The Reluctant Jedi
Standard fanfic disclaimer that wouldn't last ten seconds in a court of law: these aren't my characters, I'm just borrowing them for, um, typing practice. That's it, typing practice. I'll return them to their actual owners (relatively) undamaged. This is an amateur work of fiction; no profit beyond pleasure was derived from the writing. Originally published in Our Favorite Things #25, by Elan Press. Based on characters and situations created by Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, and Chris Clairemont. This story is set in late 3rd season ST:TNG and a few months after RotJ.
The Reluctant Jedi
Star Trek: the Next Generation/Star Wars
Susan M. M.
Chapter 3
"Hey, look who finally dragged his lazy arse out of bed. How ya doing, kid?" Han asked.
Troi smiled to herself, sensing the concern and affection beneath the gruff words.
"Luke!" Leia went up to him, about to kiss him, when she took a close look at the healing gel smeared over his face and changed her mind. "How do you feel?"
"Better." He glanced around the room. Han and Cmdr. Riker were drinking together. Data was in a corner, questioning Threepio and Artoo. Leia, Guinan, and Troi were crowded solicitously around him. The corners of Luke's mouth turned up; after all that time hanging around Han, some of the smuggler's charm and luck with the ladies must be rubbing off. He suddenly realized someone was missing. "Where's Chewie? Is he okay?"
"Off taking a sonic shower," Han replied laconically. "His third or fourth – I lost count. Claims he can't get the smell out of his fur."
Luke nodded his head a fraction of an inch. He knew how sensitive a Wookiee's nose was.
"You and Lando were the only ones seriously hurt. The rest of us were barely scratched. The Millennium Falcon –" Leia stared up at him, her brown eyes meeting his blue ones. "The Falcon was destroyed."
"Destroyed?" He thought to her *Tell me what happened.*
*Enterprise teleported us aboard – they call it beaming – seconds before Conqueror blew up the Falcon. Conqueror's just been sitting there for hours, watching, waiting. Han's sure he and Chewie hit them once or twice, so between the three ships - *
*Three?*
*Another Federation vessel showed up toward the end of the fight*, Leia explained telepathically. *Between the three ships, Han figures Conqueror is probably licking her wounds.*
Deanna Troi wondered if she should interrupt and tell them she could overhear their conversation. To a Betazoid, eavesdropping on someone else's thoughts was the epitome of bad manners. But she was also a member of Starfleet, and any information could be vital if Captain Picard were to avoid involving the Federation in an interstellar war. Guiltily, she kept her mouth shut.
Leia quickly filled her brother in on what had been happening while he had been confined to Sickbay. Then, realizing they had been silent a conspicuously long time, she asked, "Are you hungry? Can I get you anything to eat?"
"What you need," Guinan announced, "is something to drink. Dr. Crusher left a vitamin solution for you. She said it was very important you not become dehydrated."
"You'd better listen to Guinan," Riker admonished. "When it comes to drinks, she's an expert. She's hostess of our Ten-Forward Lounge."
"What's that? An on-board officers' club?" Han asked.
"Not quite. Ten-Forward is for everyone. We're on a long range mission. It's important for the whole crew to have someplace to relax off-duty." He glanced over at the women and the Jedi as he spoke. Deanna certainly seemed to be paying a lot of attention to Skywalker, but that was probably just concern for his health. After all, the blond was much too young for her – barely old enough to be shaving. He took another sip of Saurian brandy and scolded himself for having such silly, jealous notions, and went back to trying to worm information out of General Solo.
Guinan punched a few buttons and a tall glass of orange liquid materialized out of the food dispenser. "This is a vitamin cocktail Dr. Crusher ordered for you. It will help rehydrate you and build up your strength."
Cautiously, Luke took a small sip. "Hey, that's not bad. I thought if it was good for you it was supposed to taste rotten."
*Your provincialism is showing, brother dear,* Leia teased.
It was fortunate that the healing gel hid the ex-farmboy's blush. He could deal with rebel admirals and Sithlords without a qualm, but at the society gatherings where Leia flourished, he felt as though he was as green as when he'd first left Uncle Owen's farm. As Guinan produced Terran egg rolls and Vulcan krayla from the food dispenser, Luke turned to see what his 'droids were up to.
"While I admit it has been fascinating to witness history being made," Threepio told Data, "I am occasionally tempted to wish we belonged to someone … less adventurous. Working for Master Luke can be too exciting for my circuits."
"Belonged? You are property?" Data inquired.
"But of course."
"How can they claim to fight for freedom and independence when they enslave sentient beings?" the golden-skinned android demanded.
"But we're 'droids," C-3PO reminded him.
"All sentient beings have rights," Data declared. "Perhaps I can persuade Captain Picard to offer you and Artoo sanctuary."
"Sanctuary? From Master Luke and Her Highness? We would never do anything as disloyal as to abandon them. We belong to them," Threepio explained, shocked.
Puzzled, Luke turned back to the ladies and asked, "Why do you have a mechanical in uniform?"
Riker overheard. Protectively, he announced, "Lt. Cmdr. Data is our third-in-command."
"But he's a 'droid. Your crew takes orders from a robot?"
"Luke, you're being rude," Leia whispered. *Are you crazy? Implying someone is a 'droid just because you don't recognize his species?*
Data walked toward him. "It is true I am an android. I am also a Starfleet officer. However, I am curious. How were you able to tell that I am an android when this is the first time we have spoken to each other?"
"You're not alive," Luke said, as thought it were obvious. "Leia, can't you feel it? The Force is not within him."
Gingerly, Leia stretched out her nascent senses, and was shocked to learn her brother was right. "No life-energy," she whispered.
"I've heard of unowned 'droids and independent mechanicals, but I've never met one before," Luke continued.
Leia blushed at Luke's tactlessness and quickly, loudly, changed the subject.
Troi drew Guinan apart from the others. "You know these people."
The dark-skinned El-Aurian woman nodded. "A little, from a long time ago."
"Is it because he is a Jedi knight that Luke could tell Data is not human?"
Guinan nodded. "Uh-huh. Although if he's a knight, they've lowered the standards a little since I was in the Republic. He strikes me more as a half-trained apprentice."
Troi looked at her friend. She kept her voice low. "You were also a Jedi."
"What makes you think that?" Guinan parried.
"First, you recognized him as a Jedi on board their ship, and Beverly says he said nothing about it there. Second, you were shocked to learn of the destruction of the order, and even more shocked to learn of his teacher's death, as if this Yoda were someone you had also known. Just now, what you said about lowering the standards – which means you know what the standards used to be. I find you very difficult to read," the empath confessed, "but whenever you look at him, I get the impression you regard him as an insufficiently tutored child. No, a younger sibling who embarrasses you in public by displaying his ignorance."
Guinan suggested, "Perhaps I'm only looking at him for the same reason you are. He's a handsome young man. And don't think Will hasn't noticed you noticing him."
"Will and I are only friends now." It was a half-truth. Troi asked again, "Were you a Jedi?"
"I took the training once. That's one of the advantages of being a member of a long-lived species. If something piques your interest, you can dedicate a few years to investigating it. I spent ten years studying with Master Yoda and playing Jedi knight," Guinan explained, "but only playing. I discovered it wasn't for me. That was a very long time ago."
"You must tell Luke," Troi urged.
Guinan shook her head. "No, that is the one thing I can't do."
"I felt his loneliness and sorrow at believing himself to be the last Jedi. It would mean so much to him if he learned he was not alone," Deanna Troi said.
"If he knew I had once been a Jedi," Guinan replied quietly, "he would want me to go back with him to the Republic, or the Empire, or whatever they're calling it now. There's much to be done there, if even half of what they say is true. Too much for one Jedi. Way too much for one ex-Jedi. And I decided a long time ago –" Long before you were born, Deanna. " – thatit was not my place to define what was right and wrong for the universe, and then try to reshape the universe to fit what I thought it should be. I prefer being a bartender."
"Picard to Riker."
The first officer slapped his insignia comm-unit. "Riker here. Excuse me." He wandered off to a corner, and spoke quietly into his comm-unit for a few minutes."
"What is it, Commander?" Leia asked when he came back.
"The captain has been in communication with Conqueror. Captain Jeljurr has agreed to come aboard for a meeting. He'd like you and your people to be present, Princess."
"He Picard or he Jeljurr?" Han asked.
"Captain Picard," Riker specified. "Captain Jeljurr may not have realized we were able to rescue you before your ship was destroyed."
"Probably not," Leia agreed, "since the Empire has no device similar to your transporter. We will certainly attend, Commander. I wouldn't miss it for all the spice on Kessel."
Riker smiled. Then he noticed Troi and Guinan rejoining the group. Deanna headed straight for Luke. His smile slipped a little, then a wicked gleam came into his eyes, and he turned toward Leia and smiled even wider. "I'd be honored, Princess, if you'd call me Will."
ST:TNG/SW **** ST:TNG/SW **** ST: TNG/SW
Two hours later, Riker, Worf, and an 'honor guard' of Security's ten best crewmen met Jeljurr in the shuttle bay. Jeljurr, followed by three uniformed humans, stepped out of the shuttle. Behind them came six troopers covered from head to toe in white armor. Riker couldn't even guess what species they might be, or if they were organic beings or mechanicals.
"Welcome. I am Cmdr. William Riker, First Officer of the Enterprise. This is Lt. Worf, our Chief of Security."
"Jeljurr," the Mon Calamari barked out his name. "Major Grau, Lieutenants Websta and Alanima. Where is this captain of yours who insists on discussion?"
"This way, sir." Riker led the way out, with Worf at his side. Jeljurr and his trio of aides followed, surrounded by the stormtroopers. Worf's security party followed and flanked the whole group.
Riker stole a glance at the imperial party as they marched down the ship's corridors. Jeljurr and the two lieutenants wore black uniforms. In person, Jeljurr's skin looked more reddish than it had on the viewscreen. His head was a misshapen oblong, and his yellow eyes bulged like a frog's.
Grau wore a green uniform, in a very different style than the others, and looking much more informal. His blond hair was longer than Websta's or Alanima's, and the beard reminded Riker of pictures he'd seen of an old American folk hero – Bison Bill Cody, or Cory, or something like that. He looked about ten years older than Riker.
"Tag! You're it!"
The stormtroopers automatically reached for weapons that weren't there as three children ran out into the corridor in front of them.
Worf scowled. "Should you not be at your lessons?"
"No, sir," the oldest, a human boy about ten said. "We've finished class already."
"Play elsewhere, then, and do not get in the way of your elders," the Klingon admonished.
The three nodded. "C'mon," yelled the Andorian, and led the two human boys down a side corridor.
"Children on board a starship?" Jeljurr sounded shocked.
"Aren't they a little young for cadets?" Grau drawled.
Riker explained, "We are on a long-range exploration mission. Many of the crew have taken their families along with them."
"This isn't a warship, then?" Grau asked.
"The Federation is not currently at war with anyone." Worf sidestepped the question, conveniently not mentioning the Ferengi or the Romulans. After all, they weren't officially at war with them.
A few minutes later they arrived at the briefing room. Three people waited outside the door for them. One was a middle-aged, bald human. The other two were exotically beautiful female humanoids, one green-skinned and raven-tressed, the other completely bald with an almost albino complexion. Grau's, Websta's, and Alanima's eyes bulged almost as much as their captain's, and from the way the stormtroopers were turning toward the Orion and the Deltan, Riker guessed their armor wasn't designed to block pheromones.
"I am Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the Enterprise. Allow me to present Captain Velinde of the Temujin," the bald man indicated the green female, "and her first officer, Cmdr. Belis."
"I am Captain Jeljurr of the Imperial Cruiser Conqueror."
Picard extended his hand. Jeljurr ignored it.
"Major Wil'm Grau, Imperial Commandos." The blond soldier reached past the Mon Calamari to shake hands with Picard. "These are Lt. Websta and Lt. Alanima, Imperial Starfleet. I confess I didn't bother to learn the stormtroopers' names."
"Come in and sit down, gentlemen, and we can begin the negotiations." Picard led them into the briefing room. "Let me introduce the other negotiators."
Jeljurr stared. He swore and sputtered.
Grau looked at the party sitting on the other side of the table and just grinned. "You look a little the worse for wear, laddy-buck," he told Luke. "Of course, you look a helluva lot better than I'd expected."
Jeljurr protested, "These are outlaws, traitors! The Empire does not treat with common criminals."
"A definition of terms, Captain, is one of the things we're here to discuss," Picard informed him. "Permit me to introduce everyone. This is Deanna Troi, our Ship's Counselor, my Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Beverly Crusher, Lt. Cmdr. Data, and Guinan. From the Alliance of Free Planets – "
"The Rebel Alliance, you mean," Jeljurr interrupted.
Pretending not to notice, Picard continued, "Senator Leia Organa, her translator, See-Threepio, General Han Solo, Chewbacca, Commander Luke Skywalker. Captain Velinde and Cmdr. Belis you've already met, as with Lt. Worf and Cmdr. Riker. Ladies and gentlemen, Captain Jeljurr, Major Grau, Lt. Alanima, Lt. Websta, and their security escort. Won't you be seated, gentlemen?"
Grau frowned. Picard's people sat on either end of the table, with the rebels on one side of the table, leaving the other side empty for the imperial party. He'd been a soldier too long to like sitting with his back to the door, but not seeing any other option, he sat down.
Ignoring the Federation and Alliance negotiators, Jeljurr turned to the commando officer. "How is it, Major, that you know these traitors?"
"Oh, I almost caught the princess once. But she escaped."
Leia smiled to herself. That was a bit of an understatement, but that had always been Grau's way. He had caught her and Luke on Alashan 1, only a few months after Luke had destroyed the first Death Star. Survival had forced them to become allies. Afterwards, she'd offered him a place in the Rebel Alliance, telling him he was too good for the Empire. He'd turned her down, then slipped away in the night when he could have tried to recapture her … if he hadn't been too honorable.
"From the transmissions we intercepted," Jeljurr began without any preamble, "we learn that 'Senator' Organa is claiming diplomatic immunity. Do not be deceived by this falsehood. The princess is a common traitor, nothing more."
"According to the laws of the Galactic Republic," Guinan said slowly, "members of the Senate are entitled to full diplomatic privileges, on or off Coruscant."
"But, ma'am, the Republic fell almost a quarter of a century ago," Websta said.
"Well," she admitted, "it's been longer than that since I've been in the Republic." In response to the chorus of disbelieving stares she received, she added, "I'm older than I look."
"The laws of the Old Republic are unimportant. The emperor dissolved the Senate some years ago," Jeljurr informed them.
"Dissolved?" Guinan repeated. A few seats away, Troi could feel her shock.
"Does the princess claim to be ambassador of the Rebel Alliance? A pack of betrayers and terrorists has no right to an ambassador, only a firing squad," the black-clad Mon Calamari continued.
"The Alliance to Restore the Republic," Leia corrected him icily, "has been disbanded. Its purpose served, it is no longer necessary. And many worlds have willingly joined the Alliance of Free Planets."
"How like common criminals to seek an alias," Jeljurr sneered. "Nor can she claim any such rights or privileges as a princess of Alderaan. The planet was destroyed."
Leia paled. Although her homeworld's destruction still haunted her nightmares, it caught her off-guard to be reminded so coldly. Han laid a gentle hand on her arm in comfort, and glared at Jeljurr.
Troi went gray, sensing the truth of his words.
"You – you can't mean that literally?" Guinan didn't want to believe him.
"How else should I mean it? The planet was a haven for traitors. The emperor had it destroyed."
Even Websta and Alanima looked uncomfortable at their captain's cold-blooded announcement. The Enterprise and Temujin crew were stunned.
In a cold, grave voice, his face schooled to a deliberately impassive expression, Grau stated, "It was intended as an example of the folly of opposing imperial will. As an example, it was less than successful. The murder of millions of innocents citizens who merely happened to live on or be visiting Alderaan acted as a catalyst for anti-imperial sentiment. The fear of being next became a rallying point for the rebels, rather than a deterrent as had been hoped. Not to mention the damage to the imperial economy by destroying one of the wealthier Inner Worlds, and quite a few people – loyal citizens of the Empire included – were nauseated."
He is one such person, Troi realized. He serves the Empire, but he does not approve of it.
"We waste time," Jeljurr complained. "These persons are criminals. All of them have earned the death penalty. I demand you surrender them to me for proper justice."
"And just how do you define 'proper justice'?" Velinde asked. Next to her, Belis looked mildly sickened, and it was only with difficulty, Velinde knew, that her Deltan XO was keeping her pheromones under control.
"The United Federation of Planets was unaware of the Galactic Empire's existence until a few hours ago. We have no extradition treaty with you." Picard looked coldly at Conqueror's captain. "Besides which, General Calrissian and Commander Skywalker are under my Chief Medical Officer's care. I can not possibly release them to anyone under any circumstances until they have healed."
"It is not necessary to be in perfect health for one's own execution," Jeljurr replied.
Barbarian, Crusher thought. "They are under my jurisdiction, and they are not going anywhere, not to the Federation High Council or to your damned emperor's palace, until I release them."
Wil'm Grau looked down the table at her and smiled.
The conference went downhill from there. Jeljurr ranted and raved, repeating himself frequently. His two lieutenants occasionally added a timid comment or clarificiation. Leia Organa, using every bit of Force knowledge her brother had taught her, tried to remain calm. She explained about the Alliance, how it was based on the mutual consent of the member planets, how they had united for self-protection and peaceful trade. She reminded the group that Palpatine was dead and had left no successor. She pointed out the fact that the Empire had never been a valid government in the first place, that it had come to power by force and overthrown the true government, which she and her people were merely attempting to restore. Han and Luke sat mute as she spoke, Han being under orders to do so and Luke having nothing to say that Leia couldn't say better. Chewbacca growled occasionally, when Jeljurr got too annoying.
"Captain, I must demand a recess," Crusher asked an hour later. "Cmdr. Skywalker has not been out of Sickbay long; this is too much for him in his current state."
"Actually, I think a recess would be a good idea for all of us. Give us a chance to catch our breaths and cool our tempers." Picard looked around the table, and seeing no complaints or disagreements, stood. "Permit us to offer you some refreshments."
Leia rose from her chair and walked to her brother's side. "Are you all right?"
"Just tired." Telepathically, he told her, *There's a Force-sensitive here in the room. I can sense someone, but I can't tell who it is.*
*One of the imperials, do you think?*
*Could be,*Luke agreed. *Remember when we first met Grau? He swore 'by the Force.'*
Leia nodded. Major Grau had said that, but with everything else going on at the time, she really hadn't paid attention back then.
*Or maybe it's one of the Federationers. Troi might be sensitive.*
The princess teased her twin. *Oh? Is that what you were paying so much attention to about her?*
Across the room, Troi blushed, embarrassed about eavesdropping. She felt guilty for knowing who it was Luke sensed, but unable to tell him.
End of Chapter 3
*** ST:TNG/SW ***
Author's Note: Major Wil'm Grau of the Imperial Commandos is from Marvel Comics' "World of Fire," by Chris Clairemont.