Chapter Text
Coruscant, 19 standard years BB
The waters of the Thousand Fountains twinkled softly and the moonlight filtered through the high windows to dance on green and blue leaves. It was the perfect setting for meditation. But Talisbeth Enwandung-Esterhazy could not meditate. How could she? Earlier that day, Master Kenobi had killed General Grievous. Master Skywalker had gone to see the Chancellor, then had come hurrying back. Master Windu and most of the adult Jedi in the Temple had gone. Half a standard hour earlier, she had felt Master Skywalker leave again. He was so strong in the Force that even one as weak as she could sense him easily.
No, she did not see how anyone could sit calmly and meditate under these conditions. Stifling a sigh, Talisbeth opened one eye and peeked at her best friend, Whie Malreaux. He sat in lotus position on a nearby rock, his hands resting lightly on his knees, his face serene and composed. Whie was strong in the Force, as strong as some of the Masters. She supposed that was reason he was actually floating a few centimeters above the rock. Talisbeth had had enough. She uncrossed her legs and left the peaceful room.
As she made her way down a long corridor, Solis approached her, chasing a small green creature with large, floppy
""I have you now!" The tall elegant droid caught the little one up in his arms. "It is past your bedtime, little master Grogu, and your Aunt Yaddle says you must go to sleep."
The child gurgled and waved his arms. "No," replied Solis firmly, "Mistress Scout is not going to save you."
Talisbeth smiled at her droid's use of her nickname. Well, perhaps he wasn't her droid exactly, but he was more hers than anyone else's. She was grateful that Master Skywalker had repaired Solis and Whie's family droid, Fidelis, and that Master Yoda had let them stay in the Temple.
""Let's go find Master Yaddle, Solis," Talisbeth grinned. Then the grin froze on her face. A darkness, heavier than night, descended on her.
Not just on her. On the entire planet.
For a moment, Scout stood rooted to the spot. Then a voice broke her trance.
"Scout! Scout! Tali! Tali!"
The usually unflappable Whie ran down the hall, calling her name frantically.
""Master Whie!" exclaimed Fidelis, hurrying up from the far end of the hall. "Whatever is the matter, young master? You shouting, the younglings crying and a strange heaviness in the air."
Whie stopped beside Talisbeth, lightsaber in hand. "You are perceptive, Fidelis," he gasped. He glanced at Grogu, who had stopped struggling and babbling and now clung to Solis, wide-eyed and silent. "It is the dark side. And it is coming for us."
Coruscant, 7 standard years ABY/p
Namah Agati stood in what had once been the great Jedi Temple. More recently, it had been the Emperor's palace. Now the fledgling New Republic had to decide what to do with it. Unlike his fellow senators, Namah had no great love or respect for the old Jedi order or the new one, rising under Luke Skywalker. Of course, they didn't know that. Just as he had shrewdly changed sides at the right time during the war, he now carefully kept his thoughts to himself. Two dozen senators from a variety of species stood around Namah, deep in discussion about the building's future. Several were saying the Temple should be entrusted to Skywalker so that he could train a new generation of Jedi. Namah smiled. If all went according to his plan, Luke and his Jedi would not be needing a Temple. They would not be needing anything. The universe had not seen fit to bless Namah with Force sensitivity, but he had enough cunning, intelligence and daring to compensate quite well. And with both the Sith and the Jedi safely out of the way, his own rise to power would be all but inevitable.
Notes:
Welcome to my story! I hope you enjoy this trip through the wonderful world of Star Wars. This prologue is necessary to set up the rest of the story, but in the next chapter we will start getting into the real action, with more characters (including Rex and Ahsoka).
Thanks for reading and God bless you!
Chapter Text
Deep Space, 13 standard years ABY
Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex sat in the cockpit of the Torrent, a renovated Clone Wars era freighter that was both ship and home. The 501st, as Rex called his family, was leisurely traveling the Galaxy, popping in and out of hyperspace as they pleased. Soon enough duty would call, but until then, they intended to enjoy themselves.
"Hey, Little U'n," said Rex, reaching in his pocket, "I forgot to give this back to you earlier."
He handed her a small metallic cylinder. She took it with a smile. Given to her by the Kaminoans in gratitude for Alliance help against the Empire, the unassuming bit of metal had made her wonderful new life possible. The cloners had refused to create genetically based bio-weapons, bringing Imperial wrath down on their people. One of the elegant beings had remembered Ahsoka from her visits to the Kaminoan medcenter with Rex.
The Clones' accelerated aging was never meant to continue past peak maturity. When pressed to the side of a Clone's temple, the little tube, called a genetic re-coder, stopped the process and even reversed many of the deleterious effects.
"It will extend his lifespan greatly," Nala Se had explained. "Longer than a typical human lifespan. I would say he should live approximately as long a Force-sensitive Togruta."
Coming back to the present, Ahsoka pecked Rex on the cheek. "I'm glad we could help some of your brothers. The Galaxy needs you Clones to stick around as long as you can."
"Don't worry, you're gonna be stuck with me for a long time." He slipped his hand under her back lek to tickle her sweet spot.
"Rex!" she squealed. "I need to put the re-coder up."
Ahsoka made her way back to their little bedroom, past their sleeping children. She tucked the tube in a small lockbox with her other treasures- a lucky Tatooinian coin from Anakin, a tattered doll from her childhood and a beautifully colored feather Rex had given her long ago.
Back in the cockpit, Rex gazed thoughtfully out of the viewport as Ahsoka approached.
"I need to tell you what the boys told me," he began softly.
"I'm listening."
"You know they overcame their chips, but I need to tell you how it happened. They were there, Ahsoka. That terrible night- they were with…," Rex paused, choking on his words. "Poppy said none of them really remembers much of how it started. Some older padawans resisted at the entrance… a few Jedi and padawans took a stand inside, then …he headed for the Creche."
Rex closed his eyes. "They followed him. A droid was standing over two padawans' bodies…. They had been trying to protect the younglings…. He was battling Master Yaddle at the Creche door. Did you know her, Ahsoka? She brought the roof down…sacrificed herself. He…told the boys to finish off the, the…" Rex trailed off, tears in his voice. "But he didn't know. When Yaddle used the Force on the roof, she had fried the chips. They saved the babies and the two padawans. I wanted you to know, Little U'n. There may be more of you out there somewhere." Rex stopped, unable to go on.
Ahsoka threw her arms around him, eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you for telling me."
The ship's embedded comm beeped. Regaining his composure, Rex thumbed it on. "Rex and Ahsoka here."
"Rex, it's Luke. We've got trouble. Big trouble. Like, Jabba the Hutt sized trouble." A small blue Luke Skywalker snapped into focus above the console.
"What have you done now, Little Skyguy?" Ahsoka smiled at her former master's son.
"Wasn't just me, Aunt Snips. It seems we've created quite a stir with our little visit to Mersia."
"Apparently," a female voice continued, "a distorted version of the um, incident has been broadcast on the holonews and spread on the holonet as well." Mara Skywalker's image appeared at Luke's side on the console as she joined him. "Leia said an emergency meeting of the Senate has been called. Han had her enroute when we spoke."
"I hope they make it in time. I'm afraid they may have an emergency quorum without her," Luke added.
"An emergency session?" Ahsoka replied in disbelief. "All we did was defend ourselves. No one but those trouble makers even got hurt."
"Like Mara said, the events of our visit have been distorted. Leia's going to let us know when she has any more news. I think we need to have an emergency meeting of our own while we wait. Can you meet us on Lothal?" The blue Luke paused, looking first at Rex, then Ahsoka.
"Give us about six hours. We should arrive at the tower shortly after sunup," Rex assured him.
Ahsoka nodded. "Bring the meeting to Ezra, so he'll have to come. Good thinking, Luke."
"That's the idea," Luke chuckled. "We'll meet you there. Skywalker out."
The holoimage disappeared. Rex keyed in the coordinates for Lothal, then turned to Ahsoka. "Try to get some rest, Little U'n. For your sake and the baby's."
Notes:
A Rexsoka Baby! Actually, lots of Rexsoka babies. I started giving them children and couldn't stop. We'll meet them all in chapter 4.
Chapter Text
Namah Agati smiled to himself. Patience had rewarded the Sith and it was now rewarding him. His parents had made their way up from the lower levels of Coruscant and he had climbed higher still, taking advantage of every opportunity for advancement, large or small. Now, thanks to a rule instituted at his own subtle suggestion, Namah was the sole Head of the Senate. For as long as the emergency lasted, he would remain Head and the Triumvirate would remain powerless.
His gaze swept the emergency quorum. The group couldn't have been better if he had hand-picked the members. Of course, he almost had. Namah Agati had planned carefully for this day. He made his own fate and left nothing to chance or the Force.
Composing his face with a solemn, sympathetic earnestness, he addressed the members. "My fellow senators, it grieves me greatly that we must call such a meeting as this. Like you, I have always dismissed the tales of Jedi cruelty, whispered in sordid cantinas and circulated in dark corners of the holonet, as idle gossip and vicious rumors." Actually, he had hired many of the whispering voices and had, under various pseudonyms, planted many of the ugly tales on the holonet. "And yet this morning we learned that the hero of the Alliance, Luke Skywalker himself, has succumbed to the temptations inherent in his great, supernatural powers. As I contemplate what this could mean, I…," he broke off as the doors to the meeting room slid open and Leia Solo strode in.
"Senator Agati, what is the meaning if this?" she demanded.
"Ah, Princess," a male Chevin senator from Vinsoth spoke up. "We realize it is hard for you to consider your brother as a threat. No one here denies his valor in our fight for freedom, but we must not forget that it was through the power of a Force-user that we were first enslaved."
"What!" Leia shouted. "Who has poisoned your minds with this nonsense? It was the Sith, the mortal enemies of the Jedi, who subjugated us. It was the power of the dark side and the only way to keep darkness at bay is with light. We need the Jedi." As Leia finished her outburst, she pinned Namah with a cold stare.
He returned her passion with a mournful gaze. "We would all like to agree with you, Senator Solo. Sadly, history has proven that the line between light and dark, Jedi and Sith is thin indeed."
"Head Senator Agati is right," agreed a woman from Corellia. "You've heard of Count Dooku? And there were others." She paused and looked meaningfully at Leia. "We must act now while we still can."
Still outwardly dolorous, Namah was beaming internally. Even Senator Solo's interruption would not be enough to derail his plan. "It is in my mind to form a small trustworthy committee to seek a swift solution to our problem."
Several senators volunteered and he chose a few more, including Leia's protégé and confidant, Arni Belden, the senator from Bakura. So far, the young man's loyalty to Leia had served Namah well.
"Head Senator," Leia's voice was coolly diplomatic now. "I demand to be part of your committee."
"Princess," interrupted a haughty Arkanian woman, "forgive me, but I think I speak for us all when I say that you are too connected to this matter, too closely involved."
"And you," Leia swept an accusing arm toward the gathered senators, "have listened far too long to lies about the Jedi."
Namah ignored her. "We are wasting precious time. If we move swiftly, we may find a way to find a bloodless way to neutralize the threat."
"Threat?" Leia's voice was ominously low. "I submit that you are the real threat, Head Senator. You and all those who would follow you."
Senator Solo was going to be a problem. But Namah Agati had a plan. He always had a plan.
"I will relent in my demand to join your committee on one condition," Leia continued, her anger still simmering. "I would hear from whoever has brought these baseless accusations against my brother and the Jedi Order."
Of course. She was trying not to lose face. He would indulge her and call upon his witnesses. He might as well get his money's worth before his assassin droids ensured that they could not betray him.
"Very well, in interest of peace in the Senate, I agree. I personally spoke with the victims of the Mersia attack myself, before this meeting was called and they are standing by, in case anyone else asked to hear them." He nodded to an aide and the young Mon Calamari activated a holographic comm.
"Lindra Homms, the Galactic Senate deeply appreciates your willingness to testify in this matter. Are any of the others with you?"
"Yes, Senator," a young humanoid woman with wide green eyes, dishevelled blue hair and sea-green purple flecked skin replied. "Tos is here, and Kir'raning and Magir, too."
"Excellent. Would you tell the senators gathered here just what you told me?"
"Well, sir and senators, Tos and I, he's my mate you see, we went into the Weathered Sailor Cantina down near the docks here at Portside. Just for a drink and a bite to eat, not looking for trouble. We were just sitting there with our drinks and we saw this Togruta pestering these nice old Clones that have been odd-jobbing at the docks. We didn't much like the looks of it and soon we realized she wasn't alone. Next thing we know, this fella with her, another Clone, I think- he takes something she gave him and pressed it to their heads."
"Strangest thing I ever saw," Tos, a young male Mersian, chimed in. "They sort of glowed and then they just sat there smiling. Then the Togruta, her Clone, a human girl, and a bunch of Togruta kids get up to leave. And would you believe, all five of the other Clones started following them, for all the Galaxy as if they had no will of their own anymore."
"We were about to get up and do something about it," Lindra picked up the story, "but Kir'raning here beat us to it. Asked the Togruta where she was taking the old guys. 'They're old friends,' she claims. Kir'raning put his claw on one Clone's shoulder to talk to him. Next thing we know, he's flying through the air. It was Jedi." The woman stopped, choking on a sob.
Tos explained softly, "Kir'raning is a Ssi'ruu. Plus, he tried to stop whatever it was that they were doing. I guess they thought that was reason enough to try to kill him. There were four more humans with the Togruta, all Jedi- with those lightsabers of theirs. We didn't stand a chance."
He held up a bandaged arm and pointed to Lindra's similarly swathed leg. "We were the lucky ones," he said sadly. "A lot of the others didn't make it, including two Ssi-ruuk."
Namah bowed his head. "I am deeply sorry for what you have suffered but I must ask one more question. Did you recognize any of the perpetrators of this massacre?"
"Yes," Lindra stopped crying long enough to speak. "I've seen him on the holonews lots of times- Luke Skywalker." She sobbed again.
Namah looked to see Leia gazing with narrowed eyes at the blue-haired couple. "Do you have any proof of what you say? Videos? Images?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, Senator," Tos replied. "They completely destroyed the Cantina. Burned it to the ground. No security recordings left. And we didn't exactly have time to take holos. If our wounds and dead friends are not proof enough…." The image flickered as he moved the worn transmitter. "Maybe this is." The holoimage showed the smoldering remains of an old building.
Leia was not impressed. "Where are the bodies of your dead friends?"
"Our friends were buried at sea early this morning. We have much water and it is our custom. And we never wait to bury our dead," Tos asserted.
"I apologize for Senator Solo's harsh words." Namah stepped in front of Leia, blocking her view. "Be assured the rest of the Senate sympathizes with you. May we call on you again if we need you?"
The couple nodded. Namah thanked them again then motioned for the aide to end the transmission.
"This meeting is dismissed. The newly appointed council members will join me in a private meeting room."
With a final glare, Leia glided icily from the room. She would, of course, inform her precious brother of everything she had seen and heard- exactly as he hoped she would.
Notes:
Namah is my main OC in this story. I didn't want to reuse a pre-existing villain, so I made a new one. He's based somewhat on the Biblical Haman the Agagite (see what I did there?) and he's got some serious issues, as you will soon see. I'm kind of cautious about creating OCs in fanfiction (except for children) but I think he turned out well, so I'm keeping him. We'll get back to the Jedi in the next chapter and meet the Rexsoka kids!
Chapter Text
The Torrent sat down on the grassy plains of Lothal, near a small space yacht called Jade Shadow. In the distance, they could see a tall tower. Rex, Ahsoka, Alora, Ashlan, Coryn, Miisha, Rorric, little Wani, and baby Persis made their way through the tall grass toward the distant tower.
"Dada," hollered Wani, when they had gone about a dozen meters, "dis grass is too tall. I'm gonna get lost!"
Rex laughed and scooped up the little boy, tickling his tiny montrals. "Oh, no! No one gets lost in this family. We stick together."
"No matter what!" added Alora, their adopted human daughter, carrying one-year old Persis on her hip.
"No matter what!" echoed the other children.
"I hope Ezra will be at the tower when we get there." Alora shaded her eyes against the bright sunrise, looking at her friend's home. Ezra had helped to rescue her from the Inquisitors when she was a baby and the two had a special bond.
"I'm sure he'll turn up," Ahsoka assured her. "He always does. Dev will be there too, you know," she added with a sly smile.
Miisha slipped her small hand into her father's big one. "I hope Jacen and Pypey will be there."
Coryn tugged thoughtfully at one of his lekku. "I think Master Luke wants all of us Jedi at his meeting. Even you, Sis."
"Me and Wani and baby Persis, too?" asked Rorric, his eyes wide.
Ashlan nodded. "Maybe even Grogu and Baby Ben. Dada, something bad is happening, isn't it?"
"I don't really know what's going on. That's what we're going to find out. Ah, and here's the man who's going to tell us."
"Rex, Ahsoka! Hi, kids!" Luke stood at the door of the Bridgers' tower home, waving to the Torrent family. A young man, Dev Sibwarra, and a young boy, Kyp Durron, hurried out of the tower to greet them. Jaina and Jacen Solo dashed out close behind.
Sabine followed more slowly, one hand resting on her rounded middle. Ahsoka hugged her former student and patted her stomach.
"You're looking well, my Padawan," she teased.
Sabine hugged her back. "It's good to see you! Come in. Ezra will be back soon. He went to meditate at the old Temple site when he heard Luke's report."
Sabine led her guests inside where a pot of Lothalian herbal tea sat on a table. She poured out cups of the sweet, steaming tea as the Jedi gathered in a circle. A little girl with dark hair and brown, bird-like eyes and a tiny green child with long, floppy ears toddled into the room. Both toddlers babbled excitedly as they Force-tossed a ball back and forth.
"Violet-Meadows, Grogu, inside voices, please!" Sabine scolded gently. "Baby Ben is sleeping."
Mara smiled at the wide-eyed tots and held the sleeping baby out for Violet-Meadows to see. The little girl tiptoed over to peek at him.
The tower door opened and Ezra Bridger entered with his two pupils, Jacen Syndulla Dume and Pypey of Ithoria. He paused, his gaze sweeping the room. His dark hair was tousled by the wind, his orange robe held a lingering fragrance of Lothal's grasslands and his bare feet were dusty and tanned. He stepped up to Sabine and stroked the braids encircling her head.
Finally, he addressed the gathered Jedi with a sad smile. "Well, looks like the gang's all here except for Leia. Luke, I sense more here than we know."
Luke returned Ezra's smile. He was unusual, to be sure, and technically, he wasn't even a Jedi, but he brought a unique perspective to their community. The Balance of the Force was strong in him.
"I have more news from Leia, and it's not good. Two Mersians testified before an emergency Senate. They claim we Jedi destroyed a cantina and hinted that we bewitched those five Clones. They say we are responsible for multiple deaths. A special committee is seeking a supposedly peaceful solution, but Leia believes they're out for blood."
"There are images circulating on the holonet," Mara added, bouncing the sleeping baby. "The cantina appears to have been burned to the ground. Some of the images show injured or dead people, although they don't match the supposed death toll. Mersia is an unorganized planet with little advanced technology. A perfect place to stage something like this."
Rex cleared his throat and approached the little circle, "I'm no Jedi, but I'd like to put in my two credits, if I may."
"Of course," Luke replied.
"Well, the more I think about it, the whole thing was a set-up. A Mersian just happens to meet Wolfe and tell him about the boys, so he can tell us. There just happen to be Ssi-ruuk and one of them suddenly becomes interested in the boys' welfare. Out of all the people in the cantina, too. And the way those trouble makers swarmed us. Most folks at least hesitate before attacking a Jedi, much less three full grown ones and a pack of padawans. No, someone planned this- planned it and paid for it, too."
"Luke, Mara." Ezra turned to the Skywalkers. "Rex makes sense. Can you give us some names from Leia's information? Maybe we can put a face on our someone."
"I think I know," Jacen Solo spoke up, "Mom said a senator named Agati is in charge right now. Everybody was doing whatever he wanted. Do you think he could be a Sith?" The young boy's eyes were wide with fear as he looked up at his uncle.
Luke put a hand on his shoulder. He wished the twins hadn't been in the cantina to see the violence and feel the hate through the Force. If only Leia had taken them on her diplomatic mission instead of asking Luke to spend the time teaching his niece and nephew the ways of the Force.
"I don't think so," he responded soothingly.
Mara frowned. "I think remember Agati, although I didn't recognize the name until just now. He was in charge of designing droids, probes, and automated ships for the Empire before he defected." She stopped and gasped. "Luke, he's been surveilling us!"
"You may be right, my Love. Artoo!"
The little droid beeped from the corner.
"Go check the ship, please. See if we've been tracked, hacked or otherwise compromised."
Whistling, the astromech rolled out the door.
"Master Luke," Dev's spoke softly, "this whole situation is my fault. I had heard that a few Ssi-ruu were stranded in Alliance space. I should have been prepared. But when that big green one put his claw on Punch's shoulder, I could feel it." Dev shuddered and dropped his gaze. He had been mind-controlled, enslaved and abused by the large, lizard-like aliens for five years as a young boy. Luke and Alliance forces had defeated the Ssi-ruuvi invasion forces and rescued Dev, but his mental scars ran deep. "If I give myself up to the Senate and tell them it was my fault, perhaps they will leave the rest of you alone." He swallowed. "These little ones should not suffer because of my lack of discipline."
"If this Agati guy is looking for a reason to pick a fight with the Jedi," Sabine observed from the couch in the corner of the room, "he isn't going to accept a scapegoat. Even if the other senators made him accept your sacrifice, he'd just find another way to turn the Galaxy against the Jedi."
"Dev, they provoked you deliberately," Ezra agreed. "No one's blaming you – we all have our weaknesses. If this scheme had failed, Agati or whoever it is would just try to exploit another Jedi's weakness."
Rex rubbed his beard thoughtfully, "If you don't mind another word of advice from an old soldier, I'd say the thing to do is turn the tables. Agati's been a step ahead of us. Now, it's our turn. We've got to figure out his next move."
"Good thinking, Rex." Luke looked thoughtful. "Let's call up Leia, see what she knows."
Notes:
Alora is the baby Ezra and Kanan helped Ahsoka rescue in Rebels. I decided she and Rex should adopt her. Ezra and Kanan must not have shown her to Hera, or Hera would have adopted her first. And as advertised in the tags, we have a Sabezra Baby and another Sabezra Baby on the way!
Chapter Text
Hovering above the Bridgers' comm sytem, a holoimage of Leia held a datapad. "This is all I could find. It's not much, but I think it's rather telling. Before he defected to the Alliance, he designed droids for the Empire. He has no real friends or any living family members that I can find. He seems to prefer droids, according to most people who are acquainted with him. Both his house and office are staffed only with droids. His Imperial record is almost as empty as his Alliance and New Republic records, with one notable exception. It seems early in his career, he quarreled with an Inquisitor who used his probe droids. He got a lightsaber scar on his arm for his trouble and is quoted as saying he'd 'had enough of their superior attitudes'."
"That's rather suspicious," Sabine commented, "but I'm not sure it's proof of conspiracy."
Ezra slipped his arm around her middle. "You're right again, Coco Bean. And, like Rex said, we'll get our evidence by figuring out his next move and getting there before he does." He rubbed her rounded stomach. "Only not you, Love."
""No, I think I'm out of commission for a while!" she agreed. "But we still have to figure out his next move."
"My guess is that he'll eliminate his witnesses before anyone sees through their story or offers them more money." Leia offered.
""And," Mara added, "he'll make it look like Jedi work so we'll get the blame.
Luke nodded. "Looks like we're heading back to Mersia." He turned to the holographic Leia. "Thanks, Sis. We'll do our best at this end. Keep up the good work."
""I'll be back in touch as soon as I have any news." Leia blew her twin brother a kiss and ended the transmission.
""Now all we have to do is decide who's going, how they're getting there, how they're going to foil Agati …" Ezra broke off. "This meeting is not nearly as close to finished as I thought."
"Master Luke," Dev clasped his slim brown hands tightly in front of him. "I would like to try to make amends for my lack of self-control. Please allow me to go."
For a moment, Luke did not reply. He closed his eyes briefly in meditation. "You may go, Dev, but not alone."
"Master Luke," Alora rose from her spot in the circle. "May I go, too? We could disguise ourselves as Mersians. No one would even recognize us. What do you think?"
"I think it's a good plan, if your parents agree. But I think Mara and I should go with you. We'll take our ship, land somewhere out of sight and wait for you." Luke looked at Rex and Ahsoka. "Is it all right with you?"
Ahsoka laid a hand on Rex's arm and the two shared a look. Rex smiled at his daughter. "Well Girlie, your mum was running around the Galaxy helping people when she was your age. It's kind of hard to realize how grown up you are, but we knew this day would come. You can go."
Alora hugged him. "Thanks, Dada. I'll be careful. I won't do anything you wouldn't do."
"That's no good- how about you don't do anything I wouldn't let you do?"
"Oh, Dada!"
Lady Bridger," asked Dev, "could you help us with our disguises?"
"Of course, Dev! But you don't need to call me Lady- Sabine is fine." Ezra helped her up and she walked to a cabinet and opened a door. From inside, she pulled cans of skin paint and hair dye. Ezra brought two chairs for Dev and Alora.
An hour later, two Mersians sat in their places. "Thanks, Sabine," Alora beamed, "and you, too, Ezra."
"You're welcome," Sabine smiled. She handed Alora three jars of paint. "You might need a touch up, so take these with you."
After saying goodbye, the Skywalkers, their three apprentices, and Alora left in the Jade Shadow. Violet-Meadows stood watching them go.
"Gogu gone," sighed the toddler. She looked up, resignation on her little face. "Happens. Life." She spread her arms wide in a shrug.
Ezra scooped her up. "You're right, Honey. Goodbyes are a part of life. But Grogu will always be your friend and he'll come back whenever he can. Right now, why don't you go play with Rorric, Wani and Persis?"
He put her down and she ran off to play with the Torrents. Jacen Dume, Pypey, and the Solo twins ran after them. Ahsoka and Sabine went back inside.
"I'll watch the kids for a bit, if you have patients to attend to," Rex offered as the flock of younglings scampered up a nearby hill.
"Thanks, Rex. There is a farm I need to visit. Comm me if you hear from the Skywalkers."
Ezra's deep bond with animals and growing ability to Force-heal had made him a highly sought-after animal healer. He spent the rest of the morning examining female Loth-sheep who had given birth the previous evening. The Loth-lambs were already frisking on the grass and Ezra grinned in spite of his dark forebodings. Their pure joy at being alive lightened his heart. If only everyone could feel this simple joy!
"Hi, Ezra!" Yosh Trawler, the flock's owner strode up.
"Hey, Yosh," Ezra stood, "How are you? Your flock's doing great, by the way."
"Oh, me? I'm, I'm fine. It's you and your family I'm worried about." The farmer glanced around, scuffing the toe of his boot on the grass.
"You mean the new baby? Sabine's fine-"
"No, no," Yosh cut him off. "Surely, you've heard the talk. And I know you're wondering why you haven't had many calls in the past few weeks."
Ezra's comm beeped. "Hold on, Yosh."
He thumbed it on. "Bridger here."
"Um, yeah," a nervous voice answered. "It's Borr Dackitts. You were going to check on the foal in the morning? You know?"
Ezra started to reply, but Dackitts hurried on. "Well, she's fine and the Loth-mare's fine, too, so don't bother coming."
"It's no trouble," Ezra began.
"I said, don't bother coming," his caller replied, abruptly ending the transmission.
""Hmm. Interesting."
"Yeah, more and more people are starting to act like that." Yosh twisted his hat in his hands, "Of course, you still have lots of friends here. And I don't believe a word of it."
"A word of what?"
"A word of what folks are saying. In town and on the holonews. About the Jedi."
"Oh, I see," Ezra patted a passing lamb, checking it through the Force. "I appreciate your trust."
"I know you wouldn't hurt innocent people. Don't think the other Jedi would either. But some folk believe anything they hear on the holonews."
Ezra nodded. "I'm afraid you're right. After all, it's happened before."
In his apartment at 500 Republica, Namah Agati watched a transmission from one of his spy droids. The Jedi had taken the bait. His hired Mersians and their friends would continue to play their parts, content with his generous pay and his promise to protect them from the Jedi. Everything was going precisely as he had planned. Who needs the Force?
Notes:
Ezra is Space James Herriot in this story, too, just like in my Love Commander Collection. He needs some way to support his growing family and he loves animals, so it works out well.
Namah Agati has issues, as mentioned before. I'm an introvert myself, but I like people. At least we're uncovering more of his motivations.
By the way, the Torrent kids are calling Rex "Dada" (with the last "a" saying "uh"), not "Da-da" like a baby would say, just for clarification! I thought it was fun to have them call him something a little bit different.
Thanks for reading!
Chapter Text
"Artoo has found traces of an attempted hack on our flight log." Luke gazed down at the readout on the Jade Shadow's computer. "We don't know what information was taken, if any, but we can guess who's responsible. Artoo's monitoring now, so we shouldn't have any more breaches."
Mara slipped Baby Ben out from under her nursing cover, nestled him on her shoulder and began to pat his back. "It's likely Agati knows we went to Lothal and possibly guesses that we suspect his next move. Dev and Alora, he might be watching so be mindful."
"Mara," Alora said thoughtfully, "when you say watching, are you thinking droids? It's going to be hard to spot them if he's so clever."
Dev furrowed his brow in concentration. "Then we will need to make sure our disguises are in order. And we should lower our body temperature through the Force to match the Mersians."
"Good thinking," Alora agreed. "Let's touch up our paint."
Artoo chirped. Luke nodded. "We'll be approaching Mersia in 30 standard minutes."
Kyp and Luke guided the ship out of hyperspace. The low-tech planet had no screening system and the two Jedi easily found a secluded spot not too far from Portside to hide their vessel.
Dev and Alora headed for the town, hoping to locate the Mersian couple, while Kyp took up a watch at the halfway point. Low, colorful buildings dominated the town's center, giving way to weathered silver near the sea. Reports claimed the two Mersians worked on a fishing vessel, so the two padawans made their way to the shore. Strange bird cries and the lapping of the tides pulled by the three large moons filled their ears.
Alora nudged Dev. "Look, a Café. That should be a good place to start."
The pair ambled in, glanced around for droids and checked their body temperature just in case. The dilapidated interior of the Café matched its weathered exterior, with an unpolished wood floor and tables. Dev and Alora found a table along the wall where they could watch the other patrons.
A serving droid approached. Dev stiffened. Alora reached out through the Force to calm him.
"Hello. I am Three-See-Jay-Too. How may I serve you?" creaked the ancient droid.
Dev smiled, embarrassed. If this was one of Agati's finest assassin droids, they didn't have much to fear from him.
"We'd like some caf and …" Alora started to say waffles then remembered they were supposed to be sea-loving Mersians. "Some caf and kippers with toast, please."
Dev looked surprised. Fishing planet, remember? she whispered through the Force. She hoped Dev would calm down before they encountered any real danger. The droid rolled off and Dev dropped his gaze.
"It's all right," Alora assured him. "I know you're nervous. Just relax and trust the Force.
"I don't want to fail Master Luke," Dev's voice was barely audible. "He has such high hopes for me."
"You won't," Alora replied fervently.
The door opened and a white-bearded man with a military bearing strode in. Alora stole a surreptitious peek at the man and nudged Dev with the Force. Punch! Carefully, she stretched out and brushed the Clone with the Force. As she expected, he recognized the sensation, and understood its meaning. Nonchalantly claiming the rickety table next to theirs, he turned as if suddenly noticing them.
"Hi, kids," he greeted them cheerfully, then winked at them. "That's a pretty little lady you've got there, Son."
"Um, well, er," Dev stammered, a blush distorting his painted skin. Alora wondered if anyone would think it looked unnatural. Dev took a calming breath. "Um, I mean, thanks," he finally managed.
Punch chuckled. "You're never going to win her heart that way! Mind if I join you two and give you some pointers?"
"Please do! We're having caf and kippers- won't you join us?" Alora beamed. She didn't need to pretend to be charmed by the white-haired gentleman; she was genuinely enamored.
Punch pulled a chair to their weathered table. "Kippers? You Mersians love your fish. If it's all the same to you, I'll order some waffles."
He leaned in with another wink. "You're Jedi, aren't you? Were you with Rex and Ahsoka?" he whispered urgently.
Still smiling, Alora nodded. Punch continued a little louder. "See, my boy. The right words, whispered softly, are irresistible to the ladies."
Catching on, Dev leaned forward, too. "We're here because we think those troublemakers at the Cantina were part of a plot and we're concerned their boss is going to try to kill them. We'd appreciate your help."
"That's it!" Punch exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now try something like this." He lowered his voice again. "Something's afoot and no mistake. Those two and their buddies set fire to the Cantina themselves. I saw them. We've got a little place here, the boys and me. You can't miss it, little blue house at the west end of the bay. Meant to leave after the fuss but, well- I'll explain later. Come in two hours."
Dev frowned. "I don't think I'm meant for sweet-talking."
At that moment, the server droid rolled up with kippers, toast and caf as well as waffles for Punch.
"Thanks, Seejay," grinned Punch. To the two young Jedi, he explained, "I'm kind of a regular here and old Seejay knows what I like."
Alora and Dev munched on their kippers and watched the other patrons. Just as they were finishing, a green Ssi-ruu walked in, accompanied by a large human male. The two headed toward a weathered table in the corner. Abruptly, the Ssi-ruu stopped and said something to his companion. The man turned his gaze in the direction of the two Jedi and the Clone.
"It's the Ssi-ruu from the Cantina!" Dev's voice was frantic. "I think he's recognized us!" His hand crept toward his hidden lightsaber hilt.
"Easy," Alora murmured, "I think it's Punch he's interested in, not us. Stay calm, Dev. You can do this."
The tall man smirked at Punch. "Making more friends, old one?" He leered at Alora. "At least this one's good-looking. But you'd better start being more careful of strangers."
"I can take care of myself, Axe," Punch regarded the man coolly, "but I don't think this cute couple is much to worry about." He winked at them again.
"Just the same, I'd be careful," he repeated, then lowered his voice. "Those crazy Jedi are out for blood. They'd love to see Tos and Lindra and the rest of us dead. Maybe you Clones aren't safe either." Axe nodded knowingly.
"Well, thanks for the warning, but I like I said, we can take care of ourselves." Punch turned back to his breakfast.
Axe slunk away to join the Ssi-ruu. Punch, Dev and Alora finished eating. As the Clone hurried off to find his four brothers, Dev and Alora reported what they had learned to Kyp.
Two hours later, they strolled along the beach toward a small blue house. Blue and purple seashells dotted the beach and pale pink sand crunched under their feet. Reaching out, Dev slipped his fingers around Alora's hand and smiled shyly.
Before he could speak, Axe, Tos, and Lindra stepped out, blocking their way.
"Well, well, look at the lovebirds," taunted Tos. "Are these the ones, Axe?"
"Yeah, the same ones. Going to call on your Clone friend again?" Axe's voice dripped with derision.
Alora could feel Dev's pulse speeding up, but he raised his chin and spoke with calm confidence. "What we are doing is none of your business." He raised two fingers slightly. "We're not worth your trouble."
The three blinked. "They're really not worth our trouble," they repeated and turned back the way they had come, away from Dev and Alora.
"Well done, Dev," Alora squeezed his hand. "Master Luke will be so pleased."
Dev blushed slightly. "Maybe I'll make a Jedi yet."
Alora leaned closer to reply. A high-pitched scream caused the words to die on her lips.
Notes:
It wasn't in my original plan for Dev and Alora to fall in love, but they decided to anyway. :) This chapter is a bit OC heavy. The Mersians and the five Clones are not going to be main characters, though. We can never have too many Clone Troopers, right? Punch is really sweet pretending to teach Dev how to flirt, I think.
I would love to hear your thoughts, if you would like to share them with me!
Chapter Text
Ashoka smiled as she watched Ezra bustling around the kitchen, Jacen Solo at his heels. Sabine was almost nine months pregnant and Ezra had her suitably enthroned in a plush chair with an equally plump footstool. From her throne, Sabine could survey the entire kitchen as she gave Ezra instructions.
"The Loth-potatoes should be about done, Love. Just sprinkle a little corinelle on to season them." Sabine leaned backed and rubbed her middle as Ezra removed a pan of sizzling Loth potatoes from the cooker.
Ahsoka placed a hand on her own stomach. She had yet to feel the child move, but a small swelling announced the child's presence. She could sense the little one's life and vitality through the Force.
The Bridger's comm system dinged noisily, interrupting Ahsoka's thoughts. Carefully placing the pan on the counter, Ezra hurried to the display and activated two comms. Luke and Leia appeared as holograms.
"What happened?" Rex asked.
"Dev and Alora made contact with Punch," Luke explained. "They ran into some of our 'friends' who claimed the Jedi wanted to kill them. The kids kept up their cover and were going to meet with Punch, Poppy, Barrel, Clide and Handie when they ran into Tos and Lindra and that human, Axe. Dev used a mind trick and they left them alone, but a few minutes later, Tos and Axe were choked to death."
"That's right," another voice agreed as a Clone appeared in the holoimage. "We came running out when we heard the screaming and found the bodies. Then Lindra and Kir'raning came tearing up to us, shouting about Jedi. At least Lindra was. She yelled at us, said it was our fault." The Clone paused.
"Go on, Handie. Tell us the rest," Rex encouraged.
Handie drew a deep breath. "The bodies had been strangled, all right and no marks on the skin. But there was something mechanical about it, if you take my meaning. Lindra and Kir'raning started running back towards town and we followed. When we got there, the whole gang had gathered and drawn quite a crowd too, screaming about the 'murdering Jedi'." Handie stopped again, his eyes suddenly sad. "If they had any idea…." His voice trailed off.
"I know," Rex said softly. "They have no idea what most Jedi are really like." He smiled at Ahsoka.
Alora squeezed in beside Handie and patted his shoulder. "Thanks, Handie. It good to know someone likes us. Those Mersian rowdies stood there shouting for nearly ten minutes." She shook her head. "If we were trying to kill them, we certainly wouldn't have let them tell the whole town first."
"Unfortunately," Leia broke in, "we are being tried in the court of public opinion and it's not known for reasonable thinking."
"How did they die?" Rex asked Handie.
"They just started choking and keeled over. But we'd been watching. Saw three little droids flying away. We saw them yesterday – it's what we wanted to tell the kids about," Handie explained. "This time I caught one. It self-destructed, of course, but I managed to pull this off first." He held up an odd-looking rod that ended in a U-shape. "The droid's arm- and it's weapon."
"We called you Handie for a reason," Rex chortled.
"Dev thinks it generates an energy ray of some kind," Alora's voice held an unmistakable pride. "Almost like an artificial force. Dev says it's uses are likely limited but it could mimic Jedi abilities in a small way."
"Excellent work," Leia chimed in. "Luke, get a holovid of the droid arm. Let one of the Clones hold it and explain what happened. Most people react positively to the Clones and we could use some good publicity for a change."
"I'm on it," Luke assured her. He crinkled up his forehead. "We're really going to have to dig deep if we're going to stop Agati."
Leia nodded. "He must have known you were headed to Mersia. Somehow a journalist just happened to find images of the Jade Shadow on a camera from the defunct Mersian surveillance system. Add that to a holovid of screaming Mersians and several murders and it equals one juicy news story."
"Artoo has secured our ship against hackers, so we shouldn't have any more leaks like that one, assuming he discovered our destination before Artoo plugged all the holes," Luke replied.
Two floppy ears appeared beside him. "Hi dere!" hollered Grogu.
"Hi, Gogu!" Violet-Meadows yelled back, making everyone laugh.
Ezra had been watching silently, a kitchen towel in his hand. He stepped forward now. "We need to consider the big picture," he said slowly. "We need to focus on Agati's main plan of destroying the Jedi – and what he plans to do after that." He grinned, eyes twinkling. "Of course, we can't forget the little details. The little things turn out to be the big things, sometimes. And right now, I have a little detail to take care of!"
Ezra turned and strode to the door. Sabine pushed herself up in her chair. "Where are you going, Ezra?"
"We're out of corinelle, Coco Bean. And I know it's your favorite. I'll be back." Jacen Solo hurried after him and Violet-Meadows followed Jacen.
"Ezra has a point," Ahsoka spoke up. "We need to rely on the Force. I'm afraid that we sent Alora and Dev into another set up on Mersia."
"Yes," Mara joined in. "We need to act quickly, but with care. We should meditate before we decide anything."
Outside, the Lothalian sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows. Ezra and the children passed a pen with a Loth-cow and her calf. He paused, placing his hand on the cow's head and communing with her through the Force. Awestruck, Jacen reached up and touched the calf, imitating Ezra. Violet-Meadows patted a passing Loth-cat.
They walked on to the herb garden where Ezra showed the younglings which plant was the corinelle. Giggling, Violet-Meadows picked a fragrant sprig. Jacen pulled one, too. Ezra knelt and plucked a large bunch of the herb.
With his knees in the soft dirt, Ezra let the Force flow through him. The tranquility of Lothal faded away. He saw two lightsabers flash, blue on green, in a marble hall. The scene shifted and he looked on an idyllic house surrounded by blue-green hills that rolled gently away to meet a stately forest. Then he heard a sound. He had heard the sound before. Singing. Soft, sweet singing. Ezra gave a gasp of excitement.
Jumping up, he scooped up Violet-Meadows and ran towards the house, waving the corinelle like a royal standard. He burst through the door, with Jacen close behind. Ahsoka sat meditating on a large cushion, with her children clustered around her. Sensing Ezra, she looked up.
"I have seen," he announced triumphantly. "Our path is becoming clear. We must all gather and take a stand. But first, I've got to finish the potatoes."
Notes:
Everything on Lothal is Loth-something, so I figured they would have Loth-potatoes, too! And Ezra has animals everywhere, of course.
Chapter Text
The lightsabers flashed and crashed together. Among the padawans, Whie Malreaux was second to none. He could hold his own against many adult opponents. But not this one. Never this one. Anakin Skywalker had been his hero. He had never even dreamed of besting him.
The lightsabers crashed again, blue on green. Whie panted with effort. The dark side flowed through the creature before him, a mockery of the man who had been Anakin Skywalker. Yet somewhere deep inside, Whie could sense Anakin's light.
The blue blade slashed in front of his face. He tried to parry it, but missed. This is it. I'm going to die. Let me die bravely, worthy of the Jedi order. He had seen this moment in a vision, though he hadn't understood it all. It had come at last.
But the death blow never fell. A pale, white blade deflected the blue one. The Sith lord's blade singed Whie's shoulder, leaving him injured, but very much alive. He fell, rolled to his feet and rose.
"Scout!" he shouted. "Get out of here!" I'm trying to protect you!
"I'm not going anywhere without you," she returned stubbornly.
But Master Yaddle! He urged through the Force.
You're standing on the door, she replied.
The blue blade flashed down again to be met by two others. They ducked and parried, slashed and counter-attacked, all to no avail. Suddenly, the Sith lord's blade caught Talisbeth's unprotected back. She crumpled with a sob of pain, lightsaber falling from her limp hands.
With all his might, Whie swung his blade. Darth Vader caught it with ease as a blaster shot echoed off the walls.
"Mistress Scout!" cried Solis. His blaster fire bounced harmlessly off the Sith, scorching the walls and floor. With one hand, Vader force-pushed Whie against a wall; with the other he lifted Solis.
"You're a fine droid," Anakin's voice said. "You just need a tune up." A soft mechanical whirring came from the droid's inner workings. The Sith lord released them both. "Now, Solis, eliminate the boy and the girl. I have work to do."
Solis raised his arm with its embedded weapon and shot Whie. Whie saw his younger self fall as the droid turned and fired on Talisbeth. Don't be afraid, Whie, he wanted to say. But he couldn't.
"Well done. Stand guard here." Vader turned on his heel and hurried away, while Solis touched buttons on his arm. Rounding a corner, the Sith found Master Yaddle, her ears drooping and her eyes flashing.
"Do not do this, Anakin!" she pleaded, standing in the door of the Creche. "Do not listen to the lies of the darkness. We find neither life nor love on that path."
"Little fool! I have found power you will never know. I'll never be helpless again!"
Yaddle ignited her lightsaber. "Then I will do what I must."
He laughed as he deflected her blows with a flick of his wrist. "You're not much of a fighter, Creche Master. You should stick to younglings. You could join me – my Master could use someone to train younglings."
Vader swept his blade down, knocking her off balance. "Join us and I'll let you live. Wouldn't you like to be on the winning side?"
Yaddle shoved herself back to her feet and swung her lightsaber to block his. "I care not about winning or losing. That is out of my hands. I know only that I must choose the path of Light – the way of truth and love. The Light will prevail, Anakin Skywalker, even if I do not live to see it."
The Sith lord sneered. "You certainly won't. You will die, here and now."
His left hand shot out, using the force to pin her down to the floor. His right hand raised the lightsaber. A shot rang out from the Creche doorway. Vader blocked it with his lightsaber.
"The obedient droid," he scoffed when he saw Fidelis. "Commanded to guard the precious babies instead of Master, I suppose?"
He knocked the droid down as two more blaster bolts sped toward him. "I'll deal with you in a moment. First-"
He never finished the sentence. Yaddle had used the momentary distraction to summon all her strength in the Living Force. The walls buckled and the ceiling collapsed. Vader leapt back, barely avoiding being crushed. He coughed to clear the dust from his lungs and started to laugh at the little green creature's foolish sacrifice. Then he seemed to hear a voice.
There is forgiveness, Anakin. It's never too late to come home.
He heard the words not with his ears but with his heart. Master Yaddle was dead and speaking from the Force world. Anakin's face twisted in anger and misery.
A shriek of heart-broken rage interrupted his reverie. Little Grogu had escaped from the protection of the Creche and stood at the edge of the rubble, Yaddle's petite lightsaber clutched in his tiny hands. Unsteadily, he ignited the green blade and charged at Anakin with a heart-rending wail.
"Auntie!"
Anakin stared, then reached out and lifted him with the Force. Grogu struggled as Anakin continued to watch him. Whie understood. Anakin saw himself in the small creature, lashing out in anger to protect and avenge his loved ones. He had killed Grogu's beloved aunt, whom he loved more than anyone in the Galaxy. Grogu was alone now. No parents. No aunt. No one. His anguish and rage washed over Anakin. Whie felt it, too.
"Perhaps," the Sith finally spoke, "you can be trained in the ways of the dark side."
Vader looked up and saw five of his Clone Troopers watching him. "Put binders on this little one and guard him. I will return for him. Make sure all the other younglings in the Creche are dead."
He force-tossed Grogu to one of the Clones, then marched down the hall to the Council room. The rubble began to shift and Fidelis appeared, tossing aside a massive block.
"Give the child to me and I will let you live."
Talisbeth Malreaux woke trembling as she always did after the Dream. Whie's visions were so real. It didn't seem to matter that she knew Solis had shot them with the most harmless stun ray possible. She knew that he had created a force field to hide their life presences from Vader, that he was only pretending so that he could save their lives. It didn't seem to matter that Grogu and the babies were fine now, most of them all grown up. She knew, of course, that Yaddle's brave action had destroyed the inhibitor chips and freed the five Clones. Poppy, Punch, Handie, Clide and Barrel had helped save them all after Whie's ridiculously strong droid had cleared the rubble and Solis had located and opened the secret door in the hallway. It was all so long ago, yet re-living it was still terrifying.
She felt Whie's gentle hand guiding her to look at him. "I am truly sorry you had to endure my vision again, Dearest."
She smiled at her husband. "Sharing your visions is a small price to pay for being alive and being your wife. And being able to move."
Golden rays streamed through the window and sweet music filled the room. Whie and Talisbeth lay still listening. Finally, the music ended and Whie rose, crossing to the wardrobe. As he removed clothes for himself and Talisbeth, Solis glided in.
"Good morning, Mistress! I trust you slept well?"
"Aside from an unwelcome vision, yes," she replied. She glanced at her husband. "Whie, I'd like to get up now."
He turned, concern evident in his blue eyes. "Are you sure? It is a fine morning for a lie-in."
"I want to finish my harvest today, Dear, and I need to get started right after breakfast, if I'm going to do that."
Whie sighed. "I suppose it's no use saying Solis would be glad to gather your harvest."
Talisbeth shook her head with a grin. Yielding, Whie breathed deeply and stretched out his hand. Talisbeth closed her eyes as Whie's life force flowed through her, strengthening her lifeless limbs. She sat, then stood as Solis busied himself helping her dress. Whie, already dressed, leaned around the droid to kiss her.
"I'm going to meditate on the Hill. I will see you at breakfast. Take care of her, Solis."
"I always do, sir," returned the droid, deftly fastening Talisbeth's simple brown dress.
Talisbeth watched Whie walk out of their bedroom. In her mind's eye, she could see him leave the house and climb up the gently sloping Hill to his favorite meditation spot. Whie sat cross-legged with his feet on his knees and opened himself to the Force. Talisbeth felt his calm wash over her as Solis brushed and braided her hair. Then she caught a glimpse of something and her pulse quickened. What was it? Unlike the night visions, Whie's waking visions were not plain to her.
Whatever it was, Whie would have something important to share with his household. "Solis, ask Fidelis to gather the children."
The children. Pan and Tallulah were over thirty. Jai was a teenager. Still, they were her children.
Half an hour later, Talisbeth stood waiting in the main room of the house. The two droids were there, as well as Jai, the son she had borne to Whie nearly seventeen years ago. Pan, a tall, lithe Twi'lek male sat next to Tallulah, an effervescent female Gungan. They had been the only two babies in the Creche with no families to take them back. Pan was a war orphan and Tallulah's parents had succumbed to a disease. So she and Whie and the two droids had decided to care for the two infants. She was glad the two were part of her family.
The door opened and Whie appeared. "Changes are upon our horizon," he announced solemnly. "I have seen … Skywalker."
"Skywalker?" Jai repeated, awestruck. "But, Father, you felt his death right after he returned to the Light."
"The ways of the Force are mysterious, my son. I do not know how and I do not fully understand why. I only know that he is coming and great danger will follow in his wake."
Talisbeth said nothing. Whie would explain as much as he could when he was ready. In the meantime, her family needed to eat breakfast. She nodded to Solis. The droid emitted a ding like a small bell and Fidelis opened the doors to the dining room.
"Breakfast is ready at your convenience, Masters and Mistresses." The droid bowed from the waist.
Pan, Tallulah and Jai hurried through the door while Talisbeth watched Whie with a chill of foreboding. In that instant, she knew that the simple, pleasant life they had had was coming to an end. Whie stepped to her side, took her hand, squeezed it and kissed her fingers.
"Do not fear, Beloved. Whatever happens, we will be together, come what may. Now, you must eat."
Notes:
Scout and Whie are back! When I first wrote this story, I had just read Yoda: Dark Rendezvous and I thought Scout and Whie were both Legends characters. Then I found out the Whie is the padawan we see Vader striking down in when Obi-Wan watches the security holo. So I tried to rework the backstory, but it's still somewhat AU, I guess. That, as Talisbeth/Scout says, is a small price to pay for having Whie in my story. :)
Also, I had to give Yaddle a heroic moment because I used to go by Yaddlann when I was an admin for a Facebook page called "Christian Star Wars Memes".
Chapter Text
Leia stood outside the door where the special committee met. She checked her chrono again. One minute and twenty-eight seconds. If the meeting did not end precisely when scheduled, she would enter anyway. She had sent Luke's holovid to all the news stations who would take it and now she was about to confront the committee. Forty-eight seconds. Leia mentally prepared herself. Senator Agati, I demand to be heard. Poppy and Handie had testified on the holovid that Tos and his compatriots had set fire to the Cantina. They had set the record straight on Ahsoka's intentions as well. It was time for Agati to face a day of reckoning. Her comm beeped softy in her pocket. Annoyed, she switched it on and stepped away from the door.
"Leia, it's me," said Luke's voice. "Can you talk? This is important."
Leia sighed. She supposed she could allow the senators a few extra seconds.
"I'm listening."
"Ezra had a vision. He's kind of figured out that big picture- along with a few small details. Can you meet us as soon as you're finished with the senators? I'll send Han the coordinates."
"All right. I kind of hate leaving Agati unsupervised, though."
"If Ezra has seen truly, it won't matter. And we need you. You're one of us."
Leia smiled. "I have to go now. I hear the senators. Goodbye, Luke."
"Goodbye, Leia."
Resolutely, Leia keyed the passcode and the doors to the chamber slid open.
"Senator Agati, I demand to be heard. My fellow senators, our beloved Jedi have once again been the victims of baseless slander. I have testimony from reliable witnesses," she waved the disk, "and evidence pointing to a deliberate attempt to frame the Jedi."
"My dear Princess," crooned the Arkanian, "if you are referring to the holovid plastered all over the news channels, we have seen it. Sadly, the Jedi have so influenced the Clones' minds that we can no longer trust them. These two confused fellows have no idea what happened. They are merely saying what the Jedi whisper in their ears."
"Yes," chimed in a senator from Malastare, "They can't even seem to tell the difference between plumbing and droid parts anymore."
"I have prepared a statement," Namah Agati explained condescendingly, "assuring the public that we are taking every possible action to rescue and rehabilitate the Clones. In addition, we are taking swift steps to see that this misinformation is removed from circulation as quickly as possible."
"Misinformation?" Leia fumed. "You can't simply label inconvenient truth 'misinformation'. This is not the Empire, Senator Agati."
Leia's friend, Senator Belden, spoke up. "Head Senator, in the interest of fairness and justice, I request that we interview these Clones. And the Jedi as well. The Senate has heard from their accusers. They have right to defend themselves against the charges."
A Devaronian interrupted, shaking his horns, "The Jedi can influence the mind. We will not get the truth from them."
"Sadly, you speak truly, Senator Ahkmerna. We cannot trust the Jedi, even if they would agree to come. And as for the Clones, as I already said, we are searching for them as we speak."
"You think you're so clever," Leia's voice was ice. "It just so happens that I know where the Clones are and they will gladly come testify, if you will hear them. What do say to that, Agati?"
"Ah, no 'senator', this time? No matter. I would say this knowledge would seem to implicate you in the plots of the Jedi. We know your dear brother is a Jedi. Perhaps you are, too?"
Agati snapped his fingers and a half dozen guard droids with stun blasters surrounded Leia. She drew her small hold-out blaster and shot one, then another. She heard Arnie Belden's indignant voice, alternating between shouting at Agati and calling his own security team on his comm. With an elegant turn, the princess took down two more, before the fifth knocked the blaster from her hand. The weapon clattered to the floor several paces away.
Leia hesitated for the space of a heartbeat. Luke needed her. She had no time to sit in an interrogation cell. Reaching out to the Force, she called the weapon to her hand, smoothly evading the two remaining droids. Two more shots and they lay smoking on the floor with the others. And Agati had his proof.
"You are a Jedi. I'm afraid you will have to be confined for the good of the Galaxy." Agati smiled coldly. "Perhaps carbonite freezing would be a humane option."
Leia returned his icy smile. "Yes. I am a Jedi, like my brother and my father before me. However, I'm afraid I must refuse your generous hospitality, Senator. The Order needs me."
Leia opened herself to the Force, calling out for strength. Springing forward, she Force-leapt over Agati and the additional droids he had summoned, neatly slicing open a large, sound proof window with her lightsaber. She balanced on the window ledge; then, using more Force-enhanced jumps, she made her way to the roof.
Tucked in a dark corner of the elegant structure, a familiar and welcome ramshackle sight met her eyes. The Millennium Falcon was waiting for her. It was also giving the distinct impression that someone was trying to start a junkyard on top of the Senate building, but Leia didn't care one bit. Han had had "a bad feeling" about this meeting and she was glad she had listened to him.
The ramp dropped with a sudden hiss. Han poked his head out.
"Did your meeting break up early? Luke wants us somewhere, and it's gonna take a while so we better get going."
From somewhere deep inside the ship, Chewbacca roared a greeting.
Back in the Meeting Chamber, Namah Agati quickly recovered from his surprise to speak a few choice words making the incident appear to be entirely Leia's fault. Angry and a little frightened, Arni Belden left the Chamber in the company of his security team. Agati watched him go, amused. As long as he served his purpose, the young man had nothing to fear from Namah.
He was not terribly disappointed that Leia had gotten away. She was more useful continuing to tell the other Jedi what he wanted them to know. He had not schemed for so many years without considering and planning for setbacks and interruptions. Phase one was complete. Phase two was well under way. Soon he would begin phase three. And after that, the galaxy would be his.
"Ezra, please," moaned Sabine, gesturing to the holoreceiver. "You know pregnancy makes my stomach sensitive. This garbage is the last thing I need right now."
"As you see, my dear citizens," the Head Senator soothed in a Galaxy-wide broadcast, "we are taking every possible action to protect you, the good people of the Galaxy, from those who would use their great power to harm you."
Ahsoka had to agree with Sabine. The broadcast was sickening. It also brought back painful, terrifying memories. Rex slipped his strong arm around her and she leaned into the comfort of his embrace.
"The evil empire we once feared was created by force users. One of them, as you know, was once a Jedi. I assure you; your Senate will not allow sentimental feelings for the Jedi Order or any of its members to-"
Ezra shut off the transmission. "I think that that's enough." He eyed Ahsoka. "Remind you of anything?"
Ahsoka nodded, shivering. The remaining Jedi will be hunted down. She could still hear the cold, cruel voice with its veneer of kindness and concern. She could still hear the thunderous applause from another news broadcast long ago. People had believed Chancellor Palpatine. People would believe Namah Agati. Evil was rising.
"Yes," she said at last. "It reminds me of the Chancellor and the speech he gave the day he tried to murder all the Jedi."
"Just what the Galaxy doesn't need," Sabine griped, "another dictator."
"Looks that way," agreed Ezra. "And now we'd better get to that meeting."
Sabine slowly rose from her chair. "Don't even think about leaving me behind, Ezra Bridger."
Ezra hurried to her side and eased her up into his arms. "Not a chance, Coco Bean. You know the Rules."
Jacen Dume put his hand on Sabine's shoulder. "But the baby's coming soon, Sabine. Maybe you should stay with Mom. Or she and Alexi could get Zeb to take you to Lira San."
"Well, you see, Jacen Syndulla Dume," Ezra explained, "we have a Rule that we only go off-world together. She kind of doesn't trust me after that incident with the Purgil that you may have heard about."
"Oh, I trust you. I trust you to get yourself into trouble." Sabine playfully poked Ezra's chest.
"The baby is a Jedi, too."
Everyone turned, startled by the soft voice. Jaina gazed back at them; her brown eyes unblinking. "The baby is a Jedi," she repeated, "so he needs to come with us."
"You've got a good point there, Jaina," Ezra agreed, clearly impressed. He nodded. "Our quest concerns every Force-sensitive person Galaxy."
"Wait. A quest?" Rex interrupted. "We're calling it a quest?"
"Yeah, why not? Anyway, we may need every one of our Jedi before the end."
Jacen looked at Pypey. "Does that mean we get to come, too?"
Ezra smiled at his enthusiastic students. "Of course. You have ten minutes to get ready and meet me at the White Loth-cat."
"Ezra, don't forget my bag." Sabine nestled down in his arms.
"You mean the one you packed just in case we had to go on a crazy adventure when it was almost time for you to go into labor? It's on the ship, along with the chrono and plenty of fresh towels and blankets, just in case."
Notes:
You may have heard about that incident with the Purgil, too. :) Also, I love Luke and Leia's Twin Sibling dynamic. Leia: Sorry Senators, Luke needs me! *jumps through a window*
Chapter 10: Atollan
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Luke stared down at the small planet in wonder. Could this lush green sphere truly have been an arid, almost desert, planet once? Alora watched from behind the co-pilot's chair. She wondered herself how it could be. When the fledgling rebellion had hidden on Atollon, she had been so young and her memories were vague, indistinct. She was almost certain she remembered the feel and smell of the bare ground and could almost picture the towering rock formations. Familiar voices whispered in the back of her mind, just out of reach.
Then one memory finally surfaced in bits and pieces. A deep, commanding voice and large, sometime frightening, sometimes kindly eyes. Drawing on the Force, she thought she understood.
"It must have been the Bendu," she said at last.
"The what?" Luke was as puzzled by her explanation as he was by the planet below.
"Not what- who. Haven't you heard Ezra talk about him?"
"Hmm. I can't recall hearing that name, but when Ezra really gets going, I …well sometimes I …" Luke's cheeks flushed pink and he paused. "Well, sometimes I kind of tune him out."
"I see." Alora put on her best mock frown. "You should have listened, Master Skywalker. Because you're about to meet him, and I'm not telling you anything."
At that moment, two vessels exited hyperspace nearby, both elegant but outdated freighters, one a little larger than the other. The Torrent and the White Loth-cat drew up alongside the Skywalkers' ship.
"Torrent to Jade Shadow, do you copy?" a deep voice called over the comm. Alora switched it on.
"Hi, Dada! Glad you're here!"
"Hi, Girlie! I heard you were brilliant. Your first solo mission, too!" She could hear his grin as he spoke.
"I'm afraid we weren't successful, Dada."
"But you brought back important intel. And I'm proud of you."
Luke cleared his throat. "I hate to interrupt family bonding time, but I was hoping Master Ezra would have landing coordinates. I haven't seen a clear spot on the whole planet."
"White Loth-Cat here," Ezra's voice chimed in. "Don't worry, Master Luke. Just follow me down. Shouldn't we wait for Leia and Han, though?"
Mara walked into the cockpit, holding Ben. "We could be waiting for some time. Our brother-in-law is not known for his punctuality."
"Well, in that case, perhaps we should land. We don't want to risk detection by-" Ezra broke off as a battered freighter punched out of hyperspace nearby.
"We're here!" Han's cocky voice sounded over the comm. "You'd better not be talking Jedi stuff without Leia."
"Hi, Dad! Hi, Mom!" Jaina and Jacen shouted over the comm. The two youngest Solos, Ben and Anakin hollered back at their siblings as Han and Leia returned the twins' greeting.
"You haven't missed anything," Ezra assured the Solos. "You made it just in time. Now, just follow the White Loth-cat. And trust me, I know what I'm doing."
The White Loth-cat moved forward, heading towards the green and blue planet ahead of them. Entering the atmosphere, the ship angled towards a spot that seemed to have the densest vegetation.
"We can't land in that!" Luke looked from Alora to Mara. "I know people say Jedi are crazy, but-". He stopped and gasped. The Jedi stared at each other, unable to speak.
Alora pointed out the window, finally finding her voice. "Look! It's him!"
A huge leafy, green shape rose from the surrounding jungle. The trees and thick vines drew away, forming a wide circle around the shape. Alora couldn't help grinning at the amazing sight. With the three other ships close behind, the White Loth-Cat settled in front of the green mound. Ezra's ramp lowered and he walked slowly down.
Raising his hand, he called out "Bendu!"
For a moment, the entire planet was still and silent. Then the great, green shape uncoiled and lifted its head.
"Ezra Bridger, you are welcome here. I know why you have come. I feel much anger and hate from many in the Galaxy and much fear as well."
Ezra stepped forward, followed by the rest of the company. "Thank you, Bendu. I like your new look, by the way. And don't worry, we haven't brought trouble this time. We made sure no one knows where we are."
"They wouldn't follow us here, anyway," Leia added. "Ever since the battle here, this planet registers as a black hole on every scanning device."
"Not mine," protested Han.
"That's because yours doesn't work, Dear," Leia explained patiently.
"I thought it would be wise," The Bendu inclined his leafy head. "A refuge for those who seek the Balance."
"We're not here to hide, Bendu. But you know that. We need a place to think and plan." Ezra looked into the creature's large grey eyes. "And we could do with some of your wisdom."
"We're going to need all the wisdom we can get, Ezra," Leia interrupted. "I heard from a friend in the Senate just before we arrived."
Ezra frowned. "Tell us." Pausing, he glanced around the group. "Wait, where are Rex and Ahsoka?"
Notes:
Where are Rex and Ahsoka? You'll have to read the next chapter to find out.
Chapter 11: Concerning the Children
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"Ahsoka! Ahsoka, Honey, wake up," Rex's voice filtered through Ahsoka's montrals. "We're here, on Atollon. You've got to see this. It's a jungle. And the Bendu, well, he looks like part of the jungle."
Eyes closed, Ahsoka let her mate ramble on in his attempt to wake her. Of course, he had broken her slumber the first time he had called her name, but she wanted to see how far he would go to rouse her. She heard him pause and sigh.
"You really are sleepy, Little U'n. Came on kind of early this time. And you're usually so predictable about these things."
Strong arms lifted her and she rested against Rex's chest as he sat on the bed. With weariness hanging heavily on her, she let her head droop on his shoulder. Maybe Rex would carry her off the ship. Then his hand slipped to the blue and white back of her head and she had to fight a smile.
"I guess there's only one thing to do," she heard him say.
His lips pressed against her left montral, near the center of her head. Moving quickly, he kissed his way around her montral and down her lek. He continued around her head, stopping to nibble at the sweet spot under her back lek. He made his way up her right lek to her montral, and finally pressed a kiss on her forehead.
Surrendering, Ahsoka opened her eyes with a contented sigh. "That was wonderful, Rex. Do it again!"
Rex abruptly stood. "I thought so! You've been awake the whole time. Ahsoka, everyone's waiting on us out there, even the kids."
"Don't put me down. I really am tired." She yawned. "Just one more kiss, please?" She tilted her head towards him.
Rex ignored her head and flipped her in his arms so that her head was lower than her feet. His lips caressed her slightly rounded stomach, first with a tight, firm kiss, then with several small, nibbling kisses.
"Oh, Rex!" she laughed, raising her head to look at him. "I see how it is. You only keep me around to give you children."
With one last lingering kiss on her pregnant middle, Rex righted her in his arms. He frowned in mock sternness.
"Baby wasn't the one pretending to be asleep for five minutes while I tried to wake her." The frown disappeared and his brown eyes twinkled at her. "Sleepiness may be early this time, but playfulness is right on schedule."
He fitted his mouth to hers as he carried her towards the ramp. At the top of the ramp, he paused and lifted his eyes, his lips still moving against Ahsoka's.
"Captain Rex and Jedi Ahsoka," rumbled a deep voice. Ahsoka didn't bother turning towards the speaker.
"How good of you to join us," the Bendu continued. "Do you wish to contribute to this discussion or would prefer to continue your mating display?"
Rex broke the kiss at last. "Mating display?" he spluttered. "Can't a man give his pregnant wife a little lovin' without people coming unglued?" He shot a meaningful look in Luke's direction.
The Jedi Master stood with his hands on his hips and eyebrows raised in disapproval. "There is a time and a place for 'loving on your wife' and this is neither."
"Public opinion never mattered much to Rex," chortled Punch, leading the four other Clones down the Jade Shadow's ramp.
"Your father would be on my side," Rex assured Luke with a knowing nod.
"All right, boys, that's enough," Ahsoka interrupted, slipping out of Rex's arms to stand beside him. She smiled at the Clones, pleased that they already looked younger and more energetic. "Bendu would like to tell us something, I think."
"You are mistaken, Jedi Ahsoka. I would like to listen to what you all have to say."
On the other side of the clearing, Alora slipped up beside Dev and gently laid a hand on his elbow. She caught his eye as he turned.
Isn't he amazing?
Dev nodded. Such Balance in the Force and quiet power. Ezra had apparently learned much from this mysterious mentor.
Ezra knelt and clasped his hands as the other Jedi gathered around in a circle, kneeling or in lotus position. "I'll tell you what's going on, even though you probably already know. There's a growing mistrust and fear of Force-sensitive individuals all around the Galaxy. It's been building for some time. Some people have always disliked us, but now…, well, our list of friends is shrinking fast and our list of enemies is growing even faster. We've been framed and accused of things we didn't do and people are out for blood. One person in particular."
"Hmmm," Bendu rumbled. "Yes, I have sensed dark emotions growing and festering. And your particular enemy. I have felt him."
"You don't mean a Force-sensitive?" Luke gasped.
"No, Luke Skywalker. I do not feel his presence in the Force. I sense the lack of it."
Luke's forehead wrinkled in thought. "I don't understand, Master Bendu. How can you sense his presence if it's not there?"
"I neither accept nor use that title, Luke Skywalker. But if you had reached out in the Force and paid attention, you would understand my meaning. All living creatures are bound together by the Force. Individuals woven together as one, each in its place. Except this enemy. In the place where he should be, there is a nothingness, a hole if you will. When I first felt that emptiness, I perceived that it boded ill. How could it be otherwise, when he has wholly cut himself off from the Living Force?"
Stunned silence met the Bendu's proclamation. The Jedi stared at each other, trying to grasp how such a thing could be.
"I think," Dev ventured hesitantly, "that Agati must have a very strong mind to cut himself completely off from the Force."
The Bendu nodded as Leia stepped forward. "I think it's time you were all aware of the latest development in Agati's scheme. As I was saying earlier, I have a friend and informant in Agati's committee. No doubt Agati chose him so that my friend would tell me what he wants me to know."
Leia hesitated, her gaze sweeping the little group. Her eyes lingered briefly on the other women who were her fellow mothers: Mara, gently swaying to rock the sleeping little Ben; Sabine, her motherhood evident in her round, full body as she leaned against Ezra with Violet-Meadows squirming beside her and Ahsoka, nestled in Rex's embrace, keeping a watchful eye on her brood. She knew how they would react - the same way she had. Her gaze drifted to her own sweet children - Jaina, Jacen, Ben and little Anakin. She could not let this happen.
Drawing a deep breath, she continued. "Of course, Agati managed to make this plan seem like someone else's idea, but it could only have come from him. It's too cold and cruel and … deceptive. As soon as they receive approval from the full emergency quorum, Agati's committee will begin gathering all Force-sensitive individuals, no matter their age, and place them in … in rehabilitation centers. The older ones will be assessed. If they are judged to be too dangerous for rehabilitation, they will be killed. The children and infants will undergo a rigorous treatment program in a facility far from the adults…from their …" Leia's voice broke and she shivered. "They will be kept far from the influence of their parents. Any child who continues to demonstrate Force-sensitivity after treatment will be…" She choked on an angry sob, unable to go on.
An animal cry of wrath and anguish split the still, heavy jungle air. Rex pulled Ahsoka closer, rubbing her back and whispering softly against her montrals. As her screams faded, he looked up while continuing to pat his distraught wife. Sabine sobbed softly as Ezra held her, his eyes flashing. Luke took Mara's hand and squeezed it, their eyes wide with horror. The younger Jedi gathered closer.
"Leia," Rex's face had turned hard, the soldier's gleam returned to his eye. "Is there any chance that the quorum will reject this … proposal?"
"Very little. They are handpicked, even the ones who are not on his side. There are not enough senators who could reach Coruscant in time. I thought of going back myself…"
"No!" Han jumped up and laid a hand on her arm. "You heard what your senator friend said. If you go back, you'll be the first one they lock up. I like you a whole lot better not frozen in carbonite- and alive."
"Han's right," Luke assented. "We can't stop them through the Senate."
"But we can make them come to us," Rex stroked Ahsoka's montrals as he spoke. "Make them fight on our terms, where we choose. And don't give them a chance to get near the younglings."
Grogu squeaked and ran to Luke's side. Violet-Meadows hurried over to him.
"It otay," she assured him, wrapping her chubby arms around him. Grogu held on to her, his eyes big and far away.
Barrell knelt beside the children. "I think he's remembering when …" the Clone's voice trailed off, the thought too painful to finish.
"It would seem," the Bendu addressed the little band, "that this enemy believes he can destroy the Creator's Living Force. He is gravely mistaken and he will pay a great price for his folly in the end. However, many may die before that time comes."
Ahsoka stiffened in Rex's arms and a moan escaped her. The Clone captain hugged her even tighter, turning her face into his chest.
"Shh," he soothed, still rubbing her montrals. He stood and tugged her to her feet. "We'll be back."
Clutching his arm, Ahsoka whispered desperately, "The children!"
"Will be just fine," Rex whispered back. "Kids, we'll be back soon. You stay right here and keep an eye on each other. Got it?"
The Little 501st nodded and Ahsoka relaxed slightly as Rex led her into the jungle. Once they were out of earshot, Rex lifted her in his arms and pressed her against his chest again. As he gently cradled her, she began to cry.
"That's it, Little U'n. Have a good cry. Get it all out. And then," he added in his best no-nonsense tone, "I want you to go back to sleep."
"But Rex,"
"No 'buts'. You're too emotional right now. You need sleep. And I need to join the tactical discussion going on back there."
Ahsoka knew he was right. She felt foolish for her inability to control her outbursts, even though she was pregnant. The old Jedi were right, too. Relationships complicated things. Maybe another nap would help. Yielding, she relaxed in Rex's embrace as he sat on the mossy bank of a stream. His hands moved over her, warming and soothing her, and the stream tinkled musically as it flowed through the jungle. It was so peaceful. She truly was tired. She would sleep after all.
Notes:
I wrapped this angsty chapter in some nice Rexsoka fluff for you. Our villain is ruthless and I don't think he's very fond of children, so it's no wonder all the mothers are upset.
Chapter 12: Baby Bridger
Summary:
We got to meet the newest Bridger, we got a Hera appearance, and we got a mention of my favorite Bothan! He will join us in a few chapters.
I love the stories with little Mira Bridger, but I wasn't sure about borrowing someone else's OC, so I came up with Violet-Meadows and Cerulean-Skies. Then I made a whole list of color-nature names to give their future children, so I may have to write a story with all of them one day.
Chapter Text
Ezra waited patiently for Han, Luke, Mara, and Leia to finish their argument. Han seemed determined that Atollon was the best place to take a stand.
"They'll think we're falling into a black hole. They won't know what hit'em."
Mara had different ideas. "And once they figure out 'what hit'em' what are we going to do? Hide in the jungle? Agati is the key – we need to eliminate him before he can get his proposal passed. Then maybe you can call a real Senate meeting, Leia."
"I'm afraid not. Agati is very clever. He's poisoned enough minds that one of his committee members would undoubtedly pin the assassination on us, even if we could do it. It would just be more fodder for the fire."
Han tried again. "Hey, why don't we just blast the whole committee? Slip into Coruscant, zip over the Senate building and blow up their meeting room. Problem solved!"
The others just stared at him.
"I was thinking," Leia said as if Han had not spoken, "that I should contact the old Alliance leaders – Admiral Ackbar, Mon Mothma, Hera, Admiral Bwua'tu, maybe more. The Bothans already have Agati under surveillance. Nek Bwua'tu has apparently had suspicions for some time. I know the Alliance will gladly join us. Together, we can issue a statement condemning the proposal and laying down an ultimatum. Perhaps Agati will back down. If not, we'll make him come to us and we'll choose the place."
"I know our friends would gladly help us," Luke put a hand on his sister's shoulder, "but this is not their fight – it's ours. Master Ezra, Bendu, do you have any insight to have share? Or any of you?" he added, addressing the Padawans, younglings, and Clones.
"Master Luke?" Dev clasped his hands as he stood to speak, "I know this proposal concerns Force-sensitives primarily, but we know the Force binds all living things together. So, in some way, it concerns everyone in the Galaxy."
Kyp clapped his friend on the back. "Good point, Dev. And Agati is a ruthless liar. I wouldn't put it past him to say people were Force-sensitive just so he can lock them up. I'd feel a lot better if we could ask for help."
Luke furrowed his brow. "You boys are right. Yet I'm not sure our friends would truly understand our fight. They might not be able to help us, but they might still be killed. Master Ezra, we could use your clarity. What do you think should be our next step?"
Ezra closed his eyes, reaching out with the Force. Their path was becoming clearer to him. The next step was quite plain. But would the others listen? He searched the Force for the right words. The Force brought an image to his mind. He saw Rex sitting beside a stream in the jungle. He was holding Ahsoka, gently petting and rocking her. The Togruta's enormous eyes were closed as she rested against her Clone captain, the picture of contentment and trust. That was the key. It didn't matter if the others liked what he had to say. It only mattered that they trust the Creator of the Force. He opened his eyes.
"We must go to the planet Kyber."
The Jedi looked confused and Sabine sighed.
"The planet Kyber? I don't think I've heard of it." Luke said slowly. "Are you certain?"
"It is the Will of the Living Force. We must trust the Creator of the Force," Ezra explained.
"Look," Han stood and began to pace. "I believe in the Force. I really do. But that doesn't mean I'm going to follow you Jedi to a planet that I've never even heard of and that probably doesn't even exist. I bet you don't even know where it is."
"The Force will guide us."
"Are you serious? What, you just close your eyes, type in some coordinates and hope it works?"
Leia's comm pinged and she stepped aside to answer it.
"Ezra," Luke intervened, "did you see this planet in a vision?"
"Yes. I have seen it all. I don't understand it all yet. Our first step was coming here. Now our second step has been revealed."
"I think we should trust the Jedi on this one," Rex offered, walking back with the sleeping Ahsoka in his arms.
"Thanks, Rex."
"Sure thing, Ezra. But what about our friends? I think we should call the old Alliance. A would-be dictator is trying to take control of the Galaxy. That's as much their business as it is ours."
"Leia wants to call on them, too." Luke ran a hand through his hair. "Ezra, do you think they should come with us to Kyber?"
Ezra pursed his lips thoughtfully and called on the Force. "It would be good to have them by our side. I agree with Luke that part of this fight is ours alone, but I sense that our friends have a part to play as well."
Leia hurried back to the group. "Senator Belden has just informed me that Republic troops landed on Lothal about two hours ago and ransacked your home, Ezra. They questioned anyone who might know you, too, apparently trying to find you."
Ezra silently thanked the Creator that he had brought his family and his two students with him. If he had left them on Lothal, they would likely be prisoners or worse.
Leia continued, "The Coruscant Guard raided my apartment at 500 Republica and troops are currently searching Corellia and several locations where they believe Luke and Mara might be."
A sudden sharp gasp escaped Sabine and Ezra realized she had been strangely quiet for some time.
"Bine, are you okay?"
"Not exactly," she whispered.
Rex peered curiously, then chuckled. "No, she's not quite all right, but she will be. Take it from an old married man who's seen that look … several times."
"Do you have medical facilities on your ship?" Luke asked.
"Yes," Ezra lifted his wife and turned towards their ship.
"Do you need anything?" Leia asked.
"We've got a medical droid and we've done this before." Ezra looked sheepishly at the group. "Sure wish Hera was here, though."
Rex leaned over and whispered in Ahsoka's montral. She stirred and opened her eyes. Rex smiled.
"No Twi'leks here, but how about a Togruta?"
Sabine nodded."I'd like to have Ahsoka with me."
"I think I know a bit about childbirth." Ahsoka grinned playfully. "And I did help with Violet-Meadows."
Sabine started to smile back at her mentor then gasped instead.
"Easy, Coco Bean." Ezra pulled her close and nuzzled her hair. "Let's get you on the ship."
"Mama! Daddy!"
Violet-Meadows ran to the ramp, her little arms outstretched and her lips quivering.
"Hold on, youngling," laughed Rex, catching her up in his arms. "They're not leaving you! It's time for your mama to have your baby brother."
"Baby come?" The toddler's brown eyes went wide with wonder.
"That's right. And Ahsoka and your daddy are going to help her."
Ezra leaned over to kiss his daughter. "Don't worry, Sweetheart. You stay with Rex and the boys and you'll get to meet brother soon."
"I love you, Violet-Meadows," Sabine called out as Ezra carried her into the ship.
Glancing over his shoulder, Ezra saw the "the boys" -Jacen Dume and Pypey- join Rex and Violet-Meadows.
"Ezra," Sabine murmured, "do you think you can get a signal off world? I'd like to have Hera on the comm."
Ezra closed his eyes and felt the Bendu's agreement. "No problem, Bine."
Ahsoka sat next to the bed in the Bridger's cabin. On the other side of the bed, Sabine leaned against Ezra while he gently rubbed her back. A comm center stood nearby with Hera flickering above a portable comms.
"You're doing just fine, Sabine," Hera coached. "Just keep breathing."
"If everything is so fine, why do you look so worried?" Sabine grunted.
"That's not why I'm worried. I know this is hardly the time to discuss the situation, but I want you to know that all the Rebel Alliance is with you."
"Thanks, Hera," Sabine caught her breath and cried out.
Ezra carefully slipped an arm around her middle. "You are doing great, Coco Bean. Everything's progressing right on schedule."
Ahsoka raised her eyebrow markings.
"On schedule? You sound just like Rex." She looked down at Sabine. "Don't worry about any schedules. The important thing is that you seem to be entering the second stage and Baby should be here in an hour or two."
Ezra pursed his lips. "About sixteen hours all together. Wonderful!"
"Really, Ezra? Your wife is in labor and you're rating her performance?" the holographic Hera scolded.
"You can time her later," Ahsoka stood and bent over the young Mandalorian, a hand on her own pregnant stomach. "I need you to get fresh bedding and towels. Things are getting serious!"
Ezra followed Ahsoka's gaze. He hurried to get fresh bedding as his wife screamed again.
"Ezra! Ezra! Ezra!"
"I'm right here, Bine. And I'm not going anywhere."
An hour and a half later, a baby's cry filled the room. Ahsoka clamped and cut his cord, then placed him in Sabine's arms for a well-earned snuggle. After his mother and father fussed over him for several minutes, they reluctantly surrendered him to Ahsoka for his first bath. She swiftly washed and dried him, then returned him to his parents.
"Cerulean-Skies," Ezra murmured as he placed the baby boy on Sabine's bosom.
"That's a beautiful name," Ahsoka smiled. "Now if you two are all right, I'm going to find Rex and finish my nap."
"Thanks, Ahsoka. I don't think I could have done it without you." Sabine kissed her son's soft blue hair.
"He's perfect and you'd better let me hold him soon," Hera gushed as Ezra brought the baby to the projector so she could have a closer look. She beamed and cooed at him, before continuing. "And please tell Leia to comm me and tell me what the old Alliance can do. You still have friends all over the Galaxy. Nek Bwua'tu has already refused to support or even acknowledge Agati's illegal government. He's moving his naval headquarters off Coruscant. We're part of this fight, too." The Twi'lek's lekku twitched with intensity. "After all, my son is one of you."
Chapter 13: The Next Step
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Talisbeth Malreaux brushed the soft, rich soil from her hands and stood.
"I think that's the last of them, Solis."
It had been a good harvest. Two dozen big baskets full just today. Of course, Whie's fields had yielded a much larger bounty but she was proud of her garden. The planet seemed to delight in growing life and always rewarded her labors. She and Whie had never seen any of the native fruits and vegetables anywhere else and the names Pan and Tallulah had given them, such as Ju Ju beans and Squish fruit, had stuck. Talisbeth reached down for the nearest basket, laden with Blue Butter Pods.
"Mistress Talisbeth," remonstrated her footman droid, "you know you are not supposed to lift such things. What would Master Whie say?"
"He would say that Solis is here to carry your baskets." Whie's voice floated around a corner of the house before he stepped into view. "And you could at least call on the Force as well as you are able. As for you, Solis," he pinned the droid with a hard stare, "you no longer have an override function, so your priority should be the well-being of your mistress. If necessary, I expect you to use an appropriate amount of physical force to prevent her from harming herself."
"Whie," Talisbeth said gently, "Blue Butter Pods are not heavy. And Solis would most definitely have taken the basket from me – and carried me into the house, too."
"I know, Dearest. Solis, will you bring the basket to the back kitchen? I will carry your mistress inside this time."
As Whie lifted her into his arms, a furrow creased his brow. "You grow lighter each time I hold you. I sense that you are fading, in spite of my best efforts."
"Don't worry about me. I've had a long day in the garden. I think I just need a nap before dinner." She nestled her head against his shoulder.
A hint of sadness crept into Whie's eyes and he held her closer until he reached their bedchamber. Carefully, he laid her on the bed and covered her with a large, woolly shawl.
"Now you must rest, beloved," he murmured. He blinked slowly. Talisbeth's arms and legs went limp. "I will return for you in an hour, unless you call for me sooner."
Whie stepped towards the door. Talisbeth looked after him, turning her head, one the few parts of her body that she still fully controlled. In the doorway, he paused.
"Do you remember what Master Yoda said, my sweet Scout? The last time we spoke to him?"
"Yes. Master Yoda said many wise things but I think that was the wisest thing I ever heard him say."
"'Attachment is not love. Selfishness, it is. Lead to fear of loss it does. Anakin fell, not because he loved too much, but because he loved too little.' He said our bond was truly love and not attachment and if we guarded ourselves, we would not fall."
"Whie, Dear, your love for me is completely unselfish. You give me life itself and I give you nothing in return."
"No, Dearest, you give me far more than I give you: love, joy, purpose. I love you so dearly, Talisbeth, but we are about to be tested. I have been asking myself all day- do I love you enough?"
Ezra kissed his sleeping wife then stood with his newborn son in his arms.
"It's time for you to meet everybody, little guy."
Descending the ramp, he was met by a swarm of children, eager to meet their new playmate. They clustered around him on the jungle grass, followed by the beaming adults.
"He looks just like you," Rex chuckled. "Just wait 'till Zeb sees him."
Han snorted. "Just wait until his lady friend Sal sees him – and catches Zeb holding him. I hear she's already got baby fever pretty bad."
Chewie and Rex laughed at Han's jibe, yet Ezra hardly heard their banter. A familiar presence brushed his mind.
Hello, he projected to the green-flecked spider gazing at him across the clearing. Are we going to be friends? The spider raised a spindly leg in response. Ezra closed his eyes. Cerulean-Skies reflexively waved his arms and legs, jerking free of his swaddling wrap as sounds and images flooded his father's mind.
"Daddy," called a small voice at his side, "what see?"
Violet-Meadows cuddled up to him as he knelt. He felt one of her tiny hands on his arm, sensed the other on Cerulean-Skies' fuzzy head. The vision became clearer. At last, the next step was plain and their path laid out before him. Kyber was the key.
"Wow!" Violet-Meadows' awestruck whisper brought him back from the realm of the Force. He opened his eyes.
"Dat petty moosics," continued the toddler. "We go dere?"
"Yes, Honey, we are. Now," he eyed the gathered group, "if we can just convince our friends to come along. Bendu, did you see and hear what I saw and heard?"
"I have already seen and heard. The Force has now shown you." The Bendu closed his eyes and started to slip back towards the jungle. "The one who challenges the Living Creator of the Force will be destroyed in the end. But he may cause much suffering and destruction, if you do not act wisely, Ezra Bridger."
Leia approached, watching the Bendu as she spoke to Ezra. "Namah Agati is definitely planning to cause suffering- for us at least. His proposal was approved a few hours ago, while you were with Sabine. The latest report from the Bothans says he is already preparing 'temporary holding facilities', complete with Ysalamiri lizards to create a void in the Force."
Curled up with a sleeping baby Persis, Ahsoka gasped audibly.
Ezra stepped to her side and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "You know, if you can reach through their void, those little critters are really strong with the Force."
"I'm afraid that you're the only one who can do that," Luke interjected. "I hope your vision offers some answers. I believe it is only a matter of time before we're discovered here."
Ezra tucked the blanket back around his wiggly son and the baby grunted softly.
"What have you seen, Luke?" he countered.
"That the combined efforts of the Jedi will be needed to stop our enemy. It is time for us to make a decision."
"The Will of the Force has shown me our next step." Ezra drew a deep breath. Yes, they would all be needed. Yet what if some refused to come? What if obeying the Force cost innocent lives? "We must leave Atallon before night falls. The planet we seek cannot be reached through any hyperspace lanes in our databases. Luke, Ahsoka, Leia, if you will join me in meditation while we pilot our ship, we will find the path."
"Of course," the Skywalker twins said together.
"Me help, Daddy," squealed Violet-Meadows. "Find petty moosics."
Ezra petted her hair. "You can help, Sweetheart, but you've got to do just what Daddy says, okay?"
The toddler bobbed her head in agreement as Han stepped forward. "Now, you know I appreciate you Jedi and all the crazy, I mean, all the amazing things you do. I married one of you, after all. And before Rex starts singing your praises, yes, I know Jedi are great navigators," Han held up his hands as if to pre-emptively silence any possible protests. "But don't you think we're going off half-cocked here? Personally, I'd at least like to know this planet actually exists before we set off on a wild bantha chase to find it."
"It's not in any records," Ezra replied calmly, "although I believe Master Yoda knew about it."
Han raised an eyebrow. "You don't even know what direction we'll be going? Do you happen to know what we'll do when we get there?"
Luke frowned. "That will be revealed when the time is right. Han, we won't force anyone to come. You are Leia's husband and the fate of the Jedi concerns you personally. I hope you will join us."
Rex stood, helping Ahsoka to her feet. "Count us in. Come what may, we're in this to end. Right, Soka? Right, kids?"
Ahsoka nodded as their children chorused their agreement. Alora looked at Dev.
"I'm coming, too," Dev said.
"We Jedi need to stick together," Kyp added. "Count me in."
"You can't leave us," Jacen Syndulla Dume piped up, with Pypey nodded his large head.
"We're with you," Punch added.
"Me and Jaina want to go," Jacen Solo and his twin sister scurried up with their younger brothers, followed by a small, furry animal that Jacen had befriended. Jaina bobbed her head in agreement.
"I want to go and so does little Ani!" shouted Ben. "We're Jedi, too."
"Gwogu come!" A pair of floppy ears appeared from behind Luke.
Mara patted the little green head. "You know I'm with you, Farmboy."
Leaning over, she kissed her husband's cheek. Luke kissed her in return. "Thanks, Love. That just leaves…" He left his statement unfinished as he turned to Han and Leia.
Chewie roared softly in Han's ear. Han sighed. "Yeah, we can't let 'em go off alone like that. They may be crazy Jedi, but they're our crazy Jedi. If Leia wants to go, I'll go."
Leia smiled and hugged him. "Thanks, Han. If it's all right with everyone else, I'd like to ask our allies to stand by. We have our battle, but I feel that may have theirs as well."
Luke glanced around. "Any objections?"
No one spoke. Han grunted. "First sensible thing we've done since we got here."
"Ezra," Leia asked. "Will we have enough fuel? Or do we need to plan a covert stop to refuel?"
"We don't need to worry about fuel. It's just a source of energy. The Force is a much better source."
Han's eyes widened. He looked from Ezra to the large green mass at the edge of the clearing.
Ezra continued. "As long as each ship has a capable Jedi, all will be well. We should use Atallon's natural resources to replenish our food and fresh water stores before we leave, though."
As the jungle shadows lengthened, a freighter rose into the air and accelerated to break free from the planet's gravity. Two more ships followed, as Ahsoka and Rex watched. They fired up the Torrent and joined their friends. The White Loth-Cat led, with the Jade Shadow next. The Torrent brought up the rear, behind the Millennium Falcon.
Rex chuckled. "Clever idea Luke had, putting Han and his flying disaster between his ship and ours. Maybe we'll get her there in one piece."
Ahsoka nodded. "I'm glad we sent Alora with them. Leia's going to need all the moral support she can get."
Coryn giggled. "If Han starts causing problems, Alora can use the Force to pin him to the wall."
"Let's hope that won't be necessary," returned Ashlan.
"Alora could do it, though!" asserted Rorric.
Ezra's voice crackled over the comm. "All right, everyone. Prepare to jump on my mark. All set?"
A chorus of "all set" sounded from the comm.
"Us too!" trilled Wani.
Ahsoka laughed. "We're all set on the Torrent."
Ezra chuckled too, then began the countdown. "30, 29, 28 …".
Rex lifted Persis from Ahsoka's lap where she had been patting her mother's rounding stomach in fascination.
"Be-be cry," she whispered.
Rex lifted an eyebrow, impressed with his little daughter's Force abilities. He settled her in his lap.
Miisha stepped forward. "Baby's going to be okay. Let's send her some calm."
The girls closed their eyes as Ezra reached "1". The stars flashed and stretched out on either side of the ship. Rex stared at his wife in awe. She sat with her eyes closed and her hands folded in her lap. She had touched none of the instruments or controls. Yet somehow, she was guiding them as they hurtled through hyperspace.
They traveled in silence for some time, no one daring to disturb the Jedi's concentration. The ships moved through what appeared to be a solid wall of white light, occasionally refracting into all the colors of the rainbow.
"Dada," Ashlan murmured, breaking the silence at last, "This isn't an ordinary hyperspace lane, is it?"
Namah Agati pretended to listen to the New Alderaanian senator protesting his committee's "high-handed behavior" and "unjust condemnation of the Jedi". As the man called for a thorough investigation, Namah began calculating when he should make his next move. His spy droids had picked up traces of that rust bucket, the Millennium Falcon, in a hyperspace lane. The ship had disappeared in the vicinity of an alleged blackhole. A moving blackhole. One that just happened to be located where the planet Atallon had once been.
Namah was skeptical. A powerful Force user dwelt there. Quite likely, the blackhole was a mere illusion. The spy droids he had sent to Atallon's former location should check in soon. Suddenly, his droid comm vibrated in a silent pattern. Planet confirmed. Targets gone. Evidence of hyperspace jump. No track found.
Namah hid a smile. It was almost too good to be true. Could they really be going just where he wanted them?
Finally, the senator finished and Namah assured him that his concerns would receive full consideration. He calmly exited the chamber just as if his head were not buzzing with plans. No doubt the Jedi had a quicker, safer route to the planet Kyber with its wondrous treasure. But it did not matter. He would destroy them and take the planet for himself. Switching the frequency on his droid comm, he relayed a message. Ready the fleet.
Notes:
More Scout and Whie! And once again, Whie is talking like Mr. Darcy (it's Fidelis fault, but Scout likes it, so it's all right.)
So Ezra is making friends with the spiders, things are getting strange in the Force world, and Namah could at least try to be a sympathetic villain. Let's hope Thrawn isn't the one supplying him with Ysalamiri lizards (he has his Empire of the Hand in this timeline).
Chapter 14: The Music
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Ezra sat in the cockpit of the White Loth-Cat, gliding along the pathway the Force was showing him. He was dimly aware that his ship was in a hyperspace lane. More strongly, he sensed the presence of his friends in their ships, Sabine in her room and Dev along with her. He had shyly volunteered to stay with "Lady Bridger" while Ezra piloted the ship. Violet-Meadows sat in his lap, reaching out to the Force. Suddenly, he heard her gasp.
"Da moosics!"
"Good morning, Mistress," trilled Solis. "Did you sleep well?"
Talisbeth smiled. She had once thought the question merely part of the droid's etiquette programming. Then one morning, after she had admitting to sleeping little for three nights in a row, Solis had searched his vast medical database to find a cure for her insomnia.
"Quite well, Solis. And I'd like to get up now." She glanced at her husband. Whie had a cure of his own for her occasional sleeplessness.
He turned to her, eyes brimming with love. "Tali, you are growing weaker, in spite of all our best efforts. You have overexerted yourself this week and I would like you to rest today. The children and Solis will help you finish preparing your harvest for storage tomorrow." His eyes gleamed with unshed tears. "You must rest today," he repeated.
The guilt in his voice tore at her heart. She knew that, dearly as he loved their son, he felt that bearing him had been too much for her and he blamed himself.
"Darling, it's not your fault. Don't you know how happy it made me to give you a son?"
Whie crossed to the bed and sat beside her. "I don't deserve you," he whispered brokenly. Cradling her in his arms, he pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss.
At length, he laid her back on the bed. "I want you to sleep until breakfast. Solis will bring it to you on a tray. Then you may get up." He rose, then paused. "But no working today."
He pressed his fingers to her forehead and sleep swiftly claimed her.
"Talisbeth! Talisbeth!"
"Whie, is that you?"
"No, my dear child. Don't you know me?"
"Master Jai! I've missed you. What are you doing here?"
"My sweet Scout, I have missed you, too. I just came to tell you that I am very proud of you." Her master's presence faded.
"Thank you, Master," she called after him.
"Tali? Tali!" A concerned voice broke into her vision. "Scout, are you alright?"
Slowly, she opened her eyes. Solis stood at the foot of the bed with a breakfast tray and Whie knelt beside her, clasping her limp hands.
"You were having a vision, weren't you, Dearest?"
"Yes."
"Not bad, I hope."
"Oh, no. It was definitely good. Master Jai came and told me he was proud of me."
"How wonderful! I caught of glimpse of my Master Maks during my evening meditations yesterday. I hope I didn't interrupt your vision when I woke you; only, you were so very cold and pale."
"No, of course not. It faded just before you woke me."
"I'm glad." Whie stroked her cheek. Her nerves came to life and strength coursed through her muscles. "Now, Dear One, it's time for your breakfast."
She grinned at him. "First, you've got to let me up to use the 'fresher."
Whie led his little family up the sloping side of the Meditation Hill. Talisbeth, riding comfortably in Solis' strong durasteel arms, watched him. At least once a week, he brought them here and Talisbeth always left refreshed afterwards. Yet the Force whispered to her that today would be different.
At the top of the Hill, Whie halted. Jai, Tallulah, and Pan sat, forming part of a circle. Whie took Talisbeth from Solis and helped her to sit on the ground beside him. The droids stepped back to watch. The time on the Hill began with mediation. A wondrous peace filled Talisbeth. No visions this time, just the sweet contentment of trusting in the Force.
She opened her eyes to find Whie gazing at her, ready to begin the second part of their time.
"I've been meditating lately on the twin virtues of truth and love. We must love in truth and speak truth in love. Without the guidance of truth, we cannot know if we have real love or only its weak shadow, attachment. We have lived in peace on Kyber for a long time, but we cannot remain hidden forever. Very soon, my children, you may find yourselves somewhere far away, in this vast Galaxy. Where ever you are, cling to truth and love and you will never go astray."
Whie stopped, his gaze seeming to pierce the atmosphere above them.
Peering intently at the sky, Jai stood and followed his father's line of sight. "Father," he breathed, "Someone's coming."
Solis touched a button on his arm, receiving readings from their ship's sensor, which he had salvaged, upgraded and repurposed. "There multiple ships incoming. They just exited hyperspace."
Talisbeth and Whie exchanged a look. They have come for us.
"How many?" asked Pan eagerly.
"So far, sensors show four. Three small freighters and a yacht, all armed."
Could it really be? Had the Jedi finally come?
"Armed freighters," Whie repeated, grinning like a padawan. "It isn't that I want to leave our beloved home, but I have longed to meet them."
"Do you feel that?" Talisbeth caught her husband's arm. A shiver ran down her spine. Someone – no, multiple someones – probed the Force, seeking the inhabitants of the planet. Above her, a pair of multi-colored birds stopped in mid-flight, spun swiftly around and raced towards the Force call.
"Fidelis, Solis, can we contact those ships?" Whie's eyes danced with excitement.
"I'm afraid not, Master," Fidelis shook his head. "The comm unit we saved from the ship can no longer reach beyond a few hundred meters."
"Then we must contact them with the Force," Talisbeth concluded.
Whie nodded agreement. The little group joined hands and stretched out in the Force towards the newcomers. With Whie's Force strength flowing through her, Talisbeth brushed against the life presences of several humans. Reaching further, she touched a Togruta who seemed somehow familiar. She continued, finding more humans and a Wookie in the next ship. Then she touched the beings in the third ship and almost cried out in joy. Little Grogu, safe and sound! And could it be? Poppy and his kind, loyal troopers.
"The ships are approaching!" Fidelis' voice broke into their meditation. "I believe you've made contact, Master and Mistress."
"We better show them where to land," Tallulah exclaimed, jumping up.
"Wait," Whie raised his hand. "Something is wrong."
The roar of engines filled the air as the four ships descended through the atmosphere. Faintly, Talisbeth heard the music. She trembled, remembering Whie's vision. Rain clouds rolled in, darkening the sky. What had they done?
The song of the kyber crystals filled Ezra's head. It was so beautiful, his heart almost ached. As they glided towards the surface of the planet, the music became louder, sweeter, lovelier. Force-wielders lived on this world; he had felt them. He had also inadvertently called half of the local wildlife population to him, according to the scene outside the viewport.
The ground came rushing up, lush, fertile valleys and gently rolling hills. Looking for a place to land, Ezra slowed his ship and slipped over a meadow. He found a spot in walking distance of the mysterious Force-users, but not so close that they would be frightened. After all, they had probably been here for some time.
Ezra dropped the ramp and clipped on his lightsaber. Violet-Meadows clung tightly to his hand. Dev appeared at the doorway.
"Mother and child are both sleeping," he smiled.
"Great!" Ezra checked that he had his comm and that it worked before the trio walked off the ship.
"Moosics," sighed Violet-Meadows.
Ezra watched his friends drop planks and leave their ships. The Force power coursing through the planet made him want to dance and the music made him want to sing. He started to hum and sway, but was interrupted by Luke.
"Grogu is excited about something," he said. "I think maybe he knows our Force- wielders."
"I felt a familiar touch, too. Perhaps some of the old Jedi are here," Ahsoka added.
"Then let's find them," Rex put an arm around Ahsoka. "I bet they'll be glad to see us."
Barrel, Clide, Alora and Dev stayed with the ships, along with Baby Ben, the little Solos, Sabine and Cerulean-Skies. Ezra and Luke led the way towards a glowing presence in the Force, Grogu and Violet-Meadows at their heels. Following the glow, they soon approached a high, sloping hill.
"That's far enough!"
A man with golden brown hair and fierce blue eyes leaped in front of them.
"Fidelis!" he shouted. Seemingly from nowhere, lightsaber glided into his hand. As he ignited the blade, Ezra gasped at the power of his Force aura. A click caught Ezra's attention and he turned to see a large, humanoid droid with a blaster trained on the group.
Luke stepped forward. "Master Jedi, we come in peace." He held his empty hands out, palms up. "We are Jedi, led here by the Living Force."
"I know who you are and why you are here, Skywalker. I have seen it in a vision. You are here to destroy my world, just as your father did."
"Whie? Whie Malreaux?" Ahsoka moved in front of Luke, with Rex following protectively. "It is you! Don't you remember me? I'm Ahsoka! We used to play games together with Master Yoda."
Whie nodded. "I remember you, Ahsoka Tano. Yet that does not change what I have seen. Skywalker's son brings death and destruction." Abruptly, his shoulders sagged and he shut off his lightsaber. "Stand down, Fidelis. It's no use. I cannot fight the Force. I begin to see clearly again. The sacrifice is mine to make. Luke Skywalker is but the harbinger, not the source.
Punch, Poppy and Handie pushed through the Jedi as Grogu toddled forward. Poppy clapped Whie on the shoulder. "Cheer up, lad! Things can't be that bad."
Grogu flapped his hands, hollering in delight. Punch picked him up. "Yeah, there's no way anybody but a Jedi could find this place."
Rex frowned, pierced his former subordinate with a glare, but said nothing. Ezra didn't need to use the Force the know what Rex was thinking. Rule number one of staying alive: Never underestimate your enemy.
"Father, are they friends?" called a voice from somewhere in the trees.
"Yes. Come meet our guests, Jai."
A teenaged boy, a carbon copy of Whie, leapt nimbly down from a nearby branch, followed by two adults, a female Gungan and a male Twi'lek, all with lightsabers in their hands.
Whie introduced them. "My children, Jai, Tallulah, and Pan." He turned to the droid. "Fidelis, return to the house and prepare a luncheon for guests."
The droid hurried off as Ahsoka and Luke introduced the members of their party. Whie bowed politely then addressed Luke.
"Master Skywalker, I pray you will accept my apology. I had no call to threaten you. The danger you bring is not of your doing. My only excuse lies with an old, painful memory, stirred up by your presence." He lifted his eyes to survey the group. "Seventeen Jedi and younglings here, eight more with ships. Twenty-five! We were once so many. But it is a good start, a very good start."
He swept a hand towards the Hill. "Come. We have much to talk of and little time."
Notes:
Ezra accidently called all the animals to himself, of course he did. :) The little thoughts on love sprinkled through this story (and some of my other stories) are inspired in part by a C. S. Lewis book called The Four Loves. It is one my very favorite books and I highly recommend it!
Chapter 15: The Rest of the Story
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Solis fussed over Talisbeth, clucking like a mother hen. "Mistress, you must lie still. You were in those drenched things for nearly half an hour. What would Master Whie say?"
He tucked another blanket around her legs as she lay on a couch in the sitting room, close to the warming panels.
"He would say that you are an excellent droid."
Solis did not respond as he added wood to the warming panels and poured her a cup of steaming tea with lightning speed. As she took the cup, her hands trembled. Whie was feeling strong emotions that were uncharacteristic of him. Her hands strengthened as he focused on her and she sipped the tea. She was cold after getting caught in the brief rain shower. Whie had, of course, insisted that Solis carry her home immediately.
The door to the sitting room opened and Fidelis glided in. "Master Whie wishes me to prepare a luncheon for his guests. May I have your permission to incorporate some of your fresh produce in my meal preparation, Mistress?"
Guests? Their visitors had come in peace, after all. "Of course, that would be wonderful."
Talisbeth grinned as the droid disappeared into the kitchen. Fidelis sounded more like Whie every day and Whie sounded more like Fidelis. She finished her tea, then settled back to watch the glowing wood. She really was tired from harvesting her garden all week and getting soaked today. Her eyes closed.
"Little Scout, grown up, you have. So proud of you, I am."
"Hi, Master Yoda. Whie felt when you joined the Force. I wish we could have seen you one last time."
"See me now, you do. And we will see each other again very soon. For you to walk, the time has almost come."
"Walk? Master Yoda, what do you mean? I can't walk!"
A soft touch on her cheek roused Talisbeth from her sleep.
"I'm sorry to wake you, Dearest," Whie murmured, kissing her again, "but I knew you would want to meet our guests."
The spacious parlour was filled with people. Whie began to introduce them. Talisbeth gasped with delight when she recognized the Clones and Ahsoka. Then she spotted another familiar face.
"Grogu! I'm so glad you're safe."
The little creature waddled over and levitated into her lap.
"Master Grogu!" Solis exclaimed, almost seeming to smile. "I do believe you've grown."
Grogu waved to him, then squeezed Talisbeth tightly.
"Be careful, little Master," cautioned Solis. "Mistress Scout does not feel well."
Ahsoka stepped forward and managed to kneel by Talisbeth's couch. "What happened, Scout? Rex heard part of the story from Poppy; at least, I think it was about you. But I would like to hear the rest."
"Yes, you will hear our story and we will hear yours- but first I must finish introductions." Whie bent forward, helped Ahsoka to her feet and guided her to a chair. He indicated the nearest visitor. "Ezra Bridger, his wife Sabine and their children, Violet-Meadows and Cerulean-Skies. Master Bridger, your wife is welcome to rest on one of our couches."
"Thanks."
The blue-haired Jedi had helped his wife up from their ship and now eased her gently onto a couch across from Talisbeth. Little Cerulean-Skies squirmed and began to cry. Sabine adjusted her nursing shawl so that she could feed him. Violet- Meadows approached Talisbeth, looking up at Grogu as Whie continued, introducing the Solos, the Wookie Chewbacca, the Torrent children, and the other padawans.
Finally, he extended his hand towards the Skywalkers. Even Talisbeth could feel that Luke was a Skywalker of the Chosen One's bloodline. She had been surprised to discover that Leia was as well, but the signature in the Force was unmistakable.
"Talisbeth, this is Master Luke Skywalker, his wife Mara and their son, Ben."
Scout hesitated. "You are… his son?" It was half statement, half question.
Luke knelt by her side and looked into her eyes. "Yes," he said simply.
"Princess Leia …"
"Is my sister. Anakin Skywalker's daughter."
A sharp breath escaped Scout's lips as the memory of that darkness swept over her. She couldn't breathe, couldn't see. Muffled sounds came to her from far away, through a thick, choking darkness.
"Talisbeth? Tali? Scout!" Whie's voice. Past or present, she couldn't be sure.
"Mistress!" Solis's whisper carried through dark, cold water.
She sank deeper into the darkness, a crushing weight pressing her down. Not a sliver of light reached her. All was darkness. All was lost. All hope was gone. The light would never triumph over the darkness.
"Talisbeth Malreaux, do not listen to the darkness. You have rejected it before, reject it now."
Skywalker's voice cut through the darkness. She struggled towards it, uselessly. She had no strength. Vaguely, she felt Grogu's tiny hands on her face. She reached for him, but she couldn't hold on. Then a pair of strong hands grabbed her and lifted her up. Two more sets of hands caught her and suddenly she broke free of the darkness.
She was in the parlour again, Grogu stroking her cheek. Whie, Ezra Bridger, and Luke Skywalker knelt beside her. They slowly opened their eyes.
"Thank you, Master Bridger and Master Skywalker." Whie sounded breathless. He looked down at Violet-Meadows, who was holding Talisbeth's hand and reaching out in the Force, as she had seen her father do. "I think it's time we told you our story. Jai, Tallulah, Pan, would you take the children outside to play? They have been frightened enough and this planet is quite safe," he assured the parents.
When the little Torrents, the Solos, Grogu, Violet-Meadows and Ezra's two padawans had trooped outside under the watchful eyes of the younger Malreauxs, Whie sat beside Talisbeth to begin his tale. Fidelis quietly served cool drinks to his master and the guests and warm tea to Talisbeth, Sabine and Ahsoka. The Solo's golden protocol droid watched the Tac-Spec footman closely. Talisbeth remembered how Senator Amidala's protocol droid had always seemed a little overawed by Fidelis and Solis, and sometimes a little jealous. She remembered Anakin bragging to the Senator about how he had effected near-impossible repairs on the elegant, intricately made droids, after Whie and Talisbeth's first adventure with the droids, during which they had almost lost the two "gentlemen's gentlethings". Glancing again at the golden droid, Talisbeth was struck by how similar he was to C-3P0. She wondered if he could be the same droid.
"Thank you, Fidelis," Whie accepted a cup of chilled juice. "Please inform us when luncheon is ready."
"Of course, Master Whie." Fidelis moved towards the kitchen, then stopped.
"C-3P0, if the Skywalkers and Solos could spare you for an hour or so, I could use your excellent help in the kitchens and dining room, as Solis is currently occupied with the care of our mistress."
"Hey," Han protested, "how does your droid know our droid's name?"
"I'm sure I don't know, sir," the protocol droid fretted.
Whie peered curiously at him. "I believe he's had a mind wipe, Fidelis. I doubt he remembers us, or even Anakin and Padme."
Luke's astromech beeped and burbled.
Solis nodded. "Yes, I can see the wisdom of a memory wipe. I'm glad to see your memories are intact. You should show your master those holos you have."
The astromech- R2-D2, Talisbeth realized- beeped again.
"Oh, no! You're a menace in the kitchen, Artoo!" Fidelis bowed in Whie's direction, then returned to the kitchens.
"Threepio, go make yourself useful," Leia laughed, "Luke, Han and I are going to find out more about your secret past."
The droid shuffled off muttering to himself and everyone looked expectantly to Whie.
"Your father loved droids." Whie smiled at Luke and Leia. "He loved ships, too. He loved to tinker with them, fix them, rebuild them. He made C-3P0 out of old parts when he was still a slave on Tatooine and gave him to his mother. After she died, your father gave Threepio to your mother, Padme Amidala. She gave him a little astromech that had been with her since they first met." He indicated Artoo. "Your little friend is a hero on his own right, you know."
"Don't I know it," Luke chuckled. "But how do you know all this?"
"Droid gossip, mostly, I'm afraid. We suspected that your parents had a relationship. Most people who knew them did. But then I loaned Fidelis to the Senator for a dinner party, and it seems that a Jedi had left his cloak in her bedroom. The ever-faithful Fidelis decided he must return it to the Temple and its proper owner, despite Threepio's assurances that "Master Ani" would come back for it. Fidelis brought the cloak to me, since Anakin was off-world at the time, and asked me to keep it safe. Master Yoda walked up, looked at us then at the robe. 'Much to learn has young Skywalker,' he said. 'Keep the cloak for him, Whie.' And he poked us both."
"Yoda knew?" Ahsoka's eyes widened. "I thought only Obi-Wan, Rex, and I knew."
"Oh, Yoda knew. He even knew they were married. If only he had been able to help Anakin learn what he needed- how to love truly, the importance of letting go, the dangers of selfish attachments. Somehow, your father believed that by joining Sidious and embracing the dark side, he could keep Padme safe."
Whie's voice trembled and almost broke as he described that terrible night and how he had been unable to stop the slaughter of the younglings. Beside him, Talisbeth sat up and rubbed his shoulders. As he was telling what happened after Solis shot him, Leia interrupted.
"How do you know what happened when you were unconscious?"
"I have … seen it. Over and over, in a vision. The vision always ends after Master Yaddle dies and Fidelis threatens the Clone troopers. Fidelis has told us how he and the Clones dug out the babies, then located the secret door under the floor that Master Yaddle had told them about. I awoke deep under the city, the air so thick and foul, I could barely breathe. We were headed for the GAR shipyards, in hopes that the Clones' action had not become known and we could, ah, requisition a ship. Talisbeth was still unconscious and I took her from Poppy to carry her myself. Solis met us at the shipyard. He had returned to search for survivors and destroy the tunnel entrance. He found … no one. Every Jedi left in the Temple was dead. He took an encrypted comm to reach Master Yoda and blasted the Creche area and the tunnel, hoping to obscure our escape. Punch found the troopers' ship and I use a mind trick on the guards." Whie glanced at Rex and the other Clones, then smiled wanly. "They weren't Clones. We were able to slip away. The Clones knew which codes to use."
Whie paused. Talisbeth understood. Whie didn't like to make himself sound like a hero. A sharp ding sounded from the dining room door and everyone laughed. Threepio was showing off his impressions again. He did make a convincing dinner bell.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the droid bowed with a flourish. "Luncheon is served."
Alora giggled again. "Threepio, Tac-Spec Footmen may have a lot that you don't, but they're not nearly as funny. I'll go get the kids, Dada."
"I was not intending to be comic, Miss Alora," the golden droid protested. "Although I do have a repertoire of-"
"Skip it, Goldie," Han growled.
Alora found the pack of younglings and padawans engrossed in a ball game where two teams battled using only the Force to move or hold the ball. On the sideline, Tallulah, busily entertained Anakin, Violet- Meadows, Grogu and the littlest Torrents with balls of their own. Alora watched as the ball sailed towards Ashlan. He lifted the ball towards Coryn. Stretching out her fingers, Alora called it to her own hand instead.
"Hey!" shouted the twins.
"Luncheon is served," Alora mimicked Threepio.
"We'd best get you all washed up first," Pan guided them to a bubbling fountain and filled several basins, his lekku waving behind him.
Alora led the way back to the house. Suddenly, she stopped and tried not stare.
"It's a lovely day, now that the rain has passed. Would you children like to eat outside?" Talisbeth indicated a large deck adjoining the dining room.
"Yes! Thank you!" called several young voices. Talisbeth led them up the steps and Alora blinked. The children gathered around the picnic tables. Alora wondered vaguely why the Malreauxs had so many tables and chairs. But she could not take her eyes off of Talisbeth. The slender, fragile woman did not walk. She floated a centimeter or two above the ground and her feet seemed to propel her forward as if she was swimming in the air.
Threepio helped Fidelis carry trays of fruits, vegetables and sandwiches. Artoo rolled out with a tray full of chilled juice cups.
"Don't spill those," the Footman droid warned and Artoo beeped indignantly. Solis hovered near Talisbeth, guiding her through the open doors to the spacious dining room.
"Thank you, Threepio," Talisbeth called over her shoulder. "Enjoy your meal, dears."
Dev and Kyp joined Alora at a table near the door, where they could hear the conversation. They listened quietly as Whie spoke a mealtime blessing, then all the guests eagerly partook of the flavorful bounty from Talisbeth's garden. Alora noticed that even her mother, who was not usually fond of vegetables, seemed to be enjoying her meal.
"Why do you suppose they have so many tables and such a big dining room?" Kyp wondered aloud. "We all fit, with room left over."
"They're Jedi," Dev replied. "Maybe they knew we were coming."
"Father has visions," Jai spoke up from a nearby table where he was helping Grogu and Violet-Meadows eat slices of a large red and green striped fruit. "He saw that the Jedi Order would rise again and he wanted our home to be a place where they could gather, away from the noise of the universe."
"You mean, sort of a Jedi retreat center?" asked Kyp.
"You could call it that, I suppose," Pan agreed, with a chuckle. "I'm so glad you're all here."
"Me too," squealed Tallulah. Persis sat in her lap drinking a cup of juice. "You're the first friends I've ever had."
"Hey, what about me and Jai?" protested Pan.
"You're not my friends- you're my brothers!"
Inside the house, Luke spoke to Whie. "I noticed that you and your wife do not have distinct presences in the Force. Perhaps that explains why she seems to float?"
"Yes," Whie replied slowly. "Yes, they are both related phenomena. I suppose I should finish our story."
"Whie?" Talisbeth's soft voice interrupted. "May I tell the rest?"
"Certainly, Dearest, if you wish."
"Whie is a great Jedi, Master Skywalker. I know we are not really Jedi anymore, but my husband is strong in the Force and wise like the old masters. He did an incredible thing for me, all those years ago. We were hiding in deep space, waiting to meet Master Yoda. I was still unconscious and failing fast. Clide has medic training and he hooked me up to life support." Talisbeth paused to look gratefully at the troopers. "Solis and Fidelis used their medical knowledge, too. Nothing worked. I was dying. As I was about to slip away, Whie poured from his own life force into my body to sustain the tiny bit of life left in me.
"I awoke just when Master Yoda joined us. I was … paralyzed. I'm still paralyzed, actually. The lightsaber blow damaged my spinal cord near my shoulders. I have some functioning in my right arm and in my neck and head. I was frightened, but Master Yoda calmed me. The Whie promised that he would never leave me. He touched the life-force he'd poured into me and I could move. Not normal movement, as you've all seen, but I can move with Whie's help. Poor Whie, he loved me so much; he was afraid he was breaking the 'no attachments' rule. Master Yoda assured him that giving of himself was an act of true love, not of selfish attachment. He said that the bond that Whie had created could not be broken and that Whie was now bound to care for me forever." Talisbeth reached out and caught her husband's hand, squeezing it gently.
"Whie asked if we could get married when we were a little older. Master Yoda just poked him with his stick and said to 'follow the Force.' Then he asked us to return the babies to their families, look after any that had no family. He took Grogu; he'd been training and his presence in the Force was bright and hard to hide. Senator Bail Organa gave us a ship and we gave Master Yaddle's body and lightsaber to Master Yoda."
Talisbeth stopped, her eyes full of tears. "We took six of the babies to their homes. Pan and Tallulah were orphans. We were discussing what to do next when our ship was wrenched from our grasp. We tumbled through a tunnel of light, almost like hyperspace, and crashed here."
Talisbeth paused again, took a deep breath and looked at Whie. "The planet Kyber – a planet made of Kyber crystal. Whie believes it is the heart of the Galaxy itself."
Ezra nodded. "That would explain the music." He hummed a few notes. "Ah-aaahh, mmmmh, ahhh-ah, mmmh."
Whie blinked. "You hear the music now? We usually only hear it at sunrise."
Ezra looked down. He had not meant to show off his unusually strong bond with kyber crystals. "The crystals sing to me all the time." He jerked his head up and an urgency filled his voice. "I hear words in the music. I've never heard words in it before. They are words of the Force, but I know what they mean. The Force is telling us to prepare."
Whie spoke, his voice soft and distant. "We must go to the Hill to meditate."
Notes:
Fidelis is a good droid for most part, but I'm afraid he can't resist a little gossip. And so Whie knows everything that Threepio let slip. I love that Artoo apparently never deletes anything.
Chapter 16: Connections
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Ahsoka sat on top of the Hill, leaning on Rex. She was glad he was at her side Without him, she did not think she would have been able to sit on the grass with the other Jedi. She relaxed while Rex's right hand petted her montrals and his left hand moved over her rounded middle. Meditation became almost effortless when she was carrying a child within, as if the baby enhanced her connection to the Force. As Rex squeezed her montral, she gasped, overwhelmed by the images and sensations inundating her senses through the Force. This planet is alive!
"Little U'n!" Rex's voice was filled with alarm. "It's way too early for that!"
Pulling away from the vision, Ahsoka opened her eyes. "I'm not having labor pains," she assured him. "It's this planet. It's so powerful, it almost frightens me."
"It is extremely powerful," agreed Whie, opening his eyes as well. "We have been its Guardians during the Dark Times of the Empire.
"He knows about it," Ezra interjected abruptly. "Namah Agati knows about Kyber and its power."
Luke drew a sharp breath. "The Death Stars- they were powered by large amounts of kyber crystals. I don't even want to think about what a planet-sized kyber could power."
"A world," Talisbeth waved towards the Malreaux house, "a civilization."
"It could control a galaxy," Ezra murmured, softly caressing the blue grass. "Bend the minds of whole worlds. Agati is not strong with the Force, but he knows its ways."
"The void in the Force," Leia exclaimed, "the one your friend Bendu mentioned, that he thought was Agati. Ezra, do you really think he is cutting himself off from the Force? I though only Force-users could do that."
"The ysalamiri do it," Ezra mused. "True, they're stronger in the Force than your average lizard, but the void they create is a product of their unique biology. It's possible that he has found a way to copy them."
"It's odd that I haven't felt anything strange from him in the Force," Leia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "How do you suppose he does it?"
Ezra sighed. "I don't know, but I'd sure like to find out."
Leia blinked and pressed a hand to her mouth. "You just might get your chance. When Han and I went back to the Falcon for the kids, I had a short talk with Admiral Bwua'tu. His spies have discovered that Agati is preparing to launch a droid-manned fleet. I had assumed the droids were part of his continuing Jedi hunt, without any specific destination, but now..."
The Jedi all shared a glance. Whie stood to his feet and grasped his lightsaber hilt.
"The enemy is coming here."
"You know, Jedi are handy to have around sometimes, but they can be a lot of trouble," Han complained when Leia ended her call.
"This is not our fault," Leia returned, "And if we don't stop this crazy non-Jedi, the whole Galaxy will be in 'a lot of trouble'." She rubbed her temples and leaned on her husband's shoulder. The information Arni Belden and Nek Bwua'tu had given her had been painfully sparse. The emergency quorum was planning to require mandatory midi-chlorian level testing throughout the New Republic. Agati's fleet had jumped. The Bothans had provided a departure time, a general direction, a shockingly large fleet size estimate, and a promise to send information they had gleaned from covert scans on the ships. The spynet was also planning an insertion into the factory complex to gather more data. For now, she would have to exercise the Jedi patience Luke and Ezra were always talking about.
Draping an arm around her, Han gently pulled her along, away from the makeshift comm station she had set up in the garden, back into the Malreaux house. Whie and Talisbeth had insisted that their guests stay with them rather than return to their ships to sleep. The Footman droids had been busy making up beds for everyone and had somehow found time to prepare an evening meal. Leia had sent Threepio to help and Artoo had tagged along without waiting to be asked.
"Alora was right," Han chuckled as they entered. "This place is definitely a Jedi retreat center." He surveyed the cots spread out in the big parlour and the smaller family room. "How's a guy supposed to get any sleep with you Jedi meditating all over the place all night?"
"The better question is, how are we Jedi going to meditate with you snoring all night?" Leia playfully poked his ribs.
"Leia," Luke called from the parlour, "any news?
"Not much," Leia tugged Han into the cot-filled room and glanced around. "Someone in the Emergency Quorum had the idea to test the midi-chlorian levels of everyone in Alliance space. And Agati's fleet has jumped- to where we don't know, but I think we can guess."
"How long do you think we have?" Kyp looked from Luke to Ezra.
"Hard to say," Ezra admitted. "It took us three days from Attalon, using the Force. Agati left from the Coruscant system, I guess."
"His droid factories used to be on an uninhabited planet in the Coruscant system. Out of the way and seldom visited by anyone else," Mara offered.
"The question is, how far are we from the Coruscant system?" Luke pointed out.
"I have no positive evidence," Whie began hesitantly, "but I have always felt that Kyber is directly above Coruscant. How far above, I don't know."
"First thing in the morning, we'll search all our navigation databases, maybe the droids' memory banks, too," Han suggested, "look at all the hyperspace lanes in the upper quadrants of the Coruscant system. Maybe we can get a fix on where we are."
Leia grinned. "Just going to trust us Jedi?"
Han grinned back. "Well, you did get our ships to this non-existent planet. But it looks like it's gonna take me to find the hyperspace lane from Coruscant."
He grabbed Leia by the waist and spun her around, eliciting a squeal from her while he laughed.
"Hey, you two, keep it down," Rex protested. "My wife is trying to sleep! Flying the ship all that way with the Force really took a lot out of her. It's okay, 'Soka," he soothed. Nestled in a pile of soft, thick blankets on a plump cot, Ahsoka stirred in her sleep. Rex rearranged the blankets, tucking her in more securely. He gently kissed the tips of her montrals and patted the striped back of her head.
Talisbeth watched the Clone fussing over his wife. "Are you sure you and Ahsoka wouldn't like a room to yourselves? We could put a bed in the library."
"No, no, we can sleep just about anywhere," Rex assured her.
"I would give you my room," offered Tallulah, "but it's kind of moisty. Gungans like to be moist when we sleep."
"Luke wouldn't mind, he used to farm the stuff," Han smirked at his brother-in-law.
"Very funny, Han," Luke slipped an arm around Mara, "Come on, Artoo. Ready, Mara?"
Mara nodded drowsily. Ezra scooped up Sabine from the couch where she was nodding off, Cerulean-Skies peacefully feeding at her breast.
"Come on, Violet-Meadows. Bedtime." Ezra motioned to his daughter.
"Otay." Thumb in her mouth, she clutched Grogu's little hand in hers and followed Ezra. "Behtime, Gogu."
Leia smiled as the two toddlers trailed after Ezra. "Well, Han, shall we gather our littles?"
She took Anakin from Tallulah and thanked her for watching him, then called the twins and Ben.
"Aw, Mom," Ben whined, "can't I stay with the other padawan boys?"
"Me, too?" asked Jacen eagerly.
"Yeah, I want to stay here with Tallulah. Daddy 'nores loud!" Jaina insisted.
Leia laughed. "If I can put up with your father's snoring, so can you."
Chewie chortled a roaring laugh while Han pretended to ignore him.
"Please, mom? Can't we stay?" Ben looked up at her with his best sad puppy expression.
"Oh, all right, you three, you can stay with your friends," Leia relented, "if you promise to go straight to bed and stay out of trouble."
"We will, Mom. Thanks!" Jaina hurried back to Tallulah's side and the Gungan girl led her out of the parlour.
Jacen and Ben scampered off with the other boys, under the watchful eyes of Pan. Chewie and the five Clones bedded down in an upstairs loft.
"Goodnight, Alora," Dev called shyly.
"Goodnight, Dev!"
At last, the Torrents were left alone in the parlour. Alora helped her father put the little ones to bed while the twins and Miisha snuggled down on cots near the warming panels. As her siblings drifted off to sleep, soft purring filled the room, lulling her to sleep as well.
"Goodnight, Kittens," Rex whispered. Curled under the covers, Alora smiled. Technically, she wasn't a kitten, since she had no Togrutan genetics. But she was an adopted kitten, so she whispered back, "Goodnight, Dada."
Notes:
The story wouldn't be interesting if we didn't give the bad guy most of the advantages, would it? It's what authors do- give the characters problems, then make the problems get worse.
I'm not sure where the idea that Togrutas purr came from originally (I've seen it in a lot of fanfics), but I am 110% on board with it!
We finally get to the Bothans in the next chapter! :)
Chapter 17: The Bothans
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
High Grand Admiral Nek Bwua'tu, commander of the Space Navy of the Galactic Alliance Republic, stood facing the window of his study on his home planet of Ruwelyn. Outside the window, a rock-lined walkway, bordered with colorful flowers, wound down a gentle slope, away from the sprawling home's front door. Between scattered flowers, the lavender grass glistened in the late afternoon sun. Farther away, a forest crowned higher hills, resplendent in deep greens, soft blues and the occasional pale yellow. A pair of love-finches preened each other just outside the window and a stately stag stood grazing at the far end of the grounds. Framed in the opposite window, great mountains rose into the sky with rocky cliffs and crags set amid dark, towering forests. A silver waterfall cascaded down the highest cliffside into a deep, shimmering lake.
But Nek Bwua'tu was not gazing at colorful flowers or forest-crowned hills. His attention was on a large display screen a few paces in front of him. The picturesque study had become the temporary headquarters of the Space Navy after Nek had refused to support the Emergency Quorum and Namah Agati in their unprincipled attempt to take over both the government and the military.
"Grendyl, has Captain Lorric checked in yet?" the Bothan addressed his aide.
"I finally reached him, sir."
"Is he with us?"
In answer, the woman flipped a switch, activating a recording. The clipped voice of the New Day's captain floated from a speaker.
"Tell Bwua'tu that I will have no part of his insurrection. And it's no use his trying to win over my pilots. Their loyalty is to the Republic."
"Turn it off," the Admiral waved a furred hand towards the speaker. "I feared as much. Lorric owes his command partly to Agati, according to Bothan intelligence."
"Over half the fleet captains have refused to join." Nek's uncle, Eramuth Bwua'tu shook his maned head as he looked at a piece of flimsy.
"At least they haven't all joined Senator Agati," Grendyl pointed out, cheerfully. "Many of them are simply staying at their assigned posts, hoping to ride out the storm."
"And a not insignificant number of fighter pilots have defected from the traitor captains," added the holographic image of Fionn Chui'lan, the Bothan first mate of Nek's flagship, a Star Defender called the Lion Rampant.
Nek nodded. "Our situation could be much worse. If we act quickly, we can keep the overall damage to a minimum."
"Our Bothan spies should be checking in soon," the Admiral's nephew, Captain Wurf'al, stepped from a computer console to join the conversation. "Perhaps they will have the information you need, Uncle."
"Perhaps. Any word from the Empire of the Hand, Grendyl?"
"Not yet, sir."
Eramuth snorted. "Thrawn's probably still looking at some piece of art or another."
On the far side of the office, a door slid open. A slender, copper-haired, green-eyed woman entered with a fluffy, chubby baby bound snuggly to her chest in a shawl.
"Natasi! Come in, Heart's Dearest. It is time you were in on our counsels." Nek held out his arms and his wife hurried into his embrace.
"I've missed you today," she murmured as he stroked the shimmering hair that flowed down to her hips.
"And I've missed you. Are the boys with you?"
"Here we are, Da!" Three smaller copies of the Admiral appeared in the doorway. Nek Bwua'tu's three young sons, Yantahar, Eramuth, and Niasi, bounced into the room, peering up at the screens.
"There's going to be a battle, isn't there, Da?" Yantahar, the oldest, looked from his father to a holomap. "I can see it in the Force."
Nek winced inwardly when Natasi's body tensed in his arms at their son's mention of the Force. He didn't need the Force to sense her fear.
"Nek, will you be able to join us for supper?" Natasi quickly changed the subject.
"I'm afraid I do not have an answer for either question at the moment." Nek pulled Natasi closer and his little daughter mewled in protest at being squished.
"I'll hold Naala for you, Dearest," Yantahar offered, using the name he had called her since he had first learned to talk. His father had always called her endearments such as "my Dearest" and "Heart's Dearest", so the little boy had decided that he should call her "Dearest", too.
Yantahar raised his hands and his sister floated to him. Natasi shivered in Nek's arms and shut her eyes. Attempting to distract her and sincerely wanting her input, he turned her towards the holodisplays. "I'd like your thoughts on our situation. You always have a unique perspective."
Willing herself to stop trembling, Natasi turned her attention to the displays. Nek watched her as she studied the screens, a familiar pain heavy in his heart. He knew he was right to encourage his son to use his abilities, yet her fear tore at him like a vibroblade.
Yantahar had been three years old when he had first found his connection to the Force. His favorite storybook had been on the top shelf and his mother had fallen asleep on the couch nearby. Somehow, the little boy realized he could obtain the book without waking her. All he had to do was think of the book coming to him, and it would come.
"Once Upon a Time book, come here."
The soft whisper triggered maternal instincts and Natasi awoke. "Dearest will get your book for you, Sweetheart."
Her gaze fell on the book as it floated down towards her son's outstretched hands.
"NO!"
Natasi's scream reached Nek, who had just returned home. Rushing to the room, he had found his wife sobbing in terror, shaking uncontrollably.
"My son cannot be a Force user!"
Yantahar had cried too, unable to grasp why his perfectly natural action had so frightened "Dearest". Nek had tried to balance comforting Natasi with supporting his son. It had not been easy.
A week later, Yantahar and baby Eramuth were playing in the garden with their mother. With the speed of a curious infant, little Eramuth had popped a small rock into his mouth. Natasi had moved quickly, but Yantahar had been quicker. Stretching out his hand, he called the rock from his brother's mouth.
"Yanti, no. Please, no!" Frantically, the young mother gathered both her sons in her arms. "Darling, don't!"
Anger flared inside Yantahar, a cold rage that shook his little body and stood his fur on end. The Force is good! Why is she afraid? A white-hot passion overcame the boy's reason and he yielded to it. Drawing back his hand, he slapped his mother's face then pushed her away from him, using the force to enhance his strength.
The moment of anger passed. Horrified by what he had done, little Yantahar stood frozen in place, staring at his mother. The blood drained from his furred face and his lips turned pale. "Dearest," he managed to whimper.
"Yantahar." Nek's voice had been deathly calm. The little boy trembled. "Go to your room, son."
Natasi had cried in his arms for an hour, but at length he had convinced her that their son needed guidance beyond what they could give. After administering appropriate discipline, he had commed Luke Skywalker, who had been more than happy to begin training sessions with Yantahar. Nek was immensely proud of his son. Natasi, however, was still terrified of her beloved child's growing abilities.
"Will she ever forget?" Yantahar's earnest green eyes peered up at Nek over Naala's fuzzy head.
Nek squeezed his son's shoulder. "Son, you know Dearest's fears are not your fault. She feared the Force long before you were even born. Even before she was my wife."
Natasi had once been part of the Imperial forces and during that time she had known many dark side force users, including Darth Vader and the Emperor himself. The terrors she had experienced at their hands had left deep wounds on her mind and soul that had yet to heal. It was a battle he knew she must win - a battle that he must help her win.
"Nek," Natasi looked up from the holos. "I think you should send all the captains and commanders who are thinking about joining Senator Agati to posts in the Outer Rim or at least away from Galactic Center. I'm noticing a pattern that…" Natasi broke off with a gasp. "They've come! They're here for Yanti."
Stepping to a console, Nek consulted the scanners. He had long ago learned to trust Natasi's strange premonitions. Two ships had indeed entered the planet's atmosphere almost directly above the house, traveling at such an astonishing velocity that he was unable to determine their make. Natasi peeked around him, her eyes lighting on the only information the scanners seemed able to provide.
"No lifeforms aboard," she read in a hushed whisper.
"Agati's droids!" Nek turned to the little group gathered behind him, then reached down and caught up his youngest son. "They'll be here before we can evacuate. We'll have to fight our way through. Grendyl, pack the secure comms for the Spynet and the old Alliance. Destroy everything else." He pulled three encrypted data cards from the comm console.
Uncle Eramuth keyed in the code to the weapons locker and began to pass out blasters while Grendyl and her Sullastan assistant, Alinab, dismantled the consoles. A low rumbling filled the air as the ships drew nearer.
"Here you are, my Dear," Eramuth handed Natasi a small old Alliance-style blaster. She took it with a shaky breath.
"Don't be afraid, Dearest," Yantahar stood on tiptoe to kiss his mother's cheek. "The Force is with us."
"They've come to take you, Yanti. I know they have." She stroked his soft mane of chocolate brown hair. "But I won't let them."
"They're here to kill all of us for standing in himself's way," Grendyl observed. "And likely using the little fellow as an excuse."
"The Rehabilitation Act authorizes whatever force is necessary, doesn't it?" Natasi looked from Grendyl to Nek and Eramuth.
"I'm afraid so," Eramuth confirmed.
"All ready, sir." Grendyl handed the Admiral a small knapsack with an encrypted communication device, then gave one to Eramuth and slipped the third over her own shoulder.
Outside, the rumbling reached a crescendo and stopped. With Natasi's hand in his and their children close behind, Nek led the way to the hangar at the back of the house. Shaped to the contours of the hill it was built on, the house meandered in typical secretive Ruwelyn fashion. As they rounded the final corner and descended a short flight of stairs, a deep mechanical voice boomed through the wall.
"We have come to take Yantahar Bwua'tu into protective custody for rehabilitation. According to the Senate's records, he has Force sensitivity and must be turned over for evaluation and treatment in a secure facility."
The droids had moved into position with alarming speed. Nek hoped that the spynet would have some useful information on them. He activated a scanner built into the wall and saw that the droids had taken the hanger. Wordlessly, he motioned for everyone to take cover behind the rows of storage shelves that serviced the hangar. He gave a silent count of three on his fingers, then palmed open the door.
The door slid aside and Nek fired his blaster, hitting the lead droid square in the main processor unit. The energy crackled over him without leaving so much as a small dent. Five shots followed his, and the hangar filled with blaster bolts. Nek soon discovered that a sufficient quantity of blaster bolts in rapid successions could breach the shields on most of the droids. Many droids fell with a satisfying thunk, but their comrades still fought on.
Nek snapped a fresh power pack into his blaster and quickly assessed the situation. Twenty droids lay on the floor. Two dozen more remained on their feet and at least twice that many were stationed around the house, according to his wall scanners. The Bwua'tus and their friends were at a disadvantage, firing from the narrow hallway into the large hangar. They needed to turn the tables.
Raising his blaster, he shot the control panel and the door slid closed. "That will hold them for a few minutes. We must find a better position."
The little group hurried back down the hall. Sounds of grinding, sparking and popping floated down the hall after them as the droids attempted to breach the door. In the receiving room, Nek paused and caught Natasi's eye, nodding towards a small hall that led to a blast proof shelter. Signalling her understanding with her own nod, Natasi took Naala from Yantahar and herded her children to safety.
The droids swarmed down the hall after their quarry, but found themselves caught in a bottleneck due to the receiving room's narrow doorway. The three Bothans easily picked off ten more, while Grendyl and Alinab took down five. The droids kept coming, reinforcements from the guard around the house.
"Was that a transport or a factory?" grumbled Eramuth as he crouched behind a chair. A droid aimed its blaster at the Bothan and the chair exploded. Eramuth returned fire until the droid fell. Another droid swung around, leveling its blaster at him. He fired swiftly and hurried to find more cover.
From his own spot by the wall, Nek fired on his uncle's attacker. Its shields deflected the blast but it turned its attention on Nek giving Eramuth a chance to duck behind a durasteel shelf and continue firing. As the droid advanced on the Admiral, the Bothan's gaze fell on a gleaming sword hanging on the wall. Although its main purpose was decorative, its blade was as hard as a Naboean diamond and sharper than a Mandalorian dagger. Tugging the sword from its mounting hooks, Nek swung it at the approaching droid with his left hand.
"Deflect this." The blade swept cleanly through the droid's metal torso on its first pass and cleaved its head in two on its second. Nek chuckled, then swapped the sword and his blaster. With the sword in his right hand and the blaster in his left, he felled fifteen more droids.
Thirty droids remained when Nek saw movement from the direction of the safe room. Before his father could reach him, Yantahar stepped from the hall and spread his arms wide. The droids toppled like nine pins.
"Yanti!" Natasi hurried into the room after her son. He slumped to the floor and she caught him. "Oh, Sweetheart."
Nek tucked the blaster into his belt and sliced the nearest droid in two for good measure. Crossing the room, he knelt by Natasi and took Yantahar into his arms. Carefully, he assessed his son's condition.
"He will be all right when wakes, Heart's Dearest." He stood and lifted the boy. "Bring the other children. Agati will not give up easily. We need to leave."
Notes:
I made some major changes to both Nek Bwua'tu's and Natasi Daala's storylines for this story, so I wrote in the basic outline of their new backstories for clarification. I borrowed "Dearest" and "Heart's Dearest" from the novels Little Lord Fauntleroy and Little Women, respectively. I had a lot of fun writing Nek and Natasi and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. We will see more of them in some later chapters!
Chapter 18: The Mind of a Child
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The singing woke Ezra early the next morning, just as the sun was rising. He lay perfectly still, gazing out the window of the room they had borrowed from Jai Malreaux, watching the sun's rays light the colossal kyber. The music grew louder and more beautiful, taking his breath away. Careful not to disturb Sabine and their infant son, he rose and padded softly to the little bed where the two toddlers slept contentedly, thumbs in their mouths. He bent down and patted Violet-Meadows and Grogu gently on their heads. Crossing the room to his traveling bag, he quickly dressed. He scrawled a brief note to Sabine, in case she woke before he returned, and left the house.
Soon he came to the Hill and knelt with closed eyes to meditate. In this place, he barely had to reach out. The Force was so close. Slowly, he became aware that Whie had joined him but he continued to meditate, letting the Force flow through him. At last, he opened his eyes.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you. I know this is your Hill."
"It is the Force's Hill, Ezra Bridger. All who seek the Will of the Force are welcome here."
"Thanks. I had a great meditation, but I should probably go check on Sabine now."
Back at the house, both men helped their wives get ready for the day and helped them to the breakfast table. Ezra guided Sabine to a seat, absently stroking her hair with his eyes fixed on the planet that was visible through the open doors.
Sabine huffed as she took her seat. "Ezra Bridger, I wish just once that you would look at me the way you look at kyber crystals!"
Startled, Ezra pulled his gaze from the doorway to stare at Sabine. "What are you talking about, Coco Bean?
"I think you love kyber crystals more than you love me." Sabine crossed her arms and glared up at him.
"Sabine! How can you say that? You know I love you."
"Then how come you can't take your eyes off this giant kyber crystal that we're on long enough to kiss the mother of children good morning?"
Ezra glanced over his shoulder to where Tallulah sat holding Cerulean-Skies, with Violet-Meadows and Grogu sitting beside her. The floppy-eared toddler was happily munching something blue and yellow, but Violet-Meadows had stopped eating to watch the unfolding scene with wide eyes. Guilt stabbed Ezra's heart. Had he been so enamoured with this wondrous world that he had been neglecting his precious family?
"I'm so sorry," he murmured, deflated. "I didn't mean to…Oh, Bine. I love you so much more than all the kybers in the Galaxy."
"Are you sure? Really sure? I know how you feel-"
Her words were cut off as Ezra dropped beside her on the bench and drowned her in a kiss. He felt the air leaving her lungs from the force of his kiss and he pushed her gently, inexorably against the chairback, kissing her harder, more powerfully. For several long, blissful minutes, he ignored the stares he could feel on the back of his head. At last, as Sabine began to struggle slightly in his grasp, he slowly released her and sat back, the taste of her still lingering in his mouth.
Sabine gulped air as if she had been diving underwater. "You win."
Ezra couldn't help grinning. His demonstration had been successful, but leave it to a Mandalorian to see his kiss as an act of conquest.
"I accept your surrender. We'll discuss the terms tonight."
"Yes, I'm afraid we have more urgent things to discuss right now," interrupted Luke. He had that look again, Ezra noted, the look that said he thought Ezra must be from another galaxy, far away, with life forms that appeared to be normal humans but were something else entirely.
Maybe I overdid that kiss a little. There was just something heady about kissing Sabine into surrender and once he started- Karabast! She had him thinking like a Mando now!
"The Falcon has extensive maps and charts in her system, so we'll start there right after breakfast," Luke was saying as Ezra tried to focus. The sweet music of the planet distracted his ears and his gorgeous Sabine distracted his eyes. With so much of him distracted, paying attention was a lost cause.
"So we'll meet at the ships with the droids, half an hour after breakfast." Luke tapped the table in front of him and turned to Ezra. "Did you hear that much as least?"
"Yes, and I'll be there. No droid, though. Chopper's with Hera."
"I talked with Hera earlier this morning," Leia spoke up. "They've split their forces- one group trying to track Agati's fleet and the other group trying to protect Force sensitives. They're not having much success finding the hyperspace lane from their end. It really is an unknown lane."
"Makes sense." Rex led Ahsoka into the dining room and helped her into a chair. "An unknown planet, not on any charts would be accessed by unknown hyperspace lanes."
"I'll bet the Falcon knows them," Han bragged.
On board the Millennium Falcon, Talisbeth watched Whie study navigational charts, searching for the planet's coordinates and any hyperspace lanes leading to it.
"Talisbeth," Whie raised his eyes from the holo-charts. "Do you remember the story about Master Kenobi and Kamino?"
"You mean how the planet had been erased, but gravity's silhouette remained?"
"Precisely, Love. The younglings helped him see the obvious answer. The star charts in the Falcon show this area of space or at least what I believe to be this area. But I find no evidence of a planet, no place where it ought to be."
"And you think we're missing something obvious?"
"Master Whie and Talisbeth!" A blue-striped head appeared in the door and Ashlan called breathlessly, "Mum and Dada found something! Can you come to our ship?"
"Of course." Whie rose and held out his hand to Talisbeth. Luke and Ezra joined them as they entered the Torrent. Rex was in the family room, sitting at a holo-table with Ahsoka nestled snugly against him. A night sky's worth of stars floated above the table.
"Take a look," Rex invited, indicating the holo-projection.
Threaded through the twinkling stars, hyperspace lanes connected systems across the galaxy. Everyone leaned in to see what Rex and Ahsoka had found. A little-used hyperspace lane led away from Coruscant, seemingly unremarkable. However, Rex's trained eye had found something odd.
"See right here?" Rex pointed. "This distortion? It's what you see when two hyperspace lanes intersect."
Whie's eyes brightened. "Do you think the intersecting lane could end here?"
"Well, here's the projection based on its apparent trajectory." Rex pushed a button and a new path appeared on the chart.
For a moment, no one spoke. Finally, Ahsoka sat up and adjusted the display, enlarging a portion of the display.
"The data we have on the properties of this area comes from an ancient space survey conducted by the Jedi centuries ago. As you can see, based on our information, when hyperspace is projected onto this area of space, something rather … unusual happens. The lane slowly fades, eventually disappearing altogether."
Rorric climbed up between his parents.
"A hidey-hole!" he giggled, peering at the display and jabbing a chubby finger at the end of the lane.
The adults examined the area. There was indeed a pocket in the black velvet of space where the lane ended.
"A hidey-hole?" a skeptical voice drawled from the doorway. Scratching his chin, Han watched the little group. "Kid, a planet in a hole is a little far-fetched, even for the Jedi."
"Not a hole, Dad." Ben Solo bounced up to the table. "More like the Kyber planet pulled the covers over its head so nobody can see it."
"The planet pulled …" Han's voice trailed off as he stared at his son.
"Truly wonderful the mind of a child is," murmured Whie.
Ezra tented his fingers thoughtfully. "Master Yoda, right? He was right and think the boys are on the right track, too. This planet is basically a giant kyber, like Sabine pointed out earlier. It could very well be influencing the properties of the surrounding space- pulling the covers over its head, so to speak."
"A protective barrier around the entire system," Luke agreed. "But one that can be breached, since we are obviously here. It is quite possible Agati will find a way through as well. We need to determine how quickly Agati's fleet could arrive. And get some coordinates for our allies."
Han approached the table. "If this lane of yours is the real deal, Agati will make good time all right. And he left about a day ago. That trip will take four, maybe five days, tops." He studied the chart for a moment, then made some notes on a datapad. "I'll plug these coordinates into my nav-computer, see if I can find anything else."
"In the meantime," Luke rose, "we'll be considering how best to defend Kyber. Maybe Senator Belden or the Admiral have more information on exactly what we're up against."
"There's one more thing we need to do." Ezra stood to join Luke. "We should place our ships in a defensive perimeter around the Hill."
Everyone turned to Ezra, waiting. Instead of explaining, he headed for the White Loth-Cat. Luke closed his eyes, reaching out to the Force.
"Ezra's right," he announced finally. "Let's move the ships."
Leia stared down at the datapad in her hand, wondering how the Galaxy's enemies always had bigger, better ships than her side.
"As you can see," the deep, purring voice of Nek Bwua'tu continued over her comm, "most of the ships are Agati's own original designs. As far as we can ascertain, these ships are manned entirely by artificial intelligence."
"And the star destroyers?"
"Four of the Republic's finest. With the usual complement of x-wings."
X-wings. Leia's heart sank at the thought of doing battle with her beloved Republic's ships.
"How did he convince the captains and crews to go along with him?"
"The same way he convinced the Senate. He picked the right people, told a few lies and half-truths. You know, 'The Jedi think they are demi-gods', 'The Jedi just want you for cannon fodder.'"
Leia could hear the smile in the Bothan's voice and couldn't resist. "I see. Which one is the lie, do you think, Admiral?"
Admiral Bwua'tu's laugh was almost a roar. "Both, I hope, Princess!" He paused, then turned serious. "Have you got the full report?"
Leia checked the datapad. "Just finished downloading."
"Good. My Bothans are still trying to trace Agati. We are also harassing the 'Jedi rehabilitation' squads, with help from Hera and several other allies." Nek broke off and when he spoke again his voice was laced with tears. "We've had reports of younglings taken and … we can't locate them."
"We will join the search as soon as we're finished here. I'm sure Luke will be able to find them. I don't understand it all, but this planet is very important. Ezra calls it 'the Heart of the Galaxy'. The younglings, Nek," Leia's voice turned gentle, "please tell me Yantahar wasn't one of them."
"They tried. But you'll notice I'm still breathing. No one will take my son while I have life in my body. He and Natasi and the little ones are here with me on the Rampant."
"Leia!" Luke approached the makeshift comm station. The flickering image of the Bothan turned towards the Jedi.
"Master Skywalker! I hope you have some coordinates for us."
"I do. Do you have any useful tactical information for us?"
"Just a complete rundown of the fleet headed your way."
"That might be helpful," Luke grinned, feeling his heart lightened. Leia smiled, too. Talking with old allies always lifted her spirits, as well.
Luke pulled a data card from his pocket. "Here's your coordinates." He handed the card to Leia who quickly inserted in her pad.
"Got it," the Admiral confirmed. "I'd best pass these along to my captains so we can get our fleet moving."
"Tell Natasi and the kids I said hello. Signing off now."
"I will." Nek nodded in farewell as Leia switched the comm off.
Luke raised his eyebrows quizzically. "I thought the Admiral would be out on the intelligence trail or hounding Agati's troops."
"He is. The Bothans are running surveillance on Agati, trying to track him."
"And his family is with him?"
"You've got little Ben with you."
"Of course, it wouldn't have been safe to – Yantahar! Did Agati's goons find out that he's Force sensitive?"
Leia nodded. "They tried to take him and failed. Nek says they've taken other younglings and …no one's been able to find them."
"We will, don't worry," Luke squeezed her hand.
He briefly explained what they had learned about Kyber's location. Then Leia pulled up the information Admiral Bwua'tu had sent her.
"All that?" Luke gawked. "To take out a handful of Jedi and their families?"
Leia moved the display forward. "You have to remember that part of Agati's tactic is psychological. Keeping Force sensitive beings in maximum security 'rehabilitation centers' tells the public we must be very dangerous. Bringing a ridiculously large fleet to attack us sends the same message. And he probably knows that we have allies coming to our aid and would love to destroy them."
"Makes sense," Luke agreed, studying the strange ship in the hovering display. "What is this thing anyway?"
"Nek wasn't able to discover designators for most of Agati's ships. They're original designs, apparently. His team did get scans, though. That's what we're looking at here."
"I've never seen anything like it. It's nothing but weapons with a small nav-computer. Where's the crew?"
"Droids. They're built into the ship on this model."
Agati had a dozen different droid-run ship models, along with the star destroyers and a large vessel Nek Bwua'tu believed to be Agati's command ship. Scans indicated one life form aboard. Altogether, the fleet consisted of six hundred ships, excluding the full complement of x-wings for each star destroyer and the numerous small fighters packed into many of the droid ships.
"I'm glad you called on our friends," Luke said finally. "It looks like we need all the help we can get."
"Yes, it does," Leia squeezed her brother's hand. "When do we expect Agati?"
"By the end of the week. We have three, maybe four days, tops. Looks like he's coming in person, too."
Leia nodded. "Nek is fairly certain the droid ships are primarily remote controlled from his command ship. Namah Agati doesn't trust anyone."
"That's because he isn't trustworthy. He assumes everyone else is as selfish and deceitful as he is."
Notes:
Luke needs to lighten up a little. I'm sure he enjoys kissing Mara just as much as Ezra enjoys kissing Sabine.
I love Teacher Yoda. The way he handled Obi-Wan's interrupting his lesson is the peak of teaching skills. :)
Chapter 19: Plans
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Dev and Alora stood on the Hill watching the ships settle in a loose circle.
"Sometimes I don't know if I can really be a Jedi."
"Of course, you can, Dev," Alora caught Dev's hand and squeezed it.
He shook his head sadly. "I'm no good at fighting unless I get angry. You know what happened on Mersia. I wish I could center myself the way Master Ezra does."
"You're not Ezra. You're you- Dev Sibwarra."
"Thanks, but that doesn't really make me feel better. Being Master Ezra or Master Luke would be much grander than being Dev."
"That's where you're wrong. You can't be Ezra or Master Luke or anyone else. You have to be the Jedi you were meant to be and do what only you can do." She looked up at him, eyes earnest and pleading.
Dev managed a faint smile. "You're right, as always." He met her eyes, his own softening tenderly. "But do you know what is truly grand? Being you, Alora."
He placed his free hand on her cheek and they stood for a long moment in companionable silence. They were both startled from their reverie by a pair of strong hands clapping down on their shoulders. Turning, they found themselves looking into Rex's twinkling eyes. He tried to frown and failed.
"Young man, I think now is as good a time as any to ask you what your intentions are towards my daughter."
Alora looked back to Dev, wondering if her father's blunt inquiry would cause her friend to close up again.
Dev drew a deep breath and Alora could feel him calling on the Force to center himself. "My intention is to marry her, with your permission, sir. When she's old enough, that is. And after that, I suppose we'll have a family and travel the Galaxy being Jedi together."
The smile Rex had been fighting finally won and he beamed at the young couple. "I was hoping you 'd say that. Now come on, we've got a lot of work to do."
Ahsoka watched as her husband led Alora and Dev into the Malreaux's spacious parlour. Dev was blushing furiously. Alora was smiling shyly. Rex was beaming broadly.
As the threesome joined the war council, Alora leaned over to whisper in her mother's ear. "Dev asked to marry me and Dada says we can when I'm old enough."
"Congratulations, you two. But since you're only seventeen, I think it's going be a year or two," Ezra teased his young friend.
"Do you approve, Master Luke?" Dev asked anxiously.
"Of course," Luke assured him.
"All right, Lovebirds," Rex chuckled, "I'm afraid we have to get down to business now."
Luke nodded. "Han, would you share what you found?"
"Well, like I keep saying, you Jedi need me. Chewie and me took the Falcon for a spin around the edge of the system. We found the covers, all right, like Ben said, but there is one weak spot in the blanket where ships can get through."
"So Agati will be able to get his ships to Kyber," Luke added, "and we obviously can't take on his fleet with just our four ships. Admiral Bwua'tu has a fleet enroute but they will arrive after Agati."
Han smirked. "I don't know- that wily Bothan just might find a short cut."
"Nek will do his best, but even with his penchant for doing the impossible we still have to be prepared to make a stand on our own."
"I don't suppose the Big Blue Guy might offer us any help?" Ezra looked hopefully at Luke.
"Apparently, Thrawn's just going to watch this one." Luke gestured to the holo-display Leia's little droid Lola was projecting on a table in the middle of the room. "The Bothans were able to obtain these images of Agati's ships. The Admiral also included a rundown of the star destroyers accompanying Agati's fleet."
He had Lola flip through the images, pausing so he could discuss each droid ship's capabilities. "As you can see, about half are meant for space or air battles only and the other half are capable of launching a ground assault as well." Lola switched to the next image and a collective gasp filled the room.
"That's one of ours," Sabine whispered, eyes wide. "A New Republic ship, I mean."
"Looks that way," Rex moved to examine the holo more closely. "That's the New Day!" he hissed. "One of our best. I did hear she got a new captain, though. Wonder if that was courtesy of our 'friend'."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Ezra was staring out the window again. "I think we understand our enemy pretty well. We need to understand ourselves now."
Han held up his hands. "Look, if you think you're gonna involve me in your weird Jedi meditating thing, you got another thing coming. Leia made me try that navel-gazing stuff with her once, and let me tell you-"
"Han, Dear," Leia cut him off. "I don't think that's what Ezra had in mind."
Chewie's ringing laugh brought Luke's eyebrows up. "I sense a very interesting story here, but time is short so it'll have to wait. You were saying, Master Bridger?"
"That we need to understand ourselves as well as our enemies. Don't worry, Captain Solo, we won't be gazing into any navels. It's simple, actually. What Agati has is plain to see, all right, all here on this data card. What we see is what he's got. What we have, on the other hand, is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts."
"A hole?" Jaina Solo popped up from beside her mother. "Are we goin' to hide in a hole? Jedi don' hide!"
"No, Honey, not that kind of hole. A whole, like all of us together," Ezra assured her.
"Then we fight?"
"Yes, Little Sword of the Jedi, we fight." Ezra addressed the rest of the gathering as Jaina's three brothers joined her at the edge of the table, watching him carefully. "On the surface, our assets are four ships, ten full-grown Jedi, three Jedi learners, a bunch of Jedi younglings, two old smugglers, six Clone troopers, four droids and one Mandalorian. But that's leaving something very important out of the equation." Ezra paused and drew in a deep breath. "The Planet itself and the power of its Creator."
Notes:
Not only did Dev and Alora decide to fall in love, Dev decided to ask for hand in marriage! Dev may seem mild-mannered, but he's surprisingly sneaky, apparently. At least they seem happy together.
What happened when Han tried Jedi meditation? We may never know.
Chapter 20: Shortcut
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Namaah Agati watched the stars streak by in hyperspace without really seeing them. The foolish Jedi had thought he would never find their bastion. Of course, they had likely looked into their precious Force and seen him by now. He was fairly certain their loathsome Bothan allies had been watching him as well. They could watch all they wanted and call on the Force all they wanted. It would be to no avail.
Agati leaned back in his captain's chair and admired the marvel his intelligence had created. His command ship was the finest vessel in his fleet, bristling with state-of-the-art laser cannon, target-locking missiles and innovative weapons of his own design, all honed and tested to perfection. The rest of the fleet was almost as impressive. Artificial intelligence controlled each minute detail and he controlled the AI. It was a fleet that could not be beaten and could not betray him, unlike the Star Destroyers that he had brought along mainly for their psychological effect on his enemies.
It seemed to him that the Universe never granted the gifts of great intelligence and Force sensitivity to the same beings. Luke Skywalker, the great Jedi himself, was a simple-minded, foolish idealist. Ezra Bridger was seldom more than half aware of his surrounding, according to reports. And the supposedly wise matriarch Ahsoka Tano- if she had any sense, she would not be the mother of seven children, with another on the way. The so-called Dark-Siders had been no better. Darth Vader had been an unhinged lunatic; Palpatine a power-crazed dreamer; the Inquisitors, dull and short-sighted.
No, he had no need for the Force. He adjusted the pendant he wore under his clothes on an almost invisible chain around his neck. Just like the ysalamiri, he had learned the secret of cutting himself off from the Force and could do so anytime he chose. Let the Jedi keep their Force. Intelligence would win the day. It always did.
Allowing himself a momentary grin of triumph, Nek Bwua'tu watched as his ships dropped out of hyperspace into a desolate blackness, the nearest star hundreds of light years away. Under ordinary circumstances, he would have stayed in the hyperspace lane until it intersected the lane where Agati's fleet was currently traveling. But while he was fairly sure his shortcut had placed him well ahead of Agati's fleet, he could not be certain. He and his crew would have gladly risked their lives by plunging into the nearby lane. After all, crashing into Agati's fleet would effectively destroy it, thereby completing his mission. However, with Natasi and his little ones on board, he would not risk an encounter in hyperspace.
Touching a few buttons on his command console, Nek scanned the hyperspace lane immediately ahead of his fleet for any large objects that might possibly be space-faring vessels. Finding none, he called the order for the fleet to jump. As he stepped up behind his pilots to watch his ships enter hyperspace again, he felt a warm pressure on his arm and turned in alarm.
"Tasi! What are you doing here?"
Natasi leaned her head on his arm, her green eyes sparkling up at him. "I'm your wife and you brought me along, remember?"
"I am aware that you are my mate," he patted little Naala, snuggly strapped to her mother's bosom, "and I realize that you are on this ship because I brought you with me. None of that explains what you are doing on the bridge, dangerously close to the pilots' station."
He turned to his second in command, as he gently pulled his wife away. "Chui'lan, have all our vessels jumped safely?"
"The last one just jumped, sir. All safe. We should arrive at least a full hour before Agati."
Nek nodded to the tall, slim Bothan, then addressed his wife. "Well, Natasi?"
She sighed. "I just wanted to see how the plan was coming along. I didn't even touch the console."
"I don't need any more ships crashing and I especially don't need my wife having another extended stay in a medcenter."
He frowned at her with a sternness that was half feigned, half real. His Natasi was an excellent wife, a wonderful mother, a clever strategist, a brilliant computer tech and definitely easy on the eyes, but she had no piloting skills whatsoever. Despite his multiple determined efforts to teach her, she could not even safely fly a speeder.
Natasi's lower lip slip out in a pout. "I wasn't really hurt that badly. It was just a scratch."
"You had a punctured lung, Natasi."
She wrinkled her nose to accompany the pout. "A scratch on my lung."
"And a concussion."
Natasi averted her gaze. "A scratch on my lung and a bruise on my head," she amended.
Nek dropped into his command chair and drew his wife closer. Reaching around behind her, he loosened the wrap that held his little daughter to her mother's chest.
"Sit with Da for a moment, my Love." Settling Naala in his lap, he placed a steadying hand on Natasi's lower back, the other just at the top of her breasts.
"Breathe deeply," he commanded, softly but firmly.
Her bosom rose and fell, far short of a healthy deep breath. All traces of sternness vanished from his face and his eyes softened as he pulled her into his arms and handed the baby back to her.
"You are not well, Heart's Dearest." He paused, holding her close. "Are the boys asleep?"
"Eramuth and Niasi are. I told Yantahar he could read one more chapter before bed. So, I thought Naala and I would come see how the shortcut was working out."
With Natasi's help, he had laid out the fleet's route in about half the time it would have taken him to do so alone.
"Our route worked perfectly and, thanks to you, we are at least a full hour ahead of the enemy."
"That's wonderful, Darling." Natasi snuggled deeper into his arms, pressing against the soft fur of his neck and inhaling his scent.
Sandwiched snugly between her parents, Naala cooed contentedly, "Da. Deah." She patted her father and mother in turn as she addressed them.
Nek laughed. "Did you hear that? She tried to say 'Dearest', just like the boys." He kissed his little daughter's soft head. "You are becoming quite the big girl, my Naala."
Natasi stroked the baby's head. "My sweet girl. She is getting big." She turned to Nek. "In fact, in a few more months, she'll hardly even be a baby. I'm going to need a new one very soon, you know." Playfully, she tapped his soft nose.
"I'm afraid you'll just have to make do for a while. I have enough concerns at the moment- I do not need you pregnant again right now. First, we have to save the Galaxy, then perhaps we can add a new member to our family. In the meantime, it is time for you to get some rest." He helped her to her feet and swatted her backside for good measure. "Don't forget to take your medicine."
Natasi's pout reappeared. "You're always sending me to bed, and you won't even come with me."
Nestled in her mother's arms, Naala began to fuss loudly. She jammed one furry fist in her mouth and grabbed the front of her mother's tunic with the other hand, leaving little doubt as to what she wanted.
Nek chuckled. "It seems I stand corrected. Apparently, it is time for you to feed our daughter."
She leaned into him again. "Will you kiss me first?"
He obliged her with a long, passionate kiss.
"You know, Natasi," he commented as she cuddled back down in his lap and began to feed the baby, "sometimes you are very needy. Has anyone ever told you that?"
She beamed up at him, her face alight with contentment, as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Oh, yes. Some Bothan I married is always telling me that."
"I wouldn't have you any other way." He kissed her again.
Notes:
I'm not sure where I got the idea that Natasi can't pilot anything, but this silly fluff was seriously fun to write. Also, it's about time the Good Guys scored a point. Just to be clear, it's Namah who believes in "the Universe". I believe that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (that is, the universe and everything in it). Namah doesn't like people and doesn't share his thoughts with anyone, so we have to go a bit deep POV to really understand him.
Chapter 21: Color
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Ezra Bridger was once again not paying any attention to the argument around him. Why couldn't his friends learn to trust the Will of the Force? Instead, they had completely misinterpreted his statement about the planet.
Luke believed that the planet would enhance the Jedi's powers. Whie agreed, adding that Ezra should summon "The Song" to their aid. Han, on the other hand, was certain that they could harness its power as a weapon. Leia wondered if somehow the planet could call out to the people of the Galaxy, entreating them to put an end to Agati's madness before it was too late.
None of them seemed to understand. Their fate was not dependent on themselves, but on the Creator and the power of His Force flowing through the planet Kyber. Even Luke could not seem to see the full picture. Finally making up his mind, Ezra quietly slipped out of the meeting, pausing to blow Sabine a kiss.
Once outside, he headed straight for the Hill, falling into a meditative state as he passed the White Loth-Cat. The music surrounded him, calling him on, filling his mind with sweet sounds and brilliant colors. He left his shoes at the foot of the Hill and began to ascend, the lush blue grass waving gently around his ankles. He walked slowly, drinking in the strong presence of the Living Force.
Halfway up the Hill, a round opening appeared in the ground, glowing in the rainbow colors of refracted light. Stepping through, Ezra found himself surrounded by the swirling colors. They parted to reveal a path. He walked along, with the kyber's music still whispering in his heart. The path meandered deeper into the mist and Ezra fell deeper into mediation.
At last, he came to an open area where the colors seemed to have condensed into a solid landscape of gently rolling plains, dotted with small hillocks. A multi-colored forest rose on the far end of the clearing. Ezra continued to follow the path until it stopped at the foot of a hillock nestled in the heart of the woods. The hillock was covered in blue grass and crowned by a large blue tree with gently swaying branches.
"Welcome, Ezra Bridger, the One of the Balance." A soft, melodious voice sang at his side. A tall woman, dressed in blue robes, stood at the foot of the little hill, her hair flowing in shimmering waves to meet the blue grass.
"Hi," Ezra waved his hand in greeting. "Thanks for the welcome. Your land sure is pretty. It's a great place for meditating, too."
"The Force is very present here," a second woman, in yellow robes, appeared beside the first. "You are within a stream of the Force, as it flows directly from the Creator. You will find nothing to hinder your connection to the Living Force here.
"My sister speaks truly," a third woman in red agreed. "Much is made clear in this place to those who seek."
"My sisters and I are here to help you find what you are seeking," the blue-clad woman indicated the hillside before them. "A friend is waiting to speak to you."
Ezra inclined his head in a polite bow. "Thank you for your help, Ladies."
"Come."
All three women glided through the blue grass to the top of the hillock. The great tree at its top was heavily laden with blue Loth berries. A large white wolf, bathed in blue light, lay under the tree with a small green figure perched on its back.
"Found me, you have, Ezra Bridger!" the little green creature cackled. "Well done! Hmm, yes. Well done."
"Hi, Master Yoda," Ezra approached and knelt. "It's good to see you. I hope you can help me." He paused and looked around. "You know, I think I've seen this place before, when I was meditating at the Temple on Lothal."
"Yes, many portals to the world of the Force Fae there are, both from your world and from ours. Those who surrender themselves to the Will of the Force, find them they will."
"Master, the planet Kyber is in danger and so is the new Jedi Order. In fact, the whole Galaxy is in trouble. But my friends just don't seem to understand how to trust the Will of the Force. Kyber will give us what we need to defend it from our enemy, but only if we are trusting the Creator. I don't know how to make the others see that."
"Wise you have become, Ezra Bridger," the Jedi Master tapped his walking stick on the wolf, "but another lesson you must learn."
He chuckled again and the wolf raised its head. Its eyes met Ezra's and he found himself gazing into the eyes of his former master, Kanan Jarrus.
"You've become wise and powerful, Ezra. I'm proud of you. But don't forget to be humble." Ezra heard Kanan's voice in his head.
"To your master, you listen," Yoda nodded on his perch. "Great are your powers and strong is your faith. But pride, overconfidence in yourself, dangers you must avoid, these are."
"Yes, Master. I think I understand. I need to listen to the others and their perspectives. Is that it?"
"Only one Ezra Bridger, there is. Make your friends be Ezras, you cannot. Give them your faith in the Creator, you cannot."
"I see what you mean. It just seems like everything would be simpler for Luke and the rest if they would just trust the Will of the Force."
Kanan spoke. "Do you remember when you first learned to trust the Will of the Force?"
Ezra smiled. "It's been a journey. And I'm still learning."
"On that same journey are Luke, Ahsoka, Leia – all the Jedi." Yoda leaned forward. "When the time comes, faith they will be given. Followed you here through the Force, did they not?"
Ezra laughed. "That they did. Masters, you are absolutely right. I'm the one who isn't trusting in the Will of the Force."
"Umhm, a wise observation. Come, now. Let us eat berries." Yoda lifted his finger and blue berries floated down from the tree.
Ezra caught one of the huge berries, so large it took two hands to hold it, and bit into its juicy sweetness. "They're delicious. Is the Force strong with them?"
"No," Yoda chortled. "Just delicious berries, they are. Remember your own words- do not forget the small things."
Ezra ate his fill of the berries then lay down under the tree to rest and allow the Force to flow through him. The blue light swirled and pulsed around him as the Three Sisters sang the Song of the Kyber crystals.
Life and growth
Love and truth
Light and strength
We stand as one.
Ezra could see glimpses of what must be done. But he knew that this time all the Jedi must share the vision, must grasp the simple yet daring plan. They must stand together and draw on the power of Kyber. Each one had a part to play. They had to trust the Creator. He had to trust the Creator.
"What's wrong, Sabine?" Ahsoka looked up from putting Persis and Wani down for a nap. The meeting had ended over an hour ago, with little being decided. Han, Rex and the other troopers were checking their weapons and planning for their most efficient use. Luke and Whie were connecting more deeply with the Force flowing through the planet in hopes of finding answers.
Sabine now stood in the drawing room doorway with Cerulean-Skies strapped to her breast in a shawl. "Ezra's been gone for hours and now I can't find Violet-Meadows. I went to ask Grogu if he had seen her, and he's missing, too. It's the Force, I know it is!"
"Miisha, stay with Wani and Persis. Alora, we need your help." Ahsoka rose as quickly as her pregnancy would allow and the three women hurried out of the house.
Talisbeth met them at the door.
"Have you seen Violet-Meadows?" Sabine asked frantically.
"No," the older woman closed her eyes, "but I sense her presence coming from the Hill."
"I checked there!"
"Maybe we should look again," Ahsoka suggested gently. "She could have been hiding."
Sabine nodded and hurried towards the Hill, calling her daughter's name. Alora followed swiftly behind her, with Ahsoka and Talisbeth moving more slowly. They were halfway up the Hill when Talisbeth stopped, gasped and pointed.
The three others turned to look. A round hole led into the side of the Hill, visible to the eyes of Force-sensitives. Ahsoka stared. Surely it had not been there before. How could they all have missed it?
"What is it?" Sabine's voice quivered with anxiety.
"There's a doorway," Alora began but broke off at the appearance of three figures stepping through the hole.
Sabine sobbed with relief as she ran towards them. "Violet-Meadows? Ezra? Grogu! Where have you been?" She knelt and embraced her daughter, who was munching on a blue berry slightly larger than her own head. Beside her, Grogu was eating an even larger berry.
"We in dere," the little green child explained, inclining his head towards the portal, now slowly closing.
"In the Hill?" Sabine looked quizzically at the three Jedi. "Ezra, what's he talking about?"
Ezra placed an enormous round basket, tightly woven from blue grass, on the ground. "He means we were on the other side of the portal to- oh! You can't see it, can you?"
Stepping forward, he placed his hands on her head. Her eyes widened and Ezra grinned.
"It's a door into a sort Fairy Force World. Kind of like the World Between Worlds, only different. You like the colors, Coco Bean?"
Sabine nodded silently, too overwhelmed by the sight to speak. Ezra bent and unfastened the lid of the basket.
"I've got some extra. Would you like some?" He reached in and brought up a handful of every color imaginable. The substance was not quite powder nor was it exactly a liquid or paste. It was simply color. Sabine's eyes grew even wider.
With a smug smirk, Ezra dipped the fingers of his other hand into the color, then smeared the bright hues through Sabine's hair. "It's living color, Sabine," he intoned solemnly yet eagerly, "and it's radiating with Force energy."
"Living color?" Sabine whispered. "How is that possible?"
"The Force, of course." Ezra pulled a pouch, also woven of blue grass, from somewhere within his orange robes. He poured the color he was holding into it, then handed it Sabine. "Here you go, Bine."
A grin spread across her face as she took the pouch and reverently tucked it into her shawl. From farther up the Hill, voices floated down on the soft breeze. Soon Luke and Whie came into view. When they spotted Ezra, they hurried over and stopped.
Luke made eye contact with Ezra. "We need to talk."
Ezra brushed his color-dusted fingers on Sabine's shawl. "We certainly do. Have you two had visions?"
"Yes," Whie affirmed, "but each was incomplete. Together, they form a clearer picture, and we hope you have the missing piece."
The three Jedi climbed back to the top of the Hill and sat in a small circle. Luke began first.
"As I meditated, I saw the kyber at the heart of the planet. It glowed and sang, alive with power. Then I saw a great lightsaber, its blade lit and swinging. When it finally came to rest, I heard a great sigh as of relief and the sound of cheering."
"And you, Master Whie?" Ezra asked.
"In my vision, I first saw the Hill. It too was glowing and bursting with life energy. I felt the Force pouring through me and I knew it was pouring through the rest of you as well. Then I seemed to know great pain and the vision ended in darkness."
"What did you see, Ezra?" Luke motioned to his friend.
"All of us, bound together in the Force and connected to the Kyber- all of us from the Masters down to Ahsoka's unborn baby. And in our unity, we turned back the enemy by power of the Force flowing from the Creator. I have been through the Hill's portal to the Force world beyond. The Force is stronger than we realize on this planet. If we trust our Creator, we have nothing to fear." Ezra opened his basket and showed his friends its contents.
"What … what is that?" breathed Luke.
"Living color, full of Force energy," Ezra explained.
"We're going to defeat Agati with Force paint?" Luke asked incredulously. "Ezra, I think you've been around Sabine too long."
"Not long enough. But she can help us, if she's up to it."
"Help us do what?" Whie's brow furrowed in confusion.
"I saw the colors in my vision, too. A beam of refracting light that became a single ray – a picture of our unity. That's how we reach the crystal, Luke. And we'll do it here on the Hill, Whie. We'll be the swinging blade with the Force flowing through us."
"Wait," Luke narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "you don't mean for us to paint the Hill, do you?"
Ezra grinned.
Notes:
Of course Ezra means for them to paint the Hill. As promised earlier, things are getting strange in the Force world! Ezra's journey into the Force portal is inspired by Celtic story motifs, something like the Celts' land of Fae.
Chapter 22: Rebels Again
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"According to the ship's records, yes. We really need a Jedi for this sort of thing," the dark-maned Bothan in the hologram gave a self-deprecating smile.
"We trust your information," Alexsandr Kallus assured him. "Hold your position until we arrive."
"Acknowledged, sir." The Bothan saluted and the holoimage disappeared.
"The monsters," hissed Hera Syndulla Dume from the pilot's seat of the Ghost. She began working her instruments with lightning speed. "Comm the rest of the fleet and tell them to assume positions."
Alexsandr flipped the comm switch and typed in the codes. "Opening channels now. Ruwelyn fleet, this is the Ghost. Acknowledge."
"Ghost, this is the Honour Guard. Just dropped from hyperspace," a deep, gruff voice reported. "Preparing to blast that star destroyer to smithereens!"
"Negative, Honour Guard! Hold your fire!"
"What? But we've got to stop them!"
"You heard Alexi, Zeb!" Hera interrupted. "Do not fire on that ship! There are twenty-five Force-sensitive beings on board, according to our reports." Her voice softened, trembling slightly. "We believe they're mostly younglings."
"We're too late," groaned the Lasat.
"It's never too late," returned Alexsandr, as the Ghost plunged from hyperspace.
"The Bothans, Alexi and I are going to board the destroyer. We need the rest of you to keep her crew busy without blowing her up. Can you do that?"
"You can count on the Dark Saber, Lady Syndulla," the Mandalorian leader assured her.
"You just do your part and we'll do ours," added the deep, burbling voice of Admiral Ackbar. The Mon Calamari had left retirement to join in the new fight.
"Without blowing her up?" Zeb repeated dubiously. "And how are we supposed to do that?"
"Fire across her bow, her stern." Alexsandr tapped the console as if to emphasize his instructions. "Inflict minor damage, play Loth-cat and Loth-mouse, but do not destroy her until Hera and I give you the signal. Do we have your word of honor?"
"All right, all right. I want those kids safe, too. But you'd better not take long."
Outside the Ghost's viewport, a Mandalorian warship, a Mon Calamari cruiser and a balloon-shaped Lasat fighter took up positions to harry the larger New Republic star destroyer. Although they could not see it, Hera and Alexsandr knew that a cloaked Bothan spy ship was hovering nearby. A flash lit up the darkness of space as the Honour Guard fired.
Hera's face set in determination. "Let's go."
Using the Phantom and leaving Chopper to man the Ghost, they slipped into an almost empty hanger bay. Red lights flashed overhead and the sound of an alarm floated to them.
"Our diversion is working," Alexsandr whispered as they descended the ramp. "It appears the captain has scrambled all his fighters to combat our fleet."
"Yes, but where are the Bothans?" Hera whispered back. "Without them, we have no way of knowing where the younglings are."
"Don't worry- they'll find us. The Admiral personally assigned them to us."
"That's right," purred a lilting, male voice, almost at Hera's shoulder. "Come, no time to lose. They are in the medbay."
The Bothan Captain led the way through a nearby door, followed by Hera, Alexsandr and six other Bothans. The little band encountered no resistance until they reached the medbay.
"Halt!" shouted the lead guard. His four men leveled their blasters at the former rebels. They were instantly cut down.
Hera pushed through the door and came to an abrupt halt. "Oh, Alexi!"
The twenty-five prisoners lay lined up along the walls, strapped to gurneys. Medical bags hung above the beds with tubes running down to arms and necks.
"They're drugged!" growled the Bothan Captain.
"How are we going to get them out if they can't walk?" Alexsandr glanced around as if he might spot a solution on the walls or floor. "We can't carry them- there are too many."
Hera stood with her eyes closed and spoke dreamily. "We won't have to. All we have to do is get them to call on the Force. The drug will no longer have any effect on them."
"But they're not trained," protested the Bothan Captain's wife, shaking her long braid.
"Exactly," Hera nodded. "These drugs would have done nothing to Ezra or Luke, but they've incapacitated these younglings because they're not trained. They don't know how to call on the Force. We just need to train them."
The Bothans and Alexsandr stared at her, slack-jawed. At last, Alexsandr found his voice.
"But … Hera… we're not Jedi! We can't train them!"
Instead of answering, Hera walked to the first child. She gently removed the needle in his arm and place her hands on his shoulders. Softly, she whispered in his ear.
"Open yourself to the Force. Let go of yourself."
As she continued to murmur encouragement to the youngling, he first relaxed then tensed. Finally, his eyes opened and he sat up.
"Excellent." Hera nodded her approval.
The Bothans looked at each other, then spread out among the prisoners to imitate Hera's technique. Alexsandr hesitated a moment, then shrugged and joined them. Long minutes later, all twenty-five Force-sensitive individuals were sitting up, dazed and awake.
"Let's go." Hera ordered.
A soft thump sounded behind her, followed by a reptilian hiss. Spinning around she saw a large, russet-colored Barabel in a fighting stance with a gleaming blade held high.
"Step away from the hatchlings and perhapz this one will let you live." The Barabel swung her weapon and a hum filled the room. A lightsaber? Was it possible?
Hera stepped back, motioning for the others to follow suit. "We came to help the younglings, not to harm them." Hera met the Barabel's angry glare. "But if you're a Jedi, you know that. You can sense our intentions in the Force."
The reptilian cocked her head, regarding them silently.
"This one is not a Jedi, only a follower of the Force. And the Force sayz you are friendz." She raised a scaly hand and lowered her weapon. Four small Barabels scurried to her side. Sissing with joy, she gathered them up and addressed Hera. "This one must apologize. She has recognized the great Hera Syndulla, but has not introduced herself. This one's name is Saba Sebatyne and these are this one's hatchlings."
"I'm honored to meet one so strong with the Force," Hera inclined her head in a slight bow.
"We would be even more honored to have you join us in our fight," ventured Alexsandr.
At the word "fight", Saba's dark eyes sparkled. "It would be this one's pleasure. Perhaps you will introduce her to your friend, Master Skywalker. This one could use some tipz on proper lightsaber construction." She held up her blade.
"I'm sure Luke would be glad to help you," Hera smiled at Saba's enthusiasm. "But first we have to get off this ship. Do you have a ship?"
Saba sissed in laughter. "This one is a stowaway!"
"Then you can come with us," Hera offered. "Let's get going."
She scooped up the two smallest younglings and followed Alexsandr and the Bothan Captain back down the hallway, where the red alert lights still strobed. They hurried through the first hall and turned into another. More halls branched off to each side and Hera cautiously watched both ways. As they neared the final turn, a shot sizzled from one of the side halls, narrowly missing Alexsandr.
The Bothans and Alexsandr instantly returned fire while Hera gathered the younglings around her. A loud crash echoed down the side hall, followed by a satisfied growl from Saba. With her hands still raised, she bared her sharp teeth in a smile.
"This one's practice is paying off. She has never Force-thrown so many foes all at once before."
"Well done," agreed the Bothan Captain. "We'd better get moving before any more show up."
Quickly, the group made their way through the last hall and entered the hangar bay. It too was still deserted. Hera helped the younglings board the still-cloaked Bothan ship, while Alexsandr loaded the Barabels into the Phantom. As soon as both former Rebel vessels cleared the hangar door, Hera opened a channel to the Honour Guard.
"Mission accomplished, Zeb. Give them one chance to surrender. You know what to do if they don't."
"They just did!" laughed Zeb. "I have the captain on the comm right now."
"Good. Have them evacuate the ship and take possession of it. Then escort them back to the base on Ruwelyn." She ended the transmission.
Alexsandr chuckled. "The base? Looks like we're Rebels again."
"If it comes to it," Hera replied. She guided the Phantom to its docking port on the Ghost and led her guests down into the ship.
"Chop, we made some new friends," Hera indicated the five Barabels. "I want you to help Alexi get them settled in."
Chopper beeped his disapproval at being given work, grumbling as he rolled off to the cabins.
"This way," Alexsandr motioned for Saba and her brood to follow him, while Hera hurried to the cockpit.
A ding sounded from the Ghost's comm station. Hera flicked it on. A blue figure appeared above the console and her eyes lit in joyful recognition.
"Ezra! It's so good to see you. Tell Luke we've found some new Jedi for you two to train. We just rescued them from a ship that was taking them to a 'rehabilitation center', as Agati calls his prisons for Jedi."
"That's great, Hera." Ezra's holoimage smiled with just a hint of sadness. "I've got some important news for you, too." He paused, his blue eyes peering intently into her green ones. "I've seen Kanan."
Notes:
Hera is here! I just had to bring the Barabels in, too. They're just so much fun. And Ezra told Hera about Kanan! I did promise some Kanera content in the tags, but you'll have to keep reading. More chapters are coming soon. The story is completely written- I just have to get it all posted here. (It's cross-posted to Fanfiction.net, if you can't wait and want to finish reading it there! Same story title, same user name.)
Thanks for reading!
Chapter 23: Art and Honor
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Leia arched her eyebrows. "We're going to do what?"
Han shook his head. "Kid, have you been doing spice? Because you gotta be high on something."
Ezra's grin broadened. "Just the Force. I asked Sabine to work up a concept sketch. She'd love to join us on the Hill, but I know she'd overdo it. Chasing down Violet-Meadows yesterday was definitely not good for her recovery."
He spread out a large sheet of artist's flimsi.
"I know I'm kind of biased, but I think it's pretty great."
Leia leaned forward for a closer look. The painting was worked in the strange colors Ezra had brought back from the Force world, spreading a sense of calm through the room. Yet it was the image itself that warmed Leia's heart. A new take on Sabine's Firebird symbol, the picture showed a Purgil arcing to form a half-circle. A Loth-wolf sat, tall and regal, at the center of the Purgil's back, with a Loth-cat perched on its head.
Luke touched the Loth-cat, the Purgil and the Loth-wolf. "Faith, hope and love. Everything a Jedi needs. Or anyone else needs, actually." He tapped the interconnected background. "And the Force, binding us together."
"Exactly," Ezra beamed. "Now, who's up for some painting?"
"It's hardly the craziest thing I've ever done." Rex slipped his arm around Ahsoka and winked at her.
"That was Anakin's idea, not mine!" she protested.
"I'm sure it was," Whie gazed at the painting. "But I doubt very much that you disagreed with him."
Ahsoka chuckled. "Not at all. Let's get painting."
A few hours later, all the Jedi and their friends were spread across the Hill, working singly or in small groups on sections of the giant picture. In spite of her protests, Sabine remained at the Malreaux home, only slightly mollified by Ezra's promise to show her the finished work as soon as it was complete. Violet-Meadows danced through the paint next to her father. She and Grogu were liberally dusted with the living color. Nearby, helping Han and Leia, Chewie sported rainbow fur.
Talisbeth and Whie worked together on one of the Purgil's tentacles. With her fingertips, Talisbeth blended shades of blue and purple along the edge of the long appendage. Ezra had insisted that no implements besides hands, or possibly lekku, be used to fashion the symbol.
"My Love, you have been working all morning. You must rest."
Talisbeth finished with the paint on her hands, then slowly stood. "I am a little tired, Whie."
Whie lifted her up and placed her on a patch of soft, unpainted grass. "Solis, bring Mistress Talisbeth a cup of tea."
Talisbeth lay back and closed her eyes. Her thoughts wandered back to the vision she had had shortly before the other Jedi had arrived. You must walk, Yoda had said. Was she to be healed? Master Yoda had been unable to heal her before, could he do it now? You will see me soon. No, it seemed more likely that she was about to die.
Poor Whie. He won't know what to do without me to look after. Maybe he would join the other Jedi, traveling the Galaxy as a peacekeeper. That was his destiny, wasn't it? And she had been keeping him from fulfilling it.
Solis pressed a cup of tea into her hand. Tenderly, Whie embraced her and kissed her lips before kneeling down to continue working on the Purgil.
As the sun set on the Hill, Ezra proudly showed Sabine their work. The paint caught the final rays of the sun and glowed faintly.
"What do you think?" He gestured at the giant symbol that covered the Hill. "We followed your design."
"It's beautiful, Blueberry," Sabine held her original, comparing the two. "A completely faithful reproduction. Now what? Are you going to activate it the way you did with the Temple painting?"
"Something like that. Only not just me. All of us."
"Mama! Daddy! Me art!" Violet-Meadows dashed up. She held up a large piece of green bark discarded by a nearby tree. A smudged, lopsided painting of a Loth-cat decorated one side.
"That's good, Baby," Sabine stroked her daughter's hair as she examined her work. "I really like what you did with the blue on the ears."
"She takes after you, that's for sure," Ezra chuckled. "All right, girls. I know you two could talk art all night, but we've got a big day tomorrow, so we'd better get to bed."
Ezra scooped up Violet-Meadows and draped his free arm around Sabine's shoulders. "Come on, Sweethearts."
Admiral Nek Bwua'tu opened his eyes as his wife stirred in his arms. He gently rubbed her back until she returned to a deep sleep and her breathing evened out. Careful not to wake her, Nek disentangled her fingers from his silky mane and slipped out from under her. Tucking her more snugly in their bed, he hurried to the refresher to wash and dress.
In his uniform, he paused to check the bedside chrono set to Coruscant Capital Area time. Three hours until his fleet emerged from hyperspace. It was time to ensure that all was in readiness. Leaving a note for Natasi next to the bedside chrono, he made his way quickly to the bridge.
"Open a comm channel to the fleet," he ordered without preamble. "Have all ships check in."
He listened as all the captains confirmed their positions and readiness, then began a thorough sweep of the bridge. Finally, convinced his ship was in perfect order, he checked his wrist chrono. Fifty minutes. Enough time to double check the arsenal and, Force forbid that they should be needed, the escape pods. Before retiring for much needed rest ten hours ago, he had had a serious talk with his wife and children. He told them that he had prepared an escape pod especially for them. If the Lion Rampant were destroyed or taken, one his most trusted officers would see them safely to the planet Kyber, to join the Jedi in their brave stand.
To say Natasi had not been pleased was an understatement.
"Nek, I'm not leaving you!" Natasi's lips had quivered as her eyes filled with tears. "I can't go down there with the Jedi- I can't. If you die on this ship, I want to die with you."
"What about our younglings, Heart's Dearest? You must take care of them and keep them safe, should the battle go against us." He had held her close and softly kissed her hair, her closed, her trembling lips.
She had at last reluctantly agreed. The vessel he was now inspecting would carry his little family to Kyber if the need arose. Ascertaining that all was in order, he moved on to the well-stocked arsenal. All was in readiness.
Fifteen minutes, according to his wrist chrono. He switched on his comm and addressed his fleet.
"You know our battle strategy, so I won't bore you with the details of a plan that will inevitably change ten minutes after we engage. The main objective is to hold your assigned positions unless I order a withdrawal. The Galaxy itself is at stake. May the Force be with us all."
He returned to the bridge to watch his fleet emerge from hyperspace. Following orders, the captains spread out to form a flexible blockade. The battle was at hand.
"For duty, honor and the right," he softly murmured his clan's motto.
Notes:
Violet-Meadows can art, just like her mom! Maybe if they told The Big Blue Guy (AKA Thrawn) about their art project, he would join their cause.
More Nek and Natasi fluff sprinkled in this chapter, because I can and its fun. :)
By the way, whatever it was, it probably was Anakin's idea- he thought of it first, or it would be Ahsoka's idea. Poor Rex. But then, his life would be really boring without any Jedi. Remember when he was living with Wolffe and Gregor?
Chapter 24: Hyperspace
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
On board the Ghost, Hera watched the endless hyperspace lane streak by her viewport. She hoped Nek Bwua'tu was right, that he had indeed found a shortcut. The Ghost, the Honour Guard and the Dark Saber had already been in hyperspace for more than a full standard day. The longest day of Hera's life.
Ask Hera to come. The portal will open again.
It was almost too good to be true. Had anyone but her Ezra made such a claim she would have dismissed it outright. She trusted Ezra implicitly, however. That she believed his story was evidenced by the rapid pounding of her heart that would not be stilled.
"Chop, pull up the navigational readouts the Grand Admiral sent," she ordered the droid for the twentieth time since they had entered the lane.
The little astromech beeped and booped cheekily.
"You know very well which Grand Admiral. I certainly didn't get any star maps from Thrawn."
Chopper beeped again.
"Yes, I'm aware that they haven't changed in the last hour. I just want to see how much farther."
Chopper tweetled a chuckle and displayed the map. Hera sighed. They were still over a day's flight from the mysterious Kyber system, even with the Admiral's shortcut.
"Couldn't that Bothan have found a shorter shortcut?" she grumbled. Closing her eyes, she leaned back in her chair. They would arrive after Agati, of that much she almost certain. She refused to allow her mind to dwell on what she might find when the Ghost arrived. Her Ezra was on Kyber, with Sabine by his side. Namah Agati didn't stand a chance.
Namah checked the read-outs on his nav computers. Everything was falling into place perfectly. Very soon, he would drop out of hyperspace and use the same scanner that had revealed Kyber's existence to ensure that his droid scouts had been correct in their reports. Glowing red in protest, the kyber-driven scanner sat a meter to his right, waiting to be pressed into service again. Doubtless, the Jedi were waiting as well, but they would be standing alone.
Most of the old Alliance members were out chasing his ships in other parts of the Galaxy, attempting to protect young Force-sensitives. The annoyingly competent Bothan Grand Admiral had refused to aid him, as Namah had assumed he would. After all, his eldest cub was a Force-user. However, Nek Bwua'tu was no longer a problem, if his plan was going according to schedule. A ding sounded on his chair's arm console.
"Answer," he commanded.
His droid commander was checking in, no doubt to report success somewhat belatedly.
"I2-A4, report," he ordered the holographic image of the tall vaguely humanoid commando droid.
"We have failed, my lord."
For moment, Namah was speechless. Anger flared inside him at his own miscalculation. A holovid replaced the droid, showing Bwua'tu's estate in the purple Ruwelyn hills. I2-A4's voice demanded that Yantahar Bwua'tu be turned over for rehabilitation. The Admiral's only answer was a blaster bolt that I2-A4's shields barely deflected. Namah watched the ensuing battle with narrowed eyes and tightly pursed lips. The Bothans and their supporters were vastly outnumbered, yet shot after shot found its mark, reducing his droid ranks. As his father battled with both blaster and blade, Yantahar entered the room. He stretched out his hand and the image shook violently before disappearing.
"The young Bothan appears to have immobilized us with a Force-blast," I2-A4 replaced the holo-vid. "My recorder malfunctioned. When my back-up power-cells activated, I gathered more commandos and pursued the Bwua'tus but they have successfully eluded us. I calculate that they are enroute to Kyber, twelve standard hours behind you."
Namah immediately switched on his hyperspace scanners, training all the power at his command on the lane behind him.
Nothing.
He added the scanners of his other ships. Still nothing.
"Are you certain the Bothan is on his way to Kyber?" Namah demanded of his droid.
"Not completely, sir. I am only 99. 993 percent sure."
Was it possible? Bwua'tu had once famously defeated the brilliant Grand Admiral Thrawn. Was he truly as prescient as his admirers liked to claim?
Slowly, Namah reconfigured the scanners. The hyperspace lane ahead was empty. He pushed the scanner further. Just beyond the frayed edges of the lane's end, he detected a slight blip.
Quivering in silent fury, he allowed his anger and frustration to roll over him. The emotions passed and his resolve hardened. The plan had simply suffered a setback. He was not defeated.
He could never be defeated.
Notes:
Looks like Hera is not quite ready to be friends with The Big Blue Guy. It's a good thing I don't actually bring him into this story. He will be in the sequel, if I ever get it finished. Ezra and Luke will sort of tolerate him, I don't know about Hera.
So droids can make mistakes and be defeated? Namah really should have studied the Clone Wars a little more. Then he would know: Jedi > droids. But he's not finished yet. Unfortunately, he has a few surprises for the Jedi and their allies.
(Apparently, I had the wrong notes box checked, so my first chapter end notes were following the last chapter. Its fixed now! More chapters are coming soon!)Thanks for reading and God bless you!
Chapter 25: The Battle Comes
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The Jedi stood at the base of the Hill. Han and the troopers busied themselves making last minute adjustments to their weapons. Sabine sat in the pilot's seat of the White Loth Cat, where she could man the guns remotely.
Admiral Bwua'tu had arrived shortly before dawn and they knew Agati would not be far behind. Reluctantly, Ezra pulled himself away from Sabine with one final kiss.
"Be careful, Coco Bean."
"You be careful, you crazy Loth-cat." Sabine's voice held tears.
"Me come," Violet-Meadows reached up to clutch her father's hand.
"I think you'd better stay with Mama, Honey," Sabine held out her hand to her little daughter.
Something passed over Ezra's face. "Stay with Mama for now, Violet-Meadows," he agreed.
Keeping their little ones safely on the ships seemed like a wise idea. Yet Ezra's vision had shown him another path. The younglings were part of the whole and before the end they must all stand together. He had seen what would happen if they failed.
"Come with me for a moment," he said, finally making up his mind. Opening up a comm channel to the other ships, he asked Han, Chewie and the Clones to join them outside. Scooping up Cerulean-Skies, he led Sabine down the ramp, followed by Violet-Meadows, Grogu, Jacen Syndulla Dume and Pypey.
Outside, he joined the rest of the Jedi. Whie and Talisbeth sat partway up the Hill, deep in meditation. Allora, Dev and Kyp were fine-tuning their lightsabers. Jai, Pan and Tallulah simply stood, gazing at their beloved Hill. Leia was engaged in a quiet comm conversation with the Admiral. Luke and Mara lay in the soft grass, holding hands with little Ben nestled between them.
Ezra stepped to the center of the little group. Slowly, they turned to him, their faces expectant. Luke spoke.
"You have seen something."
It was a statement, not a question. Ezra nodded anyway.
"Yes. Something about Kyber. It truly is the heart of the Galaxy. If Agati succeeds in taking the crystal and destroying Kyber, our Galaxy will be no more."
A shiver ran through the assembled Jedi and a collective gasp sounded from their friends and family. Sabine squeezed Ezra's hand. For several long moments, silence reigned.
A small voice broke the stillness. "Then we 'top him." Anakin Solo gazed up at the adults, solemn and sincere.
"Jedi are 'posed to protect the Galaxy," agreed Jaina.
Luke smiled at his niece and nephew. "And that's what we're going to do."
"The literal heart," Nek's deep voice purred over the commlink, "I had surmised as much."
Ezra scowled in the receiver's general direction. "Nek, do you think that just once, when I make a galaxy-shattering revelation, you could at least pretend that you didn't already know?"
"I could, but you would easily detect my dissembling through the Force."
"Yeah, I guess I would. Thanks for coming, by the way. Agati is almost here. I can feel it." Ezra smiled wryly. "And, yes, Grand Admiral, I am aware that you already know. Jedi and fellow warriors- let's do battle."
Nek Bwua'tu gazed at the read-outs with narrowed eyes. His cousins Alea and Eram had infiltrated Agati's lair and decrypted a wealth of information. Some of their findings pointed to an intricate conspiracy but what interested him most at the moment was a database on Kyber. Labeled "the Crystal Planet", it held mathematical equations estimating the power the planet could generate, approximate coordinates for the planet, the coordinates for the hyperspace lanes to reach it and a chart showing the one place where the protective barrier that hid the system from view could be breached.
If Agati knew about the gateway, the feint Nek had planned to draw the false leader away was pointless.
"Horn," He directed his helmsman, "bring us around with our starboard towards the Kyber system, directly over point AM 7333.999. We will stand in the door as long as we have a ship."
Thumbing his comm on, he hailed the captains of two of his Star Defenders, the Moons of Lothal and the Twin Suns of Tatooine, instructing them to place their ships on either side of the Rampant, hidden by the wrinkles in the thick outer layer of the barrier along with half of his fleet. His three other Star Defenders, the Kenobi, the Crown of Naboo and the Remember Alderaan, led the rest of his ships in forming a perimeter. The medical rescue ship, the Omega, hovered behind the perimeter, her crew ready to risk their own lives saving others.
In the black distance of space, a sudden flash appeared. More followed, filling the black void with gleaming vessels.
"He is here. Battle stations, everyone," Nek commanded. "X and Y wings, prepare to launch on command."
Six hundred ships glided rapidly towards them. When they had closed half the distance, a group of the droid ships slowed and began disgorging fighters before Agati's entire fleet opened fire.
Standing at his viewport, Nek watched the enemy action on his tactical displays. As long as their shields held out his plan was to wait. With half of his ships tucked into the folds of the distortions, Agati might underestimate their strength. At the right moment, Nek would spring his trap.
Laser blasts poured across the vacuum of space, while hundreds of fighters, some manned and others fully automated, accelerated towards the Kyber system. The bridge of the Lion Rampant shuddered underneath him as several shots found their mark. Chui'lan stepped to his side with damage reports. Five of the smaller ships had lost shield power and taken serious hits.
"Have them fall back behind the Kenobi. We must draw Agati closer before we engage."
Several tense minutes passed, Nek's wrist chrono ticking away the seconds like an anxious heart. He studied the tactical read-outs, then peered out of his viewport. Now.
"Benti," he ordered his Bith weapons officer, "focus all fire on the flag ship."
Switching on his comm, he began to rattle off orders. "Admiral Batri, have the Kenobi engage the New Day."
"At once, sir," came the Mon Calamari 's burbling reply.
"General Calrissian, I want the Alderaan to take the Ewok Princess. Have four of your cruisers engage the Steadfast and the Destiny."
"You got it, Admiral," Lando acknowledge jauntily. "Mark those three as dealt with."
With a few more comm calls, Agati's fleet began struggling to move forward in the face of increasing laser fire. Just as a smile crept onto Nek's face, the Rampant quivered violently. The battle was far from over.
Activating his comm link again, he hailed his hidden vessels. "Captains, take up your positions as assigned." The ships darted from their hiding places to support their comrades, bringing Agati's fleet to a complete halt.
One of his officers pressed something into his hand. Glancing down, he chuckled. Apparently, his wife thought he needed a pot of her strongest black-hole caf. She was right.
Pouring himself a cup of the caf, he opened a new comm channel. "Attention all members of the Galactic Alliance Republic Navy, this is High Grand Admiral Nek Bwua'tu. The captains of the New Day, the Destiny, the Steadfast and the Ewok Princess" -he still wondered how that vessel had acquired her name- "are hereby relieved of command and are to be placed in the brig awaiting court martial on the charge of treason against the Republic. First mates, do your duty."
He switched the comm off but left the channel open. He did not expect the captains to submit to arrest. He doubted whether any of the first mates would even try. He had sown seeds of confusion and dissension and that was his intent.
A flash lit the far side of the viewport. A few brave x-wing pilots had apparently turned on the droid ships and were blasting their way to Bwua'tu's fleet. He wondered briefly if they were sincere or merely acting on orders to try to take him in.
His tactical screens lit with a new report. A dozen large enemy vessels were spewing out fighters so quickly he could barely read the numbers. With their added firepower, Agati's ships began to advance once more.
Grimly, Nek set his long jaw. His forces were taking losses, but they had exacted a steep price for their casualties. If they continued at this rate, within three hours Agati's force would be reduced to a number the Jedi could handle on their own. The Heart of the Galaxy would be safe.
His tactical display bleated a warning. Nek studied the screen, then turned to Benti.
"Lock two lasers on target 3548-S now."
"Yes, sir." The Bith fired his lasers and, to Nek's relief, the small vessel exploded.
Turning to his comm once again, he opened a channel to his x and y-wing pilots.
"Attention, gentlemen. Make S-fighter droids priority targets. Keep them off your squadron mates and your base ships, if you want a way home."
According to his cousins' reports, S-fighters were fully automated ships with a highly sophisticated artificial intelligence. The ships were programmed to pursue one objective- destroy the enemy. To accomplish their aim, they would ram directly into an enemy vessel and explode with violent force. In short, they were suicide fighters.
Benti continued to target the S-fighters, as did the x and y-wing pilots. Yet, for every one they took down four more appeared from Agati's ships. Nek poured himself another cup of the black caf.
"Sir," Chui'lan approached, "the Braveheart has been hit by S-fighters. She is heavily damaged and listing, with only minimal power."
"Have her fall back behind the Firebird. Tell the Captain to evacuate only if life support systems fail and continue to fight with whatever"-
The bridge pitched upwards then jerked sideways.
"An S-fighter got through!" Benti cried as he and his crew renewed their efforts with the lasers. A small phalanx of the S-fighter streaked through space, intent on ramming the Rampant. Several rapid explosions filled the viewport. Another blast shook the bridge and Benti groaned. "Make that two, sir."
Nek set his empty caf cup down and spun on his heel. "Chui'lan, damage assessment. Horn, to me. Yield the helm to your second. Do not give way unless I give the order."
He hurried from the bridge, followed by his helmsman. It had been his intention to send Corran Horn without him. Yet now that the moment had arrived, he found he could not let Natasi and his younglings go without a final farewell.
"Are your wife and children ready?" Nek asked Corran.
"Yes, sir. I must admit, though, I feel as if I'm running away from the battle."
"Not away, Corran. To a battle. The Jedi need you. You can join with them in their fight."
"Perhaps." Corran had not yet come to terms with his own strong connection to the Force.
"Bring your family to the escape pod. We will meet you there."
Corran saluted and Nek hurried to his quarters.
"Nek!" Natasi jumped up from sitting on the bed, dropped the baby dress she was sewing, and ran to him. He gathered her into his arms, kissed her and stroked her long hair.
"I love you so much," she murmured. "Did you get the caf I sent you?"
"I love you, too, Heart's Dearest. And the caf was just what I needed."
He looked over her head at his children. Eramuth and Niasi were playing with toy space ships on the rug and Yantahar had his nose buried in a holo-book. Naala sat in her playpen, chewing a rattle.
For a moment, Nek gazed at his little family, drinking them in with his eyes. Finally, he spoke.
"Children, you and Dearest are going with Corran and the Horns to the planet Kyber. The Jedi are there and they will help Dearest keep you safe."
The boys clustered around him.
"Aren't you coming, Da?" Yantahar asked, his ears drooping against his head.
"No, son, not now. If it is our Creator's will, we will meet again soon."
Yantahar wrapped his arms around his father. Nek knelt and embrace his three sons. "Be good boys," he continued. "Obey Dearest. Yantahar, you take good care of her for me, all right?"
"I will, Da. Dearest will be safe with me."
"I'll take care of her, too," insisted Eramuth.
"We be good," added Niasi.
Nek hugged them again. He rose and lifted Naala from her playpen, kissing her fuzzy head.
"You be good, too, your father's Darling and the light of my eyes."
Natasi picked up a bag she had packed with a few essentials and some spare clothes, tucking the little dress she was making inside. Nek drew his little family into a hug. "I love you all," he whispered.
"Da!" Naala waved her rattle in the air and planted a sloppy baby kiss on her father's cheek. Nek held them close for another moment. Finally releasing them, he led them to the small shuttle where Corran waited with his wife, Mirax, and their two small children, Valin and Jysella.
"Goodbye, my Darlings. We will meet again. And Natasi, leave the flying to Corran and Mirax. They are both excellent pilots." Nek kissed Natasi once more, then his family boarded the vessel with the Horns. He watched the pod detach and enter the Kyber system. Tracking their path on his datapad, he returned to his post on the bridge.
Chui'lan met him at the command station. Before he could speak, the ship rocked violently, tilting towards her starboard side. The artificial gravity kept them in place as the first mate detailed the damage the fleet had sustained so far. They had lost far too many fighters and over his half his ships were functioning at less than half power.
Another impact shook the Rampant. Nek consulted his latest data and frowned. His spies believed Agati had over 30,000 S-fighters. Clearly, he had sent his family to Kyber none too soon. Now it was time to focus on his one objective: reducing Agati's forces to a number the Jedi could defeat in their current situation, according to the calculations he and Natasi had made.
His comm chirped. "First Mate Doren of the Ewok Princess reporting, sir. I am pleased to report that the Princess is yours to command. What are your orders?"
Nek smiled grimly. It was about time for a good surprise. "Well done, Captain Doren. Hold your current position and open fire on the main droid transports. Order your pilots to make S-fighters their priority targets."
Nek watched the Ewok Princess swing her turrets around to fire on her former allies. A strident beeping and accompanying red light brought his attention quickly back to his own ship. The Rampant was still listing and a gap had formed underneath her. A large contingent of fighters along with six transports, several saucer-shaped vessels and two cruisers slid under his ship's immobilized belly.
Their defences were breached and the enemy was still far too strong.
Notes:
It's not looking too good right now! Since I clearly didn't have enough Legends/EU characters already, I decided to add in the Horns, including Corran the reluctant Jedi. I know he's really more of an X-wing pilot, but I thought he could play helmsman in this story. We'll have a cameo or two from some other Rogue Squadron pilots later on.
According to Nek's actual Legends backstory, he is known for "beating the Thrawn simulator every time". It is apparently part of the New Republic's training program. I've moved his timeline back a bit, so that he can actually encounter and defeat the real Thrawn (the story's not written, but it has something to do with art.) As to how the Ewok Princess acquired her name, I don't know the in-universe story, but I got the idea from reading about Wicket and the princess he marries.
Chapter 26: Battle on the Hill
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The circle of Jedi stood on the Hill, watching, waiting and meditating. Luke, Mara, Leia, Ezra and Ahsoka clustered together, quietly communing in the Force. Rex had been anxiously running back and forth from his wife to his younglings in the ship all morning. Dev and Alora clasped hands, wordlessly treasuring one another. Kyp, Jacen, Pypey and the younger Malreauxs gazed skyward. Whie, flanked by Solis and Fidelis, held Talisbeth close, his eyes shut.
Alarm rippled through the Force and the Jedi snapped to alert. Leia's comm crackled.
"Princess," Nek Bwua'tu's voice was overlaid with heavy static, "our defences are breached and we have not yet sufficiently reduced the enemy's numbers. We are working to close the gap, but I do not have enough forces to hold here and send a contingent in pursuit. We have sustained significant damages and losses."
Leia closed her eyes and let a wave of pain wash over her. "Please the Force their sacrifices will not be in vain. What about the Rampant, Nek?"
"She's damaged but we'll hold as long as possible, then join battle over Kyber if it comes to it." He hesitated. "I've sent Natasi and the children to Kyber with the Horns."
"We'll be looking for them," Leia assured him. "And we'll do our best to keep your family safe."
"Thank you, all of you," Nek returned as he signed off.
"I'd better get to the ships," Rex kissed Ahsoka one more time. "Comm me if you need anything, 'Soka. I'll be here as quick as I can."
"Solis, let us know as soon as you pick up anything on your scanners," Whie instructed the droid.
Solis touched a button. "There are several ships in the system. I can't quite get a fix on them, but they are definitely approaching."
The Jedi continued to wait. Aksoka's comm beeped. "What is it, Rex?"
"I make at least fifty ships, including small fighters of some kind, headed our way."
"Solis?" Whie asked.
"They've entered the atmosphere," Solis confirmed.
Silver spots appeared in the distant sky. The small fighters sped towards them, followed more slowly by the larger transports.
"Defensive positions," Luke called. It had been agreed that he would lead their small band in the fight.
The gun turrets on their ships swiveled as they targeted the incoming ships. Six fighters exploded before even reaching the Hill. Dropping lower, the droid ships began a strafing run over the heads of the Jedi. As one, the Jedi ignited their lightsabers, sending the bolts back at their attackers. Two dozen fighters fell to the returned fire and ten more fell to their ships' lasers.
The remaining fighters regrouped for a second pass. Only five survived. The droids retreated to the approaching transports, seeking reinforcements. A new swarm filled the air and swept low over the Hill. This time they did not open fire. Instead, a pair of droids ejected from each flying apparatus. The droids rained down blaster bolts as they descended, then ignited simulated lightsabers.
"Well, Agati's either got delusions of grandeur or a really twisted sense of humor," Ezra Force-lifted three of the nearest droids and tossed them onto Luke's blade.
Luke halved them with a single stroke. "I would say 'Is this the best he can do?', but Master Yoda would frown on me from the realm of the Force."
Another wave of droids rushed the Jedi, slashing with their blades and firing their blasters. Using energy pulsers built into their hands to simulate the Force, they attempted to knock the Jedi to the ground.
Dev leaped lightly into a group of droids, leveling them. Nimbly spinning and slicing, Luke battled the droids a dozen at a time. Ezra shoved two droids head over heels into their own ranks, so that fell on their comrades' blades. By his side, Jacen and Pypey fought bravely. Whie and Talisbeth called on the Force together, sweeping any droid that approached them to a quick end. Using one hand to wield his lightsaber and the other to send Force-blasts, Kyp danced through a cloud of descending droids. Pan, Jai and Tallulah had never faced an enemy before, but they stood side by side and held their own.
At the center of the Hilltop, Ahsoka knelt in deep meditation, reaching out to the Force. At last, it was time. She lifted her hands.
Luke saw the signal. "Jedi, to me!"
The Jedi formed up around Ahsoka, joining her in kneeling. The droids pressed the attack, their bolts bouncing off the Jedi's combined Force shield. Ahsoka opened her eyes.
The droid army flew backwards, their durasteel bodies twisting, cracking and exploding. The Jedi watched for a moment, then Ezra turned to his companions.
"Great job, everybody."
He stepped to Ahsoka's side to help her up and found himself bumping heads with Rex.
"Don't worry, I got this," Rex pulled his wife to her feet and held her close.
Ezra backed up a few steps, laughing. "Hey, I know when I'm not needed."
"That's right, 'Soka doesn't need anybody but me!" Rex started kissing her montrals, then jerked his head up. "Something's up there. Don't suppose it's your friends the Purgil?" He looked hopefully at Ezra.
"Nope. It's their mating season, on the other end of the Galaxy." Ezra concentrated. "It's a small ship, I think. Three adults and several younglings. Some of them are strong with the Force." He paused and frowned in concern. "I sense strong emotions, too. Fear and anxiety. Uncertainty."
Leia's comm crackled. "Hey, Sweetheart. We've got a small escape pod incoming. It's transmitting as a friendly. Want me to hail it or blast it?"
"Han!" Leia scolded. "It's probably from the Rampant. Open a channel and give them landing coordinates."
Notes:
That went surprisingly well. But Namah's got more- a lot more. But before we get to that, we have to get Natasi and the kids safely to Kyber (we hope).
Chapter 27: Escape Pod
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"Millennium Falcon to Lion Rampant escape pod. Do you copy?"
Mirax Horn switched on the comm. "We read you, Falcon."
"I'm sending you landing coordinates that will put you down near our ships."
Tapping a screen, Mirax checked the comm console. "Coordinates received."
The small ship gave a sudden lurch.
"So much for taking the scenic route," Corran groused. "Looks like the droids found us anyway."
The droid ship fired again. Corran pulled the ship into a sharp roll, attempting to evade their pursuer. The droid ship followed, firing again and grazing the side of the pod.
"Not bad flying for a computer," grunted Corran.
"It's no match for you, Dear," Mirax teasingly assured him.
Corran dove under the droid ship, coming up behind it and momentarily gaining the advantage. Another violent shudder rocked the ship as the droid's aft guns caught the pod. It sped forward to relative safety as the Horns were thrown forward into the viewport.
"Mirax! Corran!" Natasi unstrapped and stepped to the console where the couple slumped. She placed her hands on their necks, seeking a pulse. To her relief, both were still alive.
Yantahar slipped up beside her. "I don't think they're going to wake up for a while. We've got to land without them, Dearest."
Valin and Jysella stared at their unconscious parents. Jysella whimpered softly. Natasi turned her gaze to her own children. Eramuth and Niasi watched her with eyes full of trust. Too little to grasp the severity of the situation, Baby Naala gurgled and cooed contentedly. Why should she be afraid when her mother, her source of food and comfort, was with her?
"You can land us, can't you, Dearest?" Eramuth asked in a small voice.
Natasi looked at the console. I don't need my wife having another extended stay in a medcenter, Nek's words rang in her mind. Leave the flying to Corran and Mirax. She drew a breath, felt the tightness in her chest. She couldn't fly this ship.
Then she heard Niasi's voice. "Dearest will take care of us."
Easing the Horns to resting places in the floor, she prepared to grasp the yoke. "If a computer can fly a ship, surely I can, too."
She stopped as her own words struck her. She didn't have to fly the pod. All she had to do was program the nav computer to take them to the landing coordinates Han Solo had already given them. She checked the comm console and found the coordinates still flashing on the screen.
Quickly dropping into the navigator's chair, she hit the button to ready the nav computer. The screen was blank. She tried again. Still nothing.
"What's wrong?" Yantahar asked.
"I just need to fix the computer so I can tell it where to take us. It will only take a minute." A minute was all the time they had before the droid caught up to them again.
Kneeling, Natasi inspected the computer systems underneath the console. The cover plate was bent from the impact of the droid ship's blaster bolts. Through a gap in one corner, she could see several loose connections.
She grasped the edges of the cover and tugged. It didn't budge. She pulled harder. The durasteel plate refused to come free.
"I can get it off." Yantahar put his soft hand on her shoulder. "You're going to hurt yourself, Dearest. Please let me help."
Natasi opened her mouth to tell him not to use the Force, then a cold chill washed over her. She had no choice. The cover was jammed and she had no time to waste fighting it. She nodded wordlessly. Backing up, she turned away and closed her eyes.
Grrrr…pop! The plate slid out of the way and down to the floor. Natasi returned to her work, trembling. For a moment, she could not look at her son.
"Dearest," he ventured, "I'm so sorry I hurt you. I will never do it again. I promise."
"My sweet Yanti, I know that. I'm not angry with you. But I'm afraid of the Force. I just can't seem to help it."
Leaning his fuzzy head against hers as she worked, Yantahar stroked her pale cheek. "The other Jedi won't hurt you either. I wouldn't let them even if they wanted to." He wished his father had come with them. Da would take Dearest in his arms, kiss her, stroke her hair and say just the right things. But his father was on the Lion Rampant, fighting for honor, duty and the right. It was up to Yantahar to comfort and protect his Dearest.
"Got it!" Natasi hugged her son, then jumped up and hit the button once more. This time the system sprang to life. She typed in the coordinates and programmed a route, complete with appropriate evasive maneuvers. Soon the droid ship could no longer be seen on the scanners. If Nek could see her now, he would be so proud. I hope I get a chance to tell him.
The screen flashed a message. Approaching destination. Initiate landing sequence?
Natasi tapped the screen to confirm. "Yanti, strap in!" She checked the children's crash webbing to ensure that they were secure, then fastened herself into the navigator's chair. She hoped Corran and Mirax would not be jolted too badly.
The pod dropped to the blue grass. It wobbled unsteadily for few seconds before coming to rest at an angle. Apparently, they had lost a landing strut.
In the viewport, Natasi could see the familiar forms of Nek's Jedi friends- Luke Skywalker, Leia Solo and Ezra Bridger. A dark fear, far worse than what she felt while flying, wrapped icy fingers around her heart. They were looking up at her, waiting. She had no choice. She palmed the button to drop the short ramp. Ezra appeared in the open hatchway.
"Hi, Natasi," His voice was gentle, reassuring, the way one might speak to a frightened child. "We're glad you're all right. Don't be afraid. You're safe now."
She wasn't afraid. She was terrified. She was on a planet made of kyber, surrounded by Jedi. Her damaged lungs constricted painfully as she sought a calming breath.
"Corran! Mirax!" Ezra had spotted the Horns. Entering the pod, he spread his fingers and Corran sat up. The pilot stared.
"What happened? Natasi, did you land us?" Then he saw his wife. "Mirax! Bridger, can you help her?"
"Working on it." Ezra knelt beside her and put his hand on her head. "Takes a little more to wake a non-Jedi."
At Ezra's words, Corran averted his gaze. His fingers stroked the lightsaber that he had constructed with Luke's guidance.
Mirax opened her eyes, quickly assessed their situation and rushed to her children. Corran looked at Ezra and nodded silently. He would join their fight, standing with the Jedi.
As she watched Ezra and the Horns, Natasi shrank back against the chair, hoping that the others might forget about her and leave her on the pod until Nek came. Her boys unfastened their crash webbing and Yantahar scooped up his little sister.
Natasi felt a gentle hand on her arm and her heart sank.
"Hey, it's okay." Ezra addressed her again, his voice even softer. "We promised Nek we'd look after you and the kids 'till he comes for you." As he spoke, he released her crash webbing and took her hand. "We need to go. More droids are on their way and we need to get you somewhere safer than this pod."
Yantahar joined Ezra. "Come on, Dearest. I'm not leaving without you."
Seeing her mother, Naala wailed loudly and reached out for her.
"I need to feed my baby." Natasi took her little daughter and tucked her into her baby-wearing shawl.
"Why don't I take you to the White Loth-cat? You can feed Naala and talk babies with Sabine," Ezra suggested.
Reluctantly, Natasi rose and followed Ezra out of the pod. A group had gathered at the foot of the lopsided ramp. Corran and Mirax were already deep in conversation with the Skywalkers and Solos, while Tallulah had claimed their children.
"So many babies!" the Gungan girl squealed, beaming from floppy ear to floppy ear. She looked up as Natasi stepped out of the pod. Her mouth went round in wonder. A new kind of baby!
Whie stood beside her and turned when he saw Ezra and the Bwua'tus. "Welcome to Kyber!" He extended his hand in greeting.
Suddenly, Ezra realized he had made a serious error in the realm of Being Relations. No one in their group had shared anything about Natasi's past with the Malreauxs. Whie naturally assumed that the fear radiating off of her was due to their current battle and her dangerous flight. Wanting to help, he was reaching out to her in the Force, sending her waves of calm.
Ezra reached out- with his hand, not the Force- and caught Natasi's wrist just in time to keep her from ducking back into the pod.
"It's all right, Natasi. He's a friend." Her uncanny ability to recognize subtle Force-use might have protected her in the Imperial days of Inquisitors and Sith, but could well mean her death if she refused to leave the damaged pod.
Still holding Natasi firmly by the wrist, Ezra sent Whie a pleading Stop! through the Force. Whie dropped his hand, his brows knit in confusion. Tallulah hurried to the ramp, intent on meeting the Bothan children.
"Hi, I'm Tallulah," she knelt to be on eye level with Niasi and Eramuth. "What are your names?"
Natasi gasped. "Don't touch my children! You're a Jedi, too!" She struggled to pull free from Ezra's grasp. "Let go of me!"
Ezra groaned. Some Gungans are just a little too friendly. "Tallulah, why don't you take care of Valin and Jysella for now and maybe Mrs. Admiral B. will introduce you to her kids a little later?"
Crestfallen, Tallulah returned to the two small Horns. Valin had found a stick and was playing Jedi, while Jysella was inspecting a large purple leaf with a view to putting it in her mouth. Tallulah confiscated the leaf, picked up the little girl and turned a watchful eye on Valin.
"Come on, Natasi. You'll feel a lot better after some rest and caf," Ezra soothed.
"I don't drink caf. Let go of me!"
"How about some tea, then? And I'll let go if you promise not to go back into the pod. It's not safe."
"All right, I promise. Tea does sound good."
Ezra let go of her wrist and led her over to Whie. "Natasi, I'd like you to meet Whie Malreaux, former Padawan of the Old Jedi Order, soon to be Master in the new one."
Whie raised an eyebrow at this revelation. Ezra continued, "Whie, this Mrs. High Grand Admiral Nek Bwua'tu, but we usually just call her Natasi." He hesitated, seeking the right words. "Natasi was orphaned and taken by the Empire when she was very young. She's been through a lot and been hurt by a lot of people…including Dark-side force-users. She's very brave and smart and a valued member of the Alliance, but…"
"I'm terrified of Jedi and Darksiders and, well, of the Force, too," she finished for him. Her eyes had gone glassy and her lips pale as she stared at Whie. Another Old Order Jedi. She knew he could sense her horror, but she couldn't stop it from coursing through her. Yantahar wrapped his arms around his mother and held her tightly.
Luke and Mara joined them. "Hello, Natasi," Luke greeted them, "Hi, boys!"
"Hi, Master Luke and Mara!" Yantahar released his mother and took her hand. "I've been practicing. I can't wait to show you!"
Mara smiled at the enthusiastic boy. "We'd love to see what you can do. But first, we have to finish with these droids, I'm afraid."
Yantahar nodded, looking around. "We can't let them have this planet. It's wonderful. So strong with the Force, even my mother can feel it."
Natasi shivered. "It reminds me of Vjun. Lord Vader took me there once. He said it was steeped in the Force."
"The dark side," Whie murmured softly. "I was born on Vjun. My people attempted to manipulate the Force through science and ended up destroying themselves. Kyber is strong in the Light."
Ezra's comm chirped in his pocket. "Yes, Coco Bean?"
"We've got incoming. ETA is ten minutes. You'd better get ready."
"We're on it. I'm sending Natasi and the kids to you for now. Love you, Bine."
"Love you more, Loth-cat."
Switching off the comm, Ezra pointed to his ship about 50 meters away. "Natasi, you need to get your kids to the Loth-cat now. Mirax, you and your kids are welcome there, too. And Yantahar," he added in his best Nek Bwua'tu impression, "call on the Force if you think it will keep your mother and siblings safe."
"Don't worry, I promised Da I would take care of Dearest."
Ezra looked to the sky. "Jedi, we have a battle to win."
Notes:
I guess there's more than one way to fly a ship, at least in the Star Wars world! I have changed a lot of Natasi's storyline, but I kept her being orphaned (except I have the Empire being responsible) and part of her time in Imperial service. In the Fate of the Jedi series, it seemed to me that part of her problem was a fear of the Jedi. I figured that she had mostly interacted with Vader, Palpatine, and the Inquisitors, so it would make sense that she thinks Force users generally use their powers for harm. Of course, if anybody can help her, it would be Ezra! In the next chapter, we'll get back to the battle, and see what else Namah has planned.
Chapter 28: Flying Saucers
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The Jedi returned to the Hill and took up their positions, now with the addition of Corran.
"You know," Luke peered up at the sky. "I wonder why Agati doesn't just blow this whole planet and take the kyber. Surely, he has the resources."
"Perhaps he has guessed the significance of the Hill," Ezra mused. "I have never known a place so strong in the Force."
Mara gestured upward. "Look!"
Three ships, round and flat like saucers, glided silently towards the Jedi. They had seen the ships in the Bothans' scans, but the spies had been unable to identify anything but a hyperdrive, a nav computer and an engine. Everything else was a mystery.
The saucers slowed as they approached, a soft white glow blooming from their smooth undersides. Ezra gasped as a wrenching pain engulfed him. Around him the other Jedi fell to their knees. Luke held Mara close and Whie tried to shield Talisbeth from a danger they did not comprehend. Ahsoka curled protectively around her unborn baby, her hands pressed over her montrals in a feeble attempt to block the painful vibrations.
"Rex!" she managed to moan into her comm.
The Clone captain was already on his way as another massive contingent of droids wafted down from their accompanying transports, armed with synthetic lightsabers. He battled his way through the droids as they launched their attack with blade and blaster.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Ezra threw out his hand in Force-push. The first line of droids wobbled. Luke leaped towards his attackers and found his jump carried him only about a meter. Reaching out, Dev Force-tossed a droid, making it skid backwards a few centimeters.
"It's a Force-dampening field of some kind," Whie ground out. He ignited his lightsaber and swung it at the nearest droids. Two fell; a third parried his blow.
All the Jedi were on their feet now, fighting hand to hand in spite of the crushing weight bearing down on them. Rex reached Ahsoka's side as she struggled to stay on her feet. He secured a noise-cancelling device over her montrals to protect her sensitive hearing. She kissed his cheek in thanks and cut down a droid with her lightsaber.
"Good work, Little U'n! No clankers are going to beat us."
The sound of blaster fire erupted from the Falcon's gun turrets, leading their ships in a desperate attack on the saucers. Han and Chewie stitched line after line of laser fire across their hulls but their shields held.
"What are those flying saucers made of?" Han complained into his comm.
"Bring one down and we'll find out," Leia replied.
A satisfying explosion lit the sky as Han finally scored a hit. "Wahoo!" he cheered, watching the saucer began to list heavily, bleeding smoke and flames.
With the pressure eased slightly, the Jedi slowly pressed their enemies down the hill, centimeter by centimeter.
"Dev, look out!" Luke dove to his young friend's side as a droid slipped up behind him. Its blade slashed down into Dev's side before Luke sliced it in two.
"Thanks, Master." The two fought side by side, slicing up more droids. The last line of droids was proving stubborn.
Another round of blaster fire split the air. The Jedi had backed the droids into their ships, where Poppy and the other Clones were making quick work of them. With several shots from his favorite blasters, Rex dispatched the last of the droids.
"That's for all my brothers," he declared with a firm nod.
Breathing heavily, the Jedi looked at one another. More droids would attack soon. Rex said what they were all thinking.
"We can't hold off many more attacks like that. Not with those Force-dampening flying saucers up there. We need a plan."
"Master Luke," Kyp ventured, "do you have any wisdom from Yoda or the other old Masters for our situation?"
Overhead, the sky darkened as more saucer ships appeared, along with two droid cruisers.
"I'm afraid not, Kyp. Anyone else?"
Dev leaned against the side of the Hill while Alora and Ezra prepared to bandage his wound.
"Dev, you're getting Force paint on your wound!" Alora frowned. "Will that hurt him, Ezra?"
Ezra leaned closer to study Dev's gashed side. "I would say not, Alora."
Dev touched his wound. Where the paint had come in contact with his skin, the gash was closing without even leaving a scar.
"Kyber has not lost its connection to the Force," Dev looked up at the other Jedi. "I don't know what Master Yoda would say, but I think we need to reach a little deeper."
Notes:
Rex has some thoughts about clankers, also known as tinnies. It's good the Jedi have the Clones to look after them, or they would have been in even worse trouble. At least Han was able to bring down one of the saucers. AND Kyber hasn't lost it's Force connection. We'll check in on Nek and the Lion Rampant out in Space in the next chapter.
Chapter 29: Space Battle
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"Sir, we can't hold this position much longer," Fionn Chiu'lan approached Nek Bwua'tu at his tactical screen.
Nek nodded. "Another direct hit and we will likely lose life support systems. Order evacuations for everyone except bridge officers. Send Grendyl to General Calrissian on the Alderaan."
"What about you, sir?"
"The Rampant will press the battle as long as we have functioning weapons, we will hold the gateway as long as we have a ship, and I will not leave while we have unfinished business." He stroked a small holo of his wife and children, displayed on his personal datapad. Of his 100 ships, only thirty still fought at full capacity. Hundreds of droid ships still hammered his fleet, despite many of them taking damage. By falling back to the gateway, he had prevented any more of Agati's vessels from entering the Kyber system. He fervently hoped and prayed that his men could hold fast for five more minutes.
"Is it hopeless, then, Admiral?" His aide Grendyl joined him, peering over his shoulder at the picture he was holding.
"The Alderaan is coming alongside to pick up the escape pods. You will be safe, I promise." He would have liked to explain the situation fully and truthfully to the loyal woman, but uninvited ears were listening as well.
Grendyl indicated the image on the datapad. "Do you know if they made it, sir?"
"I tracked them to Kyber. They've landed but the fight is likely not going well. My uncle just sent me an update from the spynet on Agati's fleet. They have decoded information on those saucer-shaped vessels. They are carrying technology that interferes with a being's ability to connect with the Force, presumably based on the Ysalamiri."
Agati could hear that much. He must have at least suspected that the Bothan spynet had been watching him. What he did not share was the rest of the encrypted message regarding the situation on Coruscant. Senator Belden and his Coruscanti-native aide, Victor Dorvan, had courage, intelligence and virtue. The Galaxy was in their debt.
Nek consulted his chrono. Three minutes. "Grendyl, it's time for you to take your leave. I hope we shall meet again. May the Force be with you."
Tears welled in her eyes. "Goodbye, Admiral. It's been an honor."
She hurried off and Nek watched her pod leave, not turning away until Lando's ship pulled the pods to safety. One minute.
The bridge bucked as a laser strike hit its mark. Perfect. Nek smiled at his wife's picture. She would love this.
He stepped from the tactical station, still holding the datapad.
"Fall back," he ordered his helmsman. "The fleet is lost."
"Aye, sir," the stunned Mon Calamari pilot began guiding the battered ship into the Kyber system.
"Give me the fleet," he ordered his communications officer. He spoke into the comm. "All ships in this sector, fall back into the gateway."
Nek watched the split display on his datapad with growing satisfaction, then began a silent countdown as Agati's ships moved after his limping fleet into the narrow passageway. 5…4…3…2…
Ten gleaming vessels emerged from the hyperspace lane and streaked across the dark expanse.
"Yes, Senator Agati, the fleet is lost. Yours, not mine." He slid a card into the datapad's reading slot. The screen flickered, displayed a read-out in binary, then went blank. A small puff of smoke curled from its edges as the split-screen slowly returned.
"Sir!" Chui'lan grasped the pad, frantically scanning the bridge for the regulation fire extinguisher.
Nek tugged his pad free from the other Bothan's grasp. "Don't be alarmed, Fionn. Agati slipped a digital tap into our network on one of his S-fighters. Doubtless, he expected me to discover it once it embedded in my personal pad and return it in the typical Bothan way so that he could use it against us. Instead, I let him listen. Now that Hera and the Mandolorians are here, I decided to disable the tap."
Hera's little fleet was closing fast. In the middle, the Ghost led two colossal Lasat ships and seven massive Mandalorian Destroyers. As they reached the space battle, the larger ships slowed and fighters poured from their hangers. The small ships formed up on the Ghost and began an attack run.
Nek spoke into his fleet comm again. "All ships, open fire. Saucers and S-fighters priority targets."
Trapped in the confines of the corridor, Agati's fleet had little room for evasive maneuvers. The remaining vessels of Nek's fleet soon arrived on both sides of the trap, bolstering the rain of blaster fire.
Returning to the display in his tactical station, Nek sighed with relief as light after light indicating enemy vessels winked out. If he and his men had to die, they would sell their lives dearly. They would exchange them for one thing- a safe galaxy for their families and planets.
Pressed from behind and before and entrapped above, below and on both sides by the impenetrable barrier, Namah knew only his intelligence could save him. Once again, he had underestimated the Bothan. He could not understand how the man could have such strong emotional attachments and antiquated notions of honor and yet display such tactical genius. If he had sent the tap back as Namah had expected, the invisible circuit would have been complete. He would have then been able to rig the Lion Rampant's powerful engines to malfunction and explode. Somehow the Bothan had discovered the trap and set one of his own.
Namah had no time to waste considering how his enemy had gained the upper hand. All that mattered now was wresting it from him.
The droid fleet at Kyber had located both the Jedi Order and the strategic extraction site. Predictably, the former was guarding the latter. The Ysalamiri ships, modeled on the lizards' unusual ability, had successfully disrupted the Jedi's connection to the Force and it was now only a matter of time. Their deaths would create a disturbance in the Force that would allow him to breach Kyber's final defenses and extract its treasure. He would control the Force and, by extension, the Galaxy.
No more disorganized Republic. No more idealistic fools. No more smug Force-wielders. And all he had to do was reach Kyber.
He needed an opening. He typed commands to two dozen of his droid-guided missile ships. Lock on target Lion Rampant. While Bwua'tu's flagship was clearly not as damaged as the Bothan had wanted him to believe, it was severely compromised. He only needed two or three missile ships to score hits, momentarily incapacitating Bwua'tu and his crew. Once he was through, his droids would handle the rest of the rebellious fleet. Soon, there would be more than enough to crush his pitiful foes.
Two impacts registered on his readout. Keying one hundred of his best ships to follow him, Agati punched his systems to lightspeed and dove under the Rampant. Blaster bolts lit up the void behind him, taking out several of his rear ships but falling short of his command ship. He streaked through the gateway with his droids behind him.
He was through.
Adrenaline coursed through Hera's body, wildly animating her lekku.
"He's through," Alexsandr spoke into the comm from his seat in the gun turret.
Hera did not answer. With her heart in her throat, she couldn't speak. Agati was on his way to destroy not only her chance to see Kanan but also her precious son and Rebel family.
She reached for her comm and had to swallow twice before she found her voice. "Zeb, Din, I'm going after Agati. Clean up here and meet me when you can."
"Acknowledged, Lady Syndulla. I will leave six of my fighter groups here and lead one group to Kyber as well. I'm not going to let him hurt Grogu."
"I'll leave my second to finish up here and take one of the small fighters," Zeb insisted.
"All right. Let's go." Hera angled the Ghost towards the gap where Agati had slipped through. Nek Bwua'tu had, probably by sheer willpower, returned his massive Star Defender to its former position, filling the entryway like a cork in an Ewok bottle.
"Nek," Hera spoke into the comm again, "The Ghost is coming through."
It was a statement, not a request.
"Ten," the Admiral answered simply.
Hera pushed her engines almost to lightspeed, following along with Nek's silent countdown.
9….8…7…6…5…4…3…2…
On one, the Lion Rampant swung up and back, just enough for the Ghost to slide under. An electric tingle passed over Hera's body as the Ghost's belly brushed the other-worldly barrier. Then they were through and she knew Nek would be counting up.
2…3…4…5
The space behind her blossomed with color as Lasat fighters and X-wings blasted several droid ships that foolishly attempted to follow the Ghost.
6…7...8
Hera watched her rear display, hoping that the Admiral wouldn't drop his ship back into place while a Mandalorian fighter remained underneath. While she understood the need to hold the passage, the thought of a comrade being crushed by a friendly vessel sickened her.
9…10
The last fighter tumbled forward, end over end, its own acceleration augmented by a hard slap on the rear from the Rampant. The pilot got his ship under control and Hera increased her velocity to full lightspeed. The Mandalorians and Zeb followed her, streaking through the black void of space towards the glowing Kyber sun and the shimmering planet orbiting it.
Hera fastened her determined gaze on the distant world.
Hold on, Baby. Mama's coming.
Notes:
Hera made it! Space-Mom is on her way to Kyber!
Also, Namah should know better than to try to out-sneaky a Bothan. They're the textbook definition of "sneaky". He did get through Nek's barricade, though and that's not good.
Chapter 30: Deeper
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Dev was right. The Jedi needed to reach deeper- deeper into the Force, deeper into their connection to the Force and deeper into the well of strength in the planet Kyber.
"We need the ships to keep up a covering fire to buy us a little more time," Ezra explained to Han, Sabine, Rex and the other Clones over his comm. "I wish we could extend your shields. I know we can do this, but we're running out of time."
As he spoke, Ezra sunk to his knees to join the other Jedi in meditation.
"Can't your droids do something to help?" Natasi's hesitant voice came over the comm.
"Droids? You mean Artoo and Threepio?" Luke frowned. "I'm not sure what more they can do."
"No, the other ones. I don't know their names. The Jedi droids."
"You mean Solis and Fidelis?" Ezra was both puzzled and fascinated. Jedi droids? What had she noticed about the droids that an entire group of trained Jedi had missed? "What makes you think they're Jedi droids?"
"They …feel like your lightsabers," Natasi explained.
"Really?" Ezra addressed the droids. "All right, you two, 'fess up."
Solis and Fidelis shared a glance but did not speak.
"Fidelis, Solis, have you been keeping secrets?" Whie studied his two footman droids with new interest.
"Fidelis cannot answer you, Master," Solis dipped his metal head. "It is against our base programming to reveal the secret. But since most of my base programming was altered or destroyed, I can share the secret with you." He hesitated. "Please forgive me for not revealing it sooner. We thought you would be displeased. You see, we owe our unique capabilities to a hidden kyber crystal."
"A kyber crystal?" Rising, Whie stepped to the droids and patted their shoulders. "I can see why you wouldn't want to tell me and why your makers wouldn't want their secret known. Fidelis," he gazed into his old friend's photoreceptors, "can you use the crystals to help us in some way? Perhaps create a barrier or shield?"
"We will see what we can do, Master Whie," Fidelis answered, bowing slightly.
"I have noted an affinity between our crystals and the crystal in the planet," added Solis.
The droids moved to the center of the Hill and stood facing each other. They raised their hands and a soft glow began emanating from their palms.
Whie rejoined the circle of meditating Jedi. "Have you considered the possibility that your little friend might have some mild, passive Force sensitivity?"
"We've suspected as much," Ezra admitted. " Thrawn says she does. But we can't test her with frightening her. She's made some progress towards healing and we don't want to make her regress. Maybe someday she'll be ready."
He couldn't imagine the depth of terror that passively sensing the perverted power of the dark side had caused Natasi. As much as her family and friends would like for her to find peace in the Force, none of them were willing to coerce her.
The glow from the droids grew and an answering glow sprang up from the ground. Solis and Fidelis lifted their hands, flinging the glow upwards. It stretched into a thin sheet, then spread over the Hill.
"We've enhanced our rather minimal shielding capabilities," Fidelis explained. "Let us hope it will hold until you have completed your task."
The Jedi did not respond. They heard his words only dimly as they sank into Kyber's reservoir of Force strength. Above them, the sky grew darker as the fleet grew closer. Fighters poured from the larger vessels. The dampening field's pressure increased with the additional ships and the Jedi battled to keep their concentration.
Blasts ricocheted off the glowing shield as the first line of fighters swooped low, firing. Ground troops rushed the Hill only to be repulsed as the shimmering sheet of energy destroyed their circuits.
The Jedi reached deeper, through the swirling colors to the radiant light of the Force. Farther and farther still they stretched until they could almost touch the brilliant core of the planet. Almost.
We cannot reach it, Whie spoke into their meld in heart-rending tones.
Not on our own, agreed Luke.
It's going to take all of us, Ezra finished.
He stretched out again in the Force, his diminished connection bolstered by the kyber as he surrounded his wife and children with love. Gently, he touched Yantahar and the Horn children, then brushed Eramuth and Niasi, whose latent Force sensitivities were only just beginning to manifest. Reluctantly, he stroked little Naala suckling at her mother's bosom and hoped that Natasi would not panic. With one final sweep, he caught up Grogu and called the children to him. Around him, he could sense Luke, Mara, Leia and Ahsoka calling their children into the bond as well.
Natasi pressed her lips together tightly, battling the scream that threatened to escape her. Naala continued to drink, but her soft body was unnaturally relaxed, her green eyes glazed and half closed. An uncontrolled shiver passed over Natasi and she held her baby tighter. At the back of the cockpit, her three boys sat in lotus position, holding hands with their eyes closed.
Ezra Bridger believed all four of her children had at least some Force sensitivity. Her worst nightmare was coming true before her eyes. Please the Creator, it was not so.
"Natasi," Sabine's voice broke into her fearful reverie. "Ezra would never hurt you or your children. You must know that."
"I know," she whispered in reply. But what her head knew had no bearing on what her heart felt. As she tried to form her terrified thoughts into coherent spoken words, Yantahar rose.
"I need to go to the Hill, Dearest. Everyone the Force has touched must go."
His brothers stood, joining him. Violet- Meadows hurried over to them, followed by Grogu. Sabine's eyes filled with tears.
"Ezra's calling us. We need to go."
Valin tugged his sister to her feet and two walked solemnly to stand with the little cluster of younglings.
"They're so young," Mirax murmured. "They can't fight!"
"They won't have to," Sabine assured her. "But the situation must be desperate for Ezra to call them. There's no other way to save them."
Two Clones popped their heads through the door. "We'll go with you."
Punch and Clide took protective stances on either side of the group of younglings. Mirax quickly joined them. Sabine stood to follow.
"Come on, Natasi. We all need to go."
Naala finished her meal and unlatched. Slowly, Natasi refastened her dress and rose. The Clones led them out of the White Loth-cat and swiftly into the safety of the shield, which expanded to cover them. The sky was filled with the looming ships and the afternoon air was heavy with burden of the approaching conflict.
"It has come," Natasi heard Ezra say. "The deciding moment is here."
Notes:
Ezra is being... a little overly dramatic: "The deciding moment is here." But it does look like we're going to need all of our Jedi, no matter their size. And maybe Natasi's little bit of passive Force sensitivity that I decided she should have. I'm a teacher with a Special Education background, so I sort of think of Force sensitivity in Special Ed terms- "mild, passive Force sensitivity". After all, if I had a little Jedi in my class, I'm pretty sure he would need some special accommodations (or maybe even modifications). Six more chapters to go! (And maybe a sneak peek at the sequel that might happen eventually.)
Chapter 31: The Factory
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"We are still listing, sir," Chui'lan stepped to Nek's side. "We are functioning at 12% of our capacity. One more hit and we will be dead in space."
"Thank you, Chui'lan." Nek consulted his datapad. His remaining defenders had taken serious damage as well. The Mandalorians and Lasats had evened their odds, but even so they were still outnumbered nearly five to one.
Nek turned to the viewport. To conserve power, all magnifiers and enhancement panes had been deactivated. He was relying solely on his datapad, wireless computer and trusty first mate for information.
According to all three sources, his forces were still outnumbered five to one, despite having destroyed hundreds of small fighters and dozens of larger vessels. Something was wrong. He had missed something, somewhere. Shortly after Hera had brought the Mandalorians and Lasats, the enemy's numbers had been smaller, according to his data.
Nek scrolled through the data on his pad and a disturbing pattern soon became evident. Agati's numbers dwindled, then increased. Then they increased again. He raised his eyes to the transparisteel viewport once again and his gaze fell on one particularly large, well-armored transport. A cold prickle ruffled the fur on the back of his neck. He recalled his Uncle's grumbled jest as they had battled Agati's commandos. Was that a transport or a factory?
Staring out at a vast swath of space littered only with the remains of his ships, he realized the truth. The vessel he saw was both a transport and a factory, recycling the remains of damaged or demolished droid fighters and turning out new ones. And they had not been able to penetrate its shields even once.
"Chui'lan, we must destroy that transport. Designation DT-311."
The first mate cocked his head. "Certainly, sir. As you say."
"It's a factory. Turning the remains of ships into fresh fighters."
Chui'lan blinked. "That would give them quite an advantage, sir."
"I need you to hold the gateway until I return."
"Sir?"
"The bridge is yours, Fionn. May the Force be with you." Nek tucked his datapad into his belt and hurried towards the nearest door. If his calculations were correct, the mobile factory would be soon be pouring out another batch of droid ships. There was little time.
Reaching the first hangar bay, he donned a flight suit and climbed into his personal fighter the Warrior. It was a small, unassuming ship, at first glance similar to an x-wing. But a Bothan Skean was packed with far more surprises: seven powerful lasers, an assortment of proton torpedoes, a projectile thrower and, most importantly for his purposes, a compact but powerful tractor beam.
"SK-101, prepared for exit," he spoke into his comm.
"Admiral!" An alarmed voice replied. "Sir, you can't go out there. We can't risk losing you!"
"Would you prefer to risk my censure?" Nek returned coolly.
"No, sir. My apologies, sir. You are cleared for departure," the ensign stammered. "Please be careful, sir."
Nek smiled grimly and accelerated through the portal. In the void, he flicked his scanner on. He would have one chance. Gliding out from the limited protection of the Rampant, he guided his fighter to a nearby melee. His men were acting on his orders, destroying the S-fighters with practiced efficiency.
Now he needed them to leave one intact.
As he neared the battle area, he saw what he had subconsciously noticed all day. Fragments of droid vessels and even some of his own ships drifted slowly away from the fight. At least, they appeared to be drifting. In actuality, the rebuilding ship was dragging them in with wide, slow moving tractor beams.
Nek's alarm screeched a warning. An S-fighter had assessed him and found him a worthy target. Idly, he wandered if the droid's programming had recognized his rank or if it was merely responding to his ship's enhanced capabilities.
He angled away and down, giving himself more room to work. The droid followed with its single-minded focus on killing its enemy. He slowed, allowing it to close.
Then he struck.
The Warrior's powerful tractor beam grasped and immobilized the S-fighter. He drew it closer, firing a stun blast to render it helpless. He had plans for this monstrous killing machine.
With his prize secured, Nek accelerated towards his flag ship. Activating his magnetic clamp, he landed on the Rampant's underside and began giving orders to his astromech. The S-droid's inner workings were unlike anything had ever seen but, thanks to his cousins' data and schematics, he was able to make slow, steady progress. At last, he had the droid under his control.
Activating it, he released it from his tractor beam. He guided it through the raging space battle, then let it drift to keep up the ruse. From all outward appearances, the S-fighter was dead in space.
Something tugged on the ship, pulling it slowly but inexorably towards the rebuilding ship. Nek let it go. The droid ship had taken the bait.
Hera peered out the Ghost's viewport. "Kanan would have loved this place," she whispered, more to herself than Alexsandr.
"I guess that's why Ezra saw him here," Alexsandr agreed. "We'd better get busy if we're going to stop Agati."
Behind them, Saba hissed her readiness, thumping her massive tail on the floor. Hera opened a comm channel to the other ships.
"Let's hit the back of Agati's formation, try to pick off as many droids as we can. Are you ready?"
"Ready and waiting," replied Din. "We'll form up on the Ghost."
"Let's go already," Zeb yelled.
Hera waited briefly as the fighters gathered around her in a loose, staggered formation. Saba and Alexsandr took up their stations in the gun turrets. Hera opened the comm channel once more.
"May the Force be with us."
Hovering in the clear sky of Kyber, Namah watched the main body of his fleet sweep in for the final attack on the weakened Jedi. He could see them far below, kneeling in a group, probably trying to call on the power of the kyber. They could try all they liked. Their efforts would be too little, too late. Their deaths would shake the Force, allowing him to bend the crystal to his will. The plan was nearing completion. Soon, the Galaxy would be his.
Notes:
We'll end on that ominous note, for now. Thank you to everyone reading, commenting, or leaving kudos! I wrote this story a couple of years ago, while I was finishing my Master's, as a sort of self-therapy. It makes really happy to see readers enjoying it. Thank you all!
Chapter 32
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Together with their younglings, the Jedi reached out to the kyber. The Force energy within them combined and stretched out. Every Force sensitive individual was drawn into the meld. Their energy brushed the power of Kyber, almost connecting. The assembled Jedi reached out again. Ahsoka's unborn baby girl stirred within her, stretching out in the Force.
"We did it!" gasped Kyp as a warmth and light flooded their meld. They had connected with Kyber's strength. The Force energy began to flow up through them.
"We're not through yet," Ezra cautioned. "We have to keep drawing on Kyber's Force energy."
"You've got it, 'Soka," Rex squeezed his meditating wife. "Keep up the good work."
Kneeling next to Ezra and Sabine, Natasi moaned softly, "No, no. I don't want this."
The flowing energy had found her a fitting conduit and poured into her, both frightening and soothing her.
"You're all right, Dearest. The Light won't hurt you." Yantahar wrapped his arms around his mother.
Ezra put his hand her shoulder and she managed to give him a tremulous smile, submitting herself to the Will of the Force. Ezra knew that the flowing Force energy would heal her physical wounds, but her mental and emotional healing was only beginning. She had taken the first step on a long journey to wholeness.
The Force energy surged upwards, gathering at the planet's surface and pooled in the Jedi. They pushed it up and out. The energy did not move.
"Something's wrong," whispered Dev. He slipped a protective arm around Alora as the droids closed on the Hill. Agati's ships filled the sky from one horizon to the other.
"This is a tremendous amount of energy. We need to work together to focus it," Luke instructed.
Falling deeper into their meld, the Jedi wrapped the energy around themselves and shoved it towards Agati's fleet. The energy still did not move.
"It's trapped," surmised Mara.
"We're not going to move it that way," Corran agreed, "We brought it to the surface, but something else is needed to set it free."
"Wait a minute!" Sabine's eyes lit up. "Remember what Solis said about their krystals? Their kybers can connect to the big kyber at the heart of the planet."
Whie sprang to his feet and drew his lightsaber. "I see clearly now. I am Kyber's Guardian and it is for me to set the power free."
Whie ran towards the highest point of the Hill as the next line of droids closed to in-atmosphere firing range. Their laser bolts filled the sky and covered the shield with crackling light.
"The shield is holding," Fidelis assured everyone through the din of laser fire.
Reaching the crest of the Hill, Whie ignited his lightsaber and plunged it into the center of the painting, piercing the Loth-wolf's painted chest. Light gushed up through Whie's body. Silently, he dropped to his knees, still clutching the hilt of his lightsaber.
Overhead another wave of droids joined the attack, adding small but deadly proton torpedoes to the barrage of laser fire. One well-aimed torpedo struck close to the droids. The shield wavered.
"That shield can't take much more," Han shouted to be heard. "You Jedi better do your thing quick!"
In response, Luke and Leia lifted their hands, followed by the rest of the Jedi. The energy flowing through Whie pulsed with unfocused power, bending him lower.
"It is too great," he murmured. "I'm sorry, my Love."
At his words, Talisbeth fell softly on the painted grass, unable to walk or move. The light around Whie grew, forming a circle. Luke, Ezra and Ahsoka caught hold of it but could not keep it in their grasp.
Talisbeth lay on the grass watching her husband. "If only I could go to him," she whispered.
"Walk to him, you can and you must," a voice spoke at her side.
"Master Yoda!"
"For you, the time to walk has come."
A dozen questions formed on her lips but she swallowed them all. Instead, she rose and stood. The solid ground felt strange beneath her feet and for a moment, she feared that she had forgotten how to walk correctly. She eased one foot forward and then the other.
One step. Two steps. Three steps. Then she was running to Whie's side.
When she reached him, she ignited her own lightsaber and plunged it into the ground so that it crossed Whie's. The pulsing light spread up and out, flowing over the gathered Jedi in focused, powerful waves. It rushed through Talisbeth until she was almost overcome. She was dimly aware of a cheer from her friends and children and the arms of her beloved husband closing around her. Then she knew no more.
Ezra spread his arms and laughed in delight as the beautiful light beams danced around him. His merriment was interrupted by the flickering of the embattled shields. Turning his attention to their situation, he saw Whie still kneeling by the crossed sabers, clutching his wife's lifeless form to his chest. By his side stood a familiar figure.
"Well done, Whie Malreaux," Master Yoda gently poked his former student in the side. "Called up the kyber's energy you have and opened a portal. Join you, we will."
From the center of the light, more figures appeared. Kanan Jarrus, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Yaddle, Shak Ti and Kit Fisto stepped onto the Hill. The Old Jedi had come to join the New.
"Master," Ahsoka waved, "I'm so glad you're here!"
"Good to see you, too, Snips. Rex, I have a few questions for you about my Padawan." Anakin looked meaningfully at the little Torrents and Ahsoka's rounded middle.
"Is that our grandfather?" Ben Solo spoke in an awed whisper.
"I sure am," Anakin smirked. " I need to have a talk with your father about my daughter. He's better be treating her right."
A third wave of ships began pouring commandos and enhanced laser fire onto the Hill.
"I hate to interrupt this family reunion," Obi-Wan spoke up, "but these Jedi have a job to do."
Yoda addressed the New Order Jedi. "Defend the Heart of the Galaxy, you must. Support you, we will."
"Master Yoda," Whie's voice was a strangled moan, "can you heal Talisbeth? I can't bear to lose her."
"Entrust her to the will of the Creator, you must. Time it is for you to stand and fight."
Wordlessly, Whie kissed his wife and laid her on the ground in the shelter of a nearby tree. As he stood, the Hill shook. The shields crackled and came down.
Notes:
Well, the Jedi did their thing, and now we have Yoda (also Kanan- if Hera can make it down, she will get to see him)! But Scout is unconscious and maybe dying and all Yoda has to offer Whie is some Jedi wisdom. I mean, Yoda is right, but that make it any easier on poor Whie. :(
Chapter 33: A Fighting Chance
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The S-fighter glided under the transport and disappeared. Nek waited seven seconds, then used the controls he had rigged to accelerate the fighter to lightspeed. It burrowed through the heart of the transport, exploding just as it reached the top. The mobile droid factory burst into a satisfying conflagration, disintegrating from the inside out.
Nek's view of the burning ship was cut off by a squadron of S-fighters making for the Lion Rampant. Two Rogue pilots swung out in a wide loop to follow them and two of the droids disappeared in a flash of light. The two Rogues were badly outnumbered and no other fighters could come to their aid.
Detaching from the Rampant, Nek floated half a klick before accelerating into the lead S-fighter's path. Two bursts of laser fire reduced it to scrap and three of its squadron mates soon joined it. The Rogues opened fire again, leaving only five.
Nek rolled in a loop, locking his targeting computer on another S-fighter. A flash of laser fire from the Warrior and the X-wings further reduced the droids to two. Nek dropped his Skean to follow them and flew into a blinding light.
The S-fighters had found their target.
Nek keyed on his comm as the darkened Rampant began a slow roll. "Chui'lan, evacuate all personnel. The Rampant may be lost, but she will stay make her final stand."
"Yes, sir. Sir, with your permission, I would like to remain aboard."
"As you wish, Fionn." He paused, adding, "For duty, honor and the right."
"For duty, honor and the right," Fionn repeated.
Nek flipped the switch to power up his tractor beam. The beam caught his flagship, halting its precarious roll. Nek typed a command to lock the tractor beam, then watched as his scanners reported escape pods being picked up by his other ships.
His fleet now stood a fighting chance of overcoming Agati's rear guard. To let any of the droid ships slip through the barrier now was unthinkable. As long as his tractor beam held, the Rampant's dead bulk would effectively continue to plug the hole. As long as his tractor beam held.
"Don't worry, sir, we'll keep the droids off you," Wedge Antilles' voice came through his comm. Nek looked up. His proximity alarm bleated a warning as a swarm of droid fighters filled his viewport.
Flashes filled the dark void of space as the Mandalorians flitted among Agati's ships. Hera watched the droid ships explode. She would have taken a grim satisfaction in their demise if hundreds more had not been pouring towards the little planet below.
"This is it!" Hera called. "You might want to strap in now."
Without further explanation, Hera pointed the Ghost straight at Kyber and started to corkscrew through the droids. Saba and Alexsandr cleared a path for her mad dash to the planet. Behind her, the Mandalorian fighters fanned out and began picking off droids in the flanks of Agati's fleet as they plunged into the atmosphere. Leaving the rear-guard action in their capable hands, Din Djarin joined the Ghost, flying on its starboard while Zeb took the port side.
Through the mass of droid ships, Hera's scanners picked up four ships transmitting as friendlies, along with multiple life forms. Hera's heart picked up speed, matching her ship. Somewhere down there, her son was fighting to save the Galaxy, just as his father had before him.
"Alexi!" she shouted towards the forward gun turret, not bothering with the comm. "I need a clear path NOW!"
"As you wish," he replied through the comm. Laser fire lit up the thin upper atmosphere. "Your word is my command, my Lady," he added more softly.
Forcing herself to focus on weaving through laser fire and droid ships, Hera bit down on her lower lip as her lekku tensed. Beyond nicknaming him "Alexi" -simply because Twi'leks generally preferred shorter names- she had done nothing to encourage Alexsandr's infatuation. She certainly did not return his affection. He was simply her occasional co-pilot and gunner, and performed both duties skillfully.
She hoped Kanan would understand. She had not forgotten him. She never would.
A group of droid ships broke off their attack run on the Jedi and turned to fire on the Ghost. Twin bursts from the forward cannon vaporized them, a demonstration of Alexsandr's skill.
Hera tightened up her corkscrew and dipped the Ghost's nose. The planet rushed up and droid ships rushed by in a dizzying swirl. Some were disintegrated; others missed. A few scored hits. The Ghost's shields held.
Breaking through the ranks of droids, Hera spotted the brave band clustered on the painted Hill. A bright light rose from the highest point, refracting into a rainbow. Standing in the glow of the rainbow were several more figures.
A soft squeal escaped Hera's lips and she clapped her hands together, momentarily forgetting the steering yoke. Chopper beeped a warning and Hera quickly pulled her vessel back on course. Her gaze remained riveted on the refracting light.
Kanan!
Notes:
Hera saw Kanan! And she almost crashed. Kallus's crush on Hera is little weird, and it really isn't very nice of the author to make him be in love with her, when I know I have absolutely no plans to let her reciprocate. I don't know if Hera will ever be ready to move on, but I am not ready for her to move on. ;) She really ought to find happiness with someone else, but.... Kanan. So, poor Alexi is stuck. Although, Zeb's girlfriend, Sal, has a twin sister named Tas that Zeb would be more than happy to set him up with. (They are the kind of sisters who share everything, so Tas tries to come along on their dates. It's awkward.)
Also, we had a Rogue pilot appearance! Wedge wedged himself into the story. :)
Chapter 34: The Outcome
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Whie lifted his hands, gathering the pulsing, luminous energy. A blast rocked the Hill, striking dangerously close to the now unshielded band and shaking the rock where Grogu perched.
"Daddy Mando!" he wailed piteously. "Help!"
"Trust the Force, Grogu," Ezra reached out with one hand to pat Grogu's head, while his other hand grasped the light.
Another droid ship banked close to the Hill, its cannon glowing red as it targeted Grogu's rock. A flash lit the sky as the droid disintegrated and a Mandalorian fighter swept through the debris.
Grogu whooped in delight, clapping his hands and hopping up and down. "He come! Always come."
Ezra smiled at the little green toddler, then joined the other Jedi as they lifted their hands in imitation of Whie. Grogu paused in his wild dancing to help. Closing their eyes and spreading their fingers, the Jedi gathered the warm radiance and sent it flowing.
The light swept upward in gently undulating waves, washing over them as it spread.
Namah watched his years of patient planning finally coming to fulfillment. Everything was working out perfectly, in spite of a few setbacks. Very soon his enemies would no longer be a problem. It was time to finish.
He keyed in a command and several rear ships broke off, leaving the Mandalorians to his S-fighters. The rest of his assembled forces swarmed the Hill. The Ysalamiri ships drew up in a tight formation.
An alarm bleated on his command console. His Factory Transport had been destroyed. He scowled, then reminded himself that it was only a minor inconvenience. He had more than enough ships for his task.
A second bleat closely followed the first. Lion Rampant dead in space, the message read. That was more to his liking. Down below he could see that the powerful shield held aloft by the two remarkable droids had fallen.
His victory has come at last.
Namah launched the powerful, targeted missile from his command ship. After the missile eliminated the Jedi, the crystal would be unguarded and vulnerable. While the Force echoed with the deaths of the Jedi, his ship's massive kyber harvesting unit would break through the surface and extract the planet-sized crystal. And then….
But first, the missile had to finish its work. It flew straight on its course and ran headlong into a swirling mass of color. Namah blinked. The color glided on, surrounding his droid ships. On his control panel, lights winked out faster than he could count. Within seconds, half his ships had been swallowed by the wave of light.
It wasn't possible! His ships could not be defeated by some colorful light. He had defeated the Force. Hadn't he?
The wave rolled on and his viewport was suffused with color. It slipped into his ship, enfolding him in its brilliant hues. His surroundings faded away. He heard a Voice, soft but strong.
At last, Namah Agati understood. He was a creature, not the Creator. He could never be greater than the One who made him.
Nek Bwua'tu knew his fighter's tractor beam could not hold his flagship indefinitely. Around him, the battle was grim. He had given his men a fighting chance when he destroyed the floating factory, but it was little more.
"Admiral," Lando Calrissian's voice crackled over his comm, "you've got to get out of there. We'll find another way to plug that hole."
"There's no time," Nek replied, picking off an S-fighter just before it launched itself at him. "And I need the Alderaan out there fighting, not hanging on to the Rampant."
"I'm sure we could spare a cruiser," Lando reasoned.
"General, you have your duty and I have mine. Let's both attend to them."
Before Lando could voice another protest, tendrils of color seeped around the edges of the Rampant, wrenching the ship from Nek's tractor beam. A flood of light poured through, refracted into every color imaginable. It stretched and spread, flowing out and surrounding the battling vessels.
Lasers vanished in mid-flight and the light wrapped around the droid ships, immobilizing them. The ships went dark and the hostile red lights on Nek's console began to disappear. The color curled around the three star destroyers still following Agati.
Nek's comm beeped.
"Grand Admiral, this is Captain Lorric of the New Day. Please accept the immediate surrender of our star destroyers and cease this attack!"
"I'll accept your surrender, but I am not the source of the color wave that has overcome you. Turn yourself over to Captain Doren of the Ewok Princess and perhaps you will be spared."
Switching frequencies, Nek hailed his fighters. "The battle is ours. Well done, lads. Report to your ships. Squadrons of the Rampant and the Braveheart are temporarily reassigned. General Calrissian will handle the reassignments. I will need the Kenobi to tow the cruiser Braveheart back to port. We will rendezvous at Ruwelyn in five days. Bwua'tu out."
"Hold on, Admiral," Wedge interrupted before Nek could turn off his comm. "Rogue Squadron is not running off and leaving you dead in space.
"Captain Antilles, that was an order, not a suggestion." Nek maneuvered his fighter back towards the listing Rampant.
"Sorry, sir. We're called 'Rogue Squadron' for a reason, sir." Lieutenant Hobbie Klivian joined the conversation without bothering to wait for an invitation.
Nek aimed his bow at a hangar and glided in. "If Rogue Squadron chooses to flaunt my orders, I will be within my rights to have all of you whipped, thrown in the brig and dishonorably discharged."
He switched off his comm as he brought his ship to a landing, wondering if the Rogues knew how long it had been since any Republic serviceman, Old or New, had been whipped for disobeying orders. Regardless, their response would be an interesting study.
Popping his hatch, Nek climbed out of the Warrior. His first mate was waiting for him, dressed in full life-support gear, including magnetic boots.
"How does she look, Fionn?"
"Not good, sir."
"Can we get her flying? Enough to collect my family and make it home?"
"We can try."
"Then let's get to it."
Nek bent to double check the magnetic clamps that held his fighter to the deck. As he straightened, twelve X-wings dove through the hangar door. The small ships settled down, engaging their own magnetic clamps.
The Rogues popped out of their X-wings and clattered silently to the floor, all sound swallowed by the void of space. Wedge approached the Admiral and saluted.
"Well, sir, you'd better get your cat-o-nine-tails ready. But first we're going to fix this ship."
Notes:
This chapter title is a little bit of a spoiler, but you did have to read it to find out who won. :) Namah's end is anticlimactic on purpose. I didn't want to get graphic, and it also seemed fitting. You might notice that his POV scenes involve a lot of introspection. When he talks, he's either lying or giving orders to his droids, so we mostly see the real Namah through his thoughts. I guess he died the way he lived. Except that now he knows that he is a creature, not the Creator. (I have tried to weave a little Biblical truth into the world of Star Wars.)
And of course, the Mando came for Grogu. I'm not sure if Grogu sensed him in the Force or he just always shouts for Daddy Mando when he's in trouble. Either way works. I can see him yelling for Daddy Mando when he gets in trouble at Jedi school, to be honest.
Grogu, sitting in a time out chair: "Daddy Mando, help!"
Luke: "Grogu, your Daddy wouldn't let take a bite of Gungan classmates either, even if they do look like frogs."
There are two more chapters left, plus a sneak peek at the possible sequel! I like an ending where everything is wrapped up, so that's what I've tried to do here.
Chapter 35: Jedi and Babies
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Ezra stood watching as the living color engulfed the mass of enemy ships. The sound of laser fire and star ship engines ceased and silence washed over the Hill. In the distance, a familiar ship settled in the blue grass.
"Wow!" Violet-Meadows murmured, standing next to her father. Ezra scooped her up and turned his attention back to his friends. His gaze swept across the group and lingered on Whie.
Whie sat under a tree, cradling his wife's limp body with Solis and Fidelis hovering behind him. Ezra joined him, kneeling in the grass.
Master Yoda stepped forward and placed his hand on Whie's shoulder. "Great strength you have shown, Whie. To entrust Talisbeth to the will of the Creator, right it was but not easy."
"Master Yoda," Whie's voice was barely audible, "can't you help her?"
The little green creature's eyes filled with tears of sympathy. "Out of my hands, this is."
"Master Ezra?" Jai pleaded as he stood near the tree with Pan. "Can you do something?"
"Anything you can do for her, we will appreciate," Whie agreed.
"I'll do what I can. I'm more of an animal healer than a people healer, though." Ezra placed his hand on Talisbeth's head, silently calling on the Force.
"Ezra," a gentle voice spoke from behind him, "I think it's up to the Force now."
Ezra looked up at his master. "I know I'm not supposed to try, but I have to do something."
"Ezra?" Another voice spoke his name. "Is that- is he- is it really?"
"He sure is. Padawan Jacen Syndulla Dume, I'd like you to meet Jedi Knight Caleb Dume. Better known as Kanan Jarrus. Your father."
"Hello, son. It's wonderful to finally meet you." Kanan hesitated for a brief moment, then stepped forward and gathered his son into a big wolf hug.
"Kanan!" A streak of green and orange flashed through the blue grass and Hera joined her son in Kanan's embrace.
"Hera." The Jedi tenderly kissed his beloved.
"Dad," Jacen asked when his father finally released his mother, "are you a Force ghost?"
"No, I'm real. It's hard to explain. It's a little like the World between Worlds- a place where the physical world and the Force world meet."
"I don't care how it works," Sabine hugged Kanan as Hera took Cerulean-Skies. "I'm just glad you're here."
"I think the Force-paint has something to do with it." Ezra eased Talisbeth into his arms, seeking to strengthen her fading Force presence.
"Me paint!" Violet-Meadows pulled her bark painting out of a pocket and held it up for Hera's inspection.
"That's good, Honey." Hera patted her head. "Let's show Kanan."
"Wofe-tat," she explained as Kanan examined the painting.
"A Loth-cat, of course," Kanan smiled at her. "You're so much like both your parents. I know they're proud of you."
He handed the painting back. Violet-Meadows tilted her head, her little face scrunched up in thought. Running back to Ezra, she tucked the bark under Talisbeth's right hand. "Dat help," she asserted.
"Maybe it will," Ezra agreed.
"Master Ezra," a fourth voice called his name. "Look!"
Ben Solo hurried across the grass, with his family following.
"What do you have?", Ezra asked.
Ben lowered a small bundle, wrapped in his little cloak. A tiny baby opened blue-gray eyes to gaze up at Ezra.
"I found her over there in the grass. Near the lightsabers." He indicated the two lightsabers still sticking in the ground at the center of the Hill. "Uncle Luke said I should show her to you."
"What do you think?" Luke approached with Mara by his side and his father in tow. "The Force is strong with her. I think she has some connection to the Force portal."
Ezra's blue eyebrows drew together in concentration. "The portal and the paint. Did you notice that it's gone?"
"Not all gone," protested Violet-Meadows, pointing to her painting.
Ezra and Luke shared a smile.
"Your father meant to say that most of it is gone, Violet-Meadows," Luke agreed.
Natasi slipped between the gathered Jedi. "Wherever she came from, she is clearly in need of some care." She cast an apprehensive glance at Anakin and the other Jedi from the Force world, then reached down to take the baby. "I'm sure she needs to eat."
"We can handle that," Mara agreed. "Our babies won't mind sharing."
"That's no ordinary baby," Anakin stood with one arm around Leia and the other around Ahsoka. "And not just in the way my kids and grandkids are special." Anakin gaze Leia a gentle squeeze.
"I think she is one of the Force Fairies." Ezra looked down at Talisbeth, a thought forming in his mind.
"A Force Fairy?" Natasi stared at baby in her arms and then at her own children. "You… you mean like a changeling?"
"It's all right, Natasi," Ezra assured her. "The Force Fairies don't want your kids. The baby is a special gift."
"So I can keep her?" Ben asked eagerly.
"I don't know about that," Leia replied. "But when she gets older, I'm sure you two can play."
Ezra's thoughts formed slowly into an idea, while the mothers began discussing how they should care for the baby girl.
"I have some extra milk I was keeping in our freezer unit for Persis," Ahsoka said. "She really doesn't drink much of it anymore. Rex, I know our ship took a hit or two. Is the freezer working?"
"It is now, but I had to route a lot of power to the shields during the battle. I don't know if the milk's still good or not," Rex admitted.
Alora and Dev approached with Persis riding on her sister's hip. "It's not, Mum. I was going to give Persis some in her baby cup just now and had to throw it all out. We got some fresh juice instead, didn't we, Persis?"
Anakin looked from his former padawan to his former captain. "You know, Rex, you really should have asked my permission before you married Ahsoka. But I guess you've made her happy. And you take good care of her and the kids."
"Thanks, General. As for asking your permission, well, you were a Sith Lord at the time."
"Then we'll just feed her the natural way, or else use fresh milk," Mara suggested, ignoring the men's banter. "Unless one of you other ladies has formula or a supply of frozen milk."
"I don't." Sabine kissed Cerulean-Skies' soft head. "This little one likes to eat 'the natural way', too."
"Neither do I," Natasi shook her head. "Baby Bothans won't take bottles." She began adjusting her shawl to feed the baby when Ezra interrupted.
"Natasi, would you bring the baby over here for a minute?"
Glancing nervously at Whie, Natasi reluctantly approached and knelt beside Ezra. With a soft coo, the baby reached out and brushed her tiny fingers over Talisbeth's lifeless arm. Ezra gasped as warmth flooded the cold body he had been holding. Talisbeth's eyes fluttered open.
"Whie."
"I'm here, Beloved," Whie took his wife back from Ezra and held her close. He pressed his fingertips to her forehead. A moan escaped her pale lips. Lifting her still functional right hand to his chest, she raised pleading eyes to him.
"It's no use, Whie. My body is too weak to receive your strength."
"Talisbeth," Whie whispered brokenly.
"Your sacrifice, this is," Yoda plodded around Whie and stopped in front of Talisbeth. "The Guardians of Kyber, you are."
"Yes, Master Yoda." Talisbeth slowly moved her head to look at the Jedi Master. "And I was willing." She turned back to her husband. "Don't be sad, Whie. I still have you and the children- and this new little one."
Talisbeth stretched out her hand and brushed her fingers across the baby's hair, leaving streaks of color from Violet-Meadow's painting. The little girl squealed with delight as the Force paint sparkled in her hair.
"I think you two are meant to keep her," Luke sat down beside Ezra and Natasi. "She is a child of Kyber and you are its Guardians."
"Maybe they are, but she still needs to eat." Natasi slipped the foundling under her shawl.
"Don't worry about that," Solis spoke up. "We are well equipped to care for an infant."
"We discovered that one of our native animals gives milk that is a fine substitute," Fidelis explained. "Mistress Talisbeth was not able to feed Master Jai for very long after he was born."
"They take care of babies, too," Han griped to Leia. "Why can't we find one of those instead of Goldie?"
Anakin frowned at his son-in-law. "Threepio can take care of children. I gave him the programming."
"He's probably better than Chopper," Ezra added, earning an indignant beep from the droid. "By the way, Natasi, where's your baby?"
With a small smile, Natasi inclined her head and Ezra followed her motion. Tallulah was seated in a clump of wildflowers with both Jysella and Naala perched in her lap. While Naala waved her pudgy arms in delighted abandon, Jysella plucked a large flower. Before the bloom could enter the little girl's mouth, Tallulah gently claimed it and fastened it in the toddler's hair instead. Around her, Valin, Wani, Rorric and the Bwua'tu boys tumbled in the grass in a friendly wrestling match as Ashlan, Coryn and Miisha looked on.
"I…think it is all right," Natasi lifted the now sleeping infant. "Tallulah is taking good care of them."
Trembling slightly, she leaned forward and placed the baby on Talisbeth's bosom. "I can feed her again later, if you like."
"Thank you," Talisbeth angled her head down to kiss the baby's downy hair as she clasped her with one arm.
"She needs a name," Anakin pointed out. "I think you should call her Padme. After all, a fairy is kind of like an angel."
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan shook his head. "You are shameless."
"Master Skywalker is right." For the first time, Whie turned his attention fully on the man who had destroyed his world. The man who had nearly killed Talisbeth. As their eyes met, it was plain to see that Whie had truly forgiven. "I don't think that Padme is the right name, though."
The rest of the company gathered around, suggesting names.
"Her name has to be special and meaningful," Ezra mused. "Kind of like Violet-Meadows and Cerulean-Skies."
"I know." Ben Solo spoke up. "She came from the big rainbow light, so her name should have something to do with rainbows and light."
Talisbeth glanced down at the color still smeared in the baby's hair. "She's like a rainbow, like a beam of refracted light."
"Yes," Ezra continued the thought train. "A sunbeam. A ray of light. A ray. Rey!"
"Rey," Talisbeth repeated. "Rey. That's perfect! Don't you think, Whie?"
"Our Rey of sunshine. I love you both." Whie kissed first Talisbeth, then the baby.
"That's great name," Luke agreed.
A shadow fell over the Hill as a balloon shaped Lasast fighter and a Mandalorian fighter swooped in for a landing at its base. Grogu shrieked in delight, running as fast as his little legs would carry him. An imposing helmeted figure ran to meet him.
On the side of the Hill, they met and Din Djarin scooped his foster-son up in his arms.
"Hey, you little womp rat! I missed you."
"Daddy Mando! You came."
Zeb climbed out of the Lasat fighter with his fiancée, Sal and her twin sister, Tas. He crested the Hill in several long bounds and jumped in to join the family reunion.
"Kanan, is it really you?" he shouted.
"It's not really him," Ezra replied as Zeb smothered Kanan in a hug. "You're just going crazy, that's all."
"Oh, yeah?" Zeb playfully smacked Ezra in the head.
"You two can squabble later," Kanan interrupted sternly. "I'm glad you're here, Zeb. The portal is going to close soon."
"I wish I could go with you," Hera clung to her Jedi's arm.
"One day you will, when the time is right. This is not the end, I promise."
"Don't leave me again." Hera's voice was a pain-laced whisper.
"I have to go, Hera. And you have to stay, for now. You have people who need you in this world. Jacen, Ezra, Sabine, Violet-Meadows and Cerulean-Skies." Kanan shot a meaningful glance at Alexsandr, who was watching from a respectful distance. "Please don't bury your heart because of me."
"I could never love anyone else the way I love you." Tears pooled in Hera's eyes, spilling down her cheeks.
"I love you, too. I'll see you again someday."
Under the tree, Yoda embraced Whie and Talisbeth, poked Luke with his stick and patted Grogu on the head. Yaddle held her nephew in a tight embrace.
"I love you, Grogu," she murmured.
"A good boy, you should be," Yoda added. "Proud of you, we are."
Anakin and Obi-Wan hugged the twins, Ahsoka and their families.
"Bye, kids," Anakin waved a hand, "everybody take good care of everybody else."
Kanan kissed Hera one last time as Kit Fisto called out, "Come back and see us again soon!"
They were gone.
Hera collapsed on the grass, sobbing uncontrollably. "I've … lost him… again. I…didn't realize …it …would be… this hard!"
"I know it's hard. Just let it all out." Alexsandr rubbed soothing circles on her back as she cried. Gradually, her sobs slowed then finally stopped.
"Thanks, Alexi. I guess you heard what Kanan said, but don't get any ideas. He's still the only man I'll ever love."
"I know." He helped her to her feet. "Doesn't stop me from loving you."
Hera shook her lekku. "You are certainly stubborn. Sal," she called to the Lasat woman, "you and Zeb have got to meet our new baby. I know you two will want to hold him. He looks just like Ezra!"
Notes:
I went a little crazy in this chapter. I don't know what else to say about it, I except I like it and I hope you enjoyed it. One more chapter!
Chapter 36: A New Adventure
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Nek gazed through the Lion Rampant's viewport at the planet Kyber as he waited for Luke to transmit landing coordinates for his shuttle. Using parts scavenged from Agati's droid ships, Nek, Fionn and the Rogues had made the Rampant operational. The communications system had not fared well and he had only been able to send a brief message to his Natasi assuring her that he was alive and well and on his way.
A soft musical note announced that his computer had received the coordinates. He flicked on the still spotty comm.
"Coordinates received. You have my gratitude. We will be enroute within ten standard minutes. Rampant out."
He sent the coordinates to his shuttle. Making his way quickly to the nearest hangar bay, he was met by Chui'lan and the Rogues.
"With your permission, sir," Chui'lan said, "I would like to remain with the Rampant to ensure that she stays in good working order.
Nek chuckled. "Fionn, I need to find you a wife before you become permanently bonded to this ship. You may stay. And you can keep the Rogues, too."
"Hobbie and I would like to accompany you, just in case there are any droid ships still lurking out there," Wedge countered.
"Perhaps I need a demonstration to remind everyone that I am, in fact, in charge here," Nek replied, entering the hangar and heading for his shuttle.
Hobbie groaned. "Not the whip again, sir."
"I don't think you're taking my warning seriously, Lieutenant. Maybe I should have you lashed after all." He turned to Wedge. "Captain Antilles, if you can keep your insubordinate subordinate under control, you may accompany me."
"But," he added as he keyed for entry to the shuttle, "I think I'll bring the whip, just in case."
"The Admiral's on his way," Luke informed the little group gathered around him in the Malreaux's parlour.
"And I suppose you want me to volunteer to talk to him about Natasi?" Ezra sat in the middle of his Rebel family, one arm around Sabine and the other around Hera.
"I was thinking a small group should approach him," Luke revised. "Maybe us, Leia and Ahsoka."
"That would be wise," Ahsoka agreed, looking around at the others. Rex sat beside her. Seated near Luke, Mara and Leia completed the group.
"I think it's a good idea, too," Hera offered. "You need to be careful, though. Nek can be a little protective of Natasi."
"A little protective?" Leia laughed. "I'm surprised he didn't make us sign a legally binding contract when he sent her here."
"He trusts us," Ezra returned. "He just took your word for it that we'd keep her safe."
Han poked his head through the door. "Hey, Ezra, you better come move your red-headed stray before the Admiral accidently flattens her."
"She's not mine! And I'm pretty sure she knows to get out of the way of incoming shuttles."
"Yeah, well, I don't know about that," Han retorted, "but I'm pretty sure that you're responsible for her until Bwua'tu shows up to claim her. You're the one who got her out of the Maw, after all."
"The great Darakaer, come to life out of ancient Irmenu legend," Sabine teased her husband.
"Hey, it's not my fault she thought I was her people's folk hero," Ezra protested. "At least it helped her trust me."
"I think we should all go," suggested Leia, fighting a smile at Ezra's expense. "We can wait with her and talk to Nek when he arrives."
The Admiral's shuttle glided to a landing at the base of the Hill. As the ramp lowered into place, Natasi rushed to greet her husband.
"Natasi!" Nek swept her up in an exuberant hug, kissing her warmly. He glanced down at her empty shawl. "Are you letting one of the Jedi watch Naala?"
"Yes, she wanted to play."
"That's wonderful, Heart's Dearest. Apparently, you are getting along with the Jedi just fine."
"Yes, she is." Luke stepped forward. "In fact, we would like to talk to the two of you about it."
"I have important news for you Jedi as well." Nek led Natasi down to the blue grass, where his three sons joined them. After returning their boisterous greetings, he continued. "In my shuttle, I was finally able to make contact with Ruwelyn and Coruscant."
He glanced over at Wedge and Hobbie, who had landed their X-wings near his shuttle.
"Then we will have a really important discussion, after you meet our hosts." Ezra indicated the Malreaux house.
Whie welcomed his new guests in the parlour while Fidelis poured chilled fruit juice. Tallulah appeared in the doorway with Naala balanced on one hip and several children trailing behind her.
"Look, your daddy is here," the Gungan girl cooed.
Naala reached for her father, jabbering loudly. "Da, Da, Da!"
Nek took his daughter and Tallulah led her gaggle of younglings off to play. "I'm glad you let someone you trust help you care for the children, Heart's Dearest."
"Does this mean that I get to hold her?" Hobbie asked eagerly.
"Nek said 'someone I trust,'" Natasi countered.
"I think Natasi is beginning to trust all of us Jedi," Ezra intervened. "That's what we wanted to talk to you two about."
Luke rose and walked to Natasi's side. "While we made our stand on the Hill, we had to call on the entire Jedi community. We reached out to the kyber in the planet's center and drew its Force power to us. The energy flowed through all the Jedi and it passed through all four of your younglings and…Natasi."
"You'll be pleased to hear that she handled it really well," Ezra added. He paused, glancing at Natasi. "If you two agree, we would like to test her and your three littles. With your permission, the younglings can begin learning when they are ready."
"What about Natasi? Would you want to train her?" Nek slipped an arm around his wife and pulled her close.
"We think she's passively Force-sensitive," Ezra explained. "If that the case, we'll develop appropriate sessions that will help her."
"What do you think, Heart's Dearest? I would like you to at least consider, but I will not force you."
Natasi looked down, twisting the shawl that usually held her baby. "I can't say I'm not scared. But I will try. And the boys and Naala- if they have the Force, they need to be trained."
Nek kissed her tenderly. "I'm glad, my Tasi." He straightened, handing her the baby and nestling her in his lap. "And now," he continued with a twinkle in his eye, "courtesy of your friend's incorrigible behavior, Master Skywalker I have a message for you from the Senate."
From his coat pocket, Nek retrieved a small holo recorder.
"But how," Luke indicated the device, "you said long range communications were out. How did Hobbie's craziness fix your comm?"
"Lieutenant Klivian, care to explain?"
"No, not really, but I will if you insist."
"Oh, I do."
"Um, well." Hobbie turned to Luke, "you know the Admiral can be pretty hard-nosed when he wants to. Lately he's decided that the only way he's going to keep us Rogues in line is a little old-fashioned discipline. Or at least the threat of say, a good whipping." Hobbie cast a smirk at his two superior officers "Turns out a Ruwelyn whip makes great antenna in a pinch."
Luke's eyebrows rose and Ezra smothered a snicker.
"Nek," scolded Natasi, "you wouldn't really have the Rogues whipped, would you?"
"They hope I wouldn't. But the whip did come in handy. It was on my console, just touching my comm so that I was able to receive this."
He flicked the recording on. Two young men, a Gungan and a human, appeared as miniature holograms, both dressed in the formal robes of senators.
Inclining his narrow head in slight bow, the Gungan spoke. "Greetings to you High Grand Admiral. Senator Belden and I have some exciting news wessa wishing for you to share with Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Firsts, hessa and all the other Jedi are cleared of all charges and all Jedi are free to go about their own business. No more rehabilitating."
"And," the human, Leia's friend and protégé Arni Belden, continued, "the newly reinstated real Senate unanimously voted to restore the Jedi Temple on Coruscant to the Jedi order as represented by Luke Skywalker. The Senate as a whole, and Senator Binks the Younger and I personally, would like to ask Master Skywalker to bring the Jedi Order back to Coruscant."
Nek tapped the button again and the holoimage vanished. "Well, Master Skywalker?"
"The Jedi Temple," Luke murmured reverently. "We could truly rebuild the Order."
"Nek, what happened in the Senate?" Leia asked, "I lost my long-range communication during the battle and we don't have it back up yet."
"Senator Belden and his aide, Victor Dorvan, uncovered proof of Agati's treachery. With the support of Senator Binks the Younger, they presented their evidence to the Quorum and the people. The people believed them and several senators were recalled by their home worlds to face charges."
"And now they want Luke on Coruscant." Ezra leaned forward and crossed his arms. "Probably the rest of us, too. That way, they can keep an eye on us. I don't like it."
Nek chuckled. "I'm sure you don't, small-planet kid. But I really think the Jedi should accept. There are many advantages to having the Temple on Coruscant. It worked well for the Old Order for over a thousand years."
Luke nodded. "I have meditated on this possibility for some time, considering what we should do if the Republic gave the Temple back to us. I believe we would be wise to accept. It would unify the Jedi and give us central meeting place and a training center. Of course, we would maintain a presence on other worlds as well. Lothal, for instance."
"Lothal had a Temple, too, you know," Ezra huffed.
"I'll need your help." Luke placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Rebuilding the Jedi Order is not a task for one alone."
"The Order and the Temple are not the same thing," countered Ezra.
"That's true," Ahsoka interrupted. "However, it would stand as a symbol of unity. Many Jedi would come to train. Maybe Saba and her hatchlings, and the others Hera found."
"Me and the boys will be glad to help with repairs," Rex offered. "I'll round up all the old Clones I can find."
Leia chimed in. "A strong Jedi presence on Coruscant would benefit the Order and the Republic. Of course, that doesn't mean all the Jedi and their families have to live there. I'm not sure having Han live in the Temple would be a good idea."
"Looks like I'm outvoted." Ezra rose. "So if everybody agrees, I would like to ask Pan, Tallulah and Jai to come with us."
"I would hope they will all come to the Temple," Luke agreed. "I'll ask them to join our discussion."
Whie entered the parlour with his wife in his arms, followed by Jai, Pan and Tallulah. The Gungan girl cradled a sleeping baby Rey.
"We have wonderful news, Whie!" Ahsoka beamed. "The Senate has agreed to give the Temple back to the New Jedi Order. They've asked us to come back to Coruscant.
"That is wonderful news."
"We're hoping you all will join us," Luke added. "After all, you two and Ahsoka know a lot more about the Temple than any of the rest of us."
Talisbeth lifted her head. "The Temple. I would love to see the Room of a Thousand Fountains again. But…" her voice trailed off.
"Perhaps a short visit, when Talisbeth is stronger." Whie hesitated. "Her life essence is bound up with Kyber now. But the children will go with you, if they are willing."
"The Jedi Temple," gasped Jai. "Of course, I want to go!"
"And, we would travel in a star ship," Pan almost giggled.
"Our children will be true Jedi Knights, maybe even Masters someday." Whie held Talisbeth more tightly. "What about you, Tallulah?"
The Gungan girl shifted from one foot to the other with her head lowered, before she looked up. "I would like to be a Jedi, too. But…I can't leave baby Rey yet. I'm sorry, Master Luke. I'm staying here for now." With a shy smile, she kissed the baby's head.
Luke approached her and placed gentle hands on her shoulders. "I understand. You will always have a place among us. We'll make sure we leave a working comm system so we can keep in touch.
"I would like to go you one better," Nek interjected. "On behalf of the Galactic Alliance of the New Republic, I would like to present the Malreaux family with a ship of their own, as a small token of our gratitude for their brave, selfless actions in the recent battle." Nek finished his speech with a small bow. "For now, I will leave one of my shuttles, with repaired comms of course. As soon as possible, I will return with something more appropriate."
A small flock of birds fluttered in the trees as the band of Jedi made their way back to their ships. The late morning sun glinted softly off the ships clustered at the base of the Hills. Whie, Talisbeth, Solis, Fidelis and Tallulah with baby Rey were gathered to watch their departure.
"Goodbye, baby Rey." Ben Solo patted the baby, who opened her eyes and cooed in reply.
With Talisbeth tucked firmly in his right arm, Whie raised his left hand in blessing and farewell.
"May your road rise up to meet you.
May the winds and rain be soft upon you.
May suns, moons and stars shine gently upon you,
Always lighting your way.
Until we meet again, may you be held in the Creator's hand."
The little company bowed their heads and boarded their ships, promises kept and farewells said. With the White Loth-cat in the lead, they lifted off for space. Ezra watched the instruments report the altitude until they broke free of Kyber's gravity.
In the velvet black of space, he turned to look back. Kyber gleamed, jewel-like, in the radiance of its sun. In his mind he heard the song of the kybers, the music reaching out to his heart from the Heart of the Galaxy.
"Ready?" Sabine placed her hand on his and he nodded. He entered the coordinates for the hyperspace jump to Coruscant. With his friends and family at his side and his Creator to guide him through the Force, it was time for a new adventure.
Notes:
It's a wrap! Thank you so much for sticking with me through this whole crazy story with way too many characters. I hope you are glad you took the time to read it. I think I got all the loose ends wrapped up and now we're ready for, as the chapter title says, a new adventure. It's going to take a lot of work and money to make the Jedi temple ready for "business" again. And with the group, we've got working on it, there's really no what kind of crazy trouble they'll get into along the way.
I will add the sneak peek soon and I would love to hear your thoughts about it!
I guess there is one detail left unanswered- would Nek actually use a whip on the Rogues? He's the only one who knows.
The Darakeer Legend is actually from SW Legends. It's part of my backstory for Natasi, in which she was part of Thrawn's forces and he sent her to the Maw (because of course he knows about the base there). Ezra found her and rescued her (sometime between seasons 3 and 4, I think.)
Again thank you so much for reading and God bless you!
Chapter 37: Lost Jedi Gold- Preview
Chapter Text
“It’s what a sales-being would call ‘a fixer-upper’”, Mara Jade Skywalker observed to her husband, Luke.
“We can do it.” Luke held his glowlamp higher, inspecting a dilapidated wall. “On Tatooine we’d consider this place practically move-in ready.”
“This isn’t Tatooine, Farmboy. The Government inspectors are going to expect the Temple to meet Coruscant standards.”
“How’s it going?” Ezra Bridger appeared around a corner in the hallway with his wife Sabine, his own glowlamp held high.
“That depends on who you ask.” Mara smirked at Luke.
“We can do it,” he repeated.
“What are we going to use for money?” Sabine asked, adjusting the shawl that held her sleeping baby boy, Cerulean-Skies. “From what I see, we’re going to need a lot of it. Not only has the Temple been empty for nine years, scavengers have been busy in here, too.”
“You girls worry too much.” Luke wrapped his arm around Mara. “Ezra and I can do most of the repairs ourselves. And Lando will know where to get good deals on all the stuff we need. A little money will go a long way.”
Mara looked at the Bridgers. “I thought Ezra had a big vet practice going on Lothal.”
“Oh, he does,” Sabine chuckled, “but he lets all the farmers pay him in Loth-eggs from their Loth-chickens. Honestly, I’m getting a little tired of eating Loth-omelettes everyday.”
“Bine, you know I only do that when they can’t afford to pay,” Ezra protested. “Look, Luke’s right. We can do this. We’ll fix; Sabine, you can paint, and Mara, you can get Talon Karrde and Lando tracking down some bargains. Rex is bringing a bunch of Clones to help, too. Plus, we have the Padawans. Trust me. We got this.”
Ezra carefully wrapped the bundle of wires in thick tape. He stood back, inspecting his work.
“I think we got it this time.” He gave Luke a thumbs up. “Let’s try it. “
Luke pushed the on button. The wire pulsed and glowed but this time, the power flow held steady. R2-D2 plugged into a droid socket and gave a satisfied beep.
“Yes!” Luke cheered as Ezra replaced the section of wall that covered the troublesome wires. “Let’s go see how the Clones are doing.”
“Good idea,” Ezra agreed. He and Luke had been working on the Jedi Temple’s power core, while Rex and the other Clones were busily repairing crumbling walls for Sabine to paint. “We should probably check on the Padawans, too, and make sure Kyp hasn’t dropped any more tiles and any more toes.”
They found the Clones in the council room.
“You boys are just in time,” Rex called. “This old room is ready for the loving caress of Sabine’s paintbrush, or it will be, just as soon as all the plaster dries.”
“It looks wonderful.” Luke turned, taking it all in. “Mara’s got some good deals on furniture from Talon Karrde, so we’ll have some Council chairs in here soon.”
“Um, Luke,” Rex shifted uncomfortably, “ I know we’re on a tight budget here, but, well… I remember how this place used to look, before. I just hope we don’t have to settle for a cheap imitation of what it was.”
“We’re doing our best, Rex, but we have to make the credits stretch.” Ezra rubbed his head. “We won’t get any more from the Senate until we start training. Even then it won’t be much. And we’ve used almost all our donations.”
“Hi, you two.” Sabine came through the door, sketchpad in hand. “I have some designs for the walls in here. I tried to find old holos, but Palpatine was pretty thorough. I mostly relied on Ahsoka’s memories.”
Ezra and Sabine’s three year old daughter, Violet-Meadows followed her mother through the door.
Ezra took the pad and held it where Luke could see. “I know you’ll do a great job, Cocoa Bean.”
“I help.” Violet-Meadows bounced up and down, waving a large paintbrush.
“We’ll find something for you to paint,” Luke assured her. “Maybe you can help with the Youngling classrooms.”
“Yay!”
“Bine, did you finish in the Room of a Thousand Fountains?” Ezra asked.
“Finished this morning. It should be about dry by now.”
A baby’s cry interrupted the conversation. Sabine hurried to get Cerulean-Skies out of the makeshift crib Ezra had fashioned from a crate. Cradling him in her arms, she rejoined the group.
“By the way, do you two realize what those fountains are going to do to the water bill? I know you want to recreate it for Ahsoka and Grogu, but I don’t think it’s in the budget.”
Ezra grinned at her. “Don’t worry about the water bill. Luke’s taken care of all our water worries.”
“Ookay.” Sabine eyed him suspiciously. “Do you want to show it to them now?”
“We sure do.” Ezra gave her a gentle squeeze. “Let’s go get them. Rex, do you want to come?”
They found Grogu playing with the other younglings, under Ahsoka’s watchful eyes. She stood and rubbed her rounded middle as they approached.
“Ahsoka, Grogu, we have a surprise for you two.” Luke scooped Grogu off the floor.
“Come, on, Gogu!” Violet- Meadows danced with excitement.
Ahsoka laughed. “We’re coming! Alora, would you watch the younglings for a few minutes?”
Rex and Ahsoka’s adopted daughter hurried over to take her mother’s place.
Ahsoka and Rex followed Luke and Ezra down the halls, until Ezra stopped at an intersection of two hallways. “Close your eyes, both of you. No peeking.”
Luke led them around the corner and down another hall. The door slid open when Luke touched the panel. Ezra gaze a silent cheer, then used the Force to trigger the to set the fountains in motion.
“Come through this door,” Luke instructed, “and now, open your eyes.”
Grogu squealed. Ahsoka gasped. She hugged Sabine.
“Thank you- all of you! It’s perfect. The walls are beautiful. The only thing missing is Master Yoda.” Tears pooled in her eyes. Rex took her in his arms, helped her sit on a smooth rock beside one of the fountains.
Grogu toddled around, then peered up at Ezra. “Need fwogs.”
“Frogs.” Ezra nodded solemnly. “Yeah, I knew we forgot something. Don’t worry, I’ll get you some nice Loth-frogs.”
“I think Leia has something to tell you boys first.”
Luke and Ezra turned at the sound of Mara’s voice.
“There you are,” Luke said. “What do you think of the Room?”
“It’s beautiful. Leia has some thoughts about it, too.” Mara snuggled up to Luke, their baby Ben nestled in her arms.
Leia stood in the doorway, eyebrows raised. “Hi, boys. I’ve brought an inspector and a message from the Senate.”
“An inspector?” Ezra’s eyes widened.
“You two did tell me you had the power core working yesterday, didn’t you? By Coruscant law, you have to have an inspection now.”
“Oh, yes. Yesterday.” Ezra looked sheepishly at the ground. “We had to do just a little bit more work on it today… but it’s working now!” He motioned to the bubbling, flowing fountains. “See?”
“Oh, I see.” Leia crossed her arms. “That’s what the message is about. The Senate wants those vaporators down from the roof by tomorrow morning. After that, you’ll be fined 1,000 credits for every day they’re still up there.”
“Vaporators?” Sabine’s mouth fell open. “Is that how you two got all this water?”
“We did it all the time on Tatooine,” Luke insisted, “I don’t see what the problem is.”
“The problem is that your vaporators are- and I quote- ‘marring the loveliness and grandeur of the Coruscant skyline’.”
“They’re providing the Temple with water at almost no cost,” Luke countered. “Don’t those Senators believe in saving money?”
Leia laughed. “Have you seen some of the budget bills they try to pass? Just be grateful you have a chance to take them down. Some of them didn’t even want to give you that.”
“Is it really illegal to have vaporators on Coruscant?” Luke looked sadly at the fountains.
“It is if they’re visible.” Leia moved closer to give him a reassuring pat.
“But they won’t work if they’re not out in the open,” he muttered glumly.
“General, I mean, Luke,” Rex stood, helping Ahsoka to her feet, “I think it’s time for a new strategy.”
“Rex, we’re talking about the water bill, not a battle,” Ahsoka teased.
“I know, but the principle’s the same. We have to work with what we’ve got.”
“What we’ve got,” Leia pointed out, “is less than 24 hours to take Luke’s vaporators off the roof.”
“Maybe we could make them blend in somehow, so they won’t ‘mar the skyline’,” Ahsoka mused, “Sabine could”-
She broke off with a gasp. “Another one,” she managed to whisper when the pain passed. “They’re getting closer together and stronger.”
“I think Baby Girl is on her way.” Rex reset the timer he was holding.
“We have power in the medcenter, but not much of anything else,” Ezra said apologetically.
“Nothing to worry about,” Rex assured him. “We’ve done this a few times before, you know. Do you want to go the ship, Little U’n?”
“Could we set up in here?” Ahsoka dipped her finger in a fountain. “I can’t think of a better place to have a baby.”
“Sure thing, Soka.” Rex scooped her up and put her back on the rock.
“Oooh!” Her body tensed with another pain.
Rex handed her the timer once the pain passed. “Keep timing while I get everything ready.” He thumbed on his comm. “Wolffe, Ahsoka’s in labor and she wants to have the baby in the Fountain Room. Can you and the Boys help me get the medical equipment off the Torrent?”
“We’ll help,” Luke offered.
“Thanks, boys.” Ahsoka managed a grin. “ I guess I have until dawn if I want the fountains going when the baby is born.”
Notes:
I hope you enjoyed this preview! If and when get the story finished, I will share it here and probably crosspost to fanfiction.net. The working title is "Lost Jedi Gold". Obviously, there are plot points not revealed in this chapter, since there has been no mention yet of "lost Jedi gold". We've picked up about six months after the end of Heart of the Galaxy (starting with Ezra and Luke working on the power core). I strongly doubt their going to pass the inspection, what with getting supplies from smugglers like Lando Calrissian and Talon Karrde and Luke and Ezra's Outer Rim ideas of "repairing". But maybe Ahsoka's baby girl will be born before they have to take down the vaporators, at least. (Spoiler: Her name is Padme!) Of course, Luke thought they were a good idea. :) Rex's feelings about the new Jedi Temple are inspired by the Biblical book of Ezra, when the Israelites rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem and the older people who remembered the first Temple cried. (Yes, Biblical Ezra helped rebuild the Temple of God, so it makes sense that Star Wars Ezra helps rebuild the Jedi Temple.)
Thanks again for reading!
Megagnura on Chapter 1 Fri 03 Jan 2025 02:11AM UTC
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FaithannG on Chapter 1 Fri 03 Jan 2025 02:57AM UTC
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FaithannG on Chapter 1 Sat 04 Jan 2025 05:34PM UTC
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FaithannG on Chapter 1 Sat 04 Jan 2025 05:55PM UTC
Last Edited Sat 04 Jan 2025 06:16PM UTC
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samc2000 on Chapter 3 Fri 03 Jan 2025 06:33AM UTC
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eligap101 (Guest) on Chapter 5 Mon 06 Jan 2025 08:28PM UTC
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