Episode 2

His black cassock gracefully swirled around his body as he strode through the crowds on the streets following them to the outskirts of Sullust’s capital where the planet’s landing platform was located. He wanted to fade away, disappear into the throng massing around the landing platform, going completely unnoticed.
The Alliance had wanted to keep the arrival of his sister and the other Alliance heroes with her a secret but as he was leaving the hospital early that morning he’d caught part of that morning’s HoloNews. They’d casually let it slip by announcing there was a high priority and security transport arriving at Sullust’s capital that day. Of course, everyone knew what that meant so they wanted to be on hand to catch a glimpse, smile, waves and photograph famous Alliance heroes. Possibly they thought they’d even see him but they didn’t know he wasn’t with his sister and their friends.
The platform was blocked off by several black military looking highly fortified barricades heavily guarded by a highly trained Alliance security detail. The amassing crowd clamored, surging forward with excitement and anticipation to see their Alliance heroes, and with cool precision the team brandished their weapons pushing the crowd back. Exuding patience he waited, trying to be inconspicuous in the crowd. The black cassock’s hood draped over his head to cover his hair and shrouded his facial features. The cloth managed to hide the light saber hanging from his black utility belt. He looked like a suspicious, unsavory character; some members of the security detail and the crowd watched him closely, taking notice of him.
His appearance wasn’t making him as inconspicuous as he would have liked. Passersby -- everyone stared. Their eyes seemed to penetrate him. They were watching, paying attention to him. Even though the galaxy hadn’t seen a Jedi in generations, the people seemed to be paying attention to him. They seemed to be aware that he was Luke Skywalker, hero of the Republic and Jedi Knight. He sighed wearily.
As the familiar, notable outlines of the recognizable banged up famous Correllian space ship streaked through the billowing clouds, cheers and applause went up from the masses gathered at the landing platform. Another surge toward the landing platform occurred; the security detail again pushed it back. The springy, black spirals of the Falcon’s landing gear descended gracefully scraped the beige landing platform with billows of gray smoke and hiss as the ship touched down. As the landing ramp seal fizzed open and lowered, the crowd became even more restless and they attempted to push forward again; the security detail again kept them at bay.
Lugging a lumpy, heavy black sack over his shoulder, Lando Calirrissan exited the craft first displaying both grace and dignity as he descended the ramp. His hand waved in friendly greeting that wasn’t returned by many; a frown rippled across the cocky, self-assured gambler’s face as his eyes scanned the crowd. The former Cloud City administrator knew he wasn’t as well known a hero as his Alliance friends but he was still hoping to get the recognition and welcome he deserved. Even though the lack of enthusiastic welcome hurt his fragile ego, Lando pretended it didn’t bother him. The lithe, tall black gambler trudged ahead on his own without his friends in town. All he wanted at the moment was to find a galactic pub filled with some good music, women, booze and gambling.
Next came the Alliance heroes’ two faithful droids, Artoo and Threepio. The two constant companions and longtime friends of Alliance didn’t notice the lack of enthusiastic welcome for them because they were chatting amiably. The two had many stories to share with each other.
Following the droids, she appeared in her quiet grace and elegance. Her beauty was emphasized by the simple beige Ewok dress she wore. It seemed like she had on a crown because her brown hair was wrapped up in elaborate braids of her head. Once the Princess of Alderaaan appeared, the crowd went crazy. Shouts of “Princess! Princess, please. Look over here! Princess, smile for me.” erupted everywhere as the crowd frantically tried to get her attention. They waved and took endless holos of her. Surges rippled as the people tried to reach out to touch her but to no avail.
Nervously fidgeting with the woven Ewok bracelet on her wrist, Leia’s eyes scanned the sea of people looking for someone she knew, trusted and loved more than life itself. She had sensed her brother in the Force and knew he was there. She knew he had to be in the crowd somewhere even though she hadn’t necessarily seen him yet. “Luke,” she gently called out.
Thrills of excitement that the Jedi was in their midst had everyone in the crowd start pushing and shoving talking at high decibels that it was deafening and chaotic. Their heads switched back and forth as they looked for him. Sighing Luke didn’t want to hide from his sister. He was anxious to see her and welcome her back. His hands went to the rim of his cassock hood to lower it to reveal himself when panic and suspicion in the crowd ensued. The security detail raised their weapons to protect the Princess.
Luke! Her heart soared; Leia surged breaking from the restraining hands of the security detail as she jumped into the crowd. Her arms were outstretched lovingly knocking the cassock hood off his head revealing his sandy brown hair and familiar features came into view. Now no one could deny Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight, stood in the crowd at the landing platform. The ferocity of the twin’s love demonstrated in the hugs and kisses they shared was undeniable. “I’m okay, Leia,” he gently reassured her answering her unspoken thoughts.
Her eyes searched her brother’s face and features. Obviously she was concerned. He was her brother; she loved him. She smiled fondly at him. “Are you really?”
Before Luke had a chance to answer, Han Solo shoved the blaster he was brandishing into the gun pouch on his belt followed by his first mate, Chewie, armed with his crossbow, joined them. The Wookie guffawed in a friendly greeting; the Jedi amiably nodded at the furry pal. The Correllian’s immediate infectious smile welcomed him. “Hey Kid! How are you?”
A sincere smile split the Jedi’s lips. “You two didn’t have to cut your vacation on Endor short just to check up on me as you can see I’m fine.”
As security quickly ushered the Alliance heroes into a hover taxi that flew over the bustling Sullustan city Leia eyed her brother suspiciously noticing his black gloved right hand. He was supposed to get that taken care of during his hospital visit, so if he’d even gone to see the medics at all was debatable. “Uh huh.”
Amused curls twisted the younger man’s lips as he flexed clenching his right gloved hand in a fist. The action went unnoticed by Han. The Correllian smuggler and Alliance general appreciated the Kid for wanting to give him and Leia some well deserved time alone together, especially with their romantic relationship being young and new. Beside the need to have valuable couple time spent alone together, after everything they’d all been through they all deserved a vacation, including the fledging new Jedi himself. Endor wasn’t necessarily his ideal place to have a vacation and he’d rather flown off to any number of worlds with the Princess at his side without anyone knowing where they were for awhile even though such an idea wasn’t wise or lasted as long as he’d wanted. Still Endor seemed to be the place where Leia wanted to get away from it all for awhile, so he had been content. Han pointed out with dry sarcasm. “We would have stayed on vacation longer but Mon Monthma sent a courier.”
Courier. The word momentarily distracted him because he recalled Trisha had been the Alliance’s president’s trusted advisor, security and courier for many years. His hand reached out to touch Leia’s arm. “Courier? What courier?”
Feelings and passion swirled in her brother’s blue eyes. She hadn’t seen that look in his eyes before but she remembered the affectionate looks he’d exchanged with the Jedi woman on Endor. There had also been heard rumors about passionate kisses he’d shared with this woman in the darkness there. “A woman relaying a message from Monthma asked me to participate in some important government meetings here today.” Leia carefully appraised her brother. Her heart stirred touched by his sensitivity and compassion. He was in love; he deserved to have what she and Han had. She was happy for him. “She was about your height. She had long black hair restrained in a braid or pony tail and she was wearing a long, tight, yet sexy black dress that showed off her legs and matching boots. Now that I think about it I think she had a light saber on her belt. Do you know her Luke?”
Was it Trisha? Was it possible? His heart thundered with excitement in his chest; he concentrated on his breathing to regulate and calm the tender, passionate emotions racing through his heart. Based on his sister’s description it was very likely the courier had been Trisha. She had told him she had to leave but she didn’t say how long she’d be gone. Could it be possible she was back after only one day? By Tatooine’s twin suns he certainly hoped so! He really wanted to see her again but that wasn’t all. The other romantic thoughts in his mind and heart sent him reeling and he had to steady himself.
He hadn’t sensed her in the Force but then again he hadn’t really been trying to reach out to her; maybe he should but now was scarcely the moment for that. He didn’t want to seem obvious. Luke knew he definitely hadn’t been blocking her from sensing her or for her to reach out to him through the Force – or at least he didn’t think he had. Still he couldn’t shake the strong feelings he had inside him. Maybe the Force had been speaking to him. That would certainly explain the ominous, evil, futuristic vision with her in it he’d had last night. He averted his eyes. “I’m not sure. Did the courier give you a name?”
All this touching, high emotionally charged interaction over the female courier between brother and sister annoyed him; it was hardly the point. The smuggler understood Leia had sensitivity and more compassion in her interactions with Luke. But couldn’t the two of them deal with all this at another time? Redirecting the conversation to get it back on track, Han remarked. “It was just some courier and she just so happened to be a woman, Kid.”
Leia glanced at him sharply. “Han!”
“No,” replied the smuggler sternly, crossing his arms over his chest. “The point is we didn’t get a vacation at all. We came back because Monthma needed you to participate in meetings to find a location to form the new Alliance government.” The taxi dropped them off in downtown Sullust in front of the capital’s great historic fountain. The rushing water flowing into the concrete artistic stone basin represented birth, rebirth, hope, the wishes of things and serenity but it didn’t seem to be providing the later to Han Solo. The rising towers in the row of government buildings were lined neatly behind them. “I know I’m an Alliance general and hero and all, but I’m not doing this with you, Leia.” His dark eyes softened as they focused on the Princess’ face and lips. “You know I love you and I want to spend time with you but not in some stuffy government meetings. You know me. That’s not my thing. I’d much rather be working on the Falcon with Chewie, flying around space smuggling spice, playing sabacc or hanging out with Luke here; it really irks me up that you’re going to drag him into it with you like you are.”
Luke pointedly raised his black gloved right hand. “I think I’d rather wrestle a Gundark.”
“Exactly my point Kid!”
Exasperated, Leia tapped her beige boots demandingly on the cobblestone at the base of the flight of stone stairs leading to the Sullustian Hall of Government. “But Luke we need you!” she insisted passionately, “You’re the last of the Jedi Knights.”
He stared at her. “I hate to say it but I’m not.”
“No one knows that legacy!” She retorted, her temper making her words harsh and crisp. “Besides I’m not trained like you are.”
“Hey!” Han interjected himself between the two siblings. He loved them both and hated to see them arguing or fighting. “I think he was talking about Alestra and her cousin, Trisha.”
Her temper cooled and she backed down. “Yes, they could help but they aren’t here. He’s the only Jedi here. Monthma really wants the Jedi involved in forming the new Alliance government and finding its new home.”
Displeasure was still exhibited on Han’s face. He didn’t like arguing with and fighting with Leia about as much as the two siblings’ earlier tense disagreement. “I still think Monthma should ask for his involvement, not you. You know he’s not going to turn you down if you ask him. Even though he might not want to participate or necessarily be involved, you know he’ll feel obligated to comply out of duty as an Alliance hero, a Jedi and your brother.”
A maze of the gray icy cavern illuminated by the blue hues of his light saber as he traversed it arose unbidden in his mind. The beautiful, familiar figure of the woman he loved trapped in a block of ice; his failed attempts to free her from her icy prison frustrated him. Yet he continued with no avail to try to release her. Sharp pain coursed through him. “Ahh!” he groaned in anguish. Maniacal laughter echoed through the ice chamber. A disembodied cultured voice taunted him. Skywalker, at last I have you. I warned you! Your compassion will be your undoing! Nooo! He yelled in respond, raising his light saber in front of him, his body and weapon poised to do battle. The laughter once again reverberated in the icy chambers. Fool! The unseen enemy’s voice said in contempt. You’re no match for me! Flipping his light saber deftly in his hands, he was ready. He’d been trained in the ways of the Force by Yoda, the ultimate Jedi Master and read everything on light saber techniques in Obi-Wan’s journal. He constantly and continually practiced his Jedi skills and abilities until he’d mastered them all and they’d become an art for him. ”Show yourself and face me and I’ll take that chance,” Luke answered the unseen evil. “I’m not afraid – unless you are.”Smug mirth bubbled forth answering him. Very good, Son of Skywalker, your feeble, pathetic Jedi skills and abilities serve you well in revealing to you who I am even when you do not see me. You know me well; I too know my enemy, you! I am afraid of you. You are strong and very powerful and may be the fulfillment of the prophesy of the one who restores balance to the Force. I cannot let the prophesy come to pass or the Jedi to continue to exist. They must be eliminated! I promise you Son of Skywalker a day is coming soon when you and I are destined to face each other. It’ll be then when you discover that I’m more powerful than you. With your demise, the Jedi will cease to exist and be no more! That will indeed be a glorious day! Like a switch being turned on, intense pain ripped through his body; the suffering was reminiscent of what he’d suffered beneath the Emperor’s lightning barrage. He felt himself stumbling; his hands reached out clutching the icy prison where Trisha lay. “Trisha,” he murmured in affection and desperation fervently wishing he could save her. Maybe he could overcome this evil alone but he knew two were better than one. Together he felt they could defeat this evil. His entire body ached from the intensity and severity at the agony he felt as well as the danger and evil he sensed in the room in the vision. Fatigued and not 100 percent himself, the relentless, rigorous torture he endured from what his beloved was experiencing in the vision caused his knees to buckle and he crumbled to the cobblestone walkway.
“Luke!” Leia shouted with concern, immediately dropping to her knees beside her brother’s crumpled mass. Her hands clutched at the fabric of his cassock, she had to touch him to reassure herself he wasn’t hurt and that he was alright; she wasn’t convinced. Pulling his body into her warmth, comfort and support, she rocked him against her. “We need a doctor! Someone – anyone – help us. Please!”
Pedestrians glanced in their direction with concern and a small group began to approach to offer aid. “What seems to be the problem? How can we help you?”
Leia simply stared at them. The princess was at a loss as to what to say. She was trying to protect the Jedi Knight and their identities. It seemed that their helpers didn’t know who they were. She wanted to keep that a secret but yet she wanted to help her brother; no one beside the three of them knew Luke was her brother. On top of that now that he was a Jedi Knight she didn’t know how much help anyone beside another Jedi could offer him.
His eyes closed and agony he felt and the vision slowly had started to dissipate. He raised his hands trying to push her away and brushed the dust off himself slowly opening his eyes as he managed to unsteadily stand on his own two feet. “I’m all alright. I’m okay.” Hearing the announcement, the helpers backed away and went about their business leaving the threesome alone.
“Like hell you are!” Leia chided; the anger in her voice apparent. “You tell me right now, Luke Skywalker, and even though I’m not a trained Jedi Knight I’ll know if you’re lying to me or not. After you left Endor yesterday, did you even see a doctor?”
“Yes.” Luke answered quietly.
“Well,” Leia crossed her arms over her chest and gave her brother stern looks even though he’d told her the truth. “I know you didn’t get your right hand taken care of but we’ll deal with that issue another time. So exactly what did you see the doctor about?”
“I …” he stammered looking away at the top of his long black boots. How exactly was he supposed to explain to Leia what had experienced on the Death Star; that how he couldn’t figure out how he hadn’t been affected by it. He didn’t necessarily want to tell her about his near death experience with the Emperor’s lightning barrage.
The two men exchanged looks; that infuriated her more. She felt like her brother was keeping secrets from her; she didn’t like it. “Luke why can’t you just tell me what’s going on?”
Han calmly pointed out. “Luke, you have to admit what she’s asking are fairly reasonable. After all, that little incident you just pulled gave us both quite a scare.”
Sighing heavily, a deep frown rippled across Luke’s lips. “I had a vision.”
Han felt confused. “Vision? What vision?”
Concern flooded the princess’ beautiful oval face. “Like the vision you told me you had about Cloud City?”
Han glared at the Jedi sharply. “You’ve had visions before?”
“Yes,” Luke replied with a resigned sigh. Han had no knowledge of his past Jedi vision since he’d been frozen in carbonite and taken as a trophy to Jabba the Hutt’s palace on Tatooine. Positioning the sole of his boot on the edge of the first stone stair his intention to climb up them toward the Sullustian Hall of Government was clear. He was going to the new Alliance government meeting with his sister. In the past he had run away or shirked his responsibilities and duties; while Leia was the example of the opposite. He had changed over the years. Not only was he a hero of the Alliance, he was a Jedi Knight, a symbol of hope, truth, peace and justice for all in the galaxy. He had duties and responsibilities he had to and wanted to fulfill not only for himself, for Leia, his faithful friends, for Monthma and for the Alliance itself.
Leia gently touched her brother’s arm. The worry and love she felt for him hadn’t faded from her eyes or face. “Luke…”
“Leia,” he replied, the fingertips of his black gloved right hand affectionately caressed her cheek. He didn’t have to read her mind to know what she was going to say. Last time he had reacted to a vision before he wasn’t ready. He hadn’t waited instead he’d rushed off following his tendencies to be impatient and impulsive. As a result, he had learned a valuable, important lesson: to not hastily rush into anything lest he sacrifice everything, all, for which his loved ones and friends had fought for and sacrificed. This vision he had with Trisha could be teaching him the same lesson, but he wasn’t for sure. This was only the second time he’d had the vision he had it so he wasn’t completely sure what exactly it all meant. Sighing, he’d have to take some time really contemplating on that one. “Now isn’t the time. Can we talk about it later?”
Han looked to Leia trusting she’d let him in on anything she and Luke discussed. It made him nervous to hear his Jedi friend saying he was having visions. Something didn’t feel right about it. He had a bad feeling about it. Still, he didn’t have all the information so the Correllian smuggler wasn’t going to dwell on his worries. Her hand slid down the sleeve of her brother’s cassock and returned to her side. “Sure Luke.”
“Well,” Han remarked, his hand casually rested on the butt of his blaster dangling from his hip. “I’ll catch up with the two of you later. Possibly for some brews this evening at The Tender. For now I’m going to join Chewie and fix some of the damage Lando did to the Falcon during his recent Death Star run.”
“Coward!” Leia spat angrily in his direction. “You always run off when you’re wanted and needed.”
A mischievous grin split Han’s lips. “That’s right, Sweetheart, and you know that’s among the many reasons you love this scoundrel.” With that the captain of the Correllian cruiser turned on the heels of his boots and disappeared into the crowds.
The romance and love the smuggler and his sister shared and felt was obvious because it had mostly played out in right front of him. But some the banter they exchanged like the recent one confused him and he felt something was missing. Luke regarded his sister with a patient, gentle expression. “Mind telling me what that was all about?”
“You kind of had to be there.” She smiled warmly and affectionately patted her brother on the arm. “But now’s scarcely the time to discuss it so ask me again later, okay?”
“Alright,” he acquiesced. He was a gentleman offering her his proffered arm. “Shall we go?”
“We shall,” she beamed with pride as brother and sister together climbed up the steps to the Sullustian Hall of Government.