by Forcechild
On his way into the shower stall the youth glanced in the mirror and noticed how tired he looked. After his uncle’s last heart attack, Luke wanted to come home to Tatooine. His uncle’s rehabilitation had been quite a strain on the twins.
Padmay had taken a leave of absence from her post as Senator Hugo’s aide. He’d been quite sympathetic and agreed to her request. As far as anyone knew, Luke Skywalker had no living relatives. Senator Hugo was aware that the Solo’s were very close to him. If her friend was in such serious condition and needed looking after, Padmay had his permission to take all the time she needed to attend to his needs. After all, Luke Skywalker was a renowned hero of the New Republic. Senator Hugo had no idea that Luke was Padmay’s uncle, of course. There would be a blemish on the family name if their true history was known.
Ben’s leave had been a bit harder to obtain. After his parents died he decided to quit his position as an intern for Ambassador Yagus. Ben hated politics. He tried very hard to obey his mother’s wishes and stuck with it for quite a long time after their deaths, but he knew it wasn’t what he really wanted to do with his life.
Ben had joined the Academy and was now attending flight school. He’d asked for a compassionate leave when Luke became so ill, but because it wasn’t known that Luke was a blood relative, his request was denied. Soon afterwards Ben’s Commodore received a personal call from Admiral Calrissian. Ben was immediately granted an extended leave of absence. With all due respect and best wishes from the “Galactic Space Academy” for a speedy recovery for such a hero of the New Republic, the young trainee was sent on his way. He and Padmay had escorted their uncle to Tatooine and had been here ever since.
Ben finished with his shower. He didn’t go to bed as his sister requested. Instead, he returned to Luke’s chambers. He ushered Padmay out, under strong protests, and took her place by his uncle’s side once again. As Ben sat there, he wondered what his uncle had been dreaming about. Was he dreaming of when Han, Chewie and Obi-Wan helped him rescue Leia from the Death Star? Ben had heard the story often in his youth. His father had embellished his role at each retelling. It was quite amusing watching Han’s animated reenactment of the rescue. Leia often teased him about it. Han had always feigned hurt feelings at her continuous taunting and everyone’s laugher as he related the tale. It seemed as if every member of their family enjoyed teasing each other enormously. It became a part of their daily ritual.
Both Ben and Padmay had gone into politics at their mother’s insistence, but Ben had really wanted to be trained to be a Jedi like his uncle. Luke had often told Ben that he and his sister had inherited the power of the Force through their grandfather. Leia had scolded him for revealing this fact. She didn’t want her children to become Jedi Knights under any circumstances. Leia feared that, if schooled in the Jedi Arts, they might be called upon to fight for the New Republic some day. Naturally, Leia wanted to protect her children and keep them from all harm. She certainly didn’t want them to go through what she’d experienced in her own struggle for independence.
Leia had tried to discourage Ben’s desire to become a Jedi in every way possible. She’d told her son how difficult it would be to live as a Jedi. There would be many sacrifices he’d have to make. She’d said that in these peaceful times there was no longer a need for such warriors. The Empire had fallen years ago. Who was there left to fight? He did plan to marry and have a family, didn’t he? The Jedi were not allowed to wed. Leia told Ben that’s why she’d refused Luke’s offer to train her. Leia had fallen deeply in love with Han Solo and knew long ago that they’d eventually marry.
Ben wondered what his mother would’ve have done if she’d learned that he’d gone behind her back and asked Luke to secretly train him. He’d declined, but soon gave in to the boy’s requests and started training him in the Jedi Arts. They were both aware that Leia would’ve gone ballistic if she’d found out. Though his mother had given many excuses why she didn’t want her son to become a Jedi, Ben felt he knew the real reason Leia had refused to give her consent. Darth Vader!
Leia’s ship had been captured when she was a member of the resistance. Darth Vader had interrogated his mother and made her witness the destruction of Alderaan where she’d been raised by Bail Organa. Leia lost the only family she knew at the time. Vader’s cruelty and the torture he’d put her through left her completely terrified of him. She’d held on to this excessive fear her entire life.
Through the years Leia found out all she could about her real parents. She hadn’t wanted to leave behind her anxieties, as well as tarnished memories for her children. She yearned to understand how and why such a good man turned to the Dark Side of the Force. Luke told her time and again that their father saved his life, but Leia hadn’t been able to allow herself to believe it. She’d known that her brother hadn’t been lying to her, but try as she might, Leia just couldn’t envision anyone as evil as Darth Vader doing anything honorable.
Luke had often offered to transfer what he’d learned from their father before he died, but Leia’s trepidation was just too great. She’d said that she’d never be able to enter into the mind of such a monster. Luke hadn’t taken offense. He understood her timidity and reluctance, so he never pushed her. He had hoped that she would come around some day, but she never did.
Ben often brooded over his unanswered questions about Anakin Skywalker. His mother never revealed anything about her father after he’d turned to the Dark Side, nor did she allow her children to question Luke about him. It was very upsetting for Ben. Anakin was his grandfather, after all. Didn’t he have the right to know what he was really like? Ben just couldn’t understand his mother’s stubbornness on the matter. The terror Vader instilled haunted Leia until the day she died.
Ben had asked Luke to share Anakin’s life with him without his mother’s knowledge, but he’d refused. His uncle told him that his abilities weren’t strong enough, only being a youngling. Though endowed with the Force, Luke worried that the transfer would be too powerful for Ben to handle. This frustrated Ben to no end, but he’d supposed Luke had been right. He’d only been eight years old when he’d started asking Luke to transfer Anakin’s thoughts. Knowing it was pointless argue, he’d given up.
Ben feared he’d never learn why his grandfather turned to the Dark Side. Luke was too weak to share the information now. Ben’s abilities had increased. He was sure he could deal with the transfer now, but Luke had to focus all his attention on his health. He wanted to see Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca again. They’d both played a major role in his life and they meant a great deal to Luke. He’d asked them to come to Tatooine. Lando told him that they’d come as soon as he could break free from his duties on Coruscant. They were due to arrive sometime today.
Since his uncle wasn’t in the position to answer Ben’s queries about his grandfather while young, he’d figured he could ask Artoo about him. Luke told Ben that Artoo’s mind was never wiped clean like Threepio’s was. The little droid had retained all his memories from that time period. The astromech was in service on Padme Amidala’s “Royal Starship” when she served as Queen of Naboo. When she became a senator, Artoo was assigned to her cruiser before she’d given him to Anakin as a gift. He’d been Anakin’s astro-droid during the Clone Wars. He was in his grandfather’s service when Emperor Palpatine took control of the Old Republic, and when the Sith Lord turned Anakin to the Dark Side.
Besides Luke, Ben couldn’t think of anyone who’d shared more experiences with his grandfather than Artoo. He’d been certain that he’d be able to learn about Anakin Skywalker through the little droid. Ben had never been able to understand Artoo’s beeps and whistles like his uncle had, so that option was out of the question. He’d supposed he could’ve asked Threepio to translate, but his mother warned him about restoring the protocol droid’s memory. Leia told him that it would confuse Threepio and might possibly be dangerous to his sensitive circuits. She once jokingly said, “Can you imagine if Threepio learned that Darth Vade
r was his creator? Why, it would cause him to have a meltdown!” Everyone had a good laugh at Threepio’s expense.
Thinking about the good times shared with his family brought a sweet sadness to Ben. They’d all been very happy together and had loved each other deeply. His parents used to flirt outlandishly with each other like young lovers. Ben used to pretend to be embarrassed by such behavior, but he really thought it was amazing to see two people so much in love.
Ben wondered if he’d ever find that kind of affection. Even if he did, the teen knew he could never allow himself to return it. Though he’d never finished training, Ben still considered himself to be a Jedi. It was against the mandate the Jedi installed when the Order first organized. The Jedi were only allowed to love in a selfless, compassionate way. They weren’t allowed to fall in love with any one person. Such love had been forbidden for a very good reason. Love was a weapon the Sith used to destroy the Jedi. Allowing themselves to care too much weakened them. Anakin’s carelessly disregarded that strict mandate when he allowed himself to fall in love with Padme Amidala. It was a fatal error for the both of them. Ben would not let himself to make the same mistake.
It seemed a lifetime ago that Ben and Padmay lost their parents. In reality, it was only a few years ago. They died together. Ben knew that they wouldn’t have survived long without each other. They loved that deeply. Their deaths weren’t due to any spectacular fight with the remnants of the Imperial Forces, even if there were any left to fight. It wasn’t a hero’s death at all. It was just an unfortunate accident.
Han and Leia made a habit of sitting out on the balcony every night after dinner. They loved watching stars reflecting in the pool. Han said it reminded him of the old days when he used to fly the Millennium Falcon.
Two younglings had stolen an airspeeder and were being pursued when their vehicle crashed directly into the tier. The event happened so fast that his parents hadn’t time to get out of the way. They were killed instantly. Ben often wondered why Leia hadn’t sensed the danger. He’d asked his uncle why. Luke told him that it was their time to enter into the Netherworld.
It was quite apparent that Uncle Luke’s time to enter the Netherworld was close at hand. It didn’t seem fair to Ben that he and his sister would lose their entire family. It wasn’t fair that Uncle Luke wouldn’t have time to finish training him. He wasn’t ready for the Trials that would elevate him to Knight status. Regardless, who would test him? Luke was the last of the Jedi Knights. He’d told Ben that was why it was so important that he be trained. It would be Ben’s responsibility to carry on the Jedi Order.
Luke revealed that he’d traveled with Leia on missions. Being an ambassador for the New Republic, she was sent throughout the systems to ease the transition after the Empire fell. Her protection was just one of the reasons Luke had gone along. He’d wanted to search for others who were Force-sensitive. He’d intended to recruit them into the New Order. He’d told his nephew that he’d have to take on the responsibility and resume the search. Once his senses became more attuned, Ben would be able to recognize the Force within such individuals. It would then be up to him to train them.
The teen wondered how he was going to do that now. His abilities weren’t strong enough to sense the Force in another being. He wasn’t allowed to marry. There would be no children to inherit the Force through him. How was he going to keep the Order alive?
He supposed the only way to continue the Order was through Padmay. His sister also had the powers of the Force, but she’d never held any interest in becoming a Jedi. It didn’t appear that she was in any particular hurry to marry either, let alone bear children that would inherit the Force. If she did sire children someday, Ben didn’t know if she’d allow him train her children. They’d never discussed whether she shared the same anxieties as Leia did. Regardless of that, Ben hadn’t finished his training yet. How was he supposed to train anyone? He didn’t have the knowledge that was required to keep the Order alive. Maybe his mother had been right all along. Maybe there was no longer a need for the Jedi.
Luke had known deep in his heart that the Jedi Order had to survive. That was why he’d told his sister that he was training Ben. Leia had fought him tooth and nail at first. She’d been terrified for her son. She’d told Luke that it was too dangerous for Ben to become a Jedi. They’d argued about it for quite a while before Luke finally convinced Leia with her own argument. Who was there left to fight? She’d begrudgingly yielded to Luke’s will.
Leia made Luke promise to keep her consent a secret from Ben. She’d hoped to change his mind and used all of her influence to keep him in politics, but Leia knew her son too well. She’d known that Ben would eventually quit his position in the senate and train under Luke‘s tutelage. The boy was determined to become a Jedi.
*
Luke stirred restlessly in bed. Though still asleep, he was sensing Ben’s concerns. He had to let the boy know that the Jedi Order must survive. He had to let his nephew know that he was ready for this important task. Ben had to be ready. Though the Sith were defeated for the time being, they could reunite and gather in strength again. The Jedi had to keep their guard up against the Sith and be ready to fight the Dark Side..., always!
Luke Skywalker felt an urgency to make Ben aware how significant his role for the future was. He reached out using the Force and started transferring his thoughts to his nephew. As he did, he suddenly felt a terrible weight starting to bear down on his chest. It was an enormous strain on his already weakened heart.
*
Ben was sitting close to Luke’s bedside. He was tossing and muttering. He looked very pale and appeared extremely agitated. The teen was worried. They hadn’t spoken to each other since Luke retired to his chambers last night.
Ben leaned over and whispered in Luke’s ear. “Uncle Luke. Can you hear me? You’ve got to wake up and listen. You’ve can’t go on like this. You’ve got to get better. Padmay needs you. I need you. We can’t lose you too. You’re all we have left of our family.” Tears started to well up in the corners of Ben’s eyes. “You can’t leave us all alone Uncle Luke. You just can’t.”
All of a sudden, Ben felt an overwhelming need to touch his uncle. He reached out and took Luke’s hand in his. As he did, the teen slowly started getting images flash in his mind. Just fragmented images at first. Then the images started coming faster and clearer.
Ben suddenly saw Luke cradling his father as he lay dying. It almost seemed as if he was holding Anakin Skywalker in his arms as he sensed Luke’s tremendous grief. He envisioned his grandfather’s whole life unfolding before him. Ben experienced all of Anakin’s love, doubts, fears, pain, anger, hate, and finally the absolute rage that his grandfather allowed to consume his soul.
Then the images changed and the teen started to envision Luke’s life. Ben could sense the awe his uncle experienced when Ben Kenobi told Luke that his father was a Jedi Knight. Ben felt the exhilaration his uncle experienced as he held Anakin’s lightsaber in his hands for the first time. The overwhelming guilt and heartbreak Luke suffered when he lost his aunt and uncle to the Stormtroopers. Luke’s pride when he rescued Ben’s mother from the first Death Star. His sorrow when Obi-Wan Kenobi sacrificed his life to enable them to escape the battlestation. Luke’s error in judgment when he failed to complete his training with Yoda, instead of rushing off to rescue his friends when Vader held them captive on Cloud City. Ben felt his uncle’s shock and abhorrence when he finally learned that Darth Vader was his father. Luke’s anger at Obi-Wan Kenobi for not revealing this fact. Luke’s joy when he learned that Leia was his twin sister. His sadness at Master Yoda’s passing. His overwhelming fear when Darth Sidious tried to kill him while on the second Death Star. His astonishment when Darth Vader turned on his Master and killed him in order to save Luke’s life. His uncle’s elation when Luke realized that Anakin’s soul had been redeemed. And most importantly to Ben, the absolute joy his uncle experienced when Leia delivered Luke’s niece and nephew into thi
s world.
Ben felt a sudden surge of pure love for himself, as well as his twin sister. He sensed his uncle’s frustration at not being able to ease his sorrow over losing his family.
Ben also felt an urgency to keep the Jedi Order alive. It wasn’t just that Luke wanted him to keep it alive. The Jedi must survive! It was imperative that Ben keep up with the skills, as well as find others to recruit. It was extremely important that the Jedi Order be reestablished and become as powerful as it once was. It was necessary in order to prevent the reemergence of the Sith.
As Ben was experiencing all this, his uncle suddenly clenched his hand very tightly. The teen felt as if his hand was being crushed in a vise. He simultaneously felt sharp pains starting to stab in his chest. It almost felt as if a dozen, burning daggers were being plunged into his heart. He’d never felt such excruciating pain. Ben knew beyond all doubt that his beloved uncle was dying. The physical, as well as the emotional pain of the transfer was too much for him to bear. He passed out and keeled over onto the floor.
Padmay was in the kitchen preparing their breakfast when she felt Ben’s pain as her own. She staggered and fell to her knees. Ignoring the sensation, she got up and rushed to her uncle’s room. She saw Ben lying on the floor next to the bed and ran to his side. She felt more than heard her Uncle Luke’s last, shuddering gasp for breath. The girl screamed, “Artoo! Threepio! Hurry! I need you!”
*
“It’s time for you to join us Luke,” Ben Kenobi said.
“The children still need me. I can’t leave them now,” Luke replied.
“They’ll be fine. You’ll always be here for them through the Force.”
“Always in a hurry this one was. Always impatient. Now hesitate he does.”
