The Arcadia Chronicles

The setting sun sent streaks of colour across the horizon. Muted pinks filtered into soft oranges and pale blues. Leia sat on a crate between the two ships watching Mother Nature’s glorious display. It always amazed her that no matter what was happening to her or the people around her that in the grand scheme of things, it all paled into insignificance. The universe still expanded, the planets continued on their journeys around their suns, new worlds began, old worlds died, cultures flourished or came to an end. Life and Time continued on.

She had become so accustomed to loss. There was a time when she felt that circumstance had hardened her so much that she could survive any matter of pain and for a while that had been true. Life, it seemed, had conspired against her. There had been much loss and the pain had threatened to overwhelm her but she had overcome that and now she was stronger and happier than she had been in a long time. She had Han and her children to thank for that. Just as she had thought that life couldn’t get any better, fate had stepped in and surprised her once again.

She was still in shock that both her sister and Zac were alive. The realisation that Arcadia had survived the horrific destruction of Alderaan and had been in hiding all this time played on her mind. She couldn’t imagine what that would have been like for her. She at least had a support network around her, a job to do, a mission to complete. Arcadia had none of that. She was a sixteen year old girl, without a home, without a family, with only her instincts and her nineteen year old bodyguard to protect her. At least Leia could still use her name and her title, Arcadia didn’t have that luxury. She had come a long way since Leia had last seen her, maturing into a beautiful, independent, successful woman. Leia knew that her parents would have been proud.

“Hey Leia.”

Startled out of her thoughts Leia spun around to see Luke standing behind her. Taking a deep breath and placing a hand on her chest she closed her eyes and tried to steady her pounding heart.

“Luke, you scared me.”

Smiling down at his sister, Luke placed a hand on her shoulder then sat down on the crate next to her.

“I’m sorry,” he told her. “Where are those Jedi instincts of yours?”

Shaking her head and smiling at him she replied, “I was distracted.”

Luke gave her a knowing look. “Cadi,” he said. “I know what you mean. I haven’t been able to get her off my mind either. She is hanging in there though, Leia. I know she is, you do too. I know you can feel her just like I can.”

Looking into her brother’s eyes she noticed something that she had never seen before. Sure, there was concern, a hint of fear but there was also something else. She stretched out with her feelings and probed her brother gently. Luke felt her searching him and opened up to her for a moment before thinking better of it and severing the link. The brief insight was all that Leia needed. She was amazed at the depth of Luke’s feelings for Arcadia but she didn’t need to be a Jedi to see the longing in his eyes.

“You’re in love with her Luke.” It was more a statement than a question. Giving his sister a smirk he looked down at his hands.

“Yeah, Leia, I am.”

Sighing loudly she continued, “Oh, Luke, this is going to get complicated. Does Zac know? And more importantly does Cadi?”

Biting his bottom lip Luke tried to suppress a smile, “She has an idea Leia, I mean, I did kiss her and as for Zac…well let’s just say that he wasn’t impressed with what he saw.”

Shaking her head she gave her brother a wry smile. “How do you get yourself into these messes Luke?”

Chuckling softly he replied, “Luck I guess.”

Lifting his head he noticed the look in her eyes, “What’s that look for Leia? You knew I was attracted to her from the start.”

Raising an eyebrow at him she answered, “You’re attracted to a number of women Luke, Callista, Mara Jade, that girl on Vega IV.” Tilting her head to the side she asked, “shall I go on?”

“What’s your point, Leia?”

“What I am saying Luke is that I have never felt this depth of emotion from you before.”

“That’s because I have never felt like this before.”

Studying his twin for a moment he considered whether or not to confide in her. The questioning look that she gave him was all the nudging he needed. He wanted to tell someone and of all people Leia would understand.

“I had a vision Leia, a premonition. I saw my future and Cadi was right there with me.”

Leia began to shake her head but Luke cut her off before she could start.

“I know what you’re going to say. The future is constantly in motion and that what I saw was just one thread but it felt so right Leia. Just like when she was asleep in my arms. I don’t know how to explain it. She makes me feel… whole.”

The beeping from his communicator begged for his attention. Lifting his wrist to his mouth he spoke into it

“Yeah?”

There was a moment of static then Han’s voice emanated from the device. “Do you need me to draw you a map kid?”

Chuckling softly and exchanging a look with his sister, he gazed up into the Falcon’s cockpit before replying, “I’m on my way, Han.” Reaching over he placed a soft kiss on his sister’s cheek then made his way to the battered ship.

Leia watched him leave, the soft glow of the lights that had begun to turn themselves on, illuminated her features and cast eerie shadows into the darkening clearing. As night began to fall and the first specks of light appeared in the sky, a soft mist began to form. It slowly crept around the bushes and rolled over the long grass. Soon the entire area beyond the energy field was shrouded in the mist, tendrils of white swirling against the invisible barrier. The darkening skies brought with them new sounds, piercing shrieks and mournful howls shattered the silence. The glow of the lights failed to penetrate the thickening clouds. Instead their brightness was reflected back into the clearing, making the mist look like an impenetrable yellow wall.

Trying to suppress a shudder, Leia wondered at what lurked in the darkness, hidden from unsuspecting eyes in the cold swirling fog. Any manner of beast could be circling the clearing, licking its jowls at the thought of making her its next meal. Icy fingers crept up her spine chilling the blood in her veins.

“Leia, get down!”

Moving swiftly, she threw herself to the ground as successive green beams hissed overhead. There was a loud screech followed by a thud. Rolling back onto her haunches, Leia quickly sprang to her feet, her weapon drawn.

“It’s okay Leia, it’s dead or at least I think it is.” Jenkins’ heart was still racing as he kept his weapon trained on the creature that had so suddenly sprung up behind the princess.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I have no idea but I thought it wise to shoot first and ask questions later.”

Peering at the mass of shiny dark scales, Leia caught sight of large fangs. “Good decision,” she concurred, “thanks Thomas, you saved my life.”

Zac strode out of the ship just in time to see Jenkins gun down the dark shadow that materialised behind Leia. Drawing his weapon he ran down the ramp, his wrist to his mouth as he commanded the secdroids into action.

“Are you okay Leia?” he asked, concern etched on his handsome features.

“Yes, I’m fine, thanks to Thomas.”

Zac flashed Jenkins a glowering look then leant over to examine the still smouldering carcass. “Now how did you get in here?” he asked it quietly. Straightening again he studied the area around the creature. The energy field was still active. It encircled both ships and the clearing between them in a dome of protection, yet this creature had somehow managed to breech it. “What am I missing?” he asked himself as he looked around.
Cursing the increasing fogginess of his mind he tried to push past the barriers his exhausted subconscious was erecting and grasp at clearer thought. The task was hard enough as it was but with the added smouldering anger that he barely kept in check to deal with, it was almost impossible.
“Focus!” he growled to himself as he sensed Jenkins move up near him to get a closer look at the creature.

He knew that he was missing something. His gaze kept returning to a particular spot but for some reason the significance wasn’t registering. Closing his eyes tightly he inhaled deeply and counting to ten he released his anger and frustration through a slow hissing breath. As he opened his eyes again and focused, it finally dawned on him. A mound of dirt was heaped on the ground behind one of the crates. Walking carefully over to it he leant down and peered into what appeared to be a burrow. Exhaling in disgust he backed away from the hole and turned to see Jenkins nudging the creature with his boot.

“It came up out of the ground.”

Both Leia and Jenkins turned to look at him as he spoke. The smell of ozone and the crackling of energy startled Zac. He hadn’t even realised that the blasts had come from his own weapon as a second creature landed lifelessly on top of Jenkins knocking him to the ground. It took a long moment for Zac’s instinctual reaction to register with his hazy mind.

“Damn I must be tired. I don’t remember squeezing the trigger.”

Jenkins frantically disentangled himself from the scaly beast and backed away looking around him in a flash of wild panic.

“We’d better get inside,” Leia offered as she too scanned the surrounding area. “There could be more of them.”

Nodding Zac motioned for the others to ascend the ramp into the safety of the ship. He stood guard long enough to ensure they were on board then he too climbed up and secured the hatch.

Jenkins had regained enough control over his fears to realise that Zac had just saved his life.
“Thank you, sir,” he offered, “I owe you one.”

A simple nod was all that Zac could trust himself imparting in return. He feared that if he opened his mouth to speak, Jenkins would realise that he was on to him and in his current exhausted state he knew that he was unable to deal with it accordingly. Zac wondered if he had been fully alert whether he would have bothered to shoot the creature that pounced on Jenkins. Watching his retreating form his blazing eyes narrowed. “First things first,” he told himself as he returned to the cockpit with the intention of properly securing the landing site.

Leia smoothed her face as Zac walked past her. She had become quite adept at picking up on subtle mood changes in people, so it was impossible for her to miss the blatant hostile glare that Zac threw at Jenkins the moment his back was turned. Something major was going on here. She could almost smell the rising testosterone levels in the ship. “ Typical Cadi,” she thought, “not even here and still driving the men to distraction.” She had a feeling that she was going to need all her diplomacy to sort this one out.

Arcadia sauntered across the ballroom, her swaying hips evoking appreciative stares from the male guests and indignant frowns from the females. The low cut red gown that she was wearing hugged her curves and left her midriff bare. Thin strands crisscrossed her tanned flesh, connecting the top to the low sitting fitted skirt at her hips. The split that ran from her upper thigh to the floor revealed her long lean leg as she moved. Her hair was piled loosely on top of her head, several long tendrils framed her face and fell casually across her back. Her full red lips parted in a radiant smile as she saw Zac eyeing her as she approached. He was idly rubbing the rim of the champagne flute he was holding across his bottom lip.

Arcadia noticed how handsome he looked. The way he filled out his black pants, white shirt and matching jacket enticed her senses. He was attracting his fair share of attention too. Several times Arcadia had heard mention of his incredible green eyes and she smirked at the remarks of what one woman had said she wanted to do to him. “If they only knew,” she thought in amusement. In typical Zac fashion he was taking it all in his stride, barely aware of the commotion that he was causing, his smouldering emerald eyes levelled on her. Taking a sip from his glass, he let his gaze travel slowly over her body before returning to meet her amused smirk.

“Do you like what you see?” she purred into his ear, brushing her body up against him briefly but long enough for him to know it wasn’t accidental.

Breathing deeply he inhaled the intoxicating scent of vanilla. He loved the way it mixed with her natural freshness, the combined effect tantalising his senses. It was pure Arcadia, vanilla and musk, warmth and passion.
“Hell yeah,” he whispered hoarsely as he ran his hands down the bare warm flesh of her waist. Closing her eyes she smiled at the feel of his warm breath against her neck.

“Cadi,” the word was insistent in her mind.

Her eyes opened to see Luke gazing at her, the intensity in his bright blue eyes making her breath catch. “Luke,” she whispered as she moved towards him. Her red gown was now a pristine white. The crowds of people had faded and she was alone with him in a candle lit room. The soft glow of the flickering flames threw dancing shadows against the walls. His brown hair was tousled and he had a ‘just returned from saving the universe’ look about him. He too wore black pants, but his soft blue shirt was casually unbuttoned half way down the front revealing the smooth lines of his muscular chest. Reaching his hand out to her he slowly pulled her in to him.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said, biting his bottom lip. Running his hand gently across her cheek and over her lips he stepped in closer. “Come here,” he said, his voice thick with desire.

Arcadia’s heart was pounding as he leaned down and pressed his lips onto hers, a soft moan escaping from the back of her throat as she melted into his embrace. His gentle kisses slowly turned more insistent as the heat between them intensified. His hands roamed over her body, evoking moans of pleasure from her. Those sweet sounds she was making were slowly causing Luke to lose control. Never had he felt such unbridled passion. It seemed that his hands had a will of their own as they ran up her silky thigh.

Arcadia felt the wall against her back and for a moment wondered at how it got there. Its stability was a welcome sensation as the torrents of emotions washed over her. She needed its solidity to anchor herself as the rising desire threatened to sweep her away. Closing her eyes she felt Luke’s lips burning a path over her chest, his ragged breathing mirroring hers.

A tingling sensation rose through her as the kissing became more familiar. The pace was no longer as urgent as his lips sucked slowly on her skin, working back up her throat. His hand cradling her head tilted it forward to allow him better access to the back of her neck. Soft moans of pleasure accompanied the shivers that ran down her spine. Opening her eyes she looked into Zac’s smouldering gaze, she parted her lips as he ran his thumb across them, her tongue whetting his appetite.

Crushing his lips on hers, a deep moan vibrated at the back of his throat as she pressed her body into his, her hips grinding against his own. His tongue entangled with hers as she pulled him in closer, her nails lightly grazing his back and running through his hair.

“Cadi.”

There it was again, that insistent voice in her head. Opening her eyes once more she sees Luke standing behind Zac.

“Choose, Cadi. Him or me.”

Her eyes were hooded with desire as Zac sucked his way down her neck and across her chest. “No,” she breathed. “I want you both.” A purr escaped her throat as she tilted her head back against the wall, her arched spine revealing more soft flesh for Zac to kiss. Her eyes fluttered open and the sensual look she gave Luke through her lashes accompanied by her outstretched hand proved too much of a temptation. Moving forward he accepted her invitation and leaned in to kiss her.

The cell walls were too thick for the soft moans to carry out into the hallway. Even if they hadn’t been, there was no one out there to hear them. Everyone was asleep. Arcadia squirmed under the blankets on the narrow cot as she felt the warmth of his embrace. On the other side of the galaxy, Zac and Luke were also asleep, both of them breathing heavily in their respective beds as the passionate encounter played out in their subconscious minds. It wasn’t the first time that any of them had had an erotic dream but this was more than that and on some level they knew it.

The cot shuddered as Arcadia was jolted awake. For a moment she had no idea where she was. Her breathing was ragged and she was drenched in sweat, the heat of her body radiating around her. She could still feel their hands on her body, the taste of them still lingered on her lips, their musky scent still surrounded her. “That was no dream,” her mind screamed at her as her eyes adjusted to the gloom of the room. Still breathing deeply, she pressed her palm against her chest in an attempt to calm her pounding heart. “Damn!” she whispered, “where did that come from?”