Title: Falling From The Light
Main Characters: Anakin/Padmé/Obi-Wan/Bant/Luke/Leia/Han/OC
Secondary Characters: OCs/Qui-Gon
Summary: The sequel to "Slipping Into Darkness." Palpatine knew that Anakin might defeat him, so he left something behind which may not only destroy the Chosen One, but his family as well.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Star Wars, as cool as it would be if I did. Everything belongs to the Flannelled One. I do, however, own the OCs. They are mine, mine, all mine! (notices the strange looks she is receiving) I mean, (clears throat) They belong to me. (blush)
A/N: Originally, I wasn't going to write a continuation to "Slipping," but my wonderful readers on TFN convinced me to. The Lord blessed me with an idea, and "Falling" came about. This story takes some very interesting turns, and I hope that it will surprise you. :)
A/N2: As always, this story would never be what it is now without my wonderful beta's (Darth Mom's) help. "Slipping," began with an idea she had, and she was kind enough to let me borrow and expand on it, and she is always patient enough to listen to me talk about the sequel. :)
I am sorry this is up so late! The FFN system was acting up, and I couldn't access my document manager to post. I thought I would try once more before getting off for the night, and it finally worked! I hope this post makes up for the extended wait. :)
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Falling From The Light
Leia Skywalker had already been to many different worlds during her brief lifetime, and had been to Corellia itself once before, but she had never lost her appreciation for seeing a planet from space. That was why she now stood next to a window aboard the ship, watching as Corellia came into view, the open green plains and rolling hills which blanketed its surface becoming clearly visible. Patches of dark green forests could be seen surrounding many of the settlements and towns, and the large oceans shown a crystal blue.
This was a beautiful world, its land mostly untouched, considering the vast industry it represented. That, of course, was due to the fact that much of its manufacturing took place from orbit. Leia was reminded of this as the ship drew nearer, and the many engineering stations surrounding Corellia appeared almost liked a man-made planetary ring. But as the ship descended into the atmosphere and turned towards the capitol of Coronet, Leia finally drew her gaze away from the surface.
Her eyes roamed the cabin for a moment, and she smiled to herself when she saw Luke move closer to the window to admire a sleek cruiser not far from their own. Then she turned towards her father, almost expecting him to be doing the same, but instead she found him staring into the stars, his expression far away and unfocused.
Leia felt concern rise within her. She knew her father had been through much during his life, and certainly she had seen him deeply lost in thought many times, but this was different. He seemed troubled, as though a weight that hadn't been with him earlier now rested upon his shoulders.
She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but before she could speak, the voice of their Republic pilot came over the comm, announcing that they were about to land in Coronet's space port. Leia still wished that she could speak to her father, but knew that she must wait; the mission would have to come first.
As if in agreement with her thoughts, Leia heard the ship's engines slowing and the landing gear locking into place. Forcing herself not to focus on what was troubling her father, she followed the others as they walked down the corridor to the ship's ramp, and stepped out into the docking bay.
Across the hanger, Leia immediately noticed her mother's sliver Nubian transport, its mirrored surface reflecting the light. She imagined that her mother's meeting with the Corellian senator was already well under way, since in all likelihood he had met her the moment she landed. It was unfortunate that their own contact wasn't nearly as prompt, Leia thought, since he was no where to be seen.
However, she supposed, it wouldn't be hard to lose someone in a bay as crowded as this one. Ships of every design and grade lined the walls, and the roar of engines never seemed to quiet. Species from nearly every corner of the galaxy could be seen, as varied as the ships they traveled in.
"What a piece of junk!" Luke said suddenly, interrupting Leia's thoughts.
She couldn't help but smile at her brother's disdainful tone of voice, and wondering what had caused it, walked over to where Luke stood and followed his gaze. When she saw what he was looking at, she couldn't help but agree with him.
In the far corner of the space port, as though the bay master was reluctant to acknowledge that it was kept there, sat the most beaten up Corellian freighter Leia had ever seen. Her father had always told her that the appearance of a ship didn't matter, but with this particular ship she found it difficult not to judge it by its exterior. In fact, the freighter looked as though it were held together by plastiment and luck, rather then welding and bolts.
"Whoever came in that thing must certainly be brave," Leia commented finally.
"Thanks," a voice said from behind them.
Startled, Leia turned. Standing in front of her was a man, with light brown hair and brown eyes, who seemed to be at least a few years older than she was. He wore a Republic military uniform, and his insignia identified him as a captain, but his crooked grin and overconfident bearing seemed to almost clash with his rank. A holster was casually slung at his side, hanging at an angle which Leia knew wasn't military standard, yet somehow it seemed more fitting for him.
The man's grin broadened and he nodded toward the ship.
"The Falcon may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts. I won her from a card player named Calrissian when I did a tour on Bespin, and made a lot of special modifications myself. She can do .5 past light speed."
He stretched out a hand.
"Captain Han Solo."
Leia felt a shock of surprise run through her. He was the Corellian Security Officer that they were supposed to meet?
Luke didn't seemed to notice her startled reaction, and simply took the hand Solo had offered, smiling in return.
"I'm Luke Skywalker, and this is my sister, Leia."
The Captain's smile took on a charming edge as he turned to her, but Leia simply bowed her head stiffly. She caught Luke's questioning glance at her cold demeanor, but didn't respond. Something about this man irritated her, though she wasn't quite sure what it was. Perhaps it was just that he seemed far too sure of himself. How could he brag about a ship that looked worse than something she and Luke had cobbled together in the crèche?
However, he didn't seem phased in the least by her reaction.
"Skywalker… as in Anakin Skywalker?" he asked easily.
Luke nodded.
"I take it then, that you're with the Jedi team I was sent to meet?" the Captain asked, turning to Leia.
"Yes, we are," she answered coolly, resting her hand on the hilt of her saber as if to demonstrate her point. "We wondered what had kept you."
She stepped around him and moved back to where their father and Masters stood, once again brushing off a puzzled look from her brother. She sensed rather than watched Luke and the Captain follow her.
"Father, Masters, this is Captain Solo," Leia introduced, stepping beside Anakin. She hoped that perhaps Solo's arrogant attitude would fade a bit in the presence of "The Hero With No Fear," but found herself disappointed.
"It's good to meet you, Master Skywalker. I studied your maneuvers at the Republic Academy. We used to bet on who could recreate them." He grinned. "I won a lot of credits that way."
Leia stifled an aggravated sigh. This was certainly going to be a difficult mission.
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A few hours later, though it seemed much longer to Leia, they had decided to divide portions of the investigation among the teams. Her father was staying at the Corellian Security Head Quarters to learn more about what had been discovered, while Obi-Wan and Luke had gone to speak with the other officers in charge of the case. That left Leia and Bant as the team which would be visiting the crimes scenes…along with Captain Solo.
Leia groaned inwardly. Her irritation with him had only increased since their first meeting, and she was now finding it hard to even maintain the appearance of being able to tolerate him. She had often been told that she had inherited her mother's maturity and her gift for working with others, and normally Leia agreed. But for some reason, all of this seemed to crumble around a certain Corellian officer. In fact, when her Master had told her which part of the investigation they would be handling, Leia wished that she could go to her brother and ask him if he wanted to trade. Her discomfort made her almost feel like a youngling again, rather than an experienced Jedi Padawan approaching Knighthood, and that frustrated her all the more.
But at the very least, she thought, there was the mission to focus on.
"We found the first body near Treasure Ship Row," Han explained, drawing Leia's attention as he lead them through the streets of Coronet. He motioned in the direction of the well known bazaar, then continued. "Over the next two nights, two other bodies were found a few blocks away. We thought the killer might be trying to create some sort of pattern, but as the murders continued, the location of the victims became more and more random."
He stopped walking, and turned towards what looked to be some type of storage facility.
"We believe that the person committing these crimes stayed somewhere in this area at first, before they moved on. From what we can tell, they used this warehouse, but didn't leave any substantial evidence. It might be a good place for you to start. Maybe you'll see something we didn't."
Bant nodded, her Calamarian features thoughtful.
"I hope that you are right, Captain." She turned to Leia. "You and Captain Solo check the back of the building, and I will enter through the front."
"Yes, Master," Leia answered, but groaned inwardly once more. The last thing that she wanted to do was to be alone with that man. When her Master was present, the Captain seemed more business-like, but Leia had a feeling this would change as soon as Bant left. She was proven right when she found him once again wearing a crooked grin.
"After you," he said with a small flourish towards the warehouse.
Leia straightened her posture, and strode quickly past him. She noticed his grin broaden, and wondered if perhaps he was aggravating her on purpose. Pointedly ignoring him, she continued to hurry until they reached the back of the building.
"So, what do you think, Princess?" he asked as they arrived, his gaze sweeping over the ground, and near-by wall.
Leia bristled inwardly over the way he had addressed her, but taking a deep, calming breath, forced herself to look around as well. There wasn't anything she could see which looked out of place, aside from the crime scene markers left by the authorities. She stretched out with the Force, hoping that perhaps she could learn something, but sensed nothing strange.
"I don't see anything here, but perhaps there will be something in the warehouse itself." She paused. "And I am a Jedi Padawan, not a princess."
He shrugged, then smiled.
"Your mother used to be Queen of Naboo, didn't she? Makes you a princess in my book."
Leia stiffened once more at his comment. She had been right, he was deliberately trying to provoke her. Well, she thought determinedly, she simply wouldn't let him succeed. It was with this new resolve that she stepped to the warehouse door and moved to turn the locking mechanism.
It didn't budge.
She stared at the door, wishing that her angered gaze was enough to melt it, then tried once again. It still didn't move. She was about to try once more when she felt a pair of arms come around her own, ready to help her twist the mechanism. She roughly shrugged them off, then turned her still fiery glare back to Captain Solo. Upon seeing her expression, he put his hands up in a gesture of surrender.
"Hey, just trying to help."
"I don't need any of your help," she said pointedly.
Turning back to the door, Leia closed her eyes and stretched out her hand. She calmed her mind and allowed the Force to flow through her, searching for the bolt that kept the door in place. Her efforts were rewarded a moment later as she heard it swing open.
She couldn't help the feeling of satisfaction that rose within her as she looked back to see the Captain staring in disbelief. With a rather smug look, she stepped into the warehouse, enjoying her small victory.
The feeling faded away, however, as she heard him mutter, "As you wish, Highnessness."
TBC
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IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ:
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I won't be able to post this as often as I was able to post "Slipping." I wish that I could, but I simply won't have as much time, and unlike "Slipping," "Falling" is still a work in progress. I do plan to post every Thursday though, and if that changes, I will be sure to let everyone know.
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Ani-maniac494