Chapter 9

Zekk took the next several weeks to settle Allana into their new home. She adjusted quickly, thanks to the preparations Lora had helped him make on board the ship before her untimely demise. He still felt an ache when he thought about the bodyguard, the guilt at being unable to help her gnawing at him even though he knew there'd been nothing else he could have done without putting Allana in danger.

He had frequent visitors over the next few weeks, Mara and Luke, along with their song Ben, becoming almost daily guests, offering not only parenting advice, but exercises for how to help develop Allana's abilities. Fledgling though they were, the simple exercises were more like a game and while she didn't yet levitate her new toys - courtesy of Jysella Horn - she enjoyed watching others do so.

The Horns also became regular visitors. Where Zekk hadn't had much contact with them previously, Corran and Jysella, his only child still at the Academy, made a point of dropping by to help with Allana when they could. Jysella often came by alone, bringing a sweet or treat for Allana or a toy she no longer had use for. Mirax, when she was on planet, often accompanied her daughter, and made surprisingly good, quiet company.

Zekk allowed Jysella to babysit for short periods in that time frame, taking the opportunity to move the Hapan shuttle - that was now his by default - and to retrieve his kit. Jysella, a bubbly child who spoke her mind, was thrilled with the responsibility and delighted that Zekk would trust her with his daughter.

They'd been at the academy for just over a month when Luke and Mara stopped by with Ben. Ben was told to take Allana into the next room to play while the adults spoke.

Zekk couldn't squash the feeling of unease that often heard instruction caused this time. "Something's happened."

Mara settled herself on the arm of the sofa in the small living room. Luke sat on the sofa while Zekk stood watching, waiting. Mara waved him to sit. "If you keep standing like that the children will clue in that something's wrong."

Zekk settled onto the edge of his normal chair, his back muscles tightening as he leaned forward. "What is it? Jacen?"

Luke nodded reluctantly, Allana's delighted giggle in the next room at odds with their serious expressions. "Jacen has sent a message to the council indicating he's returning to attain his Master's status."

"You can't be thinking to let him - he killed Tenel Ka!"

"We don't have enough proof."

"Proof? I have a daughter I didn't know about until just over a month ago sitting in the next room who hasn't heard from her mother or her mother's court in all the time she's been gone. I have a message from the guards at the palace describing the wounds the she was found with, along with the description of her assailant. I have a holovid of Jacen leaving the Palace not ten minutes before her body was found. What more proof do you want?"

Mara fell silent, casting a look at Luke. Luke shook his head. "If he doesn't come here, we can't deal with him."

"You don't think he can be saved, do you?"

"He's my nephew, Zekk." Luke's tone was even. "I have to try."

Zekk abruptly rose to his feet. "And we're talking about Tenel Ka's... about our daughter. Her legacy. You'd risk the life of a child simply because your nephew - an adult who's made his choices - has the possibility of being turned away from the path he's following?"

"If Darth Vader can turn away, anyone can."

Mara placed her hand on Luke's shoulder, stilling the oft heard rhetoric. "Zekk, Jacen is likely to come after you. His reasons for returning aren't ones we can deny despite his crimes. It's probably a ruse anyway, simply a way to get on planet without causing suspicion. All we ask is that you give him the option if you're forced to choose."

"Make him choose and act, is that it?" Zekk's retort was harsh. "Because Jacen was once my best friend, I'd have given him that chance anyway. I won't, though, if he comes after Allana. Her safety and happiness are my only priorities."

Mara smiled faintly. "So Jaina tells me."

Zekk settled back into his chair. "That's beside the point. Am I being given an order by the council to refrain from harming Jacen?"

"If he comes after you or Allana, whatever you do will be self defense and we can't fault you for that." Luke's smile was sad. "Jacen had so much promise."

Zekk winced. He hadn't told anyone about circumstances of Lora's death, only that she'd died on Ansion while attempting to protect Allana. It was the truth, but Leia and Han would never have been able to deal with the news of their son's depravity. It was a secret Zekk intended to keep unless pressed. "I can't promise anything, Master Skywalker, but if Jacen shows up and I have the opportunity to try and talk some sense into him I will."

"That's all I ask." Luke rose to his feet. "I have a class to get to, if you'll excuse me."

Zekk nodded, waiting until Luke departed before looking at Mara.

She settled into the seat her husband had vacated with a sigh. "I know what you're thinking, Zekk, but Luke can't help but see the good in people. I'd do the same as you if Jacen was after Ben."

It was little comfort.

In the next room Ben played with Allana and delighted her with a "talking" ewok doll, both completely unawares of the dark shadow that had fallen and was now stalking the Hapan Princess.

DADDY!

Zekk woke with a start, the cry echoing in his mind like a laser reflecting off a blast shield. Allana!

He sprang from his covers, his lightsaber in hand before his feet hit the ground. With quick strides, Zekk was at her sleeping chamber door. The door was closed and he tensed, immediately suspicious. He never closed it. Carefully, he stretched out with the Force and found nothing on the other side. No danger, no reassurance; no Allana. He pushed the door open, his heart hammering painfully in his chest as she stared at the little bed in which he'd left his daughter to sleep.

Allana was gone.