Chapter 3

The next day it is was time for goodbye again. The Jedi graduates were allowed one last night in the temple, to pack up their few personal belongings, and then they were to leave. Ben had woken up early in the morning and lain in bed for hours. Some graduates had already left. Ben would be the last to leave, since his parents had to make sure all of their former students made it out safely. But he also had many things to take care of. He knocked on Reya's door.

"Come in." She said from inside the room. Ben walked in. Reya stood packing up her clothes. She was already in her brown Jedi robes. "Hi, Ben." She walked over a kissed him. "I can't talk long, I'm leaving soon."
"You're leaving already?" Ben asked. "I thought you were going to wait with me?"

"I'm sorry, I was going to but I just can't wait," Reya said. "I want to go out into the galaxy and do what I can to help. I heard there are some territorial disputes in the Outer Rim and Jedi are needed to help."

"But that's all the way on the other side of the galaxy," Ben said. "You'll be busy; I'll never have a chance to see you."

"You can come with me." Reya suggested. "But hopefully it won't take long and I'll be back on Coruscant with in a month. And I'll send you messages everyday."

Ben was silent.

"Is something wrong?" Reya asked as she gently pulled some of her long, brown hair out of her face. "You seem so quiet."
Ben sat on her bed. "It just seems that everything is happening so fast," Ben said. "We've only just graduated and already everyone's leaving. Alli already left, and so did Qim, and now you." Reya sat down next to him and put her arms against him. They turned toward each other and looked deep into each others eyes. They leaned forward and kissed, a deeply passionate kiss. Luke had changed the original Jedi of forbidding love, allowing Jedi to love whoever they pleased. Ben and Reya had always been thankful for that. They pulled back away from each other.

"I love you." Ben said and embraced her. Reya didn't have to tell Ben that she loved him also, he knew she did. A little while after he left and headed back to his room. Right before he entered Sol approached.

"Hey, Ben," Sol greeted Ben.

"Hey, Sol," Ben said. "Do you know when you're leaving?"

"No time soon," Sol said. "What about you?"

"Same with me," Ben said. "Do you know where you're going once you leave?"

"Not really," Sol said. "But I did want to ask you a question."

"What is it?"

"I've never had a family, never really had a place to call home, except for the academy," Sol said. "Now everyone's leaving and I don't know when we're going to see each other again. But you're my best friend here, so I was wondering if you want to travel together, so neither of us are alone. Others have been doing it so I thought we should also."

"Sure, that's great," Ben said, smiling. "I've been worried about the same thing, about not seeing everyone again."

"Good," Sol said. "Master Skywalker has given me a ship which we can use. It's in the hangar. I have an idea, why don't we bring Reya with us also? I'm sure she would want to come."

"She can't," Ben said. "I've already talked to her, she's leaving soon to go to the Outer Rim."

'I'm sorry, Ben, that must be tough not being with her." Sol said.

"It is but we'll meet again eventually," Ben said. "We've already planned it."

"Maybe we could ask someone else to come with us." Sol suggested.

"I don't know who," Ben said. "Alli and Qim left already, and I think T'rssk has plans as well."

"I guess it will just be the two of us." Sol said.

"Yeah, but let me know when you're ready to go." Ben said. "I'll tell my parents we're planning."

"Sure, I'll see you soon." Sol said and left. Ben then went to find his parents. They were in the main chamber. When he found them he told them what he was doing.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Ben?" Luke asked. "You can stay here for a little longer, or go with Leia or Han."

"No, this is fine," Ben said as he gathered some courage, knowing were this was leading. "I think I'm ready to leave. I am a Jedi after all and I do have a responsibility."

"Just promise to visit." Mara said.

"I will, Mom," Ben said. "I'll tell you when I'm leaving." Ben then went back to his room. He lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling, letting his thoughts drift. Several hours later his com started to beep. It was Sol calling him, telling him he was ready. Ben notified his parents he was then leaving and to meet him in the hangar. He saw Sol standing in front of what he assumed to be his ship. The ship was small and angular, but with smooth features. Its polished frame shined in the light. Even standing still, it looked like it would go very fast.

"Ben, meet the Saber." Sol said and it was aptly named, because the way the small ship was built it looked like a blade. Ben's parents walked into the hangar and he went to them.

"I guess this is goodbye for now." Ben said. He hugged his parents.

"Ben, if you ever need to talk about anything, remember that we are always here." Mara said.

"I know, Mom." Ben said and said goodbye and then boarded the ship with his belongings. He waved to his parents as the ship lifted off, with Sol at the controls. The lights flashed, the hyperdrive became active and the ship launched off into the black void.