The shuttle landed gently on the landing pad in the middle of the jungle. A lone figure in a dark green cloak emerged from the lowering ramp. The figure seemed a bit reluctant to step onto the ground. Another figure appeared at the top of the ramp. "Go on," said the man as he came down the ramp. "He’s waiting for you."
The first figure took a deep breath, stood tall and began to walk towards the temple. A blonde man wearing a black and gray flightsuit came out and smiled. "You finally made it!"
Wedge moved off the ramp. "Yeah. I almost had to drag her here."
The hood dropped on the green cloak and the dark blonde haired woman turned to stick her tongue out at Wedge. She turned back to address the blonde. "It’s very hard to leave your family behind, you know." I bowed before him. "Thank you for allowing me this opportunity, Master Luke. I hope I don’t disappoint you."
"You could never disappoint me, Kelly." Luke smiled at me. "After all, you have as much experience as I do. And you were trained by a Jedi Master."
"I just hope there is something I can do to help."
"What made you decide to come now?"
"The Force told me," I answered. "I had a vision that I was on Yavin IV using the Force better than I ever have before. Afterwards, I felt a sense of urgency to come."
Luke nodded. "The Force works in mysterious ways. I’m glad you’re here."
Wedge stepped up beside me. "I have those supplies you asked for, too, Luke."
"Great. I’ll get someone to help you. Kelly, you may go in and choose your room. After you are settled in and see Wedge off, you’ll need to go see Tionne. She has a list of the classes and times. You may choose whatever you wish to study."
I nodded. "Thank you." I turned and walked towards the temple.
I had only been here once before. That was a very long time ago, back only a week after the destruction of the first Death Star. I didn’t really notice things then, since everyone was rushing to get out before the rest of the Imperial Navy showed up. The architecture was archaic, yet so beautiful. I stood in awe in the landing bay. It was empty save for Luke’s personal X-Wing. I imagined what it must have been like for the bay to be filled with X and Y-Wings.
A soft tootling beside me gained my attention. I looked down to see a blue and silver R2 unit. "R2-D2, I presume." I smiled at the droid.
He beeped and tooted, bending over slightly in a mock bow.
"Thanks for the warm welcome," I told him. "I see you are keeping Master Luke’s ship in perfect condition."
OF COURSE. I WOULD HAVE IT NO OTHER WAY. IT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR A HUMAN TO UNDERSTAND A DROID.
"I learned droid-speak early in my life. It came to me naturally."
THAT IS MOST IMPRESSIVE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU, MASTER CRACKEN?
"Well, Luke told me to go find a room. Do you have any suggestions?"
The droid turned his dome around and popped out his third leg. He began wheeling towards a small hallway just off from the bay. I followed him to a room not far down the hall. Something seemed familiar.
R2 turned back to me. DOES THIS SEEM SUITABLE?
"Yes, R2. It’s perfect." My comlink beeped.
"They’ve finished unloading, sis. I knew you wanted to say goodbye."
"I’ll be right there, Wedge." I dropped my bag on the nearest bunk and trotted back to Wedge’s ship.
"You will check on Shaana and Airen," I asked.
Wedge grinned. "They’ll be fine. They are with Pash and Marcus is there to help Shaana." He pulled me into a hug.
I inhaled his familiar fragrance, knowing it would be a while before I smelled it again. "I feel so bad about leaving them like this. Airen is barely a year old." Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them back.
"You said yourself that you didn’t think you’d be gone long. Just remember that you are going to learn and teach here. You’ve always been a great teacher."
I pushed back from him and looked at his ship. "And I should be at home teaching my daughter. That’s it. I’m leaving." I moved past him towards the ship.
"But what about your vision?"
I stopped. Ever since the vision presented itself to me, I had felt a sense of importance in coming to Yavin. I got in touch with Marcus and asked him to come take care of the children and watch after things on Kanagi. Kenichi-san had almost pushed me into Wedge’s ship. He knew how important visions are to Jedi. "For Kenichi-san, I will stay." I closed my eyes and pushed back the tears that threatened to spill.
I felt his arms encircle my shoulder and turn me towards the temple. "Luke needs your help. You have as much experience as he does with the Force. He’s my friend. Please help him."
"Damnit, Veggies. Only for you." I leaned to kiss him on the cheek. "Now go before I change my mind again." I felt him kiss my cheek and turn away. I stood there until I heard the ship lift from the ground. My tears were finally spent. Running a sleeve across my face, I walked back into the temple.
"Jedi Cracken," said the exuberant white haired young woman. "I am so glad to finally meet you. I am Tionne." She bowed slightly. "Master Luke was so happy when you told him you were coming."
"Well, the Force led me here," I replied. "My Master always told me to follow my instincts. They told me to come to Yavin, so here I am. Now to figure out why I’m here."
She smiled. "Yes, the Force works in many mysterious ways. Have you chosen a room?"
I nodded. "Actually, R2-D2 helped me choose one. I think I impressed him when I answered his questions without taking out a datapad."
Her eyes widened. "You understand droidspeak?"
"For years. I think it may be the Force helping, but I have been able to since I got my first R2 unit." I smiled.
"Can you understand other languages?"
I thought about her question. Can I understand other languages? "I don’t really know. I usually deal with aliens who speak basic."
Tionne was excited. "Perhaps you should try with some of our alien Jedi students. I would be interested to know if it can actually be done."
I nodded. "Of course. Luke said you had the list of courses."
She handed me a datapad she had prepared. "They are listed there. I do hope you will join one of my history classes. I would be very glad to have you tell us about your Master."
"It would be my pleasure." I smiled and took the pad, slipping it in my pocket. "Well, I think I'm going to go have a look around the temple."
"The dining hall is in the same place as it was when the Rebellion was here. I'm sure you will find it easily. Dinner is usually served around 1730, though you can always find someone in there. And please be careful if you wander outside. There are many wild and dangerous animals in the forest."
"Thanks for the warning," I said forcing a warm tone to my voice. I can take care of myself. With that I took my leave.
Surprisingly, I found my way around rather easily. Luke hadn't changed much from when the Rebellion had used the temple as base. As I walked along, I could almost see the people who had risked their lives to destroy the first Death Star.
That struck me as odd. It really was as if I could see the people who had died defending the Rebellion. I shook my head, tossing it aside as an overactive imagination, and continued towards my room.
I unpacked my few possessions, placing a holo of Pash and the children on the desk. I reached out and touched the image of my husband. Already I missed him. Tonight was going to be very lonely.
I checked my chrono. It said 1745. Dinner was being served. My stomach growled reminding me I hadn't eaten since breakfast. It also reminded me that I normally would be fixing dinner for my family, sitting down to eat with them, playing with Shaana and Airen afterwards in the garden...
A tear fell on the desk. I started and stood up, not realizing I had begun to cry. Wiping my hand across my face, I grabbed my jacket and headed for the dining hall.
The major difference I saw when I entered the hall was that everyone wore Jedi robes. I scoffed at the fact that they had fallen under Skywalker's spell. How could he be expected to bring the Jedi back to their original glory? It would be impossible.
I grabbed a tray of food and found a table off to the side. Better to be alone. The food was edible. It made me realize just how hungry I really was.
A shadow fell over me and I looked up. "Jedi Cracken," a tall man questioned.
"Kyle Kattarn," I said with a nod.
He smiled and nodded. "I'm glad we finally get to meet. May I sit?"
I gestured with an arm to welcome him to my table. He was a bit older than I. His dark hair was speckled with gray. His beard and moustache were trimmed neatly and salt and pepper in color. "To what do I owe this pleasure, Jedi Kattarn?"
I could see in his eyes that he was expecting me to act just as I had. "You can call me Kyle," he said with a warm smile.
"You started the formalities," I replied.
He chuckled. "That I did. I had hoped that you and I could sit down sometime and talk. We both were trained by Jedi Masters and the others have no experience with that."
I looked into his eyes. Luke had told me Kyle's father had trained him in the Force. "You had much more training than I. When you start from the day you learn to crawl, it is much easier to understand the Force."
Kyle nodded. "Yet, to be so bold as to take the word of a man you barely know that you have a gift is stronger."
Very good, I thought and smiled. "Actually, I would like to sit and talk with you while I’m here. We can trade stories of the Rebellion and what it was like to actually be a Force user then."
"What a wonderful idea," he replied. "If you wouldn't mind, I'm sure Tionne would love to record our experiences."
I thought about that for a moment. Recording my memories for others to learn from them. "I think I would like that."
He stood and bowed slightly to me. "I will let her know. Thank you for talking with me."
"Anytime Kyle," I replied with a soft smile.
After dinner, I went outside to watch the sunset. It was an incredible view. The forest surrounding the temple reminded me of Kanagi. Suddenly, I was quite homesick.
"These woods are much more dangerous than your home," a soft voice said from behind me.
I pushed back the anger and fear that began to arise. "Perhaps."
Luke moved over to sit beside me, his black and gray flightsuit covered with a black cloak. "I sense you are very uncomfortable being here. Why did you come?"
I shrugged. "Master Aulduin always told me to follow my instincts. The sense of urgency I felt after my dream begged not to be pushed to the side. I had to come."
"Do you have any idea what it is you are supposed to accomplish?"
"No idea whatsoever," I replied honestly. "I feel uncomfortable because of the looks I get from the students."
"How do you mean?"
"You have had the school open for a couple of years now. I haven't come once to see it, yet supposedly, I am a great Jedi. They don't believe I am the accomplished Jedi I seem because I have not come to your school."
"That's preposterous."
"Is it?" I looked him in the eye. "The only one who has come up to me has been Kyle. Do you know why?" I continued before he could answer. "Because he wants to talk to someone who studied with a Jedi Master.
"I'm an outcast here. You know I will not be sending Shaana here. I'm sure they know that, too. That is probably the number one reason they don't trust me."
He looked taken aback. "You're not going to send Shaana?"
I looked at him as if he'd gone mad. "You must be joking. I am going to teach my daughter myself. My mother was never able to teach me about the Force. She died without knowing what I learned. She died without ever seeing any of her grandchildren. She died because I wasn't there to save her."
"That's not true," he said softly and calmly. "You know it isn't."
"Do I? I'm the one who ran away. I'm the one who left them to die." I turned away angrily.
"I never knew my mother. And my father, well, you know how that ended. How do you think I felt? My aunt and uncle died because I was off looking for Obi-Wan Kenobi. People die, Kelly. There's always a reason. We may not understand at first, but eventually you will." He stood and pulled his cloak around him. "You may want to go inside soon. It gets pretty cold after the sun sets." He turned and walked away.
I sat there thinking for another hour. What he had said made sense. I had always blamed myself for my parent's death. But, if I had been there, what could I have done? Regret was for the past. I should be looking to the future.
The cold wind blew and chilled me to the bone. I pulled my jacket tighter around me and headed back to my room for some sleep.
"Did you get it?"
"What do you think, Darklighter?" Jek Porkins held up a bottle filled with a copperish liquid.
"Yes!" Biggs Darklighter clasped his hands together excitedly. He moved to his bunk and got out the three glasses he had hidden under his pillow.
"Are you going to join us, Antilles," Jek asked the young man on the bunk above his.
"Sure," Wedge said as he reached out for the glass Biggs was handing him. "What shall we drink to?"
Jek poured the amber liquid into their glasses. "A sound beating of the Empire."
The other two laughed. "What a perfect description, Jek," Biggs said as he raised his glass. "To a sound beating of the Empire."
"A sound beating of the Empire," Wedge repeated. The three touched glasses and downed the liquid in one swallow.
Despite being Corellian, Wedge was still young. He choked slightly on the whisky. "Smooth," he whispered.
Jek laughed. "It's ok, kid. You'll get used to it." He refilled their glasses. "To the Princess. May she return safely and lead us to certain victory."
"Amen," replied Biggs. "We certainly need it."
I awoke in a sweat. The chrono said 0237. Wiping my brow, I sat up and reached for the glass of water that was floating towards my hand. The dream had disturbed me. It was if I had been in the room with my brother and two men who had died so many years ago.
I put the glass back and ran my hands through my hair. Reaching out with the Force, I tried to see if I could contact any of my family. I could feel all of the students, most asleep. I could feel the trees and inhabitants of the jungle. There was a tinge of darkness on the edge of my vision. Other than that, I could sense no further.
With a shake of my head in frustration, I lay back on the bunk and went to sleep.
The dream persisted night after night. I grew increasingly distant. My mind wandered during classes. I could not concentrate. I started staying up late into the night in hopes of keeping the dream at bay.
It began to change, moving forward in time. I saw many pilots come through the room and speak with the three pilots. Even Wes Janson appeared one night, looking tired and haggard. Finally, Luke appeared in my dream.
That night, I awoke and refused to go back to sleep. I quickly threw on some clothes and headed for the highest point of the temple. I sat on the edge and looked out into the night. Seeing Luke in my dream brought a feeling of impending doom. I wasn't sure what would happen if I had the dream again.
I pulled my legs up to my chest and hugged them close. This time I felt him approach me. "Is everything alright," he asked.
I shook my head. "I don't know."
"It's a dream, isn't it? Which room did you choose?"
"The one just off the bay," I said in confusion. "R2 chose it for me."
The blonde nodded. "Figures."
My brow furrowed. "I don't understand."
He stood and held a hand out to me. "Come. Let me show you."
Wanting to know what was going on, I took his hand and followed him. We went to my room and he moved to one of the walls. He pushed aside a tapestry that hung there to show me several names carved into the stone.
I moved to examine it closer. There was no mistaking my brother's name. It was surrounded by Jek Porkins and Biggs Darklighter. At the bottom was one other. "Did you do this right before…" my voice trailed off.
Luke nodded. "The night before. Your brother and the others accepted me immediately. It was… actually, it was rather spooky at first. I knew not all of us would survive. I never expected I would."
I reached out to touch Wedge's name and my fingers brushed Porkins. I pulled my hand back in shock. Something happened. "What was that," I asked.
"I have no idea. Try touching it again."
I did as he asked and was immediately pulled into what I thought was a dream. I could see outside a ship. What looked like the Death Star was below me and I was being swarmed by TIE-fighters. I could hear voices, most unfamiliar. Then I heard a voice coming from me. It was deep and masculine.
The ship rocked as I was hit by a direct shot. I could hear voices telling me to pull up. "I'm alright," I heard the deep voice say. A moment later, I screamed as the ship dove into the Death Star. Everything went black.
My eyes snapped open and I examined my surroundings. I saw a Mon Calamari standing nearby. "She's awake," the Mon Cal said. "Go get Master Skywalker."
I heard footsteps running away from the room. Opening my mouth to speak, I found it much too dry. The Mon Calamari brought me a glass of water and helped me sit up to drink. I drained the glass and tried again. "Where am I?"
"In medical," said the decidedly female voice. "You passed out and Master Skywalker brought you here. I am Cilghal."
"I appreciate your help, Cilghal. But unfortunately, the Force cannot heal me."
"I was made aware of that. You were not injured, but had gone into a meditation trance that none of us could get you out of." She pulled the monitor from my finger.
Luke appeared in the doorway followed by Tionne and Kyle. "So good to see you awake, Kelly," Luke said with a smile.
"How long was I out?"
"Three days," Tionne said softly. "You might want to call home."
"Pash called," Luke answered the questioning look on my face. "It seems your daughter is very tightly bound to you."
I smiled. "Of course she is. She's my daughter."
Cilghal cleared her throat. "You're clear to leave, Master Cracken. Perhaps you would like to go make that call."
I slipped from the bed to the floor. My legs weren't ready for the weight and I nearly fell. Kyle caught me and helped me stand. "Arigato," I said out of habit.
He looked at me curiously. "I assume that means 'thank you'?"
I nodded. "On Kanagi. Would you mind helping me to the comm station?"
"Not at all. On the way, perhaps you could tell us exactly what happened."
I did so, recalling as much detail as I could. Luke paled as he recognized the comm chatter. "You actually witnessed Jek Porkins's death," he said.
"I relived his death," I said. "The shock must have sent me into the meditation trance to allow my body to recover. It was quite incredible. I'm sure my heart must have stopped at least for a moment."
"It did," Luke verified. "You really scared me. The first thought in my mind was, Pash is going to kill me." He smiled at his jest.
I chuckled. "Let's just be glad he isn't going to."
We arrived at the comm station and Luke and Kyle left me alone. I commed home and let them know I was okay. The images were now circulating in my mind with the dreams I'd had. Something was trying to let itself be known to me. I could not figure it out.
"Master Cracken?"
The voice snapped me from my reverie. I looked up at the student standing before me. "Yes?"
"Did I do it right?"
I looked around to see the other students watching me expectantly. Obviously, I had zoned out during the class I was teaching on the Force shield. I'd had yet another vision of another pilot's demise above the Death Star. "I... I'm sorry. Please do it again."
As I began to watch again, another vision came to me. I saw from my brother's eyes. He followed Luke and Biggs into the trench. My breathing quickened as the walls closed in. He was traveling so fast. One false move and he'd be toast.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood as the three TIE-fighters dropped in behind Wedge. Darkness surrounded them. I saw the blast leave the turret of the center TIE, Vader's TIE. It struck its mark, Wedge's port engine. He couldn't go any further. Luke told him to pull out.
Wedge barely escaped. He pulled up above the trench and watched. "Get out of the way," he shouted as Biggs's ship moved directly into the middle TIE's path. I heard and felt the explosion as the X-Wing split from tail to stern.
"Master Cracken!" I barely heard their worried voices as I collapsed to the ground. I could see and hear, but I couldn't move. My students surrounded me, each one worried. I wanted to tell them I was ok, but I couldn't find my voice.
I saw Kyle stoop beside me. He looked in my eyes and spoke to me telepathically. I will get you to Cilghal. Do not worry.
I am not worried, I replied. I want to know why I cannot move or speak.
He looked confused when I responded. He lifted me from the ground and took me to the medical bay. Upon arriving, he explained to the Mon Calamari medic what had happened, at least from my students standpoint. He lay me on an examining bed and connected with me again. Are you comfortable?
Yes. I have tried to contact you the entire way here, but I cannot seem to project.
Kyle was definitely worried. Yet since I initiated contact, I can receive you.</P>
I wanted to nod. Yes.
Tell me what happened. He stood patiently above me.
Cilghal placed the monitor on my finger as I began to relate to Kyle what had happened. She went over to the monitor and tapped it. "Come on, work." She slapped it again, but still nothing happened. "Damn, her entire nervous system has shut down.
I heard her and tried to look at Kyle. Close my eyes!
He looked down at me in confusion. "Close your eyes?"
I cannot do it. Close my eyes and perhaps I can go into meditation and figure out what's wrong.
Cilghal overheard Kyle. "Yes! Close her eyelids. She cannot meditate with her eyes open!" She turned to see him doing what she'd asked. "Good. Now go so I can watch her."
My eyes closed and I sank into a deep meditation.
Where am I, I thought. The surroundings felt familiar, but I could not see enough to tell.
Help us! A voice cried out of the darkness.
I turned towards the direction from which I thought the voice had come. "Hello?"
Help us, Antilles!
I blinked, wondering if the voice was truly calling me.
You are the only one who can save us, Antilles.
"Who are you," I cried out. "How can I help you."
You will know.
The horizon changed. I could see Yavin the planet below me surrounded by its six moons. What looked like another smaller moon came into orbit. It was headed directly for the fourth moon, where the Yavin base was located.
I watched from above as the Battle of Yavin played out. I saw my brother's X-Wing leave the fray. The Millenium Falcon flew away before coming back and saving Luke from being obliterated. The Death Star exploded. I saw and heard every scream.
My eyes focused on the planet Yavin. Chunks of the exploding ship rocketed through the atmosphere. Anyone who hadn't died in the explosion surely perished in reentry. Ironically, I could still hear their screams.
I sat up quickly, knocking over the IV bottle that was next to me. The crash alerted the others that I had indeed finally awakened. I looked over to see Cilghal, Luke and Kyle approaching me swiftly. I held up a hand to keep them at bay. "Don't. I'm fine, but I need to get out of here." Even I could hear the desperation in my voice. I had no idea from where it had come.
"What did you see this time," Luke asked.
I glared at him. "I saw all those people you killed or let die above this moon." The fierceness in my voice stunned even me. I pushed myself from the bed as Cilghal took the monitor from my hand. "I am taking your ship and getting out of here. There is somewhere I have to go."
"No, you cannot. Once you leave, then your training here would have been for nothing."
I put my hands on my hips. "Do you really think you can stop me?"
Kyle smartly took a step aside. "Beware the Dark side," Luke stated mechanically.
That did it. "Listen Skywalker, you have known me long enough now to know that I am NOT going to let the Dark side tempt me into doing something wrong. You have seen that it does not weigh over me like it does you."
Cilghal waved Kyle to her side as they moved further away. "What's going on," she whispered to the older man.
Kyle narrowed his eyes for a moment. "Well, I'm guessing those two have some sort of a history. After all, she is Wedge Antilles' sister."
"As in General Antilles?" Kyle nodded. "Obviously, she did not get the level head in the family."
Kyle tried not to snicker as he returned his attention to the Jedi Masters.
"Where are you planning to take my ship," Luke asked.
"Not that it's any of your business, but the Force is leading me somewhere nearby to help those who died to finally rest peacefully," I scoffed at him.
He closed his eyes and I could feel the Force gather around him. That ever-present tinge of darkness still surrounded his aura. "Voices have been calling to you?"
"Yes."
"That explains much." He opened his eyes. "Go. Take R2. He will keep you safe."
I blinked. Was he actually telling me I could leave?
A small smile played on his lips. "Go before I change my mind."
I nodded and turned to the others. "Thank you both for everything you have done for me."
"Good luck," Kyle said softly.
I smiled at him as I left the room.
"Are you holding up ok back there, R2," I asked the droid in the socket behind my head. The X-Wing drifted down through the atmosphere of the planet Yavin.
The controls indicated that the atmosphere was breathable. R2 confirmed this, yet was worried as to why I wanted to come to a desolate planet. "Think Degobah, R2," I told him, hoping that would comfort him somewhat.
I guided the ship to an open area and set it lightly on the ground. The canopy popped open and raised as I removed my helmet and stood up. The planet looked inhabitable. It had mountains and oceans with forests and plains. I wondered why no race had chosen Yavin to settle on.
That question was answered as soon as I dropped to the ground. I think any non-Force user would have been able to feel the apparitions as they surrounded me. My head wanted to explode from all the noise. I knew R2 would not know what was wrong as I dropped to my knees, clutching my head. "QUIET," I screamed.
The noises, the screams of the apparitions, softened somewhat. "I'm ok, R2," I said to calm the droid. "There are ghosts everywhere and I can hear each of them."
The droid blatted at me and tried to release himself from the socket.
"No. Stay in the ship." I climbed to my feet and looked around. "I apologize for yelling. You frightened me."
An older man approached me. From the look of his helmet that was under his arm, I could tell he had been a high-ranking officer. "We're honored you finally came, Captain Antilles."
I blinked. "How did you know my name?"
"Your brother spoke of you often," said a tall, dark-haired man said. I immediately recognized him from Gavin's family holos and the dreams that had been plaguing me.
"By the gods," I exclaimed. "You're Biggs Darklighter."
"One and the same. Your brother did right in leaving the trench. I don't blame him at all for my, um, untimely demise." He smiled warmly.
I was shocked to finally hear Biggs own words. "I appreciate you telling me that. It clears up a lot of old feelings. However, I am still wondering why you brought me here and why your spirits are still here on Yavin?"
A man in an Imperial uniform approached me. I shivered slightly, not knowing why. "I believe I can answer that question. My name is Legin Bermingisk. Do not let the uniform fool you."
I could sense him more than the others. I knew what he meant. "How did you keep yourself hidden from Vader?"
"It wasn't easy," he smiled. "But I was fortunate enough that he wasn't there often."
"So, why are your spirits still here?"
"We have been bound to this planet by the Force. There is something we were meant to do. Without doing whatever that is, we will remain here."
I pondered what he said. "Do you know what it is you were meant to do?"
"We have to tell our stories," Biggs said flatly. "I know I'm supposed to tell you that Wedge did right. There is more, but it can wait."
I blinked and looked at him blankly. "You must be joking. You expect people to believe what I tell them?"
"They will believe," Legin said. "They have to."
I chewed on my lip. "I’m not as optimistic as you, Legin. People are not the same as they were then."
"We cannot rest without knowing that our stories will be known."
"You know I can't turn that down." I turned and opened the storage compartment of the X-Wing and pulled out a bag. "I best set up a camp so we can get this done."
Legin smiled. "We thank you for your help, Jedi Antilles."
"It's Cracken now. Let's get started."
The days turned into weeks . I listened to everyone's story. Some were short. Others were very long and drawn out. Legin's was the longest. He and I sat and talked for days. I learned much about how the Force was perceived during the Rebellion.
On the third day, I sent R2 back to the Academy to let everyone know I was fine and to send me some supplies. I knew then it was going to take a while. Luke was curious to see what I was experiencing. I told him not to come. The ghosts had chosen me, not him.
Upon my return to Yavin IV, I commed Marcus to pick me up. I made copies of all my notes for Tionne. She was grateful for the histories, especially Legin's. She also promised to let me know if she ever came across his name on a holocron.
Marcus arrived and I bade all my new friends goodbye. Luke walked me to the ramp of my ship. "I'm glad everything turned out so well."
"So am I," I replied. In an unprecedented move, I turned and hugged him. "Thanks for dealing with me, Luke. Not many people can do that."
He smiled warmly. "Anytime, Kelly. You are always welcome here."
I smiled and nodded, walking up the ramp. I turned and waved as the ramp closed. Yes, this had been a good time to go to the Academy. Who knows, I may go back one day.
