Disclaimer: I only own the plot and original characters/ships/settings etc. If anything is similar to something you have written, it is purely coincidental.
"Why did you take me?" Jag asked the tied up man on the floor. The man had been given truth serum, but was somehow fighting against it.
"I said why did you take me!" Jag asked again, raising his voice. The man glared at him. When he didn't answer Jag slammed his fist into the man's cheek.
"Answer me!" he yelled.
"Daala!" the man finally spat out. So Jag's suspicion had been accurate, Daala was involved. "She told me to do it. She said you were getting too powerful, and she wanted to keep you out of the way. I was just supposed to keep you stunned until further notice."
"And how long was I stunned?" Jag asked.
"Three months."
"Three months?" Jag was shocked he was expecting several days, maybe even a week or two. Not a quarter of a standard year. Jag's thoughts were interrupted by beeping in the cockpit. They would be coming out of hyperspace into Hapan space in about an hour.
"You've been most helpful," Jag stated before he stunned him. He took his own clothing back, and dressed the man in some sleepwear he had found on board. The Head-of-State threw the clothes in the laundry unit, and headed to the refresher for a sanisteam and a shave. When he looked presentable, he went back to the cockpit and awaited instructions for landing the ship.
~.~.~.~
Queen Mother Tenel Ka walked gracefully down the hallway of the palace in which she lived. She was wearing dark, polished boots, white trousers, a light gray shirt, and a darker gray coat with gold details. The left arm of the jacket was tailored to fit her amputated arm. Her red hair was fastened into a loose, yet elegant braid that fell over one shoulder. She was flanked on either side by female security guards. Her ensemble filed into a waiting room, where there were more security guards, along with Head-of-State Jagged Fel and an unconscious man in pajamas. Fel bowed.
"Your Highness," he greeted politely.
"Head of State Fel. Please, sit. What brings you here at such short notice?" The two sat facing each other, and another five guards slipped into the room. Jag shifted awkwardly. She understood why. Recently, Hapes and stopped assisting the Galactic Alliance to the point where the two governments were enemies. Although in all technicalities, they were neutral, their was still some hostility. But Jag was an old friend, and she would be as welcoming as was allowed. Jag recounted his kidnapping, which Tenel Ka had heard about, and then explained his escape and what his kidnapper had told him.
"Queen Mother, I hate to ask a favor, but I must. I am hoping you could hold this man," he gestured to the sleeping man on the floor. "...In one of your more, hidden holding cells." The Fountain Palace was infamous for having many hidden holding cells in it. "I want to investigate without Daala knowing to much, so I'm hoping you may be able to hide me as well." Tenel Ka considered his request.
"Fel, I will grant you're request." She turned to the guards that flooded the room. "Take Mr. Fel's kidnapper to a secure location." About half of them left, dragging the unconscious man behind them. "Fel, come with me." She arose, as did Jagged, and they left the room, flanked by guards. They wound their way through the corridors of the palace until they arrived at one specific door. Tenel Ka keyed in an access code, and they went inside. "Welcome to your quarters. The suite was relatively small, but well decorated. It was also windowless. Tenel Ka proceeded to show him the refresher, bedroom, sitting area, as well as a hidden escape route. "This is the most secure guest suite the palace has. Only my own quarters are more secure. I think you will find it comfortable here, but is there anything you will need?"
"Well, a change of clothing could be good..." Jag mentioned.
"I will have a servant come and fit you for clothing within the hour. There will be guards posted outside your door. Let them know if you need anything else. With that, she left.
~.~.~.~
"Mister Fel? I'm here to fit you for some clothes." The servant stood in front of him. She was a tiny older woman with tan, wrinkled skin, dark, gray-streaked hair, and a heavy accent. She wore a very plain, slightly frumpy blue dress, black shoes, and a little white cap on her head.
"Yes ma'am, of course," Jag responded. She nodded and proceeded to measure him. "I really don't need a custom suit. Even second hand clothing is fine." The diminutive woman looked at him, appalled.
"Oh no sir! No no no no. Queen Mother's orders. You are to receive the finest treatment."
"Yes, but-"
"No buts! But nothing! No, no, no, no NO! You are only a man! You take what is given to you!" Jag was beginning to realize that the woman's favorite word was "no." Realizing he would be getting custom suits whether he liked it or not, he sighed and allowed her to continue measuring.
"What is your favorite color? I need to know for your clothing."
"Whatever is most convenient for you." The grouchy lady glared at him. "Fine. Whatever you think would look best." She narrowed her eyes at him, but nodded.
"Favorite material?" she questioned as she scribbled notes in a notebook.
"Something practical that I can move easily in." She clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"Could have just named a material. But of course-" she sneered. Now this old bat was getting on Jag's last nerve. She needed to be bumped back down into place.
"No! No no no no NO! No Buts! But nothing! You do sewing and measuring job, and I do shooting and flying job." She slapped him upside the head.
"I will be back in a few hours with a suit you can wear to dinner with the esteemed Queen Mother and Jedi Solo."
"Jedi Solo? As in Jedi Jaina Solo or Jedi Leia Solo?" Jag questioned
"Jedi Jaina Solo, If I heard correctly."
"Well, what is she doing here."
"I dunno. I think it's some political thingamajig." She shuffled through the door without a goodbye.
~.~.~.~
Jag walked the halls towards Tenel Ka's private dining room in a new suit. It was dark gray with a slight shimmer to it, but nothing too outrageous. It was breathable and comfortable, and the workmanship was amazingly well done. He had thanked the grumpy seamstress, but she just gave him a "Humph!" and shuffled out. Jag nodded at the guards beside the doors, and they permitted him entrance. Inside were Jaina and Tenel Ka. Tenel Ka was wearing the same as earlier, and Jaina was wearing beige Jedi robes. She was casually chatting with her red-haired friend when she noticed him. Her jaw dropped, and she ran over and embraced him, jumping up and down.
"Jag! Oh gosh! Where were you? Are you all right? Why didn't you message to tell us you're all right? We were all so worried! We-"
"Jaina, there is a reason for your lack of knowledge on the situation, but that will soon be discussed. Please, both of you, sit, and we will eat." They sat at the table and enjoyed the gourmet meal, over which Jaina was brought to speed on Jag's situation.
"Jaina, you must understand, Daala and the other members of the government can not know about my whereabouts."
"Yes. But my family, apprentice and fiancé would sure like to know what happened to you. Like I said earlier, we've been worried sick." Fiancé? How much had Jag missed while knocked out?
"Since when have you been engaged?" Jag asked.
"Only a few weeks. He-" she stopped short. "I didn't tell you! Zekk is back!"
"He is? How is he? Where was he?" Jag exclaimed. Jaina excitedly them both about Zekk's return and recovery.
"Well this is great! I wish you had brought him, I would very much like to see him," Jag stated.
"I'll send him down to say hi some time after the wedding," Jaina said.
"Speaking of which, you haven't told me who gave you that ring," Jag said.
"Oh yeah. Zekk."
"Of course!" Jag said.
"Finally!" Tenel Ka exclaimed, and gave one of her rare smiles. "I am very happy for both of you," she said.
"As am I," Jag said. Jaina blushed.
"Chit-chat aside, I did come here for a specific reason," Jaina said, changing the subject. "I obviously didn't expect to see Jag here, but I'm glad he is. He could benefit from the information I have. Jag vanished around the time Zekk came back. We were the ones to discover your disappearance when we came to visit. The authorities checked it out and claimed they found no evidence, so we were given permission to conduct our own investigation. Ultimately, we found a very well hidden camera with evidence that proved you had been kidnapped. We brought it to Daala and she claimed that the government had to stay out of the matter, even though we had proof of what was clearly a very serious issue," Jaina explained.
"Well, as I said earlier, I did find out that Daala was behind this, and wanted me out of the way because I was to much of a 'threat,'" Jag added.
"Yes. And that information is more valuable than I can express, and I will say in a minute how so. Anyway, Zekk had some visitors from Ennth. You know, tiny, backwater system, Zekk's home planet? Yeah, well they came and asked him to overthrow their messed up ruler, and then rule in his place. So Zekk, Me, and our apprentices-"
"Wait. I know you had an apprentice. Zekk has one too?" Jag interrupted.
"Yes. Now shut up and let me finish," Jaina answered. "We were talking, and Zekk spelled out a plan. At first, it sounded insane, but then again, when have Zekk and I decided to not do something just because it sounded insane?" The two members of Jaina's audience murmered and nodded. "Anyway, we decided to go for it. This was his plan: He would take over Ennth, and then start making alliances with other systems. Powerful systems, and then other backwater systems. A lot of them have some of the best kept secrets of the galaxy. Like mineral resources. Ennth has amazing candidates for officers. They not only can fight well, but they're insanely smart and loyal. Create a new government that could rival the GA, and eventually, overthrow the imperials that are running them. So I'm here to ask if Hapes will join us." Tenel Ka sat, thinking for a moment.
"Jaina, you made a point earlier. You said that you and Zekk often embark on missions that sound like a mental asylum patient came up with. It's true. But I sort of miss doing those with you. What do you want out of Hapes?"
"Well, first of, finance could be good. The other thing is something I really think you'll really like. You're the best warrior Zekk and I have have ever met. We want you to train the troops." Tenel Ka raised an eyebrow.
"There is no doubt that I feel more than competent in my ability to do that, nor is there any doubt in the fact that I would highly enjoy that, but training a whole army and running the whole Hapes consortium? I am thinking it may be unrealistic."
"I may have a solution." Tenel Ka and Jaina looked at Jag, who had spoken. "I could assist with the troops. You and Zekk both know how I handle a blaster, and since I'm already wrapped up in this, I may as well help out." Jaina looked at Tenel Ka.
"I know Zekk would not be opposed to this arrangement, just as long as Jag stays out of the way when Zekk's in a bad mood. Jag knows all to well how that goes." Jag rolled his eyes and shook his head. "It's up to you, Ten," Jaina directed at the Queen Mother.
"Who else has agreed to be involved in this little plan of yours?" The red-haired woman asked.
"Well, Tahiri has taken over what little government is on Tatooine along with a woman who just calls herself Blaze. We're going to use the ship yards there, and they're recruiting some scum for you to whip into soldiers, if you decide to, of course. Their also recruiting the Jawas to help by collecting metal. The Mandalorians are in. They're providing ships, armor and some soldiers. Actually, they are working on a beskar-durasteel alloy so the armor will be cheap, but durable. The Corellian system is also providing ships and soldiers. My dad, Wedge Antilles, and Syal Antilles are going to be training the pilots. Kamino is going to help with production of armor of various items, and possibly some cloning. We're not sure if we'll need clones or not. We have some very little-know systems too, but thats all the main ones." Tenel Ka was silent for a moment.
"You seem to be well on you're way. I suppose Hapes can offer assistance as well, since Jag has agreed to lend some aid. I may also be able to get Dathomir to join you. Dathomiri warriors on a mission are nothing to be trifled with."
"And because you're one of my oldest friends, I know that very well. Welcome aboard."
Author's Note: So you can see this book is more complex than its prequel. Also, I've been trying to get the chapters longer, just because I luvz y'all so much :) Other News: There is a possibility that I will be starting another JZ multi-chapter story that is completely unrelated to this. (Don't worry, I'd still finish this) Not completely sure if I will do it or not. Basically, the plot would be...
Jaina is married to Jag and is pregnant. Jag suddenly dies, and she miscarries. Soon, his will surfaces and it has a bizarre request: If Zekk is married, he has to choose an honorable man to marry Jaina. If Zekk is single, He has to marry Jaina. Jaina is still completely heart broken over the loss of Jag and the baby, but she marries Zekk anyway.
Throughout the course of the story, it is mostly them trying to make it work. The story would definitely be more of a drama, and would probably be rated T. The plot might get changed too, I was thinking of an interesting twist of Zekk adopting Jag's kid and raising it like his own son. Doesn't really matter anyways, 'cuz I don't even know when/if I'm gonna write it... LMK whatcha think. Also in the news, I had to edit all three of my song fics (Two NJO, one VicTORIous). Someone told me that if I didn't take the lyrics out, they would report my account, and that could get it taken away... So I took the lyrics out and changed them to "Inspired by" instead of "Set to." Same stories, though...