Grandpa
By JalendaviLady
Part 2
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Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I mean no harm or profit in my random and not-so-random fanfic experiments and adventures.
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Part 2
Ben stood before his family, his Master, and the Jedi Elders, answering their
questions. It was the last stage of the testing that would confirm his rank as
a fully trained Force-user under the Jedi and make him recognized around the
galaxy as such under the treaty signed 10 years earlier.
"Jedi, Your training is... complete," his Master intoned, smiling at
the momentary uneasiness of her now-former apprentice's family. Nervous
laughter filled the room.
Master Kalani had been one of Grandpa's first
apprentices and Ben often thought his sense of humor had rubbed off on her more
than anyone in the wider world could ever guess.
I wish Grandpa was here.
"Your training done, the world is open to you. You are adult, capable of
judging the world for yourself. What will you do, now that you have been
prepared to enter the galaxy as an informed adult sentient being?"
"A treaty was signed between the Force-strong peoples, the New Republic,
and the Empire years ago. We are all now one, balancing each other with our
differences. I choose to wander. There are beings all over the galaxy who even
under the treaty will never meet someone from another group, but maybe I can
raise the number who meet someone who has been among
another group. Master Kalani taught me the languages
and general cultures of the formerly hidden Force-strong peoples. Basic is the
language of most of the rest of the galaxy and I have learned the basics of
many of the remaining cultures as a child in a diplomatic family. I can find my
way. Even if I settle down later, I want to see the galaxy."
Kalani put her hands on his shoulders. "Then go
with my blessings, Ben."
His father and mother held him close, younger siblings clinging to his legs.
His father pressed something into his hand, and surprised blue eyes met firm
ones. "When you were barely walking and you and your grandfather started
playing with flying sims... he told me that he wanted
you to have his ship when you became a full Jedi, whether or not he was around
to give it to you. That is the master key to the Lady's Wings. May she
keep you safe as she did your grandfather, grandmother, the hundreds of Jedi
she snuck off Coruscant, and all others who have ever flown in her, my
son."
Ben glanced at his mother. "And you, Mother?"
Her green eyes flashed under a sea of red-gold hair. "You think I would
replace the training weapons with which I taught you with the true things in
public? Your enemies might be able to learn the extent of your defenses. I
trained you better than that, and so did Kalani!"
He smiled at her. "Just checking..."
"Ben!!!"
...
Days later, Ben lifted off from the spaceport where Grandpa's ship had last
been landed over a decade before, when the Elder had stopped flying.
"Where should we go first?" he called over his shoulder to R2.
"Those of the sky, or those of the ground? Or should we go to Corellia... I think I'm already over the drinking age
there..."
His question was answered by a long electronic shriek.
"Ok, ok, no cruising the galaxy for bars. But I have heard Treasure Ship
Row is impressive..."