Chapter 50 - Farewells
"Come on Brother. We're going to be late," Leia urged.
"I'm coming," Luke huffed. He didn't really want to follow his sister out to the Jundland Wastes of all places. But when his sister gets an idea, he's learned, resisting is almost a waste of breath. Besides, he can't let his sister come out here all alone, can he?
"Alright," Luke panted as he reached the top of a dune his sister climbed without trouble at all. "Where is this rally?"
"It's not a rally. It's a meeting of people with similar thoughts and ideas. We all know the Emperor sucks Poodoo. This is our chance to do something about it," Leia said and she kept walking. "Come on, they should be meeting Northwest of here."
"Uh-huh," Luke could sense the beings up ahead. He could also sense a great amount of anxiety ahead, as well as the presence of Blasters. Many of this crowd of anxious Tatooinians were armed, and that alone spelled disaster. "If Dad knew we were out here, he'd throw a fit."
Leia rolled her eyes. "We're almost eighteen. We can decide this for ourselves."
"Yeah, you tell your Master that?" Luke quipped.
"No! Master Yoda wouldn't understand. You know how he is: One mention of helping the rebellion and I get extra meditation exercises for a week." As they were talking they walked up on a single tent in the desert. "Look, we're here!" Leia excitedly cheered.
Luke watched his sister carelessly pull aside the cloth door to the tent and step inside. He fingered his blaster, the one Han Solo gifted him several years ago, which was holstered at his side. He didn't think bringing a Lightsaber, an obvious Jedi weapon, to a meeting which may yet have empire agents observing covertly, would be a good idea. Despite how much faith his sister had in these people, he was not yet convinced.
Luke pushed aside the door and followed Leia. There were a number of tables set up along one wall, each featuring flimsy signs and pamphlets sharing their causes. 'Support Neimoidian Refugees. Boycott Raada Produce. Coaxium mines support Spice trade. Empire seeks to blind populace under Spice addiction.' Luke read the signs as he passed them. Leia pulled him by the arm all the way to a table on the other end of the tent.
'Join the Rebel Alliance and fight for your universe!' was painted on the sign. There was a man and a woman manning the table, each in a pristine uniform similar to the one that Juno Eclipse wore a year ago. They were both busy with other persons when he and Leia arrived, so his sister began heartily reading the pamphlets on the table.
"Look at this Luke. I think you'll be suited for the pilot's core." Leia tried to pass him one of the pamphlets.
"Wha- You can't be thinking of joining this?" Luke whispered.
"Of course I'm not joining the pilot's core." Luke breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm thinking either Intelligence, or Special Forces," Leia answered with a smile.
Luke didn't get the chance to respond as both of the officers turned to them and one asked, "Hello, May I help you?"
"Yes, I was just trying to decide where I'd like to serve." Leia turned to the officer and told him.
"Oh, well that is easy. First you'll join our training corps, where you'll learn a little bit of everything. By the time bootcamp is finished, your instructors will learn where you excel, and a decision can be made then."
"So we'll be trained together. Do you hear that, Luke? We'll be trained together!" Leia cheered.
"Are you ready to sign up now? We only need a little bit of paperwork." The other officer said.
"No!" Luke stepped in front of Leia before she could respond in affirmation. His eyes were serious. Using their bond he spoke to her more. 'This isn't our path.'
'Luke, you know as much as I do that this is what needs to happen. They need as many volunteers to join their army as they can get.' Leia protested over the bond.
'I agree, but we are Jedi. We have a different role to play in this fight,' Luke tried to argue.
'What role. The Jedi haven't done anything since Huyang. And before that nothing at all except taking in the occasional force-sensitive refugee the Rebellion rescues. Aunt Ausoka...'
Tears welled up in Luke's eyes. 'Aunt Ahsoka ran away.'
'Aunt Ahsoka would agree with me. She left a failing order. As am I,' In her head, Leia growled.
The rebellion officers both stood there eyeing back and forth between the two of them. Likely they had no idea the twins were communicating, and just thought it was a stare down. After a few moments one nervously spoke up, "Look, I'm just going to leave this with you. You don't have to decide right now. We're going to be on Tatooine for the rest of the week. If you decide to join, just fill out the form and bring it to us later."
Leia grabbed both forms from them without turning from Luke's eyes. She then turned to leave, pushing her way past the others as she walked. Luke huffed and he followed after her.
The twins had heard stories about Ahsoka and her leaving the Jedi from both their father, and Aunt. Luke knew how much it broke their father's heart to watch his Padawan walk away. He knew how much more it would hurt their father to watch them walk away too. 'I have a week. I just needed to convince Leia not to go in one week.'
As Leia walked away, she couldn't believe her brother. Sure, he'd always been quiet when she'd mentioned the rebellion, but she just thought it was quiet support for what she was saying. She never thought he'd side with her Master of all people. And to use Aunt Ahsoka against her, like she was a warning about what happens when you leave the Jedi. 'Ha. Aunt Ahsoka would be proud of me for doing this,' she wiped a tear from her eye as she thought to herself. 'One week, that's good. We turn eighteen in a week, and I have until then to convince Luke to see reason.'
*x
Luke spent the trip back in quiet thought. Of course, Leia talked enough for them both on the way. As he listened to her long speech about why the Empire was so bad, and why the universe needed everyone to do their part in getting rid of it, he looked for any chance to counter argue her points.
Luke didn't know how Leia did it. Ask him to put together a presentation and it would take him hours of research and fussing with his words. He'd eventually have to go to his Master or Sister for help, because Luke was anything but a natural negotiator. But give Leia five minutes, and a topic she can get passionate about, and you have a nearly foolproof argument. They got all the way back home and Luke didn't have any counter arguments to make.
*x
That night, Luke debated with himself over telling someone else about his sister's plans. But no matter who he imagined telling, they inevitably either got Leia into trouble with the Masters, or told their father, who would be crushed to learn his daughter was considering this. Luke would rather not hurt the man, and nothing was more terrifying than his sister, angry after getting in trouble because her brother was a Womp Rat.
"Luke, stop…" Obi-Wan interrupted their meditation exercise. "Is something bothering you?"
"No, Master. I just lost my focus there. I'll try better," said Luke.
"No Luke, if something's troubling you so much that it's interrupting your focus, then it's something we should talk about."
Luke couldn't help but look down, avoiding eye contact as he used to when he was younger and knew he was in trouble.
His master listened silently.
"Alright, but I can't tell you everything, Uncle Ben. And you have to promise to keep this between ourselves."
The old man stayed silent, but responded with a slight push at their training bond. Luke knew it was as much of a promise as he was going to get.
After sighing, Luke continued. "Someone I know is thinking about joining the rebel army. They have recruiters here, and this person is pretty set on going, actually. I don't want them to leave, cause then we'd be separated, and everyone would be sad because they're gone, not just me. But I'd be doubly sad because… because... I don't want that." Obi-Wan just listened, nodding along. Luke breathed heavily with tears he wasn't letting go of and Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder as he continued. "The way I see it, I have two options. I could go with them. But that would mean I'd have to leave the Jedi and all of you behind. I am not ready for that. Or I have to convince them not to go. But I'm having a hard time forming my argument. The truth is, I think they've got some pretty good points."
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "Luke, do you remember the Jedi code?"
"What, yeah. Of course I remember the Jedi code. As much as Yoda made us recite it, I'd have a hard time not remembering the code," Luke responded.
"Article seven…"
"Article seven, that's all about attachments. I thought you guys threw that out." Luke replied.
"We revised it, heavily. Attachments are allowed, as long as they are healthy. Do you remember what makes an attachment unhealthy?"
Luke's face became red as he remembered the class he and his schoolmates had been given as they reached puberty. He groaned. "No Uncle Ben. It's not like that."
"When an attachment is so strong that you are not willing to do what's best for the person. When all you think about is what's best for you. That's when an attachment becomes unhealthy. For us, as well as for them," Obi-Wan lectured.
"You're trying to tell me I need to let them go," Luke surmised.
"If that is what's best for them. It can be hard to let go. I know this as I've done it before."
Luke looked up in surprise, as his master's shields rose up suddenly around his own emotions. In a few seconds he dropped the shields again and continued.
"But then sometimes, what is best for someone else is not our decision to make. To ensure your friend makes the wisest decision, it's important to tell them how you feel," Obi-Wan stated. "Then let them decide what path is best."
"Thank you, Uncle Ben. I'll try that." said Luke. His mood wasn't entirely improved, but at least he had a plan.
Obi-Wan shared a small, shallow smile, and nodded as Luke got up and left.
That evening, Luke barely started to read through a homework assignment when Leia came in.
"Luke, no. I just want to say this. I've gone over all of this with you time and time again, and I don't know why it's not getting through, but…"
Luke huffed and got up to confront his sister. "You're right."
"What?" Leia was floored. Luke wasn't sure if it was because he was finally standing up to her, or because he said he'd agreed without her having to give her arguments, but she was momentarily speechless, so he went on.
"You're right, but I'm not ready to join the Rebellion. Father was part of an army, and I've heard what he's said about it. I don't want that life. I just want to be a Jedi. There is a path to peace that does not involve war, and I want to take it."
Leia took in a deep breath, her face serious as she realized her brother meant what he'd said.
Luke continued, "And yet, I think you are right. If you feel your path is in the rebel army, then you should join. But I will miss you, sister. You've been there all my life, and I don't know how I'll cope without you. But if it's what you need, then I will."
Leia burst into tears. She dropped what she had been carrying on the floor without realizing it, and ran from his room. Luke thought about running after her, but thought better of it. Instead he looked down at the flimsy sheet lying there. It was the Rebellion army entrance form for one Luke Skywalker. She'd already filled it out for him.
A week later, when the morn finally came for Leia to leave, Luke could feel it as her ship left the planet. It was a cold absence, worse than those times when they were kids and the Masters blocked their bond. And even worse than a year ago when Luke and Leia both left Tatooine with their Masters to go to separate stops, because even then it was only temporary. This-this would be longer, and truth was Luke didn't know for sure if it would ever end.
Knock knock knock, "Luke," his father called from the hallway outside his door. "Luke? Can I come in?" his father repeated after a moment, tone inquiring. Luke tried to reply, but all his voice wanted to do was cry.
His father opened the door anyways, and Luke tried again to control his emotions. It had been many years since he had broken down in front of his father. He was not a little boy anymore. His dad walked over, handed him another tissue, and then sat down to stroke his back.
As Luke sat with his father, he remembered what he'd have to do. In the week preceding this, Luke couldn't convince Leia to tell their parents about her plans. She was nervous too, he thought. Anyways, he was able to convince her to make them each a holo-recording explaining her decision, and saying goodbye. They were in a bag by the foot of his bed. Luke threw it there when he got back last night after… after walking Leia out to meet the recruiters. He could not bring himself to look for it now.
"For once you're not complaining that I'm too slow?" Luke had asked his sister, as he climbed down from his window.
"What? Oh no. I was just remembering." As Leia looked around she got a wistful look in her eyes.
Luke looked around too. He saw the desert sands where their father taught them their first lightsaber moves, and the place where he and his sister teamed up to take down the old man, while their Uncle Ben and Master Yoda cheered them on in the background.
"But, you are always late. Fortunately it doesn't matter. We're not leaving until tomorrow morning. I just want to be out before…" Leia said.
"Yeah. Did you make those holo-recordings like we talked about?" Luke asked.
"Yup. They're in here. You know I also have my camera, if you want to come with me. There is still time."
Luke looked back around and his head started to feel lightheaded as he thought about doing it. "No. I think I need to stay here. Who's gonna take care of Mom and Dad while you're off slaying the Emperor and restoring the Republic?"
Leia slapped Luke's chest slightly, "Stop teasing me. You know why I'm doing this."
"I'm serious. Recruiting you is the best decision they ever made. You're gonna be a war hero. I know it," Luke responded. "You're my hero…" his voice fell short as emotion welled in him.
Leia turned and gave her brother a hug as they both fell apart crying into each other's shoulders.
"Where's your Sister?" His father asked innocently, interrupting Luke's reminiscing, and bringing him back to reality with a cold jolt.
Luke sobbed harder. The moment had come. "She's…" Why did it have to be him that broke their father's heart. But no one else knew where Leia had gone. The words were difficult to choke out. "Gone."
His father got up looking confused and ran across the hall to Leia's bedroom door, which he pushed open and burst through. On the other side of it Luke could feel their father's breakdown as he came to realize what Luke said was true.
An hour later, Luke had reigned in his emotions and gotten up. After cleaning up Luke picked up the bag of holo-chips and carried it downstairs. His mom and dad were in the living room with Uncle Ben and Master Yoda.
"The Jedi order, Padawan Leia has left. Feel this I do. The training bond anymore, I don't feel." Yoda was saying.
"Yes, we found Luke crying this morning. I think he knows more, but we'll have to wait to hear what he has to say," his mother replied.
"Luke," Uncle Ben turned first to notice his arrival.
"Hi Master. Mom, Dad. Master Yoda." Luke tiptoed into the center of the room. "Leia wanted me to give you these." Luke opened his bag and pulled out four datasticks, each labeled for it's keeper.
"Where did she go?" His father asked.
"She explained that in the recordings, I think. I'll answer your questions after you watch them." Luke explained.
His father got up to go get a Holo device while Master's Obi-Wan and Yoda followed him. Luke felt glad his dad wasn't alone. He should've thought about that before giving them all individual recordings.
Luke's mom moved closer to him and rubbed his shoulder. "I'm proud of you. My brave boy."
Luke was tempted to pull out of her blatant affections, but instead he glanced down at his personal commlink. The screen lit up and he read the notification: one new message. Curious what it might be he pulled it up on the device.
A small holo-image of Leia came up. She smiled. "Bet you thought I forgot about you, brother. This recording is set to send the morning after my departure. Luke," and she paused for a moment. "You are my motivation to do this. I know before I go I'll probably break down and beg you to come along, but the truth is, I already support your decision to stay. The universe needs more people like you, good men who want to look for peace first. I don't know how this will end, but know that I love you, brother." Leia reached up and blew a kiss at him through the Holo.
Luke could feel his mother reach out as the recording turned off and his tears returned.
Hello Everyone,Yay, it's out! [breathes sigh of relief] I can finally explain why I had to do the previous long adventure. I really wanted to have Leia see the Rebellion Base, and give her an experience seeing what life outside of her Tatooine community was. Leia has been resistant to Yoda's stagnant plans for the Jedi, but only after she goes out there and sees there is another option, does she start to think about leaving.I have planned for Leia to leave the Jedi since I started this. You'll all have to wait to see what else I have planned for her future. The story's not over yet. I know this chapter is titled Farewells, but I am not getting rid of any characters. Just spreading them out a bit.And I feel I should say that I have no personal experience with the military. This all came out of my imagination, so do forgive me if anything is not accurate or realistic.And I also realize I left Leo out here, but just assume Leia made a separate recording for her little brother, and he just wasn't in the room at the time to receive it.Next week I plan on following Leia's story some more. We might not be back in Tatooine for a little while yet. And I'm eventually going to bring Bail back into the story, but I'm not sure yet how long until I do.