"Disclaimer": contains characters from George Lucas,Timothy Zahn, and Barbara Hambly. It is merely my interpretation of what would happen to the characters three years after "Vision of the Future".

Chapter 1                               Coruscant to Yavin

       The lights of Coruscant glittered far below the former Imperial Palace,like so many stars puncturing their way through the blackness that was night.Despite the late hour,hovercars and airspeeders still crisscrossed the sky,filling the air with the droning hum of repulsorlifts.
Mara Jade Skywalker stood on the roof of the palace,drinking in the scene.A warm breeze fanned her red-gold hair back from her face,and shadows seemed to dance at the corners of her eyes.She gazed south to the Manarai mountains,squinting through the darkness to make out the huddled shapes far in the distance.It seemed,to her,that the entire planet-wide city held a certain anticipation,as if lying in wait.Excitement crackled in the very atmosphere.But then again,it could have just been the excitement that she herself was feeling.
      Mara reflected on everything that had happened in the last month.So much had changed without her even realizing it.She was married to Luke Skywalker,peace had finally been declared between the Empire and the New Republic,and it had been business as usual from then on.Luke had returned to his Jedi academy on Yavin 4,promising that he would send for her soon.Mara had stayed behind to help Leia Organa Solo sort through all the diplomatic intricacies that remained after the treaty had been signed,and to aid General Wedge Antilles with the task of informing worlds of the peace deal.Tonight though,she was travelling to Yavin to be with her husband once and for all.Leia and Han Solo were off to Mon Calamari for a vacation,while Wedge continued with his work,but minus Mara's company.Her head buzzed with the elation she felt.Soon she would be with Luke,and they could finally be alone,just drifting effortlessly through their days at the academy,enjoying the peacetime.
     "You're getting way too soft,Mara,"she chided herself gently.Too soft,indeed.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her.She cast a glance over her shoulder and saw Lando Calrissian step through the doorway onto the roof.His tall figure was framed in pale yellow light from the room beyond,and the almost total darkness brightened just a little.
    "Ready to go,Mara?" he asked.She nodded silently,noting the solemnity in his tone.He had volunteered--yes,volunteered to fly her to Yavin.She smiled slyly to herself.She had always suspected that he had a crush on her,and this only proved it.Still grinning,she followed him back into the palace and into the turbolift.They stopped off at her guest room to get her luggage,then continued on to the landing bay where Lando's ship,the Lady Luck was docked.

       Mara boarded the Lady and put her bag in the cargo hold,then strapped herself into the copilot's seat.Lando took a seat beside her,and talked to her as he started the pre-flight arrangements.
"I still can't believe you ended up with Luke,"he muttered softly.
"And exactly what is that supposed to mean?" she retorted,but she couldn't help thinking the exact same thing.Lando didn't answer her,but just shook his head and pulled back on the repulsorlift lever.Within ten minutes,they were off,burning through Coruscant's atmosphere.Mara gazed out the viewscreen,letting none of her excitement show.The towering buildings and bustling crowds shrank more and more,and soon faded away into a swirl of grey and white as they headed out into space.A thought suddenly occured to her,and she felt the need to make it known.
"I just wish I could have said goodbye to Leia and the children..." she murmured,barely loud enough for Lando to hear.He gave her a sideways glance,then pulled back on the hyperspace lever.The stars melted into starlines,then sank into the mottled sky of lightspeed.She smiled inwardly,noting that she really was getting too soft.

      After three days on the Lady Luck,however,any thoughts of becoming soft had been sourly discarded.Mara had spent those three days doing nothing whatsoever,allowing Lando to bowl her over with charm.He did everything for her;prepared fancy meals,made sure her bed was always made,even sang for her! Every so often,she'd had to remind him that she was a married woman,to keep him from getting too close.At first she'd enjoyed the attention,but by the end of the second day,she'd all but thrown him off the ship.Having too little to do annoyed her immensely,because it only made her long for the old days of smuggling with Talon Karrde,and having to fend for herself.
     To pass the time,she practiced with the Force,and her newfound Jedi abilities,moving objects around the ship,confusing Lando by placing his belongings in places where it would take him hours to find them,and reaching out to see if she could touch Luke's mind at all.The nearer they drew to Yavin,the more she could feel his presence.
     Just when she thought she'd go crazy with boredom,Lando announced that they'd be arriving on Yavin 4 in a little less than an hour.She sat rigid in her seat,staring out at the distorted sky of hyperspace,willing Lando to pull back on the lever that would drop them into realspace,and put her that much closer to Luke.
     Finally, Lando gave a strangled whoop,and pulled back on the hyperspace lever with a dramatic flourish.The starlines flared into stars,and the red gas giant of Yavin hung in front of them,an enormous roiling ball of fire.And just to the right of it was the jungle moon of Yavin 4.Lando plowed towards it at full sublight speed,somehow sensing Mara's urgency.He shot down into the atmosphere,diving through mountains of clouds,until Mara could see the endless carpet of jungle below them,dotted with ancient Massassi temples and fertile lake beds.
      The great temple that housed the Jedi academy came into view,and Mara's heart pounded.To her surprise,she felt nervous,and almost scared.Get a grip,she told herself.You're going to see Luke.Why are you frightened?
Mara took several deep breaths to calm herself,then stretched out with the Force.She could sense Luke,could touch his mind.She realized that he was just as anxious as she was,and took comfort in that thought.

      Lando set the Lady Luck down on the stone landing platform,and cut the repulsorlifts.Mara was out of her seat and waiting by the ramp almost before Lando could blink.She tingled with excitement,and had to stop herself from yelling at Lando to hurry up.Finally,after what seemed like an eternity,the ramp extended from the base of the ship,and Mara stepped out into the oppressive jungle heat.The humidity hit her like a blaster bolt,a sharp contrast to the conditioned air inside the ship,but also a welcome relief.She narrowed her eyes against the bright afternoon sun,and stared straight ahead.She had barely taken two steps when Luke came bounding out of the shadows at full speed and swept her into his arms.
"Luke!" She cried joyfully and threw her arms around his shoulders."Mara!"
He picked her up and spun her around in a dizzying circle.She laughed giddily and clung to him tightly.Her hair fanned out in a shimmering wave,blown by an invisible wind,and her green eyes sparkled intensely.He set her back down on the ground and kissed her warmly,letting his lips linger on hers for a long time.All her anxiety melted away,and she just enjoyed the moment.She hadn't realized until now quite how much she'd missed him.She pulled away from their embrace,and laid her head on his shoulder,feeling the rough fabric of his Jedi robe rub against her cheek."I missed you,"she said quietly.
"I missed you more,"was his reply.She gazed at him for a moment,challenging him,wondering how she could top that,but then she smiled and hugged him again.
It was only then that she realized they had an audience.Luke's Jedi students were all lingering off to one side,watching their soppy greeting with great interest.Mara recognized a few of their faces-Cilghal,the beige-coloured Mon Cal with the huge swivelling eyes;Kyp Durron,the enthusiastic dark-haired kid;Kam Solusar,the estranged fallen Jedi with his perpetual frown,and a few others.Mara grinned sheepishly,and could sense Luke's embarassment as well,but it was Kyp who broke the ice.
"Mara Jade-or,I guess it's Skywalker now,isn't it? Well,nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you too,Kyp,"she gave him a curt nod.She had never really trusted the boy since his brush with the dark side,and he probably knew it,but she decided that it didn't matter much.Luke leaned over and whispered in her ear,"There's no need to be afraid of him now.He's a full Jedi master,here to help me teach the others."
She nodded."I see,"she answered quietly.Then,she raised her voice again."Lando! You can come out and say hello to Luke, you know!"
Lando descended the ramp in his usual dramatic manner,silk cape trailing behind him.He grinned at Luke."Hey there,kid.How's it going?"Luke shrugged.
"Oh,you know.The same."
Lando raised his eyebrows and gestured to Mara."You've got this fine lady and it's just 'the same'? Oh,I don't know there,Luke..." Luke grinned and pushed a lock of sandy hair back from his face."You always could see right through me.Are you sure you don't have Force sensitivities?"he joked.Lando gave his most charming smile to Mara and said,"Nah...I have magical powers of a different kind."
He winked at Mara.She turned and made a slight gagging noise,but then turned back and smiled sweetly at Lando."Won't you stay for a drink,Lando?" She asked,hoping against hope that he would decline the offer.
"I don't think so Mara.I've got to be on my way.Long flight,you know."
"I understand,"she said,and sent a mental laugh to Luke.He squeezed her hand in response.
"Thank you again,Lando,"she said politely.
"No problem.I really have nothing else to do these days,do I? Although you know that anytime,all you have to do is shout--"
Luke cut him off,"Uh,yeah.Thanks,Lando.See you later.I'll be in contact with Coruscant  before Leia and Han leave on their trip.Give the kids my love."
"I will.Bye,"Lando said,and swirled his cape,winking at Mara one last time before boarding the Lady Luck and streaking off into the sky.
Luke exhaled noisily."How in the stars did you manage three days with that guy?"
Mara shrugged and raised a finger to massage her temples."I have no idea.Well,don't I get the grand tour?" He smiled down at her and kissed her again."But of course,my lovely lady,"He said in a mock impression of Lando,then took her arm and led her to the door of the temple."Right this way."

Chapter 2                                Coruscant to Mon Calamari

       Han Solo stood at the entrance to docking bay 45 at Coruscant's spaceport,arguing with the head technician.He couldn't believe the gross amount of time--nearly an hour--he had wasted fighting with the man.
"No,you listen to me,"he snapped,"I am General Han Solo,husband of Chief of State Leia Organa Solo.I'm travelling to Mon Calamari with her.Now,tell me again why I need to show you a certificate of authorization signed by the Chief of State?"
The man seemed to stiffen slightly,and his face paled noticeably,but he drew himself up to his full height,stuck out his chin and said,"It's the new regulations,sir--"
"I don't care about your regulations,you little...." Han promptly let loose a good string of Corellian curses that made the man shrink back in terror.
"Han-"a female voice came behind him.
"Not now,can't you see I'm reasoning with the man?"he retorted to the unseen person.
"Han!" The voice said again,sharper this time,"It's me,Leia."
Han flushed a brilliant red color as he turned to face his wife."Oh,hi sweetheart...I, uh,was just..practicing my diplomatic skills."
She placed her hands on her hips and smirked."Maybe you should practice those 'diplomatic skills' when the kids are out of earshot!" Han shut his mouth,knowing better than to pursue this conversation.He knew himself too well,and knew that when he got angry,people had a tendency to get hurt.
"That's better,"Leia said,and patted his shoulder affectionately."I think you should let me handle this.Why don't you go help Chewie run those final checks on the Falcon?"
     Han nodded silently,but gave the tech a final glare before storming off to find Chewbacca.The Wookiee was hanging upside down on the hull of the Millennium Falcon,with a hydrospanner in his hand and an angry look on his face.
"Does she fly smoothly yet,Chewie?" Han asked.Chewbacca uttered a low growl that clearly meant 'no'.Han tried to smile."Okay,let me rephrase that.Does she fly at all,Chewie?" The Wookiee barked again,sounding slightly more optimistic this time.
"Great,"Han muttered."Just perfect.Where are the kids?"
Chewie waved a hairy paw towards the ramp leading into the Falcon,but slipped as he returned his hand to the underside of the ship.With a clatter and a bellow,Chewbacca crashed to the ground.The hydrospanner went sliding across the permacrete,where it shattered against the wall at the opposite end of the room.
"Chewie!" Han exclaimed,leaping back as the Wookiee got to his feet and looked around for someone to blame."Chewie! Okay,calm down...let me try."
With a resigned sigh,Han mounted the hull and set to work.

      An hour later,they were shooting through hyperspace on the way to Mon Calamari.Leia leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms behind her head.Han,sitting beside her,cast a loving glance her way.
"Good to be on the move again isn't it?"
He grinned roguishly.She smiled back and said,"It's just good to be going on an actual vacation.Do you realize that every time we've tried to have some family time,it's turned into a battle of life and death?"
He chuckled,"You've noticed too?"
She nodded,but turned suddenly serious."Sometimes I have a hard time believing that peace has actually been declared with the Empire-"she paused as Han shot her a strange look,"Well,what I mean is,I've dreamed about this so many times,I think I was expecting it to be much,much different.So many things have changed-Talon Karrde retired for good this time,Luke got married-that probably surprised me the most.I was beginning to think he'd never settle down!"
Han laughed at the relief in her tone when she spoke of Luke.Leia had been very worried about her brother for the last few years.Ever since he had lost Callista,the strange,silent Jedi who he had loved very deeply,he had been different somehow,more withdrawn,launching his whole self into his Jedi studies.It had made him more powerful,of course,but Leia couldn't help but wonder, to what benefit?
     Mara Jade had filled the void that Callista left.Luke had spoken fondly of Mara when he said that she had quite literally knocked some sense into him.Leia couldn't even start to comprehend his meaning,but decided to just be happy for him.
    As for the Empire,it made her want to shout with joy every time she thought about the situation.Admiral Pellaeon had decided on a truce with the New Republic before their government could claim any more of the Empire's worlds.Of course,there were always breakaway groups such as Moff Disra's,but as far as Leia knew,they had all been snuffed out.
It still made her ache inside when she thought about all the friends they had lost along the way.Fifteen years of fighting hadn't done her any good,and she knew the pain would never leave completely,but for now,responsible government had been established.No more people would ever have to go through the suffering that others in the past had endured at the hands of Emporer Palpatine,Darth Vader,Grand Admiral Thrawn,Admiral Daala,and a long string of others.Peace felt wonderful inside and out.

  "What are you thinking about?" Han asked.Leia jumped,startled.She hadn't realized that Han had been watching her.
"You never finished explaining what you meant,"he added,sounding a bit concerned.
"I'm sorry,"she said,patting his hand reassuringly."If only you could read my thoughts!"

     Several hours later,Han yanked back on the hyperspace lever and dropped them into realspace.The starlines faded,and the blue sphere of Mon Calamari,made oblong by the position of it's sun,came into view.Leia gasped and gazed out of the viewport.
"It's more beautiful than I remember,"she breathed quietly.She turned towards the open cockpit door that led to the narrow hallway.She knew that her children were resting in their bunks,but she wanted them to see their approach.
"Jaina,Jacen,Anakin!" she called,"Come and see this!"
The sounds of small feet pattering on the metal floor reached Leia's ears,followed by a chorus of "yes mother" s.Within seconds,the three kids shuffled into the cockpit,straightening their flightsuits and trying to make themselves presentable for their mother.Leia smiled warmly at them.
"I wanted you to see this planet from space,because you will probably never see a more beautiful sight as long as you live."
"That's Mon Calamari,right?" Jacen asked,crossing the cramped space to look out the viewport.
"That's correct,darling."
"Why are we going there?" Anakin asked.Leia glanced at her son,who was scratching his head in confusion.She realized that she had never informed them of the nature of their trip.
"We are going on a vacation.Specifically,a cruise.Your father and I decided that it would be a nice experience for you children." And a chance for Han and I to spend some time alone together without having to worry about which planet is in danger of being wiped out,she added silently to herself.
Jaina was staring out the viewport,nose pressed against the cool plasteel.
"It's very beautiful,isn't it?"she said.
"I always thought so,"Leia answered.She gazed down at the giant ocean planet,coming closer and closer till it almost filled the viewscreen.So peaceful-looking.Leia felt a pang of sadness as she realized exactly what it was that had always drawn her to Mon Calamari.Anakin saw it in her first.

"It reminds you of Alderaan,doesn't it,Mom?" he said without hesitation.
Leia turned to face him.Her youngest son was gazing at her with his cool,ice-blue eyes,eyes that seemed to hold more wisdom than was possible in a boy of his age.Sometimes he scared Leia with how much he knew.He was so strong in the Force-Luke had recognized it in him the instant he was born.He already had abilities that Leia herself could never hope to master,yet he didn't seem to realize the power that lay within those abilities.Leia silently thanked the Force for that,because she knew in her heart just how dangerous a person he could be if he ever turned to the dark side...

"It does remind me of Alderaan,just a little.Not that it looks like Alderaan on the surface,but rather its...atmosphere,if you will."
    All three of the children and Han were looking at her expectantly,waiting for a story.She smiled sadly,and continued.
   "The last time I saw Alderaan was when I was being held captive on the first Death Star.Darth Vader decided that it might persuade me to reveal the location of the rebel base by making me watch him destroy it.I lied to him,which proved a fatal mistake because it only angered him.He held me in front of the window,and forced me to watch as the only world I had ever known was blown to pieces in a petty demonstration of power.I could do nothing except cry out,and feel the pain and suffering of millions of innocent people.The last thing I remember was seeing my planet drifting there in the viewport,completely unaware of it's fate..." Leia fought back tears.
"And then,Grand Moff Tarkin ordered the officers to fire the laser.That last view of Alderaan-a completely neutral world that had never done anything to defy the Empire besides being my home planet-reminds me so much of Mon Calamari,because it was peaceful.
"Sometimes peace isn't always a wise choice."

    Han slipped a comforting arm around her waist,but said nothing.The children were silent for once,considering what their mother had just said.Then one by one,they left the room without a word.
Han tapped the comlink,and requested permission to land at Foamwander City.

Chapter 3                                          Deep Space

       General Wedge Antilles engaged his fleet at Coruscant,and prepared for yet another journey of informing worlds of the peacetime.He opened an all-ship comm channel,and spoke into his microphone.
"All X-Wings,prepare for hyperspace jump.Destination-Chad III.Co-ords 59-45-98.Don't forget to pack underwear,and good luck!" He flicked off the comm unit,and leaned back in his X-Wing pilot seat,expecting a relaxing ride.He was just about to doze off,when he noted with a certain degree of annoyance that his private comm light was blinking,indicating an incoming message. He eased himself up on his elbows and pressed the button."General Antilles speaking.Identify yourself."
"Wedge,this is Admiral Ackbar." The Mon Cal's enormous head filled the comm screen,his huge eyes swivelling back and forth,surveying Wedge's cramped cockpit.
"How can I help you,Ackbar?" Wedge asked,leaning slightly back ,away from the image.Even at quarter-size,Ackbar's head still seemed grossly overlarge.
"I just got a message from Admiral Pellaeon,"was the Admiral's reply,"he wants your team to do a little research on Chad-just so you can impress the natives."
"No problem,Admiral.I'll get right on it.It'll give me something to do to pass the time,that's for sure.Wedge out."
He pressed the comm button again,and Ackbar's swollen head disappeared.Wedge sighed,and keyed in the coordinates for the hyperspace jump.Then,while the starlines flared,he pushed yet another button,and the X-Wing's built-in research station popped up."Neat trick,"Wedge muttered,then said,"Information on Chad III please."
    Almost immediately,a whole encyclopedia appeared,complete with a detailed diagram of the planet's inner structure.Wedge skimmed through article after article of boring,useless facts.He had no use for anecdotes on how the language came about,or about the mating habits of wander-kelp.
Finally,an article caught his eye.It was titled simply "Background information".
"Excellent,"Wedge said,and clicked down the screen.What was written was basic and in short form,but it told Wedge all he needed to know.
      The system of Chad consisted of twelve main planets orbiting a sun of the same name.From what he could determine,Chad III was mainly a water planet,with 85% of it's surface covered by oceans.It's main inhabited continent was Ruoy,and it's capital was called Glitterglass city.The city was located on the south coast,and most of it's inhabitants lived on floating farms,called arks.Chad's main export stemmed from those farms.Wander-kelp,reknowned for it's medicinal qualities as the main ingredient in bacta,was grown for three seasons of Chad's year,with the remaining season left for harvesting and exporting.The dominant language was Basic,although most of the planet was inhabited by its natives, sociable rodents called the Chadra-Fan.The article finished by saying that Chad was once one of the main smuggling capitals of the Empire because of it's high export amounts of the drug sweetblossom,and as far as was known,was still an Imperial world...

      That fact scared Wedge just a little bit.So far,his team hadn't had to inform any planets under former Imperial rule of the peace treaty,and he couldn't help but wonder how they would take the news.He decided to tell the squadron that little tidbit,and resolved to bring sleeve blasters,just in case.He hoped that they wouldn't have to use them.He closed that particular article,and opened another one,a picture file.This showed the city of Glitterglass itself,and as far as Wedge could tell,it was a very beautiful place,with silver towers reaching high into the air,and clear turquoise waters stretching far out in every direction.Every little inch of land that wasn't covered with water or city was instead covered in soft-looking grass,tall cyperill and redwood trees,and picturesque little farms of many bright colors.Each dwelling had it's own dock with ark moorings and gathering nets,and was equipped with a corral for raising the captured Wander-kelp.Everything looked clean and inviting and normal,but Wedge couldn't shake his feeling that,because Chad was an Imperial world,something awful was going to happen.

    The X-Wings dropped out of hyperspace some time later,and the world of Chad hung in view,exactly where it was supposed to be.It even looked beautiful from a great distance,Wedge thought.He gazed down towards the main continent of Ruoy,and suddenly went rigid.A chill crept up his spine when he saw the dark shapes of four TIE interceptors rising up off the ground to meet them.Somehow,he got the feeling that this was not the typical traditional greeting.Suddenly,a green turbolaser blast flashed out from one of the TIEs.
   Wedge snatched for his comlink."X-Wings!" He snapped,"We've got company!" He keyed for automatic pilot,and grabbed for the turbolaser controls.The ship executed a dramatic roll to the side,just as the TIE interceptor whizzed past on Wedge's starboard side,a near miss.Wedge swung his X-Wing back around,and locked onto another one of the TIEs.Green fire lanced out,and the enemy ship exploded in a brilliant blossom of flame.Wedge's wingman,Rogue Two,came corkscrewing aorund out of nowhere,and in the next instant,another TIE was turned into space waste.The comm light blinked,and Wedge snatched it up,keeping one hand on the Fire button.It was Rogue Nine.
    "Wedge!" Corran Horn barked over the comlink,"What do we do?"
Wedge thought about it for a split second,taking another second to realize that there were still two TIEs out there with full turbolaser batteries.
"Keep flying,Rogue Nine," Wedge ordered.In that last second and a half,Wedge had formulated a plan.He opened an all-ship comm channel,and broadcast his idea to the rest of the squadron."The rest of you,keep flying as well.Destroy those Interceptors if and when you get the chance,but if we can reach the planetary surface as a group,it would be real handy.Something tells me we're not going to get a very warm reception."
     Wedge tossed the comlink behind his shoulder."Enough small-talk," he muttered,"Time to get down to some very serious business.I guess all those months I spent polishing my flying skills are going to pay off in the end." With that pronouncement,Wedge shot off towards the surface.A TIE interceptor was coming up fast behind him,so he yanked the controls around.The X-Wing whirled,and Wedge's vision swirled with the mix of space and planet.Rogue Three was coming in behind him,guarding his tail.Wedge aimed,and fired,and the TIE exploded.He let loose a small war-whoop as he saw the remaining TIE fleeing in terror.He grabbed the comlink again,and ordered the Rogues to follow the lone Interceptor."Maybe we can find out who's behind this."
"Whoever it is obviously doesn't know about the peace treaty," Rogue Five put in.
"Well,that's why we're here,isn't it?" Wedge laughed tightly,trying not to let the eerie sense of deja vu overwhelm him."I thought we were done with this kind of thing."

     The X-Wings followed the Interceptor to the surface.Evidently,that had been the perpetrator's plan,because the TIE didn't make any attempts to throw them off course.Whoever was behind this wanted to talk to them.They landed in a grassy field,and as Wedge hopped out of his ship,he noted with a certain degree of disappointment that the planet was really nothing like what it had seemed.The soft,lush-looking grass of the pictures was replaced with browned and dead weeds.He could see the delicate towers of Glitterglass city to the north of their small landing field,and he could tell that they were rusted and broken,and pitted with dents from turbolaser bolts.The clear-appearing ocean of afar was in actuality just a giant oil slick,and the white-sand shore was dirty and brown.Wedge tried to justify this almost exact opposite of what he had read aboard his ship.What in the name of the Force had happened here? He realized that he would get his answer soon enough.The TIE interceptor had landed a short distance away,and the pilot was now climbing out of the cockpit.He was a human,dressed in scattered bits of old stormtrooper armour,with an Imperial gunner's helmet.His uniform was wrinkled and torn,and he wore no insignia.However ragged his appearance was,his expression more than made up for it.He scowled at them from under his helmet.Without a word,he extracted some sort of remote from his pocket and pointed it at the ground directly behind Wedge.He fired a red button,and there came a rattle and a groan.Startled,Wedge whirled around.The ground behind him was--dare he believe it? Yes,it was opening.The burned grass ground split,and revealed a great metal staircase leading into the depths of the planet.A fortress of some sort? The Imperial pilot stalked towards the staircase,and began to descend.Wedge hesitated,wondering just what they were getting themselves into,but then the pilot turned,looking impatient.He gestured for them to follow him.Wedge took a shaky step forward.Wasn't the point of this trip to find someone of authority to inform of the peace treaty? He motioned for Corran Horn,Rogue Nine,to accompany him.Corran stepped to Wedge's side,and they began their descent.The other pilots stood by,ready to leap at any minute into their cockpits and call for help.Corran shot a look at Wedge,and cocked his sleeve blaster.Wedge imitated his action,and they were ready for anything.Almost anything.
     The pilot led them down to the bottom of the staircase,then down a short corridor of the same material as the stairs until they reached a set of heavy blast doors.Wedge held his breath as the pilot punched in a combination on the datapad that was mounted beside the doors,and only exhaled when he reminded himself that he still needed air.The doors slid open,revealing a crowded room full of people dressed in mishmashed Imperial uniforms.Stormtroopers/gunners sat at computer terminals,while others stood guard at various stations around the room.The pilot stood at attention,and yelled in a garbled language,"llik mih htworg ma Norrcay!"
    The room fell disturbingly silent,and a tall,round man dressed in a full Imperial Admiral's uniform stepped forward.He saluted the pilot,and the pilot rushed to stand at attention next to a computer terminal.The man opened his mouth,and spoke in clear,unnaccented Basic,"Are you friend or foe?"
   Wedge cleared his throat,and spoke nervously."I am General Wedge Antilles,and this is my wingman Corran Horn.We represent the New Republic,and we bring tidings of peace." Before the rest of the sentence even had time to leave Wedge's lips,immediately after he spoke the words "New Republic",fifty blasters were trained on him and Corran,set to Kill.

Chapter 4                         Chad

   Wedge backed up slightly,feeling fear inch up his spine.He raised his hands in defense,and stammered,"Now,now,fellows.There's no need for blasters.We bring news of the peace treaty between the former Empire and the New Republic".
The Admiral spoke,"We were not informed of any treaty." He narrowed his eyes slightly,as if trying to determine whether Wedge was lying or not.He decided to lay that aside for the moment,and spoke again."My name is Admiral Norrcay,and this is Capital Base.We subsist under the service of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the Empire.Grand Admiral Thrawn would not make such a horrendous mistake as to arrange a peace treaty with those rebellious fools they call a New Republic."
Wedge was distinctly shaken up at the mention of Grand Admiral Thrawn.He took several deep breaths to slow his pulse,and tried to remain calm."I'm afraid you've been misinformed,Admiral.Grand Admiral Thrawn has been dead for ten years.Admiral Pellaeon has now taken over the Empire's end of the deal."
"This is an outrage!" Admiral Norrcay bellowed,"Kill the liars!" The blasters were cocked with a double snap,and held steady in front of the intruders.
"Wait!" Wedge cried,"Let's talk this over...maybe we can come to some sort of agreement!"
"It's too late for agreements," Norrcay sneered,"Have you taken a look at our planet? The New Republic must not be allowed to destroy more innocent lives!"
Wedge's head spun as he remembered the view from the planetary surface;the broken towers of Glitterglass City,the oily ocean,the ruined grassland.
"What do you mean? The New Republic didn't destroy your planet!"
Norrcay growled,a low,feral sound."Would you like me to spell it out for you?"
"If you would,an explanation would be appreciated," Wedge said cautiously.
"Once,about ten years ago,the Empire was subjected to yet another useless attack from the de-facto New Republic," he paused,allowing Wedge the time to realize that he was referring to the battle at Mount Tantiss.
"Their bombers and Corellian Corvettes swooped low over our ground,destroying everything in sight.It was terrible.Millions died.We still don't know what provoked the attack.But we vowed to get our revenge on the New Republic.And you,Mr.Antilles,have just provided a very good starting point."
Stall!  Wedge's brain screamed,but his tongue felt like lead.He glanced helplessly at Corran,who was just as petrified as he was.
"W-wait,Admiral,maybe I can do something to make amends..."
"The only amends you can make would be to bring our planet back to the fruitful and wonderful place that it once was.Unless you can do that,give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you now."
He was asking the impossible.Wedge gulped,and raised his hands in a surrender.He had always known this day would come,but he had hoped against hope that it wouldn't come so soon...He had time for a last glance at Corran before he saw the blue rings of a stun bolt arc out and hit him squarely in the chest.His last thought before he slipped into a stunned blackness was,why stun us? There must be a mistake...I was prepared to die...

    Wedge awoke an unknown amount of time later.He was lying on a cold stone floor in almost total darkness.He blinked his eyes to ease them into the new,dim light.Corran.
He looked around for his comrade,but Corran Horn was nowhere to be seen.Wedge tried to move his legs so he could at least sit up,but they were still numb from the aftereffects of the stun bolt.He wished his mind were in the same state.But he was awake now,and his head swam with questions.What had gone wrong? Why would the New Republic destroy an innocent world?
They wouldn't,Wedge concluded.But if it wasn't the New Republic,and it wasn't the Empire,than who? Who had allowed such a careless mistake go unnoticed? Why was the ruthless Admiral Norrcay keeping him and Corran alive? He decided that he didn't really want to know.But he didn't need Jedi powers to understand that,now that Chad had some real live government officials in their grasp,their plan for revenge would begin.
    Suddenly,Wedge heard voices outside the thick walls of his holding cell.He strained his ears,and could make out Admiral Norrcay's deep voice.
"We have the New Republic right where we want them.It is finally time for us to exact our revenge."
"What shall I order the team to do first,Admiral?" another voice put in.
"Dispatch a full fleet of Star Destroyers on full for Coruscant.Find the whereabouts of Chief of State Leia Organa Solo,and that festering ambassador Ilkhaine.Then prepare a full report for Grand Admiral Ocott.She will be very pleased."
She? Wedge wondered.He knew that gender barriers had been broken down at the hands of Admiral Daala,but a female Grand Admiral?Also,who was this ambassador he had mentioned? From the sound of it,she wasn't very well liked. Something horrible was unfolding,and Wedge's being trembled with unpleasantness at the thought that he was powerless to stop it.

Chapter 5                      Yavin 4

       Luke Skywalker led his wife down a narrow stone hallway to a door that shone with polished wood.
"Our chambers,milady." Mara gingerly reached forward and touched the door,as if unsure of what would happen.She felt as if a herd of nightbirds had nested in her stomach,and were trying frantically to get out.She pushed on the polished wood,and stepped inside.She gasped in surprise.She had been to the academy many times in the past,and never thought that her quarters were particularily luxurious.But the room Luke had designed for them gave a whole new definition to luxury.
"Luke," she breathed,"It's beautiful!"
The floor shone with reflective metal,and there were three wide windows on the back wall that flooded the room with afternoon sunlight.Those windows were hung with velvety dark blue curtains that swept all the way down to the chrome floor.All the furnishings-bed,couches,chairs-were upholstered in the same soft blue material.
     Mara ran to the window,and wrapped herself up in one of the curtains,peeking out from behind the thick folds of fabric.She rubbed her cheek against it,and to her surprise and delight,it was wonderfully soft.
"Is all the fabric this soft?" she exclaimed aloud.She ran to the bed and jumped on it,bouncing like an excited child as she snatched one of the blue pillows and tested that as well."It is!" she sighed.She felt slightly crazy,and she could hear Luke's laughter in her mind,see his delighted face.She crossed her legs beneath her and just sat there on the mattress,hugging the pillow.Luke crossed the room and took a seat next to her."Well,I'm glad you like it.I hoped you would."
"Like it?" Mara gasped,"I love it! I've never seen such luxury.I'll feel bad for all the students here every time I see them! Surely not all the rooms are this nice?" She had such a tone of childish jealousy in her voice that Luke couldn't help but laugh."Of course they're not! But I had to have only the best for my Mara."
She giggled girlishly at his endearing tone,but suddenly,something triggered in her mind.A random flashback,of an experience she couldn't possibly have had...

     A young girl,maybe ten or eleven,sits crosslegged on her bed."Mommy!" she giggles in delight at the sound of a knock on her door.
"Mommy?"  Mara sat bolt upright.
The girl goes to her bedroom door and opens it,expecting a warm hug and a goodnight kiss,remembering hugging her mother and smelling the scents of the farm.
"Farm?"
"Mara,are you alright?"Luke asked,sounding concerned.
But it isn't her mother.It isn't her father,either.In fact,it's like nothing she's ever seen before.Soldiers,dressed in white armour,holding blaster rifles.They rush into the room and grab the small girl.
"No!"
   They drag her outside,where she sees her mother and father tied to posts.One by one,the soldiers line up,and take target practice on the adults.They light her house on fire,and the flames engulf everything.
It is hard to breathe this close to the towering inferno."No!" the girl screams again and again.She tries to run,but her legs are paralyzed with fear.
"No,no,no!"
Suddenly a soldier strikes her head from behind,and she falls to the ground.It is hard to determine whether her red hair is natural,or if it is just blood...

    "No,no,no!" Mara sobbed,and pressed her face into the soft blue pillows,"Don't let them take me..."
Her shouts diminished to quiet crying.Frightened,all Luke could do was hold her and send her quiet,calm vibes through the Force.But Mara seemed inconsolable.She trembled uncontrollably in Luke's arms,jerking and twisting this way and that,trying to escape an unseen enemy.
"Mara!" he shouted finally,and shook her shoulders roughly."Mara!"
She gazed up at him with wide,frightened eyes,eyes that appeared to stare through him,as if he wasn't there."You.An Imperial stormtrooper," she yelled suddenly,and tried to hit him.
   "Mara! It's me,Luke!"
Suddenly,the vision ended.Mara stopped convulsing,and drew away from him.Her green eyes filled with tears and she had to look away.Luke gulped.
"Wha...what happened?"
"I don't know," she moaned,"I had the most horrible vision..."
"I know," Luke said,"I felt it."
"I don't know what it was.One minute I was laughing,and the next...I felt as if my world had ended,and all I wanted to do was cry until I died..."
"Hold on," Luke said,"Let me try and tap your memory.Maybe I can see the vision too."
He placed his hands on her temples,and sent questing mental tendrils into the far reaches of her memory.Suddenly,he was jerked back by an extremely painful vision.He could see everything,and he understood.He paled very slightly,and found that Mara was just as stricken.
"Well?" Mara asked,"Who's memory was it?"
He took a deep breath."It was your own." Mara still stared at him expectantly,waiting.
"You were kidnapped by the Empire."

Chapter 6                              Mon Calamari

     The Millennium Falcon cruised low over the waters of Mon Calamari,following the navicomputer's directions to Foamwander City,the capital of Mon Cal.Soon,very slowly,Han could see the silvery,clear towers glinting on the horizon.As they drew nearer,they could see the ship that they were to vacation on.Enormous dark shapes swam in the water around it.
"Krakana," Leia murmured,remembering her own near brush with one of the huge sea monsters. Han pulled up on the Falcon's descent,and eased them into a perfectly executed turn over the city.Tourists and otherwise rushed to and fro on the ground below,and the majestic watertight gates let ships in and out of the protected paradise.Han swooped in towards those gates,and they opened,recognizing the ship that had asked for authorization just moments before.Within minutes,Han had set the ship down on a floating outdoor platform inside the city.
"My congratulations,Han," Leia laughed,"for once,a perfect landing!" He grinned one of his famous lopsided grins and kissed her quickly.
"We had better get going.Our ship leaves in an hour,and we want to be on the uppermost deck when it leaves!"
She smiled,and took his hand,and they left the cockpit together.
"Jaina,Jacen,Anakin," Leia called into the children's bunk area,"Time to go! Grab your things and meet us outside."
A burst of excited chatter erupted from the bunk area,and soon three tousle-headed kids in wrinkled flight suits appeared.Jaina,the oldest was grinning widely,as was her twin brother,Jacen.Anakin looked sort of grumpy,probably angry at having been woken up from a nap.But Jaina nudged him,and he smiled halfheartedly.
"That's better," Leia said,"We don't want grumpy faces when we're going on vacation."

      They left the ship together and met Chewbacca outside.He was holding all their bags,and looking rather miffed,so Leia suggested they find a baggage carrier.
The three children ran ahead,gazing in wide-eyed wonder at the huge glass and chrome structures towering above their heads.Even further up,Mon Cal's sun shone brightly,making everything look pearlescent and new.Leia knew that that was partially because everything was new.Mon Calamari had been the center of two of the Empire's attempts at power.It had been destroyed with every weapon the Empire could throw at it,save for a Death Star (and Leia thanked the Force for that!),but had recovered in each instance.
    Now,the planet had never looked better,and Leia felt filled with such gladness that she wanted to scream out in joy and run,just like her children.But her diplomatic side told her she was being ridiculous. The family wandered through the street markets of Foamwander City,feeling the interconnected platforms rocking gently on the waves.Then,they passed through a towering glass archway,and entered the harbour.

      Leia gasped.She had thought she'd seen everything beautiful that the galaxy had to offer,but this put everything to shame.She tightened her grip on Han's fingers to keep from crying out.
"There she is," he said gently,"The Foamwander Pride.She is the most luxurious pleasure ship in the galaxy,and we are going to be on it in little less than an hour."
"She's beautiful,Han!" Leia exclaimed,"How on earth did you afford us tickets for our whole family? It must have cost us the Imperial Palace!"
"Not quite the Palace," he corrected her,"But close enough.It was well worth it.This ship is going to make history."
"How so?" Leia asked.
"She was built just over a month ago,and she was intended as a peace ship of sorts,to celebrate the treaty with the Empire.See the flags? On the bow,there are the New Republic worlds' flags,and on the stern,the Empire's worlds.That's to symbolize that the Empire was part of the past,while the New Republic looks ahead to the future,always blazing new trails,but that in the end,we are all just parts of a whole.This is to be the ship's maiden voyage."
Leia gazed upward,and the symbolism washed over her like a crystal-clear wave.
      The ship loomed in front of them,gleaming white,with ten decks of non-stop excitement.The colourful flags representing every imaginable world flew from the top masts,snapping and flying proudly in the warm breeze,and lights of every shade were strung from every balcony.It looked like the whole galaxy had come together for a gigantic party!
This time,Leia couldn't contain her excitement.She grabbed her children's hands and ran with them,all the way up to the boarding ramp,where she suddenly put on the brakes,and smoothed her pantsuit.Han and Chewie chased after them,leaving the baggage boy struggling with their luggage.Leia stopped so abruptly that the children slammed into her,Han slammed into the children,and Chewie slammed into them all,knocking them flat.Leia was laughing so hard she could hardly breathe.The ticket collector at the bottom of the boarding ramp,a Mon Cal with the trademark swivelling eyes,looked upon them with quiet disdain.
"Welcome aboard the Foamwander Pride," he rumbled,"May I see your tickets please?"

     Some time later,after they had found their staterooms,and gotten past all the excited exclamations from Leia and the kids,they headed up to the very top deck,and looked out to infinity.All Leia could see from horizon to horizon was clear turquoise water,and the occasional krakana popping out of the sea to breathe.Behind them,Foamwander City was still a bustle of excitement,filled to the brim with hopeful passengers and excitable tourists.Leia noted that the crowd on the ground was thinning out,and she realized just how close to departure time it was.
     As if the ship had read her thoughts,the engines started up with a quiet rumble.The crowds on the deck and on the ground cheered,and all over people were waving and throwing colorful streamers and napkins,and calling "goodbye" in every imaginable language.Han swung Anakin into the air onto his shoulders,and Anakin squealed in delight.The twins looked on with jealousy,but they both knew that they were too old to ride daddy's shoulders anymore.Instead,they reached into the bags of colorful paper that Leia had bought them in the market,and threw handfuls over the railing.Then,Chewie uttered a happy roar and picked up both Jaina and Jacen,and they laughed in surprise.They had forgotten how strong Chewbacca was!
The Foamwander Pride plowed out into the waves with surprising ease,gliding gracefully over the blue,blue waters.Soon,as they got farther and farther away,the crowds on deck began to disperse,off to explore the massive ship.The children got antsy,and decided that they wanted to go swimming in the ship's pool.So Leia sent them off with Chewie to get changed,promising to meet them in the dining room for dinner.Then,when she and Han were finally alone,she rested her head on his shoulder and watched the small glistening dot of Foamwander City getting smaller and smaller,until it was just a gleam on the horizon.Han sighed,and slipped an arm around her waist.
"This is probably the happiest day of my life," Leia murmured.Han glanced at her in surprise."And what,pray tell,did the day we got married mean to you?"
"Well,that was one of the happiest days of my life,but...we were still under threat from the Empire.There I was,all dolled up and ready to make a commitment to the man I loved,but I couldn't shake the thought that there were innocent people out there,dying,and fighting for justice.Now,I can be happy,without feeling guilty that other's loved ones are dying."
Han felt touched,for one of the first times in his life."Leia..." He said,"What would you think about renewing our vows?"
She was silent for a moment."Doesn't that take a lot of time? And money? And half our family is missing!"
"I don't mean that it has to be a huge event.We can do it now,just between us.We'll  really make this the happiest day of your life."
"Do you still remember our vows?" She asked,smirking.
"Of course.A smuggler never forgets a promise," He grinned at his joke.
"Alright,then," Leia said,"Let's do it."
Han took both of her hands in his,and closed his eyes.The wind ruffled his hair,and he could smell sea salt.
"I take thee Leia to be my wife," He said softly.
"No matter what befalls us," Leia continued.
"For nothing can come between our hearts,"
"Or this bond that we have formed."
"I love thee,Leia,"
"As I do you,Han,"
"In my heart and in my mind,"
"Forever." Leia finished,then pressed her lips against his,feeling the ocean spray dampening her hair,and hearing the roar of the waves in her ears.Then she stepped back,and just held him close as the sun sank low on the horizon.

Chapter 7                    Mon Calamari

      As promised,Leia and Han met their children in the dining room for supper.However,the kids were already halfway through the main course when they arrived! Jaina gave a knowing look to Jacen,and the twins giggled.Anakin demanded to know what was so funny,hating to be left out of any conversation,but eventually busied himself with his meal,a sloppy-looking Mon Calamarian dish that probably tasted better than it looked.A waiter noted the couple's arrival,and hurried over to take their orders."I'll have what my son's having," Han said,gesturing to Anakin's plate,deciding not to take any chances on the strange-sounding titles on the menu.
"Excellent,sir," the waiter intoned.Leia was a little more adventurous,choosing to go to the buffet instead.The waiter nodded,and handed her an enormous plate.Leia raised her eyebrows slightly,but forced a smile and told her family that she'd be right back.Chewbacca growled a question to Han,but Han only smiled secretively and wagged a finger at the Wookiee.Jaina shook her head and mumbled,"why are parents so wierd?"
    Leia returned with her plate loaded with desserts.Han eyed it incredulously."Um,Leia? Aren't you going a little overboard on the sweets?"
Jacen was staring at the mound of sugar with quiet,jealous eyes."How come mom gets to eat that stuff,and we don't?" He whined.
"Relax," Leia told her son."These are for all of you.The waiter told me they're called Jeru Cakes.If you're done with your...whatever it is,you can have one."
"Jeru Cakes?" Han asked,"I've heard of Jeru tea,but never cakes.Are they safe?"
Leia grinned sarcastically at her husband."Well,they didn't try to crawl away when I picked them up,so I'm assuming they must be alright." Eagerly,the children pushed their plates aside and reached for one of the small,moist,yellow-brown cakes.Anakin bit right into his,but Jaina just stared at hers,studying it.First,she poked it with her fork,then squinted at it.Han looked questioningly at Leia."Jedi thing?" He wondered aloud.Leia shrugged,but chose to disregard her daughter's strange behaviour."More like a teenage thing," she corrected.Then she took a bite of her own cake.
"Mmmmmm," she sighed,"They're delicious! They're so sweet!" Han tasted a bit,and grinned."Not as sweet as you,sweetheart," He said to Leia.She rolled her eyes,but reached out and squeezed his hand.
From the children's end of the table came the sound of mock gagging,followed by fierce snickering.Leia groaned.
"Anakin..." Han warned.
"It wasn't me!" Anakin protested,"Honest! It was Jaina!" He pointed accusingly at his sister,who proceeded to lift her cake off the table using the Force,and orbited it around Anakin's head."Planethead," Jaina laughed.
Anakin acted as if this was the worst insult in the universe,and pouted.When that didn't harness any attention,he lifted his own Jeru cake,and threw it at his sister.Jaina deflected the shot with her abilities,and Han didn't need Jedi powers to know in an instant what was about to befall his wife.Leia was completely unsuspecting as she stood to brush the crumbs off her dress until the Jeru cake went flying through the air and landed with a wet smack upon Leia's stomach.Startled,her hands flew to her dress,and smooshed the cake all over the pretty,pearlescent fabric.Jaina giggled furiously,but stopped when Leia all but screamed,"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Jaina shrank down into her chair.Her mother looked furious,and she probably was.Jaina could sense her anger,and it scared her.She felt several dark ripples orbiting out from her mother's mind."Mommy,the dark side!" Anakin screeched,and hid his face.Leia's head jerked up as if she'd been stung.She blinked twice.Her youngest child was cringing in his seat,as were Jaina and Jacen.
"You're right.I'm sorry.I have to watch myself.Luke isn't around to keep me in check," She admitted,and walked around the table to hug her children,"I'm sorry.I do have to go and change,though." She smiled weakly,remembering the eerie feeling of power that had accompanied her anger.She could have made her children do anythingwith the mind-bending effects of the dark side...She shook the evil thoughts out of her head.They were children,and siblings,no less.She thanked the Force for the third time that day that she and Luke hadn't grown up together.If they had,either Han or Mara might have ended up without a spouse!

    Leia almost ran out of the dining room,holding her purse in front of the smeared Jeru cake on her dress.She whirled out of the room,avoiding all the strange stares she got from the other guests and waiters.She felt slightly out of control,her mind still burning from her small brush with the dark side,and her cheeks burning with the realization that she had dessert all over herself.She was about to rush down the stairs to the family's stateroom,but suddenly slipped on the tiled floor.She teetered,flailing wildly,anticipating the fall to come,but something broke that fall.Or rather,someone.With a shout and a moan of pain,Leia and the unseen person crashed to the floor in a heap.
"Owwwwww,"The person groaned.The voice was undoubtedly female,and sounded quite young.
"Oh,goodness," Leia cried,picking herself up immediately,"I'm so sorry! I guess I wasn't looking where I was going!" Leia brushed herself off,feeling slightly ridiculous for worrying about dust with the spreading cake stain still present on her dress.
The person stood up,and Leia finally got a good look at her.She stood almost a full head taller than Leia,although she looked very young.She had a tanned,flawless face,with a strong chin and an opinionated gaze.Her dark blond hair spilled past her shoulders in rippling waves,and the color seemed all that more vibrant when compared to her plain,flowing blue dress.But the things Leia noticed most were her eyes.They were brown,but that was possibly the understatement of the year.Brown at first glance,but upon a closer look,one might see that they were rimmed with green,and streaked with traces of pure gold.They were almost like a window to the girl's mind,and Leia knew without a doubt that she was a Jedi.She carried no lightsaber,but her stance said it all.She stared at Leia with childish defiance,not willing to accept her apology.That is,until Leia's face had time to sink in,and she realized who it was.
"Oh gosh!" She cried,"Cheif of State Leia Organa Solo,I beg your forgiveness!" The girl fell to her knees,surprising Leia greatly.Leia knelt beside her,and lifted her back up.
"Please stand,mistress..."
"Ilkhaine.Lilandra Ilkhaine,"the girl said quickly.
"Please,if you would,Mistress Ilkhaine.You don't strike me as the type who would kneel for anyone.I get the feeling that you are a dignitary yourself."
The girl stood hurriedly,and looked ashamed.
"You see right through me,Mistress Organa Solo.I am an ambassador.Not of the highest ranking in goverment,but a ranking none the less."
"Which world do you serve?" Leia asked.
"I serve the planet Chad,but not with respect,"The girl said,and she seemed embarrassed to be sharing that information with Leia.
Chad? Leia wondered.Isn't that where I just sent Wedge's team? I wonder what I've gotten them into...
"Why not?" Leia asked.
"Are you joking?" the girl admonished,a spark of sarcasm sharpening her tone,"Chad was once a planet of the highest degree.But when the Empire took over...they destroyed our world.We were made to think that the New Republic caused the destruction,but I knew better.I still  know better.I had Jedi powers,and being in the government,I knew the real story.Why do you sound concerned when you ask me about my home?"
"Well,"Leia said,"Since you are a goverment official,you were probably aware of the peace treaty between the Empire and the New Republic;you may have even been present at the ceremony.But many worlds are not aware,and Chad was one of them.I sent a team to Chad to spread the message.I have not heard back yet,but that is to be expected.By standard time,they only should have reached Chad yesterday."
Lilandra looked slightly stricken."You should not have done that."
Leia paled noticably."Why not?"
"Chad is an Imperial world,and they strongly oppose the New Republic.I fear that your team might have met with a bit of a rough welcome."
"Wedge is a strong man and an excellent pilot,as are the other members of the team.They will win," Leia assured her,but even her own voice sounded weak to her.
"I certainly hope so.I only hope that...that they don't get to your pilots first."
"Who are "they"?" Leia asked.
"Did I say 'they'?" Lilandra started,looking suddenly afraid.Her hand flew to her mouth."I must be more tired than I think!"
Leia's curiosity was sparked now,and she reached out to shake Lilandra's hand."It's good to meet you,Mistress Ilkhaine.Why don't you come and sit with my family and I,and we can talk."
"I would love to,"Lilandra replied,returning the firm grip."But...hadn't you better change your dress first? It looks like you've had a rough evening!"
"You don't know the half of it!" Leia laughed,and gave Lilandra the table number."See you in a bit."
"Yeah," Lilandra said,her youthful side kicking in with that outdated,immature expression."In a bit."
Leia hurried on her way down the stairs,while Lilandra turned and walked into the dining room.As the two women departed,a single,lone man leapt out of hiding behind a potted plant,and slid the recorded conversation card into his datapad."Admiral Ocott will be very pleased..." he snickered as he worked.He sent two copies of Leia's conversation out:One to Admiral Norrcay,and one to Admiral Ocott.
"Very pleased,indeed."

Chapter 8                                       In Orbit

     The Imperial Star Destroyer Sojourner glided easily through space,on it's slow,circular orbit above the planet Chad.It's cloaking shield hid it from view,and even without the shield,the ship would have looked like an easy target anyway.Peace had been declared;who had need for a Star Destroyer now?
Grand Admiral Kerryna Ocott sneered at the question.In her hands she held a full report of the New Republic's treaty with the Empire,and with those hands,she tore it up,and threw the shredded papers onto the chrome floor.To add insult to injury,she ground it uselessly into the metal with the heel of her spaceboot.
Satisfied,she leaned back in her chair and swivelled around to face the viewport.Not that there was anything to see with the cloaking shield up,but it made her happy just to imagine the world of Chad floating helplessly below her.
"Captain Avye?" She asked,using her harsh Admiral's voice.The captain turned to face her,his shoulders hunched in worry and fear.
"Yes,Grand Admiral Ocott?"
"Have any more reports come in from our Imperial spies?"
"Only one,Ma'am."
"From who?" Grand Admiral Ocott raised her eyebrows slightly.It had been days since any spies had checked in.Knowing the incompetent fools,they had probably gone off and gotten themselves killed.
"Let me check for you,Ma'am." The captain scurried away into the recesses of the massive ship,shoulders still bent.They had probably grown that way.Grand Admiral Ocott smiled to herself.She liked to make assumptions.It was rewarding,because she was usually right.
   It was not entirely a fluke that she had become a Grand Admiral.Back in the glory days of the Empire,when it wasn't run by snivelling wimps,Kerryna had served in the ranks of Admiral Daala,as but a lowly navigational officer on Daala's Knight Hammer.Gender barriers had been erased by Daala,and the Empire had entered a new era,one in which equality reigned and the rebels seemed to be faltering at last.If only those festering Jedi hadn't stepped in.If only Callista had not come aboard the Knight Hammer and caused it's destruction.If only,if only.
    Admiral Ocott had once held Admiral Pellaeon in the highest honour.He was,after all,Daala's right-hand man.But he had proved a wimp,and Daala too.Suddenly,she was tempted to throw a tantrum,like a little child,and get all her "why"s out.Why had everyone become so maddeningly soft? Kerryna considered herself one of the only people who still asked herself that,and that was why she had promoted herself to the rank of Grand Admiral.She wouldn't be like those other useless warlords who claimed they could make a difference,but only fought inside their own petty circles.No,Grand Admiral Ocott could make a difference.She had the power.She had the technology.And as Captain Avye came rushing back with a full report from an Imperial spy named Dave,she realized that she had Chief of State Leia Organa Solo,too.Right where she wanted her.
Admiral Ocott skimmed the report,then turned to Avye.
"Put me through to Admiral Norrcay on Chad,please," she remembered to say please.A lady always remembered her manners.
"Grand Admiral Ocott?" Norrcay rumbled from over the comm channel.
"I'll ask you not to use that impatient tone of voice with me.I am your superior,and don't you ever forget it."
Norrcay's perpetual frown deepened,but he didn't say anything further on the matter.
"Admiral Norrcay,I have just recieved word that Leia Organa Solo and Ambassador Ilkhaine are on the same planet,Mon Calamari.Not only are they on the same planet,but on the same ship,a pleasure cruiser called the Foamwander Pride.They suspect nothing."
"Excellent," Admiral Norrcay growled,"I have some good news as well." He didn't wait for Admiral Ocott to answer,"We have captured a New Republic team trying to make peace.Luckily,they did not have time to broadcast any messages to the public."
"Did you kill them?"
"No,Admiral,I thought you might want to interrogate them."
"Do they suspect anything?"
"I'm sure they do now."
"Admiral Norrcay,did you let anything slip?"
"No,Grand Admiral.I told them exactly what you told me to.They now think that the New Republic is responsible for the destruction of Chad."
Grand Admiral Ocott grinned evilly to herself."I hated to do it,Chad being my home world and all,but I needed grounds for treason.Let the rebels get back to their government on that one.With the New Republic tearing itself apart over this,they'll be completely unsuspecting when we launch our initial attack."
"Terrific,Admiral,"Norrcay replied,a hint of admiration in his voice,then he saluted."To the Empire Reborn!"
"The Empire Reborn!" Ocott shouted,and everyone on the Sojourner's bridge straightened up and saluted.The sense of pride and camaraderie in the room was overwhelming.
"That will be all,Admiral Norrcay.Inform your prisoners that they are free to go,and await further instructions."
Grand Admiral Ocott flicked off the comm before Norrcay could answer.Then she stood up and stretched.Her tall,shapely figure expanded and retracted in a feline manner,and her long,sandy-blond hair rippled when she moved.She was proud of her appearance,and she knew that her team enjoyed the view as well.She made sure to smile at each and every one of the men as she left the room.Once out of sight and in her chambers,though,she could think and not worry about pleasing them.Once again,she sank into a chair,and examined her fingers.Long and thin,they were not strong hands.But they contained unimaginable power.She was not just any warlord aiming to resurrect the Empire.
She pointed her fingers at a spot on the metal wall,and laughed.A burst of blue electricity shot out of her hands and hit the wall.It glowed red for a moment with heat,then returned to normal as the sparks dispersed.
Not just any warlord at all.She had been selected and trained by Emporer Palpatine.You see,Grand Admiral Kerryna Ocott had a gift.
Kerryna Ocott was a Sith.

Chapter 9                          Yavin 4

    Later that evening,Mara Skywalker stood on the roof of the great temple,enjoying a colorful sunset.She held a warm mug of Luke's favorite drink,something that Lando had shown him.She thought it was called "hot chocolate",but she couldn't remember for sure.She made a mental note to ask him when he joined her.
The jungle was still brimming with life,as the day creatures went to bed,and the night creatures came out to begin their hunt.Mara gazed skyward,a breeze ruffling her red-gold hair.She couldn't be sure,but she thought she saw a shuttle streaking in through the atmosphere.A shiver ran through her,despite the still-humid twilight.She took another sip of her drink,feeling the hot liquid slide down her throat and warm her from the inside out.
Suddenly,a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.She jumped,and reached for her lightsaber,clipped to her belt.But then she heard Luke's reassuring voice.
"Whoa,take it easy,Mara.It's only me."
She turned to face him."I'm sorry.I guess I'm still a bit shaky from that vision I had this afternoon."
"It's understandable.Speaking of which,have you come to any more conclusions?"
Mara and Luke had spent the better part of the day trying to come up with some explanation as to why Mara's hidden memories would suddenly surface like that.
"Unfortunately,no.I've been trying to get it out of my mind first,"she shuddered inexplicably,feeling cold all over.
"I think I might be coming down with something.I keep shivering,"She told Luke.He took off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"Thanks."
"Mara,I don't think it's just you that's been feeling cold," Luke spoke up."I was just talking to some of the students,and they've been complaining as well.Especially the ones who are almost full Jedi."
"What could be causing it?"
"I don't know.But I've noticed it too,and I recently started feeling a...dark presence.That's the only way I can describe it.I haven't felt anything like it since Joruus C'baoth."
Mara glance sharply at him,feeling her shoulders tense."Another C'baoth?"
They stared at each other for a second,communicating with their eyes,but both drawing blanks.
Suddenly,their silent conversation was interrupted by the arrival of one of Luke's students.Her name was Ton-Ara,and she was fairly new to the academy,but very strong in the Force.She came dashing up the stone steps,soft blond hair flying in a cloud behind her.Her young face looked both troubled and excited at the same time.
"Master Skywalker!" She called,"Mistress Skywalker!"
"What is it,Ton-Ara?" Luke asked,catching the girl's arm to slow her momentum.She raised a finger to tell him to wait while she caught her breath,then she spoke,"Master Skywalker,a lady awaits you in the dining room.She just arrived now in an unmarked shuttle.She requires to speak to you,and says it's very urgent.Will you come now,or should I tell her to wait till tomorrow?"
Luke nodded slowly."No,I'll come now." He shot a look at Mara,who shrugged,then,they followed Ton-Ara back down the stairs to the temple.Behind them,Mara's hot chocolate slowly went cold.
   Luke walked quickly down the hallway,feeling unsure of what he was getting into.A lady? He wondered,and Mara heard his thought.I didn't think you were in the habit of making many lady friends,she thought back.He scowled mockingly at her,then swallowed nervously.He reached out with the Force to sense the woman's presence.The presence was strange,but familiar somehow.It was as if the person had been unable to touch the Force before,but then someone had turned a lightbulb on inside her mind.
Luke gulped and pushed open the dining room door.Ton-Ara and Mara followed him inside,but hung back a little bit.
   The woman was seated in one of the wooden chairs.Her face was shrouded by a brown Jedi cloak,and her long hands were folded neatly in her lap.
"I'm Master Skywalker," Luke said weakly,stepping forward.A nasty feeling was forming in the pit of his stomach,but he couldn't understand why.Then,the woman reached to touch the hood of her cloak,and she brushed it back.Long,rippling waves of malt-blond hair floated down once they were released from the folds of fabric,and her luminous grey eyes shone in anticipation.
"There's a lot of time in the universe,isn't there,Luke?"
Luke had to reach out a hand to steady himself as a million personal memories flooded his mind.
"Callista?"

Chapter 10                               Yavin 4

    Luke felt like he was being sucked into a terrible whirlpool of memories.Each and every one,every single moment of time that he had spent with Callista seemed to grab at him with invisible claws,tearing at his heart.He reached out to hold on to something,but found only air.He floundered there as her face swam before him,a million questions burning in his mind.His vision swirled suddenly,and he felt an agonizing pang in his stomach before the ground rushed up to meet him and he sank into cool blackness.

   He wasn't sure how much time passed before Mara finally revived him.He sat up and blinked his eyes.He realized that he was in his room,lying under the soft blue covers of his bed.He flexed his fingers,and,satisfied that they still worked,finally eased himself up on the pillows.
"Luke?" Mara asked,her voice sounding worried and strained.
"Yeah,it's me...what happened?" He croaked,running a hand through his sandy blond hair to straighten it.
"You fainted.Probably from shock.I thought I was going to go down too,for a second."
"Where's Callista?"Luke asked,suddenly remembering.
"She's on the roof.I think she was probably as overwhelmed as you," Mara answered.Her voice sounded different somehow.She hovered over him,holding a cold compress in one hand and a glass of water in the other.Luke reached out for the water and drank thirstily.His mind buzzed with thoughts.The dominant one was,Callista? Here?
"But why?" He asked aloud.
"I just told you," Mara said,sounding exasperated,"She was feeling a little upset."
"Sorry,I didn't mean 'why' in that sense.I meant,why has she come back now,after all this time?"
"Well,why don't you go and ask her? I'm sure there's a good reason for it.But don't forget-you're married!" She smiled down at him,then pulled him up out of bed.She eyed his wrinkled black outfit,but then decided that he was presentable enough.He hesitated for a moment,but then she jumped behind him and gave him a shove."Go on! Get out of here!"
He grinned halfheartedly,"Okay,okay,I'm going."
Then,twisting his wedding ring around on his finger,he started down the hallyway to the stairs.

   Callista was waiting for him on the roof.She stood gazing out over the jungle,taking in the night sounds,and staring in wonder at the greenery that spread like a carpet over the entire moon,dotted only occasionally with a Masassi temple or two.
"Callista?" Luke said softly as he came up onto the roof.
"Luke," She said quietly,but that was all she said.
"Why did you come back?"
She was silent a minute longer,and Luke forced himself to look at her face.Her eyes held a tortured look,as if the reason were too painful for her to discuss,and he could see her jaw working behind her tightly closed lips.As if drawn by an invisible force,Luke put his arms around her and held her close.He expected to feel some spark of romance between them,a reflection of the love they had shared.But there was nothing.She stood as cold and rigid as a statue in his arms.Luke reached out with the Force,and he could feel her presence.It surprised him,but he knew in an instant why she had come back.He stepped away from her,and looked her straight in the eye.
"You're a jedi now,aren't you?" He asked.His voice sounded accusing."You might as well talk,because I don't have all night."
"Don't get rude with me,"she snapped finally,"Yes,I'm a jedi now,and no,that's not why I've come back."
"Then why? Why bring back all this pain? I know this wasn't easy for you,I can see it in your eyes."
"This is very painful for me,especially considering you're married,but if you don't have all night,perhaps I should wait until morning to tell you," She said.There was no mistaking the emotion in her voice as she crossed her arms in front of her like a defiant child.
"I'm sorry.I didn't mean for that to sound like an accusation,"said Luke,"I do have time,so we should talk.Mara won't mind."
"Alright," Callista sighed,"I'll begin where we left off.Bring yourself back to Nam Chorios,and allow your mind to become one with mine.That way it will be much easier on both of us..."
Luke closed his eyes and allowed his mind to slip into a strange,dormant state.Callista placed her long fingers on his temples,and began her tale.
"After you left Nam Chorios,I didn't have time for grieving.There was still so much to be done.I had to help those strange oldtimers clean up their planet.I hated it there.I felt frustrated and alone without you,so I buried myself in my work,so as not to let myself miss you too much.It practically killed me to let you go,but I vowed I would be strong,if only for Umolly and the others' sakes.About a week after you left,I began to train with the old Jedi excercises again.At first,it was only something else to keep myself occupied,but when I actually started to feel something,I realized that I had finally found my powers.My first brush with the Force in more than a decade was when I moved my lightsaber across the canyon to slice through a cluster of crystals.That was when I made my decision to return to my homeworld,Chad III,to continue my studies.
     "When I arrived,I arrived to find different world there from when I left.Things were horrible.The crime rate had skyrocketed.The beautiful cities were all but destroyed.The farms were bankrupt.All that remained of my ark was a charred mess of melted I-beams.I was devastated.I was so unsure of what to do,and many times through the next few days,I considered just giving up and going back to Nam Chorios,my home away from home.But the thought of that dreadful planet kept me going.I studied for weeks on end,just sitting amidst the wreckage of my planet.
       "Then,finally,after what seemed to me like eons,my Master,Djinn Altis,came to me in a vision.Actually,it was more like a playback message.He had tried to visit me when I was closed to the Force,shortly after you came to Nam Chorios.As I listened to the message I had recieved too late,I realized what he was saying.He told me that you had returned,but that I should be careful.He said that to regain my powers,I would have to make a sacrifice.Although I wasn't consciously aware of it at the time,I think deep down I knew that my sacrifice would have to be you.That is why I left."
     Luke came out of the vision slowly.Callista withdrew her hands.He blinked,contemplating what he had just heard.Although her reasoning had become much clearer,he was still confused.
"That tells me why you left,and now I respect your decision.But...why did you come back?"
"This part is much easier for me to tell you,so I won't beat around the bush.I came to ask for your help."
"Why? What do you need help with? Peace has been declared with the Empire."
"You are more than slightly naieve,if you take confidence in that fact.You of all people should know that not all threats come from the Empire,"Callista scolded,"The truth is,after a few more years of study and practice,I became stronger.Much stronger.I could feel things,hear minds.And then,about a month ago,I sensed more.Dark ripples,spreading through space,and beaming out at no one in particular.I could sense them so strongly,and I was frightened,because I thought that they might be coming from me,without me knowing it.But a week ago today,I realized they weren't.Luke,listen carefully to what I say: there is a Sith lord out there.I don't know where,and I don't know why,but their purpose is clear:They intend to destroy the government you fought so hard to establish."
Suddenly,the magnitude of Callista's speech sank into Luke's brain."That's why my students have been feeling ill.They claim to sense the dark side,but it has no focus.My wife had a vision,or rather a memory of the Empire,but had no idea why it surfaced..." He trailed off,feeling sickeningly helpless.A Sith lord could only mean trouble for the newly-established government.And with cleanup efforts still taking place,that was the last thing they needed.
Callista and Luke stared at each other,mouths silent,but minds working furiously.Finally Callista said,"Why don't we discuss this in the morning with the other Jedi students,when we're more focused and unafraid? Things always seem better in the daylight."
Luke nodded slowly."Yes,that's a good idea.You can sleep in one of the guest chambers.I'll have Artoo-Detoo show you to your room.I'll see you in the morning,bright and early." He stood to leave,and brushed off his pants.
"Oh,and Luke?" Callista called softly from behind him.
"Yes,Callista?"
"Now you know."

Chapter 11                                   Chad to Coruscant

      General Wedge Antilles had lost all track of time.Locked up all day,every day in his dark,cold cell,he didn't know if it was day or night.His only visitor was a lone stormtrooper that came to deliver his meals and fresh water,and came to take the usually full trays away again.Wedge was in desperate need of a shower and a change of clothes,and he was sick with worry over Corran Horn and the rest of his team.He heard no more snatches of conversation,and that worried him more than anything.Had these Supremacists already destroyed the galaxy? Or were Leia and Han and Luke and Mara and the children safe and sound and leading their everyday lives,consequence-free?
     Then,after all the endless monotony,he heard footsteps.He had come to recognize the sound of the footsteps of the lone stormtrooper guard who brought his food,and these footsteps were much,much different.They were heavy,and belonged to a person with confidence and pride.The small trap door on his cell door slid open,and one big,wrinkled brown eye peered through.Then the trap door slid shut again,and there came the sound of a key in a lock,and suddenly,the metal door was flung open.Wedge squinted in the bright light that flooded in from outside.He gave his eyes time to focus,before recognizing his rescuer.It was Admiral Norrcay himself!
"Wha-?" Wedge exclaimed in disbelief.They were letting him go?
"Get up," Norrcay growled,"You're a free man."
Wedge scrambled to his feet,and staggered to the door,feeling more like a drunk man than a free one.Corran Horn was waiting for him in the hallway.The two men didn't speak,but communicated with their eyes.They drew no conclusions as to why they were being set free.Wedge did know one thing,though:the New Republic was going to be getting one hefty note of complaint about this place.
    Norrcay showed them to the metal stairs leading back up to the planetary surface.Wedge,confused and tired,barely made it up them without falling.When he reached the surface,he wasn't surprised to see that the rest of his X-Wing team had gone,leaving only his and Corran's ships sitting undisturbed in the field.Wedge hoped that they'd made it out without too much trouble.He and Corran scrambled into their X-Wings,and lifted off without hesitation.If this was a trap,they weren't going to give them enough time to spring it.As they whipped through the atmosphere,the strange,disabled planet faded away behind them,leaving only the questions and memories of a civilization in danger burning in Wedge's mind.As soon as they cleared the gravitic field,he opened a comm channel to Coruscant.
   "Hello?" A voice came from the other end.A comm window popped up,revealing the staunch,grumpy-looking face of President Gavrisom.Or rather,Councillor Gavrisom,now that Leia had resumed her duties as Chief of State.
"Counsellor Gavrisom,this is General Wedge Antilles.I have a bit of strange news to tell you."
Wedge told Gavrisom the entire story,and finished by telling him,"...so I need to talk to Chief of State Leia Organa Solo immediately".
"Why,Wedge,she's on vacation with her family...didn't she tell you?"
Wedge winced.He'd forgotten.Leia was enjoying herself on Mon Calamari with Han and the children.
"Sorry about that,Gavrisom.Is there any way I can get in touch with her? I think we may have a situation on our hands."
"I'll ask Chief Slicer Ghent if he can somehow open a channel to Leia's ship."
"Thanks Gavrisom.Wedge out."
Satisfied,Wedge closed off the comm unit,and pulled back on the hyperspace lever.As the starlines flared,Wedge smiled.He was going home at last...but for how long?

   Meanwhile,back in orbit around Chad,the Imperial Star Destroyer Sojourner was coming to life for the first time in ten years.Grand Admiral Ocott paced the bridge,waiting for a communication from her planetary counterpart,Admiral Norrcay.
"Why doesn't he hurry up?" She yelled to no one in particular.She didn't expect an answer;her crew had gotten used to her tantrums by now.However,despite her temper,she prided herself in knowing that she wasn't as volatile as Darth Vader had been.
"Grand Admiral Ocott,we have just recieved a signal from Admiral Norrcay.He wishes to speak to you,"one of the comm officers spoke up.
"Does he,now?" Grand Admiral Ocott sauntered over to the comm station,and sat prettily down in the chair.
"Admiral Norrcay?" She said,putting a tone of authority in her voice.
"Grand Admiral Ocott,you will be pleased to know that they fell for it."
"Who?"
"The rebel pilots,of course!" Admiral Norrcay had such a tone of childish impatience in his voice that it annoyed Ocott immensely.
"I think,Admiral Norrcay,considering that the New Republic is now an established government,it hardly seems fair to call them 'rebels'," She said this just to spite him.His ruddy red face deepened in color just a smidgen.
"But,they did fall for it,nevertheless,and they are at this moment rushing off to Coruscant to inform the New Republic of it's own fatal mistake.The belief that their own ships destroyed Chad is rooted firmly in their heads,and for now,we have the upper hand."
"Excellent,Admiral.You will be rewarded for your work," Grand Admiral Ocott said.Norrcay beamed proudly over the comm window.
"Thank you,ma'am," He said.Ocott flipped off the comm switch,and Norrcay's shining red face disappeared.Now,the Admiral turned to her faithful crew.
"Are our plans in place?"
"Yes Admiral," a young officer said brightly,"At this very moment,our Imperial spy on Mon Calamari will be completing his...espionage.With the Ambassador unable to divulge her knowledge to anyone,and Chief of State Leia Organa Solo unable to communicate with Coruscant,we can begin our attack."
"Wonderful," Grand Admiral Ocott said,feeling inexplicably happy all of a sudden.She patted the officer on the head with one black-gloved hand as if he were a child who had completed his homework,then turned and departed from the bridge.

Chapter 12                                     Mon Calamari

   It was evening on the day after Leia had first met Lilandra Ilkhaine.They had spent the entire day together at the Foamwander Pride's first port of call,Reef Home City,sharing Jedi tricks and secrets,and Leia found herself drawn to the girl's sense of humor and her carefree ways.Jaina had taken a shine to her as well,and as the family sat down to eat dinner,Jaina couldn't stop talking about the all the wonderful things Lilandra had told her.
   "She's a real teenager,you know!" Jaina exclaimed with her mouth full of greens.
"So are you,dear," Leia reminded her.Leia had been greatly surprised when Lilandra had informed her that she was only twenty-one.That was such a difficult age to be.Jaina had called her a "teenager",but Lilandra was really caught between the border of adolescence and adulthood,struggling to find her place.It reminded her of herself,in a way,Leia reflected sadly.It didn't seem fair that the girl had been so pulled into politics at such a young age.But Leia realized that she hadn't been much different at twenty-one.At twenty-one,she had been part of the rebel alliance,flying a beat-up blockade runner to all parts of the galaxy on supposed "diplomatic missions". Lilandra was an ambassador,and had probably been so for most of her teenage life.
It was hard having to grow up so fast.Jaina interrupted Leia's musings.
"Is Lilandra going to eat with us tonight?" She asked hopefully.
"I think so,yes," Leia replied,as she looked towards the dining room doors and saw Lilandra waving frantically.Jaina practically jumped on the girl as she approached the table,wrapping her arms around Lil's waist and hugging her tightly.
"Jaina!" Han cried,"Sit down,and mind your manners." Jacen and Anakin were rolling their eyes every few seconds,and muttering,"Girls..." to themselves.
Jaina caught hold of herself,and sat back down,politely re-folding her napkin in her lap.Leia nodded in approval,then turned to Lilandra.
"Hello,Lilandra," she said,extending her hand,"We haven't seen you in a few hours!"
"I missed you all," Lil answered,smiling sweetly at Jaina.The child gazed up at Lilandra in admiration,her medium-brown hair falling across her eyes,conjuring up images in Leia's head of the way she had looked at that age.It was remarkable.The twins looked more like her than Han,but had Han's fierce personalities.Anakin,on the other hand,didn't look like anyone in particular,but rather a combination of Leia's chestnut hair,Luke's clear blue eyes,and again,Han's personality.
   Once again,her thoughts were distracted by her daughter.
"Mom,are you okay?" Jaina was staring at her mother skeptically,"You've got that far-and-away look again."
"I was just thinking about something,"Leia said distractedly.She was in a distinctly nostalgic mood.
Suddenly,the waiter arrived out of nowhere. He was a young human,with sandy blond hair and brown eyes,and a big,innocent grin.
"Would you like some water,miss?" He asked Lilandra,giving her the once-over.
"Yes please," Lil answered like a perfect dignitary.The young man bent over and began to carefully pour the water into her glass.Suddenly,Leia felt cold.She shuddered violently,and stared straight at the waiter.He turned to look at her for a fraction of a second,and Leia thought she saw a malicious gleam in his eyes.He smiled,but it was all an act.Leia sensed his evil thoughts,and they were all concentrated at the water.It bubbled and sloshed in Lil's glass,until it settled down.The waiter straightened up,stiff and proper,as Lil thanked him,and he turned to leave.But he glared at Leia again before he left,and that gave her enough time to reach into his mind and search it.To her dismay,she found nothing out of the ordinary-no traces of malice,no evil thoughts.
"It must have been my imagination,"she muttered.Meanwhile,Lil picked up the delicate glass,and took a long sip.

     The evening dragged on and on.It seemed to Lilandra like time was moving in slow motion.She kept drinking her water to try and keep herself awake,but her eyes just wanted to close.Leia excused herself early,as did Anakin,but Lilandra figured she might as well make an effort to stay until the end of the meal.Around dessert time,she began to feel the traces of a headache,and by the end of the snack,it was full blown.Her temples throbbed painfully,and her neck felt stiff and sore.She noticed Han looking at her frequently,a worried expression on his face.
"Are you all right,Lilandra?" he asked finally,"You look a little pale."
"I'm actually not feeling very well,"Lil admitted,and she realized that her stomach had just started to ache.
"It's probably seasickness,"Han said,"Maybe you should take a walk on deck to try and clear your head."
Lilandra decided that that sounded wonderful,and excused herself.Jaina wanted to go with her,but Han said,"I thought you wanted to go to the show in the lounge?" and Lilandra was all but forgotten.

      Lil pushed her way out of the dining room,feeling dizzy.She went through the doors onto the promenade deck,shoes clicking sharply on the wooden floor.It was very windy outside,and the ocean was a boil of whitecaps and waves.The boat rolled to the side,and a gust of wind moaned down the passage.No one else was around.Lil felt like she was the only person left on the ship.She strolled along,taking deep breaths of salt air,trying desperately to ease her headache and the growing pain in her stomach.
What's wrong with me? She wondered,I never get motion sick.It must have been something I ate.
She walked and walked,until she reached the bow of the massive ship.A blast of hot wind hit her as she left the shelter of the promenade deck,shoving her back.
Turn away,the wind seemed to moan.Turn away.
"Not on your life," Lilandra whispered weakly.Her stomach rolled violently,and she was forced onto her knees.She gasped in pain,and crawled to the railing.
Please don't be sick,she pleaded silently with herself.But her stomach wasn't having it.She pulled herself up and was sick over the railing.The wind was deafeningly loud in her ears.She whimpered softly.Something's not right.I feel like something's inside me,trying to claw its way out...
The wind roared,pushing her back.
"Okay,okay," she sobbed.She turned and ran,the wind tearing at her hair and dress.Her head pounded like a drum,and her stomach heaved again.Tears streamed down her cheeks,and she felt panicky."Don't panic!" she cried to herself,"Don't panic!"
Her breath came in ragged gasps,and white spots began to form in front of her eyes.Then,she tripped,and fell on her stomach.The wind was forced out of her,and she lay there sobbing,unable to get up again.The pain in her head was driving her nearly insane,as was her stomach.Another wave of cramps washed over her,and she dragged herself along by her fingers,clawing the wood uselessly.She reached the doors,and pulled them open,crawling along the tiles to the stairs.There,she stopped to rest atop the ornately carved steps,running through the Jedi calming activities that Leia had been reviewing with her that day.The pain was impossibly strong."Leia.." she groaned,and started inching down the stairs on her bottom.
"Leia,Leia,Leia," She tried to clear her head enough to get the message through to her friend.At the bottom of the stairs,her vision blurred,and she became disoriented.
    Barely breathing,her body wracked with suffering,she crept along inch by inch,doggedly plodding towards Leia's room.Her world dipped and swayed,and her stomach heaved,and Leia's door was just inches away.
Lilandra pulled herself up onto her knees with her last ounce of strength,and slammed her paralyzed body against Leia's door with all the force she could muster.Then, she slumped down on the threshold,and waited for help to come.

   In space,the Imperial Star Destroyer Sojourner crawled along in its orbit around Chad,protected by its cloaking shield.Grand Admiral Ocott stood on the bridge,gazing out at the black viewport.She barely looked at the report in her hands.She knew instantly what it said.
"So it's done,then," She said softly.The bridge was disturbingly quiet,save for the barely audible hum of the repulsors.
"It's done,Admiral," Captain Avye replied,his voice just above a whisper.Kerryna Ocott's head and stomach ached dully.
"I hated to do it to my own sister..." She said,her expression blank and withdrawn,"But it's done."
"Launch the intitial attack when ready,Captain."

Chapter 13                                            Yavin 4

     Mara Jade Skywalker awoke in the middle of the night from a horrible nightmare.She bolted upright,eyes wide open,but not seeing anything.Her breathing was shallow,and her face and hands were drenched in a cold sweat.She had been dreaming about the Empire again.
   She ran through her Jedi calming techniques,and gradually her breathing slowed,and her heartbeat returned to normal.She lay back down and looked at Luke.He was sound asleep,dreaming peacefully,not haunted by strange,disjointed visions,or terrible childhood memories.Mara didn't like that.
"Luke," she whispered quietly.Nothing.Her husband was out cold."Luke." Still nothing.She grumbled,"By the Force,why did I have to marry a heavy sleeper...LUKE!"
His eyes snapped open,then closed again.He moaned and tried to pull a pillow over his head.
"Oh no you don't...we need to talk.And we need to talk now."
"Mara,what is it? And why couldn't it wait until morning?"
"Luke,I had another one of those wierd dreams.Besides,you looked too happy in your sleep.If I can't sleep,why should you?"
He grinned halfheartedly at her joke."Alright.Obviously this has been bugging you,so lets sort it out now so we can sleep."
He drew himself out of bed slowly,stretching the sleepiness out of his bones.He wrapped a robe around himself,and padded across the cold metal floor to the light switch.Warm yellow light filled the room,and Mara blinked to adjust.Then she seated herself on the couch,and Luke sank down next to her.
"Okay.You start," he said,"Was it the childhood dream?"
"No,"she admitted,"If it had been,I probably wouldn't have woken you up.No,this was a different one."
He waved his hands to move her speech along.
"This one was more like a vision than a memory.Someone,a jedi,was in great pain.Poisoned,I think."
"Was it one of my students?" Luke asked worriedly.If Ton-Ara or someone were to get hurt...
"No,it wasn't anyone I recognized.In the dream,she was a friend of Leia's...Yes,Leia was there too.This woman,she was deathly sick.And she kept calling Leia's name.It was horrible.I could almost feel her pain.That wasn't what scared me,though.What scared me was,at the end of the dream,right before I woke up,I saw a dark lady.She was all dressed in black,with long hands.Those hands...her nails were like claws."
Mara shuddered."I couldn't see her face,but she was laughing.Laughing in my mind,and saying that it was finally time.Then she tried to electrocute me."
Luke stared straight ahead,not moving."We need to talk to Leia.And we need to talk to her now.I have a bad feeling about this."
"Don't say that,Luke,you're scaring me." Mara reached out to clutch his hand."Just tell me it was all a dream and that nothing's wrong."
"That's the problem,Mara.Something is wrong.And Leia knows what it is.So does Callista.That's why she came back,to warn me.There's a Sith lord out there."
The silence in the room was deafening.Then,Luke stood up."To the comm room."
Hand in hand,they headed down the dark hallways of the sleeping temple to the communications room.Mara's heart pounded so hard she was afraid Luke could hear it,but one look at his face told her he was just as scared.Luke pushed open the door,not quite knowing what to expect.Mara's dark lady could be anywhere.However,she wasn't in the comm room,so Luke let out a relieved sigh.He squeezed Mara's hand and led her into the shadowy room.He flicked the light switch,and light poured into the dark corners.The metal pieces of comm equipment gleamed invitingly.
 "How do we find Leia?" Mara asked.
"It shouldn't be too hard.She's on the Foamwander Pride.She at least thought to give me the name of the ship so she could be reached in case of an emergency."
Luke bent over the chrome switchboard,and patched through to Mon Calamari information.
"How may I help you?" a beige colored female Mon Cal asked.Luke was surprised to see the squid looking so cheerful,but then he realized that it was only early evening on the ocean world.
"I need to speak to a passenger aboard a cruise ship,the Foamwander Pride."
"Just give me the person's name and room number and I'll open a channel for you."
The room number? Luke wondered.Leia never told me that.I'll just have to guess.He had a hunch that it might be 114.He just pulled the number out of the air,but he was almost certain that he was right.
"Leia Organa Solo,room 114."
"Just a moment,please."
The Mon Cal turned away and busied herself at another switchboard.Suddenly,her shoulders hunched in worry.She typed in something else,then emitted a barely audible squeak of surprise.She turned back to Luke,looking stricken.
"I'm sorry,sir,but all transmissions to the ship have been cut off.It could be a drill,so there's no need to worry.Just try again in about an hour."
The tranmission flickered and faded out before Luke had a chance to thank the squid.
Mara's hand was clenched so tightly around his that her knuckles were turning white.
"Something's not right here," Mara whispered,her voice strained.She sounded on the verge of tears.
"You're telling me.My sister and her family are on that ship!" Luke exclaimed.He drew in a shaky breath.
"I don't like this Luke.I don't like it one bit," Mara moaned,"We have to go to Mon Calamari."
"Why can't it wait till morning?" Luke didn't sound as if he wanted to wait till morning,so Mara said,"No,we have to go now.Something is really,really wrong here,and your family is on that ship.They're in danger, Luke!"
Different expressions fought for control of Luke's face,but then common sense won over,and he dashed from the room.
"Where are you going?" Mara called after him.
"To prep the shuttle! We're going to Mon Cal!" He yelled back.
Mara began to chase after him,calling his name,but only made it halfway to the hangar bay before she almost ran over Callista.The two women shrieked in surprise,and Mara toppled backwards onto her bottom.
"What in the name of the Force is going on here?" Callista exclaimed angrily,"First Luke comes running by here screaming like a festering banshee,and now you?"
"Don't you yell at me,Callista,it's Luke! His family's in danger;or don't you have a care?" Mara retorted sarcastically.
"This is ridiculous.Let me come with you,wherever it is you're going," Callista said.
"To Mon Calamari.Take it up with Luke,I have to pack!" And with that,Mara turned and rushed down another corridor,where she slammed straight into Ton-Ara,sending the child sprawling back into the wall.
"Gaah!" Mara cried,and leapt back in shock,"Ton-Ara! Are you alright?"
"Is the temple under attack or something?" Ton-Ara asked worriedly,"Why is everyone screaming?"
"Master Luke and I have to leave,Ton-Ara.It's very important,"Mara said hurriedly,placing a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.
"Can't I come with you?" Ton-Ara asked.
"You're only fourteen.Much too young," Mara answered.
"I'm a Jedi,though,I can handle anything!" The child complained.
"Please don't start.Just go back to bed,and everything will be fine."
Ton-Ara gazed at her with big,tearful eyes.Mara wanted to scream.
"Don't cry.You can still be big and important here at the academy.I need you to teach the others while we're gone.Do you think you can do that?"
Ton-Ara nodded eagerly,wiping her eyes.
"Good,now go back to sleep,and think about all the great things you can teach the others.Master Luke will be very proud."
"I won't fail you,Mistress Skywalker!" Ton-Ara pronounced brightly.
"Great,"Mara muttered,then hugged the girl swiftly,and hurried on to her room.Halfway there,she heard the whine of repulsorlifts,and thought,Nahhh,and dashed back towards the hangar bay.

      Luke and Callista were already strapped into their seats in the sleek New Republic shuttle when Mara arrived.She ran up the ramp and vaulted herself over the back of the copilot's chair into the seat.Luke sealed the hatch,and the shuttle streaked towards the atmosphere.As they left,the first rays of morning sunlight were already illuminating the trees.
"Hurry Luke.We may not have much time."

Chapter 14                                  Mon Calamari

     Leia was halfway to falling asleep when she heard a dull thud outside her door.She sat up in her bunk,where she had been reading,and swung her legs down onto the ladder.
"What was that,Mom?" Anakin asked sleepily.
"I don't know,sweetheart.I'll go and see.Go back to sleep," Leia whispered,and padded across the carpet.She had a horrible feeling about what she might find.
She unlocked the door with trembling hands,and pulled it open.Suddenly,the limp,unconscious body of Lilandra Ilkhaine fell across the threshold.Leia screamed.
"Lil!" She yelled.Anakin came running,clad in only his underwear.Leia's hand flew to her mouth.Lilandra looked near death.Her skin was a pallid grey color,and her lips were turning blue from lack of air.
"Anakin! Help me turn her onto her back! Oh,dear life,what happened?"
Anakin bent down and helped his mother drag the girl over to one of the bunks.Jaina's bunk.It was the closest to the door,so Leia saw it as an opportunity.Anakin shoved all of Jaina's book chips and clothes off the bed and set Lilandra's legs down.Lil was barely alive,her arms and legs twitching just slightly as if she were having a seizure.
"What's wrong with her?" Anakin asked worriedly.Leia was gasping for air from the shock of finding her friend half-dead on her doorstep.She began to hyperventilate,so Anakin bent her over and rubbed her back in slow circles.
"Anakin,"Leia cried weakly,"Go find your father.Then go get the nurse...Now!" Anakin stood in the middle of the room,trembling like a leaf.Then,he turned and ran,grabbing a shirt from the closet on his way out.Leia,still crying,sat next to Lil on Jaina's bunk,and set her hand on the girl's forehead.Her temperature had dropped far below normal.
"Oh gracious,"Leia prayed to no one in particular."Don't let her die!"

     Han,Jaina and Jacen were in the lounge,relaxing in luxurious overstuffed chairs and enjoying live entertainment,when suddenly,Anakin burst into the room,wearing a shirt and undershorts,and panting frantically.He was flustered and frightened as he grabbed Han's arm.
"Anakin!" Han cried softly,"What is it?"
Anakin could barely get the words out,and all Han heard was,"Lilandra....sick...in room....might be dying...come quick!"
"Lilandra? Sick?" Jaina looked stricken.Suddenly,she tore out of the room at full tilt,with Jacen hot on her heels.Anakin followed suite,but Han veered off to the right and dashed down the stairs to the infirmary.Seconds later,he was tearing down the corridor to his family's stateroom,clutching the arm of a harried nurse.
   The scene in the room was one of organized chaos.Leia and Jaina were kneeling beside the bed,Leia trying desperately to resuscitate Lilandra,while Jaina held Lil's hand,her eyes half closed.Chewbacca had come out of his own special room and was roaring above all the other noise.
"What the-" the nurse cried.She rushed to the bunk as Leia scrambled out of the way.The nurse tried to shove Jaina out of the way,but Jaina didn't budge.
"Little girl,please move!" The nurse tried to remain calm,but Jaina refused to move from her friend's side.When asking nicely didn't work,the nurse grabbed Jaina's arm and dragged her away.
"Don't touch me!" Jaina shrieked,"She's getting better! I can make her better!" Jaina slapped the nurse with all her might,then snatched Lilandra's hand back and held it.Eyes half closed again,Jaina sat motionless on the floor,murmuring to herself.Silenced,the nurse looked on in dismay.
"What makes the child think she can heal this woman?" The nurse asked.
"Yeah,"Han whispered to Leia,"What is she doing?"
"She's putting Lilandra into a Jedi healing trance.It works almost better than bacta treatment in most cases,if the trance is strong,"Leia whispered back excitedly.
The five people and one Wookiee in the room looked on in fascinated anticipation as color slowly returned to Lilandra's cheeks and lips,and her chest rose and fell with normal,relaxed breathing.Jaina hummed to herself,and swayed slightly.Tentatively,Leia reached out a hand and brushed Lilandra's forehead.Her temperature had returned to normal.
   The nurse stepped foreward,avoiding Jaina,and felt Lilandra's heartbeat.
"She's sound asleep," the nurse announced in amazement.The tension in the room seemed to evaporate,as the air was filled with the sounds of relieved sighs and laughs.
"When she wakes up tomorrow,"said the nurse,"bring her to the infirmary so we can find out what was wrong with her."
"I already know,"Jaina said quietly.
"How could you possibly know,sweetheart?" Leia asked,kneeling at her daughter's side.
"Her mind told me,"Jaina said as if it were plain as night or day,"she was poisoned."
Han shook his head in disbelief as the nurse left."I will never even begin to understand this Jedi stuff."
Leia laughed tightly,and hugged her daughter and her husband.But deep inside,she was seething.Who would do this? Lilandra was so young and innocent...why would someone want to kill her? Leia hoped that it had just been an honest case of food poisoning,but the face of the waiter who had brought the water kept flashing through her mind.Yes,indeed,it was time to do a little reconnaisance work.

Chapter 15                                 Mon Calamari

       The next morning,Lilandra was awake bright and early,perfectly normal and ready to resume activities where she had left off.Jaina,on the other hand slept late into the morning,exhausted from using her fledgling Jedi powers the way she had.Lilandra met Leia on the pool deck for breakfast,looking happy and healthy in the bright morning sunshine.She was wearing a pair of cutoff olive-grey shorts that showed off her long,muscular legs,and a sleeveless blue shirt.She waved to Leia,her hair shimmering reddish-blond in the light."Good morning!" She called,and pulled out a chair for Leia.
"Good morning,Lilandra,how are you feeling?" Leia asked,sitting down with her breakfast tray.
"Much better,thanks to your brilliant daughter," she said.Leia smiled at the compliment Lil had just payed Jaina.She saw Lilandra shudder with the memory of the night before."My stomach feels really strange and empty,though,like all my innards have been removed," she frowned thoughtfully,and sipped a glass of melon juice.
"The nurse said it would probably take a few days for your insides to return to normal after such a huge invasion," Leia assured her,"It's nothing serious.Just be glad you're not in total pain anymore.""What caused my illness?" Lil asked worriedly.
"Jaina said that your mind told her you were poisoned.Now,I'm not a full Jedi,so I don't really understand what she meant.Do you?"
"Well,I'm not a full Jedi either.I don't even have my own lightsaber.But I know a few things,and I think your daughter somehow read my mind-the common sense part,that is!" Lilandra laughed,but then she began to cough.She screwed up her face and held her stomach. "Ouch!" She giggled,"I guess I should try not to choke on my breakfast,shouldn't I? I might not live very long if I do otherwise!" Leia laughed,starting to lighten up.A good night's sleep had put everything in perspective again,and Leia had decided that Lil's poisoning had been purely coincidental.She was totally unprepared for what Lilandra said next.
"Why do they want to kill me,Leia?"
 Leia sputtered in surprise,spraying her juice all over the pool deck.She snatched a napkin and wiped her mouth quickly,embarassed."Excuse me?"
"Why do they want to kill me?" Lil asked again.
"Who?" Leia asked.
"The Empire."
 This time,Leia managed to hold on to her juice."Lilandra,the Empire has reconciled with the New Republic.We agreed that the Empire could keep the worlds they still held on to,if they would stop terrorizing the New Republic." Lilandra hunched her shoulders,looking uncomfortable.
"Lilandra,there's something you're not telling me,and I need to know what it is.Are there Empire Supremacists about?"Lil gulped,trembling,realizing her mistake."Lilandra...if you don't tell me you'll be putting a lot of lives-not to mention this friendship-in danger."
"Alright,alright,"Lilandra folded,"I'll tell you." Leia leaned forward,downing the rest of her drink to prepare for a few surprises.Lilandra kept one hand steady on the edge of the table,and began.
"There are certain others-and I'm not naming any names-but certain others who are trying to ressurrect the Empire.I serve the New Republic in the name of Chad.But Chad is an Imperial world,and these...others are from Chad.I have been trying to convince the planet to change to New Republic governmental systems for quite some time now.I thought I was safe,until I started getting death threats from an anonymous person.That's why I took this vacation.I thought that maybe I could avoid trouble.I guess I was wrong." She hung her head in shame."What happened last night was most likely an assassination attempt.They know I'm here Leia,and I'm putting you and your family in danger by talking to you." Suddenly,she started to cry."I'm scared Leia...I'm too young to die."
Leia suddenly had a mad flashback of her holding cell on the first death star.She had allowed herself a small measure of time to bawl and be unreasonable,so that she might appear strong-willed and unruffled in front of Lord Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin.She recalled sobbing those same words-"I'm too young to die."
But so were the millions of babies and small children on Alderaan,and did they have time to utter those selfish words?
"No!" Leia said out loud,and grabbed Lilandra's hand. "You have to be strong,and never let them see you cry.If you do,then they will have already won,and millions more will lose their lives."
"You're right," Lilandra said,wiping her eyes with her wrist."I do have to be strong.But it's still alright to be scared,isn't it?"
"Perfectly alright."
 Leia didn't see any point in telling the girl not to be afraid.If she did,she would be being a hypocrite,because at the moment,Leia felt more scared than she thought possible.

 Chapter 16                                    Chad to Mon Calamari

      The Imperial Star Destroyer Sojourner shot through hyperspace at fast-as-light speeds.The cloaking shield was still up,so the mottled blue sky was blocked from view.Grand Admiral Ocott was in her chambers,standing in front of her full length mirror.
Her appearance hadn't changed much in ten years.Her hair was definitely longer,but other than that,her figure had stayed neat and trim,her eyes were still hazel,and she still had long hands.At the moment,she was brushing her hair.It had been cut short to her ears before,but now it was past her shoulders.She parted it neatly down the middle,and braided it perfectly down the back of her head.Then she wound the braid into a bun at the nape of her neck.There.Not a hair out of place.Just the way she liked it.She decided that she had to look extra-neat today.It was going to be a messy day.
       She smoothed her already perfect,unwrinkled black jumpsuit,and admired her nails.Her fingers crackled with elecricity as she aimed them at the metal wall and took a practice shot.Again,the wall glowed red,until it cooled and returned to it's normal texture.Satisfied,Kerryna Ocott turned and strode out of the room,and down the corridor to the bridge."Captain Avye," She started,and the funny little man bolted upright in his seat.He'd been sleeping,and that displeased Admiral Ocott,but she decided to let it slip,seeing as she was in such a good mood."Yes,ma'am?" Captain Avye asked.
"Did the rest of the fleet manage the jump to hyperspace?"
"Yes,Admiral.All one hundred and thirty-two Star Destroyers have checked in."
"Excellent," Grand Admiral Ocott purred.Everything was going perfectly to plan.Lilandra Ilkhaine was probably dead,all the transmissions to the Foamwander Pride had been cut off...and her fleet of the best and brightest was finally going into action.
"About how long till we reach Mon Calamari?"
"About 10 hours,Admiral," The navigator called.Kerryna Ocott rubbed her hands together and small bursts of blue electricity bloomed out of her fingertips.At last,it was time to show the New Republic that the Empire wasn't made up totally of sissies.
       Nine hours and fifty-nine minutes later,Captain Avye pulled back on the hyperspace lever.The blackness remained,but Grand Admiral Ocott imagined the blue ocean world floating helplessly below.One by one,her Star Destroyers checked in as they emerged from hyperspace.She smiled constantly,and that made some of the officers happy,but it made others nervous.Grand Admiral Ocott had a habit of smiling when she was upset.Not today.Today was a happy day.She drew in a deep breath and put her voice into it's most authoritative tone.
"Captain,you may lift the cloaking shield when ready.Officer Bradlee,start charging up the turbolasers.Commander Vries,fire up the sublight engines.Officer Ngun,dispatch the previous orders to the other ships,and Officer Harrier,get me a drink."Kerryna sank down into her chair,and enjoyed the flurry of motion that ensued when she raised her voice that way.Almost immediately,a tall glass of her favorite drink was deposited into her hand,and the blackness began to fade into the bright blue sphere of Mon Calamari,dead ahead.The end to all the monotony seemed to lift everyone's spirits.Grand Admiral Ocott could see her elite fleet hovering behind her,ready to jump at her command.Power felt incredibly uplifting.
"Start heading towards the planetary surface at full sublight speeds.Lock onto the coordinates for the Foamwander Pride,and don't forget to have fun." She couldn't help but laugh.Without communications,the New Republic wouldn't even see them coming.

 Chapter 17                                  Mon Calamari

       It was evening again.On this ship,days seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.Tonight,though,Lilandra Ilkhaine had made it through dinner and a full evening of dancing and entertainment without any mishaps.Jaina stuck by her side like a bodyguard,looking this way and that,and refusing to talk to any waiters,or drink any water.Lilandra had had so much fun with the Solo family that it was disappointing to return to her small little cabin and get ready for bed.Her breakfast conversation with Leia had all but been forgotten...until now.Lying in bed,with nothing to distract her,Lilandra's irrational side began kicking in.Overtired and overwrought,every noise she heard in the hallway outside the cabin made her jump with fear and hide under the covers."This is silly," She murmured quietly to herself."I'm being ridiculous.Nothing's going to happen."But she couldn't shake her creepy feeling.
"Okay,that's it," She said determinedly."I'm going out there,and I'm going to walk every inch of this ship,and prove to myself that there's no one out there to kill me."And that's exactly what she did,too.She wandered every deck of the ship like she had promised herself,and found nothing.Gradually,her nervousness faded away,and she headed back to her cabin.Suddenly,it hit her.
"The bow! I forgot to search the bow!" Heart racing,she retraced the steps she had taken the night before,this time without the pain.Her stomach ached dully as if to remind her of her horrifying ordeal.Tonight,it wasn't nearly as windy,and there were no whitecaps on the ocean.The stars were out,glittering like diamonds on a black velvet sheet of sky.The beauty of it took Lilandra's breath away as she wandered the deck.A warm breeze blew her hair around,and she hugged herself happily."It's so beautiful..." She sighed.She had always been vulnerable to beauty.She sat crosslegged on a deck chair,gazing up at the sky.There seemed to be more stars than usual tonight.As she watched the vast expanse of the sky,she saw a tiny point of light moving across the sky.
"A shooting star?" Lilandra wondered aloud,"How wonderful!" But as she watched,a gnawing fear began to form in her gut.This point of light was no shooting star.Now there were many more,floating much too slowly to be shooting stars.
They were ships.And they were heading straight for the ocean liner.
"They've found me..." Lilandra gasped,her voice sounding strange and high.The ships were coming closer.There were hundreds,shaped triangularly....Suddenly,a green turbolaser bolt lanced out and struck the ocean a few meters in front of the ship.As salt water sprayed everywhere in a violent explosion,Lilandra understood.She waited,thunderstruck,until the full magnitude of what was happening hit her."Imperial Star Destroyers!" She cried,then turned and ran.I have to warn Leia...I have to warn everyone! But how?All she could do was run,and hope that she beat the Star Destroyers to it.She ran down the steps two at a time,and tore through the corridor at full tilt,hammering on doors and hollering that the ship was under attack.People streamed out into the hallway in various states of undress.A few decided that Lilandra was insane and went back into their cabins,while others donned lifejackets and started heading for their muster stations. Lilandra rushed on to Leia's cabin,and banged on the door."Leia! Han! Wake up!"
The door opened and Han poked his head out.His eyes widened in surprise."Lilandra,what is it? What's going on? Why are there so many people in the hall?"
"The ship is under attack!" She cried breathlessly.
Leia came to stand beside her husband,while the three children hung back,still waking up.
"What do you mean?" Leia demanded.
"Star Destroyers," Lil gasped," Hundreds of them! Heading this way!"
"Are you sure?" Han shouted in her face.She stumbled backwards,grabbing the wall.As if to answer Han's question,there came a sharp crack from above,and the ship shook violently.
"That was turbolaser fire,all right," Leia said.There was no mistaking the fear in her voice.
"Children," Han said,"Go with Lilandra and Chewbacca to the muster stations."
"But Han-" Lilandra started.
"No buts,Lil.Take them to the muster station and get yourselves to safety." Behind him,Leia nodded firmly.
"What about you? Where are you going?" Lilandra asked.
"To the engine room.We're going to change this ship's course.Hopefully,we can turn it around in time."
There was a moment of awkward silence.Anakin sniffled in the background.
"Honey,are you crying?" Leia asked,rushing to her son's side.He nodded."What if you don't come back?" He asked,wiping his face on the sleeve of his nightshirt.
 Leia looked at Han."We will,right Han? No need to worry Anakin.Lilandra and Chewie will take good care of you."The Wookiee growled in agreement,coming out of his own private bunkroom.
"Just hold Jaina and Jacen's hands,and you'll be fine."
"Good luck,"Han said solemnly.
"You too," Lilandra answered.But then,another turbolaser bolt rocked the ship,and it was time to go.Leia hugged each of her children,and whispered,"I love you," to each one.Then,Lilandra grabbed Jaina's hand and pulled her through the crowds of people gathered in the corridor.Jacen and Anakin followed,holding Chewie's hands.
     Once up on deck,the scene was pure madness.People rushed to and fro,carrying children and luggage,heading to muster stations,or just running around like headless gundarks.Chewbacca growled in confusion."I don't know," Lilandra said,figuring that the Wookiee had asked her a question.She looked skyward,but she didn't see any Star Destroyers.It was so dark.Suddenly,a green turbolaser bolt whizzed by the deck,slicing cleanly through the railing.Lilandra jumped out of the way,and hit the ground as the boat rocked from side to side."Look out!" Jacen shouted,as another blast hit the railing.
"Okay,now we run!" Lilandra shouted above the noise as the adrenaline rush that accompanied a battle kicked in.Jaina grabbed her brothers' hands,and the three children and the Wookiee formed a human chain.Lil pulled them down the promenade deck as fast as the children trailing behind her would allow.Just then,a bolt of green fire streaked down from the unseen attacker,and the deck directly in front of them erupted in a flash.Flames ate away at the beautiful polished wood.Lil screamed in shock and whirled around,only to face another eruption of fire from the other direction.They were tr