Chapter 3

Shelley and Luke waited for information from the Order. They had started making plans to go after the sith, both Luke and Shelley had, had visions of fighting from Jedi to sith and sith and Vong. Fighting in space, also. They were walking into The Calrissian's home they heard Ben and Tendra laughing and little Chance watching a holovid of some cartoon.

Beep. Beep.

"Motor says you have an incoming from Leia Solo for the Skywalker's, Master Harris and Calrissian's."

"Motor Authorization Naboo-Harris-Motorman."

"Luke, Shelley, Ben, Lando, Tendra were on our way up to the ships. We have a problem. Valin and Jysella Horn."

"Motor Connect to Head of State Fel. Authorization Mara-Ithor-Hand."

"Hello, everyone looks like a family reunion."

"Jag I know your people have been working on transport tech, is it working?" Shelley asked

"Yes, where do I need to look for them?" Good old Jag always one step ahead.

"G.A.S. 81 they should be on the top floor."

"Okay hang on."Looked off screen. "Ankara Energize as soon as you've got them."

"Energizing."

"We have them. We'll take them to the other ship so the doctors can work together to deal with this. I'll be sending my best doctors to help, I've already sent the order I spoke with the Queen Mother, and she agreed."

"Thanks everyone, we will see the Council soon I need another 50 or so Jedi master and Knights we have a huge sith problem again and its bad both Shelley and I have blood trails on a sith girl."

"Very well, after the council heads out will have the other master set up a couple of strike teams."

"We will see you soon. May the Force be with you."

Beep and the picture dissolved.

"Well that was interesting. So Dad want to see what we made I bet you couldn't make this if it just needed to be warmed up. While you Aunt Shelley could probably cook it with her eye closed."

"Why thanks Ben, I'll remember that the next time you're hungry and don't want to cook."

"Are you kidding your exile is over, we will be with our family again."

"Yes thousands of Brothers and Sisters. How do you do it Luke, Shelley? Having that many people to look after and look after you?"

"I find it helpful at times, but there are times when it's a huge burden." Shelley answered.

"Shelley how many Jedi have you trained yourself?" Tendra asked

"Something like 25 to knight hood."

"Is that a lot Luke?"Lando asked

"I've only trained roughly 20, Shelley and I trained each other in our short comings, but we built this Order together."

Right as both Luke, Shelley and Lando put food in their mouths.

"So when are you two just going to start dating?"Ben asked

All three of them started coughing and chocking.

"What." Luke and Shelley asked in a gasp between coughs.

Lando and Tendra were exchange amused looks as Shelley and Luke we're sharing panicked ones.

"Oh come on you two have love that's bonded in the Force she is the only Jedi that felt us touch that Codex. In some ways, I would say you two will have a stronger relationship then even you and Mom did Dad. And I'm not saying that because I didn't love her and wouldn't prefer her here, but the Force works in mysterious ways. I have no doubt in my mind that if Mom had told Aunt Shelley, she was going hunting, Aunt Shelley would have taken her place, Mom would be alive and Aunt Shelley might even be alive, Mom was an excellent duelist but she couldn't best you Dad and Aunt Shelley can. It's likely that Jacen would have died then and Jaina wouldn't have had to kill her brother. But as I said the Force works in mysteries ways."

"Ben is right." Suddenly out of nowhere Mara Jade Skywalker was standing there.

"Mom/Mara." Came the cry from everyone at the table.

"Hello, Lando, Tendra oh so this is little Chance? Hi there." He got down to his level.

"You know Luke, I know I'm getting old and perhaps a bit senile but that is Mara standing there, right?"

Luke and Ben were just gaping like fish. So Shelley had to answer.

"Yes, that's her."

"I wanted to let you know we are able to come back and forth more now, that The Lost Tribe has been found out, Balance is once again returning to the Force. We will also be able to fight to an extent. But I also wanted to give my blessing on a relationship that will be profound and though Ben is very strong in the Force, and his future wife Vestara or as you know her sith girl, will be very strong also, Shelley will give birth to twins, your twins Luke, that will be the balancing point of the Force. The twins will be the catalyst and other children will follow but those two will be the strongest Jedi every born and when they unite they will be virtually unstoppable."

"So not just the hots for her then Dad?"

Lando laugh out loud as Luke turned bright red. Shelley had managed to stay calm until a beeping chirping noise filled the air.

"Motor say he knew you two would end up together, normal women don't resign from a Jedi High Council to run off into the Maw in a star fighter for the fun of it. Well unless you're Jaina Solo."

Then it was Shelley's turn to turn bright red. And get laugh at.

"You know motor I still have option of spacing you."

"He says not likely, it would be more likely that Daala would turn into a jawa before you got rid of him."

"When the Council convenes the others will come. I must go May the Force be with you. And I love you." She disappeared.

"Well, that was enlightening." Luke said clearing his throat.

"Yes quite." Shelley said also clearing her throat.

"Oh, please will you two stop being so uncomfortable with each other because we all know you love each other."

"I think you need to give us a bit of time to get use to the idea. I think we can both honestly say we will be talking about this, but first we need to process it."

They eat the rest of their meal in relative silence, except the occasional question by someone. Then Lando's Protocol droid came in.

"Masters and Mistresses there is something on the holonews you may want to see."

"This is Javis Tyrr Reporting live from outside the Jedi Temple, there was a mass launch just an hour ago of the stealth X-wing of The Jedi Order. Then reports of The Gilad Pallaeon and the Queen of the Empire, breaking orbit and leaving Courasant. When the Mandos tried to enter the Temple they could not pass some sort of force field that has every expert stumped. We saw what looked like the entire High Council standing outside the Temple and a blue shimmer ran up the walls and then they got in the Jedi Jumper and headed into space. Were also hearing reports that both of the Horn children have mysteriously disappeared with the rest of the Order. Chief Daala has dispatched the fifth fleet to Ossus to see about the Academy on the Jedi Run planet but everyone believes the Jedi have withdrawn for a huge battle that the GA is either unable or unwilling to get involved in. The Chief of State is trying to make contact with the acting Grand Master of the Jedi Order Kenth Hamner with no success. She has also thrown around the idea of contacting Grand Master Luke Skywalker to see if he can illuminate any insight into the Jedi sudden withdrawing from the GA and into both the Hapen and the Empire's governments. We are about to see what an Ion Canon will do to the Jedi Temple. Let's watch and see." Both Shelley and Luke snorted. The cam zoomed toward the temple the blast hit the shield and was absorbed by it. And unbeknownst to Daala making it stronger. "As you can see it made no dent in the shield what so ever, if I had to guess with the likes of Luke Skywalker and Shelley Harris, Masters in the Order. We won't get in unless they let us in. As we learn more so will you."

"Well Luke care to explain the force field?" Lando asked amused

"I knew one day we would be put in a situation that would require us to keep ourselves safe so when I had the temple reconstructed Shelley, Mara, myself and a number of other came up with that it can only be activated by 10 masters using the light side of the force and any time something like an Ion blast hits it only makes it stronger. There is one on Ossus as well so it will be raised when they finish their relocation of the students."

A new face appeared on the vid

"This is Madhi Vaandt reporting live from Ossus where the Jedi Academy is located there is also a shield here like on Courasant and no Jedi to be found, when we were jumping in system, something looking suspiciously like the Errant Venture was jumping out of the system. Where ever the Jedi are, I would like to say May the Force be with you, and come home soon. If we hear anything from any Jedi you will be the first to know."

Beep came from Lando's comm station. "Stay out of sight." He walked over and turned it on. "Hello."

"This is Chief of State Daala calling."

"Hello Chief what can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you knew why and or where all of the Jedi have gone."

"Well it probably had something to do with encasing Knights in Carbonite and having Mandos storm the Temple."

"The Horn Children were a danger, we removed the danger. As for the Mandos they were trying to find out if there were more Barvy Jedi inside the temple but almost all of them were killed at least 10 of them By Jaina Solo herself."

"Well that's why she's called the Sword of the Jedi." He said sarcasticly

"Do you have any idea where Grand Master Hamner is or maybe even Grand Master Luke Skywalker?"

"If I had to guess I'd say on their way to the Empire or Hapes."

"Is Luke Skywalker taken control of the Order again after agreeing to withdraw himself for ten years?"

"Most likely since you didn't hold up your end of the bargain he leaves, you leave his Jedi alone. You didn't so I bet there is a meeting in Bastion in the next few days. I've already been summand along with the Smugglers' Alliance. That's all I have right now, but when I see Luke I'll tell him you're looking for him. Were leaving Payer moon in the morning."

"Very well, Mr. Calrissian. Tell Skywalker or Hamner I wish to speak to one or both of them as soon as possible."

"Calrissian out."

"She's scared."

"We can work this one of two ways, remember we have the power to remove her and put someone else in her place, or we can try and work with her once more." Shelley said

"What do you mean remove her?" Lando asked

"It's written into the constitution. The Jedi High Council has the power to remove the Head if they are unfit." Shelley answered

"There is no working with her, it's her way or no way." Luke answered

"We should return to the Shadow we need to meditate, and Shelley and I need to teach Ben how to trace our blood. We both know we have a lot of work coming we may need to send Ben and some others to track this girl. Shelley and I have to get this new alliance with both Hapes and the Empire cemented."

"This Wynn Dorvan. The Chief of State has some comments to make." He stepped aside and Natasi Daala appeared.

"Thank you for coming. We are unsure as to what motivated the massive Jedi withdrawal, I have tried to contact Kenth Hamner as well as Luke Skywalker both with no success. Our Ambassadors' in both Hapes and the Empire have confirmed The Jedi have shown up in both places. But the Jedi High Council has yet to appear in either system when we find out where the council has reconvened I will personal go a speak with the Masters I don't want to break a tradition that has stood for 25,000 years. I have spoken to Lando Calrissian and he has informed me the Smugglers' Alliance has been summand to where he did not say but I have feeling the Jedi are preparing for a fight. Also before Head of State Fel left he demanded the release of Tahiri Velia, saying that she had killed an Imperial and if they weren't going to prosecute her neither could we, I agreed to release her she was remanded into Jedi custody, she was seen on Bastion with Jaina Solo. Jaina Solo is acting as an emissary for the Council. While Leia and Han Solo are acting as such to the Hapens. The only other people that can't be found are the Master from the Council, and their apprentices, and young Amelia Solo, the Solo's adoptive daughter, it's thought that she is being apprenticed to one of the Masters maybe even Master Luke Skywalker or Master Shelley Harris who both have finish training their last apprentices Grand Master Skywalker and Master Harris were both training Ben Skywalker after the death of his Mother, Master Harris' adoptive sister, who had taken the job of training Ben until her death at Jacen Solo's hand when he became a Sith Lord. And Master Harris took over and finish his training he was Knighted before going into exile with Grand Master Skywalker. I am pleased to announce that I have canceled the exile and Master Skywalker is welcome home anytime. And last if anyone gets into contact with Grand Master Skywalker please have him contact me we need to figure out what is going on and if they need any back up with what's going on. Thank you and Good Evening."

The image disappeared.

"Well that was a big change in her attitude toward us." Ben said. "And why was she talking about Amelia?"

"There just showing they know where most of us are but not all of us."

"But why Amelia, do we have a problem with Daala regard Amelia identity?"

"No I don't think so, but everyone knows Han and Leia rarely leave Amelia with anyone but Jedi and most would have thought it would have been with Jaina that she would be with."

"I hope so."

"Lando you may want to get a hold of the Alliance tell them they're going to be needed? We need to get to the Shadow and show Ben how to track her."

The comm station beeped again.

"Master Calrissian, there is an old Soro-Sub requesting clearance to land for refueling."

Both Shelley and Luke fell into the Force, and smiled.

"You know I never thought she would come to us." Luke said smiling.

"I'm coming up. Let her land. Don't think of anything weird." He closed the comm

"Okay go with something like. 'Oh you're a Jedi where's your Master?'"

"Got it, but how are you going to get in there without her knowing?"

"We know how to draw in on the force, she won't sense us."

"Alright, let's go. Just stay behind me in the lift room for a minute okay."

"Got it."

The lift shot them up to the landing platform where customers landed for refueling and what not.

He stepped out and motioned them over so they could sneak around her unnoticed until it was too late. He stepped out into the service area.

"Hello, I'm Lando Calrissian, but you probably already knew that, I worked closely with the Council for years now. Where is your Master I don't know of anyone as young as you without one."

"Hello Mr. Calrissian, I need a refueling and a star map update. And if possible a way to contact Kesh the Council will not be happy with what has happened to my strike Force, My master is dead, as well as the rest of the team, a few were killed By the Skywalker's and a female Jedi I have not seen or heard about, but she didn't kill me, it was like she was training me it was very odd. Oh and I'm Vestara Khai."

"Yes, well some Jedi are that way, I've known Luke Skywalker since his first encounter with the Sith Lord Darth Vader who also happen to be his Father, it's amazing what those Skywalker's can do, Good old Luke brought him back from the dark side, A Emperor's hand joined him shortly after the Emperors death, they trained together for years and then her sister joined them she was the other Emperor's hand and he married her, her name was Mara, when she died he just had his son, but now if word is true the other Emperor's hand will be a Skywalker soon enough."

Vestara Khai had thought he was speaking about the council of Lords, but now she knew he'd fooled her into giving up her true Identity. She lit her lightsaber. But as soon as she did there were 3 snap-hisses behind her.

She pivoted. Recognizing the female Master as the one who she felt was trying to train her.

"So were you really just training me it obvious you're a Master."

"Yes I'm a Master Jedi, it's also obvious your master didn't train you with your lightsaber, your strong in the Force properly trained you could be stronger, right now our apprentices could kill you. The Force has spoken you will switch sides, you will marry within our Order and Vestara you will bring the next generation of Jedi into it the Order."

"Why would a sith marry a Jedi?"

"Because you will no longer be sith, you will be trained in the ways of the Jedi, you will become a Jedi."

"And if I don't want to be a Jedi, what if I want to be sith?"

"Then the force will decide your fate. You will fight your future husband. Ben." Shelley deactivated her lightsaber when she finished speaking. Stepping back.

"Dad?" Ben didn't like this at all.

"Your aunt is right; the force will decide her fate. Kill her if you must, but I would prefer disarming her." Deactivating his Lightsaber and stepped back, also. He summoned her glass knife off her belt.