Disclaimer: Me no own anythin u know. God this is exhausting.
Whewww here we are again! Sorry it's a day late, I actually forgot it was saturday. Nevertheless, here we are and are on schedule with another chapter already in the works. :) I just gotta attend to one thing before the chapter begins.
Veor Hrdenda: I would have PM'd you, as typically such reviews as you posted I tend to wish to answer in a more private way, but as you have that disabled I'm gonna have to settle for this, and I'm afraid I'll have to be vague enough so as not to spoil anything for anyone else. 1) in the prologue, Anakin was 20, being born in 9ABY. He is now 25. As it follows, Ben Solo would be 28 while Jaina is 30 by the time jump. ; 2) Tahiri will have a fleshed out story, though as for the Knights of Ren thing, I have a whole reason for why she is as she is, and it is connected with the fact that she was under Darth Caedus for a bit. Again, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so I'll have to be vague when I say not only does she have a fleshed out backstory, but a very detailed plan which will play majorly in the whole story. ; 3) Amelia is not Tahiri's kid, nor is she Anakin's. I'll leave it there for now as I'm currently writing the explanation for those who don't know who she is, as she is actually a canon character which may help you out on finding that out if you look up 'Amelia Solo'.; 4) I'm a little... puzzled on how to reply to your statement about explaining things as I'm trying to do that slowly through progression. Immediate exposition isn't really my style, and I don't want to overload everyone on information straight off the bat but rather ease in. Believe me, I intend to have everything pretty much explained as quickly as possible, it's just something I do with bits and pieces so as to kinda keep things... quiet until I'm ready to reveal if that makes sense. Again, thanks for your input, and your clear interest in the story. I look forward to your thoughts in the future :)
Alright, on to the story!
Among the Nubian cruisers, fighters and transports in Theed Hangar on Naboo, the sight of a VCX-100 Corellian freighter was a trifle odd, although not questioned. The pilot and co-pilot being known to the Naboo Senator Pooja Naberrie perhaps helped in their privacy, and they were afforded in every assistance they might desire, despite the evident strangeness of both. For a woman travelling with little to say, a man who insisted on keeping his identity to himself, and another woman who appeared to serve no purpose to the ship except company; it was definitely something which caused questions in all the technicians. In any case, the repairs needed to fix their hyperdrive was imperative.
In the nearly empty hangar entered the co-pilot, approaching the pilot with a plate full of food which she put down in front of him, ignoring how his ice eyes traveled up to her like she had done some offense by it. One thing could always be said for him, it seemed that no matter what day or hour he stayed in the hangar, he always kept a mask upon his face, his nose and mouth completely obscured, which made his eyes even more piercing than they might have been under normal circumstances. He was in direct opposition to his more open friend, whose smiles made up for her lack of personal information, and she tended to catch the attention of more than one technician merely for her knowledge of the kinds of things they did for a living.
"You're doing it again, Cade." The woman, or Jahera—Hera—Nahari rather, told him as she sat beside him on a crate, a tone in her voice showing that this was something which was quite normal for them. "Do you mind pushing yourself off your brooding wall long enough to eat breakfast, or are we fasting today?"
He stared in reply but followed her suggestion nonetheless, his frame pushed off the wall with a dramatic flair before his long legs all but wrapped around the crate and he put the plate in his lap.
"So, is there a reason you were making the technicians uncomfortable with all your staring?" She asked him through a bite of food.
"I wasn't staring." Cade replied. "Just watching how they were doing things. It's fascinating how for men who do this for a living, they apparently have no idea what they're doing. I could have done it in half the time."
Hera's brows furrowed before she swiveled her head to look at the technicians before her focus came back to him. "They're doing it just fine if you ask me. Not everyone has your super-abilities when it comes to repair-work." she said, watching as Cade picked at his food, a groan coming from her as she tried to not address it.
"Any word from our cargo?" Cade asked blandly, ice-like eyes sliding to her.
"The official one, or the unofficial one?"
"Both." Came the answer.
Hera sighed. "Offical is still in a meeting with the queen. Unofficial reported she'd meet us here—though just when or how is still up in the air. If she's not here by the time the Senator arrives, then I think we'll just have to leave without her, you know how imperative it is for us to get back to Coruscant as soon as possible." Finishing her meal, she stood, Cade offering his plate up to her although he clearly hadn't eaten much (if at all). Taking both plates, she walked off, leaving Cade to himself once again.
It was another hour before the third of their crew arrived, a chestnut-haired woman with a perpetual smirk, and with her came their long awaited guest and entourage. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd show up, Sevara." Cade playfully teased to his fellow, the smirking woman chuckling softly as she sent a glance back toward the Senator.
"Political people take the longest time to wrap up conversations. I should have believed you back when you told me that it would be longer." Sevara replied, standing to the side as the Senator approached Cade.
"My apologies for the wait." The elder Senator Naberrie commented, her apology reaching her eyes in a way that made it clear that the words she spoke was true. "I do hope that it was no inconvenience, but her majesty insisted upon my presence a little longer."
"It's quite alright, milady. The ship only just finished its time with the technicians." Hera replied as she gave a smile to Sevara. "The Hyperdrive was fully installed, and everything is in perfect order."
"Good." Senator Naberrie replied. "Shall we get underway then?"
As Hera moved the Senator aboard the ship, a darkly-clad female approached Cade and Sevara, a raised brow toward the politician as she spoke. "What illustrious passengers you have this time." She said. "I would've expected them to travel under their own power and under official capacity."
Beneath the mask, Cade smirked, though he motioned toward the lady and her entourage. "She's under possible threat. I was sent by your mother, Senator Organa, personally to assist the Senator in making her way to Hosnian Prime for some political vote." he answered, ignoring the side eye look that Jaina gave him in reply.
"And here I thought the Senator was well loved and in retirement. Does the Senator find it that serious to make sure she's transported under your care specifically?"
Cade sighed. "I'm afraid she does. I'm surprised you don't know this."
Jaina shrugged. "I haven't been home in a while."
Sevara cleared her throat and walked past Jaina brusquely and headed toward the ramp. "Jahera can fill you in on the full details a little later—we need to get underway, and Cade has got to check on that Hyperdrive before we take off or he'll be paranoid that it's going to explode mid-flight."
A snort came from Jaina and she nodded. "Of course, Raine. Though don't knock the paranoia, nobody wants to go down midway to Hosnian Prime." She said, adjusting the sack over her shoulder as she headed toward the ramp.
"Not that you're going to Hosnian Prime." Cade countered as he began walking off, earning a sigh from Jaina.
"Thanks again for this, I appreciate it. But uh... let's just keep my presence onboard to ourselves huh?"
"I'm hardly the one you need to tell about that, Jaina. Just have Hera set things up for you inside, I'm sure she'll be happy for the company. Vest-Sevara and her aren't the closest." Cade replied as he disappeared around the other side of the ship.
"Yeah yeah, got it." Jaina muttered to his back as she got onboard, the blue-eyed Hera greeting her and allowing her to duck into her predetermined quarters before she got noticed.
"New orders, Commander Solo?" The Togrutan pilot Dorhas Mesh inquired as Anakin stepped into the hangar bay with a deeply set frown, his dress uniform unbuttoned and mildly disheveled. Distracted looking, Anakin stared at Dorhas for a moment, blinking in confusion before he seemed to realize that he had been spoken to.
"Yes." came his distant answer, eyes looking through his second in command before he snapped back into reality. "Rogue and Rapier Squadron have been ordered to be stationed in the Mirrin Sector. We'll be in charge of patrolling the trade lanes, and just making sure everything goes through without issue." There was a blandness in his tone, as if he was disappointed in such a station.
Dorhas sighed and nodded. "I see." He replied, looking around the hangar as he ran a nervous hand over his lekku. "Well, I guess I better get the Squadron together for a debriefing."
Anakin nodded. "Please do. I need to get some sensitive information filled out, as well as schedule some techs to come and make sure all our fighters are up to spec. I'll be in my office, just let me know when everyone is here." he said, unbuttoning his coat so he could get more comfortable.
"You got it, Commnder." Dorhas replied with a casual salute, heading in the opposite direction.
Entering his office, Anakin groaned in pent up frustration, pulling off his dress coat and tossing it haphazardly across the room. Settling in his chair behind his desk, he tilted his head back and tried to relax, the realization that right at the time when the galaxy was possibly about to enter another war he was being ordered to a position which would be practically useless if everyone he cared about was threatened. His eyes closed as he sought to ease his tension through the Force, breathing deeply, and trying to move his mind away from all thoughts which he had toward his commanding officers that were not favorable.
As he lost himself to he Force, his senses became sharper but outside of himself, stretching from the Military Headquarters to the Senate Building, seeking to find his mother among the many who were present there. At last he found her, a ball of her own stressers evident to him as his presence reached out to her in calm. While he himself was a tense string ready to snap for no reason, he still wished to ease whatever she was going through. He could see her, almost, standing as she listened to one of the many senators oppose the evidence she had brought forward that day pertaining to the newest information.
Feeling protective, he pushed a little more, the sounds of the Senate building coming to his ears and mind.
'How do you stand this?' he sent to his mother's mind, watching as she smiled ever so slightly, amused at her son's absentminded question.
'With as much grace as I can muster.' she replied, eyes shifting to where his presence stood, her mind split for a moment between his need to be there and the senator who kept going on about how much of a wild Bantha chase she was creating. 'Did you get your orders?'
Anakin sighed. 'Mirrin Prime. Apparently they don't approve of the idea of having actual fighting force here, even though clearly something is about to happen.' he answered, his tone flat and without emotion. 'For the first time I understand Jace and Jai's annoyance with their orders at times.'
'When do you leave?' his mother asked after a pause, her mind torn from him for a moment as she replied to the Senator, another voice entering the fray in interruption, the Chancellor wishing to placate both sides as quickly as possible.
'Tomorrow.' was Anakin's answer when her attention returned. 'I wish I didn't have to... I have a bad feeling about it.'
Leia mentally chuckled. 'You sound like your father.'
Anakin's mood went down even more, the absence of Han something he still felt quite acutely. 'Funny... I guess he'd be happy to hear that.'
If Leia was going to reply, she didn't get a chance, an argument erupting on the Senate floor which she was dragged into, distracting her from her son completely though she felt his departing touch on her shoulder, his presence leaving as abruptly as he'd appeared.
Once again he wandered, reaching out in search of one whom he hadn't been able to touch in years, the shadow of a presence on the other side of a bond still absent and quiet; and then another, which was broken, ripped at the seams, a dead ended wall that he could not overcome. His tension from his orders was forgotten as he tried, as often he did, to reach his missing siblings to no avail—returning to the presence as a knock echoed on his door.
"Commander? We're ready for the debriefing." Dorhas' muffled voice said from the other side, and Anakin returned completely to his own mind, standing from his chair and going to the door, using the Force to pull his jacket back to him from where he'd tossed it to the floor.
Though he was still unhappy about the orders, at least he had calmed down sufficiently enough to give it to his men with a better twist. Who knew? Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all.
Several parsecs away, Jaina felt her brother's touch through the bond they shared, her small connection with the Force that still existed almost wanting to touch back. However, she didn't, instead adjusting her coordinates in her small fighter attached to Cade's ship.
"Ready for detachment, Hera." she communicated through her comlink.
"You got it, Jaina." came the static-ridden reply.
"Thanks. I'll see you two in a few days, give my love to my mother will you?"
"You could do that yourself you know." Sevara's voice cut in, earning a quiet groan from Jaina herself.
"May the Force be with you, Jaina." Hera cut in before Jaina could respond to Sevara, not wishing to keep the Jedi from her destination longer than needed.
Jaina smiled a little, looking toward the vaccum sealed door that attached the small fighter to the VCX-100. "And with you, Hera. Take care of Cade—Sevara... do... whatever it is you do."
A chuckle came over the comlink before diminishing, and Hera's heavy sigh followed along with an answer. "Will do." The young woman's inner-rim accent came through, a hint of annoyance in the tones.
And with that, the fighter detached from the freighter, going a bit away before it disappeared into hyperspace.
In all her long years as part of the senate in one way or another, the absolute backlash which Leia felt from her contemporaries was deplorable. War was something which they all were desperate to avoid, conflict having steeped the last three decades in bloodshed and loss across the galaxy. Because of this, it seemed unanimous that, despite her warnings and evidence, once again the Senate would turn a blind eye to the First Order's formation.
Winter frowned deeply as she sat beside her, the pair looking more alike in their matching expressions than usual. Unknown to Winter, however, was the calculation which existed in Leia regarding this: there was war coming, and she was not going to sit by while it imposed its will upon the Galaxy as so many had tried before. The Yuuzhan Vong were possibly the worst which they had ever experienced, the trillions of dead being a heavy burden to bear for anyone—but this was more personal, more at home. Like the Empire before it, and Thrawn's whole campaign, the First Order was more militaristic in mind and action; the holos sent to her from he informant showing that they were organized in that manner.
If it came to it, she would have to act without the Senate's consent... and there was only one way her conscience would allow that.
There was another matter to consider as well now, Anakin's orders now playing in her mind with concern. On Hosnian Prime there were a total of four fighter squadrons, with the most renown being that of Rogue—but if Rogue was gone, its twenty-five fighters sent to another system, then that would take much of their aerial force away from protecting the capital.
Besides that, Anakin was not the only one who had a bad feeling about it.
It was quite a while before there was a break in the session, and Leia and Winter left to return to Leia's Senate Chambers, the former Princess of Alderaan quiet the whole way. Suspicion filled Winter's eyes, knowing Leia well enough to understand that something was building in her mind—a glance at Amilyn Holdo confirmed that she was not alone in her observation, the fellow politician looking at Leia in her own sense of worry, neither feeling comfortable until they were behind the closed doors of Leia's chambers with the aides dismissed.
"I've decided I'm resigning." Came Leia's sudden announcement, causing Winter and Amilyn to stare, shock registering behind their eyes. "Before either of you speak whatever is going on in your minds, here's my reasoning:" she sat down, relaxing into her favorite chair before she explained. "As long as I am in the Senate, my hands are tied by the political goals and aspirations of the Chancellor and the fellows who have decided that I'm merely trying to start a war. If I try to act outside of the Senate, then I may put New Alderaan at risk at being booted out of the Republic due to whatever slurs they might send my way."
Winter stayed silent, taking the chair opposite of Leia though Holdo found it hard to take a seat herself.
Leia continued. "There is no doubt in my mind that we are in a prelude of war, and as such we need to begin setting up things to make sure that the moment we find ourselves in the middle of a threat, we are capable and prepared enough to counter it with at least some kind of political and militaristic opposition."
"But you can't do that alone." Amilyn countered, finally taking a seat. "Surely your presence is much more important in the senate than out of it."
"I'm not alone. There at least fifty Senators who agree with me—fifty among hundreds isn't much, but it's a start, and I'm sure once we find ourselves on the wrong side of a war there will be others." Leia replied smoothly. "And as long as I'm in the Senate things will only get more difficult for me. You heard the Chancellor today, he thinks I've been in politics too long and need to retire. Maybe he's right. I've been Chief of State, Senator for three systems, and have generally been in this since I was a young girl. This new generation of politicians don't know what they're talking about, and those who were affected by the previous wars just want peace... okay, I won't stop them. But I'm not going to sit by and act as if nothing is happening when our chief starfighter squadrons are being sent off to ridiculous positions just because they want to prove that nothing is wrong."
Winter's brow raised. "...Anakin got his orders, didn't he."
Leia frowned and nodded.
There was silence between the three, a knock on the door being a precursor to Hesta's entrance with refreshments. A smile given to the girl from each of the politicians, she eyed them all warily, sensing the tension which was thick between them.
"Hesta, kindly go on my Holopad and retrieve the letter I drafted during the session." Leia told the blonde. "Send it to the Chancellor."
"You shouldn't be hasty." Holdo countered, earning a roll of the eyes from the veteran senator.
"I've thought of this for a few weeks. It's hardly 'hasty', Amilyn." Came the response, Leia looking at Winter with a scrutinizing look. "...credit for your thoughts?"
Winter's finger circled the rim of her glass, a slowness in her speech something which was quite typical of the Alderaanian. "What do you intend to use as your reasoning to retire?" She asked instead, causing Leia to call Hesta over with the holopad for Winter to read her resignation letter. Winter looked it over, her speed reading causing only a minute or so to go by before her white brows furrowed in confusion. "...you're resigning because... your father was Darth Vader?"
Holdo choked on her drink, and with wide eyes she looked over at Leia.
"It's something I've been recently informed me that the Chancellor has been led to believe was my real reasoning for bringing up everything with the First Order. The Senate has all been informed quietly, and it's now a weapon to be used against me. Thanks to Sindian, I'm afraid, my reputation has been smeared, and if I don't address it anyway then it'll further cause them to not trust me." Leia explained as she slowly took a sip of her refreshment. "Besides, it makes it clear that such a thing can't be used against me..."
"Does it matter though?" Winter inquired in turn. "It was thirty years ago, and you're hardly one to be questioned for your loyalty."
Leia fixed her sister with a pointed look. "Winter..."
Winter sighed and handed the holopad back to her daughter. "Very well. At least it proves that you're more willing to act on something than they are."
"I still don't agree with this." Amilyn commented as she watched the device return to the aide's hands. "At least give it a day or two so that the vote can go through regarding the military."
Leia paused, looking at Hesta who seemed to be waiting for her final orders regarding it. Her gaze went from Winter to Amilyn once more, and with a groan she shook her head. "... Hesta send it to the Chancellor." The girl nodded and scurried off to do her bidding.
Winter's blue eyes filled with mischief, and she chuckled softly and shook her head as she stood. "I understand perfectly." She replied, placing her glass down on the table. "But I'm afraid I now will have to redraft my address to the Senate when it reconvenes. So if you'll excuse me..." she trailed off, placing a hand on Leia's shoulder and giving it a squeeze of encouragement. "Amilyn, walk with me please?"
Amilyn paused, but she nodded a second later and followed, Leia catching her hand and her attention before she left. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Amilyn. But surely you can see my reasoning?"
The politician placed a hand over Leias with a smile. "Of course. You could hardly resign under the reasoning of 'you won't take me seriously'. It would seem petty." She replied, pressing a kiss to Leia's hand and leaving the room, allowing Leia to resign herself to silence in the wake of preparing for the consequences that would come.
Snoke's eyes were closed in deep meditation, the deep seeds of discontent and strife that were sown by his influence beginning to take root in the Senate. Those who were his pawns were coming forward more, a number of those who would stand in his way being eliminated in this Republic of theirs. It was pitiful really, how easy it was to convince those elected to office by the people that he would spare their races if they agreed to work with him—long gone were the days of politicians who might actually have some backbone, and those left... well...
In the example of Skywalker's daughter, good politicians were a dying breed, being pushed out, or dying off literally it mattered not. The Republic would not last long enough for another generation to try and take it under its command. His time in waiting had not been wasted, and soon, very soon in fact, he would move.
The presence of his apprentice was felt before the sound of the door opening caught his attention. A young boy still, Solo was a perfect puppet in his idolization of the past—or rather, of his grandfather. Yet, he lacked, so disappointingly so. A strong lineage, so perfectly in tune with the Force, so easy to topple into the abyss of the dark side... and yet... Solo was so weak in comparison. If only Jacen Solo had lived longer. Oh, he would have been perfect.
"Kylo Ren." he greeted. "Your presence here must mean you have fulfilled the last order I gave you."
"I have." Kylo replied underneath his mask, the distorted voice something which grated on Snoke's ears with annoyance. The one drawback of convincing the boy that his grandfather wished him to 'finish what he started': the mask he now insisted on wearing constantly. Though the Supreme Leader could feel his emotions well enough, there was something deliciously insightful about watching his face as he trained him.
So gullible.
"Good." Snoke gave, as if in praise, his eyes opening as he looked upon the kneeling fallen Jedi. "The weapon will soon be in position then. And when it is, we will eliminate our enemies, and do what we must to bring order to this Galaxy. Years of war, and a body of men and women unable to perform the simple task of peace... will finally... come to an end."
Kylo was quiet for a moment. "At last. We will complete what we set out to do."
Snoke hummed, his head tilting slightly as he regarded the boy. "Take the mask off." A beat, large hands reached up to the helmet, and with a click and a whir, the face of his apprentice became visible to him. "Much better. Now, we shall address a different matter: the location of this informer, as well as the identity. What have you found of that?"
"Nothing." Kylo answered. "Whoever they are, they are very good at eluding the Knights and the Inquisitors. In addition, they seem to wish to keep their identity as quiet as possible, not even a description can be found except that she is female."
"Hmm..." Came from Snoke. "Female... who is adept at cloaking her very presence..."
"Master?"
"Surely it has occurred to you that this is no mere creature of the galaxy. Only a force-user can cloak themselves from being sensed... and this female has done so on more than one occasion, and in your presence." There was disapproval in his tone, and Kylo stiffened, half expecting a violent lash out. "When was the last time you heard from your... sister?"
Kylo swallowed. "Not since I joined you, master. I severed the bond between us then. But if it were her, I'm sure I would have felt it." he said.
Snoke chuckled, a quiet rumble which visibly unsettled the young man before him. "You clearly do not understand her if you think that's true. There are few who have the ability to cloak themselves from the Force, of cutting off their connection with it, or shadowing it enough to not be sensed. Interestingly enough... they all belong in your family."
"Jaina never succeeded in that, it was Jacen who—"
"Twin bonds are something you wouldn't understand, young Solo." Snoke interrupted. "What Jacen knew, doubtless Jaina would discover with enough time, if she did not already know it. Perhaps you should try and find where she is for a start... it may just lead you to this... mysterious informer."
"Does she matter really though?" Kylo inquired, looking up at Snoke in confusion. "Surely Skywalker matters more than she would."
Leaning back into his throne, Snoke sighed, looking down with veiled annoyance. So young, so gullible, and so naive, his young apprentice was. "Skywalker is not as great a threat as the Solo girl, if she returns to the Republic, she would not return alone, and if anything, she would be the type to rally those behind her. She's a hero. Her mother's recent defamation aside, she would be greeted as such. You must find her, and ensure that she does not return to them—do you understand?"
There it was, the flash of conflict in the boy's brown eyes. That was what made his naked features so enjoyable to watch when he gave such orders. "Yes, Master." he answered all the same, understanding that he had no choice but to follow the direction, or it would be more painful for him.
"Go then. You have much to do, and little time in which to ensure it done." Snoke replied, clearly cutting the meeting to an end. Kylo stood, replacing the helmet on his head. "Send Hux in on your way out. I have things to discuss with him as well."
Kylo gave a respectful bow, turning and walking out of the throne room with heavy steps, Snoke's growing smile at his back being unseen by the boy.
Everything was falling so perfectly into place.
On Bespin, Jaina stared out one of the many windows, looking out on the fluffy white beauties of moisture with minor distraction of mind. When alone, the Jedi often found herself contemplating things beyond herself, the past all too easy to fall into for her. Though it would never change, it was nice sometimes to explore happier memories... when her family was one.
"You should probably eat something." Lando's voice piped up as he came into the room. "Staring out on the clouds won't fill your stomach, you know."
Jaina smirked, raising a brow at him though she had yet to turn. "I thought it was only mothers who fretted over stuff like that?" she replied, finally turning with a playful look. "Not 60-something year old barons with a million credits sunk in mines and weaponry and four daughters."
Lando gave a look which matched and challenged her own, his perfectly aged face giving the same expression a more refined edge. "Call it habit. With all the girls currently away it's hard not to find someone to fuss over, besides I'm not interested in your mother finding out. She's more frightening than Rancor in all her calm fury—so do me a favor and eat something."
Obliging him, Jaina left the windows, moving to the table and sitting down with the help of his customary pulling out of a chair for her, a snicker which was typical of a young family member toward an elder coming from her lips. For the past few years, Cloud City had become her base of operations, her home away from home, where she could always simply relax before going out to do whatever else she had to do. And Lando was the perfect Uncle for such comings and goings... it was a miracle however that his daughters had not yet let her secret slip. Though she supposed that with such familial bonds between them all, it made loyalty rather strong.
"I will always find it admirable that men seem to find my mother a mixture of alluring and terrifying." she commented. "Even now—though less on the 'alluring' side most likely."
"I'm sure your mother has not lost that feature of her personality. Right next to constantly knowing what to say in reply." Lando replied. "I've noticed you seem to have become more like her with age, though you worry more."
"I do not." Jaina retorted as she poked around at the food on her plate.
Lando's affectionate chuckle said more than his actual words did that followed. "Tell me, are you or are you not concerned over the fact that Anakin is being re-stationed on the outer rim?"
Jaina's frown was clear. "Anakin can take care of himself. More than any of us could, in a way. Uncle Luke once said he was more powerful with the Force than any of the rest of us kids... though he doesn't use half of what he's capable of."
"Mmhmm..." Lando's tone was doubtful, though he didn't pursue it down that useless avenue. "Where are you headed next?"
"Wherever you tell me my father is." Jaina answered with a pointed look. "Which, I'll remind you, you have yet to tell me."
"Just because I know what he told me last, doesn't mean I know where he is now." Lando reminded, and Jaina resisted the childish urge to roll her eyes. "But I've put the coordinates in your ship that I last knew, Han didn't tell me what system it was, I just know it's along his old smuggling route."
"I knew you knew, you sly Socorrian."
"What you probably should say is: 'thank you, Uncle Lando, I love you.'"
"Thank you, Uncle Lando, I love you." Jaina parroted back with a smirk, finally eating the food before her.
"You're very welcome." Lando replied with a fond smile, returning to his own meal. "Do me a favor though and tell that no-good-Corellian that he still owes me for the damages done at his last visit."
Jaina blinked, brows furrowing as she looked over at him in confusion before she rested her chin on her hand and cleared her throat. "...exactly how much in damages does he owe you?"
Lando just smirked, giving her a look which said that the story was quite an interesting one as he merely said. "Sixty-thousand credits worth."
Her jaw dropped, but before she could continue they were interrupted by the presence of Lando's personal assistant, the young man coming in and giving Jaina a sympathetic look which she didn't understand. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I thought you should see this." He addressed Lando, handing him a pad already on an article from HoloNet. Jaina tried to peer over the edge, though failed, a curious and mildly concerned look crossing her face as she cleared her throat.
The Baron merely sighed, looking up as soon as he was finished and handing Jaina the holopad, allowing her to read it—she blinked, then blinked again, not paying attention as Lando stood from the table and went to the door with his assistant at his side. "Get her ship ready to leave as soon as possible. I want her to be able to be able to leave within half an hour. Understood?"
The young man nodded, leaving the room as Jaina set the holopad down, her fist clenching and unclenching in response to whatever thoughts were in her head. "...So... they finally succeeded in pushing my mother out." she said slowly as Lando's hand rested on her shoulder, forcing her to relax a bit against her chair before looking up at him. "They paint her into a corner with slanders about how she's this and that, and then watch as she's forced to withdraw what she believes in for the sake of everyone involved. Right on the edge of what could be another galactic war."
"I'm sure whatever it was, it went deeper than their slanders, Jaina." Lando tried to assure her. "Your mother is hardly one to give up a fight unless she has something else in mind. She won't sit by while there's a threat, if anything she probably decided this was the only way to make it work."
"...maybe. Either way, this Lady Carise better hope we never cross paths. How.. dare she?" The ground out question came from between her clenched teeth.
Lando squeezed her shoulder. "Your mother is a great woman. Many become jealous of people who genuinely want to help others, or just want to bring them down so they won't interfere in whatever plans they have set out." He gave a chuckle. "Though if you ever do cross paths with her, I hope I'm there to see it."
At last a smile touched Jaina's face and she looked up, reaching to pat his hand in a thankful gesture before she stood up. "You're getting my ship ready I take it?"
"Yes. Are you going straight to Chandrila or—"
"No..." Jaina sighed. "No, I... I need to finish what I came out here to do. Dad probably won't know..."
Lando merely nodded, and when Jaina headed out of the room, he followed to wave goodbye.
There we go :) Let me know what you guys think, I'm very curious the more we get into the set up of this thing. It'll be a few chapters before all hell breaks loose, and we want to have a good foundation. But I am all ears for anything anyone would like to input.