Out of the Shadows 7

Coruscant – Corridor outside the Senate Chamber

 

Han Solo plastered a genial smile on his face and walked casually past the departing guests and out into the sunlit, marble tiled corridor. He was certain that he’d seen Talon Karrde in the audience. He quickened his pace, hoping to catch the man before he disappeared. The crowd thinned out and Han could see the elegantly attired smuggler chief talking to a smartly dressed woman. Han ignored the woman – she wasn’t Leia. “Karrde,” he said loudly as the tall, smartly dressed figure turned and began walking towards one of the exits. “Talon Karrde,” he repeated jovially. “I thought it was you.”

 

“You thought correctly,” Talon Karrde said dryly turning around. “Hello, Solo.” He extended his arm and shook Han’s outstretched hand warmly. “Long time.”

 

”Yes – it has been a long time,” Han agreed. “Years. Wasn’t it during some all-night blaster fight with some ship thieves at the spaceport on Artis VII?”

 

“Good memory.” Karrde’s eyes widened at the recall. “I’d forgotten that. Not one of my finer moments.”

 

“Nor mine,” Han admitted. “I spotted a ship at the spaceport the other day and I wondered if it was the Wild Karrde.”

 

“We saw you.”

 

“Oh! You’re still in the business?” Han queried, drawing Karrde into a quiet alcove, wondering why he should have felt surprised that his interest had been noticed. There were New Republic personnel about and, even as innocent as it was, he didn’t want his conversation with Karrde to be overheard.

 

“Of course – I enjoy it…and you?”

 

Han quirked an eyebrow. “You’re one of the most intelligent men I know. Do I need to answer that question?”

 

Karrde chuckled. “No.”

 

“I’m sure you have complete files on all of us and no, I’m not what I once was. Hell, I still miss it but I wasn’t making it pay as you probably would have guessed. My last er…sojourn at Jabba the Hutt’s as a carbonite wall ornament put me off smuggling for life.”

 

“I can understand that, although becoming a General in the Rebel Alliance could also be construed as foolishness.”

 

“Some things are worth fighting for.” Han glanced back in the direction of the senate hall. ”Or perhaps some people.” He gave a rueful smile and rubbed his hand across his forehead. “Karrde…you still in the information gathering business?”

 

Karrde’s pale eyes became more intent. “In what way?”

 

“I know you have a lot of contacts – places and people off the beaten track. I need information and I’m willing to pay for it.”

 

“Of course, but…”

 

Han glanced over his shoulder and lowered his voice. “I can’t talk now. Hey there, sweetheart,” he said brightly as Leia approached, serene in a blue gown with an off-white over-tunic, her hair drawn back from her face in an intricate style of coils and braids. “You finished quicker than I expected. Leia, this is Talon Karrde.”

 

Talon bowed before taking Leia’s hand and kissing it. “Your Highness,” he murmured, staring at the beautiful face up close for the first time, taking in the intelligence that shone from her dark eyes and the wary reserve of someone who found it difficult to trust others at face value.

 

“Talon Karrde,” Leia said politely. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

 

“All good I hope,” Karrde replied smoothly.

 

“It’s certainly intriguing,” Leia confessed, liking the cultured looking man that stood before her. He didn’t fit the image of a smuggler chief. But she had learned long ago to look beyond appearances.

 

Captivated by the presence of the woman before him, Karrde murmured, “I have some mementos of Alderaan that I collected in my travels. I wondered if you might accept them.”

 

“Things from Alderaan…” she said tremulously. “I am trying to gather these memories together for my…my people. We can never bring Alderaan back but I would like to remember her.” Leia lifted her head. “We must meet to work out terms.”

 

“I would give you these as a gift,” Karrde said, surprising himself. He didn’t usually do acts of charity.

 

“That is most kind of you but I think perhaps I can see a use for your services and if we have a mutually agreeable contract between us…”

 

“Your Highness, I think you have a deal.”

 

“I would be grateful if you do come across…in your travels…artefacts from my lost home…”

 

“I will contact you tomorrow to arrange a meeting.”

 

Leia, a smile on her lips, glanced at Han who was shaking his head in disbelief. “Come on, Highnessness. Karrde…we’ll be in touch.”

 

Karrde nodded and stepped back to let Solo and the princess leave but as they did so, Leia felt something and she couldn’t describe what it was – an instinct – a feeling? Could it be the Force at work? Without Luke to guide her it was difficult to tell but, as Han kept telling her, she had to trust her own instincts. They had guided her well in the past. She turned her head and met the sharp green gaze of a beautiful woman with red-gold hair. Leia stretched out her fledgling Force senses and got a sharp shock as barriers slammed against her. Leia wasn’t sure what had just happened but she would meet this woman again. She was certain of it and there was one more thing that gave her pause – Leia was sure that the woman could use the Force.

 

“Sweetheart?”

 

“It’s nothing, Han,” Leia said as she let Han lead her away from Karrde. But just as they reached the exit doors Leia glanced over her shoulder and observed Talon Karrde and the woman leaving together by one of the side exits. Who was she and why did she seem so familiar?

 

“Are you going to set up a meeting with him?”

 

“I might – if his contacts are as good as you say they are,” Leia murmured.

 

“They’re the best.”

 

“He wasn’t what I expected.”

 

“No. But that is Talon Karrde.”

 

“Who was the woman with him?”

 

“Woman?” Han said, brow furrowing as he tried to remember. “What woman?”

 

“There was a woman with him.”

 

“Can’t say that I noticed.” Han grinned roguishly. “But then I only have eyes for you.”

 

“Nerf,” she muttered rolling her eyes.

 

“And I thought I was being charming?”

 

“Charming nerf then,” replied Leia dryly.

 

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Two days later, Leia Organa sat in the tiny office she been allotted for use in the temporary headquarters of the New Republic Government. The city and the galaxy were in a mess and the very least of her problems was somewhere to rest her head and do her work in peace.

 

“Incoming message for Princess Leia Organa,” See-Threepio intoned solemnly. “And I have your afternoon refreshment.” He was taking his duties as Leia’s temporary secretary during the Lady Winter’s absence very seriously indeed.

 

Threepio was trying to do his best but it was times like these that Leia missed Winter, her companion and friend from childhood. Winter was on a mission for the New Republic and not even Leia had any idea where she was. General Cracken had said it was on a need to know basis and better that Leia did not know. ‘Does he think I would forbid Winter to go?’ Leia thought. ‘She’s an adult and even I know that she’s good at her job. Having a perfect memory would indeed be beneficial.’

 

She smiled at the golden protocol droid as he tottered stiffly into the office carrying a tray with her customary caf. “Thank you, Threepio. Leave it there,” Leia said as she cleared a space on her crowded desk for the tray. She needed to get a proper secretary. Threepio did his best but…

 

As the droid shuffled out, Leia picked up the message chip lying on the tray and inserted it into the player. The picture shimmered into focus and a thin-faced, serious woman with yellow bird-like eyes began to speak.

 

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness. I am Iloncka Yashek, Head Librarian at the Praesitlyn University Library. Seven days ago we found a sealed wooden box in one of our back storerooms which we believe to have been the property of the Jedi.”

 

Leia paused the holo recording. It had to be a sign.

 

Two months ago Leia had woken up alone in her cabin on some New Republic cruiser, the name of which she couldn’t even remember and vowed not to be alone any longer. It had also been just days after a horrendous fight with Han over some minor noble who had paid Leia a bit of attention – treating her as a woman for once rather than a political droid. It was then, tired and alone, she had missed her brother’s presence more than ever. But she would not search for him unless she was sure his life was threatened and not once had she felt Luke’s demise in any shape or form. How she wished that Han could be as convinced as she was that Luke was well and happy and would return to them soon.

 

Leia reached for her mug of caf and let the welcome flavour of the brew filter through her - real caf instead of the watery substitute they’d had to drink while on the run from the Empire. She started up the recording again.

 

“I am not an expert on the Jedi,” the woman paused and held up something in front of the holo-imager. “But I am sure you recognise a lightsaber? There are six contained within the box - plus books, storage rods and other such data devices.”

 

Leia pressed her com unit. “Threepio, I want you to get the Praesitlyn University Library…no, wait!”

 

“Wait, Mistress Leia?” Threepio’s tinny voice echoed through the com confusedly. “But you told me to…”

 

“Let me think, Threepio. Where is Praesitlyn?”

 

“Sluis Sector, Mistress.”

 

“I need a liaison officer to go there and negotiate for this find. We don’t have any of the big cruisers there do we…? Damn!” Leia shook her head as she realised what she had said. She was picking up many habits from Han and one of them was a selection from his more colourful language choices.

 

“Rogue Squadron are currently operating in the Sluis Sector, Mistress Leia. They are finishing their tour of duty very soon and I dare say are looking forward to returning home.”

 

Leia’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “What? That’s where… Contact Commander Antilles.”

 

But when the reply came, it wasn’t the face of one of her brother’s greatest friends and the man he’d flown the most missions with. “Captain Celchu?”  Leia murmured in surprise.

 

“Your Highness.” Tycho Celchu was an Alderaanian who had defected to the Rebellion after Alderaan had been destroyed. Leia also suspected that the solemn, green eyed man was more than fond of her aide and confidant, Winter, but neither of them had ever said anything. Leia knew that Tycho Celchu still regarded her very much as his Princess. What would he think if he knew who she really was? Not the daughter of Bail Organa but of Darth Vader – Anakin Skywalker. Yes, she could admit it now but the Vader part was still difficult. Anakin Skywalker connected her more with Luke. Yes, she could live with that but could the rest of the galaxy?

 

“Where’s Wedge?”

 

“Praesitlyn,” Tycho said, a grin transforming his serious features.

 

“Praesitlyn!” Leia echoed, her face showing her surprise. “He’s on Praesitlyn?”

 

“Hobbie’s doing his level best to try and blow up his x-wing.”

 

“Not Janson?”

 

“No, he’s being rather circumspect this time. After that last mission with the…you remember?”

 

“I remember.” Leia chuckled softly.

 

Tycho nodded. “I think he still remembers the talk first Admiral Ackbar and then Wedge gave him. But Hobbie’s ship got hit in our last major skirmish with some pirates and he says that it hasn’t been right since. The engine was overheating rather too much while we were out on patrol. So they flew to the nearest stop off point to er …effect repairs.”

 

“Are they still there?”

 

“Should be. We only just got back to base about an hour ago.”

 

“Can you get Wedge to contact me?”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

“Immediately…and tell him to stay on Praesitlyn,” Leia ordered before swiftly cutting the connection. She pursed her lips thoughtfully for a moment then hit the com. “Threepio…could you get the University Library on Praesitlyn for me please?”

 

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She looked up at the man making the cramped office appear ever smaller. “What is it, Han?”

 

Han Solo had the sneaking suspicion his lover was holding out on him and had been for three years. “You tell me, sweetheart.”

 

Leia sighed. Only Han could make an endearment sound like an insult. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she declared, which was the truth. She didn’t know what had got the Corellian riled up this time.

 

“This.” He held up the piece of flimsy as if it were something foul.

 

“What is that?” she asked but suddenly inside she knew.

 

“This…communication. Any Jedi articles found are to be collected and sent to Coruscant. It’s signed on behalf of Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.” He put both hands on the desk and leaned in towards her.

 

“Don’t try and intimidate me, Han. It doesn’t work.”

 

“Doesn’t work!” he echoed. “When did this go out?”

 

“Two…three days ago. I can’t remember. It wasn’t my idea but I think it’s a good one.”

 

“Do you know where Luke is?” Han demanded.

 

Leia looked startled and wouldn’t quite meet Han’s eyes. “No…you know I don’t.”

 

“Is that the truth?”

 

“Of course it is,” she whispered. “I want my brother home with me as much as you do. If I knew where he was I would tell you.”

 

“So this is a ploy to bring him out of hiding? Someone high up wants a tame Jedi. You know that Luke disappeared precisely because he didn’t want to be used?”

 

“Yes…no – he left to complete his training. The New Republic needs the Jedi and Luke is the only way we have of bringing the order back but he will be a free agent.”

 

“Yeah, right,” Han muttered disbelievingly. He’d been upset at the way Luke had suddenly disappeared from the Alliance but since then, he’d actually suspected that Luke had got out in time. Then there was the other little matter of Luke and Leia’s parentage. Leia still refused to tell anyone. If Luke returned, he would bet his dejaric table on Luke wanting to come clean with the information.

 

“I’m trying to find things that he might need when he does return. Palpatine destroyed the Jedi but they hid Luke and me. What else did they succeed in concealing?”

 

“He could be dead, sweetheart. He could be ill, imprisoned and we haven’t heard one cheep from him in three years. He said he would keep in touch.”

 

“He has kept in touch,” Leia said, staring down at her hands.

 

“And you never told me!” Han’s voice rose up in disbelief. He turned away abruptly and stared out of the window. “Why…”

 

“It’s not in the way that you think.” Leia’s voice was gentle. “I know he’s alive. I just get a feeling inside me and I know.”

 

Han didn’t turn around. “You’re going to have to do better than that.”

 

“What else can I do – it’s the truth.”

 

“From a certain point of view, huh?”

 

She stood up and walked around the desk and laid her head against Han’s shoulder. “Please, Han.”

 

“I’m going to find him,” Han vowed darkly, shrugging away from her, ignoring the hurt look on her face. “Find him and warn him that he needs to keep his wits about him when he returns. I won’t let the Kid be used, Leia. Not by you or the New Republic .”

 

“Then find him,” Leia said bitterly. “I know you’ve already tried. You’re not the only one.”

 

“You’re saying you searched for him too? When was that?” His voice dripped with sardonic humour. “I can’t recall you telling Wedge and the Rogues to keep a look out for your brother. I can’t remember you scouring every spaceport in the hope that he’ll suddenly turn up. We have to find him and soon. He’s Luke. He shouldn’t be out there on his own. Every time he goes out alone he comes back in a bacta wrap.”

 

“He’s not on his own. Yoda is with him.” Leia’s hand flew to her mouth as the words escaped.

 

“Yoda!” Han stared at her as if she’d grown two heads. “Yoda!”

 

“Luke’s Jedi Master. He was going to return to Yoda but said that the old Jedi was sick – probably dying.”

 

“Yoda,” Han muttered again. “I know who Yoda is. Luke spoke of Yoda back on Hoth…and Obi Wan and Vader. The night we nearly lost him in the blizzard after the wampa attacked him. I remember now.” He shivered, remembering the bone numbing cold and sense of despair he’d felt as he’d tried to find Luke in the snow. “Stang! That seems so long ago. How do you know he got there?”

 

Leia’s face relaxed as if an incredible sense of calm had consumed her. “Just a feeling…a whisper while I sleep but it's enough.”

 

Han’s voice cracked. “Well, it’s not enough for me – not anymore.”

 

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Praesitlyn Cityport

 

Luke Skywalker pulled his Jedi cloak about his shoulders and tugged the hood over his head. No one knew him here or would be looking for him here but he didn’t want to take any chances. He grinned. Maybe he was being somewhat presumptuous but his face had adorned a lot of security offices and Imperial holo shows such as in ‘Empire’s Most Wanted’. Still, that was three years ago. Who would recognise him now?

 

This was one of his regular haunts – one of the many planets dotted along the Rimma Trade Route . He either came here or to Bpfassh or even Sluis Van every three or four months. Praesitlyn was closer to Dagobah and Sullust even closer but, for a human, the latter’s atmosphere made things more difficult. Luke liked to vary his destination – didn’t want to get into a regular routine and more importantly didn’t want to get noticed.

 

He had meditated in the small, inexpensive boarding house near to the spaceport he had chosen for its convenience and careful anonymity. Something teased at his mind. There would be answers here, he thought.

 

“Artoo.” Luke opened his eyes and stared into the corner of his room where the little droid had hooked himself up to one of the computer ports. “I’m looking for a large building with an elegant frontage. Looks like a museum or a library. Something like those pictures we saw of places on Alderaan…”

 

Artoo powered up his holo and began showing a selection of images for his master to choose from.

 

“Wait…yes, Artoo. That one.” Luke grinned. It made sense for once. He was looking at a holo of the university library. Luke jumped to his feet and called his black Jedi style cloak to his hand. “You coming, Artoo?”

 

The little droid replied indignantly that he was indeed coming. Did his master think that Artoo trusted him in a strange, possibly dangerous place on his own? Absolutely not. The message was delivered in a way, with a series of strident beeps, which left Luke in no doubt as to his faithful companion’s intentions.

 

“Okay, come on. We’ll need to stop by the x-wing…just to check it’s okay…and then find this place. Master Yoda is so sure that there are things for me to find here.”

 

Artoo beeped a question.

 

“Well, little fella, he didn’t actually say it was here.”

 

Artoo moaned. He knew what was coming.

 

“But I have a feeling…”

 

***********************************

 

Spaceport

 

Wedge Antilles eased from his cockpit and jumped lightly off the end of the ladder. Looking around him, he pulled off his helmet. The three x-wings sat comfortably in the large docking bay he had managed to locate. Pash Cracken, his flame red hair standing on end had already managed to unload some of his gear and his portable com centre.

 

As Wedge paced the docking bay, Hobbie and Pash were standing around the holo-screen they’d already managed to rig up and muttering quietly.

 

“Any luck, guys?” Wedge asked.

 

“Think so, boss,” Pash answered. “We managed to contact the local Alliance representative and he’s sending some people round immediately.”

 

“That’s what I call service,” offered Hobbie, grinning darkly. “Then we can find somewhere to relax until it’s fixed and before you can say ‘Coruscant’, we’re on our way back to base.” His expression changed to that of a scowl. “Yeah! And I’m Janson’s mother.”

 

“Boss…” Pash called, ignoring Hobbie’s pessimism. “There’s a call in from Tycho.”

 

“Good. So there were no more problems returning to base,” Wedge said, his mind relieved as he moved to take the call. The New Republic fleet had been stretched very thinly around the galaxy and resources were tight. The amount of flight time and distance that the Rogues had covered lately were evidence enough.

 

“I don’t know about problems but Tycho has this look…” Pash shrugged. “I’ve seen it often enough. Something’s up.”

 

“ Antilles ,” Wedge barked as he moved into range of the temporary com system.

 

“Wedge?”

 

“Tycho.”

 

The Alderaanian pilot was all business. “I’ve just had a call from Princess Leia.”

 

“Leia?” Wedge straightened his back.

 

“Did you read the missive that went galaxy wide a few days ago?” Tycho asked.

 

Wedge frowned. “No…”

 

“The Jedi one?” Pash sat next to Wedge on one of the packing crates Hobbie had positioned around the tiny holomonitor. “I read that.”

 

Tycho nodded. “Luke’s been gone for so long…”

 

“Leia trying to flush him out of hiding?” asked Hobbie, leaning over Pash to talk to Tycho. “He’s been gone long enough.”

 

Pash considered his comrades’ words. “I think she misses him – hell, we all do. It’s not the same without the Commander.”

 

“No, it’s not. But he went for a reason,” said Wedge slowly. Luke was his friend; they’d flown against the first Death Star together. He knew how much recreating the Jedi Order meant to his friend and Wedge, more than some of the others, understood that Luke had to leave to do it.

 

“The Jedi,” said Tycho.

 

“Luke is the Jedi,” Wedge said slowly. “It’s the only thing important enough to take him away from us.”

 

“I think the Princess has a job for you and it’s something to do with the hunt for Jedi artefacts,” Tycho deduced.

 

“Maybe they found something around this sector or heard rumours of something,” Pash speculated, green eyes intent on the monitor.

 

“Well, the Princess got this strange look on her face when I said you’d stopped on Praesitlyn. In fact, she ordered you to stay there.”

 

“I’d better see what she wants.” Wedge grinned. “Okay, Tycho. I’ll be in touch.”

 

“Sure, boss. Over and out.”

 

Hobbie frowned as he checked his chrono. “Where’s the team of mechanics I was promised? If I had the parts I could have got started already. Sooner it’s fixed…”

 

“Call Coruscant for me, Pash.” Wedge walked over to Hobbie’s snubfighter and flipped open one of the panels. He gave a low whistle. “You fried this bird really good, Hobbie.”

 

The other pilot winced as he tugged at a piece of blackened wiring. “Tell me about it,” he said mournfully. “It doesn’t look good.”

 

“Wedge.” Pash Cracken moved a powerful looking transmitter into position. “This should be strong enough to contact Coruscant.” He checked the signal and grinned. “It’s reading loud and clear.”

 

“I sometimes think you’re wasted as a pilot, Cracken. You should be…”

 

“Working with my father?” Pash interrupted, shaking his head. “Nope. One Cracken in intelligence is enough for the New Republic . I love the old man dearly but…” He shook his head again. “We’d come to blows within minutes if we were involved in the same job.”

 

Hobbie stared at Pash assessingly. “It’s the hair,” he announced. “The colour. You know what they say about beings with hair that particular shade of red.”

 

“My hair isn’t red,” snapped Pash.

 

“So what colour is it?”

 

“ Auburn .”

 

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“Good day, gentle-being,” Luke murmured politely to the information droid, standing purposely directly in front of its viewer. “I am here researching information on the Jedi. I was wondering…” He waved his hand airily, “…if you could help?” Pity the Force didn’t work on droids but if he stood right in front of the droid’s optical sensors, Artoo could find the nearest computer jack.

 

Artoo waited for his master’s signal and wheeled himself towards one of the nearest computer sockets behind the information desk. There wasn’t a computer yet he’d been unable to interface with.

 

 “The Jedi!” The soft voice of a small blue-skinned Omwati female interrupted Luke’s chat with the information droid. She walked forward and leaned against the counter. “I’ll deal with this Cee-Zee.”

 

“Can you help me?” Luke asked. “It’s for a study I’m doing. My exams…” He resisted the impulse to lower his hood. He didn’t want to risk the chance that he might still be recognised – even out here. It was more than possible even after three years. “And I have been asked to…”

 

“It’s a strange coincidence that brings you here today,” she said. “I can’t ever recall anyone ever asking for information about the Jedi and today…”

 

Luke peered at her identification. It stated that she was one of the research assistants and her name was Quo Zacx. “In what way?” Luke asked but, with a careful glance over his shoulder, he could see Artoo doing a sort of mad dance on three wheels without trying to look too conspicuous. His little friend had just made an important discovery.

 

“We think we found some Jedi articles in a cupboard at the back of a storeroom we had to clear. I don’t think anything’s been done in that room for about twenty years.”

 

“Really?” Luke tried to project excitement into his voice but found that he didn’t have to. So that was what Artoo was getting so agitated about. He had to be thankful that the little droid hadn’t gone squeaky as well. “You’re kidding me.”

 

“No.” She lowered her voice. “I shouldn’t be telling you about this. It’s probably top secret but I’ve always been interested in the Jedi and no one else has.”

 

Luke brushed the Omwati female’s presence but found no answering resonance in the Force. She wasn’t Force strong – a pity. “You have?”

 

“All the stories I’ve read about them talked about how they fought for peace and justice. They were good people. I think the Emperor was wrong. If he hadn’t been dead I would never have admitted that but…”

 

“He is so…you can.”

 

“You’re so sure?”

 

“I am.”

 

The woman smiled and Luke could see that she was young…maybe as young as he was except that he didn’t feel young – not any more. He’d seen more than this girl ever would.

 

“Can I see?” Luke asked hesitantly. “I know that this is a lot to ask but…”

 

“Quo Zacx.” She held out a delicate blue hand.

 

“Luke,” he said, pressing hers. “I’m pleased to meet you, Quo Zacx.”

 

“Mistress Yashek is not around, so I guess it’s all right,” she confided. “Just don’t tell her.”

 

“Your…superior?”

 

Quo Zacx rolled her eyes. “Everyone’s superior. She’s speaking to the New Republic Council right now.”

 

“The New Republic?”

 

“They want the artefacts.”

 

Luke frowned. Was it Leia who wanted these things? If it was Leia then that was fine – she could have them because she would look after them for him. But if not… ”What do you have?”

 

“Lightsabers.” Her eyes shone.

 

“The symbol of the Jedi,” Luke whispered, longing to see and study the weapons. “Could I see?” Luke repeated. “Please.”

 

“Have you identification?”

 

A wry smile crossed Luke’s lips as he lifted his hand, moving it in a circular motion. “You don’t need to see my identification.”

 

“I don’t need to see your identification,” she said in a strange stilted fashion.

 

“Thanks,” Luke murmured. “It’s all in order.”

 

“It’s all in order.” She smiled. “Follow me, Luke.”

 

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