Disclaimer: Most of the characters featured are the property of G. Lucas.
No copyright infringement intended. I am NOT making any money with this.
ONLY TO BE ARCHIVED AT FANFICTION.NET
Timeline: Post- Vision of the Future, replacing Union
To M. For feedback, excellent company, fellowship in SW-madness and fun around the clock ;=) (Especially behind the wheel - I sure would like to see you with an X-wing!)
SPOILER ALERT: Planet of Twilight, Showdown at Centrepoint, Specter of The Past, Vision of The Future, Vector Prime as well as some later New Jedi Orders. (And naturally the Thrawn trilogy, how can anyone possibly avoid that? ;=)
WARPED UNIVERSE ALERT: For the sake of storytelling, Isard's not dead at all. Condolenses to those who get stomach cramps from the woman. I know what you're going through. Just thank the stars of Alderaan I didn't bring Callista back.
Star Wars: The Rising By Heidi Ahlmen (siirma6@surfeu.fi)
It was not difficult to find Mara - she'd gone back to Luke's quarters.
C-3PO was standing outside the door with Artoo, looking rather confused.
"3PO, what's going on?"
"Captain Jade has returned, Master Luke. I was informed with rather, should I say, colourful terms that she needed some privacy."
Artoo whistled resentfully to emphasize Threepio's words.
"Right," Luke answered, and prepared to open the door.
"Master Luke, I wouldn't---"
But Luke didn't listen to the droids' protests. He walked in - to find that the room was dark, with only the lights of passing speeders illuminating the ceiling in light stripes. Mara lay on the bed, but Luke sensed very clearly that she was far from sleep.
He also sensed that if he valued his life he wouldn't try to read her mind any more than that. So very Maralike to lash out at him and humiliate him with one of her most cunning ways - forcing him to speak his mind. Using the Force was a whole lot easier to him.
"Mara?"
"Asleep," came the stern answer from the pillows.
"I should thank you, you know. Our reputation as a royal pain in the tentacles has just grown to galactic proportions."
Hoping she'd take the bait, he sat down in a chair.
Mara sat up. "I'm the royal pain. You're the rebel one."
"Aren't we one for fame and fortune."
Mara stood up and stretched. "Gavrisom was right in one thing, though."
Luke gave her an interested look.
"It indeed was a waste of time. You still want to go on with this?"
So very Mara-like to speak of marriage like a trade run. "This".
Luke nodded, clipping off his light sabre from his utility belt. "You know I do," he answered softly.
Mara didn't reply. He didn't get anything more out of her that evening. They went to bed and slept tangled as usually, but strangely quietly. Mara didn't link with him and he decided not to push her.
CHAPTER II:
After two years Jedi Master Luke Skywalker still felt strange about having an office. It was as if the even word itself seemed to defy the definition of Jedi business. But he needed a place for his notes, datacards and the rest of administrative dosh he had to preserve, for the original Jedi Praxeum on Yavin IV now only acted as a place of final examinations and finesse training. A new praxeum for basic work had been constructed on Coruscant in two years, and it had been in use for five standard years now. There were still a lot of improvements to be made, but Luke liked the place with its high ceilings, glass walls and empty space. And it was nicer for him and Mara, as Mara had never felt really cozy in the jungles of Yavin. She still seemed to long for civilization, as she'd dubbed Coruscant, which to Luke - born and raised in the vast emptiness of Tatooine - still occasionally needed to set himself free of the urban steamer that the planet-wide capital of the Republic formed.
Artoo whistled at the exact same moment that Luke sensed there was a visitor waiting for him outside the door.
"You catching Jedi abilities, Artoo?" Luke laughed as Artoo scuttled into a corner to plug into the mainframe. It was Artoo's version of nail-picking, or whatever useless pastimes the human mind could come up with during idle moments.
Luke reached out with the Force to the control pad of the door, and it slid open with a hiss.
Amarice walked in, marveling the sight of Master Skywalker's rather untidy office, wondering why the Jedi Master did not wish to give his students the lesson of cleanliness with himself as a good example. On the other hand, there was still much she didn't understand anyway. And the cleaning habits of Jedi Masters hardly counted as a crucial piece of the puzzle.
The puzzle that was being a Jedi. Master Skywalker greeted her, sending a silent prod to his mind with a smile. She didn't reply - she knew she wasn't really expected to - and sat down to a chair as the Master gestured towards it.
"Amarice - welcome. Before I begin, I see there is something you wish to ask me about."
Was it that clear? Was she ever going to get good enough to read minds like that?
She cleared her throat. "I... I was just wondering if I too, should be packing."
"For Yavin?" It was a rhetorical question, "Amarice, I still think it would be too early for-"
"But all the others are leaving? Ceela, Mea, Athonas. And I'll be getting beat up in light sabre practice with the younger students until I die." The words were out of her mouth before she could silence herself.
As amused as he was by her sudden outburst - he'd been just like that himself once - he didn't let it show. "Death is not something you summon upon yourself, Amarice. I know the talk of some students is proving difficult for you two bear, but I cannot push you to advance. It simply does not work that way."
Amarice swallowed. Sure, the talk was bad enough - her being General Carlist Rieekan's daughter sure had aroused some false accusations of Master Skywalker bending down to politicians by letting her continue her studies, even though her Jedi skills were, without doubt, below mediocre.
"Amarice, you are a good student. But I feel the standard way though Yavin is not for you."
Nice way to put it, Amarice had to admit. She'd come to admit defeat, and Master Skywalker still wished to continue keeping her already dwindling hopes slightly up. Slightly enough for her to hang around the Praxeum another year before he could decide what to do with her,
"I can see what you're thinking. No, I'm not thinking of delaying your graduation. Quite the opposite. You will be given an assignment."
Amarice awoke from her slumber. An assignment?
"Senator Gann of the Corellian system requires information on the Jedi. And you will be the ambassador of the order at her disposal."
"I hardly feel I'm the one to tell her what she should know."
"I know you think of yourself as an overtly critical person towards our doctrines. Master Yoda one said to me that he who does not question, does not understand. You will give Senator Gann your insight, your opinion in this matter. If she requires information on the history of the order or other details you can not provide, contant Master Tionne."
Slightly shook up, but her battered spirit very much raised by his apparent enthusiasm in giving her this task, Amarice sat up in her chair. "When will I meet with the Senator?"
"You have been asked to report to her tomorrow at nine standard time in her offices at the Senate. You will be escorted by C-3PO, Councilor Organa Solo's protocol droid."
"Thank you, Master."
"Good luck. You may leave."
Amarice stood up and walked out, his heart racing almost as fast as her thoughts. Now this was something new. And very interesting. She wondered why Master Skywalker did not see to this himself. Perhaps the matter was of little importance. And the Master's wedding must have been approaching - even though not official information, the rumours had been flying, especially among those padawans who had been assigned to certain Masters who happened to know Master Skywalker on a personal basis.
Everyone knew Master Skywalker was marrying Master Trader Mara Jade, former Emperor's Hand.
With newfound energy, Amarice changed her course towards the practice halls, ready to ignite her lightsabre in another duel. And this time she'd win.
************************************************'
Thank you for reading. Reviews and feedback would be greatly appreciated - they're the fuel that feeds this creative furnace.
Heidi Ahlmen siirma6@surfeu.fi
ONLY TO BE ARCHIVED AT FANFICTION.NET
Timeline: Post- Vision of the Future, replacing Union
To M. For feedback, excellent company, fellowship in SW-madness and fun around the clock ;=) (Especially behind the wheel - I sure would like to see you with an X-wing!)
SPOILER ALERT: Planet of Twilight, Showdown at Centrepoint, Specter of The Past, Vision of The Future, Vector Prime as well as some later New Jedi Orders. (And naturally the Thrawn trilogy, how can anyone possibly avoid that? ;=)
WARPED UNIVERSE ALERT: For the sake of storytelling, Isard's not dead at all. Condolenses to those who get stomach cramps from the woman. I know what you're going through. Just thank the stars of Alderaan I didn't bring Callista back.
Star Wars: The Rising By Heidi Ahlmen (siirma6@surfeu.fi)
It was not difficult to find Mara - she'd gone back to Luke's quarters.
C-3PO was standing outside the door with Artoo, looking rather confused.
"3PO, what's going on?"
"Captain Jade has returned, Master Luke. I was informed with rather, should I say, colourful terms that she needed some privacy."
Artoo whistled resentfully to emphasize Threepio's words.
"Right," Luke answered, and prepared to open the door.
"Master Luke, I wouldn't---"
But Luke didn't listen to the droids' protests. He walked in - to find that the room was dark, with only the lights of passing speeders illuminating the ceiling in light stripes. Mara lay on the bed, but Luke sensed very clearly that she was far from sleep.
He also sensed that if he valued his life he wouldn't try to read her mind any more than that. So very Maralike to lash out at him and humiliate him with one of her most cunning ways - forcing him to speak his mind. Using the Force was a whole lot easier to him.
"Mara?"
"Asleep," came the stern answer from the pillows.
"I should thank you, you know. Our reputation as a royal pain in the tentacles has just grown to galactic proportions."
Hoping she'd take the bait, he sat down in a chair.
Mara sat up. "I'm the royal pain. You're the rebel one."
"Aren't we one for fame and fortune."
Mara stood up and stretched. "Gavrisom was right in one thing, though."
Luke gave her an interested look.
"It indeed was a waste of time. You still want to go on with this?"
So very Mara-like to speak of marriage like a trade run. "This".
Luke nodded, clipping off his light sabre from his utility belt. "You know I do," he answered softly.
Mara didn't reply. He didn't get anything more out of her that evening. They went to bed and slept tangled as usually, but strangely quietly. Mara didn't link with him and he decided not to push her.
CHAPTER II:
After two years Jedi Master Luke Skywalker still felt strange about having an office. It was as if the even word itself seemed to defy the definition of Jedi business. But he needed a place for his notes, datacards and the rest of administrative dosh he had to preserve, for the original Jedi Praxeum on Yavin IV now only acted as a place of final examinations and finesse training. A new praxeum for basic work had been constructed on Coruscant in two years, and it had been in use for five standard years now. There were still a lot of improvements to be made, but Luke liked the place with its high ceilings, glass walls and empty space. And it was nicer for him and Mara, as Mara had never felt really cozy in the jungles of Yavin. She still seemed to long for civilization, as she'd dubbed Coruscant, which to Luke - born and raised in the vast emptiness of Tatooine - still occasionally needed to set himself free of the urban steamer that the planet-wide capital of the Republic formed.
Artoo whistled at the exact same moment that Luke sensed there was a visitor waiting for him outside the door.
"You catching Jedi abilities, Artoo?" Luke laughed as Artoo scuttled into a corner to plug into the mainframe. It was Artoo's version of nail-picking, or whatever useless pastimes the human mind could come up with during idle moments.
Luke reached out with the Force to the control pad of the door, and it slid open with a hiss.
Amarice walked in, marveling the sight of Master Skywalker's rather untidy office, wondering why the Jedi Master did not wish to give his students the lesson of cleanliness with himself as a good example. On the other hand, there was still much she didn't understand anyway. And the cleaning habits of Jedi Masters hardly counted as a crucial piece of the puzzle.
The puzzle that was being a Jedi. Master Skywalker greeted her, sending a silent prod to his mind with a smile. She didn't reply - she knew she wasn't really expected to - and sat down to a chair as the Master gestured towards it.
"Amarice - welcome. Before I begin, I see there is something you wish to ask me about."
Was it that clear? Was she ever going to get good enough to read minds like that?
She cleared her throat. "I... I was just wondering if I too, should be packing."
"For Yavin?" It was a rhetorical question, "Amarice, I still think it would be too early for-"
"But all the others are leaving? Ceela, Mea, Athonas. And I'll be getting beat up in light sabre practice with the younger students until I die." The words were out of her mouth before she could silence herself.
As amused as he was by her sudden outburst - he'd been just like that himself once - he didn't let it show. "Death is not something you summon upon yourself, Amarice. I know the talk of some students is proving difficult for you two bear, but I cannot push you to advance. It simply does not work that way."
Amarice swallowed. Sure, the talk was bad enough - her being General Carlist Rieekan's daughter sure had aroused some false accusations of Master Skywalker bending down to politicians by letting her continue her studies, even though her Jedi skills were, without doubt, below mediocre.
"Amarice, you are a good student. But I feel the standard way though Yavin is not for you."
Nice way to put it, Amarice had to admit. She'd come to admit defeat, and Master Skywalker still wished to continue keeping her already dwindling hopes slightly up. Slightly enough for her to hang around the Praxeum another year before he could decide what to do with her,
"I can see what you're thinking. No, I'm not thinking of delaying your graduation. Quite the opposite. You will be given an assignment."
Amarice awoke from her slumber. An assignment?
"Senator Gann of the Corellian system requires information on the Jedi. And you will be the ambassador of the order at her disposal."
"I hardly feel I'm the one to tell her what she should know."
"I know you think of yourself as an overtly critical person towards our doctrines. Master Yoda one said to me that he who does not question, does not understand. You will give Senator Gann your insight, your opinion in this matter. If she requires information on the history of the order or other details you can not provide, contant Master Tionne."
Slightly shook up, but her battered spirit very much raised by his apparent enthusiasm in giving her this task, Amarice sat up in her chair. "When will I meet with the Senator?"
"You have been asked to report to her tomorrow at nine standard time in her offices at the Senate. You will be escorted by C-3PO, Councilor Organa Solo's protocol droid."
"Thank you, Master."
"Good luck. You may leave."
Amarice stood up and walked out, his heart racing almost as fast as her thoughts. Now this was something new. And very interesting. She wondered why Master Skywalker did not see to this himself. Perhaps the matter was of little importance. And the Master's wedding must have been approaching - even though not official information, the rumours had been flying, especially among those padawans who had been assigned to certain Masters who happened to know Master Skywalker on a personal basis.
Everyone knew Master Skywalker was marrying Master Trader Mara Jade, former Emperor's Hand.
With newfound energy, Amarice changed her course towards the practice halls, ready to ignite her lightsabre in another duel. And this time she'd win.
************************************************'
Thank you for reading. Reviews and feedback would be greatly appreciated - they're the fuel that feeds this creative furnace.
Heidi Ahlmen siirma6@surfeu.fi