...

Their arrival on Onderon was uneventful. They passed through the security checks in orbit quickly. The name Kavar was a powerful one on this planet. Lukas was happy for that.

Instead of landing in the middle of docks like he expected they were directed to one of the private docks. It was close to the palace. As they came in for a landing Lukas stood at Kavar's shoulder giving him a clear view of the docks. Below them were several security personnel. There was a woman in special clothes. If he had to guess that was the Queen.

Once they landed he powered down the ship. Then Kavar stood brushing his hands down his robes. Briefly a hand touched his lightsaber clipped at his belt.

Kavar said after a moment, "I'll get my bag. Are you ready to face our welcoming party?"

Lukas gave a quick pat down of his clothes before nodding. Kavar eyed momentarily before he turned to head to his own rooms. Lukas went straight for the ram to wait. Only a few moments later Kavar joined him.

Kavar pressed a button lowering the ramp. Lukas was briefly blinded by the bright sunlight of the day. When his vision cleared he saw the royal guard. A man in Mandalorian armor was the first to catch Lukas's eye. On the armor was the crest of the Queen where there should have been a clan crest.

XIII was a tall human male, nearly six and a half feet tall with light muscle underneath the armor. Hanging from his belt was a familiar lightsaber. A scar was over the right side of his cheek. Lukas remembered the battle he received it in. It was the same battle Lukas received a large scar across his back. From a vibroblade.

Grey blue eyes met Lukas's own blue eyes recognition flaring within them. A crooked smile crossed the other's face. XIII bent his neck slightly in difference to Lukas. Despite being a higher rank XIII almost always looked to him for guidance.

Then his old friend looked at Kavar who Lukas stood just to the left of the man. Confusion was evident across his face. Then his head turned to the side of in curiosity. Lukas returned the signal with a shrug. Nonverbally they communicated that things were well but he didn't know much more than that.

Suddenly the guard took large steps backwards. Kavar led Lukas to stand in front the guards. The younger man stood half a step behind the master and just to the left. It was enough to show that he was not the other's equal but neither was he too far beneath him. The way a padawan would stand beside their master.

A woman in biege robes her hood lowered revealing brown hair on her head. Green eyes held a happiness that he was unused to seeing. They were solely focused on Kavar as she made her way over.

To her left right in step with her was a man he recognized easily. Commander Vaklu a resistance fighter that had served beside Lukas and XIII.

Vaklu's lined face broke out into a smile. Black hair was slicked back out of the man's grey eyes. He wore light battle armor with the royal crest on its shoulder. A vibroblade was strapped onto his side and a pair of blasters pistols strapped to his thighs.

Per Onderonian tradition Lukas bowed to the man. It was a small bow of respect that acknowledged his position above the younger man. Then he spun on his heel to face Queen Talia.

Once he faced the Queen he stepped forward. Then Lukas bowed low, much lower than to Vaklu. Bring up his dominant hand to his abdomen he flipped it so that the palm was up. A sign of respect and loyalty towards the Queen herself.

For a moment he waited for her response, to his surprise she greeted formally, "Well met, Jedi. I see you know our traditions surprising given your youth," then to Kavar she greeted much warmer than to Lukas, "Master Kavar welcome back."

Kavar smiled gently, "Thank you for allowing Lukas to join me here in the palace."

Talia sighed, "I don't like this Kavar. However I will respect your decision. Padawan Lambert I expect you to follow the rules of the palace. General Vaklu will inform you of them."

Vaklu said stiffly, "Of course. General Lambert it has been quite some time since we met. You are well?"

Several soldiers stiffened in surprise and a few tried to get a better look at him. XIII stood stock still but there was a twitch of his lip. A clear sign of his amusement. Lukas wanted to flip him off as he would have done before. It would be inappropriate here. He would talk to his friend later.

Kavar turned to his a flash of surprise in his blue eyes, "General?"

Lukas shrugged, "It was Revan's idea. He saw me a leader he could trust. So he gave me the position that I never wanted."

Vaklu said calmly, "You saved many lives by your actions. Including my own."

Lukas rubbed the back of his neck as he said, "I was just doing what I could."

There was a new light in everyone's eyes now. They were no longer bored. If anything he was being appraised even by Kavar. It made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He would have to be careful from now on.