Chapter Ten: Hello, Goodbye.

Tionne woke early the next morning, feeling refreshed and energetic. She sought out Luke through the link they now shared and smiled as she sensed him waking up at about the same time. She quickly cleaned up and dressed in a rather practical pair of white pants and matching shirt, eschewing her normal silvery dress.

She made her way to the turbolifts at the end of the hallway and entered, taking it down to the cafeteria. She went over the list of supplies in her head and considered what to make for breakfast. Corellian? Nah, too spicy for this early in the morning… although Kirana Ti would like it. Hmm… Chandrilan would be a nice change of pace, and Luke's never had it before.

The doors opened and she exited. Tionne's brow wrinkled as she sensed Keiran already in the kitchen. She entered the large room just as he exited the kitchen, a tray of food in each hand. "What are you doing?" she asked. "I thought it was my turn to cook today."

Keiran waited until he had set down the trays of food before allowing his concentration to switch from the food to Tionne. "It's a bit of a present," he said. "I figure since today's my last day here, I should do something nice for you." He finished arranging the plates and glasses before standing up straight and smiling. "How does it look?" he asked, motioning to the well-prepared repast.

Tionne stood there in silence before numbly walking up to him. "You're leaving?" she asked. "But why? There's still so much for you to learn, Keiran. And we haven't gotten any assignments yet…" Her voice softened and she frowned. "But you have to go," Tionne stated, picking up on his emotions.

Keiran nodded and sighed. "Yeah, Tionne. I think it's time for me to go out and find… what I need to find."

The silver-haired Jedi wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged him. "You be careful," she said. "And you come back, too." Tionne waggled her finger at Keiran for emphasis, causing him to crack a grin. "It's not funny," she huffed out, even as she sighed and smiled.

Luke walked into the cafeteria at that point and saw Tionne and Keiran standing together. "So you finally told someone else, Keiran." He patted the Corellian on the arm. "I wish you'd stay a little bit longer, but ultimately, it's your choice."

Keiran sighed. "Make it a little harder on me," he mock-groaned. He looked to the side as others began walking in. Some were groggy, others wide and alert.

Brakiss and Dorsk sat down while Kyle and Kam stood, talking for a bit. Mara's gaze flicked to the door every few seconds until Kyp walked in, keeping to himself. His head was low and his eyes still underscored by dark smudges.

Mara waved at him, but Kyp paid her no mind as he sat on the far end of the table. A scowl lit her features as she rose, walked over and grabbed him by the shoulder. He protested rather feebly before she half-dragged him over to the main group. "Nice to see you got up on time," she teased. "Eat up, though. I'll put you through your paces but good, Kyp."

Kyp nodded and dug into his breakfast with gusto, shoveling the food into his mouth with gusto. "It's good," he mumbled between bites. He half-drained his glass of blue milk before speaking again. "Who made this?"

Keiran grunted, getting his attention. "I did." He looked around and spoke up. "Ah, I've got an announcement to make. Tonight, I'm heading out. My ride's showing up and I'll be out of your hair."

Dorsk stiffened at that, his hand hovering over a plate of nutrient cubes. "You're leaving, Keiran?"

Keiran sighed. "Yes, Dorsk. I'm leaving. It's time for me to go. There's someone waiting for me out there." He motioned to the breakfast. "In the meantime, eat up. It's a little going-away present from me to you," he said, sitting himself. He ate some of the food he made and smiled. "Wow, I forgot how good my cooking is." He looked at his friends and fellow students. "Well, dig in!"

Tionne sat down, Luke sliding into the chair next to her. The two ate in companionable silence, but Tionne noted the background noise was lower than before. It took her all of two seconds to note that neither Jacen not Jaina were around.

Luke glanced to the side and made eye contact with her. "They're with Chewie on the Falcon," he said, noting her concern. "And they're fine. I'll have to tell Han and Leia about your concern. I'm sure they'll appreciate it."

Tionne's pale skin blushed at his words. She finished her breakfast and took care of her dishes, thanking Keiran on her way out. She paused at the table while Luke finished his own breakfast. "I'll see you in a bit," she said.

The Jedi Master turned in his seat and looked up at her. "All right. Tell Han I said hi."

Tionne laughed slightly as she patted him on the shoulder, letting the touch linger. She then took off, walking out of the cafeteria and out of the Great Temple proper. She hopped down the steps two at a time, quickly arriving at the landing field. she spied Chewie and the twins, the former standing watch over the latter. She smiled at the twins as they ran up to her. "Hey, kids. Minding your Uncle Chewie?"

Jaina ran over and looked up at Tionne, smiling brightly. "Tionne!" She held her arms out and waggled her fingers.

Tionne smiled and stopped, but a nagging feeling started growing at the base of her spine. She looked at the Falcon and reached out with the Force. "Actually, Jaina… I think I can't play now." she knelt down and held her hand out to Jaina. "I'm sorry, sweetie."

Jaina sniffed and pouted, but was distracted when Jacen ran over and tossed a clump of dirt at her. She ran after him, leaving Tionne sighing in relief. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I'll play with you later, Jaya. I promise."

Chewie grunted a bit at her. [I'll keep the kids occupied a bit while you do what you need to do.] He bared his fangs in a grin and waved at the Falcon.

Tionne nodded, getting the meaning of his words. She walked up to the freighter and boarded her. "Han?" she called out, looking about. She quickly located his unique presence in the Force and followed it to the cockpit.

"…Come on, Ackbar. Yeah, that's-that's a good reason. What, she agrees too? Oh, she suggested it. I suppose… He can? 'Little Fish'? I suppose it's a good nickname." he stopped talking as he heard Tionne approach. "Oh, gotta go." He switched off the holo-projector and turned around. "Hey, kid."

Tionne bowed her head slightly. "Sorry, Han. I just felt… something from here. Is everything all right?"

Han leaned back in his chair and shrugged. "Well, I learned I can't resign. If I did, Leia and I couldn't discuss anything. So I got assigned as 'liaison for domestic defense'. In other words, house-husband." he shrugged, flashing her that famous half-smile of his. "Could be worse," he said, motioning to another chair in the cockpit.

Tionne sat down. "That's good."

Han nodded. "The Galactic Voyager's coming here to drop Anakin off, too, although Leia has… to go back to Coruscant," he growled out. "Mon Mothma's dying, and he thinks Cilghal can help somehow."

Tionne sat up straight at that. "Mon Mothma?"

"Yeah," Han said, looking to the side. "I'm not sure what Cilghal can do, though for her. She's pretty far gone."

Tionne nodded. "I see. Who's Mom Mothma?" she asked, eyebrows wrinkling slightly.

The older man paused. "Chief of State for the New Republic," he stated, disbelief crossing his face. Han sat forward a little bit, eyes narrowing slightly.

Tionne noted his gaze and swallowed. She shored up her mental defenses, praying to whatever gods that may or may not exist that the majority of her emotions wouldn't leak through the still-strengthening bond she felt with Luke. "I met Luke a few months ago on Exis Station. I'm not sure if he was searching for me or for the artifacts but…" She paused and gathered her courage. "I have no memories of what my life was like before meeting him."

"Nothing?" Han repeated, expression turning to one of astonishment. "Nothing at all?"

Tionne nodded, her gaze taking on a faraway look. "I know what transparisteel is, what flowers are and what to do when I wake up. I have skills to get through life, Jedi or not. But beyond that… I don't know anything," she said, her voice breaking at the end.

Han leaned back, his arm brushing against part of the control console. "Tionne, sounds like you've got something to get out. Keep talking, kid."

Luke's comlink suddenly beeped as he walked down the Temple's halls. He pulled it out, but stopped before speaking. Listen, a voice told him, and learn.

"The thing is, what if I'm not… me?" she blurted out. "What if 'Tionne' is some, I don't know, a shell?" Tionne tapped her chest. "What if it's some elaborate ploy for me to get inside the Academy and… hurt Luke?" Tionne leaned back in the chair, eyes wide. "Gods… what if I hurt Jacen or Jaina? What if-"

Han held up his hand. "Whoa, slow down! Tionne, I don't know about shells or anything like that, but according to some people, I'm a good judge of character." He leaned forward and locked eyes with her. "I trust you with my children's lives, Tionne. There's not many people I would, but you're one of them."

Tionne wiped her eyes; there were no tears, but the dam was threatening to burst. "Han, if you had any idea how much that means to me…" She sighed and her shoulders slumped. "I still don't know. About me, who I am or sometimes what I am."

The former smuggler rubbed his chin in thought. "Tionne, I know what it's like to have gaps in my memories, although not as large as yours." He sighed as memories flooded him, long ago times of his youth. "The first real memories I have were on Corellia as a homeless vagrant, barely able to beg, borrow or steal enough credits to survive. Then Garris Shrike found me…" He paused and shrugged. "Although you don't need to know the full details of my sordid past."

Tionne slowly held her hands up and looked them over, her head tilting to the side slightly. "I'd like to know, Han. Not now, but some day." She looked back at him and smiled. "Thanks."

Han smiled and his eyes drifted up and to his right. "You're welcome. Although I think-"

Tionne followed his gaze and shouted," Luke!" before jumping to her feet. The Jedi Master stood before her, hands clasped in front of him. She turned back to Han and spied his arm near the console-and a blinking red light. "Oh, you!" she scowled.

Han slowly got to his feet and patted the two on their shoulders. "I think I'll see how the kids are doing," he said before leaving.

Luke met Tionne's gaze. "Tionne, I don't care who you were. All I care is who you are. And who you are is a wonderful, sweet person who I know will never harm me." He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders, feeling an electric tingle on the palms of his hands, even through the fabric of her shirt. "I trust you with my life and with my family."

Tionne swallowed, but turned away from him. "I'm not sure I trust myself with you, Luke," she said, bitterness wafting off her words. "What if I am some plant by the Empire or Sith to strike at you when the time is right? What if 'Tionne' is all a sham?" She closed her eyes, but tears still fell and streaked down her pale cheeks.

Luke breathed out. "Let me tell you about an old love of mine," he began. "Let me tell you about Shira Brie, Tionne, so you can know why I can trust you." He sat down and waited for Tionne to follow before continuing. "She was an imperial spy, used to infiltrate the Alliance and discredit me. During our final mission together, she flew a captured TIE fighter. Things became hectic and communications were scrambled, forcing me to… use the Force to determine friend from foe."

The Jedi's eyes were hollow as he thought back, his mind peeling back the pages of memories. "I shot and fired at the woman I once loved, sending her crashing to the surface."

Both were now sitting in the Falcon's chairs. Tionne leaned forward. "Luke, why are you telling me this?" she asked.

Luke sighed. "I sensed her intent, her hidden malice." He smiled slightly and reached out again. "Tionne, I don't sense any from you. There were a dozen times you could've let me die when my spirit was separated from my body, but you didn't!" His voice took on a pleading tone. "Don't you see? There's something hidden, but it's not something horrid!"

Tionne swallowed and nodded, not trusting her voice for several heartbeats. Finally, she spoke. "Someday… I want to learn who I am, Luke, and how I got onto Exis Station." She reached out her hand across the space between their chairs. "In the meantime, I want to build something with you, Luke."

Luke smiled and closed the distance, grabbing her delicate hand with his organic hand, twisting it a bit awkwardly to match up with Tionne's. "So do I, Tionne. I want to help you find your past, and build a future on it."

Mara waited in the center of the unofficial training field and waited. Kyp exited the Temple, but seemed to hesitate before walking down the steps and to the grassy field nestled between the landing field and the edge of the forest. "Right on time," she commented. "Nice."

Kyp hesitated before nodding. "I didn't want to… disappoint you," he finally said. His eyes stayed lowered, the eyebrow ridges casting them in shadow.

Mara walked up to him, reached out and tilted his head up so they were looking into each other's eyes. "Hey, snap out of it!" she half-shouted, glowering slightly. "I won't have my student sinking into unnecessary depression!"

The younger man started slightly, his mouth opening for a moment before he spoke. "What? Mara, I don't want to be like this, but-"

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Then don't be like that, Kyp." She grabbed arm with one hand and unclipped her lightsaber with the other. With one swift motion, she pressed it into the palm of his hand. "Here. You'll need this."

Kyp's hands trembled as he gripped the lightsaber. He kept his fingers as far away from the trigger as possible while still able to hold onto it. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

The corners of Mara's mouth quirked upward slightly. "You're supposed to train with it, Kyp. You had a good start before Exar Kun. No need to toss it all away." She stepped back, and held her arms out. "Go on. Turn it on."

A second later, a brilliant-blue plasma blade shot from the emitter. Kyp waved it around a bit, the pitch and hum changing with each swipe. "Doesn't feel too bad," he muttered.

Mara walked over to his side and reached out, gently grabbing his wrists. "Do it like this," she said, maneuvering his arms about. "There, that's the proper way to hold it for basic use." She slid her feet apart and bent her knees down. "Now copy."

Kyp looked her over and swallowed slightly before imitating her. Sweat broke out onto his brow, but he wasn't sure from what… "Like this?"

Mara looked him over and nodded. "Good. Now let's get some basic lessons in."

Kyp paused and looked at her. "Where'd these 'lessons' come from?" he asked, suddenly wary.

The former Hand sighed. "Some of them are from my days under Palpatine, yes. But that doesn't detract from their usefulness. Vader knew how to handle a lightsaber, after all." She suddenly held her hands up as she felt Kyp's tension spike. "And a lot of it's from Luke's lessons, too! They overlap a great deal, Kyp!"

Some of the tension in Kyp's body left him and he relaxed ever so slightly. "Okay," he finally said. He looked himself over. "Is this right?"

Mara rubbed her chin as she looked the young man over. "Technically, it's flawless," she commented. "However, everyone eventually develops their own style. It's why the pre-Purge Order tried to divvy it up into 'Forms'," she said with distaste. "Although trying to limit something like lightsaber combat in such a way is counterproductive in the least."

Kyp swallowed. "Master Skywalker feels they might have some merit. Well, last time I was paying him attention before…"

Mara spoke up so Kyp didn't have to go any further into his crimes. "And they very may well, but I still disagree with them based on my personal style." She flashed Kyp a toothy smile. "So, let's see what style you take to…"

Luke took a sip of hot chocolate as he observed Mara and Kyp on the practice field from a room halfway up the Great Temple. "He's learning," he commented. "And I sense some of his anxiety is lessening. Still…" He turned to the two other occupants of the room. "I think it's time."

Tionne blinked twice. "Time for what?" Comprehension quickly dawned in her eye. "Oh…"

Luke turned and regarded her. "Right." he walked up to her and placed two hands on her arms. He locked eyes with her before speaking. "There are things I have to do, but as soon as they're done, we'll go searching for your past. I promise you that."

Tionne flashed a dazzling smile at him. "I know, and believe me when I say it's all right." She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. "The Force is with you."

Luke swallowed before turning and leaving. Tionne watched him go, sighing. "I miss him already," she joked.

Kirana Ti snorted and crossed her arms. "Such drivel."

Tionne waved her off. "Oh, you're just angry because you haven't found that special someone!" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Hmm, how are you and Kyle doing?"

Kirana growled slightly, baring her teeth. "Kyle and I are nothing but fellow Jedi, Tionne. I…" She trailed off as she noticed Tionne barely holding in laughter. "Oh, I get it. Hah, hah."

Tionne held up a hand. "Sorry, Kirana. It's just… when it comes to that special one, it's not drivel. It's meaningful." She placed a hand on her chest over her heart and glanced down to the stone floor. "I've never felt like this, but I'll admit I'm not sure if love is supposed to feel like this," she sighed.

Kirana pursed her lips before reaching out and patting her on the shoulder. "I've never been in love either, but I believe it is supposed to be like this, Tionne." Her lips twitched upward in a smile. "And I am glad for you, too."

"What's in there, Master Skywalker?"

"What you take with you, Kyp."

The Jedi trainees gathered at the edge of the jungle clearing as Luke and Kyp emerged from the jungle, the latter's head held almost high. "Kyp is on the path to redemption," Luke stated. "We have to leave for Coruscant tomorrow." He looked over his students and friends. "Kam will supervise your instruction while we're away."

He noted their expressions ranged from approval in Kam and Tionne's case to outright hostility and disapproval in Keiran's. He turned to Kyp and patted him on the shoulder. "Continue with Mara. I shall see you tonight." He locked eyes with the green-haired Corellian and sent him a short message through the Force. May I see you?

Five minutes later, both stood down in the old hangar. Luke kept his senses alert for anyone wandering too close to overhear. "You don't approve of Kyp continuing his training," he stated, arms held out to the side.

Keiran shook his head. "No, I don't." he gestured to the main entrance that led outside. "He blew up a star system, fell right into the Dark Side like a Hutt to spice! How could you trust him with such power?"

Luke nodded. "He did fall, yes. He made a mistake and shall now pay for it the rest of his life. Like I will with my actions last year with Palpatine. Like Kam will when he was part of Palpatine's Dark Side Elite. Like my father when he was Vader."

A low sigh came from Keiran's mouth. "I get your point," he mumbled.

The Jedi Master placed a hand on his shoulder. "I believe in second chance, in redemption in rehabilitation." His eyes twinkled slightly. "Isn't that what your former job entailed?"

It took almost a minute for Keiran to respond to that. His cheeks colored slightly before he bobbed his head once. "I… see your point," he admitted. A slow grin crossed his face. "Damn, I guess that's why you're the Master."

Luke waved him off. "It's no problem, Keiran. And don't assume that just because I'm the 'Master', I'm always right." He took in a breath, but stopped and tilted his head to the side and down. "Yes, Artoo?"

The squat astromech rolled in, domed head whirling about. [Ah, Luke? We've got a star destroyer exiting hyperspace and entering orbit. As Han would say, I'm getting a bad feeling about now.]

Luke nodded before looking back at Keiran. "Your ride's here," he deadpanned. "I hope Booster doesn't make too much of a mess."

Keiran's lips twitched. "He'd better not," he growled out, his temper somewhat in check. He turned and walked out of the hangar, Luke close behind. Keiran stopped as the rest of the Jedi gathered around him.

Luke stood next to Tionne, their hands reaching out and fingers intertwining, as if they were made for each other.

An old-style Lambda-class shuttle entered the atmosphere, the two large wings already folding up as it approached. Landing gear popped out from hatches on the bottom as it touched down, stirring up some dust and blowing the grass about.

Gas blew out of several vents as the ventral boarding hatch opened and a ramp extended. A white-haired human with a blood-red prosthetic over his left eye exited, his weathered face barely concealing the rage everyone felt boiling under his skin. Booster Terrik walked over to Keiran and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Just what in the hells do you think you're doing here," he snarled out between clenched teeth.

Luke materialized next to Keiran, eyes little more than chips of ice. "He has learned many valuable skills that will allow him to track that person, Booster. Back off now."

Booster looked Luke over and hesitated before dropping his hands. "I'm… sorry," he mumbled. He then looked back at Keiran. "Time's wasting," he said before marching back into the shuttle.

Keiran looked back at his fellow Jedi and waved. "I'll be back," he said. "And when I do come back, there's someone I want you all to meet." He suddenly paused halfway up the ramp before turning and walking down to Kyp. He stopped with a meter between them before extending his hand. "Good luck with the training," he said.

Kyp swallowed as his eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Thanks," he said, accepting the proffered hand and pumping it twice. "I'll make you proud."

Keiran waved him off with his free hand. "Make yourself proud, first. Then worry about other people." He broke the handshake after another thirty seconds before walking back to the shuttle and boarding it.

Two minutes later, the shuttle rose and its engines flared, sending it out of the atmosphere. Everyone's eyes tracked it as it dwindled down to a small point before vanishing completely. Luke looked around. "Well, all right. Time to get back to training, everyone." He clapped his hands lightly for emphasis.

Everyone scattered a bit, going back to what they were doing. Kyp gravitated to Mara. "I'm ready for some more lessons, please," he said.

Mara looked him over with both her eyes and the Force. He's not as sad as before, she thought. And he's standing straighter, his shoulders not as hunched. What did he and Luke do? "All right," she said, smiling slightly. "Let's see how you are with remotes."

Evening meal went fairly smoothly until Luke's head shot up. "We have visitors," he announced, rising from his seat and smiling.

Tionne's brow furrowed as she reached out. "Wait, it's… Leia," she said, smiling as well. "Oh, and is that Anakin?"

Luke nodded to her. "Indeed it is." He looked at all the others, his smile widening into a boyish grin. "Come on. I want you to meet the newest addition to my family."

He led everyone out as a New Republic shuttle hovered over the landing field. Han, Jacen, Jaina and Chewie were out of the Falcon, watching. "There's your little brother," Han said as he held the twins. "And Mommy's onboard, too."

Luke stood by his brother. "She's healthy, but… also agitated."

The shuttle touched down and ran through the customary shutdown procedures. Tionne's nose wrinkled. "Why do they always shoot out gas like that?"

Han chuckled. "It's venting waste gases, among other thing. Let's just say it's not a good idea to stand too close to a landing shuttle without protective gear." He bounced on the balls of his feet, anxiousness permeating his soul. "Doesn't make it any easier to wait, though…"

The main hatch and ramp finally opened and extended, respectively. Leia dashed out, Anakin in her arms. She hugged Han, who walked forward. She stood up on her toes, kissing him on the lips. "Hey, there," she whispered.

Han smirked. "Hey, yourself." He held up a squirming Jacen and Jaina. "There's two other people who are anxious to see you."

"Mamma!" the twins cried out, waving their pudgy arms at her and squealing.

Leia swallowed. She glanced to the side at Chewie as stood there. She gently handed Anakin off to him and took the twins into her arms. She held them tightly, nuzzling them. "I missed you," she whispered.

A salmon-colored Mon Cal in a white NRDF uniform exited and marched up to Cilghal. "You are needed," he said to her. "Mon Mothma is dying, and I fear that only a Jedi can heal her."

Cilghal's head bowed, her bulbous eyes swiveling up to meet his gaze. "Uncle, I am not sure. I've only been training for a few months, and knowledge of Jedi healing techniques are scanty at best."

Ackbar placed a hand on his niece's shoulder. "When the wind is fierce, only then will you know if the ship is sturdy enough."

Cilghal nodded. "You're right. I will go and do what I can."

Ackbar nodded and turned back to the ship. "We leave in ten minutes," he said before walking back.

Kyle spoke up. "Wait… you're Ackbar's niece? When the hell were you gonna tell us that?" he exclaimed, waving his arms a bit.

Cilghal swiveled her left eye around to look at him. "You never asked."

Luke and Kyp walked up to Leia, Han, Chewie and the kids. "Kyp has faced his inner demons and won," he said, "but there's still one more thing he must do."

Leia breathed in. "The Sun Crusher." She turned her head and regarded Kyp. "You mean to destroy it? But how?"

"The Maw," he said. "Nothing can escape those black holes. We dump it in there, it's never coming out."

Leia looked him over, pursing her lips. "All right," she finally said. "I can't promise anything, but I'll stand by you at the Council."

Kyp bobbed his head. "That's all I can ask."

Leia sighed, blinking back tears. "We… have to go, soon. Mon Mothma's condition is near terminal. Bacta is only staving off the disease." She turned to Han. "I'm sorry, but-"

"The Falcon's hyperdrive is on the fritz," he confirmed. He looked to the shuttle. "Got room for two more people?"

Ackbar walked past him, but stopped and placed a flippered hand on his shoulder. "Family is the bulwark against the typhoon, General Solo. But I don't think we have time to load the Falcon up into the hangar bay."

Han looked at his beloved freighter, then turned to the Jedi. "She'd better be in the same condition when I get back, understood?"

Brakiss spoke up. "We won't do a thing to her, Han. She'll be the same pile of junk as when you left."

Chewie bared his fangs, but there was mirth behind his expression. [We'll hold you to that!] he growled, shaking a hairy fist.

Luke gave Tionne a hug and kiss on the lips. "I'll be back," he said. "Unless-"

"Kyp needs your undivided attention," she said, smiling. She reached out and took his hands in hers. "Just come back."

Luke swallowed and blushed slightly before hugging her again and making his way to the shuttle. Leia, Han, Chewie, Ackbar and Cilghal waved before boarding the shuttle.

The main ramp slid into the hull and the boarding hatch sealed shut. Within seconds, the main ion engines powered up and the shuttle lifted off, pivoting on its axis before shooting into space.

Kyle sighed. "Out of all of that, I still can't believe Cilghal is Ackbar's niece!" He looked around, shrugging and smirking.

Tionne swallowed, fighting down a blush. "Kyle," she whispered, "who is Ackbar? What does he do?"

Kam blinked, his jaw dropping. "WHAT?" he exclaimed. "How can you not know who Ackbar is?" he asked, gesturing wildly.

Tionne blinked, but tears still fell from her eyes. "Because I don't have any memories from before a few months ago!" she yelled, running for the Temple.

Brakiss and Kirana both turned to the grizzled old man. "What is your problem?" Kirana asked, jabbing a gloved finger at him.

Kam backed up. "I didn't think!" he shouted, holding his hands up.

Brakiss snorted. "No, you sure didn't."

The Galactic Voyager, en route to Coruscant

Luke clutched his chest, groaning as he sat down in his quarters. "I'll be back soon," he said, half-closing his eyes. He reached out through the link he shared with Tionne, sending her reassuring thoughts. "I'll be back, and then we can find your past and answer your questions."