Chapter 2
"You've got to be kidding me."
"No sir, there's a transport from Hapes awaiting clearance to dock with the ship; they say they're here specifically to see Jedi Zekk."
"Docking bay forty one, controller and send down a detachment. If the Queen Mother has decided to come and see where we're allocating our resources we had best greet her accordingly."
"Actually sir, they're requesting a private audience with the Jedi once they dock. No one will come off the ship except the bodyguard until this condition is met."
"Fine, fine. Find Jedi Zekk and get his butt to that docking bay! I need it for rescue operations."
"Aye sir!"
Two toned emerald eyes flashed open with annoyance as the comm. beeped. He groaned, rolling over and reaching out one hand to smack the offending system. "This had better be good; I haven't had sack time in thirty six hours."
"Sorry to wake you, Jedi Zekk."
Zekk frowned at the voice. "Who is this?"
"The flight deck, sir. You have a visitor."
Zekk threw his arm over his eyes. "Whoever they are they can wait for eight hours until I've had some sleep."
"I'm sorry sir, that's not possible." The flight controller's voice was crisp. "The Captain has stated that they're only allowed to use the docking bay for a short time as we're already behind with retrieval operations.
Zekk closed his eyes for a brief moment and then sighed, pushing himself into a sitting position. "Will the Captain allow me a brief respite to get clean at least?"
"Of course sir. Docking bay forty one."
"Controller?"
"Yes sir?"
"Who's this guest?"
The controller paused. "They didn't give a name, sir Jedi, they simply said they were from Hapes and needed to speak with specifically you. No one else."
"Thanks." Zekk smacked the comm. with a sharp motion, ending the transmission. Hapes? He yawned, scratching his head and stretching to try and get his blood flowing. He only knew Tenel Ka on Hapes and she wasn't likely to travel in secrecy. She also wasn't likely to come and see him on the sly. They were good friends, but that was all.
He threw back the covers, planting his bare feet on the ground and bending forward with a groan. His spine cracked in several places as he stretched. "I'm getting too old for this." He sighed, pushing to his feet and grabbing his towel.
The barracks the Jedi were assigned to on board ship was half-full, most of the Jedi spending a good deal of their time in the medical bay when encountering resistance from unexpected sources. Zekk's unique talents had helped him avoid most of it and consequently he had the 'fresher units all to himself. He quickly hit the sonic shower, silently wishing for real water, before heading back to his bunk. He found himself a green shirt and black pants with various pockets. He added his belt last, attaching his lightsaber to it. Without using a mirror, he pulled his just-longer-than-shoulder-length hair back from his face and snapped a band around it.
His boots were last and he doubted Tenel Ka would object to the mud that was still drying on their soles.
Refreshed, but still desperately wanting nothing more than to curl up on his bunk and crash for at least eight - preferably eighteen - solid hours, he headed for the docking bay. The hallways were strangely empty as Zekk made his way through the various corridors. He wondered if that was part of the Captain's plan with the Queen Mother on board. He chuckled softly. Tenel Ka would have words for him for certain.
He staggered suddenly, feeling as if he'd been sucker punched. The Force screamed about him, mourning the loss of someone; someone powerful. He slumped against the wall as agony raced through his system, feeling as if someone had taken a lightsaber and plowed it into his gut. It burned, eating away at his insides and he felt the urge to be violently ill.
Then, as quickly as the feeling had occurred, it passed. He straightened cautiously, taking a deep breath to still his racing heart. The tendrils of the contact echoed through his veins like fire, something telling him it was someone he'd known, someone he was close to that had just fallen; that he'd just felt die.
Jaina!
He reached frantically for the bond between them; a bond that had been key in pulling her back from the Killik nest. It was still there. He exhaled softly, relieved and then frowned. He knew no one else that well. He wasn't bonded that closely to any other Jedi, including his old Masters. Who had died?
The disturbing thought followed him into the docking bay where a single, solitary bodyguard wearing the colors of Tenel Ka's personal house guard awaited. The guard turned as he entered, examining him carefully before striding forward.
Zekk frowned. "Is the Queen Mother expecting me?"
"Jedi Zekk?"
"That's me."
The bodyguard bowed low, an unexpected gesture. "If you'll come with me, sire, the Princess awaits you."
Sire? Zekk blinked. He must be more tired than he'd thought. "The... Princess? Tenel Ka's not here?"
The guard's face was grim. "She was unable to accompany us without risking suspicion. She recorded a message for you that awaits and will explain everything. The Princess is anxious to meet you."
"Princess?" Zekk echoed it again. Surely it had to be a mistake. "Has Tenel Ka had a child?"
The guard's face was impassive. "I've been instructed to answer all your questions, sire, once we're on board."
"You're not trying to kidnap me are you?" He was only half joking.
"No, sire. But I believe you will want privacy for this meeting."
Zekk shrugged, completely at a loss and held his arms wide. Curiosity won out despite the sense of foreboding that was telling him to run as fast as he could in the opposite direction. He tramped it down; he may not have known Tenel Ka as well as he knew Jaina, but she wasn't about to harm him. "Lead on then."
The guard smiled in relief and turned on her heel, leading him back towards the transport.
