Forgotten Children of the Jedi: Dreams

Chapter 1

"You failed." It was a statement. Brakiss' pale blue eyes narrowed. "You failed."

Commander Mangrete burned with shamed and anger. "Yes, Master."

"Against Force blind, no less." Silence. "Do you have a reason?"

"The Millennium Falcon came into the fight. We weren't far from succeeding when the ship came in," the younger Dark Jedi said.

"You should have defeated her before then." The Dark Master had no mercy. "I would have thought your hatred for her would have enabled to defeat her."

"I wasn't far from succeeding, Master," Mangrete protested. "The Falcon-"

"Shouldn't have made a difference. She should have been dead long before it arrived." Brakiss leaned forward in his chair. "Your failure is not something I will soon forget. Leave now, and pray your position is still intact tomorrow."

The commander bowed and left the room, hatred and fury clouding his mind.

Neo Chance scowled at his data pad as he reread the letter from Zekk. Sorry I had to leave you here but, and this not against you, it would have decreased the chances of getting out of here. I don't know where I'm going or what I'm going to do, maybe I'll go to the real Jedi Academy, but not right away. Sensing Mangrete storming down the hall, he quickly shut down the data pad and pulled his feet off the room's desk.

"What the hell are you doing in here? You have training to be doing!" Mangrete's face wore a look so dark Neo wouldn't wish the man's fury on his worst enemy.

"Sorry Master-" Neo began.

"Oh shut up with your sorrys! Come; we train now." The Dark Jedi stormed from the room. Neo hastily followed, not wanting the fury aimed at himself. I don't think I've ever seen him this mad. I'd heard the mission failed, but why would that set him off so? Deciding he didn't want to know, he just followed in silence.

Chapter 2

A familiar man stood in front of her. He was dressed entirely in black and radiated evil. He grinned so evilly, he could have been the Emperor himself. He pulled a lightsaber from his tunic and powered it up. The blood red blade cut through the darkness of the room, revealing some details while concealing others. She pulled out her own blade and added its sapphire glow to the red's, casting a purplish tinge to the room. He attacked with such power, she almost lost the fight then. They fought for what seemed like hours. She fell, and rolled away, cutting her temple on something, and blood dripped down her cheek. He knocked her saber from her hand and her to her knees. The man smiled triumphantly as he cocked his saber to swing at her head-

Cray Skywalker came awake with a start, breathing hard and scared to death. She was trying to calm down when a hand touched her shoulder, scaring her all over again. "It's all right, it's just me."

Her father's voice, she realized with relief. "That was not a good dream," she managed.

Even with her weakness in the Force, she sensed Luke Skywalker's wry smile. "No, but thanks for sharing it anyway."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Let's got to the dining hall and see if we can kick Cook out long enough to make a cup of hot chocolate."

"Hey, who started the party without us?" Darien Hope asked in a hurt tone as he and Darth Marie Dravin walked into the dining hall.

"Who said it was a party?" Dana Solo retorted. "And who would invite you anyway?"

"Don't start," Luke warned. "You know Cook hates fighting and I don't know about you, but I'd like edible food tomorrow."

"Good point. I hope she didn't hear that last statement." As if to punctuate Darien's statement, the loud clattering sound of pots and pans falling to the floor rang out from the kitchen and a utensil came flying out from behind the counter in their direction.

"Love you too Cook!" the group yelled back.

"Why do I think we should talk my dad out of a few ration bars?" Dana muttered.

"Give me my spatula back!" Cook screamed from the kitchen. Luke grabbed it with the Force and sent it floating back, not really wanting to actually go near her when she was mad. There was grumbling as one of her tentacles snatched the spatula from the air. The group managed to catch several words, among them "Jedi Masters" and a few select curses in several languages.

"I think it's a good thing she's not Force sensitive," Marie said in a low voice, watching for more unidentified flying kitchen utensils.

"No kidding," Cray said. "I'd go ask for a refill," she looked sadly at her empty cup, "but I think injury more than likely."

The others laughed softly. "Anyone willing to get me some?" she asked hopefully. Silence. You could probably hear the moon rotating. "Oh never mind." Cray sighed and set her cup down, her face portraying disappointment, but her eyes telling them she was joking.

Dana noticed the look in her eyes, and turned to Darien. "Hey, Darien, you're supposed to be one of those manly men; why don't you go brave Cook and get her some hot chocolate?"

"I don't know; you're more manly man than I am; you do it." Darien countered.

"I am not!" Dana half shrieked, as if to prove her point. Groans rose from all around the table. Another utensil flew over their heads.

"Okay, we'll be quiet," Dana and Darien whispered in unison.

Marie raised her eyebrows at their agreement. "Right. Anyway, just why is everyone here?" she asked.

Cray wrinkled her nose. "Bad dreams."

"Same," Dana answered quietly.

Darien nodded. "Me too."

Marie shook her head. "Wow. We all managed to have the same problem."

"With the exception of me." Luke shook his head. "Anyone want to share?"

Everyone was silent. "I'll share," Marie sighed. "My dream has been recurring for several weeks. I was on Coruscant but it's not the way it is now. It looked like the holos of the planet during the Old Republic. I was in a diplomat's office, kneeling on the floor next to someone. A man in a black cloak was lecturing us. The other person wasn't human. He had red and black tattoos all over his face, red and yellow eyes, and a ring of horns on his head. He was dressed in black, as was I. The man in the cloak was teaching us the dark ways of the Sith. I woke up when he stopped lecturing." She hesitated. "I think the man in the cloak was Palpatine."

Luke started. "Say that last part again."

"I think the man in the cloak was Palpatine," she repeated. "I couldn't tell who the alien was."

No one could think of anything to say about that. "Maybe it's a warning," Cray piped up.

"How? I've got no interest in the Dark Side," Marie said.

"Maybe not now," Cray said patiently. "Maybe there's something in the future that you'll be tempted with the Dark Side." Marie glared at her. "It's just a suggestion!"

"The dream could mean nothing or a lot," Luke cut in. "Cray could be right, it could be a warning. Or..." he trailed off, thinking. "Tionne is better at dissecting dreams than I am. Do you want me to ask her or do you want to ask her yourself?"

Marie considered. "I'll get back to you on that."

"Anyone else?" Luke asked.

"Blondie, I volunteer you," Darien said after a moment of silence.

Cray made a face. "I was in a fight with a Dark Jedi and he won."

"There were a lot more details earlier," Dana pointed out.

"And I've already told the dream twice; Darien can ask in the morning and he might get a better description."

Darien pouted.

"How old are you again?" Marie asked him.

"Eighteen."

"And you're pouting?"

"When he's twenty-one, you can sound incredulous, Marie," Luke said. "Dana? Darien?"

"I can't remember my dream," Dana said softly. "I get the feeling I don't want to."

"Same here," Darien said. "I can remember that someone I care about was being tortured, but that's about it."

"Cray, do you have any enemies that might be interested in torturing you?" Marie asked. "Other than me, of course."

Cray might have twitched. "Not that I can think of," she said.

"So you might. Maybe Darien's is a premonition."

There was definitely a twitch that time. "Is this payback for saying yours might be a warning?" she said, somewhat shakily.

"Partially."

"Cut it out, you two," Darien said quickly. "We can work on meanings when the emotions from the dreams have subsided."

The look Luke was giving Darien might have been a glare if he hadn't been so tired. "Who's the Jedi Master here? I'm the one who's supposed to sound reasonable. That's my line."

The teenagers laughed. "Everyone go get some sleep and we'll discuss these tomorrow," Luke said, starting to get up.

"GET OUT OF MY DINING ROOM!" Cook yelled as unidentified flying kitchen utensils came soaring out of the kitchen.

Chapter 3

Cray was in an argument with Beeps when Darth Marie found her. As far as she could tell, the argument concerned the battle the day before. Cray fell silent as the droid went to a long description-or at least, that's what Marie thought. Damn, I didn't know Cray could understand astro speak. I don't even recognize any of what that droid is saying.

Cray nodded at the small blue, green, and white R2 unit. "Yes, Beeps, but they shot first. And they weren't exactly ion lasers."

Beeps emitted something that sounded suspiciously like an electronic snort. Cray scowled at her. "What the hell was I supposed to do? Sit there and let them vape me?"

Marie started laughing. "Sure. Then I would be the number one fighter with no competition." But then again, I wouldn't have anyone to duel with. The highlight of my day would be gone.

Cray's scowl was now aimed at her. "Sith."

Marie grinned evilly. "Jedi."

"Excuse me? Don't you two call me and Darien juvenile?" Dana's voice demanded from the stage at the front of the Great Hall.

Marie ignored her. "Challenge you to a duel."

Cray looked at her incredulously. "Now?"

The Light Sith shook her head. "No! After lunch!" she exclaimed, like dueling before a meal was sacrilege.

Dana glared at the friends. "If I ever hear either of you call my and Darien's fights jejune again," she threatened.

"Agreed," Darien added from the back of the room. His eyes flickered to Dana's. "Hey, we agree on something."

Dana half grinned, half scowled at him. "Don't get used to it."

"Oh, damn. I was hoping that would become a regular thing. But on the other hand, all our entertainment will be gone," Mara Jade Skywalker's voice said as she entered the room. "Well, I have to go chat with my old boss and an Imperial Admiral, so I'll see you kids later."

Cray was on her feet in an instant. "Bye Mara," she said, giving her stepmother a hug.

"Why do you have to go talk to Karrde and Pellaeon?" Dana asked as she came down the steps.

"The other Jedi Masters and I decided to see if that attack on Cray was something random or specific. All of us think there's more to it than a random thing." Mara made a face. "And since I'm the only one who's worked on friendly terms with them both, I get to go. But, then again, Mirax is coming with me, so." She shrugged. "I guess nothing is supposed to make sense."

The teenagers smiled. "Understatement," Dana commented.

Mara grinned back. "Gotta go. See you guys when I get back." She spun around and left the room. She came back in a moment later. "Oh, Luke is dealing with a rep from a planet that needs Jedi help. He says you all have the day off unless your Masters have other plans."

Marie turned to Cray. "How 'bout that duel?"

"Now or are we going to wait two hours?" Cray asked.

Marie considered. "Now," she nodded.

Cray got to her feet and they walked out of the Great Hall in the direction of the lightsaber training room. Dana sighed. "They are walking contradictions," she muttered.

Darien shrugged. "They're friends. We're not," he ventured.

"And the sun will freeze over before we are," Dana snapped, strolling down the aisle. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go help my dad with the Falcon." She brushed by him and walked out the door.

Darien watched her leave. "I hope not," he murmured to himself.

Chapter 4

Luke Skywalker rubbed his temples as the communications board announced another incoming call. "How many planets can have problems at the same time?" he muttered under his breath as he reached for the switch to patch the call through.

Streen snickered as the vidscreen came up. "Jedi Academy. This is Skywalker," Luke said in a tired voice.

The man on the screen smiled. "Long day?" he asked.

Luke shrugged. "Not yet. What can I help you with?"

"I am King Markhano of the Naboo. My problem is a slight one, but the other party involved has high demands," he began. "There are two different peoples on Naboo, the humans and the Gungans. Up until just before the Empire took over the galaxy, the Nubians and Gungans didn't exactly get along. They made peace just after the Battle of Naboo, but Palpatine ruined relations when the Empire came into existence."

Luke nodded slowly. "And now you wish to repair the relations?"

"Yes. The Gungans have requested Jedi to help with the negotiations, specifically you."

Luke raised his eyebrows. "Any particular reason?"

The king shrugged. "The Gungan that originally helped the Nubians and Gungans get together is still alive and has a extremely high influence. It is he who is requesting you and he won't give reasons."

Luke fought down the urge to make a face. "When do I need to be there?"

Markhano smiled. "The negotiations are being postponed until a Jedi is available. So it's up to you."

Luke thought for a minute. "I can be there in a week. I assume I will be allowed to bring my apprentice with me?"

"Of course. Thank you, Master Skywalker. See you in a week." The image of the king faded out.

"That makes four planets that need help." Streen said. "At least only one is asking for you."

Luke nodded. "Yeah, but they all called today, within minutes of each other," he pointed out. "I've got a suspicion that whoever was behind the attack on Cray yesterday is also has a hand in this."

"Maybe, but then again, they may not, at least not with all of them," Streen said thoughtfully. "At any rate, if they are, we may find out who they are."

"How many Knight-apprentice teams do we have here?" Luke asked.

Streen frowned at the ceiling. "Four, including you and Cray. Kyp and Marie, Corran and Darien, and Kirana and Dana."

Luke thought for a minute. "Bakura has a political problem, so it would be best to send Kirana and Dana there. Yaga Minor is in Imperial space and Kyp still has a grudge against Imperials, so Corran and Darien are going there, leaving Kyp and Marie with Chandrila and Cray and I with Naboo."

Streen nodded. "I think that will work."

Kyp Durron found his apprentice locked in a lightsaber duel with Cray. He leaned against the door jam and watched the fight, measuring Marie's reactions and points of weaknesses or strengths. Kam Solusar walked over. "Hello Kyp."

Kyp half smiled. "How long have they been dueling?"

Kam checked his chrono. "Almost an hour and half. I was about to break it up."

Kyp shook his head. "Let 'em fight. They enjoy it, I think."

Luke chuckled as he joined them. "Enjoy would be an understatement as far as Cray is concerned. She forgets about everything except her opponent when they fight."

Kyp nodded slowly. "I wondered why she accepts Marie's challenges even when she's tired or distracted."

Kam smiled. "Me too." He caught sight of another student coming into the room. "Gotta go," he murmured, walking over to the other entrance.

"What's up, Luke?" Kyp asked.

"Four planets with problems they want Jedi help with." Luke answered. "How does Chandrila sound?"

"Depends on the problem."

Luke shrugged. "Someone said they saw Exar Kun wandering around..." he trailed off, grinning, as Kyp gave him a Look. "Difficulties between trading companies," he said more seriously. "And don't give me that look. Jedi Masters can have sense of humors."

"Sadistic ones," Kyp growled. "Remind me to mention the Reborn Emperor when explaining something to you."

Luke shrugged. "Sure. Now, let's see if we can get our apprentices to stop dueling without them getting mad at us."

"Easier said than done." Kyp glanced around the room and grabbed two training sabers. He tossed one to Luke. "Hopefully the other way around this time."

Luke smiled as he pulled off his cloak and strolled to the dueling ring. Kyp joined him a moment later. "One, two, three." They jumped into the fight, each facing off to their apprentice. It took Marie a moment to realize what was going on, but as soon as she did, she grinned and fought harder.

Cray, on the other hand, never missed a beat. She continued to fight as methodically as she had against Marie, though not as successfully. She stepped up her defense and in an instant, her block fell once again and she managed to knock her father's lightsaber away. Startled, she shut down her saber and backed away. A few minutes later, Kyp knocked Marie's saber out of her hand. "And here I thought you hadn't made much progress! It doesn't usually take fifteen minutes to win," Kyp said wryly and not entirely truthfully.

"I'm full of surprises," Marie countered. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. "How many times did I get you, Cray?" she asked, examining her own wounds.

"Too many," Cray replied. Two second-degree burns, one on her shoulder and the other above her left knee, and more than a few scrapes, bruises, and minor burns all over her body. She wasn't sure which fight had caused the most, though. "What about you?"

"Let's just go find Cilghal."

"I didn't get you that bad," Cray said, walking over to talk to Luke.

"You'll be surprised," Marie muttered, turning to her Master. "May I go get turned into a mummy?"

Kyp laughed. "Certainly. Pack a bag and meet me at the landing pads in an hour. We need to pay Chandrila a visit."

Marie made a face. "An hour, right?"

"Yep."

Marie turned her attention to Cray, deep in discussion with Luke. "Let's go," she said, grabbing Cray's left wrist and dragging her in the direction of the medical center.

Kyp noticed Luke fighting back laughter as he strolled over. "My apprentice can be quite forceful, can't she?" Kyp asked.

Luke nodded. "Though I don't think she got very far before Cray got mad."

"True. How did Cray do in your duel?"

"I'd say pretty good." Luke glanced at him. "She won."

Chapter 5

"Skywalker and his daughter are going to Naboo, Ti and Solo are going to Bakura, Durron and the fake Sith are going to Chandrila, and Horn and Hope are coming here," Mangrete informed the Dark Master. "Not exactly what we hoped for, but we can make it work."

"And after your failure against the girl, why should I trust your opinion?" Brakiss asked. Mangrete didn't answer. "I suppose you want to go to Naboo."

"Yes, sir. I will succeed this time," he told Brakiss firmly. That is the one thing I'm sure of.

"I don't think you will succeed." Brakiss began.

Mangrete snapped his head up. "Master, I-"

"Do not interrupt me!" Brakiss snapped. "You are not going to Naboo, for several reasons. First, they will be with the king, who will have several guards and other security types with him. Second, if you fight the girl, who will fight Skywalker? Not your apprentice, I think."

Mangrete heard Neo sigh with relief. "I could fight Skywalker first. After I kill him, I fight Cray. Neo can hold her that long." He sensed his apprentice's surprise at the compliment.

Brakiss considered him for a moment. "Here's an interesting theory for you, Commander. Did you purposefully allow Cray to live so you could meet her face to face again?"

Mangrete opened his mouth to protest, but stopped. "It is a possibility, Master," he admitted.

"Then you would not want to kill her. You would rather capture her, correct?"

Mangrete blinked, startled by Brakiss' ability to read him so well. "Yes, sir."

Brakiss smiled. "I thought so. For now, you will go to Chandrila to go up against Durron. If possible, bring back the fake Sith alive. She could be a valuable ally."

"Yes, sir." Mangrete nodded his acceptance of his mission. "What about the others?"

Brakiss tapped a screen. "Solo isn't one of the Academy's best fighters. Neither is Ti. I believe Andrecia can take them. I can handle Horn and Hope; Hope can't even beat the girl in a duel. Who do you think should go against Skywalker?"

Me, Mangrete thought. "Perhaps we should just send snipers," he mused.

Brakiss raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Well, if we send only snipers after Skywalker on the missions he goes on, it may start to appear he is choosing the least dangerous missions for himself. That would go a long way into destroying the Jedi if they lose faith in their leader." Mangrete explained.

Brakiss nodded. "Good idea," he murmured. He leaned forward and tapped the screen again. "Only snipers will go to Naboo then. You will take Neo with you to Chandrila. Dismissed."

Mangrete bowed and left the room, Neo not far behind.

Chapter 6

"Ouch!" Dana dropped the tool and shook her hand in pain. Damn tool, she thought to herself. "Jaina? Could you give me a hand with this?"

Jaina Solo's face appeared in the opening of the crawlspace Dana was working in. "What's up?"

"The tool doesn't like me. I think the manufacturer purposefully crafted it wrong just to annoy me." Dana sighed, pointing to the area she was working on. "It's-" Her comlink beeped. She pulled it out and switched it on. "This is Dana."

"Dana, I need you to meet me in the old war room," Kirana Ti's voice cackled through the static.

"I'll be right there," Dana answered. Clicking off the comm, she maneuvered around her sister. "Gotta go. I'm sure you can figure this out. See you later," she called over her shoulder as she crawled out of the small service corridor. Why did I volunteer to work on the Falcon? Mechanics and computers are Jaina and Dad's area of expertise, not mine. "Dad, I have to go!" she called into the corridor her father was working in.

Han Solo wrestled his way out from the maze of wires. "Okay. Thanks for your help," he said, giving his daughter a Wookie hug. "See you later. May the Force be with you and all that stuff."

Dana grinned. "Bye."

Darien strolled from his room, his backpack slung on one shoulder. Corran had informed less than an hour ago that they were leaving for Yaga Minor to settle some kind of dispute. Joy to the galaxy. Another dispute to settle, he thought to himself. Sensing someone coming around the far corner of the corridor, he glanced up. Dana had sensed him at the same time and her face wore the scowl he was so used to seeing.

"Where are you going, Meatball Head?" he asked arrogantly.

"Why do you care?" she shot back. "Get out of my way."

"Get out of mine," he snapped. He wasn't really angry; he had come to expect-and enjoy-these daily fights.

"Excuse me; I believe you're the one in my way," she said icily.

"Nope, I was here first."

"Look, Darien, as much as I would love to continue this jejune argument," she paused. "Do you even know what 'jejune' means?" she asked mock sweetly.

"Ha ha." Darien gave her a Look. "What's your point, Meatball Head, if you even have one."

"My point is, you're in my way and I have to get to the war room," she growled. "Now, if you'll excuse me." She pushed past him and continued down the hall. She didn't see the smile on Darien's face; and he didn't see hers.

Darien watched her disappear down another corridor, his smile slowly fading. He glanced at his chrono, then turned and hurried to the landing pads.

Chapter 7

Cray woke up screaming.

Calm down! It was only a dream, she lectured herself. She closed her eyes and blew out her breath, firmly telling her pounding heart to calm down. Once she had succeeded, she opened her eyes, tucking her knees under her chin, and wrapping her arms around her legs. The Alderaan was silent, save for the hum of engines running at lightspeed. I hope this dream wasn't a premonition. A variation of the dream she'd had two nights before, but the man had been in a duel with her father and had won, while she was trapped away from the fight.

Cray fought back sudden tears brought on by the mere thought of losing her father. She kicked back the covers and got dressed, knowing it would be pointless to try to go back to sleep. She walked silently to the cockpit, stopping briefly to see if her father was awake. Thankfully, he was not. She dropped into the copilot's seat and reluctantly started reading the stack of data cards, playing with her apprentice braid as she did so; a habit picked up after less than a day with the thing, avoiding her thoughts.

She was kneeling in the center of a room, next to a man with red and black tattoos all over his face and a ring of seven horns around his head. A man in a black cloak paced the floor in front of them, preaching about the Dark Side. She kept her eyes trained to the floor, glancing occasionally at the male alien next to her. He's cute, her conscious mind thought. The man spun toward them.

"Marie, get up now or you're gonna be on probation!" Kyp's voice threatened through the door of her shipboard room, bringing her out of the dream. "I'm up!" she called back, stumbling as she crossed the cold deck to the refresher. Splashing cool water on her face helped to wake her. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and got dressed. She grabbed her lightsaber as she strolled out of the room. "Morning, Master." "About time," Kyp huffed, not noticing her expression. "We'll be at Chandrila in an hour and we have a pile of data cards to go through." Data cards. That's all I need right now, she groaned inwardly. "Yes, Master." Kyp smiled wanly. "There's a lot of information about the trading companies and previous efforts to resolve the conflict. Take a detour past the galley and get something to eat. Chances are, we won't eat again until late tonight."

Darien sighed with boredom. I think planets make up problems just so the Knights can torture their apprentices with data cards. He stood up to stretch, and changed data cards. Corran strolled into the Yavin Star's lounge and raised an eyebrow. "Why is there always an unimaginable amount of data cards on these missions?" Darien asked him tiredly.

"They aren't great reading, are they?" Corran smiled sympathetically. "Did they have any useful information?"

"No. A regular waste of time." Darien replied, starting to read the next data card. Quickly skimming through it and finding nothing interesting, he pulled it out and tossed it to the pile he'd already read.

Corran chuckled. "I doubt there was nothing useful. We just don't know it yet."

Darien didn't agree, but kept quiet. He picked up the last card and put it in his data pad. There was nothing remotely interesting on that one, either. Pulling it out and shutting down his data pad, he announced with relief, "Done."

Corran grinned. "Great. Now, the cargo hold is empty. Let's work on your lightsaber skills."

Darien stood and nodded. "Sure. It would be nice if I could make Cray work to win our duels."

Chapter 8

Dana swept her saber up to block her shoulder. The training probe's shot bounced harmlessly off the green blade. The probe's sound increased for a moment as it scrambled out of the way of the ricochet. Chewie roared in protest when the beam struck his arm. Han started to chuckle.

"Enough!" Kirana's voice ordered.

Dana heard the probe power down. Shutting down her lightsaber, Dana returned it to her belt, and untied her blindfold. "Did I do okay?"

"Did any of the bolts hit you?"

Dana's leg and arm seemed to yell reminders. "A few times," she admitted.

Kirana nodded. "You did fine. I don't know of many who can dodge or block every bolt at this point in their training."

Dana suppressed a smile. "Thank you, Master."

Kirana nodded again. "Take a break. Meet me back here in a half hour."

"Yes, Master." Dana watched her leave, then turned to her father. "How do you think I did?"

Han smiled at his daughter from where he sat next to the systems display. "You did good, Dana. Better than your uncle when Kenobi was working with him." He glanced at Chewbacca. "I don't think he agrees, though." Chewie growled an agreement.

Dana smiled. "Wow. Cool. Remind me to mention that to him." Dana glanced at Chewbacca apologetically. "Sorry, Chewie."

"Let me also remind you that when Luke did this exercise, it was his first time." Han pointed out. Glancing at the chrono on the display, he raised an eyebrow. "An hour. You worked on that for an hour." Han declared in amazement.

"Are you serious? It didn't feel like we worked that long. My body isn't that tired." Dana responded, surprised. "Oh well. I guess that means my endurance is good and I have a good connection to the Force."

"Well, that's good to know." Han smiled. "Can't have a daughter without a good connection to the Force."

"Daaaaaaad." Dana complained. "How long until we reach Bakura?" she asked.

Thrown slightly by the change in subject, Han glanced at the instruments. "Another couple of days. Bakura is quite a ways out."

"Okay. I'm going to find something to eat. Uncle Lando hasn't messed with the galley appliances lately, right?" Dana asked worriedly.

"Not that I know of." Han answered, distracted by Chewbacca's insistent growls. "What Chewie?"

The Wookie's answer was unintelligible to Dana as she strolled to the galley. Abruptly she stopped, her dream from the night before flooding back. In the dream, she had walked into an old-fashioned hospital room, were all her family and friends were. All had been seriously injured. Cray had been dead. Darien had come in behind her and said hatefully, "This is all your fault." It had echoed for what seemed to be eternity. Then Darien had added, "You don't deserve them." She had woken up in tears. No one had noticed.

Dana's appetite left her, and she turned slowly in the direction of her bunk. Chapter 9

He bent forward to kiss her. She leaned against him, her face upturned toward his. Somewhere in the background, an annoyingly insistent beeping started.

Darien came wake with a jolt. Of all the kriffing, piece of shavit devices! he thought, kicking off the covers. Why the hell couldn't it have woken up Corran? He stumbled into the cockpit and dropped into the pilot's chair, slapping the comm button as he did so. "This would be Darien," he greeted.

"Darien?" a young, frightened voice asked.

He stared at the comm in complete confusion, sleepiness abruptly gone. "Who is this?"

"Dana," the voice answered.

He gave a short laugh. "Try again."

"It's Dana, really."

"Uh uh, sure. Dana Solo would not call me at, let's see, two o'clock in the morning. Who is this?"

"This really is Dana."

He sat back further in his seat. The last statement sounded a bit more like the Dana he knew, but he wasn't convinced. "Prove it. What's my nickname for you?"

There was a hiss from the com. "Meatball Head," Dana growled.

"Good morning, Dana. How are this fine lovely two o'clock in the morning?" he asked dryly.

"Not so good," she said, her voice starting to return to the little girl one.

Darien frowned. "Excuse my confusion, but at last check, you talked to Cray when something was wrong. Never me. Is Cray not answering the Alderaan's com or you and her get in a fight?"

"Neither." Dana seemed to hesitate. "This isn't something I can talk to her about. It involves her and not in a good way."

Her voice had gone completely back to little girl. Which was starting to scare Darien. A scared Dana Solo. I think that's an oxy moron. "Do you want to tell me?" he asked hesitantly, expecting a no.

To his surprise, she launched into a description of a nightmare she'd had. Even before the end, he couldn't blame her for being upset. "You sounded like you hated me," she finished.

"First of all, sweetheart, I do not hate you," he said without thinking. "Second..." he trailed off, trying to think. "Try to relax. Remember, it's just a dream. Not real."

Dana was silent. "Have you talked to your Master about this?" he asked, not knowing what else to say.

"No. I tried to tell her, but I couldn't. I don't know why." Her voice was still in the little girl tone.

"Do you want me to talk to a Master about it?"

"You're hanging up on me?" Darien hadn't thought it possible for Dana's voice to become more frightened, but it did.

"No, no," he assured her quickly. He took a deep breath. What am I supposed to do with a scared Dana? "What else do you want to talk about?"

Dana was silent a moment. "Tell me a story."

"A story?!"

"Yea."

Darien stared at the comm for a moment, then rested his elbow on the edge of the console and rubbed his eyes. A story. Right. Do I even know any stories?

"Darien? Aren't you going to tell me a story?"

"Dana, I don't know any stories. My family, well, wasn't exactly..."

"You don't even know Cinderella?" Now her voice was incredulous.

He thought back. "Yea, I know that one," he said slowly. Barely.

"Tell me that one then."

"Okay..." He took a moment to remember and improvised, putting Dana in Cinderella's role and himself in Prince Charming's.

"What's your favorite color?" Dana asked a moment after he finished.

"Black," he said. "What's yours?"

"Dark, dark green," she answered. She continued on the favorites line for a while. "What's your dream girl?" she asked abruptly.

He almost said 'you', but he bit his tongue-literally. He thought for a moment. "Strong, almost fearless, she wouldn't be afraid to argue with me..." Honest, but not obvious, he thought.

"Sounds like you're describing Cray," Dana said after a moment.

He laughed. "No way. Blondie's too much like a little sister. And she flatly refuses to argue with me. She'd rather argue with Marie. Well, duel anyway."

Dana giggled. "How true," she said.

"I'd better go, Dana. We're landing in a few hours."

"No! Don't go!"

"Dana, I have to or Corran will kill me."

"But I'll fall asleep and the nightmare might come back." Dana's voice returned to the little girl tone.

"Dana," he said, thinking fast. What's that stupid sleeping medicine called? "Have you ever heard of Illm? It's a sleeping medicine that's pretty much standard in med kits. It makes you sleep deep enough so dreams won't come."

"Okay." Dana was silent a moment and when she spoke again, it was a whisper. "I have to go. Good night." There was a click as the comm disconnected.

"Good night," Darien murmured to the silent comm. He stared out the forward viewport at the starlines, thinking over the last hour. Why in the name of the Force would she call me? Ami, Marie, Cray... well, why she didn't call Cray is understandable, but why not the other two? They are two of her good friends. Why am I complaining anyway? She called me, not the others...what does that mean? He shook his head, and stood up to go back to his bunk. I'll call Luke tomorrow.

Chapter 10

Marie scowled at her data pad. "These delegates are driving me up the wall. I don't see a solution. Neither will agree to what the other wants. This is a complete waste of time."

Kyp shook his head slowly. "I don't think so. There's got to be a solution; it's just buried."

"Well, it's buried so deeply, I can't find it." Marie turned off her data pad and snapped it closed. "Every time we come with a solution, they make up some reason why it can't work."

"No, we just weren't covering all the bases," Kyp said, sending his apprentice a warning look.

She shot him the 'are you deaf, blind, and stupid?' look. "They come up with new reasons," she said heatedly. "In the original complaint, there were twenty five points. Now, there are over fifty. Sorry, that's not bases covered; that's stalling."

"You are way too suspicious."

"And that's a bad thing?" she countered. "Yesterday, after the meeting, I followed one of the delegates to a restaurant. Guess whom he met there? The other delegate! The problem is solved, but someone's making them disagree to keep us here."

"Marie," Kyp warned.

"I'm not lying! Check the notes from today! Practically all of the things that were wrong with the most recent solution were not in the original complaint!"

Kyp stared at her a moment. He walked to the door and picked up their jackets and tossed Marie hers. "Come on. We're walking."

"What?"

"Marie Dravin, now."

She was on her feet and out the door in an instant.

They walked in silence until they reached the park. "I don't sense any duplicity from the delegates. Your senses are usually sharper than mine; I suspect part of that is normal teenager distrust for any politician or almost anyone over the age of thirty-five. But I've dealt with duplicity. I know the signs. There are none here."

Marie was silent a moment. "Contrary to popular belief, this teenager was paying attention. These delegates aren't the presidents; they can't possibly know all the problems they need worked out, but they certainly are trying. They don't even consult the presidents. Someone else is pulling their strings."

"No, they don't," he conceded. "Maybe some of the duplicity is ambition to take over the company. That's not our concern. Our concern is the disagreement now."

"Which has been solved ten times over," she said, sounding exasperated. "You know it, I know it, and they know it."

It was Kyp's turn to be silent.

Marie abruptly spun around, trying to see in the faint light of dusk. "Something's wrong," she whispered.

Kyp stopped, turned toward her. "What?"

"Something feels wrong," she repeated, slightly louder. "My danger sense just went off in sirens."

He frowned and stretched out with the Force as his danger sense started warning him. "Shavit!' he cursed, grabbing Marie's arm and pushing her back as a blood red lightsaber sliced downward where the girl had just been standing. Kyp's purplish blade snap-hissed into existence to block a horizontal sweep as the attacker leapt onto the pathway.

Marie pulled out her own lightsaber to help her Master, but another attacker caught her blade and forced her into a duel. What the hell is this?! Marie thought frantically, shoving the second attacker into the light with her saber. A kid? she thought. He can't be any older than me! The kid attacked again, and she blocked it with some difficulty. She glanced down the path in the direction where Kyp should have been. But he and the first attacker were gone.

Brakiss and one of the promising initiates of the Dark Jedi Order stood waiting at the edge of the landing pad Horn had been assigned. Brakiss allowed himself a small smile. A bit of hypocrite, aren't you Kieran? You never really tried to get along with me because I'd served the Empire and the Dark Side. Against the Yuuzhan Vong, you touched the Dark Side and cost a planet its life. I hate hypocrites.

The ship dropped down on the landing pad a few moments later and began to power down. The ramp lowered and the apprentice, Hope - a weak fighter, I hear, Brakiss thought - exited the ship. He glanced at them, and did a double take. Brakiss allowed himself another grin. Of course, he thought, he was at the Academy during the Shadow Academy fiasco. He recognizes me. "Welcome to Yaga Minor," he said, approaching with the initiate a step behind. "Where is your Master or did Skywalker send a kid on this mission alone?" He pretended to sound offended, like he was an important figure on the planet.

Hope bristled at 'kid'. "My Master is shutting down the ship," he said, somewhat icily, giving the initiate, who was younger than he, a pointed stare.

Brakiss pretended not to notice as Horn came down the ramp. "Hello Kieran Halcyon," he greeted coldly. "We meet again, old friend."

Horn stiffened as soon as he saw him. "Brakiss," he ground out. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm greeting the Jedi that Skywalker sent to deal with the made up problem," Brakiss said, his tone turning cheerful. "I didn't think he'd send you. I thought he might be smart enough to send a Jedi that was either not directly involved in the defeat of the Empire or himself, since relations are so tense these days."

"They aren't so tense," Hope spoke up. "Mara Jade is speaking with Pellaeon about Jedi matters."

"You mean the attack on your friend Cray Skywalker?" Brakiss said. "The attack that was deliberately aimed at her and by someone who hates her. You might know who that person is, Darien Hope. You did get him kicked out of the Jedi Academy."

Hope stared at him in confusion. Horn glanced at him, then back at Brakiss. "Unless there is actually a problem, my apprentice and I will be leaving. You've got thirty seconds to give us a reason to stay, Brakiss."

He nodded. "Very well then," he said, pulling out his lightsaber and slicing at Horn's chest. Horn must've picked up his intention; he already had his own saber blocking the swing. "If you somehow manage to live through this, tell Skywalker the Shadow Academy may have failed but the Dark Jedi Order has flourished. The battle between the Light and Dark has been revived, and this time the Dark will win."

Chapter 11

He is defiantly flirting with me, Cray thought of the palace guard that walked beside her. Her father walked a meter in front of them, with King Markhano, discussing the history of the Gungan-Nubian relationship as they headed to the location where the discussions were to take place.

Under any other circumstance, Cray figured she would appreciate being flirted with, and would most likely be flirting back, but her danger sense was practically screaming at her and it didn't make for easy concentration. Master, she thought at her father.

She got back the mental image of him raising an eyebrow at her. My danger sense is yelling so loud I'm starting to get a headache. Am I the only one?

No, he thought back. Keep your attention on the moment and not that guard.

She glared at the back of his head, then glanced sidelong at the guard. His attention had shifted and, from the look on his face, he was trying to figure something out. They turned onto a narrower avenue. Instinctively, she glanced around the street, looking for anything out of the ordinary.

The guard elbowed her just slightly as he withdrew his blaster from its holster. With his chin, he gestured to the overhead walkway ten meters ahead of them, and raised an eyebrow. She looked at the walkway, caught a hint of movement, and the surge of her danger sense. She unhooked her lightsaber. "Master-"

She ignited her lightsaber and swept it into defensive position in time to block a torrent of blaster bolts aimed at her. Dimly, she saw the Nubian King and several guards sprint for the shelter of a nearby alley as her father snapped on his saber and blocked shots aimed at him. Why are the snipers aiming for us? she thought, barely catching one bolt in time. Please Force! Break through the block once more!

And she could tell Malinza didn't really like the arrangement either. Since asking how Luke and Mara were, she'd been silent and aloof. Kirana and the Governor weren't making things any easier by excluding them from the preliminary discussions of the corrupted politicians running for office.

"Malinza," she said suddenly as they walked up the red marble steps to the planetary Senate building.

"Yes?"

"Do you have a blaster?"

Kirana and the Governor spun around, obviously having overheard the question. "What kind of question is that?" the Governor demanded.

Malinza ignored her. "Yes. Why?"

"Because I think you're going to need it real soon," Dana said, stretching out with the Force toward the disturbance she felt. "Master, I really, really don't want to say this, but-"

A blaster bolt zoomed over Dana's head as she ducked, pulling Malinza down with her. Malinza leapt behind a pillar, Dana right behind her. Dana noted Kirana and the Governor had hidden behind one across the way. She stretched out with the Force toward where she thought the bolt had come from. "Direct your fire over there," she ordered the younger girl, pointing. "I'll block any that come our way," she added, snapping her emerald blade into existence.

"What was it that you didn't want to say?" Malinza asked, firing with laser accuracy in the direction Dana had pointed. A scream of pain signaled the end of that sniper.

"That I had a bad feeling about this," she answered. "It's like my family's classic line."

Malinza grinned, picking off another sniper. "You're a good shot," Dana said, picking off a bolt that sped in their direction.

"Thanks." The blasters went silent. "There were only three?"

"Oh hell no there weren't only three," Dana said as someone yelled.

"Jedi! Show yourselves!"

"That's bad," Dana murmured, peering around the pillar. She cursed violently. "A Nightsister. Wonderful."

"A what?"

"Nightsister. Dark Side Force Sensitive Witch from Dathomir."

"Let me shoot her."

Dana gave the girl a look she'd copied from her father, one she'd often seen him give her uncle when he did something a little crazy. "I'd love to let you but the evil twit has a double bladed lightsaber and I don't think a blaster bolt will get past it."

"Dana!" Kirana shouted.

"I gotta go. Been nice knowing ya Malinza."

Chapter 12

Mangrete figured they'd been dueling for over an hour by the time they reached the bridge over the deep and fast moving brook that ran through the park.

Durron is as good a fighter as Brakiss said, he thought dimly. But I'm better.

But the bridge was in disrepair and neither fighter knew it. Kyp stumbled on a loose board and had to retreat to solid ground.

Mangrete started to follow, but he tripped on the same board Kyp had. He didn't react in time and fell into the brook, hitting his head in the process.

Kyp watched the Dark Jedi disappear into the darkness. He snapped off his blade and went to search for Marie.

The Light Sith brought down her saber hard.

Neo blocked it as best as it could, and did a back flip out of her reach. She didn't follow, but placed her lightsaber in a defensive position with the hilt near her hip and the tip above the opposite shoulder. He overheard her thought, and thought at her, Glad you think so.

Her expression turned confused. "I was shielding that thought," she said, attacking.

Neo pushed her blade up, and tripped her. She snapped off her blade and did a forward roll back to her feet. She snapped the amethyst blade back on as he attacked. They traded blows without injury and backed away. She attacked again, managed to knock his blade away. The hilt of her lightsaber slammed into the back of his head, and he fell, unconscious.

Marie dropped to her knees next to him, exhausted. What made me turn off my blade at the last second? she wondered hazily. She felt herself start to pass out and she slumped to the ground.

Someone caught her. "Marie, wake up," a voice said as the someone shook her awake. "Marie, I refuse to carry you back to the ship. If you don't wake up, I'm leaving you here."

Marie forced her eyes open. "Five more minutes, Master," she joked sleepily.

Kyp pulled her to her feet. "Get up," he ordered.

"Right." She took a moment to balance, and shook her head to wake herself a little. "We're leaving?"

"Yep. The delegates can solve their own problems." Kyp started down the path.

"Wait!" She glanced at the kid at her feet. "Let's take him."

Kyp stared at her. "Why?"

She shrugged. "The Force told me not to kill him. I don't think he's entirely Dark."

The Jedi Master considered. "All right," he said.

This is not a fair fight, Darien thought as he dodged another swing from the younger Dark Jedi.

The kid's grin was unmistakable, and it had been fixed on his face since the fight started. He knew he was good and he knew he would win.

Darien lost himself to the Force as the Dark Jedi attacked viciously. He was barely conscious of his movements, but it was clear he was losing. The fight dragged on, Darien constantly losing ground. Another person joined the fight and it took Darien a minute to figure out the person was Corran. As a team, the Knight and apprentice easily defeated the younger Dark Jedi. Corran swung the final blow and the Dark Jedi fell. Darien nearly collapsed as well from exhaustion.

"Come on, we can't quit yet," Corran warned, grabbing Darien's arm and pulling him upright. "We have to get off planet fast." The Knight sprinted for the Yavin Star.

With an effort, Darien was on his heels. "What happened to Brakiss?" he asked, glancing around. The man was nowhere in sight.

"Took off. I don't know where he went and I frankly don't care," Corran answered, dropping into the pilot's chair and beginning the start-up sequence. "I'm going to jump in the general direction of Yavin and drop out of hyperspace after ten minutes. We'll call Luke then, and tell him what's going on."

Chapter 13

David Tildan decided once more he hated being a palace guard.

He caught sight of another sniper hiding behind a pillar in what he thought was cover. David picked him off easily. I hate this, I hate this, I hat - there was a shriek of pain in his mind, and he saw Cray stagger backward a couple steps. She'd been hit in the shoulder, he realized. Blaster fire aimed at her increased as her defense faltered. He managed to pick off another couple snipers before they could start firing at her in earnest.

A couple seconds later, Cray got her concentration back and increased her defense past what it had been, blocking shots easily now despite her shoulder. David wondered why she'd held back earlier and abruptly realized he could sense her presence. And since when am I Force sensitive? he thought sarcastically as another guard picked off another sniper and the rest fled.

Cray snapped off her blade, stunned. She inhaled sharply as the Force seemed to congeal around her and disappear. Her lightsaber slid from her hand and she fell backwards. He caught her just before she hit the ground and lowered her gently. Skywalker was there in a second, as was Mark.

"Get a med. Secure the area," Mark barked at one of the other guards. "Will she be all right?" he asked Skywalker.

The Jedi Master nodded as he checked the wound and winced. Two meds came sprinting down the street just then. "She the only one injured?" one demanded quickly, gently pushing the three of them away. Mark nodded.

Cray regained consciousness as the med began working on her shoulder. "Ow," she said in a flat voice.

"Is that all you have to say about getting shot in the shoulder?" David asked without thinking.

Cray turned her head to stare at him as the med gave her some kind of sedative. "Yeah," she murmured, falling unconscious again.

The Jedi were good fighters, but the Nightsister was better. Kirana swung at the woman's head while Dana took a swipe at the feet. The woman easily avoided both attempts and led the fight to the stairway, adding another dangerous element. However, the woman was not good at judging the steps. Dana lost her footing once and fell hard onto the steps. Despite a cut on her forehead, she got back up and rejoined the fight. Kirana forced the double blade high and Dana took a downward diagonal swing at the woman's legs. Not realizing the trap, the woman jumped-

And Kirana's blade caught her in the chest. Kirana snapped off her blade as the woman fell backwards down the steps. Dana slowly sat against a pillar.

Malinza ripped fabric from the hem of her tunic and pressed it against Dana's cut. Dana brought her hand up to hold the fabric in place. "Thanks. Call the Falcon, will you?"

Malinza glanced around, and saw Kirana talking rapidly into a comlink. "Kirana's doing that," she said. "So, how are Cray, Jaina, and Jacen?"

Dana smiled. "Jacen's still a punk and he thinks he's in love with another student at the Academy. Jaina's a part of Rouge Squadron. And Cray is the same as always."

Chapter 14

Marie paced the corridor outside the med room at the Academy. Why did the Force tell me not to kill him? And why did I insist we bring him? And I was shielding my opinion of his fighting! There was no way he could hear it!

There was a laugh from behind her. She spun around to see Kyp shaking his head at her. "You're going to give yourself a headache if you don't quit that," he warned.

"Quit what?" she asked, returning to her pacing.

"Questioning the Force." He watched her pace for a moment. "Aren't you getting dizzy?"

"No," she muttered, running over the questions again. Did I give him a concussion or something? Why isn't he awake yet?

"Good god, Marie!" Kyp exclaimed. "You won that fight on a lucky chance, and your worried you gave the boy a concussion. I thought you called yourself a Sith Lord."

"A Light Sith Lord with a medically inclined and sensitive sister, along with a worried-about-everyone best friend," Marie countered. "You think none of that rubs off?"

Kyp held up his hands defensively. "I'm on your side here," he said. "Light Jedi Master, remember?"

Marie sighed, stopped pacing, and leaned against the wall. "Is there any edible food?" she asked tiredly.

"In the dining hall," Kyp said helpfully. Marie didn't answer.

She'd fallen asleep.

"Someone pick up the damn comm!" Corran growled at the comm unit. "Don't tell me Streen took a kriffing break!"

Darien was half asleep and was trying to ignore Corran's attempt to use every curse word known to Corellians. "Try Luke," he murmured.

"Hey there's a novel idea!" Corran exclaimed, tapping Luke's comlink code. It didn't pick up immediately, which just made Corran more infuriated. "I'm going to take a quick walk around the ship before I talk to him," he announced suddenly. "If he actually answers, fill him in."

But that means I have to wake up, Darien thought. Corran was only gone a couple minutes when the comm picked up. "What do you want Darien?"

"Blondie? How did you know it was me?"

"Fifty-fifty guess. You and Dana have the same timing."

"Right. I'll inquire about the timing bit later because I doubt you want Corran to overhear."

The silence was telling. "What do you want, Darien?" Cray repeated sharply.

"I want to go home and fall down, but," he said. "Corran is insisting we talk to someone who'd like to know there are Dark Jedi about."

"Dark Jedi?!"

Darien could just picture the look that had to be on Cray's face at that moment. "Yep." He threw a glance over his shoulder. "Brakiss implied that someone I got kicked out of the Academy and hates you has joined forces with the Dark Jedi."

Cray drew a sharp breath.

Corran stormed back into the cockpit. "Cray picked up the comm," Darien informed him quickly.

"Wonderful. Cray, where's your father?"

"Talking to King Markhano," she said quickly. "You're going to tell me to go get him, aren't you?"

"Hey! Are psychic powers finally managing to get through that kriffing block?" Corran exclaimed. "Yes, I'm going to tell you to get your father," he paused, "now!"

Cray sighed. "Hang on," she said, and clicked off her comlink.

Chapter 15

Cray rested her elbow on the balcony rail and her head in her hand, tempted to drop the comlink into the waterfalls below them.

"Why'd did you let me hear that?" David asked quietly.

She shrugged; and winced, her shoulder screaming at her. "I'd take a bet that you're Force sensitive," she said, straightening. "You'd find out eventually."

He nodded, not quite meeting her eyes. "Don't let my father know, though," she said. "Do you know where they are?"

"Audience room," he said quickly. "I'll show you."

"We still have to negotiate?!" Dana exclaimed. "We get attacked, and it's clear it was an ambush, and we still have to deal with bickering bureaucrats?"

Han started snickering. Leia Organa Solo glared at him. "Dana quit being melodramatic."

"I'm not being melodramatic! Only a Dark Jedi or another stupid being would attack a Jedi in such away." Dana countered, trying hard to control her temper. "I'm not imagining things."

Han snickered louder. "I love your descriptions, Dana."

Leia shot him a Look. "I know you're not imagining things, Dana, but Bakura needs help. I've had to deal with situations like these before. You can't run out."

"Your mother's right, Dana." Kirana announced softly from the side, where she was bandaging a wound sustained during the firefight. "We can't leave. We just have to keep our guards up."

Dana sighed. Only part of her anxiousness to leave was due to the attack. She got the feeling that there was something big going on. "Fine, let's get going. I don't like this, but I'll go along anyway. And--" she winced "-I have a bad feeling about this."

Chapter 16

"This is starting to be a pattern that I don't like," Brakiss said, fighting to keep his voice even. "Your attack on Cray Skywalker a week ago failed. All four attacks failed. Other than that tiny, little aggravating similarity, they were both your ideas. Your next one had best work."

Mangrete was silent. "I don't have another idea on how to get the Jedi," he said through clenched teeth.

Brakiss ignored him. "A promising initiate is dead, as is our best fighter, the Nightsister. The snipers failed with the Skywalkers-"

"The snipers were meant to fail," Mangrete cut in. "If we continue with sending snipers to meet Skywalker, it will-"

"Make it seem like he's choosing the lease dangerous missions for himself," Brakiss interrupted him right back. "I know. Did you know the girl was injured?"

"Cray?"

"Yes. She missed a shot and it got her shoulder."

Mangrete nodded, disappointed that he hadn't been the one to shot her. "So, what do we do now?"

"We wait," he said. "Send fighters out every now and then, see if we can take down a Jedi or two, and wait for a chance to deal a real blow."

"What do you have in mind?"

Brakiss shrugged. "Possibly kidnapping Skywalker, maybe Solo and Dravin too." He cocked one eyebrow at his lieutenant. "Hope survived his duel."

Mangrete scowled. "Meddling fool," he growled. He grinned abruptly. "Kidnap Skywalker, and Hope is almost sure to come after her. He sees her as a little sister."

Brakiss nodded. "Double revenge, perhaps?"

Mangrete shook his head. "If Hope hadn't gotten me kicked out, I wouldn't be here," he mused. "I'd have already gotten what I wanted from Cray."

"I thought we referred to her as 'the Skywalker girl'."

Mangrete was silent.

Brakiss sat up. "Coruscant Academy returns from summer break in a week and a half. The week of mid-semester break is two, three months after that. Perhaps we can arrange something."

Chapter 17

There was a knock on David's door. "Come in."

Markhano walked in and starting reading over David's shoulder. "What on Naboo are you writing?" he asked.

"University of Theed entrance essay. Why?"

"Save it. I need to talk to you."

David did as ordered as Markhano dropped into a chair. "What's up?" he asked.

"You were reacting before the attack started the other day."

"I thought my instincts were the only reason you let me be a guard."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "Your mother's parents were Jedi. Did you know that?"

David glared at him. "This would have been nice to know before Luke Skywalker showed up."

"I didn't think we were going to be attacked," Mark countered. "And watch your mouth."

David went silent and stared out the window of his room. Mark sighed. "If I were to send you to the Jedi Academy-"

David snapped his head back to stare his guardian. "What?"

"You'd rather not go?"

"I didn't say that."

It was Mark's turn to be silent as David thought it over. "My mother's parents were Jedi?"

Mark nodded. "They escaped from Coruscant and hid here. Palpatine followed them here. They hid your mother, but Vader caught them. At least, that's what your mother told me. Since she was sick, I might be a little wrong."

David's cheek twitched at the word 'sick'. "They were well known?"

Markhano shrugged. "There was a rumor the Jedi Council placed a Jedi here as a silent bodyguard for Queen Amidala. Vader and Palpatine could have been after her. Or Kenobi for that matter; Obi Wan made at least one trip a year to Theed after the Battle. One of the other rumors about that was he was having an affair of sorts with a handmaiden. If the Jedi placed here was a girl he was close to, the rumor might be well founded."

David was silent again. Mark cleared his throat. "Crysta's father has demanded to see you once again."

David groaned and buried his head in his arms. "Now there's a good reason to leave," he muttered. "Thinks his kat-"

"Don't say it. I won't stand for cursing and you know it as well as anyone else in the Palace."

He rephrased his sentence. "He thinks Crysta is perfect and innocent and harmless and..." he sighed. "She needs to go away."

"You need to go away. Do you plan on being a Palace guard for the rest of your life?"

"I thought that's why you encouraged me to apply to University of Theed."

"What exactly do you plan to do?"

"I don't know! Good god, Mark I'm only sixteen."

"Fifteen."

"My birthday is in two days. I'm sixteen."

Mark sighed. "You've never been off planet, except when you were sick." David winced. "I won't force you to go; but I want you to think about it. Promise me that."

David nodded wordlessly, thoughts elsewhere.

Mark stood. "Good night, David."

He mumbled a response and Mark left. He stared out his window for a while, one finger stroking the cut on his cheek Crysta had given him barely a week ago. If my parents were still alive, what would they want? he asked himself. The answer was obvious. She wouldn't have told Mark about her parents if she hadn't wanted me to learn.

"Explain to me why you brought back a Dark Jedi," Cray invited Marie as she caught up to her in a hallway outside the Great Hall.

"Oh shut up, Skywalker," Marie snapped. "I don't answer to you."

"Nor I to you," Cray said calmly, matching her pace to Marie's "I just was curious."

"Sure."

Cray sighed. "Never mind then. I have to go see Ami."

"Why?"

"And you're a Jedi in training? And my friend?" Cray said sourly. "I got shot in the shoulder during the firefight and I need to get it healed."

"YOU GOT SHOT?!"

Cray rubbed her ear vigorously to stop the ringing. "I didn't need that ear."

Marie stopped short and glared at her. "Funny. So you got shot?"

"Yes. Immediately afterward, my block came down again."

"Three times in two weeks. Betting on no block within a year."

"I thought you didn't bet." Cray smiled. "Let me go get this healed and I challenge you to a duel."

"You're on."

"Okay, since you are guaranteed to be here long enough to tell me why my timing is so bad," Darien said, leaning against the side of the door to the med center, staring at his best friend, "start talking."

Cray gave him a Look. "It's none of your business."

Darien raised an eyebrow. "None of my business. I seem to have heard that before. Circa three years-"

"That's not the case, Darien," she said sharply. Ami decided it was time to go elsewhere and left. The door slid closed behind her. "And we promised not to mention him unless it was absolutely necessary."

"It was necessary," Darien said in a low voice. "To remind you that the last time you said that..." he trailed off, knowing the sentence didn't need to be completed.

Cray closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. "Darien, I appreciate the big brother act but please try to get the fact that I remember what happened, what almost happened, and I learned from it. Give me a little credit."

Darien was silent. "I know you do Cray. But sometimes you jump into things without giving it a second thought-"

"I know," she said, smiling slightly. "I'm a Skywalker, remember? It's inherent."

"That's what worries me," he said blandly. "So what happened?"

"You're relentless."

"So? What happened?"

Cray sighed. "Highly interesting conversation with a Palace guard."

"Translation: make out session."

"No!" Cray protested. "Give me some credit."

Darien raised an eyebrow.

She glared at him. "One kiss."

"Right. And Dana and I are friends."

She held out her hands, palms up. "I swear to the Force that's all that happened."

He still looked skeptical. "Forget it. I have to go fight Marie now, so see you later."

"Whoa, Blondie. You got shot in the shoulder and you're going to go duel with Marie? Craziness seems to be inherent too."

"Go bicker with Dana," she snapped, slipping by him and leaving the med center before he could say another word.

Chapter 18

"Dark Jedi," Luke said again, pacing slowly along one wall of the war room.

"I thought Brakiss was dead," Kyp ventured.

"So did I," Luke said. He glanced at Corran.

"It was him, I swear. He even called me Kieran Halcyon," Corran said. "Only your first students know me by that name. And Brakiss was one of them."

"You said he directed something at Darien. What?"

Corran sighed, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "Something about a student he got kicked out a few years ago. Someone that hated Cray. The only one I can think of that fits at least that first part is Mangrete."

Luke turned abruptly to his sister. "That the leader of the attack on Cray a few weeks ago, you said his sense felt familiar. Did you know Mangrete?"

"Who?"

Corran sighed, struggling to remember what the man looked like. "Tall, strongly built, black brown hair, brown eyes, olive complexion. No scars if I remember right."

Luke nodded. Leia sighed, thinking back. "I think so. He seemed mildly interested in Cray as a fighter."

"I remember him," Kam said slowly. "Cray could beat him any day in a lightsaber match."

"He's a hell of a lot better now," Kyp said. "If it weren't for that bridge, you'd be less one Jedi Master and one Jedi apprentice."

"We have an enemy," Luke said. "Not one that threatens the Republic. A real, solid enemy. Brakiss will destroy us or die trying."

"What do you think he's going to do next?" Tionne asked.

"He hates me most," the Jedi Master said slowly. "Despite the Jedi Council, he would still see me as the central figurehead and will either try to take me down or affect me so I can't lead."

"And if someone's really after Cray," Mara said quietly, "they could take care of both in one sweep."

Everyone was silent.

"We have another few matters," Streen said. "What about Neo Chance?"

"I'd bet he's one of those runaways the Shadow Academy kidnapped and brainwashed," Kyp said. "And he's got the feeling about him that says he could never be truly evil."

"Mara, you gave me an analogy once," Luke said abruptly, "about Force sensitives. Kind of a spectrum...?"

Mara thought hard for a moment. "There would always be people who are and will always be evil, while there are others who are and will always be good. The rest of us fall somewhere in the middle."

"Right," Luke agreed.

Kyp considered that. "It's likely he could fall on the lighter side of things," he said slowly. "He was one hell of a match for Marie. But watching them duel for a few minutes was like watching her and Cray duel. No malice, just the need to win."

"Should we give him a chance?" Kirana asked. "What if he has no intention of coming to the Light? He could gain incredible amounts of information and pass it on to the Dark Jedi."

The Jedi Masters mulled over that for a moment. "I say we chance it," Ganner Rysnode said. "Hell, I'll take him for my apprentice."

"It would be hypocritical of me to say once you've touched the Dark Side, you can't return," Kyp agreed.

Corran nodded.

Kirana, Kam, Tionne, and Streen shook their heads. "No," Kirana said. "We can't risk it."

"Give him a chance," Mara and Leia said together.

Only Luke and Cilghal were unsure. "Okay, let's say we were to give him a chance. He can't be an apprentice right away."

"Probation?"

Luke nodded. "He's allowed free rein, basically, but a Master has to be watching him, at least for a few months."

"I volunteer," Ganner said. "I'll work with him on a semi-Master-apprentice level."

"If he agrees," Leia said.

Kyp grinned. "Let Marie talk to him."

"Of course," Luke said loudly, "this is all assuming he wants to stay. What if he doesn't want to have anything to do with us?"

This silenced them. "What if he just wants to go back to his home planet? Or even back to the Dark Jedi?"

"Home planet, let him go," Corran said. "Dark Jedi..." he trailed off.

"He wants to stay," a new voice said. They spun toward the entrance.

Marie stood just within the doorway. "He wants to stay," she repeated softly.

Luke glanced back at the other Masters. Kyp, Ganner, Corran, Leia, and Mara nodded at him, while Kirana, Kam, Tionne, and Streen shook their heads. Only Cilghal now remained neutral other than himself. She sighed, then nodded.

"Okay," Luke said, turning back to Marie. "He stays."

"Scram, Marie!" Kyp called. "Go tell your friend the good news."

Marie glared at him, then turned and left. "What were the other matters, Streen?" Luke asked.

"Are we going to accept more students?" Streen said, a little miffed because the Council ruled over his opinion.

"Are there people wanting to come?" Luke sounded surprised. The last new students had been Marie and Ami and that had been at least three years before.

"David Tildan, from Naboo."

"The Palace guard," Luke said. "He's strong in the Force."

The rest of the Masters looked confused. "He was one of the King's guards. He started to react to the snipers at the same time Cray did."

"Cray's got a danger sense sharper than any Jedi Master in this Academy," Mara said. "He might have known."

"He's Markhano's adopted son. And he didn't."

"And you know this because?"

"Because he was flirting with Cray right up until we turned onto the avenue where we were attacked."

"And he's still living? Luke, you're crazy," Han said from the back of the room. He'd been sitting backwards in a chair for the entire meeting. "You want someone who was flirting with your daughter here?"

Luke sighed. "At the current moment, I was trying to think of her as my apprentice."

"Why?"

"Lecture me later," Luke said, annoyed.

Mara was snickering. "I think the fact he was flirting with Cray is all the more reason to let him come. Cray could use a relationship."

Luke cast her a dark look.

"Let's subtract Cray from this discussion for the moment," Corran said. "David's not a Dark, he's," he grabbed Streen's data pad, "sixteen, and he's got potential. What's the problem?"

"Since you put it that way," almost everyone murmured together, Han staying silent.

"Fine, he's accepted," Luke said.

"Anything else or can we adjourn?" Kam said, starting to stand.

"Just to let the Council know," Luke said quietly. "Cray broke through her block again."

Cilghal and Tionne sat back down. "Twice now?"

Luke shook his head. "Kyp and I interrupted on of her and Marie's duels," he said quietly. "She broke through the block and won against me." Silence.

Chapter 19

"Hey Dana!" Darien's voice called from behind her.

"What do you want?" she snapped as she turned to face him.

He frowned at her, momentarily confused. "Uh, I just wanted to let you know what Master Skywalker thought about your dream. He said it was probably your worst fear and that the person who told you it was your fault was whose opinion mattered most to you."

She gave him a blank stare. "What are you talking about?"

He blinked. "You called me in the middle of the night about a week ago," he said slowly. "Don't you remember?"

She smirked and shook her head. "I'm sure we can find a doctor to cure you of your illusions."

He glared at her and decided it was time to switch to safer topics. "What in the name of the Force are you wearing?"

"What do you care?" she snapped, relieved he'd dropped the subject.

"That's ugly," he continued, referring to the shirt she was wearing. Actually, it looks really good on you, but like I'm going to tell you that.

Dana glanced down. "What's wrong with it?" she demanded. "Too green for your taste?"

"It's just ugly."

"It is not! You have no fashion sense."

"He's male, Dana," Mara said as she came up the hall behind her. "Men have no fashion sense."

"I resent that remark!" Lando Calrissian's voice yelled.

"Of course, the one exception shows up right now," Mara said, rolling her eyes. "Save the argument, please."

"Uncle Lando!" Dana greeted.

"Lando," Darien said, nodding to the older man. "I have to go meet Corran now."

"Does anyone know where Luke is?" Lando asked. "This kid got off the transport with me and he said he's a new student." A young man none of the three Jedi present recognized stood unsure a couple steps behind Lando.

"You can never find Luke unless you're not looking for him," Mara remarked. "I think Han's the only one with that ability. Darien, take New Kid with you. Corran'll find Han and Han'll find Luke."

Darien didn't quite follow the reasoning, but shrugged and nodded. "Come on, New Kid," he said, starting up the hall.

The kid caught up easily. "My name's David."

"Darien. Where're you from?"

"Naboo."

They reached the lightsaber training room a few moments later. Cray and Marie were engaged in a furious duel in one of the circles, and Corran was in a heated discussion with Kam. "You're late Darien!" they yelled.

"I'm always late!"

"Exactly! Who's that?"

"New student. Have you seen Han around?"

"He's getting the Falcon prepped." He gestured to the far end of the hall. "Cray and Marie are getting in one last duel before they have to go back to school." He turned his attention to David. "Just hang here until we're done. With luck, Luke might actually come by."

"Oh come on Marie!" Cray said, laughing as she did a back flip away. "You like him!"

"Says who? And you've been in a half dream world since you got back from Naboo. What Prince Charming did you meet there?" Marie countered, attacking.

"Hardly the case Marie."

"Then who's David?"

"Where did you hear that?!"

"Your journal."

"Don't even joke about that Marie. I'll kick you into next week."

"No, I didn't read your journal. I gleaned it off your thoughts the other day while Ami was healing you."

"PUNK!"

"That's Sith Punk to you!"

The conversation ended then and the duel grew more furious. About an hour later, they came to a draw, both wanting to continue but physically unable.

A round of applause came from the other side of the room. They bowed. "And presenting the Academy's best fighters, Sith Lord Darth Marie Dravin and Jedi Cray Skywalker!" Kam boomed.

Breathless, they grinned as they walked toward the exit. "Cray do you know where your father is?" Corran called.

"Uh uh," Cray called back. "Haven't seen him all day."

"Take New Kid with you!" Corran yelled.

"We're going to the med center!"

"So? That's the one place your father always knows where to find you."

Darien laughed.

"Hope, I can kick you butt any day!" Marie yelled. "Don't laugh at me." She glanced at the guy walking over to them. "Oh, he's cute," she murmured.

"Hm?" Cray said, turning. She stopped short. "David!"

"Now you're hallucinating!" Marie threw up her hands and grabbed her friend's arm. "Come on Blondie. Ami needs to check your eyesight."

Cray managed to land a kick to the calf and Marie let go, hopping on one leg in pain. "Do NOT try to drag me around!"

"Do not try to drag me around!" Marie mimicked her, getting a head start for the med center.

"MARIE!"

"You didn't mention a Sith best friend," David said quietly.

She jumped, having not realized he'd come up next to her. "That's 'cause we never discussed our friends," she said as they walked out of the training room.

David conceded the point. "How's your shoulder?"

"Better, though not at the moment. Marie got me there a couple times."

"It looked like a fierce fight."

"Ours always are. Our friendship came from that rivalry."

"Cray and David sitting-" Marie started to sing like she was in second grade as they walked into the med center, conveniently situated just down the corridor from the lightsaber training room.

Ami gave her a boot to the head to shut her up. "How mummy like should I make her?"

"At least tape up the mouth," Cray said, boosting herself on the counter, finding the hydrogen peroxide and taking care of a few of her cuts. David remained by the door, looking a little squeamish.

"Your boyfriend has a weak stomach," Marie teased.

"Your boyfriend's on probation," Cray shot back. "And he's not my boyfriend."

"He's a boy and he's your friend right?" Ami asked.

"Whose side are you on?"

"Who won the duel?"

"Draw."

"I'm on his side then," Ami said, gesturing to David. "He's kinda cute, Cray."

David blushed slightly.

Ami pulled out a med scanner and ran it over Cray and Marie. "And the fighter with the most injuries today is..." Ami said, reading the results "...Marie."

"Curse you Skywalker!"

Cray stuck her tongue out at her.

"Cray, you have a nasty cut on your right temple," Ami said a moment later, frowning at the readings, then at Cray's face.

Cray brought her hand up to touch it and winced. She checked the mirror. "Marie, how'd you manage this?"

"Manage what?" Marie asked, looking up. She winced in sympathy. "I don't know. I wish I remember giving it to you though."

Cray glared at her. "Damn, this needs bacta," Ami said after studying it a moment. "Nasty cut and a nasty bruise to go along with it."

"Hell no am I going in that tank again."

"Oh, shut up Blondie," Ami said, pressing a bacta patch on Cray's temple.

"Ow!"

"Baby!"

"It hurts!"

"I thought your shoulder hurt worse."

"It did!"

Ami put the med scanner away. "Your injuries are fine for now. Scram."

Cray made a face. "Have you seen my dad?"

"No. But I know a sure way to make him show up."

"What's that?"

"Start talking about something you don't want him to hear about."

"That's a limited subject and it would only give him about a minute to get here."

"Really," Ami said. "I've got a bet that's not true."

Cray raised an eyebrow, suddenly worried if the older girl knew. "Really. Why's that?"

"I believe there was more than just rivalry between you and Mang-"

"There was nothing between us, Ami," Cray cut her off sharply. "I hardly knew him."

"Hardly knew who?" Luke asked, appearing in the doorway.

Ami and Marie laughed.

Cray glared at the older girls. "Never mind," she said quickly.

Luke raised an eyebrow. "The Falcon's leaving in an hour," he said, deciding to press the issue later. "I hope you both are ready to go."

"How can you possibly be ready to go back to Coruscant Academy?" Marie asked. "Oh, Cray! I challenge you to a duel after school on the rally stage the first day back."

"You do so and you're grounded until you're eighteen," Luke said before Cray could respond.

"Damn!" Cray said. "Oh wait! That's only three years. I can-"

"All right. As your Master, I forbid you to duel on school grounds."

"Damn!"

"There's always the Senate hall," Marie said helpfully.

"Yes!"

"No. Also forbidden."

"Damn!" Marie, Cray, and Ami said together.

David snickered. Luke shot him a look. "You must be David."

"Yes sir," David said, straightening.

"Well, welcome to the Academy," Luke said wryly. "You just happened to stumble on the craziest students first."

"They didn't seem so crazy. Some of the guards are more so."

Luke chuckled. "Well, I guess I'd better show you around." He glanced back at Marie and Cray. "Are you two really ready to go back to Coruscant?"

Marie gave a reluctant 'yes' and Cray suddenly busied herself with a cut on her arm. "Cray?" Luke asked mildly.

"No."

He gave her a Look. "Cray..."

"I'm goin', I'm goin'."

Chapter 20

Chewbacca gave a roar from the cockpit.

"It works fine!" Han yelled back, scanning the readouts.

"She running smoothly for a change?" Leia asked from the lounge table.

"Honey, she's been running smooth for a couple years now," Han answered as Jaina pulled herself out from the service area. "Rouges expecting you back soon?" he asked her.

"Same day school starts," she said. "Everything's fine down below."

"Got it. Where's your sister?"

"Fighting with Darien probably."

From outside the ship came loud shouts. "It's not a tacky shirt!" Dana's voice yelled.

"It is too!" Darien's snapped back.

"Nice call," Leia murmured. "Too bad they won't quit fighting long enough to find out they like each other."

"Yeah, well as long as they're fighting, they aren't doing anything," Han grunted. "I happen to get along with Darien. He's a nice kid; I'd hate to have to kill him."

Jaina snickered. "Like you'd love to kill Jag, right?"

"Why? Has he done anything to you?"

Jaina suddenly had something important to do that didn't involve staying in the lounge.

Cray and Marie came up the ramp a few minutes later. "I just hope I don't have Kriton," Marie was saying. "According to Dana, she's a real-"

Cray elbowed her in the side, cutting off what was probably a curse. "Clayvanello's not supposed to be so great either. The way fate likes us, we'll probably have 'em both."

Marie groaned. "Wonderful, just wonderful. Hi Han, hi Leia. Where's Chewie?"

A roar answered her from the cockpit.

"Now, what about this David?" Marie continued her conversation with Cray as they crossed the lounge.

Cray stopped short. "What about him?"

Marie gave her a knowing grin. "Get a life, Marie," Cray said. "Or go find Neo."

Marie got a thoughtful look on her face and she started back across the lounge. "Oh, good idea."

Han exchanged a look with his wife. "Are you gonna have to put up with this all the way to Coruscant?" he asked his niece.

"No," Cray said, leaving the lounge in the direction of the bunks.

Han snorted. "Yeah, sure, I believe that."

DISCLAIMER: Each character in this story belongs to their respective creator. The Star Wars Universe belongs to George Lucas. I made no money from this story.