Disclaimer: I am not George Lucas or Rick Riordan.
Enter Luke, at the Imperial Remnant.
As Luke joins the Imperials, Hapans, Force spirits, Ryn, and Melodies in a celebration of Empire Day, the Imperial insignia now stands proudly at its place near the Grand Admirals' table. Through their crucial help in the battle, the 181st have received redemption in the eyes of the Empire.
Enter Shada, who flirts with Luke.
Luke. [aside] I had to explain I have a girlfriend. Luckily Shada took it well. She has now explained to me what happened after we left Hapes - how Teneniel defeated her challenger Ta'a Chume in two consecutive duels to the death.
Shada. Ta'a Chume stayed dead the second time. We have you to thank for that. If you ever need a new girlfriend . . . well, I think you'd look great in an iron collar.
Luke. Thanks, I guess.
Luke moves away from Shada.
Rising to her feet, Tenel Ka formally welcomes the Hapans and thanks them for their help. The Djos embrace.
Tenel Ka. My sister and I have not always seen eye to eye . . .
Teneniel. [laughs] That is an understatement.
Tenel Ka. She joined the Hapans. I joined the Empire. But looking around this room, I think we both made good choices. Strangely, our destinies were made possible by the hero you all just raised to Grand Admiral on the battlefield: Luke Skywalker.
All cheer.
Tenel Ka beckons Luke forward.
Luke. I don't know what to say. I'm no entirely certain I'm the best being to be Grand Admiral . . .
All applaud, drowning Luke out.
Tenel Ka takes away Luke's non-com identichip, and Thrackan Sal-Solo steps forward, pronouncing good omens for the coming year.
Thrackan takes Luke's arm.
Thrackan. Luke Skywalker, son of Darth Vader, first year of service.
Thrackan burns three symbols into Luke's arm: the symbol of Darth Vader, one line, and an acronym for the motto of the Galactic Empire (Safety, Security, Justice, and Peace).
[aside, to Luke] I hope it hurt.
Luke then dons the white uniform of an Imperial Grand Admiral, one given to him by Tenel Ka.
Tenel Ka. You earned these, Luke.
Teneniel. And I have decided not to kill you.
Luke. Er, thanks.
Luke moves around the mess hall.
Enter the ghost of Farfalla, who claims he saw Luke's rise to greatness.
Ghost. I demanded he join the 181st, spotted his talent right away.
Enter Droma.
Droma. Stang, congrats and stuff. Astral. Hey, do you have any spare credits?
Luke joins Tahiri and Jag, who suddenly being treated well. The Fel dynasty has now been redeemed in the eyes of the Empire. It has been decided that Bail Antilles didn't start that groundquake on Vjun after all.
Nearby, Lowbacca and Qwi share ryshcate.
Qwi. Ryshcate good for Omwati. The twenty-fourth of June is a good day. Gideon Na'al's naming day, and Empire Day, and Founding Day for Aldera. And Lowbacca.
Qwi glances at Lowbacca, then blushes and looks away.
Exit all but Luke, Tahiri, and Jag.
Luke, Tahiri, and Jag depart from the mess hall.
Enter C-3PO.
C-3PO. Welcome, Grand Admiral. You need any Yuuzhan Vong's faces smashed while you're in town, just let me know.
Luke. Thanks, Threepio. I'll keep that in mind.
C-3PO. Yes, good. Your uniform is an inch too low on the left.
Luke fixes it.
There. That's better. Where is my assistant? Amelia.
Enter Amelia, who holds out party hats.
Luke. Ah, sure. I'll take the blue crown.
Amelia offers one to Tahiri.
Amelia. I'm gonna be Luke Skywalker when I grow up.
Tahiri. [smiles] That's a good thing to be, Amelia.
Jag. Although Jagged Fel would be good, too.
Tahiri. Jag.
Luke, Tahiri, and Jag wander around the Imperial Remnant for a while.
Luke. I'm a little tired, guys. You go ahead.
Exit all but Luke.
Luke watches Drang and Tarkin chase each other, as he gazes into the horizon.
[aside] Tomorrow, maybe the next day, my friends from the Jedi Praxeum will arrive. As much as I care about the Remnant, I can't wait to see Mara again. I yearn for my old life: Coruscant and the Praxeum. But something tells me it might be a while before I return home. Abeloth and the Vong aren't done causing trouble . . . not by a long shot.
Luke enters the Grand Admiral's quarters, the former home of Jacen Solo.
This place is nice, but it's also filled with Jacen Solo's stuff. I already feel uneasy taking Jacen's title of Grand Admiral. I don't want to take the guy's house, too. Things will be awkward enough when Jacen comes back. And I'm sure he will be on that YT-1300.
Luke departs from Jacen's quarters and returns to the 181st barracks, where he sleeps.
Exit all.
