Chapter Eight:
Wedge Antilles, Commander of Rogue Squadron, walked the halls of Cloud City above Bespin. Beside him was Lando Calrissian, who had taken charge of the operation at hand since the station had once belonged to him and he knew it well.
A five minute flight from Cloud City was another, smaller station that had been tasked with the production of a new form of Tibanna gas, one that would be able to be used in the new stealth fighters that the New Republic had been developing. The gas would burn without a visible trail, allowing the fighters— which had been specially painted to look exactly like open space— to move about without detection.
Wedge and the other Rogues had been given the mission to test the new fighters and make sure they were ready for use in the whole of the Republic's fleets. Lando had recently sent a coded message to the Second Fleet— led by Admiral Giann Igeal, a male Harch with snow-white hair and red eyes— that the first of the gas was ready for testing in the fighters.
Thus Wedge was here, while the Admiral remained on the fleet's flagship, the Keelkana, a Mon Calamari starcruiser.
"You're certain the gas is ready?" Wedge asked. "Our new stealth fighters will be pretty useless without it."
"I am," Lando said confidently. "All we need is to perform some field tests."
Wedge nodded in approval. "Excellent. The Second fleet is here with me since we are the ones who have been charged with getting the stealth fighters up and running."
"I'll have my security frigates make some room for you guys," Lando responded, already turning to Lobot. "See to it that the Second Fleet has immediate access to the facility."
"Yes Sir." Lobot answered, leaving to perform his assignment. A small taskforce had been assigned to protect Bespin since this was the site of newly developing technology that could very well turn the tide of the war against the Rising.
Wedge glanced out the viewport to see the second facility filling the view. "If these tests are successful, we could very well turn things in the New Republic's favor."
Lando nodded in agreement. "The Rising has been doing too much damage. It's high time we get the upper hand."
Wedge grimaced. "If only we could start predicting where Vexa Wran and Admiral Phlox would strike next."
A knowing silence fell between the comrades, each man thinking of the many targets Vexa had already hit. It was Lando who broke the silence first.
"You know, being a bit of a gambler, I like to believe I could think like Vexa," Lando said thoughtfully. "She has hit all the strategic things already, except this place."
Wedge looked side-on to his friend. "Only because she doesn't know about it."
Lando shifted, looking troubled. "Do we know she doesn't?"
Wedge lifted a brow, turning to face Lando fully now. "What do you mean?"
Lando pursed his lips. "It just seems that Vexa is always one step ahead of us. But how? It's not like the locations of all the Republic's facilities are well known. For example: how did they get the coordinates to our secret medical labs above Hoth?"
Wedge frowned, recalling the mess that had been left behind that he had been asked to help clean up. It hadn't been a pretty sight. The labs were a place where the New Republic sent some of the top minds to come up with better medicinal techniques and ways to better serve the troops on the front lines of this war. "I asked myself that question when I was helping with the aftermath of Hoth. They must have been tipped off."
"That's what I was thinking," Lando said. "I hadn't said anything because the New Republic had been keeping Hoth under wraps. I didn't want to jeopardize anything."
Wedge sighed. "You think there's a mole in the Republic?"
Lando hesitated. "I don't know. But if she has one spy, why wouldn't she have more? Who knows who could be on her side?"
Wedge groaned. "I can't walk around suspecting everyone's loyalties."
Lando shook his head. "You don't have to. Merely place some bait and see who bites. Again, a gambling tactic."
Wedge knew Lando was right. "Alright, but let's keep this between us for now. I don't want to tip our hand if we're right."
Lando glanced out the viewport. "With that in mind, however, perhaps we could have the Fleet ready for action in case something happens?"
"Because that wouldn't arouse suspicions at all." Wedge deadpanned.
Lando winced. "Okay, you have a point. Maybe we should peak with Admiral Igeal?"
Wedge thought it over. "I think we should. I know his loyalties are to the Republic. He's spent too much time proving that to turn coat now."
It was true: Igeal had very slowly climbed the ranks within the New Republic's military, and it had taken him nine long years to become an Admiral— something that had begun during the war with the Empire.
Lando inclined his head. "It's settled then. But we should only talk over a secure line or in person."
Wedge nodded. "Agreed. For now, however, I need to get back to the Keelkana, where the stealth fighters are waiting. The Rogues will transport them to the facility and fuel up so we can go for a test flight."
Lando grinned. "I look forward to seeing those babies in action."
Wedge smirked wryly. "You're not supposed to see them..."
Lando chuckled. "True."
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She was just lying down to rest when something in her shifted. Frowning, Mara paused, stretching out with the Force to try and discern what was happening. But nothing occurred, so she relaxed, though she did check on her infant within her before lying down.
Nothing was wrong with the child within her... though the moment Mara lay down she felt contractions hit. She gasped and tried to call for help, but she couldn't make any sound. She suddenly felt as though she was falling... and then she was in a dark room. Everything in it was black as night: the light covers, walls, windows and the sole chair in the center of the space. And there was light until the covers moved over the bulbs, and suddenly it was as dark as though she were in a cave deep underground.
Mara gasped as labor returned in full, though it was so dark that she could see nothing, hear nothing except her own pained cries as her baby began to enter the outside world.
"Help!" Mara cried. "Someone, please help me!"
There was no response, and Mara continued to labor until she felt the child begin to leave her abdomen. Only then did the door open, the bright light stinging Mara's eyes and making it so she couldn't see who had entered.
Mara was too caught up in her labor to pay the person much mind save to ask for assistance. "Please help..."
"Push," was the curt reply.
Mara had no choice since her child was on his or her way. She screamed as she pushed, and then the child was wailing as he or she entered the world. Mara fell back with an exhausted gasp, breathing heavily.
The being that held her infant stood, the child held in their grasp. They looked to Mara, who smiled and held her arms out expectantly. But instead of placing the baby in the mother's arms, the figure turned and left... with her child.
"Where are you going?" Mara demanded, and only then saw the white lekku peeking out from the hood of the figure's black robes.
Vexa laughed cruelly. "Why, thank you for your contribution to my cause, Mara."Vexa looked to the child in her arms. "I will be sure to take very good care of my son."
Mara managed to get to her hands and knees and tried to crawl after the pair, intent on getting her child back. But Vexa was physically stronger at the moment, and she easily pushed Mara back into the black room, the door shutting in the redhead's face.
"NO!" Mara screamed.
In bed, Mara tossed and turned, struggling to wake, but unable to do so. She was trapped in her nightmares, even as they shifted.
Mara looked up as the door to her prison opened, and in strode two figures, one taller than the other, but both exuding potent Dark Side energy.
"I thought you might like a visit." Vexa purred to Mara.
Mara had been kept alive but in this cell, forced to watch helplessly as her son grew up under Vexa's influence. The baby had taken to Vexa instantly, since he'd been too young to understand the difference, and Vexa had raised the boy like he was her own.
Vexa lowered her hood, revealing an older, but no less evil face, and the woman's smug smile made Mara hate her even more. Vexa then gestured to the smaller figure and the twelve year old boy lowered his hood.
Mara saw only the pale skin that had once been a healthy hue, and the yellow eyes that had once been a spitting image of his mother's. He looked down upon her without recognition of their true relationship.
"This is the woman you've been keeping?" he asked with contempt. "Why is she so important?"
"She is an influential Jedi Master," Vexa said. "I wanted her to be out of the way."
"Then why not just kill her?" the boy asked.
"Where would be the fun in that?" Vexa countered, looking Mara in the eyes pointedly. "It's much more fun to make her watch what's happening, while she is helpless to stop it."
Mara leapt at the bars, moving to try and strangle the Sith Lady, but the boy caught Mara's arm before it could reach the Twilek and he broke Mara's wrist...
Mara finally snapped awake, shrieking as she subconsciously grabbed at her limb. Her heart pounded the hardest it ever had, and Mara's entire frame was shaking, and soaked with sweat.
It was only after she realized her wrist was whole and her baby was still safely within her that Mara came-to. And then the floodgates opened, and Mara collapsed into a huddled heap on the bed, sobbing mightily.
00000
Across the galaxy, Vexa's face was alight with delight, and she settled back in her seat. That had been particularly fun, but now she had a terrorist attack to oversee. Pushing aside her joy at causing such heartache to Mara, Vexa set to work preparing for the upcoming events.
00000
Luke, sitting in the speeder with Emry, stiffened when Mara's grief overwhelmed him. He gasped, clutching at his heart as her sorrow engulfed him. He instantly delved into the Force, seeking their connection and touching his wife.
He felt her initially jump at the contact, and then cling to him almost desperately.
"Daddy?" Emry asked worriedly.
Luke didn't answer at first, instead trying to figure out what was happening with his wife. Mara, sensing his question, spoke through their bond.
I... I've been having nightmares. This one was the worst!
Relaxing somewhat, Luke sent her his love, trying to comfort and calm her, especially since he could sense how on edge she was. Mara took of his love and managed to calm down, and she sent him her gratitude before urging him to return to his task so he could be home sooner.
Reluctantly Luke pulled away from his wife in the Force, and wondered what kind of nightmare could possibly cause Mara to be so out of sorts. It was rare that his wife got so frazzled.
Then again, Mara wasn't normally heavily pregnant. Luke understood that her hormones were partly to blame, and so he let it go, marking it down as stress feeding her anxiety. Which in turn were giving her bad dreams.
"Daddy!" Emry tugged urgently on his sleeve, and Luke looked to find her gazing at him with wide, uncertain eyes. "What's wrong?"
Luke felt bad for worrying his daughter and wrapped an arm about her. She looked wonderful in her yellow sundress. Her curly hair was held in a clip that allowed Emry's strawberry blonde locks to cascade down to her shoulders.
He only then realized that the speeder had stopped, and he looked to find Keeth staring at him as well.
"Forgive me Master Skywalker, but I heard you gasp, and then your daughter started calling your name..." Keeth explained, looking torn as to what he should be doing. "So I stopped because I didn't know if you needed medical aid."
Luke blushed lightly, but shook his head. "No, I apologize for the scare. I felt my wife, and I thought she as in trouble." Luke would not go into detail right now, and not for a stranger. "I am alright now, though, thank you."
Keeth eyed Luke a moment longer, before he nodded once. "Alright. I do hope your wife is fine, Sir."
"Thank you," Luke replied.
"I am married as well," Keeth went on as he flew them along once more. "She's the best thing in my life, and I tell her often."
Luke smiled politely. "I know how you feel."
Emry looked between the men, and then grasped her father's hand. "Is Mommy really okay Daddy?" she asked quietly.
Luke kissed her head. "She had a bad dream, Sweetie. She will be alright."
Emry relaxed, trusting her father. "Okay Daddy."
They arrived shortly after their brief stop, and Luke gave Emry a hand in exiting the vehicle. Emry began to look around almost immediately, and Luke wondered what she was looking for.
"Mr. Keeth, is Ignis here today?" Emry asked, answering Luke's question.
Keeth blinked down at the girl. "I'm sorry, who?"
"Ignis." Emry explained, frowning somewhat. "He's one of the boys in your orphan program."
"Ah." Keeth nodded. "I'm afraid I don't know all the children's names, but if he's in the program he has been here for a few hours already, preparing for the Grand Opening."
Emry tilted her head. "He said he was going to be giving tours, right? When do the tours begin?"
Luke placed a hand on Emry's shoulder. "Sweetie, let's focus on the ceremony, alright?"
Emry inclined her head. "Okay Daddy. I just wanted to see Ignis again. I liked him."
Luke smiled softly, though inside he had slight reservations. Luke wasn't sure how to feel about the boy in question, to be honest. Ignis seemed nice enough, but there was something about him that Luke couldn't put a finger on. Luke supposed it was the boy's eyes that gave Luke the most pause.
There was definitely a story within the boy's blue depths, but that past was being carefully guarded by its owner.
Still, Luke sensed there was more to Ignis than the boy was letting on.
Luke was drawn back to the present by Emry tugging at his hand as she attempted to follow Keeth to the podium. Luke saw a rather large audience gathered all around, along with a number of reporters from various news channels and holozine companies who all wanted to participate in the big day.
Luke and Emry took up standing positions to the right of the entryway as Keeth took the podium amid applause. Luke noted the helping of security guards present, garbed in the uniform for the museum's team of guards.
"Thank you all for attending," Keeth said into the microphone, and he looked into the camera droid that hovered nearby. "And welcome to the Grand Opening of the Orinda Museum of Natural History!"
More applause, only this time it was louder and more excited. Keeth allowed this for a time before he motioned for quiet.
"This museum has been in the works for two years now. One year was spent collecting data and artifacts, and planning the build." Keeth shifted to look to his left. "And the second was spent building the magnificent thing. I have many to thank for their support in turning the museum from a dream to a reality."
Movement near the door caught Luke's eye, and he spied a few of the orphan kids observing from their vantage point as the ceremony commenced and Keeth went through his list of supporters and such.
Luke found himself once more thinking about Ignis, and how he had lost track of the boy later in the evening of the meal yesterday. It was like Ignis had merely vanished. Emry had noticed as well, trying to find the boy, but being unable to do so.
Emry had questioned the boy Ignis seemed to be close to—Nikk— who had said that Ignis was living on the streets. That had caused Emry to gasp, and Luke to frown uncertainly. Not that he thought Nikk was lying— Luke could sense that Nikk thought he was telling the truth— but because Ignis just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the teenagers.
He seemed... out of place among them for some reason.
Luke did not see Ignis among the children near the door, so he returned his attention to Keeth, who was wrapping up his speech.
"...and so I hope that this museum will stand the test of time and be here for our great grand children to enjoy!"
Finally Keeth stepped away and took up an oversized pair of scissors from a purple cushion. Smiling at the plethora of cameras aimed at him and the ribbon, Keeth snipped the fancy ribbon with exaggerated care. When the two halves fell away, the audience roared with pleasure, and the masses began to surge forward with the intention of seeing the museum in person at long last.
The children from Keeth's program began to file out, some of them ushering attendees to a line that had been set up to contain the crowd and help establish order.
"Please get in line." A girl Shmi's age called with the help of a megaphone, "and we will take everyone through in groups. Rest assured you will all get to see the building."
The audience dutifully filled in the line, looking to Luke like they were waiting for an amusement park ride. The first twenty or so people were taken by two teenagers with lanyards about their necks, and the next two waited about five minutes to give the first group a chance to move ahead so the groups did not overlap too much.
Keeth approached Luke, who hung back with Emry to allow the crowds to go ahead of them. Emry was all but chomping at the bit in an effort to get into the museum, however.
"Can we go in now, Daddy?!" Emry asked impatiently.
"In a minute," Luke replied, smiling softly at her enthusiasm. "Let's allow the crowd to dwindle a bit first."
Emry sighed, but then perked up and began to wave excitedly. "Daddy there's Ignis!"
Luke looked to see the black-haired boy indeed emerge from the entrance, and his attention was drawn by Emry waving at him. Ignis looked to her and smiled, waving back in a more reserved manner.
Keeth stepped into Luke's line of sight, then. "Master Skywalker, would you now attend me to sign the paperwork that will make the opening official?"
Luke hesitated. Last night during the meal, he had been asked by Keeth to be the witness for the occasion, one to put his name to paper. At the time, Luke had agreed before he'd thought to realize he would have to take Emry along.
"I'll need to bring Emry."
"But I wanted to see the museum, Dad!" Emry urged. "I promise not to leave the building! And I will probably still be on tour when you get back."
Luke opened his mouth to speak but Keeth nodded his head. "Master Skywalker, rest assured your daughter will be safe within these walls. And I will have her personally escorted by a security guard until you return for her."
Keeth gestured to a man in uniform, which approached promptly. "This is my head of security, Colvin. He will stay with Emry."
"It would be an honor Sir. I have three daughters myself." Colvin smiled kindly at Emry. "I promise I will take good care of your little girl."
Luke didn't relish the thought of being separated from his daughter, but he didn't sense anything amiss, so he finally relented. "Okay. Emry you stay with Colvin at all times, understood? Do not leave the museum without me for any reason."
"Yes Daddy," Emry promised, kissing his cheek happily when he bent to hug her. "I'm going to join Ignis' tour group!"
She was gone before Luke could stop her, with Colvin jogging to catch up. Luke watched as Emry stopped before Ignis, saying something that made the boy smile once more. Ignis looked up and caught Luke's gaze briefly before he turned, gesturing to his group to follow him into the museum.
Luke stared after them even after they'd disappeared from his view, and only moved when Keeth coughed discreetly.
"Right," Luke murmured, joining Keeth in the speeder which would take them to a nearby office building. The sooner he left, the sooner he could return to his daughter.
00000
A paid informant approached Katu as he sipped his ale at the bar. The cantina was seedy and in a back alley of the city, which suited Katu just fine. It was the perfect place for dirty deeds to be done.
"Skywalker's girl is now in the building," the informant told Katu.
"Excellent," Katu said, tossing the man his promised payment. "I would advise you get far away from here."
"Pleasure doing business with you.
Katu didn't even glance at the man as he left, instead fingering the detonator inside his pocket and pondering when he would use it. He needed to make sure the girl was well within the confines of the building before he detonated, just to make certain she would not be able to escape.
Turning his wrist, Katu set a timer on his chrono and returned to his drink.
00000
"May I join you?"
Shmi looked up to see Telma standing at the dejarik table's edge. Shmi was seated in the booth, a datapad in hand as she read up on Sarka and the native peoples there. Telma and Zubyck had taken up seats on one of the benches in the lobby while the Millennium Falcon flew them to Sarka.
Han had chosen to remain mostly in the cockpit, preferring to keep to himself while in flight. Shmi had spent time with him, though she'd also taken to sitting in the lobby to be near the senator.
Shmi smiled politely at Telma, gesturing to the space across from herself. The senator inclined her head and took the offered seat.
"Thank you." Telma tilted her head. "So you have neared the end of your Jedi training, is that correct?"
"Yes," Shmi set her datapad aside, "I trained under both my parents. However, I have had some lessons from the Masters from the Old Order."
Telma blinked in surprise. "I did not know there were any Jedi of old left."
Shmi smiled somewhat. "Neither did my family until said Masters came out of hiding. Apparently they were either deep in the unknown regions, or on worlds so remote no one would have thought to look for them there."
Telma thought that over. "I recall stories from my Granddad, who held the Jedi in the highest regard. He always told me that as long as there are Jedi in the galaxy, that it was a safer, better place. He never believed that the Jedi of Old tried to usurp Palpatine's power."
Shmi listened with interest to the woman's words, having always enjoyed hearing the history of the Jedi.
Telma produced a locket and opened it to reveal an older male Iktotchi standing with Telma as a young child.
"He told me stories of how the Jedi were on the frontlines of the Clone Wars, and how he even had the privilege of serving with one briefly. He never spoke ill of the Jedi: he always respected them."
Telma looked to Shmi. "You probably wonder why I tell you this."
Shmi inclined her head, and Telma expounded. "I should not have jumped to conclusions about you. You may be young, but that does not mean you are incapable. It was wrong of me to judge you before you had the chance to prove yourself. For the Jedi Order to grow, the young and inexperienced must be given the chances they need to flourish so that they may one day take on the mantle of leadership."
Shmi smiled softly. "I agree. I've trained very hard, Senator. I would never have agreed to this mission if I didn't feel like I was able to complete it. Any nerves I have are simply a concern that I might not do as good a job as I think I should."
Telma lifted a hand in a peaceful gesture. "I was once like you, though in Senatorial matters. I remember being a budding Senator, worried that I would never truly make a difference. But I found a mentor who taught me to always keep striving; to never quit, no matter what came up, or who doubted me."
"Who was your mentor?" Shmi inquired curiously.
"Senator Mon Mothma, actually," Telma replied. "She saw me struggling and gave me the hope I needed."
Shmi smiled knowingly. "Aunt Leia is very fond of Senator Mothma."
Telma's eyes twinkled. "Ah, your aunt: she is one of my heroes. Leia Organa Solo was one of the very few people of political importance to stand up to the Empire, and then to help build the New Republic from the ashes of the Empire."
Shmi made to speak but Han's voice came over the intercom. "Strap in please, we're about to exit hyperspace."
Shmi and Telma dutifully clipped their safety restraints into place, Zubyck doing likewise from where he still sat on the bench. It wasn't long before the ship gave a tell-tale pull and then the engines quieted down some.
Shmi unstrapped and moved to the cockpit so she could see the planet. She promptly whistled. "That's a beautiful planet."
Han nodded in agreement, already working to bring the ship in for a landing on the surface. "Yes: one of the jewels of the galaxy according to Lando. And he's right."
"Is it dangerous?" Shmi asked.
"Not really. The Sarkans just prefer to live underground near where they mine for their crystals."
Shmi nodded her understanding and heard a knock at the door to the cockpit. She looked to see that Telma stood there.
"I wanted to thank you again for bringing us here. Zubyck and I will be ready to assist with the unloading as soon as we land." Telma produced a flimsi with coordinates on it that Shmi took. "Here is the location we need to go to."
Han peered at the slip and adjusted course accordingly. "No problem Senator. But please remain seated until we land, in case of turbulence. Shmi, you're copilot."
"Yes Sir." Shmi saluted and Han threw her a look, to which she smirked. But Shmi took her seat and began to work in tandem with her uncle. True, she and Han weren't as fluid a team as were Han and Chewbacca, but the two of them did still work well together.
It wasn't long until they were on the surface, landing upon a huge flat rock that would easily accommodate both the Falcon and the Jade Shadow.
Shmi glanced out the viewport and was surprised to see a small cluster of the Yarkora nearing the landing area. Shmi immediately sensed their sorrow over what had happened, and now she was glad they had come.
"They're suffering Uncle Han," Shmi murmured, sensing all of it now that they were here, among the victims. "I can feel it."
Han laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Don't let it get to you too deeply. Allow yourself to feel it, but then tune it out so you can function, or you won't be doing anyone here any good."
Shmi nodded, grateful for his advice. She took a deep breath and followed his counsel, giving herself an appropriate amount of time to cipher the emotions of the Yarkora villagers. Once she had done so, she pushed away the storm of feelings and focused on the task at hand. It was as she was doing this that something in the Force shifted and Shmi paused, all senses alert.
"What is it?" Han asked, seeing her tense.
Shmi frowned in concentration, but nothing else came so she relaxed somewhat. "I'm not sure, but something isn't right. A general something, but I think we should be cautious all the same."
Han nodded. "Alright."
Shmi was grateful that he took her as seriously as he did Luke, Mara or Leia when they were attuned to the Force. Rising, Shmi led the way to the lobby where Telma and Zubyck were waiting to unload as promised.
"Please keep your eyes and ears open," Shmi advised her charges. "I got a vague sense of something amiss in the Force, but it's gone now."
"Is Senator Woxholt in danger?" Zubyck demanded, his hand instinctively going to the blaster on his hip.
Shmi held up a placating hand to the Rakata. "I do not think she is. But I wanted to alert you all the same. Be on guard."
Telma and Zubyck exchanged a glance, but did not argue. Telma led the way down the boarding ramp once Han lowered it, and met the refugees with smiles and handshakes. Shmi and Han opened the cargo hold and began to bring crates out.
Partway through, a Yarokan woman approached. The camel-like woman inclined her long face in a bow, her three-fingered hand spreading out as she did so. "Thank you Jedi Shmi for taking time out of your schedule to help us."
Shmi shifted, throwing a glance at Han. "Ma'am, I am not a Jedi Knight yet. I am still an apprentice."
The woman clucked. "That may be, but as the Jedi of this mission, you deserve the respect I would give to any full-fledged Jedi. I remember the Jedi from before the Empire. Thank you for carrying on their legacy."
Shmi merely nodded, beginning to feel like a bit of a fool. Why did everyone keep comparing her to the Old Jedi Order? Yes Shmi liked history, but she did not want to be compared to anyone for her value to be seen.
After the woman departed, Han patted Shmi on the back. "Don't take it personally, Squirt. They mean well when they talk like that."
Shmi sighed, putting off her negativity. "I know Uncle Han. Thanks."
Telma appeared, as did Zubyck, and with them a trio of Yarkora men who helped unload the supplies that had been brought along.
"Once everything is off the ship, we will help them build a community tent to shelter everyone in." Telma announced. "Back at their village center."
"Okay." Shmi agreed.