Chapter 2

Packing had gone swiftly as Soontir was no fool and had been planning for such an eventuality since Jagged had been exiled. The few boxes were loaded carefully into the Starflare, Cem and Wyn already starting the preflight. After the last walk-through had been completed, all that remained was to find his wife. Syal hadn't been in the garden, or in any of her usual places. The echoing kitchen was empty, as was Cherith's old room. Concerned, Soontir moved on to Jagged's room. It was there he found Syal, beautiful as ever, standing by the window with tears streaming down her face. Gently, he took her in his arms, silently willing all her torments to end. He was a man who could easily stare down an enemy fighter, but the sight of Syal's tears had always undone him. As she leaned into his chest, Soontir ran his hands through the silky golden strands of hair just now beginning to show gray. The last several years had been hard on them all, first Jagged's exile and then the death of Wyn's husband; followed by the loss of the baby Wyn had been carrying. Going back to the Known Regions was going to be a large change, but a welcome one. However, that did not mean leaving the last thirty years behind was easy.

"Are you ready, love?"

"Not really, but I suppose I never will be." As she spoke, she lifted her head and shook her blond locks out of her face. The blue eyes still had that signature twinkle, even through the sadness clouding them. "Do you suppose Wedge really will help us? Will he ever forgive me?"

"Your brother loves you, Syal. Very much. I doubt that he's ever stopped worrying about you, but that's something he needs to forgive me for, not you. Besides, if he can't help us, maybe I could look up Han Solo?"

His attempt at humor had the intended affect, as Syal smiled, even though it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "Now that is something I'd love to see. My husband, asking a Solo for help! I'm sure it would simply turn into a very animated discussion of different Corellian brandies, which would then require a taste test, and then a few more taste tests, and probably end in a very drunken sabacc game where you lose a large amount of credits." That was the problem with being married to an actress, they could joke and keep a perfectly straight face. Well, two could play that game, even if only one could win.

"You may be right about the sabacc game, but how do you know the discussion will be about brandy?"

"You're Corellian, dear. You'd never pass up the opportunity to discuss brandy with another Corellian."

"We can talk about ships too, you know. Besides, I can always take a jab or two at his flying junk heap."

"That would be bad for your health and you know it. Besides, I bet he's faster with a blaster than you are."

"But being a Corellian, I'm a sucker for impossible odds." The banter continued all the way to the Starflare, where Soontir assumed the pilot's seat to Wyn and Cem's very interesting argument about whose turn it was to copilot. The argument was abruptly ended by the ring of a booted pair of feet at the door to the cockpit.

"Shawnkyr, I didn't expect to see you here." Soontir struggled to keep his voice level and calm. If she was here…

"I could not pass up the opportunity to see Jagged again. Besides, who else is there to shoot him down when he takes too much pride in his flying skills?" She looked unsure, which was highly unusual for her. Cem had dubbed her sense of humor a work in progress. That she would attempt a joke was no longer surprising, but to see her uncertain was another thing entirely. Had the Chiss decided to move against him already? "Could you fit a passenger on your journey? I fear my involvement with your family could mean my end if I do not leave, quickly."

It only took him a second to reach his decision. "Of course. Please take the copilot's station." Cem and Wyn glared as Shawnkyr strapped in, but Soontir pretended not to notice as he engaged the repulsorlifts and set the course for Corellia. Jagged, I'm coming. But how will you feel when I get there? Do you resent me?

Soontir was sure Wedge would be willing to help him, but how Jagged would receive him was a constant worry. He remembered their parting very clearly, and how he'd wished over the last several years that he had told Jagged just one more time how proud he was to call him son. Jagged had been outwardly accepting but Soontir had seen his bitterness over the situation. Soontir chose to cover his grief with a layer of coldness, fearing the Chiss reaction if he displayed any emotion. The note from Jag laying out the circumstances of Alema Rar's death had been a welcome bit of news, but his tone had been colder than a Csillan blizzard. What had shocked Soontir most had been Jaina's contribution to the note. Her comment that she was sending the news for Jag, who was currently in the med center, but recovering well was how Soontir had known that Jagged planned to stay and fight with the Jedi, but to hear it from Jaina instead of Jag had troubled him. Why had she done it? She had no reason to, nor any ties to the Fel family. Soontir had never been sure how much Jagged had told her of his family and their station within the Ascendancy. It made no sense, but Soontir would be grateful eternally for the bit of news she had been able to provide.

Soontir was jolted out of this train of thought by Wyn's excited exclamations of, "Dad, come here, you've got to see this!" Aging joints protested as he levered himself out of the pilot's chair and back to the lounge, where his family and Shawnkyr sat glued to the holonews. Kriffing Sith, that blond airhead is at it again. Will she ever go away? Absently, Soontir wondered what would happen to that reporter when Jaina was well enough to get out of the medward with lightsaber in hand.

"Jayla Mandra here, with the latest on Duchess Jaina Solo's condition. The Solo family released a brief statement this morning denying rumors of her pregnancy, confirmed in a press conference held by the medcenter overseeing Solo's care. Exclusive sources have told us at HNE Channel 497 that she has been deemed stable enough to leave Hapan space and is now being transferred to Coruscant to finish treatment at the Jedi Temple. No comment has been released from Bastion regarding this chain of events. A press conference with Imperial leaders is being scheduled, so keep checking back here for more information. As always, this is Jayla Mandra, the first with the juiciest news."

Soontir knew he was missing something. Jaina Solo, a duchess? And why would Bastion need to comment? She's not pregnant, so Jag has nothing to do with this. Wyn must have seen his confusion, because she decided to explain.

"Last week, the younger Moff Sarreti was assassinated along with his wife and children. Ephin Sarreti was forced to come out of retirement and resume his role as Moff for the Braxant Sector, as the sole survivor in the family. He feared for his own life and to deter his own assassination, he made Jaina Solo heir to the title Moff of the Braxant Sector and the Dukedom of Bastion. No one knew about it until he was assassinated yesterday and the paperwork came out. So now Jaina's a Moff and Duchess. Poor thing never had a chance to say no. Investigators think the Sarretis were murdered because they supported Jag's new Empire."

Soontir's head was reeling. He had no doubt that neither Jaina nor his son would be happy about this, but he also knew for a fact that she was up to it. She had the breeding, training, and determination to survive the deadly intrigue of Imperial politics. As much as Soontir had hoped for a grandchild, he knew now was not the time. Jaina would be going through quite a bit emotionally between her duel with Caedus and new responsibilities; adding a pregnancy in would be catastrophic. However, that did not mean in any way that he was abandoning his hope that Jagged would give him grandchildren one day. So lost was Soontir is his thoughts that he hadn't noticed his family avidly discussing Jaina's change in circumstances. With a shake of the head, Soontir forced himself to pay attention to the conversation, wondering what Cem had just added.

"She's also now the prime candidate for Jagged's wife." Shawnkyr's observation was added in low, even tones. "Jagged will need to marry well and soon to solidify his power base, as he has nothing right now. Being the eldest surviving son of an Imperial Baron doesn't give him legitimacy in any governmental circle - Imperial or otherwise. Nor does the fact that Master Skywalker forced him on the Moff Council help matters with the Imperial establishment. The Moffs won't tolerate him for long. But Duchess Jaina Solo, first woman to command Rogue Squadron, victor over Darth Caedus, heir to the thrones of Alderaan as well as Corellia, last child of Han and Leia Solo, and granddaughter to Queen Amidala of the Naboo and Anakin Skywalker has more than enough legitimacy to open the door to every governmental circle in which he will need to move. The Yuuzhan Vong have been declaring their loyalty to her since she defeated her twin. She's a hero more than ever before, beloved of the people and holopress, she has the support of the military, and she's now titled. Further, the Moff Council is unlikely to forget that her grandfather is Darth Vader, Palpatine's rightful successor. As Luke Skywalker has already refused his father's title, it would fall on Leia Solo, who has no interest, but the title, as it has not been refused, can go on to her daughter. This means that Jaina Solo is heir to the throne of the Empire itself. Logically, Jagged has no choice but a marriage to Jaina Solo."

Soontir leaned back in his seat as his family continued to discuss the matter. Despite Syal's heated protest, he knew Shawnkyr was right. He had no doubt that Jaina had been the only person Jagged had ever considered marrying. The look in her eyes on that awful holofootage from the Anakin Solo led him to suspect Jaina still loved Jag, and out of duty she would accept his hand if for no other reason than to protect him, but at what cost? Would either of them be happy in a marriage forced on them by political necessity? Would Jag risk repeating the opposing pulls of duty and emotional attachment with her again? Jagged was likely unwilling marry for less than love, and yet her hand would give him everything he needed to fulfill the vision of the Empire he had spoken of two weeks ago. A marriage to Jaina would make his son an Emperor. Head swimming, Soontir headed back to the cockpit. The beauty of hyperspace had always been soothing to him, and he needed peace and calm. No parent ever quite grew out of wanting to protect their children, but how could he help Jagged when the stakes were so incredibly high?