Title: THE BOOK OF TEARS : Part Two
~PART TWO: THE DRIVEN~ ~Tears of Loneliness~ Talon Karrde sat behind his desk, staring at scrolling numbers that rolled across his computer screen. He sipped a little from his stim tea, frowning at how cold the liquid had gotten. A tiny beep from the desk’s intercom system woke him up a little more, turning his head and making him stretch. He triggered the receiver and let his fingers smooth out his dark beard. The Wild Karrde was silent beneath him, the big ship at rest in space in orbit around Myrkyr. “Karrde here.” “Sir, we have a visitor asking permission to dock.” “Who is it?” “Nova, sir.” Karrde’s eyebrows lifted. All the times before, he would have loved to have the younger woman here… but he did not know how to react to a woman who just lost her husband. He couldn’t imagine her without Luke… or Luke without her. He pushed down the hurt of losing a friend and said softly. “Let her on board and get her what ever she wants.” “She said she wanted to see you as soon as she could.” “Ah. Send her to my office, Ghent. And go meet her yourself.” “Yes, sir.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nova climbed down the ladder and grinned at R2-D2 who balked at being left inside the ship’s pocket. “I shouldn’t take long”, she soothed. “Just stay put, okay?” Soon as her feet hit the floor, she turned, seeing a familiar face. “Ghent.” The man smiled, hands in his pockets. He was a shy one but he came forward and hugged her. “You okay?” The woman averted her eyes. “Sure. Is Karrde busy?” Ghent shook his head. “Waiting for you.” Nova nodded. “Good. I’ll try not to take up much of his time.” The two moved off, out of the bay and down the corridor. They chatted about the ship and the newer people on board and about Mara. “Have you seen her lately?” asked Ghent, rubbing his hands together. “No. She didn’t even come to Luke’s funeral. Ben said she’s still on that mission Luke sent her own.” The shorter male swallowed and stopped before the captain’s quarters. “I-I’m sorry, Nova. I mean… I liked Luke a lot. He was cool.” Nova smiled. “He was, wasn’t he?” She put a hand on his shoulder, sending him a subtle sense of rightness and he smiled back at her then walked away, feeling better than he had. The blonde took in a breath. There was no reason others had to suffer for her pain. Instead of hitting the doorbell, she knocked. A muffled voice came from inside and the door opened for her, revealing a room dressed in manly colors. Stepping in, she inhaled the scent of Karrde’s presence and cut her eyes at the unmistakable scent of cigara smoke. “Taking up bad habits, are we?” “Huh?” he grunted, his expression making a quick change from inviting to confusion. “I smell cigara smoke.” Karrde gave a deep chuckle. “Not mine. Honest. I had someone in earlier. Smoked like a chimney.” “Ahhhh…” “Take a seat, Nova.” The woman sat down, grateful for a soft chair. Her hands crossed over the top of her belly and watched at Karrde seated himself on his desk. “I need your help, Karrde.” He nodded. “Anything. If I can, that is.” She shifted in her chair, relaxing herself. She was coiled tight, physically and emotionally. A man like Karrde, trained to see what others missed, obviously knew something wasn’t right. She took a breath and said, “I have reason to believe Luke is not dead.” Silence. “It’s solid evidence, Karrde.” He seemed to snap to attention, even though he’d been looking her in the eye. “I’m sure it is… I figured you felt something through the Force, though.” “No, actually. I haven’t… well, yes… but it was hard to put my finger on.” Nova explained about finding the hand and retelling how Luke had his old one replaced. “Karrde, I need any information you or your people might have on this.” “On this?” The man stood and walked behind his desk to look out the window at the stars beyond. “If I knew anything-“ “You would have come to me and told me already. I know that. But I’m hoping you have bits of information that maybe you didn’t notice before…” “Tall order… Do you know how much information and misinformation I get? Do you know that…” The man seemed to wilt. He turned and looked at her, smiling in a comforting way. “I’ll have my people do some searching. One man, lost in the galaxy?” “One Jedi”, she corrected. “This whole thing smells rotten.” She reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out a data file. “You’ll wanna see this, too.” He reached out and took it, brown eyes narrowing on it. “What is it?” “Others who are missing.” “Others?” She nodded. “That is the record of all missing and killed Jedi in the last year, including hopefuls that didn’t quite make it to the academy. We’ve had quite a steak of bad luck if you know what I mean.” Karrde’s eyes were wide at the implications and he nodded. “I can’t promise you a thing. But if we find anything-“ “I know.” She made it to her feet and opened her arms for a hug. The taller man complied, rubbing her shoulder. “I’m leaving to do my own investigating. You can reach me through the usual carrier… and I’ll try not to disappear.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Getting back in the little X-wing was a feat. Not for any real reason, but knowing she was to face the darkness of space and her own thoughts, made her shy away from her journey. She left the Wild Karrde behind, in tears over leaving that aura of life she found there. She had friends there… and where there were friends, there was comfort. And the tears did come, Nova’s arm aching to hold her son. He would be getting ready for bed now, doing his little meditation and giving Han and Leia his childish kisses. She wiped the moisture from her face and sighed heavily, setting course for the world that had torn her life in two. Shallan. She had a few questions to ask. The X-wing swept itself into hyperspace and Nova told Artoo to keep an eye out for anything odd and wake her only if it was an emergency. She did not need rest, the Force would replenish her… but she needed contact. Concentrating on her breath and her breath alone, she tuned out the universe and brought her awareness to herself, which included her tiny child within her. She smiled. She was not so alone after all… She shifted the attention outward in a straight line to her son, laying in bed on Coruscant, already asleep. Her dreams joined with his and it was as though they were truly together, mother and son. They were in a prairie by a slow, gentle river, summer breezes and sunlight all around them. This dream felt like it lasted a long time but was over in only a few moments, the two parting with the suddenness of a small child awakening. Nova awoke as well. But, where her son had a warm bed and dear ones close by, she had only the vision of null space surrounding her. She was glad for him… her little son, safe with those that loved him. Feeling bereft of any companion for herself, despite her communion with Jaden, or her daughter inside her or R2 riding silently in back, she felt infinitely alone. It was not the loneliness that could be cured by a friend or a child… She was a woman without her lover. Without her Luke. Luke… She turned her head away from the gray beyond the ship and wept for herself, finally letting the emotion she didn’t want to acknowledge out. Trained as a Jedi, she knew no moment was eternal onto itself… but, for now, she could not imagine ever finding her way out of this hell.
~Tears of Frustration~ It was two months later that Nova found herself at a seaside diner on Therasii, staring out at a purple ocean, a plate of half-eaten food infront of her. She glanced down at it and felt like snarling. Seafood… nice, plain fish was fine but the slimy stuff could go back. She’d been all over the galaxy, it seemed, looking for clues and following the advice of Karrde. He was her most supportive contact, now firmly believing the tale she told. Two bodies of Jedi hopefuls had been exhumed from their graves and were found to have oddities ranging from an extra kidney to missing bone extensions. Someone was going to a lot of trouble to take people but not bothering to do their homework. But, like Luke, those people had not spoken easily of such things. One had donated his kidney anonymously but his corpse had two complete ones. The other, in a spurt of vanity, had gotten bone extensions in her legs… which were not present with her remains. She thought of those knights and apprentices that had gone missing over the past year or so and mourned for them anew. She took a sip of water to bring herself into the moment and checked the time. Her brother should have- Ben Jonald Kenobi strode through the door of the modest establishment and nodded to the waitress. Nova couldn’t help but smile. He made friends everywhere he went. He had spent so much time to himself all those lonely years at Caregiven and he was making up for lost time. He made every person feel like they knew him, feel like they wanted to know him. Jonald’s smile was bright and genuine as he sat down, pulling his green cloak away from his shoulders. His warm hand came out and laid on hers. “How are you?” “Fine.” His lips twisted and he reiterated, “No… How… are… you?” Nova let her lips smile and said, “I’m queasy after my meal, my baby kicks me too much, I miss my son and I can’t find my husband.” The smile strayed away from Ben’s face. “I’m sorry… None of those leads panned out?” “Several did. I’m only missing the big red arrow that says ‘Your husband is here’.” She took another sip of water and eyed her brother. “Where’s Mara?” “She’s still not back.” Nova stilled. “What does that mean?” Odd eyes narrowed at her as if she was daft. “It means Mara is still on that mission to Verlandus.” Nova shook her head. “That’s not possible. That mission was a cakewalk. She should have been back a month ago.” “That’s what she said but she says they’re stubborn. She also says she’s making progress with them.” “It’s a trade agreement not war.” Jonald ran his hand through his hair then ruined the pretty red streaks by ruffling it. He looked like an honest-to-goodness lion sometimes. “You know how she is. She gets her teeth in something and she won’t let go.” He looked her in the eye and said, “I would have left to go to her but I have important business. Seems one of my favorite patients is nearing her due date.” Nova grinned. “That’d be us”, she said, patting her distended belly. The baby wasn’t due for four weeks but Jonald had put his foot down and told her to come in. He was worried about her. The stress of travel and mourning and uncertainty was taking its toll on Nova. He could tell by the blue circles under her eyes and paleness of her skin. She hadn’t gained nearly as much with this one as she had with Jaden. She’d come in for all her exams just like she promised then left as quick, off on a chase that no one was sure of. The babe seemed healthy enough but her mother was worn out… physically and emotionally. “Well, if you’re done, let’s go. We can get back to my place and get you a nice soft bed.” The blonde closed her eyes at the wonderful thought, which was chased by a more morbid one. Was her Luke in a comfortable place tonight? Was he warm? Jonald stood, feeling her sadness again. “C’mon.” Nova eased herself from her seat, standing precariously and waddling the first few steps. “Been sitin’ there too long”, she explained sheepishly. She straightened and her walking became smoother. “Any pressure.” “No, doc.” Jonald grinned as his arm snaked around her side and lead her to the door, waving at the chef as he walked by. “Did you pay?” he asked her. “No”, Nova answered. “I’ve gone to the Dark Side and made it my business to break every mom-and-pop resturant in the galaxy by eating and waddling away.” Jonald chuckled as he guided her out into the falling night. “Funny.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“So… when was the last time you spoke to Mara?” “I got a communication from her five days ago.” “I mean talk to her.” He looked over to her were she was laid up on the couch. She looked a little better today. With four days of rest behind her, she looked healthier and she seemed less fragile. “We don’t get to talk to one another. The communications network there is less stable than ours. I send her messages and she sent hers back.” Nova was frowning hard by now. Jonald turned back to the medical layouts before him. “She’s fine, Nova. Stop worrying about her.” “Can I see them?” ‘Better to let the woman have her way’, he thought. Nova had become rather paranoid of late. But he might, too, if he believe a conspiracy was taking those he felt responsible for. He jerked a thumb over his shoulder to indicate the Holonet/comm system of his house. Nova grunted and muttered under her breath about something and remained quiet for the remainder of the afternoon as she ran through his mail. It wasn’t until he was fixing the evening meal that she made her first noise, one that had him jumping in his skin. “JONALD!” Moving the skillet from the red block from his heater, he left everything on standby, trying to get the frown off his face. “Ben Jonald!” “What?” he yelled back, rubbing a kitchen towel between his big hands. “Come here!” Walking into the next room, he said evenly, “I didn’t even know you could bellow, Nova.” “Only when I need to. Look at this.” Ben stood behind her where she was seated in one of his favorite chairs. Infront of them lay the monitor and a holo pad in the center of the desk. “What?” “See this?” Jonald blinked. On the monitor was Mara and on the holopad was a holo of her. “Let’s see. That’d be my wife.” “Watch both images. I slowed them down.” Nova tapped a button and both images moved at the same rate, identical to one another. “She’s pretty. I’m cooking supper-“ “Watch.” One image had a white ripple and the images diverged, the holo images moving on to Mara making a hand gesture, while the monitor showed her laughing. Jonald suddenly got a chill, uneasy where Nova was going with this. “So…” Nova reran and played the monitor image that had rippled and played it at normal speed. It appeared as a burst of static. “Okay. What was that?” Jonald shrugged. “That happens a lot. It’s why communications are so hard. Too much interference from the Maw, I figured. It’s close to Verlandus.” “I don’t think so.” The man did a double take. His sister sounded like she was on the verge of tears. “I’ve been going through these messages all afternoon. I’ve found many parts where they are identical then separate after a ripple in the playback. I think most of these messages, the later ones, are put together by computer.” “Nova-“ “Jonald!” she interrupted, almost crying it out. “Prove to me that Mara is still on Verlandus. That job should have been completed long ago and messaging is NOT that difficult. When was the last time you actually spoke to her?” The male swallowed, his eyes searching the air as he thought. “It was just before Luke di-… became missing.” Nova drew back. “That’s over two months, Jonald.” He was shaking his head. “She checks in every week… and to the academy!” The woman laid her head in her hands. “Don’t overreact, Nova. I’ll have all this sent to Harish. He’s a friend of mine. If anyone-“ “I’m sorry.” Jonald put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. You’re just worried. That’s all.” “No… not that.” She leaned back, annoyed that she had been dampening her natural labor pains without giving them attention. “My water just broke. You might wanna new chair.” “Oh…”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seven hours later, a new life was born into the galaxy. Her name… was Leia Alekzondra Skywalker. It was a name, in part, chosen for her by her father. ‘Alekzondra’ was a favorite name from his childhood, one that always brought him feelings of happiness. Nova held the baby, rocking her gently. The Solos had been called and they were on their way. Nova was both happy and uncomfortable with seeing them again. She felt that there was a hardness left from her leaving them, leaving Jaden. “Nova.” She looked up and smiled at her brother, her doctor. She would have no one else to look after her children or herself. “She’s small.” Ben Jonald smiled, his eyes looking sad. “She’s just alittle early. That’s all.” Nova looked down at the child there. Ben had already given her a clean bill of health. She was three weeks early but her lungs were fit, her suck was good and her temperature was stable. She would stay in this birthing center for a couple of weeks to make sure her immune system was stable, then, she could go home. Nova hid her face, wanting to weep… but wanting to do so without an audience. She was so tired. Her body hurt in so many places from the birth and her heart echoed that hurt in an odd way. Jonald’s kind hand was at her shoulder, gazing at his niece. How could the child go home? Nova didn’t even know where home was. Yavin? Not without Luke. Coruscant? Never. Corellia… yes… but that would mean ending her life as she knew it. No… if Luke was not meant to be in her life… she had to move forward… To Yavin… to the Jedi… “I can’t believe you haven’t said anything about this head of hair.” He pushed back the pretty pink cap to reveal a tangle of fine, wavy hair. Nova nodded solemnly then practically wailed, “She has red hair!” She gasped and sniffled, her breath making a noisy lament as she stroked the pale wisps. Ben squeezed her shoulder, unsure and almost panicky at her tears. “There’s nothing wrong with red hair… I have red hair… so did mom and dad, too, I think….” She sobbed. “It’s kinda orange.” “Strawberry blonde. Cherry blonde!” he corrected in a cheerful voice strained with worry. “Adorable on a little girl.” Nova continued to weep but finally caught her breath. “You’re such a goof, Ben.” “What did I do?” he asked, eyebrows winged as she wiped her nose. She shook her head, patting her baby’s bottom… the baby that seemed totally unfazed by her mother’s dismay. Nova tried to speak but shook her head again. Ben leaned closer and made the choice to guess. “You want Luke?” The woman nodded, gasping and crying mournfully now. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry…” he comforted, tucking her head under his chin and kissing the top of her head. “You’re just tired. You’ve had a long day, sister. Having babies does this to you. Everything’s going to be okay…” Nova was sighing but was once more gaining control. But Ben wasn’t sure if that was such a good thing. Nova was trying to be strong but no one could stand up after taking as many injuries as she had. Only these injuries were to the heart… and he was afraid he just didn’t know how to heal those kinds of hurts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A group of ten walked down the corridor of the second floor of Mercy Birthing Center, their steps soundless as they passed rooms belonging to other mothers and mothers-to-be. Han had his hands in his pockets and Chewie walked behind him, snuffling. The twins walked with little Anakin between them and behind them was Tara Willow, apprentice under Nova, who had Jaden sleeping in her arms. Leia held a little, fuzzy ewok toy under her arm, her brandy colored eyes flitting from room number to room number. Her two personal guards, the Noghri warriors, shadowed her and her kin, almost unseen. “Wow”, a calm male voice called from close by. “You brought an army.” Leia turned to the voice and saw Ben Jonald Kenobi standing at a side table, head down as he looked over a datapad. She grinned, crushing the stuffed toy to her chest. “We came to see Nova.” Ben nodded as he looked through reports, signing off on a few. “She’ll be glad. She’s bonding with the baby but…” He nodded then finished. “She’ll be glad to have family here.” “How is she?” Deciding not to put too much thought into the answer, Ben responded, “Tired.” Leia nodded. She remembered her own experience with the twins and Anakin. “May we see her?” “Yes…” He looked up and over the group. “Just a couple at a time. The rooms are small.” Leia nodded and walked into the direction that he pointed. They all stopped infront of the door and she entered, looking back, not saying anything but asking for a few moments alone with her sister-in-law. Han ushered her with a nod and one guard joined her, standing back where he was unseen. The room was indeed small as Ben had said. It was a mint green lined in blues and soft lights. A large bed was against a corner and that was where Nova lay, a tiny baby bundled up beside her. Leia approached gently, looking them over. Nova was pale but looked peaceful as she slept. The baby was tiny, much tinier than Jaden had been and had a small line of oxygen lying close to her face. She wore a cap that had sprigs of tinted red curling out from beneath it. The baby squirmed a bit and lay still, sleeping the sleep of the innocent. They had already been appraised of their conditions so Leia wasn’t alarmed to see the facilitator there. It wasn’t attached to the child, merely lying close to her to add support to her lungs. A monitor at the side showed the heart and breathing rates of both mother and child. Leia sat on the edge of the bed carefully, holding the little plush toy in both hands. “Nova?” She reached out a hand and laid it on her sister-in-law’s arm. The other woman let her eyes crack open and the blue orbs swung her way. She lifted her head and looked at the baby before yawning and murmuring a sleepy hello. “We were worried about you two.” The woman pulled herself up gently to position herself to speak face to face with Leia. “Yea, she worried me, too.” “We missed you.” The blonde woman blinked. “I called almost every other day.” “It’s not the same and you know it.” Nova nodded then turned her eyes to look at the wall. But it was her force sense that took her further, gazing out into the hall. “You brought everyone.” “Yes.” “Tara, too…” Leia smiled. “She brought herself.” Nova had to laugh lowly at that. Tara was seventeen now and was a full woman, complete in her mind despite the events of her young life. “She angry?” “A little, I think.” “I’d tell you to bring everyone in but…” she hesitated, looking around the cubby-hole of a room, “it’s barely meant for two.” “I’ll let them see you”, Leia told her as she stood up. The woman placed the doll beside the child that bore her name. “I want to speak with you later, though.” Nova nodded, the gears in her mind going slowly. There was an edge to Leia’s voice and she wonder if the other woman was angry at her choices as well. Leia opened the door to leave and Han took her place, that half grin appearing when he saw the little pink baby there on the bed. Everyone visited her, each only taking a few moments. A watchful Ben stood by, making sure his sister didn’t get over taxed by the visits. The last to come in was Tara, holding her son that she so much wanted to have in her arms. Upon seeing her, the boy reached out for her, practically falling out of Tara’s arms. Nova laughed, holding him close, glad he still knew her so well. The red head stood out of the way as the little one babbled and Nova cooed, kissing him repeatedly. The toddler was tired and soon settled against her, his head on her chest, lulling himself into slumber. A few moments passed before Nova looked to the younger woman. “Are you well, Tara?” She nodded from her spot by the wall, red curls slipping over a slender shoulder. Tara was taller than Nova now and was more slender than she, her body muscled and toned by many hours of physical exertion. She was a bubbly one, mischievous and sweet. It was rare to see her without a smile… But this was one of these rare moments. She nodded to her master’s question, unsmiling. “Come out with it. Angry with me?” “A little.” “That I should have taken you with me?” Tara made a face and shook her head. “That you would leave everything behind.” Nova’s head tilted and the expression on her face was one of annoyed questioning. “And I was to stay while I believed my husband was someone’s prisoner?” Again, she shook her head. “You left without consulting anyone. Did you stop to think that the other Jedi would want a say. That you could find him faster if you had help.” “Tara, I have no clue, no true evidence, that what I believe is true. It may very well be-“ “You don’t believe that.” Nova made a gesture of agreeance, stroking Jaden’s blonde head. “Still… ‘what is an Order when there is no structure?’” The older woman practically moaned. She hated having her words turned against her. “That was about something totally different.” “In an Order, everyone has to communicate. You did your own thing. Do you know how many people would have followed you? How many would die for Master Skywalker?” “Never would he ask that.” “He never had to. It’s a given.” “It’s been torture not knowing where he is. Why would I do that to the others? I didn’t have such a great time convincing my own family.” “You didn’t try to convince me.” “Then this is because I didn’t take you.” Tara stuffed her hands in her pockets. “Perhaps. But, then again, it might be because you didn’t call.” Nova’s head tilted back. Ahh, that was it. “I didn’t ask you permission. Or give you updates… I had none to give, my darling.” The woman looked at her daughter. “I have found nothing.” Tara hummed. “We’ll see.” The mother frowned as Tara stood up fully and turned to leave. “What’s that suppose to mean?” The red head turned and flashed a cocky grin that had been so missing from her face. “Leia wants to talk to you.” Nova ran her hands threw the feathery curls of her son’s hair as she waited for Leia to return, wondering what the big deal was. The boy stretched and snuffled softly in his dreams, his warm, little face pressing into her neck. The brunette reentered the room and shut the door behind her, giving a little tug to make sure it was shut tight. By reflex, the mother looked at her sleeping daughter. The hair on the back of Nova’s neck rose at the look on Leia’s face. The brunette removed something from her pocket and handed it to her brother’s wife. Nova stared into Leia’s eyes for a moment then looked at the data disc. It took a minute to recognize the list that scrolled before her. “It’s a manifest.” Leia nodded. “It’s from Karrde. Look at the second to the last item.” Blue eyes trained themselves on the scrolling words, stopping toward the end. “Ysalamiri?” “A dozen.” Perusing the list again, she eyed her friend. “This is black market. The embargo placed on Ysalamiri by the New Republic can’t be lifted…” “No. We promised the Jedi.” Nodding the woman tilted her head. “Recognized anything else?” Sighing, Nova looked at the tiny letters. She was so tired… too tired for guessing games. She shrugged and drawled, “Chemicals… equipment…” “The same chemicals used to make Florus B-756.” Leia watched the other woman freeze. There was both joy and trepidation in the findings that Karrde had brought to her. Florus B-756… it was the chemical used to dull and Jedi’s force sense, the same chemical that had nearly gotten Luke, Nova and Tara killed on Prince Nataro’s world, Zanab. The same one that the young girl had developed a severe reaction too, stripping her of her memories. “Someone is making Florus… and acquiring Ysalamiri.” “On the black market.” “Where?” Nova asked as she tried to rise, her son clutched close. Leia held her down. “You stay put”, she commanded. “You are in no position to go anywhere.” “Luke-“ “Would want you and his daughter to be safe.” Leia straightened and smiled kindly. “We already have operatives headed toward the location of the recipient of the manifest.” Nova looked at the disc in her hand. “Where did Karrde get this?” “Where does Karrde get any of his information? That’s his job.” Leia sighed softly. “But he got that to me as soon as he put two and two together. And, now, it’s your job to rest and take care of Little Leia. If my brother is still out there… we will find him.”
~Tears of Regret~
Staring out the window, Nova stood with her hand at her chin and listening to the laughter in the next room. Tara and Jaden were playing, the young woman teaching him how to play hide and seek, Jedi-style. Her apprentice had stayed on to help with the children. Now that Nova was staying in one place, young Jaden was welcome to stay here at Ben’s home with his mother. Nova decided not to go back to Coruscant or Yavin. Not with her daughter being so tiny… and not without Luke or the truth of his passing. She had received no more visions of him. No more hints that his heart still beat. Alekzondra was three weeks old today. And the news of a clue was almost as old. She waited patiently for more news to come. Anything to hint that the men Leia sent in where close to discovering the answer to a mystery that threatened to destroy her heart. She had a bad feeling… a sinking feeling in her gut that those operatives would find nothing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leia walked down the hall, her heels clacking against the hard floor of Ben Jonald Kenobi’s house. She would have simply called her sister but what she had to say needed to be said in person. And she dreaded it. Ben had let her in then gone to his office in back, seemingly preoccupied with something. She stopped when a tiny human darted out in front of her. He seemed dazed to run into someone then looked up and held his arms open. Leia laughed and ruffled his blonde curls then lifted him up and kissed his cheek. “I missed you!” “Miss you, too.” Leia turned at the sound of the voice. “Nova. You look well.” “Thank you. You have news?” She nodded and spoke straight. “It’s not good. When the operatives arrived-“ “They found nothing.” “Yes…” Nova shrugged at the questioning tone in her sister’s voice. “I just knew. That’s all. I knew they would find nothing.” “They did find evidence that something was there recently. An outpost of some sort. Unlisted.” “But nothing more?” The brunette nodded. “Nothing more. What will you do?” Standing for a moment, she said nothing then turned and walked back into the room that she and Jaden had walked out of. Within that room, lay Leia Alekzondra, her fists balled up and her face relaxed in slumber. She was bigger already, pink and healthy looking. “I’m leaving to find him.” Surprisingly, Leia did not deny her this. Nova turned to her and frowned. “You aren’t going to tell me to stay?” “No. I want you to find him. But take who ever you need-” “Just me. I don’t need a team to trip me up. I’ll just… find them… then we’ll see.” Leia was shaking her head now. “Going in alone-“ “Is a lot like something you would do”, Nova stated, her hands on her hips. “If you believed it was the best way.” Leia gritted her teeth. “Han and I-“ “Have much more on your hands right now than even I can guess. I’ll leave tonight. Just tell me where they were and I’ll be on my way.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“You’re leaving again,” Tara accused as she watched her master pack. “Looks that way.” Nova was calm with her words. There was no need to argue or discuss anything. She had to go and that was it. No pleading would make her stay nor change her departure time. “I’m coming with you.” “No, you’re not.” Tara frowned. It wasn’t an angry statement, just one she knew would mean bad news for her. There weren’t too many people in the galaxy that were as stubborn as she was… except, maybe, her pig-headed master. “You need back up.” “Correction. I need to know that my son and daughter are protected.” “Can they be any more protected than to be with Han or Leia?” “Yes. They can have you. A Jedi Knight.” Tara stared then tilted her head. “Excuse me?” Nova turned then sat on the bed that Ben had so kindly let her use since she came to live with him. It was the same one she and Luke shared whenever they visited. “I’ve been thinking a lot and about everything, Tara. About you, included.” The older sat there and looked the girl over as though she had not been seen for a while. “I know that you are not quite ready to become a knight… but you are ready for your journeymanship.” Tara stared. A journeyman was one step above an apprentice but not yet a knight. That meant- “You’re getting rid of me?” Nova laughed. “Not in a million years. But I am… ready to let you take on missions with fellow Jedi. Unaccompanied by your old master here.” Tara sat down on the bed beside her. “You can say no, if you’d like.” “What? No… no… It’s just… I’m seventeen.” “And more mature than most. I can wait another year if you can.” The women stared infront of her, her green eyes misted. “Let me decide… after you bring Master Luke home.” It was a shaky breath that found it’s way out of Nova’s lungs. She nodded then embraced her apprentice. “And I will. I promise. We will know the truth, Tara. I promise…” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obi-Jaden cried as he watched his mother leave again. The boy’s tears seemed to transfer to his new sister and she wailed a farewell from her crib. When the doors shut between Nova and her loved ones, the tiny cry stopped immediately, the sound unable to travel passed those doors. Her step didn’t falter. She wanted to be with them and, yet, if she gave up on Luke now, when she felt so close to finding him, her life would be meaningless. As his wife, it was her duty to prevent his suffering… just as he would do for her. Noone walked her to the X-wing that had brought her here. R2-D2 was already there at the landing bay, chatting with another, newer model droid. “Ready to go, pip-squeak?” Artoo bleated at her. Making a grinding noise at the other droid, he rolled her way and practically ran into her leg. Nova laughed as she glanced up to watch the workers prep her ship for take off. “Yes. We’re going now.” Of all the people, Artoo had been the one that was behind her all the way since the very beginning. Damn any fool that said droids didn’t feel. Artoo missed Luke… missed him as any person would miss a dear friend. “Want me to put you in? Or let the mechs do it?” He blurted a noise and she grinned. “Cold hands, huh? Okay.” Stepping back, she lifted the little droid with the force, setting him into his socket. Floating use to make him nervous but it was something he’d gotten use to and actually seemed to enjoy. He plugged in as Nova herself climbed into the pilot’s seat and put on her gear. By the time she was done, so were the mechs and, soon, she got permission to leave. This ride would be short… but not fast enough to sooth her agitation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stark grey disappeared into darkness. The smell of grease was over powering and was an obvious attempt to make this place seem like an abandoned garage rather than an alleged prison. But the past sense she received had nothing to do with ships. What Leia’s operatives could not see was the traces of emotion left behind in this place. The pain, fear, frustration and anger… all swallowed up in a miasma of numbness. She could not feel Luke’s essence here, nor any hint of the man she loved. She didn’t know where the emotions were coming from and it scared her. It was like seeing smoke but not being able to see the fire that made it. It all seemed dream like and, yet, it set every alarm of in her head to be standing here. There was so much wrongness here. She walked now, her footsteps echoing in the darkness. The place had been swept clean… by those who had used the facility and once again by the operatives who had found nothing. Maybe she should have called Corran in on this one. He’s investigator’s intuition was almost as powerful as his force ability. She squatted and ran a finger on the grease and dirt on the floor, ready to open herself to any hints she might receive. She stiffened at the sound of footsteps somewhere behind her. Nova turned fast, saber in her right hand, unlit but ready to defend. She couldn’t see them so she reached out with the Force… She sighed and cursed. “Damn it, Jonald. What are you doing here?” Her brother walked into the cavernous room fully, hands in his pockets. “How’s it going?” Blinking slowly, she asked back, “’How’s it going?’” “Can you feel if Luke was here?” She sagged. “No. No, I can’t.” Nova stared at him where he stood unmoving by the opened wall. “Jonald?” He stared at her, his greenish eyes hooded by lowered brows. He was setting off all kinds of alarms in his sister and he could feel them. She looked lost standing there in the immense room, surround by skeletons of removed electronics and stagnate air. She looked lost… alone. And he knew just how she felt. Now… he knew. “They have Mara.” READ ON TO BOOK THREE: The final chapters
Chapter Five "This is a finely written story, and I love the intricacies in the plot. It really keeps the reader coming back for more. "
~ERIATHWEN~
~VORQUELLYN~
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