A/N: Honestly, I am so sorry that this chapter is so long. A lot of the scenes in this chapter are setting up Luke's living situation and current success with the Jedi Order. It's mostly setting the stage for the rest of the chapters, and unfortunately it means this chapter is quite long. I'll try to make the next one a lot shorter.

Definitions of Home

Part Four

Aggressive Negotiations

10 ABY

Felicity just barely resisted the urge to slam her head against her desk. She was having her seventeenth meeting with Thali Scintel – the Queen of Zygerria – and their constant lack of progress made Felicity feel like they were in their first.

To be fair to Felicity, they had made quite a bit of progress. They had hammered out almost all of the details that needed to be settled in order for Zygerria to join the New Republic. Usually it would take an Emissary another dozen meetings to get where Felicity had. Unfortunately, there was just one small term that had brought Felicity and Thali to an impasse.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Felicity's voice was professional, but her teeth were gritted, "I must reiterate that the prohibition of slavery is a non-negotiable term. The New Republic does not find any merit in the subjugation of others as property."

"I understand your view on the matter, Miss Rayon," Thali refused to look Felicity in the eyes, and kept her head held high, "It is hard for those raised outside of slave culture to understand the benefits. However, Zygerria has a long and honourable history that I must respect. We have the largest market of buyers and sellers in the Galaxy. You understand why I cannot just put an end to it."

"Your Majesty, the Republic would be honored to cover the expenses incurred by dissolving the slave market. This would be a sign to all planets that the Republic and its members believe in a society of freedom and justice."

"Not's not an issue of cost, Miss Rayon. It's a matter of principle."

Felicity sighed, "Please, Your Majesty. Let us put this issue aside for now, and proceed with the next step in this process. Let me come and visit Zygerria. I will see the issues affecting your planet, hear from your citizens their thoughts, desires, and concerns, and I will get to understand the culture of your nation. Perhaps I can come to understand your position on slavery and be more flexible on the matter."

Thali raised a brow, arrogance flooding her features.

"Oh, you will?" Thali smirked. "Does that mean you are willing to make some sort of concession to allow the continuation of slavery on Zygerria?"

Felicity's eyes darkened, "Absolutely not."

Thali smiled, having caught Felicity out.

"Then I'm afraid our negotiations must come to an end," Thali rose out of her chair. "If the New Republic forbids the practice of slavery, then Zygerria cannot join."

"But, Your Majesty-"

"I will not be the Queen who killed the Zygerrian slave market!" Thali snapped as she gracefully crossed the room. Though her voice was sharp, her demeanour was unshaken. She was a Master who revelled in stepping on the backs of others to make herself feel tall.

Felicity had seen her share of planetary heads walk out of her office, refusing to join the New Republic, but she couldn't let it happened this time. Not with Zygerria.

"Please, Your Majesty!" Felicity shot out of her chair. "Give me a chance and let me make the visit."

Thali paused at the door of Felicity's office. Felicity nearly winced at the look on Thali's face. Thali was enjoying making Felicity beg.

"My Dear," Thali purred – the cat side of her taking over, "there are two kinds of people in this world: Masters and Slaves. Masters will always have something to give you in return for a favor. Slaves do nothing but take. You have nothing to offer me, and you never will. So do yourself a favor, and accept what you are: not a Master, but a Slave."

Felicity glared at Thali, "You're wrong. I have something to offer. I many not know what yet, but I'll find something you want."

Thali gave a toothy grin, "When you do find it, give me a call, Miss Rayon."

And with that, Queen Thali walked out the door.

Felicity sighed. What could she possibly find that Queen Thali wanted?

Luke Skywalker glared at the HoloMag article on his tablet as he waited in the reception area of the Senate Emissary Offices.

"Analysts project that with the upcoming BB Units, R Series Droids will become redundant and obsolete in the next ten years," Luke read out. "Have you ever heard of something so ridiculous?"

In the chair beside him, Reine Agim glanced up from her own tablet.

"Luke, how many times do I have to tell you? Stop reading Droid Mags; they only make you mad," Reine reached over and pulled the HoloMag chip out of Luke's tablet. She used the Force to float the chip back to the receptionist's desk. "Now would you do something useful and help me review the meeting notes?"

Reine was Luke's Second-in-Command in the Jedi Order. She had been his first student, approaching him a few months after the Battle of Endor with suspicions of Force Sensitivity. Reine had been very much his guinea pig while Luke not only struggled with figuring out how to teach the ways of the Force, but also in finding he still had much more to learn himself. Thankfully Reine was patient. She had learned how to keep him in line, pick up his slack, and generally stop him when he was getting delusional.

Honestly, Luke couldn't have wished for a better Second-in-Command than Reine.

Luke sighed, "Reine, I've been over the notes so many times, I literally can recite them in my sleep."

Reine shot Luke a questioning glance.

"I… May have gotten a little too relaxed mediating yesterday, and Davarl found me muttering to myself asleep on the floor."

"Our Grandmaster, Ladies and Gentlemen," Reine proclaimed to the empty waiting room.

Not even Aria the Receptionist looked up.

"Keep that up, and I'll deny your request for a padawan again," Luke joked.

"Luke, there's literally six members of the Jedi Order. Seven if you count your nephew. I'm not holding my breath for a padawan." Reine looked down at her notes, "Hey, there's an idea: if you're bored of meeting notes, why don't you brainstorm some ways to find more recruits? Obik's getting tired of me kicking his butt. I need a new challenge, and unfortunately the next best dueller is Grandmaster 'I Dueled Vader into Submission' Skywalker."

Luke shook his head, "Would you and Obik just admit you like each other, and go out already? You know there's no rule against romance in my Jedi Order."

"Oh, I could never tell with the parade of women you've marched past me over the years."

"Why does everyone think I'm some womanizer who has a different girl for every day of the week?"

"Trust me, Luke, no one thinks that. But you're terrible when it comes to women."

"I'm not terrible!" Luke exclaimed.

"You go in too deep, too fast, and end up with a broken heart," Reine said.

Luke narrowed his eyes, "You've been spending time with Han and Lando again, haven't you?"

"They play a pretty mean hand of Sabacc," Reine shrugged. "Oh, that reminds me, Lando says he's found us another few artifacts. I already transferred the funds. I'll send you receipts tonight."

Over the years, Luke had struggled to find Jedi artifacts to help him rebuild the Order. It was so desperate that of the six adult Jedi in the Order, they had only three lightsabers to go around. Oddly enough, Lando had found a contact who could get their hands on Jedi artifacts every now and then. It was rather expensive, but the objects were always very valuable and useful.

Thankfully, Luke had inherited the fortune of Darth Vader – it paid to be the son of the second highest salaried man in the Empire – and had devoted most of the funds to rebuilding the Order. He had tried giving Leia half of the inheritance, but Leia refused to have anything to do with Vader. After a lot of convincing from Luke, Leia agreed to take a fifth of the fortune, and devoted her share to various charities that made up for the misdeeds of Vader.

"Did Lando tell you what he got?" Luke asked.

"Some scrolls, training equipment, and I think a few lightsaber crystals," Reine reported.

"Good. Now if only we had the rest of the materials to make lightsabers. Unfortunately, Obi-Wan only left me enough materials for our three," Luke had taken up the habit of referring to Kenobi's true name to differentiate from Ben Solo. Luke paused as he thought of Obi-Wan's hut on Tatooine and what Luke had managed to scavenge from it, "He left a lot of cloaks, too. I think he had a thing for them."

Reine shook her head, "What I'd like to know is where Calrissian finds this stuff."

Luke chuckled, "I learned a long time ago that when it comes to Lando's contacts, don't ask questions. Just give him the money."

"Your Majesty!" Aria the Receptionist suddenly called.

Reine and Luke looked up to see a Zygerrian gliding into the reception area. She glanced at the pair of Jedi, but quickly looked away. Clearly they weren't worth the time it took to examine them.

"How did it go?" Aria asked. "Can I take your comments for Felicity to look over?"

Reine stifled a laugh as Luke's eyes instantly flicked up at the name Felicity. Han had been very chatty around the Sabacc table about how well Luke and Felicity were getting along during Resistance missions.

"That will not be necessary," Thali coolly replied.

"Oh, then let's just book you in for Felicity's visit," Aria began to type. "Would three weeks from now work?"

Thali scowled, "There will be no visit. I'm afraid that Miss Rayon and I have reached a stalemate. Zygerria will be withdrawing from the process."

Luke frowned at that Thali's words, the error echoing in his mind.

"Wait! Your Majesty!" Felicity suddenly ran into the room.

Luke opened his mouth to greet her but paused when he realized she hadn't even noticed him blinded by some burning passion.

"Miss Rayon, please," Thali rolled her eyes. "It's over."

"It's not over!" Felicity snapped.

"Felicity," Aria whispered. "Remember the rules. If Nils heard that you weren't being professional-"

"I don't care about Nils or professionalism at this point!" Felicity snapped. Her eyes locked on Thali, "You think I'm a Slave? I'll show you I'm a Master. I won't roll over on this! You will book a planetary visit, you will welcome me with open arms, and we will figure this out!"

Reine leaned over to Luke, "Is that your new friend?"

Luke nodded.

"I like her."

Thali looked impressed, "You don't back down from a challenge, do you Miss Rayon?"

"Challenge?" Felicity raised a brow. "Please, I stole the plans to the First Death Star right out from under the noses of Vader and Tarkin. Getting Zygerria to join the Republic is easy."

Thali smirked, "As moving as your passion is you still have nothing to give me."

"Um? Excuse me?" Aria timidly broke in.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Uh… Sorry," Aria squeaked, "but Master Skywalker, Nils is ready to see you now."

Thali's ears flicked at the word Skywalker.

"Thanks, Aria," Luke nodded while he and Reine stood. As they headed towards the office of Nils Arlos – Head of the Senate Emissary Office – Luke grinned at Felicity, "Hey, Felicity."

"Hey, Luke," Felicity's stubborn demeanour broke for a moment, and she lightly touched his arm as he passed her. When the Jedi were gone, Felicity snapped back into battle mode, "Listen, Thali-"

"Luke Skywalker?" Thali said in surprise.

"What?" Felicity blurted out, thrown off her game by the abrupt change of tone.

"Was that Jedi Grandmaster Luke Skywalker?" Thali asked.

"Uh…" Felicity glanced at Aria. "Yes?"

Aria looked just as lost as her.

"Son of Jedi Knight and Clone Wars General Anakin Skywalker?" Thali pressed.

"Yeah. Luke's a friend," Felicity scowled. "Why?"

Thali grinned, "Well, Miss Rayon, I think you just found what you can offer me."

"Luke, I cannot thank you enough for agreeing to come with me to Zygerria," Felicity repeated for the umpteenth time as Luke piloted their ship to Zygerria three weeks later. "I really owe you one."

"Don't think anything of it," Luke replied. "It's my duty as a Jedi to act as keeper of the peace."

"Yeah, well this isn't so much peacekeeping as it is desperately trying to break Zygerrian from a mindset of brutality and subjugation."

Luke looked at Felicity.

"I tend to use ostentatious language while I'm on the clock," Felicity quickly explained. "Sort of picked it up from Leia and her father when I was younger."

"Leia does have an extensive vocabulary when she's being professional… and insulting Han." Luke paused, "I'm sorry, this is probably going to be the strangest segue you've ever heard, but speaking of Han, can I ask you why Queen Thali keeps calling you Miss Rayon?"

Felicity frowned, "That is the strangest segue I've ever heard."

"Well, I thought your name was pronounced Ree-On. Or is it like Han, and everyone pronounces it differently without there be a correct way of saying it?"

Felicity smiled, "No, it's pronounced just the one way: Ree-On."

"Then why don't you correct Thali when she says Rayon?"

"It's a mind game," Felicity explained. "She knows it's pronounced Ree-On, but she's using Master/Slave mentality. Thali chooses to call me Rayon because it sends the message that I'm so beneath her that I'm not important enough for her to remember my name. If I call her out on it and correct her, she wins. We're going to get a lot of that type of thing during this visit, so be aware and don't give in."

"I'll stay on alert." Luke glanced at the navi computer, "One hour until arrival."

"Well, if we haven't killed each other in the last sixteen hours, I don't think we're about to start," Felicity spun in the co pilot seat.

She and Luke were the only people aboard the small Emissary vessel. Technically the Emissary in charge was supposed to fly, but Nils had insisted Luke pilot instead. He had informed Luke that Felicity was so terrible at landings that she had a black mark against her name and was forbidden from flying any government owned craft.

"So," Felicity said. "We got time to kill. You want to tell me what you were doing on Coruscant at the office when Thali visited? Don't you live with your sister on Hosnian Prime?"

"No," Luke quickly answered. "Well… okay, yes I live with my sister… sort of. She's got a place on Coruscant too, being the Senator and all. I sort of move around a lot, so it's never really made sense for me to get my own place."

"Hey, I'm not judging you for living with your sister. I'd love to live with my brother if he wasn't… dead," Felicity became quiet.

Luke watched her, waiting for a signal of what to do next. He could see her walls go up in the same way they had when discussing lightsabers.

Felicity cleared her throat, "Uh, Nils said your case was ongoing, and ergo confidential. I can't ask her for details, but I'm allowed to ask you."

"Oh, I'm just having some issues with the base planet of my Jedi Order," Luke explained pushing forward the change of conversation. At his response he could already see Felicity relaxing. "I've been permitted to build the temple – which should be opening next month – but I've run into some roadblocks when it came to building any residences."

"Why's that?"

"I picked a planet called Rornian that is strong with the Force, but also unclaimed, uninhabited, and undeveloped planet. There's no pre-existing authority of any kind on Rornian, no sentient species, and it's the only planet in its system. However, it is in Republic controlled space, so the Republic is in charge of the matter."

"Ouch! No pre-existing authority whatsoever?" Felicity winced, "That's a lot of paperwork."

"Nils said it would probably be minimum a year before we settled everything," Luke sighed. "You'll probably see me around your office a lot."

"You bet I will. Luke, that's only going to be a year if every person in the office stops what they're doing and devotes twelve hours a day, seven days a week to your case. And no offense, you're a nice guy, but I like my weekends off."

Luke frowned, "How long will it be then?"

Felicity thought hard, "Well, the Republic has to set up a body of Government on Rornian. In order to do that, you have to have residents, some of which can't be a part of your organization – say one person for every thirty you have – and you'll need a place for them to live. You have to buy the property for them to build on, and in order to do that, the land needs to be claimed. With your temple residing there, you have a good case for claiming it yourself, but that will need to be approved. Honestly, I'd say this is easily three to four years of paperwork."

Luke's jaw dropped, "Four years?"

"You might want one of your Jedi to buy a place on Coruscant. Otherwise that'll be a hell of a commute."

Luke couldn't believe it, "You know, maybe I had my information wrong. I'll talk to Nils when we get back. That can't truly be four years of work."

"Whatever you say," Felicity shook her head. "Well, I suppose since we're getting close to Zygerria, now would be a good time to go over the rules again. As I've said before you are here as an agent of the Emissary Office, not as a Jedi or a private citizen. Everything you do directly reflects myself and this office. Don't screw it up, Skywalker."

"I'll try not to," Luke laughed. "You really don't have to go over the rules again. You made them pretty clear when you refused to let me bring Artoo along."

"Personal products such as droids can be used to collect confidential information, hence why they are forbidden. Just be glad I talked Nils into letting you bring your lightsaber, and trust me, I really did not want to."

"Someday I'm going to convince you to tell me why you hate lightsabers so much."

"If thinking that helps you sleep at night," Felicity shrugged. She then became very serious, "Luke, this last part is the most important. While we're in Zygerria, as Senate Emissaries we will be bound by both the laws of Zygerria and the Republic. That means the Republic won't allow us to participate in slavery whatever the capacity, and Zygerria will not allow us to interfere with anyone else attempting to particiapate. I know that this is a lot to ask you, but I don't have a choice-"

"I understand, Felicity," Luke assured her. "But hopefully we can convince Zygerria to end this and save even more people. And perhaps if any runaway slaves might just happen to sneak aboard this ship-"

"We'd return them immediately to Zygerria," Felicity interrupted. She shot Luke a hard look, "Luke, I know this is a horrible situation, but I need you to promise me that you will not help any slave escape this planet."

Luke took a deep breath, "I promise."

It was a promise Luke would be forced to break.

But then… so would Felicity.

"Ah, Miss Rayon!" Queen Thali greeted the duo as they were escorted into the throne room by a half dozen guards. Thali stood on the top of the steps, basked in the sunlight let in through the large open windows. "I see that you've arrived safely. Was your trip comfortable?"

"All except for the part where on our trip between the ship and the palace Master Skywalker was given no less than six offers to purchase me."

"Six?" Thali gave her a thin smile. "I would have thought with your beauty it would have been more in the twelve to fourteen range."

"Well, it's always nice to be complimented and reduced into chattel in the same sentence."

Felicity was dying on the inside. Usually she was able to maintain a sense of professionalism and respect with her cases, no matter how much she despised the planetary leaders. While she may have not been the most efficient, or had the highest success rate in her office, she had a knack for winning over the tricky cases. Nils liked to boast that Felicity probably could have talked Vader into joining the Rebellion if she had had the shot (though given her past dealings with Vader, Felicity highly doubted it.)

Yet there was something about Queen Thali that pushed Felicity's buttons. Perhaps it was the way that how Thali treated her made Felicity remember all the times someone dismissed her as nothing more than a footnote in the history of the Death Star. Perhaps it was how the Master/Slave mentality of Zygerria made Felicity recall growing up under the oppressive shadow of the Empire. Or maybe it was Felicity's desperation to get Zygerria to join, and how she couldn't allow herself to fail this time, because to Felicity, that time was about more than a new seat in the Senate.

Or maybe it was just that Thali was a schutta. That could be it.

"And you must be Master Skywalker," Thali turned her attention to Luke. "I have truly looked forward to meeting you."

Luke frowned as Thali descended the stairs of her throne. There was something strange in the way she spoke to him; something malevolent. Her grin was crooked and her eyes kept darting around the room at the many, many soldiers. Far more soldiers than what would be considered excessive.

The Force rippled around Luke. There was something familiar about the palace. Something had happened there a long time ago. He could hear the hum of lightsabers, and the crackle of electricity. Luke shivered as he was reminded of Palpatine's electricity jolting through his body.

Words of the past echoed through the Force becoming whispers in Luke's ears.

"Slavery is a natural order of things."

"But you Lars, you are proving quiet resourceful."

"You destroyed my auction and frightened my customers."

"I will not serve you."

"If they are to live as slaves, it will be you who keeps them that way."

"Why would you think I care about the slaver scum?"

"Luke?" Felicity's voice brought him back into the present.

"Uh, yes?" Luke tried to pretend he had been listening. All eyes were turned on him, and the soldiers closest to him were whispering to each other. Luke's left hand discretely shifted onto the hilt of his lightsaber. "Did you say something?"

"Yes… I was introducing you to Queen Thali," Felicity frowned. There was a strange tension in Luke's voice. Luke's eyes locked on hers, and she could see a hint of worry. She was about to ask if Luke was feeling alright when he did it.

Using his right hand, Luke scratched his jaw three times.

It was the Resistance's code for danger.

"Forgive my friend, Your Majesty," Felicity kept a smile on her face as she ran over in her mind all the locations of weapons on her body. "Queen Thali, I would like to introduce you to Luke Skywalker, Grandmaster of the New Jedi Order."

"It's a pleasure," Luke bowed.

Thali smiled, "Luke Skywalker, I have looked forward to this. Before we can proceed, I must clarify one small fact. You are indeed the genetic offspring of Jedi Knight and Clone Wars General Anakin Skywalker?"

Luke withheld a reaction, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"And you have accepted the role of his heir, taking on all aspects of inheritance and his legacy?" Thali pressed.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Luke casually glanced at Felicity and rotated his shoulders counter clockwise.

Felicity placed her hands on top of her two blasters and shifted slightly so she and Luke were somewhat back to back.

"Very well," Thali grinned. "Then we shall proceed. TAKE THEM!"

"DOWN!" Luke ordered.

Pulling out her blasters, Felicity dropped to her knees just as Luke ignited his lightsaber and swung. It was a good thing they had learned on Resistance missions how to work as a time, or Luke might have taken off her head.

Felicity fired at the guards, consistently taking out two at a time. Without even blinking, Luke sliced through the lines charging towards him. They worked as a fluid team, Felicity focusing on ranged attacks while Luke dealt with the melee.

It was going rather well… until the power cell on Felicity's blaster died.

"Damn it!" Felicity swore as the blasts stopped.

She made the mistake of pausing to look at her bust weapon. Her other hand stung from the jolt of a blot hitting her blasters. Felicity swore again as she looked at her busted weapons and the soldier advancing on her.

"Oh, screw it!" Felicity threw herself against the soldier.

Surprised from the unexpected attack, the soldier went down, but he grabbed Felicity by the wrist and pulled her with him. She kicked his stomach, trying to escape, but he would not release her hand. Using the free one, Felicity did the only thing she could think of: she grabbed him by the hair and smashed her head against his.

It hurt. A lot. But it did the trick. The solider was dazed enough that he released her hand. Felicity grinned and grabbed the sides of his head. She lifted it and smashed it against the floor knocking him out cold.

Luke – who had watched the exchange while he fought – couldn't help but grin. He would have never thought of using a head butt to distract someone, but as Han and Leia had proved to him time and time again, sometimes the unusual was the best way to save your skin. When they got out of this mess, Luke would have to remember to tell the others about Felicity's little move.

Felicity had no time to celebrate. An arm locked around her shoulders, trying to restrain her. Felicity wrapped her own arms around the enemy limb, and shifting all of her weight into the move, flipped the soldier over and sent him flying. Felicity smirked as he hit the ground, a loud thud signalling he too had been knocked out.

Then it hit her: five tongues of high voltage electricity lashing down her back.

Luke heard Felicity's piercing scream and turned to see her slumping to the floor as a Zygerrian stood behind her with an electric whip.

"NO!" Luke yelled, fighting his way towards her.

It was of no use: they had already subdued Felicity, using no less than five soldiers to hold her down. Felicity tried to struggle out of their grasp, but shrieked as she was whipped again.

Luke felt the anger boiling in his blood. It brought him back to the Second Death Star and watching his friends die in the distance. He raced towards Felicity, but was stopped dead in his tracks when another whip struck him.

He went down hard. Falling to his knees, Luke was paralysed by the painful electricity. Ever since Palpatine's attempt to kill him, Luke had developed a low tolerance for electricity based injuries. Once Luke had been working on some wiring in the Falcon, and Han turned on the hyper drive, mistakenly thinking Luke had finished. The resulting shock had actually put Luke in a coma for three days.

Accident or not, that incident was the angriest Leia had ever been at Han.

Luke felt the guards grabbing him, but he couldn't fight them off, still numb from the shock. One of the soldiers took his lightsaber, and they dragged Luke next to Felicity at the center of the throne room. The pair were on their knees before Queen Thali, utterly beaten and confused.

"Wh- Why?" Luke simply asked.

"Why?" Thali's eyes darkened. "Because you are Anakin Skywalker's heir."

Luke sighed, "Whatever my father did to you as Darth Vader, I assure you-"

"Oh, we have no quarrel with Vader," Thali interrupted. "It's the man who came before that made an enemy of us."

"What could he have possibly done as Skywalker that warrants this?" Felicity demanded. "I can understand Vader, but not Skywalker. What did he do?"

Thali looked directly at Luke, "He killed my mother."

Luke's eyes widened, "Your mother?"

"Queen Miraj. There was an incident during the Clone Wars involving Togrutas being taken as slaves. Your father came to free them with the help of his Padawan and former Mentor, a man I believe you are also familiar with, Obi-Wan Kenobi. They were discovered and enslaved. As revenge, in the process of escaping he killed my mother."

"Your Majesty, I am terribly sorry about what my father did to you. I know what it's like to lose parental figures," Luke tried to calm Thali. "But what benefit is there in punishing me for his misdeeds?"

"Our laws are clear on this matter: he took the life of my mother, so I have the right to take his life," Thali explained. "But since he is dead, the legacy passes to his heir. You openly acknowledged that you took that role. I am legally allowed to punish you in whatever way I see fit, Master Skywalker,"

"Fine," Luke conceded, instantly trying to come up with a plan for escape. "But what about Felicity? What right do you have to punish her?"

"Oh, no right at all," Thali conceded. She grinned at the smouldering Felicity, "So just annoys me, and all slaves should be put in their place."

"I'm not a slave!" Felicity snapped.

"Not yet," Thali chuckled. "Don't worry, Miss Rayon. You wanted to understand slavery? You're about to get some first hand experience. The victory of killing the two of you wouldn't be nearly as sweet as the victory of selling you."

"Selling us?" Luke blurted out. "You can't!"

"I will."

"People will look for us!" Felicity warned. "When my office doesn't hear from me-"

"Yes, I know about your forty-eight hour check in rule," Thali waved her hand carelessly. "If you don't check in with them in forty-eight hours they'll send Republic troops to Zygerria to rescue you. But here's the problem the slave auction starts in three hours. You'll be long gone before your little Republic knows anything is wrong. Guards! Take them to be processed!"

Felicity and Luke struggled as the guards started pulling them towards opposite doors, separating them. Luke tried to use the Force to attack the guards, but he was still too weak from the shock.

"Oh, and Arbis?" Thali said.

The guard holding Luke's lightsaber paused.

Thali locked eyes with Luke, "Sell that lightsaber to the collector. It'll fetch a pretty price.

"No! Stop!" Luke yelled as Arbis ran off with his lightsaber.

"Luke, do something!" Felicity cried out.

"I'm trying! Why don't you try something?"

"You're the Jedi! Do some of that weird mind magic and call your sister or students or someone for help!"

Luke could have kissed her for the suggestion. Of course, he could use the Force to call for help! Why didn't he think of that?

Taking a deep breath, Luke let the Force in. He pushed the absolute limits of his mind picturing his sister and his students, hoping one of them might be able to hear him.

"It's Luke Skywalker. Please, help me. Felicity and I have been captured. We're about to be sold into slavery. Please, help us."

Unfortunately for Luke, Hosnian Prime was too far away and neither Leia or his students heard his plea.

But someone else did.

"I should have known it was a trap the second they specifically asked for Luke Skywalker to come," Felicity muttered as she and Luke sat on a bench in a small hallway under the slave auction arena.

"Hey, don't look at me; this is my father's fault. I can't believe it, six years he's been dead, and he's still causing me problems," Luke shook his head.

"At least for once it's Anakin they're angry at, and not Vader."

"A small comfort."

"Oh, what? Are you uncomfortable with this situation?" Felicity snapped. "What me to fluff your pillow for you?"

"I think you're just made that when the slave inspector looked you over, she said you were damaged goods," Luke said.

"My goods aren't damaged, and you'll stop trying to see if they are," Felicity tried to pull down her skirt.

Luke quickly looked away, "Sorry. Be happy you at least got a shirt."

The pair of them had been stripped, washed, looked over like a pair of cattle to assess their "value," and forced into probably the most embarrassing outfits they'd ever been forced to wear. Luke could already hear Felicity and Leia comparing notes on their slave outfits.

Both Luke and Felicity had shock collars fastened around their neck, and shackles on their wrists. The chain connected to the shackles had been secured to rings in the holding area preventing any escape.

Luke had no shirt or shoes. He was basically naked, save for a very thin piece of brown fabric that was nothing more than glorified much shorter boxers.

Felicity had more coverage, but again lacked shoes. Her clothing was the colour of lavender, and she wore a very short form fitting skirt. Felicity's top at the front was nothing more than a bra, but elaborate straps criss-crossed over her chest securing the back material was completely covered Felicity's shoulders. Looking around at the other slaves in the room, Luke was curious when he realised that no other woman had that kind of shoulder covering.

But Luke had no time to inquire about the issue, for that moment the door slammed open and a guard shouted at them that the auction was starting.

"You better pray for a miracle, Skywalker," Felicity growled. "If anyone lays a hand on me, I'm going to kill them, and then I'm going to kill you."

Luke began to pray for a miracle.

A/N: Alright, I caved. This chapter was getting too long so I'll make it a two parter. I guess that means there's going to be 101 chapters.