Beyond - Legends Walking the Sky - sequel to I, Mara Jade - L/M AU - competed 9/12/12

Nanci, nanci, Nanci. I have missed this!!!!!!!!!!! And it's as wonderful and riveting as I knew it would be!!!!! Bravo and fantastic writing!

Yay for Karrde and Luke and Mara.

Still breathlessly astounded at how perfectly you write her.

 

First of all: YAY! Fanfiction is back on!We can allm get our Luke/Mara fixes without having to go to FF.net!
Wow, not only did Karrde show up, he brought the whole group!
From Outbound Flight to the Errant Venture. Everybody outta the pool!
WHEW!!!! I was holding my breath until the very end, there. A very amazing chapter and peice of character devellopment there, especially for Mara. LOVE the contrast between her and Lumiya.

Can't wait for the next part.

 

Jade_eyes: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. That last chapter was my favorite in the story. I spent a long time working on that scene, to get it just right.

JainaSoloYJK: Yay for Fanfiction! Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I always wanted to play with the similarities and differences between Lumiya and Mara. Hence, this fic.

And now, it all comes together...

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CHAPTER 13
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True to his words, Luke silently escorted me back to the Errant Venture where I was given the once over by the ship’s medic. Even though she declared me to be in perfect health, I made myself suck down another bottle of water. The confrontation with Lumiya had left me shaken and stressed. I needed to relax, to stop wondering what might have been. I needed to focus on the here and now; on the future instead of the past.

Which, of course, is easier said than done.

Luke stayed with me in the medbay but we didn’t talk much. It was one of those moments where nothing we said could truly convey our emotions. My husband would defend me to the death but I knew that, deep down, he did not want to resort to killing Lumiya. Her life in the Alliance may have been a lie, but he’d once cared deeply for the girl named Shira Brie.

Once I was finished, we went back to the dreadnaught. The Jedi had already organized a strike team to pursue the remaining Vagaari, along with members of the CEDF and the Empire of the Hand. I surprised myself when I made no move to volunteer. Luke also remained silent. While we’d always be drawn to danger, perhaps we both realized that we’d had enough fighting for a while.

As we made our way through the hallways of the dreadnaught, my thoughts kept drifting back to my nightmares. I wondered why the Force had sent me those visions, why I had premonitions of facing Lumiya again. What had caused the dreams to morph, and then turn the tide of our fight in reality? I didn’t know. I didn’t know if I ever would really understand. But in the end, it didn’t matter. I’d spent so many years analyzing my past mistakes—from Jabba’s Palace to Wayland—and could never really understand why I had changed. Why Luke had believed in me.

The only answer I could ever come up with was that I deserved it.

Eventually we met up with Fel and LaRone, who were preparing to depart the dreadnaught. Fel was returning to Nirauan while LaRone would be accompanying the other Jedi.

The good-bye with LaRone was bittersweet. I was grateful to know that he had survived the events of Poln Major. That was the first time I could remember feeling close with another human being. At the time I hated it, saw it as a sign of weakness. But now I didn’t care. LaRone was my friend, and if that made me weak then so be it. If my time in the Jedi Order had taught me one thing, it was that friendship and love are the strongest allies of all.

My stomach jolted, as if to tell me to stop being so introspective and moody, and I laughed. Perhaps my child would have my dark sense of humor. The thought buoyed me.

After LaRone left, Luke and I stood facing Soontir Fel, the air thick and awkward. In truth, it wasn’t Fel’s fault for putting us in this situation. It was Formbi’s, but he was suspiciously absent. Still, Luke was not happy with all the lies and deception. I could tell that, in the end, Fel was unhappy with all that as well. “Will you be returned to Yavin IV?”

Luke nodded. “Yes. I think we both deserve some much needed rest.”

“Yes.” Fel smiled tightly. “I have several children myself. I advise you to get all the rest that you can right now.”

“We’ll keep that in mind. I do have one more question.”

“Anything.”

“What were LaRone and his men really doing when they stumbled upon Lumiya?”

“We already told you.”

“And like many other things you told us on this mission, I wonder how much of that was the actual truth.”

Fel gave Luke a considering look. “I guess I owe you that much.”

“Damn right you do.”

Fel sighed. “There are things in the Unknown Regions…threats…unlike you have ever imagined.”

Luke cocked his head. “What kind of threats?” I could tell what he was thinking—more Sith like Lumiya? Is that while she was out there in the Unknown Regions?

“All kinds,” Fel responded. “Pirates, warlords—you name it, it exists. You saw the damage the Vagaari did, and there were so few of them. Some groups in the Unknown Regions amount to the millions. If they were to ever make their way into the Core…”

‘We’d be there to fight them,” I said firmly. “That’s what the Jedi do.”

“I hope so.”

“Is that why you were on Nirauan to begin with? Because Thrawn sold you on vague threats?” Luke asked.

“He did recruit us, but not through vague threats,” Fel insisted. “Especially one of them. Thrawn referred to them as the Far Outsiders. We’ve been trying to find them for years. That was why we invited Mara to Nirauan three years ago—I knew she would be a valuable asset to the Empire of the Hand in seeking out these threats.”

I shook my head. “I gave you my answer then, Fel, and it stands. You may be different without Sate Pestage around, but I’m a Jedi now.”

“Right. Perhaps…perhaps it is time for us to stop being so secretive, and to instead work together in harmony.”

“I’ve been trying to convince the New Republic to open diplomatic relations with the Empire of the Hand for quite some time,” Luke said. “Perhaps that would be the first step to better cooperation with other groups, as well.”

“I can only hope. Because if these Far Outsiders ever make their way into the galaxy…”

“What do you know about them?” I demanded. “Let’s start the cooperation right now.”

“Unfortunately, that information died along with Palpatine and Thrawn.”

“Palpatine?” Luke’s disbelief was clearly evident. “Are you telling me that they knew about these Far Outsiders and were trying to save the galaxy? That the Death Star was some benevolent super weapon meant to save the galaxy from alien oppressors?”

“That’s not what I’m saying at all,” Fel reassured him. “But he did know about them. I’m certain of it.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I told him. “So Palpatine knew about the threat. He just used that information to get what he wanted and subjugate the galaxy. I can guarantee that’s how he conscripted Thrawn to his side.”

“Perhaps.” Fel looked pensive as he contemplated my words. He shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter, though. That’s all in the past.”

Luke and I shared a glance. “Yes,” Luke said finally, a hard edge to his voice. “We can only focus on the future, right?”

“That’s right. I do apologize for all of this.” Fel’s voice twisted. “It was not my intention for any of this to happen.”

“None of us did.” It was as much forgiveness as Luke could muster at the moment, but it was forgiveness nonetheless. I said nothing, merely nodded in agreement. Sometimes, it was best to let Luke do the talking. Fel nodded back.

“But Soontir?” Luke said, as the other man began to walk away. Fel turned around. Luke drew close to him and placed a sheet of flimsy in his hand. “If you want to truly focus on the future….”

Fel glanced down at the flimsy. His eyes widened in recognition. His nod was almost imperceptible. Then he pocked the flimsy and walked away.

I drew next to Luke as we watched Fel disappear down the corridor. “What did you give him?”

“You know what,” Luke responded without looking at me.

“Do you think he’ll finally change his mind?”

“I don’t know. But if he’s really convinced there’s this big threat out there…who knows.” Luke shrugged. “I had to try. Family’s all we have, right?”

I took his hand and squeezed it. “Right.”
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After saying good-bye to Fel, there was only one other person left to see. We found Callista on the bridge, talking with some of the colony leaders. Her face brightened upon seeing us, and she hurried over to greet us. “Are you okay?” she asked me.

“Yes. I got a clean bill of health,” I told her. “No need to worry.”

She smiled. “I’m glad.”

“How’s everything with the colony?”

“Well, the dreadnaught is ours again. We’ll be returning to the wreckage to retrieve some personal effects. Then we will need to find a new home.”

Luke glanced at me and I nodded, urging him to continue. We’d both agreed that this was the right thing to do. “We would be glad to have you on Yavin IV,” Luke said. “As well as the other Force sensitives in the colony.”

Callista did not look surprised by his overture. “Thank you,” she said, almost reluctantly. “But I don’t think I can do that.”

Luke’s eyes widened, not expecting that reaction. We’d worked together so well on the mission that he’d just assumed that Callista would jump at the opportunity to rejoin the ranks of the Jedi. “Why not?”

“For several reasons. But most of all, I’m not sure if I belong there. The colony is my home, Luke. It has been for forty years. I can’t just abandon them now.”

“But we can learn so much from you!”

“You can do that no matter where I am,” she reminded him.

Luke opened his mouth to protest, but closed it. “We understand,” I said. “But we do hope that you will not remain a stranger.”

“How could I?” she said teasingly. “I will never forget climbing up that turbolift pylon.”

I laughed. “Trust us, neither will I.”

Callista’s eyes sparkled. “At least I had a nice view,” she said teasingly.

I grinned. “You got that right.”

Luke turned a bright shade of red and cleared his throat over our laughter. “So, um, where will you go now?”

Callista ran a hand through her brown hair as her laughter subsided. “General Fel invited us to join them on Nirauan, in the Empire of the Hand. The colony leaders agree that it would be the best course of action.”

Indeed, it was a logical move. The members of the Outbound Flight colony had wanted to escape the Republic. They wouldn’t be happy rejoining the galaxy, especially after so long on their own.

“I wish you the best of luck, then.” Luke extended his hand. Callista accepted it gratefully. “And I hope that you will always consider yourself a member of the Jedi Order.”

“Of course.” Callista shook Luke’s hand. “After all, you need Jedi in all reaches of the galaxy, right?”

“Right.” Just then Kyp Durron entered the bridge, asking to speak to Luke about the upcoming mission to pursue the Vagaari. Luke excused himself and stepped out into the corridor with Fel. By that time the other colony leaders had also left the bridge, leaving Callista and me alone.

“I have to thank you again,” I said. “For everything.”

Callista waved her hand. “It was nothing. Are you sure you’re all right?” She eyed my stomach.

I rubbed a hand over my belly. “Perfect, actually. He’s been quiet.”

“It’s a he?”

“I haven’t had a chance to confirm it yet, but I’m pretty certain.”

“Do you have a name picked out?”

“We haven’t talked about that yet. I’m pretty sure Luke would like the name Ben, though, after Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

“What about you?”

I shrugged. “Other than Talon Karrde, I haven’t really had any good male role models in my life. I think Ben would be a fine name.”

“Obi-Wan was a fine Jedi. I think it’s a lovely name.” Callista paused, still eying my stomach surreptitiously. “Have you given any thought to if it’s a girl?”

“No. That would probably be even harder. I mean, we could name a daughter Padme or Beru, after Luke’s mother and aunt…again, I don’t really have any female role models.”

Callista wore a pained expression. “Right. Mara…can I show you something?”

“Sure.”

She motioned for me to sit at one of the bridge stations. After a few keystrokes the data screen lit up. “This is the Outbound Flight passenger manifest.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t sure why she was showing me this, and then it dawned on me. “Are Obi-Wan and Anakin on this list, or were their entries erased upon their departure?”

“No, they’re still on.”

“Luke needs to see this!” I grew excited as I thought about the ramifications. It had been very difficult to find information about Anakin Skywalker. The only things Luke knew were from his memories and his grandmother’s journal that Leia found on Tatooine, along with several other vague sources. One of the reason’s he’d come on this mission was the possibility of finding information about the old Jedi Order. This information would be beyond his wildest dreams…

“Don’t worry, I’ll show him. But first…” Callista trailed off as she flipped through a few screens. “I want to show you something.” She finally stopped on a passenger profile screen.

My eyes narrowed as I read the name out loud. “’Diya Rohan.’ That was your friend, right?” I’d nearly forgotten about her after all the chaos with Lumiya.

Callista nodded. “This was her, yes.”

“I’m sorry we never figured out what happened to her.”

Callista turned to me, an unreadable expression on her face. “Actually…I think that I know the answer to that question.” With that she pressed another key and a hologram sprang to life in front of us.

And I stared.

The hologram was in miniature, the typical bluish color. But the facial structure, the hair, the mannerisms of the woman as she smiled to someone off camera…

I swallowed a lump in my throat. “That’s Diya Rohan?”

Callista nodded slowly. “Yes.”

I finally managed to tear my eyes away from the hologram to look at the data screen. The passenger manifest contained basic data such as date of birth, planet of origin, height, hair color.

My height.

Red hair.

It was the face from my memories.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I tried to keep the accusing tone out of my voice.

“I wasn’t certain,” Callista explained. “When I first saw you, it was like looking into the past. But I convinced myself that it had to be a coincidence. Diya always abided by the rules, you see. She would never have had a child. So I just played it off as my mind playing tricks on me. And after you told me about the possibility of Diya Rohan being Rida Hano, I gave up on the idea entirely. But as I got to know you more, I became convinced that there had to be some connection between the two of you. I didn’t have a holo of Diya to show you—”

“That’s what you were doing on the bridge, wasn’t it? Trying to find her records?”

“Yes. I wanted to show you what Diya looked like, and I knew it would help determine who Rida Hano really was.” She almost reached out to touch my hand but stopped herself at the last minute, almost as if she was afraid of my reaction. “I would have told you my suspicions sooner, but after that there just wasn’t a proper opportunity.”

“No…no. It’s fine. You were right to wait. I would have wanted proof.” My eyes drifted over to the holo again. It was like looking into a mirror. “You two were friends?”

“Very good friends. We met on a mission right after we both were Knighted, and instantly became friends. After that, we always requested to go on missions together, even though she was based on Coruscant and I wasn’t.”

“What was she like?”

“She was strong, capable, full of spirit…just like you.”

My hand came to my mouth to stifle a cry. “You said she hated Palpatine?”

“Hate is a strong word, for a Jedi…but yes. She strongly disliked him.”

“Tell me about it?”

“Oh, she just never believed that he was the benevolent politician he presented himself to be. And unlike the other Jedi, she wasn’t shy about hiding her suspicions.” Callista let out a laugh. “Palpatine wanted to have Jedi advisors, probably as a way to keep tabs on the Order. For some reason Diya was included. She told me that during one of the first meetings, she stormed out of his office in disgust. After that, she was politely excused from the assignment.”

My eyes grew wet. “That’s why he took me, isn’t it? To get back at her?”

Callista took my hand. “It’s not your fault, Mara.”

“No…no it’s not. It was all him.” But I wouldn’t let the old memories get in the way of this moment. This was a happy moment, not a time for regrets.

“You are so very much like her. She would have been proud.”

This time, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. “I know.” It had taken a long time for me to say those words, and now, having a name to put to the face from my memories…

“I’m sorry I don’t have anything else to tell you,” Callista said. “I can’t think of anyone she might have been with—”

I shook my head. “It’s okay. This means the world to me. You have no idea.”

Callista smiled sadly and placed a hand on my stomach. “I am glad. Whoever he was, he must have been a remarkable man to convince Diya to be with him, and go against everything she’d been taught in her life.”

The tears were still falling, but a laugh escaped my throat. “Yeah. I know exactly what you mean.”

I felt him then, entering the bridge. My eyes remained on the hologram as Luke approached us from behind. Callista said she’d let us be alone and left to go find the other colony leaders.

Luke took her chair. “Mara, are you okay?”

“Yes.” And then something miraculous happened. I felt my baby kick. My eyes widened in disbelief. As if to confirm that I had not been imagining things, the baby kicked again, and I laughed in delight. I took Luke’s hand and placed it on my belly. I could sense his wonder at feeling our child for the first time, but then his attention turned to the hologram.

“Who’s that?” he asked, even though he already knew. What else could give me such a sense of wonderment and euphoria?

“That’s Diya Rohan.” My fingers threaded through his. “My mother.”

 

SQUEEEEE! on the last scene!

Great stuff on Soontir's revelation. Does this mean we get a sequel?

 

Jade_eyes: Ack, I am just saying NO to sequels! I still have two more original novels to write, and the current one to finish. There's not enough time in the day!

Here's the epilogue - gonna tag everyone who requested PMs, just to let them know it's completed here, cause I can't remember who read on FFN or not. I also edited all the original posts, so no more truncation!
anakin_sal-solo
Briannakin
Mondra
Jedi_QueenBee
PadmeSkywalkerSHM
kataja
JainaSoloYJK
CurtisZidaneZiraa
Katana_Sundancer




EPILOGUE
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It is quiet. I take a deep breath, reveling in the peace as the wild bundle in my arms finally falls into a peaceful slumber. It appears that the only times she will be quiet is when she is eating or sleeping. For some reason, that doesn’t surprise me. Even during my pregnancy, I could tell that she was going to be a little spitfire.

“Night-night, Diya,” I tell her, and she responds by pursing her tiny lips. I can’t help but reach out and run a finger over her cheek. I’ve always thought that newborns were odd-looking but to me, she is perfect.

When Luke and I found out we were having a girl, we didn’t even need to debate names. Diya was the only option. I don’t have many memories of my mother, the Jedi Knight named Diya Rohan, but what I can remember tells me all I need to know. She was brave and strong, and kept me safe from the Empire for as long as she could. She died to protect me. The existence of this baby in my arms—Diya Skywalker—is just another in a long line of kriff yous to Palpatine. “If he could see us now, huh Diya?”

My daughter answers by letting out a muffled cry. Instantly I reach out into the Force to calm her, not wanting her to wake when it is so mercifully quiet. This child is going to be different, I think ruefully. No more peaceful nights of sleep for mommy and daddy.

Just then I feel a nudge with the Force. It is my husband at the door. Come in, I tell him.

Luke appears in the doorway, followed by a red-headed toddler who is still awkward on his feet. The boy’s face lights up when he sees me. “Mama!” Sensing that our son is about to take off, Luke grabs by the waist and brings him over to see me.

“See, Ben? It’s Mommy and your new sister.”

Ben does not respond, his eyes glued to the baby in his arms, and my heart skips a beat.

About five months after Luke and I returned from the Outbound Flight mission, Ben was born. With a few exceptions, he was a wonderful baby. He was quiet, slept through the night, and always happy. It was enough to make me consider having another child sooner rather than later.

But the morning I received confirmation from Cilghal that I was pregnant was a little too soon for my tastes. Ben was barely nine months old and I had no intentions of getting pregnant again until he was potty trained, but the Force had other ideas. I spent that afternoon in tears, wondering how in the galaxy I was going to be able to take care of two babies at once. My boast to Han Solo—about Ben staying an only child for a very long time—came back to haunt me. Corellian twins, I could hear him teasing. I told you so.

But Luke was ecstatic; especially when we found out it was going to be a girl. And when he suggested we name our daughter Diya, I knew that everything was going to be okay. I had my moments during my pregnancy, especially on the rare occasions Luke had to leave home for Jedi business. But now, seeing my son and daughter meet for the first time…I have never been happier.

“Hi, buddy,” I say to my son. “This is your sister, Diya. Can you say hi?”

Ben’s face scrunches up, as if he is unsure of what to make of the small human lying in my arms. But then he breaks out into one of his trademark grins, just like his father. “Di-Di!”

“No, Ben. Her name is Diya.”

“Di-Di!”

“Dee-yah.”

“DI-DI!”

Luke laughs and places a gentle hand on our daughter’s soft fuzz of reddish hair. “Sorry, Diya. It looks like you’ve already gotten your first nickname.”

Diya yawns, letting us know that she is unimpressed. Ben continues to mumble “Di-Di” as he clambers from his father’s arms to nuzzle at my side. Luke pulls a chair next to the bed and we sit quietly for a long time, content with watching our children.

Then there is another knock at the door and the aforementioned Han Solo sticks his head inside, smiling broadly. “So, can we come in yet?”

Luke motions for his brother-in-law to enter. “Come on in. But be quiet, she’s finally sleeping.”

Han, Leia, and the children enter the room as quietly as possible, which, given that the children are seven- and five-years-old, is not very quiet at all. And when Ben sees his cousins, he reaches his arms out to his father, wanting to get down right now and go play with them.

Leia is the first to approach the bed. “Oh Mara, she’s beautiful!” Tears are glistening in her eyes. “Can I hold her?”

“Go right ahead.” Carefully I transfer Diya into her aunt’s arms. Leia’s grin is infectious as she greets her niece for the first time.

“Hello, little girl! Oh, it’s so nice to have another girl in the family.”

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Han says, wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulder. “With this one for a mom, she’ll be more interested in vibroblades than dresses.”

I roll my eyes. “Cute, Solo. I’ll have you know that learning the best places to hide a vibroblade is a very useful skill.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The banter is forgotten as Leia continues to dote on her new niece. She presents Diya to her cousins, and they all ooh and ahh, especially Jaina. Even though he is only a toddler and can’t really understand what’s going on, Ben still radiates pride through the Force, as if he knows that the baby in Leia’s arms is his baby sister and it is his job to protect her.

If she lets him, of course. Judging by how loud she cries, she’ll do a pretty good job of taking care of herself.

After a while Luke gets restless and takes Diya from Leia’s arms. His eyes and his Force sense explode in happiness as he holds his daughter. I know that Diya has no chance; her father was smitten from the moment he laid eyes on her. He is going to be overprotective, smothering—in other words, a perfect father.

But then again, he already is. He always got up with Ben in the middle of the night—still does, actually. I never have to ask him for help. He is always willing and happy to do more than his fair share around the house, especially after I became pregnant with Diya. It is more than I could ever have hoped for…more than I ever deserved. Or so I once thought.

For many years I've wondered what my life would be like if I'd never met Luke. Why I was able to change when others, like Lumiya, didn't want to. What made me special? Was it the Will of the Force for me to live this life? Or was it something else, something that was taught to me by my parents during the first years of my life and could never be eradicated from my memory, no matter how hard Palpatine tried?

But now I realize that none of those questions really matter. I look around the room, at my children—one nestled in my husband's doting arms, the other chasing after his older cousins. Diya starts to scream and Han covers his ears, muttering that she inherited her aunt's mouth. Leia smacks him and he pulls his arm back, feigning pain. Then he meets my eye and winks. He knows what I'm thinking. He's wondered the same thing, too, about his own family. But we're here right now, and that is all that matters.

I reach out my arms and Luke hands over our daughter. Her screams quiet to whimpers and eventually she settles down completely as our blue and green eyes lock in a look of mutual understanding. I smile at her.

What could have been? No, it doesn't matter at all.

 

Oh delightful, wonderful family stuff! Enjoyed Mara's inner musings also.





P.S. In the hiatus before the new boards started up and now that they have, one of the drool-worthiest things I eagerly awaited was/is your collab with ginchy. Now that is a scrumptious follow-up to the Jaded Trilogy.

 

The last chapter: combination of and about Mara finding out about her mother. Awesome tying up of all the lose ends.
Epilogue: Wow, first baby Ben and then little Diya? Squee!

Teriffic story!!!

 

You KNOW I adore this muchly.

And I'm so glad Diya is finally in the universe. She is needed. Have I mentioned that I love Diya?? Cause I do! This makes me want to post something I wrote back in January. LOL

I'm sad that your fanfic writing is done (though I still say that's only temporary because I will make you to write SOMETHING... tee-hee) but I'm so glad that you're still writing and that soon more people than just we lucky fanficcers will get to read your great work!!

 

Oh lovely. Very nice wrap up to that fic. Lovely lovely mush.

Beautiful, Nanci!

 

Beautiful ending