Well… here we are, the long awaited Chapter Twenty-Five. It's late tonight, I know, and you fellow GMT-ers are probably sleeping… but, I have so much on right now I'm lucky it's up at all! Be thankful! :D
I've had every random prediction from Justo turning to the Dark Side, Dariinj being an Imperial and… Higad actually being Hagrid from Harry Potter and Lumara having to go and fight Voldemort. Perhaps not, but full marks for creativity!
So, this is it… Some of you will love it, some might hate it, but I know that none will expect it. Here we go.
Chapter XXV.
Dariinj had been pleased indeed with the new lab. It was fitted with the best technology and resources available, with a lot more space than the last. Apparently Mothma had listened to his whining.
The others were pleased too; they had everything they'd wanted now- regarding the facilities. They had spent a long time looking at the new workroom, the advanced computers. The Devaronian had been quiet in his approval as usual, with Hilfa excited and Indy running around demented.
But after his initial triumph, Dariinj now simply gazed at the console, a glazed expression over his eyes. He was a million miles away.
--
Indy sat on her bed. The cosy, private and single room was a far cry from the crowded and noisy hangar she had been in just a day ago- it was a welcome one too. She wasn't generally an introverted person, and had in fact enjoyed the raucous and jovial atmosphere between the female rebels. It was like a big slumber party at times, though recently she hadn't been enjoying it, and was in fact glad to be alone.
She had considered privacy underrated, and loved people to be part of her life, and her of theirs. But now the sound of them laughing and gossiping just made her feel empty. She was glad to have a room of her own.
'How could she? She knew… She couldn't even answer my question. Maybe because she knew the answer wouldn't please me? What is she up to? As if it weren't bad enough that she has Justo wrapped around her little finger; she's trying to steal Dar too! She's not even pretty! Now, that's not fair… But what sort of a manipulative… I mean, I thought she was meant to be a Jedi. She certainly doesn't act like one!'
--
Lumara folded her cloak carefully on a shelf, and set her boots neatly under the bedside table. It seemed so systematic, so robotic and clinical. Was there a more creative or imaginative way to get ready for bed? 'I suppose I could throw my clothes all over the room…' She glanced at her boots, throwing herself down onto the bed as she did so, and then used a foot to knock over one. 'There, that's much better', she thought dryly.
--
Ella had spent the better part of three hours familiarising herself with the new complex. So many new smells… She had found several good hiding places and had seen a good spot for sunbathing too. The journey hadn't been exactly fun, what with her being cornered in a ship with the younglings, but the new base was good. It was less crowded at least, and all those boxes lying around were great fun to explore. She decided to head for the Mistress.
The Mistress had been in an odd mood lately. She was sending such mixed signals. Ella had thought she wanted the Force-Man for a mate, but now this Smart-Man had come. He wanted the Mistress for a mate. Now the Mistress didn't know what she wanted.
--
Knight Onih lay in her bed by the crèche. The new base was good. It was probably better than their first one. The younglings certainly loved it; a new playroom with lots of room to run around, a dormitory that didn't force some of them to share beds- that arrangement hadn't gone down well at all -and of course the generally better facilities for them.
She sensed that cat slink past her door. To put it plainly, the Jedi didn't like the animal. It unnerved her that something that primal and dangerous could be so intelligent, and so gentle. The lion seemed to enjoy jumping out at the Knight- which should be impossible as she was a Jedi. She wasn't a fan of wildlife anyway. Lumara's possession of the lion was not orthodox. It was not approved of either. She had said nothing, but her feelings on the matter were clear.
She worried about her Padawan. The girl wasn't adapting well to life as a Jedi after her brief stint in the civilian world. As if the cat weren't enough, she got attached to everyone she met; the tech staff, the twi'lek, and of course Justo. The manner with which she treated the younglings was more of a mother than a teacher. And that worried her more than anything.
This woman Lumara talked about, who had helped her escape. An ex-Jedi; that had been enough to make her slightly suspicious to begin with, but now these dreams… It was most unusual to see something like that from someone else's point of view- and the emotions had been so intense that she'd felt them from her own room, even in her sleep. It had unsettled the girl greatly, as it would anyone. The Knight hadn't really known what to say to Lumara afterwards; it wasn't as if she could relate to something like that. She'd consulted Master Finah, and he wasn't too sure about the meaning of this either.
As fatigue took over and she closed her eyes, she reflected, 'She'll get through this. And she'll be much stronger for it when she does.'
--
The morning dawned bright and early to the chagrin of various tired and overworked members of the Rebellion. Work began and continued throughout the day without incident- for most.
Gin danced about the playroom, "The song that never ends!" he was more yelling than singing.
"Quiet!" Hangja yelled back. The two eldest younglings were quite often at odds.
"No! The song that never, never, never ends!" he sang, prancing up and down.
"Shut up, bantha brain!"
"Mara! Hangja called me bantha brain!" he whined, stomping over to the Padawan.
"That was wrong Hangja," she began, then swiftly quenched the satisfied smirk on Gin's face, "But you, little guy, need to stop annoying your friends. It's fun to sing and dance, but please don't do it so loudly; especially when other people don't want you to."
"Ok…"
She smiled and continued helping one of the younger children. Then she looked up as she felt someone enter. It was Mon Mothma of all people. She glanced about at the younglings, in various states of play, obviously unsure what to do. Lumara stood, and the leader saw her, smiling. "Hello."
"Hello."
Gin took the Chandrillan's hand to her obvious surprise, and led her over, babbling as he did so, "Come on, I wanna show you the tower I made!"
Lumara disentangled him gently, "Gin, I'm sure Mon Mothma is a bit busy right now. You can show me your tower after we're done."
He paused, pouting, then ran off to play with the others.
Lumara smiled apologetically, "He's not shy."
Mon smiled, "That's quite alright. Is your master here?"
"Certainly, she's in the kitchen preparing lunch." Lumara led her in.
"Knight Onih, is it?"
"Yes. What brings you here?" the Jedi turned round.
"Well I actually wished to speak to Master Finah, but I couldn't seem to find him. I'll have to tell you instead. We need a team for a mission, and wanted at least one Jedi along to help."
Knight Onih nodded, "I will speak to Master Finah when I next see him. What would this mission involve?"
"Basically it's a bid to try and get a sector to join the Rebellion. I think we have one great negotiator, but we'll need a little security just in case things go wrong."
Knight Onih glanced at Lumara, "Which sector would it be?"
"The Sern'iigo sector. It's very remote; outer rim."
She nodded, "Well I wish you luck, as I said I will speak to Master Finah."
--
It was later that afternoon that a slightly nervous but composed looking woman knocked on the door of the crèche. Knight Onih answered, "Hello."
"Good afternoon, I was wondering if I could speak to your Padawan."
"Of course, come in," the Knight wondered what it might be about.
Lumara was on the floor with a couple of babies, keeping them entertained, she stood up as the woman entered. She pushed in front of her a stroller with two babies- twins by the looks of them. Lumara thought she had spoken to the woman before, but she wasn't sure.
She strode over, "Good afternoon, Padawan Kinstike."
Lumara wondered briefly how the woman knew her name, "Please call me Lumara."
The woman smiled, "Lumara; you know my friend, Rebba?"
"Yes," Lumara replied, wondering where this was going.
"My name is Padmé Naberrie. These are my children, Luke and Leia. I wanted to ask you for your help."
"How can I help?" she asked politely.
"Well, Mon Mothma had asked me to help on a mission for the Rebellion. For months now, I haven't really done much for the Rebellion because I needed to take care of my children. I feel obligated to go, but I can't take Luke and Leia with me. I was wondering… I told Rebba about it and she said you might help. It's probably too much to ask, but…"
"Two more children will be an easy addition to the crèche. I will ask my master, but I find no problem with it."
She smiled in relief, "Thank you."
"It's no problem, Ms Naberrie."
"Please, call me Padmé," she smiled warmly.
Lumara smiled, and then glanced down at the children. Luke was sleeping, but Leia gazed up at her. The Padawan frowned, "They're incredibly strong in the Force."
Padmé paled slightly, "I had suspected as much."
The Padawan sensed something about these children… Something familiar… She felt sure that Padmé knew what it was too; but she wouldn't pry. "Will you keep them?"
Padmé looked worried, "Of course."
Lumara smiled, "Don't worry. I wouldn't try to take them."
Padmé's frown deepened, "But your master…"
"I'd stand up for you, plenty of people would. This isn't the Republic; this is a New Republic, and we should create it using the good from the Old Republic, but learning from our mistakes too."
She smiled, "I couldn't have said it better myself."
One of the younglings toddled over, he was about three, "Look, there's new babies!"
Lumara smiled, "They might be staying here for a while; I still have to ask master Onih."
"Ok. Hello Mrs Lady," he gave a toothy smile at Padmé.
"Hello," she smiled back.
"Is these your babies?"
"Yes."
"Cool," he gazed down at them, and began to make funny faces at Leia, who giggled.
Padmé smiled, "I'd better go and get these two down for a nap; Luke is already sleeping."
"Yes, it's time for me to do the same here. I'll speak to my master about this, and get back to you as soon as possible."
"Thank you. I'm in room 53. It's quite near here."
"Ok. Bye."
Lumara showed her out the door. Now all that remained was convincing her master.
Well, I'll bet some people will have something to say about that… Sort of snuck up on ya', didn't it?
Revelations aside, I have good news! You know I promised that I would decrease updates from this chapter if I hadn't written XXXX…? Well I've gotten to XXXV, and I think I've finally tamed this rebellious plot! So the updates will continue at the usual pace unless I really come up against something. It's going to be hard, because frankly I'm involved in just about everything, and can't say no to myself or others, but I'm going to burn the candle even harder for you lovelies!
Now, can anyone say they don't want to give their input on that? If no, don't answer that, just review! (Please.) I desperately want to know your reactions!!