Eight hours and three jumps through hyperspace later, the Solo Quest landed on a clearing between all the other Jedi ships on Zonoma Sekot. Not far from the clearing was the magnificent tower of the Jedi Temple sticking up like a giant metallic finger amid the sprawling jungle of the living planet, looking both out of place and spectacular in the mid-day sun.
All the Jedi who arrived together made their way up the path toward the Jedi Temple in complete silence, not even making eye contact with each other or giving the slightest hint of recognition. They all knew that Luke would not be summoning them together without the gravest of news.
Jacen and Jaina walked side by side as they entered the Temple with Nelani just behind them. Having last visited the Temple years ago, Jacen marvelled at the spectacular design with a level of interest that nobody else seemed to match. Supposedly based on the design of the old Jedi Temple on Coruscant, the grandeur was unmistakeable as a testament to the long lost period of the Old Republic and the longest lasting Jedi Order in modern history. Tall pillars, sprawling staircases, and long corridors of marble and gold provided aesthetics that had little to do with the pragmatic and simplistic values of the Jedi Order.
Perhaps that is what Master Skywalker had wanted, Jacen reflected. A reminder that we're not worthy of such grandeur.
The procession of returning Jedi were joined by other Jedi Knights and Masters who were already at the Temple as they travelled on instinct until they found themselves at the highest peak of the Jedi Temple in the Council Chamber. Members of the Jedi Council automatically took their seats, leaving empty seats as a memorial to their friends who had fallen or who were not present. Luke Skywalker, Cilghal, Tionne Sulstar, Kam Sulstar, Kyp Durron, Octa Ramis, Lowbacca, Kyle Katarn and Kenth Hamner took their seats, leaving Streen, Kirana Ti, Mara Jade and Ben Skywalker, Jaden Korr, Jaina and Jacen Solo, Tyria Sarken-Tainer, Tresk Im'nel, Markre Medjev, Tekli, Chitter, Doran Tainer, Jysella Horn, Tiu Zax, Erinn Sorrin, Danni Quee, and Nelani Dinn standing around the outside perimeter of chairs. No one dared stand behind Luke, leaving a gap in the ring large enough that their Grand Master could see everyone without turning his back on anyone.
"Sanola Ti sends her regrets," Kirana Ti said of her niece, breaking the solemn silence. "She is on Dathomir preparing defenses against Krayt's army."
"Corran Horn, Leia Organa Solo and Tenel Ka are on Corellia, seeing to the safety and health of Han Solo," Jaina spoke up. Quizzical looks from most of the crowd were all but ignored by the twins as they locked eyes with their uncle.
Luke nodded and stood up, his face much older and grimmer than anyone had ever seen him, even in the height of the Yuuzhan Vong war.
"We're all that's left," Luke said. Everyone looked around at each other taking in the faces of their peers. "For the second time in far too short a history, the Jedi Order has been reduced to a handful of members. We're threatened again by an enemy that we do not seem to have a chance at defeating. Darth Krayt and his Bogan Empire are wiping us out just like Palpatine did.
"I don't know how to stop them. Their ships plough through our lines like nothing. Their warriors outnumber us a dozen to one and their numbers are growing every day as more planets are conquered. Even if we all fight together as one, I fear we will lose against even one of their fleets. All of our allies have been wiped out or are as defenceless as we are."
Luke looked down at the crest of a green and blue pair of crossed lightsabers embedded in the floor at his feet and exhaled heavily. When he looked back up, Jacen thought his uncle looked so weary that he was going to pass out from exhaustion.
"We must disband the Jedi Order if we are to save it," Luke said. "My friends, we have two paths before us. We can stay here on Sekot, or we can return to the galaxy at large and plant the seeds of rebellion. Find a new life. Disappear into the shadows. Live in discretion. And help as you can. If we coordinate our efforts through our allies, the Black Vornskrs, we can make a difference. You will need to shed your identities as Jedi, but more importantly, you need to survive. We still have a chance to undermine Krayt's empire. The legacy of the Jedi is now in the hands of each of you and it will be up to you to make sure that one day the Jedi Order will return by helping in the ways you deem best. This generation may not be able to defeat Krayt, but one day his Empire will fall just like Palpatine's did. We all carry the responsibility to make sure this will come to pass.
"You all came together at my call to learn the path and legacy of the Jedi. We all entered this temple today as the closest of friends, bonded together through years of training, battle, hardship, and the Force. Today, what you decide is up to you, but when we leave this sanctuary, we must leave as strangers for our own protection. Please take a few hours to meditate on the Force on your best path and come to me with your decision when you have made it."
Luke sat down and bowed his head in contemplation as everyone stood around in stunned silence, looking back and forth as if to see if their friends heard what they had heard. Kyle Katarn stepped forward.
"Luke, what about the Jedi Temple and the younglings?" he asked. "Wouldn't Sekot be a safe place for us?"
"Sekot has agreed to keep the Temple safe," Luke said. "Anyone who wants to stay behind can. It isn't safe out there, but I feel it isn't right to stay here either."
Slowly, one by one, everyone looked around at each other absorbing Luke's words. As Luke's words sunk in, they all came to realize the grim fact that they all had no argument against the last Grand Master of the Jedi Order.
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It was not until the doors clicked shut behind her that Jaina realized that there was a reason she had stayed in the Jedi Council chamber while everyone else filtered out. Luke gestured to Mara, Jacen, Jaina, Erinn and Ben to take seats in the chairs closest to him, with Ben filling in the space between Luke and Lowbacca.
"There is one last possibility," Luke said with a heavy heart.
"We need to neutralize Darth Krayt," Jacen said, picking up on his uncle's trepidation. "Covertly."
Jaina and Ben looked at Jacen in disbelief, astounded that he would suggest such a thing, but Luke's quiet nod and distant gaze brought attention back to him.
Everyone sat in grim silence as they all ran through the very same thoughts. Krayt's fleet was impossible to defeat. He was heavily guarded at all times. Even without his legion of warriors surrounding him, he was individually as dangerous as any Sith Lord any of them had ever faced. Whatever mission they made against him was likely to be a suicide mission. But they all knew that it had to be done. Krayt was too dangerous.
"Dad's dying," Jaina finally blurted. Luke and Mara both looked up at her in shock. "He had a stroke. He is...he wants..."
"He wants to be with his family when its time," Jacen finished, wiping a tear from his cheek with the back of his hand. "I know how important it is to take out Krayt. Believe me, I know better than anyone. But Krayt can wait another day. Dad..."
Jacen's voice trailed off and the tears finally trickled down his cheeks. Lowie reached over and put a paw on his friend's shoulder, growling a few reassuring words.
"We'll leave for Corellia immediately after I talk to Octa," Luke said. "Is your ship ready?"
"She took a few good shots, but nothing that will slow us down," Jaina said. "We can do any remaining repairs in hyperspace."
[So, to be clear, we're going to do this?] Lowie barked. [Assassinate Darth Krayt.]
"No," Luke said. "Jacen knows how to permanently strip someone of the Force. He and I will neutralize him. You're not going anywhere near him. Lowie, I want you and Ben to help out on another mission as representatives of the Black Vornskrs. You're both too valuable to risk on a mission like this, and I want you to survive this conflict to help lead the Jedi Order when it is ready to be rebuilt."
Lowie grunted his acknowledgement, but Ben merely stared at his dad in surprise. It was the first time Luke had ever suggested he might have a hand in the future of the Jedi, and it caught him off guard.
"I don't think any of us are expendable at this point," Jacen said, mostly oblivious to his cousin's reaction, but stealing some of the light from his eyes. "But I think two of us will be too few to reach Krayt. A well-structured team has a stronger possibility of stopping Krayt. No offense to anyone here, but I suggest Eriana, Aunt Mara, Uncle Luke and myself are the most likely to survive. Aunt Mara, you have more experience sneaking in and out of anywhere than anyone I know, and the four of us are among the best duelists in the Order. If anyone has a chance of taking him out, it's us."
"You know, you can stop calling us Aunt and Uncle, especially when organizing a hit squad," Mara suggested. "You're not twelve anymore."
Jacen and Jaina both shared an embarrassed smile.
"I'd volunteer, but I'm pretty sure you'll want…" Jaina hesitated to choose her words, but decided to be blunt. "To separate Jacen and I in case things go wrong."
"Actually, I want you to do something else for me," Luke said. He gestured to the quiet girl sitting beside his niece. "I want you and Erinn to find Wedge. We'll need his ships if we have any hope of mopping up Krayt's fleets. Honestly, I think you have the more important mission. Lowie, Ben, I'd like you to go along with Jaina."
"We're in, too," Kyp's voice came from the door, drawing everyone's attention to him and Octa. "Sorry, I wanted to ask about Han, but you'll need more Jedi to take Krayt out. Every scrap of intel we've gathered has him surrounded by his warriors at all times. Four Jedi won't be enough."
"Octa," Luke gestured for the ever-miserable-looking woman to enter the chamber. "Can you locate him? Work with Lowie and his Vornskr contacts, and try to reach out to Talon Karrde. He still owes me a few favours. Try to locate Krayt and figure out a way we can get to him."
"Yes, Master Skywalker," Octa said with a slight bow.
"Please, just Luke," he said with a gentle smile. "We're all friends here now."
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Long before reaching the hospital on Corellia the Solo-Skywalker clan sensed Leia's anger and grief through the Force. By the time they arrived, they found Tenel Ka hugging Leia as they both cried openly. Luke immediately relieved the former Queen of his sister and Tenel Ka ran to embrace Jacen just out of earshot of Leia.
"We came back in the morning and he was gone," she whispered, sniffing her nose. "The droid said he did not survive the night and was removed…and lost."
"Lost?" Jacen choked out, releasing Tenel Ka and looking into her eyes. "How did they lose him?"
The tears and shaking of her head told him the only answer he knew he would get. He transmitted what Tenel Ka had told him to his sister wordlessly over the twin bond, and she looked at him from across the room in Mara's arms with the same pained expression he knew he was looking at her with.
Han Solo, hero, friend, and father, was gone.
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The days passed painfully for the Skywalker-Solo family as they coped with the loss of Han and the sad reality that life had to continue without him. Leia became so emotional that Luke, Mara and Jaina had to take turns keeping her company and focused on something other than wanting to find someone to blame for Han's unexpected disappearance and, as they discovered two days later, cremation. Despite her initial strength in supporting her mother-in-law, Tenel Ka relapsed into another bout of instability from the post-traumatic stress of her incarceration and Jacen spent every moment at her side easing her mind into recovering some semblance of control while fighting his own grief. Lowbacca, Ben, and Erinn took up caring for Anakin and Allaya, but the overall mood of the family was understandably distraught.
Two days after Han's death, a memorial was held in the Millennium Falcon passenger area. Kyp, Lowbacca, the entire Solo-Skywalker family, R2-D2 and C-3PO stood in a small circle. Lowie had found a small round table to put a candle and Han's old DL-44 blaster on. Leia lit the candle and stepped back to her brother's side. Everyone watched the candle burn in silence until Kyp finally stepped forward.
"Han Solo saved my life," the tall dark-haired Jedi said. "He rescued me from a life of slavery in the mines of Kessel and brought me to discover the family I've always been looking for. He was the first person to show me that people could be trusted."
Kyp stepped back into the circle and Mara took a step forward.
"That man was a thorn in my side for years," Mara laughed, and a few others chuckled for a second as well. Mara noticed a small smile on Leia's face and bit her lower lip for a second before continuing. "But he welcomed me into the only family I've ever known. The only non-Jedi in a family of Jedi, he always found ways to surprise us and teach us that no matter how bad things get, he could always get this ship to jump to hyperspace or best us in a game of sabbacc."
Mara stepped back to the circle while everyone laughed again and switched spots with Luke. Luke took a step forward and placed a hand on Han's DL-44. His brow furrowed in contemplation as he stared into the candle as if it could provide him the words he was looking for.
"A long time ago Obi-Wan Kenobi and I walked into Mos Eisley's cantina and offered a spacer and his first mate seventeen thousand credits to get us from Tattoine to Alderaan," Luke said. "He was scruffier than a bantha, his ship looked like a piece of junk, and his only redeeming quality was that he travelled with a Wookiee. If someone told me that day that I had just met my future brother-in-law..."
Luke looked back at Leia and saw a sad smile on her face.
"I probably would've said 'I have a sister?'" Everyone chuckled and Luke waited a moment before continuing.
"We fought together in too many battles and wars over too many years. In the darkest hours his wit and sarcasm would inspire and drive us to persevere. He was a natural leader, and the best friend and brother anyone could ask for."
Luke retreated into a hug from his sister and continued to hold her as Jaina stepped forward.
"Dad taught me everything I know about how to strip down and rebuild a hyperdrive and fly circles around my uncle." A curious look from Luke caught her eye and she shrugged at him. "I'm still working on that last part.
"Raising Jedi couldn't have been easy for him. But he always found time for us. He taught us how to sneak cookies when mom wasn't looking and he would stay in and watch holovids with the family at least once a week. Whenever one of us wasn't kidnapped, that is. He brought us to the most fun places on Coruscant and always had the funniest looks of displeasure when Mom made us attend those horrible political dinners."
Jaina and Leia locked eyes for a second and they both laughed openly recounting the memories of Han in his formal military uniform listing dozens of reasons to not be available.
"Dad worked as hard on the family as he did on the Falcon, and we all know how hard he worked on the Falcon. If we look at this ship, we see Dad everywhere. The way he jury-rigged the hyperdrive and everything a dozen times. If you look inside yourselves, you'll see that helped us the same way. Maybe it wasn't the best solution but whatever he did always seemed to work."
Jaina retreated to hug her Mom. After a few whispered words between them, Jacen stepped into the circle and placed a hand on the blaster on the table. He closed his eyes and touched the Force, smiling as if he had reached out and touched his dad's hand one last time.
"Dad taught me everything I know about how to strip down and rebuild a hyperdrive," Jacen said, getting the laughs he expected. "Thankfully Mom was a bit more successful in teaching me her trade. But Dad did teach me some of the most important things I ever learned. He taught me the importance of family and friends. He taught me right from wrong. He taught me how to be a strong person without being a bad person. I never got the chance to tell him this, but what he taught me saved my life when I was captured by the Yuuzhan Vong. When I had to decide between what was right and wrong, the part of me from Dad, and all of you, was there. The part that reminded me to be a good person and to be true to myself. That part of him will always live with us."
Jacen retreated to Tenel Ka's side and took her hand, taking comfort in the gentle squeeze.
Leia finally stepped forward and also put her hand on the DL-44.
"The first time I met Han he was running down the detention cell of the Death Star firing a blaster over his shoulder, chasing my brother around trying to rescue me from the Empire against his will. Two minutes later we were in a garbage compactor almost getting crushed to death. Sufficed to say, he was the last person I ever expected to marry."
Leia looked at everyone around her in turn and locked eyes with her brother.
"I lost Alderann, my home, that day, but I also gained so much more," Leia said. "A brother and a future husband. Looking back at that first day I met Han I see it was the day that changed my entire life. That he changed my entire life. And I'll always miss him."
[[[[#]]]]]]]]=(=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The gentle hand on Jaina's shoulder spooked her enough that she jumped slightly off the ground, but she recognized her brother quickly enough to not bash his head in with her hydrospanner. They both looked at each other for a few moments recognizing the same look of exhausted tension they imagined was on their own face.
"All ready to go?" Jaina finally asked.
"Yeah, I guess," Jacen said. "Heading to Chiss space first?"
"That's the plan," Jaina said. "We'll see if the Chiss border patrols have noticed any giant Mandalorian battleships wandering by lately and go from there. I'm almost done the pre-flight. Mom's going to come with us. She..."
"We're all she has left," Jacen finished knowingly. "And I'm on a suicide mission to hunt down the next bad guy out there who wants us all dead. You're the safer place for her."
Jaina exhaled loudly and tossed the hydrospanner to the ground where it clattered across the floor in a weird wobble for a second before coming to a stop. "Why is it always our family? Why do we have to be the ones in constant danger making other people's lives safe to live?"
"I wish I knew," Jacen said. He grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her into a hug. They squeezed each other as if it would be the last time, unsuccessfully fighting back tears.
"Please don't die on me," Jaina pleaded between sobs, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "Come home. Whatever you do, come home."
"You, too, sis," Jacen said. "Keep Mom safe."
They finally broke their hug and looked at each other for a few moments before Jacen smiled and backed away.
"I'll let you finish the pre-flight," Jacen said.
"Help me?" Jaina asked, her voice teeming with uncharacteristic vulnerability. "It's...umm... the first time I've ever flight-checked the Falcon on my own."
Jacen smiled and put his right hand against the nearest section of armour plating on the old ship, looking at it as if it could conjure ghosts of the past. "Dad once said he'd never give me the codes to her."
"A good thing, too," Jaina joked. "You're the worst pilot in the family."
"Ouch," Jacen winced. "A worse pilot than my infant daughter. How did I sink so low?"
"Just make sure Uncle Luke does the flying on this mission," Jaina laughed and shook her head. "You've got a great ship. Don't beat her up."
"You, too, eh?" Jacen smiled back.
"You take the exhaust ports; I'll finish the landing struts."
"Gotcha," Jacen said. "Jaina?"
"Yeah?"
"He never said it, but I know Dad always wanted you to have the Falcon."
Jaina smiled and, too choked up to say anything, retrieved the hydrospanner from the ground with the Force and returned to her landing struts.
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A/N: Probably one of the hardest chapters I've had to write. I realize this is a really depressing way to start a new story, but there's a very good reason for it. Trust me.
