Imperial Memories and Forgotten Dreams
I do not own anything Star Wars. Han, Leia, and Luke are all borrowed characters, obviously, with Samantha Heart and Komiak being my own creation.
I wrote this a LONG time ago so please be patient as I "update" it...lol. Enjoy!
Chapter Seven:
Town Trip
We all travel silently through the woods, the pack appearing and disappearing among the trees all around us. Komiak pads along side the horses, constantly drifting from Nakita's side to the back of the line and back up.
Han grips the saddle tightly, careful to keep his distance from me. Nakita glances back at me, her ears pinned back slightly.
The other's weight is off and irritating. Fix him please. She sends to me. I chuckle and glance over my shoulder.
"Han, you can hold onto my waist, it would be easier." Han shakes his head.
"No, I'm fine." I glance at him then chuckle again.
"Leia won't kill you for it, Han." Behind us I hear Luke and Leia chuckling. Han glares at me. "Han, seriously, it's hard on Nakita too." Han glances around me at Nakita's head and she glances back at him, her ears pinned back. Looking decidedly nervous Han scoots forward slightly, hesitantly wrapping his arms around my waist.
As the sun peeks overhead we stop near a river, Han groaning loudly as he walks about, rubbing his legs.
"How can you live like this?" He moans, stretching his legs. I chuckle as I pat Nakita's neck.
"Riding takes some getting used to."
"That's for sure." Leia remarks, rubbing her backside. Han glances around us, then frowns at Luke.
"Why aren't you walking funny kid?" Luke shrugs.
"Muscle relaxation." Han glowers at him, mumbling something about Jedi before sitting close to the riverbank. "How far are we to the town?" Luke asks, watching me move about the horses.
"Several hours yet, we'll make it there by dawn tomorrow." Komiak, who had been sitting patiently back by a tree comes forward, resting her muzzle on my shoulder.
Perhaps we should consider stopping for the night once we get closer to town. One night in the woods won't hurt them.
We don't know if the Talar pack is in the area or not. I argue.
Not a single member of the pack, that includes Nakita and the other two, or I have picked up the scent of the Talar, new or old. They haven't been in this region yet. I glance at Nakita and she bobs her head. After a long moment I rise.
"Stay here for a minute." I say as i head for the trees. Komiak follows, trotting along side me.
Further into the woods I stop, collecting the force around me, both light and dark. Komiak leans against me as she senses what I'm doing, lending me her strength as I expand my mind out, searching the woods all around us, pointedly avoiding the riverbank behind me.
Luke immediately stiffens and rises, turning to look back toward the trees. Leia does as well, the two sharing glances. Han watches them.
"What's going on?"
"Samantha's touching the dark side of the force."
"You can tell?" Han asks. Luke grabs Leia's arm, stopping her from heading to the trees.
"Don't." Leia doesn't question him, instead she moves back toward the horses
When we return I find all three watching me worriedly, especially Luke.
"What?"
"Is everything all right?" I nod, leaning back against Nakita's shoulder.
"Fine. We'll stop and set up camp as soon as we get closer to town tonight."
It is long after sunset when we finally stop. Han glances around as he slides down off Nakita's back.
"We are close to town?" He asks, clearly doubtful. The forest around is dark and quiet. I nod.
"Yes, about half a click. Luke, get everyone settled."
"Where are you going?" He asks as he helps Leia down.
"I'll be back in a little while. Komiak, watch them." She nods, reaching out to touch my mind.
Are you going to her? I nod.
I will try to go through her first. The less contact with the town, the better for all of us. She nods and curls up at the base of a tree, the pack converging on the campsite as I lead Nakita away.
Closer to town I dismount and simply release Nakita's reins.
You go in? I nod, tapping my jacket. Inside is the data pad with the list of supples as well as more then enough money to cover it all.
I will be back shortly.
What if it does not work? I smile reassuringly, patting her neck.
It will. Just remain here and stay alert. She bobs her head and heads toward a thick patch of grass as I head for the distant sounds of the town.
I stay along the outside roads, watching everyone around me. Even though it is near midnight, the town is still quite alive with people. Few take notice of me, the ones who do I steer their direction away with a small push through the force. I reach my contact's home without detection, and tap on the door lightly.
As it draws back a small girl opens the door. She stares up at me a long moment and I smile.
"Hi." She smiles back and hides behind the door, peeking out.
"Hello."
"Is Anita home?" The little girl frowns.
"Who?" Inwardly I groan. Great. She's not here any longer.
"Chelsea, who's at the door?" A familiar voice calls out.
"It's a woman mommie!" The little girl yells. I stare at the child in surprise as my friend Anita comes to the door. She stops, staring at me a long moment then grins widely, practically launching herself at me.
"Samantha! By the gods it been years! Come in!" She says, releasing me long enough to haul me in through the front door, pulling her daughter in with the other hand and shutting the door with her foot. The little girl stares up at me, then at Anita.
"She asked for Anita, mommie." The little girl says, clearly confused. Anita smiles.
"My name is Anita." Chelsea giggles.
"No, it's mommie!" She exclaims, laughing as she sees Anita's face before dashing off toward the back of the house. I stare after the little girl, then turn to Anita. She is staring at me, all her humor gone. I stare back at her.
"What are you doing here Samantha." She says quietly. I reach into my jacket and pull out the data pad.
"I need help." I say quietly, handing her the data pad. She studies it, frowning slightly before looking up at me.
"Follow me."
We head into a back office, Anita closing the door behind her. I remain standing as she takes a seat behind her desk.
"Where are you going?"
"The base." She stares at me as if I am insane, which I wonder myself some times.
"Why?"
"I've been hired to lead a small three man scouting team out there." Anita's eyes narrow.
"Who are they from?"
"The Republic." Anita's eyes widen and she sits forward.
"The Republic? Why would they be all the way out here?" I shake my head.
"I don't know. They just want me to take them out to the base and back." Anita studies me a long moment, then her eyes widen.
"I know that look." I glance away.
"What look?" Anita rises and comes around the desk, perching on the edge beside me and lowering her voice.
"The Republic sent a Jedi?" I chuckle and she grabs my sleeve. "They sent him!" She says quietly. I nod.
"Yeah, they sent him."
"Who are the other two?"
"Who else?" I say quietly. Anita rises and releases my sleeve, pacing before me.
"I can get you the supplies. Considering who you're with, I will have them brought to you." She pauses. "Where are they now?"
"Outside town."
"Are they protected?" I nod.
"Of course. Komiak and the entire pack is with them." She nods again, lost in thought.
"All right. I'll start in on the supplies tonight. The list is small so it shouldn't take long." I nod and rise as Chelsea comes to the door.
"Mommie, a man is here asking for her." She says, pointing toward me. We glance at each other and I reach out. Cursing under my breath I head out the door, Anita and Chelsea close behind.
The man jumps when I open the door and I stare at him hard before grabbing his sleeve and yanking him inside. Anita stares silent, Chelsea hiding behind her, as I shut the door and round on the man.
"Do you not understand the words STAY HERE." I practically growl. The man chuckles, running his hand through his short red hair before the air around him wavers, Luke appearing before me.
"I didn't want to come but Nakita made me." I stare at him hard a long moment, then I hear a gasp behind me.
"That's him, isn't it?" I turn, nodding.
"Yes." Luke glances between us then stares at Anita.
"I've met you before." She nods, smiling widely.
"Yes, we have met. I was one of the technicians that worked on your x-wing's navigation system while you were still flying with the fleet." He nods slightly as I smack his arm hard.
"Quit changing the subject. Why did Nakita want you here?" I demand. Luke shrugs.
"I don't know. She just told me to come here." I stare at him.
"Are you sure it was her?" Luke stares at me, taken aback.
"Of course." I stare at him a long moment then close my eyes. I hear Anita start to speak but Luke shushes her as I reach out, my mind searching for Nakita's.
Samantha? Is something wrong?
Did you send Luke after me?
No. She answers. You told him to stay in the camp. I clench my fists in frustration.
Forget us and get back to camp now! I practically shout at her. I feel Nakita suddenly tense, her attention drawn away.
Something is approaching. She pauses. A jedi from the base!
Go now! Get to the camp and get them out! I'll meet up with you. I send before breaking contact. Luke is staring at me.
"We have to leave. Now." I emphasize by grabbing his arm, hauling him toward the back door. He throws questions at me over his shoulder but I ignore him, turning to Anita.
"We've put you in danger. I'm sorry." She smiles and turns to Chelsea.
"Go pack a bag, just I taught you." Chelsea nods and runs for her room as Anita turns to me.
"I knew I couldn't stay here forever. I'll contact my friend and give him the list once I'm off planet."
"Forget the list." I demand. "Hurry and get your things, do what you need to do. I'll see you to your ship." I turn to Luke who is standing quietly at the back door. "Go meet with Nakita at the edge of town. Take everyone and head up toward the foot hills. I'll catch up with you. Go now." He nods, the air shimmering around him before he even opens the door.
I don't dare use the force as I escort Anita and Chelsea toward the docks, knowing that a jedi is in the area. We stick to the back roads, Anita carrying Chelsea's pack as I carry Chelsea.
At the docks I set Chelsea down and Anita motions her toward the small ship across the dock.
"Go ahead." She nods, taking her pack before running toward the opening gangplank. Anita pockets her controls she had used to open the doors and turns to me, handing me a large box. I stare at it a moment, then look up at her.
"I don't know when we will see each other again, so I will return these to you." She says quietly. I stare at them a long moment then nod.
"Go on now, the Jedi is somewhere in town. I want you off planet before he finds me." She smiles and hugs me quickly before following her daughter.