Settling In - 2
Yavin IV
- - -
Mara's alarm went off... And reflexively, she pulled her blaster and shot it. It fell to the ground in pieces, and she snuggled back into her covers.
She'd had to deal with a crisis Karrde was having with a smuggler's contact and it had taken all night. Now? Now she just wanted sleep...
Some time later though, her rest was interrupted.
Mara groaned as she felt disturbances through the Force, and in her ears. The sound of loud banging and mechanical drilling screeched in her ears. She got up, threw on some clothes, and stormed out of her quarters.
She headed into the main hanger bay, where an old man wearing a helmet with a visor was working with a laser drill, and several droids, on a power junction.
"HEY!" Mara shouted. The man took no notice, yelling at his droids.
"HEY!" Mara tried again.
Still, nothing. The man didn't seem to be able to hear her. Imagine that.
HEEEEYYYYYYYY! She screamed through the Force, and the old man turned in shock. He quickly hit his control panel, and the droids slowly stopped their work, the sound dying.
"Yes? Ah! You must be Mara Jade," the old man said, "sorry, Miss Mara Jade?"
"Yes, and you are?" Mara growled.
"Streen's the name, miss," Streen introduced him, saluting to her, "new member of the Jedi Order! Just doing some repairs. You have any idea how close the sewage pipes are to rupturing?"
"I don't-"
"No, no! This stuff was all installed by the Rebel Alliance, and they didn't have the parts to do it properly," Streen intoned, "so I'm fixing it all up! Along with the water, power, communications-"
"Do you have to be so loud about it?" Mara groaned. Streen chuckled, and handed her some ear plugs.
"Sorry, thought you would be out of here," he said, "rest o' the class is. I was just finishing up some last minute things before joining them."
"The class-KRIFF!" Mara took off at a run. Streen shook his head, watching her head out.
"Hmph... Not good manners, that girl," he muttered, "gonna have to watch her. Hey, P3, finish up for me, will you?"
The droid chirped happily in the affirmative, and Streen headed out.
- - -
Mara didn't need to run far. Luke had gathered all the students together in a nearby clearing. Mara slowed, and casually strolled into sight. She was back to her usual confident stance, giving Luke a challenging scowl. He returned a smile and nod, as Streen filed in after her.
"Thanks for coming," Luke said cheerfully. Mara sat down on a log, cut for the purposes of a bench. The others were all sitting on similar benches around Luke, who was standing. Except for Rotta, who simply sat and watched attentively.
"It hasn't been an easy start," Luke admitted, "but we're all gathered here for the same reason: To learn the ways of the Force, and to make the galaxy a better place. Some of you already know eachother, but I'm thinking we can all go around and introduce ourselves for the benefit of everyone. I'll go first."
Oh shavit. Was Skywalker really going this far?
"My name is Luke Skywalker. I was a moisture farmer, then a commander in the Rebel Alliance, and now I'm a Jedi Knight. I'm from Tatooine," Luke said, "and I hope to be a great Jedi like my father, and make the galaxy a better place."
Yup. He was. Mara covered her face, hiding a groan at how corny this all was.
And he told her this wasn't a job interview!"
"Now, go on, you do it," Luke said encouragingly.
A tall, heavily muscled man with a beard and long wild hair looked around, before he started.
"I am Gantoris. I am... Was a chieftain from Eol Sha. I hope to be a strong Jedi, and bring justice to the galaxy."
He then sat down, resuming his act of impersonating a block of stone. Tionne went next, standing up and smiling a tad nervously.
"Hello! I'm Tionne! I was a singer and musician-Well, still am," she admitted, "but my real love has always been for Jedi history and lore! I'm from Rindao originally. But I've moved around a lot. My dream is to become a great Jedi historian! And archaeologist!"
She sat down, blushing slightly. Mara grimaced mentally.
Yes, the woman was kind, but... Her upbeat attitude could be a tad grating, at times.
A muscular blond man in plain gray clothes stood up. His hair was close cropped in a buzzcut, and he looked a bit haunted.
"I am Kam Solusar. I... Was an Inquisitor for the Empire, but Luke and Tionne freed me," he said, and both Luke and Tionne beamed, "and Doctor Cilghal helped me recover."
The Mon Calamari female smiled at him, her whiskers twitching. Mara raised an eyebrow at the Mon Cal-Was she swooning over Kam? With their different biologies, how would that even...?
No. Don't go there. Bury that in the same place with the memory of walking in on Palpatine in the 'fresher. Forever.
"My hope... My hope is to become a good man, a good Jedi, like my father," Kam said softly, "and make up for all I have done."
He sat down. Tionne squeezed his shoulder as she sat next to him, and he nodded to her gratefully. Cilghal stood up, and not at all obviously walked over to Kam's other side before she began to speak.
"I am Doctor Cilghal. I'm a doctor. I worked for the Rebel Alliance, then the Freewander General Hospital," she said cheerfully, "I'm from Dac, obviously. And my hope is to rediscover ancient Jedi healing techniques, and heal people all over the galaxy!"
She sat down next to Kam, and beamed at him. He returned the smile awkwardly, even as Tionne's own smile became a bit frayed.
Mara rolled her eyes. Geez. You'd never see her competing for a man like a love struck teenager-
"Hi!" Chirped a familiar voice, "I'm Chelli Aphra!"
Mara scowled as the archaeologist went over to Luke's side and glomped onto his arm with a beam.
Shameless little...
"I'm a doctor of archaeology! Also a mercenary. An agent for the Empire... Then the Rebellion..." Aphra hummed and shrugged, "and I'm from Bar'leth! My hope is to help rebuild the Jedi Order by rediscovering Jedi history, even though I'm not Force Sensitive! If only because it's awesome!"
"So awesome!" Tionne echoed. She blushed at everyone's looks, but still smiled back at Aphra. Aphra snuggled up to Luke, who was trying not to look fondly exasperated at her.
"I also love assassin droids!" She said happily.
"Thank you Chelli," Luke said with a chuckle. Aphra snuck a kiss to his cheek, which made Mara grit her teeth as the archaeologist flounced off to sit on another log.
Bridger stood up from his sitting spot, next to his wife. He cleared his throat.
"Hey, I'm Ezra Bridger," he said, "I was a thief, then a rebel, and now I'm a Commander in the New Republic Fleet... Or was. I think I'm just a Jedi now? Anyway, I'm from Lothal. And my dream is to make the galaxy a safe place for everyone... Especially my family."
He sat down and nuzzled Sabine, who beamed right back. Mara, who thought she was desensitized to their unbelievably sappy displays of public affection, grimaced as they nuzzled each other. She was a bit heartened to see some of the other students were equally grossed out, though she hid it best.
"I'm Sabine Wren-Bridger, a Lady of House Wren of Mandalore," Sabine introduced herself, "I was a weapons designer for the Empire, then a Rebel, now I'm a consultant for the New Republic military. I was born on Krownest, and my hope is the same as Ezra's."
She went back to snuggling with him. An older redheaded human stood up next, one Mara didn't know very well. He had been sitting with a pregnant Dathomirian woman, and a seven year old girl who was clearly their daughter.
"I'm Cal Kestis," he said, "I'm a Jedi too. I do a lot of work as a rigger, though I also worked with the Rebellion," he introduced himself, "and still do. I don't know where I was born, I was taken into the Jedi Order when I was a baby. My hope? Is to restore the Jedi Order, and restore peace and justice to the galaxy... As well as be a good dad and husband."
He sat down and nuzzled his wife, who giggled a bit. Their seven year old daughter made a face, and Mara agreed with the sentiment. The Dathomirian woman stood up, beaming.
"I'm Merrin Kestis. I was a Nightsister, one of the few survivors of the Separatist massacres," she said, "I was born on Dathomir. My hope is to rediscover the old Force Witch Magics, and use them for the good of the galaxy and my family. And uh, I also want to be a good mother and wife."
The seven year old stood up on the log, and cleared her throat.
"I'm Trilla Kestis! I'm seven! I was born in space! And I wanna be a super awesome Jedi and rescue princesses and blow up Death Stars and stuff!" She declared proudly. Her eyes widened as she watched a familiar YT-1300 freighter fly overhead, and land in the hanger bay of the temple.
"And I wanna fly that ship!" She finished.
Much indulgent laughter ensued. Trilla was pulled into a hug by her parents, Cal ruffling her hair affectionately.
"Thank you Trilla," Luke said with a grin, which made Trilla beam like a sun, "okay, who's next?"
"Uh, ahem," Rotta cleared his throat nervously, "I'm Rotta Desilijic Tiure. I am... Well... I'm the son of Jabba the Hutt. But I'm not his heir. I was born on Tatooine."
He paused, and narrowed his eyes in determination.
"And I want to be a great Jedi. Free the people my family abuses and enslaves. And make up for what my family has done."
Luke nodded respectfully, as Rotta settled down a bit more. Lop hopped up, and beamed all around with her buck teeth.
"Hi! I'm Lop of the Yasaburo Clan! I was a slave, but I was adopted by the Yasaburo clan and became the heiress to the family! I'm... Well I don't know where I was born, but my home is Tao! And... And my dream is to make my world a beautiful place again, and... Find and save my sister."
She looked down a bit, flushing, but sat down back on the log. Luke nodded once more. Mara stared intensely at the Lepine girl.
A Tao crime family heiress? Huh... That was interesting...
"Yeah, I'm Streen," the old man spoke, standing up and holding up his hand, "I was a tibanna gas miner on Bespin. I was born on Nar Shadda. I... I just want to learn how to control my powers. They isolated me from anyone for ages! And well... Maybe I want to help the galaxy some, too. We'll see."
He sat back down, still looking nervous and shaky. Mara increased the shielding around her thoughts.
Not out of concern for the old man. Just to keep him from being more annoying that he already was.
Kyle Katarn finally stood up with a big grin.
"I'm Kyle Katarn. I was a Stormtrooper, but I defected to the Rebellion and worked as a mercenary for them for a while. I don't really think of myself as a Jedi, even though my dad was one-I'm just a guy with a lightsaber and some questions."
Mara snorted. She was somewhat pleased to see Luke hold back his own laughter.
"Anyway," Kyle said, rubbing the back of his head, "I was born on Sulon, and I just wanna learn how to use these powers properly. Responsibly. Most of the time."
His partner Jan Ors rolled her eyes as he sat down, but she smiled briefly at him. Mara smirked. There was no hiding their mutual affection.
"I'm Jan Ors, New Republic Agent. I was born on Alderaan. My hope is to destroy the Empire once and for all, and helping you guys out seems like a surefire way to do it," she said. She then added: "Well, one way."
A tall, quiet Kaminoan woman in spacer gear stood up, like a tall willowy tree.
"I am Kina Ha, Jedi Master. I was a member of the Old Order as well... Part time," she allowed, "I was born on Kamino. I have wandered far, and seen much. And I hope this will be worth my time."
She looked intently at each of them. Streen winced. Gantoris was a bit flummoxed, but hid it well. Mara tried not to meet the old Jedi Master's eyes.
Weird old nomad, she thought angrily.
Ahsoka walked up to the front, standing next to Luke.
"I'm Ahsoka Tano," she said, "I was a member of the Old Jedi Order, like Cal and Kina. I stayed underground for a long time, before I joined the Rebel Alliance. Now I'm just a Jedi Knight, really, though I do jobs for the New Republic too. I was born on Shili. And well... Honestly? So far, my hopes are coming true."
She gave them all a wink.
"Keep it up, huh?" She suggested, to scattered laughs.
Mara sighed, and stood up. She knew it was her turn.
"I'm Mara Jade. I work for Talon Karrde and his Smuggler's Alliance," she said, "I... Used to be an Imperial assassin. I was born on Coruscant, I think? I don't really know. And I'm here because my boss made me."
"Mara," Luke said, looking disappointed. Mara snorted.
"Fine. I wanna learn how to use the Force. Maybe... Make up for some debts," she admitted softly. Kam looked at her briefly, as did Rotta, but they cast their gaze elsewhere. Good. She couldn't stand pity... Or empathy. Whatever.
She sensed Solo, Chewbacca, a very strong and young Force presence, and...
She slowly turned around, as did the rest of the group.
Han Solo arrived, looking a bit cut up and burnt but smiling. He was accompanied by Chewbacca, who looked a bit worse for wear but seemed calm. A young man with dark curly hair and intense green eyes was between them, wearing some hastily bought new clothes. Behind them, looking wary, was Boba Fett himself, in his full armor.
"Hey kid," Han muttered to the teenager, "go ahead. You heard the spiel."
The teenager sucked in a deep breath, and looked around. He spoke quietly.
"I... I'm Kyp Durron," he introduced himself, "I... I was a prisoner, on Kessel. Where I was born. I..."
His eyes narrowed.
"I wanna blow up the Empire... Like a proper Jedi should!"
Ezra raised an eyebrow at that. Luke sighed, but smiled and nodded to Kyp.
"Welcome Kyp," he said gently, "it's good to meet you. As for you, Han, Chewbie... Fett... You have an explanation for all this?"
"Yup," Han said cheerfully, "but it'll require a lot of alcohol to get through."
"Yeah, I figured it was one of those," Luke sighed.
Mara did not laugh at that. She absolutely did not.
- - -
And that's our nascent Jedi Order introduced! It's a strange mix of various Force Users.
I haven't included Dosk 81 or Kirana Ti because we have so many characters now and I wanted to consolidate things a bit. They can join up later.
So! We will work on Han, Lando, Fett and Chewie's daring rescue of Kyp Durron in flashback form! But we finally have the gang all here for hijinks and shenanigans and adventures!
- - -
Mara's alarm went off... And reflexively, she pulled her blaster and shot it. It fell to the ground in pieces, and she snuggled back into her covers.
She'd had to deal with a crisis Karrde was having with a smuggler's contact and it had taken all night. Now? Now she just wanted sleep...
Some time later though, her rest was interrupted.
Mara groaned as she felt disturbances through the Force, and in her ears. The sound of loud banging and mechanical drilling screeched in her ears. She got up, threw on some clothes, and stormed out of her quarters.
She headed into the main hanger bay, where an old man wearing a helmet with a visor was working with a laser drill, and several droids, on a power junction.
"HEY!" Mara shouted. The man took no notice, yelling at his droids.
"HEY!" Mara tried again.
Still, nothing. The man didn't seem to be able to hear her. Imagine that.
HEEEEYYYYYYYY! She screamed through the Force, and the old man turned in shock. He quickly hit his control panel, and the droids slowly stopped their work, the sound dying.
"Yes? Ah! You must be Mara Jade," the old man said, "sorry, Miss Mara Jade?"
"Yes, and you are?" Mara growled.
"Streen's the name, miss," Streen introduced him, saluting to her, "new member of the Jedi Order! Just doing some repairs. You have any idea how close the sewage pipes are to rupturing?"
"I don't-"
"No, no! This stuff was all installed by the Rebel Alliance, and they didn't have the parts to do it properly," Streen intoned, "so I'm fixing it all up! Along with the water, power, communications-"
"Do you have to be so loud about it?" Mara groaned. Streen chuckled, and handed her some ear plugs.
"Sorry, thought you would be out of here," he said, "rest o' the class is. I was just finishing up some last minute things before joining them."
"The class-KRIFF!" Mara took off at a run. Streen shook his head, watching her head out.
"Hmph... Not good manners, that girl," he muttered, "gonna have to watch her. Hey, P3, finish up for me, will you?"
The droid chirped happily in the affirmative, and Streen headed out.
- - -
Mara didn't need to run far. Luke had gathered all the students together in a nearby clearing. Mara slowed, and casually strolled into sight. She was back to her usual confident stance, giving Luke a challenging scowl. He returned a smile and nod, as Streen filed in after her.
"Thanks for coming," Luke said cheerfully. Mara sat down on a log, cut for the purposes of a bench. The others were all sitting on similar benches around Luke, who was standing. Except for Rotta, who simply sat and watched attentively.
"It hasn't been an easy start," Luke admitted, "but we're all gathered here for the same reason: To learn the ways of the Force, and to make the galaxy a better place. Some of you already know eachother, but I'm thinking we can all go around and introduce ourselves for the benefit of everyone. I'll go first."
Oh shavit. Was Skywalker really going this far?
"My name is Luke Skywalker. I was a moisture farmer, then a commander in the Rebel Alliance, and now I'm a Jedi Knight. I'm from Tatooine," Luke said, "and I hope to be a great Jedi like my father, and make the galaxy a better place."
Yup. He was. Mara covered her face, hiding a groan at how corny this all was.
And he told her this wasn't a job interview!"
"Now, go on, you do it," Luke said encouragingly.
A tall, heavily muscled man with a beard and long wild hair looked around, before he started.
"I am Gantoris. I am... Was a chieftain from Eol Sha. I hope to be a strong Jedi, and bring justice to the galaxy."
He then sat down, resuming his act of impersonating a block of stone. Tionne went next, standing up and smiling a tad nervously.
"Hello! I'm Tionne! I was a singer and musician-Well, still am," she admitted, "but my real love has always been for Jedi history and lore! I'm from Rindao originally. But I've moved around a lot. My dream is to become a great Jedi historian! And archaeologist!"
She sat down, blushing slightly. Mara grimaced mentally.
Yes, the woman was kind, but... Her upbeat attitude could be a tad grating, at times.
A muscular blond man in plain gray clothes stood up. His hair was close cropped in a buzzcut, and he looked a bit haunted.
"I am Kam Solusar. I... Was an Inquisitor for the Empire, but Luke and Tionne freed me," he said, and both Luke and Tionne beamed, "and Doctor Cilghal helped me recover."
The Mon Calamari female smiled at him, her whiskers twitching. Mara raised an eyebrow at the Mon Cal-Was she swooning over Kam? With their different biologies, how would that even...?
No. Don't go there. Bury that in the same place with the memory of walking in on Palpatine in the 'fresher. Forever.
"My hope... My hope is to become a good man, a good Jedi, like my father," Kam said softly, "and make up for all I have done."
He sat down. Tionne squeezed his shoulder as she sat next to him, and he nodded to her gratefully. Cilghal stood up, and not at all obviously walked over to Kam's other side before she began to speak.
"I am Doctor Cilghal. I'm a doctor. I worked for the Rebel Alliance, then the Freewander General Hospital," she said cheerfully, "I'm from Dac, obviously. And my hope is to rediscover ancient Jedi healing techniques, and heal people all over the galaxy!"
She sat down next to Kam, and beamed at him. He returned the smile awkwardly, even as Tionne's own smile became a bit frayed.
Mara rolled her eyes. Geez. You'd never see her competing for a man like a love struck teenager-
"Hi!" Chirped a familiar voice, "I'm Chelli Aphra!"
Mara scowled as the archaeologist went over to Luke's side and glomped onto his arm with a beam.
Shameless little...
"I'm a doctor of archaeology! Also a mercenary. An agent for the Empire... Then the Rebellion..." Aphra hummed and shrugged, "and I'm from Bar'leth! My hope is to help rebuild the Jedi Order by rediscovering Jedi history, even though I'm not Force Sensitive! If only because it's awesome!"
"So awesome!" Tionne echoed. She blushed at everyone's looks, but still smiled back at Aphra. Aphra snuggled up to Luke, who was trying not to look fondly exasperated at her.
"I also love assassin droids!" She said happily.
"Thank you Chelli," Luke said with a chuckle. Aphra snuck a kiss to his cheek, which made Mara grit her teeth as the archaeologist flounced off to sit on another log.
Bridger stood up from his sitting spot, next to his wife. He cleared his throat.
"Hey, I'm Ezra Bridger," he said, "I was a thief, then a rebel, and now I'm a Commander in the New Republic Fleet... Or was. I think I'm just a Jedi now? Anyway, I'm from Lothal. And my dream is to make the galaxy a safe place for everyone... Especially my family."
He sat down and nuzzled Sabine, who beamed right back. Mara, who thought she was desensitized to their unbelievably sappy displays of public affection, grimaced as they nuzzled each other. She was a bit heartened to see some of the other students were equally grossed out, though she hid it best.
"I'm Sabine Wren-Bridger, a Lady of House Wren of Mandalore," Sabine introduced herself, "I was a weapons designer for the Empire, then a Rebel, now I'm a consultant for the New Republic military. I was born on Krownest, and my hope is the same as Ezra's."
She went back to snuggling with him. An older redheaded human stood up next, one Mara didn't know very well. He had been sitting with a pregnant Dathomirian woman, and a seven year old girl who was clearly their daughter.
"I'm Cal Kestis," he said, "I'm a Jedi too. I do a lot of work as a rigger, though I also worked with the Rebellion," he introduced himself, "and still do. I don't know where I was born, I was taken into the Jedi Order when I was a baby. My hope? Is to restore the Jedi Order, and restore peace and justice to the galaxy... As well as be a good dad and husband."
He sat down and nuzzled his wife, who giggled a bit. Their seven year old daughter made a face, and Mara agreed with the sentiment. The Dathomirian woman stood up, beaming.
"I'm Merrin Kestis. I was a Nightsister, one of the few survivors of the Separatist massacres," she said, "I was born on Dathomir. My hope is to rediscover the old Force Witch Magics, and use them for the good of the galaxy and my family. And uh, I also want to be a good mother and wife."
The seven year old stood up on the log, and cleared her throat.
"I'm Trilla Kestis! I'm seven! I was born in space! And I wanna be a super awesome Jedi and rescue princesses and blow up Death Stars and stuff!" She declared proudly. Her eyes widened as she watched a familiar YT-1300 freighter fly overhead, and land in the hanger bay of the temple.
"And I wanna fly that ship!" She finished.
Much indulgent laughter ensued. Trilla was pulled into a hug by her parents, Cal ruffling her hair affectionately.
"Thank you Trilla," Luke said with a grin, which made Trilla beam like a sun, "okay, who's next?"
"Uh, ahem," Rotta cleared his throat nervously, "I'm Rotta Desilijic Tiure. I am... Well... I'm the son of Jabba the Hutt. But I'm not his heir. I was born on Tatooine."
He paused, and narrowed his eyes in determination.
"And I want to be a great Jedi. Free the people my family abuses and enslaves. And make up for what my family has done."
Luke nodded respectfully, as Rotta settled down a bit more. Lop hopped up, and beamed all around with her buck teeth.
"Hi! I'm Lop of the Yasaburo Clan! I was a slave, but I was adopted by the Yasaburo clan and became the heiress to the family! I'm... Well I don't know where I was born, but my home is Tao! And... And my dream is to make my world a beautiful place again, and... Find and save my sister."
She looked down a bit, flushing, but sat down back on the log. Luke nodded once more. Mara stared intensely at the Lepine girl.
A Tao crime family heiress? Huh... That was interesting...
"Yeah, I'm Streen," the old man spoke, standing up and holding up his hand, "I was a tibanna gas miner on Bespin. I was born on Nar Shadda. I... I just want to learn how to control my powers. They isolated me from anyone for ages! And well... Maybe I want to help the galaxy some, too. We'll see."
He sat back down, still looking nervous and shaky. Mara increased the shielding around her thoughts.
Not out of concern for the old man. Just to keep him from being more annoying that he already was.
Kyle Katarn finally stood up with a big grin.
"I'm Kyle Katarn. I was a Stormtrooper, but I defected to the Rebellion and worked as a mercenary for them for a while. I don't really think of myself as a Jedi, even though my dad was one-I'm just a guy with a lightsaber and some questions."
Mara snorted. She was somewhat pleased to see Luke hold back his own laughter.
"Anyway," Kyle said, rubbing the back of his head, "I was born on Sulon, and I just wanna learn how to use these powers properly. Responsibly. Most of the time."
His partner Jan Ors rolled her eyes as he sat down, but she smiled briefly at him. Mara smirked. There was no hiding their mutual affection.
"I'm Jan Ors, New Republic Agent. I was born on Alderaan. My hope is to destroy the Empire once and for all, and helping you guys out seems like a surefire way to do it," she said. She then added: "Well, one way."
A tall, quiet Kaminoan woman in spacer gear stood up, like a tall willowy tree.
"I am Kina Ha, Jedi Master. I was a member of the Old Order as well... Part time," she allowed, "I was born on Kamino. I have wandered far, and seen much. And I hope this will be worth my time."
She looked intently at each of them. Streen winced. Gantoris was a bit flummoxed, but hid it well. Mara tried not to meet the old Jedi Master's eyes.
Weird old nomad, she thought angrily.
Ahsoka walked up to the front, standing next to Luke.
"I'm Ahsoka Tano," she said, "I was a member of the Old Jedi Order, like Cal and Kina. I stayed underground for a long time, before I joined the Rebel Alliance. Now I'm just a Jedi Knight, really, though I do jobs for the New Republic too. I was born on Shili. And well... Honestly? So far, my hopes are coming true."
She gave them all a wink.
"Keep it up, huh?" She suggested, to scattered laughs.
Mara sighed, and stood up. She knew it was her turn.
"I'm Mara Jade. I work for Talon Karrde and his Smuggler's Alliance," she said, "I... Used to be an Imperial assassin. I was born on Coruscant, I think? I don't really know. And I'm here because my boss made me."
"Mara," Luke said, looking disappointed. Mara snorted.
"Fine. I wanna learn how to use the Force. Maybe... Make up for some debts," she admitted softly. Kam looked at her briefly, as did Rotta, but they cast their gaze elsewhere. Good. She couldn't stand pity... Or empathy. Whatever.
She sensed Solo, Chewbacca, a very strong and young Force presence, and...
She slowly turned around, as did the rest of the group.
Han Solo arrived, looking a bit cut up and burnt but smiling. He was accompanied by Chewbacca, who looked a bit worse for wear but seemed calm. A young man with dark curly hair and intense green eyes was between them, wearing some hastily bought new clothes. Behind them, looking wary, was Boba Fett himself, in his full armor.
"Hey kid," Han muttered to the teenager, "go ahead. You heard the spiel."
The teenager sucked in a deep breath, and looked around. He spoke quietly.
"I... I'm Kyp Durron," he introduced himself, "I... I was a prisoner, on Kessel. Where I was born. I..."
His eyes narrowed.
"I wanna blow up the Empire... Like a proper Jedi should!"
Ezra raised an eyebrow at that. Luke sighed, but smiled and nodded to Kyp.
"Welcome Kyp," he said gently, "it's good to meet you. As for you, Han, Chewbie... Fett... You have an explanation for all this?"
"Yup," Han said cheerfully, "but it'll require a lot of alcohol to get through."
"Yeah, I figured it was one of those," Luke sighed.
Mara did not laugh at that. She absolutely did not.
- - -
And that's our nascent Jedi Order introduced! It's a strange mix of various Force Users.
I haven't included Dosk 81 or Kirana Ti because we have so many characters now and I wanted to consolidate things a bit. They can join up later.
So! We will work on Han, Lando, Fett and Chewie's daring rescue of Kyp Durron in flashback form! But we finally have the gang all here for hijinks and shenanigans and adventures!
Last edited: