Chapter 138

The next morning, Ari awoke before the sun had risen. There was only a hint of light from beyond the horizon.

Looking out her window, she saw that the flow of traffic was still as steady as it was during the middle of the day. In some ways, it seemed as if no one on the city-planet slept.

Turning away from the window, Ari checked her supplies again. She had done research on The Horuset System, which only had one planet, Korriban. There were seven moons that orbited the planet.

There was not a lot of information on the system or the planet, which caused Ari some concern. She did know she'd be able to breathe there without the aid of any devices, but that only gave her small comfort.

Are you leaving now?

Ari looked and down saw Taga sitting on her bed looking up at her with his large eyes. Sighing, she dropped to her knees next to the bed so she was at eye level with the alien. "I have to do this Taga."

I want to come.

"I know. And I'd let you come, but this is something I have to do alone."

You are taking the one that can't hear me.

Ari glanced at R4, who was waiting for her. "Without R4, I certainly wouldn't be able to pilot the ship."

I could help. He raised his paw to put it on her hand.

Ari just picked him up and hugged him. "If it were another mission, I'd let you go, but Luke isn't the only one who has a bad feeling about this. I know I have to go, but I don't want to put you or anyone else in danger."

Taga's ears fell and he dropped his head, looking forlorn. "I'm sorry, Taga," she whispered.

Taga didn't answer. Instead, he hoped out of her arms and onto the bed again.

Ari sighed, looking at Taga, sadly. She wanted to bring the alien, but she knew she couldn't. Instead, she patted Taga on the head again before picking up her travel pack. "I'll see you soon, Taga," she assured the alien, then left with R4. She would have to ask Luke to look after the alien, since very few could hear Taga 'speak'. Most just assumed the alien was a pet of hers.

The halls were empty as the pair made their way down the hall, Ari walking and R4 rolling. While Ari usually would say something, her mind was on the task at hand. She knew this wouldn't be easy.

They arrived at the hanger bay. It appeared to be deserted, but Ari picked up on a familiar Force signature. "Are you attempting to hide from me?" she asked, smiling slightly as she took off her survival pack, laying it on the floor next to her.

"No. If so, I would have made it more difficult," Luke answered, stepping out of the darkness. Ari saw R2 there and the droids beeped at each other, rolling toward each other. She didn't know what droids spoke of, but it was interesting to watch.

Luke touched her shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. Ari glanced over at him and gave him a small smile.

"Ari, let me come with you."

She shook her head. "I have to do this, Luke. Please, trust me."

"I do. I just want to come with you. It could be dangerous. What if there are guards? Or traps? You can't just walk in there," he protested, his voice betraying worry, even though his stance made him seem relaxed, arms hanging on his side, the hood of his black robe pulled back.

"Perhaps, but maybe since his death, some of those are no longer activated," Ari replied.

Luke didn't seem to feel any better about it, but he didn't try to convince her to let him join her. "Just be safe."

"I will be. I always am."

"I know," he sighed. "Ari, I just have a feeling about this. A bad one."

Ari turned and hugged him and felt Luke wrap his arms around her. "I will be safe. You'll see," she whispered to him.

He nodded and gently kissed her forehead gently. Ari looked up at him, blue eyes meeting blue. Reaching out with one hand, he brushed back a strand of her blonde hair, tucking it behind her ear before setting his hand on her waist.

Ari wasn't certain who initiated the kiss, but found herself kissing Luke and he was returning it. Her arms moved and wrapped around his neck gently. Time seemed to stand still. It could have been seconds, minutes or hours. All Ari was aware of was Luke, physically and through the Force.

Finally, both of them broke from the kiss, breathless. Ari slowly opened her eyes and saw Luke smiling slightly. It was rare for him to grin like he used to, but she was able to read his features and that smile meant a lot to her.

"I love you, Arianna Narabe."

"And I love you, Luke Skywalker."

"You will check in, right?"

"Yes," she assured him. "As often as I can. I have R4 too, who is always a help." While the droid certainly had an attitude, she and R4 had been through a lot together.

Luke glanced at the droids, who were now looking at them. "Take care of her, R4." The droid beeped in confirmation

"And R2?" Ari spoke up as she dropped her arms. "Make sure Luke stays out of trouble." The droid made a sound that Ari could have sworn was a laugh. Even Luke looked amused, though Ari could still see some worry. She didn't know when he got the feeling or how strong it was, but it clearly was enough to trouble him.

She reached out with her hand and linked the fingers of her right hand with his left, giving it a small squeeze before turning her attention back to R4. Using her other hand, she had better control of R4 as she lifted the droid onto the wing of the fighter. From there, the droid could get into place behind the cockpit.

"Start the preflight check, R4," she instructed after the droid was on the wing, rolling to its place. R4 beeped in response to assure Ari that the droid had heard her.

Ari followed the same procedure with her pack that had been lying next to her. She managed to get it up to the cockpit without difficulty, though she might have to rearrange it before starting the flight.

Ari turned to Luke finally. "I really should be going."

"I know," he answered simply, then paused, taking off his cloak. "Here, you should take this. Space travel can be cold, and you never know the kind of weather you might experience." He walked around her and held it while she slipped one arm in, then the other.

The cloak was big on her, the sleeves covered her hands and the hem reached to the floor. The shoulders also did not fit her right, but she smiled anyway. It was still warm and she could already tell it would keep her warm in route. Also she could wear it during the nights, if she spent more than a day or two there, though she hoped that wasn't the case. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I know, it's a bit big."

"Better than being too small," she answered. There had been a season on Tatooine when the Narabes had been unable to afford anything aside from the basics. Ari and Jett had not been able to get new clothes and both of them were growing at that point. Their clothes hadn't fit right and it took time until they could afford new ones.

"Yes," Luke nodded with a faint smile and Ari wondered if he remembered that time. She had borrowed one of his shirts and a pair of boots when they were doing some work. They had been too large, but she hadn't been troubled by it. Yet, her parents insisted it wasn't proper.

Ari shook her head of the memory. That seemed like a lifetime ago and in a way it was. She was no longer the girl from Tatooine. "Will you take care of Taga for me? He really is upset about me going. He wanted to come, but I thought he would be safer here."

"Of course," he nodded.

The two of them stood like that for a moment before Ari leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss. She forced herself to pull back then and hurry to the ladder, refusing to look back until she had reached the cockpit.

When she did, she saw Luke standing there, watching her. May the Force be with you, Ari.

She smiled slightly when she heard him in her mind. You as well, Luke. When you see me again, I will truly be a Jedi.

I know you will.

The two spent another moment looking at each other before Ari got into the cockpit and started the engines. "Are you ready, R4?"

The droid beeped and the translation appeared on the screen.

"Good." She started to lift off and started out of the hanger slowly. She wanted to look back, but forced herself not to. This was a journey she had to do alone. She had to prove that she could do it, no matter what.

As they exited the hanger and ascended toward the sky, Ari shifted the cloak to get comfortable. Most wouldn't think much of it, but it meant a lot to her. It was a tangible reminder of Luke, not that she would ever forget him. It was nice to have that with her. She had a feeling that the mission would be hard and dangerous.

Once they were far enough into space, Ari ran the calculations for the hyperspace jump. "Here we go, R4."

She pulled back on the controls and the ship gave a small jerk before the stars began to streak past as the ship jumped into hyperspace.