Star Wars Deadly Laws ChapterFour-Suspisions
     
	Things were  quiet this morning on Courascant. Something didn't feel
right. Leia gazed  at the suns piercing rays from her spot on the balcony
where her brother stood several times when he came to visit. She herself
,had never been to the roof of the Palace before,  always so busy with the
affairs of state and her own family  she never didn't have time  to enjoy a
view like this.
    Han insisted not  to contact him through the Force during the last
week. After Han told her about the brawl Luke started in the bar,Leia made
her mind up to leave him be. She couldn't do anymore good if she kept
smothering him with duties he didn't want.
    "Oh your highness! Your highness! There you are!" the prissy voice of
See Threepio interrupted her thoughts as she heard the soft whining of
Threepio joints coming towards her. Beside him, his counterpart whistled
excitedly. What in the worlds could they want?
    "Calm down Artoo before you melt all those internal systems of yours! I
will tell her Highness myself since i'm the one who's rehearsed in
protocol! Your Highness-"
   "What is it Threepio." Leia asked, eying both of them wearily. she had a
lot to do today and was in no mood to have trouble.
   "Mistress Leia, Artoo has picked some rather distressing news concerning
master Luke"
   Lea sighed tiredly and took another sip of tea" Threepio, if you're
talking about the trouble in the bar last week I'm sure-"
   Artoo was very close to squealing now and Leia looked down at the
spinning droid in concern. "No your Highness, we know nothing of that ,
Master Luke is in serious danger to himself."
    When wasn't he? she thought  to herself. Not reacting to the droid, she
asked calmly "How so?"
   "According to Tatooine Law when a civilian reaches the standard age of
forty and does not have a mate or children to care for, he or she is
considered a disgrace to the planet and sentenced to death!"
   Leia's eyes were wide as she whipped around to face Threepio.
   "What do you mean, sentenced to death, how?"
   "According to the law, a citizen is given five doses of poison  to claim
their life. If the civilian is still alive or the poison isn't strong
enough they are hung in a public display as a warning to other citizens"
   "By the gods.." Leia whispered softly to herself. Covering her mouth,
she turned back to Threepio "Where is he now?"
   Artoo began whistling and beeping frantically to Threepio who patiently
took it in before replying " Artoo says Master Luke's ship left Courascant
three days ago and hasn't been seen since. Mistress Leia what are we going
to do? our poor Master  is surrendering himself! surrendering! Oh Your
Highness-"
   "-quiet threepio!" Leia snapped  .Walking as calmly as possible to the
door. It couldn't be true! It couldn't! Luke was an official member of the
New Republic now. He was a hero. He couldn't be going to Tatooine to commit
suicide!
   But feeling his mood before he left Nom charios less than a month ago.
He was liable to do anything.
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    "Yes I know the law  you're referring to Miss Jade" a woman's voice
acknowledged over the comm system. Her voice was smooth and calm and
attractive. It was a strong voice and commanded respect without sounding
the least bit husky or sultry.
   Smiling in relief at the system she spoke into the addressing unit
again"So is there a chance you can help me"
    "Luke saved the life of my people a long time ago, now I will help you
help him. I have a dwelling outside of Anchorhead where we can talk.I 'll
meet you in Mos Eisley in three hours."
    "All right where ?"
     "There is a small night club in Mos Eisley where the farmers hang out
for social gatherings  in the alley west of the Pilots Cantina. Meet me
there"
    "I'll see you then Dariel, Jade out."
      Mara sat back in her chair and sighed. Why in the heck was she going
through with this? Mara never followed anyone's orders except maybe her own
and maybe occasionally Karrde's.What was happening to her? was she growing
soft?
      She couldn't sleep, not tonight. She'd tried several times but in
nine hours she'd be on another mission, not to save but to claim him, court
him and marry him.
     Marriage! The very word terrified her. Throughout her entire life Mara
never got to experience real emotions. The Emporor enslaved her im more
ways than one, even after his death.
     That was, Untill Luke.
     What was it between them?
     A strange but brilliant light  filled the cabin as Mara slowly lifted
her head from the pillow, her fear mounting. What was happening?
     The light  became brighter and closer,  and so did a voice. One so
gentle and kind that Mara couldn't believe she was hearing it.
    "Mara...Mara Jade" the voice intoned, hypnotic.
    Mara tried to make a grab for her blaster but by now the light engulfed
her. She was alone in a vast sea of white light and  defenseless. Where was
she?
     She couldn't stay here and face this creature or whatever it was
without a weapon!She was really out of control here. She had to get her
control back!
    But how?
   She  looked around and gasped as she saw a figure approach her ,dressed
in a white robe. The human figure was short and she couldn't make out her
features from this distance. But she sensed  the woman approaching her
meant no harm. Slowly gathering in her breath she tried to relax and drive
her suspision  away.
   Hoarsely, as if testing her vocal cords out. She adressed the woman as
she came up to her. "Who...who are you?"
   "Don't be afraid, Mara." the woman said in a feminine, motherly voice.
The light around her dimmed and her vision cleared enough to see the womans
face clearly. Round, wrinkled a bit and with a dark brown salt and pepper
look . Serene and calmeyes almost the same color as Luke's. "This has not
been a good day" Mara thought to herself. Unarmed, nowhere to run and
placed in a situation where she had no control over she adressed the
elderly woman in front of her.
   "Who are you, Please answer me."
    "Don't be afrad." the elderly lady said again."I will not harm you. I
couldn't harm you." her face broke into a beautiful smile as she reached
for her cheek.
 " I know you are frightened young lady but you are strong.  You need to
have things explained to you."
   Mara's normal reaction to such a statement would have been to snap and
push the hand away. But her feet refused to move and her eyes were
mesmorized by the lady's stare. Was it possible...?
    "Yes, I am an angel" the woman said softly  "And I am here to help you
understand and prepare you for this mission that frightens you so."
    "Why have you come to me?"
    "Because you need someone in your life. The mother you never had."
    Mara's eyes filled with tears at the word "mother" and they streamed
freely down her cheeks.
    "No. No! I can't do this! I can't" Mara fell to her knees sobbing. The
elderly woman took her trembling body and placed her in a hug. Slowly
rocking her back and forth.
   "Yes, you can Mara. You can do it! Don't be afraid . Luke cares very
much for you. He can learn to love you."
   At that, Mara sat up."No he can't! it's not true! He loves Callista!He
loves her! Not me."
   "Mara....Mara." the woman's voice said softly placing her face in her
hands and bringing her to face her...and the truth.
    "Mara Jade I am about to tell you something very important here.
Something to help me  and my husband get to where I have to go.If you
refuse to listen to me ,you will end up hanging in this limbo forever. Do
you understand me."
   "Yes."
    "Good." the woman took a deep breathand released her. Standing up and
walking around as she spoke. Mara stayed where she was, listening intently
to everyword she spoke.
    "Several years ago My husband and I were married in a simple  ceremony.
Our life togtether was plain and happy. Except for one thing. My husband
bore a grudge against his older brother. He claimed he was too proud of
himself to see what he was doing.And in a way ,I guess he was right. But I
liked him, he was a good man. someone who wanted to make a difference. or
so I thought."
    "What happened?"
    "He turned his best friend into a monster. Or so my husband  said. What
I didn't know is, that he had his own share of monster qualities in him. He
and I both. No one knew what happened to him but our galaxy became
restless.We were lucky to have escaped the slave herdings. Shortly after,
war came."
   "The clone wars" Mara remembered.
   "Yes.My husband and I fled to Tatooine and found freedom there. But the
War and the role my huband's brother played in it made him bitter for the
rest of his days. I still loved him but I wanted something more that he
couldn't or didn't want to give me for his own  reasons: a child."
   "A child." Mara echoed.
   "Mm-hmm. In the early days of our marraige My husband said that he
couldn't wait for us to have a large family. That is, after he tried to
flee the influence of his brother. While we were fleeing to Tatooine, our
ship was  hit by a strange kind  of radiation. I was the only woman on
board the ship at the time and our ship didn't have any shielding. We
passed through  unharmed but when we reached Tatooine, I found the
radiation had affected my reproductive system. I couldn't give  my husband
the children he wanted. He blamed his brother for the accident and my
sterility then  went into a silent rage and vowed disownment "
   "Then a few years later a miracle occured. One I never thought would
happen. I finally got my wish fufilled. I would have a child. My husband's
brother returned to us with a small bundle in his arms. He explained to me
that this child was an orphan and needed to be cared for.  But my husband
wouldn't hear of it. As far as he was concerned, his brother was bad luck.
I finally manged to convice him to take the baby under his wing but only if
his brother wouldn't have anything to do with him. My husband agreed to his
terms and handed the baby over to us. He wanted to name the child after
himself but I disagreed, I would not let the child grow with a mistaken
identity. So we called him by his orginal name; Luke Skywalker."
    Mara gasped in realization as the truth hit her. "You... you're Luke's
aunt!"
    "Yes I am. But please let me finish my story. I was delighted to have
won the round on two counts. Getting my wish fufilled and having the child
keep his given name. Luke was a happy child and put a good effort into
everything he did, I was proud of him and even though Owen wouldn't show it
or say so. He was too. It took some time, but Owen began to soften  to his
nephew and wanted to protect him. But what he and I did to protect him was
something I'm not proud of."
   "What did you do?"
   "We lied to him. Told him things that never should have been said, but
was neccessary at the time. I couldn't bear the thought of having Luke
kidnapped or taken away from us by his father who had become Darth Vader
and was rousing terror through out the galaxy. So in an effort to delay
things and prevent Luke from becoming influenced by the wrong typoe of
people, Owen kept Luke at home and arranged for him to have a tutor.I was
saddened by all this."
   "What's the point of all this Beru?" Mara asked, sounding a bit impatient
   "My point is, that Luke, like my husband Owen, can learn to love. And so
can you. If you are willing to take the time for it. And don't. not for
second, get too proud of yourself.It carries a heavy price."
    "How?"
   "Owen's pride in himself kept him from reconcilling with his brother and
telling the truth to Luke. Ben's pride created Darth Vader and created war
in this galaxy and your pride in your business, money and freedom keep you
from seeing Luke's more human side.Is that not true.?"
    Mara eyes mometarily filled with anger but realizing it would not do
her a  bit of good, bowed her head in chastisement.
    "No I guess not." she whispered.
   "Mara. Pride is like alchohol, A little is good ,even a cup is okay but
after a while it impairs your judgement and blinds you and turns everything
out of focus. Don't take too much of it."
    "Thanks for the story and the talk but I really need to go back. "
   "And you will my child, just know that I will help you during this
mission. And you need not be afraid of it."
    Mara looked at her a long time and spoke with much more confidence and
conviction."I'm not afraid. Not anymore"
     "Then you are free to go Mara." Beru's voice echoed in her ears and
before she knew it Mara was back on the sleeping pallete in her quarters.
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Star Wars Deadly Laws
Chapter five-The ceremony and the Bantha hunt history..
    The next two doses of the poison were easier to take for Luke as he
waited in his dark cell. Waiting for the terrible end he knew was coming.
He was silent and defeated.  Over the last two days Luke felt his body
becoming weaker and weaker, and he didn't look at all like the healthy blue
eyed  Jedi Master of recent years. His health and appearance deteriorated
in the last several days. His skin paled and his irises dilated to an
almost white shade.
   "Believe in us Luke" his father, Ben, and uncle told him. Bitter sarcasm
and anger crept into his thoughts.
  It wouldn't be long now, he could tell immediatly from the sound of
boisterous voices outside  an event was starting, an event Luke knew well.
   The Bantha Hunt celebration.
   Luke heard the beating of the drums and the sound of footfalls in unison
knowing exactly what was going on. Closing his eyes he allowed his mind to
drift back to a much more earlier time......
    ... the sunlights glare was pale in comparison as six year old Luke
Skywalker leaned out eagerly from the back of his Aunt Beru and Uncle
Owen's speeder. He'd never been to a party this large before and  heard
endless stories from his Aunt Beru about the three day festivities.
Exciting her little nephew to the point where he bounced  on her knee.
Laughing and squealing in delight and anticipation.
   "Can I go? Can I go?" he would always ask. And Aunt Beru would shake her
head  explaining. "Farm boy's can't go until they reach the age of six.
it's just a rule  . But I can help you prepare for the party and tell you
what to expect if you'd like"
  Her tiny nephew practically flung himself at her squealing in delight
"Tell me! tell me! tellme!" he would squeal. Then Beru sat her rambunctious
nephew down and told him stories. .
   Traditionally a dance was held for the Farm boys to welcome them to the
festival and to warm them up in preparation for the upcoming hunt. All farm
boys were expected to learn it, either at or during the party. Luke was one
of the luckier ones,Aunt Beru patiently taught her nephew the steps and the
expectations of what happened at the party to prepare him when the event
came. Luke learned to love the dancing...then.It was wonderful exercise and
it was a dance thatcould be done alone or with a partner if he so wished.
Usually he opted to dance it alone, for he was extremely modest and
embarrased easily. But Beru promised to keep her nephews hidden talent a
secret until he wished it otherwise.
   Now he was here and it was even better than he ever expected. But before
the festivities were to begin, there was a gathering to welcome the newer
members to the hunt.
   Holding his aunt's hand Luke listened to the quiet chanting in
Traditional Tusken, their tones solemn and the song sung in a semi somber
tone.
  On this day we welcome the hunt
  we welcome the hunt
  we welcome the hunt.

Remind us oh suns of our world
of the danger,
the terrible danger
we must face.

Out of the sand and the dunes they will come,
they will come. Large and foreboding
let us not falter or shrivel
In this the great  Bantha hunt

The great bantha,
Creature of strength
Creature of size
We chase thee
we hunt thee down
    Luke knew the rules of the hunt. All farmboy were to spend the next two
days  strengthening up with rigorous dancing and socializing with friends
(should they be hurt or one should not return from the hunt) usually the
festivities were held indoors or underground where all of the farm boys
would gather.Laughing and bonding and practicing and preparing weapons.
    In history ,farmboys once used spears and  knives to hunt the great
creature, as time progressed and blasters were introduced it eventually
became the weapon of choice.  But the third piece a rope with a noose was
always mandatory and Microbinoculars
   Killing a bantha was not an easy task. Farmers had a rule of stunning
Bantha as a sign of mercy to the creature. If a mother Bantha had young
with her, farmers were to leave the young alone for the generation to keep
on. Orphaned Bantha's or young wounded were usually brought to the farmers
house and domesticated until it was old enough to look for a mate. Then it
would be released into the wild.
   Young Farm Boys were to stay with their parents or (in Luke's case) his
guardians until he was old enough to hunt on his own. By the age of twelve
,the Age of Choice, as farmboys called it. Boys could choose between
hunting on their own or selecting a partner to go with. Luke when he
reached the age of choice ended up choosing to go with Biggs Darklighter
in their speeder.
   But also there was another ceremony  spooked him one that wasn't pleasant.
   The ceremony of preservation of the young.
   Luke knew that ceremony too, usually it happened before the festivities
of the Hunt. Men and women who reached the age of Forty, the age of
Judgement were brought to the councilto fill out a form.
   There they were judged. A concept unfamiliar to Luke at the time.
   "Why must they be judged Uncle?" Luke asked the large man. Owen merely
grunted and put his hand around his nephew protectively.
   "To make room for the next generation and..." Owen's eyes glinted
angrilly at some distant memory "to stress the importance of the value of
children"

   Luke opened his eyes and turned his mind back to the present. All his
hope was gone. Mara Jade, who'd always wanted to see him dead,would get her
dearest wish . She wouldfeel his death through the Force. Maybe then, she
would be able to find peace with herself. He never wanted to hurt her
intentionally. But his very existence of a jedi seemed to torture her.
   What a terrible price he'd paid for his Naivete' and foolish beliefs and
carefree life. What hopes were possibly left for him now as he approached
his day of judgement.?
    None. None at all.
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   Mara waited, sipping a rare Tatooine Vintage Gin  in the lounge of the
night club  Dariel said was their Rendezvous spot. Mara's eyes had to
adjust to the  change of light as she entered the dark Bar.All the
farmboys, would be  out working, at the festivities of the Bantha hunt or
taking an afternoon nap to beat the scorching heat.
   Which made this the ideal time  for her and Dariel to talk.
   Mara was about to take another sip of her gin when she caught the sight
of a tall, brawny but solidly built woman at the entrance to the door. Like
herself ,she radiated an aura of confidence and strength.  The sun caught
on the soft red curls  that fell from her head to the edge of her shoulders
loose and free. A medium sized but well worn blaster hung from her
holsteras she moved smoothly to the Bar.
   Dariel Anglethorn.It had to be.
   Putting her drink down, Mara approached the woman in her best business
manner ,sizing her up. "Tall, solidly built and intimidating. Looks like
you picked a good partner Jade. But can she pull off a good job. "
   As if sensing what the other woman was thinking, Dariel sat herself down
and adressed Mara in a non threatening but purely business like tone." Sit
down Miss Jade. I'm here to pay off a debt to a friend. But  I have to tell
you some rules. the faster you sit down the faster we can get on with this.
the Bantha hunt has already begun there isn't much time."
   Mara sat down.
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  Star Wars Fan Fiction Chapter six. Missions
    "What are you saying Han?" Leia gasped in utter astonishment. Her mouth
hanging open.
   "Exactly what you heard Leia. You're not going on this mission" Han kept
his voice firm as he loaded his blaster and gathered a bunch of clothing
into an old duffel bag. Leia raced back and forth as he packed, her face a
mask of disbelief and shock.
   "Why am I not going!" she demanded" he's my brother and-"
   "Your place is here Leia. Tatooine is not meant for you. these aren't
politicians or royalty These are struggling people who don't have
experience with people like you. Many of them have  bigotry against  rich
people. If you step on their soil you'll get nailed by scavengers ."
   "You don't have to explain anything to me Han, I've been on Tatooine
before!" Leia put her hands on her hips and glared at him. Han glared back.
"Stop trying to protect me!"
   "I'm just pointing out the facts Sweetheart. " Han said backing down. "
You can't go on this mission. It's not your world and it's not your law OR
the New Republics! This is strictly Tatooine law . I'm only going to say
this once so you'd better listen.Stay away from this mission! if you really
want to save Luke, take care of the kids and keep the senators at the New
Republic meeting from killing each other at the table."
   Han-"Leia made for another protest But Han cut her off.jabbing a finger
in her face, each word deliberate.
  "You were the one who always said  the New Republic should come first or
the Rebellion should , Well, now's YOUR chance to prove it!" Han's last
comment caught her like the sting of a whip, but before she could say or do
anything, he grabbed his duffel bag and was gone.
 After he disappearred Leia spun on her heel and walked to a window of her
apartment, frowning into the glass angrilly.  For once, she found herself
wishing  she hadn't been so dammed dedicated! Han was right. She HAD told
Han and Luke The rebellion or the New republic had to come first.On more
than one occasion . She never thought she'd hear her own words used against
her.
    But Han was right about another point too, She was not in her element
on Tatooine. Han was better at that sort of thing than she was.In so many
situations she'd been in control, strong and always knew exactly what to
do. But  rarely did she ever feel helpless
   "Mama?"
  Leia spun around to see her youngest son Anakin watching her. Had she
been sending her emotions out again?
   "Are you okay? where's Uncle Luke?"
   Leia didn't answer instead she sat down as her youngest son came to her
and held her.
   "Don't be scared Mama. Everything will be all right. we'll have cousins
soon."
  Ignoring the last remark. Leia hugged her son fiercely and gave a single
soft sob.
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     "All right first order of business." Dariel said keeping her eyes
straight on the woman in front of her. "I need you to be aware of something
very important in this law. I'm not an official citizen here. I'm from
Beheeboth, Tatooines sister planet. Many of the rules  we have here apply
to us as well."
   "So ,what are you planning to do?"
   "I can give you and Luke santuary at a cabin I own here. It is well
guarded and not far "
   "Wonderfull" Mara said making to stand"let's go-"
   "Wait Mara, I haven't told you the rest"
   "and that is-"
   "I can't give you access to any kind of medical help . If Luke has the
will to live, then there is a chance he can have his termination anulled.
But it's not been known to happen with others before him."
   "I understand that Dariel. What else do you have to tell me?"
   "Second, I can only give you santuary for three months. If I go beyond
that I'm prone to punishment as well. When those three months are up, My
security teams will have no powerto defend us. There have even been stories
of people betraying the condemmed from inside the refuge"
   "Do you think your men can be trusted?"
   "I believe so, but I have no desire to find that out differently."
   "All right,then everythings been taken care of. When do you want me to
be ready tommorrow"
   "Around ten. the ceremony is at high noon, but we have to get there
early to get a good seat. "
   "I'll see you then Dariel. Thanks for everything."
  Mara headed for the door and as they entered the entrance way Dariel put
her hand on Mara's shoulder.
   "We'll get him tommorrow. I promise."
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