Return: Chapter 2

The Hapan shuttle, which Jacen, as unofficial leader of the trio that he was a part of, christened the Spiceman, came out of hyperspace in orbit over Zonama Sekot.

"We're here, guys," Jacen, seated in the pilot chair of the Spiceman, called back to the other two members of his trio who were seated in the shuttle's passenger cabin.

"Yeah, well, tell us when we actually touch down, dumbass; otherwise, unless we're being attacked by mynocks, I don't give a kriff," Onimi called back. In the passenger cabin, he was playing a hologame on his datapad, which was linked up to Randa's in a coop mode. Evidently, while the Shamed Yuuzhan Vong seemed totally relaxed, given that he was making himself high on marijuana he was chemically creating within his own body, his Hutt counterpart's face was limned in frustration and anxiety as Onimi was beating him in the game.

"I love you, too, Onimi," Jacen replied wryly.

The Spiceman's comm console beeped. Jacen opened up a channel. Flaring to life above the console was the image of Danni Quee in a modest green robe against the background of Zonama Sekot's ecology. Yet her unassuming dress and posture could not belay the immense Force presence she gave off even through the comm image; she was definitely a different person from that doubtful scientist who barely had any time to utilize her potential in the Force. Now she was granted ultimate power on the living planet.

"Jacen Solo," Danni said. "Given the actions that you have perpetrated four years ago, I have to ask: What are your intentions here?"

Jacen's face was crossed in confusion before it smoothed out in remembrance; after he, Onimi, and Randa crashed Jaina's wedding, the trio had been told that the Jacen Solo of this reality turned into an evil Sith Lord named Darth Caedus before Jaina had to cut him down here. Given the circumstances, Danni had every right to be inquisitive. He was just curious why her first question was, "How are you alive?" before she asked him for his intentions.

"I came here for a home, Danni," Jacen answered. "And I got two other people here who wanna join in."

Danni nodded. "Yes, I have sensed them. I am surprised by the presence of a Force-sensitive Yuuzhan Vong. Perhaps he could serve as a role model for his people here, considering that they are still undergoing the process of returning to the Force."

"Oh, I doubt Onimi would be a good role model here," Jacen replied.

"I heard that! And I'm still pwning Randa in this game here!" Onimi called back.

"Look, we're just looking for a place to stay, is that all right?" Jacen asked Danni, ignoring Onimi.

Danni nodded again. "That is acceptable. I now give you permission to land." With that, the image flickered, and Danni was gone.

~o~

"You still sure you made the right decision, Danni?" Tam asked after Danni cut off communication with Jacen.

"Of course," Danni said after she turned to him. "Tam, stop worrying. We can trust him."

Tam opened his mouth to protest, but he stopped himself and instead said, with a nod, "If you say so."

Then they looked back up to the sky and watched as the Hapan shuttle began soaring down through Zonama`s atmosphere.