Chapter 2: Secrets Revealed
Wow, this took a while to get out. I had good excuses though. Money has an interesting way of reshuffling ones priorities in life. Basically, I needed to find employment at the time I started writing this, so the story was moved to the back burner. Now, things have stabilized enough and I can finish this thing, that and going to Cozumel helps too
?and maybe I?ll toss in some fanart along the way.FYI ? I may change the title of this series?not sure if I?m a fan of the current working title
Disclaimer: Don't own GW or Star Wars
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Relena offered to use her estate as a place where everyone could wind down after the excitement earlier in the evening. Being outside the city limits, it offered privacy for whatever Luke had in mind to speak with them. An added bonus was that her mansion had adequate lodging for everyone to rest for the night.
As the caravan of vehicles wove through the night, the Skywalkers and remaining Solos were together while everyone else was split between two other vehicles.
"So are you going to make them an offer in joining the Jedi Order?" questioned Leia, finally breaking the silence.
"Yes, originally I had my doubts, but after tonight, we may need people of their skills." answered Luke back. "Hopefully, the details will become clearer with whatever information Heero is able to retrieve."
"That was quite the stunt he pulled back there. Kid's got guts for sure." said Han
"If my memory serves me correctly, you pulled your fair share stunts in the past." jested Leia back at her husband.
Han opened his mouth to make a retort when Mara's communicator beeped. She pulled it out and answered it.
"Yes?"
"Aunt Mara? Its Jaina. We've picked up Heero and were on our way back to you."
"What happened? Was Heero able to apprehend the assassin?"
"No, he escaped. Heero said he'll fill you in when we meet back up with you. Speaking of which, where are you?"
"We're headed for Relena's estate; she was kind enough to offer it for everyone to rest for the night."
"Okay, we'll meet up with you shortly then."
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"Well then, you are all probably wondering why I wanted to speak with you all in private." began Luke.
Everyone was seated in the large living room with people either standing or sitting. Luke stood in the middle of it all and continued on.
"What I'm about to tell you all is something that Mara and I have spoke at length about ever since Earth was discovered by the New Republic. After tonight's event transpired, it has further influenced my decision to offer my invitation to you to join the Jedi Order..."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a moment, what are you trying to say?" interrupted Duo.
"What Luke is trying to say is that some of you are Force Sensitive. Meaning you are capable of touching the Force and through training, eventually become Jedi yourselves." finished Mara.
"Who among us are Force Sensitive?" inquired Quatre.
"Well for starters, you four pilots are. Force Sensitives found in military roles are typically crack pilots. Your skills are unusually well above your peers." answered Luke. "And then the other two sensitive ones are you, Relena and Milliardo. Milliardo, for the same reasons as the other pilots."
"Why me?" questioned Relena.
"Force Sensitives, along with having seemingly near super-human abilities, can also be powerfully persuasive. How else do you think that you could persuade the entire Earth to dissolve all borders and create one nation with little opposition at the age of fifteen." explain Mara.
"You don't need to make your decision right this instant, give yourself some time to think it over." said Luke
Relena and company were thoroughly shocked and speechless as the surprises seemed to never end tonight. Mara's communicator beeped and she left the room to answer the call.
"Wait you knew about Earth, five years ago? We though that you discovered us only two years ago?" said Noin.
"It true, we did introduced ourselves to you two years ago, but we found your system three years prior." explained Leia, "But the Earth and the Colonies were in the middle a conflict and we were going to wait until things stabilized. Things looked to settle down, but then the Barton Insurrection happened. That?s why we did not make our presence know until a little more than a year later"
Mara returned to the living room with the Solo children and the hooded Jedi from earlier. His hood was drawn over his head in a way that obscured the upper half of his face, making him difficult to recognize. Mara and the figure were speaking in hushed voices as Leia introduced everyone to one another.
"What about him?" said Sally as she gestured to the hooded figure.
"Him...well, you already know him." said Mara.
"We do?" said Wufei unbelievingly.
Mara glanced over at the figure and gave him a slight nudge of her elbow. The figure took a step towards the group and pulled back his hood revealing himself to everyone. A collection of gasps and open mouths resulted as the identity of the mysterious Jedi was finally revealed.
"Heero? Is that you buddy?" said Duo incredulously. Heero nodded in response. Duo gave a weak laugh as sat back down, "Aw, man...I don't think I can take any more surprises tonight."
Relena looked in awe at him. He had physically changed greatly over the four years he had been gone. For starters, he was much taller, only a few inches shorter that her brother. His hair was longer too; the back half of his hair was pulled back in a short ponytail while the rest hung in front of his face much like it did before. He had filled out more as well too, but retained his natural leanness. His robes were a mix of varying earth tones: browns, tans, and dark olive green.
"So this is where you disappeared to." said Une, finally breaking the silence.
"Now hold on a moment." said Duo, "Heero has been gone four years, you guys first communicated to us two years ago. So that means you had to have contacted at least Heero right after the Barton incident, right?
"Actually right after the Eve Wars," corrected Heero.
"Yes, Heero was the first Force Sensitive of a high magnitude since we had arrived." continued Luke, "We were observing the final battle of your Eve Wars when we felt Heero's Force signature, specifically when he descended into Earth's atmosphere to destroy the final piece of Libra. As far away as we were, his Force signature was like an explosion going off."
Everyone looked to Heero to confirm what they were just told. Heero simply gave a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as Luke continued.
"It was about a month after the fighting ended when we first contacted Heero and told him who we were. Needless to say you were a bit skeptical of our claim, but when we brought you to the Core Worlds, I think your opinion changed."
"I told them to give me some time to think about Luke's offer to join the Jedi Order. They gave me a way to contact them when I made my choice." added Heero, "And after the Barton incident I made my choice and joined the Jedi."
The night continued on as more questions were asked and the answers replied. Une had glanced at the clock and suggested that they call it a night and get some rest. The pilots had their own accommodations and went on their way. Sally and Une followed close behind, but Une stopped to tell Heero that he should swing by the Preventer HQ in the morning. She had something there to show him.
After everyone bid their farewells, Luke and Mara sat down with Heero to discuss the event from earlier in the evening in private.
?Now, what did you find out about the assassin?? questioned Luke.
Heero looked the both of them in the eye before answering. ?When I finally cornered him, I asked him what he was. He said he was Sith.?
?Sith?? replied Mara with a trace of disgust, ?but how? Palpatine and Vader have been dead for years. To resurrect their teachings is impossible, unless one of the two had a secret apprentice.?
?True,? agreed Luke, ?Vader and Palpatine were often apart which would give them an opportunity to train someone behind the other. After those two died at the Death Star, this secret apprentice must have lain low to avoid detection. But who trained him??
?The one I fought tonight stated he was the apprentice, so the master could be anyone or anywhere...and the Galaxy?s a big place,? said Heero.
Luke closed his eyes in thought and opened them. ?When we return to Coruscant, we?ll start the investigation into who and where they are. But now, let?s just get some rest. Fair enough??
?Agreed,? nodded Heero in agreement.
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It was the same dream he has had ever since it happened. Sometimes he wished he could make it disappear. But it is the past that defines who you are.
Him jumping a fence.
Lying with his back on the grass.
A nameless girl and her dog Mary.
The flower.
Explosions.
A grave miscalculation.
More needless deaths.
The one action that lead him down the darkest experiences in his life. The dream always ends in the same place. The place where his 'reprogramming' began. Some demons can't be exorcised no matter what...
Heero shot straight up in bed. Eyes wide, covered in sweat, and breathing heavy and irregular. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and rested his elbows on his knees letting his hands hang loosely. He eventually controlled his breathing to a slower and regular rate. Heero stood up and put on his outer robe and made his way out of his room and downstairs. For whatever the reason, this particular recurrence was unusually intense and fresh air was required to clear his head.
He made his way through Relena's estate mansion eventually his way to the back which lead out to the back yard. Heero slid the doors open and closed with out a sound and made his way to the railing of the ledge which overlooked the expansive yard. He leaned over and rested his elbows on the railing staring at everything and nothing at the same time. The constant sound of the water following from the large fountain calmed his mind and began to slowly relax him.
"Four years it's been Heero Yuy."
"Yes it has," replied Heero without turning to acknowledge his visitor. He sensed her presence before he was even outdoors. He didn't need the Force to tell him where she was. He finally turned around to address Relena. She was clad in her nightgown and robe. It was still early summer and the nights still had a bit of chill.
She made her way to his side leaning her back against the railing. Heero proceeded to lift himself up onto the railing resting his back against the pillar, stretching his right leg along the railing while letting his left hang.
"So what are you doing up?" Heero ventured.
"I couldn't sleep, so I was doing some reading when I saw you go outside." Relena answered.
"And you?"
"Can't sleep."
Relena glanced over at him. He was...different, yet still the same as she remembered him. His eyes still retained the hardness from the wars, but weren't as cold. His hair hung loose just above his shoulders, no longer tied back like it was earlier this evening.
"So why did you leave? The real reason." Relena asked suddenly, turning to face him. "I know part of the reason was because of the confirmation hearing, but there has to be more than that, you aren't one to go and make rash decisions."
Heero sighed; he knew this question was going to present itself at some point. He looked into her eyes for a moment then turned his upwards to the midnight sky before answering.
"Truthfully, I was...frustrated. Another point in my life without a purpose. It was starting to become an irritating pattern in my life. To be perfectly honest with you, I never expected to live past the Eve Wars. I thought the position in the Preventers might help my situation...but past...indiscretions...became public, and once again found myself without purpose..."
"But I spoke in your defense though!" interrupted Relena.
Heero gave a small smile. "I know that, and I thank you for standing up for me. No one in my life up to that point had ever stood up for me like that. You have more courage in your heart than the countless number of soldiers I've fought with and against. But, unfortunately it wasn't enough.
"Then I thought about Master Luke's offer to join the Jedi Order. It had the possibility to give my life purpose once again, about finding my role in the Galaxy. Master Luke was aware of the sins I had committed but was willing to help me find my way again. There was only one other who ever tried to help me like that, and that was you."
Relena smiled at him for his admission to her. She listened to his narration with an undivided attention. His voice still had a hardness to it, but had a warmer tone to it. Whatever happened to him with his time in the Order the past four years had done him some well deserved good.
"Through Master Luke's teachings and guidance I was able to rid myself of the anger and hate that had plagued me for too long. Mara helped me remove most of the demons from my past since she and I had similar backgrounds. She has become something of the mother I never knew to me. Actually, the Skywalkers and Solos have become something of a family for me." He paused for a moment. "So, did I answer your question?"
Relena nodded, "Yes. I suppose I understand what drove you to your choice. But I hope you understand you hurt everyone else here too who knew you. You had a bond with the other pilots; you all were brothers in a sense. You have a special ability to touch people."
Relena turned her back to him. She felt her throat tightening. But she was able to control herself before tears had their chance to fall. Heero narrowed his eyes slightly at her actions. He hopped off the railing and moved in front of her. He put both his hands on her shoulders and crouched slightly causing her to raise her head to look at him.
"I know I hurt those here, but I wasn't leaving forever."
Relena gave short laugh and wrapped her arms around Heero's waist and rested her head on his chest. He responded by wrapping his arms around her shoulders drawing her into a warm embrace.
"Its good to have you back Heero."
Heero only gave a small smile in response. He wasn't sure if he should tell her the extent of their bond yet. Whatever it was, the bond between them was stronger than it was between him and the other pilots.
Best wait until later, after she has made her decision regarding the Order.
"Have you thought about Luke's offer?" asked Heero slowly.
"About becoming a Jedi like you?"
"Yes."
Relena broke the embrace and began to pace slowly.
"I don't know. I don't want to give up everything here and leave the people. Part of me wants to and the other part doesn't want to. What do you think I should do,? answered Relena.
"It?s not my decision to make for you. It?s something you and you alone have to make. But what I can tell is it is not an easy path. Becoming a Jedi is a hard life. You will be tested physically and mentally to your limits. You will face the things you fear the most and conquer them.
"What you saw tonight with me...that is something few and very far between. Jedi are not warriors, yes we fight, but we use the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack. The times we do fight it is for the defense of those who cannot defend themselves. The Jedi put the welfare of others before themselves." Heero answered with a seriousness in his face like he used to have during the wars.
"Do you think you made the right decision?"
"Yes, but I suppose it is still early to tell. The future is always changing. My advice to you on your decision is this: the best way to live one's life is by your emotions. Do what your heart tells you."
Relena nodded slowly, looking what appeared to be deep in thought. She suddenly yawned, sleep finally beginning to beckon her.
"You should probably go to bed now." suggested Heero gently.
Relena smiled and nodded and proceeded to go back inside.
"Goodnight Heero."
"Goodnight Relena."
Heero watched her leave and returned to his room a few minutes later.
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As the morning sun began to peek over the horizon, Jaina Solo stretched her arms above her head as she stepped out into the back courtyard of the Peacecraft Estate. She was in mid-stretch when she noticed a figure kneeling in meditation behind the fountain which was in the middle of the courtyard.
Figures he'd be already up.
She walked over and joined Heero in his morning meditation. It was interesting relationship the two shared. When Heero had first joined, he had a presence about him, the way he carried himself that quite a few of the other female students, including herself, at the Academy found attractive. He was extremely focused in his studies of the Force which caused those around him to try and work as equally hard. It was eye-opener when he had his first sparring match with a lightsaber. Heero surmised that beam saber technology of Earth was similar in respect to a lightsaber in the fact that the blade had no discernible weight to it, making him familiar with handling a lightsaber.
After his first year in training only seasoned Jedi Knights and Jedi Masters were of challenge for him in lightsaber combat. Luke attributed this to the fact that he had been in a constant state of training his mind and body his whole life. Despite only being trained for four years, Heero was on his way to becoming one of the Order's finest swordsmen. Some had voiced that he would match Master Luke eventually in lightsaber combat.
They were alike in certain respects. Both were highly skilled pilots at a young age and showed a high aptitude for mechanics. Heero quickly adapted to the more advanced technology and the two of them would work together on repair and maintenance of the starfighters and other craft of the fleet. Even Han would let him help with the continual repairs on the Millennium Falcon.
For a time she wanted to pursue something more than friendship with him, until one day he stopped her and said that he did not want to pursue a more serious relationship stating he did not feel the same for her and as he did enjoy her companionship he wanted to keep their relationship strictly platonic. From that point on they became unofficial partners.
"You do know that you are up way too early this morning, the sun is barely up," Jaina finally said after a few minutes of silence between the two "But then again, you barely sleep when you do."
"The same could be said of you." replied Heero with his eyes still closed.
"I always get plenty of sleep."
Heero rolled his eyes. "I meant being up early too."
"Well you've known that I've been an early riser anyway, just today is a bit earlier than usual."
"Anyone else up?"
"Doubt it."
The two Jedi continued their morning meditation in silence for another half an hour until Jaina suggested a short sparring session before breakfast. Heero and Jaina faced each other, ignited their respective weapons and assumed their opening stances.
Due to the losses of many of the lightsaber combat instructions during the Great Jedi Purge, most lightsaber instruction had to be rediscovered through careful direction and discipline. Heero modeled his own style suited to his physical abilities. Given his knowledge of various martial arts, he incorporated this knowledge into his lightsaber combat producing an aggressive, fast-paced, and physical style.
Recently however, the Great Holocron, once thought lost was found. It contained vast amounts of knowledge of Jedi history, philosophy, lightsaber combat, and techniques of the Force. Heero had started studying the classic forms of lightsaber combat to further advance his growing skills. He took particular interest in studying Form III, otherwise known as Sorensu. It was described as highly defensive form used to counter blaster fire. It utilized motions that occurred close to the body to create a near-perfect protection using little amount of energy as possible. When mastered to its highest level, users were to have an unbreakable defense. Heero figured since his own created style was highly offensive, it was important to have an equally defensive style.
As the sun crept higher in the early morning sky, a small crowd began to gather, observing the two focused youths.
"His form is getting better, he's been practicing." observed Luke.
"Jaina's form is getter better too, those two are good sparring partners for each other." replied Mara.
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After breakfast everyone went to Preventer headquarters to see what Une had wanted Heero for. In the main lobby they met up with Duo, Trowa, Quatre, and Wufei, all drinking their morning coffee. Minutes later Une appeared and had them follow her
"Why are we headed toward mobile suit maintenance?" questioned Heero.
"You'll see soon enough," said Une, with a small, knowing smile.
When they finally reached their destination, Une opened the doors and ushered everyone into the massive hanger.
"What the..." said Heero, as his mouth was slightly open, and brows knitted in slight confusion. "...Zero..."
There Wing Zero stood, wings spread wide open, fully repaired. Tech crews scrambled about the gundam making last minute adjustment. The Solo children were awestruck as well; this being the first time either of them had seen a gundam up close.
"Why?" questioned Heero again.
Zechs spoke instead of Une. "After the Barton Incident, Une, myself, and others felt that we needed at least another mobile suit that had the performance capabilities of matching the Tallgeese. Wing Zero was the most intact, since the other gundams were self-detonated. With two suits, one would be stationed on Earth and the other would be stationed in space."
Heero walked forward alone, circling around his one time companion. He ran his hand along one of the legs surveying it with a small smile.
"What's he doing?" asked Anakin.
"Reuniting with an old friend," answered Trowa, "This was his gundam."
?Why show it to me?? questioned Heero.
?It?s your gundam anyway. It wouldn?t be right if you didn?t pilot it,? said Une.
?Anyone of the others could pilot it, they?ve used it before,? said Heero referring to the other gundam pilots.
?But being that you?re back in all, its yours again,? chimed in Duo, ?I mean, Jesus, it sounds like you don?t want Zero back at all.?
Heero looked over at Une, skepticism clearly written over his face. ?I can take it? Just like that??
?More or less,? answered Une.
Heero gave a half-laugh and turned his attention back to his one-time comrade-in-arms.
?Oh no?I know that look,? whispered Jaina to her other siblings, ?you can the gears working in his head. He?s got something in store for that machine.?
To which Heero did have something in store for gundam, upgrading Zero?s main propulsion from the miniature Vernier thrusters in the wings to the propulsion used in the New Republic?s space fighters and make it hyperspace capable.
Han said he was nuts.
Leia said he was one to talk.
Duo said he was crazy to gut all the electrical, guidance, and weapons systems; mumbling something later about Heero thinking Zero was some customizable car.
Jaina said she would be more than happy to help him. Even Anakin voiced in his support to aide him as well.
?I?ll fly Zero up to the Lusankya and do the modifications there while we make our transit back to Coruscant,? said Heero. But first things first, I think a test flight might be in store, thought Heero with a small roguish smile to himself as he made his way towards the cockpit of his onetime comrade.
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Unbeknownst, a small personal craft left the Earth system and quietly went into hyperspace en-route to Coruscant. Sith Apprentice Darth Invidious* reflected on what had transpired in the past 24 hours.
The Earth Sphere President was still living; his failure in not completing his task would no doubt earn himself punishment from his master. Assassinating the President was key; destabilizing their world government would allow forces against the New Republic to slip in and possibly acquire technical readouts on these ?mobile suits,? particularly the powerful ?Gundams?.
Inefficient to combat star-fighters directly, they could be more effectively used to attack frigates, cruisers, and capital ships. By equipping them with powerful weaponry, they could be used to attack the critical systems of enemy ships. However, due to the lone Jedi who foiled his assassination attempt, acquisition of mobile suits would have to be put on hold. Drawing upon his hatred of the lone Jedi, he should have sensed his approach, but he was too focused on his target, blind to everything else.
His opponent was a skilled duelist, that was for certain. Equal to his level, and possibly beyond his skills. And if that was the case, then he should count his blessings. Due to his robes, he could not get a clear view of his enemy?s face, so his age was hard to discern. From what he could tell, his opponent was fairly young, but fought like a seasoned warrior. More sparring time was in order upon his arrival to Coruscant; after whatever punishment was in store for his failure.
One interesting note he would have to reveal to his master was that his attacker may not be as pure as the ?average? Jedi. On the roof top, before his escape, he sensed it. Small, easy to miss, but it was there. The dark seed was inside this Jedi; a nudge in the right direction and the seed will sprout. After that there will be no turning back for him. An excellent dark assassin he would make. He would be taught enough of the dark side secrets to whet his appetite. Taught of pain and suffering, but he wouldn?t be Sith?yet. Once he would ?replace? his master as Dark Lord of the Sith, he would make this Jedi his apprentice and his fall would be complete.
The Sith smiled to himself as a plan slowly began to formulate.
To be continued?
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Well, as the title explained, secrets were revealed in this chapter. Eventually, more will be revealed about Heero?s and Relena?s bond that they have. Trying to keep Heero somewhat in character in relation to the series, but due to his time with the Jedi, he has been able to relax and let his guard down around other people. So we?ll see a little more of his sense of humor and wit (which is going to be quite dry I can assure you.) We got a glimpse of the enemy and their angle. Invidious? master will be introduced in the next chapter. They?ve got something possibly in store for Heero. Won?t tell what though. There is some foreshadowing in the chapter of what is to come. There are also probably going to be some time jumps to help move plot along. So read and review if you will. Thanks a bunch.
PS - if you think the chapter is getting too long, say so and in the future I'll shorten them up. This chapter was over 4400 words and nine pages long
(seems like a lot for me)*Invidious is a variation on the Latin invidia which means envy, as the story progresses you?ll see more of envious side of him emerge
