Luvinna:
This is getting better each chapter! I'm curious about one thing though. You said the timeline for this story is ESB-ROTJ. Does that mean it's during ESB, or between ESB and ROTJ?
Glad to hear that you're going to bring Mirax in and not try to hook Corran up with Iella, because I really can't see that. ) Ooh sorry, it's really at the tail end of ESB right now, which I think this chapter will make obvious. :) So it will go through ESB inbetween and through ROTJ. lol! Hal sure rooted for Corran and Iella, but he'll learn. ;) Thanks for reading:)
Chapter Seven
It would be incorrect to say that without the capability of energy absorption, a Halcyon would be completely inept in telekinesis. In fact, iI/i have mastered the art of button pushing, and with enough concentration, I can punch in a code. I considered this a few times during my isolation, not that Corran's company wasn't welcome, and Cracken wasn't always disagreeable, but I felt just a little cooped up. However, it would not do for it be said that Hal Horn did not keep his word on account of boredom, or that Valin Halcyon, Jedi Knight, was capable of ibeing/i bored.
The good General was able to find a remote for me, and I started teaching Corran energy absorption. At first, he was too distracted by Cracken's presence to progress very far, his pride getting the better of him in not wanting to fail. Ultimately, after being stung more times than I could count, he grew embarrassed enough to finally break down the image he wanted others to see, and truly embrace the Force.
Of course, when it comes to my son, with great victory comes great pride, and the cycle begins again.
Cracken observed the lessons with great interest, and though I was not surprised, and could hardly blame the man, I looked forward to the time when I would be able to train Corran privately again. There were many things I did not wish to discuss with him, most particularly the inherent dangers associated with the Halcyon line.
We Halcyons are highly gifted in the one of the rarest of Force talents, and because of this, we are rather deficient in other areas, such telekinesis. Unfortunately, the skills we iare/i capable of are as dangerous as they are powerful. If you do not distribute or direct the energy you absorb properly, it will burn you from the inside out.
Not a particularly good way to die.
Also, we are incredibly good at altering another's perception, a talent that goes hand in hand with mind manipulation, both of which lie perilously close to the dark side. It can be easy to try to talk a person out of doing something, or iinto/i, when all you have to do is use just a tiny Force suggestion to get them to see your way. As small an act as this may seem, it interferes with the other person's free will, which is a very large step toward the dark side of the Force.
One of the best safeguards against thoughts and acts of the dark side, is service to other people It is far easier to use the Force for selfish reasons when your life is dedicated entirely to yourself. Because of this, over the centuries, the Halcyons have dedicated themselves to public service, often working in defense of Corellia. That was how my father, as well as Corran and myself, first became involved with Corsec.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before Corran and I joined the Rebellion. It took a little over three days for me to be cleared, and I was given a day of freedom before reporting early to Cracken for assignment. Surprisingly enough, despite my boasting concerning mops and buckets, I was placed in Intel. I would like to think the reasons were because of my record with Corsec, and I'm certain part of it was that, but I also think Cracken wanted to keep an eye on me.
Cracken was also a man who believed strongly in distributing information to people on a "need to know" basis, and for that reason, Corran was not informed of my release early in the afternoon on my fourth day. I first dropped off at my bunk for a shower and change of clothes, then sought him out in order to surprise him.
I'm not entirely sure that was the best idea.
In fact, I was the one who ended up being surprised.
I found him in a lounge, engaged in deep conversation with a rather lovely brunette. Corran had that hazy look in his eyes, particularly when she laughed, and I could tell he was really taken with her. I crossed the room, ordering a drink of water at the bar. As awesome a father as I liked to think myself, I was pretty sure he wasn't going to want me around just yet. That was okay. I could find other company and bother him about her later.
Unfortunately, the company I got wasn't exactly the kind I was looking for.
I had leaned against the wall, taking a drink of my water, and turned when I sensed a person come up beside me. I stiffened immediately, meeting one brown and one bionic red eye. Booster Terrik had managed to elude and taunt me for years after I first sent him to Kessel, and coming face to face with him was...an interesting experience. I coughed. "Didn't think you were the altruistic type, Booster."
Booster glared. "Hardly, Horn." He jabbed his thumb back over his shoulder. "What are you going to do about that?"
"About what?" I asked, looking toward where he was pointing. All I saw was my son, now resting his hand on the woman's knee.
"Your son manipulating my daughter."
I choked, glancing quickly back to my son. That was Mirax? Taking a deep breath, I managed to find my voice. "Amazing."
"What?"
"She's pretty."
Probably not the best thing to say, considering the shade of red Booster's face turned. I didn't particularly appreciate him insinuating that in any way Corran was the only one at fault here. I was fairly certain she would have been the instigator. "You just keep him away from her, Horn."
I raised an eyebrow. "And who will keep her from my son?"
Booster snorted. "She can do better."
"I'd say a whole lot worse."
"Worse than a Horn?" Booster demanded, flabbergasted.
"You may be surprised," I said, folding my arms. "But as good as it has been to see you again, Booster, I really should be going."
Booster nodded, cocking his head toward Corran. "Won't be the last time, Horn."
I forced a smile on my lips, but muttered under my breath, "Of course."
In all honesty, I wasn't really comfortable with a possible relationship between Corran and Mirax Terrik. The only thing I knew of the girl were her illegal activities, and the fact that her father was far from my favorite person in the galaxy. However, Corran was also a grown man, and I trusted him to make the right decisions.
I told that to myself during my entire walk to the medbay, seeking solace from those thoughts in visiting Tycho Celchu. I wanted to make certain he was doing okay, and considering my time in isolation, I figured that he must be out of the bacta by now. A medic directed me to his room, mentioning he'd just been removed from the tank twenty minutes ago. His room was dark, and he was sleeping peacefully on the bed. I entered as quietly as possible, taking the chair next to the bed. He looked quite a bit better than the last time I'd seen him, and I was glad to see that he'd nearly completely recovered by now. I had never admitted to Corran, that even through the healing trance it had been a rather close call.
Also that I wasn't certain I'd remember enough to help him.
The door to his room opened and a medic walked in, calling for light. Tycho winced in his sleep, and I gave the woman a curious look. She nodded to me, walking over to the bedside and gently pried open one of his eyes. "He should be coming out of the sedative soon."
"I'm sure you're helping with that," I observed as she checked his other eye.
She shrugged. "It's time for him to now." She looked up at me, her dark brown eyes curious "He's done amazingly well. When he came in I could have sworn he must have already spent some time in a tank."
I nodded. "We're very grateful he survived."
"He did far more than that," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Around here it's being called a miracle of the Force."
"Could hardly be anything else," I said, smiling slightly. "I don't believe we've met. Hal Horn." I offered her my hand.
"Kiandra Rigel," she said, taking it. "Horn...any relation to Corran?"
I smiled. "He's my son."
Kiandra nodded thoughtfully. "I've seen him here a couple times." My smile instantly died, and she laughed slightly. "Not the kind of thing you care to hear, I'm assuming."
"Not particularly," I said dryly, shaking my head. "Hope he was a good patient for you, at least."
"As good as any talented fighter jockey kept from the cockpit," Kiandra said, looking down at Tycho. "Though he wasn't nearly as bad as Commander Skywalker."
I coughed. "I've heard he's a good pilot."
"One of the best we have," Kiandra agreed. "But I guess you can expect that from a Jedi."
"Guess so."
Kiandra smiled, tipping her head to the side. "It's a good sign, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"The Jedi returning, Hal," Kiandra answered me. "No matter what Palpatine has tried to get people to believe, they iwere/i good, and by even giving us one, I believe it shows the Force is on our side." She rested her hand on Tycho's shoulder. "I believe his miraculous survival is a sign of it as well."
I nodded, studying her carefully. She was only a few years younger than me, which meant she was old enough to have remembered the Jedi, and her comment about Tycho hit rather close to the mark. "Maybe it is, then."
Kiandra smiled, then moved away from Tycho's bed. "He'll be fine. I need to see to my other patients."
"Thank you," I said, watching her as she left the room. As soon as she was gone, I got up and placed my hand on Tycho's arm, reaching out with the Force to check his condition. It wasn't that I didn't trust her opinion; I just wanted to see for myself. I noticed rather quickly that he was doing quite well and would be waking up soon, but at about the same time, I sensed a very bright presence in the Force, and stiffened slightly. There was only one person I could think of who could possibly have that powerful of a Force signature, and still be bright.
Luke Skywalker.
I was a little disappointed I hadn't been aware of his arrival, but I haven't maintained constant contact with the Force in almost two decades. Certainly looked like I was going to need to start. I can't say whether it was morbid curiosity or guidance from the Force that caused me to leave Tycho's room in search of Luke's. He was a couple rooms down, and I opened the door, stepping cautiously inside. Luke was asleep as well, facing away from the door. I walked quietly, gingerly approaching his bedside. I'm not quite certain what I expected, perhaps a young Anakin Skywalker, as I had been picturing him. What I saw was a young man no older than my son, looking quite innocent in his sleep. His right arm was bandaged up, right above where his hand should have been.
I swallowed, not wanting to think of how he might have come across such an injury.
It could have been an interrogation officer, maybe a random flying sharp instrument...or a lightsaber. I touched his arm, brushing him with the Force to see how he was doing. There was a little pain and weakness from his injury, and just a bit of emotional turmoil leaking out. I frowned, and he stirred slightly, muttering in his sleep. "Ben..."
Ben?
He repeated it again, and even softer, then whispered a word that chilled me to the bone. "Father..."
Maybe, by some chance he thought Ben was his father? Or was he dreaming of who he thought was his father?
I didn't want to think of the other possibility.
Luke stirred again, calling out to Ben once more, before slowly opening his eyes and looking toward me. They widened considerably, and he sat up slowly. "You're not Ben."
"No."
He studied me carefully, scrubbing his hand across his forehead. "Did he send you?"
I shook my head. "I haven't spoken with General Kenobi in over twenty years."
Luke sighed, looking away from me. "Just another thing he's kept from me, then."
It took me a moment to figure out what he meant. "He couldn't have been any more aware of me than I was of him, Commander."
"He's lied to me before."
I wasn't sure what to say to that. For one thing, I really hadn't known him that well, and I wasn't sure what Luke was referring to. Even in the dim light, I could see the pain in the young man's eyes, and the harsh beginnings of lost innocence. I rested my hand on his arm. "I'm sorry." I hesitated. "He was a good man, Commander, I'm sure he had his reasons."
Luke shook his head. "He should have told me."
I really wished I knew what he was talking about. "Didn't say I agreed with them."
"You probably would," Luke said, looking up at the ceiling.
"I don't know," I said, shrugging my shoulders. Luke was pretty much out of it, and with the state he was in, the conversation wasn't going anywhere. "But you should get some rest."
Luke nodded, and I patted his shoulder, and walked away from the bed, but paused before I left the room. "Luke, I don't know what's happened between you and Master Kenobi, but...never do anything you don't feel is right."
