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| - The ride from the Galactic Voyager back to the Pillory was filled with silence. Leia stayed in the cockpit with Han and Chewbacca, watching the transition from ship to ship. Padmé was in the main hold with Threepio and Artoo, who had only recently been smuggled from the Solo apartment on Coruscant. Shockingly, Padmé had once been the owner of the family droids, and was more than pleased to see yet another tie to her old life. Leia examined the back of her husband’s head thoughtfully as they began the docking procedures. They had been having dinner together almost every night, and occasionally the conversation flowed like old times. Yet the uncomfortable strain usually took its toll before the end. So much had transpired, they just needed something to think about other than the near end of their marriage. It was the bantha in the room no one wanted to acknowledge. The Millennium Falcon gained clearance, and Han eased the aging ship inside the bay. Once the landing was complete, Leia wordlessly unlocked her crash webbing and shuffled to the entry. Padmé joined her there, and they waited patiently for the ramp to lower. Leia felt Han’s hand on the small of her back as they exited the Falcon, staying her. She jumped in surprise, then turned to look up at him. There was a glean to his eye she couldn’t distinguish. Bereft of the Force, she no longer had the insight to his mind she once did. “What do you say we take the long way back to your quarters?” he offered. She glanced at her mother, who observed the exchange closely. Padmé shrugged and said before Leia ever asked, “I am fine, go ahead.” Her brown eyes bore into Leia’s, trying to entreat a message she couldn’t quite grasp. Then the former queen and senator turned, gracefully strolling across the hangar to the bank of turbolifts without a backwards glance. And then there they were, alone. He didn’t remove his hand from her back as they sauntered slowly after Padmé. “I’ve been thinking,” he said at last, eyes straight ahead. “How dangerous,” she teased, mostly to cover the spike of anxiety that had just shot through her. She had been waiting for a moment like this to come, for him to tell her that he just couldn’t do it. Leia braced herself. He threw her a generous smirk before continuing. “After the war is over,” he began, “I was thinking we should go back to Corellia. You know, let the galaxy take care of itself for a while.” He hesitated briefly, then said, “Maybe do this baby more justice than the first three.” Shock resonated in her at his words. They stepped inside an empty turbolift, and she waited until the door slid shut before speaking. “I hadn’t really thought about what would come after this. I’ve been so focused on the moment. The baby…” her fingers caressed the fabric over her gently swollen stomach. She shook her head as if to clear it. “I’ve been preoccupied.” Han took her hand in his own, squeezing it hard. “I know I haven’t been perfect, but I’m trying, I really am—” She turned to face him, eyes wide. “Han, you’ve been wonderful, so much more understanding than I had ever hoped.” The back of his hand brushed her cheek gently. “You can’t help what happened to you. It’s that kriffing piece of filth they call Premier,” hate tinged his words. “And I love you. This baby is half you, and so I can love it through you.” His last turn of phrase was slow and deliberate, and she got the feeling he had spent a long time searching for just the right words. Overcome and at a loss for a better solution, Leia threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him as fiercely as she could. He yanked her close, all gentleness gone as they fulfilled desires kept dormant for far too long. Their passion was aged to perfection, and yet Leia could relish in the taste of him as if for the first time. His lips left hers briefly to trail along her jaw line, ending in a sweet kiss beneath her ear. She sighed, and then they just stayed locked that way, in a crushing embrace. They were fighters, both of them, and this was just another battle to conquer. The turbolift door slid aside, and they were forced to move. Hand in hand, they continued down the corridors. “I think Corellia is a great idea,” she answered after a spell. “We need to get away from everything for a while. I’m so tired of it all. I just want to rest.” “I think our retirement is long overdue,” he agreed grimly. “No more politics, no more war. After the Baci are defeated, I don’t care if we never go back to Coruscant.” Leia’s mind turned briefly to Borsk Fey’lya, Chief of State of a Republic that no longer existed. “I doubt we would be welcome in any case.” They arrived all too soon at the suite she had been sharing with her mother. The control pad’s light still glowed bright red, indicating Padmé had yet to enter. She would have left it unlocked for Leia. She must have gone to Luke and Mara’s quarters instead. This knowledge settling in her gut, Leia looked up into her husbands brown eyes, the eyes she had dreamed of all through her captivity. Things had certainly been difficult since they had decided to save their marriage, but perhaps that had only been temporary as they overcame the original awkwardness. Either way, she was ready to take the next step forward. One hand lifted to touch his face, running her thumb along the scar on his chin. She took a shuddering breath and said, “Why don’t you come inside?” His eyebrows lifted minutely, and then a touch of a grin graced his lips. A slight nod was her answer, and then a kiss to her forehead. She keyed opened the door, and he followed her inside.
* * * The morning air on Hapes was temperate but humid, and moisture had begun to gather on Jaina’s skin long before she should have broken out in sweat. But a half hour into her sprint with Tenel Ka, Jaina was sure most of the stickiness was of her own making. Hot breath thundered from her lungs as her feet flew across the tightly packed earth. The wind was sweet and cool, and was her only relief under the quickly rising sun. She was determined to keep up on her own stamina, without using the Force to replenish her. A few paces ahead, Tenel Ka’s warrior braids streamed behind her like a comet’s tail. She was exhilarated by the run, rather than exhausted. The corded muscles in her calves and thighs worked underneath the milky skin, and Jaina envied the ease with which she raced down the footpath in the royal gardens. Jaina’s mind revolved around other matters as she ran, items of a more personal nature. She had called her mother on the Pillory that morning, but had received no answer. So instead she had simply left a short letter. It wasn’t the most ideal way to make amends with Leia, but at the same time it gave her a better chance to say everything she wanted to without stumbling over her words. She was eager to hear back, to get a response, now that the first step had been taken. There was just so much they needed to talk about. Finally Tenel Ka called a halt, and Jaina was pleased to see that the princess was also a little breathless. “A good run, my friend,” she patted Jaina’s arm in congratulations. “Thanks,” Jaina wiped the sweat out of her eyes and took a long swig from her water bottle. She capped it, and then checked her chrono. “Uh-oh. I have to be back at HQ in fifteen minutes. Stang,” the last came out as more of a sigh than an actual curse. Tenel Ka’ smoky eyes brightened at her words. “Then we shall have to hurry!” She turned without a word and broke into a fast jog, headed for the palace gates. Jaina, left with no other choice, turned to follow. The Dathomiri woman led them through the cluttered Hapan streets, never faltering in her step. Their destination was a dozen blocks away, a squat structure that sprawled over several acres. It had formerly been a low rate motel, but true to her promise to the Rogues, Tenel Ka had commissioned it from the owner as the new base in Chume’Dan for the snubfighter squadrons. It had been easily retrofitted to meet their needs. Across from the new headquarters, on the large ferrocrete slab that used to be the parking facilities, was the reformed landing zone. Dozens of X-wings, Y-wings, and E-wings were tightly packed onto the surface. Jaina flashed her ID badge at the guard posted at the gate as they jogged through. As they drew past the barred entry there came a rush of artificial wind, and the distinct scream of clawcraft engines. Tenel Ka stopped in her tracks so fast Jaina almost crashed into her. In unison they lifted their hands to shield their eyes, then glanced up into the sky. The Chiss squadron stayed in rigid formation as they switched from ion engines to repulsorlifts. They swung around in a unit, squeezing into an impossibly tiny space between the Rogues and another squadron. Tenel Ka gave a sniff of approval. “Impressive.” Jaina grinned, her eyes on the foremost clawcraft and the bobbing, helmeted head inside as the pilot powered down. He had commed her the previous evening to check in and make sure they were both still in one piece, but it was an entirely different relief to see him with her own two eyes. At the same time, she felt a stiffening around her heart. Tenel Ka’s earlier warning still rang inside her head. Was her time with Jag now worth the pain she would suffer when he left? “You know how you had asked for an introduction to an acquaintance of mine last night?” Jaina asked her friend, her eyes still on Jag. “Yes,” Tenel Ka’s brow cocked curiously. “Still up for it?” The rosy corners of her lips turned upwards. “Of course.” Jaina stepped forward and motioned for her to follow. The two women marched between the cooling snubfighters, the heat from the engines making Jaina break out in a whole new layer of sweat. Inwardly she grimaced at her appearance, but knew she would rather see him as she was than not see him at all. Jag had climbed from the confines of the cockpit and was pulling off his helmet when he noticed them. Jaina graced him with a fleeting smile. “Colonel Fel.” He started to smile back, and then took notice of her companion. He bowed to them both. “Lieutenant Solo. How may I be of service?” She reached out and laid a hand on Tenel Ka’s shoulder. “Princess Tenel Ka and I were taking a morning run and witnessed your squadron’s excellent maneuvers, and she asked to meet the commander.” Tenel Ka’s eyes flashed at Jaina’s small fib, but said nothing to contradict her. “This is Colonel Jagged Fel.” Jag executed another bow, this time deeper. “It is an honor to meet Your Majesty.” She curled her mouth wryly. “It’s Tenel Ka, please.” “As you wish.” Tenel Ka stole an amused glance at Jaina, and then turned back to face him. “I am impressed with your squadron, Colonel.” “If I am to call you Tenel Ka, I insist you call me Jag.” “Very well, Jag. But the sentiment is the same.” “Thank you,” he nodded. “My pilots are some of the finest you will find in the Ascendancy, and even in the galaxy as a whole.” “I’m sure,” she smiled. Her steely eyes flickered to the TIE reminiscent fighter thoughtfully. “I am very interested in these Chiss fighters. Perhaps you could point out their finer qualities at dinner tonight with Jaina and me.” Jaina threw her a stunned look. They had not discussed having dinner, and Jaina had no idea whether or not she might have a patrol. “I’m not sure—” “Don’t worry about it,” Tenel Ka anticipated her. “I’ll speak with Captain Darklighter.” “But my duty—” “As a friend is to assist me in planning for the upcoming strategy involving my mother,” she finished. She softened the words with a playful smile. Jaina bit the inside of her cheek, and turned to Jag. He glanced to her, then to the princess, knowing something had transpired between them he couldn’t quite understand. “I would be honored, Tenel Ka.” “Wonderful. We will see you at 1900 hours, then?” “I will be there.” Tenel Ka led a numb Jaina away by the arm. Once out of earshot she hissed, “What are you thinking? I can’t neglect my station—” “I am thinking, my friend, that you deserve some time alone with Colonel Fel without fear of being observed,” she explained calmly. Jaina blinked, then sputtered, “Oh. Um…thank you, I guess.” “You’re more than welcome,” she replied, a touch of a smile on her lips. “So you like him, then?” Jaina prodded. “He’s certainly handsome, I’ll give you that much,” she chuckled. Jaina giggled lightheartedly. “Besides that!” “He seems to like you very much.” Her eyes lit up. “Really? You think so?” Tenel Ka inclined her head, laughing. “Yes, I’m afraid he does.” For some reason, Jaina couldn’t keep the smile off her face. She started to make another comment when Tenel Ka exclaimed delightedly, “Jacen!”
* * * Thrakia’s gravity was a little heavier than what Cale was used to, but it was a lovely planet nonetheless. The clans had taken to it right away, for which he was grateful. He had done very little in recent days that garnered their approval and could not afford many more blows to his seat of power. It wouldn’t be long before one of the rival leaders challenged his rule. Knowing this, his desire for an heir had increased twofold. Cale stood on the apex of a flight of stairs, outside what must have been a courthouse of some kind, while he watched the workers make progress in the conquered city. Several buildings had already been razed, and construction of a more culturally expressive structure was already under way. Thrakia would make a good home for his people, once the natives and all traces of their presence had been wiped out. Perhaps he would raise his son in this city some day. He would be able to look out over the citadel and tell him that his father had conquered it all, and that some day it would belong to him. First, however, he would have to reclaim his child from that vile witch. A muscle in his left cheek twitched in annoyance. A figure in the crowd below caught his eyes. It was a messenger, shouldering his way between the throngs of Baci towards the pillared construct Cale had claimed as his manor. He pitied the boy, because the hordes of people were not easily navigated. They had been waiting for hours in lines kilometers long, trying to get the papers assigning them to their new homes. Each clan had taken a section of the city, and was giving out property on a first-come-first-serve basis. If not for the patrol of soldiers, Cale was sure it would have dissolved into a mob long ago. Finally the messenger arrived, panting as he mounted the stairs. Immediately he dropped to his knees before Cale and gasped, “My Lord and Premier, I have news.” “Rise,” he ordered casually. The boy did so, then handed him a sealed envelope, Zeya’s signature scribbled across the lip. Frowning, Cale tore it open, wondering why she had not used a more modern method of communication. He carefully read the note inside. Cale crumpled the letter in his fist, deep in thought. It was a chance not to be missed, but he would have to proceed with caution. It would not due to simply bombard the entire planet. He would have to capture the Queen Mother herself, and have proof of her execution, just to make sure. “Thank you,” he nodded to the courier. “Shall I bring a return note to Consul Wilos?” “No,” he smiled thinly. Zeya was his most competent subordinate, she would need no detailed instruction. “Just tell her to make the necessary arrangements.”
* * * “I think it’s time the Jedi had a meeting,” Luke said unexpectedly, his blue eyes caught on something unseen outside the viewport of the Jade Sabre. The Force had been nudging the edge of his mind for days, but the realization of what it wanted hadn’t hit him until then, unpredicted. It was time. Mara glanced at him from the pilot’s chair, her gaze flicking just as quickly back to the task at hand. She eased the ship towards their assigned berth and said, “About what?” “The war. We’re too scattered. We need to come together for this coming battle, really make a show of force,” he explained, then pursed his lips briefly. “The Baci are shrouded in darkness, Mara. They could very easily destroy us, given the means and opportunity.” Something clicked inside her head then, as she registered the second intent beneath his words. “You want to make a crisis plan.” He nodded slowly. “We should learn from the mistakes of the Old Order, from the Purges. They never dreamed the Jedi could have been wiped out so fully with one fell swoop. They never saw it coming,” his words held a haunted note. Mara’s hands moved deftly on the controls, extending the landing struts and slowly easing back on the repulsorlifts. The Sabre touched down gently, and she cut the lifts all together. A few quick flips of a switch and the engines died down, cooling. “So what are we talking here; a specific hiding place to retreat to?” “Something along those lines. I also want to make sure that no one ever has to go through what I did, hunting and scavenging through jumbled records, trying to find out what it really means to be a Jedi.” “Then you’re planning on making a holocron,” she raised one red brow, and swung her pilot’s couch around to face him. “Possibly,” a slight grin tugged at his mouth. “But it wouldn’t just contain my own wisdom and instruction. I would want all the Masters to contribute.” “I like both ideas,” she agreed after a time. “I hope it never comes to that, but it’s good to be prepared.” Luke still refused to meet her eyes. The Force swirled and worked through his veins, leading him down paths of knowledge and guidance. He was lost in a labyrinth, following the flow. Finally he heaved a great sigh and said, “I have another idea, too.” Mara twirled a finger through her red-gold hair. “Uh-oh. I get the feeling I’m not going to be as thrilled with this one.” “Not so much you,” he scowled, “but there will be some that won’t.” “Tell me.” “There are a lot of Jedi working inside the military, or for other organizations across the galaxy,” he began slowly. “Like Intel, or CorSec, or different MedCenters. And most of the time, their commitment to those places supersede their commitment to the Order.” He took another deep breath and finally turned to meet her eyes. “I think they should all withdraw.” She flinched at the repercussions of his words. “Ouch. You’re right, some people aren’t going to take that well at all.” “I’m afraid it’s going to have to be done,” he shook his head sadly. “We have to be a unified body, of one mind in the Force, to confront what lies ahead. You know as well as I do that the Jedi have always been the focus, the balance point of every war. This one will be decided by our actions as well.” Mara reached out to stroke her husband’s hand, feeling the resolve inside him. “You’ve seen something.” It wasn’t a question. “I just know,” he pinched his brow between thumb and forefinger. “It’s a weight inside me.” “Then they’ll just have to listen, and obey,” she stated flatly. “Come on, Skywalker,” she pulled him to his feet, smiling. “If we want to have them here before the next big one, we have to move quickly.” He leaned in to kiss her briefly. “Thank you.” “For what?” “So many things…marrying me, for starters.” She laughed merrily, planting another one square on his lips. “I would have thought you would have started with not killing you all those years ago.” He laughed in return, eyes twinkling. “That too.”
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