The Emerald Price Chapter 7

By Ash Darklighter

Disclaimer: - The characters and situations used in this story are the property of George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd. I am only using them for some entertainment and will not even make one Republican credit from this endeavour. This is set around eight to ten years after Luke and Mara met each other for the first time. This one is for all the girls on the AA list.

Elrood

"We have to hurry," Feenus snapped, daring Han to mention anything more about his comlink conversation.

"Hurry?"

"I have things to do."

"Don't we all," Han muttered under his breath as he stowed the thermal detonator in one of his coat pockets. "Things that include me and the kid… I mean…" He stopped. "You want Corran and me along?"

"You heard."

"Of course I heard. I'm not deaf. The whole warehouse could probably hear. For a former Imperial soldier on the run, you've certainly lost the art of stealth. If you want to keep something a secret, that's not the best way to go about it." A smile crossed Han's face. "I never learnt that art myself."

Feenus almost laughed but instead covered it up with something that sounded like a snort.

"So what are you up to?"

Feenus quickened his step away from the square and headed down one of the narrow twisting shop-lined alleyways.

Han kept pressing for information. "You're not alone. Altra's involved and there are other men…"

Feenus pressed his lips together firmly and said nothing.

"You were all wearing similar types of clothing," Han observed. "It wasn't Imperial uniform though."

"I'm no longer with the Empire, Solo. I told you the truth."

"So you say," Han's voice was patently disbelieving.

"I'm not with the Empire. Not after what they did."

"So who are you with?" Han almost snarled into the other man's face. "This is an organised group. This is not some rag-tag band of do-gooders."

Feenus glanced around furtively. "I can't tell you out here. Wait till we get back to my place. We'd better hurry."

"Yeah, I got a star ship to fix and an antsy Jedi to calm."

Feenus took the chance to change the focus of the conversation. Solo had the upper hand until now. "You're not on a pleasure jaunt either, are you?"

The Corellian however, was up to anything Feenus could throw at him. "Full marks, Captain Adremetis. No, I'm not on any jaunt. The kid… Corran," he carefully corrected himself, "is searching for a Jedi friend of his. She went missing out this way."

"Missing? A female Jedi?"

Han nodded. "Yes – they do exist. My wife is one, remember? But this Jedi is not a full Jedi, she works for an independent trading company…"

"You mean she works for a smuggler."

"I never said that. I suspect she may go full time as a Jedi if she comes through this and Luke has his way." Han guessed Luke would perhaps insist on this once she was restored to them. "You seem to know quite a bit about what goes on around here. Care to divulge some information?"

"Sure I know what goes on," he mumbled. "I've lived here for nearly twenty years but I'm not a captain. I told you."

"I'm all ears ready to hear more."

"Yeah, and you're not the only one," he said quietly, glancing around him. "We cannot talk here." He led Han into the little courtyard. "Altra and I live in this block."

"Nice."

***********************************

If Han thought he was in for a cosy little uninterrupted chat with his former buddy he was in for a disappointment. Altra was waiting for them as soon as they rang the announcer and she was clearly worried as she opened the door.

"It's…" she hesitated, and then lowered her voice. "…your Jedi friend. Something's wrong."

"He's okay?"

"Physically he's fine but are you sure he's right in the head?" She tapped her own forehead. "We were chatting and then he…" She peered over her shoulder. "He went very… strange. I can't describe it."

"Sith!" Han swore quietly. "He's gone into a trance?"

"I don't think so. He just went deathly pale and started shivering and muttering his friend's name over and over to himself."

This bond Luke had admitted that he held with Mara Jade couldn't be that strong, could it?

"Han!" Luke burst out of the sitting room and grabbed hold of the Corellian's coat lapels. His face was flushed and he almost appeared feverish. It was a long time since he'd seen the Jedi Master panic and that was certainly what Luke appeared to be doing.

"Steady on, kid."

"Mara's on her way," he said and released Han's coat, taking a step backwards, suddenly appearing to calm down.

Han sighed. "You sure?" He had to ask but the way Luke had been about Mara since she'd disappeared made his question redundant. Luke's eyes were bright with anxiety, his expression intense and Han could see the tension in every inch of his spare frame.

"Yes, I'm sure. But she's not in a good way. I think she's ill or drugged. She can't call to me – she feels heavy."

"We'll get her."

"Who's ill?" Feenus barked irritably.

"I told you, the er… kid here, was looking for a Jedi friend of his. He can sense when she's close. He thinks she's ill."

"I thought you said she wasn't on this planet," Altra murmured.

Luke's blue eyes grew opaque. "She's not here yet, but she's coming," he said almost dreamily.

"Kid." Han placed his hands on Luke's shoulders and shook him. "I don't need you slipping into a trance right this moment. You know I hate it when you do that – gives me the willies."

"What's wrong with him? Why has he gone like that?" Feenus demanded uneasily. The Jedi spooked him out.

"Kid. Come on, snap out of it," Han pleaded. "I know you're tired but we gotta lot to do yet. You're no help to Mara like this."

Luke lowered his head, took a deep breath and then lifted his chin, determination shining in his bright gaze. "I don't understand what's come over me," he confided in a low voice, keeping a watchful eye on Feenus and Altra. "Or maybe I do. But I suspect Mara's not in control of her emotions, or her shields and when she can, she's broadcasting those emotions with every bit of Force ability she possesses."

"She could hear the Emperor from any point in the galaxy," Han replied quietly. "I presume that meant the opposite too – he could hear her?"

"It must have done. As I said, she usually controls her mental shields better than this. In some ways this is exactly what I need to be able to locate her presence but it is rather disconcerting. I can see I'll have my work cut out trying to reinforce her shields. There are techniques you can use."

"I'll believe you, kid."

Unable to hear the low-voiced conversation between Han and the Jedi, Feenus gave his wife a nod and they both slipped back into the sitting room. "I need to talk to you."

"In the kitchen," Altra murmured. "I'll make you a caf, Han," she called loudly as she followed Feenus through to the small galley kitchen.

"Thanks," he called back. "Kid… Luke…" he hissed quietly as he saw Luke's eyes beginning to cloud over again.

The Jedi gave himself a shake and stared at his friend, his blue eyes troubled. "This is strange."

"You're telling me?"

"I just know she's coming here and she's close, Han… she's very close."

"Can we walk to it, or perhaps Adremetis has a speeder we can borrow?"

"That would do it," Luke said with a decisive nod. "We need to get to the Falcon and I also think we should contact Talon."

"If you're sure?"

"I have his calling frequency. I think he is due to still be somewhere along the Rimma Trade Route. Well, he said that's where he was going to head. It's not too far from here. He had business on Malastare."

"Typical Karrde. Never misses a chance to do business."

"He wanted to come with us. I told him to wait and I would contact him when he was needed. It's better not to attract too much attention."

Han did a double take. "What was that, kid? 'Too much attention'?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Was that before you decided to start a war with the local swoop gang or after?"

The Jedi looked a little shamefaced at Han's barb. "Sorry."

"Yeah! So you should be. Come on - we'll need to get back to the Falcon so we can contact the Wild Karrde."

"I think that Altra and Feenus have a very powerful com unit in this apartment."

"You do, huh."

"Well, I did take a quick scout around when I had to visit the 'fresher. There's one in what I suppose is the study. It has quite a range."

************************

Altra closed the kitchen door. "What?"

Feenus lowered his voice. "Beridor contacted me. There's another meeting set up."

"Another meeting?"

"A private sale."

"But these are worth few jewels these days."

"The comptroller is involved. That makes it different. We need to get someone inside that meeting. I can disrupt the open sales until dewbacks sprout wings and for what? A few pathetic life forms which are worth little to the syndicates. Somehow these meetings set up deals which involve thousands. How are they managing to move so many without more notice being taken?"

"I don't know." Altra's brow furrowed. "We failed the last time we tried and lost several good men. I don't want to lose you too."

"You know I'm careful but I have to stop more innocent lives being ruined. Beridor thinks he has someone who can get us inside."

"Oh." Altra mechanically started making caf, her hands trembling. "Feen…" she began.

"What?"

"The Jedi…"

"What about the Jedi?"

"He thinks his lost friend has been captured by the slavers. He went all peculiar about five minutes ago."

"I could see he wasn't quite right. He went all flushed as if he had a fever."

Altra nodded. "Take a look at him now – he's gone as white as a Given's exoskeleton."

Feenus peered over his shoulder but couldn't see the Jedi or Han who were still standing in the entrance hall.

"Up until then he was worried but appeared to be as normal as you or I."

"The Jedi are not normal but… Five minutes ago? That was about the time Beridor contacted me to say there was a meeting set up."

"I wondered if there could be any connection between that and the Jedi. There's more."

"Don't be…" Feenus broke off what he was saying. "There's more?"

Altra hesitated but then pressed on. She didn't keep secrets from her husband. "The Jedi – he's not called Corran Horn."

"He's not?" Feenus scowled as understanding hit him. "Of course he's not. How could I be so blind? There's only one Jedi that travels with Solo and that's…"

"Luke Skywalker." The Jedi stood at the door, his face impassive. He appeared to have recovered his equilibrium. "We need your help."

"You need our help? I've heard that one from your brother-in-law. How much did you hear, Jedi?" Feenus spat.

"Most of it," Luke admitted. "I had to see if you could be trusted. You didn't give away very much but you are very knowledgeable about the habits of the slavers in this sector. It could only mean one of two things. You either worked for them or against them."

Altra finished making the caf and pushed a mug into her husband's hands. "Here."

Luke's voice was confident as he continued. "I guessed it was the latter from what your wife has said about you and from a general reading of your character. Plus, the rescue attempt out in the square. You are involved in fighting the slavers."

"Yes," Altra admitted. "But we are a small number and lack resources. We do what we can. We've given a few their freedom – but not enough. The government on this world is corrupt and ineffectual. There's no help there – they do nothing."

"This is quite a turn around, Feenus," Han drawled as he walked in to join them. "You must have had an overactive conscience."

"You gave it to me," the other man bit out frostily, still not happy with the whole situation. "I didn't want to feel like this but what can I do?"

"Re-acquire some of that stealth. Sure, you can deal with a bunch of swoopies. Hell! Luke did that on his own. But when they send their real heavies after you – what are you going to do then?"

"Survive."

"What about the New Republic? Have you asked for their help?" wondered Luke.

"They don't know much of what happens out here. How are we to tell them?" Altra asked softly. "We're unimportant – just a small group and it's so far away."

"It's closer than you think and we're here," Luke answered. "My sister and Han have a lot of influence with the New Republic government, as do I. We cannot tell them what to do but we can advise them of a situation and they do listen to us. The New Republic, as you know, treats all sentient species as equals. I would presume that some of the worlds out here would like the security of an affiliation with the New Republic."

"Not bad, kid. I didn't think you were into politics."

"I'm not really. I'm more into helping people, mediating disputes and teaching the next generation of Jedi. If a little politicking slips in then that's the way it is."

"You know me and how I feel about slavery, Feenus. We can't solve the whole problem for you in an instant. I don't want you thinking that could happen. My problem is my other commitments. A short while ago you called me 'general'. I have responsibilities and ties to the New Republic. I don't want you to think I'm offering help and then abandoning you." Han glanced at Luke. "I think I know some people that could help - some of the Rogues or even the Wraiths if they don't have a set job just now?"

"I think the Rogues are tied up somewhere," Luke said. "Wedge doesn't want Iella out in the field just now because there's another baby due."

"There is?" Han's face brightened. "That's wonderful. How come I didn't know?"

"I thought you did." Luke pursed his lips. "What about Elscol?"

"You, kid, are a genius. Elscol Loro and Sixtus Quin would be perfect."

"Iella knows where they are as does Wedge," Luke added.

"What?" Feenus was confused. "Who?"

Han grinned. "We're giving you the names of some people who can help. Expert guerrilla fighters – they liberate worlds. Or aid those who need to be liberated."

"We'll bring pressure to bear on the Inner Council of the New Republic too. It might not be as quick as you want but it's a start.

"Thank you," Altra said, glancing at her chrono. "Any help at all is wonderful but we have to get going."

"I need to get in to where Mara is being kept - that is, if the slavers have her."

Han nodded. "If we can find out where it is. You can help us do that. Can you get us inside?

"Not at this meeting. He picked a dark cloak and handed it to Altra. Feenus began to explain. "We call him the comptroller. He's actually a former Imperial General. Nasty piece of stuff."

"Who is he?" Han asked.

"General Ishyori Raitt."

"Oh, him." The Corellian swore under his breath but the word sounded like 'bastard'.

"I agree," Feenus said bluntly. "He is a bastard."

"After the Empire fell he managed to come out here and set himself up with a nice little earner. He worked for Grand Moff Tarkin and was therefore familiar with the area and his methods."

"I suspect he already had his little operation on the go long before Endor," Altra said.

"Wouldn't surprise me," Han agreed. "I didn't actually know the man but I heard plenty about him. None of it was good."

"He's bringing together all the independent slavers into a sort of syndicate. We've managed to gatecrash a couple of his little get togethers and buy some beings their freedom. Eventually we would like to destroy him and his  'little operation'."

"Just like that?" Han asked.

Altra looked confused. "I thought you would understand."

"I do," he said reassuringly. "But it isn't going to be that simple. Buying back the slaves may gain one or two of them their freedom but ultimately you are feeding the system."

Feenus scowled. "I never expected it to be simple. It is a lifetime's work. Raitt has a very exclusive client list. Selling one slave to someone in the street doesn't make him the jewels we're sure he has. Spice mine operators, factory owners - people who need slaves in large quantities – they pay big. We want to disrupt that little operation. We don't have the money to buy back many beings and you're right. It is adding to the problem."

Altra's grey eyes clouded over. "But what can you do when a mother is taken away from her child?"

"Like Tayo," Luke breathed sadly.

"Like Tayo," Altra echoed. "Unfortunately we were too late to help Tayo and his mother. She'll be long dead by now. So we try to help others."

"If you can help us get into the meeting to see if Luke's Jedi friend is part of a deal, we will make sure the New Republic starts applying the pressure when we get back. We can't stay around but we promise to see you get help as soon as we can."

"Done."

Luke gave a strained smile. "We give you our word. My word as a Jedi holds true."

Feenus shrugged. "I believe you. After all, he gave up his whole career to help free enslaved Wookiees."

"I have an idea," announced Luke.

"Ah, kid… Is that wise?"