The Aperion Principle

by Madman007

A scientist's sudden ability to use the Force is related to secret experiments at his own lab. Now, he and his girlfriend are on the run from a corporation that is willing to kill to keep their secret hidden. Are Luke and the Jedi enough to help him discover his new power? Will it harm his relationship with the woman he loves? Science vs. The Force, adventure and romance combined.

2. Chapter 2

The Aperion Principle

Chapter Two

---

Rebirth.

That was what was happening to Coruscant. The new Coruscant. It had taken a year just to recreate a facsimile of what the Core system had once been. It could never return to its original form. The palace had seen its share of evil over the past several decades. It had survived the Clone Wars. The Galactic Civil War with the Imperials. And just recently, it had overcome the organic plant life that covered its tallest spires, courtesy of the Yuuzahn Vong. The newly christened Galactic Palace was being celebrated in one of its many ballrooms. Not one hint of the Yuuzhan Vong's presence was evident. Outside of the palace, the Vong's organic transformation gave too many remembrances of war. And its costs.

Luke Skywalker stood on the outskirts of the main ballroom. This was where he was most comfortable. The role of a wallflower under the disguise of a Grand Master of the Force. He watched the people and aliens alike dancing to the melodious music in elegant gowns and suits. Luke, himself, was dressed in his best Jedi robes. Occasionally, a representative of a system would come up to congratulate him on a war well fought. Instead of arguing how no war can be fought well, he merely nodded and said his thanks. He was the Grand Master Jedi. He had to show his stoicism. For Anakin. And Chewie.

His war depression subsided upon the sight of his wife coming towards him. Mara Jade Skywalker was dressed in a sweeping royal blue gown. Her hair was pinned up to one side in a long braid held in place by a shimmering silver jeweled hair clip. Luke almost stopped breathing at her beauty. He figured this was the best she had looked since before the war.

She came up to him and whispered, "If I have to smile one more time, my face is going to feel pain in the morning."

Luke chuckled. "It's not that bad. Impressive, actually. You'd never believe the Vong even touched this palace."

She moved to be beside him. "Until you go outside and see more buildings down and the plant life surrounding them. It's a funny thing when the Underground level of Coruscant looks better than the upper levels."

"It will get better."

"Ah, the famous Skywalker confidence. We both know that's what everyone sees on the outside. I felt earlier from you thoughts of what this palace has been through over the decades. The ghosts of past evils."

"I better not hear which of all the evils were worse."

"Not from me. At least Palpatine kept the buildings from the Old Republic relatively intact."

"How kind of him."

A moment passed and Mara said, "You were thinking of them, weren't you?"

"How can I not?"

"Quit beating yourself up, for one." She turned to face him and smiled. "That's my job."

"Cute." Luke breathed out slowly. "There will never be a day from now on that I don't think of Anakin or Chewie."

"As well you should. Just don't teach your guilt to our son."

Luke gave a glare at his wife, but before he could reply, they spotted Leia and Han heading towards them.

"Speaking of beating each other up," Mara muttered just before the couple came within earshot. Leia was dressed in a flowing white and silver gown and Han was in his best suit with his hair styled neatly. Mara gave a smile and said, "Leia, you never introduced us to your new date."

"Oh, that's hilarious, Mara," said Han.

"Yes, underneath all that grit and those raggedy vests I found my husband," said Leia.

Han admitted, "Yeah, but I had to go out and get another suit. My old formals haven't been worn since Leia was Chief Of State."

"Speaking of the Chief Of State, isn't Cal Omas giving a speech soon?" Mara asked.

Leia answered, "Yes, in a few minutes. I just spoke to him and he assures me he will be gentle to the Jedi."

Han scoffed. "Meaning he'll butter up those who support the Jedi now after the war instead of before it. Doesn't hurt his chances in the election next year."

Leia addressed a question to the Skywalkers. "So, how has your move here from Ossus coming along? Adjusting well?"

Mara replied, "I believe so. It's only been a standard month since we moved in. Ben is enjoying our new place."

Leia said, "I think he's finally enjoying time with his parents much more."

"Yes, there's that. Thanks for letting Threepio sit with him tonight."

Han growled. "Goldenrod hasn't had much to do in the past several years but complain. It was time he finally did something constructive."

After a few moments of silence, save for the background music, Leia said, "Look, after Omas's speech, we're ducking out and going home. I've been to enough of these benefits to last three lifetimes."

Mara turned to her husband and pleaded, "Now why can't we do that?"

Luke answered calmly, "Because Leia is not married to the representative of the Jedi."

Han smiled and turned to his wife, "See, I've been telling you there are advantages to not being important enough."

"Wonderful," said the sarcastic Mara.

Leia offered, "I was heading up closer to the podium if you want to come with us." She nodded her head towards Han. "This one can't hear too well anymore."

Han turned his head to her from looking at the crowd. "What?"

"I rest my case."

Mara smiled and said, "Sure. You coming, Luke?"

"In a moment. I see Raltan Ardack coming this way."

Leia looked and confirmed. "The Denon Senate representative. Better not walk away from him. He's a Jedi supporter and a financial backer of Cal's new Galactic Alliance."

Luke acknowledged, "We can count those with that combination on one hand."

Mara came closer to her husband and kissed him on his cheek. "No pressure. See you in a few."

Luke nodded and Mara walked away with Leia and Han. Sure enough, the Senator from Denon made a beeline towards Luke. Practically the same age as Luke, Ardack was sensible man with delusions of greater positions of power than what reality would give him. Luke figured Ardack had to know that no one came to high power on Denon unless their name was Vahalii. Lando Calrissian once told Luke that Ardack even tried to marry into the Vahalii family. His mistake was trying to marry the daughter of the Vahalii leader at the time of Operation Shadow Hand. That battle was the last breath that the Imperials could exhale after the loss of Palpatine and his clone. Despite their failure, the battle did allow the House of Praji conquer Kaikielius, which forced the Vahalii family into poverty on Denon.

Despite his failed efforts, Luke found Ardack to have a positive attitude that Luke admired. The man had more grey in his once black hair. He was wearing a blue tunic and gold cape, similar to Lando's. Raltan Ardack came up to Luke and addressed him.

"Greetings, Master Jedi. Or do you prefer Grand Master?"

"I actually prefer Luke."

Ardack scoffed. "You're more than just Luke in this room. You helped rebuild all of this. You won another war. How many is that for you now?"

"Too many to count."

"Very true. But, we did it. We're back here where it all began. All because of you and your Jedi."

"We didn't do it alone," Luke corrected him. "And it was at great cost."

"Oh, I certainly understand that. Trust me, I know about loss. Cal Omas will be speaking on that soon. I just wanted you to know that I stand by you and the Jedi. I don't know if you knew this, but my great grandfather was in the Senate of the Old Republic. He died around the time of the Galactic Civil War. I was very young when he used to tell me of the Jedi and their code. I always believed it was a way of life that even non Jedi should follow."

Luke nodded. "There was always that hope. Even now."

"Especially now. I would like to be one of those who can help you to that end."

Luke grinned. "Well, it's not the end just yet."

Ardack smiled. "Of course not."

"Raltan, I do appreciate your eagerness to help the Jedi. As you may know, however, that road will be difficult to build. There are still many in this galaxy who still do not trust the Jedi."

"Ah, Luke, only those who weren't on the front lines say that."

"And most of those live on Denon."

Raltan gave Luke a twisted glare. "You're not going to hold the Vong's avoidance of Denon over us, are you Luke?"

"I didn't mean it that way. I just meant–," Luke stopped in mid sentence because in front of them was a human female server holding a tray of flutes filled with brandale wine. Luke addressed the attractive blonde. "Thank you, no."

She spoke in a high pitched young voice. "Oh, I'm sorry. I...I'm not here to serve you drinks." They looked down at the tray. She said in embarrassment, "Well, I am, I mean, that's what I'm doing here. But it's not why I'm in front of you, Master Skywalker. Uh, there's a holo message for you. My boss said to get you because he said it's urgent."

Luke looked skeptical. "A message from whom?"

"I'm not sure, but he said it was important. He was given a code."

"A code?"

"Yes." The girl closed her eyes to help her memory. "Uh, Nern, Osk, Wesk. Whatever that means." She saw that Luke's eyes went wide. "Oh, it must mean something."

Luke snapped, "Where is this holo message?"

"In Conference Room Besh."

Luke looked at Raltan apologetically. "I'm sorry. I have to take this."

"Is something wrong?" Raltan asked, concerned.

"Not sure. But that's a secret code for something happening with my son."

"Oh, my stars," exclaimed Raltan. "By all means, go."

"Thank you, Raltan." Luke left the senator with the server girl and walked quickly towards the conference room without running. Only a select few would know to give that code for an emergency. What could it be? Did Ben hurt himself? Was he in the hospital? Please do not let it be another threat to his family, Luke thought as he hurried down the hall. Luckily, Cal Omas was just beginning his speech so the attention was not on Luke Skywalker in a rush. He reached the conference room. There were no guards nor were there any living beings surrounding the area. Luke did not question. He simply slid the door open and entered.

The room inside was quiet. Too quiet. There was a long table in the center of the wide room, which was vacant at this time. Luke scanned the room with his keen eyes and senses in the Force. He sensed something strange in the Force. There was a presence that was fading in and out. He couldn't quite place it. What he noticed immediately was the absence of his purpose in the room.

There was no holo-projector.

Luke looked down at the far end of the table. There sat a man. Short, dark-haired, and middle-aged. Once the man met eyes with Luke's, he doesn't exude the greatest confidence. He seemed more in awe of the person before him. This was a man who had been waiting to meet Luke Skywalker for some time. The intrigue inside of him was enough for Luke to become interested.

"What is going on?" Luke asked.

Before the man could answer, the door slid open and the blonde server walked in. She strode in casually with all the confidence in the galaxy. She seemingly pulled at her hair, which in reality was a wig. She pulled it off to reveal dark curls with one bright red strand. She shook her head and looked at the Jedi Master. She blew out a breath and said in a more normal voice, "Wow. Finally. Do you know how hard it is to reach you?"

Luke acknowledged casually, "I try not to be. Within reason. Nice disguise. Physically and mentally."

She brightened. "You mean I fooled the Jedi Master? I am good."

Luke nodded. "Good enough to slice into our personal files to find out our emergency codes."

"Yeah, you need better protection firewalls for your personal files," the girl said.

"I'll put it on the list of things to do after a war. All right, you have my attention. To whom am I addressing?"

"Oh, my name is Nikala. Nika for short. And this is my...well, I guess we'll call him my significant other. You're on, sweetie."

The man who was still sitting at the end of the table gave the woman a glare before said to Luke, "My name is Drexal Connick. Drex. And I assume you've already figured out my problem."

Luke frowned. "Unfortunately, I haven't yet."

"You mean you didn't feel me when you came in?"

Luke looked puzzled. "I did feel something. It didn't feel like the presence of someone. It was too faint. Is that why you needed to see me? You've had Force potential all your life and have had trouble adjusting?"

Drex replied, "You're half right. I am struggling to adjust to it. But I haven't had it all my life. Try less than seventy-two standard hours."

Luke sat in the nearest seat. "You're going to have to explain that one."

Drex spent the next several minutes explaining that he had worked for a research company named X-Tec on Taris for five years as a geneticist. He discovered a secret just days ago. A secret that Dr. Bose Kenzeel and his powerful security guard will kill for. He described the murder of his landlord in cold blood and his feeling of her fear beforehand. Then, finally, he explained moving the kegs off of the shelf with his mind. All of this happening three standard days ago. Nika and himself caught an unregistered star cruiser to Coruscant. The kind of transport where they don't ask questions of identity. Their faces had been plastered on wanted posters all over Taris. It took all of Nika's newly found ingenuity to slice into systems on Coruscant and infiltrate the benefit that night. And, ultimately, she got the Jedi Master to meet with him, albeit under a hidden agenda.

Luke was in a thoughtful mood after Drex rehashed his story. He put his hand and finger under the bridge of his nose in an echo of his long departed mentor. He finally asked, "You have never experienced these feelings before? Or any type of mental telekinesis?"

"No, sir...uh, Master. Er...Jedi Master."

Luke almost laughed. Not at the man's naïveté of how to address him. But for the fact that his significant other pondered the same question. He said, "Just Luke will be fine. Let me ask you something. Do you experience your feelings of others or your surroundings all the time?"

Drex thought a moment and replied, "I had to really concentrate when I moved those kegs. But...the feelings I felt from my landlord, they came almost automatically."

"Interesting. Can you say what this secret is from the company you worked for?"

"All I can say without going into scientific detail is that it may involve some kind of experiments."

"Experiments?"

"Yes," Drex said. "I captured data about it on a data strip. All I need is a lab in order to analyze the information on it. I was hoping there was still one here on Coruscant."

Luke breathed out. "Well, there is one. I'm not sure how much damage it withstood. I can have some of my best people working on it. Can you tell me anymore about these experiments?"

"I only know that X-Tec was conducting them in secret and off the books. I will have to research it further to know for sure."

"Do you think they have anything to do with your new gifts?"

"That's what I intend to find out."

Nika chimed in. "And Drex can't state any fact without proving it first. Typical scientist."

"That's not fair, Nika."

"Oh, we're so past fair, Drex."

"You didn't have to come with me."

The brunette laughed. "Drex, you wouldn't have gotten this far without getting caught. You wanted to board a commercial space cruiser where they collect your ID. You would have been found out in no time. And I found the plans for this place on the HoloNet. And the way I got the Master Jedi in here to see you." She looked at Luke apologetically. "No offense, but you kinda did fall for it."

"None taken. You two can stop bickering at anytime now. You're rehashing scenes from the Solo marriage." He addressed Drex. "What made you believe that only I could help you?"

Drex shrugged. "I figured you of all people would understand. You were older when you first knew of the Force, right?"

"Yes, but I was nineteen when I first discovered the Force," Luke corrected. "I inherited it from my father, so I always had it in me. Do you have any relatives who are also Force sensitive?"

"No. Not a one."

Nika offered, "So, discovering them at nineteen and suddenly having them at age thirty-five is a big difference."

Drex nodded and said to Luke, "You have to help me, Master Luke. I have to know what's happened to me. Something tells me what X-Tec is doing is much bigger."

"Is that a hypothesis based on fact or is it something you feel is right?" Luke asked.

"Does it matter?"

"In this case I believe it does." Luke took a moment to say, "I am a busy man, Mr. Connick. Especially now, as you know."

"Please, Master Luke. These feelings are unknown to me. I can feel everything. Everyone." He glanced at Nika. "I can do things that I'm not sure how I can do them. All my life I've always been about how things work. I've never understood the Force. I can never explain it."

"It explains itself, Drex," Luke said.

"I'm a scientist, Master Luke. I can't deal with the unknown. It scares me." He paused and said, "I believe we both know how fear affects the Force."

Luke swallowed. "All too well. Look, Drex, I would like to help you, but2–"

He was interrupted by the swishing of the door opening. In popped through Mara Jade Skywalker with her mini blaster held at length She moved further inside in a defensive stance. She cried out at her husband, "There you are. Took me long enough. You know it would help if you left your comlink on. I had to feel you out." She glanced at Nika. "I see you've met the con-artist and thief."

Luke calmly said, "Stand down, Mara. They're not thieves."

"You sure about that? Checked your pocketbook lately?"

As Luke reached into the folds of his tunic for his pocket, he said, "Sure, it's right..."

Nika reached inside her server's uniform and produced a flat leather pouch. "Here. Sorry. Habit."

Luke realized. "You lifted it when I brushed against you in the ballroom."

"Without you knowing. Gotta give a girl some skills."

Drex leaned on the table and said incredulously, "You pick-pocketed the Master Jedi? Great going, Nika. How is he going to help us now?"

"Help?" Mara exclaimed. She looked at her husband. "You were going to help them escape?"

"Escape? No, they came to me with a problem."

"Yeah, they are a problem. During Omas' speech there was a security alert about two criminals from Taris. Senator Gavron from Taris issued the alert himself."

"Gavron?" cried Drex. "Adoni Gavron was a huge financial backer of X-Tec before he became a senator."

Mara questioned, "X-Tec? The research facility on Taris?"

Instead of answering her, Drex stood up even more panicked than before. His nerves were visible on his expression. He looked at Nika. "They know we're here."

"I figured. Told you not to use your real name at the motel," accused Nika.

"Sorry if I don't have your great imagination. I can't lie on a whim like you so easily can."

"If I hadn't, you'd be back on Taris either dead or the subject of more experiments that Dr. Kenzeel had planned for you."

"It would be better torture than hearing you admire yourself every five minutes. I'd have been better without you."

Nika laughed. "Drex, I'd like to see that. It takes you an hour to plan to brush your teeth!"

"If you were so bored, why did you stay with me for two years?"

"If I had anywhere else to go, I wouldn't have. Maybe it's time we split up."

"Maybe I'll split up with you!"

"Oh, sure. That will be a month from now after all of your careful planning."

"Stop! Both of you!" Mara shouted. She looked at her husband and said, "They're us! Times ten!"

Luke replied, "I wouldn't go that far. Why does the Senator want them? If it was a warrant for their arrest the Galactic Alliance Police could handle them."

Mara answered, "He said they were dangerous. Apparently, only to themselves."

"Hey, we're not dangerous," said Drex.

"Not yet," said Luke. After a pause, Luke explained, "Drex, here, suddenly has Force abilities. If he can't control them, he may have bigger problems ahead."

Mara dropped her blaster to her side and asked, "Suddenly? You just woke up and suddenly have Force powers?"

"It's not that simple, Mara. Drex believes he and others were subject to secret experiments conducted by X-Tec. Those experiments may have to do with Drex's new abilities. That's why he came to me for help."

Mara warned, "Well, Gavron's garrison is here and they're searching the palace now."

More panic entered Drex. "We can't go with them. They're after us. They'll kill Nika and they'll more than likely subject me to more experiments, like Nika said."

"You don't know that, Drex," assured Nika. "Look, maybe it's time to give up. Go with the Senator."

Drex looked at Nika as if cave worms were coming out of her eyes. "What are you saying?"

She shrugged. "Maybe he can help."

Drex kept shaking his head, not for the thought of going with the Senator. But because Nika had suggested it. "No. No. No."

Mara quipped, "Guess your boyfriend's not listening to you."

Drex then shouted at Mara, "No!" At the same time, a wave of Force thrust out of Drex that slammed Mara backwards into the wall behind her. Her mini blaster fell to the floor. Before she could react, Nika grabbed Drex's arm and pulled him towards the exit. Before she left the room, she tossed Luke's pocketbook at him.

"Here! Catch!" she exclaimed. "And thanks for nothing, Jedi."

Nika led Drex into the hallway of the ballroom and she turned down to the right.

Drex asked, "Do you know where you're going?"

"Of course. I memorized the layout of this place from the HoloNet. We're heading towards the South exit."

"And then what, Nika? Where do we go from here? Or is it just me now?"

"Shut up, it was just a suggestion. Course, that was before you threw Skywalker's wife into the wall back there. What were you thinking?"

"I don't know. That's the point, Nika. I felt angry at what you said and she made it worse. I'm scared of these new things I can do."

"No, Drex. You're scared because you can't control them. Like you have to control everything."

"That's not true. That's...wait. I know you may think this is strange, Nika. I can feel the guards nearby."

"You can? Where?"

"All around us, I think."

"Shavit! They're creating a perimeter." She peeked around the corner into another hallway. She said, "All right, we have to move forward. And quickly. We don't want to get trapped. Come on!" She grabbed his arm again and she led him through the second hallway. They were almost to the alcove when they saw armed guards in the familiar Taris blue uniforms.

"There they are! Fire!"

Nika and Drex did not stop. Once they heard blaster shots, they avoided being trapped in the alcove and made it across to the third hallway. The guards were now behind them. And they were both easy targets. The shots fired at them and they ducked to avoid them. They ran faster to the corner at the end of the third hallway. One of the blaster shots hit the side of the wall. A large black burning hole now appeared in the gold steel wall.

Nika spotted a large decorative statue that was on the path to the outside of the building. She nudged Drex hard to say, "Quick! Behind there." They ran again and crouched behind a statue of a long lost senator from the Old Republic. They caught their breaths and Nika remarked, "Well, so much for stun settings. I think they mean to kill us."

"Like I told you all along."

"I'm starting to believe you." She looked ahead of them to see the exit and said, "We're almost out of here. If we can get outside, we can blend in with the crowd."

"What are we waiting for? I'm getting used to all this excitement."

"Don't get too used to it, Drex. Let's go."

They started running again to the exit and soon they were out into the Coruscant air. They were about to celebrate their escape but they discovered a problem. They saw no crowds. There were scarcely anyone about. It made Drex point out, "Uh, no crowds to blend in with."

"I see that, Drex." Nika tilted her head. "This is the South exit. More vacant here, I guess."

"Not quite!" shouted a voice from behind them.

Each of them turned to see several Taris guards behind them coming straight at them. All had their high-powered blaster rifles pointed directly at Nika and Drex. The couple followed their instinct and turned around to escape. More guards appeared in front of them. They were trapped.

One of the guards announced through a comlink, "We have them, sir."

Drex uttered, "Did you say something earlier about not getting trapped? Well, here we are."

"Really don't need your comments right now, Drex."

"Oh, right. You could always try to con your way out of this. I'm sure one of your many different accents will distract them."

She turned to him and barked, "At least I didn't go snooping around X-Tec in the first place to get us into this mess."

"It wasn't my fault! It was an accident. Do you know the probability of me finding it?"

"No, but I'm sure you have some mathematical equation that will tell me all about it. How boring could that be?"

"Why are you saying these things to me?"

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm trying to get you angry again!"

Sudden realization appeared on Drex's face and he muttered, "Oh."

"Is it working? Because I can go on."

"I don't think it works that way."

"Then how does it work?"

"Funny thing, I was going to ask the Master Jedi that very question."

One of the guards fired a blaster shot into the air. "Will you two shut up? You two talk more than a protocol droid."

Nika turned to face the guard. "I take it you're bringing us to Senator Gavron."

"Actually, no. We have...other orders." He gently leveled his blaster straight at the couple.

"What?" cried Nika. "But you can't."

Another guard stated, "We have our orders. You'll find that we can. Anything to shut you two up."

The lead guard spoke again. "And such a perfect place you led us to. No witnesses. Men. Fire when ready."

Nika turned to Drex and wrapped her arms around him to kiss him. They parted lips and Drex said, "I told you they were going to kill us."

"I know, Drex. I'm sorry."

"Nika, I know now why you stayed with me. I can feel it."

"No, Drexal. Don't say it." She gulped and said with her voice cracking, "There's something I have to tell you."

"More secrets from your past?"

She nodded. "You know me. Always full of surprises. Drex, I...I..."

A guard snapped, "Someone shut them up already."

"With pleasure," another said.

In the next few seconds, Nika and Drex heard two distinct sounds as they closed their eyes and embraced.

The first was the lethal shot from a blaster.

The second was the unmistakable sound of a lightsaber.

With a sudden flash of green light, Luke somersaulted over the crowd of guards and landed in between them and the couple. The shot that would have killed at least one of them was blocked and ricocheted back at the same guard who fired it. He yelped in pain as the deflected shot hit his shin. Luke kept his battle stance with his lightsaber at the ready.

The Jedi Master called out, "I order all of you to stand down in the name of the Jedi of the Galactic Alliance!"

One of the guards tended to his wounded comrade while another shouted back at Luke with, "We take no orders from Jedi!"

"Then who is your commanding officer?"

"None of your business."

"Fine. I just want to know who ordered you to execute two alleged criminals without so much as a trial?"

"That would be me," boomed a voice coming from the exit of the ballroom. A large, heavy-set man with full dark beard and wearing an elegant gold tunic waded through the crowd of guards. The man eyed Luke with the same disdain as the guards had shown. "I am Senator Gavron. And my orders are my business."

"And who decides your business? Those with the highest amount of credits, I suppose."

"Careful, Jedi. You may be the Hero of the Galaxy for the tenth time, but you have no knowledge of how politics work."

"You do have me there. Let me ask, then, what crimes have these people supposedly committed that constitutes immediate execution?"

The senator smiled and nodded first at Drex. "Drexal Connick is accused of corporate espionage. That is the equivalent of treason on Taris. And Nikala Jordana...her criminal file is a parsec long. She has a long history of being a con-artist and thief from age twelve. Typical of an orphan."

Luke shut down his lightsaber and came forward face to face before Gavron. Luke uttered coolly, "I am an orphan."

"I rest my case."

Luke nodded. He knew of Gavron's dislike of the Jedi. He chose to ignore it for now. Instead, he said, "You know, there was a word in your explanation that was missing. Conviction. You must be the judge and jury on matters where the criminals are only accused without a trial. How progressive of you."

"I told you to be careful, Jedi." Gavron treated the word Jedi as if it was a curse word.

Luke smiled and said, "I've been through several wars, as you noted. I had just been through the last war that destroyed half of my family and friends. I survived a battle with the leader of the Yuuzahn Vong. I believe it is you who should be careful, Gavron."

"I know a veiled threat when I hear one. We shall only arrest them and take the back to Taris."

"Where you can do anything you want with them without my presence? I can't let you do that."

Gavron edged closer and smiled a crooked grin. "You have no jurisdiction here, Jedi."

Luke made his voice even colder. "I'm making it my jurisdiction."

"Looks like I don't have much of a choice. How very un-Jedi Code of you."

Luke ignored that bait to counteract and mentioned, "There is a matter that you may not be aware of. Drex came to me with a particular problem that may be detrimental to himself and others. You see, he has suddenly obtained the ability to use the powers of the Force."

"That is not my concern."

"It should be, senator. He is scared because he cannot control his new power. Have you ever seen someone with Force powers that were out of their control? It isn't pretty. Just ask my wife. She was thrown against a wall back there from Drex's lack of control. You see, some Force potentials like that end up in the Dark Side of the Force, simply because nobody would listen. And then no one could teach them properly."

Gavron smiled. "Thank you for proving my point in the alert. Drex is dangerous."

"He may be. It's hard to say. With proper training, maybe not. But consider what would happen to those who are not equipped to handle Force abilities that are out of control. My wife is a Jedi Master herself, and she was thrown back by his uncontrolled powers." Luke could see Gavron stiffen at his point. Luke continued. "I can help Drex in that area, senator."

Ultimately, Gavron frowned and asked, "What do you propose?"

"You place him in my custody. I will take responsibility."

"And the girl? No Force ability in her."

Nika stepped forward and said, "Where Drex goes, I go."

Gavron countered, "That's not your decision, girl."

"But it is mine," said Luke. "If her presence with Drex makes him more comfortable, then she stays."

Gavron grumbled, "I don't like it. But I guess I can't argue with the Master Jedi. None of my men could take you in a fight."

"I wouldn't fight them. Unless they gave me no choice. That shows just how little you know of the Jedi Code, senator."

"Very well. Don't think this is over, Jedi. I intend to consult Taris law on this matter. You win this battle. Be warned. I will see these two incarcerated for their crimes." He addressed his guards. "Men, stand down and fall out." All of the guards dropped their weapons and marched away with the senator.

Luke kept his gaze at the departing senator when Drex came up behind him. "Does this mean you're going to help me?"

Luke was quiet for a few moments before he asked, seemingly to himself, "Why would a high-profile, anti-Jedi senator take time out of a major political function to eliminate two minor criminals?"

Drex replied, "He already told you. He trumped up the espionage charge on me and they apparently had a field day with Nika's past."

Nika said, "That's the excuse, Drex. The senator never answered the question. Typical politician."

Luke finally turned to face Drex. "Add to what you told me earlier and what I can see you do with what I just witnessed a senator attempt, something isn't right here. I have to ask you something, and I want you to be as truthful as you can. If I can get you the equipment and facilities you need, can you find out what X-Tec is doing and what is happening to you?"

Drex breathed and considered first before he spoke. "I think there's enough data on that strip for me to start with. At the very least it's a piece of the puzzle."

Nika added, "If they're willing to kill you for it, it must be a big piece."

"Exactly," said Drex. "So, yes, Master Luke. I can find out. Or I can at least try."

Luke smiled in remembering a counter phrase once said to him long ago when he said similar words. He decided not to reply to Drex in the same way. It was difficult during his first meeting with Drexal Connick because Luke did not have all the facts of what was going on. He didn't know what he was feeling in the Force. After the encounter with the senator, Luke could now feel the confusion and doubt within Drex more clearly. Luke remembered that mixed feeling combining confusion, doubt, and apprehension, despite the many decades that had passed since he first felt it. Luke had been just a simple young farm boy then. Drex was a grown man. And a scientist. Where else would he go for help?

Ultimately, Luke nodded to him and asked, "Speaking of that data strip, where is it?"

Drex replied, "I had Nika hide it."

Nika then nodded to Luke. "Look in your pocketbook."

Luke took out the leather pouch and opened it. Inside were his ident cards and some credits. But there was something new. Luke gave a small chuckle. "The data strip. You put it in here for safe keeping?"

Nika winked at him. "Call it a contingency plan."

"You must have been very confident that I would agree to help you."

Nika gave a devious smile. "Hence, the 'con' in con-artist."

Luke looked at Drex and said, "She's a keeper, Drex."

Drex stared at the brunette and smiled back. "Yes she is." He then looked worried at Luke and gasped, "Oh, how is your wife? I didn't hurt her, did I?"

Luke gave a chuckle. "Oh, no. She's fine. She's had much worse. Although, I do advise you not speaking to her for a standard day. Which brings me to my next subject. Since you both are in my custody, at least on the surface, we must find a place for you two to stay."

Drex said, "We already have a small room at a motel in the Southern district."

"That's not going to be a good place to bring in equipment. You need someplace bigger where you can work. And we haven't established a safe house in the new Coruscant yet. Once you give me the list of what you need, I can pull some strings to get you a suite in the new Elite Hotel. I heard they're opening again soon for the first time since the end of the war."

Nika repeated dreamily, "You are putting us up in one of the finest luxury hotels in the galaxy?" She glanced at Drex and gave a short laugh of disbelief.

Drex smiled back, exuding a confidence that Luke felt from him for the first time that night. Drex shrugged and tried to sound casual. "I guess if that's all you have, it'll do."

"Great," said Luke. "Then I will do everything in my power to help you."

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Chapter Three will be...next year. But soon...ish!