I glanced at Anakin,as he put on some light sythweave armor."Are you sure this is safe?"I was wearing nothing but a cloak and a tunic,and all my weapons and armor were in a bag in the corner."Of course this is safe.Beside,you have armor,I don't."Anakin grunted in acknowledgment as he wrapped up his fists,"Why can't we just lightsaber duel?"He handed me the tape to put around my fists,and I threw it in the corner."Because you are already really good with lightsaber fighting.You need to learn what to do if you are in your underwear getting ambushed in the corner.Beside,this will help your lightsaber combat.I got as good as U am with a lightsaber because of my hand to hand skills."Anakin rolled his shoulders,then nodded at me to begin.I walked in a slow circle around him,and he went after me.We sent a solid right hook to my head,which I blocked with my forearm.He used his other fist to try to punch me in the gut,and I twisted my body so he hit my hip instead of my stomach.I used my moment to backhand him with my hand,making him step back.That one step back was all I needed to go on the offensive.I went with a punch going diagonally to the neck,which he barely avoided.I then launched a punch to his gut,which he blocked with both hands.That was a common mistake,and I used that advantage to right hook,backhand,then uppercut him.The uppercut knocked him to the ground.I helped him up,then started to evaluate his performance,"Not bad at all.You fought like I did when I was five."Anakin bristled slightly,"Is that an underhand insult."I laughed in his face,"Not at all kid.When I was five,I was the best clone hand to hand duelist,and I could beat Jango Fett."Anakin smiled slightly,and I cleared my throat,"All right,back to business.You didn't hold back,and you attacked me,which was good.There are a few things you could tidy up,but nothing deadly.The only two things I have to tell you is this.One,you blocked one of my punches like this."I showed him how he blocked my straight punch with two hands,"That is a rookie mistake,what you have to do is-"I was interrupted by Anakin,"I should have absorbed the impact,or found a place that would not have effected me."I smiled at him,"Perfect.The other one is that you fought with anger.Know this is a good thing,anger is a good weapon.However,you don't know how to harness that power,and not let it consume you."Anakin swallowed and looked down at the floor,"I-I am just so made with how the war is going.My own father pretty much abandoned me.My brother didn't trust my judgment,and I now with Dad in Duro.I am not even sure where Mom is,and Jaina is with Rouge squadron.I feel like the only family I have is you,Luke,and Mara."I opened my mouth to respond,but just then Luke,Mara,and a Chadra-Fan Jedi.They walked up to us and Luke stepped up,"Strill,Anakin.Please listen to what Tekli has to say."The Chadra-Fan,Tekli,looked nervous,"So I was in a tapcaf in the lower city,the Leafy Green,when I saw two Rodians walk in."Mara frowned,"Why were you in the lower levels?"Tekli blushed,but Anakin answered for her,"Clighal sent her there to retrieve something.I was there when she got the assignment.Tekli nodded,then continued,"The two Rodians looked normal,but something was off about them.I reached with the Force and despite the fact I am weak in the Force,I sensed that they didn't register."I perked up,"The Vong.Why didn't you fight them?"Tekli looked down at the floor,"I am not a fighter."Luke put a hand in her shoulder,"And you don't need to be.Take a rest know.We got this."Tekli nodded and left.Luke turned to us,"We need to kill the Vong infiltrators."Mara nodded,"Me and Strill will go."Anakin immediately looked up,"Hey!Can I go to?"I could tell Mara was about to say no,so I intervened,"Yeah kid.It will be good practice."Mara and Luke sent me dirty looks,but Anakin looked genuinely happy.I scanned my eyes and looked at Mara and Anakin,"Where disguises people.We embark in thirty minutes."
Thirty minutes later,Mara and Anakin were a block east of the Leafy Green,and I am in the west.I am wearing a cloak,and with a bead comlink that allows me to speak with Mara.I grabbed a dead comlink from my belt and pretended to speak to it."I am here.Lets have some fun."Mara,who was on the other side of the link,respond almost nostalgically,"Of course.Never thought I will be doing it again."I clicked off my comlink,and walked up to the Leafy Green.I went to the bar,my scars showing vividly,and order some caf.I saw Mara and Anakin walk in,and sat down right next to me.I scanned the bar,and saw one suspicious looking person.He looked regular,but he is not as jumpy as a normal Rodian.He reacts a little slower then he should if he had a Rodian's visuals.He was a Vong infiltrated.I glanced at Mara,then transmitted my findings by a code we developed when we were in the Empire.I knocked my fingers into the bar in a certain pattern,and it made a message.Mara responded with a affirmative,and must have telepathically told Anakin.Mara coded to me to do lure him out the bar.That was no fun,and more work then necessary.I have a better idea.I turned to a random person,and started slurping curse words at him.Then I punched him in the face.I ducked his punch,making his punch another dude.In about five seconds,I started a bar brawl.I say Mara glare angrily at me,and she and Anakin slid out the bar.The Vong spy tried to walk away,but I used a broken bottle to stab him in the face.I then tore the bottle out and stabbed the spy in the stomach,killing him.I slipped out the bar,caught up with Anakin and Mara,and started laughing.Mara glared at me,"What the kriff was that about,Strill?"I just looked at her,"You wanted to do this quietly.It was a bad idea:Know people know they are infiltrated,and the senate will have to take action.Any information you may want to get from them will not be successful.Trust me."Mara looked like she was about to start full on ranting at me,but Anakin stepped in between us,"Mara,Strill has a point."Mara just glared at him,then sighed,"Go home,both of you.We will talk about it later."Me and Anakin left for the Solo apartment,but I couldn't help notice that Mara's stomach was 0.0001 percent rounder than usual.It said something,but I ignored it.I will talk to her about it later.
A few days later,Mara called me over to a chat,no Luke or Anakin there.I approached her apartment,and told Anakin (who insisted on following me here like a child),"Stay here.This is an old college talk."Anakin snorted at me,"More of like no kids involved."I chuckled,"Actually Luke ain't going to be here either.Something about finalizing a trip to Duro to help the refugee process."Anakin nodded,and I went to their apartment.As soon as I walked in,I saw Mara sitting in the couch,watching the skyline did Coruscant."Hello Strill it is a very nice day today."That was a strange comment,"Umm-okay."That was a very un-Mara like comment,and I started checking to make sure it is not a Gurlian or some other shapeshifter.Mara smiled at me,"I wanted to talk about your influence on Anakin."She put her hand on her stomach,another very unlike Mara pose."Well I like the kid:He is like the son I never had."Mara smiled,"You didn't hear this from me,but all the Solo and Skywalkers except Anakin are debating whenever you influence is good."I slumped my shoulders,"What is the tally?"Mara winked at me,making me really wonder what is happening,"Luke,Jacen,and Leia really don't want you around Anakin,all for different reason."I grunted,"Of course Jacen hate me."Mara ignored the comment,"And Jaina,Han,and me think your influence is a good thing."I allowed myself to show visible shock,"I understand you and Han,but Jaina?I never really seen her,much less talk to her."Mara scratched her head,"She is becoming a lot more military minded,and I think she likes me your influence because of your combat skills."I got up,"Is that all?"Mara nodded,"Get ready to leave in an hour.You and Anakin are coming with us to Duro."I nodded,then looked at her microscopically bigger belly.Then it hit me,"Mara.Your pregnant."Mara straightened up and tried not to look surprised,"How did you know?"
"Your cues are different,no matter how little."
She nodded,"Ok.Just don't tell anybody."I gave a mock salute,and slipped out the door.I walked down the hallways and saw Anakin sitting down near a little tree,meditating.I prodded him with my foot,"Come on kid.We got a mission to do."Anakin immediately sprang in his feet,"Where are we going," he asked excitedly.I chucked at his response,"Don't get too excited.We are going to Duro to help the refugees get there supplies."Anakin's face fell,and I eased off my helmet to get fresh air,"Come on.Lets go to hanger 19.That is where the ship is."Anakin nodded,and followed me.He looked up at me and kicked a rock,"This stays between us,but I wish we could be fighting.I don't like the Jedi's passive approach."I glanced at him and ruffled his hair,"Me neither,but I am not the head of the Jedi.It is up to Luke to decide.Oh and by the way..."I knew I was breaking a promise with that I am about to say,but I feel duty bound to say it."Mara's pregnant."Anakin looked at me shocked,and stumbled,"She's pre-"I cut him,"She doesn't want anybody to know,so this stays between us."Anakin nodded,"Okay.Isn't she too old though?"I shrugged,"The two other pregnant woman I have seen were about mid twenties.When are you planning to have a kid?"Anakin's face grew red,"I am a bit young to think about it."I snorted,"Alright."We walked over to the ship,and we sat there,waiting it leave.
I chuckled in amusement as the Duro was making a speech.It was speech that wanted to kick out the refugees and the republic.Luke was getting mad,but trying to remain calm.Mara mirrored my amusement,and Anakin could care less."I bet he would not be saying that if he was a refugee," I commented.Mara sighed,"The stupidity of people amaze me."Anakin shrugged," it that surprising.Anyway,we should go to the central office in the city.We can convince them to help us."I eased off my helmet and grinned,"Or we could threaten them.Bribing them works well too."Luke gave me a horrified look,and I bursted out laughing.Mara tilted her head sideways at me,"I see you haven't gotten any less violent."Anakin sighed,"He is kidding."I nodded to confirm Anakin's conclusion,and we left for are apartment.
When we got there,I flopped on the couch and put my helmet on a desk.Mara and Luke started to pace around,and Anakin sat down next to me.Luke looked at us,"What should we do?We can't just show up as a Jedi and mandolorian."I rose my eyebrows,"You have a few milliseconds to figure out the right course of action."Mara and Anakin looked up,"Disguises."
"Good job.Mara is good at disguises.I recommend she is one we send."
Luke suddenly looked very scared,"I don't think you should do that."Mara glared venomously at him,"Why is that,Farmboy?"I grunted,"You don't need to lie about it Mara.Anakin knows."Mara glared at me,and Luke glared at Mara,"Mara?You told him."Mara threw her hands up,"He figured it out!I told him to be quiet,then he told Anakin!"I rolled my neck,"You have to trust your family.And don't worry,I don't plan on telling anybody."Mara sighed,"Fine.I will be in disguise in ten minutes."She left and we stayed in silence for a few minutes.Then she walked out.She disguises herself as a Kuati noble,and she looked like a complete different person.Luke and Anakin looked surprised at her disguise,but I simply smiled at the irony."Just like old days,ehh?She smiled at me,"Minus the Empire."I nodded,"Anakin.You have to stay here."Anakin looked hurt,"Why?"Luke stepped up,"Because you are to young.."I interrupted him,"No.It is because Kuati don't take kids for negotiation.And you suck at disguise."Anakin nodded,"You have a point."He sat down and Luke gave me a thankful look.I stood up,"We leave in thirty minutes.Mara,help Luke put on his disguise.I will be the mandolorian bodyguard."Mara nodded,and she leaded Luke into the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later,me,Luke and Mara went into the government building.We were waiting for a chance to speak with the negotiator,but somebody else was doing it right know.Jacen Solo.Despite what most people think,I don't hate Jacen for what he did.It was just a testimony to how stupid he is,but that was his upbringing.How Jacen and Anakin became so different is beyond me.He was negotiating with the negotiator,and it was taking forever.He was trying to negotiate what we wanted to,so to everybody's shock I stepped up."Negotiator," I said,"How about two percent income to you?If you don't take the deal,I am sure that you will regret it."Jacen stepped back at my proposal,and the Duro looked really surprised.The Duro spoke up,"Who are you to speak to me like that,mandolorian?"His voice shook a little,so I punched in the chance,"2 percent of the earnings go to you.You also get to keep the Jedi right here."I pointed at Jacen,and the Duro looked thoughtful,"I accept."He motioned for Jacen to follow him,and he left with him.Luke suddenly looked around and stage whispered to us,"Mara,please go back to the apartment.Strill,accompany me as I have a little chat with Jacen."Mara looked like she was about to object,then nodded,"Stay safe you two."She left and we started walking to where Jacen was,"Follow me,Strill," said Luke.I trailed behind him,"Are you going to talk about him not using the Force?"Luke snorted,"I should be surprised you know,but you seem to know everything.Yes that is what I am going to talk to him about."I sighed,"Jacen is a coward.Less said the better."We arrived at Jacen's door and Luke motioned me to stay.He walked in and I stood outside.Two minutes later he walks out,looking impassive."He explained to me why he is not using the Force,and I am not going to argue.Lets go."I nodded and we went back to the apartment.
A few days later,Mara came back from visiting Leia,and Jaina was behind her.Anakin embraced Jaina,but they seemed a bit mad.Luke put a hand on Mara's shoulder and embraced her,"What is wrong,Mara?"Mara clenched her teeth and detached herself,"Nom Anor.He is still alive.He was trying to kill Leia,but we interrupted him.He dropped a roof on us,and we escaped."Jaina walked over to us,"He seemed to take an interest in Mara's condition.Evidently he gave her the disease."Luke's face remained calm,but flashed through.I coughed,"I already had my suspicions he was alive."Everybody but Anakin turned to me.Jaina caught that,and turned to Anakin,"Anakin.."Anakin shrugged,"He told me his suspicions,but I asked him to keep quiet."Before we could get anymore into the subject,I interrupted,"The Vuuzhan Vong are probably planing an invasion for Duro soon."Everybody nodded,and Anakin spoke up,"The apprentice we were looking for?I found out she boarded a ship in the hanger's.They landed again."I smiled and patted Anakin on the shoulder,"Good job kid.That is a lead."Luke nodded,"Me,Anakin,and Strill will go investigate."I nodded,and we headed for the hangers.
When we go to the hangers,there were two Trandoshans and two human near a shuttle ship.We walked up there and I asked,"People,have you seen a Jedi in the area?"The human looked at me,"Of course not."I could tell he was lying,and a glance of Luke and Anakin confirmed the same thing.Anakin stood in the balls of his heels and glared at the group,"You might want to rethink that answer."The human pulled out a blaster,and Anakin force shoved him into the wall.Luke suddenly looked scared,"What..."I pulled out my blaster and shot a Trandoshan,and Anakin cut it a guys head off.Luke used the force to amplify his voice,"Everybody,calm down.I know what you guys did to the Jedi apprentice,and we won't kill you if you leave right now."The human looked suddenly a lot more compliant,"Of course,Master Jedi."They quickly ran to their ships,and took off.Luke whirled around to face us,"Anakin.Strill.Why did you kill there men."I simply rose an eyebrow,"It was how I was trained.And he was about to blow you away if Anakin didn't stop him,so I think a thank you is in order."Luke just stared at him,then stared at me.Anakin sighed,"Let's go back to the apartment and eat.I am hungry."
When we arrived at the apartment,Luke told Mara and Jaina what happened.To my shock,Jaina was understanding,and said that she probably would have done the same thing.Mara was not happy at are actions,but at least was a little more flexible than Luke.During dinner,we discussed a plan.Mara looked up from her plate,"We have to rescue Jacen.He is being used as bait for the Vong."Jaina smirked,"And wipe some sense into him."Luke frowned at her,"Are you going to be okay?With your eyesight and all?"Jaina's face soured,"Of course.I can handle myself."I decided to defend Luke for once,"Jaina,what he means is that our you a liability for the mission?Your safety is not as important as getting the mission done,so if you are crippled,stay out."Jaina looked surprised at what I said,"I will be fine."I nodded at her,then turned to Mara,"The plan?"Mara smiled,"That is the hard part.Figuring out the plan."Anakin smiled,"I got an idea.Everybody,listen closely..."
A few hours later,we set out to follow Anakin's surprisingly good plan.Me,Mara,Anakin,and Luke were supposed to distract the guards while Jaina snuck in and rescued him.Escape routes were strange,and I told everybody to escape how they can.When we go in front of the government building,I nodded at Mara and we ignited are lightsabers.Luke and Anakin followed suit,and the whole crowd and every security guard was staring at us.I nodded again at Mara,and we started to duel.Mara was good,but she was never as good as I was,and I have gotten better.I willed myself to purposely miss opportunities to strike at her,and kept the duel going.My helmet caught a frequency from the guards,and I realized that they are trying to comm reinforcements.I blocked the signal with my helmet,and commed everybody with my comlink,"Reinforcements coming soon.I jammed the signal,but some will still come."Mara glanced at me,then behind me.I used my HUD's warp around vision,and I saw a bunch of police running out and aiming guns.I cursed,then got an idea."Everybody,I have a grenade!"I pulled out a detonator from my belt and clicked a button to ready it.People started screaming and running away,but there were too many things around.Mara was looking at me in horror,but her face became one of realization as she figured out what I was doing.I spoke again,"If the police fire,I will activate the detonator,and blow us all to hell!"Mara snuck onto a police speeder,turned it on,and started heading to Luke and Mara's direction.I smiled as the police in front hefted his gun,"You wouldn't press the button!"I smiled,"Watch me."I pressed the button,and an automated voice started counting down from five.I saw Mara coming with the speeder,and I jumped on it.The detonator hit zero,but the only thing that happened was a ma laughing sound from the detonator.As soon as we were clear, I stared laughing my head off.Luke stared at me,"I thought you were actually going to blow us all up."Mara smiled,"It is a trick he used in the Empire."Anakin smirked,"It is a good trick.It also matches his sense of humor."I checked Jaina's process with my helmet,and I sighed with relief,"Jaina got Jacen.We need to get to the Jade Shadow know."Luke nodded,"You guys carry on.Me and Mara will stay behind."I smiled as I caught what he was saying,"Of course.Stay at this location.We will pick you up when we get to the ship."
Me and Anakin picked up the Jade Shadow,then picked up Luke and Mara.As we were heading to Port Duggan,I heard Jaina on the comlink.I flicked it on,and I didn't like what I heard,"The Vuuzhon Vong are here!They to only destroy one orbiting city if they have all the Jedi!"I cursed,"This is great.Jaina,get you and Jacen to Port Duggan,and join us to fight back."
"I can't do that.The Vong have mom,and we need to rescue her."
I grunted,"Go do it,then.Stay alive,"I turned off the comlink,and relayed the conversation to Anakin,Mara,and Luke.We landed on Port Duggan,and we all immediately ran to an X-wing.I heard the flight officer,"Hey,you can't just board a ship."I sighed and quickly made up an excuse,"Jedi business,don't worry."We went into space,and started to fight the coralskippers.There was no talking between us,only the fight and the battle.After a little bit of fighting,I heard Anakin grunt in shock.I commed his ship,"What is it."
"Jaina came back.She said Jacen is still on the ship,and is going to duel there Warmaster,Tsavong Lah,on his own."
"Not anymore.I am going there to help him."
I ejected my ship toward his capital ship,and I set the ship down at the bottom of the ship.I used my lightsaber to cut a hole in the stomach,and popped right into the ship.Jacen was standing right next to me,and jumped back in shock."Holy Crap!Don't do that!"I grunted up and rolled my neck,"Don't help you save your mom?My bad."Jacen's face suddenly hardened,"Thank you Strill,really.Tsavong Lah is holding her hostage in the room ahead of us.He killed the Hutt Randa,and I feel a lot of pain from her."I snorted,"Feel?You are using the Force again?"He nodded,and I bit my response of Jedi hypocrites.I took a deep breath and nodded at him,"On three.One,Two,now!"We charged into the room,and stopped when we saw Leia on the floor,legs nearly chopped in half.Towering over her,was a huge Vong solider.He wore the armor that the Warmaster on the planet which I got the prophecy wore,but I could tell that this guy is the real deal.The Vong,Tsavong Lah,snarled at us,"So,the Jeedai Jacen Solo,and the warrior that slew Shadeo.You two are not honorable to fight in single combat,and the gods will grant me victory!"I glared at him and I activated my weapons,and Jacen did the same,"Last chance,Lah.Give us Leia,and we will grant you a quick death."Jacen stared at me,surprised,but Tsavong laughed,"At least you didn't offer me life.You will get an honorable sacrifice to the gods."I snorted,and Jacen responded,"Are we going to fight?Because I am tired of talking."Tsavong Lah's lips curled in a sneer,and he charged at us.He used his amphistaff to block my overhead blow,and punched Jacen in the chest.He pushed me off and I used my moment to roll and fire to shots at him.Bis armor absorbed the impact,and he stabbed at me.Jacen intercepted it with his blade,and I made a lunging slash.The slash went into his neck a little,but he reacted quickly by twirling his amphistaff around and hitting me in the head with it.I was sent back a pace through the blow,and Jacen had to dive backwards to prevent getting decapitated.Me and Tsavong Lah's weapons meet,and are blades exchanges a few parries and blows.Jacen joined in and Tsavong Lah was forced to hold his own against the two of us.Jacen was an okay fighter,but nowhere near the skill level of me,Anakin,or Tsavong Lah.My minds was trying to find a way to win quickly,because Leia did not look good.I could find only one,and this was going to HURT.When Tsavong Lah made a struck at my side,I took the blow square on the ribs.I kept going the direction to make him off balance,and Jacen thankfully understood and faked a strike at his head,before chopping off his foot.Tsavong Lah staggered back in surprise,and from my spot on the floor,I shot him twice in the armor.The impact made him fall,giving us just enough time to grab Leia and run.We ran to the ship,and I exclaimed to Jacen,"Pilot the ship!I am going to try to stabilize Leia!"I really shouldn't have screamed because I grimaced in pain as my ribs throbbed,obviously broken.Jacen nodded and ran to the front of the X-wing.I propped Leia on the floor,and she started mumbling incoherently.I took off my helmet and smiled at her,"Relax.You are in safe hands."I then stabbed her in the neck with a knock out drug,and a pain killer.Her eyes rolled to the back of her head,and I examined her leg wounds.I was starting to relax,because I feared I will have to amputate her legs,but they seemed okay.Infection will be a problem,but she will need to be in an actual navy's tank to fully heal.I cauterized the bleeding wound with my lightsaber,and sprayed bacta into the wound and shoot it in her veins.I leaned back and sighed,as Jacen called out front the front."We are landing in a capital ship near Duro.Duro has fallen,and we need to get mom in a bacta tank."I nodded and clicked a button to lower the hatch.I saw the whole Solo and Skywalker family up there,staring at me.I put Leia on a rolling table,and pushed her out.Jacen walked out with me,and Han walked up,"Will she be alright."I nodded,"As long as she gets in bacta soon."Han immediately took Leia and rolled her to the medbay,with Jaina and Mara in tow.Anakin ran to us,and surprised everybody,"Our you alright,Still?"I saw Jacen flinch and open his mouth,but Anakin cut him off,"I can tell if you are in pain,but not him."Luke grabbed Jacen's shoulder,"Come on Jacen."Anakin turned to me,"You didn't answer my question."I took off my helmet and tried to smiled reassuringly,"I only broke my ribs.Probably have a minor concussion due to my head being thrown around,but then is all."Luke rose an eyebrow,"You should get that looked at,and also.."He walked up to me and placed a hand in my shoulder,"Thank you Strill.Jacen couldn't have done it without you."I nodded,and I saw Mara,Han,and Jaina.Jacen embraced Jaina,and Han turned to me,"Strill,words can't express my gratitude to you and Jacen."I smiled,"Line up one at a pliments are hard to take at once."Mara tossed a cake at me,"Eat it."I smiled as we laughed together,telling stories,and being a family.The cogs of fate have turned.The time to meet my destiny had begun.
A/N:Next chapter is about really only me,beginning will have Anakin and (finally) Tahiri.Warning for force ghosts.Please read and review