Yavin 4, 9 ABY

Cal Kestis followed the meandering, well-worn path through the jungle, his senses awash in a vast tapestry of life pervading every inch of the world around him. The encounter with the dark Jedi on Nevarro still popped up in his thoughts here and there, but as he attuned his senses to the world around him, the concerns subsided, leaving him with a sense of well-being. This particular path was one of the nicer ones to follow on his meditations, and it was no surprise to him that Skywalker would have gone this way. He picked up a sense of the Jedi Master ahead, and knowing that Skywalker might also be deep into his meditations, Cal strolled, allowing the peace and the vibrancy of Yavin-4's jungles to soothe the last tendrils of apprehension.

A half-hour later, Cal came to a clearing. The path cut across the clearing, leading through a thick corridor of vegetation. Cal did not usually venture past the clearing, and he glanced over at the rocks where he typically meditated. He expected Skywalker to be there, but the Jedi's sense was beyond the clearing in the trees ahead. Cal forged ahead, following the increasingly vague path across the clearing and into the jungle. The path weaved through another cluster of trees before terminating abruptly at a second, smaller clearing.

Luke Skywalker sat on the edge of the clearing, sitting cross-legged on a flat rock, his hand outstretched and his face set in concentration. A roughly hewn stone drifted across the clearing and settled on a rectangular arrangement of stones set in what Cal assumed was the foundation for a hut. As the stone settled atop another pair of stones, Luke's eyes opened, blinking as he adjusted to the light filtering through the trees above.

"How was the trip to Nevarro?" Luke asked, rising to his feet.

"Eventful," Cal said. "You were right - Han was nearly killed by a bounty hunter before I stepped in. As we were investigating, I sensed something – someone or something used the Force to protect others. Unfortunately, the witnesses refused to identify whoever it was."

"There's more?" Luke asked.

"Yeah," Cal said, a flicker of disquiet penetrating the calm that the jungle had bestowed. "While we interviewed the witnesses, I sensed a second presence nearby. I left the interview and tracked the presence down."

"Who was it?" Luke asked, his intrigue rising.

Cal frowned, then asked, "You remember that day on Tython when we first met?"

"How could I not?" Luke said, his disquiet growing.

"And you remember how that dark Jedi attacked you?" Cal asked.

"How could I not," Luke repeated, his disquiet deepening.

"It was her," Cal said.

Luke exhaled a breath he did not realize he had been holding. "Do you think she has any connection to the Imperial presence Han was investigating?"

"I don't know," Cal said thoughtfully. "The conversation went to blows pretty fast."

Luke mulled over Cal's report, and a question arose. "The other being – was that familiar, too?"

"Actually, yes," Cal said, closing his eyes to recall the sensation he felt. "I know I met the being before, but I can't place when or where."

"Pre-decimation?" Luke intuited.

"Possibly," Cal said, "But my sense of their ability was that it was pretty raw and unfocused. I'm not sure how a survivor could still have such a rudimentary command of the Force."

"Fascinating," Luke said, settling himself back down on the flat stone and resting his chin in his hand. Cal settled himself onto a nearby rock, and for several minutes, both Jedi sat contemplating the mystery. Cal had a point about the survivor; every Jedi or Force user Luke had found since the Emperor's death had some degree of mastery, which helped them survive.

Recognizing he would have to solve the puzzle later, Luke broke the silence. "Thanks. Especially for looking after Han."

"Oh sure," Cal said, waving the gratitude off. "I have a feeling that's not the last of it, either."

"Me too," Luke admitted uneasily. Both Jedi arose in unison, and Luke nodded to Cal.

"Force be with you, Skywalker" Cal said.

Luke smiled as his friend vanished back into the jungle. Luke settled back onto the stone, gazing at the foundation of his hut, lost in thought at Cal's report. As he sat, a light rain began to fall, and a shadow passed over the clearing as a rain cloud drifted overhead. In the momentary darkness, Luke had a sense of a light growing nearby. He turned and watched the blue light coalesce into the familiar form of his father, Anakin Skywalker.

"Son," Anakin said smiling.

"Father," Luke replied, returning the smile.

"I overheard your conversation with Master Kestis," Anakin said, gazing at the foundations of Luke's hut.

Luke's smile faded, and as he became more alert, he said, "Do you know who the Force-sensitive was?"

"One of them," Anakin said, settling himself on to the rock that Cal had recently vacated. He sighed, and Luke had a sense of something dark and haunting passing like the cloud overhead. The cloud cleared, and as the sunlight passed through Anakin's ethereal form, Anakin said, "When I served the Emperor, there were many other Force-users at his command. Most of them were Jedi hunters, but a few had more specialized purposes."

"Like what?" Luke asked, leaning forward in intrigue.

"Assassins, agents to carry out secret schemes," Anakin said. "Tools of the Emperor's power. He used to enjoy calling me his hammer - a blunt object carrying out his will."

Luke studied his father, noting the distant traces of bitterness and regret that lingered on even after he had ascended. Luke waited as the shadow passed, and Anakin continued, saying, "One of the other tools, the Emperor called his Silent Knife. I found her on a remote planet; the child of a powerful Jedi. I recognized her power and brought her before the Emperor."

"Who was she?" Luke asked.

"The Imperial Court knew her as the Emperor's Hand, but her true name is Mara Jade," Anakin said, turning to Luke. Luke registered the apprehension, regret, and concern in Anakin's gaze.

"Mara Jade," Luke repeated, gazing back at the foundation again, lost in thought.

"She hated me," Anakin explained. "And rightfully so – I murdered both of her parents. Years later, we fought each other. After I died, I confronted her as she hunted you on Endor, and then I confronted her again after she attacked you on Tython."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Luke asked, frowning.

"She cut herself off from the Force. I had hoped that she left that life behind to start anew. I allowed her to remain anonymous," Anakin explained.

"Can you find her now?" Luke asked.

Anakin shook his head. "I think she's trying to block me out."

"She nearly killed me," Luke said, his own shadow passing.

"She is very powerful. If she re-engaged with the Force, I fear what her purpose might be," Anakin explained. "You need to be ready."

Luke swallowed, feeling a flicker of fear. It had been five quiet, peaceful years since Tython, and while he had not forgotten his assailant, the threat of her appearance had become a negligible concern for him, especially as so many responsibilities to the new Order mounted.

Before his ruminations could fully engage, he turned to his father and asked, "What of the other?"

"As to that," Anakin said. "Sadly, I do not know. I know that some survived the Purge, but many who did hid their abilities to protect themselves. Whoever it is has been hiding for a long time. Who or what they are, I can't say."

"I see," Luke said. A gentle rain began to fall, and Luke turned to Anakin, who appeared lost in thought. "If you find this Mara Jade, will you let me know?"

"Yeah," Anakin confirmed. "And I hope I find her before she finds you."

Naboo, 9 ABY

Han Solo guided the Millennium Falcon through Naboo's atmosphere, steering it on the prescribed course to Varykino while doing his best to ignore the dozen messages that the ship had received from Coruscant during the jump from Nevarro. He had neglected to report back directly, instead compiling his findings in a report that his superiors had neither asked for nor expected. The reactions had been instantaneous, but Han, knowing that he faced something far more daunting, left the messages unseen as he braced himself to face the one person whose reactions concerned him the most – his wife.

After tracing the coastline and turning inland toward the interior of Naboo's primary continent, Han guided the Falcon to the landing area just outside the walls of Varykino. As the ship settled onto the prescribed platform, he rose to his chair and crossed the galley, grabbing his bag as he approached the exit. The ramp descended, and he bounded down the boarding ramp to come to a dead stop. Chewie growled as he nearly slammed into Han, and Han felt his dread expand at the sight of Threepio waiting nervously near the entrance to the grounds. Chewie rumbled a comment, and Han said, "Yeah, yeah, I know what it means when she sends Threepio."

Han started forward again, and the droid raised his hands animatedly, saying, "Master Solo, how good to see. . ."

Han bounded past Threepio, ignoring the droid and leaving him behind to process his befuddlement. Chewbacca growled a terse greeting and he too continued past Threepio. Han entered the grounds, passing through vibrant gardens sparkling with a colorful array of flowers.

"Daddy!" a bright young voice shouted, and Han's smile widened as Ben charged toward him at full tilt. Han dropped his bag and knelt, ready to receive the bundle of energy in his arms. Ben crashed into his arms, nearly knocking him back, and Han wrapped his arms around the boy, relieved to see him again. Threepio shuffled past, his expression frozen in perpetual discomfiture.

Han looked up into the doorway of the house and saw Leia leaning against a pillar, her arms crossed and her expression burning. Chewie rumbled a low, percussive laughter, and Han said, "Yeah, thanks a lot."

"Daddy, we found a bunch of perzveed down by the lake! You're not gonna believe what it does when you poke it with a stick," Ben said.

"Let me guess – it sprays you with blue goo? Han asked, noticing the stains on Ben's tunic.

"No, that was lunch," Ben admitted without concern for his appearance. "Come on! Let's play."

"You got it, kid," Han affirmed, but he faltered again when he saw Leia's eyebrows rise a half-inch. "Well, maybe after I say hi to your mom."

Ben looked up disappointed, but after looking back at his mom and seeing her nod, he trotted off, his disappointment ephemeral as he shouted out, "Hey Kira!"

As Ben raced off to find his adopted sister, Han smiled, savoring the joyful innocence. The smile faltered and faded altogether as Leia walked toward him. She stopped in front of him, her arms crossed and her eyes burning.

"Hi, honey," Han said hopefully.

Her nostrils flared and she stepped forward. She pointed her finger at his chest and jabbed, saying, "What in the hell were you thinking?"

Ben and Kira raced back out into the gardens, and Leia's posture softened immediately as they raced toward them and then through the flowers before racing back down the path toward the lake. Winter came jogging behind them, effortlessly graceful despite chasing two young children. She nodded at Han, then continued chasing after the kids.

As Winter vanished, Leia's soft posture hardened immediately. "I spoke with Crix Madine."

"Did he tell you what I found?" Han asked, his conviction rising to his defense.

"I don't care what you found," Leia snapped, her nostrils flaring again. "Do you have any idea how much trouble it would cause if the media found out you were snooping around when you were supposed to be on a humanitarian mission?"

"Oh, probably not as much trouble as we'd be in if I hadn't discovered that Moff Gideon is roaming the galaxy unchecked," Han retorted.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Leia snapped.

Taking advantage of Leia's discombobulation, Han plowed on. "We talked to witnesses who said they fought Moff Gideon and a full Imperial garrison. They had transports, E-webs, death troopers, a next-gen TIE fighter, and incinerator troopers. I also learned that there's a Mandalorian bounty hunter wandering the Outer Rim with an unknown Force-sensitive, and Cal Kestis fought a dark Jedi."

"Did you get into the Corellian whisky again?" Leia asked, rolling her eyes.

"Why don't you do that little mind reading thing you do with Luke and find out," Han snapped, irritated by her contempt.

To Han's surprise, Leia closed her eyes and remained silent for nearly a minute. When she awoke, her expression was one of shock and surprise, not anger. "How can this be?" she asked herself.

"That's what I'm trying to find out," Han said, spreading his arms wide sarcastically.

Leia glared at him, then turned away, wandering away through the flowers as she contemplated what her brother had just shared with her. Han watched her wander, and he began wondering if she would remain preoccupied long enough for him to sneak away and grab a snack. He took a tentative step forward, testing her concentration, and no sooner had he taken the step did she turn back and say, "Gideon is dead."

"Apparently not," Han said, shrugging his shoulders.

"We confirmed it," Leia said, her confusion evident.

"Yeah, well," Han said. "You've got several witnesses on Nevarro who say he's not dead, including an Alderaanian Rebel shock trooper."

"But then," Leia said as she slipped back in her ruminations.

Han waited, but Leia began pacing again. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to put my bags inside."

Leia waved him off, and Han did not hesitate, rushing off into the house to stash his bags and retreat from the potential for an additional tongue-lashing. He dropped the bags in the foyer and called over to Threepio, "Hey Goldenrod, take this up to our room, will ya?"

Han strode past a clearly uncomfortable Threepio. As he entered the kitchens, he heard the droid grumble, "How rude!"

Han chuckled to himself as he grabbed a piece of fruit and opened the refrigeration unit, scanning for something cold to drink. He grabbed a glass bottle of cold luvella tea, and he turned away from the fridge. The sight of Leia made him jump, and the glass bottle tumbled from his hands. She held her hand up casually, and the bottle froze in mid-air, hanging suspended by an unseen force. Han stooped down to pick the glass up.

As he carried it over to the counter and grabbed a cup, he growled, "Can you two please stop sneaking up on me."

"Mon Mothma was here," Leia said without preamble as Han began pouring himself a cup of tea.

Han's grip on the glass jug slipped, and it fell out of his hands and onto the counter. The jug shattered, splashing ice cold tea all over Han's pants.

"Damnit," Han said, shaking the tea off of his hands. He reached for a towel, and as the shock from being doused in cold liquid wore off, he said, "I thought she was too busy campaigning to take a holiday."

"She was here on business," Leia corrected.

"Can't be that bad that she has to persuade Naboo to vote for her, not after all the trouble their native son caused," Han snarked as he wiped most of the tea from his pants.

"She asked me to be her Vice Chancellor," Leia said. Her voice was calm, but the strain lurked below.

"She what?!" Han snapped.

"Asked me to be Vice Chancellor," Leia repeated. "She seemed to think it would be critical to turning the campaign around."

"Because she's losing," Han grunted. He chuckled, tossing the towel into the sink as he said, "She must have been pretty disappointed when you told her to go talk to Anib Ney."

"I didn't tell her to go talk to Anib Ney," Leia corrected, and the strain was now more evident in her voice.

"Wait a second," Han said, his amusement evaporating. "You're not seriously considering. . ."

"I'm going to say yes, Han," she said, her voice tight with strain. Her eyes swam with worry and conviction, and Han thought he saw pleading in her expression.

"No way," Han said, an adamant defensiveness popping up like a summer thunderstorm. "Not a chance."

"Han, please," Leia said, disappointment evident in her voice.

"If you think I'm going back to Coruscant and living as the Second Husband or whatever the hell they're calling it now," Han began. As his memory caught up with his anger, he added, "And what happened to staying on Yavin and being with the kids as they trained? And wait – what about becoming a Jedi? You can't be a Jedi if you're Vice Chancellor," Han said, his dander rising.

"I know I can't, Han," Leia said.

"You're telling me that after the last three years when you've been back and forth between Yavin and Coruscant, leaving me alone with the kids so you can become a Jedi, that now you're going to throw it all away to be Mon Mothma's problem solver again?!" Han accused, his voice rising.

"Excuse me," Leia snapped, her anger rising to meet his. "Weren't you the one who was lecturing me only a few days ago about how critical it is that we create a safe future for our children?"

Han opened his mouth, but Leia, her anger now flowing, continued, "And how dare you throw my training in my face like that. I didn't leave you alone to raise the children. You had Winter. You had half a dozen servants. You spent just as much time racing around the galaxy putting out fires for Madine. How dare you!"

"Mommy?" a small voice said, and both Han and Leia turned toward Ben, who lurked in the doorway to the kitchen, frightened. Han watched Leia's anger drain, replaced by fear and shame. He felt his own shame rising. When he and Leia argued, it had always been fierce, but as Ben had grown more and more attuned, he would pick up on the tension more often. Han reckoned it was part of being Force-sensitive. He felt a wave of frustration toward himself as he realized he had slipped up, allowing his anger to get the better of him.

Leia broke away and rushed over to comfort their son. Kneeling to the ground, she said, "It's okay, sweetheart. Daddy and I were having a disagreement, but everything is ok."

Ben broke apart, tears welling in his eyes. Leia gazed at him, and the two were silent for a long time, even though emotions were clearly playing across both of their faces. Han realized belatedly that they were communicating silently through the Force, and aggravated that he was once again excluded from the bond that the two shared, he turned away, sweeping the broken glass with a towel into the trash can.

When he had swept the glass away, he turned around and saw that both Leia and Ben had left. He looked to the ceiling, exhaling in frustration and loneliness. He grabbed the fruit he planned to snack on and stormed out of the kitchen.

Han sat brooding in the cockpit of the Falcon, his feet on the dash as he looked out the cockpit toward the clouds draped across the mountains on the far end of the lake. The argument with Leia rattled around through his mind, stirring up a potent cocktail of anger, frustration, regret, guilt, and jealousy. As the wheels in his mind turned, he heard a ping from the galley. The sound stirred him out of his rumination, and he stood up from his chair and shuffled into the galley. He stepped to the computer and entered a code. The screen shifted from the diagnostics assessment he had initiated upon returning to the ship, and in its place was the data from the scan on the medallion. He scanned the data when a word caught his eye: gorsythe.

No way, he thought to himself in disbelief and excitement. He glanced a second time over the data, then paused, hesitating as he teetered on his next step. He knew that sharing something this critical and sensitive could land him in boiling water, especially with Madine's and Leia's anger. But as the image of Leia saying she was considering becoming Vice Chancellor flashed through his mind, he made up his own mind.

Keying in the code on his holoprojector, he waited as the call initiated. Moments later, the projector flashed into life, displaying a woman with short, colorful hair bleached out by the holoprojector feed. She was as attractive and as disdainful as he had remembered her from before, and unable to help himself, he grinned broadly, feeling the old charm switch on of its own accord.

"Sabine," he grinned, turning on the charm. "Long time, no talk."

"What do you want, Solo?" she asked with an air of preoccupation. "I'm a bit busy with everything going on with the Outbound Project."

Han felt a jolt of empathy, recognizing that five years of work and a bottomless well of funding had been sunk when the Republic space station just within the Unknown Regions had been attacked and destroyed by an unknown species.

"Any survivors?" Han asked.

"No," Sabine said, her voice strained. "We found the bodies as well as evidence from their attackers. But. . ."

"Something off?" Han asked, his skepticism flaring in response to Sabine's hesitancy.

"Yeah, something's off," Sabine asked. "I've been trying to reach Ahsoka Tano. Has your wife heard from her?"

"Not that I know of," Han admitted. "Why Ahsoka?"
"I'll tell you another time," Sabine said. "Anyway, what's up?"

"Well, you know how you and other Mandalorians have asked the Republic to help out in recovering the beskar the Empire stole from you?" Han asked.

"Yeah," Sabine said as her distraction and preoccupation ebbed.

"I'm probably going to get into even more trouble than I'm already in telling you this, but since nobody else will," Han explained, trying hard to keep his bitterness at bay. "I got a report from a planet called Nevarro that a Mandalorian bounty hunter received a large amount of beskar in exchange for a hit job. The client is still unknown, but he apparently had a lot of beskar."

"No kidding," Sabine said, her interest piqued. "Any idea who the Mandalorian was?"

"Nope," Han stated. "And his friends refused to talk. But I did learn that the Mandalorian kept the beskar. I also found this," Han held up the medallion.

Sabine squinted, then said, "Is that what I think it is?"

"Yep," Han admitted. "Pure gorsythe, as far as the Falcon can tell. Belonged to the client. My ship has its limits, and I know you're the tech Jedi."

"You want me to run analysis?" Sabine asked.

"Yeah," Han said. "Maybe if we identify this client. . ."

"We find more beskar," Sabine finished. She paused, contemplating the request, and added, "Color me intrigued, but won't your boss be angry that you shared something like this with an outsider?"

"Probably," Han said, attempting to sound nonchalant. "But I still haven't forgotten the help you and your friends gave us back at Ord Mantell. I figure I owe you one."

"Yes. You do," she smiled. She added, "Thanks for telling me this."

"You bet. I'm sending the data off right now. Please let me know what you make of it," Han asked.

"You got it," Sabine said, and she killed the feed without saying goodbye.