And Vega Lights My Way
Chapter 9
In searchin' for the way to go
I've followed all the rules
The way they say to choose between
the wise men and the fools
I listened to the words they say
I
read what I should read
I do whatever's right to do
Try to be
what I should be
– John Denver, Come and Let me look in Your
Eyes
After a long hot shower, Kampher sat down to breakfast with her husband, who was busy pouring over data pads as he had been all morning, a frown creasing his face.
"I knew the Emperor made it a point to try to eradicate records and falsify the history of the Jedi," He sighed. "But for the love of the Force, Kam, this is ridiculous!"
"Schurke," Kam interrupted him gently. "Have you seen your son this morning?"
Schurke removed the lenses he used for close work, more and more frequently it seemed, set them down on the table with no small measure of disgust, and rubbed his eyes. "No, come to think of it I haven't seen him since yesterday afternoon."
"Have you noticed how tired he looks, Schurke?" Kampher asked him anxiously. "I really think he's working too hard. As far as I know, he hasn't even taken time for meditation."
"Are you asking me whether I think he's otherwise occupied like our daughter?" Schurke arched an eyebrow. "Kam, my dear, I find it interesting that you tell me that Aubé can take care of herself, but when it comes to our Healer son…"
"It's not that, Schurke." Kampher said softly, taking his hand. "Aubé is in good hands with Anakin's son."
"This isn't a lead in to that discussion Kam," Schurke replied, a slight warning note to his voice. "If you are worried about Kay'leb, I'll speak to him tonight."
"You have a meeting with the Princess and her entourage tonight," Kampher reminded him, then added innocently, "the one who looks like a young Amidala."
"Yes, that's Skywalker's sister," Schurke grudgingly admitted. "Though she only mentioned it in passing. Kam, it's not like we've been discussing all things family – we're supposed to be discussing whether Corellia should rejoin the Republic."
"Of course dear," Kampher replied smoothly, wandering over to his side. "Here, let me help you with those…"
Schurke smiled and made room for his wife at his side. "Thanks Kam," he murmured. "Sometimes I wonder why in the Seven Hells I do this. The general consensus seems to be that we will be maintaining our independence anyways…"
"And what has that have to do with the price of Spice, Schurke?" Kam asked him softly, picking up one of the data files. "None of these records have anything to do with Corellia. These are all… Jedi records…"
"Side project." Schurke grunted, not looking at his wife. "Call it a favor."
"Then you have spoken to Master Skywalker then?" Kampher arched a delicate eyebrow.
"No, not yet," Schurke admitted with a sigh. "But Kam, it just feels… right."
Kampher leaned over and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, and Schurke turned to her, bemused.
"What was that for? Not that I mind."
"Just because,"
"Just because could get you into trouble you know…"
"How about after lunch?"
"Why not now?" Schurke nuzzled her throat suggestively.
"Because we just had 'breakfast.' " Kampher laughed and pushed him away playfully.
"That was hours ago." Schurke said pointedly.
Still smiling, Kampher made a counter proposal. "I'll help you with this for now, and collect payment – after we eat. Work up an appetite… "
With a dramatic sigh, Schurke picked up his lenses and another data pad, but not really seeing either. "Alright, work, then lunch… then… lunch, but by that point you know I'll be starving…"
A piece of shurra-fruit drifted over and landed in front of him.
Schurke rolled his eyes. "Not exactly what I meant Kam…"
"I know," she laughed then slid off the chair, taking his hand. "Perhaps you should take a break after all, we can come back to this a little later…"
Schurke needed no more encouragement. "As you wish, my lady…" Suddenly, he scooped her up into his arms and began to carry her to their bedroom. "After all," he whispered into her ear. "A freshly showered Jedi Master makes a very interesting… appetizer."
Aubé bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, and squeezed her eyes shut.
You were a fool, Aubé Canaille, she thought to herself, fighting back tears. Of course he'll have women falling all over him! What made you think any differently?
She had arrived early to her planned lesson with Luke Skywalker. Walking into the room with a smile on her face, determined to enact revenge for the kiss this afternoon when she had seen Master Skywalker with her…
Aubé had only glimpsed Luke's companion before slipping back out of the room, but that one look had been enough. The woman was young, blond and very pretty – and definitely not dressed for a sparring lesson! Aubé had thought to herself waspishly. The woman had been standing close enough to him to crawl inside his tunic, had she a mind to.
Her voice, louder than necessary, carried out to Aubé, a grating sing-song sound.
"So I'll see you tonight then Master Skywalker," she trilled. "I'll have the Master at Arms pick you up promptly at 1900 hours." Luke's reply had been too soft to hear, and as she passed by, she tossed Aubé a knowing look.
Aubé resisted the temptation to give the woman a good hard Force shove, and squaring her shoulders, she walked back into the room hoping that she could at least pretend to be indifferent.
Aubé swallowed hard as she saw Luke adjusting his tunic, a sheepish, disgruntled look on his face.
He's probably is disappointed, she thought bitterly. He probably would have gone with that – that shaak cow – if he wasn't too honorable to back out of this training session!
"Good afternoon Master," Aubé said in what she hoped was a light and pleasant voice. "I'm ready for my lesson."
To her surprise, Luke's face seemed to light up at the sound of her voice. "Nails!" he cried. "Boy am I glad to see you!"
"I'm sorry if I… if I interrupted you, Master," she ventured quietly, but Luke would have none of it.
"Interrupted?" Luke shook his head. "Actually Nails, I wish you'd been here a little sooner."
Why? So you could embarrass me fully? she thought, but didn't say anything other then a feeble "I'm sorry?" as she hung her head.
Luke cast his eyes out the window, seeming to study the passing traffic. "Did you ever want to just… run away?" he asked softly. "Just… go… someplace? Anywhere but where you are?"
Like right now? "Yes…"
Luke continued as if he hadn't heard her.
"The daughter of Representative Koeien has insisted that I escort her to the dinner my sister is giving tonight," he sighed. "If I was still just plain old Luke Skywalker, moisture farmer, she wouldn't have given me a second look – wouldn't even let me carry her bags. But as I'm Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight…" He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry Nails… I guess that's the last thing you want to hear about, my hard life…"
Aubé smiled back shyly. "I understand, Master."
"Just Luke," he said quietly. "Please… Aubé."
"Alright, Just Luke," Aubé grinned, her good humor returning as she positioned herself at the ready. "Today I get to pay you back for your little stunt."
"Actually, I owe you one. If you had been any later I think that…" Now it was Luke's turn to grin. "…what was it? Shaak cow? Anyway, if you hadn't shown up when you did…"
Aubé covered her mouth and gasped, red faced. Oh no! He couldn't have overheard that thought…
Luke's grin became a hearty laugh. "Sorry Nails! I think even Han – I mean General Solo – would have picked up that one and he's not even really attuned to the Force! To be honest, I think you're right, at least under the surface." His expression became thoughtful. "Look, I really don't want to stay there any later than I have to. Maybe… Aubé, would you meet me for a late supper tonight? I mean, 'meeting with my student' is obviously more important than being paraded around like a show nerf…. We can talk more about the… quiet side of the Force…"
"And about running away for a little while sometimes?" Aubé finished for him wryly.
Luke took her hand in his, and smiled softly at her. "Yes. And maybe a few other things."
Creeping around the dark and dusty corridors of the abandoned Jedi Temple, Kay'leb began to wonder if coming here was a good idea after all, but he brushed the concern aside as quickly as it had come.
I can handle this, it's only a little sickness – a sickness in the Force, he thought to himself. Besides, there's so much more to learn…
The first time he had encountered the presence, he had been too curious to be frightened. It had been like a passing shadow that floated about, lighting here and there and brushing the edges of his awareness. It whispered of… ideas… things he couldn't quite recall.
Not that they were important really.
I can help this place, Kay'leb thought. I can help it become great again… So much knowledge! So much… strength here!
Fear of discovery prevented him from using a glow lamp so he extended his reach into the Force to guide his way, calling out with his soul for guidance.
And something in the darkness answered.
