Here is the next chapter in this story. Not sure when I will have another to this story but will try to have one for one of my stories in a weeks time.
Mara was not mad she was furious. How did someone gain entry to Luke's ships docking bay? The only good thing was that Luke was not hurt too bad. The ship he was in had not faired the same.
When the explosion had happened, and Mara had lost communications with Luke she feared the worst. Not able to reconnect to Luke Mara had contacted Corran to have him check on Luke and try to find out what happen. He had told her that he felt something in the force but did not know it was centered around Luke. He promised her he would have answers for her when she arrived. He told her he would have a couple of the Jedi he brought with him secure one of the larger docking bays for the Twin Suns.
Mara walked down the ramp of the ship to be met by Corran. "Mara."
"What have you learned?"
"The Bothans caught the man responsible for planting the bomb on Luke's ship."
"Do we know why?"
"Yes, it had nothing to do with the trial which has eased the worry of the Bothans but learning that the attack directed at Luke himself they were less than happy. Fey'lya has promised they Bothan security forces will cooperate fully with the Jedi."
"Did the culprit say why he tried to kill Luke?"
"No, he has said nothing other than it was Luke he was after. The Bothans want to resort to more extreme measures, but I have convinced them that Luke would not like it."
"Take me to Luke and then I want to talk with Fey'lya."
L/M
Mara walked in Fey'lya's office. The Bothan had never been Mara's biggest fan over the years but the last few months he had thawed towards her.
"Jedi Jade, on behalf of the Bothan people I would like to apologize for the attack on Master Skywalker."
"Senator Fey'lya, I don't believe Luke would blame the Bothan people. So, you have no need to apologize."
Fey'lya nodded. "The security forces have investigated how this was able to happen. It seems that no one seem to think to increase security of the docking bays around the area that Master Skywalker had his ship docked."
"Of course, Luke would not think to request to dock in a more secure area like all the other dignitaries most likely did."
"No, he was docked in the public docking area. Still, we should have increased security. Master Skywalker is head of the Jedi Order."
Mara knew that while his position was equal to that of a senator, Luke does not see it that way and would never ask to be treated as one.
"What of the one who tried to kill Luke?"
"He is being held in a high security cell with two guards right outside his cell. Master Horn objected to us using stronger methods to question the prisoner."
"He has picked up of Luke's more ideal ideas over the years."
Fey'lya gave a chuckle. "We are willing to let Master Horn take over and if you wish to join in the questioning, we will not object."
"I believe I will. I will discover why this happen."
"I am sure you can, I only ask there is something left for us for trial."
"I am no longer that person and I believe Luke would be most disappointed if I did resort to those methods. I will collect Horn and go see your quest."
L/M
Luke woke up in a hospital bed. He had been here a few days he new and hoped to get out soon. He heard the door open and saw Mara walk in.
"I thought you were supposed to stay out of trouble." Mara told him with a smirk.
"Well, you know me. I can never seem to catch a break."
"You better try harder if you don't want to have to worry about me making you pay."
"I will keep that in mind. How long have you been here."
"Not long. I stopped by to check on you than went and talked with Fey'lya. The Bothan's feel they have failed to ensure your safety."
"It is not their fault. Do we know what happen?"
"Yes, I just came from asking the person who blew up your ship why."
Luke just looked at her curiously. "Is there anything left of him." He asked her good naturally.
Mara rolled her eyes "Yes he is still breathing and has no new injuries."
"I assume you got him to talk?"
"Yes, didn't have to do anything. It seems my reputation scared him enough that he told us what we wanted to know. Corran read him with the force and could tell he spoke the truth."
"So why attack me?"
"There is a growing group that don't like the idea of the Jedi making a return. Word reached them that you would be here for the trial and saw it as a chance to take you out and make the Bothans look bad in the process."
Luke let out a sigh. He should not be surprised. Why people always wanted to resort to violence to solve their issues. Well, he didn't think that they thought this out. Even if the Jedi didn't seek them out, the Bothans would.
"What are the Bothans planning?"
"I do not know what they are planning. I know they are not happy. Not only did they try to kill a guest of the Bothan people they did it to make them look bad in the process."
"Fey'lya will push to take the fight to them. He will not take this lying down."
"No, what will you do?"
"I will talk to Fey'lya and see if he wants Jedi help. If not, I will let them handle it."
"Are you not worried they will take things too far."
"There is always the chance, but I have to have faith that they will not. I can only let them know my opinion on the matter. The attack took place here and they should have the right to seek justice."
"Personally, I will not object if they were to wipe the group out, but that is more on my feelings that they tried to kill you. I know it is not the Jedi way, but it took us a long time to get where we are, and I don't want to go back to being alone."
"I have no intentions of leaving you any time soon."
"Good, I would find a way to bring you back to kill you myself."
Luke laughed but felt the love from Mara as she said it. It took them years to get where they were, and he would not change how things were now for anything.
L/M
Admiral Pallaeon was reading a report on the attempt to kill Luke Skywalker. He did not need this. If they were to take out Skywalker it would make things more difficult for him. He sent for Col. Vermer. Once his friend arrived, he gave him some new orders.
"Col. Vermer, thank you for coming. We may have a problem. It seems that a radical group tried to kill Master Skywalker."
"How close did they come?"
"Too close. Master Skywalker has been on Bothawui for the trial of the Bothans that helped Palpatine destroy Caamas."
"From what I know, Fey'lya has never been a fan of Master Skywalker, but latest reports say that he is the one who approached Master Skywalker about helping with the trial."
"If the Bothans invited Master Skywalker to observe the trial and was a guest of their government, they will retaliate."
"I want you to see if you can find out anything of this group and send it to the Bothans."
"Should we let them know where it came from."
Pallaeon thought about this for a minute. "Yes, send it to Fey'lya and let him know we feel that galaxy is better off with the Jedi."
"He may not trust the information or see it as a trap set by us."
Pallaeon knew this was true. There was no reason for the Bothans to trust them. They needed to try though, if they were ever able to have a chance to have a peaceful co-existence with the rest of the galaxy.
"We still need to try. Send a copy of the information to Mara Jade as well. She will question why we are sending them the information but will seek the truth."
"It will be done. Hopefully I can gather the information quickly and get it out. If they make another attempt, they may get lucky."
"I dough they will get close. Last report I saw says that Mara Jade arrived shortly after it happen. The Bothans have also increased security around Master Skywalker."
"I will set out now and let you know when I have any information."
L/M
Karrde was reading the reports he seen on the attack on Luke Skywalker. He was worried that Yavin 4 might become a target. He already put the ships he had in orbit above the temple that the Jedi called home on alert. He also sent a message to the Nogori on the planet. They said they would be sending for more of their clan to help secure the Jedi temple and the temple that Karrde was setting up as a repair depot.
He also contacted all his people to spread the word he wanted any information they could discover about this group. He wanted to know where they were based out of. Any information on any of their members. He needed to know how much a threat they were.
L/M
General Cracken was meeting with Iella Antillies who was giving him a report. "This group hates the Jedi and doesn't want to see them return and decided to take Luke out. Mara said that the guy that carried out the attack did not know who was in charge or where he was located."
"Do you think the Empire is behind this?"
"No General, this is not Palleaon style. Though we are seeing an increase in activity since the attack."
"Do we know what they are doing?"
"It looks like the same as us and Karrde. Looking into this attack."
"What are they up to. Why would they be interested in the attack."
"We don't know. We just know that a few of their people we know about got contacted and started looking into things."
"I wonder how the Ruling Council would feel if we contacted them?"
"Better to ask forgiveness then permission."
L/M
Luke was feeling a lot better not that Mara believed him. She was keeping a close eye on him. He was heading back to Yavin. He had met with the Bothans and thanked them for their hospitality. They apologized for the attack, but he told them it was not their fault. He chose to dock in public docking. He told them that he felt it was the best thing. He didn't want to make the same mistakes of the old order. He wanted to be available to the average citizen to feel they could come to him or any Jedi.
When he reached the docking bay, he saw the Jedi he had still on planet waiting for him. They would be returning to Yavin with him. Corran and a couple others had left the day before to help Bothan security check out the last play the man that tried to kill Luke came from.
He headed up the ramp and headed to the cockpit. Mara took the co-pilot seat and started helping to prep the ship. The other Jedi put their things in rooms and headed back down and manned the guns. Mara insisted. He talked her out of having a couple Jedi flying the fighters as escorts. He knew he was not taking the threat as serious as Mara was but he refused to be scared.
"OK Luke we are cleared for takeoff."
Luke took the controls, and the ship lifted off. Once clear of the docking bay he increased speed. It did not take long to reach space.
"Set course for the Yavin system."
Mara took the navigation seat and put the coordinates in the navigation computer. She then took her seat again and Luke pulled back on the hyper drive lever.
"A few days travel, and we will be home. K4 can take it from here for a while. Let's head to the lounge area and relax."
"Sounds like a good plan. Come on Farmboy lets enjoy the time we have before we get pulled into another crisis."
L/M
The twin Moons came out of hyperspace near Yavin 4. When they approached the planet, they saw a few more ships around the planet. Seeing he had an incoming communication.
"Incoming ship transmit clearance code."
Mara reached over and sent the codes. Luke turned towards her. "Who set this up?"
"Karrde, after your attack he was worried about the students. So, he and the Nogori set up some extra security. The security at the temple plus the repair bays have had increase in Nogori guards."
"I hate that we have to do this."
"I know, but we have no idea how big this group is. It is better to be careful."
"I know I just hate it."
"Take us down Farmboy."
"Twin Moons you are cleared to land. Welcome back Master Skywalker."
L/M
Luke brought the ship down and set it down in its spot at the temple landing bays. He saw Kam and Tionne waiting for him and Mara. The two shut the ship down before joining the other Jedi at the boarding ramp. Luke led the way down and met Kam and Tionne.
"Welcome home Master Skywalker." Tionne greeted him. Kam gave his own greeting.
"I am glad to be home. How are things going here?" Luke asked.
"Everything is going good Luke. We heard from Master Windu yesterday and he will be back in a couple days. The students will be glad to have your back." Kan told his friend.
"Give me a day and I will try to teach a class or two."
"They will be happy to hear that. They miss your classes. Mara welcome home, how are you doing?" Tionne asked.
"I am better now that he is up and around. When I could not reach him, I was scared I lost him just after I got him."
"I had your quarters aired out this morning and cleaned by one of the cleaning droids."
"Thank you, Tionne. We are going to go unpack and relax the rest of the day. I will be in the office in the morning to go over everything with you and Kam. Till dinner, we will see you all later.
I hope you liked this chapter. I wanted to show the different views people, and the different governments would react to Luke being targeted. It also shows that while he does not put any more worth on himself then he does the average person that there are those that do. For no other reason that he sees everyone the same regardless of their species or political party.
Some of you may say that Fey'lya is written out of character. In a way it may seem that way. While Fey'lya can be ruthless in his dealings with others. At his core being he does care about his people and the New Republic. This was shown in Enemy Lines II Rebel Stand. In the book Fey'lya stayed and sacrificed himself to kill as many of the Vong as he could.