Saga - OT The Journal of the Former Emperor's Hand [L/M] Updated: 12/24/17

Definitely do up to TFA! Pretty please!

 

Oh, Force, my heart! Talk about bittersweet.

 

If people want more I will continue up to TFA if you want. Let me know.

Of course I want that very much. The bitter-sweet way you describe her decisions concerning her child, the duty she feels for others. Simply great writing.

 

. Thank you. This is a sad story, more than I would like.

I will go a little longer, but TFA I think happens in 34 ABY. That is a long time to go. I will try.

I know. It is a hard situation to make bearable. I guess it would probably be better if Luke wasn't related to Rey. I just want a reason for her to have all of these Mary Sue Force powers without any training.

. Thank you. I have been writing this story for three years. I think I need to end it soon.

Thanks everybody for reading.


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Entry 177

I spent ten days on Jakku. Rey is a beautiful, smart little girl and she’s a quick learner. I taught her a few defensive moves to include how to wield a little staff that I whittled down from an old fence post. Most importantly, I placed Force suggestions in her mind that would limit her Force abilities unless she was in physical danger. It is for her protection. I can’t have her levitating objects and revealing she’s a Force adept.

Before I left, I gave the Crolute a big box of high-protein, high calorie ration bars. “Each bar is equivalent to a day’s worth of calories. Make sure she gets one daily. When she learns how to earn her own keep we can phase it out.” I gave him a handful of high denomination credits. “Ensure she’s safe and the credits will continue to flow.”

Saying goodbye was heartbreaking…but I will return.

Entry 178
19.5 ABY

Over the last year I have visited Jakku five times, usually for three or four days at a time. Little Rey has grown probably six centimeters in height. She is wiry and strong. I have taken holovids of her…mainly for the Dartens who I occasionally correspond with…but also for Luke. There may come a time when Supreme Leader Snoke is dead and Ben Solo is no longer a threat to my daughter. If that day comes, I hope Rey and Luke can be united as father and daughter. I would love to see that day come.

Entry 179
20 ABY

I really can’t stomach working for the First Order. I want to quit, but I have been slowly gaining the trust of the higher ups. I have funneled information to Luke that has helped prevent the death of thousands of beings. I feel bad for Luke, though. The only way I can be an effective spy is if the First Order doesn’t know it’s secrets are being divulged to the New Republic. That means the NR can’t act on all of the information I give them because the First Order would immediately know they have an intelligence breach. I pass on the information to Luke and then the NR intelligence bureau decides which intelligence it should act on. That means some of my warnings have to go unheeded. Every time they decide to not act on my intel…somebody usually dies. Each time that happens I can see the pain in Luke’s eyes.

Entry 180
20.5 ABY

Today was awful. I was in an Imperial spaceport when I saw another group of young children being escorted from one ship to another. This time there was a commotion and a few of the children tried to make a break for it. I saw a young, dark skin boy run down a corridor that led to a dead end. I followed and found him trying to escape through a closed door. He slapped at the entry panel and tried to pry the door open, but it was locked tight. He turned to me, looking terrified. I was wearing the standard grey Imperial uniform, so he knew he was caught.

I knelt down next to the boy, who was probably no older than ten or eleven years old. “Where do you think you are going?”

“I want to go home.” he cried.

I knew he was destined to go to Stormtrooper training. I wanted to scoop him up and bring him to safety, but I knew that was impossible without blowing my cover. I instead put my hand on his head and with the Force implanted a suggestion. “You are to train hard in Stormtrooper school, learn all that you can learn, but don’t harm the innocent. Do you understand?” His eyes glossed over as he nodded. “Good.” I to took him by the hand and walked him down the hall as I pulled my commlink out of my pocket. “This is Major Colay. I appear to have found one of your lost students. I will return him.”

I am not sure how much punishment he would receive for attempting to escape, but I wager it wouldn’t be much. He was young and torn from his parents. That type of behavior is expected. I decided then and there to try to sabotage the First Order in that manner whenever possible.

Entry 181
21 ABY

The last two years have passed quickly. I have spent as much time with little Rey as I could possibly manage. Our training has went from hand-to-hand defense, staff combat techniques and now we have progressed to Force training. I have to be very careful when doing this type of instruction because I need to teach her and then suppress those memories deep down into her subconscious. I believe I have successfully disguised her missing time by first doing physical training, having lunch and then telling her we should have a nap before continuing the exercises. Once she is asleep, I wake her, do the Jedi training and then lull her back to her slumber with a Force suggestion that she’s not to remember her Force training unless she was in physical danger. So far, so good.

Entry 182
22 ABY

Luke contacted me via that eerie Force projection skill that he has perfected over the last year. He was given a grant to build a Jedi Academy. He is so excited. He said it should be complete by the end of the year and asked me to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony when it officially opens. I told him I would try to attend.

Entry 183
23 ABY
Kriff! I went to Luke’s new academy…and it is exactly as I pictured from my vision…the one where our daughter died. I couldn’t hide my shock from Luke. As soon as he had the chance, he pulled me aside to ask what was wrong.

“Luke, I saw this place in a vision. It was burning. In the vision you told me Ben had killed everybody.”

Luke’s face blanched. “Why didn’t you tell me about this vision?”

Stang! I wasn’t sure what to say. “I…in the vision you told me Ben attacked because you went to his room to confront him…and you ignited your lightsaber.”

“No,” he shook his head. “I would never hurt my nephew. It must have been a dream, that’s all.”

I looked down, disappointed that he didn’t take the threat seriously. “That is one of the things I thought you would say.”

“Litassa, even if it was a vision of the future…the future is always in motion.”

“And that is the other thing I suspected you would tell me. I didn’t discuss my vision because I figured it would be useless…but seeing the Academy today…now I know it wasn’t a dream. How could I have dreamt up the precise architecture, the mountains in the distance…it is exactly like my vision.”

He let loose a frustrated breath. “Litassa, I will keep a close eye on my nephew.”

I shrugged, knowing it was useless to try to talk him out of this endeavor. “I understand. We all do what we think is for the best.”

I was being truthful. Luke had a grand plan of building the Jedi Order to defend the galaxy from evil. I hid his daughter from him because I feared his actions would lead to her death. We all do what we must do to protect the future.




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Wondering when Luke finds out about Rey.

 

Great progression of events, training of Rey, and subtle sabotage from Litassa. I know it must've been a shocker forher to realize her vision is gradually unfolding into reality. Luke being dismiisive of her fears like that, yeah that would definitely put a damper on forewarnings.

 

Before I left, I gave the Crolute a big box of high-protein, high calorie ration bars. “Each bar is equivalent to a day’s worth of calories. Make sure she gets one daily. When she learns how to earn her own keep we can phase it out.” I gave him a handful of high denomination credits. “Ensure she’s safe and the credits will continue to flow.”

THAT didn´t work out that well, did it? NO wonder Chewie tore his arm off, at least in the movie novel.

Anyway, torn between duty, motherly feelings & the Force. It will always be thus, a half life... quarter life almost.

 

Since this is a prequel to my story Reunion where Mara tells Luke about his daughter...it is easy to find out.

I don't know if anybody figured out the little boy that she placed a Force suggestion might be Finn. Or at least Finn may be another boy she came across at a later time. That would explain how he totally does a 180 turn after the slaughter of the innocents on Jakku.

I heard about it, but I didn't read the novel. Maybe the Crolute didn't want his meal ticket flying away in his ship. That is a double monetary hit for him.

I want to finish this story soon and end up at my story Reunion.

Thanks everybody for reading.



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Entry 184

23 ABY

I am on another visit to Jakku. It is getting harder and harder to sneak away from work to come here, but I manage to make the trip at least every-other-month. That frequency might be further restricted by my recent promotion to lieutenant colonel and transfer to the First Order’s Counter Intelligence Division.

Reyne, or Rey as she likes to be called, is now eight years old. She is strong, fast and fierce with her walking staff. What I find so endearing is, although she lives on a rimworld, she has a Coruscanti accent. Commander Darten and his wife had a slight Coruscanti accent, but Rey sounds like she grew up in the Imperial Palace. I am the only person on this Force-forsaken world with that particular accent…so she either doesn’t talk much with the locals or she is purposely mimicking the inflection of my voice.

She is still living with the Crolute. The smelly alien has made sure little Rey gets enough food. He also put her to work scavenging. Today Rey and I went out to the ruins of an Imperial Star Destroyer half buried in the sand.

I brought my swoop bike to a halt and looked back to my daughter who had her arms wrapped around my waist. “We’re here.” Rey jumped off the bike as I lifted up the seat to a small concealed compartment underneath. I pulled out a rope and harness. “I’m going to show you how to rappel down to the lower decks. There you can scavenge things others can’t reach.”

Entry 185

The afternoon went well. We were able to find parts from Imperial gravity compensators that contain precious metals. They are valuable enough that she should be able to exchange them for two-week’s worth of rations.

We went back to my shuttle for a late lunch. Little Rey ate my food enthusiastically. I don’t blame her. The cuisine available on Jakku is awful and mainly consists of dehydrated slop. There are not many farms on this desolated world. Food has to be imported and it is usually in the form of ration bars, dehydrated polystarch and veg-meat provisions or canned 30-year-life emergency food stuffs.

“If you like, I can teach you how to fly a shuttle.”

She finished chewing her bantha burger and gazed at me nervously. “I can’t leave. What if my parents come back?”

“We won’t leave the planet. We’ll just go up and fly around for a few hours and then come back. No need to worry. Would you like that?”

She thought about it for a while before nodding. “Yes, I’d like that.”

Entry 186
24 ABY

I have continued my clandestine rendezvous with Skywalker. I see him more often than Rey because he can come to me when I am on missions. It is getting much more difficult for me to keep my secret. I feel so horrible hiding his daughter from him. That depressing feeling will stay with me until he reveals another disturbing story about his nephew and then I become more determined to keep her hidden.

“He’s driving Han crazy,” Luke commented as we ate a meal together in my hotel room. I just finished a solo counterintelligence mission on the third moon of Kandor and had some time for a little rest and relaxation with my Jedi. Unfortunately, this visit wasn’t as restful as usual. Luke was agitated with his nephew’s antics. “Every time he rambles on that pro-Vader propaganda it upsets his parents. Leia was tortured by our father. Han was encased in carbonite and he still has night terrors about that.” He gazed at me intensely. “He said he was conscious during his imprisonment.”

I waved him off. “No, that’s impossible. All brain activity shuts down. Otherwise he would have went insane.”

He threw his hands up in a gesture of frustration. “I’m just telling you what he believes. He hates Vader more than Leia does and to have his son discuss the virtues of the man has Han near the boiling point.”

I pushed some unrecognizable vegetables around my plate. “Luke, Ben was traumatized by the Cult of Vader and who knows what Supreme Leader Snoke did to him. He needs more psychological counseling and less Jedi training.”

He took another bite of his steak and frowned as he chewed. “Are you still worried about that dream of yours?”

“It wasn’t a dream!”

He sighed deeply. “Litassa, for you to think it was a vision of the future you have to believe I would contemplate striking down my own nephew. Do you really believe I am capable of such evil?”

We had this argument over and over. For me to win the fight I have to concede Luke is capable of murdering a child. In the past I would relent and take back the accusation, unable to say the words, but this time I told him the truth.

“Yes, I think that under the right conditions you could strike your nephew down in his sleep.”

His jaw dropped. “You never mentioned that he was asleep.” He pushed away from the table and stood. “You honestly think I would strike down a teenage youngling in his sleep?” His face was a mask of pain. “I am not my father.”

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and tossed it down on my plate. “I never said you were. I had a vision. In the vision you said you felt like you weren’t in control. What if Snoke reached out through the Force and activated your lightsaber and, in doing so, caused Ben to go to the darkside?”

He shook his head. “Nobody is that strong.”

I sighed deeply. I didn’t like rehashing this vision. No matter what I had to say, Luke never took the danger seriously. In his mind he could never, ever contemplate hurting his nephew.

'Kriff!'


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Very much in line with what occurs prior to TFA, with Rey acquiring necessary skills and Luke not allowing himself to see what is obvious about his nephew

It sets up realistically the tragic consequences to follow. Litassa is understandably frustrated by the whole thing. One of those instances where you hate to say "I told you so."

 

Luke needs to wake up and see what Mara is telling him about Ben.

 

You brilliantly manage to weave the plot of the latest SW movies into this one.

Sad, that Luke listens but does not act according to what is said to him.

 

This is a better explanation then Rey just is super powerful and skilled for no good reason.

Thanks for reading.

Yeah, but if this follows movie canon...you know how it turns out.

. Thank you. I haven't been reading the new SW novels, so I am not sure how canon this story has remained. It does follow the movies. Thanks for reading.

And thanks everybody for your reviews. This is a short post for Valentine's Day. Maybe some plot bunnies will form and run free.




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Entry 187

24 ABY

I heard though unofficial channels that Han Solo lost his prized ship, the Millennium Falcon, to a gun runner named Cannin Ducain... and I have a hard time believing it was stolen. I know that Han has that secret ship recovery program inserted in the Falcon's computer system the same as Captain Kort did on his ship. My theory is Han lost the ship either in a Sabacc game or he owed Ducain a lot of money.

Han Solo is a mystery to me. He is married to a Senator, but he just can’t hold down a respectable job. From what Luke has told me, his sister tolerates Han running around the galaxy doing small smuggling jobs as long as he doesn’t partake in anything terribly illegal. Running cigaras, whiskey and other high-end items while avoiding tariffs and taxes are acceptable. Spice smuggling and gun running are not allowed. That is what Luke is telling me and he is getting his information from Leia. I am not going to argue the point…but I think Leia is lying to her brother.

I have heard the chatter and Leia might be organizing a resistance organization against the First Order. I think she has sent Han out to rub elbows with smugglers that can provide guns, ships and equipment to their cause. My best guess is the famous gun runner, Cannis Ducain, provided something to Han in exchange for the Falcon. The fact that Han knows Ducain has his ship and isn’t doing anything about it is curious and substantiates my belief.

Entry 188
24 ABY

I was able to rendezvous with Luke this week on the planet Korgen. I had rented a secluded cabin on the shore of a pristine lake. It was a perfect place for romance. When Luke arrived in a nondescript shuttle, I was waiting anxiously at the bottom of the boarding ramp for my Jedi. Luke ran down and pulled me into his arms. After a long, demanding kiss we broke apart for a breath. It was then I notice he was wearing a black glove on his right hand.

“Is this a new fashion statement?”

He grimaced. “No, I tore the synthetic skin on my cybernetic hand.” He pulled off the glove exposing the mechanical skeleton. “This is my original cybernetic replacement after I lost my hand on Bespin.”

“Are you going to get a new one?”

He shook his head as he pulled the black glove back over the mechanical appendage. “Not yet. I wanted Ben to see what his beloved grandfather did to me.”

“Did it help?”

He frowned deeply “He said his grandfather was defending himself. Also, he knew that Vader asked for my help in overthrowing the Emperor, but I refused. Ben thinks I should have taken up the offer and brought peace to the galaxy.”

I took Luke by the hand and pulled him towards the cabin. “I wonder what our life would have been like it you did take the offer.”

He stopped as a shocked expression crossed his face. “What?”

I grinned wildly. “I’m not saying it would have been a good idea. I just wonder if we would have met much earlier?”

A soft smile reached his lips. “I could see it now. Emperor Vader assigns a member of his Inquisitorius to guard his son.” Luke pulled me against his body as his lips wandered over my cheekbones. “The Inquisitor Litassa Colay is angry that we killed her former master, but at the same time she can’t help but notice the finely toned muscles of young Prince Luke as she bathes him in his royal chambers.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re a Prince?”

He nibbled at my earlobe while whispering, “Isn’t that what the son of an Emperor is called?”

I pushed him away as I continued to walk to the cabin. “So, in this fantasy of yours I was demoted from Inquisitor to handmaiden?”

“No, no,” you are still my guard, but you insist on guarding me when I am most vulnerable…when I bathe, or sleep.”

I shook my head. “You have an overactive imagination, Farmboy.” I opened the door of my rented abode and pushed him in. “Now strip so I can get you into a bath, my Prince.”

He grinned as he did a mock salute. “Yes, Ma’am.”


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#187 - a very plausible theory, and one that makes sense to me as well. Otherwise Han would never have just let his prized ship go.

And THIS in #188:
A soft smile reached his lips. “I could see it now. Emperor Vader assigns a member of his Inquisitorius to guard his son.” Luke pulled me against his body as his lips wandered over my cheekbones. “The Inquisitor Litassa Colay is angry that we killed her former master, but at the same time she can’t help but notice the finely toned muscles of young Prince Luke as she bathes him in his royal chambers.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re a Prince?”

He nibbled at my earlobe while whispering, “Isn’t that what the son of an Emperor is called?”

I pushed him away as I continued to walk to the cabin. “So, in this fantasy of yours I was demoted from Inquisitor to handmaiden?”

“No, no,” you are still my guard, but you insist on guarding me when I am most vulnerable…when I bathe, or sleep.”

If this AU ever takes off, tag me when it starts

 

Thank you for reading and commenting. That would be an interesting fanfic. lol!

This is a short little addition to that last post.

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Entry 189

I was awakened by the morning sun streaming through the window. I rolled over and paused to admire Luke sleeping soundly, nestled in the soft bedding. He opened his eyes and smiled at me.

“I missed you, Litassa. I sometimes wish we could stay like this forever.”

“We could,” I whispered to him as I pressed a kiss to the pulse of his neck. “I offered to defect, to leave the First Order. I’m still willing.”

He sighed deeply. “I want that.” There was a long pause as he stared at the ceiling. “The information you have provided the New Republic has saved thousands of lives.”

I waited for him to expand on that thought, but he didn’t, and his silence spoke volumes.

“You’d feel guilty, wouldn’t you?”

“How could I not? If we ran off together, we’d be putting our lives above the lives of countless others.”

“When will it end?” I asked. “When will it be enough? I saved a thousand lives, but your government wants me to continue putting my needs aside so I can funnel information to them. When I save two thousand lives, will that be enough? How about three thousand? When do I get to live my life the way I want? When do you?”

“We can’t force you to stay with the First Order,” he said softly.

I groaned and rolled over on my back. “We already established the fact that you would feel guilty if I left. So…let’s just forget this entire conversation.”

“Litassa...”

“Just forget about it.” I decided to change the subject. “How’s Ben?”

Luke reached up and ran a hand over his eyes. “Argumentative, manipulative, sensitive to criticism, prone to anger.”

I remained silent for a long time before speaking. “He doesn’t know about me, does he? Does he know I’m a Force user?”

Luke shook his head. “Leia and Han have kept the information to themselves. I don’t think Ben knows. Why do you ask?”

“I think Snoke did something to him. I’m afraid any information Ben knows will end up with Snoke. If it’s discovered that I’m a Force-user my life will be in danger. I wouldn’t make an effective spy for your New Republic if I’m dead.”

“He doesn’t know,” Luke assured me. “I won’t tell him.”

I was surprised that he didn’t argue with me about Ben possibly be a conduit to the First Order’s Supreme Leader.

I reached over and glided my hand across his sexy, sculpted abdomen. “I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty. You don’t deserve that.” I shifted until our bodies were pressed together. “I want to make you happy.”

He smiled widely. “You do make me happy.” He leaned forward and in one smooth movement covered my mouth with his own.

‘Kriff!’ I should have never brought up wanting to leave. I didn’t want to him feeling guilty. It was a stupid idea anyway. It would just make my life more complicated. How would I possibly find time to train Rey if I was living with Luke? And…and how could I face Luke every day knowing I was lying to him—knowing I was hiding his daughter.

No, all I can do is make him as happy as possible and hope that he could forgive me if he ever discovers how I deceived him.




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Wonderful discussion. And a very telling heart-aching question: When will it be, or will it, be enough so they can live their lives the way they want/deserve?

 

Very bittersweet in that they can never truly be together like normal couples.

 

Besides all the heartbreak and longing, that couple still manages to be funny. Even more funny than Han & Leia.

 

Luke and Mara/Litassa may never get their happily-ever-after unless I figure a way that Luke didn't die at the end of TLJ. Anybody have any suggestions?

That is one thing that the EU has over this new canon. Even though there was so much death and destruction, Luke remained the hero. He never gave up. He loved his wife and son and fought against the Vong, Abeloth, and the Sith. He was a true hero. I am glad he found love in the Legends EU.

Thank you. I don't write Han and Leia often, but I am sure Han, being the scoundrel that he is, has a lot of fun with Leia...especially in the bedroom.

I am really working at finishing this story before EP 9 comes along and really makes this an AU story. Thanks everybody for reading.

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Entry 190
25 ABY

Luke sent me some holovids from his nephew's twentieth birthday party. I was shocked by how tall the boy (I guess I should say man) is now. He towers over his mother and uncle and is actually slightly taller than Han. I would say he is close to two meters in height. He is not the little boy I remember from so long ago. It is hard to believe that fourteen years have passed since he was kidnapped by the Cult of Vader.

Rey is now ten years old. I still send holos of her to Commander Darten and Marta. The couple has been living incognito in wild space.

I miss them.

Entry 191
26 ABY

I have been so bad at keeping my journal going. I hate working for the First Order. The only joy in my life is my infrequent rendezvous with my Jedi.

Entry 192
28 ABY

After work I was relaxing in my quarters and watching the holonet when a Breaking Story interrupted my favorite drama series. I sat up in my seat when I saw the image of Luke and his sister Leia. My mind immediately went to a myriad of worst-case scenarios in which death or injury were prominent. What was announced was unexpected.

A female human was standing outside the Chandrila senate building as she reported, “Senator Ransolm Casterfo made a shocking allegation today on the senate floor. He announced that Senator Leia Organa-Solo, the adopted daughter of the late Queen Breha and Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan, is actually the daughter of Darth Vader. The Senator also revealed Darth Vader was once known as Anakin Skywalker, the once famed Hero With No Fear, an accomplished Jedi Knight and battlefield commander. Even more surprising, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker is the son of Darth Vader and twin to Senator Organa-Solo.”

The image then switched to inside the senate where most senators were in an uproar over the news. Leia was asked to come forth to either confirm or deny the accusations. I was amazed that the woman was able to maintain her composure as she confirmed the reports.

The senate broke out in gasps and a barrage of questions. Leia waited until there was a lull in the commotion before continuing.

“My brother was first to discover he was the son of Darth Vader. He was told this by Vader himself as Luke fought for his life against the Sith Lord. My brother lost that battle along with his hand that day. Darth Vader tried to convince Luke to join him in ruling the galaxy. My brother instead jumped from a maintenance catwalk to what he believed would be certain death.” Leia made a dramatic pause. “My brother opted to lose his life over joining ranks with his father. It was only a miracle he survived.” She gazed at the various politicians. “All my life I fought against the Emperor and Darth Vader. I was part of the mission to Scarif that resulted in the retrieval of the Death Star plans. I was later captured and tortured by my father as he tried to recover the blueprints to the battle station. My father forced me to watch the destruction of my home planet and everybody I ever loved. I hate Darth Vader more than anybody in this room.” She looked around the senate floor letting that sink in. “My brother was the man who destroyed the first Death Star. Luke and I fought in the Battle of Endor where the second Death Star was destroyed. While on Endor, Luke revealed to me that we are siblings and Vader was our father.” Leia took a long calming breath. “Believe me, I was just as shocked and horrified as you are now.”

The camera returned to the news reporter. “Senator Organa Solo was running for the position of First Senator but has pulled out of that race. Many are calling for her to resign from the senate all together.” The reporter paused for a breath before continuing. “The question arose during Senator Organa-Solo’s speech as to the identity of her mother. The former princess revealed that she did not learn of her mother’s identity until recently. The late Senator Padme Amidala and former Queen of Naboo is her and Luke Skywalker’s mother.”

Despite the seriousness of the situation I had to laugh. “Damn! Skywalker is a prince!”

The news anchor then reported that Senator Carise Sindian of the planet Arkanis questioned if the New Republic should sponsor the new Jedi Academy. The image changed to one of young, haughty looking human female identified as Lady Carise. “How can we trust a son of a Sith Lord to train a new generation of Jedi Knights?” The image then switched to Senator Tai-Lin Garr of the planet Gatalenta. The dark-haired handsome man was defending Luke, calling him “The hero of the battle of Yavin.”

I turned off the holonet and sat on my couch in silence. I considered contacting Luke, but I didn’t want to risk it. The New Republic was already questioning his loyalty. He didn’t need an Imperial added into the mix. I wish I was powerful enough to contact him from across the galaxy through the Force. At this time, I am capable of communication when I am within the same quadrant of the galaxy, but that’s it. He is obviously too far away now. I will have to wait for Luke to make contact. He is as strong as Palpatine when it comes to communicating with me. He once contacted me when he was five kiloparsecs from my location. That is all the way across the galaxy! His power of communication is mind-boggling.

Entry 193

Skywalker contacted me last night. I was expecting him to make an appearance, but I was startled by how real he looked. It was like he was standing right in my bedroom. I actually walked up to him and waved my hand through his Force projection. He can obviously see me now because he gave me a weak smile. “I guess I’m getting better at this if you are checking to see if I’m real.”

I nodded. “You are, it’s like you are standing right in front of me.” I pulled in a ragged breath. “I heard what happened in the senate. Are you and Leia alright?”

The image of Luke shrugged. “Han is trying to convince Leia to resign from the senate and travel around the galaxy with him. It’s not a bad idea. They have spent too much time apart.” He gazed into my eyes. “It’s not good for a couple to be separated so often.”

“Are they letting you to keep the Jedi Academy?”

His image frowned. “They are…but I think it is only because there isn’t anybody else capable of training the younglings. I have training through my Master Yoda, by you and I have that Jedi Holocron. I also have been researching the Jedi Order. I heard of an old original Jedi Temple that might have datachips or old tomes full of information. Right now, it is only a legend, but I am following all leads.”

“That’s good.” I grinned widely, remembering something from the news reports. “So, you are actually a prince. I guess I should finetune my bathing techniques for the young, toned Prince of Naboo.”

That prompted a smile from the man. “I'm not so young anymore. Nevertheless, I don’t think you need to finetune anything. You did just fine the last time you demonstrated that particular skill.”

My body warmed under his regard. I wished he could find a way to transport his corporeal form to my bed instead of just an illusion. “When can we meet again?” I asked breathlessly.

“Name a place and time and I’ll be there.”

I thought about it for a moment. “Pentomb station, outer rim, five days from now.”

The corner of his lips curled up. “It’s a date.”

 

Ack...I realized I made a four year jump in between the posts. I added a couple of entries.

 

Adore how Luke/Litassa are still crazy about each other. Very tense and intense surrounding the reveal about Vader and how Ben is ensnared by Snoke You can truly get the sense Litassa feels trapped in her FO position.

 

They have been together off and on for almost two decades. I think this works out for Mara because she really wasn't the type of person to get married and raise a brood of kids. Luke probably wants more, but he is okay with what he has. He knows any other woman would probably want a family with him and he doesn't want to have kids because of the danger they would face. This is not the happy ending I wanted for my favorite couple, but I am trying to keep it canon and the movies were depressing.

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Entry 194
28 ABY
Pentomb Station

Luke tried to stay upbeat during our time together, but I can tell the stress from the public revelation of his paternity was weighing on his mind. During a lull in our romantic activities I worked up the courage to ask him how things went at his academy.

He rolled over in bed and draped an arm over my side as he expelled a long, frustrated breath. “A number of parents pulled their children from the academy on the day of the announcement. I chartered shuttles and sent the remaining students home. They need to discuss the situation with their parents before returning.”

I grimaced. “That bad, huh?”

He rubbed a hand across his eyes. “Yeah, that bad. I’m glad I did it. Ben wasn’t handling the situation well. At first, he was happy that he no longer had to keep his origins a secret…but then he realized the disclosure only made him more unpopular with the other students. He’s always been volatile. Most of the younglings tolerated him simply because he was my nephew or because he was the oldest, most senior apprentice. Now there are whispers that Ben’s frequent outbursts were indicative of darkside tendencies. A few apprentices voiced their concerns directly to Ben. They wanted some reassurance that he wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of Darth Vader.” He paused as he let out a fiery sigh. “Instead of allaying their fears, Ben stubbornly defended his grandfather…which I can tell you didn’t go over well.”

“I bet.”

“This is a mess. Ben is now an adult. I was hoping he would be ready for his trials or perhaps take up a teaching roll at the academy, but now I don’t know what to do with him. He’s not ready to be on his own and I doubt any student would want to be under his guidance.”

I didn’t know what to tell Luke. He was in a predicament with Ben. He was strong in the Force but didn’t have the control needed to be a Jedi. Hell, he didn’t have the control needed to be a decent Sith. Darth Vader was volatile, but he had Emperor Palpatine keeping him on a short leash. Luke might be as strong as the Emperor, but I don’t think he has the will to punish or constrain his nephew into obedience. I honestly fear for the young man’s future. If he turns to the darkside somebody will have to stop him and I fear that person will be either me, Luke…or Force-forbid…Rey.

Entry 195
28.5 ABY
Trans-Hydian Borderlands

I am aboard the Retribution, an Imperial II-Class Star Destroyer currently encroaching New Republic space with the Borderlands. Our presence here violates the Galactic Concordance. If caught, we will claim we are chasing down pirates that have been raiding our ships. In truth, we have been drafting pirates into the service of the First Order to harangue the New Republic. It is our first step toward annexing this part of space. I haven’t had a chance to contact Luke and let him what is going on, but I will eventually.

We have been doing a version of catch and release for the last week. We grab ships with our tractor beam, pull them in, and if there is strong evidence that they are ruthless pirates, we give them an offer they can’t refuse: work for us or be vaporized. My team of counterintelligence agents are on board to question the crew members caught in our net and to distribute First Order probe droids to this region of space

I was going over some reports when my cabin’s doorbell chimed. I answered the door and was greeted by a First Order Ensign. “Colonel, we captured another vessel we believe to be pirates,” the young man said in a crisp Coruscanti accent, “But the crew adamantly denies it. They claim they are legitimate traders…but we have found secret ray-shielded compartments onboard along an assortment of ship transponders allowing the vessel to fly under various aliases.”

I shrugged as I stepped out to the corridor. “They are probably smugglers, which is very different from pirates. If you didn’t find heavy weapons, plasma torches or hull-cutting rings then they’re not pirates. Confiscate their cargo if they are hauling illegal contraband and cut them loose. I don’t know why you’re bringing this to my attention.”

“The ship transponder identifies the ship as the Wild Karrde, commanded by Captain Talon Karrde. He claims you can vouch for him.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know anybody by that name.”

“He said you met on Rallo V.”

That made me pause. That was the planet where Luke captured me. Could it be Luke? No, he is the most recognizable man in the galaxy. Han? I turned to the ensign. “What type of ship is he flying?”

“A Corellian Action VI Transport ship, Ma’am.”

That sparked a memory…Captain Kort! “I know who you are talking about.” I gestured to the young officer. “Lead the way. I look forward to seeing Captain…” I momentarily forgot the alias Kort was flying under. “Captain Karrde.”

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When I arrived at the ventral docking bay, I found three men kneeling on the deck, hands behind their heads and looking very nervous. It has been over a decade since I’ve seen the crew. Captain Kort’s dark hair and beard was now streaked with grey, but I recognized him as the roguish, handsome man I once knew. Next to him was Adar and Hoku who haven’t changed much with the exception of the addition of a few kilograms around the midriff. Surrounding them were a dozen First Order stormtroopers with heavy blasters pointing in their direction. When Kort saw me I sensed a tremendous amount of relief from the man. “Colonel Colay, I didn’t know you were on board.” He motioned to his guards with his head. “I asked them to contact you on the transceiver, but it is so much nicer to see you in person.”

I looked to the Stormtroopers. “Let them up. They are not pirates, they’re smugglers. In fact, they’ve transported cargo for the First Order to the unknown region…they have also acted as First Order counter intelligence confidential informants on occasion.” That last part was a lie, but it made it more likely they would be released on my authority.

The stormtroopers brought their weapons to port arms but remained around the men. “Go!” I waved the soldiers off. The men looked to their squad leader who gestured for them to follow him. As they marched off Kort and his men stood. “What are you doing in the Borderlands?”

Captain Kort opened his mouth to answer but looked around and closed it.

I understood his reluctance. He didn’t want to talk in the open. “Come on, let’s go aboard your ship and talk.”

The three men followed me up their ship entrance ramp. When we got to the top I stop and turned to face Kort. “So, is Karrde your real name or is it Kort?”

He looked over to his men nervously. He is unsure if he should trust me.

I let out a sigh. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t trust me either. “It doesn’t matter. Why are you here?”

“We weren’t spying on the First Order, if that’s what you’re thinking. We were visiting Chin…I mean Hoku’s home planet of Myrkr. He hails from the Borderlands.” He looked over to his two crew members. “He sometimes gets homesick.”

That was a lie. I could feel it in the Force. He was up to something. Either he was spying for the New Republic or somebody else. If he was a NR spy, then I really don’t care. If he is now working for the Hutts, Crimson Dawn, Black Sun, Kanjiklub, or the Guavian Death Gang, then he might have a problem. Those crime families are a plague to the galaxy, and I have made it my personal vendetta to destroy them.

I looked Captain Kort up and down appraising the man. The smuggler I met long ago liked to keep things neutral. Unless he fell on hard times, he didn’t seem to be a person who would work for the dregs of society.

“What’s your cargo?”

“Caf beans and some exotic fauna.”

I felt a feeling of trepidation wash over the Captain. He was definitely hiding something.

“I’d like to inspect your cargo before I let you go.”

He blew out a nervous breath. “Of course, Colonel Colay.” He gestured toward the cargo hold. “I think you know the way.” He turned to his men. “Go over the prechecks. I’d like to be on our way as soon as possible.” He returned his attention to me. “No offense, but the First Order scares the crap out of me.”

I chuckled under my breath as I pointed to my headgear. “It’s the new hats. The upfolded backflaps are intimidating.”

Captain Kort risked a scathing laugh and I couldn’t blame him. The First Order officer hats looked absurd.

“As you can see,” he said as we entered the cargo hold. “we have ten thousand metric tons of caf beans from Caros IV and over here we have some Myrkr fauna. They are lizards that are gastronomic delicacies to Barabels. They are a good profit when…”

He stopped talking when he noticed that I had halted mid-step and was staring at his strange cargo in absolute shock…because I could no longer feel the Force. It was as if one of my senses was suddenly stripped from me. The blood drained from his face indicating he knew exactly what he was hauling and the effect it would have on Force-users. He just didn’t know the effect it would have on me…until now.

Something in the cargo hold, probably those ugly lizards, was capable of taking away a Jedi’s power. My question was, why did he have such a thing on his ship. I unholstered my blaster. “Who are you selling these animals to?” My voice was terse with an edge of panic. If Kort was going to use these creatures to incapacitate and hurt Luke I would kill him right where he stood. “Who?!” I raised the blaster hoping I didn’t have to use it. I liked Captain Kort, but I haven’t seen him for years and a lot of things can change in a decade.

To my surprise he didn’t raise his hands up in defense or beg for his life, which would be useless anyway seeing he was trapped in the belly of a Star Destroyer. He closed his eyes and blew out a breath. “You’re one of them, aren’t you?”

“Who?”

“An inquisitor.” He opened his eyes and stared at me sadly. “Does Luke know?”

That caught me off guard. He looked upset that I might have tricked Luke. I motioned to the exit with my blaster. “I need to get away from these things so I can think clearly.”

“I guess that answers my Inquisitor question.”

Once we were away from the cargo hold the flow of the Force returned. I stopped, never lowering my weapon. “Who are you selling the animals to?” He looked down, not answering. “Are you selling them to a crime syndicate to hurt Luke?”

He looked up, his expression questioning. “You’re worried about Luke?”

I was getting frustrated with Kort. “Of course, I’m worried about Luke. Who else would I be worried about?”

He cocked his head to the side. “I thought you would be concerned about your almighty Supreme Leader…I was told he is a Force-user.”

My eyes went wide. I only told Luke and the Solos that I sensed Snoke was a Force-adept and it was not something the First Order advertised. “Who told you?”

“Luke did.”

“Are these animals going to be used against Snoke?”

Kort shook his head. “If I answer yes, then you’d shoot me, and the First Order would have reason to break the Galactic Concordance.”

“Don’t be so sure.” I lowered my weapon and returned it to my holster. “I just want to know if they will be used to hurt Luke.”

He gazed at me for a long pause before answering. “No, I would never hurt Luke. I count him as a friend. My question is, are you truly his friend?”

I could feel the truthfulness in his words. I gave him a tight smile. “He’s my friend and he does know about me. The First Order doesn’t know, though, and I would like to keep it that way.”

He looked relieved. “And I would like to remain in your good graces…so your secret is safe with me.”

We stood staring at each other in silence until the moment became awkward. “Okay, I guess you should be on your way. I’ll make sure you’re released.” I extended my hand. “It is good seeing you again.”

He looked at it for a second before clasping and shaking my hand. “Thank you.” He lowered his voice a bit. “Should I keep our meeting a secret from…anybody?”

I shook my head. “If you are talking about Luke or the Solos…tell them anything you want.”

He gave a curt nod. “I hope we meet again under better circumstances.”

“Same here.” I turned and exited the ship. I hope Luke contacts me soon. I need to verify he sent Kort to gather up these animals. If he didn’t then Luke needs to find out who the buyers are and figure out what they are going to do with them.

Entry 196
28.5 ABY

Luke must have felt me ‘disappear’ in the Force because as soon as I was back in my quarters, he contacted me.

“Force, Litassa!” his Force projection practically yelled at me, the expression on his face was pure panic. “For a minute I thought you were dead and then you reappeared. What happened? Are you hurt?”

I approached his projection and faced him fully. “I ran into Captain Kort. Are those Force-void animals for you?”

His eyes went wide. “It’s true then? The animals can mute the Force?”

“Mute?” I scoffed. “It absolutely kills the Force whenever anybody is nearby.” I pointed a finger at the image of my lover. “Please tell me you’re not planning on taking on Snoke with these things, because it’s suicidal. You would have to first find him, get through thousands of non-Force-using stormtroopers, and then through his elite Praetorian Guards before you can even think about taking him down.”

He raised his hands in a placating manner. “Calm down, Litassa. I read that the Sith and Jedi avoided Myrkr because the Force is elusive on that planet. I asked Han if he knew anybody that came from there and he said Captain Kort may know someone. When met secretly and he told me Hoku was from the planet. The locals believe their local lizard can somehow disrupt the Force. I asked him to bring me some so we could test that hypothesis. That’s all. I’m not planning anything. This will just be another tool in our arsenal if the day ever comes to take down Supreme Leader Snoke.”

I rubbed the back of my neck trying to massage out the tension. “Well, it does work and now Captain Kort, aka Captain Karrde, knows I’m a Force-user.”

He ran his fingers through his beard in a nervous gesture. “Sorry Litassa. What happened?”

I folded my arms over my chest as I rocked back onto my heels. “The First Order has been capturing and recruiting pirates in the Borderlands to harass the New Republic. He was caught up in our net and hauled aboard our Star Destroyer. I convinced the First Order to let him go, but I sensed his trepidation, so I asked to inspect his cargo first. When I got near his animals my reaction was so obvious that he immediately knew I was a Force-user.”

Luke grimaced. “Sorry Litassa. I know how much you want to keep that a secret. What did you do?”

“I pulled my blaster and interrogated him about the cargo.” I chuckled softly. “I think I scared the Bantha scat out of him.”

Luke nodded. “I trust him Litassa. I don’t think he’ll betray your trust.”

I walked over to my couch and plopped down. “I don’t think so either. He was more worried that I’ve been tricking you.”

Luke smiled. “Really? He was hauled aboard a First Order Star Destroyer and was facing down your blaster barrel and he was worried about me?”

I leaned back in the seat cushions and smiled. “Yes. He thought the evil Inquisitor had tricked the naive son of a Sith Lord into trusting me.” My grin grew wider. “Perhaps he thought I was using you.”

Luke chuckled. “You do use me…but not in the way he suspects...or maybe he does suspect you are using me for my body.” His Force projection walked over and sat down next to me. “I’m glad you were able to help him out of a difficult situation.” He reached up and I startled when I felt a light touch where his fingers traced the curve of my jaw. “I wish I could be with you in the flesh.”

“I do too,” I said breathlessly. “I can slightly feel your touch. If you keep perfecting your Force projection…things might get interesting in the bedroom.”

He grinned widely. “I’m working on it.”

I reached up to caress his face but was disappointed when my hand didn’t meet any resistance but slipped through his image. “Farmboy, you need to find a way to teleport your very real sexy body into my bed on demand.”

He leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. I closed my eyes and cherished his ever-so-faint touch and the subtle smell of his favorite body wash.

“I love you,” I whispered. I opened my eyes and he was gone, but I could still hear his voice.

“I love you, too.”

 

Woohoo, always like to encounter Karrde even under an alias. Whew, those ysalamiri and I absolutely adored the L/L exchange at the end. Full of affectionate banter.

 

I was wondering if anybody picked up that Hal Kort, from the beginning of this story, was actually Talon Karrde. Captain Kort ship's name was Habcamber in this story and in the Legends novels Talon's alias for his ship was the Hab Camber. I just removed the space between the two names. And Kort is Norwegian for Card. He fits the physical description of Talon Karrde also. And in the story Litassa twice comments that she knows Kort is probably an alias. The only reason he used his real name with the First Order was he was flying under the Wild Karrde transponder. Sorry, I just had to put my second favorite smuggler into the story.

 

The following was post # 52 written on 1 April 2016 (April Fools Day)

I just realized I got very close to describing the title of episode 8 almost ten months prior to the title release (January 2017).

 

Great stuff! Thanks for telling us. For some reasons I have been off-line a lot recently, but I lurked with my mobile phone.

I like the recent developments, especially how you describe the development of Ben. As a kindergarten teacher I can saw lot of parental good intentions that lead straight to hell during the past years.