PART 2
"I can't believe it! You mean…I'm
gonna be an Uncle too?" Han asked, slugging Luke on the shoulder. "You stud you." He grinned. Luke grinned back at him, while they all
bunched around Mara, a thousand questions soaring at her from seeming all
angles. While they were all busy,
Aleese turned back into her ship, locked the door, and started the pre-flight
sequence. Getting ready to flee, to
escape the spot light that she knew this family had to be in. Just as she was about to pull the lever,
suddenly the ship powered down. Hitting the bulkhead, she muttered to herself
what a piece of junk this ship was. Suddenly, she heard a knocking on the back door, and heard it open. Turning to face the intruder, she prepared
her blaster.
"You're on my Ship." She told
him. He nodded. "Please, get off. I
need to leave."
"I won't stop you, but I do want to
talk to you. You have an extraordinary
talent. I want to help you develop it."
"Mister Skywalker. I don't want to do anything but be a
waitress. Unknown, and not understood. I don't want the spotlight." She
told him, and attempted to lead him off her ship.
"I understand that. I really do. What I meant was…you have great potential to be a Jedi. You caught our baby…before any of the other
Jedi did, and you are untrained. I
think you could be a great Jedi." He said, as she stood up. She looked at him
and shook her head slightly.
"Master? What if…I helped train her in the ways of the Jedi?" Jacen piped
up from the background. Turning to face
him, Skywalker raised an eyebrow.
"Jacen. You know I trust you, but, after all the problems that you've had
recently concerning the Jedi, are you sure that you're ready?"
"What if I helped? I mean, we don't have to actually formally
train her. I mean, its hard cause of the Vong, but, what if we taught her
enough to protect herself, and you know, the basics, then a Master could train
her, and she'd at least be protected for the moment." Anakin stated, coming up
behind Jacen.
Luke opened and closed his mouth,
then looked at Aleese. "Ultimately, the choice is yours. The boys have a point. It'd be better for you to know the basics
now to defend yourself, than to be forced to wait while we could find you a
Master. But, you'd also be their first
Apprentice. I know I had a bumpy ride
with mine."
Aleese looked back and forth between
the brothers. Jacen's eyes seemed to
pierce hers with a look of intensity, and Anakin stared at her with
enthusiasm. "I don't know Master
Skywalker. I don't know if this is the
right place for me. I'm sort of on a
journey of…um…finding myself," Aleese admitted.
Master Skywalker nodded, and Jacen's
eyes filled with understanding. She
turned and looked at him, and he smiled slightly. "What are you running from
Aleese?" Master Skywalker asked.
"Something you wouldn't understand,
and that I don't want to go into." She said, stiffening her back, thoughts of
her past swelling in her mind. "I'm not safe to be around people when I don't
know who I am."
"Let the Jedi help you Aleese. Show you a path that you could follow."
Anakin pleaded.
"The Jedi will be here for you, when
you are ready." Master Skywalker said, then turned and guided his nephews
towards the door. Just as they reached
it, Aleese suddenly called out to them.
"Jacen? Would you and Anakin be willing to put up with a headstrong sewer
rat?"
"Most definitely." He said, turning
around and smiling dazzlingly at her.
"Master, she's by far one of the most…talented
students the Academy has seen. She's mastered Levitation, she has easily
managed to go into trances, and amplify her senses. She even beat Anakin and
me, together, at a lightsaber duel. She
clearly demonstrates all the appropriate behaviors and ideals that a Jedi
should hold, and…if I can be honest, she looks great in those jumpsuits Mara
gave her." Jacen grinned, as he and Luke watched Aleese meditate atop the Great
Temple. "Master, she didn't need any teaching really. She knew how to do
everything after we showed her once or twice. I'm not saying that she's perfect, but, she's beyond anything that
Anakin and I could help with. I mean, I
thought this would be more like…a bit of preaching, and helping with moving the
rocks. She's a quick learner."
"I've noticed. I've seen you guys. You seem to be more
frustrated than her, trying to think up new things to show her," Luke grinned,
and smiled up at her, once she noticed them down there watching her. Standing up, she dived from the temple. Luke heard Jacen take in a small gasp, and
struggle to avoid levitating her down. Looking to him, he smiled as well. His apprentice had learned much about himself and the force, while
helping Aleese. He felt pride flow
through his body at his nephews achievements. There was a small thud as Aleese's feet hit the ground, but not as loud
as one would expect to hear from someone falling from such a height. Smiling, he turned to her.
"I've heard many good things about
your training Aleese. You're testing
your Masters well, from what I hear." He said. She nodded, and smiled at Jacen.
Suddenly, Luke's comlink went off. He turned to look at it, then looked back at
the two. "Well, it appears that the
Temple has heard from Nichos and Fait again. Apparently, things went well."
"The same Nichos Fait that the
children keep talking about? Isn't he Jedi from the old Order or something? I've
heard marvelous things." Aleese said, looking at him.
"They are incredible Jedi. Unfortunately though, I must be going to the
Holocom to talk to them. It appears
that they have much to report. If you'll excuse me." Master Skywalker said,
nodding, then turning and heading into the Temple. Aleese turned and looked a Jacen, who was gazing at her face.
"Jacen? Is something the matter?"
She asked him, as his gaze didn't move. Startled, he looked into her eyes.
"No, nothing. I want to show you something." He said,
taking her hand in his, and guiding her through the forest. After a long walk, the two arrived at a
majestic waterfall. Aleese's eyes
danced, and a smile played over her features. Just as suddenly as the smile appeared, it was erased by memories of
pictures on a mantle. Closing her eyes,
she tried to force the thoughts out of her head. "Aleese, what's wrong?"
"Just a memory Jacen. Nothing you
need to worry about." She said, opening
her eyes, and turning to him. He
frowned slightly and she smiled back. Turning her head to look at the waterfall, she gazed at the beauty of
the Force and Nature.
"I thought you would like this. It's by far one of the most unique spots on
the planet. I don't think anyone else
knows about it." He said, following her gaze.
"It's certainly beautiful." She
admitted, looking at the small animals and flora around the fall.
"There is only one thing on this
planet that I'm sure rivals its beauty." He said, gazing at her. Feeling his
eyes on her face, she turned and looked at him.
"And what's that?" She asked
quietly, almost a whisper.
"You." He said, in the same hushed
tone. Putting his hands on her
shoulders, he turned her gently and cupped her face. Then, ever so slowly, he placed his lips over hers, catching them
in a soft, loving kiss. What seemed
only moments later, he gently broke the kiss and gazed at her. Looking at him slightly startled, she
grinned and blushed. Smiling back, he
ducked in to kiss her again, pulling her closer, and holding her tight.
"I hate to interrupt, but you two
need to get back to the temple," Anakin called out to the two, interrupting
their moment. Staring at him out of
surprise, both blushed, but Jacen didn't move his arms from holding her
close. Turning on heel, he left the
two, and headed back to the temple.
"Aleese, I'm sorry. I probably
shouldn't have done that, I couldn't help myself." Jacen said, keeping her
close, but looking down at her with embarrassment.
"Don't be Jacen, please. I'm glad
you couldn't help yourself." She smiled and hugged him, resting her head
against his chest. Holding her close
and resting her head on his, he closed his eyes. "We should go back to the temple." She muttered.
"I know." He said, unmoving. Slowly, he guided her to the edge of the
forest, and arm in arm, they headed back to the Temple.
"Knights, Masters, and
Apprentices. I come before you with
urgent information." Master Skywalker said before the group of Jedi before
him. Aleese and Jacen stood in the
background, arm in arm, Anakin beside them. The youngest children were in the front, sitting patiently with Tionne
and Streen just behind them. The Jedi
Knights, who were recalled back to the Temple, stood behind them, or on the
sides. Jaina wasn't there, neither was
a few of the Knights still out on missions. As an add-on to the group, Corran Horn stood in the doorway at the
back. Seemingly invisible, his eyes
were dark, and his demeanor made him look as though he was ready to leave at
any moment. A silent strength flowed
through him. "Grave news has come to me. Something that we should have been apprised of before this possible
tragedy.
"The Vong have decided to attempt a
peace with the Republic. On a single
condition though. One that affects us greatly. The Vong will only create peace, at the expense of our extinction. They have put bounties upon each and every
Jedi, no matter what their level of learning is. There were some more specifics
to their demands. They demanded that
every Jedi be to be brought before them to be killed and, especially Jacen Solo
to be brought before their leader. Apparently, the War Master wants to kill him personally." He said,
taking a deep breath. The smallest
children had tears welling up in their eyes, and some of the Jedi gasped. Aleese looked at Jacen, who's face had gone
ghostly white. Corran and Anakin moved
in to help him if he needed it. His eyes glazed over and his arm tightened
around Aleese's waist. Corran and
Anakin asked if he was all right, but he remained silent and still. Aleese leaned her head against his shoulder
and gave off waves of love and hope to him. His eyes shifted to look at her, but they looked haunted and distant.
"The Republic wouldn't let them do
that." Ganner stated.
"The Republic has turned its back on
us Ganner. Face it, they want us gone."
Kyp opposed him. "We're on our own."
Nodding slightly, Luke waited for
the discontented murmurs to pass. "Jedi. I realize that this is far worse than the Jedi Purge. While that
was the effect of our natural enemies, this could lead the betrayal by those we
protect. Most people know of our
Academy, which for safety reasons, I am ordering an immediate retreat from the
Praxeum to Endor. We will form a
temporary academy there. I've called in Han Solo to take us to Endor in the
Falcon, and there we will figure out what to do. Before us lies the possibility to forge a peace with our
aggressors, at the expense of our own lives. We have to decide whether this is just their way of getting rid of us to
get to the Republic, or are being honest. No matter what, the fate of the galaxy lies on our shoulders. With these thoughts, I bid you now to go
back your belongings and get ready to head to Endor. Leia and Jaina will be
meeting us there, as well as Nichos Cloudkicker and Fait Waverunner, our newest
Knights. Please, go in peace and
hurry. May the Force be with you." He said, standing back and watching the
crowd stand up, and the murmurs of worry flow into his ears. Sitting down slightly, he felt the world fall
upon his shoulders, and looked up to Mara for support. She smiled slightly.
"Don't worry Skywalker. You'll see." She said, her eyes betraying
fear. Fear for him, herself, and for
their young son.
Aleese helped Jacen to his room,
where she started packing his meager belongings. Folding them into piles and stuffing them into the bag, she tried
to keep herself busy. He kept silent,
sitting on the bed, deep in contemplation.
"Jacen, please, say something. I'm
worried." She asked him. He shifted his
gaze to look at her. "I have your bag
ready. All but my robe is on the Hope. I can help take people on it, though, not many."
"Aleese, we need to hide you. They
don't know about you yet, we can save you." He said, standing up as if suddenly
frantic. "We need to save you."
"Jacen, whatever happens to you and
Anakin, I will be standing right beside you." She said, taking his hands and
kissing him lightly. "Come, we have to get the kids onto the shuttles and get
them safe. They are our future."
"You are my future." Jacen muttered,
hugging her fiercely.
"Master, I have room for 10 or 12 on
the Hope, and I'd be willing to take anyone. If you'd like, I could take the
last people to leave." Aleese said, her
cloak folded of her hand, Jacen following just behind her.
"Good, we'll get as many people onto
the Falcon and Shadow as we can fit, then anyone else will have to fit in the
Hope." He said, directing Tionne and several Jedi to the Falcon. "Thank you
Aleese. Get Jacen and Anakin into your ship,
and try to accommodate anyone who comes to your door. Mara and I will be on the
Shadow, Han and Droma on the Falcon. You have two of the best Jedi pilots with you, I have no doubts you wont
be beating us there." He grinned and nodded, moving to help more children onto
the Falcon.
Aleese grabbed Jacen's arm, and
moved to sit him down behind the pilot's seat, and directed Anakin to get into
the co-pilots and get the ship prepped. She told him of all the stutters and dips a Hapan Ship would have. He nodded and sat down, she exited and
started directing people onto the ship, as she saw the Falcon take off. Master Skywalker emerged from the Temple,
nodded and gave the signal for Aleese that no one was left. She nodded back and the two headed back to their
respective shuttles. She started to
take off when she noticed the Shadow hadn't taken off yet. Looking in their screen, she saw Skywalker
look at the Temple like loosing a friend of sorts. Clicking on the Comm, she told the Shadow "Lets go forge some new
trails Master Skywalker, and hit the road." She grinned. She could hear Mara's
faint laughter and her 10-4. The Shadow
took off, and soon, the New Hope followed.
Once the ship was in Hyperspace,
Aleese turned to look at Anakin and Jacen. Jacen was in a trance, likely deep
in thought, and Anakin was smiling back at her. She smiled back at him. "Things will be alright you know." Aleese
told him. He nodded and grinned
slightly.
"You make Jacen happier than he's
been in a long time Aleese. He knows
that he belongs with you. We were both
lucky you came along. You have been a wonderful apprentice, and neither of us
could be prouder of you." He said with maturity that she didn't expect.
She smiled brightly, and put a hand
on his arm. "You were a good Master. I
owe everything to you. If not for you
and your father, I would still be a waitress in that crummy restaurant."
"I'm glad you're not Aleese. I have a feeling that you are more important
than any of us really realize."
The Hapan's Shuttle was the second to arrive at Endor, a close second to the Shadow. Heading into the atmosphere, they caught the glint of two bright lightsabers on a small patch of grassland.
"That must be Nichos and Fait." Anakin
commented.
"Nichos Fait is two people? From what I heard,
they were a single person." She commented confused, still heading down.
"Oh yeah. And look, there's Jaina." He said. Gently landing the ship, to avoid bumping around the Jedi in the back,
she told them all over the intercom that they had arrived and that they could
get off. Last two to get off the ship,
just behind Anakin, Aleese and Jacen looked around and Jacen let out a small
sigh. Somewhere in the background they
heard a metallic "Dear, oh dear." Followed quickly by a "bleep blop".
