Gladiatorial Jedi
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A/N1:Major AU story!
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A/N2: I do not own Star Wars.
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It is a period of well-earned rest for the galaxy as our heroes recuperate after the long, drawn-out war with the Yuuzahn Vong.
Luke and Mara— seeking time to be together with their son after being apart for so long— have taken Ben with them on a family vacation. However, Fate has different plans for the Skywalkers as someone from Luke's past returns.
Separated from his beloved wife and son, Luke is caught up in a dangerous series of games in which it's kill or be killed. And if he doesn't perform… it's not he who will pay the price.
Timeframe: 31 ABY
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Chapter One:
"Daddy!" a little voice squeaked from inside the tent.
Two adults, snuggled comfortably inside their shared sleeping bag, shifted slightly. But they didn't wake. Placing his little hands on his hips, Ben Skywalker glared at the back of his father's head.
"Daddy, wake up!" Ben called again, this time nudging the man with his booted toe.
Luke Skywalker woke with a start, taking a moment to reacquaint himself with his surroundings. In the process he disturbed his wife, and she grumbled incoherently. But she was aware enough to also sense their eager five-year old son.
Rolling his head, Luke turned his gaze to his son's matching blue eyes. "What is it Ben?"
Ben smiled, happy that his father was now awake and listening to him. He jumped up and down excitedly.
"It's morning, Daddy! You said we could go play in the morning!" Ben announced.
Luke dropped his head to the pillow, groaning inwardly. The sun had just barely peeked over the crest of the nearby mountains, and according to Ben— who was still learning about time— it meant that the day had begun.
And while Luke was normally a morning person himself, he had hoped to be able to sleep in since they were on vacation.
You really thought that, bringing a little boy camping, Skywalker? Mara asked mentally.
He's your son too, why don't you take him out? Luke responded hopefully.
Mara snorted softly. I am not the one who promised him we could go hiking so bright and early.
I didn't mean sunrise… Luke protested halfheartedly.
"Daddy!" An inpatient Ben sighed.
Mara snickered, snuggling deeper into her end of the sleep-sack. Best get going Daddy…
Luke pinched her backside, making Mara shriek momentarily before she punched his arm under the covers. Luke pulled himself upright and finally got a full glimpse of his son.
Trying hard to stifle his laughter, Luke nudged Mara again, and she peeked an eye open to see for herself.
Their son had obviously dressed himself; wearing a bright orange tunic that was backwards and pants that were zipped but not buttoned. His boots were also on, but upon the wrong feet, and the whole appearance was that of a teenager who'd dressed for school after learning they had five minutes to get there.
Mara ducked under the covers with a wide grin, and Luke climbed the rest of the way out of bed.
"Come here, Ben," Luke instructed with a smile. "Let me help you with your clothes."
"I got ready all by myself Daddy!" Ben said with a proud toothy smile.
"I see that," Luke replied as he buttoned Ben's bottoms, corrected his shoes, and then fixed his tunic. "You did a great job, Little Man."
Ben's eyes glittered at his father's praise, and he fidgeted as Luke also dressed.
"Can I wait outside Daddy?" he finally asked.
"Just stay in camp, okay Ben?" Luke allowed.
"Okay!" Ben was gone in a flash of hair the same hue as Mara's, the light glinting off it as he left the tent.
"I will never understand how the pair of you have so much energy this early in the morning," Mara mumbled once Ben was gone.
Luke grinned mischievously, leaning close to where she was still hidden beneath the bedding.
"Oh, I think you could have some of it too, Love," he said sweetly.
He snaked his hands under the covers and found her ticklish spots, making her shriek again. Mara squirmed, caught halfway between being angry that he would dare disturb her further so early in the day, and mirth at his levity.
"Luke, stop!" Mara breathed between the fits of laughter that won out.
Luke continued his attack until she snuck an elbow under his ribs, making him fall back. It wasn't a hard blow, but it had definitely caught his attention. At that moment Ben sprang back inside the tent.
"Are you guys okay?" Ben asked innocently, seeing the red faces of his parents.
"Yes, Ben." Luke answered. "I was just playing with Mommy."
Ben grinned. "Can I play too?"
Mara shot Luke a warning glance, which he decided to heed.
"Not right now, Ben. Let's go so Mommy can get her beauty rest." Luke began tugging on his boots.
Ben looked confused. "But Mommy is already pretty; she doesn't need sleep for that."
"Awe, thank you Ben." Mara kissed his forehead, and then gently ushered him out the tent before she collapsed back into the covers. To Luke she said, "Be careful."
"Will do." Luke leaned down for a loving kiss before he stepped outside to greet the day.
Ben was running erratic laps about the fire ring, making Luke smile again. The boy saw his father and ran up to him, taking his hand.
"Can we go to the river, Daddy?" Ben pleaded.
"Let's grab a bit of breakfast first." Luke advised.
They broke open a box of Ben's favorite cereal, and each had some. Ben was practically bouncing in his seat by the time Luke finished, and so it was no surprise when the boy bolted from the table to the trail head once Luke set the dishes aside.
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The midday sun was beating down upon his back as he observed the man and his little sprout playing in the sand by the water's edge. The man's mate had joined them a few hours ago, bringing swim trunks for the males.
He did not know how human men viewed their females, but even Syylk Kala'myre had to admit that this man's mate was a real looker. Her red-gold hair glistened like a live fire in the light of the day, while her pale skin gave her a glowing look even from his vantage point.
He kept his watch vigilantly, yet cautiously lest he arouse the natural sense humans possessed of being watched. But even he could not have asked for better fortune in the humans' choice of a vacation destination.
His earthy-hued fur blended in perfectly with the surrounding vegetation and tree-trunks of the forests of Endor. Why the humans had chosen this planet, Syylk did not know; what with all the history that had been made here. But he did understand that after the bloody war with the Yuuzhan Vong, this was one of the few planets that had miraculously escaped relatively unscathed.
Planets such as Ithor had not been so fortunate.
Syylk's attention was drawn by movement to his left, and he glanced over to find his second-in-command of this operation approach.
"Any ideas on how we are going to sneak up on them?" Wain Varm asked quietly.
"Lady Resmi gave us the serum that would protect us from their powers," Syylk assured him. "And once we can get close enough to take aim, we will also inject them with it, which will disable all their Force abilities."
Wain looked a little uncomfortable. "We will have to continue to dose them lest they come around and attack us in return."
"No." Syylk shook his head. "The first dose will remove the humans' powers for a full two days, since it is a concentrated dosage. That will be more than enough time for us to relay the Skywalker family to the rendezvous."
Syylk caught movement from below and saw the boy being picked up by his father. The child rested his head against his father's shoulder, and Syylk could see the woman looking about slowly.
Syylk motioned for Wain to take cover, and the human ducked behind a large tree. Syylk dipped his head below the top of the berm he'd claimed as his vantage point. He peeked out just enough to see the woman's gaze pass over him, pause, and then continue onward.
But though they left the river to return to their campsite, both the adults seemed a little on edge.
"It would seem they're on to us if only a little," Syylk murmured to himself.
Wain appeared behind him again. "We need to strike now then."
Syylk turned dangerous eyes on the man. "This is my operation, Varm. I was chosen by Lady Resmi for this task, therefore I will call the shots. You are merely here to help me move the targets once I have them secured."
Wain blanched at the larger being's tusked and elongated face so close to his, and nodded.
He'd never cared for Whiphids, since they were a stoic lot of tusked and furry nightmares as far as he was concerned. But the alien was right: Lady Resmi had selected Syylk for this task. And for Wain to interfere and thus deny the Lady her desires would be met with severe punishment.
"Let us move," Syylk commanded, already stepping down the steep trail toward the humans' campsite. His large feet, complete with wicked-looking talons, made his footing secure. "We will hit them once they get the sprout settled. They themselves must also be weary."
Wain rolled his eyes behind the Whiphid's back. Isn't that what I just said?