Chapter 11

The two women didn't speak as they walked toward the hanger bay. Ari knew they were both focused on what they had planned. However, as they entered the hanger and Ari saw the various ships she finally spoke.

"So, what are we going to do about a ship?" She still had her fighter, but mostly they used diplomatic ships for missions as Jedi and larger ships when they traveled as a family.

"We can go in my ship," Mara said, leading the way.

"I have never actually been inside of yours," Ari said.

"I am a private person," Mara shrugged, then waved her hand at a ship. "The Jade Shadow."

It looked like a large yacht but Ari could see changes were made to it. There were weapons on the outside and she had a feeling there were a lot of other surprises hidden.

Ari tried to keep herself calm. Luke could always sense her emotions even from a distance. She also was trying to remain centered on what was going to happen next. Each step would bring her closer to the missing children.

"Get on board, there are guest quarters. We will meet in the cockpit."

Ari nodded, nodding, letting Mara do her walk around check of her ship. She went on board and found small quarters. They were sparse, but nice. Ari set her bag down and then walked up to the cockpit. She paused to look in at different areas of the ship finding the galley and refresher.

She went into the cockpit and took the co-pilot seat. She briefly missed R4 but felt better knowing the droid was watching over the children and others.

She looked at the control panels. She knew that Mara would probably pilot the entire time, seeing the controls helped Ari familiarize herself with the ship.

"The ship looks okay." Mara seemed to appear out of nowhere. She was nearly silent. Ari didn't jump, she had gotten used to the redhead's surprise appearances. "We just need to run the preflight check," she said, sliding into the pilot's seat.

Ari? She heard Luke reach out to her. Where are you?

Ari glanced over at Mara.

"What?" Mara asked, seeing her look. "What's wrong?"

"Trying to keep this from Luke is harder than I thought."

"Skywalker knows what we're doing?"

Ari, what is going on? Luke seemed more tense.

"He realized I was gone, I can't hide this from him," Ari admitted. She was used to being open with Luke. They had been honest with each other, even if they disagreed.

"Do you want him to come with us?" Mara sounded skeptical.

"He won't want any of us to go." She paused and placed her hands on her stomach. "Especially me with these two." Ari could understand, but she knew that this was the right thing. The Force was telling her to go with Mara. "But we need to go."

Mara raised an eyebrow but ran through the preflight check, the engines humming to life.

Ari?

Ari sighed. I am sorry, Luke, but I need to go.

Go where?

With Mara.

We need you here he protested. And you are expecting twins.

I need to do this, Luke. You told me to trust the Force and that is what I am doing.

This isn't a safe time. Ari could tell he was worried and had a feeling he would be coming to the spaceport to stop them.

I know was the only answer she could give. It wasn't safe. Not for her, not for Mara, not for any Force sensitive children. Yet, when had their lives been safe? She had barely escaped Naboo as a child, she had lost her parents and brother to the Empire, then had joined a war. There had also been several dangerous missions as Jedi. She had lost friends and allies along the way while she had somehow survived.

Ari, come back and we can talk about it.

Luke, I love you, but I know you will try to convince me to stay. The Republic needs the face of the Jedi Order, which is you. They need to see you standing strong and ready. Your sister needs you. Han needs you. Those who arrived from the Temple need you. Our child needs you as well. You need to stay here.

"Ready to go?" Mara asked, breaking Ari away from her conversation with Luke.

We need you too.

Ari felt her heart break a little, able to hear the pain in his voice. I need to do this. Please, trust me, Luke. You always have before, even if you didn't always agree with it.

Do you at least have a plan?

Yes. I will keep you updated as I can.

She paused and waited to hear back from Luke. Mara seemed to understand that and didn't ask if she was ready again.

Be safe, Ari. Come home to us. He sounded resigned.

I will. May the Force be with you.

May the Force be with you. I love you.

I love you too.

Ari sighed, leaning back in her seat then nodded to Mara. "Ready?"

"How upset is he?"

"Worried. You know Jedi are not supposed to be upset."

"Well, then the sooner we leave, the sooner we get back and less worrying," she emphasized the last word as she got clearance to take off. The ship rose from the ground.

Ari was worried too, but she knew that the Force was going to guide them. She just hoped that it would lead to happy reunion with them all.