Title: Return of the Underground (Part III of the Jedi in the Underground

series)

Fandom: Labyrinth

Parts: 30 plus prologue and epilogue

Disclaimer: I don't own labyrinth or star wars or pretty much anything

here..I just warp it.

Summary: the conclusion to the series. Dealing with the reprocussions of

failure and taking back the labyrinth

Prologue

            In the inky blackness of space, a worn Corellian stock freighter

soared, it's course known to only those aboard it. Inside, a young

woman sat up on her cot and sighed, running a hand through her hair. It

was late and she was exhausted, but sleep was not about to come to her.

Instead, each time her eyes shut, her mind was filled with visions:

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

            The Ugnaughts backed away, leaving the girl and goblin king helpless,

bound to the hydraulic platform. They had said their good-byes, and now

their fate was sealed, a weak promise of vengeance on their lips. Then

they were emersed in fire and liquid until they were no longer human,

but two bodies frozen in a moment of time...

            The tall, blond woman stared down at her opponent with mocking eyes.

This time, the Dark Side would win. There was no other

alternative...she had beaten the worthy foe, taken her love and her

powers. Impatient, she struck, and as the girl reached out to the Force

she gasped as she realized nothing was there...feebley she defended

herself, until there was nothing left to do but run...

            She faced the man she thought she knew, struggled with the revelation

that this time she might not win...that there were only minutes left

and her entire world had been thrown upside-down. She could not back

down, though...she mustn't. Voicing her decision, she was not prepared

for his reaction and she hit the floor hard at the force of his blow.

His words struck her just as hard as the blows, and it was only by luck

that she was able to get up and get away...

            She stared at the lifeless corpse of the man she loved, everything she

had clung to now torn from her. His twin goaded her, tempted her, but

all she could focus on was his shell...that was the way things were,

but what could she do now? How could she win? What choice did she have?

It was by grace and the love of his spirit that she was pulled from a

foolish decision and taken to safety, forcing her to leave her love

behind once again...

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

            Trembling, the woman shook her head to clear her mind, trying to find

some comforting thought to replace the nightmares. They weren't even to

their destination yet and she was having troubles...how was she

supposed to plan a rescue mission? She turned in surprise as a tall

figure appeared in the doorway, almost filling it completely. He walked

to her side, his gait lumbering, yet in a graceful manner. The Jedi

Master regarded her with compassion, reminding her that there were

still her friends to save and that she could not give up hope yet. Not

while there were still Dark Jedi taking control of the Empire, the

Underground, and her home planet. She nodded, knowing it was the truth.

 It didn't completely comfort her, though, for she was feeling alone

and alien for the first time in this universe, this place that had

always provided her with grand adventure and stories, a feeling of

completeness. As if sensing her thoughts and fears, the Master spoke.

            "Sometimes to accomplish something, you must look at it from their

point of view...become a part of the environment." She regarded him

silently for a moment before realizing he was right. She could not go

about this as she had before: as a stranger flying in to rescue a

foreign galaxy...now, now, she was one who was also effected...now, she

was a part of the universe, and she had to accept it. Her eyes met his

as he pressed a cool sphere into her hands, both knowing what had to be

done in that moment, both knowing that it would be very elaborate and

dangerous, but it was the only way. Very carfully, she spoke her wish,

making sure each word was right.

            She blinked as the new tools of her trade appeared before her, almost

filling the room. There were fabrics and clothes of all kinds, makeup

and hair dyes and hair pieces, things to help the process of blending

in even further. Slowly, she realized that in order to get things done,

she would have to abandon her identity for the time-being. No one would

ever recognize him...he had been gone for too long, but she was

supposedly dead...a trick that wouldn't work for long if someone

happened to recognize her.

            A memory surfaced momentarily: a scene from a movie, a ballroom.

Guests in fine clothes, dancing, wearing masks, all hiding there

identity for the time-being, for the moment. A faint trace of a smile

tugged at her lips and she began to select a few items, talking out her

ideas with the Jedi Master as she did so.

            Hours later, the crew was no longer aboard the ship; instead, they

were replaced by those with different names, even if they did bear some

of the same faces. Even the ship was slightly different, or would seem

that way to those who saw it. The young woman took a deep breath as she

faced her new self in the mirror...gone was the brown hair, replaced by

lavendar tresses with silver streaks. Gone were the Jedi fatigues,

replaced by clothes one would expect a smuggler or a bounty hunter to

be clothed in. Gone were the brownish-green eyes, the pale skin,

replaced by brilliant turqoise pools and skin of a light green cast. It

was all an illusion, of course; elaborate techniques learned through

theatre courses and books, but it would do. After all, that was what

she wanted...same spirit, same mission, different face...even that face

would change when it was necessary, but no one would realize it. Gone

was the naive spirit of the girl...it was replaced by the hardened

determination of a Jedi warrior. For the moment, gone was Selah

Specht...in her place, was the Masquerader.

========

To: labyrinth-fanfic@issl.atl.hp.com

Subject: [labyfic] Return of the Underground Ch. 1

From: Selah Specht

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 08:06:31 -0700 (PDT)

--------

DISCLAIMER: Thrawn and his clone belong to Timothy Zahn, the

devastators go to Tom Veitich and Cam Kennedy in their DE

series...Callista goes to Barbara Hambly, and Wuher, Dannik Jerriko,

and Labria, at least the way they're portrayed here go to their

respective authors in the short story collection, Tales from the Mos

Eisley Cantina

Ch. 1

            Grand Admiral Thrawn smiled slightly as he watched the stars go by in

the viewscreen...things had been much quieter since the evacuation of

the Rebels from Yavin. They had become almost downright silent after

the destruction of the Millennium Falcon...

            He immediately came out of his reverie at Captain Pellaeon's voice. "A

message, sir." Nodding, the admiral accepted the data card and studied

it...

            "Sir? Anything of importance?"

            "No...we will merely be receiving some guests soon...Skywalker feels

it unwise to leave the prisoners on Coruscant...we will be taking them

with us in a few short weeks."

            "Yes, sir...Admiral Thrawn, we're approaching Calamari."

            "Fine..." Thrawn replied, his voice almost a sigh instead of his usual

crisp response. He didn't like this mission...it was so...unartistic.

He had been ordered by Skywalker to unleash a hoard of World

Devastators on Calamari, as an example of what would happen to Rebel

sympathizers. But he wasn't even to give them an ultimatum or even use

the fleet that had been assembled for the task. Just rush in and

destroy...although there was a time for everything, the admiral

preferred strategy and complex plans to blunt destruction. It wasn't

his choice to make, though...

            "Pull back the fleet to allow the World Devastators room to attack,"

he ordered, smiling slightly when Pellaeon gave a swift nod before

carrying out the orders. The captain always was loyal to him; a good

officer, too...the epitome of what Imperial officers should be. His

attention was directed to the viewscreen as the World Devastators began

to drop to the planet below. Casually, he ignored the incoming messages

from the Mon Calamari, waiting for this mission to be over with.

            Slowly the lumbering death machines came forward and began their slow

descent to the planet surface. The first group was just about to touch

down when suddenly...they went dead in space.

            "Admiral...we're getting no signal from Coruscant...the Master Signal

has been disrupted!"

            "That can't be...Skywalker switched it back to Coruscant after he had

tested that one Jedi...it must be a computer error!"

            "No error...the signal is gone." Thrawn blinked in surprise at

that...this was only the second time he had witnessed the stop of the

massive machines, and by the same method.

            "Admiral, enemy ships coming in!" an officer shouted, and Thrawn

glanced up in alarm as a small squadron of Rebel ships came into view.

            "How did they know we were attacking here...no one knew! They'd either

have to get their information from a leak or be a Jedi." He mulled over

the possibilities as he watched the Devastators that were now being

destroyed by the incoming ships.

            "It's Rogue Squadron and a few stock freighters, nothing we couldn't

take care of.." the navigator replied from his station.

            "Admiral Thrawn! Unidentified ship coming from our fleet!!" Pellaeon

barked suddenly.

            "What?! How?" The admiral's eyes widened, then narrowed in alarm as a

freighter shot out from their fleet and fired wildly at a neighboring

Star Destroyer, doing significant damage from what he could tell. "Get

me a readout on that freighter...it looks familiar."

            "Yes, sir..." Pellaeon replied. Moments later he added, "It appears to

be the Silver Arrow, sir." At that, Thrawn's eyes narrowed even more.

            "She's getting cocky, isn't she, Captain?" he finally asked quietly.

            "She does seem to be attacking more frequently, sir. And she seems to

be a Rebel sympathizer."

            "Either that, or she's being paid to help their cause," the admiral

stated, watching as the ship soared away from both fleets, unscathed by

the battle. "She seems to be an independent attacker..."

            "The Masquerader is supposed to be nothing but a spice-runner and

bounty hunter," Pellaeon said, raising an eyebrow to his commanding

officer.

            "Then I suggest we figure out who, exactly, is on her list to

capture...you can't track her?" he added, already knowing the answer.

            "No...she always seems to disappear for weeks at a time...almost as if

she's another person...but this is the fifth attack this month," the

captain said quietly.

            "Get me Skywalker..." Thrawn said suddenly. "Tell him we have to raise

the bounty on this...Masquerader...and add that it looks like the

Rebels have found themselves another Jedi."

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

            I immediately put myself into performance mode as I entered the

cantina; I had just landed on Tatooine and was eager to check in with

my people. Effecting a swagger, I walked into the bar, this time with

much more authority and commanding much more respect. After all, the

Masquerader wasn't one to be toyed with.

            It was only recently that I had made public my alter ego, my main

persona that I claimed as the Masquerader's owner. Up until that point,

many had no face to put with the legend: someone of unspecified gender

that got business done faster than Fett because no one had ever seen

them. It was true that I tended to use up to fifteen disguises per

system, only letting people notice that it might be the Masquerader

when I thought it could be useful. But I needed someone to claim

ownership, to take away the possibility that it could be an average

Jedi from a little place called earth...it didn't matter that I was

supposedly dead; I wanted to cover all my bases. So, I brought one of

my favorite personas out and declared it the owner of my little

scheme...and no one thought the wiser.

            Sliding onto a stool at the bar, I flashed Wuher a smile and tossed a

strand of lavendar hair over my shoulder. He had become a useful ally,

as had a few other of the regulars at the cantina. Glancing over at me,

he immediately stopped wiping down the bar and came over. I waited

patiently, dusting off my dark trousers, black shirt, and grey billowy

blouse that was thrown on over the other shirt, buttoned only halfway.

            "Didn't expect to see you back here so soon," he said gruffly.

            "You know me, can't stay away. Figured the Imps wouldn't look for me

here; they never do," I replied casually, glancing around to see who

was in at the moment. Returning my gaze to Wuher, I chuckled slightly,

my voice disguised as it usually was; it wasn't often anymore that I

used my real voice.

            "They're starting to get curious...a few stormtroopers came in

inquiring if you were a regular here, a few days back."

            "Let em inquire...they won't find me," I laughed, though on the inside

I was pondering this new turn of events. Looked like it was time to

move headquarters...I should have figured on it, but there was

something about Tatooine that almost seemed like home. It would be hard

to leave it behind...I paused as a scrawny human, probably a moisture

farmer, was tossed across the room by a drunken Bith. *But not too

hard...* I thought wryly.

            "You want anything?" Wuher asked, and I returned my attention to the

bartender.

            "Remote Terminator."

            "That's a little strong, isn't it? Most don't ask for something like

that..." He gulped slightly as I raised an eyebrow. "Preprogrammed or

randomized?"

            "Randomized....there ain't a profit without risks," I chuckled as he

turned to fill out my order. Soon after, he plunked a glass down in

front of me and I mentally prepared myself to actually start the task

of ingesting it. I wasn't about to order something weaker, though...I

had developed my persona and I had to stick with it. Taking a sip, I

frowned thoughtfully. "Any word on what I'm worth these days?"

            "This came in yesterday," he answered, shoving a datapad my way before

going back to wiping the bar. I smiled at the wanted ad.

            "Nice picture, although not my best side..." I said quietly, looking

over the promise of 300,000 credits to whoever could bring in Artemis

Durron aka the Masquerader. I had been careful to erase any possibility

of being caught, and the extra persona suited the purpose. "My, but

it's nice to feel wanted," I sighed, flashing a reassuring smile at

Wuher.

            "Just promise me you'll get out this time...you're one of the few

decent ones that come in here...don't want to see you getting shot.

            "I don't plan on it, friend. Has he come in yet?" I whispered, looking

up at him.

            "He's over at his usual booth, said to tell you he has what you

wanted."

            "Good," I replied, getting up. "Well, Wuher, hopefully this'll be the

last time you have to see me."

            "For what it's worth, Artemis, I hope so." Grinning, I walked past the

jabbering patrons, past Figrin Da'an and the Modal Nodes, past an

impending bar fight to where my information broker waited in his booth.

            "Labria, I've been hoping you'd show up...it's about time Jabba's

worst spy came up with something good," I teased, taking a seat across

from the Devaronian.

            "Do you want your information or not?" he replied, flashing a smile

with his blunt teeth. I knew it would take a lot for me to tick him

off, so I grinned back. We had developed a sort of kinship, a business

relationship for the month-and-a-half I'd been in hiding, and it worked

well.

            "Go ahead, what did you find out?" I asked, taking another sip from my

drink.

            "Thrawn seems to think the Rebels have a new Jedi..." Mentally I

smirked...good, as long as they didn't suspect me. I had worked hard to

keep up a mental wall anytime I did my Imperial saboteuring, and so far

no one linked the Masquerader to being anything more than a bounty

hunter.

            "Interesting...how far have they moved?"

            "They've been able to take a few earthlings into the academies, but

they've kept it secret...they say Skywalker has used his magic to

kidnap prospective officers." At that I frowned.

            "I'll keep that in mind...enough with the news, Lab! What about..." He

grinned, briefly lowering his hidden row of canines before continuing.

            "Depends...do you have my fee?" Nodding, I reached into a pocket and

pulled out the music chips I'd promised him.

            "These'll be worth something...they're not anything you can find

here..."

            "I know...I've only heard of this Bowie through the earthlings the

Imps have been recruiting. How you came up with music chips of him is

beyond me..." Luckily I had remembered to wish a few on the Falcon when

I had asked for my new wardrobe and necessities...I had known Labria

had a music fettish and figured they could be useful. Fortunately, the

conversion process to chips wasn't as hard as I had originally thought.

            "Well?"

            "All right...I know the carbonite figures are on Thrawn's ship-"

            "Anyone with a brain could figure that out, Lab! What about the rest?"

I calmed myself as he got edgey. I couldn't force him...I had to be

patient. "If I find them, I can claim a large bounty from the

Rebellion...what have you got?"

            "Only that they were on Coruscant, but they're being moved

someplace...no one could tell me where. The Imps are keeping everything

under wraps...although..." At his almost-demonic grin, I sighed and

pushed forward an extra music chip. "Word has it that Karrde knows more

than he's telling...you'll have to talk to him." I nodded, figuring as

much. "Also...the Rebels heard I knew you and asked for you to contact

them...I think they want to hire you." My brow furrowed slightly...this

was an interesting turn of events. I slowly accepted the chip with a

frequency on it that he pushed across the table to me.

            "I'll do that...thanks for relaying the message...as you know, no one

contacts me directly-"

            "You always find them. Take care of yourself, Artemis. Don't get

blasted by any Imps."

            "I won't...thanks Lab, you're a good spy." He nodded and raised his

glass.

            "Take care, Artemis...don't get too cocky. And good luck." I nodded

again, flashing a grin of my own before getting up-

            And running smack into a tall man that had been smoking a hooka. I

raised an eyebrow and regarded him silently.

            "Friend, I think you'd better move."

            "Really," he replied, too calmly. I reached out to him with the Force

as I gazed into his dark eyes.

            "You will move," I whispered, just daring to try a voice manipulation

trick in public.

            "I had expected more from you, bounty hunter, not just casual threats.

I've come to collect on you..." he murmured, and I immediately spotted

the movement inside pockets next to his cheeks.

            "Dannik Jerriko, I presume...I would've thought the Imps would've sent

someone with more class to take care of me. Your reputation was

tarnished long ago...don't try to reclaim it now," I stated purposely,

rolling my eyes. I knew I couldn't avoid an attack, but I didn't have

to play by his rules, either. Immediately his hands were around my

neck. I waited, reaching out to the Force to calm me.

            "I wouldn't do that if I were you..." I said softly.

            "You will fear me...Anzat of the Anzati."

            "That name is a legend...the fear and glory you think you invoke is

gone...that was gone ever since you turned sloppy."

            I knew I had angered him past his limit, so it came as no surprise as

his grip tightened and the probosci shot out of their hiding places

towards my nostrils. I wasn't about to let them strike into my brain so

he could feed of my essence, or soup, as he liked to call it. I struck

out with the Force at the tenticles, and he pulled them back slightly,

as if stung. Using that as a distraction, I slammed my knee into his

groin and watched as he bent over, crying out in pain. My hand went to

my belt, but instead of the lightsaber that was safely tucked away

under my clothes, I grabbed my blaster; using the sword was too risky

right now. Using the Force to speed my actions, I whipped my hand up,

sending a blast of deadly energy through the assassin. He immediately

crumpled to the floor, a look of total shock etched on his features as

he breathed his last.

            "I hear he's amassed quite a bounty on himself...you turn him in,

Wuher...get some decent chairs for this place, huh?" I said, breaking

the silence. On the inside I apologized to the Anzati for taking his

life, but I hadn't had a choice. I couldn't risk putting my powers on

display, not yet. Turning towards the bartender, I threw some coins

onto the counter. "Sorry bout the mess," I quoted quietly before

stepping out into the Tatooine heat.

Ch. 2

            I slowly brought the speeder to a stop beside the small domed house in

the middle of the Judland Wastes, glancing over at the building as a

tall figure in a tan poncho came out to meet me.

            "Sandstorm's coming...glad you're back in time," Qui-Gon said, bracing

himself against the wind that was now whipping through the sky. I took

his offered hand to steady myself before jumping out of the landspeeder

and accompanying him into the former house of Ben Kenobi.

            "I would've been back sooner, but I had to deal with an

Anzati...sometimes I really hate having to curb my use of the Force," I

sighed, frowning as the wind picked up speed.

            "Patience...the time will come soon enough," he reminded me, and I

nodded, reminding myself that this whole disguise thing was my idea. I

turned upon picking up a new presence beside me and smiled slightly at

Khabarakh. He nodded his greetings and followed us into the house

where Artoo was waiting.

            "I wish you'd let me accompany you..." Khabarakh mewed carefully as I

took a seat in a worn chair. I rolled my eyes; we had had this argument

a hundred times already. Even though he accepted me as a fellow

warrior, he was still concerned that my gender would draw unwanted

problems.

            "I can take care of myself..." I retorted for the thousandth time.

            "But sometimes assistance is required," he reminded me. I winced

slightly as I recalled the first attempt at disguising myself...I

should've known not to act confident on a planet like Kessel, but I had

needed information and was anxious to get in the smuggling game.

Luckily the Noghri was around to bail me out of *that* little incident.

            "I know..." I sighed, accepting a bowl of stew from Qui-Gon before he

seated himself at a table across from me.

            "What did you find out this time?" he asked, resting his chin on his

hands.

            "Well, it looks like Artemis is attracting attention...the bounty's up

to 300,000..." I answered around a mouthful of food.

            "Good...we wouldn't want you to be an unsuccessful bounty hunter," he

replied deadpan, and it wasn't until he glanced up at me that I could

see the amused sparkle in his eyes.

            "Cat and Jareth are in Thrawn's possession on his ship..."

            "We figured that," Khabarakh added from beside me, giving an impatient

sigh. The waiting hadn't been easy on the Noghri warrior.

            "Yes, but supposedly Karrde has information regarding the

others...they're being moved from Coruscant to somewhere, and he's

boasting that he has all the info we need."

            "Isn't he usually a reliable source?" Qui-Gon asked, and I nodded.

            "Then that should be our next move...what aren't you telling me?" he

asked, frowning suddenly. I chuckled slightly, knowing better than to

try and hide anything from him.

            "The Rebellion wants an audience with the Masquerader, why they didn't

say. Lab seems to think they want to hire her."

            "Interesting..." he mused, frowning as he sank deep in thought. I

waited a few moments before continuing.

            "And the Imps think that the Rebels have found another Jedi...and

they're beginning to recruit earthlings via magic." Master Qui Gon's

frown deepened at that information.

            "What should we do?" I asked quietly.

            "We need to find out where the others are...and you shouldn't ignore

the requests made by the Rebellion...Request an audience, go and meet

them...but make sure they send someone you trust. If it helps, do it

when you meet with Karrde...he's a Rebel sympathizer and should have no

problems with it, if you pay him enough," he finally replied.

            "There's no problems with that...I picked up enough credits from my

last spice run to last us awhile," I answered confidently. I didn't

love the idea of becoming a smuggler/bounty hunter, but I didn't have

much of a choice. It was the best disguise given the circumstances.

            "We should leave quickly...stormtroopers have been spotted in Mos

Eisley," the Noghri warrior added and I nodded.

            "I know, Wuher said they were asking questions just a few days ago." I

smiled slightly as Artoo gave a low whistle from his spot by the table.

            "Then we cannot stay here any longer. Come on, the sooner we get

going, the sooner this whole thing can end..." Qui-Gon said firmly,

getting up. I knew that was the signal to clear out; it was one I had

become accustomed to over the past few weeks. I glanced up, realizing

the howling of the passing storm was finally subsiding. Standing, I

followed the Jedi Master out of the hut and to the Falcon, now the

Silver Arrow. A well-worded spell had made sure that anyone who saw it

wouldn't see it for what it really was. It now seemed sleeker,

deadlier, but with all the fire-power and add-ons of the original.

            Turning, I gave one final, fleeting look back to Kenobi's house that

was perfectly preserved on the desert planet, silently thanking the

Jedi for sending me his master to help guide me. Then, knowing I

couldn't look back any longer, I turned and headed for the Arrow, my

new mission in the front of my mind.

Ch. 3

            I gave a smug smile and posed casually as Karrde's image slowly

appeared before me. "Karrde," I greeted him with a nod.

            "Ah, at last I meet the infamous Masquerader," the dark-haird, bearded

man replied, as calculated and charming as his reputation had made him

out to be. He looked exactly like he had the last time I had met him in

the Underground.

            "I'm flattered that you've heard of me," I replied, not phased one

bit.

            "Indeed, all fringe operators worth anything know of you..."

            "As well as the Rebellion, I take it," I added, saying the words

purposefully.

            He paused only a moment before replying. "So I see I'm not the only

smuggler that's been assisting them...what can I do for you?"

            "I need information...information that isn't safe to exchange over any

frequency...and I'm scheduling a meeting with the

Rebellion...supposedly they want to have a meeting."

            "I'd heard that, yes..." he answered slowly, not knowing where the

conversation was going.

            "Good..." I replied, glad that it hadn't been a trap. "Can you arrange

it for me?"

            "I suppose...a joint meeting between someone from the Rebellion and

myself?" he asked.

            "That's right...I was thinking sometime in a standard week on Nar

Shaddaa."

            At that his eyebrows shot up. "You sure...the Imps will have their

eyes open."

            "Trust me...they won't be able to find me. They won't know what to be

looking for."

            "Then how am I supposed to know?" he asked, a slight smile playing

across his lips.

            "You'll know...trust me, you'll know...so is it a deal?"

            "All right...I'll arrange the meeting...anyone special you want me to

bring?"

            I frowned slightly before answering. "Wedge Antilles...I don't trust

the diplomats...a pilot is more the type of person I'm used to dealing

with."

            "Pilots and bounty hunters, you mean," he interjected, a sly smile on

his lips.

            "Those too, yes.." I confessed. "Can you do it?"

            "I'll talk to him as soon as we're finished."

            I nodded again, knowing that was as good a confirmation I was going to

get from Karrde. "I'll be waiting for you both in a standard week on

the smuggler's moon at a place I'll send encrypted to you. And don't

worry, I'll bring my credits."

            "Ah, then it will be a pleasure doing business with you. Consider the

meeting arranged," Karrde said, smiling slightly before signing off. I

watched his hologram erupt into static before disappearing completely.

            "It's done," I called to the others that were waiting in the lounge. I

walked into the room and sat across from the Noghri commando at the

holo chess table, propping my chin on my palm and drumming the table

with my fingertips as the others thought over my statement.

            "Good...once we discover the location where the Mal'ary'ush is being

held, we can act!" Khabarakh said, and I could tell he was edgey. He

didn't like having to wait to save the salvation of the Noghri people.

            "I'm afraid it's not that easy, friend," Qui-Gon said from his seat on

the couch, looking the alien directly in the eye and Artoo whistled

his agreement from the warrior's other side. "We have to figure out a

way that will benefit all of us...we can't just rush in and attack."

The Noghri gave a hiss of frustrated contemplation before nodding.

            "You are right...it is best to wait," the warrior agreed finally.

            "Thank you...have you done any meditating today?" he asked, turning to

me.

            "I haven't exactly had time...but I will right now," I added upon

seeing the look on the older Jedi's face. I knew it was important to

keep my connection to the Force, even if it was limited to meditating

when we were sure we were far from any watching Imperial forces.

            "You need to keep strong in the Force, Selah...you never know when you

might have to use it," he reminded me sternly. I bit my lip, knowing

that a confrontation could happen at any time if I didn't watch out,

and I would have to be prepared when the opportunity presented itself.

            "Yes, Master," I replied, sighing submissively. I caught the hint of a

smile playing across his lips as I left the room, like he had been

recalling a long-forgotten memory. Shrugging, I went to my quarters to

begin my meditations, figuring I might as well...

            It's not like I was sleeping, anyway.

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

            Qui-Gon quietly watched the young woman leave the room, reaching out

with the Force to make sure she would follow through with her promise.

She had taken him only slightly off-guard by calling him Master. Now

that was a name he hadn't been called in a long time...a long time.

            He knew she was a full Jedi knight, but he could also feel some

connection between them; not quite the same as that between a master

and padawan...almost like a surrogate. Her actions had momentarily

reminded him of Obi-Wan, and how he used to put up with his ways of

going against the council with the same amount of allowed

submissiveness...but she wasn't like his padawan in the fact that she

followed her own path, her own ideas of how to get things done. She

almost reminded him of the Nubian Queen Amidala the way she passed in

and out of different identities, as well, yet the expression on her

face that reflected her inner struggle of trying to deal with

everything that had happened was much more reminiscent of Shmi

Skywalker than the queen...

            Sensing that she was, indeed meditating, Qui-Gon dropped the link, but

remained thoughtful. She needed her rest...something that he knew she

wasn't getting, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. Even a brief

time of hibernation would be sufficient. He also realized that they

would need help in carrying out the rescue, but there were very few he

would trust to include in the mission, and none of them were around

anymore. Most people for hire would just as soon sell their secret for

a tidy sum then keep their mouths shut and help them out. A Jedi would

be best, but that wasn't very likely given the current situation,

although...

            Qui-Gon smiled slightly at the idea...it was something that would

require thinking over, and he would have to ask Selah about it; he

didn't want to use the last crystal without her permission. It would be

easy to pass off, though...the Empire already believed there was

another Jedi lurking around, probably for the Rebellion...it wouldn't

hurt to fulfill their suspicions. He wouldn't act on the possibility

until he was sure they would need it. But still...it was definitely

something worth considering.

Ch. 4

            Dark Luke frowned slightly at Thrawn's report...this wasn't good; he

hadn't foreseen or expected any of these predicaments. Now, besides a

Rebellion that refused to roll over and die, he had to deal with a

bounty hunter that obviously had a bone to pick, and a new Jedi.

            He briefly reached out to the Force, searching for the new thorn in

his side. He needed to know if they could be turned...both he and

Callista had been searching for the Jedi, but they were nowhere to be

found. Releasing his stretched senses, he sighed and stared at the wall

in front of him. No matter...he would find them in time, he was sure of

it. At least the Millennium Falcon was destroyed and earth's only Jedi

blown into pieces.

He smiled slightly at that thought, recalling the expression on

Skywalker's spirit's face when he had told him the news...he was still

relishing it.

            Taking his mind off of savoring the past victory, he turned as

Callista entered the room. Dressed in all-black body armor and flowing

cape, she was the very ideal of what a Dark Jedi should be...especially

a female Dark Jedi. She absently pushed back a strand of malt-colored

hair as she approached the throne.

            "Do we still want to risk moving the prisoners if there's that bounty

hunter around?"

            "She is an annoyance, nothing more...someone will track her down soon

enough. I've already sent Fett out on her trail...if he can't catch

her, then no one can.

The schedule will go as planned...tell no one; I want you to handle it

exclusively. How are the new recruits coming?"

            "Very well...it was brilliant to capture Star Wars fans...they haven't

objected much and those that do are quickly taken care of. Have you

found the Jedi yet?" she asked after a slight pause. Frowning, Dark

Luke shook his head before looking her straight in the eyes.

            "Soon, though...we'll find whoever it is very soon...I can feel it."

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

            Luke Skywalker fought the urge to scream with the madness of it

all...he was sure she was all right...of course she was all

right...wasn't she? The gathered knights and masters knew that she had

been rescued from doing the unthinkable by Qui-Gon Gin thanks to a

wish, but afterwords they had been unable to watch the proceedings

without the crystal, and their captor didn't see reason to give them

another. He preferred to torture them as he gloated of his victory over

the Falcon.

            "She's safe, isn't she?" he asked quietly, not for the first time.

            "Hard it is to tell with the ysalimiri," Yoda replied, his features

grave.

            "I'm afraid all we can do is wait, Luke," Ben said, trying to soothe

him.

            Nodding, he crossed to the windows and gazed out over Imperial

City...the sun was just starting to set. It was a magnificent scene

with explosions of oranges, reds, and yellows fading into midnight

blues and purples, broken only by the sparkling stars. But still, it

did little to ease his worried mind. Turning back, he glanced at the

assembled Jedi...it seemed they were having just as hard a time dealing

with things as he was. None of them were used to being without the

light side...besides, now the entire fate of their galaxy and another

were at risk.

            That didn't bother him, though. He was more concerned about the fate

of a certain young woman.

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

            I donned my disguise and packed other needed materials in a sack that

I slung over my shoulder. Taking a deep breath, I prepared to step

outside of the Arrow and into action-

            "Are you sure you do not require assistance?" a low voice mewed behind

me.

            "Khabarakh...I know you're concerned for me, but if anyone sees a

Noghri in a place like this, they're gonna get suspicious, don't you

think. You're going to be out there anyway during the second half of

this endeavor...I don't need you constantly at my side." He sighed, and

I knew he saw my point. "Besides, Qui-Gon will be able to keep tabs on

me through the Force," I added to ease his fears.

            "She'll be fine, Khabarakh; she's done this before," Qui-Gon reminded

him, stepping into the corridor. "Are you ready?"

            "I think so...I've got all the supplies, I know what I'm after...I

think that should do it," I said, nodding firmly after I had completed

my mental inventory. "Do you know when you're supposed to take your

place?"

            "I should, you went over it so many times with me," he chuckled and I

blushed slightly. This meeting couldn't go wrong, though...the rest of

my mission depended on it. Sobering slightly, he started to speak, but

stopped himself.

            "What?"

            "Have you thought about including another person in our party?"

            "What do you mean?" I asked, frowning. Didn't he trust me? Hadn't I

shown I was capable? I tried to block him from reading my emotions, but

he was fast. Raising an eyebrow I met his amused look.

            "It's not that...more like we need extra people in case something goes

wrong...someone who knows the territory and is familiar with how we

work."

            "That would almost have to be another Jedi...and I don't know if there

are any available, what with the Imps searching everywhere and all," I

pointed out.

            "What if I knew exactly where to find one." A statement, not a

question. I knew what he was asking, though, even if he didn't voice

it.

            "If you feel we need someone else to cover more ground, fine...I trust

you; go ahead and use the crystal. It might be safer to use it anyway;

I really don't want to accidentally be caught with it." I frowned as I

glanced at my chronometer. "I've gotta get going or else this thing

won't get done...if you wish whoever it is here before I get back,

bring them along and they can help you out with your part," I said,

smirking slightly.

            "I'll leave him here to pilot the ship if we need to make a fast

getaway," he replied, ignoring my remark. Nodding, I turned to leave.

"May the Force be with you," he said quietly, and without turning I

knew he was smiling. I met his gesture through the Force and returned

it.

            "And also with you," I replied before stepping out of the ship.

Ch. 5

            Qui-Gon shook his head slightly as he watched her leave, a mixture of

amusement and worry on his features. He knew she was capable; she was a

Jedi, after all, and a good one, at that. But Nar Shadaa was filled

with unsavory types and she had been trying to cut back her use of the

Force while in disguise...

            Sighing, he glanced at the Noghri, feeling empathy for the warrior's

worried spirit. It wouldn't help anyone if she ended up dead because

she was unprotected. Yes, she had weapons; she was practically a

walking armary. Yes, she was smart. But still...sometimes surprises

couldn't be avoided...

            He pushed the thoughts out of his mind as he called R2-D2 to his side.

Whistling, the droid opened his secret compartment and allowed the

master to remove the final crystal. Looking at his reflection for a

moment in the sphere, Qui-Gon considered why he was doing it. They

needed help, yes...but it would take time for her to get used to the

idea. He had no intention of making her feel jealous or uncapable...he

just wanted someone else to be around to protect her if something

happened or they needed to split up.

            His doubts gone, the Jedi held the globe aloft in his palm and quietly

uttered the needed words. In a flash of light, the crystal was gone,

and in its place, a face that he hadn't seen in years. After the

necessary hellos and such, he immediately got down to providing the

younger man with an explanation; he would definitely need one.

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

            I had to move fast, couldn't keep still, had to get into character...

            Quickly, I tugged the tattered cloak I was wearing further over my

clothes and adjusted my packs. The parts of my face that were visible

were dirty with soot, and a ratty hair piece was exposed through the

hood. Without a second thought, I plunged into the streets of Nar

Shadaa. Now I was a beggar, an unfortunate permanent resident of this

dank world. I limped along, occassionally holding out my hand to

passers by that looked like they had something to offer. Occassionally

I would reach my hand out to pickpocket someone, but never quite

succeeding. After making my was slowly down the streets, I finally

reached my destination: a dark alleyway next to a casino. Frowning, I

reached out with the Force...the alley was inhabited, but by other

beggars that seemed inebriated to the point of sleep. With a new

resolve I entered the dark corner and began my next transformation...

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

            Glancing over my cards, I frowned thoughtfully. Did I actually need to

win this hand of Sabaac? Of course not. But I did so hate to

lose...Calmly, I placed the Seven of Flasks down and asked for a new

card...I had two out of the three I needed...

            The dealer, a Rodian, barely gave me a glance as he shoved a

replacement my way. Of course, he wouldn't have given me a second look,

anyway; I was dressed as a male at the moment. In a spacer's jumpsuit,

my hair tucked under a suitable wig and a false goatee on, I had

compensated for other things that could give me away by padding the

clothes I was wearing. I let my gaze follow that of one of the female

attendants, in the back of my mind I was practically hurling as I did

so. I did want my characters to look authentic, though, and there was

no such thing as a male that didn't notice a female in that sort of

garb.

            Thankfully dragging my attention back to the sabaac table, I took a

swig of the stuff I was supposed to be drinking and refrained from

showing any signs that might give away my hand. I refrained from

inhaling too deeply; the air was reeking with sweat, blood, spilt

drinks, and things I didn't even want to know the origins to. *This

could even beat the Bog of Stench,* I thought wryly, looking over the

other players before deciding on my next move.

            "I'll call," I said gruffly, breaking the silence. Slowly, the other

players, a human and a Chadra-Fan, nodded their consent. The Chadra-Fan

was out right away, he had been trying to bluff his way through.

            "Sabaac," the human male said smugly, laying his cards on the table. I

glanced down at them casually and back up at him before slowly,

purposefully laying my hand down in front of me.

            "Idiot's Array. If I'm not mistaken, that beats even sabaac." He

snarled in disgust and shoved his chair over as he got up and left.

Good, I had gotten in enough bar fights to last me an eternity while I

was playing these different characters. Grinning, I grabbed the credit

chips in the hand and sabaac pots before noticing a pair of figures

that were entering the grimy casino. Right on schedule...

            Without a word I got up and scanned the room. I knew there was one

around here somewhere...I let a grin show on my face as a waitress

about my size came flouncing by. There was no need to be scared of

being found out; most people wouldn't think anything of a smuggler

chasing a skirt. Silently, I followed her as she headed towards the

employee dressing area, grabbing the door as it swung shut and silently

following her in.

            She turned and gasped as the door slammed shut, and immediately I

backed her against the wall and covered her mouth with a hand. "Don't

scream...don't even speak...this isn't what you think..." Her eyes were

still wide with terror, though, and I sighed as I realized I had to do

this the hard way...

            The girl grew silent as I used the Force to take control of her

thoughts. I hated to do it, but sometimes it just couldn't be helped.

Ordering her to strip, then take a nice long nap, I quickly changed

from smuggler scum into spaceport slut. Adding the right amount of

makeup and a headpiece, I sighed and shook my head at my reflection in

a floor-length mirror. A short skirt and a tight top with plummeting

neckline just wasn't my thing...I may not like wearing a bag over all

of me, but I don't like going that far. *All in the line of duty, I

suppose,* I thought, glad that I was travelling with Qui-Gon and not

Jareth...he'd have had a field day...*Jareth...Cat...* I thought sadly

before pulling my mind back to the present. My contacts were not going

to wait long...Throwing my packs behind a dressing screen, I headed

back out into the casino/bar, and concentrating on the mind of a sabaac

dealer, convinced him to take a break while I took his place. Now all I

had to do was catch their eye and wait...

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

            Karrde glanced around the casino as Wedge followed, right behind. "Not

the most impressive place for a meeting, huh?" the pilot muttered and

Karrde shrugged. He had been in worse places, but he had definitely

been in better. It wasn't his decision, though...

            "Any sign of her?"

            "No...what are we looking for?" Wedge answered, just as perplexed as

the smuggler.

            "She said we'd know her when we saw her...whatever that means." He let

his gaze drift over the patrons, mostly males of all species that had

seen better days. A few seemed to recognize the pair, and Talon Karrde

began to feel just the slightest bit uncomfortable. He was used to

scum, but Nar Shadaa was no place to just wander around. Sighing, he

turned to the pilot. "We'll give her a few more minutes..." His mind

snapped back to reality as he noticed an attractive dealer dressed in

the garb that the other female attendants were wearing. A Twi'lek, she

was quite something to look at, but what was more intriguing was the

look in her eyes...

            "Wedge...sabaac table to your left...you don't suppose...?" the

smuggler asked the pilot. He turned to regard the dealer, getting the

same reaction from her as the smuggler did. The outfit totally went

against everything he had come to see the Masquerader as...a strong

female that was independent and not willing to act in the deragatory

female way expected by some males.

            "Nothing is what it seems in this place," Wedge replied softly.

"There's only one way to find out...come on, let's go."

            They slowly made their way to the game table, just as a spacer made

off with a human attendant. Glancing over at the Twi'lek, Karrde put on

his suavest smile which she returned.

            "Deal you in, gentles?"

            "I don't know...how high are the stakes?" he replied smoothly.

            "Very high..." she purred, glancing up at them coyly, her tail-like

lekku twitching slightly in anticipation from behind her shoulders.

            "Then is it worth it?" Wedge asked.

            "Some risks are worth taking...are you risk takers?" she replied,

leaning her chin on her hands and peering at them with mischevious

eyes.

            "Yes, as a matter-of-fact, we are..."

            "Good...I like risk takers...follow me," she said suddenly, abandoning

her table as if it was the last thing on her mind. Glancing at each

other, the two man contemplated what to do, whether to follow or stay

behind.

            "Are you sure that's her?" Wedge asked, frowning.

            "I hope so...otherwise we just got ourselves into one hell of a

situation." Karrde began to wonder if he had had it right, after all,

as she disappeared into a back room, beckoning them to follow.

            "Just give me a moment to get into something more...comfortable..."

she giggled, ducking behind a screen.

            "Uh...miss...maybe you've got the wrong idea..." Wedge said, heading

towards the door.

            "Do I?" she asked, her voice taking on a slightly different tone,

before she reappeared in a simple peasant garb, a sack on her

shoulders, and her face and hair that of a human. A slightly amused

smirk was on her lips.

            "So it is you...you had us going there for a moment," the smuggler

acknowledged, feeling a little embarrassed at the relief that flooded

through him.

            "It happens...come on...through the window," she ordered, pointing to

an open window beside them. "We'll hold the conference on my ship...put

these on; I can't be seen with you," the Masquerader added, handing

them tattered robes before slipping easily through the frame.

Shrugging, the two men had no choice but to follow her lead.

Ch. 6

            I led the duo out the window and into the streets of Nar Shadaa,

mentally having a laughing fit over what they had thought I had

initially proposed. Guiding them through an alley, I silently motioned

for them to follow as we came to a busy street.

            "Ah...sir, ah bauble for a lady friend?" I asked in an gravelly

accented voice to a smuggler that passed by. Grumbling, he shoved me

out of his way before continuing. I muttered a curse back and went up

to show my wares to a few more spacers, all of whom ignored me

completely. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the tall hooded figure

nod once before dropping back slightly. Turning to Wedge and Karrde, I

nodded for them to follow, briefly spying the hooded Noghri that was

behind them before he vanished into the shadows. He was right...in

places like this it paid to have insurance, so we slowly made our way

back to the freighter, flanked by a Jedi and a Noghri commando.

            "We're being followed..." Wedge murmured softly and I nodded.

            "I know...they're my people. It's insurance."

            "What about the stormtroopers?" Karrde asked, raising an eyebrow from

underneath the hooded robe. Glancing around, I quickly spotted the

white armor that was talking to some of the street's inhabitants. The

beggars shook their heads dumbly, though, and I winced as they were

kicked abruptly before the soldiers moved on.

            "We'll have to hurry...I didn't count on the Imps getting this far on

my trail," I whispered, plunging ahead. Finally, we reached the hangar

and neared the ship...which was attracting Imperial attention. I cursed

and nodded to the tall hooded figure behind the smuggler and the pilot.

Nodding in reply, Qui-Gon pushed his way past our guests to meet the

stormtroopers. I frowned as they began motioning frantically; I

couldn't hear what they were saying. The Jedi Master gave an almost

invisible hand movement and the stormtroopers nodded, bidding us to

pass. He entered the ship with me and the the two men close behind,

Khabarakh taking up the rear.

            I gestured for them to have a seat in the lounge and watched as they

made themselves comfortable on the couch. I sat by the table, making

sure that Artoo was nowhere to be seen; the last thing I wanted was for

anyone, even a friend, to figure out who I was because of a stupid

mistake. My ears perked up as he gave directions to someone else in the

cockpit, and it didn't sound like it was Khabarakh. Slowly, the ship

took off and left the system. So he had brought another person in,

after all. Fine. But I could still handle this negotiation by myself.

            "First things first..." I sighed, throwing off the cloak and watching

as the others did the same. Underneath I had my Masquerader's

"uniform"; the persona of Artemis.

"I hope you don't mind leaving your ships behind for awhile...I

couldn't risk leaving mine there for long."

            "Understandable..if need be I'll have my people retrieve them," Karrde

replied, nodding.

            "And I hope you'll understand that I'd like to get down to business."

I turned to Wedge. "What does the Rebellion want from the Masquerader?"

I asked, smiling politely.

            "Well, we were hoping that you might-"

            "I won't join. The Imps will be all over me if I officially join up

with the Rebellion," I interrupted, pursing my lips.

            "We figured as much, but that wasn't what we were needing. We have

been asked to hire your services to find this new Jedi that the Empire

is looking for." I hid my surprise and merely lifted an eyebrow.

            "Supposedly they're supposed to be helping the Rebellion."

            "If there is one, they're not coming forward," Wedge said, and I could

tell he was frustrated. I felt for him, but I couldn't give away my

properties or my identity yet.

            "And why should I get involved?" I asked coolly.

            "Because we need you to...no one else can seem to find whoever it is.

They're the only one that could possibly save the Rebel leaders." It

was hard for me to contain my insult at that.

            "You realize that the Empire could easily find me if I decided to help

you," I said firmly.

            "Yes, but that's always been a concern with you. It's good money,

Artemis. I can assure you of that," Karrde said, staring straight at

me. Slowly, I leaned back against my chair and feighned pondering the

matter.

            "How much?"

            "It is negotiable, but-"

            "Half a million," I stated.

            "What-" Wedge immediately replied, catching his breath.

            "Surely that's a little steep, isn't it?"

            "For a Jedi? Surely not."

            "You know the Rebellion can't spare that type of money!!" the pilot

insisted.

            "So find it..." I retorted, starting to get up.

            "What do you need?" Karrde asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Slowly, I sat back down.

            "I could be talked down....if...."

            "If?"

            "I'll find you the Jedi...and I'll save your Rebel leaders. You can't

risk a Jedi who you don't know the affiliation of. I'll perform the

rescue, myself, but I need information regarding their whereabouts.

Word is you know where they are. If you give me the information I need,

plus help me out in this little scheme, I'll negotiate the price. If

not, I believe this meeting has reached an impasse."

            They looked at each other, trying to judge the situation by the look

in the other man's eyes. Slowly, Karrde began to speak.

            "I'll tell you what you need to know...and we'll help you."

            "Good...where are they being held?"

            "They were moved to Thrawn's ship five days ago...if they don't lure

the Jedi, they'll be terminated in two months.

            "Two months...that doesn't leave us much time," I mused, by brow

furrowing. "But I think I can swing it...do you know what course his

ship is on for that time?"

            "Last time we checked he was headed to Myrkr for more ysalimiri to

convert."

            "What about Fett...I need you to tell me exactly where he's been

spotted at."

            "Probably the same course...he's been offered a bounty for the Jedi by

the Empire," Wedge said, frowning.

            "Okay...meet me at these coordinates when I call you...everything will

be prepared and I'll have your jobs for you. Speak to no one about

this, afterwords we can discuss my payment. Until then, I leave you to

your ships, gentlemen, and with the promise that I'll get your friends

back," I said firmly, trading one data card for another as I gave the

coordinates to Karrde for a card with information regarding the latest

readouts and locations of the Chimaera and its missions. Soon, we had

landed briefly on the Smuggler's Moon to drop off my clients and were

on our way back into space.

Ch. 7

            Callista smiled smugly as the prisoners were yanked from the shuttle

onto the Star Destroyer. This was sweet, sweet revenge for the

Empire...everything was going perfectly. Flicking her blond mane over a

shoulder, she strode to meet Captain Pellaeon, gesturing for the

stormtroopers that were with the prisoners to take the "guests" with

them. They obeyed, and she rolled her eyes as various complaints were

made by the Wookie, droid, and three humans.

            "You'll never get away with this...the Rebellion-" She whirled to face

the princess, cutting her off with a viscious look.

            "Please...you're precious Rebellion is in shambles, and soon it won't

even exist anymore!!" She glanced over as the Wookie roared obscenities

at the two guards that were yanking him aboard.

            "Really, Chewbacca! You're just going to get us into more trouble if

you don't be quiet!!" The fuzzball replied and it must not have been

what Golden Boy wanted to hear.

"No I will not keep quiet! After all, the Empire is being perfectly

reasonable so far-" Sighing, she produced a remote and hit the button

which activated the restraining bolt. The droid immediately fell

silent.

            "Any other complaints?" she asked, glaring them daggers. Silence.

Turning, she started towards the waiting Captain Pellaeon...

            "Lose the armor; it doesn't do a thing for ya." Her eyes narrowed and

she slowly turned to face the gathered prisoners that were wearing

innocent looks...especially Solo. She didn't even deign to give a

reply, but merely held her hand out and watched in silence as blue

lighting struck the Corellian, slamming him against a wall and leaving

him breathless. The hangar started to echo with the Wookie's cries of

protest.

            "You didn't have to do that!" Lando yelled, finally speaking.

            "You could have killed him!!" Leia screamed, and at Callista's nod the

stormtroopers allowed the leader to rush to the scoundrel's side.

            "That's right...I could have, but I didn't. This was merely a warning.

Do you need another?" She raised an eyebrow as they regarded her.

            "No," Calrissian growled, helping his friend to his feet.

            "Good." Turning, she went to meet the captain.

            "Lady Callista," he said, bowing respectfully.

            "Captain...here are the prisoners...hopefully Thrawn can keep them

under control."

            "He has a dark ysalimir here and will be picking up more from Myrkr;

they should take care of the princess, at least. We'll make sure

they're closely guarded."

            "Good...I hope so, for your sake. I wouldn't want Lord Skywalker to

become upset..." she said, the unspoken threat plain on her pursed

lips. The captain nodded and gestured for the stormtroopers to follow.

            "Well...I suppose we shall be parting ways for now-"

            "Good...I hate long waits anyway, but this one was much too long..."

She glared at Calrissian, evidently taking up for Solo.

            "Charming to the last, I see...too bad it wasn't very hard for me to

sign the orders to terminate your lives at the end of two months," she

replied mock sweetly.

            "Our friends will come after us!!" Leia answered calmly.

            "Really? I don't think so...but perhaps you haven't heard..."

            "Heard what?" Han asked, glancing at the others.

            "The Millennium Falcon was destroyed as it tried to escape the

Executor while leaving Coruscant. I'm afraid there's nothing left of

the ship, or those who were on board...too bad that was the ship your

little Jedi tried to escape in..." she chuckled, savoring their faces

like fine wine.

            "That can't be true...I didn't feel it!!" Leia blurted out, but her

eyes weren't as convinced as her voice.

            "Only because we had dark ysalimiri all over the castle...I did feel

it, though...and it was wonderful...a moment that the Sith will

treasure forever," she purred, and merely shrugged as stormtroopers had

to hold back the prisoners. "Thought you might want to know," she

called over her shoulder as she returned to her shuttle. "I shall be

back in two months, Captain, to see that the deed is done."

            "Yes milady," he replied solemnly, glancing over at the crushed faces

of the Rebel prisoners.

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

            I fought a sigh as the Arrow entered space, making the jump to

lightspeed. I knew I could pull it off...it was extremely risky, but I

knew it could be done. It had to be. I glanced down at Artoo as he

nudged my leg, giving me a consoling whistle. Smiling, I walked over

to the couch to have a more comfortable seat, just noticing Khabarakh

entering as I did so. He could be extremely quiet and hard to spot when

he wanted to be.

            "The meeting went well?"

            "Yes...they wanted me to find the Jedi that's been working to help

them."

            "And you are upset because you cannot tell them it is you."

            "It's not that I want glory...it's just that...I want them to know

that I'm capable...that the Masquerader's capable.."

            "Even without Jedi powers," he finished for me, taking a seat at my

side. I nodded silently.

            "It's not that I'm exactly afraid to use them, but...look how badly

things went on Coruscant."

            "You could not have prevented any of it. There is a time to act, and a

time to wait...things must be balanced. This was there time to lose and

a time to win will follow..."

            "But now earth is losing people to the Empire!! Who knows when they're

going to officially take over the planet, let alone the galaxy...and

it's all my fault," I sighed, shaking my head sadly. "I may be a Jedi,

but I sure don't feel worth the title." He looked up at me with large

eyes and gave the Noghri equivalent of a smile.

            "Still, you are a warrior, and a good one. I am pleased to know you,

Selah clan Specht." I smiled slightly and squeezed his hand, feeling

only a little better. *Oh, well...at least Qui-Gon half-way trusts

me...he's let me control our efforts almost completely so far...then

why is he bringing in another Jedi?* I frowned slightly at my

thoughts...I wasn't really the jealous type...well, maybe a little bit,

but this was ridiculous! I was already a Jedi...not a fantastic one,

but a knight still the same. Why did I feel the need to win his

approval?

            I snapped back into a business-frame of mind...there was a lot that

had to be accomplished in two months. The Arrow needed a few repairs,

nothing that couldn't be done by us, and we needed to find Fett. That

was the most important thing...find Fett and keep track of the

Chimaera.

            "Khabarakh, I'm going to check out some of the things that need

repairing on this thing...we'll hit the Chimaera when its returning

from Myrkr."

            "But it will have dark ysalimiri on board-"

            "But we need the time. We can't work that quickly to hit it

yet...besides, I can handle it," I stated, hoping it was true. I had

nearly fallen apart the last time I was around those things...A distant

part of me chided the rest of my mind for picking the time, as

well...maybe I did want to impress Qui-Gon by showing that I could get

things done, even without Jedi powers. Pushing that train of thought

away, I decided I might as well go up and see who he had recruited. He

would have to approve the destination plans, after all.

            "Where's Artoo?" I asked absently as I got up.

            "He is in the cockpit with the Jedi...he seems to know the other one

as well as Master Qui-Gon." I frowned...that was odd. Artoo seemed to

know a lot of people though, so I shrugged it off.

            "The Chimaera and Fett seem to be headed to Myrkr...I have a plan that

I think will wo...." My voice trailed off as I entered the cockpit and

the pilot glanced over his shoulder, as did Qui-Gon from the copilot's

seat. "Oh," was all I managed to get out; I was too stunned.

            "There you are; I was beginning to wonder. Selah, I'd like you to

meet-"

            "Obi-wan Kenobi, yes, I'm familiar with him," I said calmly, nodding

in his direction as he stepped away from the controls. "Pleased to meet

you," I added, not wanting to upset the Jedi Master just a few feet

away.

            "As am I...Master Qui-Gon was just telling me that this whole thing

was your design..." he replied, smiling. He looked even better in

person than Ewan McGregor did on the screen, but he wasn't here for

that, and neither was I. I should've known Qui-Gon would bring in his

padawan...they were connected, they worked better together...and Kenobi

was one of the best Jedi of them all. So much for being trusted.

            "Yes, I guess you could say that...but I've had a lot of help..." I

added, smiling only slightly. I cringed a little as the padawan reached

out to me with the Force, only half-heartedly meeting the gesture

before slamming down a mental wall, even before Qui-Gon could get in. I

knew it was rude, but I really didn't care at the moment.

            Frowning, the padawan gave me a curious glance, and Qui-Gon just

barely looked in my direction.

            "You said Thrawn was heading towards Myrkr?" the Jedi Master asked

after a slightly uncomfortable silence.

            "That's right...but we have to find Fett first.."

            " Why?" Obi-Wan asked.

            "I'll explain later...first I need to get some repairs done on the

Falcon, uh, Arrow, here...but we have two months and two months only to

prepare this thing," I stated, feeling very tired suddenly. Shrugging

it off, I gave a weak smile. "But things should work out...now, if

you'll excuse me Obi-Wan...Mas-uh, Qui-Gon, I've got to get to work," I

corrected myself hastily before retreating from the cockpit to get some

tools and get to work.

Ch. 8

            Qui-Gon stared after Selah as she left the cockpit. He had

half-expected that reaction, but still...too many things were bothering

her. She was blaming too much on herself, and that had to stop,

immediately. If they were going to perform a rescue, she had to be able

to pull it off, then possibly confront Dark Luke. He and Obi-Wan could

only help so much...He hadn't expected her to completely close herself

off to him, though...that had come as a slight shock.

            "She's just under a lot of stress," he murmured, reaching out to the

Jedi. The wall was still up and going strong.

            "As I see," the younger man replied, frowning slightly.

            "Khabarakh?"

            "Yes, Qui-Gon clan Jin." The Master wasn't even surprised that the

Noghri was right beside him; he could feel it.

            "Did she happen to mention what her plan involved?"

            "No, she said she would speak of it when the time was right." The Jedi

Master nodded, figuring that was the case.

            "I'm going to check the nav computer...there's a short stop-off we

need to make," Qui-Gon said suddenly, turning to the controls. "Has

she-"

            "I've done my meditating for the day and practiced with remotes...now

I'm doing repairs," a slightly irritated female voice interrupted from

down the corridor.

            "Selah clan Specht does have very good hearing," Khabarakh said,

chuckling slightly.

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

            I bit my lip to keep from grumbling while I welded a piece on the

Arrow. So not only did the Rebellion trust more in an invisible Jedi,

but Qui-Gon had thought it necessary to call in his padawan...perfect.

Just great. I practically wasn't needed...although, I admitted that it

was because I had failed to defeat Dark Luke in time...still...

            I grimaced and wiped sweat from my now-normal skin-colored face. There

was only so long one could spend in full makeup...the hair would have

to stay until I decided to drop my cover, though. I sighed as I sensed

a presence coming up behind me...great, probably a reprimand for my

manners. I frowned upon noticing that it wasn't Qui-Gon, though...and

it wasn't a droid or a Noghri. Perfect...I was mostly angry at myself,

but I couldn't help but take it out a little bit on Obi-Wan...not

through his fault, though. It was because I knew how great of a Jedi he

would become...I couldn't even begin to live up to that, could I? Not

after that last attempt at heroism...it seemed like I was a better

bounty hunter and smuggler than Jedi. That thought disturbed me, but I

didn't have time to think about it. Fighting a yawn, I continued my

work.

            "Did you want something or are you planning to stare a hole in my

back?" I asked, breaking the silence. I could tell he was slightly

surprised that I had deigned to speak to him, given my previous

performance.

            "Khabarakh said you were doing repairs...I came to ask if maybe you

needed-"

            "No...I'm handling it. It's nothing much...just a little damage to the

shields and hyperdrive. Nothing I can't handle." I paused, but he

didn't move. "Thanks, though." He still didn't move. Glaring at the

wall, I continued in silence.

            "You're taken with wearing masks, aren't you." Great, so now I was

being judged. I shrugged. Even if I was irritated, I did love listening

to that accent.

            "They can be quite useful...becoming a different person for a while

has allowed me to get things done..." I replied, returning his

statement like a game of tennis.

            "I would think they help you to avoid other things, as well," he

pointed out.

            "Or help me to deal with them from a different angle...it's all in

your point of view." Bam! Score one for me...I smiled slightly,

wondering how Ben would feel about all this...he'd probably be rolling

his eyes at me now, but I figured it might just be a tad amusing.

Somehow I still couldn't picture the reckless Padawan with semi-fixed

views behind me as the ancient, noble Jedi Master that did everything

from a different angle. 

Maybe I needed to adjust my views, as well.

            Sighing, I hung up the welder's mask and tools on a hook and tried to

move a valve back into place. Just my luck, it was stuck. Wiping my

hands on my pants, I tried again, gritting my teeth and straining.

Pausing to take a few deep breaths when it didn't work, I tried a

different approach: slamming the thing as hard as I could over and

over, hoping it would either give or break off. It still refused to go

all the way.

            "You're giving into anger...maybe you should try calming down-"

            "Thank you. I'm sure I couldn't have thought of that on my own," I

snapped before backing away slightly. "I am a Jedi, after all," I added

coldly, the implication that he wasn't as yet hung in the air. Calming

myself, I reached out to the part, figuring out why it was

stuck...finding it was only a matter of easing it into place, I grabbed

again and pushed with an extra mental boost; it gave easily. Opening my

eyes, I felt triumphant, yet realized how much of a jerk I had just

been.

            "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to be so rude...it's just that...I'm a

little cranky when I don't get my sleep," I covered, not wanting to

state the real reason for my bad manners. Turning, I glanced over at

him for a moment as I headed down the corridor to help Artoo with the

hyperdrive. He seemed thoughtful about it, and if he was offended he

had shrugged it off. Lowering myself into the hole in the floor beside

the astromech droid, I examined the parts in front of me.

            "Hydrospanner," I said, holding out my hand. Exhaling in a hiss, I

glanced over the parts. "Looks like the reverse power coupling..." I

mumbled, wondering why Han didn't fix the blasted thing more often.

Running a hand through my hair, I held it out again in expectation for

the part. As it was laid in my hand I was only slightly startled by the

human fingers that brushed mine. I glanced up in surprise at Obi-Wan,

nodded in approval, then returned to my work.

            "How long have you gone without sleep?" he asked curiously. Sighing, I

knew I wasn't going to be able to avoid the issue for much longer.

            "Uh...three, maybe five days...I've lost count," I admitted, shaking

my head to snap myself back into focus. Artoo whistled that it had, in

fact been five, nearly six days; a new record on my part.

            "And you're sure you don't want to take a break? I can fix this-"

            "I'm handling it...no offense, but I just feel responsible for all

this, and I'm going to make sure nothing goes wrong. I've done my

meditating; it'll have to do for now..."

            "Master Qui-Gon isn't going to be thrilled..."

            I rolled my eyes. "He hasn't said anything yet." I frowned as I

reached to replace a part...hadn't it been slightly lower? Glancing

around, I yelped in surprise as I realized that I was, indeed, being

lifted into the air. In irritation I looked up at Obi-Wan to find that

he wasn't doing a thing.

            "What-" My question was answered as I was slowly rotated to face the

person that I hadn't realized had been at my far side. I tried to yank

myself back down, but that involved taking down my mental wall, and by

time I had done that, I was standing on the ship's floor.

            "Khabarakh can help Obi-Wan with the repairs," Qui-Gon stated simply

before turning and walking down the corridor. I knew without being told

that he wanted to talk to me, and I grudgingly admitted to myself that

I had earned it. Following him, I felt a slight sense of impending

doom, almost like a child knowing they've gotten caught by a parent in

the midst of giving a sibling a swift kick in the rear.

            Silently, I sat down on the couch in the lounge and waited for him to

speak. I didn't dare reach out to him with the Force...I didn't really

want to know what he was going to do. Glancing up, I cringed at his

solemn, even stern, expression as he came to a stop in front of me.

            "Just because you're under a lot of pressure does not give you the

right to be rude to a fellow Jedi, even if he isn't a full knight yet."

            "I know...I'm sorry," I replied quietly, staring at my most

interesting hands, supressing the urge to bite off all my nails then

and there. "And by wronging the student I have offended the master...I

am sorry...I'll go apologize-" I added, starting to get up. All it took

was a raised eyebrow to convince me to sit back down. He briefly

reached out to me with the Force, and for an instant I felt like I was

back in my Humanities of the Western Traditions class where my teacher

loved to walk behind his victim right before asking almost impossible

questions, waiting for the chance to glorify in a pupil's defeat. My

mouth suddenly felt dry and I could tell that the hairs on my neck were

raising slightly.

            "You've been having a hard time with this." I chanced another glance

up at him and his now-thoughtful, musing expression stopped me cold. I

knew that he could tell what had been on my mind; a realization that

both comforted and horrified me. I couldn't deny it, but...

            "With what?" I asked, trying to look innocent. A soft smile graced the

Master Jedi's lips before he knelt directly in front of me so that we

were now at eye level. He didn't even have to use the Force; he was the

possessor of almost as great a power: the power of 'the treatment,' a

term used for the influence and charm that only the most effective,

knowlegeable, and best of the best celebrities, school teachers, and

parents could claim ownership of. His version wasn't the celebrity

schmoozing version, but rather the parental

I-know-what's-going-on-I'm-not-playing-along-but-I'm-going-to-make-you-talk-about-this-whether-you-like-it-or-not

technique. Not being able to stand it any longer, I felt my shoulders

hitch slightly as I sighed deeply, nodding in resignation.

            "It was not you're fault-" he started softly.

            "But it was. If I had been faster, if I had been smart enough to see

through the delay techniques, if I had been-"

            "Things happen for a reason. That day was not Dark Skywalker's day to

fall. It was your day to learn that there is much further for you to

go...you are still on a path, whether you are a Jedi or not. Even Jedi

Masters must accept this...Tell me something. If I had been just a bit

faster, maybe been with the Force a bit more, had sensed Darth Maul's

move coming, I wouldn't have died on Naboo, right?" I met his steady

gaze with totally confused eyes. "Yet, if that had happened, Obi-Wan

would not have been directed on the path he needed to take...things

could have turned out much, much different. You might not even be on

this mission now. The so-called end of my term spurred him on his

path...it needed to happen. Just like you needed to lose for the

moment. You can't blame yourself for this."

            "But how am I supposed to know if it will make a good diference or a

bad one?"

            "You can't...you can only trust in the Force, that in time, somehow

things will be corrected," he answered calmly, taking my chin in his

hand. "Do you understand?"

            After a brief hesitation, I nodded. "Yes...Master." He smiled

slightly, wistfully, and nodded in approval.

            "You may be beyond being a padawan, but I'll admit there's some

connection between us. That's why I also want you to know that I didn't

bring Obi-Wan in because I didn't trust you."

            "Then why-"

            "Because when it comes down to it, you are the one that must face Dark

Luke. You are the one that has to defeat him...I'm only trying to

relieve you of some of the stress, so that you won't be too worn out

this time to finish what he started." I nodded, understanding sweeping

over me like a comforting blanket. "And don't worry about the

Rebellion...their misunderstanding merely proves how well your disguise

and plan is working," he added, patting my shoulder lightly.

            "I know...thank you," I added, smiling slightly and reaching out with

the Force in an apologetic gesture which he accepted like a squeeze of

a hand.

            "Now then...you need your rest. No complaints...no protests," he

added, the stern look reappearing suddenly as he stepped to his feet.

"You need your strength."

            "You're right...how long do I have until we reach Myrkr?"

            "We're making a short stop-over before that...you'll have enough time

to get enough rest if you go into a hibernation trance." Nodding, I

turned and walked to my bunk, slightly relieved that I didn't have to

take care of everything myself. Using the Force to slow my breathing

and heartrate, I thought of peaceful things until I was all but dead to

the world.

Ch. 9

            Obi-Wan busied himself with finishing the repairs, not daring to

listen in on Qui-

Gon's conversation with Selah. For some reason he could tell that

although he had a strong link with his Master, as did all padawans with

their masters, the older Jedi and the young woman had something just as

strong. He pushed her attitude out of his mind, knowing she had been

through a lot and, according to Qui-Gon and Khabarakh, wasn't sure how

to deal with all of it. He frowned as he glanced over the newly

replaced parts of the hyperdrive, then back up at Artoo.

            "Is that everything?" he asked, hoping he hadn't forgotten anything.

The droid whistled an affirmative and he covered the hole in the floor

before returning to the cockpit to check the course. He didn't even

turn as the Jedi Master came in to watch the starlines.

            "Is everything all right?" the padawan asked, not wanting to pry, but

curious, just the same.

            "Yes...she's better...and she'll be better still with some sleep. But

I still think it's necessary to make that stop." Obi-Wan nodded

silently, noticing that Qui-Gon seemed to be just the slightest bit

tired, himself.

            "Looks like she's kept you busy," he observed wryly.

            "You could say that...she's certainly something else," the older man

sighed, an amused smile on his lips. "I don't think I've ever met such

a woman...strong in the Force, dedicated, but certainly independent and

has a mind of her own...she certainly does things her own way, as

well..." he added, his voice trailing off. "Reminds me of Queen Amidala

a bit...and Shmi....

            "To me she seems almost like a Jedi Master I know..."

            "What?" the master asked, just a tad surprised.

            "Surely you've noticed it...you could pass for her uncle or

something," Obi-Wan answered, more than a little amused that for once

he had taken his master by surprise. "She's almost as stoic as you are

and just as stubborn," he added quietly before pretending to be

downright fascinated by the nav computer.

            "Maybe..." Qui-Gon acknowledged, nodding absently. "Under the

circumstances I think I'll take that as a compliment," he added, the

smile still evident.

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

            I blinked slightly as a persitent whistling broke through the

darkness. "Wha- Artoo?" The droid answered me and I quickly pulled

myself all of the way out of my trance. "Right...just a sec..." I

mumbled, moving my limbs and blinking grogginess away. Smacking my lips

slightly, I sat up and followed the droid into the cockpit, fully awake

by the time I got there.

            "Feeling better?" Qui-Gon asked, not having to turn around.

            "Much...thanks...amazing what a few hours deep sleep can do.

            "Hours? Try a few days," Obi-Wan answered, glancing back with an

amused smile.

            "*Days*? How could you let me stay in a trance that long!? I need to-"

            "The ship didn't blow up, Dark Skywalker hasn't taken complete control

yet, and none of us are bleeding. Everything is fine," the Jedi Master

reassured me, glancing over with eyes that showed he found my shock

terribly entertaining. Sighing in surrender, I took a seat behind

Obi-Wan.

            "So where are we headed? What's this little stop-off that you've got

planned?" I asked, stretching slightly.

            "We still have time before we arrive...why don't you tell us this plan

of yours?" the Jedi Master countered, and I gave a slight smile. I

should've known he wouldn't tell me until he was ready.

            "It's simple...sort of...well, okay it's not simple. But it should

work."

            "How does Boba Fett come into play?" Kenobi asked, not taking his eyes

from the controls.

            "Well, here's my theory: none of us will be able to just waltz onto

the Chimaera, even if we are disguised like officers or something;

Thrawn's way too smart for that. There's only a few people that would

be able to walk on in...one of them being Fett. I figure if we can

steal his armor and ship, one of you can enter easily, bringing me in

tow, saying that you've captured the Masquerader. Then, once I've gone

through the routine of torture and imprisonment, I'll sneak out, do a

transformation, get the prisoners, signal whoever's in disguise, and we

leave in our respective ships." I looked at the two shocked Jedi who's

attention I now fully held. "What?"

            "That...that's not only not simple, it's crazy!!" Obi-Wan managed,

totally taken aback.

            "What's so crazy about it?" I asked calmly.

            "First of all, how do you plan to break out of an Imperial prison

cell, especially if there are dark ysalimiri around?"

            "Whoever's Fett will just happen to come along to check on the

prisoners or something and happen to accidentally press the release

button...or Khabarakh could come with us, sneak on in Slave One's cargo

hold and go in with Fett...no one would ever notice him," I replied

confidently.

            "What about the two that are in carbonite?"

            "Khabarakh or the Fett impersonator gets into where they are, defrosts

them, sneaks out, plants a bumbling officer there or something, and

they get put in a prison cell along with the rest of our friends."

            "Where are we going to hide the ship?" Qui-Gon pointed out.

            "We'll attach it to the Star Destroyer as a piece of garbage...it

worked once, it's bound to work again."

            "All right...how about this: just how do you plan to get ahold of

Fett's ship and armor?" Obi-Wan asked, raising an eyebrow.

            "That's gonna be tricky, true...but...Artoo, go get what I told you

about," I called to the astromech droid that was residing in the

lounge. "Now then...we find him, I lure him as the Masquerader,

then..." I took the items I had ordered the droid to retrieve from a

hidden compartment in Han's sleeping area in the Falcon. "I'm just glad

he still has this," I murmured, carefully taking the two hypodermic

needles.

            "What is it?" Obi-Wan asked.

            "I don't remember the exact name, but injection with this makes the

victim unable to complete any motion except what he is told to do by a

captor...this one undoes it," I added, nodding towards the other

needle. We do this on Myrkr or as he's leaving it, we're fine...then

it's just a matter of meeting the Chimaera and taking care of the

rest," I concluded, leaning back in my chair, quite proud of myself.

            "You do seem to have everything thought out..." Qui-Gon said, frowning

with thought. "But how are you going to disguise yourself properly to

pull this off?"

            "Oh...this will be my best transformation yet...we've just got to make

sure it's timed just right...according to Karrde, the subject I'm

impersonating will be aboard the Chimaera in two months exactly...all I

have to do is get there just before her, and make sure she's

delayed...that's where Wedge and Karrde come in."

            "You don't mean..." Khabarakh hissed quietly.

            "Oh, but I do."

            "The idea has merit, I'll give it that...I don't see why we couldn't

pull it off. It's involved, but it should work just fine," Qui-Gon

decided, coming out of his reverie. We all straightened slightly as the

beeping that told us we were approaching our destination. I didn't even

need Qui-Gon to tell me where we where headed; I could tell from the

sight of the planet, and from its feel through the Force. I felt myself

frown, confused, but figured there had to be a reason for going to

Dagobah. There always was.

Ch. 10

            Dark Luke smiled slightly as he read over Thrawn's reports. It had

been a week and the prisoners were still secured. Things were going

perfectly. He didn't even mind losing those World Devastators...if they

gave the Rebellion foolish confidence to attack, then he could easily

defeat them. For now...now, he had a new weapon, something that would

definitely give any opposition something to think about.

            Construction had just finished and the super laser hung above

Coruscant, an ominous reminder to all who dared think of betraying the

Empire. It was same as a Death Star's super laser, but without all of

the cargo holds, hangars, and rooms for the crew. No, the crew was very

minimal so almost the entire complex was the weapon. Instead of the

sphere, it had more of the look of a long rod, and when it fired, for

an instant it looked like a lightsaber, hence the name, Darksaber II.

He had read about it in one of the sequels he had been researching, and

he was sure not to make the mistakes of the original. This time, he

would have complete control. And if earth dared to stand in his

way...well, it would be dust.

            He had even had the foresight to destroy some of his own Devastators,

blaming it on the unknown Jedi, hoping to draw them out. So far, it had

produced nothing, but he had been seeing visions that soon someone

would come forward. He glanced over as a new presence entered the room

and turned his chair so he could gaze at the Lady Callista.

            "The prisoners are still secure, and the new recruits are doing fine

on the Chimaera. Even the ones that we thought might be problems have

succumbed to the Empire's influence," she purred, smiling fondly at a

memory.

            "Have you located the Masquerader as yet?" he asked, nodding in

approval.

            "Not yet...she hasn't shown her face for weeks..."

            "Or maybe she has and we just don't know it," Luke replied, frowning

softly.

            "We should be seeing her soon...when things get quiet, she usually

resurfaces," she replied, coming up the stairs to meet him. Smiling

fondly, he took her hand and pressed it lightly to his lips.

            "And you will be ready for her when she does...just as I will be ready

for the Rebellion when it dares to resurface again," he whispered, his

eyes blazing with anticipation.

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

            Thrawn smiled slightly as he read over the report. So, the Darksaber

II was finally operational. Although superweapons were not his

preferred method, this meant that he would be given leave to do what he

was best at: engage the Rebels that came out of hiding to destroy the

thing in fierce strategical attack. They wouldn't last long, he was

sure.

            Sitting down in a chair in his quarters, he pressed a button on a

panel on the piece of furniture's arm. Music from a remote system

softly began to play over the speakers and he relaxed slightly, letting

his mind wander over the pieces of art he had most recently obtained.

His gaze became fixated on one in particular; a piece that truly showed

all the chaos of war in its two subjects that were frozen during a

grusome moment in battle. His gaze wandered over the contorted features

of the goblin king and the girl, who looked to be just about nineteen.

It was amazing that she had even survived. But the two of them

together...that's what made the piece so unique. It had been worth

every credit he had paid. Sighing deeply, he closed his eyes and let

the music sweep over him for a few minutes before he had to go back to

the bridge.

            Life certainly was good.

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

            I inhaled deeply as the loading ramp lowered and the Arrow's

inhabitants stepped out into the swampy land of Dagobah. The air was

lush and filled with life, as was the entire ecosystem. I smiled

slightly as a winged thing flew by and the murky waters gurgled. True,

it wasn't a resort, but it had a charm all its own. I could feel the

Force all around me, and it gave me great comfort, indeed.

            "So, what are we doing here, anyway?" I asked, being careful not to

enter the water's depths, knowing what could be lurking there. I

glanced over at Khabarakh, who wasn't completely thrilled with the

place, but was intrigued, nonetheless. His nose twitched at new scents

and his claws momentarily flexed in and out of his grey paws. I

directed my sights towards the path that I knew would lead to Yoda's

house, or what was left of it. There shouldn't be much, considering the

climate of the marshy environment.

            "Don't you know?" Qui-Gon said, and I turned my head slighty to regard

the two Jedi that were at my side.

            "This place is so alive....the Force is very strong here," Obi-Wan

said in awe, taking in the many things to be seen.

            "It is...both sides are," Qui-Gon agreed, his eyes flicking over to me

momentarily. At that instant, I nearly recoiled from the spot I was

standing. Something wasn't right...

            "What is it?" Khabarakh asked, noticing my frown.

            "Something is out of place...I feel...cold," I murmured, barely

noticing Obi-Wan's nod of agreement. "But the tree...it's a ways from

here, isn't it?" I asked, turning to Qui-Gon.

            "True...but it can be felt from anywhere," he stated simply, and I

suddenly knew why we had landed on the isolated planet. Sighing, not

really wanting to do it, I carefully unhooked my belt, removing my

lightsaber and blaster. A few more gestures removed a dozen other nifty

toys that I had acquired over the weeks. Laying them carefully in a

pile by the ship, I took the glow rod that Qui-Gon handed me and headed

off towards the tree.

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

            "Is she going to be all right, Master?" Obi-Wan asked, frowning as the

young woman disappeared in the mist.

            "No harm can come to her...at least not anything physical," the master

replied, his frown just as deep as the padawan's. Obi-Wan didn't press

the issue; he knew that if he was supposed to follow, he would be

instructed to do so. But still...he didn't like the way this felt... He

glanced down as Artoo-Detoo warbled a soft reply from his side.

            "You said it," he muttered before taking a seat on an enormous tree

root by Master Qui-Gon to wait until whatever was supposed to happen,

happened.

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

            I frowned as my muscles shuddered slightly, both from the sudden chill

in the air, and the thought of confronting what was in the cave formed

by the tree. Slowly I stepped inside, pretending not to notice the

snakes that seemed quite at home in the thing. The dark quickly took

over, becoming so apparent that I swore I could feel it on my skin.

Moisture was everywhere and seemed to easily get into my boots and

clothes, as well as on my skin. I closed my eyes briefly and reached

out with the Force to calm myself. As soon as my breathing slowed, my

eyes flicked open and I started forward once again.

            My breath caught in my throat as fog suddenly took over and images

started to form.

            I was in a throne room...not the crude, makeshift one on the death

star, but a true throne room. It looked to be on Coruscant, but I

couldn't be sure. Glancing down, I grimaced as I noticed that cuffs now

bound my wrists and I was being pushed towards a dias by stormtroopers.

            "Excellent...so you've finally come to me." I paled slightly at that

voice...the voice that I both loved and dreaded.

            "Luke?" I whispered softly, and my eyes widened as the chair swirled

round to greet me. Dark Luke sat there, a satisfied smile on his face.

            "You are beaten."

            "What are you talking about?" I asked quietly, a feeling of dread

seeping into me.

            Silently, he pointed to a stormtrooper and he handed me a miniature

viewscreen.

In it, was a peaceful looking planet that was very familiar. It had to

be, it was home. Suddenly, a brilliant ray of energy struck it from a

floating device that was just visible in the screen. The earth

immediately burst apart in a billion pieces, the explosion so bright

that even though it was over a screen I had to glance away.

            "You're planet is gone." I looked up at him in horror, barely

comprehending. I could feel all the voices of my people crying out in

terror; voices of family, of friends, of people I barely knew, of those

I wished I didn't know, and of people I had never met. Suddenly, all

was silent. Inside, I was slowly falling to pieces, like my planet had

done moments before. "The Rebellion was destroyed just days before," he

added, and I knew he had finally found where they had been hiding. "You

cannot fight...your light powers are defeated..." he said softly,

coming towards me. I knew he meant the dark ysalimiri; I could feel

them outside, practically daring me to try to resist. "Your friends

have been terminated because you weren't fast enough...you have failed

again, just like you did the last time. And as for your love..." My

attention was captivated by the viewscreen once again, and my eyes

widened in silent horror as I watched the unmoving shell of Luke be

struck down by Callista, easily split in half by her ruby blade. My

voice was unable to come...I couldn't move at all.

            "You are done for...everything you have fought for is gone...you must

join, or you will die," he hissed, inches from my face. I knew I

wouldn't survive...but wasn't there some way to hinder him, only a

little? Was everything I had fought for suddenly gone, with no one left

to stop it?

            Abruptly, there was no more time to think, no more time to act. A

violent snap-hiss got my attention, and I backed into a stormtrooper as

Dark Luke lunged forward, his scarlet blade coming up and then

forcefully swinging down...

            I blinked as everything suddenly vanished, still caught in a

half-trance. It couldn't be...it just couldn't. I knew that the last

time I had experienced such a phenomenon, I had confronted my past.

Now, I was confronting a possible future. I fought the urge to crumble

to the floor and cry, but I knew that wouldn't help anything.

            "No...no. I will do something. I may not survive, I may not fight, I

may not even be able to use the Force, but I will do something," I

vowed quietly to no one before slowly leaving the domain of evil.

Ch. 11

            Qui-Gon regarded the young woman who was being extremely quiet as they

trekked back to the ship. "Sometimes things cannot be prevented..." he

stated quietly. She nodded slightly, and sighed.

            "Is it going to happen like that?"

            "I don't know...I cannot foresee that outcome, though anything is

possible."

            "And I have to be ready for anything," she added. "What if I fail?"

Selah asked abruptly, stopping in her tracks. "What if I freeze, or get

too emotional...what if I just can't do it?" Her gaze was pleading,

bordering on helplessness and he knew they had to address this issue

immediately.

            "I brought you here to prepare you for what could happen...there are

alternatives to fighting," he added, giving her a meaningful look.

"Although sometimes fighting is necessary. "You must realize that

sometimes certain things have to be done so that the outcome can be the

desired one," he stated, a somber look coming over his leonine

features.

            "Like what happened to you on Naboo."

            "Exactly," he said, nodding. "But, if you have any doubts about your

skills, we have to clear that up now...Obi-Wan," he called, and his

padawan that had been slightly ahead of him now turned and walked back

to where the other two Jedi stood. "You've been keeping up your skills

with remotes, and that is good, but now maybe you need to try some

actual sparring-"

            "No. I can't," she interrupted, shaking her head vehemently.

            "You have to...you must learn to trust the light side again, to trust

yourself again," Qui-Gon warned, a stern look in his eyes. If she

didn't, they would all be in trouble...she was capable of so much, if

only she would trust herself. Gently, he reached out to her with the

Force, encouraging her, and he could tell his Padawan was doing the

same. She sighed, and stretching out a hand, called the lightsaber to

her waiting palm. Nodding, the Master backed up, giving the other two

room. He signalled to his Padawan with a slight nod, and Obi-Wan

ignited his blade, waiting calmly. Selah, too, was reaching out to the

Force, calming herself, preparing for what could happen...

            She ignited her blade and silently the two beams crossed. He nodded

again, and Obi-Wan suddenly drew his blade up and around. Selah

deflected it, though with much apprehension.

            "Let it flow through you," Qui-Gon urged from the sidelines. Nodding

absently, she struggled to let herself go. She wanted to, he could

tell, but she was so nervous about messing up...

            Obi-Wan attacked again, nearly getting a few blows past her guard. She

struggled to keep up, growing more frustrated with herself by the

second. That only made her fight to supress her growing anger, which

helped her even less. Suddenly, her blade was knocked from her hand by

a hard hit, and it deactivated and flew through the air...

            *Selah...please, I know you can do it. I believe in you...* Qui-Gon

thought to her, and she momentarily jerked with the thought, finally

believing his words. It was as if she was finally awakened from a long

slumber, as if she finally understood, or at last allowed herself to

fully understand. Immediately, her eyes half-closed and she reacted.

The hilt curved in midair and landed neatly in her palm where it was

activated once more. A surprised Obi-Wan had to act quickly to

reactivate his own lightsaber in time to meet her attack. Qui-Gon

nodded in approval as the floodgates opened and the Force suddenly was

free to take her over. The female Jedi moved gracefully, her movements

speeded by the Force. Her fears gone, she freely moved as one with the

Force, letting it tell her where her opponent's blade was coming from,

and letting it help her enhance her performance, as well. Kenobi lunged

forward, and Selah immediately jumped straight up and flipped, using

the Padawan's back as a slope to roll down against before landing

behind him, deflecting his blow right as he spun to meet her blade.

Using it to press off of, she pushed herself a good five feet away,

landing easily, her lightsaber already swinging down to meet his

attack.

            They fought for a good long time, neither one besting the other.

Finally showing signs of tiring, Obi-Wan thrusted his blade out,

expecting her to deflect it. She did, but immediately twisted her blade

around his, causing his wrist to be lurched hard and the lightsaber to

be tossed free of its owner's grip. Her hand outstretched, it called

the hilt to it and she caught it without fail. Blinking slightly, she

wiped sweat away from her forehead before tossing Obi-Wan's lightsaber

back to him, saluting him after he caught it.

            "Congratulations...now that was what I've been hearing about you," the

Padawan replied, smiling softly as he returned her salute.

            "Now do you trust yourself?" Qui-Gon asked, smiling with approval.

Nodding, she murmured a sheepish yes.

            *Thank you Master,* she thought to him, her thoughts just as sheepish

as her voice had been.

            *I knew you could do it...don't ever lose faith.*

            "I know," she answered, speaking now. "I guess this was one detour

worth taking," she added, glancing up at him with a slight grin. He

chuckled slightly, recalling his conversation with Obi-Wan when they

were travelling through Naboo's core and nodded.

            "What I said then is still true...'there are secrets in the Force that

are not easily discovered. The Force is vast and persuasive, and all

living things are a part of it. It is not always apparent what their

purpose is, however. Sometimes that purpose must be sensed in order

that it may be revealed later.'"

            "And you must uncover them when you come to them," she replied.

            "That's right...'And if you are the one who stands at the crossroads

or the place of concealment, you must never leave it to another to act

in your place,'" Obi-Wan added from behind the two and Qui-Gon smiled

in approval. 

            "I see you have finally started taking my advise," he said softly, his

voice unable to conceal its amusement.

            "Well...we should be heading off to Myrkr," Khabarakh interjected,

coming up beside them. The Jedi Master nodded, and allowed the others

to enter the ship ahead of him. He stepped next to Selah, though, as

she gathered the rest of her weapons, concealing them once more.

            "You should just remember that sometimes the solution is the one

hidden deepest down," he told her seriously. She nodded, filing away

the information before heading into the Arrow. Qui-Gon followed her

silently, glad that, for the moment, things were mended.

Ch. 12

            Wedge frowned softly as the holo message ended in static. So this was

it, then. The time had finally come for his and Karrde's assignment

from the Masquerader. He certainly hoped she knew what she was doing;

the Rebellion couldn't take any more chances. Bothan spies had reported

about the Darksaber II and Mon Mothma was eager to attack, but they

couldn't do anything without assistance, and a Jedi would be extremely

helpful.

            Sighing, he adjusted frequencies and prepared to send a transmission

from Karrde. Everyone had been careful not to let the Empire know of

their new location, but they were bound to find out sometime. Endor was

an out-of-the-way planet, but it held significance for the Alliance and

had a suitable atmosphere. The fighter pilot drew his attention away

from his stray thoughts suddenly as the image of the bearded smuggler

appeared in front of him.

            "Wedge, didn't expect to hear from you..." Karrde said, at least

attempting some pleasantries.

            "I think you know why I'm calling," the Rogue leader said grimly. 

            "So the time has come?" he asked, frowning thoughtfully.

            "The time has come," Wedge replied, preparing to send the coordinates

the Masquerader had sent him days before.

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

            My jaw clenched slightly as we started towards the system of Myrkr. We

were landing on one side of a forest, far enough away from Imperial

eyes and Slave 1 that the other Jedi and I were able to sense through

the Force right before the ysalimiri of the planet took effect. These

were not the dark kind, but the regular ones that neutralized both

sides of the Force. I had experienced their strange effects on the

Force before, but didn't like it. Glancing over at Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan

soothed my apprehensions somewhat; they didn't seem to be adjusting to

the change any better than I was.

            "Now then, you both remember what the plan is?" Qui-Gon said

seriously, turning to glance at his protege and me.

            "Yes, Master," Obi-Wan replied immediately and I nodded. The Jedi

Master seemed pleased with our replies and turned to the waiting

Noghri.

            "And you?"

            "I am ready Qui-Gon clan Jin. I will do what I must to save the

Mal'ary'ush," Khabarakh mewed somberly.

            "All I ask is that you be on time," I said, offering the warrior a

half-smile. He nodded dutifully and I made sure I had everything I

needed. "Well, I guess this is it," I sighed, glancing up at the other

two Jedi with a soft smile. "May the Force be with you," I called as I

hurried down the ramp and into the dark forest of the planet, making my

way to the point we had identified earlier.

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

            "Ready?" Qui-Gon asked his Padawan, raising his eyebrows briefly.

            "Ready," the younger man replied, firm confidence on his features.

Both watched the Noghri silently slip into the shadows as well, taking

the tools they would need later with him. After a few moments of

silence, the Master spoke again.

            "Let's go," he murmured, starting down the landing ramp. Obi-Wan

followed obediantly, knowing everything depended on all of them

reaching the appointed place at the right time. They headed away from

the path the Noghri had taken, towards the waiting shuttles that were

just visible through the trees. It would take awhile to get there,

though, and then they had to get past any Imperial eyes. Simple enough,

but it would take time.

            The two Jedi glanced at each other briefly, knowing without the Force

what the other was thinking. They were both hoping that things went

smoothly and the frightening possibility of capture didn't take place.

            Sometime later they neared the shuttles and started to get into

character. Without the Force their instincts were still strong, and it

didn't take them long to find the stormtroopers that were hiding among

the trees. That was all right, though...they needed to get by them.

            "You there!" a filtered voice snapped, and both Jedi stopped as a

stormtrooper stepped out of hiding to block their path. "What are you

doing here?"

            "We're miners from offworld. This is just a stopover so we can check

the soil content of this planet. We are of little consequence to you,

if that's what you are asking," Qui-Gon answered smoothly, and Obi-Wan

silently spoke his admiration of the older man. The stormtrooper paused

for a moment, as if trying to find the authenticity of their tale.

            "All right...but get back to your ship as soon as your done...we'll

need to check you for weapons," he said harshly.

            "That's all right...the samples that we need should be in the soil

right over that hill," the Master said, pointing to the left a little

ways. Both frowned as they were searched roughly, but the Imps didn't

find any weapons or secret devices on them. Khabarakh had seen that

they wouldn't be found.

            "All right...one of you can go fetch it quickly, and the other should

return to your ship!" the guard said suddenly.

            "That's just fine...why don't you go get it and I'll start warming up

the engines?" Qui-Gon asked, directing his attention to Obi-Wan. The

younger man nodded and calmly walked into the forest, very much aware

that he was being watched by the Imperials. After he was sure he

couldn't be seen through the foliage, he turned and watched Qui-Gon

head towards the ship, then suddenly change direction once he was in

the woods. In moments, the two were side-by-side once more.

            "Have you seen him yet?" Qui-Gon asked once he had reached his

Padawan.

            "No...do you think he had any trouble?" Obi-Wan replied, frowning

softly as he reached out to the Force and found nothing. That was so

frustrating! Of all times to be unable to access the Force!!

            "He did not have any trouble at all," an amused voice mewed behind the

two men and they turned quickly to come face-to-face with Khabarakh,

who was waiting behind them. "Here are your weapons, and the needles,"

he said softly, handing them the supplies. Quickly, they clipped their

weapons to their belts and Obi-Wan took the hypodermic kit.

            "Have you spotted Fett yet?" the younger Jedi asked as he tucked the

needles away.

            "Yes...he is just a little ways away, and Selah clan Specht is just a

little farther back, still. She is waiting, but cannot wait much

longer. I gave her the signal to start," the Noghri replied calmly.

            "Good, then let's be off," Qui-Gon said, nodding with approval before

the three headed off to where the third Jedi would be very soon.

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

            I exhaled softly, knowing that I couldn't wait any longer. Through my

crouched position I watched as Imperial stormtroopers removed ysalimiri

from the trees by sawing away branches, and moved them to nutrient

frames. There was another who was just as interested in the progress as

I was, and he was not one to be toyed with, I knew.

            "Make sure mine isn't damaged. I want to be able to use it when I go

after the Jedi," Fett said, his voice cold and callous-sounding through

his mask. I gazed at his deadly appearance, took a deep breath, and

slowly backed away back into the forest.

            It was time.

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

            Fett drew his eyes away from the stormtroopers as his ears picked up

on a sudden rustling. It sounded very closeby, like it had come from

those bushes a few yards away.

            Almost as if someone had been watching. He abruptly started forward

towards the sound, briefly pausing to tell the footsoldiers to

continue. Silently, he stalked into the undergrowth and glanced around.

His eyes narrowed in confirmation as he spotted the footprints that

were half-visible in the soft earth. They were too small to be a

male's, and he knew of only one female with such a grudge against the

Empire that she would be foolish enough to follow the Chimaera. He

plunged onward, silent as the night that enveloped him as he became

almost invisible to the inexperienced eye. He trekked onward, past the

Imperial shuttles until he came to a group of trees that stood a few

meters away from his own ship.

            Inside his helmet he smiled at the sight that met his eyes. She was

good, a most worthy adversary, but this was her downfall. He cautiously

crept up behind the kneeling figure who didn't even notice he was

there; she was too busy tracking the Imps' movements through a pair of

electrobinoculars.

            "Enjoying the view?" he asked crisply, and she gasped, spinning around

as she jumped to her feet, blaster at the ready. He was ready for her,

though and at the sight of his sawn-off laser rifle, she knew she was

beaten. Fett snatched the weapon away from her and immediately bound

her wrists. He knew she probably had hidden weapons, but he would deal

with that later.

            "It seems you've grown foolish at last," he observed, turning her

around and pressing the muzzle of his rifle against her back.

            "We all must fall occassionally," she shot back. "Maybe someday it

will be your turn."

            "Maybe, but not today," he said, smirking inside his mask as he pushed

her towards his ship. "You seemed curious about Slave 1...maybe you

should have a look inside. Lord Skywalker will pay dearly for you, and

this time you cannot escape."

            "I wouldn't be too sure of that," she retorted smugly. He responded by

pushing her towards the ship, making her walk towards it. She was cocky

the first few yards. The next few, she was still somewhat confident. By

the time he was edging her towards the ramp, though, she was looking

around as if expecting someone. He pushed harder, his smirk growing.

            "Really? Well, I'm sure you can wait for whoever it is that isn't

coming inside my ship," he snarled, forcing her to start up the ramp.

Now she didn't look confident at all.

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

            I tried to do all I could not to panic, but things were not looking

good. A hundred possible scenarios raced through my brain: they were

caught, Khabarakh didn't get the weapons through, the Imps had caught

on...

            I brought myself back to the present as Fett paused behind me, turning

quickly at a faint sound. "Come on," he said suddenly, pulling me back

down the ramp so that he might gaze underneath it. "I know you're

there. Show yourself." I stifled a groan as Khabarakh emerged from the

shadows. Behind me, Fett snorted with disdain. "Very resourceful,

Masquerader, though I'd have found a more reliable Noghri. The Empire

will enjoy having him as an addition, I'm sure.

            "You will not take my mistress," he said quietly. Fett seemed amused

by this and moved the muzzle of his gun to my neck.

            "There isn't much you can do about it - uhhh!!!!" The bounty hunter

inhaled sharply and moved into me suddenly, as if he was hit from

behind. I expected him to move his gun to cover me again, but he

remained completely still. I looked to Khabarakh and he nodded

silently. Sighing with relief, I turned and smiled at the two figures

behind Fett. One was watching him carefully, lightsaber drawn but not

ignited. The younger was behind him, and from his stance I could tell

he was the one who had injected the syrum into the hardened bounty

hunter.

            "Took you long enough," I muttered, raising an eyebrow at Obi-Wan.

            "We thought it would work better if we waited until the last minute,"

he replied, a fierce look on his face, but there was an amused sparkle

to his eyes. I curbed any retort I was tempted to issue and merely

nodded, stepping away from the bounty hunter.

            "We don't want to attract attention," Qui-Gon warned, glancing over at

the Imperials on the other side of the shuttles. I nodded and waited

for Khabarakh to tear away the ropes that bound my wrists with his

hidden knife.

            "Right...all right, Fett. You'll do as I say. March, into those

trees," I said briskly and watched in slight awe as he automatically

obeyed, the others right behind him. "Stop here," I ordered when we

were out of sight.

            "Give me your rifle," Obi-Wan said softly, and the bounty hunter

obeyed wordlessly. "This does make things easier," the Padawan said

with a slight smile, and I nodded in agreement. I paused, knowing Fett

was just dying to chew me out.

            "Speak," I stated.

            " You will pay for this...I will track you down," he snarled.

            "Not for awhile, anyways...strip," I ordered. He automatically obeyed,

removing his body armor and weapons like a droid. I turned around

without a word, crossed my arms over my chest, and waited. "Is he

done?" I asked after a few moments.

            "All except the helmet," Khabarakh replied softly.

            "All right then...everyone, turn around." I hissed slightly at the

astonished replies. "*Turn around*! It's not like he can do

anything...his identity is important to him...we don't need to know it,

so just turn around!" Muttering, they obeyed, Qui-Gon nodding his

approval to me as he did so. I knew there were numerous theories as to

who Fett really was, but he had remained cloaked in mystery. That was

something I didn't want to deprive him of, because I admired him for

it. I was wearing my persona easily and didn't want to be stripped of

it too soon, so I could empathize somewhat. "Fett, is your helmet off?"

            "Yes," he answered bluntly.

            "Okay..." I answered, glancing at the two Jedi, trying to match sizes

in my head...Qui-Gon was just a little too tall...but Obi-Wan...

            "Give the younger man your clothes," I stated, not wanting everyone to

know who my travelling companions were as yet. From the movements I

heard, he did so.

            "Now what are we going to do? We're taking his ship, after all..."

Khabarakh mused.

            "He'll get it back, somehow...but we can't have him following us," I

said softly, then grinned.

            "Give me my blaster," I said, nodding to the gun on the bounty

hunter's belt. Obi-Wan obeyed, and glancing over at the now-dearmored

form over my shoulder, I adjusted the setting to stun, took aim, closed

my eyes, turned, and fired. By the sound of things, he crumpled to the

ground easily. "Tie him up, Khabarakh," I ordered the Noghri, and he

obeyed, setting the needle with the antidote a few feet away. "Someone

is bound to find him sometime..." I said, covering him with the

undergrowth. "But not too soon." I glanced over at the others. "Well,

that's step one," I said simply. They nodded and we knew it was time to

part ways for awhile.

            "I'll be waiting with the Arrow in the fleet's junk attachment,"

Qui-Gon said, turning to where the Falcon was waiting. "You, Khabarakh,

and Obi-Wan have work to do."

            "Right...I've given Wedge and Karrde their instructions. They know

what to do," I said, looking briefly at Qui-Gon, hoping I'd see him

again. The last thing I wanted was for this to end abruptly...

            "Take heed, Selah. You'll be fine, if you concentrate on what needs to

be done," he advised somberly, reaching out a gentle hand to brush

against my cheek momentarily. If you do get into serious

trouble...remember what I've taught you," he urged, referring to a

special training session he had conducted as we were travelling from

Dagobah to Myrkr. I nodded, strengthened by his words. "May the Force

be with you both," he said finally before turning away and disappearing

into the night. Glancing over at Obi-Wan, I stifled a sigh, pushing

away the sudden loss I knew we both felt.

            "Well...let's get going," I said quietly before he, Khabarakh, and I

turned and headed into Slave 1.

Ch. 13

            I glanced out the viewport to make sure we were, indeed, heading

towards the right Star Destroyer, then resumed my pacing. Even though

access to the Force was still impossible, it didn't take a Jedi to know

what I was feeling. I turned quickly at an amused chuckle and sighed as

my eyes took in Obi-Wan, now dressed in Fett's armor, sans helmet.

            "Looks good...with the helmet on no one will know the difference," I

approved, hoping that was the case. I had rigged a voice modifier

inside the helmet to distort his voice to copy the bounty hunter's and

the rest was up to him.

            "Relax! You certainly won't help yourself by worrying," he observed,

taking a seat in the pilot's chair. I nodded and resumed to doing my

makeup, the usual green paint but this time with splotchy "bruises,"

for that extra something. I silently mussed my hair slightly and

disheveled my clothes until I looked like I had survived a beating by

the bounty hunter.

            "Now Khabarakh, remember to stay hidden in the cargo holds until you

find the opportunity...'Fett' here will keep in contact...you know the

rest."

            "I do, Selah clan Specht. I may not completely approve of this, but I

know it is the best way." I nodded at the warrior and instinctively

tensed as the comm unit buzzed to life. Obi-Wan silently put his helmet

on and took a seat.

            "Chimaera to Slave 1, what is the meaning of your approach?"

            "Tell Thrawn to contact Skywalker...I have the Masquerader." The voice

was identical to Fett's and Obi-Wan did wonders in matching the

inflections. A few moments passed before the reply came.

            "Chimaera to Slave 1, prepare to come aboard. Thrawn will take your

quarry and you can stay as our guest for the duration of the trip to

Coruscant," the officer on duty replied, and I smiled in relief.

            "I'm starting my approach," "Fett" replied before taking the ship

towards the Star Destroyer. Things were going just as planned. Now all

they had to do was continue to do so. I glanced over at Obi-Wan as he

clicked off the comm unit and briefly removed his helmet.

            "You'll be fine...we'll rescue them. The Force will be with us," he

said gently before putting his helmet back into place. All I could do

was nod, hoping it to be the truth.

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

            Callista glared at the viewscreen, obviously taken off guard. "Why

can't you get past them?!" she demanded of the pilot.

            "I'm trying milady, but we're just one shuttle against Rogue Squadron

and some smuggling ships!" the pilot protested, frowing as he

maneuvered to avoid the fighters.

The Dark Jedi's anger flared as the transport rocked with the impact of

fire. This was too much, even for the Rebellion!!

            Callista's eyes narrowed with fury. "Get me Thrawn immediately!!" she

bellowed. The pilot shook his head after fiddling with the comm unit.

"They're jamming us, milady!" Hissing, she sat back in her seat,

furious. She would get there, eventually. All she could do was wait,

and swear that the responsible party would suffer dearly.

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

            Thrawn glanced at Pellaeon as the ramp of Slave 1 lowered and two

figures emerged, one leading the other with a drawn rifle. Despite his

calm features, he allowed an eyebrow to raise as he took in the

Empire's nemesis's appearance. She didn't look as composed and deadly

as she had on the wanted advertisements. Now, now she merely looked

worn-down and beaten, both physically and emotionally. There was an

indignant expression in her eyes, though...something that Thrawn

couldn't help somewhat admiring. She had been most difficult to

capture; a most worthy adversary, but now the games were over and the

Empire had one, as he knew it would. He took a few steps towards the

woman and spoke, taking in her appearance and dignity despite the

situation as he did so.

            "So we meet at last, Artemis Durron, or should I address you as the

Masquerader?" he asked quietly as they approached. "Good work, bounty

hunter," he said to Fett before returning his attention to the captive.

Her eyes met his with a blazing intensity and a scorn appeared on her

bruised features.

            "You haven't won yet, Thrawn," she snarled quietly, her voice quiet

and slightly accented. He frowned, trying to trace it to a particular

race, but couldn't identify it. Shrugging it off as one of her

potential tricks, he nodded to the waiting stormtroopers. "Take our

guest to her cell...we shall interrogate her about the new Jedi as soon

as the Lady Callista arrives," he stated simply, barely turning to

watch as she was led from the hangar. "I trust you will be staying with

us," he said to Fett.

            "Only until I'm paid," the bounty hunter said simply, his voice cold

and calculated. Thrawn glanced at Pellaeon who shifted uncomfortably.

The grand admiral, though, was perfectly calm. He had dealt with worse

before.

            "That will be discussed once the Lady Callista arrives...I trust you

want to stay for the end of the Rebellion's leaders, as well," he

added. Fett merely nodded. "Very well...show our guest to his

quarters," he ordered, and the stormtroopers were quick to obey, though

they didn't look half as imposing as the single bounty hunter did.

Smiling slightly, Thrawn turned and headed towards the bridge so that

he could contact Lord Skywalker. He would be most pleased, indeed.

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

            Khabarakh blinked as the light on the panel started to blink...that

was his cue. Now, finally, it was time to avenge the Mal'ary'ush. He

would do it Selah's way, for he knew it would work, and he would do it

well. Gathering two more hypodermic needles, he hid them away as he

silently exited the craft, being careful not to be seen. As soon as the

coast was clear, the Noghri headed towards where the signal had been

coming from, presumably the Jedi's quarters.

            He had taken five steps away from the ship when the glint of grey

metal caught his eye. Turning, he briefly saw the disguised Jedi before

he ducked down a hall. Silently, he followed, licking his lips in

anticipation. Moments later in a disregarded supply closet, he came

face to mask with Obi-Wan clan Kenobi once more.

            "I'm heading up to Thrawn's chambers...follow as you can, and be quick

with the serum once I find a likely candidate," the Jedi ordered, his

voice still disguised. The warrior nodded, and waited a few moments

after the Jedi left before following unseen.

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

            Obi-Wan strutted down the corridors as best he could, hoping he looked

like the bounty hunter. It was hard, indeed, with the ysalimiri, but he

knew it would be harder after Calista arrived. Then, she would

transform them into their dark counterparts and things would grow much

more difficult. Hopefully, things would be taken care of before that

happened. As he neared the grand admiral's room the passers-by grew

less and less, and finally there was only one lone commander wandering

the halls. He was young and a little too arrogant; he was perfect.

            "Ah, Fett, Thrawn ordered me to find you. The Lady Callista has

arrived at last and he wants you to be there to greet her-" His speech

was cut off as he jumped forward at the needle prick. Obi-Wan glanced

around him to nod to the Noghri.

            "Very good. I'll take it from here. Get back to the ship and stay

hidden until I call you again," he stated, and the warrior silently

obeyed after handing him the antidote. "Now then, come with me," he

ordered the commander, who obeyed. Slowly they made their way down the

hall until Thrawn's doorway appeared in front of them. He wouldn't be

in if he was greeting Callista; this was the perfect opportunity.

"Enter," he stated with a hiss, hitting the control panel on the door.

It opened with a slight whoosh and the Imperial officer entered before

the disguised Jedi without a word. "Stay put," he commanded before

turning to the piece of "art" that had a shrine all its own in the

admiral's chambers.

            Soft lights illuminated the contorted expressions of its prisoners.

Momentarily Obi-Wan was taken by emotion, at how cruel it was to do

that to a living thing, no matter what they had done. His heart

especially went out to the girl, though...from what he had been told

she had been used as a test object, with no regard to her safety at

all. Fighting back the surge of anger threatening to well up, the Jedi

strode to where the slab of carbonite hung and studied the controls on

the wall beside it. He first deactivated the security field and then

pulled the lever which lowered it to the ground. It did so with a

slight mechanic hum, the metal clanging against the floor loudly as it

was set down. He hoped no one had heard *that,* but if they did, he

would have to hurry.

            Inside the helmet he frowned, studying the controls on the carbonite.

His fingers danced along the buttons as they adjusted the temperature.

Slowly, the ashen grey warmed to a slight pink, then a deeper red, as

the hum grew more intense and throbbing. The two bodies seemed to

instinctively push against the prison that was weakening, and when the

carbonite in front of them was suddenly gone, they immediately fell

forward and slumped to the floor. Well, the girl did, anyway, because

he immediately caught and lowered her. The goblin king more or less hit

the ground with a soft thump. Shifting the young woman in his arms

slightly, Obi-Wan removed his helmet. It was risky, but he would have

to somewhat reassure the two, and Fett's voice just wasn't going to be

very helpful. The Jedi's attention became occupied with the girl,

though, as she slowly began to come to...

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

            Cat's eyes suddenly snapped open and she gasped for breath, coughing

as she did so. She lurched as she felt a hand on her arm and heard a

voice telling her to stay quiet and relax. She tried to laugh bitterly

at that, but only succeeded in making herself cough even more. She

tried to look up at her rescuer, but *surprise,* couldn't see anything.

Not only that, she was disoriented after being suspended in time for

who knows how long. She had been trying to breath, shout, even move a

fingertip for ages, but all was useless until now. Everything started

working all at once. The air seemed too dry for her tastes and seemed

to strip her skin of moisture, her mouth started salivating

uncontrollably, she couldn't tell which way was which, strange sterile

smells crammed up her nostrils, and what in the world was that music

that was being played!!? It sounded like some sort of classical art

stuff, though probably from a different planet. Whatever it was, it was

up way too loud for her tastes, or maybe that was just her ears

adjusting.

            She cringed as the memories started to rush forth like waves suddenly

released from a dam. It could've been overwhelming, but she was tough

and rode it out, as did Jareth, from the way she could hear him

breathing calmly beside her. Slowly, the most recent memories sorted

themselves out. Her selection by that witch Callista to be tested in

the carbonite, having to leave Selah on Yavin so she could help the

Rebellion, her last look at her new Rebel friends, being told how she

would be held captive by Fett and taken to this place... Wait a

mintute...who was this now, holding her, in the armor?

            "Who are you!!?" she asked, maybe a little too loudly.

            "A friend," a soft, accented voice reassured her quietly. "Just stay

put and you'll be safe soon enough, though it will take awhile." It

sounded so familiar, yet she couldn't place it...

            "How do we know we can trust you!!?" *That* voice she recognized. She

wished she could see so she could make a face at the goblin king that

would give him chills.

            "Will you cool it, J? We haven't got much of a choice!!"

            "Are you all right?" the voice asked calmly.

            "All right? I was kept in hibernation with an egotistical, tighted

freak for way too long!! Of course I'm not all right!!!"

            "Hysteria tends to come along with hibernation sickness, just like

blindness. I'm afraid you'll have to ride it out," the voice reassured

her.

            "Besides, you didn't put up a fuss when you were being frozen," Jareth

said from beside her.

            "Two things, J: one, I was a human popsicle, and two, somehow I don't

think that disappointment to the female gender would've listened if I

had lodged a complaint!!" she bit out, wondering how in the world she

got herself into these kinds of situations.

Ch. 14

            Obi-Wan grinned slightly at the bickering between the two prisoners

and helped the girl to a sitting position on the floor.

            "Stay here...I've got work to do," he told her, getting to his feet.

Quickly, he went to the nearest, most expensive-looking piece of

artwork, a sculpture, and shoved it to the floor where it broke into a

thousand pieces with a satisfying smash. He then turned to odd-looking

paintings that were sure to be rarities. Taking a vibroblade out of his

belt, he set to work to making them less-valuable. After a few more

actions of that sort, he then turned to the officer still standing

quietly to one side. He wished he had his Jedi powers to get rid of the

memory...all he could do was hope they would be out by time everything

was put together. Taking the antidote vial Khabarakh had given him and

a needle of his own out, he injected the officer with both. The one he

had discovered would simulate a reaction much like one would have after

partaking in way too much drink. The other would rid him of the first

needle that had made him a walking zombie. The officer blinked slowly,

and dumbly came to.

            "What am I doin' here...isn't this the Grand Admiral's place? Look at

all the pictures..." the officer laughed to himself, the specialty

serum kicking in immediately. He went straight to doing some damage of

his own, thinking it extremely funny. Obi-Wan waited patiently for a

few minutes before coming up behind him, gripping him by the collar,

and throwing him into the carbonite slab which he hit head-on. He then

sunk to the floor, unconscious. Meanwhile, the two carbonite victims

looked around dumbly, trying to find the source of the commotion.

            Putting his helmet on once more, he immediately pulled out a comlink

and called for Thrawn, smiling slightly as he pictured what his

reaction would be...

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

            "Now then, Lady Callista, if you'll just calm down we'll take care of

this-"

            "I AM CALM!!!!" the Dark Jedi screamed, throwing a stormtrooper into a

wall. Composing herself, she stared cooly at Captain Pellaeon and the

Grand Admiral. "The Rebellion is getting too brave...terminate the

prisoners tomorrow, first thing!!"

            "Yes, milady," Thrawn said, nodding slightly. "We will do that, but

first you might like to question another of our guests..." He paused,

smiling.

            "You don't mean," she breathed, her eyes widening.

            "The Masquerader is in Imperial hands now, Milady," the admiral

offered simply. She flashed a chilling grin, but before she could

respond Captain Pellaeon was coughing slightly to get his attention.

            "Sir...you'd better head to your quarters, immediately."

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

            Khabarakh moved steathily through the corridors of the Star Destroyer,

unseen by all. He had to hurry; the diversion would only last so long.

Finally, he reached the cell block and found the Masquerader's prison

cell. The guards seem to have disappeared momentarily to collect the

renegade officer that had ruined Thrawn's quarters. Glancing around, he

quickly hit the button that opened the door to her cell. "Are you all

right?" he mewed quietly, his eyes making it possible for him to see in

the darkness.

            A form lifted itself from the bunk, and despite her disheveled

appearance, he could tell she was just fine. "Yes...they haven't

interrogated me yet. Is Callista here?"

            "She is with Thrawn, presumably heading here. I shall deal with her."

            "Be careful, my friend. She's a harsh opponent, even without her

powers." Khabarakh nodded before handing her the items she had reminded

him to bring before this whole thing was begun. Turning away, he waited

until the clothes, wig, and cosmetic face mask were in place and the

green coloring removed from the Masquerader's hands, neck, arms, and

other uncovered areas. After a few minutes, he silently entered the

cell and a tall woman emerged, hit the button to reactivate the door,

and headed down the hall.

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

            Thrawn's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the situation. It was the only

part of him that betrayed his outward coolness. Silently, he cast his

gaze around the room, mentally totally the cost of the damage. Most of

the items had been irreplaceable, especially the carbonite statue.

            "Take those two and put them with the others," Callista ordered,

stalking in behind him. She barely watched as the girl and the goblin

king were dragged down the hall, shouting the entire way.

            "Good work, Fett," Thrawn said simply, nodding to the bounty hunter.

"I can see now why you weren't with us...this young man was supposed to

give you a message, but I can see he had other intentions..." The Grand

Admiral glanced down as the officer was dropped at his feet, just

starting to awake. "Put him in solitary confinement; I'll deal with

him later," Thrawn said, his voice deadly quiet. "Just because you

don't appreciate art, you don't have an excuse to treat a superior

officer like that," he added, staring at the young man straight in the

eyes. The officer merely mumbled something, laughed slightly, and

settled back into his drunken stupor. The assembled officers, Callista,

and Fett watched as he was lead away in disgust.

            Callista glanced at Fett and Thrawn could tell that she was reaching

out to him with the Force. After a moment, though, she shook her head.

There were too many regular ysalimiri on board, and they out-performed

the one dark one. She would have to deal without her powers until the

creatures were converted by magic by Lord Skywalker.

            "Come, Milady...it is late and you must want to rest after your

experience," Captain Pellaeon said after receiving a nod from Thrawn,

who was staring curiously at the Dark Jedi and the bounty hunter in

turn.

            "First...first I think I would like to see the Masquerader, face to

face," she whispered before stalking out the door. Shrugging, the

captain headed towards the bridge and Fett left as well, leaving the

admiral alone with his ruined relics. Sighing heavily, he sat in his

chair for a few moments, then activated his holo displays of art from

more than a hundred different worlds. *At least no one can get hold of

them,* he thought bitterly, closing his eyes briefly before taking a

deep breath and preparing to clean up the mess.

Ch. 15

            Something just wasn't right. Callista didn't need the Force to tell

her that. There was just something in the pit of her stomach that

wasn't sitting well. Wordlessly, she stalked down into the prison cell

block and stood before the cell she had been told the Masquerader was

being kept in. Removing her lightsaber from her belt, she calmly

activated the door switch and stepped inside-

            There was no one there. It was completely empty. Cursing, she turned

to sound the alarm, but without access to the Force, the Noghri was

able to take her by surprise. The Dark Jedi started to activate her

lightsaber, but it was pried from her fingertips too quickly and

abruptly the alien moved behind her and brought the weapon's hilt to

her head with a violent smack. Moaning slighlty, she slid to the floor.

            The Noghri warrior smiled slightly, letting out a hiss of contentment.

The only thing better would have been to kill her, but he had sworn to

Selah clan Specht that he would not. Besides, if anyone were to have

that honor, it should be her. Silently, he placed the lightsaber at her

feet and headed out into the Star Destroyer, back to Slave 1, but not

before reactivating the door switch.

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

            "Hey, watch it!!!" Cat growled at Jareth as he bumped into her for the

thousandth time. "Will you stay on your side with Threepio and

Lando!!!?" the girl yelled, shoving the king across the prison cell.

            "Hey, how come I get the privilege of baby-sitting these two?" Lando

grumbled, catching Jareth and shoving him to his side.

            "Because somebody needs to keep these two from ripping each other's

heads off," Han answered, then glanced at Chewie as the Wookie

growled. "Sorry pal, I meant the kid here, but I know you aren't that

fond of old Tights, either. You feeling okay, kid?" the smuggler asked,

softening slightly as he regarded Catrina.

            "Yeah...still can't see much, though."

            "There ain't nothing much here to see," Han replied, and even though

she was blind she knew he was giving her a lopsided grin.

            "Except for me," Jareth interrupted, and Lando rolled his eyes. Jareth

didn't catch the warning look from Leia, though, and went on

aggravating the teenager across the cell from him. "Come on, admit

it...you liked being trapped that close to me. You know you did..." he

added, a smirk coming across his features.

            "Lando?" Cat asked coolly.

            "Yes?"

            "Move him right in front of me."

            "Why?"

            "So I can beat the poodoo out of him!!!" the girl snarled, jumping to

her feet.

            "Easy," Leia soothed, pulling her back down. "Just concentrate on

getting better."

            "Right...how long have we been here, anyway?" she asked, running a

hand through her hair.

            "Bout five months..." Han sighed. "After they processed our data, beat

us some more, then threw us in here, it kinda got quiet." Chewie barked

slightly. "Except for when Thrawn decided we needed to be

interrogatated more, yeah."

            "Still...it can't be that much longer! Selah's out there, she'll

rescue us," Cat replied confidently, to reassure those around her, but

to reassure herself, as well. The troubled silence that reached her

ears didn't help much. "What is it?" Silence. "Look, I might not be a

Jedi, but I can tell something's wrong!!"

            "The Falcon was destroyed as it fled Coruscant...she didn't defeat

Dark Luke..." Han whispered quietly, lowering his head. Chewbacca

moaned softly and Threepio muttered mournfully about the loss of his

counterpart.

            "No...that can't be true," Cat whispered, the reality of the situation

hitting her. "Somebody rescued us...the voice was so familiar-"

            "Must've been your imagination, kid, because it's true...Callista told

us, herself..." Han sighed, shaking his head, his grin wiped from his

face.

            "Oh Artoo!!!" the protocol droid wailed before Lando quieted him.

            "Was Artoo with them?" Jareth asked suddenly, a thoughtful expression

breaking through his worried features.

            "I suppose so, but what difference would that make?" Leia asked,

frowning.

            "Good," the king sighed with a slight smile, leaning his head back to

rest against the wall. Cat immediately jerked up, knowing that although

they weren't visible in her blinded state, there were probably hidden

cameras around...

            "What do you mean, 'good?!'" Han retorted, angering slightly. The

goblin king took this opportunity to make sure all eyes were on him as

he stood and crossed to lean against the wall next to Catrina.

            "Artoo would've gotten them out because-OW!!!!" Jareth yelped as Cat

reached over and yanked his hair. "What was that for?!"

            "I could've sworn I saw something in your hair...maybe my eyes aren't

totally better yet," she covered, smirking slightly. "Besides, no

matter what *hidden* abilities Artoo has, it doesn't change the fact

that he, Selah, and the Falcon are gone!!!" she sighed, shaking her

head.

            Still not getting the idea that he was supposed to stay on his side,

Jareth took a seat beside her before attempting to wrap an arm around

the worried girl. "Dear, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" That was all he got

out before she pushed him off the bench they were sitting on.

            "Don't push it, J!!" she snarled before laying her chin on her knees,

a melancholy expression taking over her features.

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

            I effected the swagger worthy of Callista and strode down the hall.

The mask I had wished for with the pretense of the idea of

impersonating the Dark Jedi worked well, as did the wig, boots with

height enhancements, and the armor and cloak. The only piece out of

place was my lightsaber, not hers, but it was hidden well beneath the

flowing cape. Hopefully, I wouldn't have to use it. I waited in the

guards station by the cell I had been in impatiently, wanting to get

this show on the rode. Finally, two female officers hurried in and

immediately took their stations. My eyes narrowed and they exchanged

slightly worried looks.

            "What were you doing away from your stations?" I asked, imitating the

voice of Callista.

            "We were called to take care of the officer that ransacked Thrawn's

quarters, Milady," one said, glancing away. I frowned and studied them

momentarily...they looked awfully familiar...

            "Do I know you from somewhere?" I asked softly.

            "We were hand-chosen by you to be new recruits from the Empire's

latest conquest. Lord Skywalker summoned us by crystal because we were

avid Star Wars fans and we have done our best to serve him faithfully,"

the other replied, a faint smile of pride on her lips. My throat went

dry and I struggled to stay standing. That crystal must have had some

powerful magic to convince them to join the Imps.

            "What planet are you from again?"

            "Earth, Milady." I did everything I could to keep from widening my

eyes. That's how I knew them!!

            "Aren't you a little young to be officers?" I asked.

            "We have trained hard, Milady, and have done our best to be the best,"

one girl replied, and she looked all of fifteen. I couldn't be sure

without the Force, but I was almost positive...it had to be Fairy Bite.

And the other...a name rang in my head, a listian who had been most

supportive when I started writing Jedi in the Underground...Lyra

Stormrider. I struggled not to faint. So Fairy Bite was completely

capable, after all; capable enough to not only survive, but become an

officer on Thrawn's flagship.

            "Good...I expected nothing less. Now stay at your stations," I ordered

and they nodded, slightly disheartened by the reprimand. "I have

interrogated that bounty hunter that calls herself the

Masquerader...you won't have any more trouble with her," I said, a

faint smile playing across my lips. They nodded, satisfied.

            "Thank you, Milady," Lyra replied, nodding sharply. I returned the nod

and turned to walk down the hall, my face a mask of indifference, but

inside, I was dying.

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

            I glanced around the hall as I tapped into a computer, easily using

the data I'd gotten from Karrde to hack into the files. In minutes I

had the location of my friends and I started to log out when I came

across something most interesting.

            "Another superweapon," I murmured to myself, almost inaudibly for fear

someone would hear. Quickly, my hands worked the keys and I inserted a

datacard, copying the information as fast as I could. Minutes later,

the chip was hidden on my person and I was heading towards another cell

block.

Ch. 16

            Pellaeon nodded to the two guards on duty in the cell block the

Masquerader was in before heading to her cell, figuring that Callista

was still there. She might need assistance, or someone to make sure

that the bounty hunter was still alive by the time she got done with

her. When he activated the door, though, his eyes widened.

            "Milady?!" he asked as his eyes fell on a very, very angry Callista.

            "She's out...a Noghri was in here...he must work for her...FIND

THEM!!!" she replied and he nodded before starting to rush away.

            "Captain, see that all the ysalimiri are sent back to Myrkr via escape

pod...we can go back for them later. Don't ship off the dark one,

though...it will be of use."

            "But Milady we-"

            "Do it, Captain!!" she snarled, pushing past him. "The only way to

truly find our bounty hunter is by the Force...we are far enough away

from the planet, but I need those creatures off of this ship, NOW!!!"

Nodding, he hurried off to carry out the order.

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

            Qui-Gon snapped to attention as he noticed the blinking light on the

control panel; Khabarakh was paging him. It was time...

            Quickly, he pulled on the Imperial jumpsuit that was only a part of

all the disguises on board. Adjusting it, he sat down in the pilot's

seat and disengaged the lock before taking the ship close to the Star

Destroyer.

            "Unidentified ship, identify yourself."

            "I'm taking the Masquerader's ship here, just as Fett told me to on

the surface of Myrkr. He said he'd clear it, and all I had to do was

deliver it," he replied, not worried in the least.

            After a slight pause, presumably to confer with "Fett" who should be

nearby by now, the speaker crackled to life. "All right, bring her

aboard. You can land her next to Slave 1."

            "I copy that," he replied simply before carrying out the order.

Everything on his part, at least, was going perfectly. Now all it had

to do was stay that way.

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

            Getting into character more and more as the moments passed, I made my

way towards the other cell block, being sure to avoid Thrawn and

Pellaeon if I could help it. Finally, I was there and was confronted

with more officers, this time, standard Imperial issue.

            "The Masquerader's loose; I'm taking the prisoners to Coruscant where

they will be dealt with effectively," I growled in a no-nonsense tone

of voice. They nodded apprehensively, not daring to argue. Striding

into the hall, I quickly found the right cell, activated the door

switch-

            And mentally gave a huge shout of relief when I saw that all of them

were, in fact, alive!!!

            They, on the other hand, were in no mood to see me. Or Callista, or

whoever the heck I was at the moment. My speech only faltered for a

moment as I tried to push the hatefull stares out of my head. *They

don't know...* I reminded myself firmly before securing a sneer on my

face.

            "What do you want?" Han snarled, the others echoing his sentiment with

dirty looks. Lando, Leia, Chewie, Cat, Threepio, and Jareth; they were

all there, all unharmed,

            And all angry.

            "Guess what? We're moving...it seems one of our most recent prisoners

has decided to make things a little difficult...we think it might be

you she's after, so I'm taking you to Coruscant where you'll be dealt

with."

            "What? You feel the need to prove to Luke how incompetent you really

are?" Callista spat and I knew she was fighting a laugh. Fighting one

of my own at the brilliance of the retort, I settled for smiling

sweetly as I tilted my head slightly and regarded her, mostly wondering

how the hell I was going to get them to the waiting ships without

giving away my disguise or having to use stormtroopers. At that moment,

though, something shifted and I blinked. It was like my senses cleared;

it could mean only one thing.

            "The Force...it's back," Leia whispered, and I remained cool and

collective. Right before stretching out an arm to lift Cat to her feet

and yank her into the hall with the Force. She gasped in surprise and

struggled, but couldn't resist. I honestly tried to be gentle, but I

did have to make it look authentic.

            "Are you coming or not?" I asked harshly, and silently the others

rose. There were just too many of them; I'd have to use stormtroopers.

Calmly, I snapped my fingers and a passing squad veered over to us.

            "Escort us to the hangar where a ship awaits to take us to Coruscant,"

I ordered firmly. They nodded, and soon I was leading a group of

disgruntled Rebels down the corridors, flanked on either side by

white-armored soldiers.

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

            Callista cleared her mind, focusing on her anger as the ysalimiri were

shipped out of range. She was here, close by...and she had the

prisoners. Her eyes flicked open as she determined where they were

coming from and where they were headed. The hangar. Someone was waiting

for them...

            Moving quickly, Callista grabbed the dark ysalimir from the waiting

Captain Pellaeon, called for a squad of stormtroopers, and rushed down

the hall.

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

            I snapped at Cat and Jareth to hurry up; they were having a hard time

keeping up since they still couldn't see.

            "Do I have to have the stormtroopers carry you?" I sneered.

            "Might as well...you've been letting Dark Luke carry you this entire

time!" Cat retorted, and I hid a smile. We turned the corner and Han

inhaled sharply as we came face-to-face with Boba Fett.

            "Fett, escort us to the hangar," I ordered, and he merely nodded, his

right hand at his side, but his fingers twitched slightly, giving the

signal that we needed to hurry. He fell into step beside me and we

walked down more hallways until we were just getting to the hangar...

            "Callista, wait!!" Thrawn called out from behind me, and I turned,

pausing briefly.

            "I'm taking these prisoners to Coruscant where they will be dealt with

by Lord Skywalker," I informed him.

            "So I've heard...but how can I be sure it is you?" he asked, smiling

grimly. From behind him appeared Captain Pellaeon and Lady Callista. I

didn't even wait to react.

            My eyes widened in horror and I lifted a single finger to point to the

Dark Jedi. "It's her!!! The Masquerader!!! Seize her at once!!!" The

uninformed stormtroopers around me immediately took off towards them,

and I stifled a chuckle. "We have to hurry," I said urgently to the

others. "My ship is should be in the hangar; one of my comrads will be

waiting; go with him," I hissed, my voice taking on the Masquerader's

accent momentarily. Han's eyes went wide, as did Lando's and Leia's.

            "Who are you?" the female Jedi asked, reaching out with the Force. I

slammed a mental wall down quickly.

            "Who do you think?" I replied, nodding slightly. "Masquerader, at your

service. Now get to the ship!!" I said softly, turning to walk towards

the hangar again...

            Only to find that the Lady Callista was blocking my path, seething

with rage. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw that the captain and grand

admiral were there with the stormtroopers that were left.

            "Fett, grab her!!" she ordered, then went wild when he looked from one

of us to the other, feigning confusion.

            "It seems he does not believe you, imposter," I snarled, walking

closer. Immediately I wished I hadn't as the light side disappeared,

courtesy of the dark ysalimir she had strapped on her.

            "We shall see who the imposter is," she whispered angrily. "I am a

Jedi...what are you?" I glanced at a stormtrooper to her right, then

slowly reached my hand out as if to zap him with the Force. Quickly, I

slipped a dagger free from my wristband and flung it at him with deadly

accuracy.

            "Go!!" I yelled at the prisoners and smiled at their astonished faces

as "Fett" presented them with their confiscated weapons.

            "Bounty hunter, what are you doing!!!?" Thrawn yelled, anger seeping

into his voice. Fett calmly turned towards him and his stormtroopers,

took out his rifle, and blasted the door controls to their side,

causing blast doors to separate us from them.

            "Very clever...too bad you only will be alive for a few more moments,"

Callista hissed, coming forward. Even though I couldn't feel the light

side, I anticipated her action and had my lightsaber out and ready as

she started to fling hers down upon me. Shock was on her face and I

deflected her blow easily, causing the blade to bounce over her

shoulder and decapitate the only dark ysalimir on board the Chimaera.

She glanced up in anger before charging forward. I was too stunned to

feel the light side suddenly return, and didn't have time to deflect

the blow...

            She was even more bewildered when Fett blocked her sword with his own

lightsaber, pushing her back and away.

            "I don't know who you are...but you will die, as will your friends, as

will the Rebellion!!" she screamed, starting forward again.

            I glanced to where a disguised Qui-Gon was gesturing frantically for

the prisoners to join him. There wasn't much time, and Callista would

be our biggest threat for the moment. "That is where you are wrong,

Lady Callista. On this ship, the Force has been equalized and now, you

will be dealt with. Balance must come," I stated calmly, forcing myself

to be calm. I had to get this right; it couldn't go wrong. I had read

about the technique that Master Thon had spoke of in the comics, but

had never thought of trying it until Qui-Gon had suggested it if there

was no other way of escape.

            "What drivel are you speaking?!" she sneered, preparing to strike.

Slowly, I extinguished my lightsaber and hooked it back into place,

raising my hands to face her as I gathered all strength in the Force I

could muster.

            "Callista, I pity you...you had such a chance, and you wasted it to

fall victim to the Dark Side. I have tried to convince you to join us,

but I can see that you will never agree to it. So, I leave you to your

Empire, but without your weapon. Callista, I hereby banish the Force

from you completely!!" I ended in a strained voice as I closed my eyes

and commenced in putting the blind of the Light Side upon the Dark

Jedi. It was a trick that I had only read about being used once before,

and no one knew how to reverse it. Power surged through my arms and

fingertips and coursed through the air to meet her. I clenched my jaw

as it nearly took away all my strength, knowing that I had to hang on

if I was ever to confront Dark Skywalker. She screamed in agony as her

powers were suddenly stripped, and I fought to hang onto my control.

            Suddenly, I knew it was finished, and I released my hold on her,

watching her crumble to the deck, a sobbing mess. Chancing a glance at

Obi-Wan, I sighed as he gently nodded beneath the helmet. I hadn't

wanted to do it, but there was no other choice. "I am sorry," I added

gently before rushing to the hangar as quickly as I could, slightly

sluggish due to my weakened state. She glared up at me, drew her

weapon, ignited it, and threw the thing. Even without the Force, she

was an accomplished swordsman and had an accurate aim. I ducked,

avoiding it, but not completely; I was too slow and too drained.

Thankfully, it only glanced of my clothing, singing my shoulder, but it

was enough to cause me to cry out in pain. Obi-Wan reacted instantly,

grabbing me and letting me lean on him as he helped me to Slave 1.

Silently, we got to the cockpit where Kharabakh had already prepared

the ship for flight, lifted off of the hangar floor, and followed the

Silver Arrow into space.

Ch. 17

            Dark Luke's face was expressionless as he studied the data from the

security cameras on the Chimaera. It was all there...the trashing of

Thrawn's room by a man he had never seen before, the escape of the

Masquerader, the battle between her and Callista. He would have never

guessed that the Masquerader was the hidden Jedi. His eyebrows furrowed

as he frowned, still feeling that something was not quite right.

Silently, he shifted through scenes from the cameras until he came

across a short clip from inside the Rebel prisoners' cell. Jareth had

started to reassure the teenager with him that everything was all right

because Artoo was with them...

            It didn't take long for Skywalker to put two and two together. So, the

goblin king had snuck crystals into the droid before his magic was

drained; he hadn't counted on that, just like he hadn't counted on the

young Jedi faking her own demise...she was one that should not be

underestimated. It was apparent that she couldn't be turned; his only

choice now was to make sure that she was destroyed. It would take work

and cunning, both of which he would easily put into his plan. Soon,

soon she would pay for what she had done to his beloved.

            His thoughts straying to Callista, he put a transmission through to

the Chimaera., telling her to return to Coruscant immediately. She may

not have her powers, but she would still be useful.

            Besides, as long as he had Skywalker in his displaced state, there was

nothing to worry about. Nothing at all. Dark Luke smiled at the

thought. "Soon, young one, we will meet again. And I will be ready for

you..."

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

            I quickly sent a transmission to Wedge and Kardde, assuring them that

we would deliver the Rebel leaders to Endor immediately. They had seen

fit to give me the location of the hidden base, so I knew exactly what

our next destination should be. Well, it was as soon as we shook the

TIE fighters off our tales.

            "Slave 1 to Arrow, look out, they're heading straight for you,"

Obi-Wan said through the comm unit, his helmet removed for the time

being.

            "I copy Slave 1. You're not in the clear yet, either," Qui-Gon

answered back, the metallic sound not doing justice to his voice.

             Obi-Wan silently took aim and fired on a TIE that was coming up on

our side, destroying it immediately. From the looks of things, Qui-Gon

was handling things from the Arrow, as well, but many more fighters

were surging from the Chimaera to replace the ones we had blown to bits

moments before.

            "This is not good, not good at all," Khabarakh hissed, and I glanced

at him from my position behind the pilot seat.

            "I agree whole-heartedly with you on that," I replied wearily, running

a hand over my face. "What are we gonna do?" I asked the Jedi in front

of me, and I could tell his expression was grim. Suddenly, scarlet

blaster fire took out three TIEs in front of us.

            "What the-"

            "This is Rogue Leader to Slave 1. Need a hand?" I grinned at Wedge's

voice.

            "Thanks, Rogue Leader. Feel free to intervene," I replied, watching as

Rogue Squadron and the Wild Karrde swooped down to help us out. Minutes

later we were in the clear.

            "Go ahead and make the jump to lightspeed, Wedge; we'll meet you on

Endor," I said through the comm unit.

            "Will do, Slave 1," he replied before the Rebel fighters and smuggling

ship disappeared into hyperspace.

            "Slave 1 to Silver Arrow, prepare to attach before making the jump to

hyperspace," "Fett" ordered through the comm unit, starting the

procedure for the bounty hunter's ship to attach to the Falcon. We had

decided that it was best for us to come over to the other ship so that

everything could finally be explained, once and for all.

            "I copy, Slave 1," was the reply.

            "Finally," I sighed, grinning weakly. I started to get up but was

pushed back into my seat by a gloved hand. "Are you sure you don't want

me to take care of that before we go over?" Kenobi asked, nodding to

the impressive burn that had developed on my shoulder.

            "It looks worse than it is," I replied, only half-truthful. "I'll live

until we get over to the Falcon. I'm fine," I assured him as I noticed

his warning look. I had been worse, anyway. Feebley, I stood and slowly

made my way through the ship with the now fully disguised Kenobi and

Khabarakh at my heels. Minutes later we were attached and entering the

other ship. I couldn't wait to see everybody! This was what I had been

waiting for for five long months, this is what-

            I frowned as I noticed Qui-Gon upon coming into the lounge. First off,

he was missing his lightsaber and was wearing quite a grim expression.

It was only after he moved aside slightly that I could see it was

because Chewbacca had his bowcaster planted squarely behind his back.

            "I tried to reassure them, but they're having some trouble believing

that everything is fine," he sighed, throwing us a look.

            "And why should it be? We suddenly get rescued by bounty hunters, one

of whom has tried to kill Han half a dozen times?!" Leia said tightly

from Chewbacca's side, lightsaber drawn, but not ignited.

            "And you may have plotted a course for Endor, but how do we know you

weren't planning to take us out of the jump early?" Han added, stalking

to stand right in front of me.

            "Then why would we have kept your Noghri friend alive?" I asked

tiredly.

            "Because you needed him," Lando answered, his blaster in his hand. I

sighed, keeping my hands where they could be seen.

            "We're not going to hurt you-"

            "That's right, because you're not going to get the chance. You wearing

fatigues under that armor?" Han asked, gesturing to my disguise with

his blaster.

            "Let me think...I have only a few minutes to make changes at a time;

you think I would actually switch outfits?" I countered.

            "Fine, take off that disguise. I don't want to look at that witch any

more than I have to," he ordered, waving his blaster under my nose, his

expression one filled with anger.

            "Han, maybe you should just keep calm," Cat replied from her sitting

position on the couch. From the looks of things, her and Jareth's sight

was just starting to come back.

            "Kid, let me handle this...go ahead," he growled, turning back to me.

Nodding, I silently removed the armor, pausing slightly once I got to

the shoulder plates.

            "I think I'm going to need some help..." I murmured sheepishly,

glancing at where metal had melted very close to skin. Han through me a

look, but Chewie roared, pushing Qui-Gon forward.

            "Good idea, pal. This way she can't do anything to us," he agreed.

Master Qui-Gon threw me a stern look as he examined the damage.

            "You should have treated this before you came over..." the Jedi Master

told me, a stern look on his face as he examined where metal melted

into skin.

            "It's not bad-arghhhh," I winced as he removed the plate quickly. It

was the only way, but it wasn't pleasant.

            "You're best bet would be to go under a hibernation trance to quickly

heal it and regain your strength. You had to use the technique I taught

you." A statement, not a question.

            "The opportunity presented itself and there was no other alternative,"

I sighed, exposing the smuggler fatigues I was in.

            "All right, enough with the Jedi stuff...Chewie, check her for

weapons," Han ordered, nodding to Lando to do the same with Fett. I

grimaced as Chewie easily found the weapons I had expertly hidden on my

person. Han's expression grew darker and darker as the vibroblades were

found in my boots, the thermal detonator in my pocket, the dagger in my

other wristband, and the tiny blaster inside the holster on my arm,

besides my lightsaber and blaster. Lando came up with just as much fun

stuff in Fett's armor.

            "Now the rest of it," Han snarled.

            "Solo-" Jareth interrupted.

            "Shut up Tights!! I'm sick of looking at this scum...we didn't just

escape the Imps to be a prize to some bounty hunter. She must've conned

Wedge, though I'm surprised Karrde would fall for it. My eyes narrowed

as I removed the cosmetic face mask, exposing the green-skinned face of

Artemis. I also removed the wig, letting my lavendar and silver tresses

fall around my face. Finally, I popped out the grey contacts, and

smirked at Lando's startled expression.

            "Wait a minute...I saw a wanted ad of the Masquerader while being

interrogated...they wanted to know if I had ever seen her or knew how

she worked...her eyes are blue, not hazel!" I threw a look to Qui-Gon

and he nodded encouragingly.

            I knew the time had indeed come. It was weird, after months of having

to rely on disguises, I finally had to give all that up. I wasn't sure

I knew how to be me anymore; I had been the Masquerader for so long. I

had taken on the persona out of necessity, and now I was afraid to be

me again; something that didn't sit well in my stomach once I realized

it. But there was no other reason to separate myself anymore; it was

time to let it go. "I think it's time for the Masquerader to retire," I

sighed, nodding back to Qui-Gon. "Look, uh, I think I'm going to have

to use the fresher for a few minutes," I replied, staring at Han

straight in the eyes.

            "What do you take me for, a fool?"

            "Han...there's something familiar about her...I can feel it," Leia

told him, and I knew she could. I was too weak to keep the mental wall

up; she would find out sooner than later. "I'll go with her to make

sure she's not trying anything..."

            Her future husband paused for a long minute. "All right. But if she

does

anything-"

            "I won't," I promised before heading straight to the fresher, Leia

right behind.

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

            Pushing into the fresher, the bounty hunter immediately set to work

using the cold cream and other products she had sitting around the

room. The princess watched silently, a look of curiousity about her

features, though it was guarded.

            "So you're someone else entirely..." Leia murmured and the Masquerader

nodded. There was something so familiar about her, though it was hard

to place... Leia closed her eyes and reached out to the Force

momentarily. She could feel a heavy weariness about the other woman, as

well as a strong dedication to her cause, whatever that was. There was

loss there, too, and knowledge, and a strong connection to the Force.

The younger woman didn't fight Leia out of her mind, and even if she

had tried the senator doubted she had enough energy to at the moment.

            "It was for the best. I couldn't let my true self be known; not while

there was still work for me to do," she sighed, removing the last

traces of green from her face. Next, she glanced around for a few

minutes before picking up a bottle of shampoo and starting in on her

hair. Leia frowned as she inspected the other female's features...she

looked familiar, indeed. Older, though, then when they had last been

together, though it wasn't age from years, but from experience.

            "It must have been hard on you, having to give up your identity," she

said absently, and the bounty hunter nodded as she began to rinse the

coloring away from her tresses.

            "Yes...but it's going to be just as hard to be me again..." she

replied. Leia wished that Luke was here; she couldn't identify people

through the Force as quickly as he could. "But my accomplices have been

a big help...a big help." The bounty hunter's face was now covered with

wet, medium brown hair, and then a towel was draped over her head as

she rubbed it dry.

            "Tell me...why are you suddenly choosing to identfy yourself now?"

Leia asked

            "Because I don't need to stay hidden any more...I've fought as the

Masquerader, now it's time to go back to fighting as me," she answered,

straightening as she slowly removed the towel from her head. "It is

good to be back..." she murmured, turning round to face the princess, a

slightly amused grin on her face. Leia gripped her lightsaber

instinctively as she rose...it couldn't be true...Her eyes widened as

her Jedi skills affirmed what she was seeing. She paled slightly, and

looked as though she was staring straight at a ghost, and in some way,

maybe she was.

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

            Cat rubbed her eyes as her sight slowly started to return. This was

just insane...she knew they all were a little edgey after being in

captivity for five months, but come on! Besides, the voice of the pilot

of this ship was familiar, as well. She wished she could place

it...Running a mental inventory gave her nothing. She just couldn't

think...

            She blinked as images slowly began to appear. No more blurs and

shadows; now, she could actually make out people!! Han, Chewie, and

Lando were covering the bounty hunters, Artoo was chattering away with

Threepio, and Khabarakh was taking everything in. She turned her gaze

to Fett, wondering why in blazes he had helped them to escape...this

just wasn't making sense. Her mouth dropped open at the sight of the

other bounty hunter, though. Him she recognized. Heck, she had seen the

movie four times, how could she not!!

            "Oh my god..." she managed, slowly standing, her gaze transfixed.

            "What is it, kid?" Han asked, flashing her a worried glance.

            "He's...he's..." She couldn't get it out. The Jedi Master fixed her

with an amused look. "Han, put the weapons away, now."

            Chewbacca instantly roared his disapproval. "I agree with Chewie...I

don't think your completely thawed yet, kid. You're talkin crazy!!"

            "No...he's of no danger...This is Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jin...he's in

the Star Wars prequel...he's the one that discovered Anakin Skywalker

and trained Obi-Wan Kenobi as a padawan learner!!" she managed to say,

somewhat calmly. Jareth, who was rubbing his eyes, nodded from where he

sat.

            "It's true...I'd know the face that's captivated half of my listians

anywhere. He won't hurt us." Han glanced at the two of them like they

had just instructed him to fly into a black hole.

            Just then, a female cry of shock came from the other room. "Leia!!"

Han immediately yelled.

            "It's all right, Han...but you won't believe this..."

            Not listening, the smuggler raised his blaster as two figures came

into the room...

            And promptly dropped it as he saw who was behind Leia. Cat followed

his stare and a grin broke out over her features as her fellow listian

appeared in the room, dead tired-looking and with a nasty wound, but

alive. Chewie bellowed in shock. Everyone blinked as the ship around

them suddenly waivered slightly and began to change...

and the interior of the Falcon became apparent around them.

            As ecstatic as he was to see his ship and the girl, Han could barely

comprehend what he was seeing. "What the-"

            "Good, the spell wore off when my identity was discovered...I was

hoping that would work," Selah sighed, leaning against the wall.

"What?" she asked upon seeing the amazed stares that greeted her.

            "Mistress Selah!?"

            "Kid?"

            "Darling?"

            Cat rolled her eyes at the stunned looks on everyone's faces. She knew

it!! She knew she was right!! Jumping to her feet, she grabbed her

co-Star Warsian in a bear hug.

            "SELAH, YOU'RE ALIVE!!!!"

            "Yeah, I'm happy, too. What, you think I'd just roll over and die when

my friends were in danger?" she chuckled, removing her arms. "Uh,

careful of the shoulder, if you don't mind."

            "One question: How?" Lando asked as everyone put their weapons away

and Khabarakh returned the Jedi Master's lightsaber.

            "I faced Luke, there was no way I could beat him at that time. Some

things just take longer than others...plus he has our Luke displaced

from his body in the Jedi Temple," she added, a somber look crossing

over her features. "Anyway...uh...."

            "Things became difficult, so Luke's spirit, as well as the spirit of

Ben Kenobi made a wish on a crystal they had been watching our progress

from," Qui-Gon cut in upon noticing Selah's embarrassed expression.

"They wished me here so that I could be of some assistance. We escaped

in the Falcon and used one crystal to fake our demise, throwing the

Empire off our trail."

            "And the other was used to convert the ship and get me the tools I

needed to come after you guys!" Selah added, looking quite pleased with

herself, but mellowed slightly as her gaze reached Jareth. "By the

way...thanks for your help, Jareth. I could've never have done it

without you," she admitted, smiling slightly at the goblin king.

            "All right...but what was the third crystal used for?" Jareth said,

frowning slightly. Selah grinned at that and flashed a look at Qui-Gon

before they both turned and grinned at Boba Fett.

            "I thought you'd never ask..." she said, trying hard to keep a

straight face. Cat frowned, wondering where all this was going. Her

attention was completely diverted, though, as Fett began to remove his

mask, revealing...

            "Oh my lord...Selah, two words: smart move!!!" the young woman

laughed, trying hard not to melt on the spot. Jareth gave a disgusted

groan as his head fell into his palm.

            "Why did you have to waste a good crystal!!?"

            She was quick to reply in Obi-Wan's defense. "We needed help and

Obi-Wan here was the best option. Besides, the Empire would not have

been kind if they had found the crystal on us." The Padawan glanced her

way and gave her a grateful, barely visible smile which she returned

immediately.

            "Wait a minute...did you say Obi-Wan?" Leia asked, frowning.

            "Yup...this is young Obi-Wan Kenobi from the prequel!!" Cat exclaimed,

calm on the outside, but inside she was ecstatic beyond words.

            "I think this might take a while to explain," Selah chuckled, shaking

her head at Leia, Han and Lando's confused looks.

            "I can take care of that...why don't you go take care of that

shoulder?" Obi-Wan said, smiling slightly.

            "For heaven's sakes, I've already told you, I'm fi-" She stopped

herself as Qui-Gon silently lifted an eyebrow. "All right, all right,

where's the stupid med kit..." she grumbled, turning to go to her

quarters, Qui-Gon following behind her.

            "I can see she hasn't lost her stubborness," Jareth sighed, rolling

his eyes.

            "That's for sure...though Master Qui-Gon manages to talk some sense

into her if she goes too far over the line," Obi-Wan replied, grinning

slighlty. Cat sighed at the perfectness of it all, and glanced around

at the others. They looked tired and confused, though Leia had a

slightly dark look about her face. Distantly, Cat wondered what was

bugging her, but she shrugged it off as concern for her brother.

Besides, she had more important things to do, she decided as the

Padawan took a seat next to her and began to explain how he and Qui-Gon

fit into everything...

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

            I inhaled sharply as antiseptic was spread over the singe marks on my

flesh, trying my best to calm myself, to think nice, peaceful, tranquil

thoughts...they became less important as a fresh wave of pain took me

and I yelped in indignation.

            "Accept the pain...thank it for telling you what is wrong with your

body...embrace it, and it will help you. Only then can it begin to

decrease," Qui-Gon murmured as he pressed a surgical dressing over the

burn.

            "I'm trying...the only problem that I really have with pain is that it

hurts!!!" I muttered, relaxing slightly as the topical painkillers

started to take effect. Normally, I'd try to refuse painkillers all

together, a quirk of mine that irritates all doctors I've ever had, but

I was too tired to argue. I silently watched the Jedi Master for a few

moments as he packed away the equipment in a med pack before I spoke

again. "Did I do the right thing back there, banishing the Force from

Callista?"

            "You mean did you really have no other alternative, or did you let

your personal feelings get in the way," he stated, glancing up at me. I

nodded, running a hand back through my hair.

            "Maybe I should've just made a run for it...maybe I shouldn't have

tried to play God...maybe I-"

            "Maybe you did the right thing. She would have got out of control

sooner or

later-"

            "But we can't know that for sure!!" I interjected. He sighed and

looked me straight in the eyes.

            "From what Obi-Wan says, you had no choice. If you hadn't, she would

have sent more troops after you to wear you down. She might have caught

you and your friends, then everything you did would be for nothing. You

can never know for sure, but you have to trust that the correct

judgement was made..." His voice faded suddenly, his expression

thoughtful.

            "Like you deciding that Anakin should be trained?" I asked

reluctantly, not knowing if I was treading on thin ice. He nodded

slowly.

            "It may have seemed a bad move...but things were eventually worked

out, and balance was brought...just not the side that we had originally

anticipated," he replied, a rueful expression on his face. He turned to

leave and motioned me to stay on the bunk I was on. "You need your

rest...go into a hibernation trance and you'll be woken when we reach

Endor," he told me, signalling that the discussion had reached it's

end. Nodding, I flickered my eyes shut and slowly began to slow my body

processes...

Ch. 18

            Qui-Gon smiled softly as he headed back into the lounge; it was almost

like old times, maybe even better. It was quite an experience to get to

see Anakin's daughter...she was like him, in a way. That same troubled

aura about her at times when everything seemed to be falling apart

around her...that same insistence to help others without thought. The

Jedi Master glanced around as he entered the larger room and nodded to

his protege.

            "You might want to lose the armor...the Rebellion won't take kindly to

Fett suddenly appearing on their hidden base," he pointed out. He had

already seen that fact and taken a few minutes to lose the Imperial

jumpsuit he had used to get on the Chimaera.

            "Yes, Master...Excuse me," Obi-Wan answered, nodding slightly to the

young woman at his side. Qui-Gon had to fight a smile at the younger

man's clearly intrigued manner around her; it was all too amusing,

though they did have to keep all their minds on the business that still

had to be done.

            "Where's Leia?" he asked upon noticing the princess was no longer in

the room.

            "Mistress Leia said that she needed a few moments alone...she's in the

cockpit, I think," the droid, Threepio, replied and the Jedi nodded.

            "Thank you...and I must say that you look much better with your

coverings on," he added, smiling slightly as he recalled the last time

he had seen the droid before heading into the Falcon's cockpit. The

Jedi Master silently entered the nose of the Falcon and leaned against

the doorway, quietly watching the woman in the pilot's seat. There was

no need for her to be there, and she wasn't doing anything, anyway.

Leia quietly sat, staring out into space, contemplating something that

seemed to be troubling her.

            "Luke will be rescued...make no mistake about that," he said quietly

and she started, obviously not paying attention to the fluxuations in

the Force as he had entered the cabin. For some reason, he just knew it

to be true; how, though, was a mystery to him.

            "I...I know," she sighed as she glanced over her shoulder. Like all of

the former prisoners, she looked tired and relieved, but there was

something else...

            "There's a lot on your mind...you feel responsible for the fate that

could befall the Rebellion and another galaxy...there's nothing you can

do to change what has happened. You have to accept it and decide what

you're going to do about it," he offered, sitting beside her in the

copilot's seat.

            "Yes...I know...there's a lot to be done," she agreed quietly, her

eyes still fixed on the starlines, almost as if she were avoiding his

gaze...

            Then it suddenly hit him. He should've suspected it right away, it was

so simple. Leia had been shocked when Obi-Wan had removed the helmet,

but for a totally different reason than what he had thought...

            He smiled gently before speaking at the irony of it all. True, Obi-Wan

and Selah had finally come to terms with each other, and even grown

quite close, but not in the way the Rebel leader was fearing. "There's

nothing going on with them, if that's what you're worried about,"

Qui-Gon suddenly said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Selah would

never betray Luke like that..." He paused, knowing that the direction

he was heading in was a sensitive one. "I didn't want to say

earlier...but the reason Luke and Ben wished me here was to prevent her

from doing something that everyone would regret..." he murmured, his

face darkening at the memory.

            "What do you mean?" the princess asked, turning to face him,

intrigued.

            "When she found Luke's abandoned body...after everything that had

happened...she panicked and tried to...She didn't want to abandon him,"

he finally finished, the unspoken action suddenly realized by Leia.

            "You mean..." The Jedi Master nodded as her eyes widened in

realization.

            "The reason I brought my Padawan here was so that she wouldn't try to

do to much...she needs to save her energy for what's to come...Luke has

nothing to worry about; if anything, they're more like brother and

sister," he added as the woman relaxed slightly, nodding as she

processed the information. "You can trust us," he added, almost

silently as he rested a gentle hand on hers.

            "I'm sorry...I believe you, it just took me by surprise," she said,

glancing up at the Jedi. "This whole thing is just one big mess," she

sighed, leaning back in the chair.

            Qui-Gon frowned as her Force sense reached him. "There is much fear in

you...like your father. You cannot be hesitant, Leia. You have much to

contribute to the Rebellion, as a political leader and as a Jedi. You

need to begin your training and not fear what might happen. Each Jedi

risks falling to the Dark Side, and each must make that choice, but it

is far worse to never let your talents bear fruit." As he finished he

rose and exited, leaving the princess to think about his words a long

time after he had left.

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

            Callista's shoulders sagged considerably as she entered the throne

room. She had been stripped of the gift that had meant so much to her,

but this time even the Dark Side was not coming to her aid. The woman

felt a million things at once: confusion, emptiness, helplessness...but

one emotion still stood out above all others: a deep, burning anger

that required revenge to quench its thirst.

            "You are not to leave...you can still provide much to the Empire." She

merely stared as Lord Skywalker's throne turned so that he might face

her. His face was expressionless, but his eyes blazed with a mixture of

emotions.

            "I failed."

            "But you can still be usefull...I cannot use magic to bring your

powers back; I've already tried," he added, and her last hope crumbled

into dust.

            "What can I do if I have lost the Force?" she sighed, staying where

she was.

            "You still have unmatchable combat skills...and you still have your

knowledge of the Force. Between the two of us, we can exact revenge on

the Rebels," Dark Luke replied softly, his lips savoring the word

revenge like a fine wine. "Soon the Rebellion will be nothing more than

a memory, and what can she do? She cannot defeat the second Darksaber,

Callista...not with my modifications."

            "And they would be...what?"

            "It needs crew members to keep it up, yes, but...it can only be fired

through the Force," he whispered, his eyes smoldering. "Any time I

please I can direct it to a certain location and demolish any system I

chose. It will only be a matter of time before she comes to give

herself up..."

            "But why should she?"

            "I made certain that she was able to get hold of the plans for the

Darksaber II...she'll come..." he finished, a contented smile tugging

at his lips. "Then we can take care of the Rebel fleets..."

            "She'll never be able to face you with the dark ysalimiri...but she

will come anyway to rescue the Jedi...And once you have broken her...I

will finish her off..." Callista added, her eyes gleaming. "I will have

my revenge..."

            "Revenge," Dark Luke echoed quietly as he gave a nod of assent.

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

            A sharp bark quickly got me to regain my consciousness. Sitting up, I

rubbed my eyes as I focused on the Wookie in the doorway. "What?" I

managed, smacking my dry mouth slightly. Chewie replied that we were

nearing Endor so it might be a good time for me to wake up. Nodding

drowsily, I changed into plain grey pants and tunic with a black belt

before stumbling into the lounge and throwing myself into a chair.

            "So the sleeping beauty finally emerges," Jareth chuckled, quirking an

eyebrow at my groggy state.

            "Yeah, yeah," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Either that or Rip Van

Winkle, depending on how long Master Qui-Gon decided to leave me in

hibernation," I replied, grinning slighlty at the Jedi Master that was

leaning in the doorway.

            "How's the shoulder?" he asked, smiling slightly.

            "It's almost fully healed...still a little stiff, though," I answered,

frowning as I moved it around, testing it out a bit. "How much longer

till we reach Endor?" I asked, blinking to wake my eyes up.

            "Uh...about thirty minutes," Cat replied, glancing away from where she

and Obi-Wan were engaged in animated conversation. I had to fight the

grin and ended up losing the battle, choosing to look away so she

couldn't see.

            "Good...I found something aboard the Chimaera that I think the Rebel

leaders will want to take a look at," I said cryptically, clamping my

mouth shut as all in the room turned to look at me. "Where's Han and

Chewie?"

            "They're in the cockpit, along with Khabarakh, starting the sequence

to come into Endor's orbit and then land," Leia replied, looking a

whole lot more relaxed than she had been the last time I had seen her.

Shrugging, I leaned back to let the time pass as the Falcon slowly

headed towards the planet bathed in blues and greens and finally

descended into the vegetation.

            "Ready?" Han asked, coming into where we were sitting. "Hey, kid, nice

to see ya back in action! You look strong enough to pull the ears off a

gundark!"

            I couldn't help laughing at that; it was good to have everybody back.

"Yeah, it's pretty ironic...who would've thought that Fett would've

saved me in battle!" I teased, grinning at Obi-Wan.

            "So, where is this hidden base, anyway?" Jareth asked, frowning at me

and Cat, obviously trying to change subjects. He just couldn't stand to

be ignored.

            "How would we know? We've been in an Imperial prison cell for five

months!!" Lando retorted, rolling his eyes. "Looks like we're about to

find out, though," he added upon glancing to where the loading ramp was

opening, revealing the waiting figures of Wedge Antilles and Talon

Karrde.

            "Hey, Wedge!! Glad to see ya!!" Han shouted as he made his way down

the ramp.

            "Feeling's mutual, Solo...glad you're all right."

            "Hey, the Imps can't hold me for long!" the smuggler laughed, gracing

the pilot with a lopsided grin.

            "So she was really able to pull it off..." Karrde said softly, his

gaze fixed on Slave 1 where it was attached to the Falcon.

            "Yeah, it surprised us, too," Lando called as he, Chewie, Jareth,

Khabarakh, Leia, Cat, and the droids began to file out of the Falcon.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were at the tail end of the line.

            "What's with the new folks...I don't recognize them..." Wedge

muttered, frowning.

            "And there's a real good reason for that," Han told him. "But it's

very long and very involved..."

            "Translation: it'll have to wait," Karrde interpreted. "So where's the

Masquerader? She still has to discuss payment with Mon Mothma, assuming

she was able to track down the hidden Jedi, as well."

            "Oh, she was...actually, the Masquerader *was* the hidden Jedi," Leia

replied, smiling at the shocked faces of the two men.

            "What? This I've gotta see to believe..." Kardde was mumbling.

            "Yeah, well, there's much more that you're gonna see and you won't

believe it, pal," Lando interrupted, nodding towards the Falcon as I

emerged from the doorway and descended the ramp. "Gentlemen, may I

present the Masquerader."

            "What?!" both replied at once.

            "But that's...that's...She's supposed to be dead!!" Wedge breathed,

his eyes wide.

            "Yeah, that surprised them, too..." I laughed, shaking my head at

their befuddled expressions.

            "But I thought Artemis Durron was the Masquerader!" Karrde objected.

            "She is...I just happen to be Artemis Durron," I explained, grinning

in amusement. "And you can tell Mon Mothma to cancel that order for

half a million credits...looks like I won't be needing it after all!" I

laughed as I glanced over at Leia and Han.

            "You asked for *half a million* credits?!" the former smuggler

replied, gaping at the figure.

            I shrugged. "Sure, why not...I figure that I wouldn't have sounded

like a real bounty hunter if I didn't shoot high," I replied casually.

Chewie let out a barking laugh.

            "You said it Chewie...where were you when we were running spice?!" Han

laughed. I grinned and allowed my gaze to sweep over the X-wing and

Wild Karrde that were parked beside the Falcon and Slave 1. My

thoughtful disposition shifted to a much more confused state of mind as

another craft slowly flew down to land beside us, as well.

            "Cat...doesn't that seem familiar?" I asked, pointing to the craft.

            "Yeah...now that you mention it...that's a Z-95 Headhunter, right?"

Karrde nodded.

            "We used those in our little delay tactic against Lady Callista's

shuttle...she's right on time," the smuggling boss added thoughtfully.

            "Who?" I asked, feeling slightly uneasy. Cat glanced my way and raised

an eyebrow. Han seemed to get the gist of our silent conversation,

because he threw me a warning look.

            "Listen, kid...there's no way I'm gonna let you run out into the woods

like last time..."

            "I don't plan on giving you the opportunity," I quipped as the craft

landed and the pilot stepped out.

            "Glad you made it, Mara...we were just about to head to the base,"

Karrde informed the key player in his organization, walking over to

where she stood.

            "Right...sorry I was delayed...this thing isn't as fast as the Wild

Karrde," she replied, shrugging her shoulders in an apprehensive

manner. "Solo...Leia," she said, nodding to them. "Good to see you too,

Calrissian."

            "Mara," I said quietly, nodding to her. She flashed me a slightly

confused look.

            "Do I know you?" At that, Karrde and the rest of us who had been on

the first adventure exchanged puzzled glances.

            "You should...you met last time when Jareth brought you into the

labyrinth," Leia replied.

            "What in blazes are you talking about?" the red-haired woman replied,

still completely in the dark. I reached out to her through the Force,

but she easily shut me out and flashed me an irritated look. Helpless,

I glanced at Qui-Gon who merely shrugged.

            "Wait a minute...does her demeanor seem different to you from your

first story?" Cat asked, turning to me.

            "Yeah...what's your point?"

            "Well...maybe she's not from the same time period as the last Mara

that showed up..."

            "But everyone else here is from the last story? Why would she be any

different?" I reasoned, staring away in deep thought. Absently, I let

my gaze focus on Jareth who was deeply absorbed in studying the plant

life...a little too absorbed...

            "Let me guess..." I grumbled, glaring at him. "You made a specific

request right before you were stripped of your magic, didn't you."

            "Whatever would make you say that?" he replied, a little too

innocently.

            "JARETH!!! For heaven's sakes, it's obvious!!! You wished a version of

Mara here that doesn't have warm feelings towards Luke!!!" Cat roared,

smacking him upside the head in irritation.

            "What?! I could have done worse...it's not the version that wants to

kill him...just the one that doesn't like him very much," he snapped

back, rubbing his head. By this time Mara was staring at us all like we

had just been sat on by a herd of Banthas.

            "Um...I think we're going to have a little explaining to do..." Karrde

said somewhat uncomfortably, taking Mara by the arm to talk to her in

private.

            "Right...well, we'll head on to the base..." Wedge said as he plunged

into the dense greenery. We all shrugged and followed.

            "Are you happy now?! You just ruined a perfect opportunity for me!!!"

Jareth snapped at Cat and me as he fell into step behind us.

            "Excuse me? We're not the ones who brought an unsuspecting person here

in an attempt to seduce them!" I protested, glaring at the king.

            "Oh? Then what do you mean by wishing *him* here!!" he snapped,

thrusting a finger to point at an unsuspecting Obi-Wan and throwing a

dark look at Cat.

            "Why you..you...that's none of your business!!! Besides, he was

brought here to help out!" she retorted, glaring daggers.

            "And I'm sure he has been helping you out...but what I do still isn't

your business," Jareth growled angrily before pushing ahead of her to

walk behind me.

            Cat's eyes widened in fury and for a minute I thought I was going to

have to hold her back. "You don't own me, Tights...get used to it!!"

she snapped before ignoring him completely.

            "Was it something I said?" Jareth remarked sarcastically to me.

            "More like everything you say," I retorted, not bothering to turn

around.

            "You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me!!" he reminded me and I

winced.

            "WE WOULDN'T BE IN THIS MESS IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU!!!!" Cat bellowed,

her restraint finally cracking as she took a swing at him. He saw it

coming and ducked, though (I guess he was used to having irrate

listians try to beat the living daylights out of him) and her fist

collided with my nose.

            "HEY!!" I screeched, immediately reaching a hand up to my face. It was

only then that I realized that I was lying flat on my back in the plant

life; damn, Cat had a good arm!!

            "What's going on here?" Now that's a phrase I've learned to dread,

innocent little angel that I am. Out of habit, I sheepishly let my eyes

move from the boots to the face of a stern-looking Jedi Master. Somehow

I didn't think "He started it!!" was going to work.

            "Nothing...just a friendly argument..." I said quietly, wishing I

could disappear into the ferns around me. Qui-Gon cocked an eyebrow and

crossed his arms over his chest.

            "We were just discussing Jareth's motives...I got a little upset and-"

            "She tried to hit me!!!" Jareth interrupted. I cast a dark look up to

him.

            "And isn't it just my luck that my nose happened to run into Catrina's

fist?" I said dryly.

            "Thanks, dear...I knew you cared," he replied, grinning. Before I

could say anything else, Han and Lando suddenly appeared at our sides,

accompanied by an unhappy-looking Wookie.

            "Listen, Hair Boy, we don't have time for this!! You stay in line or

I'm going to have Chewie here use you for target practice with his

bowcaster," Han growled, throwing the king a warning look. Jareth

gathered himself up with all the pride and dignity he could muster, but

quickly deflated at the soft, but intense, snarl that Chewie let out

from beside him.

            "Why don't you just walk up here with us..." Lando suggested, grabbing

J's arm and dragging him with him to the front of the line. "I'm sure

we can find lots to talk about..."

            "Like why you don't wear real pants," Han finished, returning Lando's

wicked grin as they dragged the alarmed king away.

            Sighing, I took Qui-Gon's offered hand and let him pull me upright.

            "Sorry...J moves a lot faster than I thought...is it bad?" Cat asked,

cringing slightly.

            "I'm not sure...how bad does it look?" I asked, moving my hand away.

That would be another feather in my cap: managing to get a broken nose

while trying to save the galaxy from oppression.

            "You're fine...you're at least as tough as Catrina's fist, anyway,"

Qui-Gon murmured as he bent to inspect the damage. "Though I'd try

working on my aim next time, if I were you," he added, glancing at Cat

with humor-filled eyes. She nodded, not knowing how to respond.

            "What's going on back here? We heard shouting," Obi-Wan called,

tromping back to meet us.

            "Just a little disagreement...nothing of importance," the Jedi Master

replied, glancing over at him with a look I couldn't identify.

            "Yeah...just a little soreness on my part," I added, rubbing my nose.

            "Why does that not surprise me?" the Padawan chuckled before crossing

over to Cat.

            "Are you all right?" he asked, frowning with concern momentarily. She

nodded and walked ahead with him, immediately becoming engaged in more

conversation with the soon-to-be Jedi. All I could do was manage a grin

and laugh quietly to myself. I had to say one thing for these saving

the galaxy missions: at least they were never boring!!!

Ch. 19

            Mon Mothma shook her head with wonder as we related the entire story

of what had passed during the last five months. "It's been an

interesting time, I'll give it that," I said as the story neared its

completion. "So...what have I missed?"

            "The Empire has constructed a new superweapon-"

            "I know...the Darksaber II. I found out about it while I was going

through some files on the Chimaera," I explained, producing a datacard.

            "What's Darksaber?" Leia asked, frowning.

            "Nothing very pleasant, that's what," Cat told her grimly. I nodded as

the card was loaded into a datapad and the information began to load

into the computer. Calming myself, I breathed in the fresh air with a

slight tinge of smoke. It was sort of ironic that we'd be holding our

meeting in the Ewok village; if the Empire only knew. In fact, there

was no actual base...most of the meetings were conducted in the main

huts of the village or in hidden ships in the deep forest by the few

leaders that were actually making the planet a temporary home. As for

the fleet, they were waiting for instructions on the far side of the

sanctuary moon, out of sight from wandering Imperial eyes. I glanced

back down at the computer as data began to appear on the screen.

            "Oh, boy..." I breathed, my eyes quickly scanning the files.

            "What is it? Is there a weakness?" Mon Mothma asked immediately.

            "I don't know...but that doesn't really matter."

            "What?" Wedge asked, looking over my shoulder.

            "The thing isn't even really run by people...only maintained. The only

way to fire it is by using the Force," I murmured, a chill creeping up

my spine.

            "So it really is a Darksaber," Han said, his expression dark. "You say

it's over Coruscant? Maybe we don't have to worry..."

            "No, we do have to be prepared," Qui-Gon cut in, his face very stern.

"I can feel it...Dark Skywalker knows," he added, turning to me. "He

can feel your presence...he knows your alive and that you're

here...he's going to move the Darksaber to attack the Rebel base." My

stomach seemed to explode at that information. I had somehow had a

feeling all along, but didn't want to admit it, because that would mean

that I really did have to confront him, and I didn't like the idea of

that, not at all. Not again...

            "What's this?" Lando asked, touching a fingertip to the screen. "It

seems to be tactical orders for the Chimaera..." he paused suddenly,

his face flushed.

            "What is it?" I asked gently and he quickly glanced over at Cat and

me.

            "They're sending a fleet to earth..."

            "When?"

            "As soon as repairs are completed and the personell can be gathered,"

he replied, barely able to get it out. I immediately sought Cat's gaze

and she looked as shocked as I did. I had never really thought the

Empire would dare to do it, but I suppose I should've known. Suddenly,

I felt as though I were drowning, or like the trees were closing in on

me, or maybe both. I couldn't figure out which way was up and I didn't

know if I wanted to take another breath. Somehow, I managed to push

myself out of the hut we were in and stepped out onto a walkway in the

shadows of trees the size of skyscrapers. It seemed so fitting, for

now I was being forced to attend a confrontation I wasn't sure I wanted

to be a part of.

            Sighing, I glanced up at the stars that were just starting to appear;

they seemed so close to the treetops, like they could set their

branches on fire if they were any closer. I fought panicked tears away,

concentrating instead on letting my focus drift out into the vastness

of space. It all seemed too big, and yet so small, like I could reach

out and Coruscant would be at my fingertips, and Luke, with it. I

leaned forward against the wooden railing, as if it would get me closer

to all the answers I needed at that moment.

            *Where are you, Luke? Are you on Coruscant...or are you out there,

somewhere...waiting...What should I do? How can I go on like this,

without you...on my own? I know I have to, but...what do I do?*

            No answers came to my thoughts, though. There was such a barricade in

the way, like the fence I was leaning on. I let my gaze shift to the

furry Ewoks that were bustling about, some tending to bonfires at the

village squares, some walking to their homes, some standing outside,

contemplating the universe, just as I was. I had always loved the

creatures, ever since the cartoon series and the Ewok movies, but

suddenly, they seemed too distant for me to appreciate. Even the forest

sounds of cricket music and wandering creatures seemed so far away,

even though it was much, much closer than the stars. Glancing up, the

sight of impending doom reached my eyes: Darksaber II, slowly

approaching, coming into orbit on the sanctuary moon. Even then I

couldn't react to it. I couldn't smile, couldn't cry, could barely

blink. I was caught in a terrible web, and I knew there was no

escaping my destiny.

            I straightened as the sound of nearing footsteps reached my ears, and

I didn't even have to glance up as Qui-Gon stopped beside me.

"Something's wrong." It seemed to be more of an acknoledgement or an

observation than a question. I nodded, still focused on the sky. A

quote from the novel Return of the Jedi popped into my mind, and

somehow it seemed very, very appropriate at the moment.

            "'Everything, I'm afraid. Or nothing, maybe. Maybe things are finally

going to be as they were meant to be.'"

            "Maybe," the Jedi Master agreed, and I glanced down to see his large

hand resting lightly over mine. "You don't have to do this."

            "You know that I do. When everything comes down to it, I have to be

the one to confront him. You told me as much." He nodded slowly, a

somber look on his features. A breeze danced by the walkway, but I

didn't really feel it. The only way I knew it was there was because it

gently blew Qui-Gon's long hair away from his shoulders. "How will I

know what to do?"

            "You'll know...you remember the scenes from the movies where Ben,

Yoda, and myself pause in momentary meditation?" he asked suddenly, and

I frowned, trying to gather my thoughts.

            "Yes...it's more like a revelation, though...and that takes place

right before you..." I paused, my mouth suddenly feeling dry, yet it

was a release on my soul in a way. "Am I going to die?" I whispered, my

voice all but inaudible.

            "I don't know...but whatever your destiny is, you mustn't fear it," he

replied, squeezing my hand slightly. "And whatever it is...you won't go

toward it alone."

            "But shouldn't I?"

            He turned surprised eyes to regard me. "No...not everything has to be

started by yourself..when it comes down to it, you will face him alone,

but we will come with you. You're going to need someone to help you

deal with the ysalimiri. But know that it does come down to you and

Dark Skywalker...but you are ready." I nodded, somehow knowing that it

was the truth. Another phrase appeared into my mind, and whether

Qui-Gon sent it to me or it was my own subconscious, I wasn't sure.

Slowly, purposefully, I began to recite the Jedi Code.

            "There is no emotion...there is peace..." I paused and for the first

time appreciated the environment I was in. For years I had wanted to

abandon earth and live in a galaxy like this, hoping that there was

something like it out there, waiting to be found by just the right

person. Now, it had finally happened, yet I wouldn't give up my home

planet because I had found something so different...earth still had

it's purpose. "There is no passion, there is serenity," I continued,

finally starting to calm down and accept what I had to do. After a

considerable silence, I started in on the last part, felt my voice

falter, then squeezed my eyes shut. Qui-Gon reached out to me through

the Force, encouraging me like the mentor he was. "There is no death...

            "There is the Force," we finished together. My eyes flicked open and I

took a deep breath, letting the living Force enter me and accept me

into its aura, and accepting my nudging from the Force of destiny, as

well.

            I was ready.

            Suddenly everything seemed a little bit easier. The pressure was not

completely gone, but I knew that with the Force I could do anything. I

silently recalled the scene in Return of the Jedi where Luke says

good-bye to Leia on a walkway that was very much like the one I was

standing on. A few phrases from the movie spoke in my mind, and I knew

there was something that I needed from the Jedi Master. "Qui-Gon...no

matter what happens...be sure to tell Luke and Leia about their

mother," I quietly told the Jedi and he nodded. "You don't have to tell

them everything...but let them know who she was..." I murmured.

            "I will," he complied, gazing off into the sky.

            "Thank you, Master," I said, turning my head slightly to regard him.

In truth, the title was honorary; I wasn't his padawan, but a full

Jedi, and I needed to realize that. But how could I call this man who

had influenced me so much in the past few months anything else? A brief

idea sparked and I spoke quietly.

            "Qui-Gon...I don't mean to put a barrier between you and Obi-Wan..."

            "You're not...we all have our connections, in our own way," he

replied, the concerned look momentarily gone from his eyes.

            "I know...but still...I'm not your padawan and you're not my master."

            "No..." he sighed, looking away again.

            "Since I might not see you again after all this is over...may I call

you uncle?" I asked suddenly, not daring to reach out to him with the

Force. Just by staring at him I could tell he was startled, not an easy

thing to accomplish with Qui-Gon. He seemed to drift into his own world

briefly, and after a few moments he turned me to face him, reaching out

to me with the Force in a gesture of understanding and comfort.

Nodding, he bent over me and gently kissed my forehead before backing

away again.

            "The Force will be with you...no matter what," he reminded me before

turning and heading back into the hut. Sighing, I turned back to gaze

at the sky, knowing it was the truth.

            "What's going on out here?" an accented voice called and I felt my jaw

clench as the goblin king came to a stop at my side.

            "Nothing..." I replied, and I was able to feel the waver in my voice.

            "Nothing? Nothing? Tra la la..." he kidded, then realized I was

serious. "Look, you can tell me," he urged frowning.

            "Jareth...it really isn't anything I can..."

            "What, could you tell Qui-Gon, is that who you could tell?" When I

refused to answer a look of total exasperation crossed his face.

"You're going to face him again, aren't you? Aren't you?!" he repeated

when I didn't speak.

            "I have to."

            "No, you don't!!! Why do you insist on always trying to save

everybody...why don't you just admit that your Luke is gone and live

with it!!" I whirled to face him, anger flashing in my eyes.

            "Is this what you think this is only about? Luke?! Listen, I may love

him, but I have a responsibility...this isn't just about him anymore,

J! It's about Star Wars...about the Force...about the

Underground...about earth...and about myself," I added, turning away.

He grumbled something and I frowned as tears started to run down my

cheeks. This wasn't the way it was supposed to be...if there was a

chance I wouldn't be returning, I didn't want my last memory of the

goblin king to be an argument.

            He must have heard my sobs, because suddenly a gentle hand was on my

shoulder. I glanced over my shoulder to find Jareth staring at me in

silent worry...maybe he did understand, after all.

            "I'm sorry," he whispered, his gaze not wavering.

            "I know...just hold me," I sighed, leaning into him. He obeyed, and we

just stood there, trying to make sense of life, the universe, and

everything that was a part of it.

Ch. 20

            "Ready?" Cat asked me as we headed towards our respective ships.

            "As ready as I can be...you going with Lando, Han, and Leia?" I asked,

nodding to where they were going off to the Falcon, along with the

droids, Chewbacca, and Khabarakh. Wedge had already left in his X-wing

to gather with the command ships, and Mon Mothma had taken a shuttle to

join Ackbar at Home 1. Karrde and Mara were heading to their ships to

group with the Rebel fleet, as well.

            "Are you kidding? I wouldn't leave ya to go face all this on your

own!" she laughed, though it was slightly forced. "I'm with you."

            "Thanks," I replied quietly, then gestured to the waiting freighter.

"Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are waiting...they're coming, too, to help destroy

the ysalimiri. The others are gonna try and detain the fleet headed

towards earth, and some are even going to try to attack Darksaber."

            "What, are they nuts?" she breathed.

            "Isn't everybody in the Alliance?" I shot back, glad to see I still

had a little bit of my humor in me.

            "True..come on, the day isn't getting any younger," she said, sighing

as we watched the rest of our group depart in their separate ways.

Echoing her sentiments, I nodded and we headed towards the waiting

ship. Both our eyes widened and narrowed as we saw who was waiting for

us.

            "Jareth...what in blazes are you doing here?! Shouldn't you be with

the others?" Cat snapped as we pushed past him onto the ship.

            "I thought you might need a little help..."

            "We've got three Jedi...what more help can there be for you to offer?"

she asked, glaring at him.

            "Jedi can only do so much, love-"

            "If you ever call me that again, you will die a horrible, painfull

death," she interrupted as she stalked down the corridor. Grinning

slightly, I followed, pushing out J's complaints that no one ever

appreciated him out of my mind.

            "Good, you're here," Qui-Gon greeted us as we met the two other Jedi

in the cockpit. "We were just getting ready to lift off..."

            "Right...let's get this mission underway," I sighed, plunking myself

down in the navigator's seat.

            "It's going to be all right," Obi-Wan assured me briefly before

returning his gaze to the instruments in front of him. His thoughts

betrayed him, though, and I knew he was just as troubled as I was.

            "I know," I replied anyway, forcing a smile. Cat shoved into the

copilot's seat and soon we were rocketing off into deep space.

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

            "Captain, is the fleet prepared yet?" Grand Admiral Thrawn asked from

his position on the bridge.

            "It will be soon, Admiral," Pellaeon replied confidently.

            "And if you'll remember, we are instructed to pause over Endor...Lord

Skywalker made sure the attack plan fell into Rebel hands, so we will

be able to wipe them out with one blow." The captain nodded and stated

that he did, in fact remember.

            "Good...this time, the Empire will be victorious."

            "Yes, Admiral...I know."

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

            Han glanced at Leia, a tight expression on his face as he led the

Falcon to meet the fleet. After last time, everyone was edgey,

especially since they knew that their adversary was one of their own,

in a way. He would know all their strategies, all their secrets. Could

they even win?

            "You look as worried as I feel," Leia said softly from the navigator's

chair.

            "I am...Admiral, this is Solo," he said into the comm unit.

            "We read you, Solo. Prepare to engage in battle on my mark."

            "Yes, Admiral," the smuggler replied before clicking off the comm

unit. Sighing, he turned and glanced at his love and friends. "You

think we'll be able to pull this off?" he asked suddenly. Lando

shrugged.

            "I don't know...I still think sending Karrde's team to find a weakness

in that Darksaber was a bad idea, though." Chewie roared his agreement.

            "Yeah, me too," Han agreed, checking the ship's readouts. Soon, very

soon they would know the outcome. Somehow, he wasn't sure if he really

wanted to know.

Ch. 21

            I bit my lip as the freighter landed silently on Coruscant; for some

reason, we weren't denied a landing permit. Sighing, I calmed myself

with the Force as much as I could, glad that at least the waiting was

over. I glanced over at the others and Qui-Gon silently rose and headed

towards the ramp. Wordlessly, we followed.

            Wonder of wonders, a squad of stormtroopers was there waiting for us.

"Halt you cannot-"

            Without breaking stride, Qui-Gon lifted a hand and sent three flying

before igniting his lightsaber. Obi-Wan immediately joined the fray,

taking down any stormtrooper that crossed his path. Even Cat and Jareth

got a few with their blasters. I reached for my sword, but at Qui-Gon's

urging through the Force, left it there. When all the white-armor had

been dispensed with, we continued on.

            "Where will they be at?" Jareth asked.

            "The Imperial palace. That's where most of the ysalimiri are," I

replied. I could feel the Dark Side reaching out for me and could tell

it was coming from there and the Jedi temple. But the palace was where

I had to be at.

            "The palace it is," Obi-Wan agreed, and we continued down the

now-quiet street.

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

            "They're coming..." Dark Luke whispered, breaking the heavy silence.

"They will be at the palace soon enough," he added, glancing up at

Callista.

            "Good...I'll distract the two male Jedi, as well as the goblin king

and the girl. You take care of the other...but let me kill her," she

added. He nodded.

            "I will...Soon, the Rebellion will be dead and earth will be ours.

Everything is working out perfectly," he sighed before chuckling

softly. The Force was strong, but the young Jedi could not escape her

destiny; they both knew it. Now all he had to do was wait for her to

come to him.

            "Go and see that the others don't follow her," he ordered the woman at

his side. Nodding, she quickly walked out of the throne room, the click

of boot heels against the floor echoing all the way. Dark Luke merely

smiled. Soon...soon...but first, he had another meeting to attend to...

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

            The Jedi spirits in the council room all looked up abruptly as Dark

Skywalker appeared in the room. "It seems I did not effectively

dispense with your friends the last time..." he growled, glaring at the

Jedi. "But she is on her way...along with her friends.

            "Selah's alive?" Luke asked, relief flooding through him. He didn't

know how, but he was exteremly happy.

            Dark Skywalker only glared and continued. "Soon, earth will be mine,

thanks to Thrawn's fleet, and the Rebellion will be crushed due to my

new weapon...there is no hope." He smiled, very pleased with himself.

            "The Rebellion will go on no matter what," Luke's spirit argued,

remembering the last time that point had been spoken. They had been

together, then, facing the Emperor's clone, right before she became a

Jedi...

            "Oh? I seriously doubt it...without it's leaders, the masses won't

know how to go on." Luke glanced over at the Jedi Masters. Yoda, Ben,

Mace Windu and Ki-Adu Mundi merely stared at the evil lord.

            "We won't give up easily," he said quietly. "She's alive, though,"

Luke added, hope surging up in him for a brief moment, before Dark

Skywalker spoke again.

            "Yes...but not for long, Skywalker...not for long..."

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

            All too soon for my tastes, the silhouette of the Imperial Palace was

in view. I didn't want to prolong it, but at the same time I feared it.

I calmed myself, reminding myself of Master Yoda's words. "Fear leads

to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering..." It was all

too true and I needed to heed his words. The Force would be with me, no

matter what.

            As we neared our destination, I could feel the Dark Side take over. I

needed to trust that the Light Side would return...it wasn't dead,

merely covered for the moment. Sighing, I relaxed myself as much as

possible. We all turned as the castle doors creaked open and a squad of

stormtroopers poured out, blasters firing wildly.

            "We'll take care of them!!" Cat immediately shouted and I turned to

regard her. She quickly returned fire before meeting my gaze. "You've

gotta do it...now GO!!" I was still stunned as I continued to watch

Jareth and Cat take down Imperial after Imperial. Glancing up into the

doorway, I saw the pleased face of a familiar woman. Callista's eyes

met mine and she flashed an angry glare in my direction before reaching

out a hand and spraying dark lightning my way. I ducked, and it hit a

stormtrooper, throwing him backwards into a pile of rubble. Looking

back at the doors, I was just in time to see Callista turn and stalk

into the castle.

            "Go on!! You've gotta get rid of her!!!" Cat urged, still engaged in

fierce combat. Still, I couldn't move.

            "Selah." I turned at Qui-Gon's calm voice and nodded. I knew it was

time. Glancing one last time at Cat and Jareth, I silently weaved my

way through stormtroopers, cutting one down here and there, before

following Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan into the building.

            As we entered, the Dark Side completely took over, but right before it

did, a feeling of complete calm took over. Everything was going to be

all right...we were going to win, one way or another. It was going to

be all right. With my new revelation, I gained confidence as I strode

into the dark interior of the palace. All along the perimeter of the

room were dark ysalimiri. Gulping, I glanced over at Qui-Gon and

Obi-Wan.

            "We'll take care of them...you do what you must," the Jedi Master

instructed, his eyes momentarily melancholy. I nodded to him and

Obi-Wan, taking in everything about them one last time before heading

to the stairs. Behind me, I could hear the snap-hiss of their

lightsabers as they started in on the creatures. Step by step, I

pondered what I had felt earlier, what I had been feeling since Endor.

I couldn't fight Dark Luke...I simply couldn't kill him, and I doubt it

would have been possible with the Dark Side's influence so strong,

anyway. But what could I do...how could I take care of this when there

was a fleet preparing to attack my planet and a superweapon waiting to

destroy the Rebellion...

            My eyes widened as the image of Darksaber II appeared in my mind. That

was it...everything had to be timed perfectly, but that was the

solution. Qui-Gon must have known about it, too...I would have one shot

to free Luke and take care of the Darksaber, but it would take

everything I had to do it. Gathering my courage, strength, and all that

I was, I continued with a renewed force up the stairs and towards the

throne room. Dark Luke must have grown confident...there were no dark

ysalimiri here.

            "Halt! You're our prisoner!" one of two stormtroopers shouted at me as

both started to reach for their weapons. The vision that I had

experienced on Dagobah flashed through my mind and I instinctively

reacted. All that time as the Masquerader had improved my reflexes and

fighting, and I would need it for that one, brief moment. I flung a leg

out, hooking one stormtrooper round the neck and pulling him down. The

other one was shocked enough to pause for a moment; a moment was all I

needed. Grabbing the first soldier's gun, I swung it at the second,

knocking him silly as the barrel collided with his head. Ripping my leg

free, I did the same to the first stormtrooper, then paused to make

sure they were unconscious before dropping the weapon and slowly

opening the doors.

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

            "Here comes Thrawn!!" Han found himself saying as he began to spring

into action. The fleet had appeared their moments before and the Rebels

wasted no time in attacking.

            "Come on, boys, we've got a mission!" Wedge yelled through the comm

unit.

            "Let's hope we finish it," Lando said grimly as he watched Karrde's

task force race towards the Darksaber II. It was turning, suddenly,

aiming itself...

            "Oh, no.." was all Leia was able to get out before it fired. For a

brief instant it did resemble the Jedi's weapon, but this one was even

deadlier than the swords. Deadly, and evil.

            "Damage report!!!! Admiral Ackbar yelled through the channel.

            "Our fleet is crippled, Admiral...looks like there's a good percentage

wiped out."

            "We'll head towards the Chimaera," Han said before guiding the Falcon

towards the ship. "If anything else, let's prevent the Empire from

getting another planet under its thumb."

            "I read you, Solo," Wedge said. "Did the blast get Karrde?"

            "No...we weren't close enough...but now it looks like we're joining

you," the smuggler replied as his vessels returned to the Rebel fleet.

"No way I can mess with that thing when it keeps moving..." he added

ruefully.

            "Falcon, watch your back!!" Wedge called right before Chewie roared a

warning. TIEs suddenly appeared from nowhere and everywhere, firing at

everything in range. Khabarakh hissed in surprise and Han glanced at

the others with a grim frown.

            "Oh dear, oh dear," Threepio mumbled from behind them. That one simple

comment pretty much summed up the general feeling of the entire Rebel

fleet.

Ch. 22

            Slowly, I entered the large room. Little light iluminated the palace,

and what did seemed cold and sterile, just like the rest of the Empire.

Taking a deep breath, I continued onward, knowing that although he was

turned away from me in his throne on the dais, Dark Luke was completely

aware of my presence.

            "Good...you have come at last. I must congratulate you, Jedi...you

were stronger than I had anticipated," he said, turning his throne to

face me. It was still a shock, facing the face that I knew so well and

loved so much, but knowing it wasn't the same. I still couldn't see him

as evil, though...even in Dark Empire he wasn't completely evil...just

misguided. This was so much like the final confrontation between Sarah

and Jareth...I couldn't take it at face value. I refused to play the

part of the heroine, at least in the way that was expected. It was like

Qui-Gon had told me...there are alternatives to fighting. Sometimes

they were even more effective, too, as I hoped my plan would be.

            Luke's voice, laced with evil cut through my thoughts. "Your thoughts

betray you...you must realize now that I will not turn...I cannot be

'saved'...there is no good in me."

            "And I won't turn to the Dark Side," I replied, finding it impossible

to shove his presence out of my mind. His eyes were overwhelming; such

a delicate blue, yet so menacing... "But that doesn't mean I will

believe you are corrupted completely." Anger surged through my mind at

his whim, and I had to fight to keep my eyes locked on his.

            "Then you are a fool," he snapped, his brow furrowing slightly. "It

all comes down to this, doesn't it," Dark Luke said as he rose,

shrugged off his cloak and began to walk towards me, lightsaber in

hand. He slowly descended the stairs from the dais and stopped at their

end, a few feet away from where I stood.

            "Yes, it does," I answered back, producing my own weapon. I held it

out, met his gaze fully, then promptly dropped the lightsaber and let

it hit the floor with an empty metallic clatter. "I cannot beat you..."

I murmured. *Not like this, anyway...*

"I surrender-"

            "I knew you'd see reason," he purred, reaching out to call my weapon

to his hand.

            My voice stopped him in mid-gesture. "But...only on one condition."

            He paused and returned his gaze to mine. "And that is...what?"

            "I wish to make a trade with you..." I continued, walking towards him

calmly, aware that it was really the only way. "A Jedi for a Jedi...a

life for a life. You don't really want Luke...you did that to him just

to get at me...I wish to trade you, my life for his," I finished, not

feeling half as terrified as I had anticipated. Last time, I had

struggled so hard not to let my feelings for him be known; if the only

way I could show it this time was by dying for him, so be it. A slow

smile of amusement crept over Dark Luke's face.

            "You're braver than I thought...or more foolish. You realize that I'll

be free to take your planet, then."

            "There will be others to fight for it, besides you have a fleet

heading there, anyway."

            "So I do...and you won't be able to help the Rebellion."

            "What can I do, anyway? My destiny is here, and now. Is it a deal?" I

asked, raising my eyebrows.

            "It is..." he hissed, calling my weapon into his hand. "You feel too

much of a foolish emotion...look where it has gotten you."

            "It would have been worse had I fought you," I told him. "I will not

kill Luke in any form...you may not be my Luke, but my feelings are not

completely limited," I said quietly. Briefly, some foreign emotion

flickered across the Dark Jedi's face, but the mask fell a second

later. "Come," he said coldly, almost too coldly, as he conjured a

crystal. Throwing it into the air, he watched as it came down to form a

bier in front of the dais, much like the one Luke had been laid out on

in the Jedi Temple.

            "Aren't you just going to strike me down?" I asked, confused.

            "No...I will put you into a deep hibernation trance first...just

enough to keep you alive...then, I will let Callista have the honor, if

I decide not to take care of you myself," he said, but it didn't come

out as firmly as I had expected it to. That was perfect with me, but I

still had to make sure the Dark Jedi wasn't going to take advantage of

my offer.

            "Do I have your word that you will release Luke?" I asked.

            "You do..." he replied, producing another magical sphere and holding

it out to me. Upon gazing into it, I could see a light start to form

around the still Jedi's body, then suddenly it flashed away and I could

just make out Luke's eyes starting to flutter open. Suddenly, the image

was gone, and I was face to face with Dark Skywalker once more.

Silently, he motioned to the bier and I slowly climbed on and layed

down, hoping the others would forgive me. It was the only way, though,

I knew. Sighing, I reached out with the Force and found only

darkness...but it was weakening. Maybe things would be all right, after

all.

            I snapped back to the present situation as Dark Luke's face appeared

above me. Slowly, he reached out a gloved hand and moved it to my

temple. His presence was strong, so strong...and I knew I couldn't

resist. Slowly, I kept the business part of my mind on the task that I

still had to complete and let him take control of the rest. I kept

myself attuned to the Force, waiting...My breathing started to slow,

not of my own accord, and I could feel my heartbeat slowing with it. I

strained to keep on the task at hand, waiting...

            Suddenly, I knew. The dark ysalimiri's influence lifted, and I knew

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had taken care of all the creatures in the castle.

I had only the briefest of moments to complete my duty, and if I

failed, the Rebellion would be lost. Quickly, I reached out through the

Force with all that I was, my spirit, my soul, everything...it was a

long distance, but I had to make it. I found myself emersed within

Darksaber II suddenly, and I reacted quickly, letting myself travel

through until I came to the power generator...

            It only took a little nudge, just the smallest movement to upset the

balance, and it was gone. I let my spirit return to me quickly, not

wanting to be stranded in the wreckage. In my mind's eye I could see

the brilliant explosion, a fireball that surprised all in its path.

That was also the last image I saw before Dark Skywalker's influence

took over completely and I was pushed right to the edge, then all was

darkness and I knew nothing.

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

            Dark Luke let out a sigh as he gazed down at the fallen Jedi. So

young...she was more powerful than he had dreamed. Somehow, he knew

that even though it was just for a moment, before succumbing, she had

become what those she most admired were: a Jedi Master. Too bad it was

only for a moment. Slowly, he took out her lightsaber and placed it at

her side. Is wasn't like she was going to be able to use it.

            He frowned as a wave of emotion took him, like a small candle flame

sparking in a dark cavern. What was he doing!? He had to kill her, now,

after all, she had ruined everything! Hardening himself, focusing on

the shadows the flame produced, he let his anger focus. Slowly, he took

out his weapon and ignited it before raising it directly above the

stationary body. He paused, took a deep breath...and deactivated the

lightsaber. He couldn't do it. For some odd reason, he just couldn't do

it. The blazing evil fire that had been in him was suddenly doused, his

motivation gone. What had happened....did she really reach him that

much? He knew the story of Dark Empire and had vowed not to let himself

be stopped by such foolishness. But, her action had startled him, and

in some strange way, flattered him. And her statement about her

feelings for Luke...She had truly believed that he had good in him up

until she was pushed out of the way. Somehow, he believed her.

            He turned as Callista rushed in. "The stormtroopers are down and-" she

paused upon seeing the body. Her lips quivered in excitement as they

pulled back into a smirk, one that Dark Luke suddenly found eerie and

hideous. "Is she..."

            "She's dead. I didn't even have to use the lightsaber...she succumbed

completely, even willingly. She's gone. We've got to hurry," he added,

turning towards her. "The other Jedi will be rushing to the

Temple...Skywalker has awakened...I'll explain later. "Go and take care

of him." Nodding, she flashed one brief, satisfied look to the lifeless

girl. True, she hadn't been able to finish her off, herself, but at

least she was dead.

            Or at least that was what she assumed. Skywalker waited patiently

until she had left the room. Maybe her loss of the Force wasn't such a

bad thing, after all. Absently, he brushed a strand of the lifeless

girl's hair aside, smiled slightly at her peaceful expression. It was

all over, he could feel it. Reaching out through the Force confirmed

his former fears; Darksaber II was gone. So she really had won...

            He still needed to act, though. When Callista came back, she would

still try to slice her to pieces. He waved his hand and conjured a

crystal, though it was much harder for him now; he was gradually losing

his powers. Sighing, he tossed it up in the air and watched it form a

protective force field around the body. It was strange...he didn't know

if she would stay alive like that, right at the brink, for long, yet he

didn't feel the need to bring her out of it or push her over. It would

take time to adjust to his new outlook...he was still the Luke from

Dark Empire, but now he was the Luke that had been changed back to the

Light Side, something that didn't trouble him as much as he had thought

it would. He had no desire to continue this, anymore, but wouldn't stop

it, either. He'd let Callista and Thrawn continue the fight, knowing

that they really couldn't win. Sighing, the formerly Dark Skywalker

conjured a crystal, his last. He stared at it thoughtfully, knowing it

was the only thing to do.

            "I wish I was back in Dark Empire...right now."

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

            Qui-Gon started, the Force now returned to him. There was something

else that came, a sudden shock as an enormous something was suddenly

struck down. Because of the distance, it didn't pain him, but there was

enough energy there for him to feel it. Distantly, though it was

covered by the explosion, he could feel something else, like a candle

being snuffed out.

            "She did it..." he whispered, a feeling of triumph and then

realization and loss taking control of his emotions.

            "Did what?" Obi-Wan said, coming up beside him. "I can feel it, but

what happened?"

            "She destroyed Darksaber through the Force..."

            "That's wonderful! Isn't it?" the Padawan asked upon seeing the

stricken look on his Master's face.

            "Things are balanced," was all the Master Jedi would say before

heading towards Catrina and Jareth.

            "It's done...the Darksaber is destroyed," he said simply as they

approached the other two. "And Dark Skywalker is gone," he added upon

reaching out further.

            "Really? Selah did that?! That's great...now we can get back to Endor

and lend a hand!" Cat cried, flashing a grin. "What is it?" she asked

upon seeing the look on Qui-Gon's face. He just shook his head.

            "We won't get there in time to be of help...besides, the ysalimiri at

the Jedi Temple have to be dealt with." Nodding, Jareth flashed him a

curious look.

            "Is everything all right?"

            "Yes..." he sighed, supposing that in the long run, it really was.

"Come on."

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

            Luke Skywalker blinked, rubbed his eyes, and sat up, feeling quite

stiff, indeed. He raised a hand and rubbed his temples, working the

slight throbbing and the grogginess out of his mind. Slowly, he took

inventory and looked around to see where he was. It was only upon

glancing down at his legs that he realized he was back in his own body!

Dark Skywalker had been wrong! Selah had won! Everything was going to

be all right...

            Or at least it was once he saw her again.

            He looked around and realized that the other Jedi were still visible

to him. They needed to be released back to the Light Side. That

wouldn't be too hard, once the ysalimiri were gone...The Jedi glanced

down at his belt, realized he had his lightsaber. Dark Skywalker must

have been confident, indeed, to let him keep it on his person. Taking

it in hand, he turned towards the door-

            And looked into the eyes of an enraged Callista.

            "So, you're awake, after all. No matter, you won't be for long."

Immediately, she activated her lightsaber and charged. She was slower,

though, Luke noticed, and her movements were choppier, too. He ignited

his own weapon and met her blow, deflecting it with ease. They were

evenly matched, now. She didn't have any access to the Force, and he

was at the same point. They met each other blow for blow, dancing

around the slab in the middle of the room, weaving between chairs as

the Jedi spirits watched on. Luke had to grit his teeth against the

urgent temptation of the Dark Side, but he would not give in. He

couldn't. Abruptly, the darkness lifted and the doors swung open,

revealing two men he immediately identified as Jedi, the girl he had

seen in the crystal, and the goblin king.

            "It's over, Callista," Qui-Gon said sternly. She whirled and glared at

him.

            "Far from it, Jedi. Earth will be destroyed...Lord Skywalker is sure

of it! Darksaber may be gone...but things have been equalized," she

murmured, a mysterious smile on her lips that left Luke feeling cold.

            "What do you mean?" he asked quietly, stepping back slightly. She

flashed him a strange, triumphant look, but the Jedi Master intervened

before she could reply.

            "The Empire is done for, Callista...Dark Skywalker is gone," the

younger Jedi stated simply.

            "What are you talking about?!" she roared, turning to face them again.

            "It's the truth, Callista...he's gone," Qui-Gon said, his eyes calm.

But there was also something else on his face...

            "No...you must be lying...he was there, with the girl..."

            "And she defeated him," the younger man said, his eyes fierce, his

lightsaber at the ready.

            Callista sneered. "Wrong...she's dead." The declaration struck Luke

like a thunderbolt...he must not have heard right, or she was lying to

distract him.

            "What?" he asked automatically, hoping that it couldn't be true.

            "She's gone...I saw her, lying on a bier, lifeless and pale...limp as

the life was draining away..." Callista added, her smirk growing with

each word. Immediately, Luke reached out to find Selah and

found...nothing. His eyes widened as he looked to the others. At that

moment, Callista attacked.

            "I wish she was back in her story, right now!!!" a strong, accented

voice yelled. Immediately, she disappeared in a flash of light.

            "Jareth...you've got you're magic back!!" Catrina breathed, astounded.

The goblin king looked pretty shocked, himself.

            "It must have come back when Dark Skywalker was defeated," he

acknowledged, conjuring a crystal and rolling it thoughtfully over his

hands.

            "Master...she was wrong, wasn't she?" the young man asked, turning to

Qui-Gon.

            "I'm afraid not, Obi-Wan..." The Jedi Master sighed, a very tired look

coming over his features.

            "Obi-Wan?" Luke asked, startled. The young man nodded. Slowly, Luke

turned to face the spirit of Ben, totally perplexed.

            "I wasn't always an old man, Luke," Ben chuckled, smiling slightly. "I

see Master Qui-Gon enlisted in some help, after all." The young version

of the Jedi merely stared, transfixed as he took in the sight of the

noble knight he would become.

            "Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said in recognition, nodding towards the spirit.

            "Thank you, Master, you were more helpful than you will ever know..."

Ben said quietly, giving a slight glance to Yoda, Ki-Adu-Mundi, and

Mace Windu before all the spirits disappeared.

            "Ben, wait!" Luke called out instantly.

            "We'll still be here, Luke...we're always a part of the Force," the

gentle voice called back before it faded into silence.

            Luke slowly extinguished his blade and turned to face the others,

reality seeping in suddenly. "Where did it happen?" he asked, his voice

bitter and low.

            "In the palace," Qui-Gon said quietly, turning to regard a confused

Cat and Jareth.

            "But you said she defeated him!" Cat accused.

            "She did...she found the good in him and made him acknowledge it...and

she destroyed Darksaber II through the Force right before..." his voice

faded, unable to speak the words.

            "Wait a minute...I was wakened before that, I'm sure...how...?" he

asked, his composure slowly slipping away.

            Qui-Gon sighed and suddenly seemed much older than he looked. He had

had a hunch she would try it; it was the only solution they had both

seen, although they had never discussed it. Somehow, he just knew. "She

knew she couldn't defeat him in battle...only by using her feelings to

expose his could she truly win...she traded herself for you," Qui-Gon

said, and the words were almost incomprehensible.

            Luke's breathing started to speed up...he needed to get out of there,

now...There was only one place he should be at that moment.

            The next thing he knew, he was running at full speed, aided by the

Force, down the street towards the palace, the others following as fast

as they could.

========

Ch. 23

            "What do you mean, the Darksaber is gone?!" Thrawn asked quietly, his

red eyes narrowed to slits.

            "It isn't there, Admiral...it just exploded," Pellaeon reported, his

astonishment evident in his voice.

            "Things just don't explode, Captain," the admiral said, almost

thoughtfully. "Besides, even though it was manned, it could only be

activated and fired by Lord Skywalker, through the Force...or another

Jedi," he added softly, his breath a low hiss. So that was it,

then...things hadn't turned out as sweetly as expected. No matter...he

still had his fleet and there was still another galaxy to conquer.

            "Captain, tell the fleet to set their course for earth...and make the

jump to lightspeed on my mark," he ordered, snapping back to the

situation at hand. "We will take it as a conquest for the Empire."

            "Yes, Sir," Pellaeon replied crisply, and Thrawn could see the

excitement in his eyes. This was what the Empire was about...this was

what they had been waiting for. With or without the Jedi, the Empire

would continue.

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

            "It...it's gone," Han managed once the blinding light cleared from the

Falcon's viewport.

            "But how? The data said it could only be fired through the Force...how

could it be destroyed?" Lando countered, frowning at the empty air that

the superweapon had occupied moments ago.

            "By a Jedi..." Leia murmured, reaching out to the Force. What she

found there made her relieved beyond belief. "It's Luke; he's all

right!!" she breathed, turning excited eyes to regard the others. He

was there, on Coruscant, safe, with the others...

            But there was something wrong. Something was very wrong. Frowning,

Leia pushed her apprehension out of her mind and concentrated on her

brother. *Luke...what is it?* He was worried about something...no,

someone. And it wasn't worry...it was an intense feeling of loss...

            Chewie's roar brought her back to the Falcon's cockpit. "Leia, what is

it? You're pale," Han was saying, his face etched with concern. "Is

Luke...?"

            "No...he's fine...but I fear we've lost another Jedi..." she

whispered, biting her lip.

            "Who? Qui-Gon...Obi-Wan?" Han ventured, dividing his attention between

his flying and the woman behind him. She shook her head at each one.

"Was it....?" He couldn't finish it...that couldn't be possible...she

was far too young to just be eliminated! A heavy silence followed the

princess's nod.

            "The fleet's preparing to make the jump to lightspeed," Lando

observed, nodding the Imperial ships that were regrouping.

            "Well...come on, then! The least we can do is save her planet if we

can't save her..." Han proclaimed, shifting all power into the forward

shields as he moved to attack.

"Karrde...we've gotta stop this fleet...you ready to do some damage?"

he asked Karrde over the comm unit.

            The reply was immediate. "Friend, I thought you'd never ask."

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

            Luke flew down the street, not caring, not thinking, not noticing

anything except the rhythm of his own footsteps and the distance to the

castle. Even though he knew he was running as fast as he could, the

landscape still seemed to crawl by. Finally, finally the Imperial

Palace came into view, though it didn't seem as menacing as it had when

he had watched Selah enter it the first time. Now, it just seemed to be

another barrier between them. Even though he was exhausted, his full

energy hadn't returned as yet, he bolted into the castle and took the

stairs two at a time, not caring about anything but reaching his

destination. He didn't know exactly where the throne room was, but

somehow, the Force seemed to lead him.

            Throwing out an arm, he opened the enormous doors that blocked the

room that the call was coming from and hurried inside, not breaking

stride once. He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight that greeted

him, though. It was familiar enough: a huge, medieval-looking room that

had been used by different factions over the years, everything still

the same. Except for the bier in its center, at the foot of the dias.

Slowly, he pushed forward, not wanting to see, not wanting to confirm

his suspicions, his fears, but he knew that he had to. His movements

seemed sluggish, like he was walking through thick mud, though there

was nothing to hinder him but the growing fear that pulsed in the back

of his mind. For some reason, he couldn't accept the truth until he had

seen the body...maybe if he didn't look it really wasn't true...It was

a falsehood, Luke knew, but it still seemed a likely possibility at the

moment. Logic kicked in then and taking a deep breath, he closed the

distance between himself and the bier.

            She lay there, looking the same as he had remembered from their first

encounter, looking none the worse for wear. Well, except for the fact

that she was dead...

            Dead. The word seemed to fall on the floor and lay lifeless, itself.

Biting his lip, he walked closer until there was no more room to walk,

and regarded the young woman. She looked so peaceful, as if in sleep,

but he knew it was just an illusion...

            "Luke!" He turned at the sound of his name and grimaced at the group

that had followed him there. He felt so helpless...here he was, a Jedi

Master, and he was powerless in this situation! Slowly, Qui-Gon,

Obi-Wan, Jareth, and Cat approached, looking just as stunned as he had

been upon seeing the body.

            "No...no, it can't be...this wasn't supposed to happen!" Cat murmured,

shaking her head. "Was it?" she asked, glancing up at Qui-Gon.

            "If it was her destiny..." he replied somberly, knowing that although

it was hard to accept, it was the truth. "We should think of all she

has done in this lifetime...remember her instead of mourning..."

            "How can I do anything else?" Luke felt himself asking, his voice

trembling slightly. It just couldn't be...Slowly, he reached a hand

down to touch her and stopped at a buzzing sensation that met his

fingertips. A force field? A FORCE FIELD?!!?! Wasn't it enough that she

had been struck down? Now, did he have to be separated from her still,

even though she was gone?! Vaguely, he comprehended the others leaving

to let him be for awhile. In desperation, he reached out to the Force

for something to cling to...maybe he would be able to see her spirit...

            Suddenly, he felt it.

            It wasn't much...barely anything, but it was there. A sign of life

through the Force...whether it was the presence of the faintest beat of

the heart or the slightest rasp of a breath, he didn't know, but

suddenly, he just *knew* there was still a chance. Calming himself, he

reached out a hand as he let his mind join the Force and reached out to

deactivate the force field...

            Nothing happened. He tried again, to no avail. Anger was threatening

to take hold...he couldn't stand it! He felt his shoulders heave as an

exasperated breath racked his frame, felt the frustration of everything

take hold...

            "It's a magic force field," a soft voice whispered from his side.

Turning, Luke was startled to realize that not everyone had left the

room just yet. Slowly, he forced himself to ask the figure to repeat

himself.

            The figure of the goblin king.

Ch. 24

            "What are you talking about?" Luke asked quietly, not wanting to tear

his gaze from the girl in front of him.

            "It's magic...created by a crystal," Jareth explained, frowning deeply

at the grim sight that met his eyes. It was a pity...

            "There's still a chance...I felt something. It's real weak, but...it's

something," he added, his eyes pleading. "Can you break the force

field?" Luke whispered, knowing that he'd probably owe the goblin king

forever for this favor. It was worth it, though... Jareth's face

remained a mask, betraying nothing. Luke knew the king had never liked

him and this was a way he could truly make him suffer. Still, he had to

ask... "I'll do anything," he added.

            "There's no need...not with something like this...you'll still have to

get her out of the hibernation trance, though..." Jareth told him, his

eyes for once missing the angry spark Luke was used to seeing from him

when they confronted each other. "But I can help with the force

field..." Slowly, he reached up a palm, and Luke waited, holding his

breath as the outline of a sphere began to form. Color and density soon

were added, and magic coalesced within its glimmering depths. Silenty,

the goblin king raised it up over the bier and let go.

            It hung there, suspended in space for a moment. Then, it began to glow

a pulsating light from within, a light that became brighter by the

second. Finally, when it was almost blinding, it exploded into nothing

but light, light that slowly began to fall onto the force field...

            And suddenly the barrier was gone. Luke turned in amazement to Jareth

who was merely standing there, watching. "Thank you," he said softly,

gratefully before turning back.

            "You're welcome...it's up to you now to bring her out of the

trance...and let her know she's been missed."

            "Jareth...why?"

            The king smiled slightly at the simple question. "Because, believe it

or not...in some strange way, I do care about her, you know, as I do

all my listians..." he replied with a soft, but clear voice before

turning and retreating from the room. Luke silently watched him leave,

never feeling so grateful in his life.

            Turning back to regard Selah, he gently reached a hand out to run his

fingertips over her cheek which was unnaturally cold. He ran a

fingertip along the soft fabric of her tunic sleeve and fingered her

hair lightly before finally returning his hand to her face, resting it

at her temple. Closing his eyes, he concentrated everything he could on

the trance that held her prisoner. Slowly, from a huge distance, he

could feel her starting to respond, starting to return...She would be

all right. Vastly relieved by the new-found knowledge, he removed his

Force sense from her mind, letting her come out the rest of the way on

her own. Besides, there were more important things to be

done...something that couldn't be ignored for one more minute.

Carefully, he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to Selah's.

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

            "We're with you, General. Just tell us what to do..." Han told Bel

Iblis through the comm unit.

            "I copy, Solo...but there's only so much we *can* do before this group

makes the jump..." the older man's voice replied, the tinniness of the

speaker adding to his original grim tone.

            "Then let's do all the damage we can!!" the scoundrel shot back,

glancing at Lando and Leia. "Chewie?" he asked, turning to the Wookie.

            "ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWRRFFFF!!!!" he replied immediately,

ready to go into battle.

            "Let's do it...Karrde, send your people to pick off the fighters...Bel

Iblis, let the Rogues work on the Victory-class Star Destroyers...we'll

take the Chimaera." He urged the Falcon towards the Star Destroyer and

engaged in combat, weaving through the blaster bolts it shot at the

freighter. Khabarakh returned fire from one of the gun ports, adding to

the damage the Rebellion was suddenly inflicting upon the Empire. TIEs

began to explode, the Star Destroyers began to lose their shields, and

general chaos broke out. But...were they in time?

            "They're preparing to make the jump!!" Admiral Ackbar said tensely.

"We're not going to be able to stop them..."

            "Damn it, there's gotta be a way!!" Lando shouted, raising out of his

seat momentarily, not able to accept that there was nothing more they

could do.

            "There is..." a new voice said from behind them. All turned in

surprise to look at a very weary-looking goblin king. A goblin king

that was holding a crystal. A magic crystal. He smirked slightly at

their stunned reactions.

            "Perhaps you'd like to do the honors?" he asked, handing the globe to

a startled Princess Leia. Nodding, she cleared her throat and spoke.

            "I wish..."

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

            Thrawn glared at the reports he was receiving. The Rebellion could do

all they wanted, but it was too late. They were unbeatable now. Soon,

the Empire would have yet another planet to add to its collection, and

a new galaxy as well, and that wasn't even considering all the magical

properties of the Underground.

            "Prepare to make the jump to lightspeed," he instructed Pellaeon,

gripping the arms of his chair momentarily in anticipation. "Now..." he

whispered, his eyes glimmering. Suddenly, just as Pellaeon grabbed the

lever and was instructing the rest of the fleet to follow, an enormous

white light seemed to appear from nowhere, engulfing the Chimaera.

            "What is it, Admiral?" Pellaeon asked, shocked as he whirled to look

at his commanding officer.

            "That, Captain, is how the Rebels are going to beat us," Thrawn sighed

before being returned to his story, along with the rest of the fleet.

Suddenly, he was nothing more than a clone suspended in a tank on a

far-off planet in Timothy Zahn's Vision of the Future.

Ch. 25

            From inside the deep chasm of dark nothing I was in, a single light

suddenly pierced through, waking me from induced slumber, letting me

know there was more out there than the void I was in. Instinctively, I

let my Force sense push towards it, and my spirit as well. Slowly, it

began to fade and I followed quickly, not wanting to be left alone now

that I had seen that something else was there with me...maybe this was

heaven, or whatever an afterlife was supposed to be like. Maybe things

wouldn't be that bad...

            As I neared the surface of whatever I was heading towards, I was able

to gain more movement and awareness. I slowly began to feel things

around me, and hear, and breath...I was breathing again...not much when

you think about it, but that small action was enough to totally shock

the small part of consciousness that had been left inside me. That, and

I slowly realized that my heart was beating fully again, and my blood

was beginning to flow. Along with my returning life signs, stiffness

and slight pain began to come, but they were slowly subdued by whatever

had guided me out of the darkness. After a few moments of desperate

following, suspiciousness took over momentarily and I started to slow

my pursuit. After all, I had no idea what I was following, and it was

disappearing so fast...how did I know it was safe? As if to answer me,

a brief, warm, pleasant sensation flowed over me and without any

hesitation I started toward the being again.

            Slowly, mental and physical energies clicked and I was able to realize

that I wasn't dead, after all. I only hoped whoever had woken me up

wasn't an agent of the Empire...Deciding to take the risk, I slowly

opened my eyes and waited while the images above me focused.

            The first thing that came to mind when I saw the two crystal-blue eyes

mere inches from my own was that Dark Skywalker had decided to take his

revenge on me while I was still sentient, after all. My guards went up

immediately, but quickly dropped as a gentle wave of the Force entered

my mind, reassuring me that I was, indeed safe. Confusion and fear

melted into relief and joy when I suddenly realized who, exactly, was

standing before me. Automatically I reached a hand out to brush Luke's

face lightly, to confirm that I really wasn't hallucinating. His

relieved expression turned into a gentle smile as he regarded me, and

my hand slowly went from his cheek to the back of his neck as I found

myself pulling him closer. Luke didn't resist at all and he reached out

to meld my Force sense with his own as our lips met gently. I inhaled

sharply as he suddenly deepened the kiss with the urgency and love of

those who had been apart far to long. I managed to untangle my arms

from around him when he finally pulled away when we both had to pause

to catch our breaths.

            "Well...I guess you missed me after all," I teased, flashing him a

slight grin. The smile that he graced me with sent electricity coursing

through my veins, then his mouth was suddenly on mine again. This time,

when he pulled away I was gasping and it was all I could do to not melt

into the bier completely. "I'll take that as a yes..." I managed and

the other Jedi merely chuckled as he pulled me up.

            "Any pain?" he asked as I got to my feet unsteadily.

            "No...a little stiffness, but it's not that bad," I conceded. "It's so

good to hear your voice again..." I sighed, glancing up at Luke as his

arm automatically wrapped round my waist.

            "It's just good to be able to be heard...and seen," he replied, his

eyes never leaving mine.

            "I can imagine...thanks for sending Qui-Gon, by the way," I added,

remembering that he had really saved me from two possible deaths in the

past half a year.

            "Don't mention it...I couldn't let you lose hope..." He turned

slightly, and reaching out towards the bier, called a lightsaber hilt

into his hand. It was only when he pressed it into my palm that I

realized it was mine.

            "Huh...so Dark Skywalker really wasn't all that evil...I knew it all

along," I murmured, smiling slightly as I clipped it to my belt.

            "Ready?"

            "Yeah...for some reason I don't think I'll have any trouble leaving

this place behind," I said wryly, then grinned. "Let's go tell the

others that I'm back from the dead!" I couldn't wait to see the looks

on their faces! Silently, contentedly, Luke and I walked out of the

throne room, down the stairs, and out of the castle. My job was done,

and I felt more complete than I ever had.

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

            "Good work, Tights...let's take care of the rest of this scum," Han

crowed upon seeing the Chimaera fade into thin air. "Karrde, Bel Iblis,

we're clear to clean up this mess!"

            "I copy, Solo...I'm sending the Rogues to engage in combat with the

fighters," General Garm Bel Iblis replied, suddenly sounding a heck of

a lot happier.

            "Leave the Star Destroyers to us," Karrde added as a wave of smuggler

ships surged back into the fray.

            "I got that...let's get this mess taken care of!" Han replied before

turning back to the rest in the Falcon's cockpit. "See? Everything's

turning out all right, after all...except for..." His lopsided grin

faded with his voice.

            "Yeah." Lando's voice was as grim as his. Leia merely sighed, not

bothering to reach out to the Force. After all, she knew what the

outcome was.

            "I think you might be in for a little surprise..." Jareth said

quietly, letting a slight chuckle escape his lips. Chewie barked a

quick question.

            "Yeah...if it involves you and Mara, then I don't want to know," Han

muttered in disgust. "Come on, Glitter Boy...have a little respect for

the dead, huh?"

            "I do...but only for those who are really gone," was all he would say

before snapping his mouth shut in a mysterious smile. The silence was

only broken by Threepio's mutterings.

            "Sometimes I just don't understand human behavior," he sighed before

the Falcon rushed forth to take out a few nearby TIEs.

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

            Cat kicked in frustration at a rock that was on the street facing the

Imperial Palace. This just couldn't be...it was plain stupid!! First

her friend on the list gets offed and then J just suddenly disappears

once he finally decides to leave Luke alone...mentally she made a note

to make sure her fist hit his nose when she saw him next.

            Everyone had been pretty silent since they had left the palace...well,

except for Jareth who had come walking out looking quite satisfied. He

had conjured a crystal and looked in it for a bit...he never did get

tired of that, and then suddenly he said he had business to attend to

and he was gone. After that...well, neither she nor the two Jedi she

was standing with really knew what to do. They didn't want to rush

Luke, but they had to figure out a way to transport the body...

            She stopped that train of thought immediately. Thinking of it wouldn't

do her any good at the moment. Dark Skywalker was destroyed, after all,

as was Callista...Luke was back...everything was working out. Sort of.

Maybe. Cat looked up as Qui-Gon suddenly started, his eyes wide.

            "What is it?" He shook his head in response, then a slight smile

started to play over his lips.

            "Do you feel that?" he asked Obi-Wan. The Padawan glanced at his

master before reaching out to the Force.

            "It can't be...something has to be wrong..."

            "*What*?! What's going ON!?" Obi-Wan merely smiled and nodded towards

the castle that she had been pointedly avoiding. Her eyes widened in

shock...it was as if she was seeing a ghost. For there, happily

descending the steps was Luke Skywalker, arm in arm with a very happy

and very alive Selah.

            "What's going on?! You're supposed to be dead!!!" she found herself

shouting.

            "Nice to see you, too," Selah quipped, grinning slightly.

            "You know what I mean...how?"

            "Jareth was kind enough to deactivate the force field...it was made of

magic," Luke explained. "I found out that she wasn't really dead...she

was teetering on the brink, but there was still life in her..."

            "It was just a matter of bringing me out of hibernation..which you did

very nicely, too," she added to Luke slyly. He returned her grin and

held her tighter.

            "You did well..." Qui-Gon said softly, a relieved smile replacing his

amusement.

            "Thank you...Uncle."

            "Why do I have the feeling I'm missing out on something?" Cat mused,

looking back and forth between the Jedi.

            "It's a long story...ask me again sometime," Selah chuckled. "I really

do feel whole...that was definitely the right path...thank you."

Qui-Gon nodded.

            "And I have to tell you that it is an honor to have you in the company

of the Jedi...as a master."

            "What?" she breathed, shocked.

            "Only the most devoted could take that path...you are to be

commended," he replied simply and Selah nodded.

            "It's great to have ya back...but you know J's never going to let you

forget this," Cat told her friend and had to laugh as a pained look

came over the other listian's face.

            "I know...but hopefully he'll be too occupied with trying to get

Mara's attention too rub it in too much..."

            "And if he does you can go into hiding with one of those disguises,"

Cat added, a gleeful smirk emerging on her face.

            "Somehow I think there's going to have to be a *lot* of explaining to

do...." Luke announced, a totally confused look on his face.

            "That's right...after you used the crystal you had no way to view the

ongoings...you're in for quite a story, my friend," Qui-Gon chuckled as

he nodded to the waiting freighter. Cat immediately fell into step

beside Obi-Wan as the group climbed aboard and headed to meet the

others.

Ch. 26

            Jareth silently watched the ongoings from his position behind the

navigator's seat. He wasn't thrilled at having to help Skywalker, but

there was really no other choice. He could just imagine the faces of

his listians as he tried to explain why, exactly, he had left one of

their own in hibernation...somehow it didn't seem like a pretty

picture. So, he was a hero, even if it was an unsung one. Sighing, he

conjured a crystal and lazily glanced into it, not caring about the

business that was going on in the seats in front of him. It was the

same in all Star Wars stories, it seemed...Imperials got out of line

and the Rebs had to go and clean up the mess they had gotten themselves

into in the first place. He ignored the explosions and colorful blasts

that were shown on the viewport and concentrated instead on the image

of those leaving Coruscant.

            "Things really have worked out..." Selah was saying, leaning back

against Skywalker. Figures. Jareth felt a frown tugging across his

features and almost let the crystal disappear.

            "Yeah...everything's taken care of, and soon the Imps will be outta

the way-" Cat said, but was cut off by a startled Selah.

            "What? Oh no..."

            "Oh no? Isn't that what we *want*?" Obi-Wan asked, frowning.

            "No, it isn't that....oh, man..."

            "What is it?" Luke asked her softly.

            "I had forgotten...two of the listians are on the Chimaera...they were

magically influenced to help the Empire...we've gotta do something!"

Jareth's eyes went wide at the statement.

            "So that means it's back to the battle?" Qui-Gon asked from his

postition in the copilot's seat.

            "You'd better believe it!! I can't let anything happen to Lyra and

Fairy!" Selah was saying, but now Jareth didn't care. Cursing softly,

he let the crystal vanish. The Chimaera was gone....how in the world

was he going to ever get his listians back? In frustration, he pulled

out the datapad Selah had used to show the files on Darksaber and the

essembled Imperial fleet. Information whirred across the screen at

breakneck speed, and he stopped it as it came to crew assignments,

giving a huge sigh of relief.

            "What's up Tights? Things aren't over yet," Lando said.

            "More so than you think...two of my listians are out there..."

                         "You must be mistaken...when we snuck onto the Chimaera, the girls

were there; Selah clan Specht told me it was so, and she does not lie,"

Khabarakh said firmly through the comm unit from his station in the

dorsal gun turret.

            "Are you sure?" Leia asked, turning to regard the king.

            "Positive. They were on the Chimaera, but were transferred to a

smaller Star Destroyer....We've got to go after them," he added

forcefully. Chewbacca let loose a string of gutteral barks.

            "Chewie's right...we can't exactly go waltzing into one of those

things," Han said, not turning around.

            "Maybe you can't..." Jareth replied, a vague smile on his lips before

he vanished into thin air.

            "Oh my!" Threepio started, and the others could only shrug before

turning their attention back to destroying oncoming TIE fighters.

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

            "How're we gonna get there in time? The Rebellion's attacking the

fleet, which is where the Chimaera is!!" Cat moaned, and I frowned.

This wasn't exactly going to be easy.

            "All we can do is get there as fast as we can and hope for the

best..." I sighed, then nodded to Obi-Wan who was already punching the

coordinates into the nav computer.

            "We're set..."

            "All right, punch it!" I commanded, and soon we were hurtling through

hyperspace. Hopefully, we would be in time.

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

            Jareth blinked as he appeared in the hangar of the Star Destroyer that

his listians had been reassigned to. The thought hit him then that

maybe this wasn't the best way to go about things...he didn't have a

clue where they were or how he would find them. Come to think of it, he

didn't particularly blend in, either. As much as he hated to admit it,

he was going to need help. He narrowed his eyes at the thought. There

was no way in the Underground that he was going to give Cat and Selah

the satisfaction of knowing that he realized he couldn't do this by

himself. He would just have to do things his own way...

            Quickly, Jareth produced a crysal and wished hard. Instantly there was

a flash of light as the crystal disappeared and a human took its place

beside him. By the looks of things, she was confused and mad as hell.

            "What in blazes are you doing!?" Mara hissed, glaring daggers at the

goblin king. "I was in combat on board the Wild Karrde!!! I don't care

who Karrde says you are...I've got a job to do!!"

            "So do I...look, I need your help. Two of my listians are officers

here...Skywalker used magic to make them loyal to the Empire-"

            "And you can't figure out how to get them back. Figures..." the

redhead sighed before nodding. "All right...I suppose I can lend a

hand...but no tricks," she added, her eyes narrowing ever-so-slightly.

            "It's a deal," Jareth replied, trying to keep his eyes on hers and not

on...other particulars. He knew that the former Emperor's Hand was as

deadly as she was beautiful and had a temper that was at least as

strong as her Jedi powers. This might not have been the best solution,

after all...

            "First we're going to have to figure out where you're friends are

at...and you're going to have to do something about your clothes," Mara

advised, taking in his appearance.

            "Why, what's wrong with it?"

            "Somehow I don't think lycra is on the Empire's list of uniform

materials..." she mused, raising an eyebrow. "Come on...I'll see what I

can do..." she sighed before gesturing for him to follow her down an

empty corridor. He glanced over at the soon-to-be Jedi as she reached

out with the Force and nodded.

            "There's a flight lounge down a little bit further...it's empty and it

has uniforms. Wait here." Without further encouragement she strode off

down the corridor and into the room as if she owned the place. Jareth

had to admit it...he was impressed, and not just by the obvious,

either. He shook his reverie off as Mara returned, two Imperial jumpers

in hand.

            "Put this on," she ordered, not giving him time to issue a retort. He

wasn't sure if he wanted to judging by the look she was flashing him.

This wasn't the time to take his life in his hands; not while his

listians were in danger. As soon as both had their disguises in place,

Mara shifted back into take-charge mode.

            "Next thing we need to do is figure out where these people are at..."

she said softly, glancing down each side of the hall before stepping

over to a computer terminal in the wall. Jareth stared in shock as she

immediately began to hack into the system.

            "How...?"

            "The Emperor always had a back way to get into these things...a code

word...luckily, most of the computers haven't been changed since he's

been around...it helps that these were wished right out of that time

period, too..." she added, her face intent as she tapped away at the

keys. Moments later, the screen changed to fill with information.

            "Here...they're on..." she finished the sentence in a low hiss.

            "What is it?" Jareth asked, frowning.

            "They're on the bridge." Just perfect...how were they even going to

attempt this one?

            "Now what?" he asked, feeling just a little set back.

            "How should I know? You're the one who wanted to rescue these people!?

Didn't you have any sort of plan?" she asked, leveling a fierce stare

at him. He gulped and tentatively shook his head. "Figures..." Mara

muttered, rolling her eyes. Jareth fought the temptation to defend

himself, knowing it wouldn't do any good. At that moment, inspiration

struck. A slow smile spread across his face and he just knew it would

work. It had to.

            "What is it?" Mara asked, her brow furrowing slightly at his quick

change of attitude.

            "I think I have an idea..." Jareth said softly, his voice filled with

excitement.

========

Ch. 27

            I clenched my teeth as we came out of hyperspace, more from worry then

from the sudden deceleration. Luke reached out to brush my Force sense

with his, but I was too anxious to be soothed. Biting my lip, I scanned

the viewport over Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's shoulders. There were bunches

of TIEs and Interceptors and other fighters, there were X-wings, there

were Rebel command ships, there were freighters of all types, and there

were Star Destroyers, but...

            "It's not there...the Chimaera's not there..." Cat murmured and we

glanced at each other apprehensively. Quietly, I flicked on the comm

unit.

            "Can anyone tell me what happened to the Chimaera?" Cat asked,

frowning.

            "Kid? That you? Tights popped up with his crystals and Leia wished it

away..."

            "Oh no..." I managed, feeling a sensation that resembled a heavy

cannonball in my stomach.

            "Jareth found out that two of his own were on board another Star

Destroyer, though...they were transferred from the Chimaera. He's not

here..."

            "Got it...thanks," Cat sighed before flicking the unit off. "Now what?

He's gonna need help..."

            "That's the understatement of the year..." I mumbled before settling

into deep thought. There wasn't a huge amount of Star Destroyers in the

area, but there were enough, and we couldn't go from ship to ship in an

inspection. That would go over really well with the Imps, I was sure.

            "I can feel Jareth...and someone else...they're on that one," Obi-Wan

stated suddenly and Qui-Gon nodded in agreement.

            "It's a female..." the Jedi Master added, frowning softly. Luke paused

momentarily and I could tell he was reaching out to try and identify

J's mysterious comrad, but I had a pretty good idea of who it was. I

threw a look to Cat as Luke confirmed my suspicions.

            "It's Mara....and you're right...it's not the version I met before..."

            "Things can never be simple..." I agreed. "Well? Are we going to

help?" Qui-Gon nodded as Obi-Wan maneuvered the freighter to dodge

incoming fire before heading towards the fingered Star Destroyer.

Taking a deep breath, I kept my eyes firmly fixed on the ship.

            *Hang on guys...we're coming...*

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

            Allie, aka Fairy Bite, raced across the bridge to deliver the latest

reports to the commanding officer.

            "The Rebels have got more firepower than we anticipated, Admiral," she

said grimly, not really thinking too much about the statement, except

that it was bad news for the Empire. "What with Bel Iblis's team, the

Rogue Squadron, and Karrde's smuggler forces, we could be in

trouble..."

            "We could be, but we aren't. Deploy another squadron of TIEs to slow

them down...it will take time, but we'll finish them off," the admiral

stated, a confident look across his rough features.

            "Yes, sir," she replied immediately before turning to carry out the

order, her voice echoing his confidence. Nothing seemed out of the

ordinary, nothing seemed wrong...except that there was a chance that

Rebel scum would actually do some damage.

            "Sir, unidentified freighter headed right towards us," Lyra called

from her position at a computer.

            "Let the tractor beam take care of it and send a squad of

stormtroopers to take them captive."

            "Yes, admiral," the girl replied before quickly obeying. Allie

continued with her job, making sure the TIEs were deployed. They were

so close...if only they could where the Rebels down...

            She turned as the doors to the bridge whooshed open and an young man

strode onto the bridge. He was dressed in uniform, of course, and was

bearing the insignia of a captain, just as she was.

            "Sir, we need assistance with the freighter...the prisoners have

gotten loose," he stated, his eyes betraying the calmness that the rest

of him carried. The admiral exhaled softly and briefly closed his eyes

before speaking.

            "Very well...you two," he said, pointing to her and Lyra, "go with him

and take care of this, and be quick about it!" he snapped.

            "Yes, sir!" they replied as one before getting up and following the

captain out of the doors. As soon as they had closed behind them, the

captain nodded for them to follow.

            "Right this way..."

            The two girls followed the officer until they came to a secluded

corridor and he began to slow. Something wasn't right...Allie glanced

at Lyra and frowned slightly. The other girl raised an eyebrow and

Allie merely nodded, her hand reaching to her belt very, very slowly...

            "Where are we going?" she asked, trying to keep her voice at a

conversational level.

            "You'll see..." he said quietly, leading them further away from the

activity. Her frown deepened as he met up with another Imperial

officer, a female, and one that didn't look at all familiar.

            "Who are you..." she snarled quietly, drawing the blaster she had

managed to get a grip on without anyone noticing. Lyra did the same.

The woman merely held out a hand, gestured, and their blasters were

yanked from their grips. Inhaling sharply, Allie reached for her

comlink...

            And promptly dropped it on the floor as the man in front of her began

to change...he grew slightly taller, slightly thinner, and a lot

weirder. With his wild blond hair, mismatched eyes, and made-up face,

there was no way he could be an Imperial recruit.

            "It's a trap!!" she managed, backing away. The man only sighed, moved

a hand, and suddenly a small sphere was in his palm. Allie looked at

Lyra to make sure she wasn't the only one that was seeing this...this

was too bizarre. She didn't know whether it was some sort of thermal

detonator or what, but she knew it couldn't be good. He threw it up in

the air abruptly, and she rushed to hit the floor-

            Only to stop as her mind suddenly cleared. "What the...Jareth? What's

going on?" she asked, rubbing her suddenly throbbing head. Lyra seemed

to be just as confused as she was.

            "No time to explain...we've got to get out of here..." he said

quickly. Suddenly, footsteps could be heard coming their way. Allie

immediately identified the rhythmic, measured beat.

            "Stormtroopers...please tell me you have a plan...Mara?" she asked,

momentarily stunned at the identity of her other rescuer. The woman

only nodded before tossing the blasters back to her and Lyra.

            "Nice work, Tights...but we've gotta get out of here. And no, he

doesn't have a plan..." she added, glancing at Allie.

            "Figures..." was all she could think of to add, with an emphatic roll

of the eyes. Lyra nodded, clearly disgusted.

            "Hey, I at least tried!"

            "Do or do not...there is no try," she quoted with ease, smiling in

slight amusement at his irritated look.

            "Very funny...at least I had good intentions!"

            "But good intentions aren't gonna protect you from blaster fire!!"

Lyra pointed out and Allie noticed that the footsteps were quickly

coming closer.

            "She's right...come on, we don't have much time! This way!" Mara

announced before taking off down the corridor. Allie didn't even need

another reason to get moving; the blaster fire behind her was quite

enough. Quickly, the group of four took off, not caring where they were

headed, as long as it was away from the guys in the armored suits.

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

            "Well, so much for these guys," I sighed, glancing back at the mass of

armor that now lay around the entrance to the freighter. "How are we

going to find them now?" I asked, running a hand through my hair.

            "*We?* Catrina, Obi-Wan, Luke, and myself are going to go find the

others...you are going to stay here and watch the ship," Qui-Gon

ordered. Stunned as I was by the order, I was irritated even more. For

once, I was going to chance arguing with the master.

            "What?! But they're my friends-"

            "You've been through way too much to even try another attack right

now...you need to conserve your energy," Obi-Wan reasoned, giving me a

slightly empathetic look.

            "But he's been dead longer than I have!!" I protested, nodding to

Luke.

            "Luke's had time to conserve his energy...he hasn't been through as

much strain as you have today...go on," Qui-Gon added. "We don't have

much time."

            "But-" I stopped at Qui-Gon's raised eyebrow.

            "Don't worry...we'll find them," Luke soothed, squeezing my hand

lightly before I let go.

            "All right all right...man, I never get to have any fun..." I grumbled

as I headed back up the ramp.

            "And stay in the ship," Qui-Gon added.

            "But-" I started, whirling around.

            "Stay in the ship," he repeated, mostly serious, though the amusement

in his eyes was slightly annoying. Sighing, I turned around to go into

the ship once more.

            "It's not-"

            "Don't say it!!!" Cat warned and I grinned as I turned around

slightly.

            "Say what?" I asked innocently.

            "If you even say *that phrase* you are going to have a whole lot more

than Dark Jedi to be worried about!!!" she shot back before joining the

others in heading off down a hallway. Sighing, I returned to the

cockpit, mumbling under my breath the entire way.

Ch. 28

            "Where are we running to?" Lyra yelled ahead to Jareth before pausing

to take out a few stormtroopers with her blaster.

            "To? Aren't we running from?" Allie asked, a slight smirk appearing on

her face as she covered her fellow listian with her own weapon.

            "We need to get to a safe place so I can transport us out of here!!"

Jareth bellowed as they headed down another hallway.

            "Halt!!" a filtered voice shouted and Lyra's eyes widened as she

realized that the hall they had run into was not exactly empty.

Turning, she could see the other stormtroopers filing in behind them.

            "This isn't exactly my definition of a safe place!!" Mara bit out, her

eyes racing between the two groups.

            "Hands up!" the stormtrooper ordered, pushing towards them. Mara

didn't answer, but reacted instantly, igniting her lightsaber and

cutting down the stormtrooper nearest her. Lyra raised her blaster but

inhaled sharply at a snap-hiss behind her. Turning, her eyes widened as

Allie produced a lightsaber and joined Mara's efforts.

            "Where did you get that?" Jareth asked immediately before returning

stormtrooper fire.

            "I've had it for awhile...you just never asked. Skywalker was going to

have Callista train me as a Dark Jedi, but I guess his plan is ruined,"

she explained, deflecting enemy bolts easily.

            "Now all we have to do is get out of here," Jareth murmured as he took

aim. The stormtrooper in front of him hadn't stood a chance.

            "Oh, is that all?" Mara replied before slashing her blade along a

white-armored midsection. "I hate to say it, but if you want to get out

of here in one piece, we're gonna need help." Lyra's eyes widened as

footsteps echoed towards them.

            "Not more!!" she exclaimed, wondering how much longer they could beat

off the soldiers. She took out the trooper nearest her, then turned at

the sound of a blaster. A stray bolt was heading straight towards her,

and there was no way she could move in time.

            "Lyra!!!" Fairy shrieked, trying to get in front of her with her

blade, but a stormtrooper momentarily blocked her way. Lyra gasped as a

green blade swung in front of her face, deflecting the blade easily.

Her amazed expression grew as she looked up into the face of Qui-Gon

Jin.

            "Did we hear someone ask for some help?" Cat Cedar asked as she

whipped out her blaster.

            "How did you get here?" Jareth asked, slightly sheepish at his

predicament.

            "Selah remembered that she had left them here...we used the Force to

figure out which Destroyer you were on," Luke said as he and Obi-Wan

ignited their own blades. Pretty soon, all the white armor lay on a

pile on the floor.

            "Thanks," Allie panted as she extinguished her blade with the other

Jedi. Mara merely nodded, as did Jareth. Neither liked to admit that

once again, Luke Skywalker had come to their rescue.

            "Our ship's this way," Obi-Wan said, nodding for the other group to

follow him as he and Cat started towards the hangar.

            "Let's go. I'd like to get out of here before any more friends pop up

again," Luke said wryly, bringing up the rear of the group.

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

            I silently fumed in the pilot's seat of the freighter. I knew Qui-Gon

was right and it was still for my own good, but blast it, I wanted to

be out there shooting stormtroopers!! I calmed myself upon realizing

that that wasn't exactly the best frame of mind to be in; Jedis didn't

crave adventure and excitement. My senses perked up as I felt

approaching danger. Glancing out the viewport, I gulped upon seeing a

squad of stormtroopers assembling to wait for the others. Licking my

lips, I silently let my fingers dance upon the control panel, hoping

everything would warm up fast enough...

            After a few minutes of studying the controls, I began to locate

everything. There was the hyperdrive, the thrusters, the shields, and

oh, yes...

            The weapons.

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

            Obi-Wan ran head-on into the hangar and skidded to an abrupt stop as

he saw who lay in wait for them. Cat gasped as she rammed into him,

sending him a few feet forward. "Hey!" she remarked at his sudden

stationary position.

            "Sorry...we've got company," he sighed.

            "Great...Guys, I think we have a problem," she called back to the

others that were just now catching up with them.

            "What is it?" Qui-Gon asked as he approached his protege.

            "Halt! You're under arrest!!"

            "That would be the problem," Obi-Wan replied dryly.

            "What about Selah?" Cat asked suddenly.

            "She's fine...she's still on the ship," Luke said after a moment.

            "What do we do?" Mara asked, frowning at the group of soldiers that

separated them from the ship. They were facing their prisoners so they

didn't even see the laser cannons silently taking aim.

            BAMBAMBAMBAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

            A sharp series of blasts of light took out almost the entire barrier.

            "I'd say she's a little better than fine," Qui-Gon remarked, nodding

for everyone to get to the ship.

            "Nice of you to join me...for a moment I thought I was going to have

to entertain your new friends by myself," Selah remarked as they

clammered aboard.

            "Very funny, just get us out of here!!" Jareth called.

            "Right..." she replied and slowly the ship began to rise. Reaching out

with the Force, Obi-Wan could tell that more stormtroopers were

arriving quickly...

            "Close the ramp!!" he yelled. "Close it!!"

            "Got it..." Mara answered. He sighed momentarily, before making his

way to the cockpit.

            "We ready to fly?" he asked, slipping into the copilot's seat.

            "We will be...if we can clear those doors," Selah said quietly,

nodding to the pair of sliding blast doors that was slowly closing off

the hangar exit.

            "Can we get going please?" Jareth called impatiently.

            "I thought he'd never ask," Selah remarked with a sly smile before

gunning it. Obi-Wan was thankful he was sitting down; as it was he fell

back into the seat as the ship streaked towards the doors.

            "We'll never make it!!" Lyra gasped, falling into the navigator's

seat.

            "Never say never!!" Selah shot back, her eyes focused only on the

doors that were drawing closer to each other. Ignoring the blaster fire

that blazed around them, she suddenly banked the ship hard to the

right, just slipping through the doors and into space before the

barrier shut completely. Straightening the ship, she relaxed only

slightly.

            "TIE fighter, straight ahead!!" Obi-Wan shouted, and she immediately

reacted, sending deadly blasts of energy to claim the enemy ship. The

young woman then proceeded to put the ship through a smuggler's

reverse, sending the craft on a stomach-churning one eighty turn.

            "STAR DESTROYER!!!" Lyra shrieked from behind them, but Selah had

already sensed it through the Force and brought the ship down slightly

so that it skimmed right underneath the enormous ship and back into the

battle.

            "WHAT'S GOING ON UP THERE!!!???" Jareth yelled from the back.

            "Selah's flying!" Obi-Wan called back.

            "WELL TELL HER TO STOP!!!" the goblin king shouted back, his voice

somewhat unsteady as she sent the ship into a dizzying spin to avoid a

series of explosions caused by other Rebel ships. From what he was able

to gather, the Empire's forces were quickly being eliminated.

            "Rebel freighter to Home One, we're back and ready to lend a hand!!"

Selah said into the comm unit.

            "We're almost finished here...go ahead and make the jump to

lightspeed. We'll meet you at Endor."

            "I copy," she replied before setting the cooridates and making the

jump to lightspeed. Sighing, she turned to regard the Padawan. "I guess

that's that."

            "It sure is...good to have you back," he remarked, giving her a soft

smile.

            "Thanks...come on, I want to see the others!" she added before jumping

up and making her way to the back. Lyra followed close behind.

            Upon entering the lounge Obi-Wan noticed that most were buckled in to

their seats, the new additions looked a little squeamish, and Jareth

looked like he had seen better days.

            "Where did you learn to fly like that?" the goblin king managed.

            "That was great!!!" Cat laughed, completely giddy from the experience.

            "Thanks," Selah replied, sitting next to Luke.

            "You didn't by chance make a few runs through Beggar's Canyon while on

Tatooine, did you?" he asked, grinning slightly. Jareth merely rolled

his eyes at the Jedi, and Mara seemed to be doing the same.

            "As a matter of fact, I did...." she answered, returning his grin.

            "How did you manage to get a driver's license, let alone permission to

pilot a spaceship!!!" Jareth interrupted.

            "Shut up, Jareth!! If you can't take it, then you should have just

transported yourself!" Cat shot back and Obi-Wan had to grin. She

definitely had spirit...

            "You did fine," Qui-Gon said suddenly, and Obi-Wan could tell he was

entertained by the conversation. "Though I thought you were conserving

your energy..." he said pointedly. Selah only flashed an innocent look,

though the mischevious sparkle in her eyes gave her away.

            "What? I stayed in the ship, didn't I?"

Ch. 29

            Han sighed in semi-contentment as the last of the Imperial ships were

dealt with and the Rebels were given the order to make the jump back to

Endor. Everything had turned out all right...for the most part.

            "Okay, Chewie...punch it," he said, his voice tired as he glanced at

his copilot. "Well, Sweetheart, it's over," he added, glancing over at

Leia who looked just as solemn as he felt.

            "Right...Why, Han? Why did it have to be her?" the princess said

suddenly, and Han's frown deepened.

            "I don't know...I just don't know."

            "At least her planet's saved, though," Lando pointed out, though his

voice held no trace of the cheerfullness he was trying to convey. The

smile came across his face as a slight twitch before it vanished

completely and a dark look took it's place. Artoo beeped mournfully and

Threepio finally dared to speak.

            "At least Mistress Selah died while saving others..." the golden droid

ventured, and Leia nodded, her mind in deep thought. Why? Why someone

so young? Why someone that they knew so well and were so attached to?

She was well acquainted with war's habit of claiming friends, but that

didn't make things any easier. She turned her head as Khabarakh came

into the cockpit, his job done.

            "The droid is right...and Selah clan Specht will be given a warrior's

funeral," he stated somberly, his chin tilted up in slight pride for

his fellow clan member. The others nodded, though they couldn't shake

the depression that haunted the Falcon for the rest of the journey to

Endor.

            By the time they reached the sanctuary moon the mood still hadn't

lifted. It was as if the feeling of loss was impossible to shake. Han

landed the Falcon automatically, almost droid-like and the crew exited

in a slight state of stunned realization. They would greet Luke, the

other Jedi, Cat and the other listians, and Jareth....but she wouldn't

be there. For the first time on these Underground adventures, she

wouldn't be there. Glancing over at Leia, Han immediately took her hand

and squeezed it gently. She only nodded and continued walking towards

the village they had been using as a meeting point.

            "Leia!! Han! Lando! Chewie!" All turned at the familiar voice they

hadn't heard in months.

            "Luke!!" Leia automatically cried out before rushing to her brother

and flinging her arms around him. He gladly returned the hug and she

offered words of consolation.

"I'm so sorry..." He pulled back and gave her a slightly confused look

before offering a slight smile.

            "Kid! What is it...you gonna be okay?" Han asked, coming over to where

brother and sister stood.

            "I'll be fine, Han...just fine," he replied, but still Leia couldn't

define what he was so reassured about.

            "Luke, it's good to see you again!" Lando said, though it was dampered

slightly by his depressed look.

            "ROARWFFFF!!!!" Chewie offered, and although Leia couldn't exactly

understand what he was saying, she suspected it was a greeting and some

kind words.

            "Where are the others?" Leia asked.

            "They're coming," was all the Jedi would say. Almost as if on cue, the

foliage behind him parted and Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Cat, two girls that she

didn't recognize, Jareth, and Mara came plunging through to greet them.

            "What's Mara doing here already?" Han asked, surprised.

            "It's a long story...Jareth wished her onto the Star Destroyer to help

him rescue Allie and Lyra," he explained, nodding to the two girls.

            "We would've been here sooner but Wicket got distracted," Cat

explained, an amused smile playing across her lips. Leia said hello to

everyone, but she was completely confused. No one seemed as broken up

as she thought they would...what was going on? Didn't anyone care!!?

            Her attention was diverted by Khabarakh's surprised hiss. She followed

his gaze and could just make out Wicket happily making his way towards

them...except for the fact that all of his head and torso could be seen

above the tall grass!!! Chewie barked in surprise, Threepio and Artoo

jabbered in shock, and even Han was stunned.

            "What the..." he managed before realizing that the ewok wasn't

walking. He was riding on someone's shoulders.

            "Who?" Leia asked, dumbfounded, as she turned to Luke. He offered her

a smile but remained silent.

            Wicket hummed in contentment from his perch and began to wave his arms

to the others as he came closer. Whoever he was on began to gain speed

and he laughed in excitement. "Eechawawa!!!" he shrieked, and nearly

fell off. The runner slowed back to a walk and finally began to push

through the bushes and the creature placed his hands on their head for

balance. Progress slowed as the shrubs became thicker. For his part,

the ewok batted at the greenery, trying to push the branches aside, but

he wasn't having too much of an effect; he was having too much fun with

his free ride. Finally, the undergrowth began to be pushed apart and

Leia felt the color drain from her cheeks as a very familiar figure

began to emerge. For a moment, no one could speak, then everyone seemed

to be speaking at once.

            "ROOOWWWWFFFFF!!!!"

            "What in blazes!!!?!"

            "How?!?!?!"

            Han was the first to succeed in forming a coherent sentence.

"But...but...you're supposed to be dead!!!"

            Selah stepped out of the bushes and grinned. "What is it with

everybody lately? They all want me to be a corpse when I'm sure as hell

not ready yet!!" She began to laugh as Han indignantly pointed an

accusatory finger.

            "That's not funny!!! Don't you *ever* do that to us again!!!"

            "What happened? The last time I checked, you were..." Leia started,

then let her voice fade.

            "Things change," Selah said, shrugging slightly, the gesture muted due

to the weight on her shoulders.

            "Yeah, but the dead don't just become undead when they feel like it!!"

Lando retorted, relaxing visibley.

            "What she's not saying is that when she went to face Lord Skywalker

she knew that she couldn't fight him, so she offered herself in a trade

for me," Luke explained, glancing over at the young woman, pride and

affection obvious in his voice and eyes. "Right before she went she

used the Force to destroy Darksaber II...Luckily, she wasn't killed all

the way but put under deep hibernation and inprisoned under a magical

force field. Jareth deactivated that with a crystal and I was able to

bring her out of the trance..." he finished.

            "Nothing much," Selah added, preoccupied with tickling Wicket's feet

and making him giggle and kick furiously.

            "Oh, of course not," Han said sarcastically. "You had us so depressed

that not even winning a million credits in sabaac could've cheered me

up and now you're saying it was no big deal?" His aggitation turned

into a roll of the eyes and a lopsided grin. "You're a piece of work,

kid."

            "And she's earned the title of Jedi Master," Obi-Wan added.

            "You are a true warrior, Selah clan Specht," Khabarakh said

reverently. The solemness of the moment was broken as Wickett

proclaimed his own affection by ruffling the girl's hair and jabbering

in his language. Everyone couldn't help but laugh at that. Chuckling,

Selah let him slip from her shoulders and onto the ground, where the

ewok went off to greet Artoo.

            "She sure keeps things interesting, I'll give her that!!" Lando

laughed and Leia nodded in agreement. Chewbacca roared his agreement

and grabbing her arm, pulled Selah into a rib-crunching Wookie hug that

Han had act quickly to save her from. The Wookie wuffed his apology and

she returned Chewie's gesture, though much gentler.

             Soon, everyone was walking back to the village, telling stories of

what had happened, laughing in relief, and just plain enjoying each

other's company.

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

Ch. 30

            Pretty soon everyone was congregating in and around the ewok village.

It was great to see everyone again; heck, it was good just to be there!

I grinned as I watched Cat and Obi-Wan together and let my gaze travel

through the rest of the gathered folk. Chewie, Khabarakh, and a few of

the ewoks were conversing; Artoo and Wicket were "talking" together;

and I knew Qui-Gon had gathered with Leia and Luke on the walkway to

fulfill what he had promised me a few days earlier. Weirdest of all,

this version of Mara seemed fine around Jareth...she was Mara, all

right, but she seemed to get along with the goblin king well. Really

well. I didn't know how that sat with me, but I was glad that for once

he wasn't pestering me about Luke. I knew he was glad to have me safe

and all, but I also knew that my actions towards the Jedi ever since we

had been reunited had not pleased him one bit, a realization that made

me grin despite my attempts to not let my amusement surface. Everything

was back to normal, all right.

            I smiled and took a deep breath of the woodsy air...everything was

going so well that I just didn't expect what happened next. Maybe it

was because Jareth had just glanced over and caught Cat and Obi-Wan

becoming even more friendly, maybe it was because he was jealous of

Luke, maybe he just wanted his kingdom back. Whatever the reason was, I

was still shocked when finally left Mara's side and sauntered over to

me.

            "Darling...this has been fun, but I think it's time for you to say

good-bye," he announced, sitting down beside me next to a hut.

            "WHAT?!!" I managed, totally taken aback. I felt my jaw literally drop

as I attempted to take my voice down a few notches. "Now?!"

            "Yes, now!!" he replied, rolling his eyes at my shock. I still

couldn't comprehend his request.

            "But...but...I just got Luke back!! Come on, Jareth, cut me some slack

here!!" I pleaded.

            "Sorry, love, but we all have to say good-bye sometime," he added,

standing. I turned as Luke, Leia, and Qui-Gon returned, all three

looking quite satisfied with the trade of information that had

occurred. I didn't know how much Qui-Gon had told them, but at least

Leia had more than images to remember her mother by, and now Luke had

something to help him know her at all. Jareth strolled over to Cat and

Obi-Wan and had to cough to get their attention.

            "What do you want?!" she muttered, glaring at the goblin king.

            "Time for your friends to go home," he said without preamble, flashing

her a warning look as she started to get angry. He wasn't pleased with

what he had had to interrupt, and I could tell he was just itching to

get the padawan out of his realm.

            "WHAT?!!?!?!"

            "I know, I had the same reaction," I bit out, glancing helplessly at

Luke. He looked every bit as upset as I did and he silently took my

hand.

            "Come on, Tights, what's the big deal?" Han asked and Jareth's eyes

narrowed. He definitely wouldn't miss the smuggler, that was for sure.

            "The *big deal* is that I'd like to have my kingdom back...maybe I'll

return the Jedi first," he mused, glancing over at Cat and me. Our

reply was instant and simultaneous.

            "NOOO!!!!"

            "True...it does require a lot of energy to wish everyone back

separately...maybe I'll just wish everyone back all at once."

            "But Jareth, they're our friends!!" Cat protested and J rolled his

eyes. "I bet you're going to wait with Mara, aren't you!!?" she spat

out and Jareth avoided her gaze momentarily. Although I couldn't be

sure, he was half hidden by the shade produced by tree branches, I

almost was sure he was blushing in indignation.

            "Um...well, then, if you find the separation hard, here's something

that should help," he said, switching subjects as he produced a

crystal. Suddenly, hardback books appeared in our hands.

            "Jedi in the Underground..." she read off of the first of three that

she held and I glanced over my two.

            "Shadows in the Labyrinth and Return of the Underground..." It wasn't

that I didn't appreciate his efforts, but it just wasn't the same!!

"Thanks, J, but come on! Do they have to go?" I pleaded and for a

moment he softened...until he glanced beside me and noticed Luke.

            "Sorry, no exceptions," he stated regally before producing another

crystal. Biting my lip, I quickly turned and pressed my lips to Luke's,

completely torn up about the sudden change of events.

            "I'm sorry..." I whispered and he nodded, running his hand lightly

down my cheek and sending comforting energy my way. It was all I could

do to keep from crying as I forced myself to return the gesture.

            "Ahem..." J coughed and I returned my attention to the goblin king.

"Now then...I wish you were all back in your story and rightful place,

right now." I was almost blinded by the flash of light that was almost

as brilliant as the pain I felt at that moment.

            Slowly, the light cleared, revealing the Underground back in its

original glory. We were at the castle, as was Jareth, and standing

around him were...

            "WHAT HAPPENED???!!??!?!?!!!!!" he immediately roared and Cat and I

gave a surprised shout of relief. For gathered around us was every Star

Wars character that had been wished into the labyrinth during the

course of my three adventures!!!

            "Since when is my magic defective!!!?" J bellowed and I grinned. My

gaze hit the twilight sky and I suddenly realized that there seemed to

be a lot more bright spots in this universe than there were before...

            "It did work...you wished them into their story, remember? Well, they

came from the story that we originated...they've been here so much,

these versions must have melded with the Underground's magic, as has

their planets and corresponding affiliations and everything!! I bet all

the planets and stuff are out there, too!!! They're here to stay!!" I

laughed, turning to a gleeful Cat.

            "You mean they get to stay here? THIS IS GREAT!!!!" We both turned and

grinned at the distraught king. Fairy Bite and Lyra looked just as

ecstatic as we did from where they stood at Jareth's other side.

            "Thanks Jareth!!!!" I told him, running up to him and throwing my arms

round his neck. He forced a nod, though I could tell he was none too

happy about the change of events.

            "Wait a minute...you mean we're stuck here?" Han asked, frowning.

            "No...because Dark Skywalker wished all the planets to the

Underground, your universe is here...the labyrinth is just now like a

system instead of one land...the Underground now includes your universe

from these stories," I added, hefting the books. "You can return to

your duties and respective planets whenever you need to, and we can

still visit!" I laughed, nodding to where the Falcon and other various

fighters were lined up by the castle.

            "It does seem to be the perfect solution," Leia said, smiling.

            "What d'ya say, Tights? You think the Rebellion and your labyrinth can

get along?" Lando asked, flashing Jareth a wicked grin.

            "I think I have a headache," Jareth moaned before pressing a hand to

his forehead and muttering something unintelligible. I grinned as I

felt Luke's arms wrapping around me and I glanced at a satisfied Cat

that was preoccupied with Obi-Wan.