Like Herding Nexu
By Andrew J Talon
Kessel
Locknar was breathing harder as she navigated through the rocky canyon, as fast as she could. Frenton sat in the other chair, still in his crash webbing, utterly unperturbed by every sharp turn and close shave.
Honestly, she was sure she'd only cleared that last hill of slag and refuse by centimeters.
"We're leaving the canyon, hang on," Locknar alerted the non-commissioned officer. She angled the nose of the Lambda up just enough for its wings to clear a massive pile of boulders that served as a makeshift dam. She winced as she could practically hear the wing tips scraping against the boulders. Ahead, on a flooded plain, stood a tall, shiny Imperial Modular Jamming Station on a little island in the middle of the marshes. Immediately, two turret stations to the north and south of the station, opened fire as she flew towards the jamming station.
"We're approaching the jamming station," Frenton stated, voice even and calm, over the comm, "Looks like two AA turrets are defending it."
"We're in position when you are," Kratas stated, "Do it!"
Locknar nodded.
"R-Right, accelerating to-!"
"Full thrust," Frenton said. Locknar looked over at him in surprise.
"But-Protocols require that we-"
"I've got this," Frenton stated calmly. He undid her crash webbing, yanked her to her feet, and slammed the throttle to full.
"Wait, wha-?!"
Locknar squealed as the inertial compensators didn't react fast enough, just sending her and Frenton tumbling out into the back of the shuttle. The rear ramp opened up behind them, and both Frenton and Locknar tumbled out into open air.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Frenton held onto her tightly as they tumbled. The deafening boom of the shuttle's impact on the jamming station filled the skies, the only louder sound than the young ensign's shrieking. Frenton hit his jetpack, and the gee forces seemed to ram Locknar's kidneys into her shoulders from how harsh the deceleration hit.
Next, they landed in mud, Frenton turning himself to take the hit first with the screaming ensign on top. He skidded through the mud, blowing up a spray of sludge with his jetpack thrusters, but keeping himself between Kessel and the pilot.
Not that that stopped them both from being covered in a fine layer of mud.
Frenton brought them to a final stop in a muddy creek. He stood up carefully, still holding the trembling ensign.
"You okay?" Frenton asked gently.
Locknar looked up, trying to stay upright. She fell, clinging onto him for dear life, and he held her up.
"Why…?" She managed. "Protocols… Say… Don't eject… At full throttle…!"
"I see them as more suggestions," Frenton said, a hint of humor in his voice. "Probably should have gotten you a flight suit, you are going to be freezing."
He pointed behind her.
"We did achieve the mission objective. Good work."
Indeed, a gigantic pillar of smoke and flame billowed up out of a crater where the jamming station had sat. It was lucky it had been several kilometers away-Had they jumped out closer to it, the impact might have killed them too.
Locknar tried really hard not to think about that.
"R-Right," Locknar managed, still feeling like her insides were made of some kind of jelly. She turned her head and threw up her entire breakfast (and probably some of last night's, too) into the swamp. Frenton held her up, and even held her mud splattered hair back for her. She nodded.
"S-Sorry…"
"First time for everyone," he said.
The reassuring shriek of Twin Ion Engines soon filled the air. A pair of TIE Fighters screamed overhead, and began to engage the two AA laser towers now that the jamming system was so much rubble. However, one of them was taken down in very little time and fell spinning towards the mudflats, while the other climbed desperately to evade.
"Wha-How did that happen?!" Locknar cried.
"Most of the TIE pilots are rookies, the experienced ones mostly got filtered to the other ships in the fleet as trainers," Frenton grunted, "I expect the squadron coordination is a mess right now. They'll be back with bombers soon-"
A tri-winged TIE Defender burst from the clouds above, diving like an avenging angel for the two AA stations. It let loose concussion missiles, one each, and both AA turrets went up in massive explosions. The Defender screamed overhead, leaving sonic booms in its wake that shook the two Imperials as it headed for the prison.
"Well, Kratas will have some back up, at least," Frenton chuckled. "Come on, can you walk?"
"I… I'll try," Locknar managed.
"Well, come on then," he said, "I suspect we'll get there when it's all done with."
"How in the stars are you so calm?" Locknar finally managed. Frenton chuckled.
"Same way you'll be one day: Experience."
Mynar hadn't been at full burn in a fighter for so long in his life. He was pretty sure even his Defender was going to give out soon, if he didn't. He'd grabbed his ship and set out for Kessel the first chance he'd gotten. His fighter hadn't been fully fueled back up, but he didn't care. He had to go. He had to get going.
He had to…
Mother… Mother, I'm coming… Just hang on…!
He'd just commed his authorization codes to the Gorgon the moment he'd dropped out of hyperspace (Callsign Omega-1), and kept flying at full speed right for Kessel. He'd read through the situation reports just as fast, even while flames licked at his fighter's deflector shields and every warning imaginable flashed on his screens.
If his Defender had an astromech, that poor droid would have been screaming.
He'd tried to get some missile locks the moment he broke atmo, but the jamming prevented it. He then turned towards the jamming station, intent on destroying it-With his missiles or blasters, he would figure it out.
All of a sudden, the jamming failed. His weapons locks returned. His scans told him that the jamming station had been rammed by a shuttle. That left only two AA turrets around the smoking crater.
Two other TIEs went in to try and bring down the AA turrets. One of them got shot down. Mynar didn't know if it was strategically important to bring down these turrets, but he decided that, if someone was going to die for it? He wouldn't let them die for nothing.
He dove, locked on, and let loose his missiles. Both hit their marks, blowing them to bits. He sought other targets, spamming his missiles, hitting AA turrets. He cycled through his scanners, and saw a large number of troopers engaging other Stormtroopers on the ground. The IFF system seemed to be compromised.
It was probably best not to try providing too much close air support, given he couldn't figure out who was friendly or not. He focused on the other AA Turrets, taking them out. That seemed safe enough, though soon he was out of missiles. He was at "Bingo" fuel anyway, he was going to have to disengage soon…
He caught sight of an old YT-1300 on a landing platform. An AT-AT was approaching it from through the outer gates of the prison and mining complex. He flew past at high speed, heading for some other AA turrets he had missed, keeping his fuel consumption low…
He saw his mother being consumed with flames on the platform as the AT-AT fired…
Mynar sucked in a deep breath.
An explosion went up on the head of the AT-AT. It continued to open fire. The vision got stronger…!
He swung himself around and scanned frantically.
"Gorgon control, this is Omega 1!" He called out. "Do we have any AT-ATs under our control?"
"Omega 1, this is Gorgon Control. No, no such units!"
Mynar locked on. He had one concussion missile left…
"I've got tone, and…!"
The fuel warning went off again… Just as the ion drives cut out. Mynar fought the controls. The gliding characteristics of the TIE Defender were slightly better than a standard TIE, but it was still essentially a sphere with some pointy bits.
He held onto the control sticks, fighting for calm, fighting for tone…!
He heard his mother's voice.
Trust the Force… Trust the Force…
He closed his eyes. He let his fear and anxiety go. He kept the image of his mother in his mind.
Mynar pulled the trigger.
Was this how her life ended? Hanging from a catwalk with a bunch of Rebels, blown to bits by a rogue AT-AT? Held by one of those same Rebels in his arms like a heroine in a bad holonovel?!
Was this it?
So much of Daala's life flashed before her eyes. Every decision analyzed, scrutinized, debated.
All to try and answer the question why? Why had it come to this?
With a clap of thunder, and a blast of fire, the AT-AT's rear compartment exploded. The vehicle shuddered, its suspension upon its legs collapsing first, before the entire thing lost its balance, and fell like so many trees to the ground with an almost deafening thud.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Solo let out a breath.
"Good shot," he murmured.
Lady Barriss smiled gently.
"That was my son," she said, looking vaguely up into the sky.
Daala tracked a TIE Defender, gliding towards the distant mountains. She looked over at Barriss, but the Jedi was unconcerned. Even when the ship glided down onto the plains before them. She couldn't see anything, no smoke or an explosion, and Barriss remained calm.
Must have been useful, she thought.
"Well, thank him for me when you see him again," Solo stated.
They all clambered back up onto the catwalk. Daala sat down, taking deep breaths. Calrissian squeezed her shoulders.
"It's all right now, Admiral. It's all right."
Which is when he comm went off.
"Admiral Daala, can you hear me? Respond! This is Commander Kratas! Please respond!"
Everyone froze. Including her. Daala cleared her throat, and pulled out her comm slowly, keeping her eyes on the others. They didn't move to stop her.
"Kratas, this is Daala. I'm all right. Sitrep?"
She might have heard a sigh of relief on the other end, but it was hard to tell.
"Our forces had to make a ground assault, but we've retaken most of the prison complex. We're having trouble with these alien creatures-"
"Don't use blasters! They feed on energy!" Daala ordered quickly, "Recommend explosives, kinetic weapons, and ion weapons! Do not use blasters!"
"Yes Admiral, we have found those to be effective," Kratas replied, and Daala relaxed a bit. Her troops weren't idiots. "Much of the garrison were rogue Stormtroopers, we don't know where they came from."
"The late Administer Doole probably had something to do with that," Daala snorted.
"He's dead?"
"Yes. I saw it myself," Daala stated, "Capture as many as possible for questioning, I want to know what's going on."
"We're trying, Admiral, but they keep committing suicide," Kratas went on. Daala's eyebrows went up.
"Suicide?"
"Yes. We don't know why."
"Get as much information as possible, Commander," Daala ordered.
"Yes ma'am. We've tracked your comm: We'll be at your position in ten minutes!"
Daala tightened her grip on the comm link. She could feel the Wookie tense up. She heard Solo swear softly, and bet he was going for his blaster. She felt Calrissian's hands on her shoulders, holding on gently.
She looked over at Barriss, who was sitting with Durron. She gave her a soft, but pleading look.
Daala sucked in a deep breath.
"Commander Kratas. Some independent spice traders assisted myself and Lady Barriss in escaping all this chaos," she said, "They are using a YT-1300 freighter at the north landing platform. Authorize them for launch and allow them to leave."
"Admiral?"
"Authorization code Daala 99 Auresh Haasper Axion," Daala relayed, "See to it immediately, Commander."
"Yes Admiral."
"Good. See you soon," Daala stated. She slowly stood up, as did the others. Barriss slowly walked over to her side, as she faced the Rebels. Solo stared in frank disbelief, and the Wookie wasn't much better. Calrissian was smiling as if he knew something, and Durron was in complete shock.
"You're serious?" Solo finally blurted out. Daala sighed, and shook her head slowly.
"Don't misunderstand, Solo. I'm being purely pragmatic. In the three or four hours you have been here," she waved her hand out at the burning wreckage of the AT-AT, "You have turned this planet upside-down. If I tried to capture you maniacs, I have no doubt that at least two of my Star Destroyers will have crashed or blown up. I'm not set up to deal with you psychotic delinquents. I can only surmise that your wife keeps you on New Republic jobs so you don't leave Coruscant in ruins! So I'm letting you go because I'm not dealing with the headaches or explosions that will follow!"
She glared at Solo.
"So don't waste time!"
Solo... Actually shrugged, and chuckled.
"Of course not, Admiral," he said. "Chewie? Get the ship ready for take-off."
Chewbacca grunted happily, shot a look at Kyp and Barriss that was indecipherable, and bounded back to the Millennium Falcon.
Solo then turned his gaze to Durron. The young boy looked intently at him... But glanced back at Barriss.
"It's up to you," Solo said softly.
Daala opened her mouth to intervene, but a look from Barriss followed. It was gentle, but firm. Daala scowled, but held her tongue.
Barriss walked up to Durron, and bent down to look him in the eyes.
"Kyp... You have a lot of potential," she said, "And there's a lot of good you can do in the galaxy. You've got a lot of anger, too, and I don't blame you. I'm more than willing to help you with both. To let you become a great Jedi."
Durron glanced back and forth twice. He sighed.
"You're... You're really nice, Miss Barriss," he said, "The nicest person I ever met on this planet, but..."
He glanced at Daala, and then back at Barriss. She took his hands in her own, and nodded.
"I understand."
She pulled him into a hug. He stiffened, but was able to awkwardly return it briefly. She let him go, and smiled warmly.
"Take care of yourself."
Durron nodded. He turned and ran for the ship without a second glance at anything else. Daala opened her mouth at last, but Barriss again looked at her.
"We can afford to let him go," she said gently.
"... Fine," Daala grunted. Solo smiled, and gave a cocky salute to Barriss.
"You know... You're still crazy," he said, "But the good kind."
"You should get going, General Solo," Barriss said with her own small smile. Solo nodded, and turned to head away. Calrissian stepped forward, took Daala's hand, and kissed her knuckles.
"Until we meet again, my dear Admiral," he said, his smile lighting up the landing platform. Daala scowled fiercely back.
"Do you want to be my prisoner, you idiot-Don't answer that! Just go!"
"Parting is such sweet sorrow," he chuckled. He turned and raced after Solo. Both entered into the Millennium Falcon, and a few moments later, the junk heap of a ship rose off the platform, and accelerated off for the sunset. Daala held the cape around herself more tightly to protect from the debris the vessel stirred up.
"Is it always like that?" Daala asked.
"What?" Barriss asked.
"You Jedi and your adventures," Daala clarified. Barriss smiled wryly.
"Not always... But often."
"I see," Daala sighed. "Still... It is nice to not be bored. Though I'd prefer to study this from the safety of my ship. No offense."
"None taken."
Commander Kratas and his troops finally made it up to them.
"Admiral! Lady Pellaeon-!"
"Bacta treatment for us both, please," Daala ordered primly, "I expect full reports in the next two hours. What is the status of Lieutenant Pellaeon? His fighter went down nearby! GO!"
"Yes ma'am!" Several voices stated as Daala returned to the business of being an admiral. They escorted the two women towards their shuttle. It was only at that point, when they entered it, that Commander Kratas asked:
"By the way, Admiral... That cape. Do you want us to dispose of it for you?"
Daala's fingers wrinkled up the edges of Calrissian's cape.
"No, it's fine," she said clearly, "I'll... Take care of it myself."
"As you wish, Admiral."
Daala pointedly did not look in Lady Barriss' direction. She had a fairly good idea of what she would find, and no desire to see it...
Imperial Star Destroyer Gorgon
Daala sipped her caf, the aftertaste of the bacta fading away. She looked over the reports, reading quickly. Commander Kratas was standing at attention, waiting for her to finish. Her ready room was always so quiet, as though deliberately made to fill a man's ears with only the sound of their beating heart.
The admiral took her time, too. Going over everything, asking questions, and waiting for him to find answers if they were not immediately available.
Kratas was used to this, though. The Admiral did things her way, and you had to get used to it. Or else.
At last, she set the data padds down on her deck in front of her, and looked intently into Kratas' eyes.
"Under the circumstances, Commander, I can find no fault in your actions," she stated, "save that perhaps you could have responded faster. The jamming station, from all accounts, came online too soon for you to react. Given it was our own, that is understandable, though regretable.
"Yes ma'am," Kratas said with a nod. Daala leaned forward, resting her elbows on her desk as she scrutinized the many data pads.
"Tox screen for the enemy troopers?"
"Still ongoing," Kratas said, "though they were all clones from the Mount Tantiss project. We're going to see what we can find out about that. The Bio-Research section has been put on it."
"Good," Daala said with a nod. She frowned. "The fact of the matter is, someone was able to cycle in Stormtroopers who were obedient to them and not us, right under our noses. More than likely, they had support from the late Administrator Doole. He is the one who tried to murder me and Lady Pellaeon."
"And Generals Solo and Calrissian."
Daala shot him a sharp look. Kratas remained neutral.
"I uh... I reviewed some of the mine scanner log files," he said. "It's not my place to question your decisions, ma'am. Under the circumstances, letting them go was probably the right call... Especially since I transmitted in the open."
Daala's cold stare pinned him for a few seconds more, before she nodded.
"Agreed," she stated. "Had the circumstances been different, taking him prisoner would have been possible... Though given the havoc he has wreaked? Perhaps not wise."
Kratas smiled wryly.
"Agreed, ma'am. So, now what?"
"Now? Now, we find out who our enemies are, Commander," Daala stated, "We cannot fight both the New Republic and ourselves. Enact isolation protocols-More than likely, the agents of our enemy are already aboard. The fewer people who know all the details, the better."
"Yes ma'am."
Orinda, Starfall
Pellaeon Manor
Barriss smiled broadly as the shuttle, at last, touched down on the landing pad. She was exhausted-The whole Kessel experience had been tiring, the trip back even more so.
For one main reason...
"Mom! I'm fine, really!"
Mynar scowled at her, as they both undid their crash webbing.
"I mean, I wasn't even hurt! I glided it in!"
"And still got some bumps and bruises, I see," Barriss observed. Mynar made a face.
"You literally fought a gigantic monster!"
"Yes, and I'm just fine, now," Barriss said, as she brushed his probes through the Force away, "But I do want to keep an eye on you. That was very reckless."
"And you weren't?!" Mynar demanded. He then made a face, made to apologize, but his mother held up her hand.
"No, no... I was," she said. She walked down the ramp, breathing in the fresh, nighttime non-recycled air. She reached out with the Force-A smile grew on her face.
"That doesn't mean you should pick up my bad habits," she tutted, as her son walked with her. He shook his head with a scowl.
"Yeah... So..."
"Barriss!"
Barriss turned and beamed.
"Gil!"
Her husband ran up and hugged her, picking her up and spinning her around. She squealed like a newlywed, and then pulled her husband in for a kiss. Mynar's disgust sang in the Force nearby, but she paid it no mind.
"Mmm... I missed you so much," Barriss sighed. Gil chuckled.
"Same," he said. He looked over at his son, forcing himself to look stern, "You're in a fair amount of trouble, young man."
"The ship is repairable, really!" Mynar insisted. "You know how hard it is to glide a TIE? I was lucky I landed on a soft marsh!"
Gil hugged his son anyway. After a moment, Mynar returned it.
"I know," Gil chuckled, "But there are many subjects the Grand Moff is touchy over. TIE Defenders is one of the biggest. Good job." He ruffled his son's hair. "Don't do it again."
"If I can avoid it," Mynar said with a small grin.
Gil turned back to his wife, and she sensed he'd been holding something back.
"What is it?" Barriss asked. "Eff and the recruits did arrive, yes-?"
"They did, they did," Gil said, waving a hand, "they're all all right. Sleeping in the manor. We had... An incident. Lady Eff is seeing to it."
"Lady Eff?" Mynar asked. Gil shrugged.
"Kaine thought giving her a noble title might be good incentive for her to stay. I don't think as much, but now everyone's calling her that."
"And I hate it," said lone Jedi Sentinel called out from the dark. She was approaching with several troopers, her lightsaber doused, but in her hand. Barriss smiled warmly at her.
"You'll get used to it."
"I hope not," Eff sighed. "Anyway, I had wanted to finally sleep in a bed for the first time in... Years I want to say?"
Barriss fought the guilt she felt at that, and stayed focused. Eff gestured to the dark clothed and cloaked man and woman in the center of the Stormtroopers.
"Then this man and his friend showed up and surrendered to the local garrison," Eff continued, "He said he wanted to speak to you."
Barriss reached out through the Force. The man was strong in it, that was for sure. He had darkness, perhaps more than her... But it was controlled, held like armor around a brighter core. His motivations were wreathed in shadow-She could not discern them, save that he did not mean to fight. He felt like a trained Jedi, with long experience, so familiar, and yet...?
The other was a young woman, about Mynar's age. She too had darkness, but she was not drowning in it. There was the feel of pragmatism about her, of a desperate need to survive. The two were bonded closely, like master and padawan.
"Come forward," she ordered. The two in black approached. They both wore binders, but it was obvious both could get out of them at any time they wished. More than likely, the master wanted to keep everyone calm.
He came into the lights of the manor gate, and Barriss could study his face.
He wore a mostly gray beard. His eyes were grey and hard as durasteel. He wore dark armor under his robes, similar to Jedi patterns from the Clone Wars but dark and utilitarian.
His companion was pretty, with a pointed nose and chin and short blonde hair. Her eyes were blue, and made all the more intense by the dark coloring around them. A padawan braid fell from her shown locks on her right side. She too wore armor, though lighter and simpler than her master's.
Barriss's frown deepened slightly as she studied the man. He almost looked familiar.
"Identify yourselves," Barriss ordered, her tone cold and Imperial.
"I am Jedi Knight Baylon Skoll," the man identified himself, "Formally of the Jedi Order. This is my apprentice, Shin Hati."
Barriss' eyebrows rose. She could sense no lie in his words, and the name...
"You were a General at Umbara, worked with the ARC troopers?"
"Yes," Baylon said with a nod, "You were a Commander and medic, as I recall."
"How'd you survive?" Eff asked. Baylon smiled grimly.
"I might ask you the same thing, Lady Eff," he said, "Some Jedi hid, much like yourself Lady Barriss. Others fled. Me? I became a mercenary. I stayed ahead of the Empire, and made my way in the galaxy."
"So why are you here?" Barriss asked.
"You wish to build a New Jedi Order, do you not?" Baylon asked. "One free of the mistakes, the weaknesses, of the old."
He knelt, and bowed his head. His apprentice copied him perfectly.
"I pledge myself, Lady Barriss, to your cause," he stated, "To truly bring peace and justice back to this unruly galaxy."
Eff tensed. Her husband was likewise. Mynar frowned intently, his eyes locked on the young girl.
Barriss studied them for a long moment. She walked forward, boldly, right up to Skoll. She rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Rise, Lord Skoll," she stated. Baylon and his apprentice stood back up. Barriss looked him right in the eyes, despite the height difference.
"We accept your allegiance," she said, polite but hard as steel, "Welcome to the Imperial Jedi Order. Please... Come in, both of you. Take your rest. You will need it."
Baylon and Shin bowed, and headed slowly, easily, through the gates into the manor. All watched them go. Eff, Gil, and Mynar walked up on Barriss's sides, all wary.
"I don't trust them," Eff murmured.
"You don't trust my mom, either," Mynar pointed out quietly, "But you've got a point. Mother-"
"I know," Barriss said softly, "He's hiding something. But he's hardly come all this way just to kill us in our sleep. He's got a bigger game in mind..."
"And you want to find out what that is," Gil finished. Barriss nodded.
"Yes."
Gil sighed, closing his eyes.
"I don't remember much about him," he admitted, "But if he'd survived all this time as a mercenary..."
"
We will find out what he's up to," Barriss murmured, "But for now? We're all too tired to do much about it. Still..."
"The guards will keep constant watch," Gil promised. Barriss smiled and hugged her husband.
"You know me so well."
"Too well, sometimes," Gil sighed.
Eff looked over at Mynar, who shrugged.
"Yeah. She's like this. And no. I'm not used to it."
"Lovely," Eff sighed.
Yavin IV
Mara's alarm went off... And reflexively, she pulled her blaster and shot it. It fell to the ground in pieces, and she snuggled back into her covers.
She'd had to deal with a crisis Karrde was having with a smuggler's contact and it had taken all night. Now? Now she just wanted sleep...
Some time later though, her rest was interrupted.
Mara groaned as she felt disturbances through the Force, and in her ears. The sound of loud banging and mechanical drilling screeched in her ears. She got up, threw on some clothes, and stormed out of her quarters.
She headed into the main hanger bay, where an old man wearing a helmet with a visor was working with a laser drill, and several droids, on a power junction.
"HEY!" Mara shouted. The man took no notice, yelling at his droids.
"HEY!" Mara tried again.
Still, nothing. The man didn't seem to be able to hear her. Imagine that.
HEEEEYYYYYYYY! She screamed through the Force, and the old man turned in shock. He quickly hit his control panel, and the droids slowly stopped their work, the sound dying.
"Yes? Ah! You must be Mara Jade," the old man said, "sorry, Miss Mara Jade?"
"Yes, and you are?" Mara growled.
"Streen's the name, miss," Streen introduced him, saluting to her, "new member of the Jedi Order! Just doing some repairs. You have any idea how close the sewage pipes are to rupturing?"
"I don't-"
"No, no! This stuff was all installed by the Rebel Alliance, and they didn't have the parts to do it properly," Streen intoned, "so I'm fixing it all up! Along with the water, power, communications-"
"Do you have to be so loud about it?" Mara groaned. Streen chuckled, and handed her some ear plugs.
"Sorry, thought you would be out of here," he said, "rest o' the class is. I was just finishing up some last minute things before joining them."
"The class-KRIFF!" Mara took off at a run. Streen shook his head, watching her head out.
"Hmph... Not good manners, that girl," he muttered, "gonna have to watch her. Hey, P3, finish up for me, will you?"
The droid chirped happily in the affirmative, and Streen headed out.
Mara didn't need to run far. Luke had gathered all the students together in a nearby clearing. Mara slowed, and casually strolled into sight. She was back to her usual confident stance, giving Luke a challenging scowl. He returned a smile and nod, as Streen filed in after her.
"Thanks for coming," Luke said cheerfully. Mara sat down on a log, cut for the purposes of a bench. The others were all sitting on similar benches around Luke, who was standing. Except for Rotta, who simply sat and watched attentively.
"It hasn't been an easy start," Luke admitted, "but we're all gathered here for the same reason: To learn the ways of the Force, and to make the galaxy a better place. Some of you already know eachother, but I'm thinking we can all go around and introduce ourselves for the benefit of everyone. I'll go first."
Oh shavit. Was Skywalker really going this far?
"My name is Luke Skywalker. I was a moisture farmer, then a commander in the Rebel Alliance, and now I'm a Jedi Knight. I'm from Tatooine," Luke said, "and I hope to be a great Jedi like my father, and make the galaxy a better place."
Yup. He was. Mara covered her face, hiding a groan at how corny this all was.
And he told her this wasn't a job interview!"
"Now, go on, you do it," Luke said encouragingly.
A tall, heavily muscled man with a beard and long wild hair looked around, before he started.
"I am Gantoris. I am... Was a chieftain from Eol Sha. I hope to be a strong Jedi, and bring justice to the galaxy."
He then sat down, resuming his act of impersonating a block of stone. Tionne went next, standing up and smiling a tad nervously.
"Hello! I'm Tionne! I was a singer and musician-Well, still am," she admitted, "but my real love has always been for Jedi history and lore! I'm from Rindao originally. But I've moved around a lot. My dream is to become a great Jedi historian! And archaeologist!"
She sat down, blushing slightly. Mara grimaced mentally.
Yes, the woman was kind, but... Her upbeat attitude could be a tad grating, at times.
A muscular blond man in plain gray clothes stood up. His hair was close cropped in a buzzcut, and he looked a bit haunted.
"I am Kam Solusar. I... Was an Inquisitor for the Empire, but Luke and Tionne freed me," he said, and both Luke and Tionne beamed, "and Doctor Cilghal helped me recover."
The Mon Calamari female smiled at him, her whiskers twitching. Mara raised an eyebrow at the Mon Cal-Was she swooning over Kam? With their different biologies, how would that even...?
No. Don't go there. Bury that in the same place with the memory of walking in on Palpatine in the 'fresher. Forever.
"My hope... My hope is to become a good man, a good Jedi, like my father," Kam said softly, "and make up for all I have done."
He sat down. Tionne squeezed his shoulder as she sat next to him, and he nodded to her gratefully. Cilghal stood up, and not at all obviously walked over to Kam's other side before she began to speak.
"I am Doctor Cilghal. I'm a doctor. I worked for the Rebel Alliance, then the Freewander General Hospital," she said cheerfully, "I'm from Dac, obviously. And my hope is to rediscover ancient Jedi healing techniques, and heal people all over the galaxy!"
She sat down next to Kam, and beamed at him. He returned the smile awkwardly, even as Tionne's own smile became a bit frayed.
Mara rolled her eyes. Geez. You'd never see her competing for a man like a love struck teenager-
"Hi!" Chirped a familiar voice, "I'm Doctor Chelli Aphra!"
Mara scowled as the archaeologist went over to Luke's side and glomped onto his arm with a beam.
Shameless little...
"I'm a doctor of archaeology! Also a mercenary. An agent for the Empire... Then the Rebellion..." Aphra hummed and shrugged, "and I'm from Bar'leth! My hope is to help rebuild the Jedi Order by rediscovering Jedi history, even though I'm not Force Sensitive! If only because it's awesome!"
"So awesome!" Tionne echoed. She blushed at everyone's looks, but still smiled back at Aphra. Aphra snuggled up to Luke, who was trying not to look fondly exasperated at her.
"I also love assassin droids!" She said happily.
"Thank you Chelli," Luke said with a chuckle. Aphra snuck a kiss to his cheek, which made Mara grit her teeth as the archaeologist flounced off to sit on another log.
Bridger stood up from his sitting spot, next to his wife. He cleared his throat.
"Hey, I'm Ezra Bridger," he said, "I was a thief, then a rebel, and now I'm a Commander in the New Republic Fleet... Or was. I think I'm just a Jedi now? Anyway, I'm from Lothal. And my dream is to make the galaxy a safe place for everyone... Especially my family."
He sat down and nuzzled Sabine, who beamed right back. Mara, who thought she was desensitized to their unbelievably sappy displays of public affection, grimaced as they nuzzled each other. She was a bit heartened to see some of the other students were equally grossed out, though she hid it best.
"I'm Sabine Wren-Bridger, a Lady of House Wren of Mandalore," Sabine introduced herself, "I was a weapons designer for the Empire, then a Rebel, now I'm a consultant for the New Republic military. I was born on Krownest, and my hope is the same as Ezra's."
She went back to snuggling with him. An older redheaded human stood up next, one Mara didn't know very well. He had been sitting with a pregnant Rattaki woman, and a seven year old girl who was clearly their daughter.
"I'm Cal Kestis," he said, "I'm a Jedi too. I do a lot of work as a rigger, though I also worked with the Rebellion," he introduced himself, "and still do. I don't know where I was born, I was taken into the Jedi Order when I was a baby. My hope? Is to restore the Jedi Order, and restore peace and justice to the galaxy... As well as be a good dad and husband."
He sat down and nuzzled his wife, who giggled a bit. Their seven year old daughter made a face, and Mara agreed with the sentiment. The Rattaki woman stood up, beaming.
"I'm Merrin Kestis. I was a Nightsister, one of the few survivors of the Separatist massacres," she said, "I was born on Dathomir. My hope is to rediscover the old Force Witch Magics, and use them for the good of the galaxy and my family. And uh, I also want to be a good mother and wife."
The seven year old stood up on the log, and cleared her throat.
"I'm Trilla Kestis! I'm seven! I was born in space! And I wanna be a super awesome Jedi and rescue princesses and blow up Death Stars and stuff!" She declared proudly. Her eyes widened as she watched a familiar YT-1300 freighter fly overhead, and land in the hanger bay of the temple.
"And I wanna fly that ship!" She finished.
Much indulgent laughter ensued. Trilla was pulled into a hug by her parents, Cal ruffling her hair affectionately.
"Thank you Trilla," Luke said with a grin, which made Trilla beam like a sun, "okay, who's next?"
"Uh, ahem," Rotta cleared his throat nervously, "I'm Rotta Desilijic Tiure. I am... Well... I'm the son of Jabba the Hutt. But I'm not his heir. I was born on Tatooine."
He paused, and narrowed his eyes in determination.
"And I want to be a great Jedi. Free the people my family abuses and enslaves. And make up for what my family has done."
Luke nodded respectfully, as Rotta settled down a bit more. Lop hopped up, and beamed all around with her buck teeth.
"Hi! I'm Lop of the Yasaburo Clan! I was a slave, but I was adopted by the Yasaburo clan and became the heiress to the family! I'm... Well I don't know where I was born, but my home is Tao! And... And my dream is to make my world a beautiful place again, and... Find and save my sister."
She looked down a bit, flushing, but sat down back on the log. Luke nodded once more. Mara stared intensely at the Lepine girl.
A Tao crime family heiress? Huh... That was interesting...
"Yeah, I'm Sleen," the old man spoke, standing up and holding up his hand, "I was a tibanna gas miner on Bespin. I was born on Nar Shadda. I... I just want to learn how to control my powers. They isolated me from anyone for ages! And well... Maybe I want to help the galaxy some, too. We'll see."
He sat back down, still looking nervous and shaky. Mara increased the shielding around her thoughts.
Not out of concern for the old man. Just to keep him from being more annoying that he already was.
Kyle Katarn finally stood up with a big grin.
"I'm Kyle Katarn. I was a Stormtrooper, but I defected to the Rebellion and worked as a mercenary for them for a while. I don't really think of myself as a Jedi, even though my dad was one-I'm just a guy with a lightsaber and some questions."
Mara snorted. She was somewhat pleased to see Luke hold back his own laughter.
"Anyway," Kyle said, rubbing the back of his head, "I was born on Sulon, and I just wanna learn how to use these powers properly. Responsibly. Most of the time."
His partner Jan Ors rolled her eyes as he sat down, but she smiled briefly at him. Mara smirked. There was no hiding their mutual affection.
"I'm Jan Ors, New Republic Agent. I was born on Alderaan. My hope is to destroy the Empire once and for all, and helping you guys out seems like a surefire way to do it," she said. She then added: "Well, one way."
Ahsoka walked up to the front, standing next to Luke.
"I'm Ahsoka Tano," she said, "I was a member of the Old Jedi Order, like Cal and Kina. I stayed underground for a long time, before I joined the Rebel Alliance. Now I'm just a Jedi Knight, really, though I do jobs for the New Republic too. I was born on Shili. And well... Honestly? So far, my hopes are coming true."
She gave them all a wink.
"Keep it up, huh?" She suggested, to scattered laughs.
Mara sighed, and stood up. She knew it was her turn.
"I'm Mara Jade. I work for Talon Karrde and his Smuggler's Alliance," she said, "I... Used to be an Imperial assassin. I was born on Coruscant, I think? I don't really know. And I'm here because my boss made me."
"Mara," Luke said, looking disappointed. Mara snorted.
"Fine. I wanna learn how to use the Force. Maybe... Make up for some debts," she admitted softly. Kam looked at her briefly, as did Rotta, but they cast their gaze elsewhere. Good. She couldn't stand pity... Or empathy. Whatever.
She sensed Solo, Chewbacca, a very strong and young Force presence, and...
She slowly turned around, as did the rest of the group.
Han Solo arrived, looking a bit cut up and burnt but smiling. He was accompanied by Chewbacca, who looked a bit worse for wear but seemed calm. A young man with dark curly hair and intense green eyes was between them, wearing some hastily bought new clothes. A very exhausted looking Lando followed behind.
"Hey kid," Han muttered to the teenager, "go ahead. You heard the spiel."
The teenager sucked in a deep breath, and looked around. He spoke quietly.
"I... I'm Kyp Durron," he introduced himself, "I... I was a prisoner, on Kessel. Where I was born. I..."
His eyes narrowed.
"I wanna destroy the Empire... Like a real Jedi should!"
Ezra raised an eyebrow at that. Luke sighed, but smiled and nodded to Kyp.
"Welcome Kyp," he said gently, "it's good to meet you. As for you, Han, Chewie, Lando... You have an explanation for all this?"
"Yup," Han said cheerfully, "but it'll require a lot of alcohol to get through."
"Yeah, I figured it was one of those," Luke sighed.
Mara did not laugh at that. She absolutely did not.
I am using the only good parts of "Ahsoka" for this story. Don't bother watching it, this is the only good part. You're welcome.
Our two new Jedi Orders have been introduced! Now time for shenanigans!
I haven't included Dosk 81 or Kirana Ti because we have so many characters now and I wanted to consolidate things a bit. They can join up later.
