “Yes sir,” replied his men. Paelleon left the bridge and found Jade, Skywalker, Kira and Domahall. All sparing with their lightsabers. Luke vs. Mara, Kira vs Domahall. All were equally matched trading cuts and slashes, jabs and parries, back and forth. They were so in sync with their partners it seemed like a perfectly choreographed ballet to Paelleon’s eyes. He approached cautiously. “My lady please excuse the interruption.” Said Paelleon. “Go ahead with your report,” replied Mara making a slash at Luke’s side which he blocked, and locked his blade cracking and popping together. “Our hyperdrive is damaged and we have to stop and make repairs.” Luke feinted to the right then reposed slashing down from high left which Mara deflected and held firm. “Go On.” She urged. “Unfortunately the only system we can reach is Corellia, Ma’am.” Said Paelleon. Luke looped around coming up under her magenta blade and knocked it out of Mara’s grip sending it flying back. Mara quickly made two acrobatic back flips landing perfectly on her feet catching her lightsaber and angled it above her head and pointed it at Luke. “Perfect ten, very impressive” Smiled Luke. “Very well Admiral. Corellia will be fine. I had an errand that needs to be run there anyways. And we can get Leia to a recovery facility there for a few days to recover.” Said Mara. “As you wish your highness.” Replied Paelleon. Behind him Domahall cried out, “Aargh!” Kira had landed a slash on his shoulder. “Sorry.” Grinned Kira. “Don’t be, you won fair and square.” Said Domahall rubbing his welt. “That Smarts!” “Oh Master Skywalker, there is something you and your Jedi need to see. I need you to come to the bridge. Quickly.” Said Paelleon. “Alright,” said Luke closing down his lightsaber. “Enough exercise for one day.” He grinned and bowed to Mara. She saluted and closed down her weapon. They proceeded to the ship’s bridge and Paelleon showed them the message they’d received from Tasvong Lah to the galaxy. “Well if it wasn’t tough enough to be a Jedi, now we’re going to be hunted to extinction.” Commented Kira. “We will survive this.” Said Luke. “Though I don’t exactly see why he is so obsessed with the two of you,” he said turning to Kira and Domahall. “And why does he think the two of you are siblings?” “Probably the way I came after Master Solo to rescue her Master.” Replied Domahall. “Not like he’d know the difference anyways.” “We might be able to play them on this sibling angle. I’ve always wanted a brother.” Chuckled Kira. Domahall Laughed. “You two can work out that later.” Chuckled Luke. “We need to contact the Jedi Council immediately.” “You are welcome to use the communications array.” Replied Admiral Paelleon. “Thank you” replied Luke. The array activated and Kanan answered on the opposite end. “Master Skywalker good to hear from you. Kira and Domahall you two. Where’s Leia?” Asked Kanan. “She’s been injured pretty badly her legs were broken and one had the femoral artery cut. She’s stable now though still unconscious. We are heading for Corellia now,” said Kira. “I doubt she will be able to return to active duty for several weeks though.” “Thank you Kira.” Said Kanan. “I take it you’ve seen the message the Yuuzhan Vong delivered after the fall of Duro?” “Yes” replied Luke. “Kypp’s ordered that we remain in the temple on Coruscant or if off world get into hiding and make for Yavin 4.” Relayed Kanan. “Are we sure retreat is the best option?” Asked Kira. “We aren’t necessarily retreating to say.” Replied Kanan. “But, despite the good we have done for the galaxy it is easy for people to forget that fact when given a tempting offer like the Yuuzhan Vong have presented. They are playing on desperation and fear now.” “Desperation and fear unfortunately will be a strong ally for the Yuuzhan Vong, what more can we do?” Asked Kira. “Trust in the Force, work together, continue fighting hard. Disrupting enemy movements and do our jobs.” Said Luke. “Stand firm” Said Mara behind them. “I’ve seen the horrors these Yuuzhan Vong have brought and I can tell you now that, this is far worse than anything the Emperor brought to this galaxy. You can’t beat them head to head. They’re too powerful right now. You must think back to your days and strategies of the Rebellion. You didn’t win all the fights head to head. But you survived, never quit, kept on fighting, raiding convoys, and hitting targets of little value to the Empire, but important victories non-the-less for those watching you from a far. The victories were small but huge boosts of morale and drew in more support. I insist that is what you and I must do now.” “I’m glad to hear you say that Mara.” Said Luke. “You’ve had plenty of chances to enact the final command given to you to end me…yet you have not. The hatred for me in you is gone. I sense a change in you Mara.” “You aren’t all perfect as I was made to believe, I’ll admit I’m a tough person to get to know.” “I won’t argue with that.” “But, you are the first person who has truly shown caring for me. You looked past the darkness and found something in me. My true self. It’s been ages since I can remember that I can truly call someone a friend.” Replied Mara. “There is good in all people. Some ignore it, some turn away. Some embrace it. I have seen a lot of bad things in my life Mara. Though you’ve had to follow some commands to kill, destroy and enact judgment. You did so with compassion and strength from within, weighing the evidence first then made the decision to carry out your orders as seen fit. These actions are not those of a dark person. Though many see these actions as evil, from a certain point of view. It is not true to who you are. You’ve saved my life twice now. The qualities in you are not those of a Sith or Dark Adept…whatever you want to call it. No, the qualities in you are those of a Jedi Knight Mara.” Said Luke. “If you choose to accept those feelings embrace them and not shy away, all you need to do is ask.” Luke’s words hit Mara as hard as a blaster on highest stun setting. She had to sit down a moment and let his words sink in. She thought long and hard. Even Kira, Domahall, and Kanan listening to his words were silenced in awe. “You really think I have what it takes?” Asked Mara. “Yes, there is much you can still learn from us. And much you can teach us in turn.” Said Luke “What of my duties to the Empire of the Hand? I just can’t step aside now. You know that.” Said Mara. “That’s okay, you still have a mission to run on Corellia when we reach that needs taken care of. It would be a good test for you while still being independent from the Jedi Order.” “Mission? What are you talking about?” Asked Kira. “I can’t discuss it here publicly. It must remain in private.” Said Luke. “I’m sorry. Kira, Domahall I’m assigning you two to keep an eye on Leia while she recovers from her injuries when we reach Corellia. Trust me this is an important assignment. Since there is a price on Jedi’s heads and Corellia not truly friendly to the Republic right now, there are not a lot of people we can trust. Especially if Thrakin Sal-Solo learns she is there.” “Oh…Oh,” Said Kira realizing what Mara’s mission was. “I see.” “We will do all we can to help, Master.” Replied Domahall. “I know you will. Now see to Leia and get her on the Falcon to take her to the med center. Oh and for now no lightsabers or Jedi clothing we’ll need to blend in like refugees.” Instructed Luke. “Yes, master.” Replied Kira and Domahall. “Anything else?” “While you are at it give the Falcon a paint job, Thrakin does know the Falcon so to blend in you’ll need to disguise it too.” Smiled Luke. They nodded and rushed off to change. Walking back Kira thought of a lot of things: her mother, Chewie still not knowing his fate, Mara’s interest in Luke and thoughts of her becoming a Jedi now, even ideas on what colors to paint the Falcon, and what to call it once they arrived at Corellia, the war, the Jedi, her role as Sword of the Jedi. “Trust in the Force” She remembered. The future however uncertain was still hers to make and as long as she was still breathing she would fight for it.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 03:00:32 +0000
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