DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan fiction based
on characters and places owned and copyrighted by Lucasfilm Ltd. However, everything
not owned by Lucas in this work is the property of the author and should not
be used without her consent. No profit has been gained from the creation of
this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended. No part of this publication
may be published, distributed or copied in any other way online or offline without
the expressed consent of the author. You may contact the author with any questions,
comments, typos, etc. at vickie@statesidedata.com
BACKGROUND:
Kelly and Pash married several years after Rogue Knight, just before the events of the Zahn trilogy. Kelly remained with Alpha Squadron. Pash has been promoted up to the rank of General and is in command of several squads. He is stationed at a New Republic space station in the Shenmue system. Kelly became pregnant with their first child at the end of the battle with Thrawn. In order to be with her husband during her pregnancy, Leia asked her to become Ambassador to Kanagi, the central planet of the Shenmue system. Upon her arrival, she found the planet to be exceptionally strong with the Force. She has served as Ambassador and mediator between the New Republic and the Juusan (Council of Thirteen). Kelly and Pash have made Kanagi their home. They have three children, Shaana (now almost 17), Airen Jagged (just turned 15), and Wynssa Syal (7). Both Shaana and Wynssa are strong in the Force and Airen has proven his worth as a pilot repeatedly.
A sea of cloaks and robes spread out before me in the Great Temple’s Grand Audience Chamber. Never before in my life had I seen so many Jedi together. I wondered if my great-grandmother ever had seen anything like this. Probably. She had been a great Jedi Master when she was alive.
I noted the arrangement of those before me. The youngest were closest to the dais with the Knights and their apprentices behind. Kam and Tionne stood at the front of the ranks to either side of the red carpet. I felt the tension in the room. The carpet divided us. Those who followed the freethinking of Kyp Duron were standing to my right. Kyp believed the Jedi were here to protect by force. Two thirds of the adults and about half of the non-human Jedi are to that side. To my left, the side of the carpet on which I stand, are those who believe the Jedi are beacons of peace. Corran and Streen are the most noted here, with young Anakin standing close by.
I heard the shuffling of robes behind me and turned to see Luke and Corran entering the chamber. Corran allowed Luke to get a few steps ahead of him. Master Skywalker held his head proudly, his eyes examining the room. I had to wonder if he ever thought there would be such a resurgence of the Jedi.
Corran slipped into the crowd directly behind his son, Valin. He laid a hand on the young boy’s shoulder. Valin looked up and smiled at his father. I smiled and moved my gaze to my own daughter. Shaana stood with one hand on her younger sister, Wynssa, and the other on Jysella Horn. Already was she beginning to adapt herself as a teacher. She will have many apprentices. I then turned my gaze upon the young man standing just across the red carpet from myself. Jacen Solo stood alone. I could feel the battle he raged in his mind. He was not sure whom to believe.
Then, everything became a dream. Or was it a nightmare?
Luke addressed the youngest first, telling them they needed to continue to study so they could be the best Jedi they could. He dismissed them and I saw Tionne motion for the children to follow her. Obediently, they followed the school’s historian. I felt my daughters look to me for confirmation. I smiled sadly. Shaana put a determined look on her face and began helping the smallest find their way out of the chamber. That’s my daughter, always knowing what she must do. She is so much like her uncle and father.
I began to feel as if I wasn’t there, that I was watching through someone else’s eyes. I saw Kyp begin to move forward and place himself opposite Corran and Streen. Several Jedi near the back looked at me. Most felt I wasn’t truly a Jedi since I never studied at the Academy and did not send my children there. Others thought I was tainted because my son was not a Jedi. I ignored them and watched what unfolded before me.
Luke asked Kyp to tell everyone about the Yuuzhan Vong. I already knew, having spoken with Jacen earlier. What he recounted had frightened me. These creatures are blind to the Force. I hear Kyp and Corran argue a point. I am not sure what they are saying. Jacen steps forward to challenge Kyp. Luke quickly stalled the confrontation. Kyp is on the edge. Again. Can he be stopped before he pulls more than half our numbers with him?
Time would only tell.
Luke dismissed us, promising to give each our assignments over the next week. I slipped into the shadows at the back of the room and watched the others leave. Kyp’s entourage followed him like soldiers going into battle. Did they know this could be a battle they cannot win? The others trickled out, most stopping to talk to Master Luke before leaving.
My mind is torn. I wish there was something I could do to help Kyp understand. He leads his troops with fear, the fear of failure. Luke has always said that fear leads to the dark side. If that is true, then perhaps we have already lost Kyp. I cannot say, for I too am afraid. My fear is of the Yuuzhan Vong. I believe we should fear them. Everything we have known is void against them. Luke would chastise me for those thoughts.
Perhaps I am alone.
We stayed the entire week. Shaana and Wynssa learned new things and taught others. Not once was I asked to Luke’s "war room". I spent my time in quiet contemplation and soul searching. I noticed Jacen doing the same. His heart was torn. He no longer knew his place in the Force. I wish I could help him, but I am as confused as he is.
The last day arrived. I stood in the shadows outside as Luke gave his nephews their assignments. Corran was also in the room. I saw Master and apprentice argue. Anakin still felt at fault because of Chewbacca’s death. His father had become a complete mess after that unfortunate accident. All Anakin could hear was the sting of his father’s voice. Luke spoke to him, and the boy finally raised his head in honor. It wasn’t long before he left to prepare for his journey. I could feel the pride swell within him as he passed my hiding place. His job was very important and he would not let his uncle down. He would let no one down ever again.
Luke turned his attention to his other nephew. I could imagine Jacen telling Luke exactly what he had told me a day earlier. He wanted to go out alone and find his own way through this testing time. I watched as Corran was pulled into the conversation. I could feel Jacen was not satisfied with how things were going.
Suddenly, I felt a spike of tension from Corran. He had just received his assignment and wasn’t exactly happy with it. Being Corellian, he took it in stride outwardly. Inside, he was questioning Luke’s action. I watched as he said his farewells and walked from the room. He glanced in my direction, but did not stop.
My head suddenly became cluttered. I closed my eyes and watched the vision being sent to me. I had to grit my teeth so I wouldn’t make a noise. I saw something horrendous. Corran must be warned.
But not yet.
"You may come out of hiding now, Jedi Cracken." The telepathic message brought me back to the present. I looked to see Luke staring right at me.
I checked to see if anyone was around and pulled myself from the shadows. "I apologize for eavesdropping."
Luke smiled. "It’s alright. I’m glad you were. It saves me from trying to find you."
"You were going to look for me?"
"Yes."
"That’s good. I wanted to talk to you also." I tried not to fidget, but failed miserably.
He tilted his head curiously. "What about?"
"I was wondering why you haven’t given me an assignment."
He thought before he answered. As usual, his answer was in the form of a question. "How many of the Jedi do you know? I mean, really know?"
My brow creased in confusion. What was he trying to tell me? "I don’t understand."
"You have known of your skills about as long as I have. You were lucky enough to have a Jedi Master to teach you. Your knowledge of the Force is equal with Kam and myself."
He was making it worse. "I suppose, but what does this have to do with the Yuuzhan Vong threat?" I was getting agitated. He had to sense that I was irritated. But wait, that’s what he wanted. He knew I was feeling frightened. This was his way of redirecting that fear.
He smiled as I came to this conclusion. "Your strengths lie in a different area from anyone. Your powers of precognition are known to each of us."
I began to see where he was taking the conversation. "You asked how many of the Jedi I really knew. You want to know who I’ll be able to sense if they get hurt."
Luke bowed his head. "See why I saved you for last?"
"Yes, but I don’t know enough of them. What if someone is in trouble and I don’t know?"
He reached over and took my hands in his. "Kelly, those men and women who left this planet over the past week knew what they were getting into when they volunteered to help. Those who chose not to take an assignment are staying here to protect the children."
I nodded. This was something I already knew.
"I want you to go home."
My head snapped up. "What?"
"Many times you have told me how strong the Force is on Kanagi. That would be a perfect place for you to be."
His pause worried me. There was something else he wanted to say, but was unsure how to phrase it. What could it be?
"The path of the Yuuzhan Vong has me wondering," he finally said.
"About what?"
"If they keep on a straight path from where they have been, Kanagi will be at risk."
I thought for a moment, picturing the galaxy in my mind. It hit me like a transparisteel wall. "I see what you mean. Kanagi is directly in that path."
He nodded solemnly. "Go protect your friends and family."
"What should I do if I..." I choked on the words. It always hurt when I had my premonitions about those close to me. This wouldn’t be any different.
He saw the pain in my eyes. "Contact Tionne or Kam. They know where everyone is supposed to be."
"Including you?"
He looked at me quizzically.
"Luke, you are as stubborn as I am when it comes to telling someone where you are going."
I saw the beginnings of a grin cross his face. "Jacen will be with me."
That is a perfect place for him. "Good. I will gather the girls and leave immediately."
"Would you not rather leave Shaana and Wynssa here? They will be safe."
"If what you think may happen does, Shaana would never forgive me. Wynssa has learned enough to help. I would rather have my family together."
Luke nodded. "I understand. If I had my choice, we would not be split either."
I knew to whom he was referring. "Mara is strong. She has used the Force longer than both of us put together."
He looked at me. I could see the pain in his eyes. "I hope I’m right in sending Anakin with her."
So, that was young Solo’s important job. "Mara is the perfect choice to bring Anakin back to the present. Who better to convince him he did right than her." I smiled to emphasize my point, and then became serious again. "Luke, Mara has never journeyed to the dark side. She is the purest Jedi we know. She can help Anakin, as well as herself."
He nodded. "You are right. See why I like having you around?" He smiled.
I returned the smile. "I better go prepare my ship to head back home."
"May the Force be with you."
"And with you, Master Luke." I turned to leave.
"Kelly, be careful."
I looked back at him with a Corellian grin. "Hey, it’s me!"
I passed Corran as I headed to my ship. I looked at him seriously as I remembered my vision. "Be careful, Rogue Nine. I fear for your life."
Corran stopped and turned towards me. "Do not fear for me, Mascot, for my ally is the Force."
His words brought a smile to my face. Ahead of him, Valin called. He had found his mother and sister. "Go," I told him. "They need you."
He hesitated a moment longer. "Are you ok with your assignment?"
Corran was one of the few Luke could trust, so of course he knew. I nodded. "The girls and I will be fine."
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaad!" Jysella was growing impatient. I know she felt the urgency around her, but she is too young to understand.
He grinned, looking so much like the Corellian he is. "May the Force be with you."
"Good luck. Remember my warning."
He nodded and turned to jog down the corridor. I watched as he scooped his daughter into his arms. I turned and headed for the Jagged Edge to prepare for our journey home.