Blades of violet and blue crackled and hissed as they tore the air of the room, repeatedly clashing against one another. Harry had lost track of time a long time ago, but he knew they had been at it for several hours. His tunic, soaked with sweat, could easily attest to that fact. During their time training on Tatooine, Harry could tell that Obi-Wan had held back on him, acting more as teacher than opponent, but now he seemed to hold nothing back. It was made even more a challenge for Harry, as he had been forbidden from using his magic.
The room that they had been allowed to use by the Senator had been a hand-to-hand combat arena used for training by his security force. The dark blue floors were cushioned, and the circular room had a long curved window that overlooked the landscape. They had just barely escaped shattering the window on a ferocious lunge by Obi-Wan, but that luck did not apply when it came to everything else. Scorch marks littered both the floor and wall, and Harry had managed to completely slice through a support beam in the center of the room. The state of the room was comparable to the way Harry felt, as exhaustion was beginning to take its toll on him, not taking the scrapes, bruises, and burns into account as well. Harry took some solace in the fact that Obi-Wan at least looked winded.
"You've gotten better," Obi-Wan complimented as they circled each other once again. "You've become more confident in your movements, but don't allow that confidence to become arrogance. You bested the Sith, but you may have been at an advantage because he underestimated you. Don't assume that will happen again." Obi-Wan stepped and slashed down, a move which Harry countered with a high block, locking there weapons in a flare of violet and blue. The Jedi Master pushed down with all of his strength, forcing Harry's saber to dip to the left. Harry watched as Obi-Wan allowed his saber to roll down Harry's own, and in the blink of an eye, the older man had spun himself completely around and rested his weapon just several, unimpeded inches from Harry's neck.
"Damn," Harry muttered, realizing that he was beaten.
"You were just watching again, and not anticipating," Obi-Wan chastised. "Predict my movements. I forced you to one side, so you know you are vulnerable to an attack on the other. If you can't move your weapon to counter in time, push me, or yourself away with the Force. Use it as a shield." Obi-Wan stepped back then and deactivated his lightsaber. "Still, you're very much improved. And, we have a visitor."
Harry turned toward the door and saw Nola leaning against the frame with her arms crossed. She offered him a smile and a wave when she noticed his attention.
"How long has she been there?" Harry questioned.
"Awhile. Another lesson for you, be mindful of your surroundings," Obi-Wan cautioned. "Reach out with the Force and let it be your eyes for the places you cannot see. Surprise is always your enemy. Now, why don't you actually introduce me to your friend."
Harry attached his lightsaber to his belt and led Obi-Wan over to where Nola was still standing. She had exchanged the dress for the previous night for more practical tan pants and white shirt with darker brown jacket thrown over.
"I hope you don't mind me watching," she said as they reached her.
"Not at all," Harry answered. "Truthfully, I didn't even notice you in the door until just a second ago."
"Wow, just what every girl wants to hear, that she hasn't been noticed. I think I should be offended."
"I wouldn't be too offended," Harry responded, realizing how his words had come off. "If you knew my history talking to women, you'd understand."
"A real smooth talker, huh?"
"Anyway," Harry started, quickly trying to divert the topic, though Obi-Wan looked amused. "Since you haven't been properly introduced, this is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan held out his hand, which Nola quickly took. "A pleasure to meet you, Nola. And Obi-Wan will be fine."
"Nice to meet you," Nola reciprocated. "Although, I feel we owe you an apology. You wouldn't have been forced to leave Tatooine if it had not been for us."
"You've nothing to apologize for," Obi-Wan consoled her. "Truthfully, I was probably making excuses for myself to stay there in the first place. I'll be able to accomplish much more now that I'm here."
"Then, you're welcome, I guess," Nola said, unsure.
Obi-Wan simply grinned. "I think I'm going to rest and meditate. I'll see you two later. "
"That was some pretty impressive fighting," Nola complimented after Obi-Wan had disappeared down the corridor. "I think I nearly bit through my lip worrying that one of you was going to cut the other in half."
"If you think watching is worrying, try being the person being swung at," Harry replied, looking down at the scorch marks on his clothing. "Are you ready to go speak with Senator Organa?"
"I'm ready. You certainly are not. You might want to wash and change before you have an audience with a Senator."
"What, you don't like the sweaty, disheveled look?" Harry grinned, holding his arms out and stepping closer to her.
"Harry, I swear you better not take a step closer. I'm serious Harry. Harry don't take one more step! Harry, no!" Unfortunately, her last second attempt to flee was too slow, and Harry managed to wrap his arms around her snugly. "You are a jerk, you know that? Now, get your sweaty body off of me."
Harry laughed, and kissed her cheek before letting her go. "Let's hope no one was passing by just now, because with you yelling at me to get my sweaty body off you, someone might think something inappropriate was going on."
"You could only be so lucky," she grumbled in response, though her cheeks were still tinged. "Ugh, now I need a shower. And I better not here anything about conserving water coming out of your mouth."
"Hey, it obviously came to your mind first, not mine," he laughed.
"Oh, just shut up and go get ready. I'll meet you at the entrance to the suites."
A newly clean Harry led Nola an hour later into the building that housed Senator Organa's office. They passed several people on the way who looked at them in restrained curiosity. Harry merely offered them a smile and continued on as if they were no one to be concerned about. The city itself was small, so it took them little time before they were standing outside of a door where two men clad in full grey uniforms with blasters on their hips stood guard. The two stout men merely nodded at them, allowing them to enter without commotion.
Inside the door they were met with a large open room that seemed to be a reception area, with a multitude of other doors that branched off of it. Beautiful paintings that depicted the vistas of the planet were scattered around the expansive walls, with a giant mountain scene hanging over the receptionist's desk. The women had light, graying hair, and a seemingly stern expression on her face as she looked down at the monitor in front of her, but she softened when she realized that there were visitors.
"Hello dears. Can I help you?" she asked, pleasently.
"Yes. We were wondering if Senator Organa was available. Could you tell him that Harry Potter is here to see him?"
"Hmm, he is on a call with the planetary governor, but I believe he would be relieved if had a reason to cut it short," the receptionist mused, typing something onto her monitor. They waited in silence for several moments until she seemed to get a response. "As I thought, go ahead in, center door."
They thanked the receptionist and then headed to place where she directed. The door opened by itself, and they immediately spotted Bail seated behind his desk with an exhausted expression on his face.
"Harry, Nola, pleasure to see you both again," Bail greeted. "I'm sorry you've not caught me at my best, but I've just spent the better part of an hour speaking with our resident governor, or rather Imperial spy I should say."
"I wasn't aware that there were Imperials on Aldearaan," Harry frowned. "Is it safe for us to be here?"
"It's no reason to be concerned. Technically he's been here since prior to end of the Clone Wars. The governors were originally stationed to aid in the organization of the war, but once the Empire was installed, they were already in perfect position to serve as the Emperor's ears and a warning to discontents."
"You don't fear having Obi-Wan and Harry here?" Nola asked.
"Luckily for us, our governor is not the most vigilant of men," Bail explained. "He sits in his office in the capital surrounded by a small contingent of stormtroopers while some of the old families fawn over him for favor. He's content, which in serves us better. He just likes to make a show of his position of authority every once in a while, which is why I just spent an hour listening to the man prattle on and on about Imperial directives. It's also the reason why my wife and I spend most of our time here now, and not in the capital."
"Sounds understandable," Harry commented.
"Anyway, enough of my political ramblings. What can I do for you?"
"Well as I'm continuing my training with Obi-Wan until we're ready to leave for Coruscant, we'd like to know if Nola could work with your security force on some weapons training, and anything else they may think useful. She's intent on joining Obi-Wan and I on our mission to locate remaining Jedi, so it would make the both of us feel better."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Bail answered, leaning back in his chair. "I'll speak with Captain Antilles about arranging something. He's one of my best men, so you'll be in good hands."
"Thank you, Senator Organa," Nola said.
"Bail is fine, Nola. Anyone who wants to contribute to the restoration of the Republic and the Jedi Order may call me by name, and has no need to thank me for aiding them in their pursuit."
"We'll leave you to your work then, Bail," Harry replied.
"It's really not been a bother. Actually, I was hoping you and Obi-Wan would join me for dinner this evening. There is someone I would like you to meet."
"We'll be there, then," Harry promised.
"You know, I don't even know your last name," Harry asked as he and Nola took time to explore the grassy surface of Alderaan. "Do you even have one?"
"Of course I have one," Nola huffed. "It's Flynn."
"Flynn, Nola Flynn," Harry repeated, unable to stop a chuckle from escaping.
"What's so funny, Harry Potter?" Nola asked, defensively.
"I'm not laughing at your name, not really," Harry was quick to explain, still grinning. "It's just I wasn't aware the Irish had made it as far as Tatooine."
"Irish?"
"They were a group of people from where I come from. There are a lot that share your name," he explained. They approached a wide stream and took a seat in the tall grass next to it.
"Oh," Nola calmed, running a hand through her windswept hair. "What was your home world like? I know you told me about how difficult your life was there, but what was your planet like?"
"Diverse. There were many different groups of people, many different governments. There were places that looked a lot like Alderaan and places that looked like Tatooine. There were great oceans, and places that were nothing but giant expanses of snow and ice. "
"It sounds beautiful."
"It was. Though, I think most people took it for granted. Which is odd, because ours was the only inhabited planet in our solar system. You would think we would appreciate it and try to preserve it, but instead money and greed led us to exploit it for everything we could."
"I would say your people weren't unique in that endeavor."
"No, I suppose they probably aren't."
"What was your family like? And your friends."
"I never really knew my parents, but I know they were good people. The family I grew up with weren't the nicest people, but they took care of me when they didn't have to," Harry explained.
"Your friends?"
"I had great friends, loyal friends," he said, emotion lacing his voice. "I know for a fact that they would put their lives in harms way for me, because they did it on multiple occasions. Some of them paid the ultimate price for it. I do miss them."
"They sound wonderful," Nola offered, placing a hand on his arm. "Was there someone special you left behind?"
Harry hesitated for a second before responding to that question. "That's not an easy question to answer. There was someone I was with before I came here, but I don't think it was anything more than an escape from a hard time in my life. She was a good girl, but I don't honestly think we really knew each other that well. Is there an ulterior motive in that question?"
Nola looked at him honestly. "I don't think I'm allowed to have an ulterior motive am I? The Jedi don't allow it."
"That was the way of the old Jedi order, true. However, times of adversity make us think about the way we do things and the choices we make. Unfortunately, the Jedi have to take some responsibility for the state they find themselves in today. The Jedi have to adapt if they want to survive. That includes their policy against attachment."
"So you're attachable?" Nola laughed.
"I'm not sure if I would put it that way, but I guess so."
"Good." He barely had time to react before she had reached her hand up behind his neck and lowered his face to hers. Her lips were on his and he responded instantly. It was intense, but brief, and he was left breathless when she pulled away.
"Very good," Harry exhaled.
"You look pleased," Obi-Wan noted as they walked to meet Senator Organa for dinner. "Any particular reason?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about Obi-Wan."
"Of course. Although, you should know that just because I'm a Jedi, does not also mean I'm not a man. There are certain looks that are universally known."
"What ever you say Obi-Wan."
"You'll get no judgment from me unless it becomes a distraction."
"There are things other than meditation that can serve as good distractions."
"I thought I was the teacher in this partnership?"
"I'll defer to you on matters involving the Force and lightsaber combat. Excuse me if I don't take relationship advice from someone who has spent their entire life avoiding them."
"So you are in a relationship?"
"Damn," Harry muttered under his breath. "I think I was just Jedi mind tricked." Luckily there conversation was cut short as they reached room where they would be dining. Inside, Bail was seated at a food-laden table with another middle- aged man wearing similar Alderannian garb.
"Gentleman, please have a seat," the Senator urged as they walked into the room. Gesturing to the man seated to his right, Bail continued. "I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Carlist Rieekan. Carlist here has long record of service on behalf of the Republic and served as general in the Clone Wars. He crossed paths with and worked with the Jedi many times in his career."
"A pleasure to meet you both," Rieekan added.
"Carlist has agreed to take on a leadership position with the Alliance to Restore the Republic. He'll be overseeing operations on Dantooine where we are setting up are main base of operations."
"Dantooine?" Obi-Wan questioned. "There was Jedi enclave on Dantooine long ago. It's little more than ruins now, but it may be a place where a wayward Jedi would go. I'd ask that you keep us informed if there are any hints of abnormal activity there."
"Of course, Master Kenobi. For the most part, the planet is sparsely populated with just some localized settlements. There are some caves that we've made use of and other buildings we've hidden the valleys. Our operations are very much in the early stages. That was the reason Bail here insisted I meet with you. Any advice from the Jedi would be welcomed."
"Well, I agree that sticking to the Outer Rim worlds for now is a good idea. Any operations within the core worlds should be for the purposes of recruitment and intelligence, intelligence being the key now. I wouldn't risk making any significant moves against the Empire until we have a stronger presence. There will be failures, and we must have to means to move past them."
"What about finances?" Harry inquired. "I'm certain maintaining a rebellion can't be cheap."
"Alderaan is financing what it can," Bail explained. "However, we do have to be careful not to let it be traced back to us. Any hint of that, and we'll be facing a full-scale occupation. There are other Alliance members who are contributing, but we still need more resources and greater numbers."
"From what I know," Harry began, "we'll never be able to amass the numbers necessary to engage the Empire in open warfare with their clone soldiers. So while I agree recruiting is important, I would say that making sure the men you do have are outfitted well and trained well is of even more importance."
"Agreed. While not the most reliable of people, I might suggest looking into those individuals who operate outside of the law," Obi-Wan stated. "Smugglers are good at moving undetected and they could be a good asset. You just need to make sure that they profit off of the deal as well. I'm sure there are just as likely to no about the Empire's resources too."
"Trust me, Obi-Wan, we plan to leave no stone unturned," Bail promised.
"A lot will depend on what Harry and I are able to discover about the surviving Jedi. If we are able assemble a significant number, then we can operate separately from the Alliance. If the Empire is focused on us, it will be easier for you to operate without scrutiny."
General Rieekan lifted his cup. "Then let us hope the returns on your mission are bountiful."
