Chapter 5
Moving Forward
It took fifteen minutes of confused fighting for the Jedi to beat the Storm Troopers. "We will burn their bodies I know they wouldn't have done the same for us but they don't add much to the décor." Luke said grimly. "So you're saying we're prettier than they are I get it." Stacy said. Luke actually gave her a smile well half of one anyways. "All right. Let's work together on this okay no arguments." Luke said though he glanced at Anakin and Kerri when he said this. To everyone's surprise however Anakin and Kerri shrugged and Anakin helped Kerri drag the bigger sticks (everyone was working on this) to create a pile big enough for the bodies to lay on while they burned one at a time.
"Kerri when we get back I don't want us to go back to fighting." Anakin said as they lifted another huge log he had just cut down with his Lightsaber. "That's why we called a truce Anakin." Kerri said as they both stopped walking for a minute. "A truce is nothing! I mean it's declared time and peace and that's all hap happy as Stacy taught me how to say but I'd rather like to get to know you." Anakin had scooted closer to her still holding the small log. He was much to close for comfort Kerri could count the freckles on his face. "Ow ow!" Jacen called grinning at them. Anakin and Kerri blushed hastened to lift up the stick and continued working but hit their heads hard and fast first. "You all right?" They asked at the same time laughing and nodding. "I think they'll be okay from now on." Stacy informed Jaina. "I agree." Jaina nodded.
Burning the bodies of the Stroop Troopers was long hard work. It would take their small group a day and half to burn them all. The strange woman who had led the Storm Troopers had not been killed and had disappeared before the battle was over. Lowie had gone into the woods after her followed closely by Tenal Ka but the news report was grim. They couldn't find the woman she had gone for good. For the most part everyone sat in silence watching body after body burn. Kerri and Anakin sometimes asked each other questions but they were quiet and required one word answers. Nobody else minded though to see the two of them get along was a fresh start indeed.
"Luke are we still holding the Dance and the Jedi ceremony this week?" Kerri approached him after the last Storm Trooper's helmet crumpled into Ash. "Of course we can't show them they scared us into hiding. No just because we've won the battle doesn't mean we've actually won unless we move forward if all isn't amiss at the school and do everything we planned to do." Luke said. "Good I'll be there." Anakin was facing Kerri when she turned around. "What?" "As you're new best buddy would you help me out?" Anakin asked. "Maybe." Kerri said in a sing song voice. "Would you go to the dance with me so I don't have to go with Alicia." Anakin pleaded. "Aren't you such a ladies man that you could find a date other than her or me to go with you?" Kerri teased him gently. "Please. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather go with well I mean it'd be a great way to get to know you." Anakin said. "I guess but Anakin don't get any dumb ideas because we're just going as friends not friends with benefits okay? That's what a girlfriend is for. Go get one." Kerri said. Both were unaware of Luke who was watching them smiling behind their backs.
Kerri was shaken awoke by Jacen early that afternoon. "We're setting out my lady." Jacen said helping her up. "Thanks Jacen. Is everybody still together?" Kerri asked anxiously. All of them had camped out around the dying bonfire under Master Luke's watchful eye. "Yes ma'am they did. So how are you and my little brother getting along?" Jacen teased her as they set off behind Anakin and Stacy. They were walking in pairs in a formal line as it would take them three days to get to the Jedi Temple again. "We're getting along well enough. Say have you asked Tenal Ka to the dance?" Kerri asked changing the subject. "Who told you I was going to?" Jacen demanded. "No one." "Was it that obvious?" Jacen asked sheepishly. "Pretty much yeah. Hey tell Jaina to switch spots with you and ask her right now. Come on your brother Anakin has already got a date." A few seconds later Kerri was walking beside Jaina and the sun was high in the sky. According to Melissa's watch that she thought was working it was Noon. They didn't even know if Yavin four had the same kind of time Earth did which was less than likely meaning not! "Kerri you know I take my Jedi test in three days right?" Jaina asked. "Yeah." Kerri said. "Well Uncle Luke asked if we wanted to try bringing Padawon learners back in like they did in the old days. A few of us to make a trial run of it." Jaina said. "That'd be awesome man George Lucas sure knew what he was talking about!" Kerri exclaimed forgetting herself. "Whose George Lucas?" "He's a man who knew too much about you and you're families doings on earth. How he got here I'll never know I don't suppose anyone will. But I think that's great that Luke wants to stick with tradition." Kerri said. "He'd like for you to try to be my Padawon learner and we'd go on missions together." Jaina said. "Well if Master Luke approves then so do I." Kerri said catching Anakin's eye and he made a silly face at her.
Danieth was waiting for them at the entrance of the school with the other students who were joyous to see their Master Luke and the other students safely returned. Alicia came darting out of the crowd with Brandon to talk to Anakin who was talking to Kerri once more and both were more relaxed now that the Storm Troopers were behind them.
"Anakin are you all right?" Alicia asked hugging him. "Let him breath Alicia." Brandon said giving Anakin a high five. "I'm fine Kerri saved my neck in their twice." Anakin said grinning. "He lies. He saved my life. I broke my ankle and he knew how to mend it." Kerri explained. Alicia glared at her. "What happened?" Brandon asked. "Well I was walking down the path I always take but little Miss Kerri snuck up on me because she wanted to be alone and didn't know I was there. Well the second time somebody snuck up on us it was Storm Troopers and a woman. We caught off guard were held prisoners of war." Anakin began. "They would have killed him if I didn't realize how erm much Anakin was a good friend to me so I would cooperate. We were separated but he freed him self and came and released my bonds. And we snuck out of camp and were tailed by the Storm Troopers for days,. Master Luke of course found us with Anakin's family and we managed to kill the Storm Troopers and return safely." Kerri finished. "Cool. So you two are getting along now?" Brandon asked. "You could say that." Anakin said laughing. They walked in to have a celebration dinner.
On the afternoon of the day of the dance classes were canceled and all the students met up in the top floor of the Temple. Once inside the students all sat down. Master Luke stood with Danieth in front of them. Behind them in no particular order stood Jaina, Jacen, Tenal Ka and Lowie. They were standing against the back wall next to a small wooden door. Master Luke began to speak and he had the floor. "One of the greatest things a Jedi can face is himself. It is then you become the Master of the Force and not otherwise. So Tenal Ka will step through the door first to face her self. May the Force Be With You." Luke told her. Tenal Ka took out her Lightsaber and opened the door. One by one the others followed and came out of the room. "You are now keepers of the Peace which is what Jedi are only." Luke said smiling as the four of them stood tall and proud.
That evening the dance was held. Kerri took extra time getting ready and was nervous about how she looked even though it was just Anakin she was going with. Kerri wore a silk blue skirt with Naboo patterned flowers and a white low scoop neck. Her hair was in a braid pretzel style in the back. Anakin knocked on Kerri's door. He wore black slack pants and a black top. He had to wear this at formal dinners at his home on Corescant. His Jedi braid as was usual with the guys was placed lightly over his shoulder. Anakin knocked on Kerri's door nervously. Kerri opened it and smiled when she saw Anakin. "Hey I'm ready I promise." Kerri said stepping out. On the way the way to the area where the dance was being held they met Brandon and Stacy who were going together. They also ran into Tenal Ka and Jacen and Jaina were going with some boy named Zekk who was visiting. He had arrived that afternoon in time to watch Jaina to take the test. Melissa was going with Ikian a boy from Tatione. The group headed for a dance floor where they were in for a surprise. Leia and Han Solo had just arrived in time for the dance to begin. They had left their ship out of the Hanger on the landing platform. Leia wore a white dress with a large silver belt and Han wore pants and a shirt. "I couldn't get your father to wear anything else. How is everyone?" Leia asked.
Kerri danced with Anakin the first two dances before Han decided to cut in. As she danced with Han Kerri looked around the room she was slowly growing uneasy. Melissa was dancing with Ikian. Stacy was dancing with Master Luke who apparently understood that she was flirting with him but didn't know how quite to respond. Leia was dancing with Anakin now. Jacen was with Tenal Ka. Jaina was with Zekk for the moment everything was as it should be. After the dance with Han Kerri excused herself to step outside. Anakin saw Kerri leave and followed her.
It had been a few months since their adventure in the wood and he felt she was his best friend at least a new one anyways. "You all right?" Anakin asked her. Kerri whirled around. "Anakin don't do that you scared me! Something's coming." Kerri said. "What is?" Anakin asked interestedly. "I'm not sure all I can see is a cloud of smoke and the taking off of a ship." Kerri said wide eyed. "We'll be okay. Can we talk?" Anakin asked. "We are talking." Kerri replied warily. "No I mean really talk." Anakin leaned closer to her. Kerri backed away slightly. "About what? I mean what could we possibly not have talked about?" Kerri asked. Anakin leaned forward and kissed her. Kerri tried to struggle to get away but after a few seconds she gave up. However the next second both of them were knocked off their feet by a laser narrowly missing their feet. Storm Troopers had surrounded them. Anakin pulled out a Lightsaber and Kerri pulled out a Blaster. She found the guns easier to use and besides she didn't have a Lightsaber yet. She still had to go get her Crystals before she went off with Jaina.
It took people two minutes inside to realize that Kerri and Anakin were surrounded by twenty four Storm Troopers well that's how many Kerri counted after that she lost track. Master Luke, Jaina, Jacen, Tenal Ka, Han and Leia were among the first outside then everything went chaotic. Kerri was dimly aware afterwards of Han and Leia being dragged off by two Storm Troopers and Danieth giving them a Space Ship to take off in. Anakin had noticed it too. Half an hour later they were still fighting but it was slow going. "I'm going to find my parents." Anakin said. "I'll come with you." Kerri said. "All right on the count of three when I say run we make it for the Falcon. We both know how to fly it. Storm Troopers might be inside it so we'll both have to work to stay alive." Anakin said. "Let's go." Kerri said. They darted in between Storm Trooper and Jedi tell they reached the landing platform. Kerri was definitely getting better with her shot. "You know I hate killing them but its either that or be killed." Kerri told Anakin as she waited for him to lower the landing ramp on which surprise surprise two storm troopers were waiting. It took Kerri and Anakin ten minutes to clean out the Storm Troopers inside. Anakin still had two left when Kerri jumped into the Pilot's seat. "Set course for Corescant!" Anakin shouted as he sliced one in half and tossed him outside. Kerri did as she was told. "Ready!?" Kerri called back to him. "Not quite!" Anakin replied. "Well hold onto your seatbelt cause we're about to take off!" Kerri said getting them ready to jump into Hyperspace. She could hear the landing hatch being closed and the last storm trooper being killed. "Good idea we don't want any more people from Earth climbing on board mysteriously." Kerri said. Anakin laughed and took over the wheel so Kerri could sit in the passenger's side. The jump into hyperspace took about two seconds. "Hey that's Danieth's ship right ahead of us!" Kerri cried. "My parents are on them. Kay we're playing tag now and we're it!" Anakin declared. He sped up the ship.