Chapter Seven:

Emry and Luke walked into the Jolly Farmer behind Keeth, who was all smiles as he clapped his hands to get the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Luke blinked in surprise at how many people were gathered within. When Keeth had said they'd have lunch with a few people, Luke had assumed it would be just that: a few. But there had to be at least thirty individuals in the establishment, not counting the restaurant staff.

Then Luke got a better look at the assembly and realized that the bulk of them were children either Emry's age or older, but none that were yet legal adults.

These must be the kids in his orphan program, Luke realized, recalling Keeth mentioning that. I guess I didn't realize just how many kids he was helping. It's good to see them having a chance to find a family.

Luke was brought from his thoughts when Keeth spoke in a loud voice, since everyone had fallen silent at last.

"Thank you all for your patience." Keeth stepped aside and gestured to those he had escorted in. "I present to you our guests of honor: Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and his daughter Emry Skywalker!"

Applause rang throughout the hall, though Luke felt many flashes of surprise at the realization that there was a child with the Jedi. Luke didn't feel any ill-will, however, just the shock that he wasn't alone.

Keeth began to walk forward, and Luke followed, Emry at his side. Her eyes were wide as she took in the restaurant, and her pace slowed without her realizing it. Emry was fascinated by how it was decorated; with what appeared to be ancient pieces of equipment one might use on a farm or ranch adorning the walls.

Shmi even saw things that would have been used with animals, such as the ones that would have pulled plows or wagons. She noted the rustic paint job, but didn't think she'd go for that for her own room. She preferred bright, happy colors herself, and she let that show in her room décor.

Well, she shared a room with Shmi, so only part of the room was brightly hued. Mostly it was just Emry's belongings that were so: such as her bedding, toys and even a poster here and there. Shmi didn't decorate much except for some memorabilia she kept locked in a glass case from her younger years. Shmi had made it clear to her younger sister that the items in the case were off limits. Emry had only disobeyed that rule once, and Shmi had been heartbroken when she'd realized that one of her items had been damaged. Emry had never touched the case again out of guilt for what she had done.

Emry didn't realize she had stopped to take in a particularly odd looking decoration until a male voice spoke to her.

"Hello."

Emry jumped, startled, and looked to see a black-haired boy with azure eyes gazing at her. Emry guessed that the boy looked to be about Shmi's age. She noted something odd about his expression but, inexperienced as she was, Emry couldn't decipher minute things like that, so she let it pass. Besides, if anyone here tried to harm her, they'd have to answer to an angry Luke Skywalker, and that would be utterly terrifying. For them. Emry had only ever seen her father truly angry once, and it had been scary. It also made her glad Luke never lost his temper with his children.

"Hi," Emry replied at last, glancing around. She didn't see her father, but knew he had to be in the restaurant.

The boy gestured to the item Emry had been scrutinizing. "I believe they used those for harvesting grain before things went to tractors and automation."

Emry eyed the item again, and decided he was right. "I suppose so." She looked back to the boy. "Are you in the orphan project?"

He nodded once. "Yes, I am." He paused, again eyeing her in an odd manner. "May I ask what you're doing on Orinda?"

Emry smiled happily. "I came with my Father. I've begged him for so long to take me on one of his missions, and so he finally did! I thought he would never bring me along!"

The boy frowned lightly. "Your father is a Jedi Master, right?"

Emry nodded, wondering where he was going with this.

"So I suppose as a Jedi Master, most of his missions would be far too dangerous for a child to accompany him on, am I right?"

The boy didn't speak condescendingly, which Emry appreciated. But his words still struck a chord within her, and suddenly she felt bad for making her father feel sorry for not taking her with him sometime sooner.

Emry dipped her head, her cheeks reddening. "You're right."

The boy approached, placing a hesitant hand upon her shoulder, almost like he was afraid to touch her. Emry frowned: yes her father was protective, but he wouldn't snap just because someone touched his daughter in a non-threatening way. Emry met the boy's gaze, ready to speak, but he beat her to it.

"Maybe your father was protecting you then, by not taking you."

Emry offered a half-smile in response. "Yeah, I think you're right." Then she brightened. "It's what Dads are supposed to do, right? Protect their children?"

A flash of something passed through the boy's blue gaze, but it happened so swiftly that Emry thought she might have imagined it.

"Yes," the boy whispered, "that's that they are supposed to do."

Emry then remembered that she was talking to an orphan and blushed again. "I'm sorry; you must not have a father, being an orphan. It was rude of me to bring it up, then."

The boy shook his head. "No, my past is not your fault, nor is my present circumstances. But thank you for being considerate."

Emry frowned at the large word she was unfamiliar with. "What's considerate?"

He chuckled lightly, amused. "I meant: thank you for thinking of me in a kind way. You were trying to not make me feel bad."

"Oh," Emry said. "Well, you're welcome then."

"Emry?" Her father's voice cut into their conversation, and she looked to her left to see Luke approaching, a relieved expression on his face. "There you are. I didn't realize you fell behind, Sweetheart."

Emry offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry Daddy. I was just talking to my new friend..."

Though her Force training was far from complete, Emry felt a flash of surprise from the boy. "Friend?"

Emry frowned up at him. "Well of course. You've been kind to me, so I consider you one."

The boy stared at her, and while Emry couldn't read his expression, Luke could. The boy seemed dumbfounded.

"What was your name again?" Luke inquired of the boy, noting that his hair was the exact shade of coal.

"Ignis," the boy replied, shaking his head as if to clear it. "Sorry, I'm just... not used to making such fast friends." He then frowned down at Emry. "How could you think of me as one when you've only known me a few minutes?"

Emry shrugged. "I guess I just know when I can trust someone."

Again the boy stared, and Luke frowned lightly, wondering what the boy's background could be that would make him question the good hearts of others. But there was also something in the boy's gaze that gave Luke pause, and he wasn't sure he liked it.

But then the boy's face cleared, and he offered a small smile. "Well... I hope I don't let you down."

Emry looked to Luke. "Dad, can Ignis sit by me at our table please?"

Luke hesitated. "Well, I didn't arrange seating, so I'm not sure."

Ignis waved a hand. "Go on ahead; I'll also be in the museum doing tours. So I'll see you either later or tomorrow, alright?"

Emry nodded. "Okay."

Ignis waved again and moved off to join another boy, who was staring almost open-mouthed at Luke. Luke winced at that, but smiled politely and ushered his daughter to their seats at the table.

Luke discreetly observed the young man as Ignis sat at the table he occupied with many of the other teens. Luke couldn't help but notice that while he was there in person, Ignis seemed disengaged from his peers. There was something about Ignis that had Luke on edge, but what the something was, he could not identify.

As the meal commenced, Luke observed how Ignis did not partake in the typical teenage revelry happening all around him. No, Ignis merely ate his food in silence, a thoughtful expression on his face before he stiffened as if sensing Luke's scrutiny.

When Ignis' eyes lifted, they met Luke's... and something in those blue depths frightened Luke. Shifting, Luke held eye contact, trying to read Ignis. Finally, Luke decided that Ignis seemed... more mature than those teens around him. And Luke saw wisdom beyond Ignis' years in those eyes.

It rather reminded Luke of himself at that age. When Ignis shifted uncomfortably, and turned away, Luke relented, dropping his eyes to give the boy some space. But Luke could not deny that he was intrigued by Ignis.

00000

Vexa glared down at the young Twilek girl, the child's red skin glistening with perspiration. In fact, the girl reeked of sweat.

And fear.

Vexa could smell the fright emanating from the child like one could see steam wafting from a freshly cooked dish. It made Vexa smile on the inside. Fear, more than anything else, kept her acolytes in fear, especially when they were still in training. For some of the children, that fear became respect, and she no longer needed to fear that those ones would act out. But for a good number of her servants, they feared the wrath of their master, and thus obeyed.

Eight year old Arthalinea Endivain remained prostrated upon the floor before Vexa. The girl had only just begun to go out on solo missions, though she had in fact accompanied some of the older acolytes on missions so she could get some on-the-job-training. Her success rate had been mild, though Vexa understood that Arthalinea was still in need of much training. So for now she was going on simple missions. Still, if Vexa let up at all on one acolyte, the rest would get it into their heads that they too could go soft. That would be absolutely unacceptable, and Vexa would never let that happen.

Thus Vexa maintained absolute control over her acolytes, especially during their training phase.

Arthalinea and her partner acolyte— an older human girl named Sai— had just returned from their mission to retrieve a set of supplies for the Rising. And while Sai had performed as was expected of her, Arthalinea had failed to complete her task, which had resulted in the loss of most of the stock.

New Republic guards had caught the two girls when Arthalinea had failed to loop the cameras in the building like she'd been instructed by Sai. So the girls had been spotted and had been forced to take what they could carry and run.

Sai had managed to recover the one item Vexa really wanted: a case of specialized blasters. Thus the older girl had been spared any form of physical punishment. But Arthalinea, the cause of the botched mission, would not be so lucky.

"You disappoint me Arthalinea." Vexa grated, watching as the girl trembled. "This was a very simple assignment, and you couldn't even handle that."

Arthalinea risked speaking. "Forgive me Master, I just f-forgot!"

"Silence!" Vexa barked, and the other Twilek went quiet at once. Vexa lifted one hand, fingers splayed like she was about to deliver a charge of Sith lightning. But none came forth. Instead, something different occurred.

Arthalinea screamed as pain washed through her, cause by Vexa's Force touch. This was her favorite skill, one she had devoted herself to mastering. It was also an archaic one, and she'd had to delve deeply to even discover it, let alone find the spirit of a dead Sith Master who could teach it to her. Vexa continued to pain the child for a few moments more before she paused.

"You will revisit your training this week," Vexa declared with finality, making Arthalinea cringe in anticipation, "and an emphasis on stealth will be made."

Vexa was a harsh taskmaster, one who expected her acolytes to either figure out their training or die trying. Only the strongest, smartest and overall fittest made it through, and Vexa had gone through her fair share of children who simply couldn't take it. When they'd expired, Vexa had merely replaced them with another.

Now she had a healthy number of strong, dependable acolytes who were capable of performing the tasks assigned to them.

Well, mostly dependable, Vexa thought, knowing Ignis continued to push her buttons, even though he knew the punishment for doing so. But those moments were far and few in between. He did do what he was told, and he was well trained, with many mastered skills under his belt. But sometimes Ignis' heart got the better of him.

And as much as Vexa disliked that about the boy, she also knew it would be his best tool against the Skywalker family. His heart would win them over, if nothing else. And then Vexa could rip him apart anew, renewing her status as his master and owner. It would be a wonderful time, Vexa knew.

Realizing she had fallen silent for too long— Arthalinea was beginning to stir in the hopes that her punishment was complete— Vexa resumed her torture of the girl without warning.

Arthalinea shrieked in agony and writhed on the floor, with Vexa pouring out a portion of her recent frustrations upon the girl as well. Only when Vexa was sated did she relent, merely walking away from the girl on the floor and leaving the room.

As she did so, her personal comlink rang, and Vexa answered it, knowing very few had the codes for it. "What is it?"

"Master," Katu's voice answered, "I have planted the explosives and have the detonators ready. When would you like me to detonate them?"

Vexa smiled softly. At least some of her acolytes could do their jobs well. Vexa had ordered the Whiphid to set his charges and then comm. her for further instructions. "You have done well, Katu. Wait until the ceremony is in full swing, with many people inside. But make sure Luke is not inside when you detonate. I don't need him dead."

"As you wish." Katu paused. "Also, I thought you would like to know that I saw Skywalker on his way to the luncheon. Apparently he brought one of his kids with him."

Vexa's brow lifted. "Did he now?" A devious smile snaked across her lips. "Could you tell which one?"

"Not much detail save it was a little girl," Katu replied.

"His younger daughter then," Vexa murmured. "New plan then, make certain his child is inside the museum when it blows. I want her dead."

"With pleasure, Master," Katu said without hesitation. "Do I need to wait for Ignis?"

"No, Ignis is on a long-term assignment. Just make sure he isn't in your way when you do your part."

Katu paused. "Does he know I'm going to blow the building?"

"No. He doesn't know anything about your task, and it will stay that way. He needs to focus on his task. Besides, if he had foreknowledge of the building going down, Skywalker would discern that. And he would never trust Ignis then, so he won't allow Ignis anywhere near his family."

"I understand," Katu said. "Thank you Master, for your patience with me."

"Just do you task." Vexa signed off, stopping at the officer's mess hall to get herself a steaming cup of caf.

All in all it hadn't been a terrible day. And once she got back to her personal quarters, she would visit Mara Jade Skywalker's dreams again. The anticipation tingled through Vexa, causing her to grin maliciously.

00000

Ignis slipped from the restaurant at his first opportunity, which wasn't until late unfortunately. So he had been trapped inside with a bunch of teenagers who were so immature it pained him.

Ignis supposed that if he had not been raised under Vexa's cruel thumb, he might be like the teens in the orphan group. But Ignis had, and because of his hard life, he'd been forced to grow up almost overnight.

Ignis breathed a sigh of relief once he was free of the stifling confines of the building, grateful for the fresh air that he could now take into his lungs. Not all of the kids had been annoying, but the rest of them grated on Ignis' nerves.

His mind had been working overtime from the moment he had laid eyes on not one, but two Skywalker family members. So Luke had brought along one of his daughters?

Ignis had spotted the opportunity presented to him, and had sprung on it, speaking to the girl in an effort to begin his task of inserting himself onto Luke's good side. Emry would be the means of Ignis gaining access to Luke on a personal level.

But how exactly?

Ignis did not know what Vexa had planned, only that it centered on both the museum and Luke Skywalker. How did he help Luke where Emry was concerned without having to set something up himself and then enacting it?

Ignis had been formulating possibilities for most of the evening. Though to be honest, he was also trying to sort through how he felt about Emry's declaration of Ignis as a friend and a good person.

I guess I just know when I can trust someone...

How could she possibly take him for a good person when they'd only just met? She was young, yes, but he would have thought that the children of Mara Jade would have been more... careful in such things.

Ignis was well aware of Mara Jade: especially of her past. He had always secretly admired the woman for surviving a master as cruel as Vexa. But unlike Ignis, Mara had finally been freed from her master, and now she was living in happiness, with a life of fulfillment.

Ignis knew that would never be an option for him. He had resigned himself to his life long ago, especially after Vexa had ensured that if he ever got too much out of line she could make him get back in line and stay there permanently.

I am not a good person. Ignis whispered in his heart, recalling the many horrible things he had done under Vexa's orders. If Emry only knew the truth...

Ignis thinned his lips, annoyed at himself. Why am I even concerned about this? I'm an acolyte of Vexa Wran. I am a killer, a spy, or whatever else she tells me to be. I don't make nor have friends.

With the exception of two beings, which Vexa knew nothing about. But Ignis resolutely pushed thoughts of them away so he could focus on the here and now. He couldn't afford to be distracted.

Steeling himself, Ignis pushed his confusion away at Emry's declaration of friendship, putting it down as her youthful ignorance. Ignis would be kind to her in order to win her over more, and through her he would gain access to her family.

Ignis would not, however, let her into his heart. No one was allowed access to that.

No one? He asked himself, thinking of the only two beings in the entire galaxy that he deemed friends. The tiniest sliver of a smile graced his lips, but once more he pushed aside his heart and focused on his mission instead.

00000

Sleep had at long last claimed Mara, and she felt her body relax. She had stayed up late, her mind torn as to what she should do about her bad dream from earlier. Mara had been deeply disturbed by it, especially knowing that Emry and Luke were on Orinda.

Mara hadn't felt anything in the Force, so that had been the factor keeping her from calling her husband. But Mara had been restless all evening, something Ben had picked up on.

"Mom, are you alright?"

Mara looked to Ben over the holobook she had been attempting to read in order to distract herself. But she couldn't focus on it, and she'd ended up leaving the couch several times for this, that or the other thing. Finally Ben, who had watched all this as he worked either on homework or other things, spoke to her about her odd behavior.

"I'm alright," Mara sighed. "I just can't get comfortable."

Ben had taken that in with a nod, trusting Mara. She had felt bad for not telling him the truth, but she also didn't want to lay her fears and concerns on the shoulders of a child. Eventually he had gone to bed, with Mara waiting until he fell asleep until she truly let her fears run their course.

But finally she had controlled herself and pushed the thoughts from the front of her mind. She couldn't let a nightmare keep her all out of sorts.

With that determined, Mara had gone to bed, but had found it hard to relax. So she'd resorted to meditating until she felt like she could sleep. Now she was deep within her sleep cycle, her mind easing from consciousness until her body went slack.

Only then did another nightmare take hold of her, making her go cold on the inside.

She snapped awake as the cries of an infant sounded. "Mommy!" They seemed to say, and Mara responded instantly. Throwing the covers off, Mara leapt to her feet, and raced to the crib, only to find to her horror that it was empty.

The blanket lay as if it had fallen from the infant's form as it had been lifted from the mattress. Fear touched her heart, and Mara turned to call for Luke to help, but he was nowhere to be seen.

More wails sounded, getting father away, and Mara sprinted after them. She found herself moving down a hallway with dim lighting and hardly any decoration. Finally Mara caught sight of a dark figure ahead, her baby held to his or her shoulder. The infant wailed loudly, and still Mara heard 'Mommy' within those cries.

Mara poured on the speed, but as soon as she was within arm's reach of the kidnapper, they leapt away from her, seeming to fall a great distance and then... disappearing. Mara could hear the cries again, but now they echoed all around, as if reverberating from the walls of a cave...

'Mommy!'

Mara snapped awake, breathing heavily, and covered in a thick sheen of sweat. She was instantly hit with the strongest contraction yet, and Mara cried out in agony, unprepared for it amidst the turmoil the nightmare had put her in.

Mara felt the baby within her shifting, and a sense of fear came from the child within her womb. Unable to help it, Mara began to cry heavily, the scene of her baby being stolen from her flashing before her eyes in vivid clarity.

... And why had Luke been absent?