Chapter Thirty-Seven:
Leia hugged Luke one final time as they both stood at the base of the stairway that led up into the heart of Maz's cantina. They, along with Mara, Maz and Nella, had agreed upon an overall plan; what everyone would be doing and how to keep in touch with each other in a secure way.
The most pressing thing, of course, was the continued secrecy that Luke was, in fact, alive. The loss of that important detail would unravel everything, and the chances of freeing the galaxy from the tyrannical Vader couple would be nigh impossible, even for their twin children.
Leia would continue to play the double agent, feeding information to the Alliance as often as she was able to, while also going on missions for the Emperor. However, whenever Leia was sent to kill someone, if the person was in fact innocent the princess would do all she could to fake their death. They would instead be relocated until it was safe for the intended victim to reemerge.
Which would be after the Vaders had been dealt with.
Maz had kindly supplied the group with the perfect planet to hide them on, one at the farthest reaches of the known galaxy that almost no one cared about: Senka. It was a simple planet with a native species that believed in helping anyone they could. Because it had no true value in the way of goods being produced for the benefit of the galaxy, it was ignored almost entirely.
Luke held his sister openly, wondering how long it would be before they saw each other again. He would be— hopefully— training to be a Jedi, and if all went well, he'd be learning while being mobile while keeping his true identity hidden from anyone he didn't trust implicitly. And Leia had life to live too; her own mission to perform.
"I love you Leia," Luke murmured.
"I love you too, Brother." Leia pulled away and kissed his cheek. "Be safe."
"You too," Luke said seriously. "Your task will be far more dangerous."
Leia smiled wryly. "I wouldn't know about that." Her gaze travelled to the somewhat impatient redhead standing a respectful distance away. "You'll be working with Mara: that seems equally frightening."
Luke chuckled, sensing the intended joke. Leia had taken the time to get to know Mara a little more in the days she'd stayed on Takodana, and Luke knew his sister respected and even liked the other girl.
"Go on." Luke reprimanded gently.
"Take care of him, Nella," Leia called over her shoulder as she walked away.
Luke stayed where he was for a moment, Nella hovering nearby, and then sighed softly when he felt Leia's presence fade with distance. Eventually he turned, gesturing to the back entrance. "Shall we?"
Mara nodded once and began walking.
"Luke," Maz's voice said from behind him as he made to follow.
Luke paused, turning to the petite woman. "Yes Maz?"
She handed him a small satchel. "Take this. It's a gift that will help you along the way. And if you need a place to lie low, you are always welcome here. You know how to get in."
Luke smiled warmly and took the bag. "I can't thank you enough, Maz. For everything."
She waved away his thanks. "You can do that by fulfilling your destiny. Now go. I already gave you the location of my friend."
Luke gave a small salute and jogged to catch up to Mara, who was already walking down the second flight of steps in Maz's basement. "How far away is Karrde?"
Mara glanced his way. "I don't know; I'll have to contact him when we get in the air."
Luke nodded, falling into step beside her and opening the door for her when they got to it. Mara led the way to her ship once the door was sealed again, and as they boarded she gestured aft. "The guest cabin is the second door on the left side of the corridor. Pick a bunk and meet me in the cockpit."
Without awaiting a response, Mara left him standing there, closing the hatch on her way to pilot the ship.
Luke watched her go, contemplating the immediate future and hoping Mara would be more a part of his long-time future, not just until he left for Jedi-training. He really liked her, and wanted to get to know her much better.
When he felt the ship shudder and lift from the ground, he shook himself from his daze and found the indicated room. He went with the bottom bunk and tossed his gear upon it for now, moving to join Mara as requested.
When he arrived, they were already clearing the atmosphere, and Mara was speaking with a man over the communications array. "Trust me, I think you'll like this guy," Mara was saying as she eyed him upon his entrance. "He's got an intriguing offer for you."
There was a pause, and then the man's voice spoke again. "I am sending you a rendezvous. Meet us there."
"Will do, Jade out." Mara signed off and continued to pilot. "Strap in for the jump to lightspeed," she told him.
Luke did so and shortly afterwards Mara pulled the hyperspace levers.
00000
Luke took in the battered hull of the freighter they were drawing near, and as he did so, he noted a few areas that looked as if they could be hiding weaponry. Drawing his gaze away from the vessel, Luke glanced at the redhead beside him. Mara had told him about the man she was bringing him to meet, and Luke had to admit he was more than a little interested to meet this guy.
"What's the name of his ship?" Luke inquired, openly curious.
"The Wild Karrde," Mara replied. With utter skill, his companion landed the Jade's Fire without so much as a bump. Once she had the cool-off sequence completed, the redhead rose from the pilot's seat. "Let's go."
Luke already had his things, and his cloak was once again in place, hood drawn to conceal his face. He and Nella followed Mara without qualms, keeping pace easily. Luke made a mental layout of the vessel as they traversed its corridors, noting the eyes that stared at his hooded form with various emotions ranging from curious to distrust of the stranger. Nella got some open-mouthed stares, which stoked a small amount of satisfaction from Luke: it was nice to know his craftsmanship was appreciated.
However, Luke noticed that all of the stares Mara received were filled with respect, and he knew she was prominent not just in the organization, but also among the crew.
Mara led the young man and his droid to an office, and once they had entered, Mara approached the figure seated at the desk without hesitation. Upon seeing who was there, the older gentleman rose with what Luke could only describe as a fatherly expression.
"Mara, it's so good to see you're alright." The man had a somewhat soothing voice. Luke stayed by the door while the pair before him reunited first; also awaiting permission to approach. The head of the Smuggler's Alliance had black hair that fell to his shoulders, while among the dark strands were a few small streaks of grey that made him look distinguished. His goatee and mustache were well-groomed, with his clothes looking durable and neat.
"I'm sorry to have left like that. I... had to answer a distress signal of sorts," Mara replied, glancing at Luke's shrouded form pointedly.
The man's ice-blue gaze followed Mara's, his curiosity wafting over Luke in the Force. "I see. Well then, why don't you introduce the young man you told me of."
Wondering just how much Mara had said in her communiqué upon their departure of Takodana, Luke walked forward when Mara gestured for him to do so.
"I'll let him give you his name," Mara told her boss, unknowingly answering Luke's question.
The man extended a hand. "Talon Karrde; head of the Smuggler's Alliance."
Luke took the hand firmly. "Thank you for seeing me."
"Of course. Mara said it would be worth it," Karrde replied, eying the other, "though it would be nice to know who I am dealing with."
Luke inclined his head. "In time, I promise."
That garnered a lifted brow from Talon, as well as a pointed look at his associate, who indicated patience. Karrde sat again, gesturing for his guest to do likewise. "I will listen to what you have to say because I trust Mara."
Luke's lips lifted even though the other couldn't see the soft smile. Probably a good thing, Luke reflected momentarily.
"I was told by Mara that you are in search of help, and so I have a proposition for you." Luke began.
Karrde splayed his hands. "That is true, I am. What is it you have to offer me?"
"A conditional spot among your crew," Luke answered. "I need a few things, and in return, I would be willing to help with supply runs."
Karrde leaned back in his flow-form chair, chewing on his bottom lip for a moment as he considered. "Go on," he said after a moment.
"I need a ship I can use freely, I must be able to come and go as I need to, I'll require some basic life-supporting supplies... and a promise that you will not betray my identity." Luke was deadly serious at the end, something Karrde didn't miss.
"What do you need these things for?"
Luke glanced at the young woman who was now leaning against the wall. Mara had told Luke that Karrde was trustworthy and loyal, especially to his crew. "I will be undergoing Jedi training."
Talon was unable to hide his look of surprise. "I beg your pardon?"
Luke sat forward. "I already have training in the Force, but not from the Jedi. That will change."
The man across the desk frowned. "Surely you are aware this is a death-sentence for you?" he asked incredulously.
Luke snorted softly. "So I've been told. Do we have an agreement?"
Talon continued to stare, but when Luke did not wilt before him or rescind his statement in any way, he eventually turned back to the conversation. "Not yet. I will not agree to anything if I don't have an identity from the one asking."
Luke nodded. "Only with your promise of secrecy: this cannot be stressed enough."
Karrde thinned his lips, but waved one hand in surrender. "You have my word."
Luke gauged the man's sincerity in the Force, and then carefully removed his hood, gazing upon the man and awaiting his reaction.
He didn't disappoint. Talon's expression went through a myriad of changes before it finally settled on shocked. "How is this possible? You are dead; the entire galaxy saw your funeral."
Luke withheld a small sigh. "I am dead, technically, and it needs to stay that way. My death was faked, however. Mara," Luke gestured to her, "helped my droid Nella get me off Coruscant after my parents had me... tortured."
The pain he still felt over that deep down leaked into his tone, but Luke cleared his throat and continued. "I was healed and now my sister and I have plans to change the governing rule in the galaxy."
Karrde lifted a brow. "Change it how?"
Luke met his gaze. "My parents will never return to good, so they need to be... dethroned. I do hope I can find a non-lethal way, but if it comes to that, I will do what I must."
"By training as a Jedi?" Karrde was still dubious on that.
"I need this instruction if I am to have any chance against my father," Luke said gravely. "He is very strong in the Force, a master of its use and the lightsaber also, since he is older, he is obviously more experienced. I am not ready to take him on in a duel to the death. So yes: by training as a Jedi."
Karrde studied the young man before him intently, his mind clearly at work as he processed everything. Luke was beginning to find it difficult to read the man physically now that the initial surprise was over, and he felt his growing opinion of Talon rise a few notches.
There was silence for a long time, during which Luke didn't fidget or press the man. Finally, after what could have been an eternity, Talon sighed and nodded slowly.
"Alright. I accept all of your terms. You will do runs for me, and I will let you know when I need you to. I will supply you with everything you need and all the information you will have to catch up on." Karrde lifted a finger. "Though I do have one question: who is it that will be teaching you the Jedi ways?"
Luke shook his head. "I don't know his name yet, but I do have a location. And for his safety, I would like to hold that information for now. I'm sure you understand."
"I do." Talon smirked briefly. "Very well, Mara will set you up with everything. You may go find your... teacher, and once that is established, return to the Wild Karrde for your first run."
Luke blew out a silent breath. "Thank you Sir."
(A/N: I am sorry for dropping off the face of the earth. I was expecting my youngest child, and then there were other health concerns, so yeah. Anyway, with school back in session for my kids (yay for me!) I will now have more time to write. For those who came back to read this, thank you so much, and again, I'm really sorry for being so inactive. God bless!)
