Chapter 20
"I just wish I knew what we are going to find when we arrive," Luke said, thinking out loud.
"I wish that too," Reya said. They both sat in the cockpit of the Jade Shadow, Luke having taken the ship since Mara could not use it at the time. "But I know what I felt before, it is still so horribly vivid."
"I remember too." Luke said. They both referred to what they had felt before in the Force, with the destruction of the temple. "But no matter what is there, we have to be strong. We can not falter now. We must take any course of action necessary." Luke breathed in and out heavily.
"Excuse me, Master Skywalker, but I'm just wondering," Reya said. "Are you nervous?"
Luke turned toward her. "In all the times I have ever had to fight to keep peace in the galaxy, I had never been close to the person I had to fight." Except for one time, Luke thought, but he kept the thought to himself. "The enemy had always been a foreign one, and my feelings would not affect my ultimate decisions. I always did what was best for the galaxy. But this time my enemy is very close to me, and yes, I am nervous, nervous that I may let my emotions get in the way of what I have to do. But no matter what happens I know that I will do all I can to return peace, no matter what the personal cost. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, Master Skywalker, it does." Reya said and turned to look out the viewport and gazed into the blur of hyperspace.
"I want to talk to Ben first," Luke said. "There may be a way to get through to him yet."
"I agree, but he has done so much damage, and has drifted far into the darkside," Reya said. "Is it even possible to bring him back?"
"There is always a way." Luke said and left it at that. The rest of the trip continued in silence until the console beeped, signaling that they were approaching their destination. The ship reverted back into realspace and Ossus filled the viewport in front of them. Luke closed his eyes. "Ben is still down there."
"Where are the other ships?" Reya said. "There had been a huge assault on the temple but the aggressors are no here anymore."
"Strange," Luke said as he opened his eyes. "It is almost as if someone wants us to safely get to the planet."
The com beeped.
"Someone is trying to contact us," Reya said. "I'll put him on." Reya turned the transceiver on.
"Welcome, Jade Shadow, to Ossus," a male voice said over the com. "I hope you enjoy your stay."
"Ben, why are you doing this?" Luke asked, knowing already that it had been Ben who had contacted them. "Please stop now and we can talk-"
"The time for words are over, father," Ben said. "Now is only the time for action."
"Ben, please, we only want to help you." Reya said.
"You are here as well, Reya?" Ben asked in mock surprise. "Then I can deal with you both together."
"Ben, if we have to we will fight." Luke said.
"That is what I hoping for, father," Ben said. "But not here and not now. There has been so much destruction here already we don't want to add to the mess do we?"
Was there a hint of regret there? Luke wondered.
"Then where do you want to meet?" Luke asked.
"I have a place already set up." Ben said. "Follow the coordinates I have just sent you. There we will discuss this more."
"Ben, wait-" Luke said. The com went out. "Damn."
"Master Skywalker, should we follow the coordinates?" Reya said. "It is probably a trap."
"Most likely, but for the sake of Ben we must do this," Luke said and stared grimly out the viewport as Reya engaged the hyperdrive. "No matter what the cost."