Chapter 3
Taking the chance given to him, Luke decided to take a few hours of sleep. It was times like these when he'd missed the old days, as a teenager, when he could just do work over the Larses' farm. Even though he would be meeting his biological father as a child, Luke would have to guarantee that both he and his... grandmother were freed from slavery.
He'd really wanted to do something about slavery in the Outer Rim.
Leia and Mon Mothma addressed that the slavery problem was something that would have to be handled eventually, but only when the Galactic Federation recovered from the war-that promise extending back to when the New Republic had to deal with the Imperial Remnants. As it were, its military was powerful, but there were further advancements to be made.
It made Luke wonder if his time continued as usual just without his interference, or if he was among them and here at the same time somehow. The thought gave the Jedi Master a headache.
The galaxy loathed Vader, and that was something Luke had to live with. After Vader's death, Luke and Leia were still widely respected. They were the most visible symbols of the New Republic. Their biggest problem, especially Leia, stemming from her heritage was the "mad grannies", an endless swarm of women - most not even old enough and some not even human - who all insisted that they had been the ones to give birth to Darth Vader's children.
Regardless, Luke never imagined that he would have been brought back in time. Never even considered it. He had been forced to move on, to leave everything in the past.
"We're landing!" the pilot shouted from the hanger.
As the Nubian ship descended slowly, allowing the ramp to extend on the sand below, its legs standing on its own, Luke exited the private quarters, noticing that some of the Handmaidens were still eyeing him as he moved down.
"Ooo, I wonder if he's single," Eirtaé giggled. "He's so hot!"
Even after all these years, Luke felt the urge to blush. He was by no means a flirt. That was Han's expertise. While Han cheating on Leia was as likely as Darth Sidious being redeemable, there were still some murmurs throughout the years that the past smuggler didn't change. Luke even had to get involved on occasion. Fortunately, Leia and Han's relationship after Endor: through its ups and downs, transitioned beautifully, and brought three lights of their lives for a time at least-such as Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin into the world, because controversy and rumors surrounding Senators' relationships were normal. For some reason, at the feelings flaring around them, he was reminded of one Mara Jade, his wife, the love of his life who he was forced to leave behind...
He settled on going into the spaceport alone as he left the cockpit to find other clothing and came upon Jar Jar Binks, the Queen's Handmaiden Padmé, and the little R2 unit.
Qui-Gon Jinn slowed, considering the possibility that going into the city alone would make him more noticeable. "Jar Jar," he said finally. "Get ready. You're going with me. The blue and white astromech as well."
He continued without looking back. The Gungan stared after him in disbelief, then in horror. By the time he regained his wits, the Jedi was out of view. Wailing in dismay, he chased after him, only stopping when he'd spotted the black-robed man and came in his direction.
"Luuke sire!" he gasped, throwing himself to his knees in front of the Jedi Master. "Pleeese, me no go wit Quiggon!"
"I'll handle it," Luke replied, placing his hand on his shoulder and nodding. He didn't agree with bringing the Gungan along either.
Qui-Gon reappeared, dressed now as a farmer in a tunic, leggings, and a poncho. He walked past them to where Obi-Wan was studying the hyperdrive. "What have you found, Padawan-mine?"
Obi-Wan's young face clouded. "The generator is shot. We'll need a new one."
"I thought as much." The Jedi Master knelt next to his protege. "Well, we can't risk a communication with Coruscant this far out on the edge of the galaxy. It might be intercepted, and our position revealed. We'll have to get by on our own." He lowered his voice to a near whisper. "Don't let anyone send a transmission while I'm gone. Be wary, Obi-Wan. I sense a disturbance in the Force."
Obi-Wan's eyes lifted to find his. "I feel it also, Master. I will be careful."
"I have had much time to contemplate this rival and I believe I came down to a conclusion," Luke interjected, coming forward, his face troubled as well.
"Oh?" Both Jedi looked up.
"It is a Dark Sider. A Sith." He advised, knowing that they couldn't take this threat too lightly. Surprisingly, or not, the Jedi Padawan were instant to deny it. He'd almost expected to see that old man from Tatooine. The wise mentor who guided him for years after his death on the first Death Star.
"No, that's impossible. The Sith have been extinct for a millennia!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. Dogmatism. But he'd read up about the Ruusan Reformation.
Qui-Gon Jinn, on the other hand, looked at him considerably. His eyes widened a fraction, but he was observing Luke, his hand slowly falling over his chin as his expression became thoughtful. Qui-Gon was meant to be very much in tune with the Force. More so than a lot of other Jedi of his age, in fact. Whereas most of them had become puppets of the Republic and politicians, using their Force abilities in service of a corrupt political entity. That included Obi-Wan, unfortunately.
"I sense the rage and hatred in him, something Jedi are taught to never give in to, much less flourish and channel," Luke explained. "It's a Sith, I know it. I have encountered many Dark Siders in my life, have... studied the ancient ways of the Sith." It was true. From Vader to the Inquisitors to the Hands to all of the Dark Side adepts post the Empire's era, he tried to gain knowledge of the Dark Side, against the enemies that he would encounter so he'd prevailed.
"And you know this so well?" Obi-Wan inquired, his tone displeased.
"Indeed, I have if I was to guided people down the right path."
"Impossible," Obi-Wan replied precipitously, staring at him with intense eyes. "Once one walks down the tainted path, one cannot return from the Dark Side."
Luke had a counter prepared. He almost did mention his father who did turn away from the Dark Side on the Second Death Star, but bit his lower lip, reminding himself that Darth Vader didn't exist. If they'd discovered his father was, or would be, a Sith Lord-one that would murder countless civilizations, and enslave the entire galaxy, it was possible that whatever credibility he could have with the Jedi would be shot down. That would make the situation worse for Anakin Skywalker.
Didn't mean that Luke didn't do his own research about the relics of the past, about the Jedi who have turned away from the Dark Side. Galen Marek was also another Jedi who reverted, saving his sister on Kashyyyk even. But he wasn't born yet.
"Need I remind you of Darth Revan who is view as the Prodigal Knight in your Order?" Luke asked rhetorically, noticing that the older Jedi Master grimaced, the slightest amount of pain that flowed through him. Curious... "Despite the countless temptations of the dark, Revan still resisted and became one of the Jedi's greatest saviors. He'd also turned the fallen Bastila Shan away from the Dark Side on the Star Forge in the Jedi Civil War."
"Revan is not a hero nor a role model," Obi-Wan disregarded. "He broke multiple rules of the Code and continuously touched the Dark Side. He gave into his feelings, knowing what they could do to him."
"That's a narrow-minded view, I'm afraid," he responded. "You can't judge everything based on history books without experiencing it for yourself."
Obi-Wan gave him a look that bordered on disdain. "It takes strength to resist the Dark Side! Only the weak embrace it..."
"Such a mindset can lead you down that path," Luke cautioned. "Many great Jedi thought they were above corruption and it destroyed them."
Jinn frowned. "What are your recommendations?"
"First matter of business, it is unwise to bring him," he indicated to Jar Jar Binks who was looking like an Ewok stuck between logs. "Discretion is the better part of valor. I would come along instead."
"I don't trust him," Obi-Wan argued, gripping his Master's shoulders. That actually inwardly pained Luke. To know that he doesn't trust him. But he understood somewhat. Luke was extremely powerful, surpassing his father, and possibly still having a few who rivaled him at this time point. So small and in-between.
Qui-Gon's brow shot up in curiosity, his lips quirking up into a smile as he looked at the younger man. "We mustn't make assumptions without proof, my young Padawan."
"I'm coming along rather you like it or not," the son of Anakin Skywalker enforced with slightly more authority in his tone, knowing that Leia would have been pleased by his lack of relinquishing. He wasn't, personally, but he had to just... see his father. "I have experience on this planet." There were undoubtedly some changes, but he had been on most of this planet for many years of his life. This would be nothing but a stroll no matter how much time passed. "You're walking in blind, and it can lead to much attention from all types of the wrong crowds."
Qui-Gon looked at him contemplatively, before he... nodded. "Very well."
Obi-Wan's eyes didn't change. "Are you sure about this, Master?" he asked, uncertainty spilling into his voice.
"Trust in the Force," the older Jedi answered.
"The less attention we have to ourselves, the better," Luke answered, looking at Jar Jar, then R2 apologetically. "With those two, you will stick out like a sore thumb."
"We'll take your word for it."
Qui-Gon nodded, and the two Jedi headed down the loading ramp to the planet's floor. An empty carpet of sand stretched away in all directions, broken only by massive rock formations and the distant skyline of Mos Espa. The suns that gave the planet life beat down with such ferocity that it seemed as if they were determined to steal that life back again. Heat rose off the sand in a shimmering wave, and the air was so dry it sucked the moisture from their throat and nose passages.
"Thank yousa, Luuke!" Jar Jar gripped his hands and shook so much he might as well rip Luke's prosthetic hand off. He glanced skyward, eyestalks craning, billed amphibious face wrinkling in dismay. "Dis sun would do murder ta da skin of ills Gungan." He cringed and retreated, back inside to the lusty shadowy form of the ship.
A caravan of animals and riders, carts, and sleds appeared against the distant skyline like a shadowy mirage, all misshapen and threatening to evaporate in the blink of an eye.
"Hey, wait up!" A voice shouted before they left the ramp, and one picked up speed as she darted to their direction with Captain Panaka following behind her.
His mother...
At raised eyebrows from the Maverick, Panaka began to explain. "Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden with you. She wishes for Padmé to give her own report of what you might-"
"No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain," Qui-Gon interrupted quickly, shaking his head in refusal. "Mos Espa is not going to be a pleasant place for-"
"Oh, I have a feeling they won't be unconvinced," Luke said, resigned. He needed his father to meet his mother one way or another after all. The sooner, the better... "You might as well go along with this, Qui-Gon."
Padmé took the moment to start teasing. "Don't tell me you're afraid of me coming along," she said, chipper to the end.
He snickered. "For you, madam, not myself. The last Naboo needs is for you to get into trouble."
She scoffed. "I don't get into trouble!"
"Don't you?" He quipped. "Last time I checked, teenagers don't have their planet invaded. Maybe the Trade Federation was looking for you."
She laughed. "Oh please I'm not that bad! I'm very mature for my age! If you don't have me there, you might go off the charts, run off to some island, and probably drink some green milk," she snarked, her brown eyes flashing with defiance.
He humored her. "I take I'll be a hermit as well," he offered good-naturedly.
"Oh, oh, oh, this is rich. You becoming a hermit." She grinned. "You got to let me capture that on feed so I can show the entire Naboo what happened to the galaxy's biggest show off."
"Hmm, got anything else I should hear from this enlightening conversation?" he inquired.
She jumped slightly. "Oh great, you listening to me will get you out of so many problems-appearance speaking too! My biggest recommendation, grow a beard! Don't look at me like that! It'll suit you!"
Now, he was truly horrified at the thought. He'd preferred being clean-shaven. Oh, if he grew a beard, he could already imagine what Jaina and Jacen, those big troublemakers, would do to it. Ben would have fun in a lot of ways. Mara would come back in time and kill him. No other explanation.
"I'm afraid I will have to decline you on that, I'll be bristle-free forever," Luke responded, stroking his jawline, trying to cleanse the thought. "The baby face suits my personality." Everyone always said that, and Luke absolutely agreed with them.
Padmé laughed. "Oh, come on. You might need to do something more with the hair, grow it out, so if you do ever go off to become a hermit, you'll be set and ready."
Luke's eyes went wide for a moment. A beard?! Growing out his hair?!
"Judging by your look, I'll take that as a refusal, but preferences change all the time." She shrugged innocently. "If you ever change your mind, me and the other Handmaidens are always available."
He fought the urge to groan. Okay, his biological mother was going to be the death of him, that had been established already.
"If you two are done," Panaka cut in, exasperated with the surprising exchange that no one anticipated, "Master Jedi, the Queen wishes it," his face angry and set, now centered at the older Jedi. "She is emphatic. She wishes to know more about this planet."
The girl's face became serious, looking between the two men. "I've been trained in self-defense. I speak a number of languages. I am not afraid. I can take care of myself."
Qui-Gon observed her, his displeasure clear.
Captain Panaka sighed, looking over his shoulder toward the ship. "Don't make me go back and tell her you refuse."
Luke's demeanor shifted to more of a mature tone. "We'll have to hope that the incident occurring on Naboo won't reach this far. Bounty hunters plague this part of the galaxy, and the Trade Federation may wish to bring the Queen back through force."
Panaka nodded. "We are aware of the risks."
"With respect, Captain, I doubt that," he returned calmly, sensing the man's hesitation from within, his duty to the real Queen as much as he tried to remain detached from the situation publicly. "Tatooine's culture is different. It's rough out here. No law and order. Getting killed is another common day occurrence for so many."
He felt a instant burst of guilt when Padmé's eyes widened for a moment in fear. At that, he wanted to cradle her and tell her that he would never let her be hurt.
Qui-Gon hesitated. He looked at Padmé again, saw strength in her eyes, and changed his mind. He decided with a slight sigh. "We don't have time to argue the matter, Captain. I still think this is a bad idea, but she may come."
Luke stared pointedly at his mother, all humor gone. There was a time for jokes and a time to be serious. Being on Tatooine meant taking everything seriously. "Stay behind us. People out here are always trying to grab a lone figure in the crowds."
Exactly why Uncle Owen never allowed Aunt Beru to go to town by herself.
Nor him until he was of age.
He could see much of... himself in his mother, but a small part of him forlorn what his father might be like, before the black suit and the wars that came. If those two were as chaotic as one another...
Seriously, if him and Leia was bad according to Wedge, just how much did his parents come along with, if not outright manifested, crazy shenanigans?