Redemption's Price: A Star Wars Story

Chapter 9

Dressed in her Jedi Temple robes, I walked with Senator Organa. The once ten thousand, an already small number, had been diminished to an unknown small number of survivors. I was young, yet as I walked, I felt the burden of holding the gravitas of someone twice my age, much like Leia.

Entering the garden that surrounded the Chandrilla Correctional Center, Leia turned to me. "I thought you should know; I spoke with a doctor. She wants to see Master Rena as soon as possible."

Stopping, I looked relieved as she turned to Leia. "Thank you, ma'am."

"You don't have to worry about her. She is safe here." Leia added as she lent into the Force for guidance.

"I know." Pausing, I looked down. What was I to say?

"She isn't the only one that worries you," Leia remarked with her usual calmness. Then, in a split second, the Force reminded her, and she knew just what to say. "I know what it's like to feel a world's weight on your shoulders. To feel the weight of surviving. Everything you do reflects on them."

"I love Kaider like a sister. I never knew the former Republic, but I remember watching the Emperor's speech. I was just a child. We were children, and in a moment, my life of peace and stability ended. I had always known my mother was a Jedi and that I had her gifts. But I hadn't been trained to defend, to fight. Now, as a child, I knew I was no longer to be trained to be a priestess but to be a Jedi Knight, defender of peace and justice. But I never felt like I was good enough to be that. Kaider, she was always so perfect. Then when the Force woke in her, I thought perhaps we could do this together."

Listening to me talk, Leia seemed to remember her childhood. "There were times I felt like I wasnt a real Organa. But, my father was always there to be my guide. So, you feel you owe her, even with the debt she feels she owes you."

Looking at the young Senator, I gave a solemn nod.

~~~

Opening her eyes, Kaider could hear the approaching sound of talking and footsteps. She had been meditating for hours. It was a meditation Master Rena had taught her, calling on the wisdom of the Jedi past. For obvious reasons, Kaider was wary of doing this. The memories of the hunts she had conducted on behalf of the Empire sickened her. It had never really worked. So hearing the approach of Maja, Senator Organa, and a very intimidating guard, she was a little relieved.

The automatic light flickered on as the two entered the room. Kaider stood, reattached her mechanical hand and massaged the end of her shortened lekku. Turning, she saw Maja's kind eyes and Leia's wary smile. Yet, as she stepped closer to the cell door, the hum of the electro-shield reminded Kaider of her incarceration. It had to be this way.

"You have news on the trial?"

"We do," Leia replied as she gave the nod. "Although the official proceedings have not started, the Chancellor is working to make it fair."

Fair? Kaider thought as she looked down. "Well, that's a comfort." Then, looking up, she looked at Maja. "The force will guide it; whatever I must pay, I will."

"I know," Maja replied as she gave a small smile.

With a slight nod, Leia turned to leave. "I'll leave you two to talk; I'm rather busy."

"Of course," Maja replied, seeing the guard tense up at realising that she would be alone.

Looking at her friend, Kaider wondered why Maja had come. Then, without a word, she sat. "Shall we sing the morning homily?"

~~~

Lingering in the halls, Leia listened to the prayer song the two Jedi sang in meditation. This was everything that Leia had yearned for. She knew from a young age just how underground the Jedi had become. Unlike most people, though, the Jedi were far from extinct. She believed Kaider was a new being, far from the Inquisitors young Leia remembered.

Turning, Leia's flowing tunic swayed. She held on to the hope that all would work out for the good of the galaxy. Some had said it was naive to think in such a way. But, for Leia, there was no other way. She remembered the face of the inquisitor from her childhood. Looking back, it was remarkable no one found out her truth.

As she walked the short walk from the correctional centre to her office. She was met by her brother, who walked with an off sense of reverence. "Is something the matter Luke?"

"I was coming to meet with you," Luke replied with a level amount of solemnity.

Looking past her brother, she saw Master Rena. Her temple robes were long and flowing ivory in colour. They were hand embroidered in the ancient fashion, which worked to give the feeling of solemnity in the Jedi Master's stance. She stood tall, her right hand gripping an equally ancient-looking staff. Next to her followed Padawan Tori, who was equally dressing in what was evident of a Jedi learner. 

Why would Luke bring these two here? Leia thought; there seemed always to be a reason for her brother's actions. However, in the slightest blip in time, Leia looked and understood. "You want to speak with Master Kaider."

"I do." Then turning to her young apprentice, Rena bowed her head to Luke. "You will teach my padawan today."

The remark brightened Luke's eyes and pulled his pursed lips into the slightest of smiles. He had read of the orthodox ways of Jedi training but had never received it himself. He longed to start a traditional Jedi temple school to regrow the order. So, looking at Tori, Luke couldn't help but feel excited for this opportunity to learn. You cannot become a Master until you have first been an apprentice.

~~~

Having sent her assistant with the Jedi Master, Princess Leia, now Senator Organa, finally sat in her office chair and thumbed the transmission. As the blue flickered, Leia grinned wide at the smiling figure of her son. "Ben!"

"Mamma! I've missed you, mamma!" The little boy replied with a very excited face.

"What about your father?" Leia jokingly pushed. "He better be giving you propper meals. Not just Jumja sticks?"

"Hey, C3PO gave me a long lecture on the nutritional value of concentrated Jumja sap. So I thought they were fair game." A tired but pleased visage of Han entered the focus. Letting the friendly Wookie take Ben to play, Han looked into his wife's eyes, giving a gentle smile. "I saw that you brought in the ex-inquisitor."

"I did," Leia replied.

"I can read those expressions, Leia; something is bugging you," Han remarked as she nodded in agreement.

"Well, I ..." Looking at her husband, Leia switched tack. "I wish you were here. But..."

"If that is what you want, I can leave as soon as possible."

"No," Leia replied quickly and sharply. "I know how long you have waited for this trip. Enjoy the rally. I'll talk to you soon."

Smiling, Han couldn't help but show his relief. But, to Leia, Han's poker face was always seethrough.

~~~

Meanwhile, in the high-security wing of Chandrilla's Correctional Centre, Master and former padawan embraced.