See Author's note at end.


A Solo Lament: Part 3

24 ABY

4 Years before Luke's Jedi Temple destruction


She was soaking wet. Her hair looked darker as its soaked features stuck to her skin. The Jedi robes she wore also were a darker shade from the wetness. She still stood the shallowed water she was currently standing in, baffled beyond belief. Her face was most likely contorted with growing irritation at the three that stood at the bank of the pond she had been thrust into. Ben was holding a creature she forgot the name of, shielding it from her glare. Her irritation was directed at the said creature that had the audacity to put her in her current soaked state. Hennix, Voe, and Tai were currently laughing at her state as well.

She shot them a hard look that instantly shut them up.

Hennix cleared his throat. "We told you not to antagonize it. You only have that dunder brain of yours to blame, Klara."

She growled out as she shook her arms in attempt to throw the water soaking her off. A poor attempt. She angrily made her way out of the water and stomped up to Ben. He flinched and turned slightly away from her, still shielding the small fat bird-like creature. The nerve he had.

"Let me teach this rude creature a lesson." She reached out her hand in attempt to simply flick the creature's forehead.

"You wouldn't dare. Luke wouldn't be happy to see his daughter abusing a poor innocent animal." Ben had said in defense.

She scoffed. "Innocent?" She questioned. She pointed at herself then to the creature before going back to herself. "Do you not see my state this kriffing bird put me in?"

She watched as Ben looked her up and down. The smile he formed made her irritation only grow. "So? The bird did nothing wrong."

"I'll show you what it did wrong." She angrily growled out. Before she could do anything to the creature, it repeated the same defense and kicked its tinny feet against Ben this time. He was sent flying into the water just as she had moments ago. Klara felt nothing but pure satisfaction as she watched Ben groan in irritation from the shallow water. The bird-like creature had run off by the time Klara attempted to locate its whereabouts.

Hennix bellowed out a laugh as the others snickered. "Who knew that the two most powerful Force users could be taken out by a small little bird." He laughed out.

"Hey!" Klara shouted out. "That little bird has a strong kick for no reason! Absolutely no reason." She started to wring out her hair. "When I find that bird, it will be my dinner."

She watched as a soaking wet Ben walked out of the water. She tried her hardest not to laugh at his pathetic state.

"What did I say about staying put?!" A voice bellowed out. Immediately the five young Force users stiffened and straightened up to greet their Jedi Master. "I specifically said to not make a seen and here you are with two of you soaked to the bone."

Although Luke was being stern, Klara knew her father. She knew he was just as amused by their current situation. She noticed him holding a cubed object in his hand which brought curiosity to her. Luke's gazed turned to her and he noticed his daughters interest perked. He sighed and disrobed his cloak and walked towards Klara. She accepted his cloak without much of a choice as he wrapped it around her, making sure that the front of her was thoroughly covered. She gave him a questioning look in which he only returned a pointed look to her.

Oh.

She was soaked an no doubt her father didn't want some aspects of her being seen by the males around her. She blushed in embarrassment.

"What I have here is a Holocron." Luke started as he showed us what had been in his hand. "Every Holocron is unique, based on the teachings held inside. You have to hear what it is trying to tell you before you open it."

Hennix shuffled forward first, curious. "Is it speaking Huttese? Because I only know like three words in Huttese, and two of them are curse…words."

The look her father gave Hennix still made her laugh to this day. He questioned his sanity on taking in Hennix.


34 ABY

Present

The air was thick. Neither of them had spoken in a while, focusing on their own thoughts. Klara swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat. Her gaze lifted from the floor she had been staring at, to gracefully ascends Leia's seated form. Leia had taken a seat on her bed, in which gave Klara to sit on the bed opposite of Leia in order to see her face. The thought of sitting next to Leia did cross her mind but she felt it was better to fully look at Leia in order for her to grasp Leia's emotions that were expressed on her face.

Their talk was heavy and full of sorrow as they spent time reminiscing Han. There was laughter shared between them which slowly turned to sorrow as they both came to the realization; they would never see Han again. Never see his smile. Never hear his bicker. Never be in one of his messes or have to save his ass from his own stupidity. Klara focused on Leia. She had yet to cry in front of her. She presumed that Leia wanted to appear strong in front of her, as to why she would, Klara didn't know. Leia was more of a private person when it came to losing people she cared about. In her line of work, and with the war, Leia most likely lost more people than she could count. She had never once seen Leia cry in front of her. In some ways, Klara was envious of this. Poe had seen her cry multiple times and she always felt like a sobbing mess. After all these years of holding in her emotions because she was so focused on finding her father, it seems like the water gates had opened and now she's freeing all the tears that had been enclosed for all these years.

She felt kind of pathetic about it.

Klara knew crying never made one look weak, her father taught her this much. However, it didn't stop her from feeling embarrassed about it. After all these years of having no one close to talk to, she starts crying in front of what could possibly be her first friend in years. Now that she's part of the Resistance, she's gaining more and more friends and Klara couldn't be more joyous about the fact. She just wished that some of her friends that had died that day, when her father's temple was destroyed, had survived. Voe, Tai, and Hennix had been her closest friends as well as Ben's. They always trained with one another and went on missions together as well. In the years after the temple's destruction, she had never once heard word of them, so she thought the worst. Perhaps they died that day. A lot of Jedi students died that day; a lot of Padawans.

Voe was her only female friend back then. She had a crush on Ben for the longest time even thought Klara knew she wouldn't admit it, but it was clear as day and Hennix, Tai, and her would always tease her about it. She had always treated everything between her and Ben as a competition and was always vexed that with so much training, she couldn't be as strong with the Force as Ben was. Ben never saw anything with Voe as a competition since he usually outperformed every student aside from herself. Klara sometimes wondered if Ben ever returned feelings for Voe.

Hennix was too wise for his age. He had been more focused on solving the mysteries of the Force as though it had been a puzzle for him. His strength lied more with knowledge than anything else. Hennix had always been the goof of the group and could always put a smile on Ben's face. Those two were as close as brothers as they could get without any blood relation between them.

Tai had always come to Klara towards the end when Ben had been seduced by the Dark Side. Sometimes Klara had caught Tai in hushed tones with Ben about his lingering darkness. Klara and Tai had been close friends as well. He was very much laid back, but also serious at the same time.

Klara missed them and sometimes regretted not putting more effort into locating their whereabouts and whether they were alive or not. She thought that if she started looking that she would find answers she didn't like, so she stayed away from pursuing the matter. She didn't want to confirm their deaths. This was one of a few things Klara had come to regret from her past actions.

"There is something I must ask of you." Leia spoke softly, disturbing the silence they had been in.

Snapping out of her own thoughts, Klara focused on Leia who was now solely focused on her. Leia's tone spoke of business. Klara nodded her head for Leia to continue.

"There's been word of a Holocron." Leia started, and Klara couldn't help but be surprised. Anything related to the Jedi had either been destroyed or confiscated during the Order 66, or when the First Order ravaged Luke's fallen temple. "This news didn't come to us easily but there has been talk of this Holocron containing the names of Force sensitive individuals in variety of ages."

She shifted in her spot on the bed. "You want me to retrieve this?" She asked.

Leia nodded. "Yes. Seeing as you are a Jedi and Rey has only just discovered she is Force sensitive, you have more experience to retrieve the Holocron."

Klara brought her hand to her chin in thought. Sher knew how valuable the Holocrons were. It was true, that Jedi's strong with the Force could unlock the Holocron, however, it was possible for the Sith to find a way to unlock it. If news of the Holocron had found it's way to the First Order, it was imperative that she retrieved it first. Then there's a question left that needed to be answered: what will they do with this information? This information belonged to the Jedi, but politicians will be politicians. They may want it utilized to form more Jedi to their side. Yet some of them do not realize that Jedi do not typically choose sides, they are simply on the side of balance and life. It just so happens that our morals are currently aligned with the Resistance. But the Resistance will not be here forever. There will come a time when this war is over, and either they are snuffed out or succeeded in their goal.

The present generation of Jedi are very different from the past generation where Kenobi and Yoda were in their prime. Everything was so much more different, even the collective order of the Jedi training, tiers, and laws were very different as well. Jedi no longer shy away from attachments. In fact, her father was teaching Force users a different way to the Force…a balance. The Jedi code had been very strict.

There is no emotion, there is peace

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge

There is no passion, there is serenity

There is no chaos, there is harmony

There is no death, there is the Force

Then there was another extreme: The Sith code

Peace is a lie, there is only passion

Through passion, I gain strength

Through strength, I gain power

Through power, I gain victory

Through victory, my chains are broken

The Force shall set me free.

Her father in a sense, was much like Ahsoka, a Jedi that would occasionally visit her father when she was young. The grey code is what was taught:

There is no dark side, nor light side

There is only the Force

I will do what I must to keep the Balance

There is no good without evil, but no evil must be allowed to flourish

There is passion, yet peace

There is serenity, yet emotion

There is chaos, yet order

Her father took the perspective of both the Dark Side and the light side into consideration when he underwent his teachings. Her father always tried to teach his students this way, but Klara knew that he couldn't fully follow the first line. There was a dark side and there was a light side. This is what he knew.

Once she found these Holorcrons, what would she do with them? Would she bring in the Force users into this world? What if another Sith lord more powerful than Snoke arose and killed them? Or worse, seduced them to the dark side. She knew for certain that once she retrieved the Holocron, she would not allow the Resistance to manipulate her into revealing the list of Force sensitive users. She would await her father's advice, assuming they locate him.

"You have to understand that once I retrieve this Holocron, I am not giving it to the Resistance." Klara spoke firmly with authority to Leia.

Leia smiled softly at Klara. "I know and I wouldn't ask you too."

Klara sighed. "You are their general, but politicians will be politicians. You only have so much control."

Smiling with a knowing intent, Leia spoke, "I doubt they will pick a fight with a Jedi."

Sighing again but not hiding her smile, Klara replied, "That's not the point and you know it."

Leia stood up and walked over to the bed Klara was seated at and sat beside her. "I know." She replied while resting her hand reassuringly on Klara's shoulder.

She leaned her head on Leia's shoulder as she rested her hand on top of Leia's where it remained on her. "I miss him."

Leia sighed heavily and rested her cheek on Klara's head. "Me too."

They sat there like that for a moment in silence. It was Klara that spoke up that broke their silence. "Where is the Holocron located?"

For a moment Klara had thought she only spoke this question in her head instead of orally since Leia had yet to respond. She shifted her head away from Leia in question.

"Canto Bight on Cantonia." Leia spoke quickly that Klara had to do a double take on the information.

"Canto Bight?" Klara questioned as the realization set in. She immediately stood up and groaned. "Please do not tell me that it's Ubialla Gheal!" She shouted in annoyance.

Sighing, Leia stood up. "Then since you know where to go then I suggest you start planning your trip." She gave Klara a knowing smile.

She groaned. "Why must you be so evil to me. You know my distaste for the planet and more importantly how much more of a distaste I have for Ubialla."

Leia walked towards the entrance of the room, allowing it to whoosh open. "She personally requested that it would be you that came to collect the Holocron."

"Of course she did." Klara muttered in displeasure.

"In any case, you must retrieve that Holocron at all costs." Leia paused, glancing at Klara sulking. She currently had her arms crossed, a posture she did when she was irritated which brought forth many memories for Leia. "Take Poe with you." Leia stated, more of an order.

Klara uncrossed her arms in confusion, her previous irritation fading. "Why?"

Leia flashed her a knowing smile. "I have my reasons."

Klara rolled her eyes immediately knowing where Leia had been going with this. "It's not like that. We are friends."

Leia hummed no longer speaking more of the subject but instead changed the topic. "I suggest you both leave after Han's Lament."

Klara nodded in agreement with Leia before Leia left her room.

"I'm glad you finally stopped by; I was beginning to wonder if you would come."


Klara was currently seated on a medical bed as she watched Gar spread a small amount of Bacta gel on her cut she had gotten with her battle against one of the Knights of Ren. The gel felt warm as it was applied to her cut, slowly sealing the wound. Klara didn't reply to him, simply made a noise within her throat that she acknowledged he had spoken words to her. He finished applying the gel and took a step back to set the dish that held the Bacta gel back on the counter. He turned toward her, allowing the silence she needed.

Gar had heard the news that the infamous Han had fallen during this mission. Han's Lament was just moments away and he didn't doubt she was stalling. If she went, then she would have to finally acknowledge Han was finally gone. Instead of speaking words of encouragement for her to engage in the Lament, he stood there in silence, watching her. She was every bit beautiful, and he wouldn't exaggerate that she was the most attractive within miles. He was most certainly attracted to her, and he knew he wasn't the only one. On multiple occasions he had seen the way Poe looked at her when she didn't notice. He had hoped it was merely a look of astonishment or of respect since she was a Jedi; the only living Jedi around. But the more he watched Poe, the more he knew something more was already in the makes of brewing. Klara seemed naïve-inexperienced when it came to love. She was completely oblivious to the ogling eyes that followed her as if they were love struct. He had thought she was simply ignoring them at first, but upon closer inspection, he assumed the later, that she was indeed not aware.

"I'm not ready." He softly heard her speak, breaking his thoughts.

Gar moved forward and kneeled in front of her. He placed his hands on top of hers that were resting on her thighs. "Take your time, I'll be here for you. I can walk you there if you need me too." He didn't get a response from her aside from a failed small smile she tried to put forth. He stared at his hands that were atop of hers. She had yet to move her hands away. Suddenly, a drop of wetness fell upon his hand, and he immediately looked up to see her shedding some tears, most likely not the first of the day. Should he wipe her tears away? Should he make that move? Finding the courage, he rose his hand and she immediately stiffened as she watched him, making him hesitate and rethink his actions. Before he could place his hand on her delicate cheek, the whoosh of the entrance to the med bay startled her away slightly, her gaze now on the interruption. He followed her gaze to find Poe with a blank look before it fazed into a hard look directed at him. It was a look that was meant to say: back off. Gar sighed, stepping away from Klara to finish putting away his materials. He would have his time with her and hopefully uninterrupted.

"Hey, we were concerned when we didn't see you there with everyone else." Poe spoke softly, as he approached her.

She smiled upon seeing him. "I know. It's just hard."

Poe offered his hand to her. "I will be there with you every step of the way." He smiled reassuringly.

There was something about Poe that made her body immediately respond as she took his hand and let her guide her without a second thought. She paused at the entrance and turned to Gar, "Thank you again Gar, for patching me up. Without you, I'd have several more scars."

"Of course, Klara." He replied.

There was something about his expression that irked her as she let Poe lead her, hand in hand, to Han's Lament. Did she disappoint him somehow?

Her thoughts on the matter quickly dissipated as they finally entered the hall with the rest of the Resistance. She paused, anxiety running through her veins as a lump formed in her throat, the grief threatening to take place in front of everyone. She felt pressure on her hand that had still been rested within Poe's, and stifled her gaze in his direction. Again, his smile brought some reassurance to her to proceed forward.

Leia and a few other officials were on a podium. Leia stepped forward.

"Han fancied himself a scoundrel." Leia started solemnly. "But he wasn't. He loved freedom-for himself, certainly, but for everyone else in the galaxy too. And time after time, he was willing to fight for that freedom. He didn't want to know the odds in the fight-because he already made up his mind that he'd prevail. And time after time, somehow he did."

Not this time.

Her attention to the rest of Leia's speech faded as she was so desperately fighting the urge to cry, to lash out, to do something reckless. She would not hate Ben. She wouldn't. But she was starting to realize that maybe Ben was unsavable. That he was a lost cause. She tried to hold on to that hope for Leia, for her son, but it was beginning to become difficult. She felt an arm wrap around her shoulder expecting it to be Poe but was surprised to find Jess being the one to embrace her. Upon looking at her face, her walls tumbled, those tears she desperately fought to hold in came cascading down her flushed cheeks. She immediately dove into Jess's embrace, unlatching her hand from Poe's. She needed to escape before she drew more attention on her and interrupted more of Leia's speech.

"Take me away." She whispered between her muffled cries to Jess. She only felt a nod above her head as she was directed away from the crowd.

At the time she didn't realize, but Jess and Poe were not the only ones that followed her out. Snap and Karé were also there with her, ushering words of comfort. She truly appreciated these people. Although they had only just met days ago, they were extremely friendly with her. She was unsure if it was simply because of sympathy or because they truly cared for her. This was something that only time would tell. After some time, they started to distract her with tales of their missions together. Most in which involved Poe making a dumb decision despite orders, that somehow usually ended up working for the better. Now that she thought of it, Poe kind of reminded her of Han. Both were reckless. Both did what they saw best. And both were simply hardheaded.

She smiled at the thought.

"Believe it or not, but Poe-boy here used to be a Spice Runner." Jess mentioned as she pointed her thumb accusingly at the person in question.

It seemed like it wasn't news the squadron since she was the only one who had their mouth open in disbelief. Poe? A Spice Runner? Poe had been a smuggler?

She laughed. And she couldn't stop laughing.

In fact, she was probably laughing too much, and she wouldn't doubt they were concerned at her hysteria. Once her laughter died down, she wiped away the tears that had developed from her intense laughter. "You? A Spice Runner?" She laughed out again.

Poe enjoyed her laughter. He didn't expect her to break out laughing the way she did. Even though it was directed at him, it still didn't stop the way his heart did a double beat within his flesh. After the days that followed their initial meeting, he was unsure if he ever heard her laugh. To be fair, since their meeting there had not been a lot to laugh about. He had seen her cry more times than he was sure she liked. "Don't remind me about it." He grumbled out but had a smile on his face.

After some time, the others left to go rest. It had been a long day for all of them and much rest was needed. Poe, however, stayed. Which worked out in her benefit since she had yet to tell him about their assignment.

"Hey." She spoke out softly.

Poe shifted his focus to her. "Hey." He replied with a smirk growing on his face.

She shoved her shoulder into him playfully, knowing he was trying to be a wise ass. They had been sitting side by side on the ground at the edge of the hanger. The sky was currently dark, indicating it was nighttime. The night sky was littered with distant stars.

"We have to retrieve a Holocron from Canto Bight." Klara stated.

"We?" Poe questioned as he returned his gaze back to the night sky.

"Leia told me to bring you."

There was a moment of pause.

"I hate that place." He groaned out.

Klara chuckled. "Me too."

"But I guess for you, I'll go."

Klara could hear a smile form from his words. Somehow that was possible to hear. What Poe didn't know was that Klara was blushing from his last words as she continued to gaze at the night sky.

Among those stars, her father was out there somewhere.


Hi there! Thank you for patiently waiting for the next update :)

This is the final installment to the Solo Lament 3 parter. So onward to the next chapters.

A couple things:

1. Leia's speech is not my own words.

2. The interaction between Luke and Hennix is not mine (taken from extended universe)

3. Hennix, Tai, and Voe are not mine. They are also from the extended universe.

4. In case you forgot: Kriff/Kriffing is basically the F-bomb

5. I am so unoriginal (I know, I suck haha) and will be taking an idea of a plot from the Star Wars game: Fallen Order. If you know what plot I am talking about then you know lol. If not, well then, might I add that Fallen Order was a beautiful masterpiece!