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| - “So how’s it coming?” Mara Jade Skywalker sashayed into the Skywalker’s living room, crimson hair pulled into a tail on the back of her head, lightsaber swinging gently at her left hip. Her husband was bent over a monitor on the far side of the space, his Force aura radiating concentration and carefully muted agitation. Luke looked up at her entrance and forced a smile. “We’ve already gotten a few arrivals. Reply messages have been coming in steadily for the past few hours. Most everyone should be here within two days.” She came to stand behind his chair and leaned over his right shoulder. Her emerald eyes scanned the list of names scrolling by on the computer. “Anyone decline?” Luke gave a gentle grunt that spoke volumes all in itself. “A few were a little quarrelsome, but agreed in the end. I’ve set the meeting for two days from now, 1200 hours Hapan time, here on the Pillory.” “That’ll fit nicely into the schedule Wedge and Ackbar have set out,” Mara nodded sagely. A lock of hair fell into her sight as she did so, and she brushed it behind one ear absentmindedly. “They’re going to move Teneniel to Terephon in three days. They expect a Baci attack within a standard week of that.” “I want at least one Jedi there to serve as personal protection for her,” Luke spun in his chair to face her. “We can’t chance anything.” “Agreed,” she blinked in concurrence. “That would throw Hapes into chaos. So what’s the plan, when all the Jedi do arrive? Assuming that they all come and agree to stay only servants of the Jedi Order.” “Assuming,” he chuckled gently. “Well in the Old Order, during the Clone Wars, the Jedi served alongside the army, led them even. But they took their commands from the Council, not any military hierarchy.” “So,” nonchalantly, Mara eased herself into his lap and let his arms come around her waist, “you want to integrate them with the military? What about the Jedi that are already doing that?” Luke shook his head negatively. “I don’t want them to have any fixed position or rank. Take Jaina, for instance. If I need a Jedi for a mission I can’t call on her, because her first priority is to the Rogues. And if I was to order her to leave, she would resent it. No, I want it explicitly clear to all Jedi that they are responsible to the Order first. And to do that, I think they need to be responsible to the Order alone.” “You make a good point,” her fingers trailed lazily through his hair. “But I think for this to be really effective, we have to have a Council.” “Already on it,” he grinned, and spun their mutual chair back to face the screen. “What do you think of this list? Just my first thoughts.” “You, me, Cilghal, Kyp, Corran, Kyle, Kenth, Saba, Kam, Kirana Ti, Octa, Tionne…sounds good. I can’t think of anyone else you’d really want or need on there,” she muttered. “I hope I’m not interrupting something,” a small voice echoed from the doorway. They rotated to stare at Padmé, her aged face beaming at them both. “Not at all,” Mara smiled back, and lifted herself off Luke’s lap. “We were just talking about the Jedi meeting. If all goes to plan, everyone should be here in two days.” “Good,” she sighed happily. “It’s weird for me to be saying this I suppose, but it’s really wonderful to be around Jedi again. They were such a power to be reckoned with in the days before the Empire.” Luke stood and came to take her wrinkled hands. “And we’ll be that strong again some day.” Padmé patted his cheek affectionately. “With you at the helm, I have no doubt.”
* * * The Queen Mother of Hapes, ultimate ruler of 63 worlds, looked every inch the part. Teneniel Djo’s auburn tresses were finely arranged over her regal shoulders, and her proud head seemed to have no trouble supporting the substantial crown. Her skin was rosy and full, as were her lips that parted in a welcoming smile when Tenel Ka led Jacen into the Queen’s quarters. Thick robes of state swallowed her petite form. It was a marvelously implemented ruse. If anyone had ever fit the saying appearances are deceiving, it was this woman. Jacen’s Jedi senses had always been tuned with empathy, and so with his second sight he could easily discern the tricks. Layers of makeup gave her skin color, extensions woven in with her real mane added fullness to her dull hair, and only an inner strength and a little pull on the Force allowed her to sit tall under the weight of her coronet. She was a sick woman. The room she spent most of her days was dimly lit in the twilight, casting everything in a burnished gold hue. Fabrics of the richest kind hung over the windows and covered the furniture. Old fashioned portraits of Queens past hung on the marble walls. Teneniel’s own was suspended in the next to last space, beside an empty frame. Jacen could easily guess who it was reserved for. “Mother,” Tenel Ka dropped to her knees beside the Queen’s chair, “I have a brought a friend who might be able to help you. We can trust him.” Jacen felt suddenly embarrassed that Tenel Ka had allowed him this honor. If word were to get out that Teneniel was ill, the assassination attempts on her life would increase twofold. No one knew the depth of her sickness besides Tenel Ka, probably not even Isolder. The pretenses surrounding her were much too important. Teneniel’s amber eyes flicked to Jacen’s blanched face. “You are Jacen Solo, are you not?” “I am, Your Highness,” he bowed deeply before her. “Rise,” she commanded. “Tenel Ka, what can he do that you have not already done?” “Mother,” her gray eyes were pleading, “he can only try. Please, let him.” The Queen continued to stare hard at Jacen, and he had the uneasy feeling he was being scrutinized like a pack animal. Finally a smile teased the corners of her lips, “What is it Luke is always saying? Do or do not. There is no try.” Jacen grinned back, realizing on some innate level that the two of them now had an unspoken understanding. “That is the Jedi way.” One graceful hand waved for him to proceed. “Then by all means, do, Jacen Solo.” Tenel Ka took a step back, giving him room to advance. Jacen shook his head and motioned her forward again. Taking her hand he said, “I might need your help as well.” She blew out a nervous breath, the nodded once. The two of them moved to kneel before Teneniel, and with his free hand, Jacen brushed her forehead lightly. The Queen immediately fell into a deep, Force-induced slumber. Her head bobbed gently forward, and Tenel Ka removed the weighty crown, setting it on the floor beside her. Jacen closed his eyes. In his mind, he reached for the energy in his lightsaber crystal, drawing it into himself. He was a conduit, and would direct that power into the Queen Mother. Tenel Ka’s fierce presence became brighter as he delved into the Force, and instinctively he reached for her. Their minds melded slowly, combining their strengths. For a moment they meditated on their task, simply gathered power and intensity unto themselves. Tenel Ka moved to attack first, because of her intimate knowledge of the Queen and her weaknesses. Jacen followed the path she created, pouring healing energy all through Teneniel’s ravaged body. Together they rebuilt cells and strengthened her immune system. Anything that was any less than perfect they attacked with a vigor. Her whole body was polished to perfection. Throughout the process their spirits continued to bond and join, sharing a level of intimacy that rivaled his own with Jaina. At one point it almost seemed like they were one person, fixed with one purpose. It wasn’t awkward or unnatural, but flowed easily to them both. At last, their work done, Jacen parted from her and returned to the conscious plane. The dark outside had by then become full, and he wondered how long they had worked. He felt Tenel Ka stir beside him, and turn to watch as her eyes fluttered gently open. She blinked a few times, then turned her silver gaze on him. A tender smile curved her full mouth. “I think we did it,” she whispered. He grinned back in agreement. “I think we did.” Overcome with joy, she laughed gleefully and pulled him into a celebratory hug. They embraced tightly, laughing in victory. Finally Jacen tugged back an inch or so, looking down into her upturned face. And suddenly it was uncomfortable, as if he was too close to her. The contact stirred something beneath the surface of his mind, and he let his arms drop away from her in fear. He saw the same emotion reflected in her gaze. They were saved from the moment when Teneniel roused from her own sleep. She took a few labored breaths, then squinted open her eyes. “Mother?” Tenel Ka grasped one hand in both her own, hopeful. “Are you all right? How are you feeling?” The Queen glanced from Tenel Ka to Jacen and back again. “I feel…” another deep breath. Then, a sweet smile. “I feel wonderful.”
* * * Leia kept to the back of the chamber as the Jedi began to assemble in the large conference room. There was a stage up front, usually where generals or admirals detailed the plan of battle. Instead, her brother Luke sat on the edge of the platform, legs swinging over the edge like the farmboy he was at heart. Rows of benches filed backwards from the dais, and the Jedi filled them quickly. Most of them she knew by name as well as face, but a few she did not. In truth, she wasn’t sure what she was doing there. She had turned her back on the ways of the Force, determined to live in a way that would keep herself and all those she loved out of danger. Her birthright was that danger, and so she would reject it. The Force no longer sang the melody of her soul. Because she had once known that power, she was in a constant state of disorientation. But she could imagine the hum in the air that day as so many strong Jedi gathered in one place. Part of her longed to feel it, too. Just as everyone was settling down, a last figure emerged from the back doors. Leia’s eyes widened in shock as Padmé shuffled discreetly to stand beside her. “Mother, what are you doing here?” she whispered. Padmé cocked one gray eyebrow and grinned. “Everyone I love is a Jedi. I have as much right to hear this as anyone else.” Leia’s reply was cut short as a sudden hush fell on the group. If she had been privy to it, Leia was sure she would have felt Luke’s voice in her mind calling for silence as well. When all had stopped speaking, he began. “Greetings, my fellow Jedi. I am glad all your journeys here have been safe and swift. I know some of you are probably wondering why I requested your presence, but most of you have likely guessed my intent. First of all, I want to open the floor for questions about anything to do with the Baci.” A Rodian Jedi near the back who Leia didn’t recognize stood and said, “Master Skywalker, is it true that all the Baci are Force-sensitive?” “It is,” Luke lowered his head in a quick nod. “This is the reason their threat is so dire.” There were murmurs as the Jedi conversed quietly about this new piece of information. Kyp Durron decided to speak next. His wine colored cape billowed around him as he stood and said, “Do we have an accurate estimate of their total numbers yet, Master?” Luke seemed to hesitate, then replied, “We guess that the total Baci population is somewhere in the hundred millions. Enough to populate a large world.” “Like Thrakia,” Padmé muttered under her breath. Leia sighed in agreement. “What about these Chiss, Master?” Kyle Katarn was the next to voice concern. “Exactly what is their role in this? Reports have been very ambiguous this far.” “The Chiss have developed a piece of supertechnology that can tear the shields off an enemy fleet. Intelligence, with assistance from my niece Jaina, managed to convince the CEDF we had stolen the plans and other chunks of information, and then induced them to aid us so we won’t use it against them. Our alliance is tenuous, but should hold. We also have a team of Chiss developing a new prototype of these shield strippers on Contruum. They should be ready for use in battle in a few months time.” This time the chorus of grumbled responses grew in volume. It was a very precarious position the Chiss had put them in. “Are there any further questions?” Luke almost had to shout into the melee. The talk immediately dropped several notches, and Luke pressed on. “Anyone can now see that the situation we are in is ominous. As the protectors of peace and justice in the galaxy, it is up to us to bring this war to as swift an end as possible. And to do that we must be a unified body. We are strongest when we are together and combined. To this end, I am requesting that all members who wish to remain a part of the Jedi Order resign any positions not connected with it.” The uproar was astounding, several Jedi coming to their feet while others just sat, silent and shocked. Voices clamored and echoed in the meeting hall, so loud Leia winced. Arguments sprung out as some Jedi defended Luke to the others. “This also means,” Luke’s voice continued to rise unnaturally above the shouts, “all military posts are to be resigned. Any and all jobs not in conjunction with the Order should be left. That, or I must formally ask you to turn in your lightsaber and leave the Jedi.” The ruckus slowly died down as the full magnitude of his words sank in. The first person to speak was, not surprisingly, Jaina. “Master Luke, you can’t possibly expect this,” she stood, hands on hips, defiant. “I’m a Rogue, a pilot. I have responsibilities! And I am helping this war by fighting with them.” “Jaina,” a new voice chimed in, “your first responsibility is to the Force. And so should it be your only responsibility. Master Skywalker is only asking you to be what you should have been all along.” Leia craned her neck to see, and finally pegged Luke’s supporter as the blond Jedi Master, Kenth Hamner. The noise began to swell once again, but her twin quieted it with a wave of his hand. “Silence, please. I am not done. In conjunction with this new mandate, we will be forming a Masters’ Council. All Jedi will take orders directly from this council, just like in the days of the Old Republic. We will also begin developing a plan of retreat in case of an event similar to the Purges, though I pray that it will never come to that.” The grave words set everyone aback, and the crowd quickly fell into an awkward silence. They were stunned and confused, but Leia had faith that they would side with Luke. They were Jedi, after all, and he was their undisputed leader. They would trust his wisdom. “I beg of you,” Luke said at long last, “please take heed of my words. The Force is stronger than the Baci. We will defend our galaxy and our way of life. If any of you decide you cannot abide by these new directives, I will expect you to see me before the day’s end and turn over your lightsaber. For the rest of you, you will be assigned quarters here on Hapes—generously provided by Queen Mother Teneniel and Princess Tenel Ka—” he nodded to Tenel Ka, who sat on the right side of the room with Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin, “until we find a better base of operations.” He pursed his lips, then lifted his hands in farewell. “May the Force be with us all.”
* * * “Is everything in place?” Cale sat in his new command chamber in the refurbished house he had claimed on Thrakia. It was spacious and overly grandiose, and he loved it. His feet propped in the great wood desk, he eyed Zeya over a goblet of aged wine. She was equally relaxed this evening, her raven hair down and glossy in the light of the fireplace. She swirled her own glass in both hands delicately, and for a second Cale could almost believe that she wasn’t the most ruthless and cunning warrior in his military. “Three teams were smuggled onto Terephon’s surface six hours ago.” He frowned lightly, and took a long sip from his tumbler. “Why a surface team? I thought we were going for an orbital assault.” “Yes, and so will the enemy,” her eyes glittered. “If they run to their Queen’s rescue, they’ll only know about our naval forces, and what teams we send to the ground when we arrive in force. They won’t know about these. While all their soldiers are tied up defending her, whether in the sky or on the ground, we’ll sneak in from behind.” She tasted her drink thoughtfully. “This is all precautionary, of course. I fully expect them to be taken unawares.” “Better safe than sorry,” he agreed. “Now, what about Leia?” Her face pinched as if she had just tasted something sour. “She’s surely terminated the pregnancy by now.” “I don’t think so,” Cale argued. “She is too noble deep down to take the life of her own child, no matter what the cost.” “We’ll have to wait until she gives birth,” Zeya shrugged simply. “The child will be much easier abducted then.” “Hmm,” he chewed on his lower lip unhappily. “I still cannot believe you allowed her to escape.” “Me?” she almost choked on her laughter and disbelief. “You were the one stupid enough to let her out of her cell. And after she had almost killed you once before, too!” “Yes, yes,” his countenance darkened, “but you were in charge of security. There should have been layers of defense to stop her.” “There were layers,” she snapped, slamming the glass down on his desk. “She killed them all.” He let out a tense breath, then gave a wave of his hand in apology. “I suppose. I am just terribly inconvenienced by this. I need an heir, Zeya.” She grunted, then picked up her glass again. “Just find someone else.” “Who? Who is worthy?” “It doesn’t matter if she’s worthy,” Zeya scoffed, “so long as she’s healthy enough for you to so your royal seed,” the last was said with an eye roll. “I can find you any common whore who will do the deed just as well. Plus she will be much more likely to give the baby up to you on its birth.” “I don’t want to share the power with another House,” he grumbled. “It weakens the Wilos supremacy.” “No one has greater concern for the welfare of our clan than I,” she reminded him. “But we are losing influence the longer you go without naming an heir.” Cale was silent a moment, then gave her a hard look. “Why are you pushing this? One would think you, of all people, would hope I died childless.” “Just because I am your second,” she pointed a thin finger in his direction, “doesn’t mean I am eager to take up your mantle. I do not want to be Premier. And besides, I will be an old woman too, by the time you die.” “Unless I am killed,” he told her. “You will not be killed, Cale. I have made sure of it so far, and I will continue to do so. That is why I want you to take a woman again to your bed.” He smirked roguishly and said behind his cup, “My bed is never empty, Zeya.” “I know of your foolish affairs. But none of them are suitable to be the mother of your heir. They all have their own allegiances. Let me bring you an appropriate concubine,” she leaned forward eagerly. “And you think,” he said at last, slowly, “that Leia’s son is lost to me forever?” “We need a fallback, that is for certain. And we will keep it a secret until birth, just to guarantee its safety,” she explained. He heaved a great sigh. “Fine. I must have a child, one way or another.”
* * * “It’s all ready?” “The Queen Mother is en route to Terephon,” Iella answered her husband, her eyes still glued to the data terminal before her. “None of the Hapan nobles were notified, everything is nice and quiet.” “Are the minelayers prepared?” Wedge pressed. “All is set and green. We also have a team of our own security personnel with the Queen, besides her own retinue. I believe Princess Tenel Ka went as well, and the Jedi sent Jacen Solo, just in case. She should be well protected.” “Good, good,” he paced the floor of the control room, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. It was an instinct born of too many battles, and if he had been a Jedi, Wedge would have probably called it a danger sense. He was suddenly doubting this plan. “Stop worrying,” Iella instructed him crossly, spinning her chair around to face him. “Everything is fine.” “The fleet is ready to jump?” “Everyone is at their stations. Wedge, honey, this plan is going to work. The Baci will jump into a minefield, and our fleet will trap them against it. If anything gets to the surface, we have all the new equipment waiting, and a whole legion of Jedi down there ready to tear them to pieces. The Queen will be fine, the navy will have the advantage…” she took his hand and squeezed tightly, smiling. “It’s a good plan.” “We’ll have to make this work,” he told her, face grim. “We have no choice.” “I know, and we will. And besides, Jag just reported in that the shield stripper construction is way ahead of schedule. Two months and we should have a functioning set.” “Excellent,” he agreed. “I just have this feeling that there’s something we’re not taking into account.” “Then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Come on, it’s late. Let’s hit the sack.” Her blue eyes took on a mischievous hue. “Maybe I can help you relax a little.” He chuckled softly as he helped her to her feet. His lips pressed against her forehead gently. “I’m certainly willing to let you try.”
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