Title: Republic Saga - Vengeance, Chapter Two
Author: Jonathan Evans
Author email: noggins@ic24.net
Summary: Leia travels to the meeting place with the Mandalorian ambassador but is attacked on the way while Mara Jade and Anakin have their first encounter...
Disclaimer: George Lucas owns everything and I'm not making any money off of this nor do I intend to (I'd like to but that's not the point). You can distribute this freely provided that it's complete with this disclaimer and give the writer credit where credit's due.
REPUBLIC SAGA
VENGEANCE
CHAPTER TWO
"Entering hyperspace.... NOW!" Anakin called as the small shuttle
with barely enough room for two people was enveloped in a flourescent
blue light. He turned to Leia and smiled. "Well, nothing's gone
wrong yet."
"And I hope nothing does," she replied carefully. "This mission
is too important for the Republic. If we don't get the Mandalore
to join us I know Mon Mothma will launch an attack on Coruscant."
"And are you so sure that attack will fail?" her father asked.
"You told me yourself you have the ability to see things before
they happen. Haven't you forseen the danger?"
"My powers have gone dim in the years couldn't use them. Or
perhaps they have been passed down to you..."
"Either way, I have a feeling something's going to go wrong if
we don't do this."
She flicked a few switches, activating the autopilot and leaned
back in her seat, twirling the braid that came down over her
left ear. "I still don't see why I have to have these things,"
she pondered. "Sure, they're the traditional style of apprentices
but Luke never had to have one."
"Obviously Obi-Wan felt that since it was an emergency to get
to Alderaan to rescue you he didn't have time to sit Luke down
and cut his hair," Anakin laughed. Leia jabbed him in the side
with a smile. "Okay, okay. He probably felt it was passed its
time, however the Council doesn't. You're my padawan learner
and so you should have the braids. At least you get two. I
only had one when I was training."
"I don't think two would have suited you, father," Leia grinned.
Anakin reached behind his seat and pulled out a datapad with
the mission instructions on it. He switched it on and read the
information for what was probably the hundredth time. His face
became serious again. "Are you sure our contact was right about
the Empire having left Chakran? I'd have thought they'd want
to ensure the smugglers didn't get out of control."
"That's what I thought, but Keylar has reassured me."
The elder Skywalker nodded. "I would say never to trust a
Mandalore but it is time we put our old predjudices behind us
and look to the future. It is the only way we can end this
conflict for good..."
* * * * * * * * *
Lando entered the resting area in the Republic base on New Naboo.
He looked carefully around to see if anyone he knew was there.
Wedge Antilles noticed him and smiled. Lando realised it was too
late to escape now. "Hey, General! Come over here!"
He smiled gracefully and sat next to the leader of Rogue
Squadren. "Hi, Wedge," he said.
"So, what've you been up to? I haven't had a chance to speak
to you for weeks."
"I've been keeping myself busy, I guess." Lando squirmed a little.
He didn't really want to talk to anyone right now but was too
polite to get out of this conversation.
"I heard you were thinking of going back to Bespin," Wedge said
trying desperately to get information out of the Republic officer.
He sensed the atmosphere was tense too but knew Calrissian needed
someone to talk to.
"Well, I have considered but it'd take way too long to retire
from the Republic gracefully."
"So you are considering it?"
"Yeah. I want to go back to when things were a hell of a lot
simpler. Plus I'm not going to be at risk from the Empire now.
I doubt they'd care about some two-credit gas mine now they're
practically on the run."
Wedge shook his head. He knew what was going on more than most.
He'd been on the front line since he'd signed up and things
were not just going to fall into their hands that easy. "If
they're anything, on the run is not it," he said. "I've been
in quite a few battles over the last two months and they're
gaining strength. Rumours are going around that they've got
a new leader."
"Impossible. I hate to say it but no one could rally the troops
like ol' Palpy."
"All they need is fear to put them in line. I'm sure they've
found just the person to do it."
Lando refused to believe it. He sighed and looked around. The
kid had tricked him into talking but he realised that he really
didn't care about the Empire any more. Ppart of him, he thought,
wouldn't mind if a fleet of Star Destroyers attacked New Naboo
and wiped it out right now. At least then he wouldn't have
anything to bother him.
"Look, Wedge, I gotta go..." he said making his excuses.
"You only just got here."
"I know, but now I gotta go."
Lando got up and walked out of the room. Antilles watched
carefully as the now almost broken man disappeared behind the
door. The pilot was beginning to worry about the general but
he just couldn't work out what was wrong. It all started back
after the victory at Endor. That Jedi Adi Gallia took him
away to talk to and he wasn't the same again. For a while
Wedge thought maybe he'd tried to make a move on her and she
turned him down but a year was too long for Calrissian to
be suffering from heartache. Way too long.
* * * * * * * * *
A loud bleeping sound coming from the console woke Anakin with
a start. He checked the computer read out and shook Leia.
"We're coming out of hyperspace!" he told her. She quickly
came to her senses and took control of the shuttle again as
the darkness of space became visible at the end of the blue,
swirling tunnel.
The shuttle shot out and the portal disappeared behind them.
Inside, Anakin checked the star charts. "We're several parsecs
from Chakran. Shouldn't take us too long to get there now."
"Good. The sooner we get this over with the better." Leia pressed
several buttons on the control pad and readjusted the course
they were taking to head straight for the moon.
Anakin looked out of the window to see the stars rushing by.
A feeling suddenly hit him. "Move! Quickly!"
"Wha- What?" Leia stuttered as her father pushed a control
to move the ship away from its current position. Just as he
did an Imperial Star Destroyer emerged from hyperspace.
"That was too close," the older of the two Jedi sighed.
"We're not out of it yet!" Leia replied. "They want to open
a communication with us! What are we supposed to tell them?"
"Leave it to me," Anakin said taking over the situation. He
flicked the comm-link on and waited for the Imperial commander
on the other end to speak.
"Unidentified vessel, please submit your name and reason for
being here."
"I, uh, My name is Keldor Drailik," Skywalker said, adopting
a completely different and convincingly fearful voice. Leia
honestly didn't know her father had it in him. Anakin continued,
"I'm delivering spare parts to the outpost on Chakran."
There was a pause. Leia looked at her father. "Do you think
they suspect anything?"
"I'm not sure. However, I sense something disturbing."
The officer spoke again. "Our sensor detect a high midi-chlorian
count in your vessel. Are you transporting Jedi?"
"I didn't know they had that kind of technology!" Leia whispered.
"Neither did I. I guess they're getting sensible in their old
age."
"That's hardly a good thing for us is it?"
The voice came from the speaker for a third time. "Do you copy?
Are you transporting Jedi?"
Anakin began to work quickly at the hyperspace computer. His
daughter turned to him with shock. "What are you trying to do?
There's no way we can enter lightspeed this close to the planet!"
"Just watch me..."
He pressed a button and the engines began to whirr but it soon
became a louder roar. Anakin pressed a button and the light
surrounded them again. Suddenly the console exploded as a
blast from the Star Destroyer hit them. "Too late!" he
cursed himself.
"We have to get to the planet!" Leia shouted. "I'm putting
us on manual." She took control and built the speed up to
the highest she could get it before beginning to short
journey to the planet, swerving to avoid the laser blasts
coming at them from the hundreds of gun mounts along the
Star Destroyer. She fell from the pattern and one hit them,
followed by another. "I can't maintain control for much
longer!"
"Stay here," Anakin told her. "We're going to have to
split up!"
He rushed from his seat into the cargo bay, by far the largest
part of the shuttle as Leia tried her best to avoid certain
destruction. "Shields are down! Whatever you're planning do
it..."
Before she could finish what she was saying, an X-wing
flew out of the back of the shuttle and headed towards the
Imperial Cruiser, drawing its fire away from the shuttle.
A different voice came through the comm-channel - Anakin's.
"Get to the moon," he told his daughter. "I'll meet you
there as soon as I can."
"Be careful..."
"When am I not careful?" he joked.
Leia piloted the shuttle safely to her destination, made
easier by her father's reckless but brave attack against
the Empire. The probes orbiting Chakran were easy to get
passed and soon she was landing on a docking platform around
fifty kilometres above the poisonous surface of the moon
once used for mining but leaving it scarred and inhospitable.
She left the ship and put her Jedi robes on, covering her
face so that she could not be recognised. Jedi were supposed
to remain as anonomous as possible but that wasn't likely
for Leia with her notrious past as a princess, senator and
Rebel leader. She walked into a cantina and looked around
for Ambassador Keylar. Surely he would not be wearing
his Mandalorian in such a public place.
She walked passed a group of insectoid Yam'rii, their stick-
like arms rubbing together in order to communicate with
each other in loud clicking sounds. Beyond them a black and
grey haired Wookie growled at a Gran for not paying him what
was due. Leia once hated everything about space pirates and
smugglers but then she fell in love with one and everything
changed. They couldn't all be like Han, that just wasn't
possible but she now understood what they had to go through
to survive. Once you had a criminal record in the Old Republic
and the Empire it would tarnish you for life and you could never
go back to honest work yet at the same time they were being
used for taken stolen technology back to the corrupt
senators who made the most they could out of the current
situation. Things were changing but it could never be right
until the Imperial control was vanquished.
A gloved hand came down on her shoulder. Leia turned around,
her hand stroking the chrome plating of her lightsaber. Another
cloaked figure stood behind her but just under it she could
see the distinctive Mandalore mask. Well, he was trying to
remain unseen even if he insisted on keeping his head-piece
on. She wondered for a moment what a Mandalore looked like
under all of that armour. She brought herself back to her
senses as he spoke.
"Excuse me, do you know where you can purchase a hurlothrumbic
generator?" he whispered.
She nodded. "You could try the Hutt stall just around the
corner."
"Will it have what I want?"
"It has everything from hyperspace power coils to maintenence
droids..."
Keylar smiled. They had both gone through the code correctly.
"So, you're Princess Leia Organa," he said.
"I am a Skywalker now."
"Of course, but such information doesn't always reach our
humble planet. Come, come, sit over here." He pulled out a
seat at an empty table and Leia sat. He took another one
opposite her. If she didn't know better he was smiling.
"I didn't think you were coming alone," he mused, prying
for more information.
"We were caught by a Star Destroyer just after we came from
hyperspace. My father took a fight to draw them away. I only
hope he's okay," she replied. "You didn't know anything about
that did you?"
"Why... why would I?" he asked.
"It was just they were looking for Jedi. Strange, isn't it?"
"Yes. Very..."
* * * * * * * * *
Anakin pulled the X-wing up to avoid fire from one angle but was
hit by another barrage from his left. The fighter shuddered as the
shield dropped further. "To hell with this," he muttered. He
switched the deflector shields to full aft and made a run for
Chakran, getting hit by lasers and the occasional proton torpedo.
The shields drained even further. He pushed the speed up to its
maximum but a shot hit one of the engines. It exploded in an
array of colors.
Anakin gripped onto the joystick harder than ever, desperatly
trying to maintain balance but was failing miserably. There
was only one thing he could think of. He smiled as he said
something he hadn't for over thirty years. "I'll try spinning,
that's a good trick!"
He turned the controls and the X-wing seemed to turn over and
over, seemingly out of control but successfully avoiding the
blasts that were coming towards it. The smuggler's moon was
getting ever closer and Anakin just knew he was going to make
it. Just a few more seconds and he'd be out of firing range.
Just a few more seconds...
A lucky shot hit on of the other engines. The spinning craft
increased in speed and the control console exploded. Anakin
was no longer able to maintain the X-wing as it headed towards
the surface, nowhere near the area where he planned to meet Leia.
* * * * * * * * *
"And you think it would benefit both parties?" Keylar asked,
knowing full well he was not going to lose out on this deal - for
his own sake. "My people will not join you unless..."
"The Mandalore will receive immediate entry into the Republic
as well as pardoning for any actions that occured during the Clone
Wars."
"That is a remarkable offer, but are you in a position to make
it?"
"Of course. I spoke with Chancellor Mothma before leaving our
base. I know exactly what is in my right to offer."
Keylar stopped and put his hand on his chin. He thought over
everything carefully. His people had entrusted him with this
position and he wasn't going to lose it for a mistake he made
here. As far as he knew, once they joined, the Republic would
wipe their race out for the crimes commited decades earlier.
"I'm still not sure. I want to believe you but..."
"But?"
"The Jedi do not trust my people and they are powerful enough
to find a way to destroy us."
"I know the Jedi Council. They too have agreed with everything
I have said. They want peace just as much as we do."
"Peace, perhaps," the Mandalore frowned. "But for what reason?
For our aid in going to war?"
"It is not like that. The Empire is a threat to the entire
galaxy."
Keylar shook his head. "They don't know about us."
"Maybe so, but they will find you eventually and they will wipe
you out. A treaty with the Republiv would be beneficial for all
concerned."
Leia gripped her left hand with her right. She held tightly as
she waited nervously for the ambassador's final decision knowing
it could mean life or death for all concerned. He finally spoke.
"My people have sent me to analyse this situation and I believe
your aims are truthful. If you are prepared to do so we can
travel to our outpost where you can meet the Mandalorian Ruling
Council."
The princess smiled. "Thank you. But I'm afraid we can't leave
just yet. I have to wait for my father's arrival. No doubt he
will not be long."
"Of course," Keylar replied. "Then tomorrow we shall leave for
Yarori."
* * * * * * * * *
Anakin finally came to. He raised his head and looked around.
He was on the surface of Chakran. Near the old mining colony.
The sensors on his X-wing, perhaps the only system still
remotely functional informed him of the poisonous atmosphere.
He pulled out a gas mask and goggles and lifted the top hatch
to climb out into the not so fresh air.
As he jumped out he noticed a blaster pointing at his head.
He turned to see a red haired woman with similar facial
attire to himself. He lifted his hands above his head slowly.
"What do you want?" he asked.
He received a blast that whizzed passed his ear as a reply.
As the woman reset her blaster, Anakin pulled out his lightsaber,
deflecting the next lasor that came towards him. His opponent
threw the gun aside and took out her own, red bladed laser sword.
The two clashed as Skywalker forced her back.
"Who are you?"
"It is not your concern," she replied, taking a swipe at his
head which he avoided easily with a quick step to the right. He
hit her back and she rolled with the attack, somersaulting to
safety. She picked her blaster up again and gave of several
random shots which Anakin was forced to deflect. This gave her
the opportunity to rush forward, blade held out. It went through
his side as if it were paper. He grabbed it in pain but then
realised what he must do to win. He began to focus, keeping his
mind on the here and now, letting the Force control his movement...
Anakin jumped into the air and came down with a crash, knocking
the woman's lightsaber out of her hand and well out of her reach.
She cursed him under her breath as he smiled. "Now, I think you
have a few questions to answer, don't you?"
"I'll tell you nothing, Jedi," she hissed. "It isn't you I'm
after, but when we meet again you'll remember the name Mara
Jade as the person who killed your daughter and you could do
nothing about it."
Skywalker came to his senses. He had to find Leia as fast as he
could. With a quick manipulation of the Force he sent Mara's
weapon far into the distance before leaving her standing in the
red, crater-filled area.
* * * * * * * * *
Leia entered her quarters and activated the lights. She realised
she was not alone. Luke's spirit was with her again. "Twice in as
many days. I feel honoured," she smiled.
"I'm afraid I have grave news..." he said solemnly.
"Father!" Leia's eyes were filled with fear.
Her brother shook his head. "No. He is fine. He is a Jedi Master
who can take care of himself. When the time comes he will not be
the target." He stopped so that Leia could recover from her unfounded
shock. "You, my sister, are the greatest power in the Republic, in
the galaxy. When the darkness arrives I will not be able to help
you, not in this form..."
As he finished his sentence, the doors burst open with a bang as
five men and droids stormed into the room, blaster rifles at the
ready. The lead one looked at the princess Jedi and smiled. "Ah,
I see you're waiting for us..."
"Bounty hunters..." Leia frowned as they opened fire on her.
TO BE CONTINUED....
Author: Jonathan Evans
Author email: noggins@ic24.net
Summary: Leia travels to the meeting place with the Mandalorian ambassador but is attacked on the way while Mara Jade and Anakin have their first encounter...
Disclaimer: George Lucas owns everything and I'm not making any money off of this nor do I intend to (I'd like to but that's not the point). You can distribute this freely provided that it's complete with this disclaimer and give the writer credit where credit's due.
REPUBLIC SAGA
VENGEANCE
CHAPTER TWO
"Entering hyperspace.... NOW!" Anakin called as the small shuttle
with barely enough room for two people was enveloped in a flourescent
blue light. He turned to Leia and smiled. "Well, nothing's gone
wrong yet."
"And I hope nothing does," she replied carefully. "This mission
is too important for the Republic. If we don't get the Mandalore
to join us I know Mon Mothma will launch an attack on Coruscant."
"And are you so sure that attack will fail?" her father asked.
"You told me yourself you have the ability to see things before
they happen. Haven't you forseen the danger?"
"My powers have gone dim in the years couldn't use them. Or
perhaps they have been passed down to you..."
"Either way, I have a feeling something's going to go wrong if
we don't do this."
She flicked a few switches, activating the autopilot and leaned
back in her seat, twirling the braid that came down over her
left ear. "I still don't see why I have to have these things,"
she pondered. "Sure, they're the traditional style of apprentices
but Luke never had to have one."
"Obviously Obi-Wan felt that since it was an emergency to get
to Alderaan to rescue you he didn't have time to sit Luke down
and cut his hair," Anakin laughed. Leia jabbed him in the side
with a smile. "Okay, okay. He probably felt it was passed its
time, however the Council doesn't. You're my padawan learner
and so you should have the braids. At least you get two. I
only had one when I was training."
"I don't think two would have suited you, father," Leia grinned.
Anakin reached behind his seat and pulled out a datapad with
the mission instructions on it. He switched it on and read the
information for what was probably the hundredth time. His face
became serious again. "Are you sure our contact was right about
the Empire having left Chakran? I'd have thought they'd want
to ensure the smugglers didn't get out of control."
"That's what I thought, but Keylar has reassured me."
The elder Skywalker nodded. "I would say never to trust a
Mandalore but it is time we put our old predjudices behind us
and look to the future. It is the only way we can end this
conflict for good..."
* * * * * * * * *
Lando entered the resting area in the Republic base on New Naboo.
He looked carefully around to see if anyone he knew was there.
Wedge Antilles noticed him and smiled. Lando realised it was too
late to escape now. "Hey, General! Come over here!"
He smiled gracefully and sat next to the leader of Rogue
Squadren. "Hi, Wedge," he said.
"So, what've you been up to? I haven't had a chance to speak
to you for weeks."
"I've been keeping myself busy, I guess." Lando squirmed a little.
He didn't really want to talk to anyone right now but was too
polite to get out of this conversation.
"I heard you were thinking of going back to Bespin," Wedge said
trying desperately to get information out of the Republic officer.
He sensed the atmosphere was tense too but knew Calrissian needed
someone to talk to.
"Well, I have considered but it'd take way too long to retire
from the Republic gracefully."
"So you are considering it?"
"Yeah. I want to go back to when things were a hell of a lot
simpler. Plus I'm not going to be at risk from the Empire now.
I doubt they'd care about some two-credit gas mine now they're
practically on the run."
Wedge shook his head. He knew what was going on more than most.
He'd been on the front line since he'd signed up and things
were not just going to fall into their hands that easy. "If
they're anything, on the run is not it," he said. "I've been
in quite a few battles over the last two months and they're
gaining strength. Rumours are going around that they've got
a new leader."
"Impossible. I hate to say it but no one could rally the troops
like ol' Palpy."
"All they need is fear to put them in line. I'm sure they've
found just the person to do it."
Lando refused to believe it. He sighed and looked around. The
kid had tricked him into talking but he realised that he really
didn't care about the Empire any more. Ppart of him, he thought,
wouldn't mind if a fleet of Star Destroyers attacked New Naboo
and wiped it out right now. At least then he wouldn't have
anything to bother him.
"Look, Wedge, I gotta go..." he said making his excuses.
"You only just got here."
"I know, but now I gotta go."
Lando got up and walked out of the room. Antilles watched
carefully as the now almost broken man disappeared behind the
door. The pilot was beginning to worry about the general but
he just couldn't work out what was wrong. It all started back
after the victory at Endor. That Jedi Adi Gallia took him
away to talk to and he wasn't the same again. For a while
Wedge thought maybe he'd tried to make a move on her and she
turned him down but a year was too long for Calrissian to
be suffering from heartache. Way too long.
* * * * * * * * *
A loud bleeping sound coming from the console woke Anakin with
a start. He checked the computer read out and shook Leia.
"We're coming out of hyperspace!" he told her. She quickly
came to her senses and took control of the shuttle again as
the darkness of space became visible at the end of the blue,
swirling tunnel.
The shuttle shot out and the portal disappeared behind them.
Inside, Anakin checked the star charts. "We're several parsecs
from Chakran. Shouldn't take us too long to get there now."
"Good. The sooner we get this over with the better." Leia pressed
several buttons on the control pad and readjusted the course
they were taking to head straight for the moon.
Anakin looked out of the window to see the stars rushing by.
A feeling suddenly hit him. "Move! Quickly!"
"Wha- What?" Leia stuttered as her father pushed a control
to move the ship away from its current position. Just as he
did an Imperial Star Destroyer emerged from hyperspace.
"That was too close," the older of the two Jedi sighed.
"We're not out of it yet!" Leia replied. "They want to open
a communication with us! What are we supposed to tell them?"
"Leave it to me," Anakin said taking over the situation. He
flicked the comm-link on and waited for the Imperial commander
on the other end to speak.
"Unidentified vessel, please submit your name and reason for
being here."
"I, uh, My name is Keldor Drailik," Skywalker said, adopting
a completely different and convincingly fearful voice. Leia
honestly didn't know her father had it in him. Anakin continued,
"I'm delivering spare parts to the outpost on Chakran."
There was a pause. Leia looked at her father. "Do you think
they suspect anything?"
"I'm not sure. However, I sense something disturbing."
The officer spoke again. "Our sensor detect a high midi-chlorian
count in your vessel. Are you transporting Jedi?"
"I didn't know they had that kind of technology!" Leia whispered.
"Neither did I. I guess they're getting sensible in their old
age."
"That's hardly a good thing for us is it?"
The voice came from the speaker for a third time. "Do you copy?
Are you transporting Jedi?"
Anakin began to work quickly at the hyperspace computer. His
daughter turned to him with shock. "What are you trying to do?
There's no way we can enter lightspeed this close to the planet!"
"Just watch me..."
He pressed a button and the engines began to whirr but it soon
became a louder roar. Anakin pressed a button and the light
surrounded them again. Suddenly the console exploded as a
blast from the Star Destroyer hit them. "Too late!" he
cursed himself.
"We have to get to the planet!" Leia shouted. "I'm putting
us on manual." She took control and built the speed up to
the highest she could get it before beginning to short
journey to the planet, swerving to avoid the laser blasts
coming at them from the hundreds of gun mounts along the
Star Destroyer. She fell from the pattern and one hit them,
followed by another. "I can't maintain control for much
longer!"
"Stay here," Anakin told her. "We're going to have to
split up!"
He rushed from his seat into the cargo bay, by far the largest
part of the shuttle as Leia tried her best to avoid certain
destruction. "Shields are down! Whatever you're planning do
it..."
Before she could finish what she was saying, an X-wing
flew out of the back of the shuttle and headed towards the
Imperial Cruiser, drawing its fire away from the shuttle.
A different voice came through the comm-channel - Anakin's.
"Get to the moon," he told his daughter. "I'll meet you
there as soon as I can."
"Be careful..."
"When am I not careful?" he joked.
Leia piloted the shuttle safely to her destination, made
easier by her father's reckless but brave attack against
the Empire. The probes orbiting Chakran were easy to get
passed and soon she was landing on a docking platform around
fifty kilometres above the poisonous surface of the moon
once used for mining but leaving it scarred and inhospitable.
She left the ship and put her Jedi robes on, covering her
face so that she could not be recognised. Jedi were supposed
to remain as anonomous as possible but that wasn't likely
for Leia with her notrious past as a princess, senator and
Rebel leader. She walked into a cantina and looked around
for Ambassador Keylar. Surely he would not be wearing
his Mandalorian in such a public place.
She walked passed a group of insectoid Yam'rii, their stick-
like arms rubbing together in order to communicate with
each other in loud clicking sounds. Beyond them a black and
grey haired Wookie growled at a Gran for not paying him what
was due. Leia once hated everything about space pirates and
smugglers but then she fell in love with one and everything
changed. They couldn't all be like Han, that just wasn't
possible but she now understood what they had to go through
to survive. Once you had a criminal record in the Old Republic
and the Empire it would tarnish you for life and you could never
go back to honest work yet at the same time they were being
used for taken stolen technology back to the corrupt
senators who made the most they could out of the current
situation. Things were changing but it could never be right
until the Imperial control was vanquished.
A gloved hand came down on her shoulder. Leia turned around,
her hand stroking the chrome plating of her lightsaber. Another
cloaked figure stood behind her but just under it she could
see the distinctive Mandalore mask. Well, he was trying to
remain unseen even if he insisted on keeping his head-piece
on. She wondered for a moment what a Mandalore looked like
under all of that armour. She brought herself back to her
senses as he spoke.
"Excuse me, do you know where you can purchase a hurlothrumbic
generator?" he whispered.
She nodded. "You could try the Hutt stall just around the
corner."
"Will it have what I want?"
"It has everything from hyperspace power coils to maintenence
droids..."
Keylar smiled. They had both gone through the code correctly.
"So, you're Princess Leia Organa," he said.
"I am a Skywalker now."
"Of course, but such information doesn't always reach our
humble planet. Come, come, sit over here." He pulled out a
seat at an empty table and Leia sat. He took another one
opposite her. If she didn't know better he was smiling.
"I didn't think you were coming alone," he mused, prying
for more information.
"We were caught by a Star Destroyer just after we came from
hyperspace. My father took a fight to draw them away. I only
hope he's okay," she replied. "You didn't know anything about
that did you?"
"Why... why would I?" he asked.
"It was just they were looking for Jedi. Strange, isn't it?"
"Yes. Very..."
* * * * * * * * *
Anakin pulled the X-wing up to avoid fire from one angle but was
hit by another barrage from his left. The fighter shuddered as the
shield dropped further. "To hell with this," he muttered. He
switched the deflector shields to full aft and made a run for
Chakran, getting hit by lasers and the occasional proton torpedo.
The shields drained even further. He pushed the speed up to its
maximum but a shot hit one of the engines. It exploded in an
array of colors.
Anakin gripped onto the joystick harder than ever, desperatly
trying to maintain balance but was failing miserably. There
was only one thing he could think of. He smiled as he said
something he hadn't for over thirty years. "I'll try spinning,
that's a good trick!"
He turned the controls and the X-wing seemed to turn over and
over, seemingly out of control but successfully avoiding the
blasts that were coming towards it. The smuggler's moon was
getting ever closer and Anakin just knew he was going to make
it. Just a few more seconds and he'd be out of firing range.
Just a few more seconds...
A lucky shot hit on of the other engines. The spinning craft
increased in speed and the control console exploded. Anakin
was no longer able to maintain the X-wing as it headed towards
the surface, nowhere near the area where he planned to meet Leia.
* * * * * * * * *
"And you think it would benefit both parties?" Keylar asked,
knowing full well he was not going to lose out on this deal - for
his own sake. "My people will not join you unless..."
"The Mandalore will receive immediate entry into the Republic
as well as pardoning for any actions that occured during the Clone
Wars."
"That is a remarkable offer, but are you in a position to make
it?"
"Of course. I spoke with Chancellor Mothma before leaving our
base. I know exactly what is in my right to offer."
Keylar stopped and put his hand on his chin. He thought over
everything carefully. His people had entrusted him with this
position and he wasn't going to lose it for a mistake he made
here. As far as he knew, once they joined, the Republic would
wipe their race out for the crimes commited decades earlier.
"I'm still not sure. I want to believe you but..."
"But?"
"The Jedi do not trust my people and they are powerful enough
to find a way to destroy us."
"I know the Jedi Council. They too have agreed with everything
I have said. They want peace just as much as we do."
"Peace, perhaps," the Mandalore frowned. "But for what reason?
For our aid in going to war?"
"It is not like that. The Empire is a threat to the entire
galaxy."
Keylar shook his head. "They don't know about us."
"Maybe so, but they will find you eventually and they will wipe
you out. A treaty with the Republiv would be beneficial for all
concerned."
Leia gripped her left hand with her right. She held tightly as
she waited nervously for the ambassador's final decision knowing
it could mean life or death for all concerned. He finally spoke.
"My people have sent me to analyse this situation and I believe
your aims are truthful. If you are prepared to do so we can
travel to our outpost where you can meet the Mandalorian Ruling
Council."
The princess smiled. "Thank you. But I'm afraid we can't leave
just yet. I have to wait for my father's arrival. No doubt he
will not be long."
"Of course," Keylar replied. "Then tomorrow we shall leave for
Yarori."
* * * * * * * * *
Anakin finally came to. He raised his head and looked around.
He was on the surface of Chakran. Near the old mining colony.
The sensors on his X-wing, perhaps the only system still
remotely functional informed him of the poisonous atmosphere.
He pulled out a gas mask and goggles and lifted the top hatch
to climb out into the not so fresh air.
As he jumped out he noticed a blaster pointing at his head.
He turned to see a red haired woman with similar facial
attire to himself. He lifted his hands above his head slowly.
"What do you want?" he asked.
He received a blast that whizzed passed his ear as a reply.
As the woman reset her blaster, Anakin pulled out his lightsaber,
deflecting the next lasor that came towards him. His opponent
threw the gun aside and took out her own, red bladed laser sword.
The two clashed as Skywalker forced her back.
"Who are you?"
"It is not your concern," she replied, taking a swipe at his
head which he avoided easily with a quick step to the right. He
hit her back and she rolled with the attack, somersaulting to
safety. She picked her blaster up again and gave of several
random shots which Anakin was forced to deflect. This gave her
the opportunity to rush forward, blade held out. It went through
his side as if it were paper. He grabbed it in pain but then
realised what he must do to win. He began to focus, keeping his
mind on the here and now, letting the Force control his movement...
Anakin jumped into the air and came down with a crash, knocking
the woman's lightsaber out of her hand and well out of her reach.
She cursed him under her breath as he smiled. "Now, I think you
have a few questions to answer, don't you?"
"I'll tell you nothing, Jedi," she hissed. "It isn't you I'm
after, but when we meet again you'll remember the name Mara
Jade as the person who killed your daughter and you could do
nothing about it."
Skywalker came to his senses. He had to find Leia as fast as he
could. With a quick manipulation of the Force he sent Mara's
weapon far into the distance before leaving her standing in the
red, crater-filled area.
* * * * * * * * *
Leia entered her quarters and activated the lights. She realised
she was not alone. Luke's spirit was with her again. "Twice in as
many days. I feel honoured," she smiled.
"I'm afraid I have grave news..." he said solemnly.
"Father!" Leia's eyes were filled with fear.
Her brother shook his head. "No. He is fine. He is a Jedi Master
who can take care of himself. When the time comes he will not be
the target." He stopped so that Leia could recover from her unfounded
shock. "You, my sister, are the greatest power in the Republic, in
the galaxy. When the darkness arrives I will not be able to help
you, not in this form..."
As he finished his sentence, the doors burst open with a bang as
five men and droids stormed into the room, blaster rifles at the
ready. The lead one looked at the princess Jedi and smiled. "Ah,
I see you're waiting for us..."
"Bounty hunters..." Leia frowned as they opened fire on her.
TO BE CONTINUED....