Chapter Fifty One:

Tsu Mada, alone in his private chambers, activated his communications console. Opening a hailing channel, Tsu entered a code he had been given a while back. He waited patiently for the receiver to answer, and when they did, Tsu dipped his head in respect.

"What is it Doctor?" Vexa Wran inquired.

"I thought you would like to know that Captain Solo was here looking into scalpel squids." Tsu reported. "He also took one of each gender with him."

Vexa hissed. "Why is Solo looking for information on them? How would he even know about them?"

"He claimed to think that he knew someone who is a victim of the squid," Tsu replied. "He did not give me a name, but he seemed certain he was right. He even showed me accurate artwork on the creature."

Vexa's eyes narrowed. "A picture? You mean a holo?"

"It was a drawing." Tsu clarified.

Vexa growled low in her throat. "Why that little..."

Tsu blinked at her, intrigued, but he knew better than to ask. "Anyway, he is on his way back to Coruscant now; he should be jumping to hyperspace soon."

"Why did you agree to help them, Doctor?" Vexa demanded irately.

"Because, they went below to get me more specimens!" Tsu snapped back evenly. "I have asked for help with that from you for months now, and have not received it. So yes, I traded information for squid." Vexa curled a fist angrily, and he held up a large hand. "Before you threaten me, you might want to hear what else I have to say."

Vexa lifted a brow. "Do go on."

"While we were at sea, I had my assistant... tamper with Solo's ship. While it is in hyperspace, the ship will malfunction, drawing them quite suddenly from lightspeed." The doctor lifted his head imperiously. "I am a scientist; I know how to make something like that look like an accident."

Vexa stared at him a moment, and then grinned maliciously. "I am rather impressed, Doctor. I knew I liked you for a reason. You did well to bring this to my attention. Have fun with your experiments."

With that she signed off, leaving Tsu to wonder who was in her sights now. He pitied the poor fool, whoever it was.

00000

Vexa slammed a furious fist onto her desk, allowing her outrage to saturate her thoroughly. She simmered for a full five minutes before she allowed her mind to clear. This was the final straw!

Ignis had defied her for the last time! When he returned to her, no matter if he had the child or not, he would be activated. And not only that, but he would never again feel the warmth of any sun on his skin. She had already been toying with ideas on what to make him wear once he was under her full command.

One set of armor and helmet design was already on the top of her list. Her best designers had helped her create it, and now she would give them the go-ahead to make it.

Ignis would rue the day he thought Vexa Wran was someone to be trifled with.

00000

When Wedge's small shuttle exited hyperspace, it brought to Luke a wave of nostalgia. Memories of the very first time he had entered the Alderaan system flooded his mind. For a few seconds, Luke saw not Wedge at the helm, but Han and Chewie, with Ben Kenobi seemingly nagging at the smuggler.

That's no moon... Ben had said seriously. It's a space station.

"You alright, Luke?" Wedge asked, glancing to his friend to see him with faraway eyes.

Luke blinked back to existence with a small smile. "I'm alright, Wedge. I was just remembering my first time here."

Wedge lifted a brow. "I guess it's been a while since you were here, huh?"

Luke nodded. "I haven't returned since Leia asked for my help in creating a monument to Alderaan. She wanted to try and use actual pieces of the destroyed planet, and I had to locate them for her. It was not an easy task."

Wedge cringed. "I can't imagine what that was like, especially after all that time."

"Yeah, but it was worth it when I saw the look on her face," Luke murmured.

Wedge smiled warmly. "You've always had such a big heart, Luke."

Luke accepted the compliment humbly and then returned to business. "Where is the station?"

"It's cloaked," Wedge replied. "Admiral Igeal was insistent that the stealth tech be used to hide this station from all who might pass by. But really, we never get travelers through here, so it's kind of a waste if you ask me."

"Speaking of stealth, what's been decided about the fighters?" Luke inquired.

"I haven't heard for certain, but I think the project has been sidelined," Wedge answered. "It makes sense; because without Bespin to produce the fuel required, there's not enough to use the fighters for more than a select few missions."

Luke inclined his head. "Well, at least the technology didn't get fully stolen."

"Yeah, but we don't know how much the Rising will figure out on their own with what they did get."

"True."

Wedge flew them galactic west of where Alderaan had once sat. Luke watched almost eagerly for his first glimpse of the station that was supposed to be there. It came when they were close enough for the shielding to only be down for a few seconds. Thus Luke only caught a faint glimpse of the station, and he realized that it was actually smaller than the one at Bespin had been.

"How many people know this station is here?" Luke was curious to know.

"Only a very small handful," Wedge answered. "Don't be alarmed if they ask you to sign a confidentiality agreement."

Luke lifted a brow. "Have you told Iella?"

Wedge nodded. "I did, but then, she also had to sign the document."

Luke hummed. "I don't keep anything from Mara."

"I said the same thing about Iella," Wedge replied. "I'm sure that Admiral Igeal will allow you to do the same as I did."

Wedge docked their ship in the bay he had been directed to. Luke looked out the viewport to find Admiral Igeal approaching the landing zone. As soon as Wedge's ship was shut down, mechanics began to perform the usual checks and refueling.

Wedge led the way off his ship, and he saluted Igeal crisply. "Admiral."

Igeal returned the salute. Since Luke was no longer in the military, he bowed respectfully to Igeal instead of saluting.

"Master Skywalker, thank you for agreeing to come along," Igeal said, waving an aid forward. In the aid's hands was a datapad. "Before you go any further, I am afraid I must ask you to sign a confidentiality form. This facility absolutely must not come to the knowledge of anyone not approved by the head of the military or the Chief of State themselves. Is that clear?"

Luke held up a hand. "Admiral, I keep no secrets from my wife. I will only sign if she may do the same, after being told about this place."

Igeal considered. "She is trustworthy?"

"Sir, I can personally vouch for both Luke and Mara," Wedge said seriously. "I would stake my entire career on it."

Igeal eyed Wedge, and then nodded. "Very well. Once you return home, Master Skywalker, I will give you twenty four standard hours to send me her signed form, agreed?"

"Yes Sir." Luke reached for the datapad and put his name to the document.

Igeal thanked the aid and the woman left quietly. He then gestured for the two humans to follow, him, which they did.

"Now, I still haven't gotten the young woman's name, but she has been writing down some things that she knows." Igeal told them as they walked. "What I do know at this point is that she's scared, but willing to talk. I could see the hesitation in her eyes, and I could smell her fear, as much as she tried to hide it."

Luke and Wedge followed along intently. The trio entered a turbolift and rode it down a few levels.

"If you do not mind, Master Skywalker," Igeal glanced to the Jedi Master, "I would like for Commander Antilles to see the young woman first, alone. I want to see what Wedge can get from her before we move on to the Jedi's point of view."

"That is fine with me, Admiral." Luke agreed. "Though, I would like to view the proceedings."

"Of course," Igeal said. "You will be with the rest of us in the observation room."

Luke inclined his head, and when they got to the correct level, Igeal showed Wedge to a medical room. Then he and Luke moved to a small observation area behind a one-way window that the occupant probably didn't know existed. Igeal confirmed that suspicion moments later.

"We moved her to this room soon after she woke, and the medics assured me she was stable enough to transfer to a new room." Igeal told Luke. "We are of course careful to preserve her privacy."

"That is good to hear," Luke said, focusing on the young woman he had yet to see physically. Watching the proceedings on camera was one thing, but to meet her in person... that was something else.

In the hall, Wedge straightened his outfit before opening the door. He was greeted with a sharp pair of blue eyes the same shade as deep ocean water. They were framed by a tan face with the black tattoo-like markings typical of her race. The horns on the crown of her head were still a little small, indicating just how young this girl was. Wedge was certain that when she was fully matured, her horns would be much larger.

And now that Wedge could see her out of the harried settings of their previous encounter, she indeed looked so... young. At least in physical appearance.

The young woman's eyes, on the other hand, spoke of wisdom beyond her years.

Not unlike Ignis, actually. Wedge mused to himself. Interesting.

When he realized that he was still standing just inside the doorway, Wedge cleared his throat and entered fully. He waited for the door to shut before speaking.

"My name is Commander Wedge Antilles. You wanted to speak with me?"

The young woman eyed him intently. "You are the one who helped me in the hall, yes?"

Wedge nodded once. "I am."

The girl continued to eye him and then she blew out a breath. "Thank you for agreeing to come."

"May I ask why it had to be me?" Wedge inquired.

"Because yours is the only face I recognize," was the response. "And... you helped me, despite what I did."

Wedge considered that. "Well, I did want answers, and only you could provide them."

There seemed to be a hint of sorrow in her eyes. "Is that the only reason?"

Wedge lifted a brow. "Young lady, I do not know you." He softened a touch. "But... I do try my best to respect all life."

The young woman sighed, and leaned her head back against the pillow, saying nothing. Wedge allowed her a moment to collect her thoughts before he came closer. Her eyes, he noted, tracked him intently. And while she was clearly troubled, she was far from ignorant, Wedge could see.

"Who are you?" Wedge asked, remaining standing a few feet away from the foot of her bed.

She looked to him. "Before I answer anything, please tell me one thing. The boy who was with me: does he think I am dead?"

Wedge paused. "Come again?"

"Does he believe me to be dead?" she repeated.

Wedges eyes narrowed. "Why does that matter?"

"Please," the young woman pled, her fear leaking through into her tone. "I must know before I can give you any information."

"Tell me why that is first," Wedge insisted.

"Because if he believes I am dead, then my former master does too," she whispered. "Besides, she would have sought me out in the Force when he returned without me and reported me dead. Though I have to point out that if she hasn't put out her... search party," she made air quotes with her fingers, "for me by now, she likely doesn't know I am alive." She pitted Wedge with a hard stare. "So... am I dead to them, or not?"

Wedge considered the boy he had chased. "He gave no indication that you were alive. I believe he thought he had killed you as he'd intended."

She held his gaze, and once she had apparently determined that he was telling the truth, she relaxed, even slumping back against her pillows once more in relief.

"Thank the Force!" she said, and Wedge blinked in surprise to find tears moistening her eyes. "I am finally free of her!"

"Free of whom?"

The young woman refocused on him. "Vexa Wran."

Wedge dropped his arms, his posture going more rigid. "Do explain."

She nodded. "My name is Samanda Yvyyn, and I am an acolyte of Vexa Wran. Well, I was."

Wedge narrowed his eyes. "An acolyte?"

"Slave would be a more accurate term, but she prefers acolyte," Samanda replied.

"So... what, are you an apprentice?" Wedge asked, trying to make sense of this.

"No. I was a servant of hers," Samanda explained. "Forced to train and do her bidding, or suffer at every single turn of disobedience. Any and all failure was treated as unforgivable to her."

Wedge grimaced inwardly, but he was still a little lost. "Why don't you start at the beginning, alright? Help me to understand, please."

Samanda sighed softly. "What you need to know is that I was kidnapped by her at a young age and forced to bend to her iron will. I had to either learn... or die. That is no joke, Commander. Vexa is a cruel, harsh taskmaster. Her idea of teaching is to give you the basics and then send you out to either get it, or die in the attempt. There was no mercy, no concern for my safety, nothing. I was given what I needed to survive and be healthy, but other than that, I was never cared for by her."

Wedge figured this conversation would be better suited for Luke, and decided to move things along. "Okay. Let's shift things a little. Why were you at the station?"

"Vexa sent Jayce— the dark-skinned boy I was with— and me to obtain the stealth technology she knew you had been working on," Samanda replied simply.

"How old are you, Samanda?"

"Fourteen," she whispered.

Wedge gaped. "Fourteen? And Jayce?"

"Sixteen."

Wedge couldn't believe what he was hearing, even though he had seen the abilities of the two kids with his own eyes.

"How did two teenagers infiltrate a highly fortified military station?" Wedge wanted to know.

"I have an impressive skill set. I am an assassin and spy in all senses of the word. And the older I was getting, the more advanced my training was becoming. Believe me when I tell you there was a lot more she had planned for me to learn." Samanda looked down. "But I never wanted to be like this. I was happy where I was before I was taken from my home."

"Where did you come from?"

Samanda smiled sadly. "My family lived a quiet life on Tanaab. We were farmers, and one of the few families who actually owned our own land. My family never did anything to hurt anyone, and never would have... but Vexa didn't care."

"What did she do?" Wedge murmured, sensing even without the Force this girl's sorrow.

"One day my father took me with him to sell our most recent harvest. I felt like I was being watched, and I told him as much. We were both jumpy, and finally I caught the barest glint of yellow eyes framed by two white lekku. My father and I hurried home, hoping it was just a fluke thing. But that night, as my family was just settling down for dinner, the same woman came to my house and let herself right in."

Samanda's eyes leaked now. "She demanded that I be given to her, and that she would spare the remainder of my family if they obeyed. My parents refused, and did their best to defend my brothers and me, but she cut through them as if they were nothing more than pests. She murdered them all and still took me. I resisted, but it was useless. She knocked me out and the next thing I knew I was in a barren room. My... training... began that same day."

Wedge stood stiffly as Samanda wept, and for a long minute he thought that, if this was indeed a student of Vexa's, that this was all a grand ploy to get him to lower his guard. But why would Samanda first make sure she was dead to her master if this was a ploy by said master?

Wedge sighed softly and grabbed a few tissues to hand her. She looked surprised and at first hesitated to accept them. But, eventually, she did gingerly take them with a word of thanks. Once she had calmed enough to speak again, Samanda did so.

"Vexa learned of the stealth tech, and wanted Jayce and I to bring it to her. I have an affinity for tech, so she sent me, even though I am not the most experienced. Jayce was more of the muscle and escape artist." Samanda paused for a breath. "But I did not give Vexa both files that I found. I only sent her part of the information. Jayce did not know this, and I would hate to have been in his shoes when he returned, after having killed me— or so they think— and having not completed the mission." She shuddered. "I might not have liked Jayce at all, but I can feel for him."

Wedge held up a hand. "You only gave Vexa part of what she wanted?"

"Yes." Samanda must have read something in his face, for she straightened. "I am sure that by now, your technicians have figured that out. Ask them to verify my claim if you must."

Wedge thinned his lips. "I will do that. Why would you not fulfill your mission?"

"Because I wanted out. And the only way I would truly do that was to somehow fake my own death." Samanda glanced to her abdomen. "I hadn't planned on that plan working quite as well as it had. I know I technically shouldn't have survived."

Wedge considered her a bit more and then began to back away from the bed. "Thank you for this meeting. I need to talk with my technicians now, and verify what you say is true. I will return later."

"Did Master Skywalker come too?" Samanda asked when he got to the door.

Wedge pretended not to hear her as he slipped from the room. He took a deep breath and looked left as Luke and Igeal appeared from the observation area.

"Very well done, Commander." Igeal praised. "Your session was recorded, and I already have the technicians verifying her claims. I do believe she is telling the truth."

"I agree that she's being honest," Luke said. "I sensed no deceit in her."

"Thank you Mater Skywalker." Igeal replied. "Both of you look tired, why don't you get some rest, and we can see her again tomorrow? Master Skywalker, I want to see what else we can get from her before you go in, if you don't mind."

Luke lifted a brow. "Admiral, I am willing to be patient, but please do not keep pushing my time with her back."

"I won't." The Harch promised. "But I would like to allow Commander Antilles one or two more sessions with her before we introduce her to you. I want her to remain open to us as much as possible."

Luke nodded. "Okay."

"Thank you." Igeal handed the two men small cards with a room number upon them. "You are sharing room 233 on level two. Please do not wander too freely while at the station. Deck two is open to you completely, and is where you will find all amenities like the kitchens. But all other levels are restricted. Only leave level two when you are called upon to do so."

"Yes sir." The two men chorused.

Wedge and Luke rode the lift to the designated level.

Once they'd left the lift car, Wedge looked to Luke. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes," Luke replied.

Wedge grinned. "I'll buy."

Luke laughed. "Lead on then, Commander."

The two found the mess hall, and were pleasantly surprised to find a full-service kitchen available, with a trio of chefs working at the counter. Luke and Wedge made their way to the counter. After surveying their options, each gave their order and moved aside to wait.

It didn't take long, and soon the pair was choosing a place to sit in the otherwise sparsely populated hall.

"So what are your initial thoughts?" Luke inquired softly.

Wedge sighed. "I think she was truly scared at points. Especially at first. Did you get any of those vibes in the Force?"

Luke nodded as he chewed, speaking once he'd swallowed. "I did. She was completely afraid of Vexa, and I think for her to have done what she did was out of desperation to get away from her master."

Wedge tilted his head as Luke's voice took on an odd tone. "You alright?"

Luke didn't answer at first, and Wedge lifted a brow. "Luke?"

Luke blinked, taking a breath. "I'm okay, just thinking. What else do you think about Samanda?"

"Tragic story about her family," Wedge murmured. "I wonder how old she was? I don't think she said."

"Old enough to understand what had happened." Luke deduced.

"Yeah," Wedge said, spooning more of his own food into his mouth.

The men continued their meal in companionable silence and then agreed it was time to get some rest. They found their room with little trouble, and settled in gladly for a good night's sleep.

00000

Han sat in the cockpit of his ship, glad to be leaving this planet behind him. Han had been having a bad feeling for a while now, and he was ready to put this place behind him and never look back.

In the seat behind Han, Lando held their case that contained the pair of squids they had retrieved. Tsu had been rather informative on how to utilize the squids to coax the one in Ignis' head to leave it.

Make certain that whoever is in the vicinity is wearing a completely sealed helmet. Anyone who is not within ten feet of the victim will be fine, as the squid can only survive outside of water or a host for a short time. But they can and will attempt to enter any person they can in an effort to survive. So do be extra cautious.

Han looked to the case, noting the extra tube that had been prepped for the squid that was to be lured from Ignis. It would be interesting to get the squid from Ignis into the tube, Han knew.

That was why Tsu had instructed them to have a catch bucket ready beneath the victim's nasal passages. They were to place the squid of the opposite sex in the bucket, and place it beneath the nose. When the squid inside Ignis sensed the chance to breed, it would exit Ignis to do so. Tsu had assured Han that they could not breed while paired with a host.

Once the squid was completely outside Ignis, then they could tube it.

Han realized he was spacing out and shook his head, bringing his ship to full life and waiting for her to warm up. On a whim, he sent a message to Leia telling her that he was on his way home.

Once the Millennium Falcon was warmed up, Han lifted her from the deck. It was beginning to rain heavily outside, and Han would be more than happy to leave the stormy weather behind as well.

As he piloted them, Han's mind went to a topic he had been debating for a few hours now. Once they were out of the atmosphere, Han put them into a loose orbit and turned to his friends. The two Wookiees were also in the cockpit, making it easier for Han to address them all.

"Listen guys, I know I said only Kamino, but I really feel like scoping out Boz Pity."

Everyone looked to him.

"Han..." Lando began wearily. "You promised Leia only one adventure this trip."

Han blew out a breath. "Yeah, I know. I just... can't shake the feeling that something big is about to go down."

[Han,] Chewbacca said sternly. [If Ignis is from Boz Pity, and you know he lived under someone Dark, do you really think that is some place you should travel without Luke?]

Han looked down. "Yeah, you're right, Pal. Let's focus on the squid for now."

Han began to input coordinates and the others relaxed. Soon they were under way, and Han muttered a final goodbye to Kamino.

"Who's up for a relaxing game of sabacc?" Han asked once system checks were complete.

Lando grinned. "I could go for that."

[Prepare to lose again, Calrissian,] Chewbacca challenged good-naturedly.

[If you don't mind, I will sit this one out,] Lumpy said. [I am rather tired, and would like to rest.]

"Sure no problem." Han agreed, waving the younger Wookiee away.

With that, the men settled down in the lobby to play their game. Three hours later, Han was grinning like a fool as he laid down his hand.

"Idiot's array." He began to draw the small pile of goodies the trio had been slowly amassing as their game progressed to higher and higher stakes. "Sorry Fellas."

Lando sighed and sat back, throwing down his cards. "I was almost at a pure sabacc, Han."

[One of these days, Solo...] Chewie grumbled.

Han chuckled. "Now now, you two, let's not be poor sp..."

At that moment there was a horrendous whine as the Millennium Falcon's systems began to spark like crazy. Everyone was thrown violently from their seats as the ship exited hyperspace without warning.

Lando cried out as he crashed into a console near him, and Chewbacca roared as he hit his head on the bulkhead, though the roar cut off once the impact occurred. As for Han, he crashed to the floor and slid several feet to the nearest wall, hitting it with enough force to take his breath away.

Han cursed virulently and leapt to his feet, racing to the cockpit and throwing himself into the pilot's seat. Alarms were already blaring, and Han began to flip switches and assess problems.

Lando appeared, sweating profusely and breathing heavily. "Chewie is unconscious, and my wrist is broken. But I still can help."

Han didn't argue. "We need to cool the engines down and make sure life support wasn't fried."

Lando began checking systems as asked, and after many tense moments relaxed a hair. "It looks like life support is still functioning."

"Yeah, but my hyperdrive is fried," Han said grimly. "I can't go past sublight speed now."

Lando looked out the viewport, but all they could see was the blackness of open space. "We seem to be in the middle of nowhere."

Han looked to the navicomputer. "The computer is glitching from those surges. But, it looks like Lashbane is the closest planet that we could get help on."

Lando looked to the computer himself. "It will take us two weeks to get there at sublight speed, Han."

Han grimaced and then turned to his communications console, only to find it completely blackened. He still tried to use it, but as soon as he did, it sparked at him, frying Han's fingertips.

"Ow!" Han hissed. "Blast it! I can't even call for help!"

The two smugglers exited the cockpit. Han veered over to look at Chewie, but Lumpy appeared to help.

[What happened, Captain Solo?] Lumpy asked as he and Han worked together to put Chewie in the medical bunk. Han noted a red stain on the Wookiee's shoulder.

"I'm not sure yet, but I have my suspicions," Han replied. "Look after Chewie, alright? And are you okay?"

Lumpy nodded. [I already stopped the bleeding. I stuck my shoulder on the dresser in the room when I was thrown from my bed.]

"Okay."

Han patted the younger Wookiee on the arm, and then joined Lando in assessing the remainder of the ship. Lando had already begun a list, and Han looked at it. Hyperdrive fried, the entire system communications system was down, and their weapons were also shorting out due to electrical issues.

"Great, we're practically a sitting duck." Han groused.

"I think that's all," Lando said as he reappeared, though he was clearly favoring his broken limb.

Han saw this and drew Lando to the medical area also. He began to tend to Lando, preparing his wrist for a splint.

"This was meant to look like an accident, Han," Lando said.

"I know." Han returned, focused mostly on his task. "Convenient timing, don't you think?"

Lando's mood darkened. "We've been sabotaged."

"Yeah, and I think I know who did it." Han agreed. "Your buddy Tsu. I knew he was being too friendly."

Lando gritted his teeth as Han began to put his wrist into the emergency splint. "Hey, we did get the squid and information we asked for."

"But why would he sabotage the ship?" Han asked. "We helped him get what he wanted."

[What if his allegiance is to the one who holds your Cub captive?] Lumpy suggested quietly. [If this creature you sought out is indeed within the Cub, and it's supposed to be a secret...]

"Then our going looking for it would raise a few specific eyebrows," Lando finished, nodding in agreement. "These creatures are virtually unknown, so the supply chain for them is equally slim."

"So you think Tsu is in league with Ignis' master?" Han asked the duo.

"It certainly fits," Lando responded. "Especially if whoever it is helps Tsu with his research. You saw him: he only agreed to help us once we offered to help him first."

Han knew Lando was correct. He finished the splint and sat back.

"Well, whatever Tsu's motivations, we are now stuck with a two-week trek to Lashbane." A new thought occurred to him, and he felt sinking in his gut. "Do we have enough fuel to get us there?"

Lando shrugged, and Han returned to the cockpit to check.

"It's going to be really close." Han warned the other after reading the guages. "We have enough to get there, but by the time we need to land, we will be running on fumes. And that is only if we can go straight there, with no hiccups or fancy maneuvering."

Lando eyed the communications console. "Let me see if I can't get a signal out at all. Even an S.O.S would potentially help." He held up his injured wrist. "It will be slow going with one hand down, but I think I can manage."

Han ran a hand over his hair. "Yeah, give that a try, but don't get fried. I will see if I can do anything below-deck."

As he walked through his ship, Han was now absolutely certain that whoever Ignis' master was did not want her pupil's secret to get out. Han was also sure that he was correct that Ignis was infected with a squid.

With a sigh, Han set to work, though his hope to repair anything was rather low.

00000

Shmi gazed at the eclectic mix of games at the twins' favorite restaurant: Treasure Carnival, a restaurant-arcade mix-up. It was popular with most of the planet's younger citizens, and was often the talk of the town where children were concerned. To Shmi's gratitude, while there was an area devoted to young children, there was a section dedicated to a slightly older audience, and another area still devoted more towards adults. There was no alcohol, but the games were more or less broken up by the age groups that would most likely be interested in them.

The entire establishment took up four full levels, with the topmost dedicated to adults, the third floor for the teens, and the second for youngest children. The first floor was dedicated to the food service offered.

Shmi couldn't recall the last time that her family had been here, probably when the twins were five. It was a fun place, to be sure, but it was also a bit overwhelming, in Shmi's opinion. She guessed the same to be true for her mother, though for her children's sake, Mara hid that fact well.

Ignis, Shmi noted, seemed to be in his element, and often Shmi lost sight of Ignis entirely as he mingled throughout the crowd. Truth be told, Ignis was accompanying the twins, per the two's request. Mara was grateful, Shmi knew, since that meant she could remain with Kodai. She also kept to the wings where there were fewer people.

Their first day of the weekend had begun as usual, with everyone getting up and preparing for breakfast. Mara, who had planned to continue Anya's rigorous studies, had come to the table with the announcement that, since everyone had been working so hard lately, it was time for them to have a fun day. Of course, Anya had been invited along, which had made everyone happy.

They had agreed to go shopping and then to lunch at a restaurant of choice. Ben and Emry had pled to go to Treasure Carnival, since it was such a rare thing. Mara had been a little hesitant, but had ultimately agreed.

Their morning's shopping had been pleasant, with the twins each getting one new item, and Ignis purchasing a new drawing pad for himself. Shmi had found a book on droid mechanics that she'd gotten, and she was eager to begin leafing through its contents more thoroughly.

These thoughts and more went through Shmi's mind as she and Anya wound their way through the games at the third level.

Shmi observed her friend— Anya was growing to be more and more of a great friend to Shmi— and noted how she appeared to be more fit, even after only a few days in to her training. Anya had indeed kept her promise to do whatever Mara asked of her. She had pushed herself hard, and each day Shmi saw the determination shining in Anya's eyes. It rather reminded Shmi of Mara, if she was honest.

"Well, I have enough tokens for one more game," Anya informed Shmi. "Want to play a game of roller ball?"

Shmi looked to the indicated games and considered. "Sure, I could go for that."

Anya smiled and led the way. The two girls put in their final tokens and the balls were loosed from their cage. Anya rolled her first and got it into the first hole. Shmi smiled and began rolling her own balls, and soon the two girls were laughing and egging each other on.

"Bet you can't make it in the ten-thousand slot!" Shmi challenged, aiming for the indicated hole herself.

"I'm sure I can!" Anya replied, rolling a ball with care.

To the red-head's chagrin, though the ball did catch the edge, it rolled the wrong way and ended up missing. Shmi laughed and tried her own... and it missed by several inches. Shmi cringed.

"Wow, that was a horrible shot!" she said with a laugh.

"We both missed." Anya observed with a grimace.

"Yeah, but at least yours actually hit the ring." Shmi nudged Anya. "You're a great shot."

Anya smiled. "Thanks. Though your score is higher than mine is."

Shmi shrugged. "Eh, it's just a game."

Anya nodded and the two teens made their way back to Mara, who's face brightened somewhat to see the two friends. Once the threesome was back together, Shmi began searching the crowd for Ignis and her siblings.

"Any sign of the others?" Shmi inquired.

"Yes," Mara replied, pointing to a hoop-shooting game. "The twins wanted to play that one last time, and then we'll go."

Anya blew out a breath. "I will be glad for some quiet."

"You and me both," Mara said. "This is why we rarely come here: it's far too busy and noisy."

It didn't take long for the remainder of their group to reappear, and Shmi was unsurprised to find both Emry and Ben carrying a small assortment of prizes.

"Ready to go?" Mara inquired of her twin children.

Both nodded and the family group made their way out of the establishment. All the older people in the group breathed a collective sigh of relief once the door shut behind them. The group entered the family speeder, and Mara turned to the others.

"One last stop and then we will call it a day." Mara indicated Anya. "Anya asked me yesterday about better workout clothes. I'm going to take her to get some."

Mara began piloting them along, and after ten minutes they arrived at a different shopping area than from this morning. Mara took up Kodai's seat as the kids all filed from the vehicle.

"Mom, there's a beach not far from here." Emry pointed. "May we go there while you two shop?"

Mara looked and pursed her lips. "Okay, but no swimming: we didn't bring our bathing suits. Shmi, Ignis, please go with the twins."

"Okay Mom. Want me to take Kodai?" Shmi offered.

"It's alright, I have his hover-stroller, and he looks about ready to fall asleep," Mara replied. "But thank you."

With that, Mara and Anya went one way while the rest made their way down the boulevard to the beach Emry had indicated. Ben and Emry remained ahead of the teenagers, and Shmi was enjoying watching her younger siblings as they pointed things out to one another.

She eventually looked to Ignis, and noted the dark circles under his eyes. Clearly he had not been sleeping much lately. Ignis had also spent most of his time in his room of late; doing what, Shmi could only guess at. But since he had purchased more paper, perhaps he had been drawing a lot?

When Ignis had learned of Anya and Mara's plan to initiate a fast-paced and intense learning regiment, Ignis had been at first cautious for Anya's sake. But once the red-head had assured Ignis she could do it, Ignis had been nothing but supportive. However, he had also steered clear of the three ladies during these sessions.

Shmi waited until they were almost at the beach— which was at the farthest end of the shopping complex— before she spoke.

"Are you working on a big project or something, Ignis?" Shmi inquired curiously. "I notice you spend a lot of time in your room."

Ignis didn't answer instantly, but Shmi could tell he wasn't ignoring her. "You could say that, yes. It's not completed though."

Shmi nodded. "Have you been drawing?"

Ignis inclined his head. "I have been."

"Do you do many of these... marathons?"

Ignis glanced to her, an odd expression on his face. "Marathon?"

"Well, you don't appear to be getting much rest lately," Shmi murmured, "if the bags under your eyes are any indication."

Ignis sighed. "I've never been one to sleep much. I am used to working on little to no rest."

"But for days on end?" Shmi pressed. "Ignis, I am worried about you."

Ignis closed his eyes briefly. "I'm sorry to have troubled you. I'm alright, really. I did sleep pretty good last night, if it's any consolation." He grinned a little irreverently. "I fell asleep while working on one of my drawings, and woke up when the sun blinded me."

Shmi was glad to hear he'd slept, and so she relaxed. "Well, just make sure you're taking care of yourself, alright?"

Ignis nodded once. "I will."

He then paused, glancing at the twins who were now playing in the sand near the water. Ignis gazed at the light blue surf for a moment and then turned to Shmi.

"Will you do me a favor?" Ignis asked.

"Okay, what is it?"

"If... if I end up leaving, please go into my bedside drawer and deliver what's in there to the intended recipients."

Shmi frowned at his tone. "Where are you going?"

Ignis gave her a look. "Shmi, I am in foster care to your family. Eventually that will end. Please, tell me you will distribute my items."

Shmi looked down. She had honestly forgotten that Ignis was fostered. He had been with them for so long now that it was simply second nature that he be there. Shmi found that she did not want Ignis to leave. The notion of him going away saddened her deeply.

"I will." Shmi promised at last, her voice quiet.

"Thank you," Ignis replied evenly.

The two turned to watch the younger kids, and Shmi laughed to find Emry burying Ben's hands in the sand. Shmi sat upon a half-wall to watch her siblings, Ignis joining her and scanning the area visually.

Shmi's thoughts turned to her father, who had been gone for a few days now. If he kept to his estimated week's time, then he would be home within the next two or three days. Shmi missed him, even though he really hadn't been gone for that long.

Shmi did not know how much time passed before something in her mind niggled for attention. She straightened a little, focusing on whatever the sensation was. Beside her, Ignis also stiffened, and he stood, scanning the area more intently.

In the sand, the twins continued to play, oblivious to the world around them as they worked to construct a castle.

The feeling came again, more urgently this time, and Shmi rose to her feet as well, looking about them. This was when she noticed that the few people who had been in the area when they'd arrived were gone now.

"Shmi, get your siblings." Ignis instructed.

Shmi looked to the twins and found that at last they had stopped, and were looking about in consternation. "Ben, Emry, come here please."

Her siblings did not argue, and began to brush off the sand from their hands and clothes as they slowly approached. At that moment, a familiar sound reached Shmi's hearing and she spun toward it.

"There!" Shmi pointed to an armored man approaching them via a jetpack strapped to his back.

The man approaching lifted his arm and began shooting at the group. Ben and Emry cried out in alarm and picked up their speed to get to their sister. Shmi whipped out her lightsaber and leapt to protect her siblings by batting away the blasts.

Ignis ignited his blade also and threw it straight at the man approaching. The stranger veered away, and took aim at Ignis instead. Ignis rolled away from the blasterfire, coming up behind the small wall.

"Ben, Emry come on!" Shmi called, ushering them to the relative safety of the wall Ignis hid behind.

Moments later Ignis' weapon returned to his hand, and he deactivated it.

"Who is that?" Ben demanded. "Why are they shooting at us?"

"I don't know, but we can't stay here," Ignis replied, already searching for the best route to take. "We are too exposed."

"Agreed." Shmi peeked out, and had to ignite her blade again to bat away more blasts. "He found us!"

"There's another one!" Emry called, pointing.

Ignis leapt in front of the younger girl and defended her from the second flying attack. "We need to move!"

Shmi nodded and motioned for her siblings to follow her from the beach area. They followed her, Ignis taking up the rear as he continued to defend from that side. Once they were back at street level, Shmi noticed more armored figures heading their way, but these ones lacked jetpacks.

"We need Mom!" Emry cried as she too spotted the figures approaching.

Shmi agreed, and started to lead her group in the direction they had come, but the newcomers plus the armored figure shooting at her from above blocked her path.

"We've been cut off!" she called to Ignis.

Ignis heard her and scanned the area swiftly, dropping into acolyte mode with ease. He spied a speeder nearby that would accommodate them all.

"Follow me!" Ignis instructed, already moving for the vehicle that was just inside the ring being formed about them. Emry and Ben didn't argue at all, and Shmi continued to protect them from her side while they moved.

Once they were at the vehicle, Ignis pushed the twins to sit below the top of the open-air speeder. "Shmi, cover me!"

Shmi glanced over to find Ignis already leaping into the driver's seat, and she blinked in surprise. Was he trying to hotwire the speeder? Her answer came seconds later when the vehicle roared to life.

"Get in, but stay down!" Ignis called to the twins, who scrambled inside the back seat and lay flat. "Shmi!"

"Go!" she called back, leaping up once Ignis had taken off.

Both teens cringed when blasterfire hit the speeder from the ground, and the two rocket-powered men made to follow. Ignis poured on speed in an effort to lose them, and he heard Shmi land in the passenger seat with a thud.

"I'm going to call Mom!" Shmi announced, ducking a blaster bolt that went over her shoulder. It shattered the windshield, spraying them all with glass.

Emry screamed in fear, and Ben lay atop his sister in an effort to protect her.

"Shmi, let me call her!" Ben cried over the noise. "We need you to take out that guy behind us!"

Shmi had to agree that Ben had a point, so she tossed him the comlink to him. As he called for Mara, Shmi took up her lightsaber.

Ignis touched her arm and gave her a poignant look. "Now is the time to be a Knight, Shmi. You can do this!"

His voice conveyed his utter confidence in her abilities, and Shmi actually smiled at him before she rose from her seat and stepped into the back area to defend their rear. The first man chasing her tilted his head and Shmi saw that they were Mandalorians. He took aim once more and opened fire.

Shmi planted her feet with the Force as Ignis pulled maneuvers to try and lose their pursuit. With the surety born of her years in training, Shmi deflected every blast the man sent her way. She even redirected one or two back at him, which bought them all time. The lead Mandalorian had to regroup, which lost him precious ground.

With more distance between them now, the second Mandalorian veered to come in at them from the side. Shmi shifted accordingly and then spied not one but two speeders, approaching swiftly. One was coming in from the rear, and another from the same side that the second jetpack Mandalorian was at.

"Ignis, we have incoming!" Shmi warned.

"I see them!" He assured her.

00000

In the store, Mara stiffened when the fear of her children came to her through the Force. Moments later her comlink was going off.

Mara whipped it from her belt. "Shmi?!"

"Mom!" Ben answered, his voice harried. "We are under attack! We had to... well, steal a speeder to get away, because they boxed us in!"

Mara heard blasterfire and the screams of Emry, along with Shmi's warning that more were incoming. Mara's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. Who would be foolish enough to threaten her children? And in broad daylight, no less?

"Where are you?" Mara asked Ben, already moving from the store, their unpaid merchandise left behind. Anya, who was listening in, was right with Mara, pushing the stroller as fast as it would go.

"I don't know!" Ben cried, sounding a bit more harried.

Blasterfire intensified, and then Ignis' voice came over the din. "We're heading toward the shipping district south of the beach we were at!"

Mara heard and broke into a sprint for the speeder. "I'm on my way Ben!"

When she spied Anya trying to keep up with Kodai, Mara came to a decision. "Anya, I need you to wait here and keep Kodai, please. I will call Leia to come pick you two up."

Anya nodded. "Alright."

"Thank you."

00000

Shmi was doing her best to defend the speeder, and it was made easier by Ignis' crazy flight path. He wove in and out of traffic, using the other vehicles as shields whenever possible. At one point, Ignis drew even with a speeder hauling a large trailer, and hid beside its bulk.

He turned to Shmi. "Grab some of the freight from that thing, and hurl it at the ones pursuing us!"

Shmi saw that it was mostly garbage, and so she nodded, taking a handful in the Force. Then Ignis pulled away again and into clearer space.

The two speeders chasing them saw them and pursued, as did the two flying Mandalorians. Grateful for Luke's lessons in split-attention, Shmi maintained her grip on her collection and selected only one to hurl at the closest speeder.

The driver almost didn't see it coming, and narrowly avoided the hazard. But though he dodged that one, Shmi sent a second piece at him right behind the other, and that one scored a hit. That vehicle began to smoke, and that group broke off the pursuit.

"Good shot!" Ignis complimented.

Shmi smirked and continued to throw junk at random. She also scored hit on the second flying Mandalorian, and that person went down when their jetpack was ruined. Shmi didn't bother to check and see it they survive their fall.

Then, before she could react, something hit the speeder from the side opposite of where Shmi was facing. Shmi lost her balance and ended up falling backwards into the front seat. Ben and Emry screamed as their vehicle, which had been rammed by a third enemy speeder, lurched dangerously. Shmi hadn't seen the final speeder coming, and she kicked herself.

Shmi struggled to right herself, and Ignis, who was still flying, had to help her. He held out a hand, and Shmi grabbed his wrist, hefting upwards and using the Force to push the new speeder away from theirs.

And while that one did move a few feet away from their side, it otherwise stayed right with them. The speeder behind them had also caught up after the little setback, and Shmi grimaced. But, determined to protect her little brother and sister, Shmi reignited her blade and deflected more firepower. She'd lost her pile of garbage, however, so Shmi had nothing to throw at them.

Ignis had moved them into a new stream of traffic, but that did little to deter their pursuers.

The final jet-packing Mandalorian closed in on their left and paralleled them while trying to get ahead of the vehicle. Shmi did her best to keep that person at bay while also deflecting fire from the enemy to the rear and to the right.

Seeing Shmi struggling, and Ignis trying to fly them away, Ben popped up, looked around and then grabbed a large chunk of twisted metal from another hauler that they passed.

"Leave us alone!" Ben hollered, causing his projectile to crash into the rear end of the speeder behind them. That entire thing fell from the sky with the screams of its occupants.

With an outraged roar, one burly Mandalorian leapt from the final vehicle, and landed upon the trunk of Shmi's speeder. Before Shmi could react, the man grabbed Ben by the scruff of his neck and hauled him up out of his seat.

"Let's see how you like it!" the man growled furiously, and with that he flung Ben from the speeder.

"BEN!" Emry and Shmi screamed simultaneously, watching helplessly as a terrified Ben plummeted into the depths of Coruscant below. Ignis whipped his head around to see what had happened, and he sucked in a breath.

In a surge of white-hot fury, Shmi snapped. She grabbed the one who had thrown her brother to his death, and threw him so hard into the jetpack Mandalorian that the two went limp. They plummeted also, but all Shmi could hear was the sobbing of her sister and the pumping of her own heart.

"Shmi take the controls!" Ignis yelled, already standing up and racing to the back of the speeder.

Shmi sucked in a breath as Ignis abandoned his post. She fully expected their vehicle to plummet, but to her relief, she soon realized that Ignis had put it on autopilot. What she had not been prepared for was for Ignis to jump off their speeder and leap-frog vehicles back to where Ben had been thrown.

Shmi gasped in horror when, at the right spot, Ignis literally dove off a vehicle, pushing off with his legs as he did so in order to gain momentum. All she could do was gape for precious seconds, but Emry's different screams brought Shmi back to reality.

"Shmi, we're going to crash!" Emry screeched.

Shmi leapt into the pilot's seat and took control of their vehicle. She pulled up, hard, and barely managed to avoid smashing through the windows of the building they had been approaching.

As it was, their speeder did shatter the widows they passed, raining shards on anyone below their position. Shmi heard the final speeder following them, and she gritted her teeth. She pulled maneuvers not meant to be done in a speeder until finally the vehicle gave out on her. The engine sputtered and died, and the two girls shared a grim look.

Shmi did spy a landing pad, and was able to veer towards it. Seeing that the speeder would crash violently, Shmi stood and held out her hand to Emry.

"We need to jump!"

Emry was shaking, but she did stand the best she could. Shmi helped Emry get to the side of the vehicle, and waited until it would be safest to jump.

"Jump Emry!" Shmi called, following her own orders and leaping from the vehicle just before it impacted.

Emry landed with a cry of pain and Shmi made certain to protect her sister from the blast. Shmi lay atop Emry, and waited for the initial blast from the explosion to pass. Shmi, to her own alarm, was trembling as fatigue caught up with her. Luke's caution that she and Ignis were still recovering came to her, and Shmi wasn't certain how much strength she had left in her.

Then her danger sense flared back to life, and Shmi leapt to her feet, standing over Emry and igniting her teal lightsaber.

The enemy landed more gracefully and a trio of Mandalorians leapt from the speeder. Shmi was shocked to find that she recognized one of them.

"Kavis?!" Shmi gaped.

"Where is Ignis?" Kavis demanded, ignoring her look of betrayal.

"He jumped to his death thanks to you!" Shmi hollered angrily. "You idiots killed my little brother!"

Kavis did pause at that. "I never meant for Ben to get hurt."

Shmi shook her head, spitting at his feet. "I don't want to hear anything you have to say!"

"Good, because I want revenge for you killing my best friend!" the Mandalorian on Kavis' right ground out. He was already racing toward Shmi, blaster drawn, and intent clear.

Shmi stepped forward, batting away the blasts from the approaching Mandalorian, and then meeting him head on in a fast-paced hand-to-hand duel. Shmi took a few strong hits, and his armor only intensified his strikes, but she held her own, digging deep into her training with her parents. But her energy was fast waning, despite her best efforts.

Knowing she had to make her move while she still had the chance, she swiped the man's ankles out from under him. As he fell, she ripped his helmet off and delivered a sucker-punch into his nose. The man screamed, but flipped backwards, and kicked her in the head from behind. Shmi cried out and rolled away, her head spinning. Her opponent shoved Shmi roughly away and struck her across the face, and Shmi went down, panting and spitting out blood.

"Shmi, no!" Emry shouted in terror.

The man grabbed the black-haired girl from behind, and then his arm was about her neck. Shmi gagged as he choked her, and though she tried to break free, he was too strong for her. Then, just as her world was beginning to fade, a strange whistling sound went past Shmi's right ear, and suddenly the man choking Shmi was gurgling.

His grip loosened, and he fell backwards. Shmi, still trapped in his grip, went down with him, and her awkward position only intensified her choking.

"Mom!" Emry called out in relief.

Mara Jade Skywalker, emerald eyes ablaze with fury, approached the scene. Her first action was to free Shmi, who gasped in air at a heavy rate, collapsing to her knees and struggling to remain awake. Then Mara stood, turning her attention to the two remaining attackers.

Kavis backed away uncertainly, but the final Mandalorian didn't. He snarled at Mara and used a flame thrower on her. Mara leapt clear of it, and landed gracefully.

Then she was racing for the Mandalorian, grabbing his arm and bending it so far backwards that his shoulder popped out of place. The man shrieked, but did not give up. He pulled a knife and struck at Mara, but the woman was already spinning away. She took the arm she still held with her, however, exposing his elbow where the there was a break in the armor. The Mandalorian ended up impaling his own, already hurt arm.

Mara removed his helmet and slammed his face into her knee, breaking his nose and a few of his teeth. Not finished, Mara grabbed her holdout blaster and shot the man with two stun blasts. When he went limp, Mara took aim at Kavis.

"Stand down." Mara ordered dangerously. "And I will let you live."

Kavis looked from Shmi to Emry, to Mara. Then he shook his head. "No. I will find Ignis, and I will kill him. For you. I am doing this for you!"

With that, he leapt into his speeder and drove off. Mara shot after him, but Kavis put his speeder into a steep dive to avoid her. His armor protected him from her blasterfire until he was out of range.

Only when he was gone did Mara move towards her daughters. She passed Shmi first, and so began checking on her. Once she knew Shmi was initially alright, Mara turned toward Emry, who was now on her feet and racing for Mara.

Emry sobbed heavily as she entered Mara's arms, and Mara looked about for her son. But when she didn't see him, her heart began to tighten with dread. Mara moved back to Shmi, Emry coming with her, even as Shmi recovered enough to sit up.

Shmi looked to the man that had tried to choke her to death, and saw a knife lodged into his throat. So that was what she had heard before the man had gurgled.

Mara touched Shmi's bloody face, and then turned her attention to looking Emry over. "Are you both alright?"

Emry let out an inconsolable wail and clung to Mara even tighter. Shmi, feeding off of her sister, began to weep heavily also.

"Mom... Ben... he's..." Shmi struggled to say it.

"What?" Mara asked. "Shmi, tell me!"

"Those guys threw Ben from the speeder!" Emry blubbered, pointing at the dead man with a shaking finger.

Mara's heart stopped for two full seconds. "What?"

"And Ignis leapt after him!" Shmi finished, leaning into Mara too. "I don't know what happened after that, because we were still being chased."

Mara took a shuddering breath, closing her eyes and seeking for something with which to remain calm. With the strength and willpower of the Jedi Master she was, Mara held her instinctual grief at bay and instead delved into the Force for answers.

00000

Luke stood before the door to Samanda's room, grateful to at long last be admitted. The young woman had not been informed yet that Luke was in fact here, and had been all along. Luke was not upset about having to wait days, as Wedge had managed to get a good amount of information from the young woman.

But even so, there were things that she refused to tell anyone but Luke, for reasons she would not divulge to the others. But Luke thought that maybe Samanda knew the others did not understand the Force, which was why she hesitated to talk to them about it.

Little did she know that Wedge actually knew quite a lot for someone who was Force-blind. Still, the young woman had told them a lot, including the fact that Vexa and Furch were rallying support from the various criminal organizations in the galaxy, including the Hutts and the Pikes.

Luke suspected that Vexa had promised each group both a territory to call their own, and the freedom to do what they wished, so long as she remained unopposed.

Luke felt a vibration in the Force and paused, but then Admiral Igeal appeared, disrupting the moment.

"Are you ready, Master Skywalker?" he asked.

"I am. Would you be kind enough to not record this session, Admiral?" Luke implored. "Things of the Force are more sensitive."

"How about this: I will record it, but I will not allow anyone without top clearance to view it."

Luke considered. "I suppose that will have to do."

"Good luck, Master Skywalker," Igeal said as he moved to his observation area.

Luke watched him disappear and then he turned back to the door. Opening it, Luke entered quietly. The young Zabrak in the bed looked up curiously, and then gasped, her eyes widening.

"It's... it's you!" Samanda said with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. "You are Luke Skywalker... are you not?"

"I am," Luke replied calmly.

"You agreed to come here after all?" Samanda asked.

"I did," Luke said, eyeing her openly without crossing any lines. "What is your full name?"

"Samanda Yvyyn."

Luke nodded once. "And you are only fourteen, is that correct?"

"Yes."

Luke came a little closer. "Why did you want to see me, Samanda?"

"Because you are the only one I feel comfortable talking with about... well, the Force portion of things." Samanda twiddled her fingers nervously. "At least, I hope you will give me a chance, and not outright condemn me."

Luke held up a hand in a gesture of peace. "I did not come here to pass judgment."

Samanda relaxed a little more. "Then you will hear me out?"

"I am willing to listen to what you have to say." Luke told her.

"Good. You need to be aware of just who it is you are fighting against," Samanda said seriously.

"You mean Vexa Wran?" Luke clarified. "I know of her."

"Yes," Samanda said, "but have you ever met her in person?"

Luke shook his head. "I have not as of yet encountered her."

"Be grateful," Samanda muttered, shuddering. "She is the worst person in this galaxy."

Luke lifted a brow. "I have survived two Sith Lords. I think I can handle a third."

Samanda cringed. "Forgive me, Master Skywalker, but I think that is an assumption you would be unwise to hold to."

Luke tilted his head, but decided that maybe this girl had a point. He stepped to the foot of her bed and pulled up a chair, taking a seat. "I am listening."

"Vexa Wran is a cruel, heartless woman who preys on the weak and forces them to do her bidding." Samanda began. "She is powerful in the Dark Side of the Force, and she knows exactly how to use it. I do not know where she came from, or her origins, but I can tell you that she is intelligent and ruthless. She shows no mercy, and she never forgives. Never."

Luke watched the girl's eyes, and how they became somewhat distant as Samanda recounted what she knew.

"Vexa took me at the age of eight, and terrorized me into doing whatever she wanted from me." Samanda continued. "She told me that if I survived, I would be given the honor of serving her as one of her acolytes."

Luke blinked, startled. "One of?" He cut in.

Samanda nodded. "Yes, you heard me correctly. Anyway, she threw me straight into training to be a Force-using assassin and spy. She trained me to be able to handle just about any situation. It was brutal and painful, and I am one of the few to have made it as far as I have. Many that she tries to shape die in the process. Most don't last a week, but she doesn't care: she simply kidnaps more innocent children."

Luke's heart grew heavy as Samanda went on.

"My first so-called lesson was to kill a gutkurr before it killed me." Samanda shuddered. "She literally put me in a room with an obstacle course, gave me a blaster and a sword, and told me to survive."

Luke's mind flashed back to Ignis' memories, and his own similar encounter with the mysterious person. The visions had not shown Luke who Ignis' master was, but Luke could not help but draw some parallels to what Samanda was saying.

"... and while I managed to kill the beast, it almost took me with it. It bit my leg, and I couldn't walk for a while. But Vexa didn't care. Oh, she healed my leg, but she didn't give me any painkillers, and didn't even provide me with time to truly recover. As soon as I was able to walk, I was right back into things. It was horrible! And every time I failed, I was punished. Especially after I was sent on missions... if I botched those..." Samanda trembled heavily. "She was always so furious! I still have some of the scars to prove what she did to me at times."

Luke saw her lift her sleeves to reveal a healthy collection of scars. Although Samanda's skin was not nearly as marred as Ignis', Luke once more drew a parallel.

"I have wanted for so very long to get away from her, but the thing that held me back was watching one other acolyte try it... more than once... and fail. Oh, was she angry at that person! You have no idea the punishments she inflicted on that poor soul. That was why I waited; petrified to attempt an escape myself. And so when she sent me to Bespin, I knew I had to risk it. I couldn't keep serving Vexa... I couldn't keep enduring her cruelty, so I... I had planned to fake my death and escape to find you." Samanda looked Luke in the eye, hers wet.

"Please help me, Master Skywalker... please..." Samanda pleaded fervently. "I don't have anywhere to go, and if Vexa finds out that I am actually alive... she will send her search party after me!" Samanda shook so heavily that her heart rate monitor began to beep more urgently. "I don't want to endure her search party! Or her punishments if I am returned to her!"

Luke stood, coming to her side and risking laying a hand over hers.

"Samanda, it's alright." He soothed, concerned that she would overdo it.

But Samanda shook her head, her eyes wide with absolute terror. "No! You d-don't understand! She has specially trained hounds that will come after me, hounds trained to find her acolytes and stop us from getting away. Then her henchmen take us back to her and... and the retribution begins!"

Luke felt the girl's pulse kick up another notch, since he held her hand. Worried that she would pass out, Luke tried to send her soothing vibes in the Force, but then Samanda began to twitch uncontrollably, and her body went into a seizure.

"Help!" Luke shouted, slapping the nurse-call button.

Moments later the medics arrived, ushering Luke from the room and closing the door behind him.

In a slight amount of shock, Luke stood where he was for long seconds before he thought to go to the observation room. He slipped in to find both Wedge and Igeal standing tensely at the window, eyes glued to the young woman in the bed.

"Stars, Luke," Wedge murmured. "What happened?"

"I don't really know," Luke replied evenly, still a little shaken. "All she did was tell me about Vexa."

Wedge looked from Samanda to Luke. "Luke... if this is how Vexa treats children... we cannot let her win this war."

Luke swallowed, meeting Wedge's gaze. "Samanda said acolytes. Plural."

Wedge straightened. "Samanda also said Vexa targets the weak and defenseless, and turns them into her pawns."

"And not many survive the first week," Igeal said as he entered the conversation. "I have to wonder how many unfortunate younglings she has under her... control?"

Luke shuddered to think of that.

"How many children do you think that evil woman has gone through?" Wedge whispered in horror.

Luke couldn't stop thinking of Ignis, and now Luke knew for certain who Ignis' master had been. No wonder the young man refused to speak of Vexa. Look at how it had affected Samanda...

In the room, the medics finally got Samanda calmed down, and once her vitals were stabilized, they put her under a mild sedative so she could rest.

"Well, gentlemen," Igeal said with a sigh. "This young woman will need to remain here for a few more days. Since she has been so cooperative, I have decided to bring her to Coruscant. There she will remain more or less under house arrest. She will remain hidden while she continues to give us insights into Vexa and the Rising."

Igeal looked to Luke. "Master Skywalker, would you be willing to either have yourself or another Jedi visit her and help her with the Force aspect of things?"

"Yes," Luke agreed, "we could do that."

"Excellent." Igeal fingered his chin. "Part of my reasoning for this is to place her in a situation that will test her true motives. Will she attempt to escape? Is she actually a spy?"

Luke had to admit that it was a good idea. "Just let me know when you would like the Jedi to begin with Samanda."

"Very good," Igeal said offering a hand for Luke to shake. "Thank you again, gentlemen. Have a safe return home. Commander, as promised, your leave has been extended by the same number of days that it took for you to answer this assignment."

"Thank you Admiral," Wedge said with a salute.

Luke and Wedge left, though both cast a final look at Samanda.

It wasn't until they were in hyperspace that the Force vibrated severely, and Luke was hit by a wave of mixed emotions from his family. Fear from Emry and Ben, determination but stress form Shmi, and then utter terror from Ben.

In the small lobby, Luke gasped, dropping to his knees. He grew especially stressed when Mara's sense lit up with a moment of grief, before her mind went alarmingly quiet.

"Luke!" Wedge knelt beside him. "What's wrong?"

Luke shook his head and tried to contact Mara. To his chagrin, she didn't seem to hear him, so focused was she on whatever she was now doing.

"Something has happened to my family, Wedge." Luke told the other when he found his voice.

Wedge paled. "Do you know any details?"

Luke shook his head, and Wedge thinned his lips. "Well, we're on our way back. I'll do my best to get you home swiftly."

"I appreciate that, Wedge," Luke replied.