Changing of the Guard

I had lost everything before.

It had seemed that by just following the rules, I would get my life back. Breaking them ruined lives, charged evil--and oftentimes made things worse. After the first time, when I thought I had lost them all I stayed close to the rules and tradition, using them as my shelter, as if they were some sort of moral shields that protected me from the endless night of loneliness.

I was wrong. Finding her, and then losing her seemed to teach me to break away from that embrace. She had suffered for so long, that death was a peaceful respite rather then an end. It was my adherence to the seemingly right path that threw her back into the pain and what finally brought her and her only love together…forever.

I will always blame myself.

I had lost everything before and come out unscathed.

This time, I was not so lucky.

Post 1

At the height of the New Republic's fight against the remnants of the former Empire, the intelligence headquarters were swept at least three times a day. With peace finally beginning to set in the sweeps had been increased to five because now the enemies were smaller enigmas, controlled by hidden leaders with darker agenda's. Suffice it to say, that did not mean there was not any Imperial bugs found inside the NRI's main headquarters, just as there were not any NRI bugs inside Imperial Intelligence HQ's on Bastion. Even with Talon Karrde as an established mediator, some of the old paranoia remained, and was disregarded in unspoken agreement by both parties. With peace, the young men and women of the NRI focused on the unknown: primarily organized crime and smugglers getting too big for their own good. And life, thankfully, was not the life and death situation as it was before.

Until recently.

General Arien Cracken glanced at the reports lying on his desk. The preliminary report on the Second Imperium had come in and once again all elements seemed to have been destroyed along with the space station above Yavin 4.

Conclusions: disparate group, working on whims of former imperial red guards.

Leader: Former Jedi Brakiss believed to have perished aboard the station.

Threat Status: negative.

With peace, the NRI also investigated governments that were petitioning entrance into the New Republic. Today's petitioner was the planet of Danshitie which had recently been caught in a rebellion that overthrew one tyrant and replaced it with a representative monarchy, led by Elbereth I. Her government seat, coupled with the seat of Tristan I of Valdet, had become a dual monarchy, answering to a parliament of elected representatives.

Conclusions: Insurgent Forces included the majority of the old loyalists and the new patriotic groups that supported both Elbereth Morodin and Tristan Romani. One incident that had piqued the agent's interest included the burial of two other natives from both planets at the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4.

Note: Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, and wife Mara Jade Skywalker

Mara Jade, Mara Jade…. Now there was something he needed to do regarding her…He tapped his fingers and continued to read.

Mara Jade Skywalker were present during the insurgence, eyewitnesses also place former Rogue Squadron pilot Corran Horn there as well. It was found, at later interviews that their presence was demanded due to a kidnapping and attempted murder.

After reading the particulars, the general pushed those reports aside for his secretary to file. He started on the next pile. Currently, he was working on scouting information about various transactions within the New Republic's borders. With increasing data feeds, patterns had begun to emerge regarding arms trades between unknown parties. The current report stated that three of his agents reported successful infiltration into various insurgent groups on Ryloth, Rodia, and Bothawui. They each hoped to soon be in a position to introduce others to these groups as "friendlies".

The General tilted his head as a plan began to form. As he began typing out a meeting request, Cracken remembered what he needed to do regarding Mara Jade. Breaking the silence he mumbled to himself "How I love clearing up loose ends."

Yavin Four

Atop one of the largest remains of the Yavin Ziggurat, Luke Skywalker felt rather then saw the sun shine into his eyes. He stood unmoving and tapped into the Force for strength to begin, yet again, the rebuilding of the Jedi Academy. Below him, his students worked together to upright walls, and organize the remains, according to the plans of the New Republic archaeologists, architects and engineers. Perhaps some of the temple could be salvaged.

Through Jaina and Jacen, Luke had felt the triumph that resonated throughout the Academy from the defeat of the Second Imperium. He could also see how many changes needed to be implemented. The first step on that journey was to consult with the older Jedi regarding apprenticing some of the students. In his research regarding the Jedi of the Old Republic, that seemed to be the best way to give each student individual attention while allowing them to advance. There were other things that Luke was thinking about, but more research needed to be done before he would be confident about proposing another major change. The onslaught by the Second Imperium had shown that his Jedi were strong, but as newer, younger students began to enter the Academy's ranks, a stronger defense was needed. It was time to change the curriculum, time to renew.

Half a standard hour later, Luke ducked into the room that had been assigned to Zekk. The young man had relinquished his hold on the dark side when he prevented Luke and his students from entering the Temple just seconds before it was blown up. Now, he needed to heal. The relapse he had suffered coming planetside from the med facilities on Gem Diver Station had further weakened Zekk's hold on the Force. His vitals had become critical, but with the aid of some of the Academy's Force Healers, he was quickly strengthening. Luke knew, though, that time could only heal what the bacta could not.

A Two-One Bee medical droid greeted Luke as he entered. "Greetings Master Skywalker, "

"How is Zekk doing today?"

"Master Zekk, is improving, but his body does not seem to rest. At night he seems to be unable to sleep, and as he has not yet regained consciousness, further measures cannot be taken to aid him." The Two-One Bee spoke while taking readings from the blinking medical reader beside Zekk's bed.

Remembering the many times when he woke up with nothing but the familiar emotionless diagnosis machine to tell him about his ailments, Luke asked the droid to notify him if there were any changes. Where R2 and Threepio were familiar, the speech pattern of a med-droid without the best bedside manner was probably not what Zekk needed to see when he awoke.

Luke felt the turmoil inside the sleeping figure's mind, and understood what was going on. If Zekk could not subdue his inner battles, a hard path lay ahead of him. As he stepped out of the medical ward something bumped into his knee. "Yes, Artoo?"

Artoo issued a querying warble. "No, there isn't any change." The droid bleeped positively. "She's back? Good, could you do me a favor? Issue a notice to all students that I would like to speak to them outside the 2nd level of the Great Temple, in two days time. It's not urgent, but this will give the engineers enough time to secure the superstructure. " As he made his way back towards the quarters that he and Mara shared, Luke mulled over what he wanted to tell the students, knowing it was a lesson that he had been taught not so very long ago.

"Luke? Luke?!! Hey, --"

Belatedly, Luke heard his name, and turned towards the voice of his wife. "Hi."

"Hey yourself; what's going on?"

"Change…" He looked at her and shrugged, "Many of the students are euphoric after the Second Imperium's attack, I feel that perhaps a lecture on change may be suitable. "

"On change," Mara frowned, then became a wry grin. "A lecture much like the one you received in the caves of Niruaun?" Luke turned to her with his blue eyes glinting innocently.

"What lecture?" His face grew more serious. "I was also thinking this may be a good time to start implementing some changes in curriculum. Some of the older students are ready to become apprenticed, and it may be wise to hold a meeting with some of the other Jedi about pairing them with younger students."

Mara nodded in agreement "I actually was coming to speak to you about Leia's birthday. I received a message from Han; he says she is eager about the idea to throw a party here, on Yavin, and is in support of keeping it a family affair."

Luke nodded, "Good, and in return I have a request to make of you." Mara blinked at his phrasing, and quietly urged him on. Soberly he reached over and took his wife's hand. "I'm not sure if you remember, but before the wedding I mentioned that I had a Sponsor Child. "

Mara nodded, "I remember; you never had a chance to tell me more, because the minute we disembarked at Coruscant after the trip from Garqi things were a little hectic"

"I apologize for not telling you after things settled down..." Luke frowned a little, "A little over six years ago I met a little girl whose existence was a bit of a surprise for me, in fact a bit of an ego check. When I saw her next, it was to tell her that her mother, who had fought bravely, would not be coming home. I promised her then, a promise that I would never break, that she would always be taken care of, and that I would always be there if she needed me. Her name was Malinza, and her mother, was Gaeriel Captison of Bakura." Mara gave a slight start in surprise at learning that Gaeriel had had a child. "Two standard days ago I received a communication from her guardians saying that they were taking a long awaited trip to Coruscant. They'll be arriving in about a month, and I was wondering if you would like to meet her."

Mara reached over and tousled Luke's hair. "As if you needed to ask. Of course I want to meet her." The relief on his face was evident. "Farmboy, you never cease to amaze me; don't tell me you were worried?"

"I was worried that after losing Anian, you may not be up to meeting someone who I consider family."

"Luke, to honor her, I must live my life to the fullest, and that's a promise that I cannot break. " She paused. "Is Malinza the reason you went back to Bakura after Corellia?" Luke nodded, Mara began to say something else, but saw Artoo swivel his head toward them. "I think Artoo has something for you." Luke reached down to attach his translator, and quickly scanned the words on the screen.

"Zekk's awake. And there's a message for you from Talon at the communications center."

~~~~~~

Two days later, Mara joined the students to listen to Luke speak. Before starting, he acknowledged her with a hint of a smile, then turned a more solemn face towards the students.

"It's an unusual experience for us to meet out in the open like this, but new experiences, even painful ones, can be good. They help us grow. We must learn the lessons each experience offers us, and then move forward. "

Mara saw the nodding faces that included Tenal Ka, the heir of Hapes, and her own niece and nephew.

"The galaxy does not stay the same. It changes from day to day, and we must change and grow to meet new challenges. As Jedi, we must never allow ourselves to become stagnant or self-satisfied. We must be ever vigilant, aware of what is happening around us, and ready to adapt to changing circumstances." Changes that I must also adapt to.

Mara heard that, and was about to send him a tendril of support when she saw a glint in the sky. She eased herself down the stairs towards Artoo, who was waiting at the base of the Temple, Picking up the datapad that had been attached earlier, she whispered "Any communications on approaching vessels?" Before he could answer, she recognized the whine of a significantly altered YT-1300 coming down for a landing. She turned quickly to glance at Luke, who was wore an equally perplexed look as he quickly dismissed the students. Knowing that Luke and Han would fill her in later, Mara discussed with Tionne the scheduling for a meeting with the older Jedi, then slowly made her way towards the small group the landing field. As she approached, a young man in colorful robes spoke up haughtily.

"Very well, then. I'll stay on Yavin Four. Just see to it that you have competent searchers looking for my father." Recognizing the boy, as Raynar Thul, son of Alderaanian merchants, Mara frowned. Bornan Thul is missing? Having met the man through negotiations with Karrde, this was strange news. Thul was in constant communication with his fleet, and even during their meetings had to answer calls dealing with other accounts. She looked up as Jaina, Jacen and Raynar strolled towards the cafeteria for a snack. Mara briefly placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, then joined Luke and Han.

"Hello Han. "

"Hello Mara," his normally jovial Corellian features were disturbed. "How well do you know Bornan Thul?"

She shrugged, "Only through Karrde. We did some business with Bornaryn Trading, always legitimate. The question is how he could have disappeared. From meeting him I got the impression that he was always in contact with someone. For him to just up and disappear, infers some sort of foul play."

Han nodded, "He was supposed to show up for the New Republic Trade Conference on Shumavar, but didn't return from his last meeting with an emissary of Nolaa Tarkona."

"Nolaa Tarkona? The head of the Diversity Alliance? What for?"

"No one knows, apparently he never made it back, and Tarkona claims she never met with him in the first place."

Mara turned to Luke, "What do you think?"

His features looked quizzical, "I'm not sure, something feels off about Nolaa Tarkona, but it's nothing substantive."

Han spoke up, "What I know of her Alliance is sketchy at best, but most of what I've heard is from discrete circles. For the most part it consists of is an advocation of anti-human bias. "

Luke looked up, "You mean like while we were fighting Zinj? Brainwashing? Or just rhetoric based?"

"Rhetoric based, and the anti-human backlash from before started after the provisional council made orders to pull certain species of active-duty." Han swept his hand through his hair. "Thank the Force for Wedge and his Wraiths. Because of them Intelligence knew to watch out for the next round of assassins, and prevent anything like that from happening again." He glanced at the Falcon, where Chewbacca was powering down, and sighed. "I'm only here for a few more hours, then I've got to head back to the conference. I don't suppose that while Leia sent new communications systems for you, she happened to send you all improved food processors as well? "

Mara laughed, "No, I ordered those. Luke here will eat anything, he's spent too much time eating New Republic rations to get used to normal food."

Han made a face. "New Republic rations, enough to make you defect to the Empire, ugh"

Luke shrugged, "Hey, It's not my fault that Mara's cooking is horrible" He had the presence of mind to duck as a shoe came flying at his head.

~~~~~~

Change is an unusual concept. Accepting it can make you grow, acknowledging can foster progress and prosperity.

Sometimes change is not for the better.

Sometimes change brings ruin.

~~~~~~

Ryloth

"If you look at it this way, we are merely playing their game. Even after we fought for Coruscant, and won, we were the ones who were infected with the Krytos virus, we were the ones who suffered, not humans.

Always is a non-human suspected first for a job badly done, or regarded last when it comes to a job well done. Even when assassinations were at a high, the New Republic Fleet grounded non-human personnel, when their biggest enemy, the humans of the Empire, could easily infiltrate and kill.

If you join, or rather when you join, know this—whatever vengeance we dole back will be just and fair. Let your doubts be put to rest, we are given the task of evening the odds for non-humans everywhere, and we shall succeed!"

Nolaa Tarkona placed her hand on the dais in front of her. The ten individuals in front of her were from various worlds that had a significant human population, but a native non-human residence. Basing her recruitment speech on evening the odds, allowed for them to imagine a world where they could get equal lives and without human interference. She bared her teeth briefly--soon the humans would become the minority. "To help you make your decision there are members ready to answer questions. But if you choose not to join now, remember that when your human friends desert you, the Diversity Alliance will be waiting with open arms."

Normally Nolaa would mingle amongst the recruits, but today she waited eagerly for reports from the bounty hunters. Boba Fett had left yesterday, and she was sure that if anyone could find Bornan Thul it would be the bounty hunter that captured Solo. Her claws dug into her desk, that human Thul--, must be found or he could ruin everything.

~~~~~~

Coruscant

Garik "Face" Loran walked into General Cracken's office with a curious smile, and left with a grin.

Earlier that morning he had answered the request for a meeting following the submission of his mission report. Although no longer part of Starfighter Command, Wraith Squadron occasionally pulled missions requiring extensive use of their snubfighters. This time though their mission had been to checkup on a favorite hangout—Hawk-bat Station. An abandoned asteroid in the Halmad system, the station had been used in the fight against Warlord Zinj, but now with peace between the Empire and the New Republic it was being used as a base of operations, as a means of scouting out other pirate and illegal activity. So while Garik Loran, Dia Passik, Kell Tainer and the Wraiths went off for some R&R, Captain Kargain, Lieutenant Seku, Lieutenant Dissek and the new Hawkbat crew put on their makeup and made rounds, including reestablishing contacts that had been forgotten. His mission report had been good. Not only had the Hawk-bats been welcomed with open arms, but they had also been told of work possibilities that required arms expertise. The General's request for a meeting so soon after the completion of a four-month long mission meant that something was in the works. So with an inquisitive smile, Face walked into the General's office at the Imperial Palace and snapped off a salute.

"Captain Garik Loran reporting for duty, Sir"

The distinguished general looked up and motioned for Face to sit down. "At ease Captain." He pushed a key on his terminal and nodded before looking up with a stern gaze. "Captain, I've gone over your report and was surprised to see that you came back with more equipment then you had left with, additionally it seems that two members of your crew have volunteered to be part of a special mission for me involving the infiltration of various ground based insurgent groups."

Face blinked before answering, "That's affirmative. Lieutenant Hohass Ekwash and Lieutenant Voort saBinring have agreed to be placed undercover. Also, I would like to point out that in the four-month period at Hawk-bat station Captain Karigan had met with some specific requests with groups that the liaison be non-human. The relay is up, so if there are any questions from any of the groups, Captain Karigan would be able to answer them, without being at Halmad. As for the extra supplies, I suppose you're referring to the Ewok doll, and the prosthetic enhancements?"

"Yes"

"Ah, well—when Wedge, that is General Antilles had us scramble our voices during the fight for Zinj, his became that of the Ewok Lieutenant Kettch, I thought that bringing it with us would be best, that way if the base is ever raided he wouldn't be found." He let his face turn into a grin. "Kettch is also a running joke between the General and our squadron."

"And you plan to use it against him next time you see him." It was a statement not a query. Without waiting for Face to come up with an answer, Cracken waved his hand, and at the same time motioned to someone behind face at the door. "General Antilles, welcome"

As usual Face's acting abilities saved him, with a straight face he stood and saluted his former commander. "General Antillies, Sir"

Wedge laughed and shook hands Loran. "Captain, if I hear or see anything from Janson, or Hobbie about the doll, I know who to blame. "

"And I suppose it was you that made General Cracken ask me the questions about equipment?"

"Yes"

"Oh good, I was afraid I was going to have to tell General Cracken about the other things that I didn't mention in the report"

"Captain Loran, I'm still here."

"Whoops"

The three men laughed, and sat down. After a breath, Cracken began. "I've called you both here for two reasons. One, I have an idea that I want to float with you. I want to have a teaching conference of sorts. In particular dealing with methodology that was not available to us during our fight with the Empire. I thought that Wraith and Rogue Squadrons could benefit from the talk and subsequent instruction. During the war new methods of fighting the enemy was learned on the field, but now, through one particular speaker, we can learn tactics that may help us in the future"

Face frowned. "I know this sounds naïve, but why learn imperial methods, when we are at peace?"

Wedge answered "Because those Imperials that Pellaeon was not able to sway over to his side, have become part of insurgent groups."

General Cracken nodded. "For example that little group of Dark Jedi that just fought with Master Skywalker at Yavin. We still have no idea who was giving the orders, although all leads point to some former Imperial Red Guards. Additionally, eventually we will fight against some Dark Jedi, because as Skywalker builds his Academy there are bound to be some bad apples, and I'd like my agents prepared for every contingency."

Face nodded, "Makes sense. Just tell me when, and I'm there. Can I ask one question?"

"Fire away."

Wedge made a face, "Are you sure General? One question often turns into more work for us."

Face gave Wedge a look, "With all due respect, sir, I was just making sure to keep you on your toes." He shifted his gaze, "General, my question is who this 'particular' person you are thinking of is."

Cracken hitched for a moment. "I advise you that this is secret, so secret that not even she knows she's coming. " He paused, "I was actually still trying to come up with a way to form the request. "

Wedge grinned, and spoke out of turn. "Mara"

"General Antilles…. " Cracken paused, "How did you--, never mind…one day I'm going to move you from Starfighter Command to Intelligence, in fact, I'll let that wonderful wife of yours begin the recruitment tomorrow."

Wedge laughed, "I'm looking forward to that…. Actually, I figured it out based on your talk of Dark Jedi and Imperials…who else but Mara has more experience with both. " And having her here gives you the chance to grill her about other hidden Imperial information that she may never have mentioned to the New Republic before. Good Luck General, you'll lose

Face shrugged, "I thought she was a just an Imperial turned trader for Talon Karrde."

Wedge's face grew passive, "Her background is not broadcasted, but if you caught the holonews after Leia announced the wedding you knew that she was a highly placed Imperial. Any other information you would have to get from her." He turned back to Cracken, "I'm sure Rogue Squadron would be up for it, but as I'm no longer commander….." He trailed off.

Cracken blinked, "That's right, Captain Celchu" couldn't be here, and said that you might be interested in sitting in as well."

"Ahh, all right, what's the second thing?"

General Cracken straightened up and handed Face the folder that sat on top of his desk. "Here are the specs of where I will be sending your two officers, I want you to prepare a mission involving your two officers, and Hawk-bat Station. In particular, I want your officers to look for links to Nolaa Tarkona and the Diversity Alliance. The parameters are in the folder there. Most of it is based on a recent upsurge of arms on the black market. Both Karrde and Booster Terrik have agreed to help with information, so feel free to bring them into your plan."

Face accepted the folder and saluted "Acknowledged General, now all apologies, but I'm meeting my people for sim training in half an hour."

"Goodbye Face, I'll get you more information as I receive it."

Wedge stood up as Face left the room, and shook Cracken's hand. "I'll see you later General, but let me warn you, Getting information out of Mara Jade isn't easy, May the Force be with you." Wedge opened the closed door, and jumped back into the office with a resounding yelp. Dangling upside down from the door, was the recognizable shape of Lieutenant Kettch. "FACE!!!"

Garik Loran stuck his head back in and retrieved the doll from its perch, "Yub, Yub General. Next time you prepare an ambush, I'd find a better place to hide."

~~~~~~

Yavin

"Watch out Jaina!" Jacen's voice reverberated in the empty corridor, and was followed a few moments later by a crash that was violent enough to stir up loose dust.

Sitting on the floor, covered in dust from head to toe, the Solo twins looked at the mess inside of Jaina's quarters. Their eyes locked and Jacen's lips slowly twisted into an echo of his fathers famous grin. Gales of laughter followed, and more dust settled upon their heads. Catching her breath, Jaina spoke first. "It'll be Uncle Luke"

"Aunt Mara"

Jaina sighed and listened, "You're right"

As Mara entered the room, her first thought was that she had somehow managed to return to Tatooine. In minutes, Jacen's room had been transformed from a place belonging to a teenage boy to a musty, humid space that reeked of dust and grime. Without saying anything, Mara turned expectantly.

Jaina blinked sorrowfully, "I was helping Jacen build a sand lot for his Dizard. "

"She picked up one end…."

"And He picked up the other…"

"But the lizard decided it liked her head better…."

"It covered my eyes…"

"And you slipped, dumping enough dust to cover Tatooine on your brothers bedroom floor." Mara frowned, "I don't know whether to laugh, or help you clean up this mess."

"Aunt Mara, the only problem is that I have to meet Tionne in the library. I'm helping her research…" Jacen trailed off…"I'm sorry that sounds like an excuse."

"Go on Jacen, just be sure to come back and help when you're done." Jacen stood up and began to walk towards the door. "Jacen, what do you get when you mix a Jedi Apprentice with a few gallons of sand and dust?"

He shrugged, "I don't know."

"A bath, -- you can't go to the library like that. " Jacen blinked, and turned towards the fresher, grabbing some clean clothes along the way.

Hours later, with dust clouding their vision, Jaina and Mara took a break for air. "I wish I had never heard of Dizards"

Mara laughed, "I bet that the Dizard is just as glad that it used your head for a home."

"I'm sure he is, Jacen is going to have so much fun finding him later. I hope he doesn't eat any of the other animals."

Mara shook her head, "He won't, Dizards don't eat. They obtain all nutrients from the ground and air around them. Being a native of Tatooine forced them to adapt. Anyway they are one of the few animals that Krayt Dragons live on besides Jawas, Tusken Raiders and an unfortunate human or two." She added as an afterthought, "although most humans that met their fate with a Krayt Dragon, really deserved it."

"Aunt Mara!" Jaina giggled, then sighed and stared at her hands. "Want to know the truth? The Dizard on my head was not the only reason I dropped the box. I got distracted. I was thinking about Zekk, and something he said to me, and the next thing I know, the box was falling and the dust went flying." Knowing there was more Mara kept quiet. "He said that he could not erase everything and go back to what he was. That he could not just pretend that nothing had changed. That even if he could, he would not try to change what had happened."

"I don't think I understood what he meant, and I wonder if I should."

Mara was quiet for a few moments. Then gave herself a mental shake. "Jaina, if you asked any of the older Jedi, you'll find that many of our answers will be the same. Until you've killed, in anger and with the wrong intent, you won't be able to understand what Zekk is feeling, and no one expects you to." But she came to you, her Aunt, not any of the other Jedi! Slowly she settled herself on the ground, and gestured for Jaina to do the same. Shrugging, Mara looked at the young girl in front of her, "I know that change is a word that we have been throwing out an awful lot lately. Change is essentially a shift of outlook how one chooses to live their life after having touching such palatable evil."

"The Dark Side taints us; all that we see, hear, taste, and feel has an underlying sense of wrongness and negativity. The sky would always seem ready to threaten rain on its clearest day, your most trusted friend would seem to be lying to you, even if you know what they say is the truth. Part of the experience is that even through the darkness, the light is always there taunting and urging you to seek shelter in its embrace, but after the darkness all that light seems blinding and overwhelming."

"If you are strong enough, taking that first step beyond the shadows and into the light can still be tough, but with the help of friends and loved ones that first step can make all the difference. After the first step back, there often is the fear of falling again. Corran, would say that like a glitbiter who tries and tries to knock the habit, it isn't the glitterstim that makes them use again."

Jaina whispered "It's the fear of using that makes them fail. And fear, is of the Dark Side."

Mara nodded, "Now apply this to what Zekk said. Obi-Wan Kenobi once said that everything depends on your point of view. What you believed in before is now shaded by the experience of evil. Each Jedi that has been redeemed, must unlearn what they have learned, and find themselves again. It is only after they find themselves again that they learn who they are in the present."

"So for Zekk, it isn't that what happened to him was something he's happy about, it is that because of it, he understands more about himself. Which is part of the reason he went to Ennth. He wishes to find out who he was before, so that he can be a better person today."

Nodding, her niece stood, and shook her hair creating a cloud of dust to float behind her. "Thanks Aunt Mara." She smiled. "Jace is in his room, wondering where we went."

"I guess he's ready to work now. Let's go finish clearing that mess, and Jaina," Mara let out some air. "You're welcome."

~~~~~~

A day later, as Tenel Ka's ship the Rock Dragon took off for Alderaan, Mara felt a slight twinge of worry. As she glanced over at her brother-in law's pride filled face the worry dissipated. Reaching over she yelled, "She's smooth."

Han faced her and smiled, "Learned from the best." Resting his hand on his younger son's, shoulder he glanced at the almost invisible speck in the early morning sky. Absently ruffling Anakin's hair he murmured to himself, "That's my girl."

Mara laughed, "Ani-what did you think?"

Anakin shrugged. "She did well, I mean Jaina's a great pilot so I wasn't worried about that."

"Well, lets hope they're able to get that surprise for your mother. Do you have any ideas on what you're getting her?"

Her nephew's face brightened and glanced up at his father, who nodded. "Dad said that Yavin was one of the first safe haven's for mom after Alderaan. So while, Jaina and Jacen bring back some of her old life…I'm going to do something for the beginning of the new one. "

Mara nodded…"Sounds good—" In the sudden silence following the take off the buzz of her comlink made them all jump. "This is Mara—Really…I'll be right there."

"Hey Anakin, want to come with me to the comm center? I bet Raynar could use some company."

Anakin nodded and followed Mara across the landing pad. "Bye Dad."

Han waved back, and headed back to work on the Falcon.

The trek to the communication center was short, and as Mara ducked in she was waved over to the high frequency station by a New Republic technician.

"Master Jade Skywalker, we received a communications from the capitol. "

"Why did you not patch it through to the suite?"

"It was a priority 3 comm, but from General Cracken, so we thought since you were out on the platform it would be easier for you to get it here, Gian had seen you and arrived for duty as the comm came through." The tech indicated a short brunette a few feet away.

Mara nodded, "Just curious, thanks. I'll take it from here." Pressing the button for privacy screening, Mara put on a pair of headphones that were resting on the desk nearby." Normally a Priority 3 comm was important but without a time sensitive reply. Unfortunately experience recommended that anything that originated from NRI was time stamped no matter what its priority was. As she listened, Mara's curious frown grew deeper…in a swift motion she pulled off the headphones and saved the message on her datapad. This was something Luke would have to hear.

~~~~~

Credit/ Info The stuff Cracken is refering to regarding Mara etc. on Valdet and Danshitie is from To Honor the Dead. The situation with Luke watching the temple being rebuilt and watching Jacen and Jaina is a perspective change from the beginning of Shards of Alderaan.

In the section with Luke's speech to the school, the point of view. has changed, but the dialogue he speaks is from Shards of Alderaan, as are the basic events. Mara's talk with Han and Luke was written by me.