Chapter seven
Luke seized his son in a hug, brightness on his face. Seeing Adi propped up between Kyle and Jaina, he shook his head.
"Now what did you do?" He chuckled, throwing an arm about his son.
"Let's say this, Master Luke...I sorta was misled and ended up getting my hide kicked." He laughed, but it faded.
"You faced him?" He asked, quietly. Adi sighed, and nodded.
"Long story, you don't wanna know." Luke gave a lopsided smile.
"Huh, I probably don't. C'mon, you guys must be starving. Follow Mara-my-dear here and she'll take you to where the food lies." Jacen breathed in deeply.
"No need, Uncle. We just have to follow our noses..." He walked off towards Mara and Luke's quarters. Mara ran a hand through her hair, laughing.
"He never changes, huh, Luke?" He smiled, and his gaze shifted back to Adi. "Huh, what're we gonna do with you if you go about killing yourself?" Adi shrugged.
"Lock me up, Master Luke! I think it would make life easier for everybody, I wouldn't disappear mysteriously or get hijacked by mad assassins." Kyle nudged her playfully.
"Yeah, right. Somehow or other, you'd manage to get yourself out, like the pirates' ice cave." She rolled her eyes.
"Dad, someday, you'll learn that I can't get out of anything you name. Jedi I may be..." He adjusted her arm around his shoulder.
"Jedi you may be, but you're not the best. None of us are...not counting Luke here." He grinned in his direction. Luke held up a hand.
"Worse than ever, huh, Kyle? No, I'm not the best. You can say that, but I know I'm not." Kyle let Adi shift her weight to Jaina while he performed a deep bow to Luke.
"Ah, the humble Jedi speaks! So modest, yet so well-known." Luke gave him a gentle but comical cuff.
"Come off it! You're worse with sarcasm than Ben!" Ben, who was standing by Luke, gave his father a playful shove.
"Hello, Dad, I'm standing right here! If you talk behind my back, don't do it in front of me." Luke grinned and slapped his son on the back.
"Oh yeah, I forgot for a minute you existed — whoa, son, watch those hands, I was kidding! Okay, are we gonna eat or not?"
It had been a long evening, and the star of Yavin disappeared over the horizon, leaving the gentle dark, soothing shades of red, purple and blue, the hues standing out on the clouds. They sat on seats around the fire in Luke's quarters. Outside, there was the sound of Kyp Durron training his newest students, the sounds of laughter and excitement while he showed them how'.
"So," said Luke, sipping at his beverage, "It was nothing but a trick? Stars, how d'you manage, Adi? I mean, he slashed you, threw you back, and you lived. Then you were almost blind for a while." He shook his head. "I've done many, many things in my life, but...this...it's a bit like Kyle's visit to the Sith..." Adi shrugged.
"I don't think so, somehow. No, Kyle didn't try and kill Mara in the night with assassins, did he? And I don't think that he killed her sister-" She broke off, turning red. "Sorry, Master Luke. It's just this streak in me — I become pretty defensive because nobody understands what it's like for me." Ben cocked his head. Don't I? Her eyes flickered. Not even you, Ben. Luke sighed.
"I guess not. Tell us, if you want to and it's not too painful...what was he like before..." Adi's eyes glinted.
"He was — he was very...very...kind, gentle. He never got angry, and he was Nature's companion. He loved the trees in summer, and...he had a way with the animals there." She paused, and went on with a bitter tone in her voice. "But then came..." She was about to say Fallen Ones,' but thought a moment. Should I? "And then came the times of the Fallen Ones." Luke frowned at Ben for a minute, exchanging thoughts.
Uh, Ben? A little info here. Ben glanced at Adi. She continued. "Yes, it happened, Master Luke. Long ago. That's what the business with the last assassin was." There was a murmuring between Mara and Luke, and Adi stood up. "Look down on me if you must, but remember, I have left those times behind. I have personally tried to bring my friend back. I have proved myself a Jedi." She seated herself again. "Excuse me. After that, he was always clouded and dark. A'lianne and I tried everything, I swear...it went downhill from there." There was a long silence. Nobody said anything, in fear of offending her or Luke. Mara finally spoke.
"You...you were brave to live this long, Adi...after all that's happened..." Adi smiled at her weakly.
"Thank you, Mara...as A'lianne said..." She got up to leave. "In times of dark, there is always light." She disappeared from the room. Ben got up to follow, but Luke placed a restraining hand on his son's arm.
"I know it's hard, Ben, but you gotta let her be alone for a moment. She probably needs to think, son." Ben stared longingly in her direction, and sighed.
"You're right, Dad. Have I really been tagging along to her too much? I mean, you don't think I'm rushing her, do you?" Kyle and Luke laughed, and Kyle held up a hand.
"Ben, if you think you're rushing her, you're wrong, cause my girl is crazy about you. Don't get y'self worked up bout it, okay?" Ben smiled at him, and leaned into his seat.
"Yeah...hey, Jacen, dontcha think you should be after a girl, too? I think you were talking to one the other day — Kara, wasn't it?" Jacen kept himself from blushing.
"We were only talking," he replied flatly. "What about Anakin? That nice Jedi in the school, Takeeda, wasn't it? I think I saw you with her yesterday." Anakin grinned.
"I'll say we talked, and no more!" Luke chuckled, noticing that Mara had disappeared into the kitchen.
"Enough, let's get some rest. Tomorrow...we'll decide on a way to-" Suddenly, the door burst open. The son of Wedge Antilles and Qwi Xux, Daikann, rushed into the room. His blue skin, because of his half-human, half-Omwati inheritance, was glistening with sweat.
"Star...Destroyer...attacked...Republic...mining...outpost...J'kitheron..." He collapsed on the floor, gasping. Ben rushed forwards to help him up. The boy was a lot like his father though not in appearance, and they were fellow X-Wing pilots.
"Daikann, what is it? How long have you travelled?" The boy shrugged, still gasping.
"Dunno...but...'tacked...outpost...was...on...hit-and-fade...run..." He moaned, and fell into a faint. Luke exchanged glances with the others.
"We better go see what this is about. Quick, we gotta go back to Corescant!" Ben frowned.
"And Adi?" Luke shrugged.
"It's up to you to find her, son."
Adi, at that moment, was sitting by a small, bubbling waterfall near the fringes of the forest. It was only her thoughts and herself, here. And she could reflect in the peacefulness of the area. How can I be so stupid? She reprimanded herself. I mean, I could've defeated him, but I was a doddering fool who —
"Adi, why the anger?" A'lianne's spirit floated into view, leaning on a rock. "I taught you that you should never yell at yourself for something that was never your fault." Adi shook your head.
"But A'lianne, it was my fault. I let myself get into that trap, and I got the others into it too." Her pretty sister waved the ideas away.
"Bad thoughts, little sis. You should be thinking ahead — not about an accident that occurred. Ah-ah-ah! Don't get upset now! You see," she said, seating herself beside her sister, "In life, leaders who spent time worrying about a simple mistake they made led to their deaths. Remember that always." She paused, and stepped into the shadows. "He comes, Adi. Ready yourself for the news he brings. May the Force be with you always, Dawn-Kin." She disappeared, and Ben crashed through the trees into view.
"Adi, terrible news! A Star Destroyer attacked the mining planet of J'kitheron. We have to go help them!" Adi slapped her forehead.
"Stars! I know why he lured me to that place now! So that you all would be so distracted with my matter that..." She buried her face in her palms. "Damn you, Iddyl! Always ahead of me!" Ben took her hands away from her face, kissing them gently.
"Hush, Adi. It's not your fault. Now come, we may have to go there ourselves." She shook her head.
"I...I don't want to see the damage that...that that damn, son-of-Palpatine, jackass did!" Ben put a hand on her arm.
"Adi? Calm down now..." She shook her head again, pulling her hands away. She begun pacing back and forth in frustration.
"How can I be calm when damn Iddyl is using his Imperial friend to wreck havoc upon innocents, the fault being mine? I could've stopped him long ago, stop him from disappearing into that damned temple, but no! I was too wary, I was too firm, too stupid and young to stop him! I had to lead him here, allow him to torment me, allow him to destroy thousands, allow him to lure me into a trap! If it weren't for you, I'd be dead, and it's what I deserve now. I got Amaroth destroyed! I got Force assassins on Luke, on Mara, on Leia, on Han! On Jaina and Jacen, and Anakin! On you! I've almost lost the will to live...do you know how much pain and suffering I've caused? You're the only reason that I live now, Ben...you're the one keeping me alive. If you weren't in my life, I would've been dead long ago." Ben said nothing, and stared. Never before had he seen her lose control like this, venting everything out. He quietly stood up, and placing gentle hands on her shoulders. She said nothing, hyperventilating. He then kissed her tenderly. Her could feel the fury inside her simmer down, disappearing like water down a drain.
"Adi, it was never your fault. As I have said before, you're the best thing that's happened to me. I'm proud to be by your side as I'm proud to be a Skywalker, as you will be too someday. Fate does what she must to keep life going. We can't necessarily control all the things that occur in our lives, we can't predict the future, unless it's in a vision, and even then, the meaning is not always clear. You're my destiny, my fortune, and I don't mind that. As long as I'm with you, Adi, I'm happy. I don't care what happens. As long as you never leave me." She breathed out gently, leaning into his embrace.
"Forgive me," she whispered. "I'm a fool for saying such things to you. You're the best thing in my life, too, Ben." But before him, she thought to herself, There was Iddyl. My second reason to live...and the vision I saw? What if it comes true? Will he be able to carry on? Ben was unaware of these thoughts. He held her, believing he had her forever.
Luke shook his head in horrified amazement at the battle report.
"Four Star Destroyers, two Victory-class, one Interdictor-class, one Super Star Destroyer, and a dozen identified as Maverick -class transports. They destroyed half the human colony, seven major mines, three armoured transports, four Z-95 Headhunters, two Starchasers and a medical facility." He ran a hand through his hair. "And we didn't even expect it. A hit-and-run, right, Daikann?" The sixteen-year-old X-Wing Starfighter pilot nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Master Skywalker. It happened so fast..." He sighed. "One minute, we were sitting down. Next, huge green bolts came down, and Dad yelled at us to get to our X-Wings. He sent Mom down to the underground bunkers, and we were sent to attack. It was like chasing stardust, Master Skywalker! We were there, and they were gone by the time we went. In that little time, they had cause a lot of havoc." He shook his head, putting it between his blue, slim hands. "Gods, never again..." Ben looked up, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Nobody could stop it from happening, Daikann. And I doubt we're facing a whole fleet." The younger boy blinked at him.
"How do you know? We could be facing a new Empire for all we know." Luke shrugged.
"I don't know, Daikann. I doubt they'd have that much capacity, but I shouldn't underestimate em. We better get ready for another war, hm? I'm going to talk to Mara. See you later." Luke sauntered out of the room. Ben rolled his eyes.
"When he says that, you don't want to know what happens." Daikann chuckled softly.
"Yeah, don't worry, I've seen it with my parents too. Urgh, I'd hate to think what goes on in there...you'd never catch me doing that, or you, Ben." Ben winked.
"Ah, you never know. Did you meet Adi?"
Luke caressed Mara's cheek, bringing her forwards to kiss him. She grinned at him, memories flooding back.
"Mm...Luke, what about the Star Destroyers?" She asked, her smiled fading. He ran a wondering finger along her bare arm, sighing.
"It's not too good. Here," he said, handing her the data pad. She shook her head.
"Well, I'll be Kesseled," she muttered. "This is worse than I predicted. Luke, this can't have been just a few Renegades...no, this is under a leader, a good commander..." He frowned.
"You know, I'll have to find someone to look into anybody who's gone missing from the Empire in the last few days. The Annihilation, is it?" Mara nodded. "Okay, I'm gonna go and find out a little more. Come with me?" She smiled, attaching her lightsaber to her belt.
"I'm with you all the way," she whispered, lips brushing his ear. "As always."
"You're Adi?" Asked Daikann, raising a brown-black eyebrow.
"I'm Adi," she answered, smiling. Ben slipped an arm around her waist, making Daikann a little jealous of his relationship.
"Yeah, and I'd have nobody but her." Daikann smiled wryly, his father's features showing.
"Hm, really...this coming from the same guy who said he probably wouldn't find anybody who was right for him?" Ben shrugged, grinning.
"Well, I was wrong then. What about you, Daikann?" The other raised his shoulders in return, shoving hands in the pockets of the orange jumpsuit of the Republic.
"Dunno...no nice girls round here. And Anakin and Jacen have taken em all...I'm just the little kid in the middle, right?" Ben gave him a slight shove.
"No, you're older than you believe, Daikann!" Adi grinned.
"Besides, you've got a nice little charm there, Daikann...there's a girl like yourself, but she's full Omwati...she's one of the pilots in Blue Squadron. Her name's Aikana. Go see her, for me? Say Adi sent you." The other blushed, an odd combination of red on blue skin.
"I'll try," he mumbled. "I gotta go now, see to business." He sauntered out of the room. After he did, Ben turned his full attention to Adi.
"You okay?" She nodded.
"Yeah, no worries. I'm okay now." He stroked her cheek.
"You sure?" She smiled at him.
"I'm positive." He cocked his head.
"I'm a little worried about you...since...since we talked before, when you went to the waterfall. You seem so clouded...your mind's closed to me. What is it that you're hiding?" Adi shrugged, mumbling.
"Probably nothing..." Ben placed his fingers on her temples.
"Not nothing. The vision." She bristled.
"Don't, Ben! I don't want to talk about it!" He opened his mouth, but she stopped him. "I want my privacy, Ben. Please, don't go poking in my mind! It's my business!" Ben looked hurt, his cheeks turning red.
"All right, Adi," he said, fighting tears. "I won't disturb you...you know what, go do whatever you need to. I'll be...I'll be with Daikann, to see the damage." He left the room. Adi held up a hand, shaking her head. Ben didn't hear.
"Ben...no, please...I'm sorry..." The tears rolled down her cheeks instead of his. "No, come back!" She wailed. But he had blocked her. She stood leaning against the doorway, resting her head against it, letting the tears flow.
Ben was upset, angry, and grieving all at the same time. He didn't mean to invade her privacy. Had it gone wrong so quickly? His fingers gripped the X-Wing controls, Artoo-Deetoo beeping in query.
"Doo-weep?" The translation scrolled across his screen.
"No, Artoo. I think I lost it with Adi." A mournful sound came from the little droid. Ben sighed.
"I don't know, Artoo! I messed up, at that's all there is to it." The little droid went silent.
"Dweep?" Came the questioning tone.
"No, Artoo! I can't go back now. Maybe she needs some time alone..." A voice came over his comm.
"Hey, Ben...it's Daikann. Hey, sorry bout Adi back there..." Ben sighed.
"Think nothing of it, Daikann. It doesn't matter." Well it does, He thought, But maybe I shouldn't brood on it...Hell, what am I thinking? I love her! And I just lost her...
"Ben? You there? I've asked the same question three times..." Ben blinked, jerking into reality.
"Huh? Oh, yeah...what is it?" There was a noise between a sigh and a laugh, and then the junior spoke again.
"Yeah, well, I was asking, why dontcha go back? Close your eyes, and you'll see what I mean." Ben frowned, puzzled. He closed his eyes, and saw Adi, crying. She wailing Ben's name, clutching one of his robes to her. She sobbed, kneeling by her bed and resting her head against it.
"Sorry," she was whispering. "Come back, Ben, come-back..." His eyes snapped open.
"Stars, I gotta go back! Daikann, how did you-" But when he looked outside his X-Wing visor, the son of Wedge had already gone.
Ben burst into the room, scooping Adi into his arms.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm sorry I left like that." Adi gazed at him with her lovely, tear-streaked face.
"Oh, Ben...Ben..." She stumbled over words, mumbling and leaning against him.
"No, don't apologise. I shouldn't have left you...you're too insecure. Ssh, I'm here now." She sighed, caressing his face with her long fingers.
"A woman came in, and she was so full of hatred and anger, Ben...but she was a Jedi, too. Or an apprentice. She saw me upset, crying...and she sneered at me. See what you've done?' She said, See how you suffer? You suffer for stealing my love away.' She laughed at me, and ran out of the room." Ben breathed out slowly.
"I know who you're talking about, Adi...it's someone I know...or knew. She was crazy about me, but I never liked her. She was too vain, not the right person for a Jedi. But she had the capabilities. Her name was De'ana. De'ana Maljovi. Anyway, I got sick of her, asked her to leave me alone...politely, mind. I said I didn't like her much and..." He went red. "She ran off crying. Jacen told me she was getting jealous of you — you, the person I loved and cherished, the person I had risked my life to save. And she hates you now, the worst thing a Jedi can do to someone so beautiful and innocent." Adi blushed. "And...she ran away. I never saw her again, never heard of her until you brought her up today." There was a cackle at the door. They spun around to see a girl with firm, beautiful features on pale skin, with blood-red lips. She was a year younger than Adi, a light dancing in her dark eyes. She laughed again, tossing back her jet-black hair and leaning against the doorframe.
"Oh, my love," she laughed, "Can't you see the twisted evil that lies within this woman? She was once a Fallen One, and is tormented by the Sith. Why waste your wonderful self on a slut like her?" Ben glared at her.
"De'ana, get out of my life!" She flicked back her hair again, staring adoringly at Ben.
"Oh, my dear beloved, she has lured you into her web. Come, I shall become the spider-killer, and I shall free you from her snare that has blinded you." Ben backed away, hand on lightsaber.
"Get away from me, witch. I love her, and nothing can change that!" He blocked the way to Adi in defence.
"Oh, but my dear...little Adi, if you truly love Ben, let him free, let him become mine. Then he will be happy. He is not blissful with an unhappy soul like yourself." Ben glared at her again.
"That's why I'm with her, De'ana. I'm healing her soul...I don't need you to spoil my life!" The alluring woman crooked a finger.
"Oh, my love...come back to me. It's been too many lonely, lonely nights. Can't you heal my soul?" Ben shook his head.
"It's too dark and twisted, De'ana. I can't." The other blinked.
"Are you accusing me of the dark side? How dare you! I do nothing but long for you and love!" Bitter tears sprung to her eyes. "Oh, my love...she has enticed you. She has filled you with cruel thoughts, to hate me. Gods, what have I done to deserve this? My only love, Ben, my handsome Ben..." Ben smiled.
"But what about the other men you shared your bed with, De'ana? You're not a Jedi; you're a call girl, a harlot!" She slapped him hard across the face, her pale face red.
"You...you...how dare you! I love you and this is what I get?"
"I don't love you, De'ana. I love Adi. Now leave us." De'ana glared at Adi.
"You haven't seen the last of this, Adi, you thief! You have placed him under a spell, a trance, and I cannot get him back! My love, your words have broken my heart!" She marched out of the room. Adi got up to follow her, and Ben grabbed her.
"No, don't go to her. She'll try and kill you." He sighed. "We will wait and see. Then, when the time comes, my father will judge her."
