Saga Destiny of the Skywalkers Part II: Splintered Paths OT AU (L/M A/P H/L) Completed

Chapter 10: Repairs

The Millennium Falcon lurched and Leia found herself off balance and falling. But rather than the durasteel of the cockpit floor, she found something softer broke her fall. Something distinctly human. Han Solo. And he had wrapped his arms around her. Leia wriggled to release herself, but Han was unresponsive as the ship lurched again but with less force. ?Let go.?

?Ssh!? Leia turned to determine what the smuggler was listening for, but he was simply looking half at Leia and half at the ship?s controls.

?Let go. Please.? Leia squirmed in Han?s arms once more even though she could have easily forced her way out. Her father had trained her quite well in hand to hand combat. But she didn?t want to hurt the Corellian. Yet. Han finally released his hold with a smirk.

?Don?t get excited.? Now, Leia was tempted to hurt him.

Leia stood up, wanting to put some distance between her and Solo. The Jedi princess then pinned the man with a glare. This did nothing to wipe the smirk off of Han?s face. ?Captain, being held by you isn?t quite enough to get me excited.?

?Sorry, sweetheart. We haven?t got time for anything else.? Leia?s eyes went wide and now she did want to hurt him. She was uncharacteristically slow to respond, however, as Han rose from his seat and exited the cockpit. His smirk had transformed into a lopsided smile and Leia had to suppress letting out a scream of frustration.

---

Mara Jade stood over the [i]Falcon[/i]?s computer, doing her best to decipher the displays as Chewbacca replaced what components he could and repaired those he couldn?t. She watched the screen, hoping they had better luck on the most recent attempt. The Wookiee barked, but nothing changed. Apparently, the motivator control connector was not the culprit. ?No. Next connection.?

Chewie let out a frustrated howl and Mara went back to deciphering the display in hopes of better diagnosing the problem with the ship. The [i]Falcon[/i]?s computer had been spliced together so oddly that it would take a lifetime studying starship engineering to figure out exactly how it managed to remain spaceworthy. And even then, it was likely to be baffling. Mara found herself oddly impressed at the fact Solo and Chewbacca had kept the ship running for as long as they had without a major malfunction. Until now that was.

Mara lifted her head as the ship lurched. She didn?t think they were that close to the surface. Apparently, she had misjudged their depth in the chaos, the Empire had pulled out the heavy ordinance to find them or there had been an asteroid collision nearby. Mara doubted the first option and sincerely hoped the third alternative was the case. A lighter lurch lent credence to her theory. Mara shook her head and went back to the display, but was soon distracted.

Han Solo emerged from the cockpit with a lopsided smile on his face. Mara braced herself for Leia to storm out behind the man, berating him but was disappointed. Solo simply walked past Mara to join his co-pilot in repairing the ship. Mara?s gaze flitted from Solo to the cockpit door and she debated going into the cockpit to see if Leia?s head had exploded. That was obviously not the case as the Jedi emerged, appearing calm. Mara could see past her, however, and saw the telltale measured breathing that meant Leia was trying not to kill Solo. Mara looked at her friend for a moment. ?At least wait until the ship is fixed. He?s no good to us dead.?

Leia could no longer restrain her frustrated yell.


[hr]


Han made his way back to the main computer terminal, disappointed that the navigation relay computer had not been the source of the trouble. He had put off rebuilding the hyperdrive for far too long. And that was not an option under the circumstances since they had neither the tools nor the replacement parts necessary to mount such an undertaking. At the moment, they had to hope for the best. It was driving him crazy.

Mara was still working at the main computer terminal when he reached it. Han was unsure if she had s

 

Mara was about to open her mouth to give Solo a piece of her mind about the power coupling, but stopped short at the sight before her. The redhead Jedi?s jaw dropped and she scurried away before her presence could be noticed. She returned to the main computer to find Chewbacca?s head sticking out of the hatch, looking for assistance. Mara was unable to speak and simply motioned down the corridor.

Chewbacca?s confused expression was replaced by an amused woof and Mara turned on her heel. She spotted Han and Leia awkwardly exiting the room and going the other way. Holding hands. Mara started to laugh and called out to the retreating couple. ?Took you long enough!?
I'll say!!
Wonderful update! Looking forward to more!

 

Took you long enough...

That was funny!!!

I foresee a time when Mara will recieve a similar message.

 

I noticed a tiny error, "Han came out with a smirk on HER face." (was that supposed to be Han with a smirk on HIS face?)

Heh, I love the idea of Mara witnessing them instead of Threepio.

And since I am bad about checking my active topic emails, please send me a PM next time you update and for future updates.

 

Looks like Mara's a lot more ... well ... discreet than Threepio. Then again, that isn't hard to do. Liked her "Don't kill Solo until the ship is fixed" remark. Also enjoyed Han's initial disbelief at Leia's flirting. She probably barely believes it herself ... I bet she thinks it's all a dream.

 

Mara looked at her friend for a moment. ?At least wait until the ship is fixed. He?s no good to us dead.? I had to smile at this. It fits perfectly.

 

man that's so good...Mara saying..took u long enough...priceless...

 

Excellent!

Can't wait to see this all pan out.

 

I stumbled on this story, went back and read the prequel, and now I'm back to read this one. Absolutely wonderful! You weave drams, humor, romance, and tension together with just the right mix. I was sorry to see Obi-Wan die, but I guess he knew what he was doing. Now, the unknown in this whole mix is what will happen to Anakin and company. Will they escape the Empire's trap? Or will they get captured and the rest of the family will have to come to the rescue? You've got me on the edge of my seat. Please add me to your PM list.

 

I am real sure that Mara is curious about what is transpiring between Han and Leia. She proubly sees it as so out of character for Leia but also abit pleased to see the female side of her. Now Mara can tease her about being attracted to a man. Great job and thanks.

 

Just read the first part, and now this. Brilliant stuff.

Love to see where this ends up.

PM please

EG

 

No idea where I was be it seems I missed a lot of posts. I think the last one I read was chapter five. Just re-reading the first story. Please add me to the PM list. Thanks.

 

Just read the first part of this series and am caught up with part 2. I like the way you have written the characters and have weaved in the extra story lines. Can't wait to read more. Could you put me on your PM list please.

 

UP!

Found part one a couple days ago (linked from a rec list) and read it and am now caught up on part 2. I really love your story. So please add me to your PM list.

Oh and feel free to update as often as you can.

 

I wonder where our author has gone off to......perhaps DWB has writer-napped him?

 

DWB... I hadnt seen that before... made me laugh

 

I really enjoyed both the previous story and the beginning of this one. Are you coming back? I really want to know how your version of events will turn out.

I also want to see more L/M. It was about time! What took them so long?


Please, please, please update again soon. And can you add me to the PM list?

 

Just found this series last night and read all of it so far. Awesomeness. Please post soon!!

 

For starters, I can't believe it's been a year since I last updated this and I apologize for that. I hope to have a bit more time to write now that the wedding is done, the wife and I are used to each other and life is settling back into something resembling a routine. But all I can say right now is that I just finished the next post and just need to do a little proofreading before it goes up.

And now onto replies:

dancing_star: Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

Ocelotl_Nesto: I thought a little humor was called for, even with the usual comic relief removed from the situation.

Jedi_Liz: Oops. Thanks for pointing that out. And you are now on the PM list.

ZebulaNebula: I'd be lying if I said I didn't remove Threepio from the Falcon in order to pull this off.

RebelMom: That line was too good not to use when it came into my head. It's just so Mara.

son-of-kenobi: Glad you enjoyed it.

ccp: Thank you.

p_stotts: Glad you stumbled across this and the prequel. And sorry about the wait. You're now on the PM list.

JEDIFLYSWATTER: I'm sure MAra would tease Leis regardless. But this gives her extra ammunition.

EGKenobi: Thanks for reading. You're added to the PM list.

voxynking: Glad you were able to catch up. Now you're on the PM list.

JediMike2372: Thanks for reading. Adding you top the PM list now.

cggunnersmate: If someone's linking and recommending this, I feel even worse about the delays. I need to do something about that. You're on the PM list now.

Jedi_Liz: DWB and DRL have been working as a double team. Though it was the constant barrage of things to get ready for the wedding more than anything.

bkwrm752003: I'm back now. Hopefully things will go more smoothly with posting regularly in the near future. I'll add you to the PM list.

Spartan-000: I will be posting soon. Thanks for reading all of this.


Current PM List:
Darthme1011
ccp
ZebulaNebula
Ocelotl_Nesto
dancing_star
DarthVaderette
Iverna
JEDIFLYSWATTER
Darth_Drachonus
RebelMom
son-of-kenobi
alderaanprincess
Jedi_Liz
p_stotts
EGKenobi
voxynking
JediMike2372
cggunnersmate
bkwrm752003

Let me know if you want to be added or removed.

 

Chapter 11: Jedi Training

Luke ran through the humid swamp, sweat pouring down his face. The muggy air was exhausting enough, but the Jedi Master riding on his back just made things worse. But he had to put his sore muscles aside and draw from the Force. Use its energy to fuel him. Rely on it to sustain him through any challenges he may face. Encountering a fallen tree too large to run over, Luke flipped and landed on his feet, immediately regaining his stride.

?Run! Yes. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger...fear...aggression. The dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.?

Luke stopped and leaned as he caught his breath. He had learned much about calling on the Force in few years Obi-Wan and his father had been training him. But the more philosophical aspects of being a Jedi still eluded him. With the Rebellion, he hadn?t given it much time. There was simply too much going on. Being isolated with Yoda had forced him to face these issues. And he didn?t always find himself agreeing with the aged Master. ?But what about my father? He broke from the Dark Side.?

?Hmph.? Yoda remained silent for a moment as Luke?s breathing returned to normal. ?The easier, more seductive path the Dark Side is. Tempt your father it will forevermore.?

Luke was silent for a moment. Yoda had a point, but Luke still felt that Yoda was preaching about the Dark Side rather than teaching about it. It frustrated him to no end. ?But how am I to know the good side from the bad??

?You will know. When you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.?

Luke did his best not to scream at hearing yet another platitude from the Jedi Master. ?But tell me why I can't...?

?No, no, there is no why. Nothing more will I teach you today. Clear your mind of questions.?

Luke was tempted to ask why there is no why, but held back. That would get him nowhere. Instead Luke sat down on a nearby log so Yoda could more easily return to the ground. Luke grabbed the gear he had removed for his run and had his jacket halfway on when he Artoo?s beeping caught his attention.

Luke found himself looking past the droid at a dead, black tree. It looked like the rest of the trees in the swamp, yet somehow different. It seemed almost sinister with its dark bark and sagging limbs. The twisted roots disappeared into the mud of the swamp. Luke took a step closer and caught sight of what appeared to be the entrance to a cave behind the tree.

?There?s something not right here.? Luke took a few cautious steps forward and felt a chill run down his spine as his Force sense seemed to crawl. Turning to the Jedi Master, Luke found Yoda simply poking at the dirt with his gimer stick, not meeting his pupil?s gaze. Luke returned his gaze to the eerie tree before him. ?I feel cold, death.?

?That place...is strong with the dark side of the Force. A domain of evil it is. In you must go.? Luke turned slowly to meet Yoda?s eyes. He was uncertain and hoped to see something of that reflected in the Jedi Master?s visage. But there was nothing. Yoda simply continued to poke at the dirt.

?What?s in there??

?Only what you take with you.? Luke gave the tree a wary look and bit his lip. He thought for a second about just walking away. The cave just felt wrong. But instead he reached for his belt.

?Your weapons. You will not need them.? Luke hesitated for a moment and stared at the tree. There was no way he was going in there without anything. Ignoring Yoda?s advice, he strapped on his belt and placed his hand on his lightsaber for reassurance. Luke expected to hear Yoda chastise him as he stepped toward the cave, but the swamp was unnaturally silent as he stood in the mouth of the cave.

With a deep cleansing breath to center himself in the Force, Luke dropped into the cave. Each step he took led Luke into a deeper cold, a greater feeling of darkness. Luke's eyes darte

 

Great update

 

Nice, familiar moment there. I loved Mara's reaction to Han and Leia kissing, as well as her parting remark. Classic.

 

nice to see Luke doing a lot better with Yoda, even though he still disobeyed in the cave sequence

 

Fabulous update!! So very well written! Glad to see Luke had enough faith to lift the ship.
Bravo and looking forward to more!!

 

Delightful to get a PM on this posting... Wonderful. I enjoyed the new slant on Luke and Yoda on Dagobah. Luke didnt fail on the ship...

But a keen observation on Anakin being tempted by the darkside even though he has returned to the light. Similar to a former smoker or substance abuse problem.