The Last Defender

By Lyda Mae (RavenDove) Huff

Chapter Two: Arbitration

---

Luke had been awakened the next morning by the smell of muffins baking. The simple, friendly and giving nature of the sisters and their friends had been an unexpected blessing. Lying on the chair beside him were knee breeches, a white shirt, and a dark-blue vest. He dressed, and hurried to the common room; only to find he was the last one up. Even Gen was seated at the table, laughing at something Enora had said.

Enora looked at him and smiled, "I was right, you are about the same size as Terick."

Martina looked up at him smiling. "Good morning." she gestured to an empty seat. "I thought you would like to move freely in the market, and your cloths would have drawn a crowd."

Luke accepted the offered chair, "Good morning." He smiled, "There aren't many non-Arans around, are there." he stated.

"No, there aren't." Enora frowned. "I trust you slept well." she said, handing him a basket of muffins.

"Yes, quite well." he replied. Luke looked at Terick, "I take it the cloths are yours."

"Yes, but you can have them." Terick replied. "I took them as payment on some work, and they didn't fit me quite right. They look to fit you better."

Luke was unsure what to say. "Thanks." he said uncomfortably.

"Aran custom, a gift for the stranger that fate made a guest in your home." Fenice hoped Luke understood now. "After breakfast we'll load the flight computer in Gen's speeder, and then we can leave for town." she commented.

Martina interjected, "I have a cloak for you to wear as well."

Luke nodded, his mouth full of muffins. They would take the flight computer to Terick's shop in Santik'sa. Luke had been surprised to learn that Terick lived with the sisters. He'd been orphaned shortly before Markiea's death and she had taken him in. He had been born alone, unlike most Aran, who are born in twos or threes. Fenice and Eamar had taken him as their honorary triplet because he'd been born the very same day. Markiea's family had been all Terick had left. Now he was the adopted brother of Martina, Onaia, and Enora as well.

"Leia will be ready to send out search parties by now." the Jedi thought aloud.

Onaia chuckled, "And heaven knows, your twin has the power to do it."

"I'll bet she's not the only one worried about you." Gen said gruffly.

"After all you are the New Republic's Jedi Master." Fenice commented. "If you disappeared, people would go nuts."

Luke rolled his eyes back in his head. "Please don't remind me."

The Arans burst into laughter. Martina looked at their guest slyly, "Surely even your sister will laugh when she finds out where you are."

---

Fenice helped Luke unload Artoo from the speeder. "I'll show you the way to Uben's shop." Fenice said.

Gen called back from the front seat of speeder, "I'll meet you there as soon as we unload the flight computer at Terick's shop." Then he sped away.

Santik'sa was about the size of Anchorhead. Luke looked around as the town awoke for the day. A few people bustled about here, and there, otherwise the streets were deserted.

"Uben's shop is just through the market." Fenice said, pointing to the open air stalls ahead.

They passed an alley, and Luke thought he saw movement. "Did you see something move in that alley?" he asked Fenice.

She looked behind them. "I'm not sure." Fenice grinned when she saw what had gotten the Jedi's attention. She walked back toward the alley, holding her hands crossed in front of her, and tapping them lightly together. "Emay, Kaynar sist'k enshe gistas Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, en etay at ceinkoid Astromech R2D2." she spoke with a formal politeness. Fenice then gestured for Luke to stand close to her.

From the mouth of the alley Luke could clearly see a man, and a woman, both looking to be sixstyish, and bald with electronic components covering half of their exposed scalps. Cyborgs, Aran cyborgs, they wore what Luke had come to know, as Aran traditional dress, and Luke could see that the man's eyes were pink, while the woman's were orange, both with the Aran keyhole shaped pupil. They cowered over a stack of boxes that they were in the middle of moving inside one of the buildings.

"I would like you to meet Emay," Fenice gestured to the woman, "and Kaynar." she gestured to the man.

"It is an honor to meet you." Luke offered his hand.

The two cyborgs nodded formally. "It is an honor to meet you as well Master Skywalker." Emay replied.

There was a moment where both cyborgs exchanged information silently. "If you will excuse us we have work to do." Kaynar said gesturing to the stack of boxes still to be moved as they resumed their task.

Luke withdrew his hand, and began walking toward the market again. "They don't waste words or gestures do they."

"You must realize that communicating has been made very difficult for them." Fenice grimaced.

"I know, a side affect of the procedure they underwent." Luke frowned. "What was that you said to them?" he asked trying to change the subject.

"Formal Aras introduction, it's not used any more." she replied. "Aras is not just a language, but a system of etiquette as well. Emay and Kaynar taught me Aras, before the Empire slaved them to their ore processors."

"Why them?" Luke asked.

"They needed to keep the processors running somehow. Anyone would have done, and some official decided that they were teaching sedition and now they can't teach anyone because of how they are viewed." She frowned. "They are good people, and so many don't understand. They are just an honest couple who were never given a choice."

Luke stopped and looked at her. "Many people never see things for what they are." He continued walking. "You aren't like your sisters."

"I would suppose so." she commented. "With Aran the children come before the wedding. Some times, the children have a different biological father, than the one that raises them, and different biological fathers than each other."

Luke smiled, "Your father was not an Aran."

"He was human," Fenice admitted, "though it is not polite to go into more detail while in the market."

They walked on in silence for a while, Luke taking in the quaintness of his surroundings. Fenice led him to a small shop facing the market. Inside a short man with long fuchsia haired was setting up for the day's business.

Fenice walked up to the counter, "I have someone who'd like to use your com-system Uben."

Uben limped toward the counter, "And who might you be?" he addressed Luke.

"My name is Luke Skywalker." he replied.

Uben's eyebrows rose at the name. "Not the Jedi Master?" he stammered.

Fenice put her hand on the counter, and leaned toward the trader. "He's the one and only. The original article as they say, and he needs to call his sister before she sends out search parties."

Uben couldn't lift up the counter fast enough. "Please sir, right this way." he gestured for Luke to follow him around back, and Artoo followed ever in tow. "What brings you to Ansath?" he asked eagerly.

"Trouble with my X-wing." Luke down played his accident.

---

Winter answered the com-system, wondering who could be calling. Hoping it was news of Luke, for Leia's sake if no one else. When Luke appeared on the screen, she could hardly believe it. "Luke," she breathed. "I'll get Leia." She ran to the next room.

Leia sat trying to go over her speech for the banquet. She was preoccupied, thinking of her brother. Winter burst into the room. "Who's calling?" the Chief of State asked her long time friend and assistant.

"Luke, I didn't ask where from." Winter replied with a straight face.

This got Han's attention, he looked up from where he'd been playing a game with Jacen and Jaina. He was only a step behind Leia when she sat at the com-station having left the twins to wonder what was going on with uncle Luke.

Leia looked at her brother's image on the screen. "Where in the name of the Force are you?" she questioned him.

"The town of Santik'sa, on Ansath, I stopped to make a course correction, and got forced down." Luke said. "It's a long story, but my X- wing is a total loss."

Han leaned in over the screen, "Are you alright Luke?"

"Yes." he replied. "A family of Arans found me after the crash. They're not just any Arans either, they're Force users. They call themselves Tein'kal." he paused.

"I can be there in the Falcon tomorrow." Han stated.

"I appreciate it Han." Luke smiled. "In the mean time I'd like to learn more about the Tein'kal."

Leia sighed, "I'll give the Haphanan ambassador your regards. Take care Luke"

---

Luke knew Leia had ulterior motives in suggesting he visit Corcuscant. He chuckled to himself as he made his way to the front of the shop. Gen and Terick were talking with Fenice. Luke couldn't tell what about. When they saw him, they drew silent.

Gen walked up to him, "If you're finished, I'll take you back to the homestead. Terick, and Fenice have some business to take care of, I can come back for them later."

Luke figured it best to go along with Gen, though he knew the three were plotting. "Alright, my ride won't be here until tomorrow anyway." he joked.

---

Luke hated having nothing to do. All he could do was wait, wait for Han to arrive, wait for Fenice and Terick to get back so he could find out what they were up to. He'd finally gone outside, having decided to take his mind off the waiting with exercise.

He hadn't intended to draw an audience, but Enora watched patiently as Luke, now in his own cloths duplicated many of the training exercises he had undergone. He was currently doing a handstand, and stacking rocks, a task that had become simple for him by now. He reached out and lifted Enora so she could have a better view. Then he sought the Force, the many tendrils of energy that held the universe together. He found a tendril, and followed it. He saw images he did not understand. A creature that glowed with Force lightning, and a man, a Jedi that looked like Fenice, and held her lightsaber aloft, its purple blade glowing longer than a meter. Not the average lightsaber.

The vision faded, and Luke became aware that Martina was standing over him. He was now flat on his back, and was not aware how it had happened.

"Are you alright Luke?" she asked, concerned.

"I think so, but I'm not sure what happened." he admitted.

"You were exercising, you'd lifted me in the air, and then went into a trance." Enora said with worry. "Then everything fell. I caught myself, and ran for Martina."

"I saw something," Luke shook his head, "but I'm not sure what it was."

"Perhaps a shower will help put it in perspective." Martina suggested.

Luke looked at her, still a little dazed, "Perhaps."

---

Luke sat at the table in the common room, still thinking about his vision. The shower had helped, but he was still confused by his vision.

The door opened admitting Terick, Gen, Fenice, and a blue haired youth that Luke did not know. The youth was somewhat scruffy in appearance with long dirty locks of hair the had been left free. Martina came in from the kitchen, followed by Onaia, and Enora. "Sisters I've brought our cousin for a visit." Fenice declared.

Martina took the youth by the scruff of the neck, "Then he must meet our guest." She gestured to Luke, "May I present Luke Skywalker Jedi Master."

This was beginning to feel like a trial, Luke thought.

Gen took the boy by the shirt, and hurled him at Luke, "May I present Habin, the shuttle pilot that forced you down."

"I swear it wasn't me."Habin stammered.

"You only make things worse dear cousin." Fenice said.

Terick stepped forward, "Between his flight computer, your reputation, and the damage to your shuttle there is no doubt."

Martina helped the boy into a chair, "The question that remains, is what is to be done about it."

"What will serve justice best?" Fenice said hanging up her cloak. She then hurried to the back of the house. Luke followed though he didn't know why.

---

Luke found Fenice sitting in a cavern below the house, having found the trap door that led there wide open, and a lantern beside it. It was as if she wanted to be followed. An interesting fact the house extended into caves in ways no one would guess. Here in this large cavern was an underground stream, no doubt the homestead's source of water. There was a rack of bo staffs along one wall, which Luke had learned were the traditional weapon of the Tein'kal. And he had no doubt that the space was used for training.

Fenice sat in a niche by the river's edge, dangling her bare feet in the water. Her boots, which she had not removed at the door, sat beside her.

"Pardon me for asking, but what just happened?" he asked softly.

She turned to face him, the evidence of tears on her cheeks. "Habin has always taken risks he shouldn't. We have told him time and time again someone was going to get hurt."

"Now someone has." Luke finished.

"Yes, but not just anyone." She said. "A Jedi Master, and that will make it worse."

"Why is that?" Luke asked.

Fenice stood, wiping her face. "The Aran beliefs. He is ignorant of his actions and would harm even the Force strong. For that he could be stoned, or hung by a mob."

"Why would they do that?" Luke asked in shock.

"Because if he could do that to one who is Force tied, what will he do to one who isn't?" She stated. "He is thought of as one who would take away life and freedom."

Luke could see now, "If it had been someone else he'd forced down?"

"There would be consequences, but not death." she looked into his eyes.

"There is so much going on here." Luke turned and leaned his hand against the cavern wall.

"Why do you say that?" Fenice asked with confusion.

"That lightsaber you carry, was it you father's?" he asked.

She took it off her belt and looked at it. "Yes, it was his. It's all they ever found, he disappeared before Eamar and I were born."

Luke knew now he'd seen the death of Fenice's father. "What was his name?"

"Staneth Dayknight." She answered closing her eyes.

"A Jedi Knight?" Luke asked.

She nodded confirming. "He came here to flee the Jedi purge. The Jedi, and Tein'kal have been allies for thousands of years."

"Why have I never heard of Tein'kal before?" Luke asked.

"The Tein'kal are not well known off of Ansath," she admitted, "and they are a dying kind."

"Dying?" Luke questioned.

"It goes back to a time before Ansath knew Jedi." Fenice stated. "Come," she said gathering her boots, and clipping her lightsaber back to her belt, "We must see to Habin."

---

Luke, and Fenice reentered the common room to find Habin sitting in the corner with Gen standing over him like a hawk. Fenice went into the kitchen, reemerging a moment later with her sisters and adopted brother in tow.

Martina stood in the center of the room and spoke for all to hear. "Ansath law permits that a case not involving a death may be arbitrated by a Jedi, or a Tein'kal Defender if all parties agree to the arbitrator's judgment."

Fenice took a step forward, as if the world had suddenly come to rest on her shoulders. "Then it falls to me, because Luke is the party injured." She gestured toward Artoo who stood silent in the corner across from Habin. "If we are going to do this we are going to do this right. Would you please have Artoo keep a record?"

Luke gestured to the little droid for him to do as Fenice had asked. Artoo obediently rolled to Fenice's side and began recording.

Fenice took center stage while her sister retreated to the background. "First I must object to hearing this arbitration, because the accused is my cousin and the injured party is a guest in my home." she paused a moment, gathering her thoughts. "That said, someone must speak for the accused."

Onaia and Enora stepped forward. "I will speak for the accused," Onaia said, "and Enora for the party injured."

Fenice nodded and the sisters took their places. Enora took one of the chairs and setting it in on one side of Fenice, gestured for Luke to be seated. Onaia moved Habin directly across from Luke.

"Now for the record, Habin you are accused of flying recklessly, endangering others, and forcing down the X-wing of Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Acts which resulted in the destruction of the Jedi Master's X- wing, and did him bodily harm." She closed her eyes, thinking carefully before she spoke. "Do you agree to arbitration, and accept the outcome of this?"

Habin raised his head and nodded.

"Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, yesterday your X-wing was forced down by a shuttle flying stunts in system." Again she closed her eyes, "Do you agree to arbitration, and accept the outcome of this?"

Luke nodded, "I do."

"Who brings the charge that it was this man's shuttle that brought down the Jedi Master's X-wing?" Fenice intoned formally.

Terick and Gen stepped forward. "We do." Terick said. "I am the mechanic that examined the X-wing, and later Habin's shuttle. From what I have seen there is no doubt that it was Habin's shuttle that caused the Jedi Master's X-wing to crash."

Gen cleared his throat, "I know for a fact that Habin was due back from a flight to Ena Carries on the morning of the accident, and had damage to his shuttle when he arrived an hour late. I was at the landing pad on business that morning, and saw him come in."

"Martina, you were the first to arrive at the downed X-wing and the one who treated the Jedi Master's injuries." Fenice stated.

Martina took a moment before she spoke. "Yes, and in my opinion he was lucky that the crash didn't kill him, Jedi Master or not."

"Habin, in light of what has been said, how do you plead?" Fenice looked at her cousin.

Habin was silent for a long time. Onaia put a hand on his shoulder, to give him strength. "Guilty." the young man whispered, bursting into tears.

After a suitable time Enora spoke, "Our laws demand restitution for the X-wing, and the broken leg."

"The point is noted." Fenice said. "The X-wing is a loss, and Habin's shuttle is damaged. The shuttle is now the property of the Jedi master."

Onaia objected, "The shuttle is Habin's soul source of support."

Luke stood, "If I may speak,"

Fenice nodded to him.

"I would permit Habin to retain use of the shuttle, on the condition he does no more stunt flying." Luke suggested.

"This would be acceptable." Onaia said nodding.

"Then so long as he never again endangers another life, he may keep his shuttle. If he ever engages in stunt flying again, the Jedi Master may claim the shuttle." Fenice stated. "This goes no further than the Magistrate's record. This arbitration is closed."