Chapter Four - A New World
Author's Notes: Given his meager training with Obi-Wan and Yoda, it's not a stretch to deduce that most of his knowledge and skills are either self-taught or were collected piece by piece throughout his adventures (hence his ability to call his lightsaber to his hand during ESB). Even after the trilogy, his journey to recreate the Jedi Order meant gathering more knowledge of the Force and of the old practices or teachings so it would be practical for Luke to have more than scant knowledge of the old Order. Keep in mind that Luke's Jedi Order did have several Jedi that survived the purges who helped Luke (Clighal, Ikrit, etc). Thus, Luke isn't going to be completely blindsided by the Jedi, not the minutia of their training that is, so he won't have any 'Oh, so that's how they correctly swing a lightsaber' moments. Luke is a Jedi Master and has experienced life in both the Light and Dark Sides of the Force (Dark Empire book series). Luke Skywalker is a badass, not the annoying whiny rookie who still wants to pick up some power converters at Tosche Station. Speaking of old Jedi, isn't Ikrit just absolutely adorable?
leyte: Thanks for the heads up, that chapter has been adjusted to correct that mistake.
"Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life. And so you might say that we are encouraged to love."
- Anakin Skywalker
#
Coruscant, the Jedi Temple
19 BBY
Pain.
Despair.
Luke was aware of both wracking his mind and heart. Some of the pain was physical, but Luke was able to filter much of it out. He still held the wisdom the Yoda had given to him so many years ago, wisdom that had helped guide him through even the most tumultuous of times, wisdom that helped him now.
"Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter."
With the old Jedi adage in mind, Luke was able to block out the pain of the poison that still lingered in his veins. But this was the least of his hurts. Leia. His sister! His twin sister had died on Shimrra's Citadel. Even in his state of unconsciousness, her death had ripped through his awareness like a vibroblade slicing across flesh. Leia! Han! His niece and nephew! All gone now in the pyre that the Citadel had become in its destruction.
Despair.
He knew that something else had happened during his trance; he had sensed the cataclysmic change in the Force and the immediate relief when he found himself enveloped by so much Light. He knew he would wake soon and gave himself this time to grieve for the loss of his sister and the family he had loved so fiercly. He gave himself the time to mourne at the loss of the two people who had accompanied him into adulthood ever since they had all met on the first Death Star. Han and Leia.
His sister.
His best friend.
He would grieve now, and he would face the world when he was ready. Mara was still here and still with him and that would be enough for now. Strangly, he could sense a multitude of presences in the Force, strong and trained that were completely unknown to him. After further consideration, Luke was disturbed when he realized several of those presences weren't unknown, presences that shone brilliantly in the Force, presences that were unmistakably familiar and also unmistakably dead.
What happened? Luke wondered, but decided that he would leave the question unanswered for now. He had to recover from his hurts, emotional and physical, before he could rejoin Mara in the waking world and face whatever new threat that they might encounter.
Mara was ready to come out of her Force trance; her injuries were healed and she was more than rested, but she took her time, wanting to be as familiar as possible with her surroundings and to stave off the myriad questions that were sure to barrage her. She felt the emotions of those around her: compassion, suspicion, burning curiosity, sparks of surprise, and even brief moments of hostility. Her very appearance, exhausted, looking like she'd crawled out of a meat grinder, and emotions that could be defined as anything but 'serene', probably explained the sharp mix of feelings. Mara was also aware that her service to Emperor Palpatine had touched her, even if she had eschewed his service decades ago.
Relatively speaking, that is, mused Mara. He is the most dangerous person right now, making sure my emotions and shields are in check is a definite must. He is still Chancellor; I could very well end up in his presence before I'm ready. Luke will need to be warned too; Farmboy could still be oblivious about how much of an open book he was.
Luke.
Luke seemed to be in a much better condition, even since the last time she had probed his injuries upon their arrival. He wasn't healed yet, not completely, but the Jedi healers were no slouches, even if they didn't possess Vergere's healing tears. But Mara knew that even when he was healed, he wouldn't wake up immediately. Based on his reaction when Mara had felt Leia perish, she could guess that he was trying to come to grasp with the loss of his twin and her family as much as he was recovering from his physical wounds. But he would recover, even if his heart would always bleed for the loss of so many people dear to him.
She felt three distinct and powerful Force signatures enter her room which she assumed, based on the incredible number of trained Force Sensitives in their immediate vicinity, was the healer's area within their temple. One of them felt ancient and wise and entrenched in the Light Side of the Force. Master Yoda, she thought, more than a little intimidated by the presence of Luke's former Master. But she was surprised to learn that his presence was eclipsed by another. This presence was one she had felt many times in her life in her service to Palpatine as his Hand. It was very different now than it had been. Yes, there were tinges of darkness in his presence, touches of anger and emotion barely restrained. It was obvious to Mara why Palpatine had found Anakin Skywalker such an irresistible target. But what was so different was the Light that burned in him. It was a veritable beacon. Not for the first time, Mara pitied the man who would find his Light corrupted by the Dark Side and drowned in a miasma of evil.
This too, Mara swore, I will prevent.
The third presence was unfamiliar, steeped in the Light, but one whose presence she had ever felt. It didn't feel like Master Windu whose presence she had brushed against so briefly on the Falcon. A Jedi Master, certainly. Perhaps Kenobi, she felt a sudden urge to smile, won't Luke get all adorably flustered over him. Mara inwardly sighed, well, I guess it's time to face the music.
[You better wake up soon, Farmboy, I am not going to face the Jedi Council without you to keep me from saying or doing something regrettable. Wake up soon, husband-mine. Grieve for Leia, but remember you are still needed by so many for so much. Wake up to a new world Luke, I promise you it will be worth it.]
Mara sent the message and a gentle caress to her husband through their bond and felt the momentary brush of warmth that was his acknowledgment and assent. No more delays, Mara, time open yours eyes and see what this world brings you, she thought.
#
When Mara's eyes opened, there was a gnome-like creature staring right into her face from mere centimeters away. He was very green and he wore a ferocious frown that didn't seem to be directed at anything in particular. Despite her intention to be focused on her surroundings, her last contact with Luke had used some of the focus and concentration she should have maintained.
Apparently, she needed Luke to prevent her from doing something regrettable much sooner than she had anticipated because, confronted with that particular face upon waking, she yelped and instinctively reached for the Force and pushed the creature to the other side of the room.
"What the kriff?! Mara shouted, scrambling up before unceremoniously falling off the small bed she had been laying on and landing straight on her ass. Tact and grace thy name is most certainly not Mara, she thought ruefully even as she scrambled to her feet.
There was a moment of profound and disquieting silence, a moment that Mara used to regain her footing and the sense of 'Jediness' that she teasingly called Luke's usual calm and patient demeanor. Upon doing so and understanding the situation, she felt a great urge to put herself back into the trance and to never wake again. The silence was finally ended by an outburst of deep laughter that went on for far too long. Mara felt the urge to throw Anakin Skywalker into a wall as well; Anakin or Vader, obviously he had an evil streak as both.
Sithspawn!
Mara finally gathered the shreds of dignity she still had before standing up to face the Grand Master of the Jedi Order who was staring at her with an expression that could be defined as anything but 'good.' Anakin was still laughing and didn't appear to be stopping anytime soon. Calm, Mara focused, must stay calm. A man with auburn hair and a beard stood next to Skywalker-Anakin, not Skywalker. Kriff, this is going to get confusing with two Skywalkers now. The auburn-haired man had his eyes tightly closed and was pinching the bridge of his nose. He had an unfortunate tick at one of the corners of his mouth that Mara decided she also had a great amount of distaste for, as it kept appearing to try and grow into a smirk.
"Apologies Master Yoda...I was...startled," Mara finally managed to muster.
Anakin, who had finally started to settle down, likely due to the prompting of the man that must be Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, began laughing once again.
#
Anakin wasn't quite sure what to think when he had first entered the medbay. Okay, well, annoyance was certainly prominent; Obi-Wan's call had interrupted his brief reunion with Padmè, but seeing the two strangers had piqued his interest enough that his annoyance had been forgotten. That was no small feat in light of the news Padmè had given him earlier immediately upon his arrival with the rescued Chancellor.
###
He enjoyed speaking with Senator Organa of Alderaan. As politicians go, he didn't seem like the normal sycophant that seemed to breed in the Senate. Not a bad sort at all. He knew Padmè admired and respected him a great deal and when it came to politics and their players, he was willing to trust her judgment. Nevertheless, when he spied his wife waiting for him, he was happy to cut short their conversation so that he could embrace the most important person in his life.
Her worry for him, her fears for him had pained him. Even after their three years of being married, Anakin still felt blessed and more than a little awed that a woman like Padmè could love and worry for him so much. However, her trembling was out of character and a surge of dread flowed through him when he felt her deepening anxiety.
"Are you alright? You're trembling. What's going on?" he had asked.
A tremulous smile had appeared on Padmè's face. "Something wonderful has happened. Ani, I'm pregnant."
Shock and confusion had stolen his voice for a second. He saw her face, knew she worried about his reaction and what it could mean for their relationship and their future. He processed it as quickly as he could. Padmè was pregnant.
Pregnant with their child.
He was going to be a father.
"That's wonde-that's wonderful!" He couldn't stop the somewhat goofy smile that spread across his face then. A father. And Padmè would be a mother. He was going to be a father!
Padmè, ever the realist, had asked what he probably should have been asking himself at that moment. "What are we going to do?"
He should have been asking that, but he couldn't, not then. "We're not going to worry about anything right now, alright? This is a happy moment. Happiest moment of my life."
They had kissed and embraced then. Home from the sieges in the Outer Rim, home from the rescue of Chancellor Palpatine, home to Padmè and their unborn child. Even in the aftermath of his conflicting feelings of his execution of Count Dooku, at that moment, nothing could have made the moment any more perfect.
###
That his interest had overcome his irritation was most surprising to Anakin. Padmè was pregnant with his child; he should have been angry, even upset at having to leave her in order to return to the Temple after so little time with his wife. But that irritation had faded quickly upon entering that medbay.
Master Yoda and Obi-Wan had accompanied him into the medbay and they spent a moment just looking at the two strangers who had caused such a disturbance within the Force. It was Obi-Wan who broke the silence, arms folded across his chest, expression all at once thoughtful, cautious, concerned, and confused. Anakin imagined that the expression was probably reflected on most of the faces of the Jedi who had been touched by this incident, but any further musing was interrupted with Obi-Wan's words.
"I received a report from Master Keto. She was part of the group that went aboard the vessel these strangers came in." Obi-Wan paused and gave Anakin a wry smile. "Frankly, Anakin, much of this report would probably be better understood by you. Keto described the ship as the most fascinating and impressive pile of junk that she's ever seen. It has the standard superstructure of a YT-1300 Corellian freighter, but she reports that it has been heavily modified. Oddly enough, those modifications seem geared towards smuggling, but it appears to have one of the fastest hyperdrive systems that Keto has ever seen."
Obi-Wan almost laughed when he saw Anakin glance towards the door; his former Padawan looked like he was willing to jump out the nearest window just to take a look at the ship, but he contained his amusement and continued to deliver Master Keto's report. "The interior of the ship wasn't particularly remarkable except for the compartments suitable for smuggling. Dinged up, but relatively clean. There are indications on the hull that the ship has recently seen combat," Obi-Wan paused, making sure he had both Master Yoda and Anakin's attention, "the damage isn't consistent with any weapon system we are familiar with, certainly not any kind of laser or turbolaser. The damage doesn't appear to have been dealt during the battle above Coruscant and Serra doesn't believe that the hard reentry exacerbated the damage."
Master Yoda made humming noises for a while before speaking. "Think upon this, we will. Examine the ship further, Skywalker will, but of great import I feel the strangers will be, not their vessel." Yoda nodded to himself and then indicated the aforementioned strangers. Anakin took a long long at the man on the bed.
Master Yoda, Obi-Wan, and himself had inspected the man first. He was middle aged, not old, perhaps not even out of his prime yet. But it was his presence that affected Anakin most. He was so...familiar. Anakin didn't know how, but he knew this man. He was middle aged, older than Obi-Wan but not old. His hair had strands of gray, but he looked to be fit and robust.
The lightsaber that was on a table surface next to him was very reminiscent of Obi-Wan's design and the green blade that materialized upon its activation was stable. The weapon itself was well designed for both comfort and combat, and the scuff marks and scratches indicated that it had been used for that purpose many times. Aside from the familiarity of his presence, what was most surprising was the strength of his presence. It was shielded or shrouded somehow, he wasn't sure how though. It seemed that the other occupant might somehow be responsible for it, hiding themselves in the Force somehow. But why? Anakin wondered, surely they aren't stupid enough to think they could hide themselves from us here. Indeed, the man's presence was a blaze in the Light Side that flared with power when he felt it.
Who is this man? Few Jedi can emit such power…
He looked to be perhaps a little older than Obi-Wan and wore the Jedi blacks that Anakin himself favored. The state of the clothing that had been removed from his body along with the body itself spoke of some hellish battle that had left its mark on him. Finally, Master Yoda lowered his bed so that he could examine more closely without having to leap onto the bed. It would be unbecoming for a Jedi Master, after all, Anakin silently thought with amusement.
"Poisoned, he was. Of the source, we know little," the diminutive Jedi said. "Many wounds and hurts, he had. Only from the poison was his life threatened. Able to cure him, our healers were, but much effort it cost."
Master Yoda tapped his gimer stick and glanced to the entryway. "Tell us more about the poison, Master Che will. Unique in source and cure to us, it was."
Master Vokara Che, Chief Healer of the Jedi Temple entered the medical wing with the typical air of command that any doctor or healer had, Jedi or no. Satisfied that the interlopers who were visiting her patients hadn't thoroughly wrecked things, she bowed before the three assembled Jedi.
"Masters."
Master Che took a breath, her lekku twitching violently. "I'll leave it to you to examine the physical evidence of the man's injuries, but the poison we found in him was...interesting." Master Che grimaced and seemed to slump slightly.
"Master Che, are you okay?" Anakin, though he loathed the sight of any medical unit, appreciated the talents the Chief Healer wielded and was concerned at such an obvious display of weariness.
"My apologies, Masters" she responded, giving Anakin a nod, "my efforts to cure the man were taxing. The poison was...unique. It registered and responded to the Force in ways that I have never seen. Curing it required an extensive bacta treatment and the focused efforts in healing the man from several of my most promising adepts as well as myself. We had to work in tandem several times, each session lasting until we were too tired to continue. Antivirals and bacterials were added after, though that was more of an afterthought than a necessity "
Vokara Che sighed, "I have too much pride in my skills, perhaps, but I was unable to come up with a cure that required anything short of brute force application of bacta and the Force. Perhaps other healers may have been able to accomplish the same thing with more finesse, but I did not dare dally with experiments in his treatment. After examining the wound and traces of the poison that remain, I'm sure you'll understand the interest."
Master Che turned to move towards the exit but stopped and gave Anakin a rare smile, "It's also worth noting that this man has a prosthetic right hand. The mechanics of the prosthetic itself aren't particularly special. Advanced, yes, but not remarkably so. But the prosthetic also had a layer of synthskin that allowed for both a natural look as well as genuine sensitivity. We were able to get an approximation of the type of materials that the man's prosthetic used, and we, or the Republic rather, could have similar models made fairly soon. I thought you might be interested to hear that, Skywalker."
The Twi'lek's more natural scowl returned as fast as it had vanished as she began making her way to the exit. "Masters, I leave the room to you. Do not disturb them unnecessarily."
Master Obi-Wan smiled warmly, "Of course, Master, as you command, Master."
Master Che smiled in turn, "Watch it Kenobi, or the next time you're in my medbay, I'll be sure to use the long needles." With a final twitch of a lek, she left the room.
Upon her departure, the three remaining Jedi examined the man's body for themselves. Though Anakin was still considering the very real-looking hand that the man apparently had, it was he who broke the silence following the Chief Healer's departure. "It's rare for her to admit to any kind of failure or ineptitude. This poison or toxin must have stymied her more greatly than she let on."
Master Yoda hummed an acknowledgment as Obi-Wan nodded and looked closely at the wound. "The poison came from this wound?" Obi-Wan asked nobody in particular, pointing to a deep wound on the man's side. Yoda's grunt of acknowledgment prompted Obi-Wan further. "The wound is odd, but the traces of the poison and the...shape of the wound...are-they remind me of something from long ago…"
Anakin approached, looking at the wound Obi-Wan had indicated. "Is that a bite...or a stab wound? You're right, Master, that is an odd wound. The traces, and the poison...it does feel familiar, Master. Where do I remem-Master!"
Obi-Wan glanced sharply at Anakin's exclamation, and nodded for the exclamation Anakin seemed ready to burst out with.
"Not long after I became your Padawan, we went to that planet in the Unknown Regions. Remember? Zonama Sekot? They had been attacked by a group of people called the Far Outsiders. The people that were Force-blind and that Master Vergere apparently had left with? This wound...it makes me think of Zonama Sekot...of Jabitha...of the Far Outsiders. And of Knight Vergere's disappearance? The poison and what I've heard of her abilities...Far too many coincidences, Master."
Obi-Wan frowned, remembering that mission, the first time Anakin had ever had to directly kill someone. To say that the mission had been complicated was a vast understatement. But, Obi-Wan considered, I think he's right.
"Yes, good thinking, Anakin. In my infirm age, I'm afraid my memory isn't quite the durasteel trap it used to be," he chuckled.
"Hmph. Old you are Master Kenobi? What then, am I, hmm?" Yoda inquired with raised brows.
Anakin coughed but was behaving well enough that he said nothing. Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Well, his presence reminds me of yours, Anakin. Familiar, but...I'm not sure. I can almost see a little of you in his features as well."
Anakin nodded, "I see it also, Master. And the woman?"
Raising the man's bed once more, Yoda made his way over to the flame-haired woman that was close by. He lowered her bed much like he had with the man and began his own examination. He hadn't gotten very far when the woman's eyes had snapped open.
"What the kriff!" she squawked.
Seeing this stranger manage to surprise Master Yoda enough that she was able to Force push him into a wall before she fell the short distance onto her rump was all it took for Anakin to push any doubts about his decision to come to the Temple. He knew he shouldn't. He knew it wasn't proper. He knew that it should definitely not be done in light of the aggressive move this interloper had performed against the Grand Master of the Jedi Order. He knew this, but it didn't stop him.
He laughed.
Author's Note: The reference to Jabitha and Zonoma Sekot was from the book Rogue Planet, written by Greg Bear. The Far Outsiders were a group of aliens that had attacked the planet whom Vergere had journeyed with upon their departure. The Far Outsiders later proved to be a small scouting force for the Yuuzhan Vong. The mission coming to the forefront of their minds was based on their own knowledge of their unique connection, or lackthereof, to the Force, as well as a nudge from the Force itself.
Author's Note #2: I like the idea of adding a little silliness to the whole thing. I especially like the idea of Anakin and Mara being most prone to being mischievous and jokers. Luke is at the point in his life where he has maintained the 'Jediness' for decades. I don't know if that attitude will remain or weaken in light of the deaths of Leia and the rest of the Solos.
Author's Note #3: I'm hoping to acknowledge some of the dark things Anakin has done, but I don't want to make his turn to the Dark Side seem imminent or inevitable. There were signs, especially in the various novels, that his dark streak was much more prominent than it was in the movies, but I'd rather the possibility of him turning be more like the movie portrayal, where the inner struggle was obvious and the attack against Mace Windu seemed as surprising to him as it was to Windu himself.
Padmé was a strong woman; I doubt she would've tolerated a sullen, angry and an increasingly darker Anakin for very long without at least subtle hints towards Obi-Wan (despite their secrets, she did acknowledge him as a friend). I think she was represented poorly in the movies, I loved Natalie Portman, but god both her's and Anakin's lines were so cheesy and she seemed far too helpless at times given her personality and accomplishments. Even the massacre of the Tusken village was something he showed remorse for, and it was in a situation that he reacted in a very human way, not a Dark-Lord-of-the-Sith-I'm-going-to-rule-the-galaxy way.
Sorry for the amount of notes I added, I thought a lot of small things or name drops needed clarifying.
