A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away....
STAR WARS Episode 10 JEDI REVENGE Many planets have been destroyed by the Yuuzhan Vong and the ranks of the Jedi and Republic grow weaker by the instant. There seems to be little hope left for the New Republic or the Jedi Knights as Coruscant is destroyed and the Jedi are forced to again hide on secret bases canceling themselves from the enemy. Former Chief of State, Leia Organa Solo has again come to command the troops of the Jedi Knights in the fight against the Vong as she did against the Empire. With her, other heroes of the Rebellion have come to fight against this new enemy. Jaina Solo, has been given leave from Rouge Squadron and is now traveling to the Jedi Base located on the planet Gerron. Little does she know that the fate of the galaxy will soon rest on her shoulders, and that the downfall of the Vong is at hand....
Jaina flew her X-Wing low over the hills of the planet Gerron. It was the fifth planet in the Gamma Sector and very isolated. The range of the planet was dense with forest and shrubbery, which reminded Jaina of Yavin 4. Although Gerron was less of a jungle than Yavin 4 had been. Off to the left though her canopy she saw the base, it was consisted of a large hanger and several storage containers. Not as impressive as she had imagined, but if she knew her mother it was more than what it seemed.
* * *
"Jaina!" Leia's voice was filled with happiness as she embraced her daughter.
"Hi Mom." Jaina said smiling. After about half an hour of screening and bad directions Jaina had finally found her way to the Solo quarters. It was nice, tastefully furnished but hinting largely of war times. There were a few haloes of the family, but it lacked the many du-dads that she remembered her mother owning while she'd grown up.
Jaina felt two little arms wind themselves around her legs and looking down she recognized her cousin Ben immediately. The toddler raised his hands upward in a pleading motion but his smile took away the seriousness. "Uppy, Uppy!" Ben demanded.
Jaina scooped him up grunting because of his wieght. "Ben!" Jaina said laughing. She turned to Leia, "Oh Mom, he's grown!"
Leia smiled, "That's what kids do." She explained.
Ben ran his hands through Jaina's long hair that was pulled over her right shoulder, smiling in delight.
Jaina turned to Ben, "Can you say my name? Jaina....Jay-na."
Ben's blue eyes went from Jaina to Leia in hesitation. Then finally he decided to go along with this game the grown-ups seemed so intent on. "Ayah...Aya!" Ben yelled.
Jaina giggled and hugged her little cousin. "We'll work on that later." Sighing Jaina put Ben down.
"Well," A dignified voice said behind her, "Don't I get a hug?"
Looking behind her Jaina saw that the voice belonged to Mara Jade. Laughing Jaina hugged her aunt."
"Well, Jaina. How are you?" Mara asked.
Jaina paused putting her head from side to side. "I'm okay actually." Mara raised an eyebrow and an odd silence ensued, but was luckily broken when Ben started screaming in delight.
"Da-da! Da-da!"
Luke came through the door and was greeted by Ben. The Jedi Master swung his little boy in the air and Ben laughed. When Luke put Ben down he smiled at Mara, who smiled back. Jaina noticed that they were still in love. Her mother and father were still in love, but she had never really noticed it.
"So anyway," Luke said still smiling. "Glad to see you Jaina. Han should be coming-" And at that precise moment Captain Solo walked in.
Han was in that easy-going stride that meant he had been having a good day. He wore the traditional Corrillian garb and a blaster at his side. To Jaina he looked exactly like he had in the old halo-vids she had seen in her history lessons. "Well!" Han said, "If it isn't the famous Jaina Solo! How are ya Kiddo."
Jaina smiled and gave Han a hug, "Hey Dad." She said.
Another smile brightened Leia's face as she watched her daughter.
Ben motioned to Han and Han picked up the toddler, and tickled him. Ben squealed in delight.
Mara watched this and said, "You two are gonna spoil him." A smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.
Han looked at Mara with his quizzical I'm-all-innocent face. "What? Spoiling? Isn't that what kids are for?" The whole group laughed.
"So, since we're all here," Leia said, "How about everyone have supper here tonight?" Everyone agreed that this was a good idea.
C * *
"Pass the kameron, Han." Luke said. Han nodded and handed over a bowl of spicy Corrilian food. Tonight they were dining on jesta, which was Jaina's favorite dish. However, she played with her food not really interested. Being home again was only reminding her of the empty places that were there. Shadows of the people she loved. What would Jacen be doing right now? Probably telling a stupid joke, and Anakin? He'd begin to prattle on about some droid that he wanted to finish, or a project that he was doing. Jaina had hoped this would be good for her, but it only seemed to make it hurt worse. Everyone ate silently, not knowing what to say.
Finnally, Mara decided to break the silence, "I need to go to a meeting tommorow, could you babysit Ben for me?" She asked.
Jaina paused at looked at her cousin who was busy stuffing noodles into his face with his hands. She couldn't help but smile at Ben's eating habits. "Yeah." She said, "Yeah sure, fine with me. I'm going to rest up before I start looking for a position in one of the squadrons anyway." Mara smiled. "Great, you wouldn't believe how I hate leaving him with a nanny droid. He likes to reprogram them." At the last sentence Jaina couldn't help it, and laughed out load, and was quickly joined by her family.
C * * "Aya! Aya! Watch me!" Ben yelled as he went down the slide. Although the base was a military installation, they had built a small in-door park for children in the lower levels of the base. Now Jaina knew the secret of the base. It looks small from the outside, but it was dug into the ground so there were at least 121 levels under the main hanger.
During the Rebellion brining children to a base was unthinkable. Now, however, the Jedi had to keep their children with them. No Jedi child that was noticeably Force-sensitive was safe without it's parents.
"I'm watching!" Jaina insisted as she sat down on a bench. It was a nice park, with grass and jungle-jym equipment. There was even a holographic sky that had white clouds moving slowly over a blue sky.
Sighing, Jaina picked up a handful of sand and slowly opened her fingers, letting it slip between them. The Force was strong here. There were several other children playing on the jungle/gym. Even the grass was alive, vibrant...full of the Force.
C * * Zekk walked out of the lift and into the park. He wore jeans and a grey sleeveless shirt. The cool air-conditioning washed over him, and he took in a deep breath. The grass recycled the air better than some of the air-filters did in the other levels of the base. He had come here to meditate and think. This was one of the few places besides his own quarters that he could do so, and he felt like getting out today.
Walking over one of the small grass-covered hills Zekk suddenly felt a presence. One that he had earlier grown used-to, but now since he hadn't felt it in so long was electrifying. It was like the scent of expensive perfume, or a spring breeze. Zekk instantly knew that behind the next hill was the person who's presence he felt. He suddenly wished that he had worn a jacket or something to cover the scars on his arms and chest, but what was he going to do? Wear a long-sleeved shirt for the rest of his life? It had almost been five years since he'd seen Jaina. Of course he had heard rumors, like her tampering with the Dark Side, and temporary blindness. But how much had she really changed? How had he changed?
He walked up to the top of the hill and looked down onto the spot of sand and jungle/jym- and nearly froze. There, sitting on a bench with her back to him was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Jaina's dark brown hair hung down her back, and he watched as she let sand syphon through her fingers to collect in a pyramid below her hands. In minutes he was behind her, but still she hadn't noticed him. You really must be daydreaming. He thought as he watched her pick up some more sand and let it slip though her long fingers.
"Aren't you a little old to be playing in the sand?" A voice asked, startling Jaina out of her thoughts. Slowly she turned around, putting her hand on the back of the bench and letting her eyes slowly roam up the person standing behind her.
Zekk's breath caught in his throat when he saw her full-on. Light gleamed off of her hair, and her dark cloths clung to her slender figure. She had grown up. If that was possible. He had last seen her when she was seventeen. She didn't have the little-kiddish hesitation anymore. Just the way she looked at him. Confident, graceful, and above all else something that put an air of challenge to her. Beneath very long eyelashes, looking out at him were the darkest, most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. After a moment Jaina didn't say anything. She barely recognizes me. Zekk thought with a little more than a bit of saddened sentiment.
Jaina looked up at her unexpected visitor. Black boots, worn jeans, grey shirt, black hair that was now cut, and green eyes. For a brief second she didn't recognize him, although later she would deny it. His chin was squarer than she remembered, and his eyes a little sadder. And...Force....What happened? Grey scars ran down Zekk's arms and splotched on his neck, and just above his left check- a dark scar encircled his eye. It looked like he'd been put through a garbage-disposal. However, he still had that pleasant smile and calm air she always associated with him. Eventually she made herself talk. "Well, you know me, never paid attention to my age."
Zekk laughed, and Jaina relaxed, motioning toward the seat next to her she silently invited him to sit down.
"Hey Zekk." She said, still trying to talk to him normally. When people are apart for so long sometimes it takes a minute or so. "I didn't know you were here, how've you been?"
Zekk shrugged his shoulders, "I'm fine. Been wondering when you'd show up."
Jaina nodded, "Rouge Squadron gave me time off, so here I am. This place is pretty impressive."
"Yeah," Zekk said, "Not bad. It took less than three months to complete it."
"So what have you been up to latey?" Jaina asked.
Zekk rolled his eyes. "Not much, I'm second-in-command over Kyp Durron's squadrons, but that's it."
Jaina grunted in disgust and Zekk heard it. "What?" He asked.
"Nothing." Jaina said. Just then Ben ran up wrapping his arms around his older-cousin's neck and kissing Jaina on the cheeck. "Outside!" The toddler demanded, and Jaina nodded.
Smiling she turned to Zekk, just like she used to years ago making Zekk relax in a way he couldn't believe.
"Do you want to come?" Jaina asked.
"Sure," Zekk answered.
TO BE CONTINUED!
STAR WARS Episode 10 JEDI REVENGE Many planets have been destroyed by the Yuuzhan Vong and the ranks of the Jedi and Republic grow weaker by the instant. There seems to be little hope left for the New Republic or the Jedi Knights as Coruscant is destroyed and the Jedi are forced to again hide on secret bases canceling themselves from the enemy. Former Chief of State, Leia Organa Solo has again come to command the troops of the Jedi Knights in the fight against the Vong as she did against the Empire. With her, other heroes of the Rebellion have come to fight against this new enemy. Jaina Solo, has been given leave from Rouge Squadron and is now traveling to the Jedi Base located on the planet Gerron. Little does she know that the fate of the galaxy will soon rest on her shoulders, and that the downfall of the Vong is at hand....
Jaina flew her X-Wing low over the hills of the planet Gerron. It was the fifth planet in the Gamma Sector and very isolated. The range of the planet was dense with forest and shrubbery, which reminded Jaina of Yavin 4. Although Gerron was less of a jungle than Yavin 4 had been. Off to the left though her canopy she saw the base, it was consisted of a large hanger and several storage containers. Not as impressive as she had imagined, but if she knew her mother it was more than what it seemed.
* * *
"Jaina!" Leia's voice was filled with happiness as she embraced her daughter.
"Hi Mom." Jaina said smiling. After about half an hour of screening and bad directions Jaina had finally found her way to the Solo quarters. It was nice, tastefully furnished but hinting largely of war times. There were a few haloes of the family, but it lacked the many du-dads that she remembered her mother owning while she'd grown up.
Jaina felt two little arms wind themselves around her legs and looking down she recognized her cousin Ben immediately. The toddler raised his hands upward in a pleading motion but his smile took away the seriousness. "Uppy, Uppy!" Ben demanded.
Jaina scooped him up grunting because of his wieght. "Ben!" Jaina said laughing. She turned to Leia, "Oh Mom, he's grown!"
Leia smiled, "That's what kids do." She explained.
Ben ran his hands through Jaina's long hair that was pulled over her right shoulder, smiling in delight.
Jaina turned to Ben, "Can you say my name? Jaina....Jay-na."
Ben's blue eyes went from Jaina to Leia in hesitation. Then finally he decided to go along with this game the grown-ups seemed so intent on. "Ayah...Aya!" Ben yelled.
Jaina giggled and hugged her little cousin. "We'll work on that later." Sighing Jaina put Ben down.
"Well," A dignified voice said behind her, "Don't I get a hug?"
Looking behind her Jaina saw that the voice belonged to Mara Jade. Laughing Jaina hugged her aunt."
"Well, Jaina. How are you?" Mara asked.
Jaina paused putting her head from side to side. "I'm okay actually." Mara raised an eyebrow and an odd silence ensued, but was luckily broken when Ben started screaming in delight.
"Da-da! Da-da!"
Luke came through the door and was greeted by Ben. The Jedi Master swung his little boy in the air and Ben laughed. When Luke put Ben down he smiled at Mara, who smiled back. Jaina noticed that they were still in love. Her mother and father were still in love, but she had never really noticed it.
"So anyway," Luke said still smiling. "Glad to see you Jaina. Han should be coming-" And at that precise moment Captain Solo walked in.
Han was in that easy-going stride that meant he had been having a good day. He wore the traditional Corrillian garb and a blaster at his side. To Jaina he looked exactly like he had in the old halo-vids she had seen in her history lessons. "Well!" Han said, "If it isn't the famous Jaina Solo! How are ya Kiddo."
Jaina smiled and gave Han a hug, "Hey Dad." She said.
Another smile brightened Leia's face as she watched her daughter.
Ben motioned to Han and Han picked up the toddler, and tickled him. Ben squealed in delight.
Mara watched this and said, "You two are gonna spoil him." A smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.
Han looked at Mara with his quizzical I'm-all-innocent face. "What? Spoiling? Isn't that what kids are for?" The whole group laughed.
"So, since we're all here," Leia said, "How about everyone have supper here tonight?" Everyone agreed that this was a good idea.
C * *
"Pass the kameron, Han." Luke said. Han nodded and handed over a bowl of spicy Corrilian food. Tonight they were dining on jesta, which was Jaina's favorite dish. However, she played with her food not really interested. Being home again was only reminding her of the empty places that were there. Shadows of the people she loved. What would Jacen be doing right now? Probably telling a stupid joke, and Anakin? He'd begin to prattle on about some droid that he wanted to finish, or a project that he was doing. Jaina had hoped this would be good for her, but it only seemed to make it hurt worse. Everyone ate silently, not knowing what to say.
Finnally, Mara decided to break the silence, "I need to go to a meeting tommorow, could you babysit Ben for me?" She asked.
Jaina paused at looked at her cousin who was busy stuffing noodles into his face with his hands. She couldn't help but smile at Ben's eating habits. "Yeah." She said, "Yeah sure, fine with me. I'm going to rest up before I start looking for a position in one of the squadrons anyway." Mara smiled. "Great, you wouldn't believe how I hate leaving him with a nanny droid. He likes to reprogram them." At the last sentence Jaina couldn't help it, and laughed out load, and was quickly joined by her family.
C * * "Aya! Aya! Watch me!" Ben yelled as he went down the slide. Although the base was a military installation, they had built a small in-door park for children in the lower levels of the base. Now Jaina knew the secret of the base. It looks small from the outside, but it was dug into the ground so there were at least 121 levels under the main hanger.
During the Rebellion brining children to a base was unthinkable. Now, however, the Jedi had to keep their children with them. No Jedi child that was noticeably Force-sensitive was safe without it's parents.
"I'm watching!" Jaina insisted as she sat down on a bench. It was a nice park, with grass and jungle-jym equipment. There was even a holographic sky that had white clouds moving slowly over a blue sky.
Sighing, Jaina picked up a handful of sand and slowly opened her fingers, letting it slip between them. The Force was strong here. There were several other children playing on the jungle/gym. Even the grass was alive, vibrant...full of the Force.
C * * Zekk walked out of the lift and into the park. He wore jeans and a grey sleeveless shirt. The cool air-conditioning washed over him, and he took in a deep breath. The grass recycled the air better than some of the air-filters did in the other levels of the base. He had come here to meditate and think. This was one of the few places besides his own quarters that he could do so, and he felt like getting out today.
Walking over one of the small grass-covered hills Zekk suddenly felt a presence. One that he had earlier grown used-to, but now since he hadn't felt it in so long was electrifying. It was like the scent of expensive perfume, or a spring breeze. Zekk instantly knew that behind the next hill was the person who's presence he felt. He suddenly wished that he had worn a jacket or something to cover the scars on his arms and chest, but what was he going to do? Wear a long-sleeved shirt for the rest of his life? It had almost been five years since he'd seen Jaina. Of course he had heard rumors, like her tampering with the Dark Side, and temporary blindness. But how much had she really changed? How had he changed?
He walked up to the top of the hill and looked down onto the spot of sand and jungle/jym- and nearly froze. There, sitting on a bench with her back to him was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Jaina's dark brown hair hung down her back, and he watched as she let sand syphon through her fingers to collect in a pyramid below her hands. In minutes he was behind her, but still she hadn't noticed him. You really must be daydreaming. He thought as he watched her pick up some more sand and let it slip though her long fingers.
"Aren't you a little old to be playing in the sand?" A voice asked, startling Jaina out of her thoughts. Slowly she turned around, putting her hand on the back of the bench and letting her eyes slowly roam up the person standing behind her.
Zekk's breath caught in his throat when he saw her full-on. Light gleamed off of her hair, and her dark cloths clung to her slender figure. She had grown up. If that was possible. He had last seen her when she was seventeen. She didn't have the little-kiddish hesitation anymore. Just the way she looked at him. Confident, graceful, and above all else something that put an air of challenge to her. Beneath very long eyelashes, looking out at him were the darkest, most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. After a moment Jaina didn't say anything. She barely recognizes me. Zekk thought with a little more than a bit of saddened sentiment.
Jaina looked up at her unexpected visitor. Black boots, worn jeans, grey shirt, black hair that was now cut, and green eyes. For a brief second she didn't recognize him, although later she would deny it. His chin was squarer than she remembered, and his eyes a little sadder. And...Force....What happened? Grey scars ran down Zekk's arms and splotched on his neck, and just above his left check- a dark scar encircled his eye. It looked like he'd been put through a garbage-disposal. However, he still had that pleasant smile and calm air she always associated with him. Eventually she made herself talk. "Well, you know me, never paid attention to my age."
Zekk laughed, and Jaina relaxed, motioning toward the seat next to her she silently invited him to sit down.
"Hey Zekk." She said, still trying to talk to him normally. When people are apart for so long sometimes it takes a minute or so. "I didn't know you were here, how've you been?"
Zekk shrugged his shoulders, "I'm fine. Been wondering when you'd show up."
Jaina nodded, "Rouge Squadron gave me time off, so here I am. This place is pretty impressive."
"Yeah," Zekk said, "Not bad. It took less than three months to complete it."
"So what have you been up to latey?" Jaina asked.
Zekk rolled his eyes. "Not much, I'm second-in-command over Kyp Durron's squadrons, but that's it."
Jaina grunted in disgust and Zekk heard it. "What?" He asked.
"Nothing." Jaina said. Just then Ben ran up wrapping his arms around his older-cousin's neck and kissing Jaina on the cheeck. "Outside!" The toddler demanded, and Jaina nodded.
Smiling she turned to Zekk, just like she used to years ago making Zekk relax in a way he couldn't believe.
"Do you want to come?" Jaina asked.
"Sure," Zekk answered.
TO BE CONTINUED!