A/N: I'd like to thank y'all for reviewing. This is dedicated to you!!!

Chapter 9: Turning the Tide

Leaning against the cool durasteel, arms crossed, Rick stared hard at the still body of Jacen Solo. Still clothed in his prison grab, the dead man had his hands laid out to the side covered with grim. The long hair was pushed back to reveal sunken in pale features. Behind the closed door, he heard Hex reporting to the Emperor, sending the picture of the body as proof that their mission was a success.

Hex's voice growled. Rick frowned slightly, tilting his head slightly to the door. Something had upset the older guard. The sharp clicking of boots signaled the end of communications. Righting his position, Rick schooled his face into a blank expression just as the door swished open. Green eyes locked onto the emerging figure, both dressed back in their uniforms, weapons and all. The ship purred quietly in the background as they traveled through hyperspace.

Stepping out into the small bulk room, Hex sent a dark glare at the body. "The Emperor was pleased the picture. He's going to publicize it tomorrow."

"Is that such a good idea?"

Hex shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pants pockets. "He thinks so. It's all about showing how there are no hawk bats in the closet." Eyes narrowing in on Jacen, the older guard huffed through gritted teeth.

Rick followed his gaze to the body, "What do we do with him now?"

"Didn't get any orders." Turning, Hex marched towards the cockpit, "But I'm all for dumping his body on some desolate rock or space." The door swished open revealing for a second the streaking stars before disappearing once again.

Rick closed his eyes slowly taking in a deep breath. The moment was near and he would need all his wits about him to completely finish this mission. Fear spiked in him, but he quickly squashed it down. He had signed up for this, so no excuses or second doubts, not when he was this far. Licking his lips, green eyes peeked underneath regarding the pale hand waiting to see if those skilled fingers would move on their own.

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Nothing.

Suffocation. That was the first thing he could comprehend in the utter blackness that had become his existence. He regained a conscience thought were eons ago and only now he could begin to feel tiny bursts of painful light far off in the distance. Crushed beneath what felt like a massive boulder, he laid quietly watching as the lights moved closer and closer to him forming an outline of his body through their tails.

He had been here before, long ago in another life. And the same back then, he had no Force. But he had his Vong sense. As if knowing his thought, a dark red pool that reminded him of blood appeared at the center of his chest, right where the slave seed would have been, where his one true friend would send waves of support. Now it just a gaping wound for all to see.

Shifting, he tried to move his arm but to no avail. Instead, the effort sent a powerful throbbing headache shooting down his neck. Biting back a groan, the dead man settled back. He wasn't going anywhere, so why rush going back to a banal existence. As the feelings of his body flashed back to life, he watched memories zoom by like a bad holocrom movie.

The years spent in prison were filled with nothing but isolation and seething glares from the other criminals. Pompous banthspit, they called him. To them, he was a spoiled brat thinking his life was bad but it wasn't. So long for thinking the criminals would accept him as one of their own. He didn't belong there just like he didn't belong with the Solos, Skywalkers and the rest of the galaxy, especially with Tenal Ka.

This was where he belonged, in a place between life and death. As if hearing his acceptance, the boulder shifted above him. Lips thinning, he pushed away his memories, willed his arms to raise themselves and pushed against the darkness.

The first thing Jacen felt was cracking of his parched throat. Lids pushing upwards against what felt like a ton of sand, searing light blinded brown eyes. Biting back a moan, he willed his legs to slid off the side as his arms pushed his body upwards. Sitting upright on the bed, Jacen fought back a wave of nauseous. Shaking his head slightly, he could feel the pounding headache roaring loudly in his head. Staggering onto his feet, Jacen felt himself pitch forward but quickly reached out and braced himself onto the wall.

Body groan in protest the heavy drug still present in his system. What did that kid give him? All he remembered was the guard mouthing something before the poison entered his system sending him into convulsions. Blinking, he swallowed wincing at the parched throat. He needed something to drink. Eyes taking in his new surroundings, Jacen figured he was in a small hallway on a ship and from the thrumming of the ship they were floating somewhere.

Taking tiny steps forward, he kept his hand on the wall, leaning against it for support. Reaching the door, he palmed it open and made into what was a small room. Sighing, he closed the door and made his way down the hallway. After a few steps, he heard a gruff voice yelling in accusations.

"What the hell do you think you're doing kid?"

"Fulfilling my orders, sir," replied a younger, colder voice.

The older speaker's tone lashed out in rage, "Orders? By whom? I demand to know, you sniveling traitor!"

Jacen found the source coming from around the corner. Peering over the corner, he spotted the two guards that had been escorted into his cell. The older was pinned in front of an opened escape pod. The younger guard was pointing a blaster aimed at the man's chest.

"Answer me!" snarled Hex, his fingers slowly creeping toward the vibroblade he kept hidden in his sleeve.

Rick merely twitched his lips into a frown, firing a shot dead center into the man's chest. Hex's face widened in pure shock. Stumbling backwards, his arms flayed out to catch onto the rim. Fingers brushed past the gray duracreet as his back slammed onto the floor of the escape hatch.

Stepping forward, Rick kicked in the older guards legs clearing the entryway. Satisfied, he hit the red button, watching quietly as the door hissed shut. A few seconds later, the whooshing sound of the pod being ejected roared loudly, the small silver object careening towards the sun.

Like a shooting star, the pod blazed into a ball of light erasing all traces of the murder. Turning, Rick tucked his weapon back into its holster. A pang of sadness tugged at his chest, but his training kicked in pushing away the emotion quickly. He had done what was ordered of him. He just hoped that his retirement wouldn't go out with such a bang.

Raising his head, green eyes widened at the tall, slender figure of a dead man leaning up against corner. Quickly schooling his features, Rick fought to maintain contact with the dark brown questioning orbs. Shrugging his shoulders forward, Rick adjusted his jacket slightly, "I didn't suspect the drug to wear off so soon. Sorry you had to see that." Stepping forward, Rick pointed to the end of the hallway. "That's where the refresher is. You probably want to get cleaned. We'll be heading to Coruscant pretty soon."

A dark look crept upon the escaped prisoner's face. Rick walked forward carefully, flashing a grin to fight back the fear that he might die in second. "Don't worry. He sent me to bust you out." Before the convict could begin to question him, Rick walked by. "I'll make us some lunch."

Jacen stared at the space the young guard had occupied a few seconds ago. This was a strange turn of events. Eying the corridor and spotting the refresher, Jacen sighed and pushed himself forward. Hopefully, a warm shower would wash away the residue of this drug and help him figure out this mess he found himself in unwillingly.

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Clanging echoed in the small kitchen as a fork landed heavily on the metal plate. Sitting back, Rick wiped his mouth clean with the back of his hand. Eyes soaking in the greasy remains of his bantha burger, he quietly sorted his thoughts. Hex didn't even know what had hit him. Rick had pointed out that maybe they should test out the escape pods for dumping Jacen Solo's body in it and send it flying into the nearby star.

And that's where he had decided to assassinate the loyal Empire guard. The Emperor only wanted one guard to return back from the mission. Hex had been the prime target, for he was due for retirement and had no wives or kids to miss him. No one knew of the mission, therefore Rick would not have to come up with a cover story. The Emperor would only release information that Hex had been on his last solo mission when he was killed by a group of pirates.

Plain and simple yet apprehension grew within Rick. How could he face Hex's buddies knowing that he had murdered him? They were a highly selected, close group of guards. The best of the best and it wouldn't take too long for them to figure out something wasn't right. But, duty came before friends. The Emperor wanted to fake Solo's death but for what purpose he did not know.

Soft bare feet trudged quietly into the room. Rick flicked his eyes upwards, widening them slightly at the man before him. Brown hair was cut short taking on a ragged, thick appearance with hints of gray peeking through. The face was clean-shaven revealing a thin, hardened pale face. Jacen Solo almost appeared civilized except that he still wore the rags of his prison uniform. The ex-prisoner stood quietly, dull brown eyes squinting in the harsh light.

Rick grabbed his plate and fork, rising uneasily onto his feet. "I popped in a bantha burger with a dish of fruit. We only got water to drink." Walking towards the sink, he watched from the corner his eyes as Jacen made his way to the booth and slid down in front of the plate.

Sitting down, Jacen shifted uncomfortably on the worn-out cushion. Staring down at the burger, he reached out and took a small bite. Flavor and juices exploded like a Vong bomb in his mouth. Eyes sliding shut, Jacen slowly chewed the piece, enjoying the texture of the bantha meat to the dryness of the bread.

"So…"

The quiet voice pierced Jacen's bliss with accuracy of a blaster. Cracking his eyes slowly, Jacen stared deeply into the burger, seeing the shadow of the young guard's fall across the table.

"My name is Rick and I'm a guard for the Empire." Rick paused, lacing his fingers together on the table. The convict in front of him continued to stare into his food. "The Emperor sent me to bring you to see him. The only message was that it was time."

Sighing, Rick leaned against the back of the bench. "I'm not going to kill you, but that doesn't mean I won't if I have to defend myself."

Rick's eyes narrowed slightly when he saw the corner of Jacen's lips twitch. He had not minded the silences. Actually, he preferred it. But that smirk was a bit unnerving. Here he was, floating in front of a star in the middle of nowhere with a dangerous convict.

Shifting, he slid back out of the bench. He said what he wanted to say. "I'll lay out some new clothes for you on the bed. Enjoy the food." Turning, he left Jacen in the kitchen.

Hand brought the burger upwards. Taking another small bite, Jacen munched thoughtfully. He was out of the prison. But this Emperor wanted to see him. Great.

Glancing over his shoulder, Jacen eyed where Rick had disappeared. He could kill the guard, take the ship and disappear into space. Maybe he could try and hunt Crystallia down. Or Rick could live up to his subtle warning and die here on this ship having his body ejected and burned away. His gut tightened slightly.

No, something was telling him to let this new situation play itself out. Besides. Glancing down at the burger, Jacen smiled fully, this burger was too delicious to waste.

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A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed it. Crossing fingers that I can post the next chapter up not as late as before. Thanks again for reading!