The room was off-white and almost empty. Buttons, compartments, a bed
table, and the hard bunk Jaina Solo now sat on were all that filled it.
This is it! she thought. Force, I'm in the past! I just traveled back in time! How cool is that?
In all her excitement Jaina got up and took her first step. Then another. Then it struck her. What if I got hurt on the way? She quickly ran her hand down her arms, legs, torso, and head. Thank the force she was fine.
After a few breaths of catching up with herself Jaina went to the door and felt it. She found a latch that would probably open it. It looked similar to the ones she was familiar with, but smaller and more mechanical in design. She was about to open it when she remembered: what if someone is outside? Jaina scowled. Great. I'm in the past to change history and I forget to look out before getting out! Sure, Jaina. I wonder what Uncle Luke would think of you now!
Fortunately, Jaina could still use the force to detect what was out, which was nothing. She opened the door and found herself in a long, narrow hallway the same shade of white as the room. Okay. Most Rebels probably didn't wear jeans, so you don't exactly fit in. I'll just have to find Mom and Dad as soon as possible and explain this all to them.
Before Jaina could use the force to sense Mom, who was force-sensitive, rapid footsteps echoed through the halls near the corner. Jaina turned immediately and struggled with force-damned latch. It wouldn't open. She tried pushing the other way. She fell into the door and with her foot shut it. Ooohhh. Maybe that was a little loud.
Jaina pressed her ear against the door, using the force as well.
"... shabby, nerf-herder!"
Is that who I think that is?
"Shabby? Looks who calling me shabby!"
"Uuuhhh!"
Dad? Oh force, I found them!
After the footsteps receded Jaina once again opened the door and carefully found them. She had to get them."
"Hey, who are you"
Jaina tried not to turn around too fast to show her uneasiness and tried not to gawk.
"Unc...uh, hello."
Luke Skywalker studied the strange young girl in front of him. She didn't appear particularly threatening.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Jaina."
Should I tell him now? He hasn't told me his name yet. If I call him by it that would make it so much easier, he'll listen to me...
"You're Luke Skywalker, Jedi in training."
Luke stepped back and stared.
"Who are you? What are you...," Luke struggled for a good question. "What do you want?"
"I'm Jaina. I am here to help you, Luke. Help the Alliance and Darth Vader."
Uncle Luke eyes glared at the mention of his father's murdered.
"You're what? You, did you say you're helping him?"
Jaina inwardly cringed. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!! He doesn't know Vader's his father yet! That's not until after Bespin!
"I meant I am going to help you and the Alliance defeat Vader, not help him. Of course not."
Luke looked relieved, but not that much.
"How did you me? That I'm becoming a Jedi?"
"Don't you get it?" Jaina pleaded. "I'm from the future."
Luke would have laughed had the situation not been so serious and scary. Jaina sensed it.
"Oh, but you have to..." it hit Jaina. She dug into her bag and brought out a certain lightsaber.
"Do you recognize this weapon?"
Luke unconsciously grabbed it and traced his eager fingers across the cold yet warmly familiar surface. He switched it on, and he basked in it's glow, its color the very shade of his won. His own. Had she stolen in? Yet it was still at his belt. Even when he examined them both, except for age, they were exactly the same. He looked to the strange girl.
"All right. You're from the future. You know about me. But I don't know about you."
"You will, eventually. For now, you'll just have to trust me."
Luke took it in. This girl Jaina was certainly no one to mess around with. Although he hadn't told her his suspicions, he thought he sensed her command of the force.
Jaina thought it over. Am I forgetting something? Oh, of course!
"You should introduce me to Leia Organa and Han Solo. Don't tell them I'm from the future. Whatever you do, don't tell them..."
Ghghhgghghghgh... Luke, this is Leia, over....
Luke took his comlink from his vest pocket and switched it on.
"Leia, this is Luke, over."
Jaina stared at the comlink. Her mother, at age 21, was talking on that comlink, commanding a Rebellion against an Empire. Oh force this was so cool.
"Luke, how do you feel?" asked Mom.
"I feel fine. The bacta treatment worked wonders."
"Good, what are you doing?"
Jaina tested Luke with her eyes. Don't screw this up.
"Not much. You?"
"I'm waiting very patiently for you to come to our scheduled meeting! We've found a few new recruits for your squadron, if you're interested!"
The memory of setting up the meeting dawned on Luke.
"I've coming right over," he responded hastily.
Without saying another word Luke rushed down the hall, with a very annoyed Jaina hot on his trail. She grabbed his shoulder and turned to face him.
"You were supposed to tell her about me!"
Luke continued on his way.
"Don't worry. Trust me."
"That's very reassuring, Luke. I feel so much better now."
A door slid open and revealed many hard-set faces of the elite and powerful sitting round a long conference table beneath an emblem Jaina recognized as that of the Alliance. At the head sat Mon Mothma and beside her a young, flight-suit clad Mom with freshly braided hair and her usual no-nonsense expression that she reserved for political meetings. Mom, or, Leia Organa, had her focus on a data card. Dad was nowhere in sight.
"I'm here," announced Luke.
Leia immediately sat up from her chair and only then noticed the young teenage girl in strange clothing. Jaina felt electricity flow through her veins when she locked her eyes on hers'.
"Hello, Luke. Who's your friend here?"
Luke portrayed confusion for a moment.
"You mean Jaina?" Luke questioned. "She helped me in my last mission. Told me who the Imperial agents were. Jaina is force-strong."
Leia walked cautiously over, still having mixed feelings about her. But whoever this girl was, she had no intention of scaring her away. She softened her facial features to show concern.
"You're awfully young, Jaina. Fourteen, fifteen?"
"Fourteen," Jaina corrected. So far so good. "My parents were Jedi, and Darth Vader killed them in the Purge. I want to help. I'm a good pilot," Jaina hastily pointed out, desperately. Oh, but I am desperate. Very desperate. If I don't join in how am I supposed to do anything? Please, Mom, please say yes.
Leia brought out her hand. For a second Jaina thought she was going to slap her, but instead, she held it out. Oh, shake my hand, duh!!! Jaina slowly brought hers out, not taking her eyes off Leia while her acceptance was sealed.
"Just don't touch the alco..."
A rushed Han Solo stepped in and interrupted the Kodak moment.
"...and you'll have to mind Captain Solo here."
"Hey! What do you mean, 'mind'?"
Jaina's smiled broadly. Dad. Younger and quicker maybe, but still Dad.
But Jaina's sweet observation was interrupted by the arrival of another visitor.
"Princess... we have a visitor."
Liea and Luke rushed down the tunnels with Jaina following close behind to what she guessed was their command center. They pushed through a throng of uniformed officials to a clear screen near the center.
"We've picked up something outside the base in zone 12, moving east," someone remarked.
"It's metal," a controller piped in.
Mom was biting her tongue, studying the screens.
"Then it couldn't be one of those creatures that attacked Luke," she pointed out.
"It could be a speeder, one of ours," offered Dad, who was standing behind Jaina now.
The same controller narrowed her eyes.
"No. Wait-there's something very weak coming through."
A mechanical gibberish pierced the command center.
"Sir, I am fluent in over 6 million forms of communication. This form is not used by the Alliance. It could be an Imperial code."
Jaine jerked. Is that who I think it is? Yeah, it's Threepio, but there were more important things to do.
"M... Mrs. So.... " Jaina shooked her head with frustration. What do I call her?
"Madam," Jaina gave up. "That is an Imperial code. They're coming! Sound the alarm, attack! Now! We don't have time!" "And how would you know?" asked Leia, displaying her suspicion.
"I have heard this before, in the purges, when the Imperials attacked, and I was flying away, they used this code," Jaina responded smoothly. "It's Imperial all right."
"Well, all right, if Luke trusts you."
"Send Rogues 10 and 11 to section 3-8," said a gruff voice.
Jaina turned to Luke. Show time.
This is it! she thought. Force, I'm in the past! I just traveled back in time! How cool is that?
In all her excitement Jaina got up and took her first step. Then another. Then it struck her. What if I got hurt on the way? She quickly ran her hand down her arms, legs, torso, and head. Thank the force she was fine.
After a few breaths of catching up with herself Jaina went to the door and felt it. She found a latch that would probably open it. It looked similar to the ones she was familiar with, but smaller and more mechanical in design. She was about to open it when she remembered: what if someone is outside? Jaina scowled. Great. I'm in the past to change history and I forget to look out before getting out! Sure, Jaina. I wonder what Uncle Luke would think of you now!
Fortunately, Jaina could still use the force to detect what was out, which was nothing. She opened the door and found herself in a long, narrow hallway the same shade of white as the room. Okay. Most Rebels probably didn't wear jeans, so you don't exactly fit in. I'll just have to find Mom and Dad as soon as possible and explain this all to them.
Before Jaina could use the force to sense Mom, who was force-sensitive, rapid footsteps echoed through the halls near the corner. Jaina turned immediately and struggled with force-damned latch. It wouldn't open. She tried pushing the other way. She fell into the door and with her foot shut it. Ooohhh. Maybe that was a little loud.
Jaina pressed her ear against the door, using the force as well.
"... shabby, nerf-herder!"
Is that who I think that is?
"Shabby? Looks who calling me shabby!"
"Uuuhhh!"
Dad? Oh force, I found them!
After the footsteps receded Jaina once again opened the door and carefully found them. She had to get them."
"Hey, who are you"
Jaina tried not to turn around too fast to show her uneasiness and tried not to gawk.
"Unc...uh, hello."
Luke Skywalker studied the strange young girl in front of him. She didn't appear particularly threatening.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Jaina."
Should I tell him now? He hasn't told me his name yet. If I call him by it that would make it so much easier, he'll listen to me...
"You're Luke Skywalker, Jedi in training."
Luke stepped back and stared.
"Who are you? What are you...," Luke struggled for a good question. "What do you want?"
"I'm Jaina. I am here to help you, Luke. Help the Alliance and Darth Vader."
Uncle Luke eyes glared at the mention of his father's murdered.
"You're what? You, did you say you're helping him?"
Jaina inwardly cringed. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!! He doesn't know Vader's his father yet! That's not until after Bespin!
"I meant I am going to help you and the Alliance defeat Vader, not help him. Of course not."
Luke looked relieved, but not that much.
"How did you me? That I'm becoming a Jedi?"
"Don't you get it?" Jaina pleaded. "I'm from the future."
Luke would have laughed had the situation not been so serious and scary. Jaina sensed it.
"Oh, but you have to..." it hit Jaina. She dug into her bag and brought out a certain lightsaber.
"Do you recognize this weapon?"
Luke unconsciously grabbed it and traced his eager fingers across the cold yet warmly familiar surface. He switched it on, and he basked in it's glow, its color the very shade of his won. His own. Had she stolen in? Yet it was still at his belt. Even when he examined them both, except for age, they were exactly the same. He looked to the strange girl.
"All right. You're from the future. You know about me. But I don't know about you."
"You will, eventually. For now, you'll just have to trust me."
Luke took it in. This girl Jaina was certainly no one to mess around with. Although he hadn't told her his suspicions, he thought he sensed her command of the force.
Jaina thought it over. Am I forgetting something? Oh, of course!
"You should introduce me to Leia Organa and Han Solo. Don't tell them I'm from the future. Whatever you do, don't tell them..."
Ghghhgghghghgh... Luke, this is Leia, over....
Luke took his comlink from his vest pocket and switched it on.
"Leia, this is Luke, over."
Jaina stared at the comlink. Her mother, at age 21, was talking on that comlink, commanding a Rebellion against an Empire. Oh force this was so cool.
"Luke, how do you feel?" asked Mom.
"I feel fine. The bacta treatment worked wonders."
"Good, what are you doing?"
Jaina tested Luke with her eyes. Don't screw this up.
"Not much. You?"
"I'm waiting very patiently for you to come to our scheduled meeting! We've found a few new recruits for your squadron, if you're interested!"
The memory of setting up the meeting dawned on Luke.
"I've coming right over," he responded hastily.
Without saying another word Luke rushed down the hall, with a very annoyed Jaina hot on his trail. She grabbed his shoulder and turned to face him.
"You were supposed to tell her about me!"
Luke continued on his way.
"Don't worry. Trust me."
"That's very reassuring, Luke. I feel so much better now."
A door slid open and revealed many hard-set faces of the elite and powerful sitting round a long conference table beneath an emblem Jaina recognized as that of the Alliance. At the head sat Mon Mothma and beside her a young, flight-suit clad Mom with freshly braided hair and her usual no-nonsense expression that she reserved for political meetings. Mom, or, Leia Organa, had her focus on a data card. Dad was nowhere in sight.
"I'm here," announced Luke.
Leia immediately sat up from her chair and only then noticed the young teenage girl in strange clothing. Jaina felt electricity flow through her veins when she locked her eyes on hers'.
"Hello, Luke. Who's your friend here?"
Luke portrayed confusion for a moment.
"You mean Jaina?" Luke questioned. "She helped me in my last mission. Told me who the Imperial agents were. Jaina is force-strong."
Leia walked cautiously over, still having mixed feelings about her. But whoever this girl was, she had no intention of scaring her away. She softened her facial features to show concern.
"You're awfully young, Jaina. Fourteen, fifteen?"
"Fourteen," Jaina corrected. So far so good. "My parents were Jedi, and Darth Vader killed them in the Purge. I want to help. I'm a good pilot," Jaina hastily pointed out, desperately. Oh, but I am desperate. Very desperate. If I don't join in how am I supposed to do anything? Please, Mom, please say yes.
Leia brought out her hand. For a second Jaina thought she was going to slap her, but instead, she held it out. Oh, shake my hand, duh!!! Jaina slowly brought hers out, not taking her eyes off Leia while her acceptance was sealed.
"Just don't touch the alco..."
A rushed Han Solo stepped in and interrupted the Kodak moment.
"...and you'll have to mind Captain Solo here."
"Hey! What do you mean, 'mind'?"
Jaina's smiled broadly. Dad. Younger and quicker maybe, but still Dad.
But Jaina's sweet observation was interrupted by the arrival of another visitor.
"Princess... we have a visitor."
Liea and Luke rushed down the tunnels with Jaina following close behind to what she guessed was their command center. They pushed through a throng of uniformed officials to a clear screen near the center.
"We've picked up something outside the base in zone 12, moving east," someone remarked.
"It's metal," a controller piped in.
Mom was biting her tongue, studying the screens.
"Then it couldn't be one of those creatures that attacked Luke," she pointed out.
"It could be a speeder, one of ours," offered Dad, who was standing behind Jaina now.
The same controller narrowed her eyes.
"No. Wait-there's something very weak coming through."
A mechanical gibberish pierced the command center.
"Sir, I am fluent in over 6 million forms of communication. This form is not used by the Alliance. It could be an Imperial code."
Jaine jerked. Is that who I think it is? Yeah, it's Threepio, but there were more important things to do.
"M... Mrs. So.... " Jaina shooked her head with frustration. What do I call her?
"Madam," Jaina gave up. "That is an Imperial code. They're coming! Sound the alarm, attack! Now! We don't have time!" "And how would you know?" asked Leia, displaying her suspicion.
"I have heard this before, in the purges, when the Imperials attacked, and I was flying away, they used this code," Jaina responded smoothly. "It's Imperial all right."
"Well, all right, if Luke trusts you."
"Send Rogues 10 and 11 to section 3-8," said a gruff voice.
Jaina turned to Luke. Show time.