Episode III: A New Republic
The Fall of the Empire was supposed to bring about change and prosperity to the ones it oppressed.
But as the New Republic struggles to gain control, Lee struggles to provide for his family and get the old Matno Farm up and running.
Rya and Lee now face life in a free galaxy and begin to make decisions of who they will become in this New Era.
As opportunities arise across the new government, Lee begins to wonder if the new leaders have the people's best interest
or if everything he fought for was merely a simple change of power?
Lee was running through the grasslands away from the farm. He was anxious and frightened. He was looking for something, but he wasn't sure what. Panting for air he stopped and placed his hands on his knees. He could feel the age in his body. He wasn't as quick as he once was. As he caught his breath he saw the fresh pair of tracks leading into the open plains of Lothal. He looked back at the farm in the distance. He knew he should return but something was pulling him to follow the tracks. As continued away from home following the trail until he saw her. It was Lenore sitting on the ground in her stormtrooper uniform holding his child. He was dreaming again.
"She's beautiful," Lenore said without looking his way. "How could you leave her?"
"What are you talking about?" Lee asked, confused. He approached his sister cautiously. "I'm here."
"No you're not," Lenore looked up at her brother with a concerned expression he hadn't seen since they were teenagers.
Lee looked away discouraged. He had regretted leaving for Endor. Rya had forgiven him but he knew it was something she would never forget. Not because she was holding a grudge, but because Lee was not the same. Something inside him had died and he was worried it could never be revived. Lenore stood up and approached her brother and handed his child to him. Lee took his baby into his arms and looked down on her face trying to find his resemblance in her.
"She's got most of her mother in her," Lee said with relief.
"Nonsense. She's a Tersu. Meant to adventure throughout the galaxy like her father before her," Lenore said brightly, trying her best to cheer him up.
"What if I fail her?" Lee asked with fear in his heart. He desperately wanted to avoid his father's path as well as his mother's. But with little guidance what was he to do?
"You won't," Lenore said. "But you have to wake up."
Lee looked up and called out to his sister as everything went white.
Lee woke from his dream. He had been having a lot of them lately but was grateful that this one was not one from the war. He turned to see if Rya was awake, but found she was still sleeping peacefully. He looked across their bedroom to find his daughter sitting up in her crib watching him. She smiled and giggled immediately at the sight of her father. Lee's heart warmed as he rose from bed and made his way over to her.
"Hello my strong girl," Lee said, reaching down over the crib's as she wrapped her hand around his finger. "It's a bit early for breakfast. Want to see the sunrise?"
Lee picked her up and walked quietly from the bedroom to the kitchen and out the side door toward the large family tree. It was the best place to see the sunrise. He was surprised to find that Toja was already up and standing by the tree.
"Morning Tersus!" Toja greeted as he heard the pair approaching. "Well my, Prisa Tersu, you get bigger everyday."
"Can't believe she's already a year," Lee admitted.
"Time flies when you get older," Toja chuckled and began to cough.
"You ok? Rya said you've had that cough for a month now," Lee asked.
"I'm fine my boy. Just old age and the crisp morning air doesn't agree with my old Rodian lungs," Toja insisted. "What are you doing up? The youngling wake you?"
"No, I had a dream. Lenore was in it," Lee said. He usually kept his dreams to himself but this one he knew he could confide in Toja about. "I wonder from time to time if she's alive. I thought she would have wandered this way by now."
"Your sister was always known for following her own path on her own timeline. I'm afraid the only thing you can do is hope," Toja commented. "Look at the sunrise."
"Yeah," Lee said as Prisa placed her hands on his cheeks beaming with joy.
"Stobo hated the sunrise," Toja chuckled. "That boy could sleep all day, but I think it was because of all the trouble he'd get into with you the day before."
"I forgot. It's the anniversary," Lee said, remembering the passing of his childhood friend.
"An anniversary is something to celebrate. Today is a day of remembrance." Toja continued. "We remember what we lost and who we must continue on for."
As the three continued to watch the sunrise their view was obstructed by a New Republic Ambassador Transport Ship. Once it landed and the boarding ramp lowered, out stepped Denz dressed to the nines in New Republic attire. Lee has an unsettling feeling as he watched the ship land and his former best friend deboard.
"I do not like that man," Toja said sternly. Lee was surprised by Toja's comment. He usually never said anything negative but Denz Loncak always had a way of rubbing people the wrong way. "You watch yourself around him."
"Denz is alright, but I wonder what brings him out this far," Lee defended but was not completely sure any more.
The two of them had grown apart after Lee had returned from Endor. He had left shortly after Prisa had been born and had been making a name for himself in the New Republic. He was asked to help organize the new government liaisons as an ambassador. Denz was thrilled to get out of the trenches and into the circles of politicians and high society. After successfully nominating a handful of ministers to the New Republic he was the go to for anyone looking to get into politics.
"Well Farmer Tersu, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Denz smiled ear to ear as his cape fluttered behind him. "Hello Toja. Nice to see you as well."
"Hey Denz. What business brings you out this far? You look like you raided Lando Calrissan's closet," Lee laughed.
"Oh come on, I don't think it looks that bad. It's what everyone is weathering on Chandrila," Denz turned his attention to Prisa and leaned forward and reached out to poke her nose, "And you look just like your mother. Thank goodness."
Prisa squinted and shook her head. She then turned away and buried her face in Lee's shoulder.
"I'll take her while you two catched up," Toja said, taking Prisa with ease. He nodded to Denz and headed toward the house.
"I don't think he likes me much," Denz remarked watching the old Rodian carry Prisa back to the farm house.
"What are you doing in Chandrila?" Lee asked, trying to change the subject.
"It's the New Republic Capital," He explained. "Mon Mothma has been confirmed as the new Chancellor, but no one is really that surprised by that."
"I am. I would have thought Organa would have been in line for the position," Lee stated, remembering everything Princess had done during the war.
"Well Mon has much more experience in the political ring," Denz answered. "Plus she has a good sense on how to build a network that will rebuild the Republic in no time."
"I take it that's why you're here?" Lee ventured.
"Right on the credits," Denz said. "Part of being a New Republic Ambassador for Lothal I also get the pleasure of making recommendations to the new chancellor for other positions in the republic. I think Rya would be a perfect fit for senator. Don't you?"
"Don't you need to be elected to the senate?"Lee asked.
"Yes, yes of course," Denz waved the concern away. "But you need to be nominated first."
"Have you spoken to Rya about this yet?" Lee did not sound very excited. "She's been pretty preoccupied with Prisa and the farm."
"Lee," Denz stopped him. "You and I both know Rya is more than this. She is talented. The New Republic needs her desperately, in any capacity, if I'm being completely honest. But I think with all her knowledge as well as her reputation during the war, she would be a shoe-in for the people as Senator of Lothal."
"You're forgetting about her family history," Lee pointed out. "Most may not know about it but some might and I doubt they would forget or forgive she was Governor Pryce's niece."
"That's all in the past. It's a New Era Lee! A new time for opportunity!" He said excitedly. "Just imagine all the good she could do. All the opportunities it could bring to your family especially Prisa."
"We've got everything we need Denz. It may not look like much but this is what we were fighting for. Peace. A home. A chance to be an old boring married couple without the imminent threat of a tyrant taking it away."
"There's a spot for you as well," Denz ignored his friend's reasoning. "Not in the senate but in the security sector. We need experienced personnel that can arrange for prisoner transfers as well as keep the peace when senators are departing for diplomatic missions."
"Sounds awfully like a stormtrooper,"Lee argued.
"Just keep an open mind about these opportunities, Lee. I'm half surprised you didn't follow Jules in the hunt for ex-Imperial warlords. Especially after the way you left for Endor."
"That was different."
"How?"
"I had a duty to see the end of the war through."
"And now Rya has a duty to rebuild the government that will ensure peace and prevent another."
The two men glared at one another realizing that something finally had come between them. It was their shared love for the same woman. Lee could now see what Toja was warning him about. But he also knew better than anyone this discussion was pointless because Rya was a part of it.
"Why don't you come in," Lee invited. "But you'll have to take off your cape."
"Well this is an honor," Rya said with Prisa on her lap eating her breakfast with gusto.
"Well deserved," Denz said with a smile until a spoonful of porridge ended up across it. Prisa giggled as she held the spoon with pride.
"Nice shot," Toja whispered to the child as her mother handed her to Lee and gave Denz a cloth to wipe his face.
"All you need to do is formally accept the nomination in Lothal's Capital and I'll take care of the rest. The campaign, transportation, housing on Chandrila, a stylist," Denz said excitedly as he wiped his face.
"Stylist?" Rya said, offended. "We don't even have a fully functioning government and you think people will worry about what I am wearing?"
"You are going to be a senator," Denz confirmed without any doubt. "You need to look the part."
Rya looked over to Lee and could sense he wasn't fully on board. She sighed discouraged but she knew this was going to be a big change for all of them if she chose this path.
"When do you need an answer?" Rya asked.
"When?" Denz asked, perplexed. "As soon as possible. But Ry, what is there to think about?"
"A lot," she sternly said and rose. "Are you staying in the capital?"
"Yeah until the end of the week," Denz replied, surprised by Rya's demeanor to escort him out.
"I'll have an answer for you by then," Rya said.
"Ok then," Denz said looking at Toja and Lee who didn't stand to say goodbye. He could sense he was unwelcomed. "I hope I see you all soon I suppose."
"You will," Rya confirmed and saw him to the door. Once he was gone she turned and looked at Lee. "So what do you think?"
"I think you already made a decision," Lee said, placing Prisa down on the floor. She continued to play as Toja stood to make some tea.
"That's not what I asked," Rya said. "I want to know what you think Lee."
"I think it's a great opportunity," Lee began.
"But?"
"But we just got out of a war Rya," Lee said reluctantly. "You want to enter another one? The senate is not far from a gladiator arena."
"I know," Rya acknowledged. "But I know I can do it. I know I can help build a good foundation for the New Republic. Remember all those talks we used to have when we were at University? This is a chance to actually do some of those things."
"We were younger then and more idealistic," Lee reminded her. "We're old now and know what it's like to be in the belly of the beast."
"I know," she said, wrapping her arms around her husband. "We made it through all of that. Which is why I think we should have a say in how things are run."
"Is that so Lieutenant?" Lee said playfully.
"It'll be Senator Dax soon," Rya replied and kissed him.
She was excited. Though she had found peace on the farm, she did wonder what it was like to be involved in the rebuilding of the republic. She was relieved that Lee was supportive but she was also thrilled to give her family a life similar to the one she once knew when she was a girl. She just hoped that with this new position that peace would remain among them, but with change new obstacles always appear.
