Chapter 2

The two youngest members of the Skywalker family were able to control themselves until they entered the room and saw everyone else there. Leia and Han were there with their three children. They were being watched over by Chewie, who was looking like a proud uncle as the children ran around the area. Mara and Lando were there as well. They probably came together. Taylor and Eean were also present with their two daughters. R2-D2 and C-3PO were also in attendance. Tiri and Ben were quick to join in the fun, shouting for their friends and cousins.

"I suppose we should let them enjoy this," Ari said quietly to Luke.

"They have a lot of energy," Luke sighed, running one hand over his face and through his hair, making strand of it stick up.

"Are you okay?" Ari asked, brushing down Luke's stubborn pieces of hair.

"I just am trying to find where the feeling is coming from. It is stronger now, but from where?"

Ari frowned a little and focused. She felt it for a moment, then it seemed to disappear and was elsewhere. She looked up at Luke and shook her head.

"Something wrong?" Han asked, looking a little uncomfortable in his formal clothing. He kept tugging at the stiff collar.

"Something in the Force," Luke answered.

Han just nodded. He had doubted it a lot, but over the years he had seen a lot of other things that couldn't be explained in any other way. "Might be what is making everyone else jumpy." He motioned to Taylor and Mara. Taylor and Mara both seemed tense. Mara even had one hand near the hilt of her lightsaber.

Ari and Luke approached the other two.

"You feel it?" Mara asked them. "It's coming from different places. I can't tell where it is coming from."

"I feel it the same way," Luke said. "Taylor, was there ever anything like this before?"

The woman was only slightly more decade older than the others, but she had experienced much more. "I was young when everything else happened. It reminds me a little of what I heard about before the Purge. Siri explained it."

"We need to remain extra careful and be alert," Luke said. Ari could tell he was worried. Sometimes, he reminded her of the young boy she fell in love with on Tatooine. Other times, he seemed to have the tired expression of a much older man.

The red haired Jedi and dark haired Jedi nodded before Ari led Luke away. "You know we will do as we need to do."

"Something feels wrong. Ari, you-"

"Do not even attempt to get me to go back home," Ari interrupted. "I might be carrying twins, but I am fine." They had this same argument more than once, not just with the twins but when they were expecting Tiri and Ben.

Luke sighed. "I want you safe. You and everyone else here." He motioned to everyone in the room. Ari looked around the room and couldn't help smiling slightly. She still missed her parents and brother, but as she looked around she saw her family. A Princess turned Rebel leader, two ex-smugglers, an ex-con, a Sith turned Jedi, a Jedi who hid in the purge and a man who fell in love with the Jedi in hiding. Years ago, she never would have imagined such a thing possible. But as she watched her children playing with the others, she knew she couldn't imagine life without any of them. She would protect them.

"We will help them stay safe. That is what Jedi do." He nodded and Ari wrapped her arms around him. "We're Jedi. That is what we do. And we're a team," she added.

At that moment, Leia turned to them all and it only took a moment to have everyone turn their attention to her. The former Princess was often busy. It had not been easy building the New Republic and even years later there had been a lot of difficulty. Yet, Leia had always been there to do whatever was needed of her to insure the survival of the new government. Many who had never met her before did not expect so much from such a small woman. Han sometimes said it wasn't right when they had arguments because she always won. He always said it with a smile though so the Ari knew it wasn't serious.

"This is a big day for us," Leia smiled at them. "I am just sorry some of our friends didn't make it this far to see this day." Ari thought about Siri and Obi-Wan Kenobi. She thought of those friends she had made and lost. Even though the Empire ended, not everyone was willing to accept the New Republic. Ari was pulled from her thoughts as Leia continued. "I think they would be happy though. Luke, are you prepared to say a few words?"

He sighed. "Yes, though I am not a public speaker like you."

"They will want to hear from a Jedi," she assured her twin. "Like I said before, it doesn't have to be long."

"It isn't," he said. He and Ari had talked about the speech and though she knew the basic ideas of what he wanted to share, she didn't know exactly what he would say. "And Leia, you might want to be certain about security. Something feels wrong."

"What is it?" Though she had trained with the Force, her role as a leader in the Republic took most of her time and she didn't consider herself a Jedi. She considered herself more of a Jedi-in-training.

"Something is wrong. Something in the Force," Luke explained. "I can't pinpoint where it is coming from, which is strange."

"It seems to be in one place, then changes to another," Ari added.

"I would cancel it but everyone is already here," Leia said, looking concerned. "And we can't show them we are afraid."

Luke nodded. "Just be certain your security is ready. Perhaps bring in a bit extra if possible."

"Alright," Leia turned away to contact the head of security.

"Do you think it will help?" Ari asked Luke.

"It can't hurt," he answered.

Soon enough, it was time for the ceremony. A few guards led the way, followed a few other senators and Leia. The Jedi followed. They were all trying to look as if they were at peace, but Ari could tell they were all tense. The children all seemed to pick up on it, glancing between the various adults to try and figure out the cause. Han, Lando, Chewie and Eean followed, being followed by a few more guards. Leia had gotten a few more guards for the platform and to be standing around the audience that had come to watch the ceremony live. It would also be broadcast through the galaxy.

There was applause as everyone took their places as Leia had instructed them the day before. Leia came to the podium. "Thank you for coming today," she said with a small smile. "For many years the Jedi and the Republic worked together. Now, once again we are working with the Jedi. These Jedi have helped the Republic on many missions and now they will have a new temple here on our capital Coruscant."

There was applause and Leia smiled. "To talk a bit more, we have Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker."

There was more applause as she stepped back and Luke took her spot. Ari offered him a small smile and he returned it briefly before becoming serious again as he approached the podium.

"The Jedi Order was nearly wiped out, but we have found our path again. Even now, we search for those who are Force sensitive. While we train and our ranks grow, we have found a new center here on Coruscant. Being here will enable the Jedi to work with the Republic to help all beings in the universe."

There was some polite applause and though Luke had a few more things to say, Ari couldn't pay attention anymore. Something was wrong. Very wrong. She usually could pinpoint a position of a problem, but it was impossible. It seemed to come from one section and just when she thought she might have found it, she felt it elsewhere in a whole different place. The warning of something being wrong was all around her.

I can't figure out where it is coming from Ari told the other Jedi through the Force.

Neither can I Luke answered without interrupting his speech.

It is all around us Mara responded.

Taylor was silent as she scanned the crowd, her hand on the hilt of her lightsaber.

The feeling was more and more intense with each passing moment. Ari wanted to dash through the crowd and search for the cause, but she tried to remain looking calm and collected. She did notice the children looked nervous, but she wasn't tell if they could tell what it was through the Force or they were able to tell what the adult Jedi were not as calm as they appeared. Luke paused in his speech. "And now I will turn it back to Leia Organa Solo," he said.

Leia walked back to the podium as Luke walked back to Ari. He shook his spot next to Ari, silent. However, Ari could tell he was trying to tell what was happening through the Force.

Be ready for anything. I am tempted to tell Leia we need to end this.

Ari gave the smallest nod of her head as the feeling changed. This time it was more immediate. She checked to be certain Ben and Tiri were with her. It might be safer. She might be more willing to face things without their children there.

Luke glanced at Taylor and Mara who both nodded. Luke took two steps before the Force gave out a loud, strong warning to all of the Jedi. Ari managed to take a step forward, to keep Ben and Tiri behind her while unclipping her lightsaber from her belt, expecting trouble from the crowd. Then she felt the warning coming from behind them. She didn't have time to move or react as an explosion rocked the temple. The blinding flash and deafening boom occurred as the shockwave flung Ari and the others off their feet, all of them thrown across the platform and into the audience.