Luke and the gang all belong to George Lucas. Bow down in homage. I will not make an Imperial credit out of this story. Please be kind. This is my first fic.
Chapter 12 - Imprints in the Sands
The twin suns blazed down on the baking hot sands. No green was visible in this parched earth. Miles and miles of golden dunes shifted and shaped with the centuries. Endless desert and deep rocky canyons formed the harsh world. It was a hardy and tenacious people which lived and died in the ever present glare of those two shining orbs. Tatooine had an inexplicable and austere beauty. The rugged landscape of rock and sand filled the soul of the weary traveller returning to the place of her origins. Here she would die.
Mos Eisley was unchanged. Dirty, gritty and dangerous. A nexus of hyperspace shipping routes making the spaceport a stopping off point for traders, bounty hunters and smugglers She had to be out of here before darkness fell. Catching a localised transport shuttle she managed to get to Anchorhead. The place hadn't improved with the years. The dusty unpaved streets were deserted, a general feeling of neglect pervaded the atmosphere. For the first time in weeks Maija closed her eyes and let her force sense take over. This was home, this had always been home.
A single speeder passed, then nothing but silence and the knowledge of time passing. It was time to move. She managed to get a lift with a trader who'd deliveries to make at Bestine township. Bestine managed to make Anchorhead look like the big city, it was nothing but a run down cantina, a general store and a garage. A few pitiable dwellings emerged from the sand, but no life was visible in the glare of day. Closing her eyes she removed the traders knowledge of ever taking a lone human to Bestine, then borrowed a landspeeder from the garage owner. He found her familiar, then forgot about her. Maija was tired. Altering memories was draining and she wasn't force strong no matter what her grandfather had said.
Merdom Darklighter heard the whine of the engine approaching and lifted a tanned face to squint into the distance.
"Kendra, Kendra", he spoke urgently " we got a visitor"
The small woman in the subterranean courtyard turned a worried face to her husband as he stood topside. Most homes belonging to moisture farmers on Tatooine were below ground where it was cooler and safer from attacking sand people.
"Can you see who it is, it's not Imperial is it?"
"I don't think so, it looks like a human version of a sandperson all done up in strips of cloth."
The speeder stopped beside the techdome and the repulsor craft wobbled as the figure climbed wearily out. The only part of the visitor visible was a pair of huge dark eyes. She pulled the covering from her face and Merdom gasped.
"Kendra!" he yelled. "Kendra! Get up here - Now!" as his niece pitched forward in a dead faint.
Down in the Darklighter's solar (general living room) Kendra sat and wiped the forehead of her niece with a damp cloth. Her husband paced the room worry etched on his square jawed face.
"I'm sorry Aunt Ken. I've not been well recently, so they've sent me home. I got in the way of an Imperial Prototype blaster".
Kendra shut her eyes in prayer "Maija, why can't you be careful child. We don't want to lose you too."
Merdom continued to pace. His wife fussed over the girl lovingly and a small empty part of her soul filled again. "Come on wokling, bed for you".
" Uncle Mer. I'm sorry to put you at risk, but it's vital that no-one knows I'm here. This is still enemy territory and I'm a New Republic officer after all. I even spied for the alliance when I was an Imperial and if I'm discovered I'd be executed and so would you for harbouring a criminal and a traitor.
"It will be fine honey, don't worry. We're isolated out here and very few people visit. We're only glad that you felt you could come to us."Merdom added.
Kendra helped Maija to her feet and put her to bed in her old room, with a sedative while her husband contacted one of the local healers he felt he could trust.
A few hours later Rekk Stivra arrived. An intriguing little man almost as round as he was tall. He had no political affiliation as such, but had known the Darklighter family since Maija had been very small. On the pretext that his wife had hurt her foot Merdom had called on his services and now watched as the rotund medic examined Maija. Some of the probes had started to move and were making for her vital internal organs. They were not metal objects but reminded you of small computer chips pre-programmed to do as much harm as possible.
"I'll have to operate Merdom. She knows it and has given her consent. I won't get all of them out this time, but I can get enough out to remove the immediate danger. She should really be at the medicentre".
"No Rekk that's impossible. We are grateful to see you here as it is. Kendra has bound up her foot and has affected a very convincing limp should anyone decide to call. But Maija is a New Republic Officer and although you are not involved in this struggle, helping an enemy of the occupying force doesn't sound good. Doctor or no Doctor. We would understand if you refused to treat Maija, but we hope you won't do that."
"I'm a healer Merdom and I want to do my job. I'm not about to tell anyone that Maija is here. I've known her since her parents first left her with you."
Much of the war against the Empire had passed by Tatooine and a garrison of stormtroopers had been in place since the murder of the Lars family, just before Biggs had died. Their nephew Luke had also disappeared and it was thought that he'd died too, or been taken away by the Empire into it's service. Rumour did have it that he was still alive and had returned to Tatooine about the time that Jabba the Hutt had met his end, but the Darklighters didn't have faith in that fable. Biggs hadn't come back. A scrawled message had come to them telling of his bravery and they'd been left to mourn. Gavin had also gone to join the fight, but they knew that he was still living. Huff had seen him on Tatooine several weeks ago. He'd been in Imperial Uniform one day and desert robes the next. He'd wandered past Huff's business offices a few times, nodded once at his uncle and then had left on a transport ship for an unknown destination.
Luke had returned to Tatooine. This place was in his blood and once he'd been desperate to leave he was now always glad to return. He'd taken Artoo with him and had set up home in Ben's hut on the edge of the Dune Sea. A voice echoed in his head "The Jundland Wastes are not to be travelled lightly". Luke smiled ruefully. He missed the crazy old man, the architect of his hopes and dreams.
Darkness fell as the two suns sank behind the cliffs Luke prepared himself to visit a family and open memories that might be painful for them. He dressed in his black tunic and pants, covered them with his cloak and left Ben's hut in the landspeeder. Artoo remained left plugged into the power outlet.
The alarms from the outer boundaries went off first. Merdom and Kendra both jumped. He raced to the view screen, if it was sandpeople there were few of them. Then the sound of a lone speeder could be heard. Kendra grabbed the macrobinoculars from her belt and threw them towards her husband. "I'll check on Maija, she should be asleep and remove any evidence of her things." She picked up a dark green robe and her bundle of belongings which had been left in the solar.
Merdom had gone topside and waited anxiously in the dark. The speeder stopped and a lithe black figure jumped to the dusty ground and walked towards the waiting farmer.
It was a young man dressed in black, clear blue eyes like the skies over their heads and sandy blonde hair. "I know you" Merdom gasped. The reality filtered into his confused mind. "We thought you were dead, killed these last seven or so years. How can this be?"
He called to his wife who had been hovering out of sight down below with one eye on Maija's room across the courtyard. The Darklighters were stunned to see Luke , still alive and grown to manhood. There was a serenity and maturity about him that had been missing before and they welcomed him into their home once more after many years.
Luke explained to the couple the reason for his visit and gave them the plaque with the citation. "I owe my life to your Nephew Ma'am. I was with him when he died."
Kendra took the award and with tears in her brown eyes thanked him. Merdom gruffly added his own thanks as he clasped the younger man's hand.
He told them a little of his escape from Tatooine after he had discovered the bodies of his family and how he had met up with Biggs. But left out far more than he put in. "We flew together for the rebellion. They were so desperate for pilots that they took raw farmboys and put them in an X-Wing. I'm still flying for the New Republic now that they are in Government on Coruscant, but I'd earned some leave of absence and because I'd known you all they asked if I would deliver this. I know you'd prefer to have Biggs back, we all would but that isn't possible. His efforts saved a lot of lives and I for one am grateful."
The Darklighters looked at the boy, no, the man in front of them. He had been a nice lad, pleasant, naive and reckless in the way that a lot of boys his age had been. Owen Lars had worked him very hard and had kept him well away from most of the kids in town, only Biggs had really been accepted by the Lars as a companion for a rather lonely Luke and they'd bonded very much like brothers.
"I'm spending time on Tatooine to lay my ghosts and make peace with my past. If at all possible I won't be visiting Anchorhead, but I will visit my old home. Apparently I'm on the Empire's books as a wanted man and there still is a price on my head, so if anyone asks - You haven't seen me."
"Of course Luke, you can take that as read. My wife and I really appreciate you taking the risk.", he lowered his voice a little. "She gets a little depressed now and again and although there are tears in her eyes now, she will be smiling in the morning".
Luke left the couple not long after that. They had welcomed him with open arms, but had been very nervous. Something was upsetting them. It could have been a visit from me, he thought, but there was something else I could sense their uneasiness. I have this feeling, a buzzing sensation in my brain - a familiar presence.
As Luke turned and walked towards the speeder the watching Darklighters sensed him growing in power. They blinked and the feeling was gone. He turned to wave and it was the boy they remembered..
"All those years and losses do take their toll on a person" Kendra remarked thoughtfully. "Beru loved that boy, as if he'd been her own and Owen did too, it's just that he was so hard on the boy, too hard most of the time. Luke never got a chance to stretch his wings, he was kept very close to home, worked harder on the farm than any of the other kids his age. I suppose he would have eventually followed Biggs to the Academy. Beru once said that Owen was afraid for him and didn't want him to go and it caused a lot of arguments between Luke and Owen. When they were killed he had nothing to stay for".
"I guess Luke would rather have his family alive. He did seem different, but a lot has happened to him, he's grown into a good looking young man. He was a natural pilot when he was younger. Owen always complained about him banging up that T16 he had and he now flies for the Alliance. I wonder if his name is down on that Empire's most wanted list"
"Mer Darklighter, how dare you"
"I don't know Ken, but him arriving so soon after Maija is making me real jittery".
As he spoke he tapped into the data base and found the requisite file it was a favoured one, a popular show on the holoproj had been running for years on the very same subject. "Yup, here it is. Whew!, that's some sum of credits they want for him. Kendra peered at the screen. They want him alive Merdom. Why would such an insignificant boy warrant such an amount and for him living?"
"Well, he's obviously on the level I wonder if he was involved in blowing up that huge space station we heard about"
"He's just a boy, why would he be involved in that".
Luke lay on his bed and stretched out with the force. The Darklighters had seemed anxious and afraid and Luke wanted to help them if he could. Was it because a rebel had put them in danger. No - something else troubled them and the disquieting sense of a force strong presence very near by.
Force Strong! He jerked into a sitting position. It couldn't be. It just couldn't......but it was. It was the same sense he had touched that last time on Coruscant. Funny he'd always felt that he'd known her, it must be the sand in their veins. That had been a comment of Wedge's when anyone from Tatooine had got together There must be a link to Tatooine and the Darklighters. Gavin had mentioned his cousin, but Luke had assumed he was talking about Biggs. That would be why Gavin had been so keen to get involved with looking after her when she'd been in the medicentre. Gavin had never by a word or facial expression indicated that he was related to Maija. Was this because there was bad feeling between them, or had he not known who she was. No, that was silly because he had been hovering around Maija in the ballroom and had been anxious to help. Then why....? he shook his head. He'd get answers later.
He quickly arose and threw on his clothes and returned to the Darklighter farm. This time he didn't set off the boundary alarms. Being a Jedi had it's uses.
The farm was ablaze with lights the family were still up. Their droid came to the door when he activated the door. I'm sorry the Master and his wife are unab...." Not as prissy as Threepio Luke thought as he shut the droid off with the force. He walked across the courtyard until he came to a door and opened it.
"Commander....." Maija whispered as their eyes met and a startled awareness of each other flared into life.
Kendra stared at him fixedly in shock as he walked into Maija's chamber picked up her niece and lifted her into the bed. Luke silenced the family with his eyes. "Go and have a rest, I'll sit with her until she falls asleep" He put persuasive force tones into his voice and they did as he said. Maija glared at him, impotently weak from the bed.
It was evident to his eyes that her condition was worsening. He stretched out with the force and finally understood what the ZX3 Pryon blaster was capable of doing.
"The local healer Medic Stivra removed about twenty small probes from my body several days ago Sir, but he says there are still more dormant. We need access to a medisensor, but only the Imperial clinic has a portable one and obviously I cannot go there."
"Ssh, calm down Lieutenant. I'll do a little Jedi healing on you and then we'll see about that sensor. I cannot let you die. I owe you one." Maija finally relaxed and a sensation of peace stole around her. Luke watched her as she closed her eyes, the dark lashes fluttering down on her smooth cheeks.
"I can wait, my lady and you won't be calling me Sir".
"Maija knows him Merdom, she knows him. There was this shocked expression on her face, which went even whiter than it already is and she called him 'Commander'."
"Commander " her husband echoed. "I suppose that would explain the size of the price on his head. Now that's not quite what I expected of young Luke. He was the kind of kid that could have met his end splattered on a canyon wall. He's obviously done well for himself"
"Mer, who is Luke Skywalker? the farmboy who visited us yesterday, just an ordinary pilot on leave or the man who walked in past all our sensors and our protocol droid unannounced. A Commander in the Alliance forces with a price on his head bigger than anything I've ever seen. Mer - he was totally different just now. The last time, he was just playing a part. I got the impression of great power and hidden strength and he picked Maija up and carried to her bed as if she weighed nothing."
"Maybe I should call the Governor".
"No Merdom, you can't do that. Luke hasn't deceived us, he's said he is a pilot for the Alliance and we have to believe him. Maija is a code encryptor for the Alliance and they've worked together. He was Biggs' best friend and he knows Gavin too. Maybe they fly in the same squadron. All our family has left the Empire to fight for the Alliance and we would too if we could. We have to trust him."
Merdom nodded finally convinced that he could do no more, but he was a little suspicious. "He's a very highly ranked pilot if that is all he is".
Luke entered the solar warily and sat in front of the older couple. They gazed at each other in heavy silence. Merdom stood up and walked to the back of the room and turned his back on them, his shoulders heaved as a great sigh left him.
The young Jedi glanced quickly at the couple, blue eyes shrewdly assessing the situation and weighed up what to tell them. "What I told you is the truth. I'm a pilot for the New Republic and I fly in an X-Wing Squadron. Gavin's in the same group, although he's been undercover elsewhere recently, but he's on Coruscant at the moment."
"But Maija called you Commander" Kendra said.
"When we were fighting the Empire in the early days a lot of very good men and women were killed. Flying in combat is a young man's game and promotion is often quick and painful. I've been lucky and I suppose I'm on borrowed time in an X-WIng, but it's been my duty since the Empire killed everything I held dear."
Merdom was impressed. He didn't want to be, but he was. 'Owen would have been proud of the boy' he thought. But he's not just any old pilot, no matter what he's telling us.
"Finding Maija here was pure chance you know, coincidence, that's all. I did know she hadn't been well and I owe her a favour. I think I could help you get hold of a medisensor if your healer is willing to tell me what he knows" Luke smiled. He was here on Tatooine and he had the beautiful girl he'd been trying to understand unable to run away from him. Things were looking up.
He cast back into the shadows of his memory and remembered a handsome young couple visiting Owen and Beru with a baby. Owen and the man had argued and the couple had left, but Luke had only been about three years old. Was that baby Maija? She'd certainly grown up nicely if a shade secretive. But now he needed to help her recover she was too useful to the alliance if she was force strong.
Chapter 13 - Sandstorm calmed
Dawn stole over the sky as the two suns rose ascending into the blue. Luke stood and gazed into the azure sky his mind busy. Artoo beeped a query behind him.
"It's all right Artoo, I've just had some things on my mind".
The little droid let out a stream of whistles over a two-octave range and rotated his little domed head. He was not happy about something.
"I'll get some sleep later, I appreciate the concern but don't worry I'm fine. You know I can catch up on sleep anytime. Fancy some lightsaber practice I need to clear my head and it's not too hot at the moment".
The droid whistled mournfully, slid aside the panel on top of his head and activated the remote. Luke ignited the saber and the green blade hissed into life.
Back on the Darklighter's moisture farm the family were trying not to appear too curious about Luke or Commander Skywalker, as Merdom kept calling him with a deliberate air of whimsy. Maija was very closemouthed about him, as if calling him Commander had betrayed his identity. She had been entrusted to protect his life and now he was responsible for hers and if the truth be told, she was rather in awe of the handsome rebel Commander. All she'd said was that he was in charge of Gavin's squadron and that he was a very able pilot, which rather frustrated her Aunt's desire to know more. In fact, Maija had said even less about her own work with the New Republic. Had she always been as secretive as this or had she learned to guard her tongue and her emotions at a very young age?
He'd been to visit her every single day, often for only minutes, but he'd popped his tousled head inside her chamber, thrown a remark at her, which she had greeted with a certain amount of suspicion and had left to speak to Merdom. However a fragile trust was growing tentatively between them. Not that Maija would have admitted this to anyone, even herself. But Luke Skywalker made her feel and for the first time in her life that was frightening.
"I'm concerned about her rate of recovery it's almost as if she doesn't want to get well. She's very weak and is in no shape to defend herself should the need arise." Luke stated firmly. "Knowing my track record, the need will arise. I think I've seen the inside of every sickbay the Alliance possesses."
"Can we get this sensor?" asked Kendra.
"I think we might manage it if Medic Stivra knows the location of one".
"The local Imperial Garrison has a well equipped centre, but none of the locals are ever given the use of facilities and I'm sure they have a small portable one. I was invited once on a tour by the original commander of the Garrison, but he was killed during some incident about seven or eight years ago, bout same time your folks were killed young Luke."
"I'll need two days then." decided Luke. "If Maija is in no immediate danger?" He stared at the others, blue eyes steady. "It will have to be the Mos Eisley Imperial Training Centre', the office in Anchorhead is just that - an office. There's a small Cantina not far from the gates. I'll meet you there after sunset and you be on hand Medic Stivra to do any surgery that's needed once we return. Too bad we can't 'borrow' a Bacta tank as well" he grinned, all of a sudden looking eighteen again.
Merdom was amazed. This young man looked as if he actually relished the idea of waltzing into an Imperial stronghold.
"It's ok sir, I've done this kind of thing before" Luke confidently declared to the older man's unspoken thought. Merdom blinked in surprise at having his thoughts divined. This boy was turning out to have qualities and skills none of them had ever suspected he'd possessed. Perhaps that wasn't quite correct, because Biggs had certainly had faith in his friend's abilities. They'd all thought that Luke had followed Biggs around, now Merdom wasn't so sure. Biggs had known that his friend was wasted on Tatooine, the dusty streets of Bestine and Anchorhead were limiting to his talents. But in these days past young Luke had been a bit of joke with his Anchorhead peers, an outsider. Biggs had never felt that way about his friend, and the others had eventually accepted Luke because Biggs had.
Two days later Merdom walked into Huff Darklighter's office. The wealthy trader maintained an office in Anchorhead and one in Mos Eisley. Huff's jaw had dropped when Merdom had walked into the one on Mos Eisley.
"What in the name of the Jawas are you doing here?"
"I've a little business to do with the farm and I've been putting it off, you know I hate this place. But" he drawled the word thoughtfully. "Kendra's hurt her foot and I needed to replace the general medical supplies, I've been a bit remiss about things lately."
"It's not bad?" Huff queried.
Merdom shook his head. "Nah, but we took a look at supplies and thought we were running low on certain items. There was actually another reason."
His tone sobered and he looked around. "Can we talk here in complete confidence. There are no hidden holocamms? If there are I want them switched off. This would not be in your best interests if it got out."
Huff pressed a switch on his desk. "We can talk now brother."
"I heard that you saw Gavin on Tatooine recently in Imperial uniform. Well, he is actually still with the alliance, but was working undercover. I had a visit last week from a young man who'd flown with Biggs and now flies with Gavin".
Huff sat down and distress showed briefly on his tanned face. The loss of his son was an ever-present source of sorrow. Even more because they had been at odds with each other and Biggs had died before they were reconciled.
"The young man, I cannot give his name, told me that Biggs had saved his life and gave us a plaque on behalf of the New Republic to honour the bravery of your son. He also said that Biggs loved you, especially as he knew how alike you were."
Huff put his head in his hands and cried. Merdom had never seen his brother so vulnerable, but he knew that Huff appreciated the news.
"Thankyou Merdom. You've just given Biggs back to me as my son. I always loved him and knew that he loved me, but so many things got in the way."
He took out an enormous white handkerchief and mopped his still streaming eyes.
"Do you want to use the apartment tonight? (Huff maintained a small apartment above his offices for his own occasional use. Family members used it if they came to Mos Eisley on business.) I would recommend that you do, as there's a military curfew on at present and the Tusken Raiders would still be abroad by the time you neared Bestine."
"Thankyou Brother I appreciate this." The two men embraced, closer than they had been for years, then separated, once more the wily trader and the simple moisture farmer.
"Come on. Let's go and share a meal. Lahna will always welcome another mouth." (Lahna was Huff's second wife and mother of his second chance family.)
Jedi Luke Skywalker moved out of the shadows and briefly into the light of a passing swoop rider. He'd spent the past two days scouting round the garrison and finding out what he could. Returning to the room he'd taken in a back street boarding house, he planned his little sortie to 'borrow' the medisensor.
The Imperial Centre at Mos Eisley sat behind a high fortress like wall and a force field. Though security problems were far from the local Imperial's mind, because he'd left it switched off the day Luke was calling. Merdom had gone to visit Huff and would arrive at the cantina in two hours.
Luke changed from his dusty white desert clothes into his customary black tunic and Jedi robe. For the first time since he had returned to Tatooine he affixed his lightsaber to its customary place on his belt. He was now complete.
The noise in the cantina was as usual: loud. It also was hoachingly busy. Merdom Darklighter took a seat in a dimly lit corner. The whole place was dimly lit, he just chose a spot darker than most. A serving droid shuffled up to him and took his order. Luke would show up soon he hoped. I'm trusting a boy barely past his majority to lead me in an act of theft. He shook his head and tried to see the bottom of his glass through his lomin-ale. Next to him a gotal tried to lurch unsteadily to his feet. There were all types in the cantina, all shapes, sizes and species. The horizon seemed to be a raucous one filled with arms, feelers and tentacles. A couple of white armoured stormtroopers wandered in, rifles prominently displayed. Merdom ducked his head towards his drink and closed his eyes in what seemed to be prayer. Aw Sith he wasn't cut out for this, he was too old and too scared. Where was that boy? He angrily staggered to his feet.
"My good Sir, I think you've been over-indulging rather much. A successful days trade?"
Merdom swung round squinting warily into the blue watchful eyes of Luke Skywalker. Dressed completely in black he blended into the shadows like the nightwing did. This man was a frightening stranger, not the Luke Skywalker he'd known of old or even in the last few days. Power flowed from his muscular frame, his mind keen and focused on the coming task. The gotal next to Merdom clutched his head in pain.
Luke hustled Merdom out a back door into the strangely silent alleyway. The older man sighed with relief.
"You really put the frightens on me there, boy. I thought you were a stormtrooper."
Luke smiled briefly, his teeth gleaming white in the dark Cimmerian night.
"No. I've been getting a feel for the atmosphere. It's important in my line of work. I forgot about the Gotal. With any luck he'll have been too drunk to notice."
'What about the Gotal?' Merdom wondered as he tried to catch up with a suddenly energised Luke. This young man had changed again. He strode towards the Imperial Centre, black robes streaming behind him. Merdom caught sight of something silvery at his belt. It was the first time he'd seen Skywalker carry any form of weapon. What was it - A blaster, a laser pistol?
"Here, catch!" Luke threw something at Merdom. The farmer grabbed something soft and dark - a robe. Black, like the one Luke had on. "Now just follow my lead and stay silent", the kid was issuing orders as if he really was a New Republic Commander. "Oh, and Sir, you'd better take this, I won't need it." He handed the older man a wickedly effective looking blaster.
"But what will you use?"
Luke smiled in the gloom. "This", he said indicating the silver cylinder affixed to his belt.
'By the waters of Tatooine' Young Skywalker was......a Jedi.
"Are you coming in with me or do you want to wait outside?"
"I'm coming in. I haven't seen the inside of an Imperial Centre since Gavin left. He looked down at dusty brown boots. "They invited some of our family members for questioning when he disappeared. His father knew why he'd gone, but Gavin hadn't told him when he was going or exactly where. We were questioned when Biggs died and when Maija disappeared from the Empire. So I've seen the detention area several times and I'd like to see the medical wing."
"Maija worked for the Empire", Luke queried in shock.
"She hasn't told you? Ah well, she must have her reasons"
'She must have indeed. Perhaps Leia was right after all' he thought. But enough on this. There was a piece of equipment the Empire wanted him to have and all he had to do was collect it. Hand on saber, with Merdom trailing behind him Luke moved to the Entrance to the outer compound.
The courtyard entrance contained transport vehicles such as speeder bikes and small shuttles. A couple of unattended dewbacks keened mournfully in a corner. The floor had been overlayed with the Empire's favourite grey duracrete, but like everything on Tatooine the inevitable sand had made it as pale and washed out as the rest of the planet. White sandstone walls loomed on either side of the young Jedi and his accomplice, but he took no notice and kept striding towards the buildings at the far end. They then passed into some sort of hangar bay or general workshop area. Techs worked busily on sand clogged repulsor craft and an abandoned AT-ST slept against a wall. It was also covered in sand.
No one took the least notice of the two figures, it was as if they were invisible as they made their way through the mechanical debris. The strange phenomenon of a highly localised sandstorm had covered everything in fine gritty dust. It had got into everything and now none of the mechanical vehicles worked properly. They ground to a halt choking sandy fumes. The techs worked frantically into the night and the two figures walked straight by them.
When they reached the buildings Luke made for a turbolift. The doors swooshed shut behind them and the older man turned a bewildered face to the Jedi.
"The force can create diversions or screens for those who know. You can even use nature; the force is all around us. Just keep calm and everything will be fine".
Merdom actually found himself relaxing as Luke spoke softly. "We head out here and there should be little short cut....ah.... there it is. See the ventilation shaft along there...... we go in that way. It should take us out just beside the medical wing."
They crawled carefully through the artificial tunnel as stale air whistled past them. Merdom's heart sank as a metal grille barred their way. It was bolted on to the shaft, there was no way past. But the Jedi ignited his lightsaber and the brilliant green blade hissed to life, Merdom was mesmerised. He'd only seen one in action many, many years ago, and marvelled as it sliced carefully through the grille which Merdom watched Luke remove.
They stepped out into a grey corridor. The walls, the floor and the ceiling were the uniform drabness that the Empire favoured for military installations. Luke replaced the grille and with any luck no one would notice it was loose.
Maija woke sweat dripping off her. "Aunt Ken! - Where is my Uncle?"
Kendra raced to her nieces chamber. "What is it...sweetheart?"
The girl sat upright staring into the half-lit room as if trying to see that which was not there. Panic flitted across her face. The bedclothes had fallen to the floor in a heap and her hair had somehow come undone from the usual tight braid, which Kendra had plaited. It was too hot for her hair to be loose. She turned her flushed, shiny face towards her aunt, her eyes wide.
"Where is Uncle Mer, where is he?" she'd begun to sob, little hiccups of sound.
"He's gone to Mos Eisley to have a word with Uncle Huff about something".
"Is the Commander with him?"
Kendra looked away, looking like a woolly Buwatu in her confusion.
"He is!" her voice rose. She shut her eyes and furiously sent a shout through the force then collapsed on to the bed completely drained. Kendra didn't know what to do, was Maija delirious? Worriedly she fetched a cloth and sponged Maija's face. The temperature rocketed off the girl.
The force scream bellowed in Luke's mind, alerted he turned saber lit. Immediately two shots deflected off the brilliant green blade. "Stay back" he yelled and instantaneously deflected several more rapid laser beams. Two troopers fell dead and another one looked completely startled as his body cleaved into two separate halves.
He turned to Merdom "Get into the ventilation shaft, if anyone else passes .......shoot them. I'm going to collect the sensor"
"But Luke it's too dangerous".
"If we don't get it. Maija will die and I'm beginning to run up a big account in the I.O.U. stakes".
An alarm sounded shrill in the silence of the base and the sound of booted feet on metal floors echoed ever closer.
"I'll be fine". He took to his heels and raced out of sight. He'd started controlling the mind of the Garrisons Medical Officer a day earlier. Luke didn't like doing this, but it seemed to be the quickest way to get the equipment he needed. He banged on the keypad and the door slid open.
"I've come for the medisensor. It is sorely needed and we offer you many thanks"
The medic nodded, then handed over a black object about the size of a small computer. "It's never been used Jedi. As a healer I'm appalled at the command here who do not help the local people. You will return it?"
Luke smiled. "I will leave it at one of the local medstations and you can collect it. Now I'm going to remove your memories of this theft and me. The holocamms will also appear blank. No-one will ever be able to pin anything on you". He put his hands on the man's head and closed his eyes.
Luke sat back gasping, the effort had drained him more than he'd thought. The medic lay sleeping on one of his own repulsor couches. He pulled himself to his feet then nearly fell as his legs gave way. "Damn" he muttered. "Merdom will be acting like a caged Rancor if I don't show soon. He doesn't trust me fully as it is". Closing his eyes Luke felt through the force to gain strength from the living things around him. Tennenial Djo had once said "Nature cherishes the jai". He knew this for the truth.
"Luke" the voice was soft and sweet and far distant. He didn't recognise it. "Luke, take my strength, you have to get out of there".
He sighed and accepted. The feeling was familiar, but wasn't from Leia. Only one person had ever made him feel like that.
"Maija I cannot take your strength. You need it to help you heal."
"But Luke, if you do not come back. I have no strength. Take what little I have, my uncle needs you to get out alive. May the force be with you..... I am so.... tired......" The voice trailed off limply.
"Maija! Hold on." he sent the despairing cry back through the force to her.
A fresh wave of energy hit him and he made for the door. No one shot at him. The corridor was eerily silent. He peered cautiously around the doorframe. A squad of troopers approached, with any luck he could make the shaft before they saw him and Merdom started shooting. He bolted towards the shaft and saw Merdoms anxious face through the grille. He lept into the duct and Merdom replaced the metal. Just in time. The marching feet stomped past. They would get no joy from the Medical Officer.
"I thought you weren't coming back, what took you so long?"
"I had to do a little mind altering work, so we're not remembered.".
"I had to shoot two stormtroopers. They came with the three that you finished off. I haven't done that kind of thing since the clone wars. How d'ya do that thing with the saber?"
"Training", replied Luke. "Sssh... Follow me, we're getting out of here".
They followed the pipe for what seemed like miles. Merdom followed Luke blindly as the Jedi crawled along various passages for what must have been miles.
"No, I don't think we'll go that way. I've a feeling they've got guards posted at most conduit entrances. But they've forgotten about the very one I'm aiming for. This one leads out of the complex completely".
Another metal lattice barred the way, but Luke could hear sounds of Mos Eisley itself. Quickly he cut the grating with his saber and moved it out of the way.
"We've a bit of a drop, but if you trust me I'll levitate us down"
Merdom could only nod weakly. He felt very much out of his depth and the Jedi took this as agreement.
"But what about the energy field round the perimeter fence?"
"I took care of that earlier".
The Jawa could only stare as the two figures floated gently to the ground and disappeared into the darkness. He had to stop drinking at that cantina the ale there was obviously tainted. He'd give up drinking altogether.
Chapter 14 - The light that binds us
Rekk Stivra tottered out of Maija's chambers, pulling the mask from his mouth and nose. Kendra handed him a hot cup of stim tea and put her hand on his shoulder.
"We can only thank you for your help"she said.
"She's not out of the canyon yet, but we have most of the probes out. By the calculations of the sensor there are only two probes left in her body but they are too dangerous to move at this precise time. From treating your niece and observing the way that these things work it could be several months before these can be removed. In itself that is not a bad thing because it gives time for the rest of her body to heal."
Luke nodded his head thoughtfully. "If we are prepared for the event will it make the exercise simpler?"
"Possibly", replied the medic.
"If you feed the information onto a data disc I can install it into my Artoo unit. It can then be downloaded into Lieutenant Darklighter's medical files."
Merdom lifted his head. "Good idea Luke".
Kendra glanced quickly at her husband as he nursed his stim-tea. He looked as if he was in shock. What had happened in Mos Eisley? She placed a comforting arm around him and led him from the room.
"Mer sweetheart. You look tired. Go and lie down, the Commander and I will see Rekk out and keep an eye on Mai.
"He's a Jedi. I didn't know there were any left. But he walked us through a yard full of imperials and into their medicentre in plain view. Persuaded some medic to give us the sensor, forget about it, then calmly led me out through a maze of ventilation pipes."
Kendra went Hoth white. "A Jedi?" she queried. "Does he know....."
"No, I'm pretty sure he doesn't"
"But he suspects..... yes?"
"I don't know, I really don't know. But the coincidence is too much."
The couple sat side by side in silence each busy with their own thoughts. They heard the medic leave and a hush fall over the homestead. Kendra eased her husband into a prone position and covered him with a woven blanket. She smoothed his hair, kissed his brow and followed the medic's footsteps topside.
Luke stood alone watching as the medic Stivra's vehicle disappeared into the darkness. He felt alone. Was alone. The last of the Jedi standing motionless on a dustball of a planet at the edge of nowhere.
"Luke", the voice called him. Maija's aunt Kendra reminded him of Beru, the woman who had brought him up and loved him as her own son. She'd been there to allay his fears and comfort him. He'd had no-one to comfort him for a long time. No-one to just hold him when his mood grew dark. Leia had tried and she managed most of the time. How he'd existed without his twin he didn't know, but she had Han now as her prior claim. He had his responsibility and his heritage weighing him down.
"Luke!"
He turned to face the little brown eyed woman. The wind teased her salt and pepper hair. "Luke, you are welcome to stay the night. In fact the night is nearly over and it will be dawn soon. There are sandpeople about and it could be dangerous".
He raised an eyebrow. "I sent him to rest. He's stubborn like any moisture farmer"
Luke grinned tiredly. "I know the type".
"He still thinks he's twentyfive and he's not. You gave him a bit of a fright, although he won't admit it. What did you make him do, apart from crawling through an Imperial ventilation system?"
The young man sighed. "We ran into some stormtroopers. I'd hoped to get in and out without any encounters. It was doubly important that Merdom got in and out without meeting any. After all you live here and I don't want to get you into trouble. The Skywalker family haven't exactly been the best for the Darklighters."
He paused, heaved a sigh and admitted "Three of them got in the way of my lightsaber and he shot the other two. I think he's in shock. I know I was the first time things happened to me."
"Don't be like that Luke. Merdom will come to terms with it in a day or so. He's no rebel agent but he has no love for the Empire. Anyway we owe you for Maija's life."
"No you're wrong. I owe her."
"Come on, I think offering you a bed was a bit optimistic I think I see the dawn approaching. I'll get you some breakfast. Come on Luke - relax."
"I'll check some of those moisture vaporaters for Merdom I haven't forgotten all the skills I learned here as a boy. But if you don't mind I'll change into my old desert togs. This black is ok for sneaking into military installations, but not so good for working moisture vaporaters"
Laughing the pair of them descended into the subterranean courtyard.
Back on Coruscant Leia was finding it difficult to concentrate. It was two months since she had heard from her brother and though she would feel if anything bad had happened to him. She couldn't banish the feeling that he was mad at her about something, and the something was her former aide. Maija. He'd temporarily resigned his commission, had said to Mon Mothma he would be hunting Jedi historical records and had promptly disappeared. It hadn't helped that they'd quarrelled before he'd left.
Wedge thought he'd gone to Ossus and Miocene, but no-one on these planets had heard of him being there. Gavin had mentioned Bestine and Leia had frowned. That was where Maija was, but enquiries to Xenon at the base had also proved fruitless. Luke wasn't there, had never been there and the really worrying thing - Maija was not there either. She called General Xenon on the holo.
"Madam Organa Solo it is a pleasure to speak with you. How may I be of service?"
Xen Xenon's vigorous personality jumped off the screen. You felt that he was in the same room with you, eyebrows bristling.
"I'm looking for my brother - Commander Skywalker. I'd heard that he may have visited the station recently."
She felt his surprise, but no duplicity. "I'm sorry your Highness, but Commander Skywalker hasn't graced us with his presence since the last time the Rogues flew from here."
Leia floundered. She hated being at odds with Luke and couldn't ever remember a tiff lasting this long. "How is Lieutenant Maija coming along. No cause for concern I hope?"
Xenon shook his head. "Depends what you mean your Highness!. He replied rather frostily.
"If you have cause for concern we must be told".
"If you must know, your Highness I am concerned." He put in a little sarcastically "How could you transfer the girl to the opposite ends of the galaxy in such poor health. She collapsed several weeks ago and had to spend time in our medbay. I've sent her home to her people to get well,"
"What!" Leia shouted. "She was under suspicion of attempted murder and you've let her go wandering over the galaxy".
"My dear madam", he cut in. "That child couldn't have attacked a flower. She was in no physical shape to do so. By the time I let her go she resembled a walking corpse more than anything else and as for this ridiculous accusation about her being a potential threat to you. Complete and utter nonsense. The fact is - she's probably dying. Princess Organa Solo I am surprised at you." With a sharp click he cut the connection and Leia was left looking at a blank screen.
She put her head in her hands and rubbed her eyes. Luke could be in even greater danger than she'd thought. If she only knew where he was to apologise to and was Xen correct, was it all nonsense? Suppose Maija was dying and Leia was mistaken. She'd always worked so hard, had been there in every emergency and had been totally reliable. When had Leia first started to doubt her loyalty.
"The day your brother passed by the most beautiful available girl in the galaxy and started dancing with another," the voice whispered insidiously in her mind.
The Princess Antaara was supposedly returning to re-open negotiations with the New Republic in a couple of months and Leia wanted Luke there to be on hand to be courted. She still felt that Antaara was the girl Luke needed. "Because he won't care as much for her as he will for you", the voice taunted. Oh boy. she was in a bad way. Talking to yourself is a good case for the Coruscant Correctional Psychiatric Facility. Maybe Han would help. She needed him so much. As maddening and hot headed as he was her husband often came up with the right answers. She hung her head, was she wrong to want the best for Luke. He'd been so strained and tense recently and so closed in . 'He's trying to do two jobs', the little voice cut in again. 'Every time he tries to concentrate on rebuilding the Jedi Order you drag him back into active combat because the Alliance needs him.'
The Princess pulled out her comlink " Winter could you put out a report to Rogue Squadron and other New Republic military personnel that if they know the whereabouts of Commander Skywalker they have to inform myself or General Solo."
"Certainly your Highness."
There was nothing else she could do for the moment, but wait for him to get over his sulk. Han stormed off somewhere and would rip something to pieces on the Falcon before he replaced or modified it. Then he would return to apologise. Luke tended to whine and then sulk. Lately he'd gone beyond that into a sort of brooding reticence. She'd just have to wait and hope that all was well.
Maija was bored. She'd reached a stage in her convalescence where she felt really good until she tried to stand up. Her aunt and uncle were wonderful people and she loved them dearly, but they were a whole generation older. She missed being useful, working in the nerve centre of the New Republic with the most important people in the galaxy. The intricate manoeuvres of the diplomatic centre or the excitement at the secret base on Bestine. She felt like a useless vegetable. She hadn't even seen the Commander for a few days, desperation indeed. He was doing some research on the Jedi using books his former master had left for him and was conspicuous by his absence. He annoyed her no end when he was near, but she had come to regard the cheeky comments he threw at her from time to time as a distraction from her aches and pains.
She adjusted the blanket and shifted her pillows and looked at the rough sandstone walls of her chambers. Perhaps if she got up real slow and did things real careful then she could see outside the curved walls. Pushing back her hair she placed her small feet on the rug and stretched out carefully for her green desert robe. She sighed it was just out of reach, but if she closed her eyes and stretched out her hand again the robe shifted the necessary distance for her to grab it and pull it over her head. Now to get her hairbrush. Closing her eyes she sought out the object. A mother of pearl backed hairbrush that her mother had brought her from Chad. She spun a line and brought it securely to hand. This was easy. Now the hard part. She bit her lip nervously and grabbing the table beside the bed she shakily pulled herself into an upright position. Breathing hard she concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. One.......two......
"Aahh!" her scream bounced off the walls as strong arms lifted her off her feet.
"What do you think you are up to my lady," the amused voice breathed in her ear. "I don't think you're quite strong enough".
"Commander Skywalker what..., you frightened me out of my wits."
"You should not be on your feet. You must rest". He grinned.
I'm going daft here. My aunt and uncle are too busy with the harvest an' all to spend more time with me and I wouldn't expect it. They've been so good to me, but I'm bored, I want to see the suns."
"I've been helping out a bit. I used to be a dab hand with a moisture vaporater"
Maija looked at him. He still had her clutched protectively against his chest. She'd never seen him in desert work garb before. Only in Alliance grey or his black ensemble that he'd begun to favour; it made him look older. The white tunic and pants were covered in Tatooine gold. His hair had begun to lighten in the harsh glare of Tatoo |I and Tatoo II and his eyes looked bluer than ever. Basically, he looked good to Maija. His arms were strong and well muscled and he still held her against his chest. They stared at each other for a few moments and Luke bent his head and softly kissed her.
She closed her eyes and parted her lips and he kissed her again. What was she doing.
"Put me down" she startled to struggle in his arms. "Put me down. Commander... Now"
"Or what?" he looked at her, his face suddenly emotionless. "You'll call your boyfriend, like you planned to do in the ballroom on Coruscant........... I don't see a lot of contenders around Lieutenant Darklighter"
She blushed shamefacedly and opened her mouth to try and say anything.
"Don't bother. I'd know you were lying. You were before weren't you?" he gave her a little shake. "Weren't you?"
"I....I.. Would... You.... Put.... Me...Down" she panted into his firm pectorals. One thing about this man. He was in excellent physical shape and Maija hadn't the strength of a pitten.
"Oh I don't think so," he drawled. "You wanted to see the sunset. So I'll carry you".
"Why you misbegotten, power hungry, egotistical.......overbearing........Jedi." she fumed as she began to struggle in earnest.
"Then I'll take you to dine with your family. They love you, but they like me and wouldn't want to see you being rude to a guest." Luke ignored the protests and the flailing arms and bore her out of her chamber and out into the desert evening.
The suns had only begun to sink and it was still quite warm when Luke deposited his armful onto a rocky outcrop just outside the building. Maija stared into the sky as first one sun, then the other began to sink below the dunes on the horizon. The sands turned gold then red, then orange before the darkening navy sky took over and the stars crept into view.
"It's so beautiful. I always missed Tatooine whenever I left, but I always had here to come back to."
Luke sighed. "I know how you feel. My problem was I always wanted to get off this miserable rock. 'All his life he has looked away....to the horizon, to the sky to the future. Never his mind on what he was doing. Adventure, excitement. A Jedi craves not these things" Luke quoted wryly. "When I did I suddenly realised how much it meant to me, only I had no home to come back to. The Empire murdered my aunt and uncle and burned the only home I'd ever known. I've never had a real home since then and I haven't realised how much I miss it." He scratched a pattern in the fine sand
"I'm sorry sir. I miss Biggs too, although I was away at school for most of the time. He was my big glamorous cousin, but kind."
"Will you stop it!" he exploded.
"Stop what?", she stared at him baffled.
"Calling me sir. I'm not in charge of the squadron any more. I've turned it over to Wedge. I'm private citizen Skywalker."
"It won't work Sir, because you're still part of the NR hierarchy, a hero of the rebellion and all that. When they need you - You'll go. (Again)" she muttered the last word under her breath. But he must have sensed something because he gave her a funny look.
"Call me Luke, please," he added. "I cannot go on answering to 'Sir' from you all night. I'd hoped we might be friends. You saved my life and Leia's."
"You saved mine Luke."
He gazed into her eyes and once again time stopped. Something profound stirred between them. Things had changed. Putting his calloused hand to the side of her smooth cheek he bent his head to kiss her again. This time she relaxed, closed her eyes and let him gently touch her mouth. Pulling her closer he put his arms around her waist. Hers worked their way up his back and encircled his neck. He opened her mouth and his tongue darted in and touched hers. Maija faltered for a heartbeat then let him lead her as he continued to mimic the act of love with his tongue. His hands moved to her hair and he ran his hands through the silken mass. She was so soft and warm. Luke made a sound in the back of his throat and moved even closer to her, pulling her tight against his inflamed body. He shifted his mouth to a pulse in her neck and she moaned bereft, as his mouth left hers. He couldn't deny her any more and his lips captured hers once more.
It was some time before they stopped. Luke had never felt so right with another person. The last trace of colour still lingered in the sky, but it was almost pitch dark and the cold night air came creeping over them.
"Maija?" he turned to look at the girl whose head now rested on his shoulder. "We still have to talk. I believe in your innocence utterly and completely, but there are things I need to know. I can wait until you're well, but we must straighten things out."
"I can't remember some things, so I cannot tell you." she answered "but I cannot tell you everything anyway because would do so gives power to others and I have to rely on myself. Some things you don't need to know Sir."
Luke raised his eyes to the starry sky in exasperation. "That's where you're wrong Maija. The way of the force is not a solitary one" he instructed gently "and you are strong with the force."
"Of course I'm not", she retorted indignantly.
Luke shook his head. Boy, was she stubborn. "Maija don't lie to me because I know when you do. I can feel your presence, I know when you're near. I felt your pain that night in Coruscant when you collapsed. The strength of your presence knocked me off my feet and into a flowering shrub in the palace courtyard. It was like a desert wind blowing through Coruscant. Others felt it too, but not as strongly as I did. Maybe because we both have sand in our veins."
She paled when she thought of how terribly afraid she'd been and how much it had hurt. But the thought of him flying backwards into a big potted plant brought a smile to her lips. "I didn't know you were into gardening Commander. But it's not sand in our veins Luke, it's Tatooine gold dust," she whispered. "That's why we never truly leave this place."
He couldn't help himself and brought her mouth to his once more, kissing her passionately and she responded in kind.
"Come on beautiful. I've kept you in the cold night air long enough. I think it might even be supper time."
A call from Kendra indicated that the Jedi Knight was indeed correct. "Never underestimate the power of the force" he murmured wickedly in her ear. "Ups-a-daisy", he scooped her into his arms and laughed at her disgruntled expression as he jogged towards the dwelling.
Coruscant.
Han was concerned about Leia, she'd not been herself lately. Ever since the last attempt on her life in fact. The fight with Luke also concerned Han. He hadn't thought it was such a big thing. Luke had stomped off to sulk, but that was nothing new. He could be moody and of late some of his moods had been dark indeed, but he'd never broken with his sister like this before. He rolled over in bed and gazed at his sleeping wife. He had to find his brother-in-law and soon. He grabbed his robe from the end of the bed and carefully eased himself away from Leia. Wandering through to the fresher he switched on the shower and stood below the welcome jets of water as he let sleep leave him. He smiled as small hands crept round his torso.
"General I came to offer my assistance with the soap."
"Well Highnessness you'd better get busy then, aahhh...... no don't stop...That feels....."
He turned and took his wife in his arms and lifted her against the wall of the shower. Covering her firm breasts with his hands, he fastened his mouth on hers. Leia locked her arms around his neck and gasped as he entered her in one powerful thrust. She melted bonelessly against him, her softness against his hardness. Han looked at the woman in his arms completely at the mercy of her passion. Whatever other problems they had, the sex was always great. Sometimes when Leia put the galaxy first and him second that was all that they had. But he needed her and despite the way he felt at times, he knew that she needed him too.
Han was shaving and Leia drying her hair when the comlink buzzed. It was Wedge.
"Han; Luke flew into Bestine two days ago. He's at one of the information centres not far from the on planet base. Apparently some records were stored there and the librarian didn't destroy them when ordered. He's staying in the barracks there with the rest of the Rogues."
"Is he alright?" asked Leia concerned.
"Fine", answered the Correllian pilot.
Han chatted to Wedge for a short while then disengaged.
"I'm going to contact him. I'll try the base." She hurried off to the diplomatic centre leaving Han wondering what on earth the two had disagreed about. Of course there was also the possibility that Luke was so caught up in his research he'd just forgotten to call. Han wondered if he'd kill the kid when he got hold of him. Oh well. Chewie buzzed about repairs on the Falcon and he set off for the maintenance hangar.
"Luke. It's Leia."
The Jedi turned from the holobook he was reading and headed to the comm centre. The screen showed his sister waiting anxiously for him. He faced the screen dressed in his usual Jedi robes and black tunic. His blue eyes were steady in his tanned face, but nary a smile appeared.
"Where have you been Luke I've been so worried about you. Was what I did so terrible that you cut our link".
Luke's face softened slightly. "It's good to hear from you Leia, how's Han?"
"He's fine" she blushed slightly and Luke smirked. "I'm sorry I couldn't get in touch Leia, but I wasn't near a link and I didn't want to advertise my presence too much. I've been at Bestine for several weeks and I spent some time on Ossus."
"So the research is going well?"
"I've found out some interesting facts, but I've more research to do." He grinned smugly to himself.
" I'm sorry about the scene I created about my former aide. I thought you might have been chasing her around. But we don't know where she has been transferred to and reports were that she is probably dying. Last I heard she'd disappeared. Don't you think that is suspicious."
Luke went still and his sense shuttered. Leia must still be under some dark side influence. There was enough truth in her comments, but little bits of falsehood jumped out.
"Leia we checked the probes in the Lieutenants body and they are from a new Imperial weapon. She saved your life sister dear, when are you going to wake up and smell the bantha droppings."
"Luke I don't trust her."
"Well I do." he stiffly rejoined. "Leia I have to go. I told Wedge I would help with a training run for some of the Rogues", and cut the connection.
Leia was left for the second time in as many weeks looking at a blank screen. He had thawed but she still wasn't forgiven.
Back on Tatooine
The Darklighters had gone to a farmers association meeting. Merdom was President that year and they'd known they would both have to attend. Kendra's mythical foot injury had long since healed, but she was unhappy about leaving her niece on her own for two days.
"Look Aunt Ken you must go. I'll be alright on my own. If you don't show your faces we'll have hordes of concerned visitors from miles around. Remember that the likes of the Stanvessons are very close to the local Imperial Governor and we don't want any suspicion to fall on Uncle. After all he was the one crawling along Imperial ventilation shafts."
"Maija Darklighter K...."
"Ssh, Auntie dear."
"Can you contact Luke? He might be back on planet".
"Oh, "she looked startled "I didn't know he was coming back. I thought the demands of a New Republic Hero were taking up his time again".
Kendra shook her head at her niece and left to get ready.
Maija looked at the descending suns and sighed. The man had ways and means of getting inside her head. Leave me alone Skywalker I don't need the complication, but still the image of his blue eyes lingered in her memory, as did the taste of his lips. She hopped into the old speeder and sped out to the range to check on a couple of the moisture vaporaters. One of the valves had stuck, she grabbed the appropriate tool and wrenched at it. "Aw Sith", she moaned. She looked nervously around, it was really too dark to be out here on her own, but the valve was definitely stuck. She fumbled wearily at it and nerved herself for another go. grabbing a tube of lubricant she greased it until it gleamed. Summoning all the strength she had inside she pulled and slowly it started to move. Thank goodness, she flopped onto the hard desert flats. "I'm not as fit as I thought I was".
A sound carried through the night. Sandpeople? There'd been no reports of them in the area, but just in case, she'd better move. The desert was a strange place, even though she loved it fiercely. One more to check and then back to the homestead. She grabbed the can of lubricant and jumped into the speeder. The last device glinted by the light of her luma. She pulled the turbo-wrench from the box in the back of the speeder and checked all the valves. Panting she sank down and leant her head against the device. She was so tired. Something called to its mate in the darkness, a strange hooting cry. Maija tottered to her feet and returned to her home.
Pulling her scarf from her face and the robe from her shoulders she almost crawled into the solar. "What in the name of Vessel have you been doing to yourself". The voice echoed in the dark room. Maija couldn't help it she screamed.
Luke moved into the light of the single lamp. He was absolutely furious.
"How dare you frighten me like that." she screeched.
"Frighten you!" he yelled back. "I come to see you and find a deserted house. You could have been kidnapped, attacked or hurt. I bet Kendra and Merdom didn't know you were out checking the vaporaters. What an idiotic thing to do girl. "
"Luke grabbed her by the shoulders. She shook free of him and cracked her hand across the Jedi's face. Silence. The air crackled with tension. The force sense between them hummed. He stared at her suddenly the power flowing from him reaching awesome proportions. Maija backed uneasily away, but Luke gave a choked sound and caught her in his arms, kissing her hungrily. Momentarily she tried to fight him, but her struggle raised the temperature between them and soon she was returning his kiss with a desperation long denied. Heat flamed between them. With a muffled oath Luke swept her up in his arms and carried her across the courtyard to her chamber. Lowering her to her feet his mouth never left hers for an instant, their tongues duelling erotically with each other. The kiss was punishing, for the worry she'd put him through, devouring and so intense with his need for her.
He laid her on the bed and stripped off his tunic. His muscled chest gleamed in the dim light. Levering back slightly he surveyed her spread beneath him. Her breasts rising and falling with the effort of their passion. Her eyes had turned smokily dark. The huskiness in his voice intensified. "If you don't stop looking at me like that I'm going to make love to you" She shivered convulsively and stared into his blue, blue eyes. She closed her eyes indicating acquiescence and the sandstorm in their souls began.
Luke undressed Maija quickly until she was down to just two basic items. The thick carnal atmosphere wrapped itself around them as she let go. Luke covered every part of her body with his mouth and hands, she tried to do the same to him. His hand covered her breast and kneaded softly. The nipple rose firm through the thin material and Maija moved his hand to her other breast so he could perform the same feat to it. When his mouth followed where his hands had gone she arched her back and moaned. A pooling heat gathered at the core of her womanhood.
"You're trembling like a leaf," he pointed out hoarsely, inspecting the arch of her throat, the slender curves, the high, full thrust of her breasts. His hands smoothed the swell of her breasts then moved over the muscles of her smooth flat stomach. His hand brushed lower and she jack-knifed into a sitting position. He slid from the bed and removed his black pants. All he wore was a covering over that which made him male. Maija couldn't look away. There was not an iota of excess flesh anywhere on his body. He was beautiful like a statue in the palace on Coruscant. He rejoined her on the bed covering her body with his own. She was so-o beautiful. The ache in his groin intensified as she became bolder and pressed her mouth to his flat male nipples. A slick sheen of sweat covered their writhing bodies as Luke removed Maija's bra and gazed at her tumescent breasts, her nipples hard and swollen with the heat of her desire.
He covered her breast with his mouth and suckled gently, as he did she felt the tug at the juncture of her thighs. he raised his head and gave her a knowing look and moved his mouth down, over the flat stomach and kissed her inner thigh, gradually he moved up her body and plunged his tongue into her mouth once more, while his hand covered the most essential part of her. His fingers slipped below her final covering and massaged her most secret place. Pulling off the little piece of lace he stared at the beauty laid bare before him. Pulling off his own final covering he began to kiss her with shattering purpose. Her hands fluttered down and began to massage the length of him. He'd thought he was aroused before, but nothing could compare to how he was feeling now He opened her legs and positioned himself to take what she offered him so freely.
"Maija." Luke groaned her name. "Look at me"
The girl in his arms opened passion filled dark eyes. He impaled her with the fierceness of his gaze, then probed gently for access, before he drove deeply. The power of his entry made her gasp and cry out, but he smothered the cry as he thrust his tongue in unison with his male possession. She grabbed the headboard of the bed as he began to move inside her and she tightened silken muscles around him. It was the coming together of two bodies that could no longer exist separately. The layers of sensual pleasure mounted and Luke built up a driving rhythm until the final cataclysmic spasm of feeling. Maija cried his name as she climaxed and he followed a split second later shouting his elation.
They looked at each other in astonishment, exhausted but satisfied. Luke kissed her tenderly and pulled the sheet up over their cooling bodies. Maija buried herself in his arms and he stroked her wonderful hair. Luke watched as she fell asleep in his arms. He had known this would happen. He had always known.