"Mara Jade ... Skywalker. Come on, sleepyhead. Time to get up."
Mara Jade acknowledged Luke's softly-spoken urging with a grunt. Snuggling deeper into the comfort of the covers, she buried her head in the pillow. Sleeping in was a treat too rarely earned on board the Wilde Karrde, and Mara was determined to enjoy every minute of her new-found freedom. At the same time, she smiled to herself, careful not to let Luke sense her wakefulness through the Force. She rolled the name around in her mind. Mara Jade Skywalker. She and Luke were meant for each other, that was clear. Mara Jade Skywalker. Mara pondered how the union of their names seemed so ... so right. Her melding with Luke during the fight against the sentinel droids had brought her to clarity. It was like I was a crystal slightly out of phase and now I am in tune. She chided herself for all the years she had wasted, hiding behind a wall of indifference, afraid to make a real commitment. The truth is, you weren't ready for it, were you Mara? She knew the answer without thinking.
"C'mon Mara, you're going to be late. Leia and Han will be here before you know it and you'll be complaining about being rushed."
"Alright Skywalker, don't blow a gasket." Mara gruffly replied. "I'll be ready."
"Right," Luke responded dryly. "I've heard that before."
"Luke," Mara countered. "We have been back on Coruscant for exactly two days. I know there are lots of details to be addressed, and Leia's responsibilities to the New Republic take precedence over our personal plans, but things will get done. I know our wedding is more than just a "wedding". But things will be attended to in the course of time. As I recall, it was you who suggested that we take a few days to ourselves before we formally announce our plans. And wasn't it Han who suggested that we meet for brunch when you told him you had something important to discuss?"
"Well, yes, but ..." Luke replied.
"No buts, Skywalker. Let's get ready."
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For all her bravado, Mara Jade was more than a little nervous about her brunch with Leia and Han. Despite the fact that they were Luke's sister and brother-in-law, to Mara they were legend — part of history. She recalled the time she had been on Coruscant, recovering from ion burns suffered in her escape from Thrawn. She and Lando Calrissian had helped thwart a kidnapping attempt on Leia and her twins. Mara had then told Leia that she intended to kill her brother. Surprisingly, Leia had not reacted in the way Mara had expected. What was it Leia had said to her? Maybe you really don't want to do this. Mara smiled to herself. After aiding Luke in his battle with the mad Jedi clone Joruus C'baoth, she had killed "Luuke Skywalker" and rid herself of Palpatine's implanted compulsion.
Mara shook here head. In the intervening years, she and Leia had crossed paths occasionally, as when they had worked together to escape from Thracken Solo's forces. Trapped in the Corellian government building, both Mara and the security forces had discovered that Leia Organa Solo could be quite a fighter when provoked. Using the Jade's Fire, they had managed to elude their captors.
Mara reflected on how she and Leia had made a good team. We were great, as the kids say, we really 'kicked butt', but this — marrying Leia's brother — is a nerf of a different color. For some reason she could not explain, Mara wondered why she and Leia could work together so well in combat, and now, it felt like she had a herd of tauntauns rampaging through her stomach. Get a grip, Mara. Why were you worried less about Leia's reaction to "I'm going to kill your brother" than about "I'm going to marry your brother".
It was Han, though who spoke first.
"Okay, Kid ... Out with it! You look like the Wampa that swallowed the tauntaun. Why are you looking so smug? What's going on?"
Luke grinned.
"Quite a few things actually," he said. Then he took Mara's hand, and she nodded, albeit a little reluctantly. "Mara and I have something to tell you."
Luke took a deep breath, and said a little formally, "I asked Mara to marry me ..."
He paused, letting Mara finish their announcement. "... And I said, 'Yes'. We're engaged to be married," she said quietly, as if unsure of their reaction to this information.
Leia was speechless and she looked at Han, whose own face seemed frozen in his trademark, lopsided grin. But then he laughed and the joy was contagious. Leia approached her brother first. Luke was surprised and more than a little concerned to see a few tears streaming from her eyes. He gently brushed away a tear with his fingertip. "Leia. What's wrong?" he asked anxiously.
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just so happy for you! I've been hoping for this day for so long. I've wanted you to find the same kind of joy that I've found with Han. I was beginning to doubt that it would ever happen. I want you to be happy, Luke!" Leia smiled through her tears and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, Leia." He gave his twin a long, loving embrace. "I AM happy. Happy, and content, and at peace. Mara and I complement each other perfectly." When he finally released her, he said, " Thank you for caring, Leia. That means a lot to me."
Then Leia turned to Mara.
"Thank you!" she said sincerely. "Thank you for putting the light in my brother's eyes and the smile on his face. His entire life has been filled with pain and losses. He's always had too many responsibilities and duties. He's been lonely too long and has had little joy in his life. I'm very grateful to you for making Luke happy, and I'm pleased that I'll finally have a sister-in-law."
Leia gave her a warm, welcoming hug.
"Then you're not upset?" Mara querried incredulously, as Luke stepped next to her and took her hand in his again. "I mean, I was the Emperor's Hand, and I did try to kill Luke and I ..."
Leia stopped her with a shake of her head. "That's all in the past. You and Luke haven't exactly had the most typical of relationships, and the journey from Myrkr to here hasn't been along the straightest of paths, but the present is all that's important. In truth, I really shouldn't have been all that surprised by your announcement, you know. You two have been dancing around one another for years. It's obvious that you're good for Luke; that you're exactly what he needs. That's all I care about. Welcome to the Skywalker family."
Hello old friend.
Karrde came awake with a start.
"Lights" he called out softly. The cabin darkness faded, to be replaced with the glow from the wall tubes. As expected, there was no one there. Karrde shook his head. He was not one to dream, and if he did, he rarely, if ever, recalled his nocturnal adventures. Still, the voice had been familiar. It wasn't his, that he knew. It sounded like … Car'das Karrde thought to himself. But that was impossible. Car'das was light years away, and besides, the voice had not been audible to anyone else, had it? Reaching for the comm unit, Karrde thumbed it on.
"Bridge."
"Dankin here," came the reply.
"Have there been any transmissions received in the last, oh, ten minutes?"
"No," was the immediate response. "Were you expecting something Captain?"
"Uhh, no, at least not now. Thanks, Dankin. Karrde out."
Did you really expect them to track this, Talon?
Karrde started violently. It took but a moment to confirm that the comm unit was off. I am awake. I am not dreaming. The voice is real.
"Jorj?" Karrde whispered, not believing, yet knowing that there could be no other answer.
Yes came the reply and Karrde could not mistake the amusement in the voice.
"How can you do this? You're light years away from us. We're traveling through hyperspace, and we didn't exactly file a flight plan."
True, but I have some resources at my disposal that others do not.
Suddenly understanding, Karrde nodded to himself. "The Aing-Tii monks?"
Exactly. But Karrde, this isn't a social call, much as I enjoyed your company some months ago. I have, or should I say, it was suggested to me that I provide you with some rather important information. And I have learned over the years that ah, 'suggestions' such as these are not to be ignored.
So is this clear? Do you realize the importance of this information?
There was no mistaking the urgency in Car'das' "voice". Karrde paused before replying. It's a good thing nobody is able to see me now. My crew would surely be convinced I've taken leave of my senses, talking to myself.
"Yes, Car'das, it doesn't take a hyperspace engineer to see that. But I don't understand why you, I mean, they are telling me this? I thought they preferred not to get involved in the affairs of the Galaxy. After all, they did sit out the conflict between Palpatine and the Rebels and then the continuing battles between the New Republic and what was left of the Empire. Why choose sides now?"
They aren't taking sides, Karrde. It is just that they want to be able to remain undisturbed in the Kathol Rift. It should be obvious that allowing those plans to proceed will inevitably affect them. I believe the expression they used was 'a little pain now for a lot of gain later'. And let's face it — you gain considerable credibility with this since you can't, not that you would, reveal the source.
Karrde grimaced, wondering what the cost would be. No matter, it would be worth it. He would just have to make certain that the scales balanced.
"Yes, I have to admit that dealing with this will definitely enhance my reputation as a 'miracle man'. More than that, it will help a certain former Mistryl shadow guard realize that she is a key member of my crew. For that, I thank you more than for myself."
You're welcome, old friend.
Karrde wondered as the "voice" paused.
One last thing. I suspect that I will be have to contact you using more conventional means in the future.
Again the voice paused. Years of negotiating had taught Karrde the fine art of listening, and it seemed to him that Card'das' tone was now more wistful and sad than commanding.
I find it somewhat ironic that after years of hiding from everyone — especially you — that I long for your company more than ever. Talon, know that you are always welcome at my door. Please do not stay away for another twenty years.
Long after Car'das' voice faded away, Karrde remained where he stood in his cabin, not wanting to break the spell. Slowly, as if awakening from a dream, he became aware of his surroundings. The dim glow of the wall tubes softened the images he carried in his mind. The only sounds were the soft woosh of the air recycler and the muted hum of the hyperdrive engines. I was not dreaming. It was real. I DID speak with Jorj. Karrde paused in his ruminations. Either that or I have to think I've finally lost my mind. And somehow I don't think that's the case.
Karrde thumbed the comm unit.
"Bridge"
"Dankin here, Captain."
"I'm calling a meeting of the Bureau of Ships and Services. Please arrange for your relief. Meet me in my cabin in 30 minutes."
There was a pause as Dankin absorbed the meaning hidden in Karrde's statement.
"Beggin' your pardon boss, but isn't it a little early for a meeting? It is only 02:45."
"Some things just can't wait, and this is one of them. Please advise H'sishi and Aves that they are to join us. Also, please call the mess and ask them to send some caf to my cabin. Karrde out."
Karrde thumbed the comm again.
"Shada"
"Yes?"
In spite of the situation, Karrde smiled to himself. "What do you do? Lie awake waiting for me to call you?"
Shada's response was an undignified snort.
"No such luck."
She paused, and when she spoke again, there was no bantering in her voice.
"Karrde, I had the strangest dream. I could'a sworn that Jorj Car'das was talking to me. He told me that he had some critical information regarding Luke and Mara's wedding plans, and that we needed to act or the consequences would be catastrophic. And then he said that only I could do it. But he never said what it was."
As the blood drained from his face, Karrde thanked his lucky stars once again that nobody could see him in his cabin. This is getting ridiculous. C'mon Talon, get a grip. It took all of his years of practice to maintain his composure and not let on how shaken he was.
"If it makes you feel any better, it wasn't a dream. It really was Car'das. He spoke to me, too. And I am equally unclear as to what it is. I've called a meeting in my cabin for 03:15 to deal with the matter. I'll see you then. Karrde out."
