A Shadow and a Threat

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

Luke sat  crosslegged on a couch on the observation deck, staring out into the Bleed, lost in thought.  Things had quieted down on the ship and for that he was glad.  Laater, Luke had resolved to go find Tycho later on and make sure he was doing okay (he'd heard of the other's injury), but until he did that, Luke had come up here to think.

There had been a strange darkness at the edge of his mind--not a dire threat, nothing to send his danger-sense into full alarm, but enough to make him worry.  It could mean that a Sith had woken up, and if that was so, it couldn't be anyone good.  There were several names that came to Luke's mind, and none of those were ones he particularly wanted to put faces to again.  With each, though, he was more worried for Ben's safety than his own.  Ben had had enough dealings with Sith already.  Luke didn't want to put him through that a second time.

But for now he meditated on this strange shadow in his mind, and wondered what he'd do when he ran into the source of it.

Comments

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"Well..." Luke conceded that point. Going back and forth like this in front of Vestara wasn't really the best idea. But as to what Vestara's fate should be while on board Stacy... locking her up straightaway in the brig sounded like a real good idea, but probably wouldn't fly with those on board who didn't know much about the Sith--not to mention they didn't have the means here to really effectively neutralize whatever threat she presented. On the other hand, they couldn't really let her wander around this place unsupervised. She may be young, but in Luke's experience, youth didn't imply a lack of cunning.

"I don't know what we can do right now," he said quietly. "Except keep an eye on her and make sure she stays out of trouble. There are some people on board here who wouldn't like it if we locked up a teenage girl, regardless of who we say she is. Do you have any other ideas?"

[goodofthetribe.livejournal.com]

It was astounding to meet two beings with such a high opinion of their own authority. Even on Kesh, self-affirmed grandeur was always confirmed by actions instead of words.

"You will make sure I say out of trouble. That's your plan." Vestara rose with a whoosh of her robes. "Is this as embarrassing for you as it is for me? I can't believe my people ever thought the Jedi to be a threat."

[sithhavecooties.livejournal.com]

Ben put his head in his hands, feigning wise Jedi contemplation. "I could airlock you if you'd like."

[goodofthetribe.livejournal.com]

"I'd like to see you try," she snarled back.

[sithhavecooties.livejournal.com]

"Then come up with a better idea."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

Luke cut in. "Both of you, stop it." He looked between both his son and Vestara. "I'm sorry, Vestara, but even if you gave us your word you wouldn't try to subvert things here, I couldn't trust it. I'm sure you understand."

[goodofthetribe.livejournal.com]

It's almost sweet.

Vestara rocked back and forth with both hands clasped behind her back.

"My word is as good as gold. If you don't want to put faith in it, that's not my concern."

[sithhavecooties.livejournal.com]

"Your word is overvalued, malleable, and kind of shiny? Wow. No wonder I'm not putting any faith in it."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"Ben," Luke said, a hint of a warning in his voice. The teen had a point in amongst all the needling, but Luke decided he'd have to talk to his son about rising to the barbs of this Sith girl at some point.

Luke turned his attention back to Vestara. "You aren't exactly in a trustworthy position, not just because of what you are, but because of what Ben has said regarding your--" he smiled "--flexible definition of being honest. Now, if you do something to earn my trust, then we'll talk again."

[goodofthetribe.livejournal.com]

She crimped an eye. "Doesn't being so clever get exhausting?" Ves titled her head at Ben.

"Master Skywalker, you're calling me a liar based secondary sources. I don't like that. It also doesn't make me want to respect any sort of command you could have over me."

[sithhavecooties.livejournal.com]

Ben threw up his hands. "You lied about crashing your ship. You lied about losing your lightsaber and the rest of your things. You lied to the Raining Leaves and passed on information to the Nightsisters. You're Sith."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"And I've had some experience with the Sith, I'm sure you've heard." Luke met her eye and did not look away. "I'm giving you the chance to prove me wrong, however, which from what I've heard may be a big deal."