Chapter 3 Corran Horn jumped as Kam Solusar brought his blue bade back to strike at him. Luke was watching two of his former students spar but that was in actuality the last thing on his mind. "Mirax and I were married before I became a Jedi, so I didn't have a Jedi Ceremony."

"Tionne and I were married at the Academy, but we had no guidelines, so we cobbled a ceremony together ourselves." Kam said as his blue blade intercepted Corran's silver one with a clash. They separated and Corran charged at him with a kick to the stomach and pointed his blade towards Kam's face, trying to avoid getting his arms tangled in his shirt that was hanging around his neck.

Luke crossed his arms over his chest as he pulled his brown robe around his shoulders. "That ceremony was great, Kam. I was hoping Tionne had learned more that we could put into mine.

Kam ducked the lightsaber that was heading straight towards him then jumped high above another thrust turning the jump into a back flip. "I know she will be overjoyed to help in any way possible."

Kam jumped again as Corran tried to knock him over with a swipe of his leg, holding himself up with a single arm.

"I know is some question as to whether or not the Jedi Council allowed Jedi to marry," Luke continued earnestly.

"My Grandfather was married to my Grandmother," Corran pointed out.

"Yes," Luke said then paused considering it. "But Corellian Jedi are, well... Corellian." Luke thought to several of the Corellians he knew. His brother-in-law not the least on that list. They had a tendency of forging their own paths and not listening to reason or authority. "So much of the past has been lo0st, so many traditions." Luke continued cautiously. "We don't know what the Jedi council would have approved of not." Luke remembered back to a conversation he had once had with Han. "You ought to do more flirting yourself," Han had prodded Luke.

"If I might be of service, Master Luke. I have an extensive library of love poetry at your disposal, in several languages suitable for the human tongue, as well as etiquette, medical information, and_"

Luke quickly cut Threepio off. "I don't have time for flirtations or love poetry. Not right now."

"Don't be so damned dedicated. Don't Jedi Knights have any fun? Little Jedi Knights have to come from somewhere. I'll bet old Obi-Wan_"

"I don't know what Ben would have done! I don't know what other Jedi Knights did. I didn't know Ben long enough, and the Empire destroyed so many records, and . . . I just don't know."

"Take it easy Luke. Take it easy, you're doing great."

"But the traditions." Luke shook his head. So much had been lost so they were really making it up. Were they holding true to the Order? Would the order have allowed marriage? Well Han, when you told me to have some fun I don't think you were expecting it to be with Mara Jade.

"Having a ceremony to validate and celebrate love can't be of the dark side." Kam pointed out.

Love may not be, but what of passion. Extreme passion is of the dark side.

"No fair using telekinesis in a sword fight." Corran yelled at Kam as he was flipped over onto the ground while Kam used his Force abilities to hold himself above the ground.

"Had enough Kam?"

Corran hit the floor loudly and his lightsaber flew out of his hand and deactivated then rolled across the floor. "Thought it was best out of three falls? We're tied."

"I hit pretty hard. Count that fall twice." Kam said as he held out Corran's shirt that had come off.

"I want this to be special," Luke pushed still wanting to press the problem at hand, "incorporate Jedi tradition into it too."

As Luke and Kam started walking away Corran tried to push himself off the ground. "Everyone wants his wedding to be special, and this one will be too."

"Tionne is always finding new records and new material. She's composed a new ballad that I'm sure she'd love to sing."

"That would be great Kam. I love her singing."

Corran got to his feet and jumped up to get the attention of his former Master. "Mirax and I were married first on the Lusankya, by Wedge, then later in a civil ceremony here."

"The planning for one ceremony has been bad enough Corran," Luke said as he waved his hand dismissively.

"I understand. What I'm getting at is this. Most folks might not know what to make of a Jedi ceremony. Perhaps we could do something here, privately, for the Jedi."

"Then have a more secular ceremony be the public one?" Luke pressed trying to get at what Corran was thinking.

"Imp propaganda still lives, so some folks are iffy about the Jedi. Plus, folks might not understand us, so they'd not feel part of it."

"I don't want people to feel excluded," Luke said becoming unsure of everything that had been planned. This problem had not occurred to him and the entire symbolism thing would soon drive him up the wall. "If this weren't being seen as a rebel and Imperial wedding," Luke growled getting more annoyed with the media and society as each day went on.

"But it is, Luke," Kam pointed out as he brought his hand out, palm up, as if offering a peaceful trade. "Because it symbolizes the peace and healing. The wedding will be an instrument for good."

Luke sighed and leaned heavily on the rail in front of him. "Something more private and solemn would be the calm before the storm."

"We'll put it together," Kam said with a grin as he rested a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Then, everyone will be happy."

Happy, the sound of the word echoed uncomfortably in Luke's head as a dark sense of foreboding settled over him.



Dolis three, a world as cold as the people that live there, people that once held glory in the might of the Empire. People with immense reason to hate the New Republic and one of the outstanding symbols of it, the saint Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker. Skywalker was the enemy; he must have used his Jedi mind tricks to take those that were once loyal to the Empire. To steal the soul of those such as Mara Jade from the Lord and Master of them all, the Emperor. Skywalker destroyed them, destroyed their hearts and souls. So such weak spined fools such as Pellaeon were left to rule. Were left to give all their souls to the New Republic, in the evil grasps of 'saint Skywalker' and his witch sister that ruled them.

"Spare a credit? I've been out of work for a long time." A beggar asked the man wrapped in a cloak as the man began to turn his back against the beating snow.

"I don't really have anything."

"Please, I've not eaten."

"Just this once. I don't have much myself."

The hand sporting a ripped glove pushed forwards. "You're a true Imperial."

A true Imperial that hopes Yaga Minor straightens out the bureaucratic tangle holding up his pay. The man glanced at the bar and slowly began walking towards it. With any luck, some one in here will buy me some Lomin Ale. "Hi Guys, Chasa, anything new?" He asked the men inside the bar as he entered, other Imperials, like him.

"Not much, save news from Coruscant, weeks old now."

"Hi Banner, I don't have those credits."

"He owes me too, Banner, I can't pay you right now."

Banner nodded towards them not really paying attention. News from Coruscant. He wondered what the idiots had done now.

The dead pan face of Leia Organa Solo filled the large view screens as a group of people gathered around, Imperials no doubt. " . . . Proud to announce the impending marriage of my brother, Luke Skywalker to Mara Jade . . ."

"Well if that doesn't beat all."

"To the victors go the spoils, right?" But who were the victors now, Skywalker and his posy, or the former victors, the Empire. And the spoils, the former Imperials that betrayed all those that they had, betray their loyalty or was it the degraded Empire whom have won the spoils.

"I can't pay you for this," Banner protested to the bartender as he poured a drink in a glass for him.

"I know you will. You're a good man."

"I doubt it, sometimes, I mean, if I'm a good man, how come everyone else in the galaxy hated the government I serve?" The Empire, it was evil to him. Why was it to everyone else?

"Hey they say the Empire was bad, but it was good for us. Times got bad when the Emperor died. And worse with the peace."

"And nothing we can do about it. Time once was . . ."

"We were men to be reckoned with. We had power and our positions." It had always been that way, since the peace. The New Republic that claimed to be the saviors of the galaxy had destroyed it; had ruined their lives.

"Budget cuts took care of that, though. We can do nothing."

"You said it, Banner."

"They're untouchable now."

"Untouchable," a sinister voice said from behind them, "hardly, they are at their most vulnerable now."

"Huh?" Banner said suddenly confused.

"You say you can do nothing," the man stepped in front of the vidscreen that was showing a large golden droid. He reached his hand out, fingers outstretched. "But you are wrong." He clenched his hand into a fist, "you still have spines, you can do much."

"Against them?" One of them jerked a thumb towards the screen. He wore a tight gray shirt with a high collar that was reminiscent of an Imperial uniform, the good days when they wore the uniform of their wonderful government, their former lives. "How? We're lightyears away, broke."

"You might have money, Moff Takkar, that you pilfered, but we were just loyal sons of the Empire." Another man said as he advanced on the Moff. "We didn't take advantage the way you did."

The Moff drew his fist back and struck the man and heard a satisfying crack as the blow connected to his jaw. "Think before you whine. I am offering you a chance to redress the ills these Rebels have visited upon you. If you are with me, we will give them defeat on this day they celebrate their victory."

As they glared down at the man on the ground holding his jaw tightly they nodded their heads in agreeal.

"To see Coruscant again. I'm in."

"We few? We band of brothers?"

"Can't say much for your recruitment techniques, but anything beats this place."

"I'm ready for a different line of work, and travel would be nice."

"Excellent, my friends. When they think to laugh, we will make them weep and show them the Empire has not died," the Moff hissed in anticipation.



* * * Mara wrapped her arms tightly around her as she went out to join Luke outside. He of course had been the last place she looked after everywhere else. She shivered against the chill of the Coruscant night and decided she should get used to wearing sleeves.

No kidding, why do you think I always wear my Jedi blacks?

That's to be expected of you. You're from Tatooine. You'd be cold on the hottest day on Coruscant while wearing your Jedi blacks.

"There you are." Mara commented as she saw her soon to be husband kneeling next to his droid. She seemed to always be hearing him far before she could see him. "What's going on?"

"Just letting Artoo know he's got a part in the ceremony. Ring bearing, I thought, if that's okay with you."

"Of course, he must be part of the ceremony." Mara joined Luke and knelt down beside the astromech droid and he tweedled loudly.

"That's right," Luke assured the droid with a small smile, "keeping Threepio in line won't hurt either. So," Luke commented as he stood up and grabbed Mara's hand, helping her to her feet. "Did you find a gown you liked?"

Mara stood up and stood closely to Luke not willing to let go of his hand as she pushed their hands up and stood there, their palms touching and steeped closer to him. "No, but I did find a dressmaker I like. The gown will be up to her.

Luke brought his arm back and placed her hand on his shoulder and the other hand followed as Luke reached around her waist and brought her closer.

"She'll make it lovely, and you'll make it lovelier."

Mara hooked her hands behind Luke's next and pushed closer so that their noses were touching. "And you'll make me loveliest by taking me for your bride."

Luke tilted his head down and kissed her softly on the lips. He let his mind go and leaned into the embrace, each kiss, each touch, was more amazing and shocking to his senses than the last. He wondered if one day they would lessen, if they would get dull. He hoped it wasn't any day soon.

* * * Luke Skywalker pulled out of the blackness and tried to focus to get his sleep muddled senses back to life. He noticed that he was not in his bed but lying on his couch. He was pressed against the back and warm air was blowing on his neck. One of his arms was pinned to the couch by a weight and he couldn't feel anything in it except an insistent tingling. A weight was pressed against the length of his body and he felt something tickling his cheek and he forced his eyes to open. With his one free hand he brushed away the thing that was tickling him. His senses were so muddled; he didn't know what it was. He couldn't see anything. Something blew whatever was tickling him to his chest and this time he grabbed it and pushed it away but first caught a glimpse of what it was, of the color . . . and his senses snapped awake immediately.

Luke sat up abruptly and knocked Mara Jade off the couch. He heard a thump as she hit the floor and groaned and accidentally hit the table. Luke cringed as a few things fell off the table and he heard a breaking of glass.

"Spawn of Vader," She swore as she pushed herself up off the floor and glared at him. "What are you doing in my apartment?"

"Take a look around Jade." Luke stood up and helped her up and offered her her boots and lightsaber. "You better get out of here. If the Media gets wind of this one we're going to be a scam"

"Luke," Mara started as she pulled on the boots. She had said something that had bothered him; she knew that. Normally he would have just brushed this off, laughed about the mistake. "Good night Luke." She leaned down and planted a kiss on his forehead and rested a hand on his bare shoulder.

"You better get moving."

Mara nodded and Luke sat on the couch with his head in his hands until he heard the door slide shut. Luke stood up and picked up the broken pieces of glass off the floor. He put them in the trash along with two bottles of champagne that had been emptied. He should've known better than to start drinking any of the champagne that Mara had, that's what had gotten him into this in the first place. Luke shook his head at it and changed into his sleeping pants and headed to bed.





Thorns, thorns and roses everywhere. They tangled around, strangling a tree reaching out for the sun. That sun that was gone now. The sky was dark but what slashed it all was a color that was so familiar, red-gold, so beautiful, so peculiar. Luke could see far below him, he was standing on a series of step, only a few. They cut of so suddenly as he took a step forward he had to flail back. He struggled and slipped on the edge. He clung to the edge and hoped not to fall. Across the empty space he saw a figure wrapped in a shroud, standing silently on a floating ledge. The shroud hugged her curves and Luke squinted trying to see who it was. The hood slid off to reveal her face. Her face was pale and clung to her bones as if in death. The green crystal eyes stared off into the space, expressionless as death itself. In such a sharp contrast to her fiery red hair. MARA!

The cackling corpse of the Emperor reached out and held his fist out, the thorns wrapping around. Taking his beautiful Mara away from him. Stormtroppers towered behind him keeping him away. No! They couldn't do it! She was to be his wife! He wouldn't let them take her away from him. Not again, that sithspawned Emperor would never have her again. Not if he could stop him.

Friend of the groom, or enemy of the groom?

Luke suddenly lost his grip on the ledge and fell; he flailed in the air and reached out a hand for his beautiful love. MARA! Until he stopped. Flashes of people, flashes of his past. There was evil, evil everywhere.

I know this is a dream but the evil is as palpable as it was in the cave on Dagobah. All people I've known, friends enemies. Most dead or deadly.

Aunt Beru, Uncle Owen, Biggs, they were all gone. What was happening?

My past. People I have killed people I have failed. Why are they here, at the place where I step into the future?

The Emperor stood behind him, cackling evilly, the lightning bolts shooting from his fingers. Luke could feel the pain again.

A dark hand reached out to pluck its prey from the sky. I know this is a trap of some sort. But of whose making? Is it of my mind alone? Or is the Force warning me of something?

The hand reached out a grasped him, holding him prisoner. He struggled but to no avail and his mind went into panic. My father's hand? Mine?

He felt pain as the hand squeezed tightly around him. Around his throat and he felt the air being cut off. He could here his bones snapping under the pressure. It doesn't make sense!

"Help me!"



* * *

Luke sat bolt upright in his bed. He was breathing hard and a cold sweat dripped down his face. "Of course it makes no sense. It was a dream. The sense of unease lingers though."

Luke felt two separate minds reaching out through the Force for him. Leia and Mara, both of them had felt it. Had felt his fear. Luke threw up a shield against both of them. He would tell Mara, tomorrow, he would tell her, but she didn't need to know, not tonight.

Luke leaned back on his hands as Artoo came to the side of his bed beeping.

"I'm fine Artoo. A bad dream. I'll be okay." Unless some how our happiness is drawing happiness to it?

Luke went to the edge of his bed and got out grabbing a t-shirt and pulling it on. He told Artoo to stay back as he left and went to the roof of the Imperial Palace. His senses were still as muddled as they had been earlier on. He didn't know why it was still that bad. He could feel Mara reaching out for him, she had been doing so since he had woken up and blocked her.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he never sensed it coming until it hit. He hit the ground and clutched at his side as he felt the burning of the pain of the blaster bolt. He managed to jerk out of the way as he sensed a sudden threatening presence. His dream, he should have paid more attention, he should have listened.

He was hit numerous times; he didn't know what was happening. Why couldn't he think straight? The next blow landed on his shoulders and he managed to get to his feet.

Luke ignited his lightsaber and managed to ward off any future attacks and before he could see them they had fled. Luke turned off the lightsaber as he turned around and saw a figure come in. One of the palace guards.

"Sir? I heard a noise."

"It's alright. Nothing happened."

The guard came closer and Luke tried to hide the injury but too late. "I beg to differ. Master Skywalker, you're injured. You should go to the med wing immediately."

"It's just a small scratch. It's nothing."

"Master Skywalker that is a blaster burn. I'll direct you down to the med wing. We'll need to contact your family."

Luke's head jerked up and he glanced at the guard. There was no way he could allow his family know about this. Leia would lecture him at the least and Mara! If Mara found out that some one wanted him dead she would never let him out of her sight.

"I'm fine. I'll just heal myself, in my room. I'm going back right now." Luke left before the guards could object. He hoped Mara didn't find out about this one.