Chapter Six
She had spent most of the time in hyperspace talking with General bel Iblis, but at last had been all but ordered to go to sleep. So she'd done as told and went to find a free bunk. And now it was about 8 standard hours later that she was woken by Master Airell shaking her shoulders.
"Come on, Adra, wake up."
Quickly she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, and then swung her feet over the side of the bunk. She clipped her lightsaber onto her utility belt and was then ushered off towards the central command station. The viewport showed an image the likes of which she never would be properly able to imagine. Coruscant was hanging there in perfect suspension, drifting slowly in a circle on its axis. The Peregrine- for that must be the ship they were on- approached in perfect control, waiting for the New Republic to comm. them.
"Unidentified craft, state your name and purpose or be destroyed," the emotionless voice came over the comm.
General bel Iblis went over to the comm. and replied, "This is the New Republic craft Peregrine, General bel Iblis speaking. I suggest you start reading your scanners before jumping to calling us as an unidentified craft. We're here with the Jedi."
There was something like an abashed chuckled from the other end and then a reply. "Yes, General, sorry about that, sir. Follow your set course to land at Hanger 51L."
All the general did was click his comm., then nodded to the officer looking at him for confirmation of orders. The general nodded once and then looked back to see Adra and Airell. Adra felt a grin forming on her face as he came over. When he got to them, he ruffled her hair as he'd done the day before, causing her to duck out again. She looked up into the aged general's face to see him smiling.
"So, what do you think of Coruscant?"
* * * * *
The Peregrine landed effortlessly on the hanger bay. The ramp opened as the enormous ship powered down and Adra was instantly reminded that this was no small rig. This was a fully armed New Republic warship. The sight that met her when she stepped out, however, was enough to make her forget that. Two green creatures were walking towards them slowly, their paces evenly matched at the slow walk their species must have destined specifically with them. Either that these were the aged Jedi Masters Yoda and Yaddle. Another look at the white hair on the closer one's head told her all. Realizing she was staring, Adra looked quickly at Master Airell, waiting for her instructions. Her master walked forward, nodded her head in respect to the three-foot tall masters.
"Ah, come you have," said Master Yoda. Adra blinked back the amazement she was sure that was going to come onto her face. Sure, she knew that everything in Star Wars was real, but that didn't mean anything. It was only now that she suddenly realized just how much of it was true. The second Jedi was looking at her skeptically. That one must've been Master Yaddle. Master Yoda reverted his gaze to watching her as well, but it was Master Yaddle who spoke.
"Welcome, you are, to Coruscant. A speeder there is, waiting for you," the Jedi Master pointed down they way they had just come. Adra saw Master Airell nod to the Jedi Masters before speaking.
"Thank you, masters. We will be there momentarily. I wish to thank General bel Iblis first, however." The other two Jedi nodded in understanding and began to walk slowly back out the way they came. Adra turned around and hugged the aged general tightly. She knew she was going to miss him, but was still excited at the prospect of becoming a Jedi. After a moment, she stepped back to let her master speak.
"Thank you, General. I can't tell you how grateful I am that you were able to pick us up in Wild Space," she began. Bel Iblis merely shook his head to keep her from continuing.
"Really, Master Jedi, you don't need to express appreciation for what I did. It was my pleasure, really. I'm just glad that my ship and my crew could be so readily available. Now, if you want to thank me still, I'd suggest that you instead take very good care of our apprentice." He paused momentarily to wink at Adra then continued. "I rather like her, so don't let that crazy Sith mother get a hold of her."
Master Airell actually laughed at his comments before she nodded. "If that's what you'd like, General, then I'll be sure to keep her in good hands. Even if that's part of my duties as a master anyway."
General bel Iblis grinned and then turned to the technician who'd come out of his ship. The two spoke for a minute, and then the General turned back to her master. "You're X-Wings will be taken to the Jedi Temple hanger as soon as we refuel. I hope to see you both again." And with that, the general went back up the ramp to his ship.
As they turned to walk after the Jedi Masters preceding them, her master spoke. "You'd think he was your father, the way he's so protective over you." The Jedi grinned down at her padawan, but Adra didn't find it a joke.
"You might think so, but he's not. If you spend enough time with me, you'll see how false that statement is. While the general may be a Corellian, my father is by far more-so," she replied. Grinning slightly, she saw the look of confusion dawn on her master's face. Instead of making the Jedi guess, she decided to tell her. "My father's Han Solo, didn't you know?"
Her tone completely innocent, she kept on walking. Master Airell, however, stopped short. "You're not serious, are you?" She almost sounded worried. Unconsciously, Adra stretched out her Force sense to probe past her master's carefully erected barriers. Though she was being careful, it was evident on her master's face that because of her strength in the Force it was hard to miss such a probe. However, her question was answered. Master Airell was nervous that she would pull the same kinds of stunts as Han Solo. A grin flashed across her face and she took her master's hand to lead her onward.
"Don't worry, Master, I won't act like my father. Most of the time."
* * * * *
The Jedi Temple was nothing short of amazing in Adra's eyes. Even though she'd seen the magnificent building in the movies and imagined it in the books, she wasn't quite prepared for the true beauty and magnanimous essence of it. Behind her, she heard her Jedi master laughing slightly, the she felt a prod in her shoulder, urging her to keep moving. As they passed the docking bay, she saw the X-Wings that had been transported there ahead of them. Making a note of the Temple hanger before she went on, Adra began forming a plan in her head.
It didn't take the girl long to get settled into her new quarters. But that didn't mean that she was ready to fall asleep. Instead, she went to the Temple Archives. One of the assistants helped her look up information non living Jedi Masters and quickly she looked up Luke Skywalker. Master Thracia had said something to the effect of Padmé Amidala being her 'mother'. That meant that Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master, would be her half-brother...and at the same time, her uncle. In next to no time, she had the information she needed. Saving the coordinates to a datacard, she made her way out to the hanger, easily finding her X-Wing. Inserting the datacard into her droid, she jumped in and made the necessary preflight checks. Seconds later she was exiting the Temple hanger bay, making it through the atmosphere.
* * * * *
Hours later, Adra found herself looking at the view of Theed Palace from above. It was in that palace that the current Queen of Naboo- Padmé Amidala Skywalker- was living with her family. Meaning that Master Skywalker would be there...she hoped. Finding the spaceport nearest the palace, she lands easily. Turning around, she looks at her R2 unit, telling him to stay, and then hopped to the ground. Leaving her helmet in the X-Wing's cockpit, she began walking towards Theed Palace. The security hadn't decreased in any way, even with all the Jedi living within the palace walls, but Adra didn't really notice it all. What she also didn't realize was that there was someone at the gate waiting for her. One look at the brown robe he wore over the black tunics told her that this was another Jedi.
"And what, might I ask, are you doing here?" The other Jedi's voice was quick and to the point, but the guards around didn't seem to even notice them. Adra opened her mouth to reply, but didn't even make it that far before the other put a hand on her shoulder, steering her into the palace.
A few minutes later, after being led through a labyrinth of hallways, Adra found herself entering what looked like the courtyard. Mentally making a note never to wander off in Theed Palace, she looked carefully at the Jedi who still had his hand on her shoulder. The man appeared to be searching for someone as he scanned the courtyard. Quite abruptly, she heard his voice in her head.
Hey Luke, come here for a minute. And while you're at it, try using the Force to figure out who I've got with me.
Slightly confused as to what he meant, she couldn't shake the feeling of shock at having heard this Jedi's voice in her head. It had taken her a minute, but she now knew that this was none other than Anakin Skywalker. The fact that he was alive was enough to be dumbfounding, but the fact that she could hear what he was saying through the force... Well, she just shouldn't be able to do that. Anakin Skywalker was the most gifted Jedi ever tested, or so she'd heard, meaning that he should, logically, be able to block his thoughts from her.
Deciding there was no other way to get an answer than through asking, she did just that. "Can I ask why you said that? About trying to guess who you had with you?"
Master Skywalker appeared slightly surprised at the question, but then his face blanked once more. He blinked for a minute before he finally replied, seeming to see that there would be no harm in that much. "Because when I used the Force to try and find out who you were there was an odd answer- one that I've only 'felt' on the cloned Stormies. Meaning you're etiher a clone, or you're strong enough in the Force to make a fake 'aura'." His tone plainly showed that he didn't hold the second option in too much esteem.
At that point, another Jedi appeared beside Master Skywalker. With widened eyes, Adra realized who this was just as the man spoke. "Same as what you got. But I do have a way to find out..."
Jedi Master Luke Skywalker kneeled down next to Adra and smiled, albeit lopsidedly, at her. Adra offered a forced grin in return, feeling a churning sensation in her gut. The Jedi Master rested a hand on her shoulder as he spoke. "Might I ask your name?"
Adra shook of the hand quickly, taking a step back, her eyes hardening. This was how it always was. Deception, false trust, pain. It was the never ending circle. "I'm Adra. And you don't need to start faking. How many needles are you going to put in me." She didn't quite phrase it as a question that he was going to actually stick needles in her, more like a demand to know the number. That was what Jori always had done.
Her remarks caused Master Luke to laugh, however, and immediately she felt guilty of accusing him of having the same intentions of the Sith mother. He shook his head, standing up as he did so, and then gestured towards a door into the palace. "No needles. I just need you to come with me." And with that, Master Skywalker turned on his heel, walked up the steps, and waited at the top for her.
A slightly frown creased her lips as she followed, uncertainties rising instantly. Ignoring them, she stopped next to him, looking into his face for answers. "Are you sure you aren't going to be sticking needles in me?"
Master Skywalker merely laughed and led her onwards. Up another flight of stairs and then into a room. The lights were already on and she stopped to take in the quite elaborate collection of mechanical and technological instruments. The Jedi Master turned to look at her, finally answering her repeated question with a smile.
"No needles at all. Just place your hand here." He indicated a scanner the size of a typical human hand and then went to sit down in front of the computer panel nearest. Doing as he'd asked, she put her hand on the scanner, watching as the light read up it, like a laser scan. She took her hand off after a minute and walked over to stand behind the Jedi Master, looking onto his screen with interest. The genetic structure of someone- probably her, considering she'd just had her hand scanned- was on the screen. The Master was quiet for a few more minutes, waiting patiently for the computer to search its files for structures that could've matched to create hers on the screen. There were only two files that came up, but before she could read the names on them, Master Luke had turned his chair around to face her.
"Looks like I've got a little sister. Can I ask your full name?"
Blinking, she remained silent for a moment, weighing his odd request. Well, not that odd, but still. In a bit of confusion, she none the less answered him. "Adra Amidala...why?" As she answered, she stepped to the side of his chair, looking once more at the screen. The names of the files were suddenly legible: Han Solo and Padmé Naberrie Amidala.
Quickly she looked back at Master Luke- her brother?- to find him shaking his head in what appeared to be a casual answer. Yet he was smiling as he spoke. "Just curious. My father is going to end up being stubborn and refuse to believe that you're of any relation to my mother or myself."
As if Master Anakin had known that his son was talking of him- which, Adra reminded herself, he probably did- the Jedi Master's voice popped into the Force, scaring the stars out of her. There was a soft knock on the door to accompany the words. Hey Luke, how's it going? Can I come in?
As her apparent brother looked up from the computer, she darted behind him watching the door. Luke didn't even bother to get up, instead using the Force to open the door. Adra tracked the Jedi as he walked in, watching the door close once more. From the chair in front of her, she heard Luke laugh softly. "Don't worry, Adra."
Adra watched as Anakin Skywalker looked around with interest before raising an eyebrow at his son. "Nice thing you've got going here," the Master commented, indicating the technology around him. Adra saw his eyes dart around the room again before landing squarely on her own. His face darkened as he spoke the second time. "And you're suddenly being what some would label 'protective' of her because...?"
She saw Luke nod towards the screen, his smile never parting from his face. "That's the job of a big brother, being protective of his little sister, is it not? According to her genetic structure, you've got yourself a step-daughter."
Instantly a frown creased Anakin Skywalker's face as he glared first at Luke and then fixed the same glare at Adra herself. "Little sister, eh?" Anakin paused, then looked back at Luke. "Your mother didn't have any other children; you and I both know that. As to her being my step-daughter...prove it."
Luke just shook his head at his father's reasoning then turned his chair to face the computer panel. "We sense her as a clone because she's just that. Someone has created her through using both my mother's DNA and Han's DNA. Thus, technically, it is possible. She's more of a clone using two donors instead of one. Her appearance should be enough. You knew my mother at 14, she's 13. Take a closer look at the resemblance."
Adra blinked, amazed at the logic behind her sibling's words. About to comment, she suddenly latched onto a very pissed off presence in the Force. And that presence was moving steadily towards her. One more prod through the Force told her that Master Airell had followed her to Naboo. The Jedi Master rounded the corner into the room in the next second, not noticing that she had all but shoved past Anakin Skywalker.
"Adra, stop fooling around and get out here." At the sharp crispness in her tone, Adra was distinctly reminded of Jori Daragon. Hoping to the stars that she hadn't gotten her Jedi master that mad, she carefully walked around her brother's chair to stop before her master. "Well? You just up and leave the Temple? Explain."
Behind her, Adra heard Luke sigh and then move some boxes around. With a quick glance over his shoulder, she saw Luke looking through some wires in a box. "When you're finished, let me know."
It was then that Adra remembered just what she'd done. Her jaw dropped as the full scale of her actions hit her. "I didn't... Master Airell, I didn't realize that I'd done that. Until now, I mean. I just... I was following instructions from the Force." Knowing full well how unbelievable that sounded, she looked over to her apparent half-brother in hopes that maybe he would provide some sort of response before Master Airell's temper flared again.
Luke must've known what she was thinking as he looked up from his box of wires to smile at her. Then her brother looked at Master Airell and sighed softly. "I can't expect you to believe her, but I'd say it's true. Since there's no way of getting around finding out she's my sister."
Her master must've realized what she must've looked like from the point of view from a high-standing Jedi Council member as she close her eyes and swore at herself in her head. The only reason Adra knew she was swearing at herself was because she unconsciously was connected to her Jedi master's thoughts. The master opened her eyes again and nodded to Master Skywalker. "I'm sorry, Master Skywalker...and I'm sorry for getting upset with you, Adra."
Adra watched her master and decided to probe the subject with the Force. Master Airell's intentions were as honest as she'd spoken, Adra knew that. It was the information she got as she dug through what her master was thinking that surprised her. Master Yoda had spoken to the Jedi, telling her that she, Adra, was known to be wary around people who weren't calm. Adra couldn't help smiling as her master thought up another curse at whoever had cloned her.
Finally, Adra looked between Master Airell and Master Anakin. After a moment, she turned to look at her brother then her Jedi master once more. "I understand, Master." The look of relief that poured onto Master Airell's face was enough to confirm that the Jedi wasn't harboring any ill will, but she still stayed where she was, unconsciously waiting for further accusations, if any.
"Apology accepted. Now, if I may ask you, could you and Adra please leave my father and me to work this out? It should only take about ten minutes or so. Maybe less, depending on how stubborn he's decided to be."
Adra allowed herself to be steered out the door and then back to the courtyard. Her master left her at the door, going to talk with another woman she thought she'd never see again. Walking up to the Jedi- or what she still a Sith?- carefully, Adra waited until she was noticed before saying anything. The woman she'd known as Nikan Daragon looked her over, a smile on her face.
"My, my, my. Last time I saw you, you were maybe two years old." The Jedi, for she couldn't be a Sith Lord now, reached over to her and wrapped her firmly in a hug. Adra couldn't help herself; she grinned broadly and returned the hug even as she found the Jedi's eyes searching her face. "Now then, you'll probably be remembering me as Nikan..." Adra shook her head quickly and the woman laughed. "Oh?"
Smiling slightly, Adra answered the unstated question. "No, I remember when you took Mara Jade away. I remember what you were called. Jori called you Tahiri."
Tahiri nodded, apparently very pleased with Adra's memory. "Very good. Now, I'd like to talk to Airell for a few minutes, if I may."
Adra nodded and quickly walked down the fountain at the center of the courtyard. Tentatively, she drew a figure in the water, watching it ripple at her touch. She was jerked around quite suddenly by another person. Mara Jade Daragon was standing opposite her, watching her carefully. Before Adra could even say a word, she was being dragged off to the room she'd just left.
Mara opened the door to the computer room, still holding Adra's arm as she lead her in. Adra resisted the heavy urge to rub the spot that Mara had been holding when the other girl released her. The door shut abruptly behind them and Anakin and Luke both looked up. Her brother seemed to recover first from the shock of seeing Mara leading her in.
"Alright," Mara Jade began, her voice dangerously level. "I'm sure you know who she is by now, but I'm betting you didn't know that it is not a good idea to let her just go around the courtyard as if everything is perfectly okay. If my mother ever decided to drop by to plan another raid, she'd be gone in two seconds flat."
Watching Luke watch Mara, Adra was suddenly struck with a revelation. Luke had married Tahiri. Tahiri had brought Mara Jade away from Jori before the Sith could corrupt her daughter. That made Mara Jade Luke Skywalker's niece.
"I'm going to assume you can fill us in on the information we don't already know." Adra looked up from where she'd been staring at the floor to look at her brother as he spoke.
Mara seemed to be put off by his words, but she trod into the question carefully, dutifully answering. Adra almost had to wonder whether or not Mara was her uncle's apprentice. "Yes... I could tell you. You're right. I could tell you a million and one things about her. I could tell you her exact midichlorian level, exactly what was genetically altered from the original DNA; sithspawn, I could tell you how much of her genetic code was from Queen Amidala and how much is from Han Solo."
Luke shook his head, sighing softly. Adra was sure she saw a hint of saddened annoyance cross his face. "I could tell you that," her brother began, looking at his niece. "And I'm assuming since you know so much about her, that Jori is the one who created her genetic structure."
In a bit of shock, Adra watched as Mara clamped her mouth shut. Then, as she'd expected, the monotone voice answered Master Skywalker's inquiries. "I'm not allowed to disclose that inforation." A wave of shock hit Adra full in the face as Mara swayed slightly on her feet. "I'm sorry... There's your remnant of when I was with Jori. And in answer to your question, yes." Adra felt another shock wave come through the room, only this time it was aimed at Mara, not coming off her. The girl swayed once more before she grabbed a hold of the nearest surface- her brother's chair- for balance.
"Yet another after effect," Mara said with distain. After a second, Mara Jade seemed to decide that speaking through the Force was easier. Next instant, her voice was filling it. Jori created her to replace Darth Vader; that's why her midichlorian level is so high in comparison to Han's and Amidala's.
Luke smiled at his niece, standing instantly to allow Mara to sit down in his chair. The apprentice took the chair immediately, her face resting in her hands as she tried to clear the headache Adra was sure she was having.
"Thank you, Mara." Adra heard the voice absently as she concentrated on the Force to sooth her nerves. She hadn't even realized that she had become antsy at the mention of Jori Daragon. Finally looking back her brother and Master Anakin, she offered them a careful smile. "I think that's everything you want to know. Unless you also need locations on where Sith stuff is stored." Realizing what she'd just said, her hands flew to her mouth. I didn't say the last part, okay?
Okay. Luke's voice came back to her in the Force as he herded everyone towards the door. "Okay, everyone out. I don't want this door unlocked for Han to find out where his missing parts went to. If he finds them, he'll kill me. Okay? Come on." Luke went over to his niece to get her out of his chair just as an all-too-familiar voice spoke through the room. Adra glanced up to see Han Solo, blaster on his hip, leaning against the door frame.
"You know, Luke, if you'd've asked, I would've given you the parts. Besides, I had an irremovable tracker put on it for this purpose." Han moved over slightly to allow Anakin to pass, then Mara and Airell. Adra looked over at him and then froze as his eyes locked on hers. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. I know her... How do I know her?"
His gaze jerked sharply over to her brother's, his brother-in-law's, and she grinned slightly. Luke began laughing as he first glanced to Adra herself and then Han. "I can't say I'm surprised you that you know her, but I wouldn't think you would...she's lived on Earth most of her life. Meet my little sister- Adra Amidala."
Adra watched understanding dawn on Han Solo's face and she smiled slightly. However, instead of going over to him or escaping through the door, she decided upon hiding behind her brother. This was definitely becoming a usual for her. A shy smile once again appeared on her features as she wondered slightly what, shocking to think, her father would think of her.
If anything, Han seemed amazed by Luke's revelation. He grabbed at the doorframe to keep from falling over, and then looked from Luke to Adra and back again. "Th-that's...are you serious? That actually went over?" Not quite sure what he meant, Adra remained silent as Han figured everything out in his mind. Then the trademark Solo grin flashed across his face. "So I got, what, a 13 year old daughter?
Adra was about to nod in reply when a new presence walked through the door. The woman who entered looked a bit like Leia Organa Solo, but Adra knew immediately that this was not the famous politician by the look the woman gave Han. The woman moved past Han's bulk in the door, walking over to the chair. Adra noticed her giving her a quizzical look.
"So what's going on?" The woman finally asked.
Her brother nodded in reply to Han's original query then looked over at the other woman in the room. Adra watched as he sat down in the nearest free chair, his face smiling at the other. Through the Force she felt the connection between the two people. At last, Luke verbalized whatever he was thinking. "Yes Han. I believe you do. And Sola, just so we don't leave you in the dark, we've run across another member of the family. Meet my little sister- Adra Amidala."
Adra smiled as she realized who this 'Sola' was. Sola Gallia, formerly Sola Skywalker, was Luke Skywalker's second daughter. Han's voice cut abruptly across her thoughts.
"Wait, wait, wait. Why didn't she use Solo as a last name?! I mean, come on here!"
Unable to help herself, Adra laughed slightly, walking over to her father. It was rather strange to see someone as your father after you hadn't had one for so long, but she liked the idea all the more for its absence in her life. "A note, Dad, is that I didn't choose my name." Carefully, almost hesitantly, Adra walked over to Han and gave him a hug. She felt his arms rap around her and suddenly had the sensation of her feet lifting off the ground while all the air left her lungs. After a second, Han put her down and she collected her breath. Once she was sure she could speak again, Adra look over at her brother. "So does this mean I'm not going to be charged as an Imperial spy?"
She saw her brother struggling to keep the laughter that was flowing through the Force from his face, but he failed when she turned to face him. After a minute, his laughter subsided as he grinned at Han. "No, I don't think we'll be charging you with being an Imperial spy this time."