I DO NOT OWN STAR WARS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS

CHAPTER SEVEN: Weddings and War I

JEDI TEMPLE

Anakin Solo sat in his room meditating. In two weeks he would be marrying the girl of his dreams. Yet I can't help but think that I am forgetting something. Jacen is still loose out there and I know he is going to make his move soon. That ship I sensed him start some time ago should be almost done. If he stages some sort of military coup anytime soon I don't know if the Jedi will be prepared for it. I need to do something or we might not win the battle against the Sith, my brother. Damn. Anakin frowned in his meditation. Why'd you do it, Jacen? I never wanted this to happen. I came back as fast as I could! I wanted to help you, but you wouldn't let yourself open to the Force. And now I have to destroy you, my own kin, because you are beyond redemption. How can I do it? Chances are that he isn't planning on fighting on the ground against hundreds of Jedi, so he'll attack from the air. And if I know Jacen, which I'm not to sure of right now, he will be using every advantage he can get, and he has plenty. I need to come up with something to counter what he is likely to throw. He has that Sith Sphere that Ben found. I could design a ship of my own… one capable of destroying a Sith Sphere controlled by Jacen. It wouldn't take very long, but how many could I make in a short time span. Ten? Fifteen? Not enough, but it is my only idea at this time. A ship that is controlled by a Jedi's mind… Anakin jumped up and ran out of his room to see Luke and try to contact a superior ship builder. I hope Dad's free for a few days…

SHIPYARDS OF ZIOST

Jacen Solo saw his creation. It was nearly finished, with only armor plating to be added to a quarter of the ship and the black and red design to be put on. Jacen stood in his command center. A room with no windows or computers; the walls were completely empty of all that previous ships had needed to run. But this won't run with a crew of hundreds of thousands. It runs with one. Jacen stretched out his hands and reached out to the Force. His mind was focused by the room till he could feel every last inch of his ship he could feel the individual turrets react to his touch and aim where he thought. With this ship he could wipe out fleets of the best ships in the galaxy. Jacen smiled and the ship smiled with him. Evil coursed through his veins and the ship quivered in anticipation of the blood to be shed. First the Jedi Temple, than the galaxy!

If one was to be one hundred miles from where Jacen stood and looked closely in his direction than they would see what appeared to be an internal structure of a fin. That's all. That is, it would be unless the solar system's star was at the perfect position to catch the shipyards with it behind them. Then one would see a large shipyard, black as space with surfaces designed to make it nearly invisible. This shipyard could have easily been constructing hundreds of Imperial-class Star Destroyers, but instead was working on one. One the size of hundreds. It resembled a Mon-Cal Cruiser more than anything else. The dark leviathan was over ten kilometers long and was over one wide. The ship resembled Home One at the bow but its stern was what made it stand out. Three enormous fins stuck out at identical angles away from the end, giving it the appearance of a massive dart. It bristled with more weapons than had been put on the second Death Star. These ranged from the most powerful turbolazers and ion cannons to magnetic accelerators similar to the ones found on the original Sith Sphere, except these fired rounds ranging in size from a fist to the size of a land speeder and at .23 the speed of light. This ship had enough firepower on it to level many planets. Ironic, then, for its name was the Salvation.

JEDI TEMPLE
Tahiri entered Anakin's room only to see it empty. She gave a sigh. Just when Leia gets done with me and I have some free time Anakin goes off and plays inventor. She sat down on his bed. Well, maybe he'll be back soon. I'll just wait here until he does. Tahiri lay out on top of Anakin's bed. She finally had time to think. When she wasn't shopping with Leia and Jaina she spent her time with Anakin. This was the first time she had been alone for weeks it seemed. Maybe I can finally sort out my feelings. Everything is running together so fast! She closed her mind and did a simple calming technique and then reached into the Force for guidance. I know I feel joy about this wedding. I feel stressed too, but that will go away when the shopping's done. I hate shopping. I can wear the same two Jedi robes for years, and that's mostly because I don't like to shop. I kind of feel anxious and excited. I can't wait to finally share my life with Anakin! I get to be with him and never leave him. It's like a dream come true. No, it is a dream come true. Peace will come with Anakin, I just know it. Tahiri gave a sudden frown. But what about Jacen? Will he show his true colors soon? We can't act without a lot of dissent in the Order until he does. What if he is too powerful? Nah, Anakin can beat him. Tahiri smiled. Here she was, sure that her husband-to-be could defeat what might be the most powerful Sith Lord, ever. Just one week to wait.

JEDI TEMPLE DOCKING BAY

Anakin looked at his new Jedi Fighter. The prototype was most of what he wanted, Force controlled, fast and agile, and capable of putting a serious hurt on anyone who picks a fight with them. He still hadn't gotten the design perfected, but it would work as a stand in until he could make better ones. At least they work, now I just need to train some Jedi to fly these. His ship was designed to be capable of anything. It was faster than an A-Wing under full throttle, the maneuverability to match anything, and was capable of carrying firepower greater than B-Wing. To most important aspect of the new fighter was the air-lock. It could seal itself onto any ship's outer hull, allowing a Jedi to use their lightsaber to get into a ship. Each fighter could hold twelve proton torpedoes in the nose launch tubes and six concussion missiles in the belly. The ship resembled a chisel in appearance, with the cockpit near the back which was thicker and the top and the bottom sloped to a point from the rear of the cockpit towards the front. The ship had four lasers for dealing with small ships. The laser cannons were on movable arms, capable of firing in any direction and controlled directly by the Jedi. Behind the belly launch tubes was a small turbolaser/ion cannon assembly that could fire blasts capable of destroying a fully shielded X-Wing. This should give Jacen a surprise. I just hope that he didn't think of improving his ancient Sith technology. I still haven't found a way to interrupt control over these ships except through breaking a Jedi's concentration. Let's hope Jacen hasn't either. Anakin shook hands with his Dad, who had been the main builder and mentally made a list of Jedi to train on his six fighters. Jaina is going to love this.

"Anakin, this is a work of art. I just wish I could fly one of them." Han was jealous of the Jedi only fighter that he had created. "It's no Millennium Falcon, but these are close." If Dad says that than that means these ships are likely to be the best ever made.

"Jedi Master Anakin Solo! Welcome." Anakin had just walked into the docking bay to meet with the potential pilots of his fighters.

"Thank you. Now, who hear has flown a starfighter before?" About fifteen of the twenty assembled raised their hands. "Well, I feel sorry for you, because this is unlike any starship ever designed before. You will need to unlearn what you know quickly if you intend to fly these." Anakin used a remote to bring his fighter out. "This starfighter might appear to be just a modified A-Wing, but if you would look closely you will see one of the most formidable fighters to exist. Even more so because Jedi will be the ones flying them. Out of all of you only four will be chosen to form the first squadron. All of you will have a chance later when we get more, but for at least a few months six is all we will have. You all should have copies of the schematics, are there any questions?"

Instantly every hand went up. Anakin called on one of the ones who had not flown a ship before. The young Jedi had his robe's hood up so Anakin was forced to use the Force to find out who it was. "Yes, Ben." The Jedi flinched and Anakin knew he had it right.

"Master Solo, I noticed that the cockpit schematics include only a seat. Are there any controls in this vessel?" Everyone else nodded, they all had the same question.

"No, Ben, they don't. As I said, these aren't like any starship ever made. The reason they are going to be so formidable is the fact that Jedi fly them and no one else can. Instead of controls you will use the Force to control the ship and all systems on the ship. This will make the ship react the same as you body. No lag at all. If you can meditate than you can fly these ships. The more you can mentally bond with this ship the faster it will be able to go, the more accurate you will be, and the better you will be at dodging. And you will want to dodge, the shields on this ship are weak enough to allow for more speed and firepower, which means a few well placed lasers and you are dead. I can understand in any of you want to drop out now, after all, these are the prototypes. If you need more practice at meditation than I would also suggest not going any farther. You aren't a coward to leave now, in fact if you don't know how to meditate incredibly well than you have a greater chance of dieing in a test run than not dieing."

Anakin watched as most of the potentials walked away. The seven left included Ben Skywalker, a Gand, a Bothan, two Twiliks, and two other humans. Perfect. "I am glad you are all willing. Jaina will start your training immediately. She has flown it nonstop for a day now and loves it. Listen to here like you life depends on it, because it does."

Anakin stepped out of the way as one of the prototype fighters flew into the docking bay at reckless speed. In a deft display of the maneuvering abilities of the ship it did a complete 360 degree flip and turned so its side was parallel to the group. The side of the ship was mere inches from Anakin's face and he didn't even flinch as his robes billowed from the wind. The ship landed gracefully a few meters away and Jaina jumped from the cockpit to land right in front of Anakin.

"Hey, sis. How's number two treating you?"

"Ah, I would say sluggish controls, but that would be insulting myself wouldn't it be. No problems, all tests check out on this one."

"Good, pilots? This is Jaina. She will be instructing you in how to fly the ships."

"Yeah, if you can call that flying. No stick or controls?" Jaina smiled "Alright troops, hello Ben, I guess the first thing to do is put you in some ships. If you will all come with me…" Jaina walked off leading the eager group of pilots. Anakin was finally alone. Those Twiliks. They will get in, probably the Gand too. Hm… maybe even Ben, but I don't know if Luke will talk to me if I let him in. Anakin stopped and looked at the sky out of the bay doors. Five days till the wedding and Jacen has been reported missing by his co-dictator. Don't you dare make a move until after the wedding. Tahiri would not like it if I postponed our marriage to kill my brother. Anakin walked off to look for his fiancé. Maybe she wanted to get lunch.

JEDI TEMPLE GRAND HALL

"Do you…"

"YES!"

"Tahiri, you are supposed to wait until I finish."

"Yeah, but I know what you're going to say and this is just practice."

Luke couldn't help but laugh. Tahiri and Anakin had been waiting for this wedding for twelve years, how could expect them to be not be excited the day before.

"You are right. I guess we have practiced enough. I'll see you both tonight at dinner." With that Luke walked off the central platform and left to teach some padawans. Anakin and Tahiri were together alone for the first time in days. Anakin gave Tahiri a kiss. Tahiri wouldn't let him off with just a peck and deepened the kiss until they had to break for air.

"Tahiri, do you want to see the Jedi squadron? They are all doing fine, especially Ben. They are doing some weapon tests now."

"Sure, I'd love to see these new fighters. You designed and made them yourself?"

"Dad and Uncle Luke helped a large bit in the creation part, but the design was mostly mine. I just hope they are enough…" Anakin's voice trailed off.

"What do you mean?"

Anakin sighed. He didn't want to worry Tahiri. "I think Jacen is close to revealing his hand to the Order. I don't know when but I know it will be soon. I made these ships to counter anything he throws at us. I just hope that six experts can beat one power hungry Sith."

Tahiri frowned. "Anakin, if you think for one minute that I'm going to let you fight Jacen without me, than you have another thing coming. I promise tomorrow to never leave you and that promise counts in war as well as peace."

Anakin smiled at her. "I know, why do you think I had a co-pilots seat installed until I get you your own?"

Tahiri stopped frowning and smiled back. "As long as you don't leave me behind…"

Anakin and Tahiri were flying in formation with the newly formed White Wind squadron. Anakin had finally given a name to the new ships, Claw Cutter Fighters. Jaina had said that they looked more like giant chisels, but Anakin had had the final say.

"All wings, report in."
Jaina's voice came over first "White Two, standing by."

The two Twiliks were next. Tekan'ishi and Rekan'ishi, they were brother and sister and had some sort of mental bond that allowed them to fly as wings extremely effectively. Not only were they linked to their own ship, but to their sibling and their sibling's ship as well. They cooperated with each other in all of their movements and firings, lining up each other with shots and blasting targets out of the sky faster than any other pair of wing men Anakin had ever seen. "White Three, standing by." "White Four, standing by."

The last two members of White Wind were a Gand, distantly related to Zuckuss, the deceased hero of the Republic, and Ben Skywalker. Zruka, the Gand, was nearly uncanny it his flying skills. He had never gotten touched by a laser so far in simulations or live fire drills. Anakin could sense that his propensity was to extend his senses to a far less distance than the rest of the Jedi, leaving more energy to react in a split second. This, combined with his amazing reflexes and piloting skills, had made him the perfect wing mate for Ben. Ben had been a tough call. He had an incredible talent with the ship, but Luke had been hesitant to allow him in. When Ben told him it was not about Mara's death, but about doing his duty to the order, Luke had agreed. "White Five, standing by." "White Six, standing by." Good. The only way things could get better would be if we didn't need to have these ships. "All fighters converge on target and fire at will." The six starfighters flew with amazing speed to a marked fragment of an old Vong cruiser. As one, the six fired their turbolazers and blew the large piece to space dust. Perfect.

THE SALVATION: ORBIT OF ZIOST

Jacen Solo stood in the command center of his flag ship. His mind reached out, doing the final checks on thousands of systems. He positioned all of his ships, nearly two dozen Sith Meditation Spheres and the Salvation, to the entrance vector for his first hyperspace jump. In less than a day I will be at Coruscant and in hours I will be in control of the entire Galactic Alliance senate. It won't take much to get them to announce me as leader when I decimate their forces. Jacen gave a half grin; he looked like a gundark that had spotted limping prey. What I'm about to do should be impossible for one man, but I am no man. I am Sith. With that thought Jacen initiated Hyperspace jumps on all of his ships simultaneously. Just a few more hours…

JEDI TEMPLE GRAND HALL

"Ladies, gentlemen, friends, and family, we are gathered here today to bear witness to the union of two of the Jedi Order in marriage…"

Anakin and Tahiri stood once again on the middle of the platform in the grand hall. Luke was before them and everyone they knew was behind them. All of Anakin's family, minus Jacen, sat in the front row. All of his Jedi friends and people he hadn't seen in years were there, too. Winter, Tycho, Wedge and company. Corran Horn, Cilghal and the rest of the Jedi Counsel were there. Tahiri, being an orphan, had no true family, but somehow she had gotten the tribe of Sandpeople that had raised her to come to Coruscant. Tahiri had insisted that they be allowed to come and their passage had been allowed. They had been astounded at the massive structures of the planet, but had been more than happy to see Tahiri again. Her adopted family sat in the first few rows next to Anakin's own, and only occasionally giving a shout of what might be contrived as happiness. Leia was crying tears of joy. Han sat next to her. She seems to be doing that a lot lately. Maybe we're getting old, or something. Or it could be that whole having our dead son come back to life and get married immediately after that. Han didn't stop smiling as his arm went around his wife's shoulders. Anakin and Tahiri were in traditional Jedi robes except Tahiri's was white and Anakin's was a black and dark blue attire.

"Do you…"

"YES! …oops."

The crowd laughed a little at Tahiri's eagerness and Tahiri blushed like a giant red star. Luke managed to contain his laughs and finished the vows.

"I do."

"Then, with the Force as my guide, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss."

Anakin took Tahiri in his arms and they kissed so hard Anakin heard ringing in his head.

Wait, that ringing isn't in my head… Anakin looked at his modified wrist chrono. His sensors he had placed in space on the outreaches of the Planet's gravitational field had just witnessed a massive ship exiting hyperspace.

"Uncle Luke! Evacuate the Jedi Temple, now!"

Anakin looked for Jaina and found her immediately. She was sitting next to Jag wondering what was going on.

"Jaina, assemble to squadron for immediate take off. The enemy is here."

Jaina grew bug eyed for a second before nodding and sprinting towards the exit along with the rest of the squadron. Anakin was about to run off himself when he remembered the woman in his arms.

"Sorry Tahiri, but it looks like Jacen crashed the party."

Tahiri just smiled. "Yeah, it's a good thing I don't like large parties or I might be disappointed about having to go with you and blow stuff up. Let's go, they need you."

"Yeah, they need me, but I need you."

Anakin and Tahiri kissed again, quicker, and ran at full Force assisted sprint to their ships. Tahiri and Anakin were thinking the same thing. So you want to ruin my wedding? You must be really brave or really stupid!