Chapter Seven

The Millenium Falcon roared away from the planet with Jedi Master Horn and his son at the controls. "This ship is more responsive than it looks," Hal told his son, trying to ignore the voice of Han Solo yelling to his partner that he was perfectly capable of flying his ship with a bad ankle, and Chewbacca roaring back in disagreement.

"Yeah, well, that's probably the reason Solo eluded CorSec for so many years," Corran said, pointing out the viewport at the distant Death Star. "That thing is mean and nasty looking."

"I agree," Hal said. "Watch out, we have incoming enemy fighters." He leaned over and called out the cockpit door. "Can someone man the turrets? They don't seem to be interested in allowing us to leave without a hassle."

"Don't let them shoot up my ship!" Solo shouted from his cot in the medbay. "OWWW! Stop trying to hold me down, Chewie! This is my ship! I should be at the controls!"

In the ship's hold, Artis jumped up from his seat. "I'll take the top turret!"

Not to be shown up, Luke stood as well. "Then I'm taking the bottom. I can promise you I'll get more kills than you will."

"Not a chance," Artis returned, rushing first down the hallway and grabbing one of the rungs. "I can pick off marks with my eyes closed."

"Well, I can pick them off with my eyes closed, and one hand tied behind my back!"

"Wanna make a bet?"

Luke's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What kind of a bet?"

"Loser has to cook a romantic meal for the winner and… Mara."

"You're on!"

Onboard the Death Star

"Our troops have destroyed nearly sixty CSA military ships, including the Independence," Admiral Daala informed Tarkin and Xizor as they stood on the bridge watching the destruction play out. "The vast majority of the surviving military ships have jumped into hyperspace. Should we continue to pursue the civilian ships that are leaving the planet?"

"Of course. Terror is the only thing they understand." Tarkin replied, then turned to Xizor, his lips a tight line. "Limpan is not responding to any of my communications. I strongly suspect he left the surface of the planet shortly after our arrival. Perhaps he is already dead."

Xizor was not overly concerned. "Then go to the planet-wide holo-com and tell them their leader has left."

Tarkin obeyed and had the channel opened, transmitting his image down to the planet and to any ship whose comlink was tuned to their signal. He cleared his throat and began speaking, "Dear Corporate Authority citizens, I am distressed to inform you that Prime Minister Limpan has left you to fend for yourselves." He took a tissue, dramatically pausing to wipe an imaginary tear from his eye. "I know that his desertion is not your fault, at least not directly. But, you placed him in office as your leader, so therefore you must understand that his disobedience has a price, and you must now pay that price."

He turned to Daala, nodding at her. It was their predetermined signal to destroy the planet of Roonadan and once again demonstrate who was in charge of the galaxy. "You may fire whe- "

A blast from a disruptor pistol ended Tarkin's command in mid-sentence - for one brief moment his craggy face registered surprise… then agony… and finally nothing as his internal organs exploded under the vibrating blast. He dropped silently to the floor, his body disintegrating into ashes. Xizor stepped into view, holding the pistol, shaking his head with mock sadness as he looked down at what remained of Tarkin. Then he looked up at the projector, and addressed the unseen viewers.

"Although I, Prince Xizor, was the power and the brilliance in designing and building this marvelous space station, it was Tarkin that usurped its benign purpose and turned it into a machine of death and destruction. Killing is abhorrent to all Falleen, and while I initially was fooled into thinking that Tarkin was worthy of becoming the leader of the Monarchy of Falleen, this was quickly proven to be false. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to put an end to Tarkin's reign of terror, and reluctantly place myself in the role of King of the Monarchy of Falleen. I will rule over the galaxy and all beings, with kindness and benevolence, and use this station as I intended – to protect all from whatever evil lies beyond our known galaxy. Peace be upon all."

The outgoing signal was turned off and King Xizor started laughing. He didn't appear to notice the entry door to the main bridge cycle open and allow a slender, red-headed human female to step inside.

Han had insisted on hobbling into the main hold with Chewie's aid, watching Tarkin's death and Xizor's follow-up speech along with his passengers. "I don't trust Falleens in general," Han said after Xizor's hologram disappeared. He looked over at Leia, who was still holding his daughter. "He's got a skifter up his sleeve."

"Do you trust anyone?" Leia asked, trying not to meet Solo's gaze. For some reason, looking at him unnerved her in a way she couldn't put her finger on. Plus, she was feeling more than a little bit guilty at the moment and she had a suspicion that Master Kenobi knew it.

"I trust myself, and I trust Chewie," Han replied. "I don't trust people I don't know, and that includes you, Miss Rich an' Privileged."

"What makes you think I'm –," Leia started to say before she was interrupted in her protest.

Luke and Artis rushed back into the hold, busily arguing with each other. "I got three fighters, and you only got two!" Luke was saying, his hair plastered down with sweat.

"Two?!" Artis spluttered out. "I got four! After you shot down your first one, I got two in a row, then you shot two more and I got the last two."

"You're seeing double, then," Luke said, pointing his index finger in Artis' face. "There is no way you shot four!"

"Boys!" Padme said. "Please stop."

Luke immediately turned his focus on Solo. "Do you have the lightsabers you stole from us, or did they get blown up with the Independence?"

The Wookiee gave a deep chuckle, pulling the lightsabers out from a belt under his long fur, handing one of the weapons to Obi-Wan, and held out the other two for Luke and Corran.

"Thanks," Corran said happily, taking his saber from the Wookiee.

A smiling Luke retrieved his as well, at which point Artis held out his hand. "Now give me back the ones I loaned to you."

Both Obi-Wan and Luke gave Artis back his borrowed weapons, although Luke whispered to Mara, "I don't know why anyone needs to carry around three lightsabers."

"Cuz it impresses the ladies," Artis shot back. "Right, Mara, sweetie?"

"Quit calling me 'sweetie,'" Mara snapped, which made Luke's smile grow even wider.

Yoda moved off his stool and started pacing the small space. "Placing himself in role of savior, Xizor is. Grateful, beings will be."

"Exactly," Padme agreed. "By stopping the destruction of Roonadan, he's going to be instantly hailed as a hero. He will be beloved for stopping Tarkin, and that puts him exactly where he wants to be – ruler of the galaxy and in complete control of a machine that can still destroy planets. Half of the galaxy will want to exalt him, and the other half will be too intimidated to try to defy him."

Obi-Wan stroked his chin in thought. "And if Xizor built that station, he knew exactly what its ultimate purpose was going to be. He's just as likely to use it as Tarkin."

Hal and Corran walked up to the entrance of the over-crowded hold. "We've made the jump into hyperspace," Hal said. "Once we arrive at Coruscant, Solo can get his ankle fixed up at a medcenter while we locate our students."

"Good," Obi-Wan said, standing up. "The trip will give us some time."

"Time?" Hal asked. "For what?"

"For me and Padme to have a long discussion with Luke and Leia," Obi-Wan replied. He looked at Han. "Do you have anywhere we can go that's a bit more private?"

"The cockpit has four seats," Han said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder.

Padme ordered her daughter, "Hand Callian to her father."

Leia reluctantly passed the girl to Han, and both twins followed their mother and Obi-Wan down the narrow hallway.

"Are they in trouble?" Corran asked.

"I certainly hope so," Artis replied.

"Artis!" Mara chastised. "That's not very nice."

"Hey, when we were in the gun turret, he threatened to neuter me with a lightsaber," Artis protested. "And to add insult to injury, when he made that threat, he was still carrying my lightsaber!"

Obi-Wan sat in the pilot's seat while Padme took the co-pilot's chair, turning her chair to face backwards. Her two off-spring sat down in the rear seats, looking rather nervous as Master Kenobi spun his seat around as well.

"What's this all about?" Luke started, licking his lips.

Padme smiled, knowing that whenever her son felt cornered or defensive, his lip-licking habit surfaced. "We're worried about you."

"Why?" Leia asked, avoiding her mother's eyes.

"Let's start with you, Leia," Obi-Wan said. "Master Horn has expressed his concerns to me about your attachment to Solo's child."

"Her mother is dead!" Leia argued. "I was only trying to help." She turned to look at Kenobi. "Master Horn and I believe Callian is Force-sensitive. If she is, then she should be trained as a Jedi, right? She should be my padawan. What would Solo know about raising a child that has Force-abilities?"

"You mean…he's someone like me?" Padme asked softly.

Leia flushed, suddenly realizing what she'd said. "No… I didn't mean it like that."

"I think you did, dear."

"So you don't think we should train Callian?" Leia asked Master Kenobi, knowing that she would need to apologize to her mother in private.

"I believe, if she is Force-sensitive, that we should inform Captain Solo and ask him to consider allowing us to train her," Obi-Wan replied. "I will never condone pressuring a family into giving up a youngling, ever again. It was wrong in the past, and we will not repeat the past's mistakes."

"I understand," Leia said, her eyes downcast.

"Leia, did you have anything to do with Captain Solo's 'accident?'" Master Kenobi questioned. "I need to know this."

"I... I only wanted to scare him," Leia admitted, her face flushing with embarrassment. "He said he wasn't slow, so I thought he'd be able to jump out of harm's way. He annoys me."

"So, your answer to annoyance is causing harm to someone you barely know?" Padme asked. "That's not how I raised you, Leia."

"I'm sorry."

"We're not the ones that you need to apologize to," Padme said.

Leia looked up, her eyes wide. "You mean... I have to apologize to Solo? That would mean admitting I was responsible!"

"Adults take responsibility," Obi-Wan said sternly. "And you are now an adult."

"Fine," Leia muttered. "I'll apologize to the nerf."

"I hope so," Padme said, then turned to Luke. "Now, we need to discuss your problem."

"I haven't done anything wrong!" Luke protested.

"Your jealousy of Mara is clouding your judgment, Luke," Obi-Wan told his padawan.

"I have every right to be jealous," Luke growled. "Mara goes away on a short mission and then comes back married? I love her. She should have married me!"

"She's not married to Artis," Padme said, shaking her head. "Hal told me it was just a cover story."

"Then why is she still claiming it's true?"

"Perhaps to make you jealous?"

"Well, it worked," Luke said, slouching down in the seat.

"It also worked to lead your father to fall to the darkside," Obi-Wan said.

That comment made both Luke and Leia sit up and take notice. "What?" Luke gasped.

"I thought our father was a Jedi Knight? A hero," Leia added, her voice sounding stunned.

"He was, until his jealousy and arrogance clouded his mind and allowed Darth Sidious to gain control," Obi-Wan informed the twins.

"Your father…" Padme started out, then hesitated. This was so difficult, and the fact that they'd been avoiding this discussion for so long didn't make it easier. "In the beginning, when I first knew him, he was a wonderful person. Innocent, funny…handsome and sweet. But then he started changing before my very eyes. He … grew angry and judgmental, and I shut my eyes to things I should never have ignored."

"Like what?" Luke questioned, not certain he wanted to know the answer.

"Like murder."

Leia put her fingers to her lips. "My stars!"

Padme shut her eyes, recalling the events of so long ago. "Perhaps the best place to begin is the beginning…."

It was nearly two hours later that Padme and Obi-Wan's story of Anakin Skywalker came to an end. Luke and Leia had listened with few interruptions, and now sat trying to digest what they were told.

"Our father was a mass murderer," Leia said, trying to reconcile her former beliefs with this new reality. "Of younglings, too."

"Yes," Padme said softly. "The warning signs were all there but neither Obi-Wan nor I wanted to see it, until it was too late."

"Master Yoda knew," Obi-Wan said. "He tried to tell me, and I refused to listen."

"Why did you wait until now to tell us this?" Luke demanded to know. "All this time, I've bragged to anyone that would listen about my father… the hero with no fear. And now we find out it was all a lie."

"It wasn't a lie," Padme said. "Before Palpatine warped Anakin's mind, he was a hero. He was a good man."

"No, I don't believe that," Leia said as she stood up, staring at her mother. "People don't change that dramatically unless they suffer brain damage. If he died an evil psychopath, then, deep down, he must have always been that way. What I fail to comprehend is how you could love a monster, unless there is something wrong with your moral compass, as well."

Padme gasped at Leia's accusation. "You don't understand…"

"No, I guess I don't, and I never will," Leia interrupted, her voice rising in volume.

"Leia, you will apologize to your mother," Obi-Wan said firmly.

"Only after the two of you apologize to the galaxy for your stupidity," Leia shouted, rushing out of the cockpit.

Padme put her hand to her mouth, trying to hold back tears as Obi-Wan reached for her other hand. "Wait until she calms down," he said. "Leia will come to her senses."

Looking over at a strangely quiet Luke, Padme asked, "Is that how you feel, too? That you don't understand how I could marry a monster?"

"No," Luke said, rising from his seat and putting his hand on the hilt of his lightsaber. "What I don't understand is how you could fall in love with the man that murdered my father."

Padme jumped out of the seat, immediately putting herself between Obi-Wan and her son. "Would you rather that I was dead instead?"

"Of course not," Luke shot back, drawing his hand away from the weapon. "But…this isn't right, either."

"Your father had already attacked your mother," Obi-Wan said to Luke, keeping his voice calm and neutral. "She was lying on the ground, unconscious, while I battled the man I had loved like a brother – the man that had turned into Darth Vader." He hesitated, then asked, "Luke, hypothetically speaking, what would you do if your twin sister turned to the darkside? Would you look the other way while she cut a path of destruction throughout the galaxy, or would you take a stand against her? Would you strike her down to save lives?"

"I… I would turn her back to the lightside," Luke said firmly. "I couldn't kill my twin."

"And what if your efforts to turn her back failed? Then what?"

"This is a stupid scenario," Luke argued, shaking his head. "Leia would never turn into a Sith."

"I agree," Padme said gently. "But the fact is, I never thought Anakin would turn into a Sith, either."

"Even while I was battling your father on Mustafar, I tried to reason with him," Obi-Wan said. "But once a person turns to the darkside, it will forever dominates their destiny. The easy way to power is too strong of an allure. If I would have died instead of Darth Vader, he would have returned to where your mother lay and he would have finished what he started. The love he once felt for Padme was gone – replaced by rage and hatred."

Luke sat back down in his seat, his eyes downcast. "You think that's what's happening to me? I'm letting my feelings for Mara turn into something dark and sinister?"

"If left unchecked, your jealousy could indeed turn you away from the lightside," Obi-Wan said. "It hasn't happened, of course. But you need to always remember how easy it is to change direction."

"Love is never bad or wrong," Padme said, looking at Obi-Wan. "Not even for Jedi."

"I'll make things right with Mara," Luke said, rising again from his seat. "And I'll apologize to Artis."

"Thank you, Luke," Padme said.

Once he left the cockpit, and Padme and Obi-Wan were left alone, and Obi-Wan cleared his throat nervously before asking, "Was Luke correct?"

"Correct?"

Obi-Wan sighed. "He said you loved me."

"Did he?"

"Don't be coy, Padme."

She smiled at the Jedi Master, determined not to make this easy. "A refined lady will never declare her feelings before the man declares his."

"I love you, Padme."

"I know."

Obi-Wan looked stunned. "That's it? I know?"

Laughing, Padme slid out of her seat and onto Obi-Wan's lap, put her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Han was in sitting on his bunk with his throbbing foot propped up on a pillow, silently cursing his bad luck when there was a hard rap on the edge of the door frame. "Yeah?"

"It's Leia. Can I come in?"

"Sure. It's not locked."

The door slid open, and the petite young woman took a single step into the small berth. Her face looked upset and flushed, then she said through clenched teeth, "I'm sorry your ankle got broken."

Han shrugged. "It was a freak accident; it's not like something you caused."

"Actually…"

The pilot frowned. "Actually? What does that mean?"

Leia swallowed hard and averted her eyes, running her fingers up and down the metal door frame. "Well, I might have used the Force to shut the door."

"The Force can do that?" Han questioned, not quite believing what the girl was telling him.

"Yes, quite easily."

"But… why would you do that?"

"You had sort of annoyed me."

Despite the pain Han stood, his eyes wide with shock. "So, because I sorta annoyed you, you tried killin' me?!"

"NO! Nothing like that…" Leia said, taking a quick step back out of his immediate reach. "I didn't want to hurt you; just scare you. I thought you'd be fast enough to avoid the door coming down." She glared up at him, moving forward and poking her index finger sharply into his chest. "You said you were fast! I didn't know you were lying to me, so it was actually your fault that your ankle got broken, now that I think about it."

"MY FAULT!?"

"Well, yes," Leia said primly. "And there's another item we need to discuss as long as I'm here."

Han's mind was reeling, and he could barely formulate his next response. "Which is?"

"Your daughter." When the red-faced Solo remained silent, Leia plunged forward, "I have every reason to believe she's Force-sensitive, therefore she should have the opportunity to become a Jedi Knight." The Corellian still remained silent, so she continued, "I would like to test her blood when we return to Coruscant - if her midichlorin count is high enough, she can become my padawan."

"Listen, sister, first you come in here and admit trying to kill me, and then you want to turn my child into one of your kind of freaks? I haven't got a clue what you're talkin' about with those padilorins and midicounts, but if you think, for even one second, that I'm lettin' you take my kid and poke her full of some magic Jedi blood just so she can grow up to become as mean and tricky as you, you've got another think coming!"

His tirade confused Leia as much as her comments had confused Han. "What? I'm not going to put my blood into Callian, and… and I'm not mean or tricky, either."

"It was mean and tricky breaking my ankle!"

"I said I was sorry!"

"And that's supposed to make it all okay?"

"I can't believe I came in here to apologize to you…. You are an insufferable, egotistical bantha-brained nerf-herder!"

"And you are a stuck-up, spoiled, entitled rich brat that thinks she can have anything she wants and do anything she pleases!"

"I am not!" Leia spluttered out indignantly as Solo shut the entry to his berth in her face. Apparently, it wasn't going to be easy for her to convince the Corellian to allow her to train Callian, but Leia wasn't about to give up easily.

Death Star

The crew on the main bridge was quickly dispatched by Admiral Daala's blaster and the newcomer's lightsaber. Daala smiled as King Xizor turned around to face her, his face impassive as he surveyed the dead crew. "I'd like to introduce my daughter to you, Xizor." She nodded as the girl took a step closer. "Daughter, meet Xizor. Xizor meet my daughter, Shira Brie. Otherwise known as Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith."

Xizor briefly glanced at Lumiya. "You are being insubordinate, Admiral. My proper title is King Xizor, and I expect you to address me as such."

"I am through addressing you in a respectful manner, Xizor," Daala spat out angrily. "Just as I am through playing your mistress."

"Are you certain that is such a good idea?"

"Just as certain as you are going to die alongside your bridge crew and Tarkin."

Xizor turned to address Lumiya. "Was it necessary to kill the entire crew of the bridge?"

Lumiya shrugged. "What can I say? I enjoy killing rather immensely."

"Then I suggest you continue your enjoyment, Dark Lady," Xizor said. "But this time, not so quickly."

Daala laughed. "You heard what the Falleen wants, my child. Kill him… slowly."

To Daala's utter shock, Lumiya's hand shot out and stuck a sharp needle into her thigh. A second later, Daala dropped to the floor, wide awake but unable to move or speak, but she could still see and hear quite well. Xizor moved to stand over her, smirking down. "What did you think you could offer a Sith, Admiral Daala? I, on the other hand, can offer her what a Sith desires – power. Lumiya has been my true second in command for three years now, ever since I came to the Jedi Academy and offered my vast resources to help her scour the galaxy for other darkside users. It is difficult to compete with that kind of power, Daala, even if you gave birth to her."

Lumiya crouched down, grabbing her mother's hair, jerking her head back. "I was still quite young when I realized why you wanted me to learn the ways of the Force, Mother dearest. I didn't appreciate being abandoned on Coruscant to the Jedi while you worked your way up the ranks. And I didn't appreciate being used by you, to further your ambitions of controlling the galaxy. You've always needed me to complete your plan, but I have news for you – I've never needed you to fulfill my desires."

"Well said, my Sith Love," Xizor added as he watched Lumiya levitate Daala over to the far wall. The Falleen pressed a control button and panel slid open, revealing a duraglass tube. Daala was floated into the tube, then was gently lowered onto her back. "I had this expulsion tube installed for this very purpose. Unfortunately for the occupant- and you should be honored that you are the very first - it's not airtight, so as soon as I press this button," he pointed at a red button, "the tube closes up and shoots right out into space. What little oxygen is trapped inside will quickly dissipate. Then…death by decompression. It's not a pleasant way to go." He looked down, noting that Daala's fingers were starting to move. "I see the drug is quickly wearing off. That's good, because I wouldn't want you to still be numb when you meet your Maker."

"Bye, Mother," Lumiya said, smiling down and waving her hand. "Have a nice ride."

Xizor pressed the button, watching as the top of the tube quickly closed, then the metal wall panel slammed shut. A second later a short popping sound could be heard as the tube was ejected into space.

"Now, who will I have run this space station?" Xizor asked conversationally.

"I've heard Crix Madine is currently unemployed," Lumiya replied blithely, kicking at the boot of a deceased crew member.

King Xizor turned to face the Sith. "I've heard there are quite a number of Jedi on Coruscant that need to be dispatched."

"Do we have time for a bit of private pleasure before I leave?"

"Always," Xizor said, grinning in anticipation.

En route to Coruscant

Luke had kept his promise to Obi-Wan and apologized to Artis; his humble and heartfelt apology had impressed Mara. The young couple had then hurried off and found a hidden corner in the engine room to make up in private. This caused Yoda to shake his head in disapproval, so he hobbled off to the cockpit to complain to Obi-Wan about his Padawans' unseemly behavior. Unfortunately for Master Yoda, once he had arrived in the cockpit, he stumbled upon Obi-Wan and Padme locked in a passionate embrace; so much so that at first they didn't even notice the short, green Jedi Master staring at them in astonishment.

"Stop this, you must!" Yoda shouted, thudding his walking stick down on the metal floor with a great deal of force.

Startled, Padme jumped off Obi-Wan's lap, straightening her shirt and disheveled hair. "Master Yoda… we didn't see you…"

"Obvious, that is."

Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Can I help you, Master Yoda?"

"Here to inform you of your Padawans un-Jedi like behavior, but then here I find you doing exactly the same thing."

"Luke and Mara have made up?" Padme asked hopefully.

"Made up… make out… whatever crass terms you humans spew," Yoda grumbled.

"That's wonderful!" Padme smiled at Obi-Wan. "I'm certain that Luke and Mara are simply meant to be. I hope Artis isn't too upset, though."

"I'm sure Artis wasn't ever really love with Mara," Obi-Wan told her. "One day, he'll find his soul-mate."

"Like I've found mine?" Padme asked, smiling.

"Like I've found mine," Obi-Wan said, standing up and wrapping his arms around Padme again, immediately forgetting all about Master Yoda. "Will you marry me, Padme?"

"Yes," she whispered. "We mustn't waste any more time."

"Stroke, probably have I now," Yoda grumbled, turning his face away from the lovers.

Although both Artis and his father, as well as the droids, were in the small hold, Corran Horn felt he couldn't wait and tentatively approached Leia, who was sitting glumly at the game table. "Leia?"

"Yes?"

He glanced nervously at his father, but was determined to continue. "Have you ever thought about us?"

Leia furrowed her brow in confusion. "Us?"

"Yeah, as in you and me."

"Corran, really? Now?" Hal asked, rather appalled his son would bring this up. "Can't this wait?"

"No, it can't!" Corran said in despair. "Pretty soon we'll be landing on Coruscant and then who knows what will happen. I must have my say right now." He turned his focus back to Leia. "Leia… I love you!"

"I know," Leia said sadly, dropping her gaze to her lap. "Somehow, I've always known."

"Please tell me you love me, too."

The petite brunette looked up, her brown eyes filling with tears. "I can't tell you something I don't feel, Corran. But, I care for you as a friend…"

"NO!" He jumped up from his seat. "I don't want to be just a friend!"

"I'm sorry. I've never felt like that for you… I'm sorry…."

"So who do you love?" He pointed wildly at Artis. "That guy?"

"I barely know him!"

"Kyle Katarn?"

"Are you kidding me?" Involuntarily, Leia's eyes flickered toward the outer corridor, in the direction of the captain's quarters but Corran was too upset to notice.

"Well, fine, then," Corran huffed, deciding that it was time to use Kyle's theory and try to make Leia jealous. "Maybe I'll ask Shira out when I get a chance."

"That's a great idea," Leia enthused. "It'll get her mind off my brother, then maybe Mara won't have to kill her for kissing Luke."

Corran threw his arms up, yelling as he stalked out of the hold and past Yoda, who was returning from the cockpit, "I don't understand women!"

Yoda also threw up his arms. "Understand humans, I don't!"

Artis looked over at Hal Horn. "I was thinking that becoming a Jedi might be too boring, but I gotta admit that now I'm having second thoughts."

Coruscant

Now that 'King' Tarkin had been dispatched by Xizor, the citizens of the galaxy were celebrating what they perceived as a victory for freedom. Xizor had said nothing to demonstrate his goodwill toward Jedi, or rescind Tarkin's earlier decree that Jedi were the enemy.

The Millennium Falcon landed in a lower level docking port at the direction of Master Kenobi, who was concerned that they would attract unwanted attention if they suddenly showed up at the Jedi training center in the upper levels. He had also decided to temporarily not wear their outer robes, since that was too easy of a way to identify them as Jedi Knights.

Luke Naberrie and Mara Jade exited the ship holding hands while Artis Jinn tagged behind, looking rather despondent. "I liked being Mara's husband."

Padme patted Artis' shoulder. "Don't feel too badly. There's someone for everyone."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Artis agreed. "On the bright side, I'm on an actual mission with actual Jedi Knights, and that's a dream come true. I sure hope I don't let anyone down."

On the flight to Coruscant, the Jedi Masters had made plans to break up into two groups in an effort to locate the Jedi that were hiding on Coruscant. Obi-Wan, Padme, Luke and Mara and Leia would be in one group. Hal, Corran, Yoda and Artis would be the second group. After they made contact, the two groups would join up with their 'lost' Jedi and then make plans on how to dispatch Xizor. Despite Threepio's almost hysterical protests, the protocol droid was ordered to wait in the ship with Artoo and watch over Callian.

Chewie helped Han hobble down the ramp. *We need to find you a decent med-center, and get your ankle patched up with a bone-knitter.*

Glancing back up the ramp, Han shook his head. "I don't like leaving Callian alone with Goldenrod. He seems… inept."

"I could stay with her," Leia quickly volunteered.

"So you can kidnap my kid and run away?" Han shot back. "Never to be seen or heard from again?"

"I wouldn't do that!"

"Just like you wouldn't try to kill me?"

"I've already told you … I DIDN'T TRY TO KILL YOU!"

"YES, YOU DID!"

*You only hurt the one you love,* Chewie woofed out quietly, earning him an incredulous look from Solo.

"What did you say?"

*You heard me.*

"Are you taking spice behind my back, Chewie?"

"Can everyone stop shouting," Obi-Wan asked worriedly. "It's attracting unwanted attention."

*Maybe the Young Jedi female should stay with Callian,* Chewie suggested much louder in Obi-Wan's direction.

"Whose side you on, pal?" Han asked.

"The droid cannot protect Callian, and she is a Jedi Knight,* Chewie pointed out. *Do not be so stubborn that it puts your daughter in harm's way.*

Yoda nodded. "I agree with Chewbacca, I do. Warning the Force is giving that something is amiss, and close by, danger is. Protection of a Jedi Knight the youngling should have."

Han gritted his teeth, glaring at Leia. "Fine. But if you run away with my kid, I'll spend the rest of my life hunting you down like Shady Pers hunts for his krayt dragon pearl."

Happy with the prospect of spending more time with Callian, Leia threw her arms around Solo's neck and gave him a quick peck on his cheek. "Thank you!" She rushed back up the ramp, leaving everyone to move in different directions.

As Solo hobbled down the corridor, he heard Chewie start chuckling. "What's so funny?"

*She likes you.*

"Who?"

*Young Jedi female with dark hair.*

"She likes my daughter, not me. 'Sides, she's just a kid herself."

*She is an adult.*

"Do I have to remind you that I just lost my wife?"

*I didn't say you had to reciprocate her feelings at this time. I was just pointing out the facts.*

"You have a vivid imagination."

Chewie rolled his blue eyes heavenward. Sometimes humans could be so incredibly dense, it amazed the Wookiee they had survived at all.

Shortly after the Falcon set down, another ship landed nearby. None of the Jedi noticed that they were being observed, and after they parted ways their stalker made a quick decision to kill the easiest mark – which was the only Jedi that was being left behind. Master Kenobi's premonition was about to come true, and much more quickly than anyone could anticipate.