"Now, open your minds and follow where I lead," Jedi Master Luke Skywalker told the small assembly earnestly. He was tailor-seated on the soft grass of Naboo´s plains, with four men and two women facing him in equally relaxed positions. This exercise was one he had learned from his father over a year ago, one of the most wondrous experiences he had ever had.
Feeling the minds of Kam, Streen, Gantoris, Kyp, Tionne and Kirana Ti open and waiting, he slowly let his own mind expand outward, let it become one with the flow, one with the Force. He heard one or two of the students gasp in wonder, before the beautiful picture of life was torn by a powerful dark presence streaking across it´s glowing background.
Luke sighed. Of course, his father was due in two hours, but as always he was too early. He only did this to annoy his son, the young Jedi Master was sure of it, although Anakin would never admit to anything like that. "I would not want to risk my reputation," he would say with an ironic smile, if asked why he so loved causing trouble. But Luke knew that his father set different standards for himself than for anyone else. They were much higher, but on the other hand, designed to suit his own status as the most powerful Jedi alive. A Jedi who had embraced both Light and Dark, wandering somewhere in between. "Let´s get back to welcome our guest," Luke told the students and the group left for the ruins of Theed, Naboo´s former capitol.
As always, the Jedi Lord was dressed in black, more out of habit than anything else. He embraced his son warmly and greeted the Jedi apprentices one after the other. They were a bit nervous whenever he was around, understandably, since they all had met him and knew the little games he loved to play. To Luke´s surprise, his father had brought another visitor with him. Mara Jade stepped from the Jedi Lord´s ship, frowing at her surroundings and gave a curt nod to the students. Apparently she had not come to Naboo entirely volutarily. But her companion did not seem to notice her ill mood. "I see I am early again," Anakin Skywalker said with a smile, "I suppose dinner isn´t ready yet?"
It was, Luke decided, one of his more pleasant visits so far. No teasing, no arguments. The afternoon was spent on the huge flagtiles of the Palace´s terrace overlooking the green hills and plains, with gossip, cooking and finally dinner. But the day would not end as quiet as it had started.
Kyp Durron stood up and walked over to where Anakin sat next to Luke, bowing slightly: "Lord Skywalker, I would like to repeat your last lesson," he said, a hint of a challenge in his voice. The other students had heard his words plainly and anticipation filled the air around them as they all stood to face the two men. Luke shook his head slightly. His father had started injecting his own lessons with the students some time ago and especially Kyp and Kirana Ti had enjoyed the challenge.
The Jedi Lord stood slowly and nodded at the young student. Then he addressed the whole assembly, spreading his arms wide for emphasis: "The last lesson, as you recall, involved fighting an enemy you could not feel in the Force. We have trained hard and you all did well in the exercise. Kyp Durron wishes to repeat the lesson. Very well." He stepped back a few paces, waiting for Kyp to unclip his lightsaber. The first time round most of the apprentices had had an uneasy feeling fighting a seemingly unarmed opponent. But Anakin had not carried a lightsaber or any other weapon ever since his resurrection by Palpatine´s hands a year ago. And frankly, he didn´t need one, as he had proven many times before. Frequently even the Jedi students forgot that. Looking over at Mara, Luke found the frown back in place and waves of curiosity rolling off her. She noticed his eyes on her and returned his gaze defiantly. The Jedi Master smiled and turned his gaze back on the two combatants.
When Kyp ignited his lightsaber the Jedi felt his opponent´s presence in the Force vanish apruptly. The apprentice´s first strike missed the Jedi Lord by a meter and he could just get the blade out of the other´s reach in time, holding the handle tight, remembering the last time Anakin had just caught Gantoris´ blade with his bare hand. This wasn´t easy, Luke knew, but Kyp had defeated Anakin after the fifth try last time. Now the young man´s eyes narrowed and he rushed forward, with Anakin rolling under his legs, but managed to jump up in time before the other´s body could trip him up. Landing elegantly he spun around lightning-fast, catching Anakin just as he came out of his roll. The point of the sizzling blade only centimeters from his face, Anakin smiled, and pushed the other´s hands back so the handle hit Kyp hard in the chest. With a grunt, Kyp lowered his blade for just a second and knew that in a real fight he would be dead now.
The Jedi Lord stood straight, regarding him speculatively: "Not bad, Kyp. Not bad at all. But you still have to work on using your mind and the lightsaber simultaneously. And next time move in for the kill when you have the chance. Don´t hesitate," turning to face Luke he smiled: "Why not turn this into a teamwork-exercise?"
"Meaning?"
"You and your students try to catch me. The boundaries are the city limits. I will be using any means to evade you."
"When does the game end?" Luke asked, grinning boyishly.
"The game is over when I am dead. Theoretically. I guess this is the only place we can really practice this, since Mon Mothma would not want us to turn the New Republic territory into a Jedi playground." There was some laughter from the students at that prospect, but Luke quieted them quickly:
"Alright. Let´s split up in teams." He waited until Anakin had withdrawn from the terrace before calling out the names. "Streen and Kirana Ti, Kam and Tionne, Kyp and Gantoris. I´ll be on my own., that is, if you want to join in..?" he asked Mara, but she shook her head no. Luke turned his attention back to the students:" Well, since he´ll do anything to get as many out of the game as he can, be careful and stay together. Good hunting to all of us," he added and saluted them with his lightsaber.
The students ran off in hot pursuit of their prey, eyes gleaming with childish joy. Today it was only a game, but Luke hoped sincerely that they would never have to face this Dark Lord for real ever again. After the Jedi had left the New Republic officially half a year ago, he had fought his father in mock duels often enough to know that the Jedi Lord was unpredictable. And very powerful. Furthermore, he had perfected fighting with his mind and body simultaneously into an artform. But there were ways to get him. And Luke was planning on just that in today´s exercise.
Kirana Ti was eying the open plaza, scanning the roofs as well as she could, then motioned Streen to walk out into the open, while she slipped along the shadowy arcades, watching out for any attacks. It was when Streen had reached the middle of the tiled plaza, that the Dathomir witch came flying past him with a wild scream and turned her fall into a dive and roll, coming up fast, lightsaber ready. Facing in the direction she was frowning at, Streen saw their smiling prey coming towards them at a leisurely pace, turning the two hunters into the hunted. The old Bespin hermit acted fast, and Anakin barely had time to stop his slow advance, before he would have run into an invisible Force wall. "Cute," he remarked drily and scanned his surroundings, blue eyes following the unseen traces of the box of hardened air Streen had put around him. But the Jedi Lord did not even try to break through the invisible walls, but instead simply grabbed Kirana Ti with the Force and pushed her hard against Streen, breaking the old man´s concentration and sending both apprentices tumbling to the ground. When Streen saw Anakin´s dark form towering over them with a boyish grin he knew they were out. "That could have gone better, you know," Kirana Ti sighed and dusted herself off, then helped Streen to his feet.
Tionne and Kam Solusar were crouched on a balcony, using the balustrade to shield themselves from prying eyes, but Kam additionally had cloaked their presence in the Force, planning on using his own tactics against Anakin. The silver-haired Jedi apprentice tapped Kam on the shoulder when the Jedi Lord appeared underneath an archway and cautiously stepped into the small square. A tiny smile began to form on Solusar´s lips, when he noticed the same figure walking the roof across from them. If he was any judge, another one would be passing right above them this second. And they didn´t know which one was for real.
Before he could decide anything Skywalker had already passed the square and Tionne led the duo through the rubble into the next opening. It was her who heard the thump of something heavy land behind them and both she and Kam turned to face their stalker. So it had been the one above them.
They stood next to a wall that had collapsed into the square four meters below and this way Anakin had the sun shining into his eyes, an advantage for Kam, who whipped out his lightsaber and ignited it, placing himself between Anakin and Tionne. He would not be the one to push the attack. That might work for Kyp, but he was not that fast, albeit a better swordsman than the youth. Anakin circled them, obviously trying to get at Kam´s weak spot, Tionne.
When he began to walk faster around the two, Kam had no other option left: He pushed Tionne back off the one-storey building into the square, where she landed safely and lunged at the Jedi Lord. Anakin seemed slightly surprised, having anticipated Kam to continue protecting the other student. But that moment quickly passed and he dove out of the way of Kam´s blade hurriedly, rolling to his left and came up standing. Solusar faced him coolly. They stared at each other for a while, none of them moving. Then Anakin simply turned his back on Kam and walked away, all but inviting a sneak attack. But Solusar would be damned if he fell for that, and anticipated Anakin´s next move. Both men dropped into the courtyard simultaneously and now it was a race of who would reach Tionne first.
It was Kam. Placing himself in front of her again he waited for Anakin´s next move. The Jedi Lord frowned, then shook his head slightly. A wind that quickly rose to a storm whirled up dust and dirt, blinding Kam and sending Tionne spinning away, trying to shield herself against the sand grains. Kam reacted instantly, moved back with her and bumped straight into Anakin, who had circled them quickly. Kam tried to jab him in the stomach with his elbow, but the other man twisted out of the way like a snake, and brought his left shin up to kick into the back of Kam´s knees, dropping him to the floor. But Solusar wasn´t quite finished. In falling he brought his lightsaber up so it faced back towards Anakin, rolled on his back and stabbed upwards, catching the other off guard and unprotected. The triumphant smile vanished from Kam´s face when Anakin slapped the laserblade away with his bare hand before it could reach him and dropped to one knee next to Kam´s head, laying a cool hand on the Jedi´s throat. Deactivating his lightsaber, Solusar was out too. Anakin Skywalker straightened again and turned to face Tionne, who had not been able to intervene in this lightning fast exchange of jabs and blows. Kam could see the fear in her eyes. When the Jedi Lord walked away in contempt, not even trying to engage her, the wave of humiliation and anger rolling off her was nearly too much for Kam. He stood slowly and walked over to where Tionne still stood, bright tears rimming her pearlescent eyes.
Kyp Durron and Gantoris had been tracking the Jedi Lord´s path unseen, concealing their presence skillfully. Both had faced Anakin in real combat before and lost, but this time they meant to win. When he walked away from Kam and Tionne they silently slipped along the roofs, following him. Both were a bit surprised when Anakin turned into a doorway and vanished in the room beyond. Having no choice if they wanted to catch him first, they clambered down and cautiously stepped into the dark. The fact that they could not feel his presence was not comforting at all. There was no light and no sound in the house, but Kyp noticed the change in the floor´s texture, which went from tiles to a slick metal surface pretty soon. Alarmed, he ignited his lightsaber and Gantoris followed his lead. They were standing in a huge hall, with walkways spanning over huge conductor wells like a web of doom. "I have a bad feeling abou this," Kyp murmured and then all the lights went on.
Standing before them, feet planted wide apart, Anakin Skywalker smiled coldly: "I knew Luke would team you two up again. And I hope you will do better than last time."
Kyp feinted an attack, but Gantoris moved in his place, driving Skywalker back with a wide slash of his purple blade. With one of the wells behind him he had no choice but to jump onto the first walkway arching over his head. The two Jedi apprentices nodded at each other and jumped as one, flanking the Jedi Lord. Their blades met in a sizzling exchange of power at the point were his head should have been, but Anakin had ducked out of the way and hit Kyp in the stomach with his right fist, sending the youth falling back down. Gantoris slashed at his opponent again, but Anakin retreated along the walkway with the student in hot pursuit. Again Gantoris had taken the lead in this battle and Kyp had the feeling that he would have to get the older man out of this mess too. With a small sigh he jumped back up on the walkway and ran to catch up with the other two. They could have gotten Anakin easily had they stayed together, but that advantage was lost now. When the Jedi Lord reached a high-ceilinged corridore he held out his arms at his sides and both Kyp and Gantoris felt the incredible power racing through long dormant conduits. With a defiant battle-cry Gantoris charged. And managed to avoid being fried by a suddenly forming force field by centimeters.
All along the corridore those sizzling red shields appeared, trapping the duelants effectively. That was, all except Kyp, who had remained outside. Anakin was grinning now. When the shields suddenly snapped out of existence again both Kyp and Gantoris ran, with Anakin retreating before them. After a few seconds the shields reappeared, trapping all three. The procedure was repeated once again before Anakin and Gantoris found themselves out of the corridore in a much smaller rounded chamber. Kyp stood behind the last force-field, folded his arms and watched. Anakin was a blur now, weaving and dancing around Gantoris´ quick slashes, suddenly spinning the Jedi apprentice around, holding his lightsaber. Gantoris stared at his empty hands disbelieving, when a cruel smile appeared on the Jedi Lord´s lips and he pressed the handle against Gantoris` chest, thumb resting lightly on the activation button.
The older student´s face turned from shocked to determined. And Kyp knew what Gantoris must be thinking: That Anakin would finish what he had started aboard Admiral Daala´ s flagship. But just in that second the red shield disappeared and the youth rushed into the chamber, brandishing his lightsaber. Anakin kicked Gantoris to the floor and spun to meet Kyp´s wild attack. He blocked the first slash with Gantoris´ lightsaber, then threw it away.
His fist caught Kyp unaware and doubled him over, coughing. But the young man managed to graze him just a bit, burning through the fabric of his thick tunic. Anakin stood back and slammed the kid hard against the wall with the Force. Gantoris was just climbing to his feet when Anakin released his victim and nodded at them both: "Perhaps you should listen better to Tionne´s history lessons." Then he turned and left. "What the hell did he mean by that?" Gantoris exclaimed in disgust and picked up his lightsaber handle. "No idea, But that leaves Master Skywalker to deal with him. And if he can´t, then we´ve all lost."
Luke Skywalker was waiting. He still stood on the Palace´s terrace, enjoying the last rays of the setting sun, letting it´s orange light play over him and took in the green plains being flooded with gold before they were swallowed by darkness. Mara was sitting cross-legged not far away, bent over her datapad, seemingly immersed in studying whatever it was she was reading. Suddenly she looked up.When Luke turned around slowly he was not surprised to see his father approach, with the students in tow but hanging back, meaning they were out of the game. He saw the speculation in their gazes and a bit of disappointment too in having lost this round. As they came nearer, forming a half circle around the last players, they were obviously anxcious to see how this all would end.
Luke opened himself to the Force and let it flow through him, strengthening his senses and his awareness. When Anakin stopped a few meters away his son gave him a nod and unclipped his lightsaber. But his father didn´t wait. He sommersaulted over the Jedi Master´s head, making him turn to face the blinding light of the setting sun and struck out with the Force, sending the younger man flying to the ground. Luke immediately rolled out of the way before an unseen hammer split the tiles he had previously occupied, more than surprised at the vehemence of the attack.
Jumping high he avoided being swept from his feet by an invisible scythe he felt pass half a meter below his boots. Turning the jump into a roll and a dive forward he managed to hit Anakin where he still stood, grabbling him to the ground. When his father slapped Luke hard, rattling his jaw and sending him flying, Luke knew that Anakin was fighting him in earnest, using none of the precautions he had with the students. This was most surprising, even more than the fact that he was losing. But all was not lost yet and he still had his lightsaber. Swinging the blade wide he came forward, raining blow upon blow on his father who was retreating before the onslaught in deadly calm. Suddenly feinting, Luke dropped to the ground and scythed his legs through his father´s ankles, dropping him unceremoniously into the reach of his blade. As the green laserbeam arced towards his head, Anakin pulled up his arm, searing it slightly and rolled away. When he came up he curled his right hand into a fist and Luke ´s body convulsed in sudden pain.
It was then that Tionne stepped forward and slammed all the strength she could muster into the elder Skywalker. When his body hit the wall they all thought they could hear bones crack, but Tionne wasn´t finished. Snatching her own lightsaber from her belt she ran over to the fallen Jedi and pressed the handle to his neck. "You are dead," she announced, satisfaction and relief mingling in her tone. Anakin stared up at her, disbelieving, tried to shake his head, which she prevented him from doing by increasing the pressure on his throat, smiling as she did so. "And the lesson here is first to never underestimate your enemy and second that a team is as strong as its weakest member. Tionne has proven that she is indeed very strong and that she is the winner. Well done," Luke patted his student´s shoulder and gently urged her to stand up, thereby releasing her prey. "Are you alright?" he asked his dazed father with a smile. "What? Yes. I am fine," rising slowly and using the wall to support himself, Anakin Skywalker´s blue eyes narrowed for a second. But then he brightened up again: "Luke is right. Well done indeed."
While Luke and the students gathered around Tionne to congratulate her on her victory, Anakin found Mara Jade coming straight towards him, face dark and voice more than angry:
"What exactly were you doing back there?" she demanded harshly.
"I do not know what you mean, Mara Jade."
"What I mean? You treated them like your enemies."
"That was the whole purpose of this exercise."
"Really? And here I thought it was supposed to be a challenge. Tell me, would you really have let any of them win?"
"As I recall Tionne did win, not me."
"I saw the surprise on your face. You had written her off already. And what about Luke?"
"What about him?"
"You hurt him unnecessarily. I could feel your anger where I sat. What got into you?"
"Why do you care?"
"Why I care? Let me tell you what I think: You still blame Luke´s fall to the Dark Side on yourself and his failure reminds you of your own. No, he is a reflection of yourself. That´s why you punished him back there, like you punish yourself. Don´t think that I have not noticed how you are trying to keep yourself away from your family, even though being with them is what you have fought for all those years. I have heard you talk about it often enough. Luke would do anything for you. You know that, don´t you."
"I know."
"Then why don´t you talk to him? You have a serious problem here."
"Perhaps you have it all wrong, Mara Jade."
"I don´t think so. You are turning back to the Dark Side, that´s all I need to know."
"You are so sure of yourself, young one. There is no Dark Side, no Light. And Luke had been warned: I told him I would use any means to win. True, I never hurt him before in this life, but he still has to progress and grow, like we all do."
"What you mean then is that the ends justify the means?"
"What I mean, Mara Jade, is that for a Jedi there is only one purpose in life: To protect. And if protecting the people of this galaxy means giving the next generation of Jedi a hard time and taxing challenges, then this I will do."
"But you have to protect them too, don´t you?"
"That is why I teach them how to protect themselves."
"I still don´t get it. You would hurt your children for that?"
"One day you will learn that making sacrifices is part of being a Jedi."
"I am no Jedi."
"Wrong. And maybe you are just afraid of taking that much responsibility."
Before Mara could answer Luke joined them, laying a hand affectionately on his father´s shoulder: "And what have you two been talking about?" he asked, smiling broadly. Mara ran a hand through her mane of red hair and smiled too. "Philosophy," she replied lightly and turned around to leave father and son alone.
Night was falling quickly now and Luke shivered in the cold. "I hope I didn´t hurt you too much," his father said suddenly.
"It is not that. But we are here, doing our best to train and perfect our skills, when we should be out there and do something for the people."
"Do not tell me you want to go crawling back to Coruscant and beg them to let the Jedi return." Staring hard at his father, Luke sensed an old anger stirring in Anakin´s mind.
"No, I would never do that. But we can start working the Outer Rim and I can test the students in real life situations."
"Actually that is what I wanted to talk to you about. Karrde has a job for you."
"And you are telling me now?"
"But we were having such a good time earlier, had we not? He asked me to get you to his current base. He would not share any details with me, but I gathered from his words and feelings that it is something that would benefit the Jedi too."
"I will think about it."
"Do that. Your students have progressed very well and I do not see any problems for them to go and seek their own paths now. At least for a while let them be on their own, working truly together. You have chosen the single teams well too. They balance each other up, except perhaps for Kyp and Gantoris. But these two need a lesson in humility, and soon." --
"What do you mean?"
"They are both very strong and too much self - confidence could be devastating in their case. And I know they have faced their Dark Side, both of them. But still. In trying to teach them fighting against an enemy unsensed in the Force I meant to show them that they do not have everything under control. Not at all times. And for these times they will have to be prepared."
While darkness settled over them both, Luke thought about the proposal. Maybe Anakin was right, but then, he had some decidedly strange and frequently harsh views on teaching the Jedi apprentices their lessons. On the other hand they really would have to function without their teacher some day. And if he chose the locations well, they could really learn a lot. But to do that, he´d have to talk to Leia where the Jedi would be most needed and most respected in these still unsure times.
It was early evening on Coruscant when Luke called his sister. She seemed to have been busy with getting the children to bed, but from the background sounds it was clear that Han had taken over as soon as the call had come in. Leia looked relaxed and pleased at hearing from her brother:
"Luke, it has been long. How are all of you managing?"
"We are fine. Actually we are more than that. Can we talk?"
"Of course. Han can handle this, don´t worry. What is it?"
Luke settled his shoulders and smiled broadly:
"Well, I have decided that it is time for the students to move on, more precisely, to move along on their own for a while."
"All on their own? Do you think that it wise?"
"Of course they won´t be alone. I want to send out the teams that have formed throughout the training and have proven to work very effectively together. But I am kind of at a loss as to where they could be used without attracting too much attention."
Leia smiled warmly at him:
"I understand. You need your freedom too." Her brother blushed, a bit embarrassed at being that easy to read."I take it someone will keep an eye on them while you are having fun?" she asked and noticed his eyes flicker towards someone standing outside of the transmission field.
"Yes," Luke answered finally and smiled again, "Don´t worry."
"Alright. here are some propositions...."
It was a week later that the Jedi departed Naboo, each team on its own mission.
Luke found himself nearly regretting his decision now that he sat next to his father in the copilot´s chair, with Mara in the back, as he watched Naboo´s gentle hills and plains fall away from the viewport.
Anakin´s ship had no name, for he so frequently changed them that it really made no sense. There was a simple reason for that secrecy: A year ago the former Dark Lord, fearing for the Jedi´s autonomy, had left the New Republic with a threat. If now the Coruscant government found out that he traveled wherever he pleased and dealt in information, some of it highly sensitive, on Nar Shaddaa, they would send quite a few warships on his trail. Anakin had very good business ties to Talon Karrde and his smuggler´s organization. And that too would register as a direct offense to the New Republic.
"You need not be so worried, son," he said suddenly as he pulled back a lever and the ship shot into hyperspace.
"But I have every reason to be."
"They are all adults, Luke. They know their way around. Do not try to treat them otherwise."
"You are right. And I am really looking forward to seeing Karrde again."
"Good."
Back in her seat, Mara frowned at the back of Anakin Skywalker´s head, then turned away and tried to sleep a bit.
They touched down in the mountains of Hellson, a small dry planet with lots of savannas and just one ocean. Karrde and his organization had a base there, although it was not their headquarters. Just as the threesome departed the ship Karrde´s two vornskyrs came charging towards them. Anakin stopped them short with a gesture of his hand and they went running back to their master, growling at the approaching visitors. Talon Karrde smiled broadly: "Welcome on Hellson," he said and shook Luke´s hand, "Come on, let´s get you two inside and then talk about that project I have for you."
They made their way towards the brown, container-like buildings forming a square that were the crew quarters, passed a few freighter-sized ships and a Z-95 headhunter and finally eneterd the one building in the center. It didn´t look half bad inside. There were couches and chairs scattered across the room which clearly served as the rec area, a bar and a kitchenette in one corner, and Mara dropped into one of the couches right away.With Luke and Anakin sitting opposite the smuggler chief and his second-in-command, there was a moment of embarrassed silence before Karrde finally spoke.
"I´ll get to the point right away because you don´t have much time. Mara uncovered some information about an ancient Sith temple on Dromund Kaas and I asked your father if he knew anything about it. He tells me he doesn´t and I am inclined to believe him, because he´s been a reliable source of information so far," the two older men shared a smile, "But Dromund Kaas can supposedly be pretty rough and so I wanted to ask you to accompany Mara on her scouting mission. You see, this temple could make great headquarters for my organization. It´s hidden and out of the way."
"And perhaps I can find some clues about the ancient Jedi, right? What do you say to this?" Luke asked Mara finally, not sure how to interpret this offer.
"Well, having you along when examinig this old ruin sure won´t hurt. You could clear it of undead Sith Lords." Luke winced at her remark, and shook his head:
"Look, if you don´t want me along it´s fine. But I really would like to see this temple. I have a feeling..."
"Not a bad one I hope," Karrde put in, smiling.
"No, not at all. It will be interesting," Luke finished lamely.
"Good, if that´s all settled then," Anakin announced and stood.
"You are not staying?"
"No, I have other things to do than hang around on a backwater planet." His son followed his lead and rose from his seat:
"I´ll see you off."
"We are coming too," Karrde said and the four of them left the container, and at least one of them felt strangely confused.
Why had Karrde said they didn´t have much time? And Luke could not believe that his father had never heard of this particular temple. What about Mara, did she know it? A lot of unanswered questions.
"Lord Skywalker," Mara called suddenly and Anakin turned to face her. While Luke let himself be led further towards the ship by Karrde he stole a glance back to see Mara frown at his father, who was standing with his back towards Luke. She replied to something he had just said and shook her head, disbelieving. Then she started to walk away, but turned back to squeeze Anakin´s shoulder. He looked at her, surprise evident on his profile and then she laughed and started half-running towards Karrde and Luke. "What was that about?" Luke asked Anakin as he caught up with the other three at the ship. "What? Nothing. Just a little dispute." But his father´s absent expression told another story. Something was on his mind. And Mara evidently knew what it was. Well, there would be plenty of time to get her to tell him about it on their journey to Dromund Kaas.
"Come on, Skywalker," Mara snapped, standing on the landing ramp of the Jade´s Fire, her very own ship, and glowered at the two men standing deep in conversation not four meters away.
Luke gave her an impatient wave, intent on Talon Karrde´s words. "So you see, most of this planet is still a secret and we don´t know what´s waiting out there. Just be careful," the smuggler chief said and patted the young Jedi Master´s shoulder. Luke gave him a nod and smiled: "I´ll take care of her." Then he finally turned and walked towards where Mara was impatiently tapping her right foot on the ramp. "About time," she growled and sealed the entry hatch behind him, "Now get into the cockpit."
"What did Karrde tell you?" she asked when they were hurtling through hyperspace. "I tell you when you tell me what you said to my father," Luke watched her reaction closely and she in turn tried to hide her feelings well, even shielding her thoughts. "That is not for me to say," Mara answered finally and turned to leave her pilot´s chair. She vanished into the back of the ship, leaving Luke on his own. He didn´t mind. Opening himself to the Force he tried to meditate about his father´s recent behaviour, but there were no clues to be found as to what was happening now. It was frustrating. "Mara!" he called. "What is it?" she shouted back. He went to join her in the rec room and sat down opposite from her: "Would you care for a practice duel?" Mara smiled slowly: "Sure, why not?"
Anakin Skywalker was deftly guiding his ship into the main hangar of the Royal Palace on Naboo. When at last it had set down perfectly, he still remained seated in the pilot´s chair for some time, staring into infinity.
He had returned here to find answers, although now he was not sure if this was the right place. Perhaps he should instead have gone to Vjun, but this had just felt right the moment the decision was made.
Stiff-legged he exited the ship and strode along the hangar towards the entrance and beyond, feeling the sun on his face at last. It was not far into the Palace and he stood at the throne room´s windows for some time, gazing out over the spectacular waterfall and towards the funeral chapel at it´s edge. That was were he must go.
Anakin sat there on the cool slabs surrounding the biar in the middle of the rounded chamber and remembered Qui-Gon Jinn´s funeral. He knew that the old masters were long gone and could not answer his questions, but here he felt peace settle over him, like a blanket of death.
Meditating he let his mind wander far and wide, opening himself to the living Force and seeking it´s guidance.
Suddenly a black votex snapped open and started him on a wild ride through emotions and pictures flashing before his inner eye. It was overwhelming and Anakin was reeling from the impact when he finally came to his senses again. Eyes wild he shook himself and straightened. Night had fallen over Theed and he shivered not only from the cold. Each and every picture had shown him his death. There was no alternative.
"Don´t you think your father is acting strange somehow?" Mara said while they were fighting their way through the swamps on Dromund Kaas in search of the lost Sith temple. "What do you mean?" Luke asked back, slightly confused. She had refused to tell him anything on the way here. Why start now?
"I mean that he is acting differently from the way I knew him."
"You knew him as Darth Vader. Of course he doesn´t act the same now."
"Sure. But back then he had himself more under control."
"Had to, you mean."
"No," she stopped and turned to face him, wiping sweat off her face.
"No?"
"Luke, don´t you find it strange that two Dark Jedi like Vader and Palpatine could control their moods better than your father does now?"
"Well, he does act moody, but I think that is just him. I mean I don´t know him much better than you do."
"Wrong. You do not know him the way I do. And here´s another one for you: What do you remember about clones?"
"He´s not a clone," Luke protested, suddenly frightened by the implications, " he´s only got a clone body. And he´s not going mad. Wait. That´s why you wouldn´t tell me before we were safely here, so I wouldn´t simply turn the ship around and go looking for him. Right?"
"Right," Mara nodded.
"He would have told me that something´s wrong with him."
"Do you know that? I am just warning you. Keep an eye on him."
"Did you tell Karrde?"
"Of course. He and your father are friends. I wanted to get his opinion."
"What did he say?"
"Well, it was him who had me research this temple."
"I see."
When Luke followed Mara further into the swamp he was still trying to sort out the implications of her remarks. But it all made sense now. Anakin had started advising Luke on his teachings roughly two months ago, shortly after his last visit with Karrde. His son had been slightly surprised, but grateful for his input nevertheless. Having to face the Jedi Lord´s challenges let the students progress much faster. And now Anakin had sent them away on their own, pushing them another step further towards their knighthood. Obviously he wanted to see the new Jedi Order rise in earnest before anything happened to him. But why had he not told his children that there was something wrong?? Perhaps he didn´t want them to worry. And more likely he wanted to protect them.
The Sith temple was half sunk into the swamp, its entrance covered with vines and a musky scent rose from its interior. Mara and Luke both hesitated before entering. Something felt wrong about it, but Luke explained that might just be the Dark Side residues the Sith had left here. Mara didn´t seem to be convinced.
The entrance led them into a dank and dark corridor and their glowrods illuminated tiled walls overgrown with moss and even algae. Small critters fled before the light, their tiny chirping sounds filling the otherwise silent structure with their eerie song. Luke stopped once or twice to have a closer look at the ornate carvings in the tiles, while Mara stood by patiently, trying to get a read of their surroundings through the Force, but with little success.
-
"There´s a chamber off to the left," she announced after Luke had finished his latest inspection.
"That would be the Chamber of Dreams, then," he said, absent-mindedly.
"How do you know?"
"It says here," he answered and gestured vaguely at the grotesque picture on the wall, then suddenly gave Mara a lop-sided, embarrassed grin, "My father has tought me some of the ancient Sith language. I guess it falls under the heading of `know your enemy`."
Mara gave him a look, but then followed in silence, as Luke turned towards the chamber entrance."I think this looks promising," he announced, as they stood together at the head of a flight of steps leading down towards the floor.
"This is too easy,"Mara remarked, frowning, "Why would the chamber be so easily accessible?"
"Well, it does make sense. I guess a dying Sith really hasn´t much time to take the long way around."
"Maybe you are right. But how does it work? I don´t see any devices here that could be used to revive someone."
"Let´s have a look."
They held their glowrods high as they made their way down, searching the walls for possible traps. The chamber was a square, with tiles spiraling out from the center like ripples in a pond.
Apart from that the room was remarkably barren. No furnishings, nothing. While Mara went to examine the far wall, Luke let the Force guide him towards the center. He extinguished his glowrod and frowned. "Mara!" - "What is it?" - "Turn off the light," Luke whispered in anticipation, his eyes fixed on the spiral. Mara complied and for a moment the chamber was plunged into total darkness. But as their eyes grew accustomed to the gloom the two travellers could see the yellow pulsing stripes following the spiral´s curves, the sparkles in the walls, like a light shining through a thick membrane. It was beautiful. "We found it," Mara laughed in wonder, "But what happens now?"
She turned her head away from the wall to look over at Luke. He was still standing in the center, transfixed. "Skywalker!" she called, but he didn´t answer. Frowning again suspiciously Mara stepped closer towards him, when suddenly the spiral grew brighter, the pulsing faster, and an orange light shot forth from the ground, earthing itself through the Jedi Master into the ceiling, which opened into a black vortex.
Luke screamed, eyes wide open and staring upwards as blue lightning came cascading down from the black void. The young Jedi was shaking violently where he stood and tears were streaming down his face. When Mara had overcome her initial surprise she acted at once. Charging towards Luke she grabbed his arms as she flew past, pulling him out of the spiral center. In the milliseconds she herself touched the maelstream time seemed to slow down and her eyes whipped around to face the ceiling. Mara´s breath caught in her throat as she beheld the glory of the Sith: Whispered words of power and triumph assaulted her ears, filled her mind, and a vision of her own ascent to eternal glory filled her to bursting. Believe, the ancient voices whispered. There is no Death, they promised. Take this gift and make us stronger, they demanded, laughing silently. For what seemed an eternity Mara stared the Dark Side in the face. Then it was over. She crashed to the hard floor and slammed into the last step, pain exploding in her right shoulder. Holding Luke tight Mara was gasping for air. They lay there for a while, darkness surrounding them again.
"Did you feel it too?" Luke whispered suddenly, making her jump.
"Feel what?" she growled and pulled herself up on the stairs.
"You know what I mean," he shot back, clearly annoyed.
"What did you feel?"
"It was..... I could have made all my desires and dreams come true, everything..."
"And the price?" Luke barked a sharp laugh:
"Too high by far. I have been through this and I have made my choice. It was awful, really, all those empty promises for a hollow, sterile power. One must be really desperate to embrace this gift."
"Like your father?"
"He would never, ever turn back so far again, just to regain control over himself," Luke said with little conviction. Mara stood slowly and took his arm:
"Let´s go."
It was already dark outside when they left the temple. Luke dropped to the ground a few meters away from the entrance, staring ahead into the swamp. Mara sat down beside him, keeping silent.
"Tell me," she said after a while," given the choice between a fast ship that might crash you into a star and one with less speed but a thicker hull, which would you chose?"
"I don´t know what you are getting at," he answered, turning around to face her.
"Just answer the question." He thought for a while:
"Well, I guess my choice would be number two."
"Why?"
She saw his eyes narrow in the light of the glowrods and smiled at him.
"The fast ship will crash eventually if you can´t always keep it on course and under control to delay your own destruction. You think my father is like that?" Mara looked away, then sighed heavily:
"Look, it is just an idea. As you said I don´t know him the way you do.Let´s get back to the ship," she growled and stood, grabbed her glowrod and marched off into the night.
"Wait!" Luke called after her, "This is nonesense. The ship is almost a day´s walk away. Let´s just make camp here." She turned around and waved at the temple looming out of the night:
"Really here?"
"Well, maybe not so close to this thing," he answered with a boyish grin and joined her side, "I am sure we can find something more inviting."
Eventually they settled for a dry place on one of the small peninsulas dotting the swamp. Sitting together on one of their blankets, Luke resumed the previously interrupted conversation.
"You didn´t tell me why you accompanied my father to Naboo in the first place."
"Well, I guess I was just curious about his teaching methods."
"You don´t trust him."
"Dead right, Skywalker."
"Why? I mean, you two have been working side by side for a long time, and now he is working with Karrde, a man you do trust."
"Your father never worked with anyone. He always set himself apart, making everyone else feel as if they were not worthy of his attention. Still does, sometimes."
"Except for the Emperor."
"Yes, except for him."
"Is that the reason? Because he betrayed the Emperor? Because he killed him?"
"It is not that. We both have been deceived by Palpatine, like everyone else. Maybe I just didn´t want to see that at first. I know better now."
"Have you ever considered becoming a Jedi?"
"What kind of question is that to ask now?"
"If you were a Jedi, you might understand him better."
"Your father is no Jedi."
"How do you know that?"
"By the way he is treating you and your students and everyone. I saw him back there on Naboo, toying with them. He enjoyed it. And despite always talking about how much he misses his family he has chosen to rather leave the New Republic than make a sacrifice. If that is not selfish, I don´t know what is."
"Yet you care for him, despite everything you say. You´ve proven it by taking me here. And don´t tell me that Karrde made you go. He would never do that."
"Karrde is as concerned as I am. Has been so even longer. There is something very wrong with your father. Maybe he doesn´t know where he belongs. Maybe it is something else."
"Mara, do you know where you belong?"
"A mean question, Skywalker."
"And do I get an answer?"
"No. And now we need to sleep."
Morning came all too early, but Mara had decided that she wanted to stay no longer on Dromund Kaas. "I hate this planet!" she growled, when the swamp threatened to swallow her right boot yet again. She tried to pull her leg slowly out of the mud and lost her balance. Luke caught her before she hit the wet ground, and she angrily blew a loose strand of hair out of her face, as he straightened her again. "Thanks, Skywalker, you can let go now," she said drily, when he was a bit slow in taking his hands away. "Shhh," he whispered absentmindedly,
"Do you hear that?" He was looking in the direction their ship, the Jade´s Fire, was in and then Mara heard it too. The whine of heavy craft. "Sith!" she cursed and started sprinting through the swamp, sending mud flying left and right. Luke followed after a few moments hesitation.
When they had reached the small clearing where thy had landed, they stayed under the cover of a huge thicket, both crouched close to the ground.
A mixed group of beings was examining both the ship and it´s surroundings. Mara held her blaster tight, growling something rude, but Luke held her back. To his surprise she did not protest his hand lying on her right shoulder. "Look," he said suddenly and she followed his gaze to where a tall alien had stepped out of the undergrowth. Dressed in a simple black jumpsuit, the reptilian looked vaguely familiar. His bluish green skin gave him a cold appearance and the topknot crowning his otherwise bald head marked him a Falleen warrior. "Xixor," Mara hissed between clenched teeth, "I thought he was dead." - "My feelings exactly. Didn´t he blow up with his skyhook?" - "Reportedly so. And as I recall it was your father who pulled the trigger." - "Yeah, they didn´t like each other much." - "No, not at all," Mara smiled, "Let´s go. Maybe we can get a closer look." Stalking around the clearing, they managed to find a hiding-place not far from where the former Dark Prince of Black Sun stood with three of his cronies. "Confirmed, sir, it is indeed the Jade´s Fire," one of them said. "Interesting. And the tracks tell us that she was not alone. Take five of your men and follow the trail. When you find them, call me." - "Yes, sir." As the other men left, Xixor turned around slowly, examining the thick undergrowth with a thoughtful gaze. Them shaking his head, he joined the rest of his band at the ship.
"That was close," Mara whispered. "Yeah. If they get to the temple, they´ll find our traces and follow them back here. We should act now, get out of here," Luke mused and pensively tapped his lower lip with his right index finger. "Stop that," Mara hissed and he did. "Why are you so nervous?" he asked her and smiled. "This is Xixor we are dealing with, Skywalker. The man is absolutely deadly." - "Well, so are we. Let´s go."
They waited for nightfall, then slipped through the shadows towards the Jade´s Fire looming out of the dark, keeping it between the band´s camp and themselves. Leaning against the cool hull of the Fire, Luke motioned Mara to keep quiet. Unfortunately the entry hatch was on the other side. They needed a distraction. Luke concentrated and searched the undergrowth for a suitable one. Finally what he found was an old, dead tree, whose fall had been stopped by some of it´s younger specimen. But it was rotted and would slip to the ground any time now. Giving it a small nudge was easy and the ensuing crashing sound all the more spectacular. When they heard the gang´s excited voices rise into the night, Mara and Luke slipped around the ship and Mara punched in the security code. It was then that the Dark Prince spotted them.
Xixor simply unholstered his blaster and took aim. Knowing his excellent marksmanship, Luke whipped out his lightsaber, and prepared to counter the attack. "Get in," Mara shouted suddenly and literally dragged him into the ship after her. The last Luke saw was Xixor calling to his men and then turn away. Moments later the Jedi Master had joined Mara in the cockpit, where she was already preparing the ship for flight. "Get the shields up, Skywalker, I don´t want them to damage the hull." - "As ordered," he replied and checked the shields, "Shields up." - "Good, let´s get out of here." The Jade´s Fire roared to life and slowly rose into Dromund Kaas` night sky, heading for the stars, "Next stop: Hellson."