From: Emily Goczak Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 1999 11:46 AM ************************************************************ ************************************ The usual disclaimer applies. The following characters are not mine. They are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd, Timothy Zahn, Michael Stackpole, and Barbara Hambly. Only one is mine, and that is the Devaronian male M'lku Jassr. He is under my copyright [(c) November 21, 1999] and as no reason to be used by any other author. Technically, I made up Glirrb too, but he's a minor character and is only included for development of the story, but if anyone likes him be my guest. Also, all these characters are fictional. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. This story is rated PG, PG-13ish due to some language. All flames and comments may be sent to . You can also view my other fanfic, "Athenia", at http://www.angelfire.com/nh/roguegl. Summary: Mara Jade-Skywalker meets up with a past competitor, only to discover that they must work together to capture the man who attempted to kill them. Will they survive one another's wrath or even, heaven forbid, become friends? Enjoy! Story starts as of....................................now! ************************************************************ ************************************ I've seen the wicked fruit of your vine Destroy the man who lacks a strong mind Human pride sings a vengeful song Inspired by the times you've been walked on -Creed, "What If" ***************Allied Enemies**************************** "Self-destruct in five minutes set. Self-destruct in five minutes and counting." Mara Jade-Skywalker was trapped. No way whatsoever of getting help in this Sith forsaken ship that was about to explode in under five minutes with her trapped inside. She wished Luke was with her now. Not at Yavin IV with his students, thinking she was on a safe trip to rendezvous with a potential business associate in the Nevoota System, one of many in the region known more populary as the Colonies, home to planets like Balmorra, Borleias, Carida, Talasea, Teyr, and her destination, Arkania. She wished that she could at least contact her husband to let him know that she loved him, but for some reason, access to him through the Force was blocked off completely "Self-destruct in four minutes and counting. Self-destruct in four minutes and counting." Mara cursed at the computer voice. It had no clue that she was about to die here in this ship. Would Luke be able to feel her death? Would anyone know? The thoughts scared her. The possibility of her death without anyone ever knowing was frightening. Hopes would be cast and conclusions would be made. "Self-destruct in three minutes and counting. Self-destruct in three minutes and counting." Racing down long abandoned corridors, she prayed for a forgotten escape pod. There had to be one left for her. Maybe the man who trapped her here, M'lku Jassr, made a mistake. She saw one. She also saw a form climbing into it. "Hold on! Wait!" she called. Surprisingly, the pod didn't eject. It waited for her. She climbed in the small space and was face-to-face with her savior. Her stomach went cold with recognition. "Hello, Mara," the woman greeted. "Hello, Callista," she replied. Both held one another's gaze like Ralltiir tigers trying to stare each other down. Callista broke the unnerving silence between them. "Looks like we'll be sharing a ride." "A ride and that's all. I'm not spacing you now only out of gratification that you had the decency to wait." "Believe me, Jade, I wouldn't have if I knew it was you. I always knew you hated me, but I never thought you would try to do so by marrying Luke. What he sees in you is highly questionable. You probably used some mind trick the Emperor taught you." "I can tell you what he does see in me: I didn't leave him and I'm in my own body! Forget the gratitude, I should space you anyways. You always had to have the upper hand, and if hurting Luke was your way to do it, well, I should say he's better off without you." Mara brushed a loose strand of red-gold hair behind an ear and glared. Fierce green eyes battling gray ones trying to find the best approach to cut the opponent down. Callista gave up and looked down at her feet. Obvious that she had already lost just because she chose her diminished Force powers over a possible future with Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. "How is Luke?" she whispered. "He's fine," Mara retorted. "But what I want to know is why you were on that ship." Mara pointed at the Bargainer's Chip and when Callista looked out the small portal the Corellian cruiser exploded. Debris flew at them, also dragged down by the planet Arkania's gravitational pull. Heat and flames swarmed over the pod as in entered the planet's atmosphere. "A promise from M'lku Jassr. He claimed he knew a way to get back my powers for a certain price." The other woman looked like she was humiliated to have fallen into the nerfherder's trap, but Mara had fallen victim to it as well. "He told me that he was hoping to become a business associate and we could be information bargainers. If I could see that Devaronian's horny face again I'll drill some of my own information right through his skull..." Mara notices the exterior wasn't in flames anymore, which could only mean... "Brace yourself for impact!" The pod hit the Arkanian tundra with a whoosh! and bounced once before solidly ending its descent. Callista opened the door and climbed out first, shocked by the wash of cold air that swept over her. Great, she thought, of all the places on the planet we had to land on the coldest. I'll just have to acclimate. "Kind of ironic, isn't it?" Mara looked up at the other woman. "If I'm to be traveling with you we should set up some basic rules..." "Ironic that I'm here on the coldest part of the planet with the coldest woman in the galaxy who won the heart of Luke Skywalker." "...Rule number one: Don't speak to me unless spoken to," she finished, grabbing her lightsaber, igniting it, and slicing the escape pod in half out of bottled up rage. If only it was Callista... "Tsk tsk. I'd think that after marrying Luke you'd at least have better control over your anger. 'There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the Force.'" Callista turned and raised her hand over her eyes to block out the harsh sunlight reflecting off of the ice and snow. Mara noticed that her lightsaber was attached to her belt. "Still carrying that trinket. It's a Jedi's weapon, not a commoner's. It'll more than likely get you killed before it does you any good," Mara hefted the small pack that she had been lucky enough to bring with her on this little escapade. Foodstuffs and water was enough for now as well as a jacket that would block the wind. A Jedi didn't need such material goods, but the look of envy on Callista's face was more than enough reason for her to hang onto it. "What, my lightsaber? I don't really consider it a 'trinket'. More like a tool." Callista ignited her lightsaber and took a dive at Mara. The blow could have easily sliced her at the waist if it wasn't for her danger-senses flaring. Her lightsaber, never shut down, was pivoted up to block the shot. Mara decided to do some quoting of her own. "A Jedi never acts from hatred, anger, fear, or agression but acts when calm and at peace with the Force." "Yes, but you said so yourself, Jade, that I am not a Jedi. Just a commoner trying to regain her lost skills. Skills that may never be seen again." Callista shut down her lightsaber and sat down on a half of the pod. Great, Mara thought, now I made her cry. This is stupid. We're wasting time at each other's throats. Mara looked around. From what she knew about Arkania was that the gem mines and tundra took up a majority of the planet. The mines were habited with colonies surrounding them. There was even Trade City. The city was located in the southeastern atmosphere, built along a man-made canyon depleted of gems and other raw materials. Sun set in the east, so they had to travel towards the sun after midday and away from before. Now it's only a matter of what time it is. Looking at the sun and judging by the wind diminishing, it was sometime in the morning. They were supposed to be traveling with the sun behind them which means they have to turn left and keep going along that route. "Let's go, blondie, I can think of better things to be doing right now." ************************************************************ ************************************ He was watching in his white camoflauge as the women fought and bickered with one another. The constant badgering was getting banal, but there was nothing the Devaronian male M'lku Jassr could do about it. He could just hope that they didn't kill each other like two blood-crazed nek battle dogs. His horns started to tingle at the annoyance of the helmet he had to wear to conceal them. The dark, glossy surface could reflect and then he would be seen for kilometers around. Not something he needed. His reasoning after the two women was simple enough. They both were or had been loved by the same man, and a man could get rich on an extensive ransom. The only problem was, capturing Jedi wasn't his specialty. In fact, he wasn't even a bounty hunter. It was a dare. ************************************************************ ************************************ "Glir, you idiot! You spilled all the rum! I paid good money for that and you spill it all over the bar." "Gee, M'lku, didn't realize money meant so much to you. All you Devaronians seem to care about is having a good time and bloodshed, but this is the first time you've ever complained about money. Hiccup!" "You are the stupidest Rodian in the galaxy, Glirrb Dadre. The stupidest, the clumsiest, and the damn drunkest Rodian in the galaxy. Give me that rum!" M'lku reached over and poured more rum into the tumbler. "You know, M'lku, if you're worried about money, I've got a little secret for you that's kept me going for years," the Rodian tossed his head back and swallowed another shot. "Ah, that's the stuff." "Really? Not like I need money or anything, but a little extra is always good. What is it?" "Ransoms. Kidnap friends or relatives of big so-and-sos and money comes pouring your way. Name a fee, they'll pay it. You have to stay away from that planet for sometime but the way I see it, it's a big ass galaxy." "Kidnapping, huh. You'd you go after? Big celebrity type. Some human. You know who needs a taste of their own medicine? The Bothans..." "Stop rambling. Remember Yraes Osjdlk, the Duros?" "Yeah, some big trader from a few years back. Lost all his money when he lost all his money gambling." "That wasn't gambling. That was me. He couldn't live without his children. I gave him the choice: Lose the money or lose the children. He chose money and I get his fortune all hidden away in a secret account. Better off that way anyway. Why would I do if he didn't want the children back?" Glirrb took another shot, savouring the burning sensation on his tongue before gulping like an oxygen starved fish. "Yeah, well, I bet you won't be welcomed back to Duro anytime soon." "I didn't like it much there anyway. All you need is a good target. Someone with authority who will be pitied for throughout the galaxy. That way the pressure will make things more interesting," the Rodian watched a female humanoid walked by their stools. He decided he'd speak to her later as he eyed her up and down, deciding he like what she had to offer. The Devaronian was somewhat disturbed by his friend's lack of attention, so he cleared his throat and sarcastically said, "Sure. How about Luke Skywalker." Glirrb's head snapped back around. "M'lku, you're a genius! He's known throughout the galaxy, has authority in the New Republic, and didn't he just get married to the Emperor's Hand? Wow, if you could kidnap her..." M'lku Jassr cuffed the green alien. "I was being sarcastic, shit-eater." "Well, buddy, that's what you'll be reduced to if you don't get any money to buy yourself the bare necessities with. Here's the plan..." ************************************************************ ************************************ And here he was. Stuck on this freezing planet with those obnoxious dragons all over the place. It didn't matter to him that they were considered semi-sentient, they still got in the way. He rubbed his horns with irritation, but it only made them itch more. Damn it! Why the hell did Glirrb not include himself in this backwater sceme. He's more experienced at this sort of thing, and the last thing I want, or need, is Skywalker coming after me. The plan included Callista only because Glirrb claimed it would make the deal "more interesting" if Skywalker had to choose between his two loves. One past, one current. And then there was the competition between the two women, even though it was clear that Jade was the victor, if it was seen in the sense of a battle. "Damn it! What the hell are they doing?" Grabbing the macrobinoculars, M'lku scanned over to Jade and Callista. They were talking to one of those abhorrent Arkanian dragons. ************************************************************ ************************************ The being that was known throughout the galaxy as the Arkanian dragon was a sepentile creature. It's body was lizard-like with bat wings in place of upper arms. A hooked claw sat like a thumb on each wing, ridges up and down the neck trailing two horns directed back. The ventral scales of light- beige clashed those of off-white. The blue eyes bespoke intelligence, which wasn't a lie. The dragons were intelligent enough to be considered a sentient species. They rarely appeared in front of aliens and humans alike, for fear of capture for circus creatures or worse. Callista thanked the Force that they had run into this one now. Mara was still trying to bargain a deal with it. "Dragon, we are lost here and need to get to the Trade City so we can get off this planet. You could easily carry the two of us. Maybe we could even come up with a mutual agreement. Quid pro quo sort of idea." *Hmmph! So you may treat me like some pack animal? I would never stoop so low, even for a pair of humans.* It wasn't speaking through the Force, but through a form of telepathy that was how the species communicated. Telepathic powers were much easier than loud bellowing to attempt to call to another. "Even a Jedi and her companion?" Mara ventured. *Jedi? You? Excuse me, human, but you got to be kidding.* Callista decided to speak before night fell along with the temperature. "Yes, she is a Jedi. Her husband is a powerful Jedi Master, as well." The dragon had a very close to human mime of skeptism. *Well then, human, prove it. Maybe then I can come up with a decision.* Mara reached out to the Force and reached out to the dragon, motioning him upward. He levitated into the air. Callista could see that he was struggling to keep evident surprise off his serpentine features. *It has been many years since I have run into a Jedi. Many, many years, indeed.* "Then, Dragon, you will bring us to the city?" ventured Mara. *Only if you stop calling me 'dragon'. My name is Icdraeco. It means Ice Dragon for my parents thought it appropriate since my coloring is lighter than most.* "I'm Mara Jade-Skywalker," she said. Emphasising 'Skywalker' to gauge Callista. Seeing the other cringe brought a smile to her face. "You may call me Mara. This is Callista." *Is she Jedi?* "No," Callista interferred before any comment from Mara could be made. "I used to be, though. A long time ago." *Well, come along then, Mara. Callisa.* He layed down in the shallow snow. The woman climbed up his tail and settled themselves between his wings. Mara sat in the front with Callista hanging on behind. When the dragon uplifted into the air, Callista could've sworn she saw a glint of black out of the corner of her eye. ************************************************************ ************************************ M'lku Jassr held a hand over his eyes to block the glaring sun as the Arkanian dragon carrying his targets, Mara Jade-Skywalker and Callista, flew across the horizen, more likely than not to Trade City. "Damn it!" Through the macrobinoculars, he was positive he saw Callista turn around and look completely at him. M'lku had a nagging sense that he had been discovered. If only he checked that he ditched all the escape pods he would have been fine. The ship wasn't really going to explode. He was going to stop it within the last minute and be a hero in their eyes, making warming up to them that much easier. He'd blame the cue to self-destruct on an error of a crew member that didn't exist. But no, he didn't do a check that there were no escape pods. He took Glirrb's word that there were none. He should've run that check...and now he lost them. He walked over to a patch of snow and lifted in clean into the air, revealing a modified speeder bike. He shoved the camo-netting in his pack, straddled the bike, and roared off to Trade City. ************************************************************ ************************************ Trade City was, like any city, bustling with activity. Arkanian miners and Yakas were common enough sights. The Arkanians were humanoid with four fingers on wach hand and milky-white eyes. Yaka were also base-line humans, only had a stronger build. Many were found in Special Ops units and as guards or police. The dragon landed a kilometer away from the city, knowing he'd be seen but not wanting to get so close that escape would be next to impossible. *Jedi Mara, if you ever need services of me or my family, think. We can hear all telepathic thoughts, even if they aren't specifically directed to us.* "Thank you, Icdraeco, for your help. We won't forget you," Mara said. She was relieved to see civilization. The dragon's company had been well enough, but his conversation was mostly metaphorical and not the same as one with any highly sentient species would be. Discussing hyperdrives and nav computers with such was impossible. Sentient and revolutionary are always thought to walk hand-in-hand when in fact one doesn't always mean the other. "I am also grateful." Callista had been extremely quiet during the trip. Lost in her own thoughts, apperently, by her indifference to what went on around her. "Thank you." *No problem. A friend of Jedi is a friend of mine. I caution you, however. Not all us dragons are respectful to the Jedis. Many loathe them because of past experiences, but they are the elders and they remember a time when we were slaves to the Lords of the Sith. I will pass forth good word with your name so maybe you won't have to deal with them.* "Again, thank you. Until we meet again," Mara respectfully saluted the dragon with her lightsaber in hand. The dragon nodded in return before flying off to wherever and whatever passed as his home. "Mara, we're in trouble," Callista voiced. She sounded worried, but a rumble in the Jedi's stomach reminded her of a necessity that needed to be fulfilled. "Callista, if you dare separate me from food I will take you apart limb by limb. Now get out of the way. I'm starving and I am not in the mood for ration bars." "Fine, we can discuss it over dinner." "What do you mean 'we'? I'm done with you. Go away and find your own route off this rock. I never needed your company to begin with and I don't need it now," she said, walking into a decent looking tapcaf. The general ambience of the tapcaf was the same of every other. Drunken merriment in every corner. The band was a typical one, here to entertain but not being listened to by the patrons. Stools at the bar were occupied along with the shadowy booths. It was to one of the booths that Mara led them. A few Arkanians looked there way, milky eyes showing interest. Mara tossed looks at them that said enough to leave her alone. They sat down and waited for the serving droid. "I said we're in trouble. Back when we ran into Icdraeco, I saw something dark in the snow when we were flying away. It looked like a speeder bike or something of the sort. I couldn't figure it out precisely, but..." "What does that have to do with anything? It could have been a miner or someone out searching for a dragon just to be able to go home and say, 'I saw the elusive Arkanian dragon today.'" Mara had already ordered drinks and was playing with the garnish. Her patience had run thing with the past incidents and she was positive she'd kill the next being that bothered her. "We weren't on that ship by accident. What would a trader of information be doing claiming to know how to heal missing Force powers? And he could have called anyone to trade the information with. Karrde, Terrik, anyone, but he called you. And what one thing do we have in common?" Callista knew she shouldn't have bothered asking. Mara already knew the answer to that and mouthed it. No sound was required, even in the noise of the tapcaf. Mara felt her danger sense flare. She looked around, trying to do so inconspicuously. She didn't see anyone who looked suspicious or that she recognized. Callista's discovery meant that she was supposed to be looking for M'lku Jassr, the Devaronian male that invited the two of them to his ship. The ship that almost killed them. Unless the danger was Callista herself and this was her whole plan.... "You wouldn't. I knew you were desperate, but I didn't think you would stoop that low." "What are you talking about? Mara?" "You set this all up to get at me. Get me out of the way you could slowly get back with Luke." "I have no idea what you're talking about. It wasn't my plan, I swear!" Callista looked terrified. Being accused by a Jedi, guilty or not, still put a lot of pressure on oneself. Mara heard a blaster whine next to her, "Sorry to break up the party, but I have a job today." The trigger was pulled and a spout of blue out of her perephrial vision told her she'd been stunned. Her muscles spasmed throughout her body, but they wouldn't listen to her brain. She couldn't lift her head to see what happened to Callista, but she felt she already knew. ************************************************************ ************************************ "Mara? Mara Jade? You alright?" Mara's fuzzy vision didn't clear as naturally as she had hoped with the strong bright light shining down from the ceiling. Callista was kneeling over her own a cot, worry evident on her face. Why the hell should she be worried? Mara thought. "How long have I been out?" "A day, at least. You aren't looking too good. You want something to eat?" Food. Her head felt like there were a zillion herds of banthas stomping mushing up her brain the same way some cultured with older methods make wine. Damn did her head ache. The closest thing she could think of like it was a hangover, but she only had a few sips of that one drink. "Did they give me any drugs?" "No. I'm pretty sure they didn't." "Did you?" "Where did you come up with these conclusions? Are you still under the drug's influence? Maybe it's putting thoughts that everyone's against you." "Callista, do I have any reason to not suspect you? Yes or no." Mara could see the other woman struggling with the words. She finally submitted. "No," Callista responded solemnly. "Well then stop saying you didn't. My head is killing me and you speaking is making it worse." "Can't you do a Jedi healing technique?" Mara shook her head and pointed up at the ceiling of their room. Ysalimiri. The fur-covered reptiles created a bubble around them that was the opposite of the Force, subtracting its access to those who can. The room door opened and M'lku Jassr walked in dragging a cart behind him that held food and drink. "I don't want you two to die. I've had enough problems as it is. Smart move with the dragon, by the way. Jedi mind tricks are always good ways to cheat yourself out of a tight situation." Mara snarled, "Get out of here, Jassr, while you still have your life. Just because I can't access the Force doesn't mean I still can't kill you. I was trained in Teras Kasi plus other methods of hand-to-hand. I'm not afraid to kill." "Yeah, well, I was kind of hoping I wouldn't have to explain to Skywalker why you were unconscious when he got here, but you aren't giving me very much of a choice." Mara jumped up off the cot and grabbed the front of the demonic alien's coveralls. "What's Luke have to do with anything?" "Tsk tsk. Touche, Emperor's Hand. You should've listened to your companion back in the tapcaf. She was right on the money, which is why I felt it necessary to intrude when I did. Otherwise I would have been discovered and, well, my financial safety is in your hands now." Mara knew that he refered to her as 'Emperor's Hand' to set her off, and she wasn't going to let in get to her. "Well, Jassr, you're bankrupt." Mara wound back her fist and sent the man sprawling towards the door. She cursed herself at not rotating him into Callista so his escape would be more dificult. Now the deck was in his favor and like many cowards before, he ran out and locked the door. She sighed and said, "Don't touch the food or drink. It's probably drugged." "I accept your apology, Mara." "I'm resting up. Leave me alone." ************************************************************ ************************************ Callista was dreaming. She somehow knew even though she couldn't remember falling asleep. One of those strange, instinctive knowledges that come to those who are capable of independent thought. In the dream, she was with Mara Jade and Luke Skywalker. It seemed to be a stand-off. Dragons were attacking the ship (which must have never left Arkania). The dragons were trying to rid of the Jedi, and they were doing a pretty good job when she snapped awake. She sat there thinking for some time. Of course the other woman had no reason to trust her. She had, and still did, love Luke Skywalker, but he married Mara and she was too late. She could do nothing of it now and she cared about him enough to let everything be. Giving Mara the drugs probably wouldn't add to the layer of trust, either. It was manditory that she behaved as she did. Callista needed time to think and bickering was not going to help. Callista got up and walked to the small room that served as the 'fresher. She ran her hands under the water and splashed her face in a futile attempt to wake herself up. Looking in the reflective plexiglass, she saw a familiar reflection that wasn't her own. It belonged to the scientist Cray Mingla who sacrificed her body to be with the man she loved. In turn, Callista was able to be with the man she loved as well. That was years before on the Eye of Palpatine. Nothing lasts forever. Not even love. But was it really her fault? That was the trouble. Was losing Luke really her fault? Yes, she was the one who left him and yes, she didn't want his help. It wasn't because she didn't trust him or she didn't want his help. She knew he had other duties to follow and not follow her around the galaxy searching for something that may or may not exist at all. In a sense, she thought she knew. In fact, Callista knew that at one point she realized that it wasn't meant to be between them, but he marries Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand instead? Mara had strong beliefs in loyalty and didn't have an ounce of cowardice in her. She was strong enough to be able to fight Luke in his head-strong ideas, but she could have violent bursts of outrage when threatened. To sum it all up: Callista knew it wasn't meant to be between Luke and herself, but she still couldn't help but be jealous. Callista vowed to her reflection that she was to be different from this day on. Luke Skywalker is happy and she should be happy for him. No more wallowing in self-pity, hatred, and jealousy. She laughed at remembering an old Jedi saying, "A Jedi does not crave these things." She will listen to that advice. If there was to be somebody for her, she would wait. ************************************************************ ************************************ M'lku Jassr was trembling in the cockpit. He never was one that enjoyed violence or bloodshed, especially when it was directed at him. Mara Jade- Skywalker frightened him and she knew it. He hoped Skywalker would get here sooner. Thankfully he planned ahead and used the ysalimiri, or else he'd be dead for sure. If he made the mistake of trapping himself between the two women, he would be in just as much trouble. The Jedi didn't catch on to that, allowing his escape. The difficulty was the damn dragons that were hanging around the ship. Oh yes, he could see them on his sensors even though they seemed to think they were out of range. That's the problem being a semi-sentient species. You have no grasp on technology. None of the Arkanian dragons looked like the ones that helped his prisoners earlier. These were all bigger, and none of them were white. The big emerald one seemed to be in charge. All looked up to him and he seemed to abuse the privilege from the way he attacked his followers. Mauve and Ruby had already been attacked brutally, allowing Jassr a first- hand look on what they could possibly do to his ship if given the chance. Day by day they were slowly getting closer and more sure. ************************************************************ ************************************ Mara Jade-Skywalker woke up three hours after Callista had, no clue that the woman had been awake for some time and deep in her own thoughts. She was refreshed, but thirsty and hungry as well. The latter two would have to wait. No telling if she could believe the Devaronian with her Force powers absent. Her stomach could wait. The ship didn't feel like it was moving. They had to be either just floating around somewhere or they never left Arkania. Mara really hoped they never left the planet or else she'd be in for a surprise when she tried to get off the ship. Spacing herself wasn't going to accomplish anything. She looked over and saw that Callista was awake. Was she watching me? Should I trust her? Without the Force, she could only rely on instincts, and she didn't even know if she could trust that. Instinct was primitive compared to the Force that she had come to rely on more and more since she first met Luke Skywalker all those years ago. "We never left Arkania," Callista said, almost reading Mara's own thoughts. "I figured," she replied. Mara couldn't even remember feeling the rumble of the engines. "The food is good. There's no poison. If Jassr wanted us dead he had plenty of opportunities to kill us." Callista's petty reasoning made enough sense so that Mara practically attacked the cart of food and drink. Half of the foodstuffs were gone already and Callista didn't look dead or poisoned. Lost chance, that one, Mara thought. Callista and Mara sat in silence for sometime. Mara voiced, "If it wasn't for the damn ysalimar I could contact Luke." Callista nodded. "What should we do? Kill them? I tried reaching the cage already and there's some type of force field that won't let anything penetrate." The red-haired woman looked skeptical. "Even lightsabers?" "Especially lightsabers. And blasters and even hands for that matter. Doesn't like vibroblades much, either," the once-Jedi motioned over towards the vibroblade lying on a table. The blade was melted down to the handle. "Why isn't anything as easy as it used to be! This Devaronian is a petty merchant who came up with this idea to make some extra money and he's been more professional and planned out than Thrawn or even C'baoth! There must be some sort of error!" Mara was getting agitated. Spending who knows how many days with Callista would get on anyone's nerves. Mara just happened to be fortunate enough that they were hers. "We haven't tried everything yet," Callista murmured. Mara got up and walked over to a wall, "Well then we might as well start!" With that burst of anger, she gave the wall a high-kick...and it flickered. "What the Sith was that?" Callista asked. "Life just got easier, that's what," Mara replied. She kicked the wall again but in a different spot. Not only did it flicker like before, but her foot went through the wall. "This is too good to be true." "I still don't see it." "We're in a holo. This entire room is an image being cast to fool us. We might not even be on a ship. We could be in some area with some semblance to a room. Hell, that explains why the door didn't sound like it shut at the same time it did. That means we should be able to..." "...walk right through a wall to escape," Callista finished excitedly. Putting actions to words she stood up off the cot, went right up to a wall, and walked right on through it. Mara joined her on the other side. "Feels good to get rid of those ysalimar." Looking about they saw that it was just a walled of area of a ship. The ship appeared to be no other than the Bargainer's Chip. It never self- destructed. They both knew their way to the cockpit. Mara let with lightsaber in hand and Callista followed holding her blaster, lightsaber still on her belt. They reached the cockpit and Mara said, "Hey, M'lku, your prisoners escaped." She was about to knock him out when she felt something ram into the ship. Something big. ************************************************************ ************************************ The big emerald dragon, Frestdrao, was leading his charges against the ship. He could somehow feel a Jedi aboard, and he wanted it dead before his family could be captured and used as slaves like some many years before. His charges, mauve, ruby, cerulean, and goldenrod (or Mauvdregin, Ruberago, Cruledraico, and Goderodago respectively), were following his lead. His great-grandson, Icdraeco, was fluttering about over head, warning off the party that a friend of his was aboard. *A Jedi is no friend of mine,* Frestdrao huffed impatiently as his huge body impacted with the ship, rocking it violently. If he was capable of smiling he would have done so at the sight of the two humans and the non-human trying to brace themselves in the head of the ship. *Great-grandfather, if she wanted to hurt you she would have done so already. I helped her so she has no reason to want to hurt you.* *She'll attract more and they won't have that same type of gratitude.* *Yes they will! Great-grandfather, stop it now!* The huge dragon wheeled around and looked at his grandson in the eye. *Never ever tell me what to do. Ever.* *Well, it finally got your attention didn't it?* Frestdrao turned back to the Bargainer's Chip. The Marauder-class corvette looked like it was about to collapse. It groaned down all one-hundred and ninety-five meters of its length. *All right, dragons, double time it!* The dragons charged. Icdraeco swooped down and tried to hold on to the elder's shoulders, but he was understrengthed. Frestdrao spit at him in rage. Ruberago and Cruledraico were closest to the ship with Mauvdregin and Goderodago not far behind. *You little wretch! Get offa me.* *Why don't you leave them alone. I don't want them dead. Jedi are powerful allies!* *Yeah, powerful, back-stabbing allies.* Out of nowhere came a blast of red light that burned the sizzled and scorched the snow, causing all to look up at the ship that came to the aid of the Jedi and her companions. ************************************************************ ************************************ Mara Jade-Skywalker was bruised and bumbled from her tossing about like a ragdoll on the bridge of the Bargainer's Chip. It was a miracle she was still alive at all, but she was certain that she could feel ribs giving way and stabbing into her lungs. She couldn't sit up or even breathe without a fresh jolt of pain. M'lku Jassr wasn't in better shape. In fact, he was dead. The first jolt knocked Mara off her balance and startled Callista. The Devaronian had to turn to avoid the blade of light only to stumble into the path of the blaster shot. He fell victim to a direct hit between his eyes. Only the Force could've predicted that. Mara would have preferred to feed him to the Arkanian dragons, but they weren't that primitive a species. Callista was nowhere to be found. She had somehow gotten jostled off the bridge and couldn't be found around the ship. Luke hadn't asked about her, and Mara wondered if he ever would. Even if he was the slightest bit curious of what happened to her. Of course, of that Mara didn't know the answer. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know. The ship itself had collapsed as soon as Mara stepped out of it. It was almost as if the corvette had been waiting for her to leave before crushing in on itself. The Chip was going to be docked underneath the Falcon. Mara needed a new ship and this one seemed to have, ahem, collapsed at her knees. Mara wasn't focused on Callista's disappearance or the death of the alien who tried to sell her to her own husband. It was the last person she was focused on. Luke Skywalker had come for her. He had help in the form of Han Solo, Chewbacca the Wookiee, and the Millenium Falcon. Little more than the Falcon's forward turbolasers was needed in this rescue, but a ride off this planet that included even a small amount of medical supplies made it all the less painful. Not that Luke's presence didn't make her feel better. It made her feel all that much better just with his presence and being able to feel him. He was outside the ship with Han and Chewie trying to coax the dragons into leaving Jedi be and thanking Icdraeco for his help. When Mara saw the turbolasers streaming down between ship and dragons, she knew she was going to be fine. She would get off this rock and go home. Home. Years before home was wherever she was at the time. Mostly her ship, Jade's Fire, was home, but when she sacrificed the ship to destroy the Hand of Thrawn, she lost home. Then she married Luke and home became a fixed place. One she enjoyed being at and knowing that the people she loved and who loved her were near made her love it. Her current home didn't give her the same sense of freedom the Fire did, but now she wasn't alone. Mara could hear Han's boots on the deck as he clomped his way to the cockpit followed by the shuffling sound of Chewie's furry feet. She heard the ramp retracting and looked up and met a pair of blue eyes. "You in any pain?" "No, Luke, I'm fine." She saw then why Callista was jealous of Mara, and Mara couldn't help but feel like she was the luckiest woman in the galaxy. "You get Icdraeco and his friends settled?" she asked. "Yes. Very interesting species that one. The other five dragons were intent on killing you because you are Jedi." "I was warned about that," she sighed. "Jedi aren't very popular, are they?" "Only when they caused pain and suffering." "Like Vader and the Emperor," Mara said. She saw her husband nod. Luke bent forward and planted a kiss on his wife's forehead. "You might want to strap in. This is the Falcon and she's never been known to offer a smooth flight." He grinned at her and he looked just like the farmboy that she had been told to hate so many years before. ************************************************************ ************************************ The end. ************************************************************ ************************************