Transmission Encryption: NR-XTNTL-23-34LSS-BLJAS-88876
Dt: 78150.005.09:15
To: Jedi Master Valer'ian Ry'ke'r
Fr: Duvessa LiCidan

Hello Val. Or, should I say, Master Valer'ian? For a moment, I find myself at a loss for words. But you know me, that never lasts long. You have no idea just how happy I am to know you are alive. My last image of you is that of you in a lightsaber duel with Stygoss. I realize it has been fifteen years for you, but for me, it has been only two days.

Yahnna has done her best to catch me up on the status of the rest of the crew of the Iridium Rose, as well as help me acclimate to the changes made in technology and history throughout the galaxy in the past fifteen years. She has been a good friend through these last two strange days.

I find that I am not as upset about the accidental suspension and my fast forward in time as I thought I might be. Oh, I do have the odd urge or two - like wanting to contact Admiral Zaraiath, just to say hello. But I doubt he would appreciate the gesture - nor remember who I am. I suspect it is a matter of wanting to regain a foothold in my life by touching the familiar.

My family will be arriving in a few days. I will be most pleased to see them. I have been granted the title of Senator for the Sluis System. However, while I believe the title to be honorary, since my brother has taken the position during my absence, I have politely declined the honor. There is something else I feel I must do.

What I am most filled with now, is my hope for the future, and a desire to continue the training that you began with me six months ago. I do not know what I need to do to petition entrance into the Jedi Academy but that is my desire. I want to continue, and finish, what I started. I want be a Jedi. I am still committed to the cause. If you would offer me any advice or instruction in the meantime, I would be most grateful.

I would very much like to see you again.

Sincerely,
Duvessa LiCidan

78150.011

Duvessa sat at her desk, idly reading the headlines of the news-vids from her home system. She was not sure how, but the story of her rescue, and the basic story of her last six months before being suspended in the hyperspace wave, had been plastered all over the system. This, of course, had sparked a series of amazingly outlandish tabloid stories. Everything from her being a clone to an imposter to a secret Imperial or Rebellion weapon. Somehow, the reporters had discovered that she had also trained with Master Valerian as a "secret Jedi" and were wondering, in light of her polite refusal to the appointment of Senator of the Amador system, if she would be accepted into the Jedi Academy now.

She turned the news-vids off and sat back with a smile. At least, she knew the answer to that last question. She touched the datapad with Val's most recent transmission on it. It had been strange, reading his words, knowing that he had not seen her in almost fifteen years. Stranger still, the calm center she felt as she simply accepted being transported fifteen years into the future. There was nothing she could do about it now, and truthfully, she would not want to return to that life.

The polite chiming of her com-unit alerted her to an incoming message. She looked up at the screen. Lieutenant Martinez's face appeared. "Miss LiCidan?"

"Yes, Lieutenant? What is it?"

"The Private Yacht, Dark Beauty, is about to dock. Duke LiCidan is most anxious to meet with you as soon as possible."

She looked at the time and was surprised to see that it was an hour later than she had expected it to be. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Please tell the Dark Beauty that I will be there presently." Duvessa smoothed her braided hair a little, feeling butterflies in her stomach. After six hard months, she would see her family again. Of course, it had been much longer for them.

Duvessa hurried through the corridors of the New Republic Redemption, a hand on her lightsaber to keep it from bouncing too much. While in the turbolift, she took a couple of calming breaths and centered herself. She wanted to be calm and happy instead of spastic and happy.

The Dark Beauty was too large to dock inside the Redemption. Instead, it was docked along side, tethered by an umbilical. Duvessa waited for the airlock to cycle, then stepped aboard the Dark Beauty and into the arms of Torin. Her brother, now almost 20 years her senior, picked her up in an enthusiastic hug. "Duvessa! It's really you!"

She hugged him tightly, savoring the feeling. "Yes, you big lug. It's me." She stepped back when he let her down and looked at him. "You've got gray hair." She did a mental calculation. Torin was now about forty years old. That meant her father was in his early sixties.

"And you haven't aged a day." He hugged her again. "Dad is waiting."

On the way the Duke's quarters, Duvessa was greeted by some of the, now much older, house staff. Some of them broke down in tears, hugging her as tightly as they could. Their happiness at her well being touched her deeply. She felt a lump form in her throat.

Finally, they were at their father's door. Torin looked at her. "Ready?"

Duvessa nodded. "Definitely."

The door silently slid open and the two of them entered, looking around. Jules LiCidan, Duke of the Sluis system, was standing at one of the view ports, watching the stars. He did not turn around until Duvessa softly cleared her throat and said, "Hello Father."

Jules turned, looking like a man who had seen a ghost. "Duvessa..." He whisper as he moved towards her. "My little girl!" The two of them met in the middle, hugging each other tightly. This time, she did not stop the tears.

"It's me. I'm alive... I'm OK."

"Duvessa, I'm so sorry... I would never have allowed you to go... " Jules began.

"No, Dad." She cut him off. "Remember. It was my choice... and the best thing that could have happened to me." She paused a moment. "Now that it's over, of course."

Jules looked at her tear stained, happy, but serious, face. "You have grown up, haven't you."

"Much to my delight and dismay, Dad. It wasn't easy, but I had no choice in the matter."

Torin ushered the three of them to the sitting area, pouring them all drinks. "So, tell us. What happened? Last we heard, you were wanted by the Empire for a huge number crimes - including impersonating an Imperial officer, treason, terrorist activities that shut down an Imperial port on Doret V and bombing a space station orbiting Praek VII."

She settled in, but felt something as she was about to speak. She turned her head and noticed the tiny floating device in one corner of the room. She looked around and spotted three more. "What's that?"

Torin and Jules looked at each other. "They're recording devices, Duvessa." Jules began. "It was the only thing I would agree to. The archivist insisted that we record this reunion for posterity. He wanted to be here himself but I wouldn't allow it."

Duvessa shook her head. "You're kidding. Posterity?"

"Well, yes. To get the real story." Torin grinned sheepishly. "For the family records. I'm sure you've seen some of the stories out there now."

She nodded. "Oh, yes. I'm a secret weapon. I'm a clone. I'm an imposter. All sorts of interesting things."

"So, this is the only record that will matter." Jules told her. "And, don't be surprised if you are asked for copies of your personal logs. I told the archivist he would have to ask you for them, himself."

Duvessa snorted softly. "Really. I didn't do anything that -" Her words were cut of by a distinctive and unhappy meow. She looked to the door to see Admiral, much older, slower and fatter, come waddling in. "Admiral!" she cried, slipping from the chair to her knees to greet her pet. Admiral slowly sauntered up to her, sniffed her hand, then mustered a chastising swat to express his disapproval of being on a ship and Duvessa's long absence. Then, to put her in her place, he ignored her for a few moments to groom. Finally, he allowed her to pick him up, settling him in her lap.

"I don't think he likes hyperspace." Torin commented as she resettled herself.

"I'm not surprised." Duvessa agreed as she lavished attention on her fat feline.

Jules waited a moment, then eyed her lightsaber. "So, fifteen years ago, when I sent you on a Rebellion courier run, during the beginning of the Rebellion, you did... nothing?"

"Well, not nothing." She admitted.

"Sis, this is no time for false modesty. Is it true that you were training to be a Jedi?" Torin cut to the heart of the matter.

Duvessa squirmed a little, feeling uncomfortable. "The answer is not as simple as it seems. The answer is both yes and no." Her family waited patiently for her to explain. "Yes, I have been training to use my Force abilities. However, Val and I have... had so little to go on. Just the items recovered from Ord Montavi. And I only managed to decrypt part of the journal. He was teaching me as best he could. I was learning as best I could. The odds were stacked against us both."

"But, you created a lightsaber." Jules commented.

"I know. I guess the Force deemed it necessary." She quirked a smile.

"Could we see it in action?" Both of them leaned closer.

Duvessa squirmed. "I probably shouldn't. A lightsaber is extremely dangerous and can be hard to handle."

"Please, Duvessa."

That was all it took. She could not turn her father down. "Alright. I'll just show you a guard position. Nothing fancy. I'm not that skilled yet." Both of them nodded. Duvessa shifted her protesting cat from her lap and moved to the center of the room, away from everything important. She took a couple of calming, centering breaths, feeling the Force all around her. When she was ready, she took her lightsaber from her belt and ignited it. She was proud that it did not wobble in her hands as she showed her brother and father three standard defensive poses. Then, she turned it off, replacing it on her belt.

As she sat down, she realized from the looks on Torin and Jules' faces, they honestly had not believed that she really had begun training as a Jedi or that she had built a lightsaber. They regarded her in a different light now. With the Force still flowing through her, she found that she was not affected by their disbelief nor by their new found regard. "Well, shall I begin at the beginning and tell you of my last six months?" Torin and Jules nodded. Duvessa smiled. "Then, you two can tell me about your last fifteen years."

Over the next couple of hours, she regaled them with the stories of her adventures with the crews of the Iridium Rose and the Star Chaser. She was sure not to leave out the accomplishments of her companions as she told the tales... though, remembering that this was being recorded, she skimmed lightly over anything having to do with Jela'han.

The two men were surprised at some of the adventures dealing with the Star Destroyer Relentless and its Commander, Admiral Zaraiath. The stories about the Marquis Anatoly DeLorik, otherwise known as Darth Stygoss, shocked and dismayed her family. Both of them expressed their happiness that Darth Stygoss was no longer alive. Duvessa did not needlessly worry them with her own irrational fear that Darth Stygoss was still alive and out there... somewhere.

After satisfying their curiosity, they updated Duvessa on their lives and the lives of some of their friends. Torin was married with twin boys and had a baby girl on the way. He would be taking over the lead senator position of the Sluis system when Bruce retired next year. Marion Alteca was the junior senator who would be stepping up into Torin's spot. Bruce had decided to retire and come live on Amador, acting as the senior advisor to Jules. Jules had been successfully ruling the Sluis system with a firm, fair hand for three decades now, showing no signs of slowing down. Admiral had studded several litters of kittens, much to the appreciation of some and annoyance of others.

All of them had had their own trials with the Empire over the last fifteen years. Some close calls. Some lost friends. Some broken hearts. Some incredible victories. But, over all, it seemed that each one of them had survived and prospered. It made Duvessa proud to be from such a hearty family.

While they were talking, Jules handed over a datapad filled with messages from old friends and strangers who wished her well, offered tri-vid deals, begged for interviews or had all sorts of other requests. "It seems that someone..." Jules affectionately grinned at his son, "Ran through the palace, shouting. 'Duvessa's alive!' at the top of his lungs once he found out.... alerting everyone and his uncle to your status."

Torin grinned sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Duvessa. I was just really happy and wanted to tell Dad. I didn't know this... would come of it."

"It's alright. Lieutenant Martinez is very good at intercepting messages and I've enjoyed reading the more outlandish headlines. I think my favorite is that I am a secret Imperial weapon clone." Duvessa shook her head. "Where they come up with these ideas, I will never know."

"OH! Dad, we forgot her birthday gift!" Torin exclaimed.

"Right. You forgot. I didn't. I was just waiting to the right time." Jules smirked and turned to Duvessa. "So, how old are you, anyway?"

She knew he was joking... or hoped he was... but still answered. "Biologically, I'm about 18 and a half. Chronologically... I'm 33 today."

"Well, for such an old lady, you look lovely!" Jules' eyes twinkled as he dodged a thrown pillow. "We bought you this... " A hologram of a small, but beautiful, space yacht appeared in the center of the table. "It's called the Time Traveler and she's all yours. I thought the name was appropriate..."

"Do you like it?" Torin asked. "She's built for ten people but can be run by one or two. We have two of the house staff assigned to it." They both watched her for a reaction.

Duvessa was speechless. When she was younger... this was all that she wanted. Her own space yacht. Now, she was a little older, a lot wiser and had gone through all that she had gone through, she did not know what to think. "Thank you, Dad, Torin... This is amazing! I... don't know what to say. I'm not sure I can accept such a gift ... at least, not right now."

"What do you mean?" They asked in unison.

"Well... where I'm going, I'm going to have time to run around the galaxy." She smiled. "And I'm not sure they will allow me to have a private yacht at the Academy." She watched their faces, watching the confusion turn into understanding and a mixture of a surprise and happiness."

"You're going to the Jedi Academy." Torin said. It was both a question and a statement.

She nodded. "I will have to ask Master Valerian for the rules on this sort of thing *ugh*!" Her words were cut off as her father grabbed her up in a huge bear hug.

"My little girl is going to be a Jedi!" He said into her hair.

She hugged him back tightly, then stepped a step back to look at him. She noticed the laugh lines around his eyes and the streaks of gray in his hair. She realized the image he had kept in his mind all these years of her was that of his 'little girl' and even though it had only been six months for her, she had done a lot of growing up. "I'm not so little anymore, Dad." She said gently.

He looked at her for a long moment. Really looked at her, taking in what she wore, how she held herself and the look in her eyes. Jules nodded with the barest hint of wistfulness. "You're right. You aren't so little anymore. My beautiful daughter is going to be a Jedi. I'm so proud of you. For all that you have done and all that you will do."

"I know, Dad. I know." She smiled serenely. "So, how about letting me go back to my quarters to freshened up. Then, you and Torin can treat me to a well cooked meal."

"Sounds like a plan, hon. We'll see you in an hour or so?" Jules shook off the shocked feeling all fathers get when it dawns on them that their little girl really has grown up. He watched his two children leave his quarters and pondered the thought that he had both regained his daughter and lost his little girl again.

Torin walked her back to the Redemption. He stopped her just before the airlock. "You know, Duvessa. You really have changed. All for the better, too. I remember when I last saw you. You are so much more sure of yourself now. I have no doubt that you will do well."

"Thanks, bro. That means a lot to me." She hugged him again. "Meet you here in an hour or so?" He nodded and allowed her into the airlock.

Duvessa headed back to her quarters feeling happier than she had been in a long time. She was safe and happy. She had been accepted to the Jedi Academy to train with Val. Her family was doing very well. All seemed right with the universe. Grinning to herself, she wondered what would come next to rock her world.

She did not have to wait too long. After she returned to her quarters, she glanced over the list of messages waiting for her. One immediately caught her eye. It was from Senator Aremus Trine. The message was simple: "Duvessa, I knew I was right about you. So good to hear that you have taken control of your life. My best wishes to you in all your endeavors. -Aremus Trine" She wondered why Senator Trine remembered her after all these years. Perhaps, that was something she would have to follow up on in the future.

Then, a small box, sitting on her desk, distracted her. She looked to see who it was from but there was no card. Upon opening the box, she found a data crystal and a small bottle of perfume. The perfume was very expensive and smelled nice. Spicy, like cinnamon. She put the data crystal in the player and watched as a familiar Twi'lek face appeared. It was Jela'han.

"Ah, Duvessa, my little dumpling..." He began. "So good of you to finally make it home... Yes... Mmmm.... I'm glad you are alive... I couldn't resist reading all about you in the news. It is amazing some of the stories they come up with. I especially like this one... 'Duke's Daughter had Torrid Affair with Criminal Mastermind Jela'han' Yes... I like that one very much. Mmmmm. We should make that one come true." He paused a moment, then the recording continued. "I hope you like your little birthday gift. I couldn't resist it. It smelled so good. Mmmmmm. I just wanted to welcome you back and to let you know that we will meet again."

Duvessa started laughing when the holo turned off. She laughed even harder when she tried to replay the message and the data crystal reported that it was damaged, data inaccessible. She was still laughing as she freshened up, thinking that life had not lost its mystery in the New Republic peace. Not when she had a Senator she barely knew wiring her strange transmissions and one of the top criminal masterminds of the Galaxy giving her birthday gifts.

"And definitely not when I'm going to the Jedi Academy to train with Val again." She murmured to herself as she headed back out to the Dark Beauty for dinner with her family. "Ah, yes... life is good... and still interesting."

(c) 2000 - Eden Blackthorn