Chapter 19

Urgent Matters

Coruscant, New Republic Space

Jedi Council Chambers

December 6, 1255

High Noon

Princess Leia, Han, and Jedi Master Luke Skywalker dashed into the chamber. They stopped short of the council area when they spotted Master Yoda. Yoda slowly padded over to him while he tapped his grimer stick every other step.

"What have we here, hmm? Two foolish Jedi Knights and one Jedi Master who is late I see, hmm!" Yoda said in his usual senile way.

Luke and Leia bowed their heads in shame. Han on the other hand just rolled his eyes and laughed.

"Oh, come on! He's just a crazy 900 year old coot! He deserves no respect! Look at him! He can barely move! I could throw him so easily!" Han Solo raved on.

Leia bowed her head even lower in embarrassment. Luke stepped even farther away from Han in disgrace. Yoda had an angry look on his face.

"Enough, that is, Solo! Rejected from the Order are you!" Yoda yelled in fury as he raised his green hand and used the Force to grab Han's lightsaber.

"Dismissed, you are, Solo! On your way be!" Yoda finished.

Han shuffled out in shame. Leia was so embarrassed. She went over to the old Jedi Master.

"Master Yoda, I am so sorry about my husband's atrocious behavior! " She apologized.

"As are we all!" every Jedi in the room said in unison.

"Jedi Organa Solo, please take your seat." Mara said as she beckoned Leia over to a seat between Jaina and Jacen, who two twins. Jaina and Jacen were still shaking their heads in mild embarrassment. Leia felt even worse. She sent comforting emotions in the Force to her children. Jedi Grand Master, Luke Skywalker walked side by side with Master Yoda in grave silence up to his seat next to Yoda's. He beckoned for Yoda to sit. Once Yoda had sat down in his hover chair, Luke began.

"Jedi Masters and Jedi Knights of the New Republic, I bring you grave news." He began.

He beckoned for Master Gandalf to rise as he sat down.

"Master Gandalf, I believe you have some news for us?" he said as he raised his eyebrows and steepled his fingers under his chin. Gandalf nodded with respect.

"Yes, Master Skywalker, I am afraid I do. Most terrible news indeed." The wizard began.

The wizard stood in the middle of the circle of chairs and began to retell his vision once again. He began with the meeting with Vergere.

"As most of you all know, Vergere was a Jedi Knight from the days of the Old Republic. She came to me in a vision last night and showed me a not too distant future. Grave where these visions. Very grave indeed. I will start with the visions from my home world, Middle Earth." He began.

Master Yoda nodded for the wizard to continue. Gandalf stepped a pace back and took a breath. He told the council of how he had saw the elves arrive in Middle Earth on a ship and how he had saw battles at Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith. He told of how he saw the Eagles at Minas Tirith, but did not foresee the end of the battles. He told of how he saw Radagast the Brown, his old friend and fellow wizard; depart on a quest with Frodo's fellow cousins and friend, Samwise Gamgee from the Shire. He then told them of how he saw all the Hobbits in the Shire preparing for war. He stopped at that saying that was all he saw of Middle Earth. He looked to Luke and Mara. Luke looked up at the wizard with a great concerned look in his eyes.

"Very grave news this is indeed, Olorin." He said after a long thoughtful pause.

"Especially for you." Mara added after deep thought.

"What would the council advise we do about this new peril in Middle Earth?" Olorin asked the council.

There was a long moment of silence as the council thought over what they had just heard from the old wizard's lips. Finally young Jacen Solo spoke up.

"I advise we hear the rest of your vision first before we decide." He suggested.

"Very wise indeed, is your suggestion, young Jedi Solo." Yoda agreed.

So Gandalf continued his tale.

"Now we move on to the long forgotten land of Hyrule." The wizard began.

He then told the council of how he saw Princess Zelda pursued by minions of Sidious. He then told them of the spy's escape last night and the murders of his guards. Leia then added her story of her capture and battle with the evil Sith Lord and his Grand Admiral. The Jedi Masters all sat up with interest.

"You actually were able to use the Unifying Force?" Mace Windu asked dumbfounded.

Leia nodded and looked to her oldest son, Jacen.

"My son, Jedi Jacen Solo, taught me the ways and aspects of the Unifying Force actually." Leia added with a smile.

The Jedi Masters all looked at Jacen with dumbfounded looks.

"It looks as if Jedi Jacen Solo has earned the rank of Jedi Master." Every Jedi Master said in unison.

"Jedi Master? This is such an honor! You have my thanks masters." Jacen said speechless.

The Jedi Masters bowed their heads. Luke Skywalker motioned for Gandalf to finish his tale. Gandalf then told of Vergere's revelation that Shmi was the Queen of Hyrule, Link's and Anakin Skywalker's mother and how she had got to Tatooine. All the Jedi Masters' jaws dropped. Mace Windu blinked.

"Are you totally positive about this Olorin?" he asked the wizard.

Gandalf nodded. He looked to Luke for guidance.

"What Master Gandalf has told us is indeed true. Vergere appeared to me as well." He stated to mass astonishment. Not even Yoda had known this! He nearly fell off his hover chair. Luke yelled for order, the Jedi quieted. He asked if any of them had suggestions of what to do next.

There was another period of long silence until the young Jedi Master, Link, rose a hand.

"Yes, Master Link, what is your suggestion?" Link asked.

"I advise we send a Jedi Master of great stealth and cunning to the Shire to protect Old Radagast and the hobbits in his company. I then advise we send a small company of Jedi Knights to Helm's Deep and another small company to Minas Tirith. With the council's permission I would go to Hyrule, along with Master Elessar and Master Olorin to serve as Zelda's bodyguard against whatever Ganon and Sidious throws against her. Lastly, I propose we send Princess Leia over to the elves to see what they are up to." He suggested.

All the council looked dumbfounded yet again.

"How does he do it?" Mara asked in disbelief.

"That sounds like an excellent and well thought out plan, young Link." Luke agreed.

"Well, does the rest of the council agree?" he asked with open hands.

All the Jedi nodded their heads in unison.

"The next order of business, then, is to decide who to send where, besides Link, of course." Mara added.

"Alright, first we decide who to send to protect Master Radagast and the hobbits in his company." Luke said.

"I propose we send Master Jade and Master Jacen Solo with young Padawan Skywalker." Yoda proposed.

All the Jedi nodded in agreement. They then went on to the next order of business, who to send to Helm's Deep. They decided on Jedi Jaina Solo, Lowbacca, and Zekk. They agreed to send Jedi Knights Navi and Baggins to Minas Tirith as well.

"Well that leaves Leia to decide who to take with her to meet with the elves. Jedi Organa Solo, who do you propose to accompany you on this mission?" Luke asked his sister.

"I propose that Master Yoda, Master Windu, and Master Skywalker accompany me." Leia proposed.

"Wait, who will be here on Coruscant if all the Masters leave?" Link pointed out.

"Who indeed?" everybody agreed.

"Master Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn will." Vergere said as she appeared in the middle of the chamber.

"Vergere, you'll back!" Jacen said in surprise.

"I as well shall be here." Vergere added with a wink at Jacen.

Every Jedi present were skeptical at leaving Vergere unguarded on Coruscant. Then they remembered who they were leaving her with. Masters Kenobi and Jinn would not be easily tricked into one of her tricks so they agreed.

"Council dismissed." Luke said with a heavy sigh.

The Jedi all filed out of the room except for Jedi Grand Master, Luke Skywalker, his wife, Mara Jade, Jedi Master Jacen Solo, and mysterious Jedi Knight Vergere.

Luke was staring at Vergere with an angry look in his eyes.

"The last time we met, Vergere, you were causing quite a lot of trouble for us." He said as he eyed her with one eyebrow raised.

Vergere just chuckled.

"Relax Skywalker! I am not here to stay jut to warn. Remember: Choose and act!" she said as she disappeared.

"Choose and act!" her voice repeated over and over in the air.

END OF PART IV