Erm... *crawls out from where I've been hiding...* An update after nearly two years? Yes, this is real. I lost interest in Star Wars but I have come back and finished writing this story so expect updates often as all I am doing now is going back and rereading them before I post.
If anyone is still reading this story... please enjoy!
Future of the Jedi
Chapter 3
Xancra was beautiful.
From space the planet shined in the brightness of the sun's rays as the Republic shuttle descended towards the atmosphere. Over eighty percent of the planet was covered by water with just one giant landmass. The landmass was mostly exotic, with one large city located off the northern coast. Smaller towns and villages were dotted around the remaining land.
Leia guided the shuttle in, communicating with the air traffic controller as they descended towards the city. Their path towards the city had brought them low over the jungle, allowing Obi-Wan to release the small pod into the jungle. He had the uncanny feeling that the Padawans would require it. He clamped down on his feelings, aware that Luke's connection to him would enable the boy to pick up on it. The last thing he wanted was for Luke to worry again and lose focus.
The city appeared before them, a large, sprawling city with tall towers and looked technologically beautiful. Though advanced, the people were adverse to space travel and outsiders.
Obi-Wan was not expecting a warm welcome. He was aware several protests had occurred because of their impending arrival. Thankfully, the terms of the agreement for Jedi aid meant that the Guard would escort them to the Grand Hall of the President where they would meet Echo Trevalini. They would then begin to learn more about the circumstances on the planet and hope to find a solution that would benefit both parties.
At the moment, based on the information they had, it wouldn't be easy to ensure peace or solve the problems rocking the city.
Leia bought the shuttle down in the Hanger they had been allocated, shutting down all systems and waking the security system.
"Have we got everything?" asked Ahsoka, looking at the two Padawans as they gathered at the shuttle door, her hand pressed against the open mechanism.
Both Padawans nodded.
Obi-Wan strode forward to stand beside Ahsoka. "We all know what to do. Stay vigilant the both of you. Keep your senses tuned to the here and now. Watch and learn and always keep your guard up."
Leia stilled her lips and nodded. She was ready. Determined to prove herself to her Master. She wouldn't let them down.
Ahsoka released the door mechanism and the four Jedi stepped out onto the landing pad. Xancra's sun beat down upon them from above, hitting their faces and refreshing their skin after days of space travel.
Just ahead of them on the landing platform stood the Vice President, Merium Erko, accompanied by a large group of guards, all of whom were armed heavily. The recent threat against the lives of the ruling party was being taken seriously enough that they were escorted to public places with heavy protection. Understandable since the situation on Xancra was fraught with uncertainness.
Leia watched with interest as Obi-Wan and Ahsoka walked forward, extended a hand each and shook hands with the Vice President. She watched the body language of their host. Merium Erko was fortunate to be in power. She was the highest ranked female official on the planet, a position that had not been held by a female before. Xancra was slowly evolving to appreciate the fact that woman could be something more than what they had once been perceived to be.
The Xancrian people were humanoid in nature though they differed physically, enough to distinguish them as not being completely human. Xancrian skin colour was still pale though their eye colour were usually purple or red. Their hair, yellow in most cases though orange in others, contrasted brightly with their eyes. Their ears were pointy and their three fingers and a poseable thumb were enough to distinguish them from their more humanoid counterparts.
On this world, the Jedi were aliens; aliens that the people of Xancra were not used to, despite their membership of the Galactic Republic.
Obi-Wan was reaching behind him, indicating for Luke and Leia to come forward and the two apprentices stepped forward, keeping their backs straight and neutral expressions on their faces. They had been schooled on exactly how to present themselves to political figures on diplomatic missions. Only after the introduction could the twins allow parts of their personality to shine through.
"This is my apprentice, Luke," said Obi-Wan quietly, "and this is Leia, Ahsoka's apprentice."
The Xancrian Vice President moved forward and shook their hands. Her voice was quiet and smooth, floaty almost. "Welcome… young children to Xancra. It is an honour to host you."
Leia wanted to retort to say that she wasn't a child, not by Jedi standards but Luke got there first, cutting off her intended reply.
"Thank you Madam," bowed Luke, respecting the traditions. "It is an honour to be here."
Leia bowed too, however scowled out of eyeshot.
The Vice President turned away, indicating for the Jedi to follow her towards waiting transport.
"Why'd you do that?" hissed Leia at her brother.
"Because I know you Lay. You'll react. If I hadn't, you could have insulted her."
"We're not children, Luke!" retorted Leia.
Luke shrugged. "Maybe not, but that doesn't give us an excuse to correct them. This is a very fragile situation. Besides, if we stepped out of line, our Masters would kill us."
Leia rolled her eyes. "You are exaggerating, Luke. At worst they will yell at us and give us Temple chores to do. That I can handle." Leia liked to challenge others and she was always fighting back against those that slighted her. Her twin was more withdrawn and more likely to consider his actions first before bounding right into any situation. Leia was much like her father, something that her mother always reminded her of. Leia had always wondered if that was a bad thing as her mother had always refused to explain herself further.
"I'd rather not do chores…" muttered Luke quietly.
"I don't mind. I can't keep my mouth shut to something I believe in. It's wrong…" Leia shivered. Despite being so much like her father, she had inherited her mother's fondness, skill and flair for politics. It was a path Leia fully intended on taking up once she was further along in her Jedi training. She didn't believe in keeping quiet.
"Just don't bring me down with you, please, Lay," begged Luke.
Leia chuckled. "Oh Luke. Live a little!" She laughed as her twin scowled.
Merium Erko and her extensive Guards escorted them to the Grand Palace in a limo-speeder which was armed with weapons and heavy armour. They passed through a throng of people who seemed to be celebrating their arrival. The limo-speeder slowed to a crawl and Merium Erko pulled the window down slightly, pushing her arm through the gap and waving to the people who were cheering her name.
The Jedi did not react to this though they could hear the people outside were chanting about them coming to save them from future oppression that the Aggara party had kept them under for years.
Luke frowned at that. He knew their mission wasn't to rid the world of Aggara but rather to find a diplomatic solution to the problem encasing the planet. But it did make him wonder if a peaceful solution was possible. His sister's interest in diplomacy would ensure this mission would be an interesting one for her to get heavily involved in if the situation arose. It would help her recognise when there was need for diplomacy or rather other action needed to be taken instead.
Luke gazed out of the black-tinted windows. He couldn't see the city very well but what he could see showed stunning architecture in many bright colours giving the city a homely but vibrant feet.
The speeder passed through a gate where it then stopped in front of a large building which would only be the Grand Palace. It looked too well structured and beautiful for it not to be the seat of government. The speeder stopped and the Guards exited the speeder, motioning for the others to wait.
Luke frowned. "They wouldn't attack anyone here, would they?"
Merium turned her astute gaze on him. "They have. And they would do again. The security measures we have in place are to ensure no such attack happens again."
"What happened in the first attack?" queried Ahsoka.
"It was a suicide bomber, disguised as one of the members of staff. They had taken their identity, used it as their own to get inside. Then, when the speeder arrived, and the President and myself exited, they killed themselves. We were both lucky to survive the atrocity. It took out many of the hardworking people who keep the Palace running efficiently. This is why we are so thorough in our security checks. We do not wish a repeat of what happened."
"No… I guess not," answered Ahsoka.
"But how can you be sure that no one else will infiltrate the staff? If it has happened before, it can happen again," pointed out Leia.
"It won't," replied Merium. "Those that work for us now are screened on a regular basis. They all wear tracking bands to ensure we know exactly where they are and who they interact with. Their homes and their lives are kept watch on constantly. Whilst they work for us they do not get the right to privacy. It is not a system we particular enjoy employing, however, it is one we have had to implement for the time being until the threat has passed. The public are not happy with these security measures but we did give them the choice to continue in our service or be released from their duties. The majority of our staff accepted the new terms."
Leia pursed her lips, folding her arms across her chest.
Luke could sense his sister was not happy with the choices that had been made but he could understand the dilemma the government had found itself in. At least they hadn't forced the security measures on everyone and given them the choice. And he did believe the measures would be lifted once the culprits behind the attacks were caught. The problem was, was finding the people responsible though he guessed it would have to do with the Aggara party. That seemed to be the assumption that was being made.
The Guards opened the doors to the speeder once again, with one peering inside. "All is clear, m'lady."
Merium nodded and extracted herself from the speeder, with the Jedi following behind her. "This way, please. I will lead you to meet with the President." She glanced back over her shoulder at Luke and Leia. "It is unlikely your children will be allowed entrance."
"What?" Leia quickly admonished. "That's not fair! And we're not children either! We're Jedi apprentices!"
Luke hung his head, shaking it in despair.
"Leia!" Ahsoka barked sharply.
"They are our apprentices and they are here to learn. This is their first assignment," explained Obi-Wan cautiously. "I would be grateful if they were allowed admittance, however, if the President wishes not to be, then they will remain outside." He cast a glance at Leia. "And you'll make no trouble over it, will you, Leia?"
Leia glared, frowned and then bowed her head. "Yes, Master, I won't."
Luke could tell his sister was still shimmering with anger. He wasn't going to worry over the prospect of missing out on meeting the President. If they were not wanted there was nothing they could do or say that would change their minds. They would just have to roll with the situation as it happened.
They were escorted through the Palace, towards the throne room where the President had agreed to meet with them.
As expected but not unsurprisingly to Luke, after checking with the President if the Padawans were allowed to enter, they were informed they would not be.
Two guards were stationed outside the doors to the Grand Hall where Luke and Leia sat on a couch whilst Obi-Wan and Ahsoka continued in with Merium.
Leia ground her teeth together and Luke could feel her agitation building. "It's not fair! How are we supposed to learn if we are not allowed in? This is politics, Luke! Something that I want to do! This would be a great opportunity to learn!"
Luke shrugged. "We have to respect their laws. It's what happens. I'm sure it happened to both Master Kenobi and Master Tano when they were our age. Look Ley… we will have plenty of opportunities to learn. This is just one of the times when we cannot. Why is it such a problem for you?"
"Because we're not kids, Luke! And they seem to think we are!"
Luke shook his head. "Maybe in their culture we are still considered to be children. Not every civilisation has the same rules we grow up by. Officially we are children until we are thirteen then we become teenagers and then adults at twenty-one. I know in some human cultures we are considered adults at eighteen. We need to learn to respect other cultures, Leia. It is all part of our learning."
Leia sighed, her breathing becoming calmer. "I know. It is just frustrating."
Luke grinned. "It won't always be like this."
"Promise?"
"Not something I can really promise," laughed Luke. "That's up to the planets and civilisations we visit!"
"You always know how to cheer me up…" Leia answered.
"Well…" shrugged Luke, "I am your twin."
"I couldn't ask for a…." Leia suddenly stilled in her reply, then grabbed Luke's arm. "Do you sense that? Feel it?"
Luke looked quizzically at her and then something dark burst into his brain, a sense of foreboding. A sense that something was about to go wrong.
As they leaped from the couch, a huge blast rocked the corridor and both went flying, smashing into the opposite wall and blacking out instantly.
To be continued...
Please let me know what you think...
Next chapter will be posted in a few days/week...
Until then,
the-writer1988