Chapter 16

Luke opened his eyes first. Darkness still swarmed his vision, the pain still present. He looked around, realizing he was lying on the floor of the Shadow. He tried to get up but a wave of pain forced him back down. Mara was lying next to him in a slight fetal position. A voice was speaking through the intercom.

"Jade Shadow, what's happening over there?" Koln's voice echoed through the cockpit. "Are you alright?"

Everything came flooding back to Luke and he realized both he and Mara must have fainted while still communicating with the pirates. Luke struggled to get up again, knowing he had to contact the pirates. He called upon the Force to help him and slowly rose and staggered to the com.

"Lieutenant Koln, this is the Shadow," Luke said in a hoarse, dry voice. "Sorry for the delay. Everything's fine here?"

"What happened?" Koln asked.

Luke hesitated, not wanting the pirates to know what had happened. "Nothing, just a communication breakdown. Let's finish the docking procedure."

"Right, over and out." The com clicked off. Luke set the controls for the ship to automatically dock with the pirate vessel. Meanwhile he crouched by Mara's prone body.

"Mara?" Luke said, shaking his wife gently. He touched her pale face, it was cold as ice. Mara suddenly awoke with a slight gasp, eyes wide with shock. She looked around, disoriented, and then focused on Luke. She kissed him deeply on the lips as they both heard the boarding hatch hiss, indicating the Shadow had docked with the pirate ship.

"Luke what happened?" Mara asked as she finished kissing her husband and got up as well.

"I don't know," Luke said. "There has been a great disaster, that much is definite."

"But I felt Ben also," Mara said. "at the same moment. Could he have something to do with it?"

"I don't know," Luke said. "But I hope not."

"The pirates are coming on board," Mara said. "What should we tell them?"
"As of right now, nothing," Luke said. "But if they ask us anything we should answer them honestly." It was then Luke felt the call in the Force, beckoning him. "Did you feel that?"

"Yes, I did," Mara said. "It felt like Leia."

"Yes, and I think she wants us to go to Hapes." Luke said.

"Are you sure?" Mara asked. "It could be a trap.

"No, this is not a trap," Luke said. "I feel that Leia called to other Jedi to go to Hapes as well. It is an urgent message in the Force."

There was a bang from the airlock.

"That must be the pirates," Luke said. "I'll let them in." Luke opened the airlock and the group of pirates came in. It was a very small group.

"I want to say thank you for everything you have done for us," the pirate in the lead said, who Luke knew must have been Lieutenant Koln. "We are very grateful."

"There is no need to thank us," Luke said. "I'm only sorry we could not get here sooner. But we have urgent business we must attend to and we are leaving immediately."

"Yes, I suppose you are to incarcerate us." Koln said.

"No," Luke said. "not anymore. Events have occurred that are much more important than any of us could even guess. But you are to come with us, and I think even help us."

"Can you explain what is going on?" Koln asked.

"Yes," Luke said. "But first Mara, plot a course for Hapes."

"Wait, Mara? As in Mara Jade Skywalker?" Koln asked and then he and his crew gazed wide eyed at their hosts. "And that must mean you are Master Skywalker?" Luke nodded. "I should have realized when you said this ship is the Jade Shadow."

"Lieutenant Koln, I realize that you and your crew may be nervous now knowing who we are, but we will keep our promise to you and keep you safe. But you must do as we say."

"Of course," Koln said. "But could you first tell us what happened before? I got the feeling you weren't telling me the entire truth."

"I will," Luke said and gestured to some empty seats. "But first I suggest you and your crew have a seat. It's going to be a long flight and we have much to discuss."