Chapter 85 - Sweet Recompense

"Hey Luke, where is your sister?" Han asked.

"She's in meditations with Master Yoda," Luke answered.

"Still. They've been doing that all morning. I know the old Jedi likes to meditate, but this is pushing it. Don't you think?"

Luke shrugged.

Before he could say anything, Han went on, "She didn't just tell you to tell me that. I mean, Chewie and I plan to leave the day after tomorrow. I know she's not happy about it, but at least she could say goodbye."

Luke shook his head. "This kind of meditation will last as long as it takes. When she comes out, I'll tell her you were asking after her."

"Yeah. Uh, tell her Chewie's been worried. Been bothering me about it all morning." Han self consciously fiddled with his hands in his jacket.

"Sure," Luke smiled all knowingly at his friend.

Han rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't pull your Jedi tricks on me. With what's happening tomorrow, I was hoping to spend the day with her today. As friends."

"Mmm-hmm." That annoying smile didn't disappear off Luke's face. "I'll see what I can do." Luke swung his arms in a carefree way as he sauntered off.


Ahsoka arrived at the rebel base on Baskarn and looked around. The site was a clash of the same rushful activity and nervous pride which was expected before an important superior came to do an inspection.

Ahsoka carried her bags over to the side and mentally activated her shields. Perfected for spywork, her shields allowed her to stay unnoticed, even in a crowd. It was no secret, her arrival, and she expected any minute a welcoming party would arrive looking for her. She just wanted to see them first.

Just as she was thinking this, a familiar face appeared in the crowd. Luke was scanning the crowd of recent arrivals, looking for someone specific.

Ahsoka could've dropped her shields then, but didn't. Instead she walked around him and shouted, "Skyboy!"

Luke turned, surprise written on his open mouth. "Auntie Soka!" He reached out and hugged her.

"I've been waiting for Master Yoda to come in gloating over having me back, the number of times I've refused him. I guess I'm thankful they sent you."

"Well actually, no one sent me. Master Yoda is with Leia, supervising her Mirror Meditation. Dad will be happy to see you. He's been working behind there, in the mechanic's workshop."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "The mechanic's workshop, how didn't I guess!"

"Obi-Wan said we should give you time to get settled first, so don't tell them I was here."

Ahsoka made a quick zip gesture over her lips.

"Do you know where Mara is, by any chance?"

"Oh." She laughed. "Padawan Mara will be arriving later today, with her father's vessel." She smiled at his disappointed face. "You know how you can help. We need a volunteer to help the Viceroy settle into his suite here on base when he arrives. An upstanding young man, perhaps." Sure someone else was, no doubt, responsible for assigning this duty, but then, as second lieutenant, Ahsoka did outrank everyone on base. At least until the Viceroy arrives, that is.

Luke's mind started working a mile a minute. Then he smiled. "I know just the man."

Ahsoka squinted. She was trying to suggest Luke volunteer, but then she did know to recognize the look, genius bordering on insanity or pure trouble depending on who you ask, when a Skywalker gets a plan. And she knows, when she sees it, the time to protest is well and truly behind her. Skywalker's are like that. "What'r you planning?" she still asked.

Luke pushed back his hair. "Oh, nothing. I just promised to give Mara a proper tour when she came down here, is all."

"Um-hmm." Ahsoka hummed. "The kind of tour you can't have a parent around for." Luke blushed. "Thought so." Ahsoka paused for a moment to think about what to do. Luke refused to look up. "You're lucky I'm not Obi-Wan. Send your volunteer to me, and you two have fun." Luke looked up in surprise. "Who's your favorite Auntie?"

"You are." Luke answered before turning and leaving.

Ahsoka laughed as she watched him run off.


"Tell me again, why did I agree to this?" Han asked, as he lifted his arms for Chewie to tie a useless piece of fabric to the outfit.

Luke let out a tired sigh. "Because, you want to help. It'll be a good job experience for your resume." Han didn't look satisfied, so he added, "And Leia likes Bail Organa."

"I mean this," Han motioned to his sleeve. "Why did I agree to wear this?"

"Because Bail is Royalty. He'll expect you to look nice."

"Grrrrrraaaaaaaaaaahgh," Chewie growled.

Luke looked back and forth between them. "And Chewie's right, you do kinda look like you rolled out of a Munhorn nest, most days."

"Thanks, It's called Rusticly Charming, that look. But I guess Stiff and Uncomfortable is what the Viceroy expects…"

"Grrrrr Aaaaaaargh," Chewie said.

"I agree, he is lucky you had these clothes," Luke responded sarcastically.

Han rolled his eyes. He pulled the fabric around his neck one more time. 'Nope, not more comfortable.' Then he pulled on the jacket that came with the ensemble, and walked out with his head held as high as he could. He knew his friends would probably laugh at him once he was gone, but he'd get his revenge later. 'I'll shave that Wookiee bald. No… I'll re-bottle that shampoo I found on Taris."


Han stood by the ship's ramp, waiting for its occupants to walk off. Under an arm, he held on to the datapad he was to give the man.

"And that's what I told them..." Bail followed two of his crewmen, who carried luggage, off the ship."

Han stepped up to Bail and tried to get his attention, but the man just laughed at something some unheard person must have said.

"He can't hear you. He's been holo-conferencing for the whole trip!" The girl behind him complained.

"Hello Mara," Han greeted the red-headed princess.

"Bail's meeting with one of the corporations that is funding the Rebel Alliance," Padme shared. "It's very important work.

Mara rolled her eyes.

"Oh, hello Mrs. Skywalker. I hadn't known to expect you," said Han.

"Thank you very much… To you too." Bail clicked his earpiece and pulled the device from his head. He then turned to them and said, "Yes, we are a bit late, but then we picked up another passenger."

"Please don't tell anyone I'm here just yet. I want to surprise them," Padme said.

"Oh, good luck. I can never sneak up on a Jedi." Han laughed, then he smiled a bit vindictively, and suggested. "Leia is busy with a Jedi thing, and I think your husband is working, but Luke is around. Perhaps Mara here can distract him while you sneak in."

"Hmm. You have a very crafty mind. That might work." Padme tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If you'd agree, my dear."

No one needed to ask Mara what she thought of that. Her presence brightened up to just the thought of seeing Luke again. She took Padme's hand and before the two ran off, Han added, "Luke told me to tell you to follow his Force Track, whatever that is. You should be able to find him."

Mara seemed to know what he was talking about, because she sped up and pulled Padme along with her.

Han held out a hand. "They've set you up in a room up another level, sir, and oh yeah." He pulled out the datapad he was given and passed it along. "This is for you."

"Ah, more work. That's not what this trip is for." Bail clicked off the device after glancing at its contents. "I am glad to see you, though. I have some news for you, Solo." Han wasn't expecting the Viceroy to remember him by name, but he tried not to let his surprise show. "But then I want to tell your friend too. Chewbacca, will he be at the ceremony tomorrow?"

"Uh… Yes, Chewie and I will be there. We wouldn't miss it."

Bail smiled. "Good, I'll tell you then." Bail then turned to the lift Han had originally pointed them towards, while Han picked up the suitcases and rushed to keep up.


Luke looked up at the timepiece in the courtyard. A trail of dust from his pacing made the space look more used than it was on most days. He had chosen this place for the flowers that lined the paths and the atmosphere they provided.

A click of the doors made him turn suddenly, and the beauty that walked in took his breath away. "Mara," he whispered.

She smiled, and a second click of the door went almost unnoticed. "Hi Luke."

"I wan…" Luke took a few breaths to calm down. "I wanted to say that I am very happy you've decided to come join us. The Jedi, I mean. And It'll be nice to spend time with you. I Li-lick like you." Luke knew the longer he stared at her, this moment wasn't going to last forever. It was now or never. He reached out and took her hands in his. Then he closed his eyes and leaned in…

Mara became nervous, and Luke wondered if he misread her. Suddenly, it was like a clay pot shattering, cracks appeared in the shield he hadn't seen she was holding up. And behind that shield…

"Oooh, you two are so cute. Don't let me interrupt."

"Mom!" Heat filled his face as it no doubt became a dark pink. He turned around to see Padme standing there.

She leaned down and whispered to him, "Don't worry. We'll work on your speech. I've got a few tips. She is a good match for you."

"Mom! What are you doing here?" Luke nearly yelled.

Padme smiled. "Well, your uncle Owen got a good deal on a part from Kuat, and he didn't mind me tagging along, at least as far as Alderaan. So-oo…"

"Does dad know?… He doesn't." Luke answered his question when Padme shook her head.

"I want to surprise him. Can you two do your little thing again." Padme gestured with her fingers between Mara and Luke.

"Yeah, I was going to give Mara a tour and I guess we could start in the Mechanic's workshop… I mean if you don't mind." Luke turned to Mara with inquiring eyes.

Mara nodded her head in agreement.

"Alright. Here we go." Padme put an arm around both of their shoulders and pulled them along together. "Did anyone ever tell you about the first time either of your fathers had Mandalorian Tihaar?" She asked, looking at Mara.

Both of them shook their heads no.

"Alright, but you didn't hear the story from me. If your father found out, he'd be mortified." Luke wasn't sure which of their fathers she was talking about, but got the impression it didn't matter. The following story would embarrass both men.

"Well, I had just gotten a bottle from one of my political contacts the week prior. I hadn't opened it because the stuff is very potent…"

Luke smiled a bit as his mom started to tell her story. He could feel the tension in the room drop as Mara laughed at a description of her father's drunk antics.

"So then Bail went back to his apartment, and I still had a drunk Jedi on my couch. No one knew about our relationship then," Padme finished her story. "It wouldn't have been appropriate to let him stay the night, not so publically, so I Comm-Texted Obi-Wan and he met me in an alley outside of the Temple. I did think it was odd at the time, that I didn't have to explain. He took one sniff of Anakin's breath and he named the drink."


Later that evening, Han had let Ahsoka onto the Millennium Falcon to accept her thanks for helping to greet Bail earlier.

"It went well. I gave him your docket. He said he'd have a look when he gets the chance," Han was describing.

"GRAAAAAAAAAH!" A loud Wookiee yelled from the back room, near the crew quarters.

Han shut up and schooled his face immediately. It was just in time, because a second later, a very tall, pink, fuzzy Wookiee ran into the room, carrying a bottle of his shampoo, and yelling what were probably curses in shyriiwook.

"Oh, buddy. Did they mislabel your stuff? I'm really sorry about that. It'll be one of our first stops to get more."

Partly satisfied, Chewie moved on to look for another bottle of untampered Kashyyykian shampoo. Han meanwhile turned back to his guest, allowing a small smirk on his face.

"Mr. Solo, while I'm not sure your colorful friend would agree, your prank on young Luke is far worse. Sending his mother after his girlfriend. On a day you know he was trying to make romantic." Han shrugged and she shook her head. "His mother!"

"I never really had a mother." Han defended himself.

"Neither did I, and still…. You're evil," she rebuked, though a curve to her lip showed her jest. "I hope we're done with the pranks?"

"Of course. Tomorrow is… Tomorrow is not about me. I can set aside my ego for you all." Han said, reaching out to offer to refill her glass.


Hello,

Okay I was going to write about the ceremony when Ahsoka comes back to the Jedi Order, but then the characters had a team meeting without me, and they hijacked the plot line again. I hope you all find it entertaining, and you're not too mad at Han. Maybe Ahsoka will get an idea for what to send Palpatine next Empire Day.

Anyway, in the next chapter, I will again try to get everyone to follow the script. I have a couple surprises that I hope I can make entertaining as well. See you then.