Get your own Free Home Page Kes said nothing as the 'Lambda'-class shuttle approached
the surface of the forest moon. She stared out the viewport at the
dazzling beauty of the rainforest. She had never seen anything like
it in the Ocampans underground city or on the barren surface of her homeworld.
It was absolutely beautiful. Kes gazed at the magnificent temples
supposedly built by the ancient Massassi race four thousand years ago.
She had experienced few things more magnificent.
Mara piloted the shuttle, while Wedge sat in the
copilot seat. Kes looked at them and smiled. They had done
a lot for her, made her feel important. They had given her the chance
to discover who she really was, and the chance to learn how to use her
abilities to the best advantage of the whole galaxy.
The shuttle approached one temple which stood taller
and more majestic than all the others. Planet rise was already shedding
the reflected light of the sun down on the forest moon. Kes could
make out the small landing pad in front of the temple where they would
set down. The landing commenced smoothly and efficiently. The
three of them were waiting by the exit ramp of the shuttle. Kes took
a deep breath as Wedge lowered the ramp with a hiss of escaping air.
He descended the ramp, Mara at his side, and Kes followed them down.
Standing in front of them was a young man wearing
a utilitarian brown robe of course fabric. At his belt was a lightsaber,
slightly different in style than the one Mara had showed the crew of 'Voyager'.
He had sharp blue eyes and dirty-blond hair. He raised a hand in
greeting and clasped Wedge and Mara's outstretched palms in turn.
Kes could feel an aura of calm serenity around him, and could tell that
this is one who never loses his composure.
"Wedge!" he said in a friendly voice. "Mara! Good
to see ya!" How ya doing?"
"Oh," Wedge said modestly, "just fine. Admiral Daala showed
up when we arrived. We drove her off, but hey, you already knew that,
right?"
Mara piped up, "Of course he did! He's a Jedi
Master, you know!"
"Well, it's great to see you both!" He turned to Kes and
she shyly held out her hand and nodded.
"Master Skywalker?" she said politely. "I'm Kes of the
Federation starship 'Voyager'."
Luke nodded. "My sister told me to expect
you. Welcome to the Jedi 'praxeum', Kes." He reached his hands
toward her head, then stopped. "Even tough Mara tested you already,
and I do trust her," he added quickly, noticing Mara Jade's smug look,
"I would like to test you again just to be sure."
"Master Skywalker," Kes said, a little afraid, "I don't think
you want to do that. You might hurt yourself."
"She's right, Luke," Mara said sharply. "When I tested
her, I was slammed against the wall in my quarters. I don't think
there's any doubt that she has the potential. If you want to retest
her, fine, but if I were you, I'd use the crystal-sheet paddles."
Luke took his hands away and Kes gave him a confused
look. *Crystal-sheet paddles?* she asked silently, reaching toward
his mind with a tendril of thought. Luke smiled and nodded.
"No, Mara," he said. "I think I trust you. I don't
need to retest her." He turned back to Kes, beckoning the three of
them to follow him inside the Great Temple. Kes followed at his side
and Wedge and Mara took up the rear. Luke put his arm over Kes's
shoulder in a friendly gesture and spoke to her softly.
"Do you truly wish to become a Jedi, Kes?" he asked.
Kes nodded and he continued. "Then there are some things you must
learn. The first thing is patience. I already sense that your
own patience is very limited. However, all things come to those who
wait for them."
"Master Skywalker," Kes said, "I'm afraid that I don't have that
long to wait. My race has a very short lifespan. You may not
believe this, but I am three-years-old. I will only live to be nine,
and there is someone I love that I'd like to get back to before I'm old
and feeble."
Luke smiled and there was a gleam in his eye.
"The Force can work in many wondrous ways, Kes," he said. "I think
you'll find that you have longer to wait than you think." He turned
to a group of people assembled before them. All wore the same brown
Jedi robe as he.
"I am sure you will be a great Jedi Knight, Kes," Luke said.
"I will try, Master Skywalker," Kes said. All of a sudden,
Luke's face showed a bit of harshness in it, and he spoke in a hard tone.
"No! Do or do not! There is no try!" Luke said
to her, then smiled and chuckled jokingly as his face took on a warm expression
once again. "These are my students... former students," he corrected.
"I get so attached to them that I forget that most of them have graduated.
Why don't you go introduce yourself. Go on." Luke turned back
to Wedge and Mara, who stood smiling at the new student.
"You think she'll make a good Jedi?" Wedge asked.
"I'm certain of it," Luke said. "Where are you both off
to now?"
"Coruscant," Wedge answered. "We have to drop off all this
new technology to the New Republic before Daala can get her paws on it."
Luke nodded. "You might want to wish Kes good-bye
before you leave," he said. Mara and Wedge walked over to Kes, who
was engaged in conversation with the Jedi Knights Kirana Ti and Cilghal.
Kes turned to face them and smiled.
"We have to be going to Coruscant to drop off the new technology,"
Wedge said. "We want to wish you well before we leave." He
smiled and held out his hand. "Good-bye, Kes."
"Good-bye, General," she said back. Then she shook Mara's
hand.
"Good luck with your training, Kes," Mara said. "I'm sure
you'll make a fine Jedi."
"Thank you, Major," Kes said. "For everything."
As Mara and Wedge left the temple and walked out
to the landing pad, Kes smiled, feeling the confidence within her.
She could *feel* that this was right, she knew that this was her destiny.
And she knew that she would be back.
*I think I'm going to like it here,* Kes tought to herself.
*And I will return to you, Harry. Soon. I promise.*
The End
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