NEXUS
Yavin Four.
At first glance and with no knowledge of the galaxy, one would never realize the importance this moon had in how the galaxy was shaped into what it now is. A lush jungle; it has been the home to many beings and defining moments have taken place on its surface. Dark and light Jedi have clashed against each other in a battle of wills and determining what justice means. Exar Kun, apprentice in the ways of the Sith wiped out the natives of this moon, the Massassi, and took all their life force upon himself making him powerful but dark. Exar Kun met his own end, later learning that darkness always consumes the vessel it inhabits. When a reign of terror called the Empire took over the galaxy, a resistance came about. Its first of many victories, the destruction of the Death Star, took place in the skies above Yavin Four. Later Yavin Four was the location of an academy recreating the Jedi Order that has for millennia protected the citizens of the galaxy. This moon has been the beginning of fighting back but most importantly the beginning of destiny and of setting things straight in the galaxy.
Down on the surface of the jungle moon a girl ran. Her hair blows in her face as she runs swiftly and surely through the forest, bare foot, moving with grace and speed. Little nicks and scratches just spur her on to go faster. She darts in and out of the trees knowing that she won't come to harm; a human blur. Face set on determination and that her friends won't catch up, she delves deeper into the energy field that is the Force and refreshes herself; willing herself to go faster to push her limits and go beyond what she thought capable. Looking ahead she clears the forest and continues across the land toward the Great Temple.
Rebuilt after years of effort, the Temple was complete. The alien race, the Yuuzhan Vong, during their almost successful conquest more than a decade before had flattened it down and landed one of their damuteks on top of it. An area where they could test and shape Jedi into cruel dark side weapons.
The young girl turned her head with a triumphant grin to see how far behind her friends were and felt her danger sense pulsing; quicker and with more urgency. "Kylea, look out!" her friend yelled. She reflexively turned forward to heed his warning but not fast enough.
With a harsh thump air rushed out of her lungs and she fell down; darkness threatening the edges of her awareness. Kylea clears her mind and stands quickly gaining her balance. Knowing exactly what she did she turns her eyes upon her father. "Sorry about that, dad," Kylea apologized.
Anakin Solo brushed himself off and met her green-eyed gaze. The years had been kind to her father Anakin. At forty standard years old you could barely tell he had aged. He was broad shouldered and not overly muscular. He still had his thick mop of unruly brown hair and those piercing ice blue eyes that knew all. At least to Kylea, Anakin was just as able as he was when he was seventeen. Her dad was her hero. And here was another example why. He had not fallen. Either from the Force or his physical prowess or maybe a running Kylea wasn't enough to knock him down; she didn't know which. "Your not hurt then?" came his concerned voice.
"No, I'm fine," Kylea assured him, sweeping twigs and bits of leaf from her dirty brown hair. The forest race had been fun but Kylea knew what would follow. Whenever she failed to notice her surroundings she always knew a reprimand would come. Maybe this time it would get past her thick skull; courtesy of her grandfather Han Solo. She kept her smile in check though, careful to keep the fond memories of her grandfather clear from her thoughts. Kylea suddenly became very interested in a twig on the ground that had fallen from her hair. She moved it around with her boot.
She mentally braced herself. "Kylea, you weren't paying attention again. You have to learn to extend your sphere of responsibility. It's important for a Jedi to go beyond the immediate battle and sense everything around her." Anakin told her, a note of sternness in his voice.
'I know," she responded duly, trying to control the flush that was rising to her face. But her Dad was right. She hadn't been paying attention to her surroundings. Even in lightsaber practice which she was good at, she lost many times because she would focus all her will on the coming threat. Totally oblivious to her surroundings. A dangerous flaw for a Jedi Anakin had told her.
Thankfully her friends were approaching, coming to alleviate the awkward moment. Kiran Horn and Xen Solusar slowed to a stop beside her. Kiran was a wiry boy of fourteen. His features were different from the rest of his dark featured family. He had fiery red hair that often fell into his vibrant green eyes. The same color as her own she thought. He liked to make people laugh. Xen on the other hand was the eldest of them all being sixteen. She had blond closer to white hair and blue eyes that seemed to penetrate through anything. She was short for her age but considered very handsome for a young human woman and was subject of many a crush. She was kind-hearted but possessed a quick temper.
"Good morning, Master Solo," Kiran started, "We were just out for our morning run and we,"-
--were wondering if you would spar with us?" Xen interrupted eagerly, fondly laying her palm on the hilt of her lightsaber. All three teenagers looked up at Anakin, not daring to hope.
"As much as I'd enjoy it I'd have to say no." the Jedi Knight answered. Judging by their fallen faces he knew this was not the expected reply. So he added, "I came out to tell you that your Grandpa and Aunt Jaina are on their way here for a visit. They will arrive tomorrow evening." Anakin crossed his arms and grinned, looking down at his daughter to enjoy the effect of his words.
Her face lit up. "So soon? I thought they were on a mission. Not that I'm complaining or anything. Are they taking the Falcon? Are Grandma and Uncle Jace coming too?" Kylea said all this with little pause for breath.
Anakin continued to smile inwardly. Kylea chattered as much as his wife Tahiri had when he'd first met her. Back then, she had talked enough for the both of them. A good thing for Anakin seldom spoke, preferring to keep to himself.
"Yes, they will be arriving in that old clunker Grandpa calls a ship. Honestly, that ship isn't space worthy its space flotsam," Anakin answered, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Jace and Grandma are still on their mission. Force knows when they'll be back." In his youth Jacen was known for his pacifism and procrastination when making decisions. While he had outgrown that a long time ago Anakin liked to remind himself of it, especially when Jacen took longer than necessary on what was thought a simple mission. Though when they were young it was the subject of their many moral differences; now they both remembered it fondly.
"I can't wait. Thanks for the news." Kylea said to her father who was making his way back to the temple. She turned to her friends. They were as excited as she was. Xen never missed a chance to meet the legendary Han Solo. As for Kiran, well, let's say he has trouble keeping his secret crush on Jaina under wraps even though Jaina is happily married to Jagged Fel.
"Now if you will excuse me," Kiran started, "I have to prepare for Master Jaina's arrival." He gave Kylea and Xen a winning smile that was reminiscent of Lando Calrissian. "I must make her believe I'm a worthy apprentice." He strutted to the temple, straight backed and chin high. In the process, tripping over a tree branch in his ignorance of the surroundings. The two girls laughed hard as this took place and Kylea was reminded she wasn't the only one who had to pay attention.
"This is great, Kylea!" Xen said in excitement. "You haven't seen them in ages."
"Yeah," she replied uncharacteristically quiet, "I'm going to catch up on my studies now. Will I see you at lunch?"
"I'll be there."
That Night-
Kylea pulled back the heavy drapes of her window that protected her room from Yavin Four's vicious storms and looked up at the stars.
She stretched out with her feelings, trying to figure out what was wrong.
Something was, anyway.
This was the third night in a row in which she couldn't sleep. Dreams..
or nightmares.
The same one, over and over she could tell, though she didn't know how because she never could recall them. All she had was a feeling. A feeling deep in her core that something was terribly wrong.
Yavin Four.
At first glance and with no knowledge of the galaxy, one would never realize the importance this moon had in how the galaxy was shaped into what it now is. A lush jungle; it has been the home to many beings and defining moments have taken place on its surface. Dark and light Jedi have clashed against each other in a battle of wills and determining what justice means. Exar Kun, apprentice in the ways of the Sith wiped out the natives of this moon, the Massassi, and took all their life force upon himself making him powerful but dark. Exar Kun met his own end, later learning that darkness always consumes the vessel it inhabits. When a reign of terror called the Empire took over the galaxy, a resistance came about. Its first of many victories, the destruction of the Death Star, took place in the skies above Yavin Four. Later Yavin Four was the location of an academy recreating the Jedi Order that has for millennia protected the citizens of the galaxy. This moon has been the beginning of fighting back but most importantly the beginning of destiny and of setting things straight in the galaxy.
Down on the surface of the jungle moon a girl ran. Her hair blows in her face as she runs swiftly and surely through the forest, bare foot, moving with grace and speed. Little nicks and scratches just spur her on to go faster. She darts in and out of the trees knowing that she won't come to harm; a human blur. Face set on determination and that her friends won't catch up, she delves deeper into the energy field that is the Force and refreshes herself; willing herself to go faster to push her limits and go beyond what she thought capable. Looking ahead she clears the forest and continues across the land toward the Great Temple.
Rebuilt after years of effort, the Temple was complete. The alien race, the Yuuzhan Vong, during their almost successful conquest more than a decade before had flattened it down and landed one of their damuteks on top of it. An area where they could test and shape Jedi into cruel dark side weapons.
The young girl turned her head with a triumphant grin to see how far behind her friends were and felt her danger sense pulsing; quicker and with more urgency. "Kylea, look out!" her friend yelled. She reflexively turned forward to heed his warning but not fast enough.
With a harsh thump air rushed out of her lungs and she fell down; darkness threatening the edges of her awareness. Kylea clears her mind and stands quickly gaining her balance. Knowing exactly what she did she turns her eyes upon her father. "Sorry about that, dad," Kylea apologized.
Anakin Solo brushed himself off and met her green-eyed gaze. The years had been kind to her father Anakin. At forty standard years old you could barely tell he had aged. He was broad shouldered and not overly muscular. He still had his thick mop of unruly brown hair and those piercing ice blue eyes that knew all. At least to Kylea, Anakin was just as able as he was when he was seventeen. Her dad was her hero. And here was another example why. He had not fallen. Either from the Force or his physical prowess or maybe a running Kylea wasn't enough to knock him down; she didn't know which. "Your not hurt then?" came his concerned voice.
"No, I'm fine," Kylea assured him, sweeping twigs and bits of leaf from her dirty brown hair. The forest race had been fun but Kylea knew what would follow. Whenever she failed to notice her surroundings she always knew a reprimand would come. Maybe this time it would get past her thick skull; courtesy of her grandfather Han Solo. She kept her smile in check though, careful to keep the fond memories of her grandfather clear from her thoughts. Kylea suddenly became very interested in a twig on the ground that had fallen from her hair. She moved it around with her boot.
She mentally braced herself. "Kylea, you weren't paying attention again. You have to learn to extend your sphere of responsibility. It's important for a Jedi to go beyond the immediate battle and sense everything around her." Anakin told her, a note of sternness in his voice.
'I know," she responded duly, trying to control the flush that was rising to her face. But her Dad was right. She hadn't been paying attention to her surroundings. Even in lightsaber practice which she was good at, she lost many times because she would focus all her will on the coming threat. Totally oblivious to her surroundings. A dangerous flaw for a Jedi Anakin had told her.
Thankfully her friends were approaching, coming to alleviate the awkward moment. Kiran Horn and Xen Solusar slowed to a stop beside her. Kiran was a wiry boy of fourteen. His features were different from the rest of his dark featured family. He had fiery red hair that often fell into his vibrant green eyes. The same color as her own she thought. He liked to make people laugh. Xen on the other hand was the eldest of them all being sixteen. She had blond closer to white hair and blue eyes that seemed to penetrate through anything. She was short for her age but considered very handsome for a young human woman and was subject of many a crush. She was kind-hearted but possessed a quick temper.
"Good morning, Master Solo," Kiran started, "We were just out for our morning run and we,"-
--were wondering if you would spar with us?" Xen interrupted eagerly, fondly laying her palm on the hilt of her lightsaber. All three teenagers looked up at Anakin, not daring to hope.
"As much as I'd enjoy it I'd have to say no." the Jedi Knight answered. Judging by their fallen faces he knew this was not the expected reply. So he added, "I came out to tell you that your Grandpa and Aunt Jaina are on their way here for a visit. They will arrive tomorrow evening." Anakin crossed his arms and grinned, looking down at his daughter to enjoy the effect of his words.
Her face lit up. "So soon? I thought they were on a mission. Not that I'm complaining or anything. Are they taking the Falcon? Are Grandma and Uncle Jace coming too?" Kylea said all this with little pause for breath.
Anakin continued to smile inwardly. Kylea chattered as much as his wife Tahiri had when he'd first met her. Back then, she had talked enough for the both of them. A good thing for Anakin seldom spoke, preferring to keep to himself.
"Yes, they will be arriving in that old clunker Grandpa calls a ship. Honestly, that ship isn't space worthy its space flotsam," Anakin answered, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Jace and Grandma are still on their mission. Force knows when they'll be back." In his youth Jacen was known for his pacifism and procrastination when making decisions. While he had outgrown that a long time ago Anakin liked to remind himself of it, especially when Jacen took longer than necessary on what was thought a simple mission. Though when they were young it was the subject of their many moral differences; now they both remembered it fondly.
"I can't wait. Thanks for the news." Kylea said to her father who was making his way back to the temple. She turned to her friends. They were as excited as she was. Xen never missed a chance to meet the legendary Han Solo. As for Kiran, well, let's say he has trouble keeping his secret crush on Jaina under wraps even though Jaina is happily married to Jagged Fel.
"Now if you will excuse me," Kiran started, "I have to prepare for Master Jaina's arrival." He gave Kylea and Xen a winning smile that was reminiscent of Lando Calrissian. "I must make her believe I'm a worthy apprentice." He strutted to the temple, straight backed and chin high. In the process, tripping over a tree branch in his ignorance of the surroundings. The two girls laughed hard as this took place and Kylea was reminded she wasn't the only one who had to pay attention.
"This is great, Kylea!" Xen said in excitement. "You haven't seen them in ages."
"Yeah," she replied uncharacteristically quiet, "I'm going to catch up on my studies now. Will I see you at lunch?"
"I'll be there."
That Night-
Kylea pulled back the heavy drapes of her window that protected her room from Yavin Four's vicious storms and looked up at the stars.
She stretched out with her feelings, trying to figure out what was wrong.
Something was, anyway.
This was the third night in a row in which she couldn't sleep. Dreams..
or nightmares.
The same one, over and over she could tell, though she didn't know how because she never could recall them. All she had was a feeling. A feeling deep in her core that something was terribly wrong.