Far From Home
Chapter 2
When Ben woke up the next day he heard Han and Chewie having another argument about the ship's hyper-drive and saw that little R2D2 was the only one actually doing any repairs. He also noticed that Luke was up as well. He was sitting next to Kiya and was trying to start up a conversation, but the strange young woman seemed withdrawn. Ben quietly walked towards them and listened in on what they were saying.
"There's something really different about you, Kiya," said Luke.
The blue-eyed beauty then looked at the young man and smiled. "And there is something very familiar about you, Luke."
"Really? Who do I remind you of?"
Kiya paused and dropped her smile and said, "Somebody from back home. But, I fear I will never see him again. I will never see my family again. My mother and father—my brother."
Luke said, "Don't lose hope, Kiya. I'm sure you'll see your family again someday. And after Ben and I go save Princess Leia we can all go help you find your way back home."
Kiya narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Princess Leia?"
"Yeah," said Luke. "Ben and I hired Han to get us through the Imperial Guard so we can reach the princess on the Imperial ship."
"Isn't that dangerous?" the lady-knight said with concern.
Ben then entered the room and answered, "Luke is well prepared, young lady. I have been training Luke in secret for 5 years now. All Luke needs a bit of experience and then he will be knighted. He will be able to combat danger if need be."
Kiya tilted her head in contemplation and subconsciously fingered the handle on her metal blade and said, "Strange. I don't remember such things happening in my father's past."
Ben replied, "Then, perhaps our world is unfolding differently than from your own. And as I said before young lady, I am not your father. I am too old to be anyone's father. I am merely an old man."
The lady-knight turned swiftly captured Ben with her blue-gray eyes and said, "No! You are too young. My real father is nearly a hundred and he will live to be a hundred more. He is the Grand Advisor to the Grand Master. He is the Great General of the People. He is the Negotiator and the keeper of the peace. He is a Lord of the Clan. And what I sense in you—Ben Kenobi is nothing but self-pity and defeat."
The old Jedi shook his head, "No, it is you who don't understand. I am old and tired, Miss Kiya. I have served the Light diligently. There is nothing more for me to do. And as I said many times before, I am not your father."
Annoyed, Kiya rose from her seat and huffed while she crossed her arms over her chest. "I can see that quite clearly now, Master Jedi but—you are a man without fire." The lady-knight then approached Ben and grabbed his shoulders and looked at him pleadingly and said, "Oh, dear Sir Knight—don't—don't allow yourself to succumb to age and waste, it—it breaks my heart to see you this way."
Gently, Ben pried Kiya's hands from his robes and replied, "Please, Milady. Your concern is greatly appreciated, but I never asked for such affection."
Sadly, the lady-knight said, "No one ever asked me to love, I just do."
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After sometime, Han and Chewie were finally able to get the hyper-drive repaired and they returned to space to plight a course through the Empire. It didn't take long before the Falcon neared the Imperial ship that contained Princess Leia and soon the travelers made it onto the enemy vessel and disposed of the guards.
"I don't like this plan. It's a stupid plan and this princess better be as loaded like you said old man," said Han.
Ben just ignored the space-pirate and ordered R2 to break into the ship's computer to locate the princess and open the doors to the corridor.
Though, Han didn't like being ignored and shouted, "Would you tell that tin can of yours to hurry it up already!"
Then, suddenly the doors opened and revealed Obi-Wan's greatest threat, Darth Vader. The half-man half-machine being strode into the hanger confidently and spoke. "Obi-Wan, so we meet at last. Now, the circle is complete."
In a rush, Luke came to his mentor's side. "Ben!"
However, the old Jedi gestured for Luke to keep his distance while he kept his eyes lock on this opponent. He said, "Luke, you and the others must go find the princess. I will remain here and deal with Darth Vader."
"No, Ben! That's crazy."
"Go, Luke!" shouted Ben. He then used the Force to shove the troops out of the way and cleared his friends a path to the corridor while he activated his blue lightsaber. Han then grabbed Luke by the arm and hauled him away with Chewie and R2. They traded weapon's fire with the troops, but the travelers were able to get away.
Meanwhile, Vader gazed transfixed at his old Master and drew his blade. He could not comprehend how long he had desired to kill his old betrayer. A man who was once teacher, father and brother to him, but denial and deceit had washed all those past relations away. He would soon put an end to an old rivalry and punish him for ruining his body and poisoning his beloved Padme.
With a red hum, he ignited his blade and circled Obi-Wan. "You are no match for me now old man."
Ben leveled his sword and replied, "We shall see Vader."
The two duelists then moved with a quick series of blows and blocks, but Ben wasn't the warrior he used to be. He was slowing down and growing tired fast. He could not keep up with his former apprentice for long. He's only hope was that he had granted Luke and the others enough time to find Princess Leia.
"You are weak old man," said Vader. "This ends now."
Yet, defiantly Ben replied, "If you strike me down I will return stronger in the Force, Lord Vader."
Obi-Wan then closed his eyes and awaited the killing blow to strike him dead. He had lived long enough and had suffered all the cruelty and misfortune he could take. He felt ready to become one with the Force. He had trained Luke to the best of his ability and now the task of righting past wrongs lied with the future generation. He felt he could do no more. He knew he'd be able to transcend this plan of existence and live on as a Force-ghost. He would be with his Master and guide young Luke from the beyond.
However, the attack never came. Instead, Ben heard a wail of agony roar from the Sith and he saw that his arm had been severed at the wrist. He turned and saw Kiya was standing in front of him with her green lightsaber glowing brightly in her grasp. Her blue-gray eyes were hard like steel and she gazed at Darth Vader with an expressionless contempt.
"You pathetic dog of a Sith. I won't have you raise a hand against my father."
"Curse you, Jedi!" shouted Vader. He then lifted his hand and tried to catch Kiya in a Force-choke, but the lady-knight swiftly raised her hand and dispelled the Sith's control of the Force with ease and quickly moved forward to back hand him across his face. Vader fell to the ground stunned by the strange warrior's skill that he did not know how to react. And before he could recover she had drawn her metal sword and used the handle to knock the Sith out cold.
As for Ben, he was amazed. He stared at the fallen Vader in utter shock. He had never thought in a million years that this lady-Jedi could take him down so easily. Though, when he turned to look at her he saw she was very angry. Kiya marched up to Ben and dragged him up to his feet and then slapped him across the face.
Enraged, she shouted, "I don't know whom I am more upset with! Him for trying to kill you or you for letting him do it! Oh, you foolish nitwit! I'm so disappointed in you that I could slay you myself."
Flabbergasted, Ben tried to reply, "K-Kiya—I"
"No! You will listen to me. I want you to forget your damn Jedi ideals and be a warrior for a change. I don't ever want to see you give up—I don't ever want to hear you utter the words hopeless or can't—I want you to fight for your life and for your faith till the blood in your veins dry up or the breath in your lungs give out. Do you understand me?"
Ben smiled at the young woman's gall and said, "Perfectly, Milady."
Kiya then nodded and said, "Good. Now, help me drag this bucket of blots to the Falcon."
-0-0-0-
When Luke, Han, Chewie, R2 and the rescued Princess Leia finally made it back to the Falcon they were surprised to see Ben and Kiya were sitting inside and waiting for them patiently. However, they didn't have time for a chat, as the stormtroopers soon were about to mobilize and overtake them. Han ran to the controls with Chewie and the two pirates started up the engines and blew the hatch open and made a quick get away with their hyper-drive.
It wasn't until they hidden themselves in an asteroid field that Han cut the engines and gave a cheer. He patted Chewie on the back and said, "Damn Chewie, that was the most screw rescue mission I've ever been on. I don't think I'll ever look at a garbage shoot the same ever again."
The Wookie then wailed a reply and nodded. Though, deep within the ship Princess Leia approached Ben and held his hand affectionately. "You're Obi-Wan Kenobi, right? I'm so glad you received my message. I would have been a goner if it weren't for you, Master Jedi."
Ben shook his head. "No. I'm afraid you owe your thanks to Captain Solo and Luke, Princess. I wasn't as nearly an active participant in your rescue as they were."
Luke sat next to Ben and said, "Don't say that Ben. You helped take on Vader while we freed the Princess. We couldn't have done it without you. I'm really glad to see you're all right. I was sure Vader would—well anyway, I'm happy you're ok."
"Hell fire!" shouted Kiya as she stood by the doorway. "He was ready to be a martyr."
In response, Luke was confused. "What are you talking about, Kiya?"
Silently, Kiya turned away and said, "It doesn't matter, Luke. Ben and I have an understanding, that's all you need to know." The lady-knight then steps away from the doorway and leaves the room completely. Though, Luke and Leia are still perplexed by her words. They both have no idea what she meant. Yet, before Luke as ask, Ben tells them something they never thought they'd hear.
"Luke, Kiya and I were able to capture Darth Vader."
Stunned, Luke shouted, "What do you mean you captured Darth Vader? Captured him where?"
"Vader is being held in one of cabins on the Falcon."
"Why didn't you just kill him?" asked Leia.
Ben gave the princess a curious look and replied, "I won't kill in cold blood, Princess. And besides, there are things you ought to know before you make such a decision."
Leia fumed. "Well, I don't care what those reasons are so long as I get to put that Imperial freak out of his misery. Vader never showed an ounce of mercy when it came to killing in cold blood."
Luke said, "No, Princess. I agree with Ben. We can't just kill somebody if we don't have to. And besides, we might be able to help your cause if we can get Vader to tell us about what the Empire's up to. We may even gain some information to take down the Emperor."
In response, the princess huffed and crossed her arms and said, "I still think the universe would be better off without him."
-0-0-0-
When Vader woke up he discovered he was in a strange place he didn't recognize. He was laying in some kind of cabin on a spaceship and that he was unable to move. He began to breathe heavy and whiz as he tried to pull his hand up and work the controls on his chest-plate, but he saw somebody had lowered his power supply and had bind his hands to his feet with a rope. Vader groaned with rage and tried to pull himself free, but it was no use. He was almost paralyzed without the aid of his cyborg limbs to assist him and the lack of power made him nearly helpless. Tentatively, Vader tried to use the Force to free himself, but then he felt a vibration in the Force that dispelled his effects like a cold wind. He turned his head and saw that the girl was in the room with him.
He saw she was seated on a chair close to his bedside and that she had a sad expression on her youth face. He saw silent tears were descending from her blue-gray eyes and staining her cheeks. He noted that she looked very pretty and was dressed like a Jedi. She was the one who had cut off his hand on the Imperial ship and saved his old Master. She said Obi-Wan was her father, but somehow that didn't make any sense. Obi-Wan had no children. He was too committed to the Code to develop anything close to an attachment. Though, perhaps she was only a child in name and not by blood, yet those eyes—those eyes were the same stormy blue of his former Master's.
Roughly, Vader spoke, "Release me, child."
Yet, the girl did not speck. Instead, she quietly gave Vader a glance and then turned away. She softly brushed away her tears and sighed.
Meanwhile, Vader grew impatient. "RELEASE ME, NOW!"
"Oh! Be silent, Sith dog!"
"What?"
"I said be silent. I'm not going to let you go just because you scream of it, so stop wasting your time. And if you kick up too much of a fuss you'll just hyperventilate. You don't have enough power to get that upset."
"What have you done to me?"
"Nothing serious, just messed with your controls. Then, I hog tied you and put you to bed."
Mentally, Vader was appalled. Was that really all it took to immobilize him? All it took was some child with some knowledge of machinery to stop his attack and end his reign of power? No, there had to be something more. She was doing something to prevent him from using the Force. Yet, he didn't understand how she was able to dispel his control. Only another Sith could manipulate the Force in such a manner. And another thing—what were those tears about?
"Child, why were you crying?"
"I'm crying because you and Ben are fools."
"What?" Vader was surprised. That wasn't the answer he expected at all, though nothing today was as expected. This strange young woman was by far one of the oddest Jedi he had ever known.
Vader then said, "Why haven't you killed me?"
"Simple, to kill in cold blood is not the Jedi way. And really, the way you say it makes it sound like you want to die. In fact, I can't stand all this depressing conversation of death and sacrifice. It's all so dreary and without fire."
The lady-knight then rose from her seat and walked towards the frozen Sith and stared down at him. She then closed her eyes and centered her mind. She then raised her hand and placed it on top of Vader's chest and stared to channel the Force. Meanwhile, from the doorway Luke entered the room and saw what she was doing.
Luke saw Kiya place her hand on the masked monster and send out to him calming vibrations of peace and harmony. In an instant, Kiya was able to banish all of the Sith Lord's feelings of misery, hatred and despair till they were muted in the back of his mind and he was softly sent into a dreamless sleep. Then, as quickly as she came—she was done. Kiya then removed her hand from the Sith and turned around to face the young Jedi.
Luke saw the redness in Kiya's eyes and noticed she had been crying and he was alarmed at the sight. He quickly came to her and touched her cheek.
"Oh, Kiya. What did that monster say to you?"
Yet, Kiya gave Luke a smile and shook her head. "No, Luke. It wasn't Vader that got me all upset. It was Ben."
"Ben? What did Ben do?"
"He almost got hurt and it gave me a fright that's all. Sometimes my feelings get the best of me, Luke. I told you how much Ben reminds me of my father, well if anything were to happen to him than I don't know what I'd do. I guess I couldn't help thinking that and I ended up crying. I guess I'm just feeling homesick."
Luke then smiled and gathered Kiya up in a hug. "It's going to be all right, Kiya."
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TBC
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Hello Bekah, Jedi Angel001 and T (and other silent readers).
Bekah - I'm glad you like my stories. I think I will try and give this story a chance and I as this chapter shows, Ben is rescued by Kiya from Vader. Plus, since Kiya kidnapped Vader I guess Luke will have a real chance in saving his father from the Dark Side.
T - I did take into consideration that Luke called Ben "Master" I put into the plot line that Ben had been teaching Luke in secret on Tatooine. I think a smarter Luke will boost his chances of connecting with Vader.
Jedi Angel001 - Yes, it is a somewhat different story than "Another Time." I wrote the first chapter of "Far From Home" before I even started the other one, so Jinn and her parents won't be appearing anytime soon. I can't say if they'll show up or not. Though, I have been thinking of setting up Kiya in a romance. I don't know who or if I should. But, if anyone wants to shout out any suggestions I will keep them in mind.
Thank you for your comments. Please keep reading and reviewing.
