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Author	Topic: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - author's notes and apology
dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 4/9/07 4:39pm Subject: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - author's notes and apology - Date Edited: 7/10 4:43pm (16 edits total) Edited By: dianethx
	Title: For the love of a son author: dianethx Summary: Jacen's lust for power is the pathway to the Dark. Luke and Mara try to rescue their son. Takes place before Sacrifice. Genre: drama, PG Characters: Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade Skywalker, Ben Skywalker, Jacen Solo Disclaimer: I do not own Luke Skywalker or Mara Jade Skywalker or Ben Skywalker or Jacen Solo or the Star Wars concept; Lucasfilm does. I am very respectfully borrowing them with no intent to profit. No credits have changed hands. No copyright infringement is intended. Note: It will be updated when I can. I should be working on other things but this plot bunny bit hard. "It's a trap." Luke Skywalker knew better than to argue with his wife - he had learned that well enough in the long years since they first met - but he could not deny her reasoning. It was a trap, one they were stepping into quite willingly. Like shadowmoths to the proverbial flame. Apprehension slithered down his back at the grim thought but he did not allow his focus to waver. Instead, nodding vaguely in her direction, he leaned forward for a better view of their destination. Beyond the shuttle's transparasteel window, the planet loomed dark and hot-red, glowing fiercely in the black void of space. Smoky clouds of noxious gases billowed into its atmosphere and the surface below seemed to be a chaotic wreckage of lava flows and congealing rock. Every so often, asteroids and other debris streaked past the spacecraft and then moments later, bright splashes of molten-core crimson would vomit across the obsidian-dark surface. No wonder someone had named it Hell's Gate. It was a perfect place to trap the unwary. Luke sat there, staring down at the planet, thinking about what to do next. The scene was beautiful in its own deadly way but he ignored it. Instead, he was more concerned with the Force's warnings, that down there on the surface was the key to success or the saber thrust of failure. Filled with a strange foreboding mixture of old pain and new, jangled conflicting whispers of dangers past and present and future, the Force was telling him - there had been desperation and death once on that fiery planet and there would be again. Soon. He didn't like it... at all. But he had no choice. Ben, his only son, was down on the surface and he wasn't going to allow the boy to remain there for one more day. Jacen Solo may be turning to the Dark but there was still a chance for Ben. "Skywalker, are you listening?" Mara's irritated, concerned voice broke through his concentration. She hadn't called him Luke in almost two weeks, ever since they had received the information about Jacen's latest killing spree and how he'd involved Ben in the murders. Her anxiety was pouring into the Force and it only added to the bitter black currents that twisted around them both. "Mara, I know." He nodded slowly, trying to keep his own fears from blinding him. He could almost taste sour failure in the back of his throat but he fought it off. A defeatist attitude would not help him. He had to concentrate, to try and negotiate through the myriad pathways in the Force, to find a way to rescue his son before it was too late. "We need to be cautious.... both of us." Glaring at him in sharp fury, his wife spat out, "I want my son back. I want my son away from that murderer." He wanted the same thing but Luke had to be realistic. Mildly, he reminded her, "Ben may not want to come with us." "He won't have any choice." Mara's hand slapped the controls, tugging at one of the forward thrusters with bone-shaking force and the shuttle tilted, whining in response. Beyond the transparasteel, a large chunk of primeval debris streaked past, plunging into the atmosphere. As the meteor hit the surface and crimson-core lava fountained upward, Luke said, "Jacen may have something to say about that." "Let him try." Mara's voice was cold as deepest space. Luke turned toward her. She had insisted on piloting the shuttle, arguing that it would give her something to do besides worrying about Ben but it hadn't worked. If anything, she was more angry now than when they had started on this journey. He knew that they would have to come to some kind of accord if they were to succeed, especially against Jacen Solo. But when he looked again at Mara, for a moment, he couldn't breathe. The glow from the planet's fiery surface had stained her pale face in red-brown. Like old blood, he realized, shivering at the thought. With determined effort, he pushed away the image, saying softly, "He has had every opportunity to turn our son into someone we may not even be able to recognize. The latest news only confirms that Ben was involved in that terrible massacre and he seemed to be there willingly. He may have already become dark, Mara." "Skywalker...." She shot him a look of pure disbelief before turning back to pilot the ship. Reaching over, his fingertips tried to follow the smoothness of her cheek but she jerked away. He had to be content to rest his hand on her shoulder, wordless apology in his touch. "We will bring him back but he may fight us." She stiffened under his hand as he said, "You know he will want to stay with his... Master." Roughly, Mara shrugged him off. "Why are we arguing about this? Don't you want your son away from Jacen?" He huffed defeat. His wife could be more stubborn than any nerf when she thought she was right. Abandoning any attempt to placate her, Luke said clearly, "Yes, but since this is a trap, we need to go into it with clear minds and a steady focus." "Skywalker, you are... " Her eyes flashed green fire as she reminded him, "While you were playing with womp-rats back on Tatooine, I was already infiltrating operations worse than this. And succeeding." "Mara, I know, I know." Shaking his head, he frowned at her, pointing out, "But your focus is on Ben when it needs to be on Jacen. He is the one who is likely to attack, not our son." He drew back, turning away and staring down at the molten planet. For a moment, he said nothing, just watched as another meteor broke through solid rock, liquefying it and sending core-red lava skyward. The Force shuddered with alarm. Drawing in a deep breath and letting it out, trying to break through the anxiety that was swelling with every heartbeat, Luke said, "If we want to get out of this alive and with Ben, we must be cautious." She was having none of it. Shoving a tendril of bright hair out of her face, Mara glared plasma in his direction. "Blast it, we have been too cautious. Allowing Jacen to do all those terrible things... torture and assassination and.. turning everything we've fought for all those years into chaos. And for what? Political gains and appeasing the fools on Coruscant?" Her voice had been rising with every word but now it fell, ice-cold and very, very decided. "Well, I've had enough. I'm taking Ben home and no one - not Ben, not Jacen, not even you is going to stop me." "Mara..." There must have been something in his voice. All at once, she let out a long shuddering breath, and eased back into her seat. Her hands, rigid with anxiety, opened slightly and even the shuttle's movement seemed calmer. Sending little glances his way, she was still frowning but she seemed more resigned than angry when she said, "Luke, I know that it will be difficult. I know that things might go badly down there. But I love him and I want him home. No matter the cost, I want him home." Tenderly brushing aside her wayward hair, he said softly, "So do I. Just don't do anything foolish and get yourself killed. I couldn't bear to lose you." She stared off into the distance, concentrating on piloting the ship but he could see the beginnings of a smile catching at her mouth. The lines there told of age and a lifetime of commitment and he loved every one of them although he would never tell her that. Even he wasn't that crazy. But she must have caught his thought because the smile deepened. Her eyes focused on the looming planet, one hand steady on the shuttle's controls, Mara reached over and pulled him close. Gently, she murmured, " I have Luke Skywalker at my side. What could possibly go wrong?" And then with a soft brush of fingertips, she let him go, turning back to piloting, all business and concentration as she started the landing cycle. Luke just watched her, fiery beauty in motion, while the answer to her question clawed dread into him. Everything. *************************************** tbc -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 6/28/08 Fragments of Illusion- http://boards.theforce.net/bts/b10475/28456473 updated 7/22/08 Freeze frame - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b10476/27820434 Master to jedidas3 Impeach Bush!
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MirandaFair Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 4/9/07 5:34pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - Date Edited: 4/9/07 6:47pm (1 edits total) Edited By: MirandaFair
	Oh, Lordy! Diane, you've certainly caught my attention with this strong opening. I'm excited and somewhat scared with what's to come. Great descriptions, brilliant use of Luke and Mara, and a very ominous start. " I have Luke Skywalker at my side. What could possibly go wrong?" And then with a soft brush of fingertips, she let him go, turning back to piloting, all business and concentration as she started the landing cycle. Luke just watched her, fiery beauty in motion, while the answer to her question clawed dread into him. Everything. Oh, Lordy-Lordy... Is there a PM list for your updates? If so - I'd love to be one it. Thanks! edited for spelling... P.S. - I thought something was different here...Diane, you're posting in Beyond! Yay! -----signature----- May the Muse be with you.
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Zonoma Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 4/9/07 5:54pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - Date Edited: 4/10/07 4:19am (1 edits total) Edited By: Zonoma
	dianethx I'll confess that the first thought I had was what the heck is dianethx doing up here in Beyond? followed shortly by I HAVE to read this (mostly because I've only heard good things about you but don't tend to follow the other sagas). I've read it and now I'm thinking: YOU ARE MY HERO! I've been waiting for someone to do this. I have the draft for something similar (but different enough that you don't have to worry) because I want someone to 'fix' the Skywalkers. Thank you. When you update, please feel free to PM. Thank you again. Zonoma EDIT: Spelling someone's name wrong is not a good way to make friends. Sorry bout that. -----signature----- Updated 05/09/08 http://mommybabble.contentquake.com
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RebelMom Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 4/9/07 9:07pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	I'm along for the ride too. -----signature----- Short Story: Pressure Point http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26961243/p1/?7 Jacen Solo and Anakin Skywalker - as it should have been. TFF: Cheryl
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Luna_Nightshade Registered: Jan '06	Date Posted: 4/9/07 10:34pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - Date Edited: 4/9/07 10:35pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Luna_Nightshade
	First of all, I think I did four or five doubletakes upon seeing your name in here. Secondly... Such beautiful description, such nervousness, such darkness... I haven't even gotten this far in the EU, but I can't keep myself from reading this. I can't wait for more. Please pm me! EDIT: ERR... doublenegatives, they totally change the meaning of a post... -----signature----- You can learn a lot about things if you just step back and look. Catching up. Please be patient.
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Tahi Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 4/10/07 2:02am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	Great to see you here diane. I'm interested to see where you take this. I'm not actually up to LotF yet, but I've heard enough chit-chat to kind of know what's going on. "Skywalker, you are... " Her eyes flashed green fire as she reminded him, "While you were playing with womp-rats back on Tatooine, I was already infiltrating operations worse than this. And succeeding." Ha ha - liked that bit. Always good to put the husband in his place. I'm with Mara on this one. I often find Luke a bit daft now actually - terrible confession! I'll probably be struck down by Luke fans - but really some of his decisions concerning rearing kids and also dealing with some situations have been weird to me. -----signature----- Anahiri #6 http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/18446448/p33 The magazine for A/T fans Many Happy Returns http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/11018706/p81/?2011 Master to THE_PIED_PIPER
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verybusy Registered: Sep '06	Date Posted: 4/10/07 2:13am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	Intense! i really like the way you let Mara act here! I guess I need to know where are you going to take them as well. So if you could send a PM to me, too? cheers, VeryBusy -----signature----- Proud Padawan of VaderLVR64 ~Arts-and-Crafts~ 11/6 - http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26899638/p1/?0 ~Reality~ 06/25 http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26989016/p1/?20
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Musing Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 4/10/07 3:27am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	I agree with everyone who (1) is surprised to see you on this board and (2) delighted by your appearance here. Finally Luke and Mara are taking action over Ben to get him away from Jacen. It might possibly fit in with canon, too, considering all that's been rumored about Sacrifice. Wonderful start, dianethx!
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Jade_eyes Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 4/10/07 3:40am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - Date Edited: 4/10/07 5:17am (1 edits total) Edited By: Jade_eyes
	Diane. Foot!! How've I missed your brilliance so far? Ominous last line; gotta have PM's. Like a moth to a flame, I'm drawn to your perfect characterization, intense, vivid imagery and emotion. I love Luke for his caution and voice of reason, and I totally sympathize with Mara's fury and outrage. I love how they move from a stance of angry distance to tender accord again. But, I couldn't stand it if anything happened to either one of them. They're my perfectest perfect pair--my loverly sweetie pies!! -----signature----- Luke/Mara authors & fellow fans--endless SQUGGLES! & melting! !! !! Proud to be one of the Jagateers--their J/J is awesome--cool action; hot mush! Wootness for the collab to come!
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iamobiwan1970 Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 4/10/07 3:41am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	I have a bad feeling about this! Great start, but does Luke have a feeling things might not go very well? He's right, Ben may not want to come. -----signature----- Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, with open arms and open eyes.
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VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Who Runs w/ Scissors Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 4/10/07 7:23am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	Oh wow! Incredible! First, put me on your PM list! I don't want to miss a post. Luke sat there, staring down at the planet, thinking about what to do next. The scene was beautiful in its own deadly way but he ignored it. Instead, he was more concerned with the Force's warnings, that down there on the surface was the key to success or the saber thrust of failure. Filled with a strange foreboding mixture of old pain and new, jangled conflicting whispers of dangers past and present and future, the Force was telling him - there had been desperation and death once on that fiery planet and there would be again. Soon. He didn't like it... at all. But he had no choice. Ben, his only son, was down on the surface and he wasn't going to allow the boy to remain there for one more day. Jacen Solo may be turning to the Dark but there was still a chance for Ben. "Skywalker, are you listening?" Mara's irritated, concerned voice broke through his concentration. She hadn't called him Luke in almost two weeks, ever since they had received the information about Jacen's latest killing spree and how he'd involved Ben in the murders. Her anxiety was pouring into the Force and it only added to the bitter black currents that twisted around them both. "Mara, I know." He nodded slowly, trying to keep his own fears from blinding him. He could almost taste sour failure in the back of his throat but he fought it off. A defeatist attitude would not help him. He had to concentrate, to try and negotiate through the myriad pathways in the Force, to find a way to rescue his son before it was too late. "We need to be cautious.... both of us." Glaring at him in sharp fury, his wife spat out, "I want my son back. I want my son away from that murderer." Loved the interaction between them here, very realistic. You've certainly captured their personalities flawlessly! Can't wait for more. But I will. -----signature----- If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories. I'm a Nana. 6 lbs. 9 oz. 18 1/2 inches long - Baby Vader
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JCTrix Registered: Jul '04	Date Posted: 4/10/07 8:51am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - Date Edited: 4/10/07 8:52am (1 edits total) Edited By: JCTrix
	Wow, lovely story. I am very eager for more! Please, send me a pm when you have more (which I hope you plan on doing) I love how a simple word, gesture, meaning, ect can change a person's attitude, outlook, way of thinking. It's amazing the effect even the little things can have on a people. A lesson that we all need to take care to learn.
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Flowerlady Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 4/10/07 9:25am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	Wow!!! This awesome... I loved the imagery and the characterizations are fantasic...But I'm worried that Ben and Darth Who may have other ideas... Please add me to your PM list if you have one... FL -----signature----- Master to DanaeMariSkywalker, JediMasterArmada and PHGS_Weyr
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PonyTricks Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 4/10/07 9:33am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	What puzzles me about the profic line of thinking (which is always more than a bit 'off' if you ask me) is why Luke doesn't have any emotional love toward Jacen, and a desire to save him from the darkside, like he did with his father, who he never knew. He practically raised Jacen, and a nephew that he was that close to should be almost as important as his own son, and certainly more important to save than a father he never knew. I just don't get it. -----signature----- Brain: Now, Pinky, if by any chance you are captured during this mission, remember you are Gunther Heindriksen from Appenzell. You moved to Grindelwald to drive the cog train to Murren. Can you repeat that? Pinky: Mmmm, no, Brain, don't think I can.
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ginchy Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 4/10/07 9:39am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	This looks like a fantastic start. Mara is just perfect, and I love how Luke counters her, as always. Great beginning, I'll be on the lookout for more!! -----signature----- I Want to Believe (again). July 25.
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 4/16/07 4:50am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story
	MirandaFair – I’m so glad that you enjoyed it so far. I was rather worried about the characterizations but I'm just happy that their personalities came through. As for ominous start… well, you'll just have to see. Yes, I have a PM list and you are on it. LOL. And LOL again. Yes, I'm dipping my toes into Beyond. I've been reading the books forever and I'm quite excited/scared about what is going to happen next in LOTF. We'll see who gets sacrified. Oh, dear. Thanks for reading. Zonoma – You really made me laugh with your first comment. I figured no one would read my stuff since I don't post in Beyond. Oh, and hearing good things.. I'm flattered! As for being your hero, you need to wait a bit and see if I still am by the end of this. I will say that I've thought Luke and Mara's reactions to Ben's training have really been off. I don't think they would allow their only son, a strongly Force sensitive son, to be trained by someone with so much baggage. <shrugs> It's my attempt at realigning them a bit… sort of. I'll send you a PM. As for spelling my name wrong, no problem. I got the idea. Thanks for commenting. RebelMom – thanks. Glad to see you. Luna_Nightshade – LOL. Doubletakes is right. I must admit I was quite nervous posting in Beyond. I thought no one really knows me here so I'd get few if any responses but I'm very happy. You all have been so welcoming. You know me. Lots of description. I have been enjoying writing Luke and Mara. They are my favorite pairing, even more than Leia and Han. PM will be sent. Thanks. Tahi – Thanks for the welcome. I'm really enjoying LofT, even though I want to smack Jacen. He's been one of my favorite EU characters and to see him going down the dark path is really getting to me. Yes, husbands have to be reminded at times that they aren't always thinking right. LOL. I would agree about Luke and how his reactions have been a bit off in the EU lately. Why he would ever let a damaged, darkened Jacen, nephew or not, train Ben is beyond me. Oh, well. Thanks for replying. verybusy – Thanks. I do like to write intense. Pretty much all my stories are like that, even the humorous ones. LOL. I'll be glad to send you a PM. Musing – LOL, you people are so funny. I do love the EU. I'm just so busy trying to keep Qui-Gon alive that I don't have time for writing anything else. I would like to write this canon but since I have no idea what Sacrifice Jacen will take, I can only go with the rumors. This will have to be sort of AU for now. Thanks. Jade_eyes – LOL. Well, I don't post in Beyond and rarely in Saga (I'm a Before girl) so it would be easy to miss me. PMs will be sent! Thanks about the characterizations. I really try to capture them and make them as close to book/movie canon as possible. I do have trouble with Luke on occasion, Mara's a dream to write but Jacen is giving me fits so far. I figure that Luke and Mara will always disagree on some things but they love each other so much that they are willing to compromise. And the love shines through. I think they are the perfect pair. As for happening… you'll just have to see. Thanks for reading. iamobiwan1970 – A bad feeling would be right. And I think Luke is quite correct in thinking Ben might have a few things to say about leaving Jacen. Thanks so much for your comments. VaderLVR64 – You're on my PM list. Glad to hear that I've caught their personalities. I work really hard to make them as close to canon as I can. As for waiting, you know me. Slow, slow, slow. Besides, I'm writing two other things besides this one and luckily the muse is cooperating… for a change. Thanks for reading. JCTrix – PMs are good. I'll be sure and send you one. I do love to include gestures in things. It makes it seem more vivid, to me, especially since the written word can only do so much. Thanks for reading. Flowerlady – Thanks. I love to play with images, I'm a big fan of description. LOL. Thanks about the characterizations. Just hope I can keep it up. As for Ben and Jacen, you'll just have to see. Thanks for reading. I have a PM list. PonyTricks – I completely agree with you. I would have thought that Jacen was practically a son to Luke. After all, Luke didn't know – for years – that he would have a son. So I would have thought that the three Solo kids would be his second family. I guess the profic authors are trying to make more tension between Jacen and Luke, but I would have thought the tension would be higher if Luke/Jacen had more of a relationship. Perhaps, that is part of Jacen's problem. Thanks for commenting. ginchy – Thanks. I love writing Mara. She's such a great character. Glad you are enjoying it so far. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 6/28/08 Fragments of Illusion- http://boards.theforce.net/bts/b10475/28456473 updated 7/22/08 Freeze frame - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b10476/27820434 Master to jedidas3 Impeach Bush!
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