Chapter Fifteen:

Vexa sat, fuming once again, on her throne. Kida had just taken the children away to their new quarters in the acolyte area of the Dark Mystery. They would share space with the older acolytes until Vexa could find somewhere else to make her planet-side base.

And while Vexa was rather pleased with Kida's success— bless her reliability— there was a rather glaring problem Vexa had to deal with now.

Katu was dead.

A news story had just been published about the failed attempt by a rogue teenager, a Whiphid, to attack the Jedi Temple. Theories as to why the being had done this were widespread and made Vexa's head hurt. Because she knew the truth, though it was admittedly from gleaning information from the actual report given, and not the theories. She'd gotten her hands on said report with the aid of her splicer.

Katu had been ultimately overpowered by both Skywalkers, though not before a battle with an unnamed young lady, and an aging Cosian Jedi Master. The girl was in poor shape, and yet the old Master was dead.

Still, Vexa's demolitions and explosives expert was now gone. Not to mention Katu was among her most reliable acolytes. Like Kida, Katu had never questioned his orders for moral purposes.

Vexa was furious, and she began to pace, unable to simply sit still. She needed to take her revenge out… but she did not want to waste more acolyte children, and she would not throw her efforts to snare Skywalker to the wind: not over Katu's death.

So then how…

She pulled out her datapad and looked to the files, noting the date. Their thirty days she had allowed them wasn't quite up, but it would do.

Yes…

Vexa lifted her comlink to her lips.

00000

Ignis gazed at the lot of younger children that were now marching in perfect step down the corridor, Kida in the lead and directing one at a time into the rooms of other acolytes, with the exception of Katu's room, which got two. This she did until all seven had been dealt with.

Tharan stood in Ignis' shadow, unaware of the significance of the moment.

When Kida turned after leading the final kid into her room, Ignis stepped forward, speaking through his mask. "Did something happen at the castle?"

Kida stopped, folding her arms. "Yes. And before you ask, I will not say more without Vexa's express permission. She doesn't want things getting out, and for her to appear weak." Her gaze slid to Tharan; the threat clear. "You understand, Fist."

Ignis heard and felt Tharan shift a step closer to the armored figure, but he ignored it. "The boy is learning swiftly."

"I hope so, for his sake," Kida began to walk off. "Vexa's not in the best of moods right now."

"Is there anything you can tell me?" Ignis snarked irritably.

Kida paused once more, silent for a moment. "You will be pleased to know that Katu is dead. Killed by the blasted Skywalkers. I tell you; someone will pay a heavy price for that."

Ignis blinked, noting Kida leave for real this time, but doing nothing to stop her. Luke and Mara had killed Katu? How? When?

It had to have been recently, but where had it happened?

His comlink came to life, and he answered it by rote. "Fist here."

"Come to me; now." A pause, then, "come alone."

"Yes Master," Ignis replied, signing off and turning to face Tharan. "Go to the room."

"Yes, Master Fist."

Ignis only gazed at the boy long enough to ensure he was going to the right place, and then he marched to Vexa's throne room. When he got there, she stood rigidly, watching his every move like a feline on the hunt.

Ignis bent to one knee, looking to her, and waiting silently for her to speak.

"You will go to Omwat and destroy the monks' treasured palace." Vexa ordered.

Ignis blinked. Destroy another place? Why?

"Because Katu was murdered by your blaster father!" Vexa bit out furiously, and Ignis flinched at the title, still not accepting it in application to himself.

In fact, Ignis now fought a daily battle against the bulging mass of emotion that pressed against the hole Vexa had created in his numbing shield. A hole Ignis had not been able to mend, no matter what he tried. So now he was stuck fighting everything that wanted out.

"Someone will feel my wrath, and it will be the Omwati." Vexa continued. "They've had plenty of time to decide, and have yet to respond at all. That is their blunder, and it will cost them their lives."

Ignis withheld a sigh, knowing it would do him no good anyway.

"Leave at once; and when you are done, you will come help with the takeover of Vondarc and Haruun Kal."

Ignis dipped his head and stood. "As you wish."

He left, feeling her eyes on him until the doors shut behind him. Ignis didn't make any detours, since he didn't need any weapons from the armory. When he got to the hangar, a bomber was already waiting for him. No doubt, Vexa had called ahead to make sure Ignis could leave promptly.

He barely acknowledged the mechanic who hailed him, and left as soon as he was cleared.

00000

Vexa gazed upon the four acolytes she had called in once Ignis was on his way to Omwat.

"I have selected all four of you for a very important mission." Vexa informed them. "You will work in pairs, but will leave together and remain as one unit until your mission ends, understood?"

All four inclined their heads, and Vexa went on.

"Raythe and Pai, you two will bring me the Skywalker's baby, Kodai. Cambrie and Katya, you will bring me the twins, Ben and Emry. You will not act when their guardians are near. Find a time to attack when the adults are not there, or at lest the Force-sensitive ones. You will go to Coruscant and at first study the movements of the family, and plan your strikes simultaneously. You must act together. If all the children are in one place, then all four of you will attack there, obviously."

"What of the eldest Skywalker child?" Katya asked. "Shmi, is it?"

Vexa nodded. "She is back home, and will likely be with her siblings. If she interferes, use her three siblings as leverage. Bring her along as well if you can. For now, however, your priority is the three younger Skywalker children."

Raythe bared his teeth. "Are we allowed to seek any revenge for Katu, Master?"

Vexa looked to him, the tiniest hint of sympathy in her gaze. Katu had been Raythe's best friend, and Vexa understood how it felt to have someone you were close to taken away.

"Not yet, Raythe. Patience."

Raythe thinned his lips, but bowed his head. "Yes, Master."

Vexa refocused on her instructions. "I will be giving you all a larger vessel than normal. Once you have the children, you will contact me directly. I will then either instruct you to bring them to Korriban immediately, or I will have you go either to empty, or neutral space and wait there for my summons. Then you will still bring them to Korriban. If you need to take the second option, you will want to sedate the kids to avoid them becoming problematic."

"I want all the children alive and in one piece." Vexa looked to them all warningly. "Do you understand?"

"Yes Master." They chorused.

"Good. You will leave immediately."

She did not want Ignis catching wind of their activity, just like she had instructed all those who'd come from Boz Pity not to talk to the Fist about events there, especially about her two prisoners who were already on Korriban.

The four acolytes bowed low, and then stood to follow her orders.

Vexa watched them go, anticipation bubbling beneath the surface. Very soon, all her pieces would be in place, and she would finally see her plans come to fruition.

00000

Leia sat at the head of the long, oval table, eyeing the mix of New Republic Senators and the representatives from each of their temporary allies who had come to answer Leia's proposal.

To Leia's right sat Admiral Ackbar, who had been asked to help with the military portion of the planning. Each ally had sent one politician and one military leader as well for the same reasons.

See Threepio tottered in and came to her side. "That is everyone, Mistress Leia."

Leia thanked him and stood; her hands raised. "I want to welcome everyone to our first meeting. And I offer my gratitude to the delegates who have come from our allies from around the galaxy."

A tall, spindly alien with pearl-colored eyes and a blue ponytail that went down to his knees dipped his head. "I am Kulaan Thuu. The Quanteen Nation is happy to help our allies in the New Republic. We too are concerned that the Rising would target our area once they finish with the Republic. So, we offer our assistance until the Rising had been dealt with."

Next, a silver-skinned being that stood no taller than a Chadra Fan rose to her feet. Her eyes shone like glowing coals in a fire. Her long, silky hair was a brilliant white, and so was her tail.

"My name is Rashta Pillgg. Our people, the Kytins, are proud to also offer our aid."

And so the introductions were made, first by those not in the New Republic, and then those who did represent the New Republic gave their names and home planets. Finally, the pleasantries ended, and Leia sat back down.

"Now, our first order of business is to determine what punishment would be appropriate to those who might willingly return to the New Republic." Leia looked about the room. "Let us now offer suggestions. Each will be noted by my droid," Leia indicated See Threepio, "and then we will carefully consider the options until a determination is made and agreed upon."

"Well, obviously their militaries would be reduced," remarked the Senator from Selonia, a man named Murth Viil. "Though, really, not all of them have a substantial one to begin with."

Kulaan made a sound that sounded like a snort. "Please! Most of Vexa's supporters are nothing more than criminal organizations with barely one fleet."

Murth inclined his head. "Agreed. However, there are the Hutts and the Pikes, both of which have a substantial following. The Hutts especially have always been influential and powerful in their own way."

Kulaan nodded. "On that, we can agree."

"Since they are in fact mostly criminal organizations," Rashta said, "perhaps the smaller factions can be integrated into military or be sentenced to community service to pay their debt. I know there are a few worlds in need of repairs. Let them help clean up their own mess."

"Hear hear!" Senator Durgett, a Gen'Dai female agreed eagerly.

There were many nods around the table, and Leia shifted, motioning to the aid on Leia's left who would be drafting the written version of the arrangement made in this meeting and others.

"I do also like that idea. If we are all in agreement on that, I will have my assistant write it down. Once we have all our notes in writing, it will be drafted in to an official document for us all to sign. Is that agreeable to us all?"

Nobody objected, and Leia inclined her head. "So, the first note to be written is to have the smaller organizations either join military service or community service to repair their destruction, correct?"

"I think it should be strictly community service," Murth said. "Once that is done, then they can go elsewhere."

"Yes." The Gran Senator, Biff Holkon of Kinyen, agreed. "I do not think those illegals need access to our military."

There were murmurs of agreement, and Leia re-worded her statement. "Then the criminal factions who surrender will be sentenced to community service."

Nobody objected that time, so it was written down. And so, their meeting continued well into the evening, when everyone agreed to adjourn for the day and reconvene the following afternoon.

Leia was happy with the progress that they had made so far, and she sat back to breathe a sigh of relief when she was on her way home. The flight back to her house was uneventful, and Leia made it to her door without fuss, for which she was thankful.

"Mom!" Carmi and Asher greeted her when she walked through the door. Leia smiled warmly and embraced her children.

When she pulled away, she sniffed gratefully at the air. "Something smells good: are you cooking something?"

"Dinner." Carmi informed Leia. "Shmi thought it would be nice to have something ready for when you got back, so you didn't have to worry about it. You know, cause you're in the extra meetings now."

Leia found that she was more than grateful that she didn't also have to cook the evening meal. Winter appeared, a sleeping Kodai in her arms.

"Oh, Leia, welcome back."

Leia smile at her friend. "Thank you again for your help, Winter."

The other woman shrugged. "I really don't mind. These kids always behave, which makes things more pleasant."

"Indeed." Leia checked on Kodai, noting the tiny dribble of milk at the corner of his mouth.

Winter wiped it away when she spotted it too. "This little guy just ate, and is down for the evening most likely."

Leia allowed Winter to take Kodai to his crib, and she went to the kitchen to find all three older Skywalker children helping to get dinner on the table. Shmi was just moving a hot pan to one of the trivets, and Leia spotted two more dishes already in place.

Emry spotted Leia, and smiled. "We wanted to help, Aunt Leia."

Leia moved over to hug her. "I am very grateful, all of you."

"Have you heard anything from Mom or Dad?" Ben asked curiously.

"No, sorry," Leia replied, taking her spot at the table and looking to Winter when she appeared. "Stay for dinner, Winter?"

"Thank you, but no," Winter said. "I would like to be getting home. I will see you kids next afternoon."

Everybody bid the white-haired woman goodnight and then turned to the meal. During dinner, Leia noted that Shmi was quieter than usual, and she made a mental note to speak with her niece after everyone else was settled for the night.

Soon, the food was eaten, and the Solo children offered to do the cleaning, since their cousins had prepared the meal. Leia helped her children while the Ben and Emry prepared for bed. They were sharing their cousins' rooms, while Shmi had taken to sleeping on the couch.

It wasn't long before everyone but Shmi and Leia were fast asleep. Leia found Shmi sitting on the couch, the linens in place but otherwise ignored. The young woman was staring into space, not seeming to notice her aunt. Leia settled next to the eighteen-year-old, and finally Shmi came-to with a slight shake to her head.

"How did your first meeting go?" Shmi inquired.

"Pretty good, actually," Leia answered. "Better than I had thought it might. Sometimes initial meetings like that don't go very far on the first day, but this one surprised me."

Shmi pursed her lips. "Maybe everyone just wants this war to end, and are willing to see that happen."

Leia inclined her head. "You may be right. I would certainly like to see it over with."

Shmi said nothing, her faraway look retuning for a moment.

Finally, Leia nudged her gently. "Anything you want to talk about, Sweetheart?"

Shmi focused on Leia, considering. "I guess. I'm dealing with the realization that Anya and my efforts to help Ignis were ultimately a waste of time. We didn't accomplish anything except to get Anya captured."

Shmi rubbed her face with her fingers. "I feel, once again, like an ignorant teenager, and it's driving me crazy. I'm supposed to be a Jedi Knight, and I finally want to be one, but then I get the reminder that I am ignorant of many things."

Leia took that in, and then offered a wry look to her niece. "Well, you are technically still a teenager."

When Shmi frowned at her, Leia smirked in a very Han-like manner. "If the term 'teen' is still there, then you are technically still a teenager."

Shmi stared… and then snorted in mild amusement. "Uncle Han's wisdom, no doubt."

Leia chuckled. "Some of it." She sobered. "But that brings us to another point: you are still young Shmi. And yes, there is a lot you have yet to experience. But how else are you to gain that knowledge without trial and error?"

Shmi sighed. "I know: Mom told me the same thing. But it's still frustrating. I ignored my family of weeks because I feared their reaction to my leaving suddenly. And then I have to accept that all of that was a waste."

"Maybe not as much of a waste as you think," Leia chastened gently.

Shmi looked to her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Did you learn anything from this experience?" Leia pressed.

Shmi considered that. "Well, I did learn that rushing out like that— without a real plan or an understanding of how to make it happen— was not the best way to handle the situation."

Leia nodded sagely. "And did you learn that lesson well? To the point that you will probably be more careful, the next time the temptation comes around?"

Shmi snorted softly. "Yes."

"Then your time away was not a waste." Leia declared firmly. "Sweetheart, we all have to learn, and we all do so at our on pace, in ways that truly work for us."

Shmi eyed Leia. "I know some of Dad's stories, and Mom's too; but do you have any like mine?"

Leia laughed. "Yes, I do. When I was sixteen, I wanted so badly to show my father that I was ready for my internship to begin. So, I snuck onboard the ship he was taking to Coruscant, and when I disembarked with the servant staff, I came face-to-face with Emperor Palpatine, who spotted me even though I was trying to be innocuous. The Emperor had invited my father and some other Senators to a banquet, and he insisted that I attend also. I tried to debate with the Emperor and other senators, but ultimately found myself embarrassed. Needless to say, I learned that being a Senator is about more than knowing the materials they teach in school. It's also about being able to read a room and to negotiate regardless."

Shmi smiled. "I can't see you being out-debated, Aunt Leia. You're the best politician I know."

Leia smiled. "Thank you, Shmi. Now, keep your chin up: your chance to help will come, alright?"

Shmi hugged her aunt and bid her goodnight. Leia went to bed also, feeling lighter after their chat.

00000

Mara and Luke sat in the hospital that Samanda had been taken to after Katu's attack attempt. They were in fact just outside her room, in a small cluster of chairs. Two guards had been posted outside her door. Luke and Mara had already been in to see the unconscious Samanda, and now they were waiting to hear more on her condition.

The group that had gone to Boz Pity had returned that morning, and had been greeted warmly by their loved ones. Luke and Mara had taken their children to school after a family breakfast. Once the threat had been cleared away, life at the academy had returned to normal, with the exception of slightly higher security.

They had also been in to see Hobbie, who was in bacta submersion, so nobody had been able to chat with him while in the hospital yet.

Now the adults waited to hear news of Samanda. It had been a few days since the Temple incident, so she had been out of surgery for a while now. But when they'd arrived at the hospital, it had been to find that her medic was in with another patient.

Luke glanced to his wife, who was more tense than she had been before seeing Samanda. Luke reached over and took one of her hands to hold comfortingly.

"I'm sure things will be alright, Love."

Mara thinned her lips. "Luke, I heard something break in her when Katu flung her into that pillar. And I swear her back was broken. What if she is never the same physically?"

Luke pursed his lips. "Then we will do our best to help her through things." Luke studied his wife a moment more, and then continued. "You really care about her, don't you?"

Mara's gaze shifted to his. "I do, though not as deeply as I do Shmi. It's more along the lines of my relationship with Anya. She's another young woman in a dangerous situation not of her choosing. She grew up similarly to how I did, and I look at her and see things in her that I once saw in myself. That's why I worked so hard to befriend her: I knew she simply needed that companionship."

Luke smiled softly. "I think you're doing a wonderful thing, Mara."

She leaned against him. "She was really coming around; opening up more. I hope this doesn't set her back too much."

Luke wrapped his arm about her. "Maybe she will surprise us."

"Masters Skywalker?"

The two of them looked up to find an aging human man walking toward them, a pair of glasses tucked into the pocket of his medical robe. In his hand was a datapad, and he smiled politely at them both as he approached.

"Good day. I am Doctor Jehu, and I performed the operations on the young woman in there."

Luke stood, offering his hand, and Mara rose as well, nodding in greeting.

"How is she?" Mara inquired.

"Let's go inside her room." The man nodded to the guards, who allowed the three of them entry. Once the door was shut again, the medic gestured to Samanda. "I am sorry to say that this young woman will never walk again. Her back was shattered at the waist, and she is very lucky it did not occur any higher up, or she would be paralyzed from the neck down. As of now, I am certain that she will never regain the use of her body from the waist down."

Mara took that in, and Luke once more took her hand in a show of support. She squeezed gently to thank him.

"Is there anything we can do to help her?" Luke wanted to know.

"She will be bound to a hoverchair for moving around as if one would when walking," the man replied, "and will need therapy to help her learn how to function with only half her body working correctly. That will require emotional and other support from her friends."

Luke glanced to the guards, thinking. "When will she be released?"

"Not until Admiral Igeal gives the all-clear, I am afraid." The doctor looked apologetic.

"That's alright," Mara murmured. "She will be safe here. Nobody learned her name, correct?"

"I only know her as Samanda." The man looked like he had been in this position before. "But I have not spread her identity."

"Please keep it that way," Mara replied, "or her life may be in jeopardy."

"Of course. Patient confidentiality is my top priority."

"Thank you, Doctor Jehu." Luke offered his hand once more. "Please keep us informed of her condition."

"I will do so." The man promised, and they all left, with Luke and Mara returning home.

When they were back in their own space, with Kodai picked up from Leia's, Mara took a spot on the couch. Luke joined her, watching Kodai play on the floor with his toys. The couple stayed lost in their thoughts for a time, and then Mara shifted, gazing at Luke.

"So, tell me more about your plan to get Ignis back."

Luke breathed out long and slow. "It can't happen while Vexa is nearby, which is why we need a way to decoy her away from wherever Ignis will be."

Mara pursed her lips. "I'd bet she would come for the Sith holocrons or the lot at her castle."

"Or if someone she really wanted was there," Luke murmured.

Mara was silent for a moment, and then she tilted her head. "I have an idea. We have someone contact her and say they have information on Samanda. We won't give Vexa definitive locations or whatnot, but we could lure her away with information on Samanda. We both know how much she loves to control those kids, and when they try to escape her, it's not good either."

Luke hesitated. "I'm not sure that would be wise…"

Mara gave him a look. "Luke, we won't actually be putting her in danger. She's safe and nobody knows we have her except a rare few. We'd be giving Vexa the most basic info. We send someone who is willing to act like a traitor."

Luke pursed his lips. "Alright, but she won't like it when we tell her."

Mara sighed. "I agree, but let's be realistic: noting else will get that witch away from her blasted ship."

Luke nodded slowly. "You're right."

Mara eyed him. "So, what about the rest of your plan?"

"We need to get Ignis separated from the Rising somehow, and get the squid from him then and there."

Mara lifted a brow. "How do we get him away from them?"

Luke looked to her. "You and Han would wait in the atmosphere, or somewhere out of the way and hidden. Lately, Vexa has used Ignis in the space portion of the battles, utilizing her droid army planet-side. I would battle him in the air, and see if I can't get him to ground."

Mara saw where this was going. "Get him alone: then we come in, and free him from that blasted squid."

"Yes," Luke murmured, "we will try Han's method first, with me holding the female squid so she doesn't join the one already in Ignis. But we honestly have no way to tell if the female is receptive for breeding at the time, so I doubt it will work. So, we will attempt my way if Han's fails."

Mara tilted her head. "Will you be able to connect with the creature?"

Luke sighed. "I guess we will find out."

At that moment the door chimed, and Luke shared a glance with Mara. They sensed who was outside the door, and stood to answer it. Luke opened the door to admit Han, Lando, Wedge and the Wookiees.

When Kodai saw Han, he let out an excited squeal, and the child's uncle smiled warmly in response. "Hiya Buddy!"

Han picked Kodai up when the baby crawled to him, and he bounced the child for a moment.

Luke looked to his friends curiously. "What's going on guys?"

"We are here to help," Wedge said seriously. "Han said you had a plan to get Ignis freed from the squid." At the Skywalkers' surprised expressions, Wedge explained. "Han filled me in on the way home from Boz Pity."

Luke and Mara indicated their understanding, and their guests stood nearby, looking ready.

"So, what's the plan?" Han asked. "Cause whatever it is, I'm in."

"Me too," Lando said. "I've got the squid and case ready to go whenever you give the word."

The Wookiees voiced their own readiness, and Luke smiled at the comradery. "I really appreciate this, guys."

Luke laid out his plan, outlining what he and Mara had discussed, and how Luke planned to get the squid out if Han's effort didn't pan out.

Lando looked both doubtful, and impressed. "You sure you can trick the creature like that, Luke?"

"If I can connect with it… I will do my utmost." Luke declared. "I'm certain I can if I am close to Ignis. But not from a distance."

[Who will you use to lure Vexa away?] Chewbacca asked.

"We haven't decided yet," Mara replied.

"It should be someone who isn't obviously connected to Luke and Mara," Lando mused, fingering his chin thoughtfully.

"What about Wes?" Wedge proposed.

When the others looked to him, he lifted a hand. "Hear me out. Wes would love some payback for what Vexa did to Hobbie. He told me when I was leaving to offer his services should anything like this come up. Wes is not widely known to be connected to Luke or Mara, and he's in the perfect position to be a viable source. He was at Bespin, so that would also work in our favor."

Luke hesitated. "What if Vexa does what she always does to loose ends?"

"I think if he gives her good enough intel, she will leave him alone as a reward," Wedge said.

Mara placed a hand on Luke's. "He's got good points."

[I will go with Wes,] Lumpy volunteered.

Han shifted Kodai. "I'll ride with Mara in her ship, and Chewie can come to help us hold Ignis down, if need be, while we work to relieve him of the creature."

Luke eyed all his friends one by one, gauging their sincerity. "Alright. Lando, please go get the squid case. Han, Mara, Lando and Chewie will ride in the Jade Shadow. Wedge, we will need to compile information on Samanda that will pique Vexa's interest, but not give an exact location."

Wedge nodded. "I'm on it. We will take Hobbie's ship, but use a different transponder code."

"I will follow Mara and company in my X-wing," Luke finished, "and I will engage Ignis in a dogfight to separate him from the Rising forces and get him to ground. However, nobody will engage until we have confirmation that Vexa is not in the same system as Ignis. We will revert just outside the system, and wait for the all-clear. I will let Mara know when to jump into the system."

"Alright… well, where is this even happening?" Han inquired.

"Haruun Kal." Luke stated with finality. "I meditated while on the way home from Boz Pity, and that's where we will meet up with Ignis."

Everybody stood in silence for a moment, contemplating the undertaking they had chosen for themselves. But nobody bowed out, for which Luke was thankful.

"I'll get the information, and prep Wes," Wedge said, starting to leave. Lumpy followed him. "And I will pick a place that is not too far away to garner suspicion from Vexa, but that will give you a fair amount of time should things go south. I will be nearby, in a small ship to offer aid should Wes and Lumpy require it."

"Alright, thanks Wedge," Luke replied.

Once the pair had left, Lando bowed out as well to collect the case he was keeping for Luke and Han. Luke looked to Han with a slightly guilty look.

"I know we just got back, but…"

Han held up a hand. "Winter was already planning to keep watching your kids, Luke. Besides, Leia is the one who suggested we get the ball rolling on this idea."

Luke smiled softly. "Alright, thanks."

Later that evening, Shmi stood at the foot of her parents' bed, watching as they prepared for their trip.

"Please let me come," Shmi asked finally, unable to bear the thought of being left behind.

Luke and Mara paused in their preparations, sharing a look.

"Are you ready for it, after your last trip?" Mara inquired seriously.

"Yes." Shmi stated firmly. "Please, let me finish what I started. Let me also help Ignis. Besides, I was Dad's wingman at Bespin, and I can be that again."

Luke ran a hand through his hair. "Sweetheart, I won't be holding back at all. I will be giving this my all, and you know how strong a pilot Ignis is too."

"So am I." Shmi argued. "You know I can do this."

Luke and Mara again shared a look, and Shmi knew they were communicating mentally.

Shmi stepped closer to her father, taking his hand. "Dad, I am trying to be responsible, and to think before I act this time. But I need to help Ignis. I need to be part of helping free him. Please, don't take that away from me."

"Alright, you will fly with me," Luke finally replied. "But we will need to get you a one-man fighter."

Shmi nodded seriously. "Thank you. I won't let you guys down."

00000

There was no way to tell time in the dungeon of the Sith Temple. Due to the ever-present cloud cover outdoors, and the dingy windows of the ancient structure, there was always the same amount of gloom hovering in the air. It was always just light enough for the girls to see each other and a few feet out from their position.

The practical part of her mind tried to tell her it hadn't really been that long, maybe a few days; but in reality, she had no way to tell. And in any case, the duration of their stay thus far was not what had Anya worried.

No, she was far more concerned about the condition of the girl at her side. The bite on her leg had not been healed; only the bleeding had been staunched. As such, Arthalinea had fallen victim to whatever bacteria had been in the hound's saliva when it had taken her leg into its mouth. Arthalinea had told Anya where the bite had come from, sharing with the red-head the full story, not just the summary version from before.

Anya was both proud of Arthalinea for taking a stand, and afraid that the girl would perish by disease before anyone could come for them. Arthalinea had stopped talking long ago, her condition rapidly deteriorating into fevers and chills. She had vomited a few times too, and yet that wasn't the worst of it.

The child's leg was steadily getting worse, with an infection obvious in the way the wound was festering, the edges hard and cracking. But it was the growing amount of puss that told Anya that things were truly bad.

Anya was certain that Arthalinea's leg was in the early stages of turning gangrenous.

Arthalinea did not move the leg unless she had to, and her breathing was labored as if she was in constant pain. Anya knew she had to be, and her heart went out to the child.

The Twilek girl hadn't really eaten much either, nor, for that matter, had Anya. They'd agreed to do their best to preserve their food rations for as long as they could. Still, Anya knew that nutrition— limited as it was— would help Arthalinea by giving her body some energy to fight off her growing infection.

Anya shifted, moving cold fingers to the tin that housed their ration bars. She fumbled with the clasp, and finally opened the device. Then she tugged a wrapped bar out, and shut the lid once more. Turning to her companion, Anya nudged her.

"Hey, why don't you eat something?" Anya suggested softly, holding the bar out to the other girl.

Arthalinea blinked wearily at the offering, but eventually shook her head slowly.

"Arthalinea, I know it hurts, and I know you're sick, but you must eat." Anya reasoned. "You can't go indefinitely without food."

For their first time in a long while, the child spoke, though her voice was raspy. "I'm used to going hungry."

Anya took that in with a grain of salt, though truth be told, Anya remembered a time when she too went hungry due to a master's cruelty. Still…

"But that doesn't have to be the case now," Anya responded. "You can eat something at least."

"Why?" Arthalinea asked weakly.

Anya could feel how warm the girl was, since she was pressed to Anya's side. Both were cold from the dank dungeon with no heat source, and were huddled together to help conserve what body heat they could. But though Anya was starting to feel the effects of their imprisonment too, she was faring much better than Arthalinea at the moment.

"To keep up at least some of your strength." Anya shifted to a slightly more comfortable position.

"Why would I want to keep going?" Arthalinea pressed, and Anya did not like her defeated tone.

"Because you need to keep fighting." Anya urged her friend. "Don't quit."

Arthalinea shook her head lethargically. "I am a gonner. Look at my leg, feel my head… I'm dying. I spent my whole life being afraid I would die, and I did everything I could to prevent it… and now I am going out in a horrid way. And nobody cares, or will miss me. Nobody will even know if I am gone."

Anya's heart clenched. "You're wrong about that. There are those who would care."

Arthalinea looked to Anya. "Who?"

"Well, for starters, I would be very sad to see you go." Anya wrapped an arm about the other girl. "I like you very much, Arthalinea. You have been nothing but kind to me when you could have been more like Kida. You and I are alike in a few ways too. We've both been slaves, we both had harsh masters, we have no family that's aware of us."

Anya leaned her head back. "And he may not have said it out loud, but I know Hobbie liked you too. You took care of him the best you could, risking your own safety to do favors for him." At Arthalinea's questioning look, Anya expounded. "We spoke a bit while you were away."

Anya paused, looking down. "And, I can tell you for a fact that Ignis would be heartbroken to lose you."

That got the girl's attention.

"You told me some of your dealings with Ignis." Anya expounded. "Well, I know him pretty well, and I can tell you that he cares deeply for you."

Arthalinea's eyes widened. "You really think he does? I always saw him as more than just another acolyte. I know he had to be really careful lest Vexa or anyone else think we were getting to be too close as friends, but Ignis… I always felt like he truly did care about me."

Anya smiled. "He showed you he cared, even if he could not say so aloud. Did he help anyone else?"

Arthalinea pursed her lips. "Not as much as he aided me."

"So why else would he dedicate so much time in helping you if he didn't really care?"

Arthalinea actually smiled. "He's like a brother to me. I've looked to him as a brother for so long now." But her smile faded. "I've missed him so much, and I am so lonely!"

"I understand exactly how that feels," Anya murmured, closing her eyes and picturing his handsome face. "You cherish the time you have with him, as little as it may be, because when he's with you, it's really him spending time with you. It's not the acolyte, or Byrec's toy… it's not the broken young man everyone's forced him to become… It's just Ignis." A tiny smile touched her lips. "And the time apart, as difficult as it can be, is all worth it the next time you see him in the flesh. You come to understand that, when he holds you in his arms, there is no safer place in all the galaxy. And that there is nobody else who makes you feel more at home."

Anya felt a few tears escape her eyes. "It kills you to watch him be used as a pawn to become the very thing he's given literally everything to not be. And it breaks your heart to know that his very first kiss to you might very well be the only kiss he ever gives you… and to hear him declare his love for you when it might be the only time you ever hear it said."

She stopped, realizing that she had just borne her soul. She opened her eyes after a time and looked to Arthalinea, who was gazing at Anya in wonder.

"You really love him, don't you?" the girl asked quietly.

Anya didn't bother to deny it. "I really do." She pressed the ration bar into Arthalinea's palm. "Please, eat it for Ignis. Do your best to stay alive… for him if not for yourself."

Arthalinea gazed down at the food, and finally nodded. "I'll try."

"That's good enough for now," Anya murmured, watching the other munch slowly on her tiny meal.

After the bar was gone, Arthalinea faded into sleep, leaving Anya alone with the darkness… and the growing whispers that had started plaguing her not long after Kida had left. Anya could not fully understand them, but she could feel that they were born of the Dark Side, and so she was doing her best to ignore them. However, they disturbed her, and Anya was afraid of the moment when the murmurs would become clear to her.

What would happen then? Would Anya, who was helpless to change her situation, have no choice but to slowly give in to the voices? Was that part of the torture of this dungeon? Was it more Sith trickery, meant to drive prisoners insane… or perhaps just make them desperate enough to give in to the demands of their captors?

The whispers indeed came back, just below the level of her ability to hear actual words, yet she could not stop her ears from straining on their own to better capture whatever they were picking up. Anya tried to control her body, but it had its own instincts, its own functions, and it simply would not obey her.

Anya blew out a worried puff of air, shifting and using her love for Ignis to try and keep herself grounded.

Force, help us… Anya pled silently, seeking for the Light that she knew was within herself. It burned within her center, and Anya basked in it to keep herself from losing her mind entirely.

However, to her chagrin, Anya found that even though she was in the Light, suddenly the whispers were coming through much more clearly.

…not worthy of him… destined to become a Sith… such potential, such pain that could become anger…

Anya shifted, swiftly leaving the Light, but it was too late: the Dark whispers were now fully audible to her, even if she was the only one who seemed to hear them.

…could use that anger for revenge… you'd have such POWER…

"No," Anya murmured back, her heart clenching with a type of fear that had nothing at all to do with being Vexa's prisoner.

She shut her eyes and gritted her teeth, turning to her memories and collecting the ones that were of her and Ignis in happy moments. She played them on a loop in her mind, focusing on them and only them to help drown out the Dark whispers.

00000

Luke was standing with his companions, the mechanics overlooking Shmi's fighter in preparation for their mission. They had managed to secure Shmi the use of an old Nabooian starfighter, one painted a rich yellow color. It was a beautiful design, Luke admitted, but he still preferred his X-wing.

The little ship was small and reliable, though, perfect for what they had to do.

The group was huddled in a loose cluster, chatting amiably as the final preps were awaiting completion. Wedge, Wes and Lumpy stood close to the Ardrossan, which would be using the name Slick Gundark while acting as bait for Vexa.

Everybody else waited between the Jade Shadow and the pair of starfighters. Even Leia was there to give them all a send-off.

Luke smiled softly at those gathered. Luke had always considered this bunch to be family, and he loved them as such. Everyone here— with the exception of Lumpy— had fought and bled together in the Rebellion era.

Luke was proud to be going into battle with them once again.

Without warning, the Force vibrated, and Mara, Luke and Shmi all felt the sudden cold wash of death spread through its fabric. Shmi staggered, a hand going to her head. Luke reached out to steady his daughter, even as Mara lightly grasped his opposite elbow. Leia gasped and staggered, though Han was at her side in a flash.

Those who were not Force-sensitive noticed those who were, and shared concerned looks.

Han, still steadying Leia, frowned. "What's going on you guys?"

Luke couldn't answer immediately, as he was focused on the screams of the dying, which were echoing in the Force. He caught images of Omwati Force-wielders, and Luke felt his heart grow heavy.

"Someone is attacking the Omwati peoples' Force-sensitives," Luke whispered. "Hundreds of them are dying…"

Han and the others shared knowing looks. Omwat was right next to the corridor that the Rising had been coming down. So, it wasn't really that difficult to put the pieces together.

"Vexa… or the Fist, more likely," Lando murmured.

The sensations continued to come until Luke blocked it all, knowing he needed a clear mind to function. He assisted Shmi in doing likewise, and then his sister, even as Mara set up her own shields. When they were all once again stable, Han cleared his throat.

"I think we all know who it was, since Vexa doesn't appear to want to do her own dirty work."

Luke had to agree, though at that moment the mechanic approached.

"She's all ready to fly, Master Skywalker, astromech and all."

Luke thanked him and the mechanic left. The group started to disperse, but Luke held up a hand.

"Wait a moment, please."

They all stopped, and Luke shared a look with Mara. They had talked deep into the previous night, and had agreed on what they were about to do.

Luke turned to Shmi. "Before we embark, your mother and I, as Masters in the New Jedi Order, are declaring you to be at the level of a Jedi Knight."

Shmi's eyed went wide as dinner plates. "Really?"

Luke and Mara both nodded seriously, though it was Mara who answered. "You're ready. Kneel."

Shmi didn't move for long seconds, her eyes closing as she no doubt debated. Finally, Shmi breathed deeply and got to her knees. Luke ignited his emerald blade and moved it to rest just above one shoulder, and then the other.

"I, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, confer upon Shmi Skywalker the level of Jedi Knight. May you always trust in the Force, which will be with you, always."

Shmi stood when he was done, her eyes moist, and she welcomed it when Luke and Mara both enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"We are so proud of you, Shmi," Luke murmured.

"Our little girl is growing up so well." Mara agreed. "You will still make mistakes, Shmi, and you have much to learn, but you are a full Jedi now. Trust yourself, trust the Force, and don't think you have to do everything alone."

"I won't forget." Shmi promised.

They pulled apart, and Luke touched her cheek lovingly. "We will have a more formal ceremony and celebration when time permits. But that does not make this any less official."

Shmi nodded. "I know. I love you both."

When the parents and Shmi finally broke apart for good, the rest of their family gathered round to congratulate Shmi.

Leia had tears in her eyes, and she kissed Shmi on the cheek. "I'm so l happy for you, Shmi."

"Thank you, Aunt Leia."

Han was next, clapping hie niece on the shoulder and then gently taking her face into his hands. "Way to go Squirt."

Shmi smiled just for him. "I couldn't have done it without your help too, Uncle Han." She then looked to he others. "All of you played a part in this, so thank you very much!"

When the rest of the congratulations were had, the group turned to business. Han kissed Leia, and Luke hugged his sister. When she was gone, everyone left behind stood together, shared poignant looks and broke into three groups.

Wedge, Lumpy and Wes were in their ship, Luke and Shmi in the fighters, and Mara with the rest of the group were in the Jade Shadow.

"Luke, can you read me?" Mara called over the comm. unit.

"Loud and clear," Luke replied.

"Me too, Mom," Shmi said.

"Alright, off we go."

00000

Ignis sat in stoic silence in the refresher of his quarters, naked save for a pair of undershorts. He had just showered, and now he sat unmoving on the floor. He had returned not long ago from his assignment from Vexa, and now he had a few hours before the Rising was to begin their next assault.

Ignis had lost part of his battle to remain numbed as he fulfilled Vexa's orders to wipe out the Omwati monastery, which had been filled with many of the Omwati people's Force-sensitives. Ignis didn't even know why he had been sent to kill them. Though, the more he thought about it, the more he suspected that she had been venting about Katu's death.

Katu had been a prominent acolyte due to his specific skillset, something Vexa had utilized on frequent occasions. And now her demolitions expert was gone, leaving her without that card to play.

Sure, others could set explosives, but likely not with the efficiency and skill that Katu had been able to. And for Vexa to train a replacement for Katu specifically would take a long time.

Still, the Omwati had not been the cause of Katu's death, and yet they had suffered for it. Just like the Cathar village had paid for Vexa's wounded pride, inflicted by one of their members. Then there were all the other places Vexa had wiped from the face of their planet; whenever someone dared to stand up to her, or even lift a finger in the wrong way against her.

Or even if they had done nothing at all, and she just felt like expelling some energy, as had been the case with one town. Ignis closed his eyes at the memory of that one, as he had been present due to him being in training with her personally at that time. She had forced him to participate, and Ignis had hated every second of it.

Ignis loathed all the lives he was being force to extinguish, especially the little ones he knew had also been killed. The childrens' deaths had hit him hard, especially after his vision of his possible future daughter.

But in truth, the death that had hit Ignis the hardest… had been the way Vexa had drained Sylva of her life-force. Try as he might, Ignis just could not extinguish image of the child literally crumbling into a pile of ash, after the purple light had finished leaving her.

Ignis balled his fist, angry with Vexa and wishing the deaths had not happened— especially by his hand— and yet knowing there was ultimately nothing he could do. Before the squid had taken over Ignis' mind, he had been in survival mode, taking lives because if he didn't, he would suffer. And now, he had no choice in whether he killed or not, thanks to the blasted squid and his master.

Ignis stewed in his anger for a time before he glanced at his body and took in all the scars. And that gave him a morbid idea. Maybe he could not stop the killings, but there was at least a way he could remember the victims, even if he was the only one who cared.

Ignis pondered the idea until his resolve solidified. Climbing to his feet, Ignis swiftly donned his armor and swept from his quarters. He noted that Tharan was out cold still after their latest training session. To his mild surprise, Tharan had turned out to be a swift learner once he got past his nerves, and the initial information dump. If Ignis had been inclined to feeling much— despite his attempts to battle the emotions still trying to leak through the Vexa-made hole in his numbing shield— he supposed he would have been a little proud of the child.

Ignis shook his head and focused on his self-appointed task. He swept into the maintenance area for droids, ignoring the unit that greeted him. Ignis moved past the droid and into the supply area, where he sifted through drawers of parts until he found some promising items.

He selected three different rods: one was shaped like a diamond, while the other two were a large and small circle. He lastly chose a single, eight-point star tip that was about as large around as an olive.

Then Ignis found a heater unit that was small enough that he could take it with him. When he had all his items, Ignis returned to his quarters. He detoured for the pad of flimsi and a stylus from his desk, which he would use to draw out a design. He took all his things into the refresher, and then dragged his stand-alone mirror into the room also and locked himself inside.

Ignis plugged the heater in, and then set all four of his rods and cylinders onto the coil so that they would heat up. While they did, Ignis removed his armor and clothes, leaving only his shorts once more. Ignis then took the time to figure out the design he would do. He already knew what each brand would stand for: large circle was single adult victims; the small circle would be for children. His diamond-shaped rod, which was larger than both circles, was for his mass-killings, where he did not have a number.

And the star pattern… that one was to remember Sylva. True, Ignis had not killed her, but he had been the one to bring the child to her demise, so Ignis felt it only fair that he pay some small price for that.

Ignis finally came up with a pattern he liked: he would use his presses to create a swirl pattern that would begin at the crown of his left shoulder and branch out in different spiraling paths the further out from his shoulder he went. And Sylva's brand would be in the center of the two largest divisions.

His design decided, Ignis took a deep breath, jotting down the statistics next. He remembered the number of his single and small-group victims, and the number of mass-killings he had participated in, and he knew he would be in his refresher for a while, and the pattern would be rather larger upon his back when he finished. And he would add his victims from then on out until he either died, or was freed from Vexa.

Ignis felt his insides squirm at the daunting task ahead of him, and how much it would hurt. But he was set in his mind. He would remember his victims, and this would be not that different from how pilots kept kill counts on their fighters. Besides, Ignis was familiar with pain… intimately so.

The image of a Duros man with a white lab-coat and shiny black gloves and boots came to mind, and Ignis shuddered, resolutely pushing it away.

Taking a deep breath, Ignis used the Force to pick up the large circle, which would leave a dot on Ignis' skin. He would essentially be branding himself with the rods and the star-shape. The top was white-hot, and Ignis shifted the mirrors to view each other so he could see his back clearly. With the Force, Ignis maneuvered the large rod and positioned it to where it needed to be.

Without any further hesitation, Ignis pressed the rod firmly to his skin. He felt the pain acutely, and hissed through his teeth to avoid screaming outright and waking Tharan. Still, he saw stars, and yet he held the rod for a count of five. Then he lifted it and examined the dot, making sure it would leave a permanent mark that would not be cleared away by bacta or any other means.

Unsatisfied, Ignis pressed it again to the exact same spot and counted another five seconds. This time the mark was much more prominent, and Ignis breathed through his pain, focusing through it. He looked to the design on his flimsi and continued to place each brand, holding every single one for a count of ten.

Slowly but surely his design came to life on his back, and Ignis was truly in agony, but he pressed onward. Though, when he came to Sylva's mark, he made sure to stand tall and to use the utmost care to place it properly.

Ignis pressed the star to his back and held this one for longer, so it would leave a much, deeper mark. Ignis allowed the tears that kept trying to leak from his eyes to fall at last, though he cleared his vision when it was time to move on. Ignis did not know how long it took him, nor did he care, but when he was finished, he took the time to look at his design.

Only when he was satisfied, did Ignis collapse to his hand and knees, panting.

His back was literally on fire, and Ignis knew he would feel the burns for a while yet, but he refused to cool them with salve. He instead stayed where he was until the pain subsided enough for him to breathe properly. Ignis crawled to the wall and sat back against it, feeling the iciness of the metal like a new kind of burn against his smoldering back.

Ignis breathed through the pain still, feeling his body quiver from the punishment he had inflicted upon himself.

Eventually he felt exhaustion claim him, and Ignis did not bother leaving the refresher, simply sliding into a lying position and allowing unconsciousness to claim him.