Leave it to You

One

The freighter shook slightly as the ship made the jump to lightspeed, taking Maren away from everything she's ever known. Blurred stars speeding past replaced her view of the shrinking planet of Naboo, reminding her of the stories her father had told her of space. Her view now must have been similar to what he had seen from the battleships and fighters he described.

Thinking of her father was always bittersweet. He would tuck her in, tell her stories of amazing space battles, and of something magical called the Force every night before bed. Adrion Ashurabi was a great father, but that doesn't mean he was a good person. Though Maren didn't know this, and probably never would have, except for the arrival of officers of the New Republic on Naboo a few rotations prior.

The Galactic Civil War had ended many years before Maren was born, the New Republic risin in its place. Many of those affected by and involved in the war moved on with their lives as best as they could. The Ashurabi's were one of these families--they lived in a modest dwelling in the city of Keren on Naboo. Unfortunately for Adrion Ashurabi, his military past was not so easily forgotten.

Justice doesn't mean the same thing to everyone, but it is usually decided by the winner of the war. The new Galactic Republic intended to prosecute justice, and so Adrion Ashurabi had to pay for his crimes. It may not have been his own hand activating the death star during its destruction of Alderaan but he was an officer aboard. Therefore he must atone for the millions of deaths he contributed to. The appearance of the New Republic officers signalled that although the Ashurabi's had been living peacefully on Naboo for a decade, sins must always be paid in full.

"First time in space?" A voice interrupted Maren's train of thought.

Maren turned to face the direction of the voice, not recognizing the speaker. The man was around the age of her father, if not slightly younger. He strode towards her, his black boots echoing down the freighter's corridor.

"I remember the first time I saw the galaxy like this too. It still hasn't gotten old," the man continued gently as he stopped next to her, "You must be the young Ashurabi. My name is Luke. Luke Skywalker."

The name sounded familiar to her, but she couldn't place it. "Yes," she said quietly, "where am I going?"

Maren knew why her dad was taken, the New Republic men had explained it to her when they took her dad away a few days before. Her father made a last request to the officers that someone suitable take care of his young daughter, since his wife had died many years before. The men agreed, and took the child to one of their ships that was set to be leaving the system soon.

"Well, little one, that depends," he paused, looking down at her. "We had planned on taking you to a nice family on Bespin who would love for you to stay with them, but it seems there is another option. Tell me, child, have you ever heard of the force?"

Maren nodded at Luke with childlike curiosity, "Yes, my dad used to tell me stories about it as a kid. He said that it was like magic but that it didn't exist anymore. I wish it did though, it sounded so cool. Do you know stories about it, too?"

"You could say that I do," Luke chuckled slightly, "Many people believe that the force is not real or doesn't exist anymore. The force is real and it is alive around us. It is in all of us. It is our greatest ally in our times of need."

The youngling's grey eyes widened in wonder, "Really? How do you know? My dad didn't think so..."

Smiling gently, Luke raised his left arm into the air and with it summoned his lightsaber to his hand from his belt. With the press of a button, the saber ignited a bright green. "This is a lightsaber. It is the weapon of the Jedi," he said as he extinguished the blade, "The Jedi are force users who believe in the light side of the force."

Luke placed the saber hilt on the ground in between him and the child, gesturing as he continued to explain, "Your father was right in a way, there are not many force users left. I am one of the last--but I am trying to change that. I am training a new generation of Jedi to learn the ways of the light side of the force." He then gestured to the hilt, "Could you do a favor for me now? Concentrate on the lightsaber. Imagine the energy around you being a part of you, and that same energy lifting the lightsaber in front of you."

Furrowing her brows, she nodded. Taking one deep breath she closed her eyes and scrunched up her face while trying to do as he had asked of her. A few moments later a slight clatter could be heard, the saber quivering on the floor. One grey eye peaked, before shutting tightly again. With newfound confidence, Maren tried once more. This time the hilt of the lightsaber hovered at the height of her knees before clattering to the ground when her eyes opened in excitement.

"Did you see that? That was awesome! Does this mean I'm a Jedi, too?" She exclaimed, smiling widely.

Luke Skywalker returned the child's smile, "I sensed you might be able to do that. Come child, let's show you a more comfortable place to ride for the rest of the journey to the temple. And maybe someday, young one. Someday. Training comes first."

***

The lack of humidity surprised the young girl as she and Master Skywalker disembarked from the freighter. Beings from many species, some that Maren did not recognize, rushed over and began to unload the ship of its cargo of supplies. The landscape of the planet was similar enough to Naboo, but with less water and swamp stench. Looming ahead atop a hill was a brilliant white building with large stone steps.

"Welcome to the Jedi Temple, young one," Master Skywalker greeted before motioning to a boy who stood beside him, "This is Ben. He will show you around the temple as I have other duties I need to attend to. May the force be with you."

Brown eyes met grey as the two newly introduced padawans stared at each other. The boy was obviously older than Maren, his dark hair-covered head reaching almost a foot above hers.

"Hi. Like Master Luke said, I'm Ben," He reached up to scratch the back of his neck as he introduced himself once more, an awkward smile gracing his lips.

Maren returned his smile, "I'm Maren."

Ben began to walk towards the courtyard of the building, Maren walking next to him. "This is the main courtyard," he explained, beginning her tour of the Jedi temple, "it's not really used for much other than sometimes Master Luke has us meditate here. Most of the important stuff is on the other side of the temple. We can go there first before going inside."

Maren trailed behind the older boy along the pathways as he showed her the other buildings, sleeping hutts, and training areas. Her eyes widened with awe at the surroundings, but also at the other practicing padawans they passed on their tour. Some were levitating objects while others were sparring with lightsabers of their own. The collisions between the green and blue blades were fast and blinding--the taller girl fiercely pushing the shorter boy back. The boy sidestepped, still on the defensive but trying to gain the upper hand.

"That's Kantarra and Minkar. They're practicing a new saber form Master Luke taught us," Ben said, interrupting Maren's fixation on the fight. "C'mon, I'll introduce you to them then we can go meet everyone else."

***

And that concludes chapter one! Let me know what you think. Remember to like, comment, and vote!