Chapter Six:

Shmi peered out the viewport of the Millennium Falcon as they drew near the planet Socorro. To Shmi the brownish orb resembled her homeplanet of Tatooine, at least when viewed from space.

Shmi looked to Han. "Is Socorro like Tatooine in that there is nothing there but sand and rock?"

Han glanced at her as he piloted his ship with practiced ease. "In some places, yes. But there are spots of green here. Mostly in the higher elevations, though, where water is in greater supply." Han then smirked. "You know, this is where Lando comes from."

Shmi blinked in surprise. "Really? He's from the desert too?"

Han nodded, chuckling. "Yes Ma'am: and he left as soon as he could too."

Shmi laughed as well at that comment. "I'll bet. When did Lando get into all the capes and fashion?"

Han shrugged. "I don't really know, but he's been like that for as long as I've known him."

Shmi inclined her head, looking to the communications system as it crackled to life. Socorro now filled the viewport, and the control tower was seeing their ship on its scopes.

"Attention freighter, please identify yourself."

Shmi pressed a button and replied. "This is Shmi Skywalker and Han Solo onboard the Millennium Falcon, here to see Senator Telma Woxholt. She requested a Jedi for her trip to Coruscant."

The line fell silent while Shmi's claim was verified. Shmi knew it was for the Senator's safety that they did so, and so she didn't complain. Long minutes passed by, with Han slowing their approach to allow the planetary personnel time to do their jobs.

Finally they received a response. "Your information has been verified. Please proceed to docking bay thirty-six in the senatorial district. The Senator's aid will meet you there."

"Understood, thank you," Shmi replied, signing off and nodding to her uncle, who piloted the ship to the surface of the planet. As they broke atmosphere, Shmi got her first glimpse of the city— Qrolis— and whistled. "It's larger than I expected."

Han nodded. "Yeah, it's one of the largest cities on Socorro, but it's not the capital. Oddly enough, many important people prefer to hold residences and offices here rather than the capital city."

Shmi took in the mountains that made up the backdrop of Qrolis. It was like the city spilled out from the foot of the mountain, beginning high up its foothills and spilling out into the desert below. The city itself seemed to be littered with native plants that did a lot to liven the otherwise bland landscape.

Shmi drew her attention to the hangar as Han approached it, and as Han came to land, Shmi got her first glimpse of the man who was meeting them. The male Rakata reminded Shmi somewhat of a Quarren, but without the tentacles, and with eyestalks that went out from the lower side of the head.

Han saw the man too and shifted, a flash of unease crossing her uncle's sense in the Force. Shmi picked up on this and looked to Han.

"What's the matter?" She inquired.

Han gave her a look, and Shmi only then realized what she had done. Han didn't like to be read without his consent, and the Force users in the family respected that. Usually.

"Sorry Uncle Han," Shmi dropped her gaze apologetically, "I know you don't like it when we do that to you."

Han shook his head. "You didn't do it on purpose. You're just focused on the mission. But you need to also remember to respect other peoples' boundaries, alright?"

Knowing he was giving her helpful criticism, Shmi nodded. "Okay."

Han smiled patiently and finished shutting down the ship while Shmi moved to the lobby to don her Jedi cloak. She waited patiently, willing her stomach to stop fluttering with nerves. When Han at last appeared, Shmi was more than ready to get on her way.

"Let's do this," Shmi said, more to pep-talk herself.

Han lowered the ramp, glancing to her with a raised eyebrow. "Relax, Squirt, or your guy out there will feed off your bad vibes."

Shmi sighed. "I know, and I'm trying."

Han placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Breathe like your dad taught you. You need to walk out there completely ready. Trust me; if politicians sense weakness, they'll feed off of that."

Shmi frowned. "Aunt Leia doesn't."

Han nodded. "That's because Leia is one of the very few good ones. But politicians aren't the only folks that will take advantage of you if you let them sense that you're uncertain about the job."

Shmi knew Han was right, so she took a moment to do as he'd suggested and closed her eyes, taking several deliberate breaths. Once she felt better, Shmi descended the ramp, Han a half-step behind her.

"Welcome to Socorro," the Rakata greeted with a shallow bow. "I am Zubyck Scrase, chief assistant to Senator Woxholt." He paused, frowning. "Is there anyone else onboard?"

Shmi shook her head, bowing in greeting. "No. My name is Shmi Skywalker. I have been sent by Jedi Masters Luke and Mara Skywalker to escort the Senator."

Zubyck straightened; his eyestalks shifting in what Shmi supposed was displeasure. "A child was sent to do a Jedi's job?"

Shmi thinned her lips, and not just from the man's attitude. There was something about him that she was uncomfortable with. Or was she simply feeding off her own insecurities that the man was unknowingly pricking within her? "I am a Jedi in training, Sir. I assure you I will fulfill this mission to the fullest."

Zubyck was still dubious. "You will forgive me if I am doubtful." Before anyone could protest, he turned and walked away, gesturing for them to follow. "Let us not keep the Senator waiting."

Han huffed something under his breath and Shmi glanced his way. "The man doesn't even want to give you a chance." Han complained.

"He's got a point, Uncle Han," she murmured, shifting her feet. But she followed after Zubyck once Han had sealed the Falcon. "I'm not a full-fledged Jedi yet."

"Only because you haven't been Knighted yet." Han rebuffed.

Shmi smiled at his praise, and took the seat offered to her in the rear of Zubyck's speeder. Once Han was also seated, the Rakata took the pilot's seat and drove them to the senator's office. Along the way, Shmi took in the scenery, wishing there had been some sort of natural plant life on Tatooine. There was a wide variety of cacti that Shmi could see, from tall, heavy looking ones to spindly things that looked like they could have been covered in fur, their spines were so abundant.

Even the trees seemed to have thorns, Shmi noted as they passed a section of road with a tree-tunnel.

When they reached the office building intended for Senators, other dignitaries and such, Shmi was surprised to find an actual garden between the gate and the entrance.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Shmi leaned forward. "Pardon me, but how do you keep such a garden in a desert?"

Zubyck glanced at her, and Shmi had the distinct impression he was withholding a sigh. "We have water reserves for this garden, which we collect from the mountain. It's all natural, I assure you, and nothing is taken away from the citizens of Qrolis."

Shmi nodded. "We had nothing like this on Tatooine."

Zubyck grimaced. "I must say: as far as desert planets go, Socorro is one of the more pleasant."

Shmi smiled wistfully, and she placed a hand to where the japor snippet her father had given her rested under her tunic. "Yeah, it doesn't look too bad."

Zubyck parked the speeder in an overhang that shaded the vehicle from direct sunlight, then exited and opened the passenger door to let his guests out. Shmi thanked him quietly and waited for further instructions.

"Please follow me," Zubyck said, walking to the entrance via a shaded walkway.

Shmi and Han followed as instructed, and as soon as they entered the building the air became much cooler. Shmi saw that there was also a lot of greenery within the building lobby and corridors.

"I take it gardening is a big deal here?" Han remarked.

Zubyck nodded. "Yes. It cuts the drabness of the desert, don't you think?"

"Yes it does." Han had to agree.

Zubyck led the pair to a small conference room then left them alone within it. Shmi noticed a fountain in one corner of the room and was drawn to it. Her father also had an affinity for water, especially when it was in motion. Being from a desert planet where the only moisture came from what could be extracted from the air— or imported— it was understandable.

Shmi loved water also, but not to the same degree as Luke. Then again, he had been on Tatooine far longer than she had.

Shmi hadn't realized she'd shut her eyes until a new voice spoke from the doorway.

"The fountain is very soothing, don't you think?"

Shmi turned in surprise, embarrassed that she'd been caught unawares, and laid eyes on a brown-skinned Iktotchi woman. "Yes, Ma'am, it is."

The Senator smiled gently, and then glanced around, seemingly looking for someone. "Where is the Jedi I was promised?"

Shmi withheld a sigh, and squared her shoulders. "Right here Senator Woxholt. I am Shmi Skywalker."

The Iktotchi woman tilted her head, the thick horns upon it curving with the shape of her jaw to end in sharp points. "Zubyck informed me there were no actual Jedi. Was he wrong?"

Shmi did sigh this time. "I am at the end of my training, which has been thorough. This will be my first solo mission, after which it will be determined if I am to be Knighted."

Telma hesitated. "Will you be able to perform the things a Jedi can?"

Han stepped up and wrapped an arm about Shmi's shoulders. "Senator Woxholt, I can assure you that you could not ask for a more dedicated person for the task you asked of her. Shmi is a Jedi in all but title. She will not let you down, and I can personally vouch for her."

Telma regarded Han thoughtfully. "You are Han Solo, correct? You were a general in the war against the Empire."

Han inclined his head. "Yes, though I resigned my commission long ago."

"Nevertheless, your deeds precede you. If you vouch for her, then I will accept your recommendation. However, I will expect her to act and perform at the level of a Jedi Knight." Telma looked to Shmi pointedly. "If you are looking to be Knighted, and want my word as a reference, I expect no less."

Shmi stood straight and tall. "I accept your terms."

Telma studied Shmi for a long moment, then nodded once and gestured for the three of them to take seats at the conference table. Han and Shmi took seats opposite the Senator.

"Let me begin by thanking you for supporting me in my task. I have been working on humanitarian aid projects of late." Telma placed both hands on the table. "That is why I must request that you take me to one stop before we go to Coruscant."

Han and Shmi shared a glance, before Shmi spoke. "Where do you need to go, Senator?"

"Sarka. There is a peaceful colony of Yarkora that settled there about ten years ago— with permission from the Queen of the Sarkans— who were recently caught in the crossfire of a battle between... pirates I believe it was." Telma consulted a datapad. "If my information is accurate."

Shmi hesitated. "Forgive me Senator Woxholt, but that is quite a distance from our route."

Telma inclined her head. "I know it is, but these settlers are innocent, and now they are homeless and without food or water. And my source indicates that the Sarkans are unable to reach them for now, but they are trying. I would like to go help the Yarkora people."

Shmi felt a stirring in the Force, but she couldn't read anything out of the sense. "May I ask what your source is?"

Telma lifted a brow. "Why, Zubyck of course. He has agents out for me right now who are scouting for people in need of humanitarian aid."

Shmi recalled her ill-feelings toward the Rakata, and wondered again if it had been her nerves or if she was getting bad vibes from the man in reality.

"And you trust Zubyck?" The words left her mouth before she realized it, and when Telma straightened, Shmi winced.

"Of course I do. He is my most trusted associate young lady. And far be it from you to judge a man you don't even know."

Tired of being treated like a little girl, Shmi looked the woman square in the eyes, Mara's influence shining through. "Like the two of you judged me the moment you saw me?"

Telma sat in stoic silence for a time, and Shmi could definitely sense the indignation kindling under the Iktotchi's skin. All the while, Shmi held her ground, sensing that she needed to show that she could hold her own. Yes Han was with her— he was their ferry from Socorro to Coruscant— but this was Shmi's mission, and ultimately she called the shots, whether Telma liked it or not.

After many tense moments, Telma sighed heavily and her face softened, though Shmi thought she saw a glimmer of respect in the woman's dark eyes.

"You do make a fair point, and I am sorry you were treated that way, Miss..." Telma tilted her head curiously. "How exactly should I address you?"

"You may simply call me Shmi," the teenager replied without ire, accepting the woman's apology.

Telma nodded. "Shmi it is then. You certainly take after your mother, if her reputation is true."

Shmi felt a stab of pride, but she knew she was equally like Luke Skywalker in many ways. But Shmi was also her own person, something her parents had encouraged from the start. Next to her, Shmi felt Han's own considerable pride, and that made the teenager sit a hair straighter in her seat.

"I know Sarka is out of our way," Telma said, leaning forward anxiously. "But these people truly need our help. And if we won't help them, who will?" Telma gestured to Shmi. "No offense intended, but Jedi are supposed to be guardians of peace and justice are they not? They are supposed to help the needy who cannot support themselves in times of crisis."

Shmi knew Telma was right, and she nodded slowly. "I will need to call in with the change of plans, but I think we can make it work. How long do you need on Sarka?"

"Merely a few hours to deliver supplies to get them through until the Sarkans can get to them. The pirates left a fair bit of destruction in their wake." Telma looked to Han now. "And I will need to load crates into your ship's cargo hold."

Han dipped his head in acknowledgement. "That will be fine. When do you want to load up?"

Telma glanced to her chrono. "Within the hour if you don't mind. I would like to leave this evening for Sarka. I still have a few things to finish up here, but I will meet you at the Falcon at 0600 hours."

Shmi and Han both stood, bowing to Telma.

"We will see you then, Senator." Shmi promised.

Telma smiled. "You two are welcome to help yourself to some lunch before you leave this facility. Afterward, I will instruct Zubyck to return you to your ship."

"Thank you very much."

Shmi and Han were given directions to the cafeteria, and they parted ways with Telma.

As soon as they were without an audience, Han clapped Shmi on the shoulder. "Way to go Squirt. I'm proud of you, and I know your parents would be."

Shmi smiled somewhat bashfully at him. "Thanks Uncle Han."

Han kissed her on the forehead as they walked. "Keep going like this and you've got this mission in the bag."

Shmi let loose some of her built-up tension with a laugh.

00000

From within her meditation chamber on the Dark Mystery, Vexa delved deeply into the Force, using a technique she had learned from her time among the Sith Masters' spirits on various Sith worlds.

Palpatine had been adept at using this skill as well, and with it he had all but driven Anakin Skywalker to take his first steps to the Dark Side of the Force.

But turning her victim to the Dark Side was not Vexa's goal, and the technique could be used for more than one purpose. With a cruel smile, Vexa manipulated tendrils of the Dark Side and gently placed them where they needed to be, all the while keeping her Force signature hidden.

00000

Screams sounded all around her, and she could not see anything. Dust clouded the air while the debris blocked any possibility of escape. She was suffocating; unable to breathe... No one would find her! She would surely die, trapped and frightened... all alone... Luke appeared just as she let go... and she never saw his grief-stricken face...

Mara gasped awake, sitting upright so swiftly that her back pulled, and Mara cried out in pain. She panted, both from the nightmare and the muscles now protesting their misuse. Her heart was pounding far too quickly, and Mara worried that she would pass out from all of the distress she was in at the moment.

She glanced at the chrono and saw that she had only been asleep for an hour or so, but that it was now dark.

When her baby began to shift in response to Mara's emotional state, the red head closed her eyes. Using her Jedi training, Mara brought her body back under control, and didn't relax again until her child had done so.

Once she could think clearly again, Mara sat back against her pillows, trying to decipher her nightmare. Had it been just a nightmare, or was it something more? A premonition perhaps?

Mara had not sensed anything from the Force. But then again, she hadn't been in a state of mind to do so, caught up as she had been in the horror her mind had seen. Mara felt another, stronger false contraction hit her and she had to sit upright again, trying to breathe through the pain.

Why had she seen Luke just before she died? And why had she been surrounded by rubble?

Mara glanced about her room, knowing that if the building her family lived in came down, there would be nothing left of anyone within its confines. And besides, regular inspections were made, and the level of security at the place was high, given how many important people lived there.

So why would Mara have dreamt of a pile of rubble, and that she was caught up in it? Or had it been the collapse of a different building: perhaps on a different planet that Mara had been caught in?

Mara looked through her mind's eye to attempt to recall details from the dream. She found herself drawn to the pieces of stone Mara could remember seeing, and the architecture they represented.

With that new information, Mara brought to mind places she had recently visited, but nothing matched.

Orinda flittered to mind then, and Mara's heart clenched. Granted, she hadn't seen Orinda in some time, but Mara didn't remember anything of that type of construction there. Unless...

The museum... Mara thought, feeling her heart rate kick up a notch, but not enough to alarm her baby again.

Mara frowned as a new notion came to her: had it even been Mara in the dream? Or had it been... Emry? That thought made a lot of sense, Mara knew, especially with Emry's asthma. But then again, anyone trapped in a collapsed building would find it hard to breathe. That would be especially true if they were there for any length of time, because the oxygen supply would be limited, and not be replenished until the rubble was removed.

Mara blew out a breath, feeling like she was jumping to conclusions. She hadn't felt anything in the Force, and Mara had been rather stressed lately with the impending delivery of her youngest child.

That's got to be it, Mara thought, forcing herself to get up and leave the room. You're just overly tired, and it's showing through in your dreams.

But then why did part of Mara want to call her husband?

00000

Opening her eyes, Vexa chuckled, happy with her work. It was fun to play with the minds of others. Vexa took a deep breath, anticipating the next time she would play with Mara Jade Skywalker.

Her mole within the Jedi Temple had told Vexa that Mara was stressed from the upcoming delivery, and now she was alone without most of her family there to support her. That had to be taking its toll.

Not only that, but Mara seemed to be having trouble, as Vexa's spy had noted that when she'd seen Mara, the woman had acted like she as in pain. Vexa surmised that Mara was likely experiencing false labor.

All in all, Vexa's goal was to continue to play on Mara's fears and stress, in order to complicate the woman's pregnancy. And Vexa would see what occurred. Either way, unless something major happened to the fetus, the baby would survive, and then Ignis would bring it to Vexa when it could leave Mara without starving.

And then Vexa would train the brat to be her most loyal servant, brainwashing the child into believing Vexa was all he or she had in life.

The thought brought a wide smile to the Twi'lek's face.