Of Hunters and Jedi


O what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive!
-Unknown-



her comm clicked. I think you better get down to the hanger.



Just get down here.

Okay, Aunt Mara, whatever you say. Jaina attached the comm to her belt and started to jog through the halls. She was not very far away and arrived in the hanger within moments. Once she entered through the doors, however, she skidded to a halt. Hovering just above the durasteel plating was a jet black YT-1300 Corellian Cruiser. Its cooling systems were already venting steam as it hovered, its cockpit viewports tinted.

That's not Dad, Jaina said as she walked up to her brothers. Not unless he did some major alterations.

Nah, it's not the Falcon, Jacen said, turning back to look at his sister. Does the name Scrimshaw ring a bell? Jaina shook her head and Jacen continued. Scrimshaw is the art of carving intricate designs into bone or ivory.

I know that. Jaina crossed her arms and looked up at the ship just as it set down, its hatchway already lowering. But what does that have to do with the ship?

Who started the art of scrimshaw? I'm not asking a certain person but the type of person.

I don't know. Hunters, poachers, pirates Jaina looked at her brother and then back at the ship. Bounty hunters—Keilana.

That's my guess.

She must have some nerve to return to the Temple after what she did.

Well, there has to be some reason— Jacen was cut off when their aunt screeched at the top of her lungs. The twins and their younger brother turned to look at the hatchway. There, standing at the top, was a battered Luke Skywalker. And behind him stood Keilana. Mara, however did not seem to notice the bounty hunter. She was too busy with Luke to notice the woman who had taken her husband from the Temple. The children, on the other hand, did and they could not think of a single thing to say or do. They all stood at the bottom of the hatch, their mouths agape, staring at the female bounty hunter. Keilana looked down at them, her expression turning from utmost exhaustion to a weak, mocking smile. She was covered in blood—both her own and another, darker shade—bruises, cuts, and patches where blaster bolts had torn through her sleeves and clothing, the skin beneath barely touched. Her dark hair was stringy with sweat as it hung limply about her filthy face.

You were right, Jaina, Keilana said after a moment. She stepped around Luke and Mara and advanced on the three young Jedi. It wasn't a very good idea to trust me.

Jaina's mouth moved as if she were going to speak before she collected herself. But, why?

Keilana laughed lightly and placed her hands on her hips. Your uncle had quite a nice price on his head.

Jaina's eyes widened and her fists clenched. Then why did you come back?

Because sometimes there are things worth a little more than money, the older woman said, leaning into Jaina's face, like my hide.

What do you mean? She growled back.

This whole bounty was some twisted scheme to get me to a crimelord. They didn't want Skywalker, they wanted me. However, I wouldn't let them take me and your uncle is quite good at killing people when he's trying to protect himself. So, I figured: Why not give the Jedi his little light sword to distract the thugs and pull their attention away from me?' So I did. Long story short, I tried to get away but your uncle is just that much better than me. Keilana arched one brow and took a step back. She locked gazes with both Jacen and Anakin for a moment before looking back at Jaina.

No. I want the whole story. Not just tonight, but the story from the time you got this bounty until the moment you stepped back into this Temple. And don't you skimp out on the details. I want to know about every little outing and every little disappearance. Jaina's upper lip steadily rose into a snarl as she continued to speak. Keilana laughed.

Yes, marm, she smiled. The smile was cut short, however, when a strong hand came down on her shoulder. She did not have to look back to know that it belonged to Luke.

Yes, Keilana, I want to know about everything you did as well, but not here. I'm sure there is an empty conference room around here somewhere. Nobody ever uses them anyway. Luke allowed a weak smile to cross his lips, fire blossoming in Keilana's cheeks. The others, though Keilana was sure they knew, did not outwardly react as they started to move out of the hanger.

Though Keilana half expected to see Ganner step out from around one of the many corners the little group passed, she was surprised to see both him and several male Jedi she did not recognize standing around the conference table. When he looked up, the disappointment and pain in his blue eyes were enough to tear her heart in two. Keilana was the one to break the eye contact as she was escorted around the table and ordered to remove all and any weapons she might be carrying. To say the least, the Jedi were surprised at the amount of weapons Keilana removed from her person. There were at least four blasters, three vibroblades, four knives, and various other small weapons not easily recognisable. These she dumped into a box that was put behind a secure door and Jacen's lightsaber was promptly returned to him.

she muttered as she was told to sit in a chair between two of the male Jedi, I feel like a dangerous criminal.

News flash, Jaina growled loud enough for Keilana to catch. Luke gave his niece a stern glare but did not say a word. Moving to the opposite side of the table, he sat directly across from Keilana, Mara on one side and Ganner on the other.

Before we begin, I think we should make some introductions. Luke gestured to the two men on either side of Keilana. One was not much taller than Luke, his eyes a brilliant emerald green, while the other had a build much like Ganner's, though far more slender and obviously older. Corran Horn and Kyp Durron, Keilana heard Luke say, though she was not actually listening to him. There was also mention of her name, though Luke seemed to conveniently forget Keilana's last name. She thanked him silently for that.

Now, Keilana, Luke said, leaning forward. His hands were clasped in front of him and his blue eyes fixed intently on the woman in front of him. In fact, all eyes were directed at her. Keilana simply stared at the white surface of the table in front of her. Tell us exactly what happened, as Jaina said, from beginning to end.

Keilana started after a long hesitation. It all started several weeks ago when I walked into a bar to talk to a man about a job As soon as Keilana started her story, she found it hard to stop. Every little detail that could have gone unmentioned spilled forth from her lips and the reason behind everything was revealed. She even happened upon conclusions that she had not made previously. When she finished the room was silent. All Keilana could hear was the blood roaring in her ears. Finally after a very long, silent moment, Ganner leaned forward slightly. Keilana did not match his gaze.

But why?

Keilana almost laughed, a small smile spreading across her lips. Leaning forward herself and catching the gaze of every person in that room for a split second, she spoke again. Because he's Luke Skywalker. He's the man who has slipped through every bounty hunters' fingers. He's the only person who ever escaped from Boba Fett and that is something you just don't do. He's a Jedi, he's known the galaxy over. Had I brought him down, there would be no way to fathom the amount of respect I would have, the amount of private jobs brought to me. Why did I do it, you ask? Because that is the job bounty hunters dream about, the one they fear receiving and the one that would bring in so much money they would be set for life. Granted I was gipped out of most of my pay, all of it by the end, but it was the opportunity of a lifetime and one most bounty hunters will never see.

I thought you said it was a trap, Mara said. Keilana turned to look at the woman.

It was, but there was some reason they wanted your husband as well. Perhaps it was all a test, a way to see if I really was as good as people make me out to be. Or maybe it was a way to compare me to other hunters out there. We can speculate as much as we want but I don't think it will help.

And Llywen betrayed us as well. This came from Kyp Durron who, up until that point, had been silent.

Luke said, lowering his head. She was one of the last people I would have expected to sell out so easily.

But if the price is right, Kyp said, shrugging. The Fin Ghula are known to be quite the mercenaries, Master, you should know that. They are master spies, almost rivalling the abilities of the Bothans. But their weakness, as a species, is the lack of the ability to pass up a better offer. Sure, becoming a Jedi is great and all, but if they are offered a great sum of money on top of saving the galaxy from all known evil, sure as hell they're going to take it. Besides, isn't watching an infiltrator a noble thing? Isn't making sure she doesn't cause any trouble or harm something heroic? In the eyes of a Fin Ghula, she was doing the right thing.

But attacking me? That goes against Jedi ideals, as does doing what she was while here.

Now, I can't say why she attacked you, perhaps she did go bad, or perhaps she was paid an amount impossible to turn down. I'm not defending her, Master, but I'm not damning her yet.

Nor should any of us, Luke said calmly. But that is not the current issue. What are we going to do with you, Keilana?

I have an idea, Jaina muttered under her breath. Everyone ignored her.

You could let me go and get on with my life, Keilana suggested. Luke sharply shook his head.

No, I can't do that. It's far too dangerous to let you out of my sight.

Keilana squeaked. Everyone else in the room looked at Luke, their eyes wide with surprise. However, the surprise did not last very long. They knew why he had said that, what decision he was going to make. Keilana shook her head and glanced down at her hands.

I can't just let you leave, Keilana. Not now that you are partially trained. There are far too many temptations out there in the galaxy, too many ways your partially trained mind could be pulled into the dark side of the Force. I will think on this longer, but my gut instinct is telling me to keep you here, under my watchful eye, and to continue to train you. A partially trained Jedi-bounty hunter is far more dangerous than a fully trained Jedi-bounty hunter. The words hung in the air and no one dared speak. They all understood the grim meaning behind Luke's words. He was about to train a killer to be far more deadly, a huntress to be far more accurate. It was Keilana who spoke up first.

You're sure?

It's either that or you be sent to a prison. But even there you can be tempted by the dark side, its temptations slowly driving you mad if you were to be kept in solitary confinement. No, he shook his head. When I decided to train you, I took on this unknown responsibility. I didn't know your hidden intentions, nor did I search for any. I was too blind that night Ganner introduced us to even think about any ill intentions you might have had. But I see good in you, Keilana, and I know we can find it.

Keilana laughed and held her arms out to either side of her body. I'm an assassin for hire, Skywalker. I don't ask why, only how and how much. If I'm told to burn an entire village to smoke out one man, then bring on the torches. If I'm hired to kill an entire family and bring their bodies back in a matchbox, then I find the nicest damn matchbox out there to please my employer. Any good that was ever in me was lost with my childhood and, let me tell you, that was far sooner than most children. Your sister's children are virtual saints compared to me when I was their age. They have killed a fraction of what I have. Skywalker, I am a hunter.

Everyone has a little good left in them even if all hope seems lost.

The day you can prove that to me I'll bite my tongue and give up my precious ship, but not a day sooner. I used to know one of the most ruthless bounty hunters in the galaxy, Skywalker. He'd do things comparable to Vader and his Empire, sometimes even surpassing the horrors of the Emperor himself. And it was all for money. I'm just as cold, just as wretched. You can train me all you want, you can make me one of your little Jedi, but I will never truly be like you. Keilana sighed and fought the welling tears. It still burned to speak of her father. Looking back up at Luke, Keilana furrowed her brow and narrowed her eyes. I have seen too much agony and I've inflicted far too much pain to ever be completely whole, not that I ever really was. I'll train to become part of your little brainwashed cult just so that I don't inflict the kind of horror you imply I might, but I guarantee you, there is no good left in me.

Luke wanted to say something, he wanted to beg to differ, for he had in fact seen the flickers of righteousness in Keilana's cold eyes, but now was not the right moment. He would wait for a later time, a later date when Keilana was well rested and cured from this night to push his argument again. He could see in her eyes that all she needed was rest and an escape from the night. Standing, Luke turned to Ganner and then to Corran.

I am sorry about interrupting your mission, Ganner, Corran. First thing in the morning, however, it is vital that you leave. And this time do not turn around because of me.

Yes, Master, they said, nodding.

Luke nodded back. You two may leave, for you will have an early morning. Kyp, Luke turned to the dark haired Jedi next to Keilana. I want you to stand guard outside Keilana's door for the rest of tonight. I don't expect you to have any trouble. Luke turned to look at Keilana. She weakly nodded. And you won't get any of your weapons back, Keilana. Don't fight and don't beg for them. I will let you have them again, eventually.

Thank you, Master, Keilana said, her eyes once again on the table.

Luke nodded. I'd say it's about time to get you back to your room. You look terrible.

No more than you do, Skywalker, she said softly as she stood. Luke chuckled softly.

And we will have to break this habit of Skywalker.'

Yes, Master, Keilana said, exaggerating a bow. Whatever you say, Master.

Keilana heard Kyp say behind her, his voice low, she certainly does have a wit about her.

Keilana simply smiled to herself and allowed herself to be led back to her room. Once inside, Keilana barely had the energy to strip off her clothing before collapsing into bed. Pulling the covers up around her body, she did not realize until that moment how extremely tired she actually was. And so, as the bounty hunter fell into the darkness of sleep, her mind wandered not to the stench or the grime that covered her body, for that could be removed in the morning, but to the fact that her mind was completely clear for the first time in weeks. Months. Years. A tiny smile spread across her lips; perhaps now she could truly relax.








Epilogue



Her room was still under tight guard, just as it had been since she had returned to the Temple with Luke Skywalker. She was always under surveillance, someone's eyes always on her, watching, waiting. And, to say the least, Keilana was getting sick of it. She had no privacy left. Everywhere she went a rather large, male Jedi was on her heel to make sure she was not getting into any trouble. Keilana could not blame them, of course, but it did grow annoying from time to time.

Tonight, she was sitting in the middle of her floor, meditating. It was one of the only ways she could be alone, for the Jedi who followed her around did not try to dig into her mind. In fact, they had been instructed not to. She was to be left alone with her thoughts, for Luke did not want all of her privacy invaded. Keilana had made several mental notes to thank him later about the whole privacy thing.

Deep into her meditations, and very aware of all those around her, Keilana was startled when something touched her mind. She was so startled, in fact, her concentration slipped. When she reached out for that presence, it had disappeared. Frustrated, Keilana cleared her mind once again and went back to her meditations. However, as soon as she fell deep enough into her thinking, the presence reappeared, jarring her meditative state.

After the third or fourth time this happened, Keilana decided to seriously look for the intruder. Reaching out into the surrounding area, Keilana accounted for the man at her door and the Jedi in surrounding rooms. No one new had appeared and none of those Jedi were trying to force themselves into her mind. Further frustrated by this, Keilana lightened her meditation and breathed deeply. As she exhaled, a thought suddenly surfaced in her mind. Acting on the thought, Keilana turned her search inward and instantly found what she had been searching for.

Nestled deep within her body, deeper than she ever thought possible, was the presence.

A child.

she muttered. Her eyes fluttered open, her concentration slipping. Tears welled up in her eyes as she pulled her knees against her chest. She knew exactly how this had happened, whose child this was.

Simply thinking about it made the tears roll down her cheeks. Burying her face into her knees, Keilana wept for a long time. She had been too careful, she had taken every precaution and yet Keilana raised her head to gaze at the lights outside her window. She knew her face was as white as a sheet just as she knew there was nothing she could do about what had happened. She suddenly knew so much and so little at the same time.

I should have shot you when I had the chance, Haun. I should have shot you dead.




END OF PART I