Hey everybody. Mondays suck. How was everyone's Monday? (Or whenever it is when you're reading this…)
I don't own Star Wars, we know.
Chapter XXXIV
"Is she barking mad?"
"Nope, apparently she was very specific. She said to make sure that the message was loud and clear." Hilfa shrugged, starting to pick at her nails.
Indy nodded emphatically, "Yep, I was there. She said by Atunda or she'd come after you personally." Her voice rose at the end into a warning.
"Let her come. I think I can deal with one overzealous ex-politician, even if technically I am meant to be working for her," Dariinj was looking supremely unbothered as he typed away with ease, not taking the care to turn around. Indy and Hilfa exchanged a glance. "And please do not share that 'significant look' with each other."
Indy grinned, "Sorry if we find you funny!"
"I will take that as a compliment. The point is that she only told us a few days ago that she needed these done at all; she cannot expect it all done at the snap of her bony fingers." He sat at a console in the tech lab, working at blueprints for part of a control system for fighters. Hilfa and Indy were both leaning up against the workbench behind him while the Devaronian worked quietly with some chemicals in the corner.
"But it will be."
"Of course it will be! I am annoyed, but I am good at my job and it will be finished- but not without complaint. I have enough to do already. I am in every afternoon building lightsabers with Lumara, and all of sudden she wants us to come up with a system for the pilots to use in the new model, as well as finishing this other prototype in a near-impossible timeframe."
Hilfa sighed, turning to Indy, "The programming for the fighters really is a nightmare. I don't know who designed the original setting, but I want their head on a plate! Nothing is compatible with the rubbish they've used, so we're going to have to start from scratch!"
"You are joking," Dariinj turned round in his seat to look at them in exasperation.
"Nope!"
"Hang on, I'll have a wee peek at it," Indy frowned, heading back to the console.
"Good luck to her; I don't have a clue," the older woman smiled, "There really is so much to do, though."
"I know. It is not like I mind working with Lumara, but it eats up a lot of time. It is a nice break from all of this, and it means doing something new."
She nodded, "Yes, I would imagine that the lightsabers would be rather complex."
"No, not really at all; I was surprised. I suppose that the Jedi aren't technicians anyway. The design is ingenious, of course. I could never fathom how the laser could be altered in length but Lumara showed me the-"
He was cut off by Indy calling from across the room, "I cracked it! Who is the genius?"
"You are."
"Who rocks beyond belief?"
"You do."
"Who rules over you pitiful morons like a queen?" she rose from her seat and began to victory dance across the room.
A further roll of the eyes, "You do."
She raised her arms above her head and rumbaed across the room to her seat. "Who has liberated the lesser beings with her talent?" she threw her arms out into the air in a dramatic, flamboyant gesture. She always felt she'd been destined for the stage.
"You have."
"Good. Well, the least you can say is thank you!" she gasped, pretending to look shocked.
They rolled their eyes once more.
"Calm down Indy, it was not that hard," Dariinj raised an eyebrow.
She stuck out her tongue, "Huh, you're just jealous 'coz I showed you up!"
"Indeed."
&
She arrived at the small workroom to find Dariinj already there and started on one of the last circuits. "Sorry I'm a little late, a couple of the younglings decided to escape."
"That is fine. Let me guess, Gin with Hangja close behind?" he grinned.
"Exactly," Lumara smiled. She sat down beside him and picked up another circuit board. Things were going well. They'd be finished long before she'd expected at this rate.
"And how are you this fine-ish afternoon?" Lumara inquired.
"Fine. And you?"
"Um… I'm not sure. I feel… fuzzy… like I've just woken up from a too-long sleep, but I'm not really woken up yet. And I hate it. I'm not making any sense, am I?"
"No, your meaning is remarkably clear."
"Good. Everyone's been fairly complacent and distracted recently. I've been pretty tired, myself." Then she added, "But I don't feel very sleepy at all now."
"That is one good thing," he nodded. "I am glad that I have managed not to send you to sleep, even in your trance-like state."
She raised an eyebrow, smiling, "Well I'm glad you're glad. This actually progressing ok, hmm? I wouldn't have half a chance without you, though."
Dariinj smiled, "It is a good break away from blueprints and prototypes in the tech-lab, anyway."
"I thought you loved that kind of stuff."
"I do," he explained, "I just… like doing something different occasionally, and this is good too. It means a change of scenery, you know, grey walls instead of white." Lumara let a little half-chuckle. "Different company, too."
"Me, company? I thought I would more qualify as part of the scenery," she smiled.
"As fantastic scenery as you make, Lumara, I assure you that you are indeed brilliant company as well. You are multi-talented."
"Why thank you," she laughed, and then bent her head and continued her work proper. Then after a moment, she frowned and paused, odd thoughts bubbling to the surface of her mind. She shook her head inwardly, and got on with the work.
'What did I just say?!'
&
It was more than a week later that Padmé drew the line. There was only so long she could put this off for, she knew that much. But just how long would be reasonable, and just how long past that again could she manage to go? Anyway, she knew that another visit from Master Finah was about due. She didn't want to suffer having to say that no, she hadn't gotten counts taken, and then being seemingly forced to go after a second conversation. Now was a better time for her pride.
She gathered up the twins and headed for the med-bay. She saw Jo, and had after a brief conversation with her, they both got a quick jab and they headed to a console to have them analysed. Quick and painless, as far as Padmé could tell.
"Hang on, it won't take a minute," Jo assured her, tapping away at a console. Her brow furrowed as she concentrated on the figures flashing across the screen.
About thirty seconds of tension separated Padmé from the medic's exclamation, "What? Hang on; I think I've made a mistake." She typed for a moment longer, and then shook her head, "Jeepers! It must be right! Well… Ms Naberrie, I won't lie to you. Either I've made the same error twice or these counts are high, and I mean high. I'm no expert on midi-chlorians, but I can't remember ever seeing or hearing of any counts these high. You'd better go and see Justo's master as soon as possible."
"Yes, thank you very much." She lifted the twins down and headed back to her apartment. What she'd known from the moment of their birth was now confirmed, and she had no idea what to do.
&
Master Finah had decided that he had better go to Ms Naberrie now. He doubted she'd have the counts taken, but she could hardly refuse a second time when half the Rebellion were hanging on every development of what was happening.
He made his way along the corridor, utilising a long stride and a calm, uninterested, and slightly introspective look upon his face. Several quick turns and a further slight stroll had him outside her door. He pressed the button and waited for what could be described as a carefully calculated amount of time before the door opened. Padmé was on the other side, looking no more flustered than usual, and supporting Leia firmly against one hip with an arm. Master Finah could sense Luke in the room behind her, and the defiance that sparked from her eyes.
"Master Finah," she greeted impassively, her voice bland and a little above a murmur.
"Ms Naberrie. May I come in?"
She wordlessly stepped back from the door, inviting him in without suggesting in the slightest that she wanted to, rather than had to out of a grudging sense of propriety. He was, again silently, led to sit on a sofa, and then curtly asked if he wanted any refreshment. He refused graciously, and got straight to the point.
"I assume you got the midi-chlorian counts taken, then?"
"Yes, a few days ago now." Master Finah easily hid his surprise. "I have the results here." She lifted a folded flimsy from the table beside her. The neat crease down dead-centre was well defined, but crinkled around the edges; it carried the signs of an often-opened piece of detail.
Master Finah slid a thumbnail under the slightly softened and bent corner and opened it expectantly. He was not disappointed.
"These are impressive," this time he was unable to keep the shock and amazement out of his voice, "very impressive. Were they checked?" His gaze flicked up to met hers in a little astonishment.
"Of course." The bitterness in her voice was well hidden.
"Very impressive," he repeated quietly, staring back downwards. He exhaled and looked up again, folding over the flimsy in anticipation of her answer.
"I know."
"They will become powerful, Ms Naberrie, very powerful." An ominous tone overtook the statement.
"I know."
"I warn you now that this is as much a curse as a blessing. They must be taught to control their unnatural strength, or the consequences could be disastrous." His face was grave, his manner cautious, as if he were bartering with a madman let loose with a blaster.
"I'm sure I can manage," her voice was firm and regulated.
His brow creased to a frown. He turned to watch Luke pull himself across the floor, towards his mother. "That has yet to be seen. But the fact remains that however well they are able to control their powers without help, it does not compare to how influential to the success of the Rebellion they could be with the proper guidance."
"I am not sure you understand me, Master Finah. I wish for my children to lead normal lives- or as normal as is possible in the circumstances."
"With all due respect, Ms Naberrie, I find that possibility highly unlikely. They themselves are extraordinary, never mind the circumstances, as you say, in which they will grow up."
"I still do not want them to become Jedi- for various reasons."
"Oh?"
"Various reasons," she repeated; steel prominent in her voice. "For one I do not want my children used as tools for the movement, no matter how useful you think they may become."
The Jedi began to think that he might understand. "I assure you that I see them as nothing like that. I simply emphasise that they could do great good. Our priority at the moment is to ensure that their gifts are nurtured in such a way that they can lead happy, productive and safe lives. It is unbelievable just how easily the Force can take over an individual, especially when it channels as strongly as it does through the twins."
Her reaction to his calm, intentionally pacifying words was unexpected. "No. I will not repeat myself. I told you that I have many reasons; that was one."
'I expected this to be less than easy, but never this hard.' "I-"
"I apologise for my abruptness," Padmé cut him off sharply, "but I have two children waiting for dinner. This conversation is over. Thank you for your concern."
She stood swiftly, giving him no option other than to follow.
"I warn you not to make a rash or hasty decision," he carried on gently, as if nothing was out of place.
"I have thought about this for some time. Goodbye, Master Finah."
The Jedi found himself at the door. He stepped outside quietly, "Think over it for a little while longer, and I will be waiting if you ever want to simply talk."
"I will not change my mind."
The door closed in his face, and Master Finah reflected that it indeed wasn't as easy as he had expected.
&
"I almost feel sorry for the masters," Dariinj chuckled.
She smiled, "Well, someone's got to argue with them. There's no decision-making… thing anymore. It's basically up to Master Finah and Knight Onih to call all the shots. I think Knight Gauon tries to stay out of it all."
"He is wise. It all seems a little controversial, not that I do not love controversy, but we are walking on eggshells at the moment."
"What do you mean?"
"Have you not heard?"
"Heard what?"
"You understand that we are but a small, better organised Rebel group in the midst of many similar factions seeking to depose the Empire?"
"Yes." She tried to minimise the pause before she answered that she had used to translate his words a little.
He continued to work while he talked, "Well recently the Empire has begun to take more notice of them. Compared to some extremist groups, we are taking relatively little action. Those groups are beginning to be clamped down upon. Just a few days ago, the Empire reported the defeat of one such group. I doubt it was quite as crushing as they made it out to be, inflated by propaganda as the holo-reports are these days, but they certainly made an impression upon the mentalities of all groups such as ours. Now the leaders of the Rebellion are beginning to think more on our standing. Some want all-out war; others simply want to set up some other way of life, away from the Empire. I think that whatever happens, due to its mainly military orientated structure, the Rebellion will go to war with the Empire."
"How do you know all that?"
He shrugged, "I have Indy in the lab; I know all. The rest I just figured out for myself." He stopped, considering his words. "That did not make sense…"
She smiled. "Well whatever your source I think you're right. We can't just sit here for much longer. More conflict isn't what we want, but we have few other options."
"It would be you and the other Jedi that have to deal with the ultimate decision. You would be leading many of the forces, such as you did in the Clone Wars. What do you think the others want?"
"I'm not sure… I don't think they want war, for obvious reasons, but like me I think they can't really see another option. If we could just deal one blow… do one thing to the Empire, then it would make our movement grow so much stronger! We need a rallying point… We haven't really done anything against them yet. If we made one decisive strike against them, then people would start to take notice of us. We need more support before we can really hurt them, and using what power we have now will get us that."
"You really are full of ideas," a hint of admiration coloured his voice.
"Hmm. All words and no action," she scoffed.
"A bit like me, then. All you need is to talk to people."
"Then why don't you? You have plenty of views on how things should be done- some of them really good- but apart from voicing them to me you don't seem to tell anyone."
"What if I am wrong? I feel safe enough talking to my friends, but if I were to put something out there and make a costly mistake, then what would I do?"
"No risk, no gain."
Dariinj smiled, "Fair enough. The conversation these past few days has gotten very philosophical." He looked down and concentrated on his circuit a little more.
"It's not the worst thing for it to become," Lumara nodded. "Though you're right, it's an awful heavy topic for conversation! What's the gossip in the Rebellion?"
He shrugged, "You really should ask Indy, it is all she ever talks about; who is doing what, who likes who, why she did that, and why he should not even be here."
"It sounds like you're all very well informed at the tech lab."
"Oh yes. In fact, I did hear something… I want to clarify that I am simply curious here, but… Is it true about Ms Naberrie's twins?"
"Is what true?"
"Well there are a lot of rumours going round, but primarily that they have potential to become powerful Jedi."
She sighed, "That is true- though don't go spreading it around." Dariinj nodded. "But Padmé's having none of it. She doesn't want them to become Jedi, and I can certainly see why. The masters are more than displeased, but I'm with her. I told her I'd support her decision to let them grow up normally, and I will. If she thinks that's best, then that's what should happen, in my opinion."
"How are things going?"
"She got a midi-chlorian test done on them, and as far as I can tell, the results were staggering. Master Finah arrived back from talking to them this morning all worn-out. He tried to persuade her, but she picked up on it quickly. She's a politician; she won't fall for any of the usual negotiating techniques, and she's dead-set on her goal."
"I can see how that might be problematic for the masters."
"Problematic? It takes a lot to fluster a Jedi Master, and I think I can safely say he's flustered. The prospect of them not becoming Jedi is offensive to him. My master is certain that it's best too. Yes, they could be extremely helpful to the Rebellion, but not at the expense of their childhood."
"Do you regret the way in which you were raised?"
"No… but I do believe that they should be given a choice; that they could be asked if that's the path they want to follow when they're older. Certainly if their mother doesn't want that, then it's not best." Dariinj simply nodded. "It is true that without guidance, and with such strength, they could become dangerous."
"Dangerous how?"
"They could go down the path of the Dark Side, oh so easily; without even realising. It is easy to use the Force for your own gain. After all, is it so bad to use it to lift the cookie jar from the top shelf in the kitchen? They would need sharp boundaries, and be taught just how to use their powers. Lashing out in anger is so much more dangerous for them than anyone else." Dariinj nodded his understanding. "But… with us so close by, it would easy to monitor them without truly training them. I think Master Finah exaggerates the dangers a little. Of course… I have never experienced such things, so I suppose I can't really comment." She paused, "I'm sorry… I've dominated the conversation!"
"That is fine, I do not mind," he smiled. "I like listening."
"You're good at it," she nodded.
"I would not really call it a skill, but thank you. You would be amazed at the sorts of things people tell me sometimes…"
"Like what?"
"I should not have said that, because I cannot tell you."
"Why not?"
He grinned, picking up another circuit, "Because I never tell."
"Never?"
"I cannot remember ever repeating something that someone told me in confidence. I make a point of it."
"Good for you. I normally keep things to myself… I'm a silly bottler, but even I can't deny the pleasure of talking to some poor soul such as you about it all."
He nodded, "Better out than in."
&
Justo was making his happy little way to the crèche to boast again. It wasn't very Jedi-like, he supposed, but it was enjoyable so he didn't dwell on that. He just had to share his latest news, and Lumara was really the only one he could talk to here. He arrived in the door and nearly tripped over Gin.
"Hey!"
"Force! Careful there," he steadied himself, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"What are you doing now?" Lumara sighed from across the room without even looking up.
"Why do you always have to be so smug?" he groaned, crossing the obstacle course of younglings and toys on the playroom floor.
"Because you're better at everything else, but here I'm in my element, and it's refreshing to be able to make fun of you when you mess up and not the other way round. Now sit down and help somebody." She gestured around the table, where she was sitting with about ten younglings around the age of three- or their species' equivalent. They were painting pictures.
"What?"
"Sit down and help somebody," she repeated calmly. "There," Lumara looked down again to Tara, who she was crouched beside. Despite being the oldest by a margin, she was having difficulties with her painting of Ella. "Just go gently, see?"
Justo paused, bewildered, in the middle of the room for a moment, then sighed in resignation and bent down over another youngling, "Um… do you need a hand there or anything?"
The little boy looked up with wide eyes, "No!"
"Ok…" he looked about with a lost expression on his face.
"For goodness' sake! You've no common sense, do you know that?" Lumara laughed. "All brains and skill and no common sense! Look, give him a hand; he needs more paint, and she's not quite got the hang of holding the brush yet." She nodded as he complied, "So why are you here anyway?"
"Do I need an excuse to visit?" he inquired innocently.
"Well I doubt you're here to kill time. There have been known to be more exciting places out there than the crèche."
"No… This is my favourite place! But I have come to tell you something." His eyes glinted with excitement.
"Oh?"
"I'm going to be training up, and possibly leading a squadron of the Rebellion's pilots!"
"Oh!" She exaggerated her exclamation a little. She would never grasp how anyone, not Dariinj, not her master, nor how Justo could become so enthralled with machinery.
"Yep. Pamive was talking about it and my master volunteered me. He says that the second squadron is pretty useless, and they need someone to take control of them."
"I see. Good luck to you."
"Of all the members of the Rebellion he entrusted me and-"
She sighed, giving him the trademarked eye roll. "Don't let that head get too swollen. I honestly can't see why he'd pick you but… it's on his head." She let that hang for a moment before laughing at his put-out expression. "I'm only joking, of course; but seriously, don't be too proud about it."
"Uh huh…" he nodded. "I'm just happy to be doing something for the Rebellion."
"Yes, this will improve our relations with them. I expect that was half the reason they picked you- no offense to your inflated ego -to promote the image as the Jedi being an integral part of the Rebellion. We haven't really done all that much for them as yet and after all… that, our image isn't too peachy."
He raised an eyebrow, "I guess so. You sound very political."
"Do I?" she laughed, "I hope not. I've been talking a lot about that kind of stuff recently." Then she realised where that route of conversation might lead and quickly backpedalled, throwing out a line to his preferred topic of conversation. "So how do you think you'll get them in shape?"
She half listened as he began detailing his ideas for drills and exercises. 'Close one. All he had to do was say, 'With who?' and my number would be up.' As yet, for obvious reasons, she hadn't mentioned to him just who was helping her make the lightsabers. She didn't think that would go down well. Lumara wasn't going lie, she was simply staying away from the topic in the valiant hope that it would never come up.
"I see you've got him busy," Master Finah nodded his amused approval, stepping in with Knight Onih.
"Of course."
"He's not very good at helping us, though," one of the younglings piped up, causing all to laugh save Justo.
Master Finah smiled, and then turned to Lumara again. "I understand you know Gan Pamive?"
"Yes, why?"
"I wanted you to talk to him about something for me."
Ooh… ominous! Ahem.
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