I'd like to dedicate it to my best friend Susan who denies EU and accepts only SW movies.
This is my attempt to make her at least accept existance of this wonderful Galaxy that exists in books, comics and games and in hearts of true fans. I apologise for my English. It's not my mother language and it is still not as good as it should be. I hope you'll understand.
Disclaimer : I own nothing of this. I'm just playing in this playground for my entertainment and I have no money from it. The people making money of this are George Lucas and Tim Zahn and because I'm sure I am not them I can't have the money.
Timeline : Set during The Last Command from T. Zahn
dreams, nightmares, visions, flashbacks, Force communication, thoughts
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She laid still as she came to consciousness. She didn't open her eyes but instead stretched her senses. She felt confusion, anxiety and concern. All minds around her were unknown.
She reached deeper and tried to sense her enviroment. She figured out she was in medic bay on ship and she was not in danger. After this realization she relaxed a little and reached for familiar presence but felt nothing. She reached deeper and still nothing. This wasn't good. She quickly seeked another familiar presence and this time she found it. Her father, however, was far away and her mother... Her mother's significance in Force was weak. As for siblings, she couldn't feel them nor her friends. Wait, her cousins were in her reach although somehow shielded. This was strange. With bond she had with her family members she should feel them on the other side of Galaxy. And her friends too. Instead she felt only few of them and their presence was different. She tried once again but the results were the same. It really made her worry. She didn't like this and decided it would be better to ask some questions people around her. She slowly opened her eyes and focused them on a medic. When he saw she had regained consciousness he came to her and checked her vital signs. After that he smiled at her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Where am I?"
"You are on New Republic battlecruiser," new voice spoke. It belonged to man in military uniform. He watched her with concern. "I'm General Garm Bel Iblis. May I ask you your name?"
As soon as her mind registered name her eyes went wide in shock. Thanks to her training she masked her surprise and thought about her answer. Truth was out of question so she tried half-lie.
"My name is Ami... Ami Jaker. Pleased to meet you General."
Bel Iblis extended hand and Ami shook it. He was surprised how firm her grip was. This young lady was more than she looked like.
"Miss Jaker, how did you get to this part of Galaxy? Didn't you know there was war going on?"
Ami shook her head which caused her dark blonde hair fell on her shoulders as she sat up. General now registered the colour of her eyes. They were green as emeralds and made you feel like they could see into your very soul.
"This will sound strange but which part of Galaxy are we in? The last time I remember I was leaving Yavin system. After jump to hyperspace there was a flash of light and everyhing went black. The next thing I know I'm waking up here."
General seemed confused.
"Yavin? Why were you on Yavin? Since Alliance has left its base there there's nothing interesting there. And were near Ord Padron, opposite side of Galaxy."
"Sith," cursed Ami. "This is too damn confusing."
Bel Iblis could only agree. This young woman's ship was found on their sensors when they left hyperspace. They used tractor beam to catch the ship and find its owner aboard, unconscious.
According to medic she was all right, no visible injuries. Security searched the ship which was in fact modified X-wing. They had found personal belongings, two blasters and ammunition. The woman herself had small blaster in wrist holster and the strangest, she had device that looked exactly like lightsaber. General hadn't heard about living Jedi before, except for Skywalker twins and now that mad clone C'Baoth. He decided to ask her about it.
"Miss, we had to search your ship to ensure you are no danger to us."
"I understand. It's standard procedure."
"Yeah. And we've found some things I'd like to ask you about."
Ami sat up straighter and looked at older man. She needed to persuade him to trust her. Only then she could find answer to her questions.
"Ask then."
"First, what type of ship have you got?"
"It's a modified X-wing," General nodded. So they were right about it. "It has longer upper pair of wings and upgraded repulsors. I've worked on that ship for almost a year along with my friends. I hope you haven't scratched it while docking aboard?"
"No," Bel Iblis had to smile at her concern. She had to be pilot. Only they took so much care about their ships. "You don't have to worry. It is all right," Ami gratefully nodded and waited for another question. "What is your job and why you were in Yavin system?"
"I'm pilot, warrior and mechanic. It depends which of them I need to survive. And as for Yavin, I'm fascinated with Jedi. There are old temples on Yavin and I was there to study them. Before you ask, yes, I have Force. I'm Force-strong."
"You mean like Jedi?" Bel Iblis was really surprised this time.
"Yes. I have even my own lightsaber. I've built it for myself and I take it it's in your custody at the moment."
"But..." General still didn't understand. "...I thought Skywalker was the last of Jedi. That there are none except him."
"Tell me General, how much time has passed since the Battle of Endor, since Emperor's death?"
"Five, almost six years. Why do you ask?" he looked at her suspiciously.
"It's just...Five years is a long time. And without threat of Emperor there were possibilities to pass Jedi knowledge on new adepts who had enough time to train," while explaining this, Ami thought about what she had just learned.
Six years after Endor. It meant Thrawn was now threatening Galaxy and her parents weren't together yet. They wouldn't be for another two years. And she herself would be born in eight years time. Just great she thought. I'm going on well deserved holiday and instead I end up twenty seven years in past. I wonder if it has something to do with a fact I'm Skywalker. But I'm glad I decided not to tell Bel Iblis the truth. That would be something she grinned.
Then she realized she hadn't spoken in awhile and she focused back on General. "My training isn't complete though and I was heading to Coruscant to ask Luke Skywalker if he would train me. I didn't know about a war because I've spent last eight months on Yavin cut from civilization so to speak."
"Well, we will have to ensure you pose no threat to us but I think you will be able to leave for Coruscant as soon as we are in safe space."
"Thank you General," Ami slightly bowed her head. "Now if you don't mind I would like to get off this bed as soon as possible."
"Of course, Miss Jaker..." he was interrupted by alarms that went on in the whole ship.
"What's going on?" Ami asked.
"We're under attack," Bel Iblis answered. "I need to go."
Ami jumped off the bed.
"I'd like to go with you."
"No!"
"You can have me guarded. I'm no danger to you, I swear," she gazed him straight into eyes. She was telling the truth. Bel Iblis motioned for a guard.
"All right. Follow me."
They hurried through corridors of ship. They were buzzing with activity. Ami felt worry, fear and anxiety but also determination and faith in their leader and government they served. They quickly reached their destination. Bel Iblis turned to a woman who stood next to technics.
"How is it going?" he asked.
"Not well," she answered. "We are outnumbered. They have six Star Destroyers and about twenty frigates. And I'm not counting those Interdictors."
"Interdictors? But why? They should know it's unlikely that we would get reinforcements. And they don't need them to pull us out of hyperspace."
"They're not pulling you," Ami said. General turned to her, surprise written in his face.
"Excuse me?"
"Look at their position," she moved towards a map. "They're on the left side of battlefield. Any fleet coming from that direction has to come from Imperial space. If I remember maps correctly," she looked at Bel Iblis. "They aren't waiting for your reinforcements but for theirs."
"Of course. Get the Rogue Squadron. Tell them to fly towards that Interdictors and shoot on everything that will come from hyperspace," General quickly gave his commands. Then he turned towards Ami. "How in Kessel did you know about it?"
"I've got Force, General," and memories of this time she added silently. "I reached forward and touched minds of people on that ships to find out about their plan."
"You are able to do that?" he openly gaped at her.
"Nothing is impossible with the Force," Ami answered with confidence in her voice. General just nodded and turned back to maps. Ami looked at hive of an activity around her. Technics were running in different directions, officers were giving orders and Bel Iblis controlled all of this. She had to marvel at his ability. She understood why only he was able to be worthy adversary to military genius like Thrawn. Suddenly she got a feeling of danger. She looked around and immediately knew what was wrong.
Imperial fighters got past their shields somehow and were prepared to attack. They would cause severe damage before the help could come. There was only one way to stop it. Ami closed her eyes and reached for the Force deeper than anytime before. She focused and created a Force field around the whole ship. Now all she had to do was to maintain it. Sweat appeared on her forehead as she struggled to keep the shield firmly in the place. And then the attack came. The first blasts collided with the invisible shield.
Ami felt like it had hit her. She stumbled but managed to stand straight. She didn't hear gasps of surprise around her as awaited impact had been stopped by some kind of miracle. Miracle because there was nothing on sensors. Ami knew the reason behind it but had other problems than to explain this to them. There were other attacks coming and she had to muster all of her strength to get through them. Luckily for her other ships sent their fighters to help Bel Iblis' ship.
When she sensed all of the enemy fighters gone she finally released her grip on the Force and lowered the shield around cruiser. She was exhausted. She hadn't finished her training yet and though she was child of two powerful Jedi she was still not strong enough to use the Force so much without exhaustion, especially since she didn't have natural ability to create Force shields. She slightly stumbled again and was caught by her guard. Bel Iblis turned to her.
"Miss, are you all right?"
Ami nodded and took few deep breaths.
"Just exhausted. Creating the Force field itself is difficult and I don't mention maintaining it under attack."
"You mean it was you who stopped that fighters?" General couldn't believe it but Ami nodded.
"That's impossible."
"Not impossible," Ami answered. "Exhausting? Yes. But just because I'm not trained. If I were, it would be easy."
"Unbelievable," General murmured. "You'd better get back to med bay. You've already helped us."
"Thank you General. Rest would be great," Ami bowed slightly and left with her guard. When she came to med center she immediately fell asleep from exhaustion. She knew General would make sure they got out of there to safety.
Two hours later, onboard of Chimaera
Jedi Master Joruus C'Baoth emerged from deep meditation. Something was wrong. The structure of the Force had changed few hours before. It was like someone powerful appeared out of nowhere. It concerned Dark Jedi. None would stay in his way to conquer Galaxy. He was sure he would reach his goal with help of his apprentices, once Skywalker, Jade and Organa Solo joined him. Then he would train them and Solos children as well and would rule Galaxy stronger than Emperor himself.
His fantasies brought mad smile on his lips. But there was that unknown danger, too and possibility that one of his future apprentices wouldn't turn. He especially feared it would be Skywalker or Jade. They were the most powerful of all. He, of course, was prepared on such scenario. If Skywalker refused to turn he would be replaced with his clone. But was one clone enough? No. With this new threat he couldn't risk. He called an officer on duty.
"Send Captain Pellaeon to me. Immediately," he turned away and impatiently waited. Finally Pellaeon came. He was cautious. He never knew what to expect from this madman who was smiling at the moment.
"Ah Captain Pellaeon. Come in," he waved on him. "Do you remember our little conversation about a project in Mount Tantiss few days ago?" on Pellaeon's confused face he cackled evilly. "Of course you don't. I told you to forget. But now remember and listen again," Pellaeon just nodded even if all he wanted to do was to turn, walk away and report everything to Admiral Thrawn. "Send a message on Wayland to tell them to continue with their work and prepare new clone for me as well. This time from a sample MJEH2591986. And you will forget everything about this conversation just as you forgot about the previous one. Do you understand Captain?"
"Yes," Pellaeon answered silently.
"Good. You can leave me now," CBaoth heard the door close behind leaving officer. He smiled once again. Jade and Skywalker would stand at his side whether as themselves or clones. With such thoughts he went back to his meditation and didn't care anymore about the unknown threat who was at the same moment sleeping restlessly in a med center on NR cruiser, receiving strange visions.
The room was dark, dominated with a throne. Next to it stood old man in robe and long white beard. The evil emanated from him. In front of him stood a young blonde man with a green blade in hand and a young woman with red hair and a blaster that pointed at the old man. He laughed and motioned for someone behind him. Two cloaked figures stepped out of shadows, both armed with lightsabers. They simultaneously lit their weapons and then shrugged off the hoods that covered their faces. They were the same as the ones down the steps. Blonde man and red-haired woman. But their faces were blank and impassive. They stood silently for a moment and then attacked as one, each taking on their counterpart. Ami felt helpless. She tried to reach for the two people under attack but failed. She screamed.
"NOOOOOO!" and she woke up to see concerned face of medic. He was shaking her arm, trying to wake her up.
"Calm down. It was just a bad dream..."
"No it wasn't," Ami interrupted him. "It was a vision. I have to see General Bel Iblis. Now!"
Seeing determination in her eyes medic took his commlink and spoke into it. Then he turned to her.
"General will be here in few minutes. How about you lay down until he is here?"
Ami shook her head and instead ranthrough some of calming techniques she knew. She needed to calm down to be able to tell General what she had seen. She recalled her memory of a vision and tried to examine as many details as she could. She focused on the attackers. There was no doubt about their identity. Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade. The same people as the ones who were attacked. The attackers were clones. But as far as Ami knew there should have been only Luke's clone. Not two clones. Only if... Yes, it was the only explanation. C'Baoth had to sense her and made some steps to ensure his victory. She shouldn't have searched for her friends upon her waking. But what was done was done. She could only correct her mistake with helping Luke and Mara fight the clones.
She was so deep in thoughts she failed to notice General Bel Iblis as he entered the room.
"Miss Jaker. I have been told you wished to speak to me."
"Yes General," Ami nodded. "I'd like to leave."
"Why?"
Ami took a deep breath. This could take a long time.
"I had a vision," at Bel Iblis look she added. "I am sure it was a vision. I'm a Jedi, remember? Anyway, the vision was really bad. I won't get into details but..."
General interrupted her.
"I'm sorry but if you don't give me details I can't let you go."
"General, you have to trust me. I'll tell you everything I can without revealing too much," Bel Iblis sighed but nodded. "I've seen two people. One of them was Luke Skywalker. They stood against an old man I didn't know. The evil was pouring from him. And then two dark figures appeared and attacked Skywalker and his companion. And then I woke up."
"So you want to leave to warn Skywalker?"
Ami shook her head.
"No. I want to leave to help him. The attackers... they were Force-strong," she watched as Bel Iblis took this all in. He seemed to reach a conclusion. He motioned for her to get up from bed.
"In one hour we shall reach our destination. I'll have your ship prepared for departure by then," he saw she was going to say something. "Don't thank me. I still have a feeling you're hiding something. But I can't make you to tell me. I'll arrange for you a meeting with Skywalker's sister when you get to Coruscant. After that it's up to you," he turned to go to make preparations but turned back. "One more thing," he pulled something metalic from his pocket. "I take it this is yours."
Ami took her lightsaber from him and clipped it to her belt.
"The guard will give you your other weapons. Be in docks in fifty minutes."
Ami looked at him.
"I'd like to thank you General. For trusting me," she added at his expression. He just nodded and walked out of the room.
Ami waited for a guard to bring her her weapons and then she followed him to the docks. When she got there she saw her ship ready to depart. General was waiting for her next to it. Just as she came to him the fleet came out of hyperspace. General looked at her.
"Princess Leia is on a political mission but her aide Winter will await you on Coruscant. I hope I'm not making the greatest mistake of my life."
Ami smiled.
"You aren't," she then stood at attention and saluted. He returned the gesture and Ami climbed into her ship. General stepped away.
"Clear skies."
"Thanks," Ami quickly ran through pre-flight check. Everything seemed all right so as soon as she got permission she lifted the ship from platform and flied out to open space. She noticed New Republic base to her left but she was heading away from it to make a hyperjump.
When she was in enough distance from fleet she pulled lever of hyperspace and disappeared in a mass of star lines. The way on Coruscant took her five days but when she emerged from hyperspace she was sure that she was still in the same age 'cause nothing strange had happened during her way there. No flashes of light, no strange feelings in stomach and no visions. But as she looked at planet beneath her she suddenly got a feeling that this adventure was just about to begin.
TBC in part 2: Her past is her future
So what do you think? Like it? Hate it? Let me know.
Kaya Jade
