Lupin sat on the hood of his car as he processed it all. He looked down at feet and chuckled darkly. The story Optimus told rang in his head like a crutch bell. Lupin began to question if this reality was a dream or not.
"I must be dreaming. None of this could possibly be real?"
Luke chuckled and shook his head. Lupin pinched himself and felt the trickle of pain, he groaned and and muttered a curse.
"Damn"
Optimus looked at the engine which had stopped steaming from heat. If it were a cybertronian design it wouldn't have over heated as easily, He mused as Arcee transformed and rolled up next to the car. Lupin looked at her and didn't move, his trust wasn't easily won.
"No thank you, I'll drive myself if that's an option"
He asked and looked back at the engine. He pulled himself off the hood and looked at the heat gage on the dash and saw the engine had cooled to operational standards. The main reason for the over heat was the turbo and extra parts which were separately engaged with a switch.
"If it's operational I don't see why not"
Bulkhead said with optimism that Lupin wouldn't turn and burn at the first opportunity he got. Optimus reluctantly agreed seeing it as a double edged sword. Arcee sighed as she assumed this would go poorly the moment he began driving. She was grateful that he interfered and lead knockout away, she owed him for his bravery and stupidity. Lupin seated himself behind the wheel and Luke walked to his speeder with Optimus as they conversed about seeing if Lupin was force sensitive.
"You wish to see if he'd be suitable for training. Is it anything like the old Order?"
Optimus asked as Luke and he stopped at his speeder. Luke shook his head and responded with confidence.
"No I rolled back many of the old outdated rules and I give the students much more personal freedom. We don't take infants anymore, it's a choice by the parents and the child when he or she reaches 15"
Optimus nodded finding it more than acceptable,Luke was a different Jedi than the ones before and it was better that way.
"Do what you must and I would like to have Arcee involved. She has a debt to pay and I believe she also may be sensitive"
Luke looked at prime in surprise, he didn't expect that last bit that's for sure. I should've checked years ago I knew I should have but my lack of skill kept me from it, He thought as he nodded in agreement. He powered up the speeder as Optimus transformed. Luke pulled close to Arcee who had her hologram up. They took the back roads to avoid people.
Han and Chewie exited the falcon by its ramp in a large hanger bay on an airbase they were told to land at. Han and Chewie saw a man in a suit waiting for them as R2 and 3po followed close behind them. Chewie grunted at the man who looked tired.
"What did he say I don't get the Lingo?"
Fowler semi joked to keep everybody at ease and to break some ice. He was surprised by the fact their were human's who lived of earth with technology far more advanced than anything seen on earth.
"He said you look like a man of dignity"
3po translated into English for Fowler. Fowler Resisted to laugh at the droids prissy voice. Han shook Fowler's hand.
"I'm Han Solo Captain of millennium falcon, this is my first me and best friend chewie and The short droid is R2 and golden rod over their is 3po"
Fowler chuckled and smiled.
"How do you special agent William Fowler and welcome to earth. Not much but it works"
Han broke the Hand shake and looked out. This be a good place for me and Leia to spend a few day's. just drop the work and relax, He mused as a smile formed.
"Soon my wife will arrive and we can begin the preparations for folding you into The new republic. Who knew in our life time we'd expand into a new galaxy"
Lupin raised an eyebrow at Luke's request to test him to see if he was force sensitive, he asked Arcee the same which made her mirror Lupin. Both looked alike hinting at a interforce connection which neither knew about. Interforce connection's often lead to relationship's and Luke often encourage the students to follow it and trust in it.
"Why me? Optimus"
Arcee quickly clued in and her voice reflected it with a dry tone. Lupin sighed deeply and crossed his arms.
"How?"
He asked looking at Luke with scepticism. Luke stepped closer and stopped Less than two feet infront of Lupin. He reached behind his head and touch a part and Lupin suddenly pushed him back unintentionally. Lupin looked in shock and said questioningly.
"What was that?"
Luke smiled and responded taking two steps back.
"It's a old Jedi trick to determine who is force sensitive. I touched a part of your mind and it reacted like a reflex to put it simply. Now you Arcee...you know what i'll just use the scanner this time"
Luke said realizing a push from her wasn't the best idea. Arcee chuckled and smirked. Luke pulled out a flat pad with a small scanning device built in. He powered it on and shined it on Arcee it flashed a solid blue making Luke smile.
"You both have it. Excuse me while I make a call"
He turned and walked towards the main hub leaving him and Arcee alone in the hallway. They both looked at each other in surprise and both felt awkward.
"Talk about two birds with one stone. My uncle and ante are going to lose their shit when they hear this if that's ok"
Arcee shook her head in disapproval.
"It's best that they never know for their own good. I wonder who he's calling though"
Lupin shrugged and leaned up against the wall. A questioning feeling built from from within Lupin. Breathing a heavy sigh he asked sheepishly.
"What's the force I'm still in the dark here"
Arcee looked down at him and sat down across from him. Smiling warmly she began to explain.
"Luke told me it's and energy field that binds us, surrounds us and penetrates us. Only ones who are force sensitive can call on it like a super power to put it lightly"
Nodding Lupin bit his tongue and muttered a 'thank you' with a smile. Footsteps sounded on their right and they both looked. A familiar voice Arcee knew sounded.
"Never expected to see you again, long time no see"
Lupin looked at the man with brown hair and a gun strapped to his hip, he wore a black vest and bluish pants.
"Still flying that frying pan Han?"
She jokingly said getting a chuckle out of Lupin. Han rolled his eyes and retorted.
"It made the kessal run in less than 12 parsecs and its like a son to me. Plus I made a lot of Special Modifications to her when I was still a bachelor"
Her eyes widen as she laughed at the thought of Han being married.
"Who's the lucky gal?"
She asked eagerly. Lupin didn't know solo so he didn't have much stake or curiosity in the matter. Han smiled a sly grin.
"Leia and I tied the knot last year. When we first met everyone including myself thought it'd never happen but life's funny that way"
Arcee was stunned and Han knew it would do that. Lupin just shrugged and walked past him having no place in the conversation. watching him walk away Han looked back to Arcee and asked.
"So that's the kid who's important?. I expected someone a bit more rough but whatever"
Arcee agreed whole heartedly.
"My partner isn't that tough but he's sure as hell got balls. So how's leia?"
Lupin entered the main hub to see Luke by the bases computer with Ratchet and R2. Optimus was taking to Fowler as Chewie played chess with Raf and 3po. Miko saw him enter and tapped Jack's arm and pointed. He walked down from the elevated platform and greeted him.
"You crazy son of bitch!"
Lupin comedically pointed to himself making Jack laugh lightly. Lupin smiled weakly as he responded.
"Yes I was a tad crazy but keep it down my head's pounding here"
He rubbed his forehead as he and Jack saw Luke coming their way holding a round looking ball. Training already?, He thought as he bushed Jack to move along. Jack moved away as Luke handed Lupin his saber absolutely confusing him.
"You want me to go against that thing?"
He asked and Luke nodded and responded.
"Yes, I want you to trust your instincts like when you drive, just let go"
Luke tossed the sphere into the air and backed away as it floated around Lupin. Lupin took a minute before activating the lightsaber with a wicked Snap hiss!. The sphere circled him as he tracked it, holding the saber tightly he watched it slow and suddenly a stinging sensation hit his arm. He ignored it as the ball did another circle around him. He let go of his fear for a moment and focused on the now. He closed his eyes and breathed. His arms moved sharply as he felt the saber jolt. He snapped his eyes open to see smoke billowing off the blade. He looked around to see everyone's attention was on him making him feel awkward but yet great at the same time. He looked back at the sphere as it shifted positions. He let go again surrendering himself to his instincts. He saw a faint outline of the sphere as it moved, He followed it in response he felt the shot coming and positioned his arms and saber and quickly shifted it to A new position blocking two shots of three which nailed him in the left hand making it sting like a bitch.
"Damn it!"
He cursed as he tried to ignore it and move on. He breathed a heavy sigh as he slowly moved with the sphere. He paid attention to it and it only ignoring everything else in the room. Luke watched along with everyone else as Han and Arcee watched from the hallway. They watched as Lupin blocked a blast as he shook his left hand. He blocked another and another.
"Not bad at all"
Han said to Arcee who nodded. Given the size difference she'd have to fabricate her own lightsaber to train with but she could still train in other ways thankfully. Luke called back the sphere and Lupin closed down the saber.
"Looks like we got a badass on our hands!"
Miko cheered as Lupin shook his head and bluntly responded.
"I am only a student Miko so get the thought of me slicing down Deceptacon's outta your head. It's bad for you health"
Handing Luke back his saber who gave a proud smile.
"Tomorrow after school we'll do some more training and work on your deflection"
Luke said as he clipped his saber to his belt. Lupin nodded before walking to his car. He gave a wave before hopping in and driving off.
"Get the ale the kids gone!"
Han jokingly said causing every adult to chuckle hard.
End chapter
