A New Challenge
A surge of disappointment had filled Kirn. It was an all-consuming, strange sensation. It was relief, and yet shame for feeling relieved. It was guilt for not having done his part, for having escaped battle.
Just moments before being sent to battle, another call had come through, a strange one. The Corellian that had saved Leia had returned, and Luke Skywalker, having been spared from death, had been able to take the one shot that destroyed the battle station.
A lavish ceremony had followed. Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca had all be presented with metals, while he stood in the masses, alongside fellow commanders. It was an empty feeling. He had come so close to being a hero, only to miss the chance.
Seven months later, Kirn was still itching for a chance to prove his worth, to prove he could battle Imperials with the rest of them. There had been a few skirmishes, as the Rebels had roamed about looking for a safe haven, but nothing of significance had been accomplished.
Now, in the early hours of the morning, Kirn walked through the corridors of the most recent rebel base. Stationed on the sparsely populated planet of Kamino, the Rebels had gone unnoticed, but this was still just one of many stops in the journey. The leaders wanted an undetectable base, on a world where no one would think to look.
Kirn wasn't going to miss this place. The constant storming and lashing of waves against the settlement made him feel sick. He had always hated water. The Rebels couldn't leave this place soon enough as far as he was concerned.
Finding a patch of abandoned hallway, Kirn sat down, with his back against the wall, and tried to meditate. But suddenly, his eyes flew open. Jerica was in trouble.
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Lady Jerica, sleeping fitfully in her quarters, was suddenly startled awake by an uninvited visitor. "Who's there?" she asked, looking around the dim room.
"My lady?"
Near the door she saw him, C3PO
"Threepio?" Jerica asked, addressing the strange droid that had belonged to Leia. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh Lady Jerica, I knew that you were dear friends with Princess Leia. I thought perhaps that you might want to wish her farewell."
"Farewell?"
"Yes, she's in the loading dock with Captain Solo and Master Luke Skywalker. They're leaving for some important mission."
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Leia Organa was helping Luke and Han load the rest of the supplies into the Falcon, while Chewbacca ran a pre-flight check. I doubt even a droid pre-flight check is thorough enough to find everything wrong with this ship.
She smirked to herself and continued in her task. Luke and Chewie went onboard to get the Falcon ready for lift off, while Han tinkered with some lever near the ramp. Leia sighed, This thing really is a bucket of bolts. I don't see how it could even make the Kessel Run, let alone in 12 par-secs.
Han nudged her arm, startling her slightly, "Hey, here comes your friend to see you off, but she isn't exactly dressed for the occasion."
Leia turned and had to suppress a laugh. Jerica was hurrying across the hanger bay, wearing a long nightgown and a heavy robe. Clearly, she had just woken up and had somehow learned about the departure. Leia was willing wager that Han and Chewie's bickering was what had woken her, but she didn't say so. Instead she went and met Jerica.
"What are you doing up at this hour?" the Princess asked.
"Oh, you mean three standard hours before dawn," Jerica asked, still cranky from sleep. "I thought it would be a lovely time to, you know, leave for some uncharted adventure." Jerica was not usually sarcastic, but the lack of sleep had given her tone an edge.
Leia was still trying not to laugh at her friend. "I told you. We're leaving for Ord Mantell. Remember?"
Jerica shook her head, "You mentioned a mission to Ord- whatever, you never mentioned that you were going."
Leia raised an eyebrow, "Is it your job to always know where I am?"
"You're not seriously going to abandoned me here," Jerica said. "I don't know what I'm doing here. I'm just a senator-"
"Exactly," Leia said. "The council will need your political advice, especially in my absence. A new base is going to have to be found, and we can't start construction until a world is chosen. You'll have your work cut out for you."
"What makes Ord . . . Ord-"
"Mantell,"
"Yes, what makes Ord Mantell so important?" Jerica asked.
"Well, there's banking-"
"Banking? That doesn't sound like the sort of mission to require your presence." Jerica said, considering.
Leia sighed. Jerica was beginning to gain her wits, even in the early morning hours. "Well . . ."
"I know why you're going," Jerica said, raising an eyebrow. "So which one is it, Luke or Han? I knew you'd fall for one of them. Does he know yet? Have you told him?"
"Would you quit acting like a teenager?" Leia said smirking.
"It's true," Jerica said, slyly. "Tell me. Which one?"
Leia shook her head, "You're delusional. I think you need to get some rest."
"Princess, we can't wait forever," Han called from the ramp. "Your chat will have to wait for a later time."
Leia was relieved to be called away. She convinced herself that she was just annoyed by Jerica's "crazy notions", but a part of her knew that she was annoyed because what her friend was saying was slightly true.
"Is everything alright?" a voice said from behind Jerica.
Jerica knew that voice, and the wry smile on Leia's face confirmed it. "Hello, Master Torek," the Princess said smoothly. "Everything's fine. Jerica was just seeing us off."
"Dressed like that?" Kirn asked.
Jerica was aware that her cheeks were bright pink. She had just realized that she was still dressed in her bedclothes. Then a thought hit her, she hadn't cared until Kirn Torek showed up.
"Master Torek," Leia said again, "Perhaps you could escort my dear friend back to her chamber."
"Maybe he shouldn't. Wouldn't want to arouse any whispers of scandal," Han said, tauntingly, having suddenly appeared beside Leia. Then he turned to the Princess. "Now come on, we've got a long way to go. Luke and Chewie already have the Falcon ready for take-off"
"Got to go," Leia said with a smile, "Take care of yourself."
Jerica managed a nod, "You too."
Once Han and Leia and disappeared, Jerica had no excuse to keep her back to Kirn. She hesitated, hoping that she wasn't blushing anymore.
"Well, my lady, shall I escort you?" Kirn asked.
The laughter in his tone evaporated her humiliation and made her terse. She turned on her heel to face him, "I wouldn't want to give any hint of impropriety."
Kirn was struggling to keep a straight face, "I think the damage has already been done."
Jerica bit her lip to keep from sputtering angrily, but Kirn just offered his arm, graciously. "Shall we?"
She hesitated only for a moment before accepting his arm and walking with him down the corridors with as much dignity as she could muster.
When they reached her chamber, Kirn stopped and turned to her. He couldn't resist the urge to tease her one more time. "Well I had a lovely time, Lady Jerica, I'd love to see you again. Can we have a second date?"
Jerica fought the urge to smack him, "No, Master Torek, I don't date arrogant Jedi."
That comment seemed to do the trick, for an odd look came over Kirn's face. "I'm not a Jedi," he said simply.
Jerica arched her eyebrows in confusion, but Kirn only bowed his head slightly, "Good night, my lady."
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Dawn on Kamino brought yet more storming. Jerica had slept fitfully anyway, but being woken up once again by C3PO made her more cross. "Threepio," she said threateningly.
"My lady, I know you gave me orders to leave you, but you also instructed me to inform you of any activities involving Naboo."
Jerica was awake then. "What? What's going on?"
Threepio hesitated, if it was possible for a robot to hesitate. "I'm afraid it is bad news, my lady."
Jerica found herself looking down at newsprints describing the events of the Nubian Government. Something terrible was happening. Jerica sat up straight before jumping out of bed.
Her sudden movement startled the droid. "My lady? Are you alright?"
"No, Threepio," Jerica said, fighting emotion. "I have to go back to Naboo."