Chapter 10

Taris System – X-Tec building

Nikala Jordana sat in silence in the holding room at X-Tec labs. She had been in a similar room two years ago when she negotiated her prison term in exchange for watching and reporting on an X-Tec employee. She concocted their "meeting" on her own. He was sort of a drab fellow. All work and no fun. Over the next months, she changed that. She got him to open more and enjoy life outside of his work. In doing so, her admiration of him grew over time. That admiration melded into love eventually. There was her impasse. Her former colleague in the art of the con always told her—Never show emotion with your mark. That leads to the greatest trouble known to the galaxy.

She figured since he abandoned her, she shouldn't take his advice.

She originally never wanted Drex to know about her past. Her connection to him over the years gave her pause as to why she hid it from him. She soon felt that by not telling him her past meant that her past never existed, even to herself.

Her past did exist. Now it cost her a life with someone who was no longer considered a mark. Drex was real. No matter how inattentive and boring he was. She tried to wipe away a tear, but her binders prevented the action.

The door to the room swished open and in walked Dr. Kenzeel, complete with his same lab coat over his tunic and data pad. As usual he carried himself as stoic and confident. He sat down at the chair opposite her across the table.

"Well, my dear. Whatever brought you to come here under your own power?"

She leaned into him and replied casually, "It's purely none of your business."

"Isn't it? From my perspective it looks like you turned yourself in to protect Drexall Connick."

"You'd better find a new perspective."

"Actually, my dear, I already have. I'm not sure if you realize this, but your sacrifice created the bait we needed for Drex to come to us."

She scoffed. "Drex wouldn't come after me."

"Why not?"

She hesitated. "We had a…. falling out you might say."

Dr. Kenzeel chuckled slightly. "Would that be because he found out about your involvement with our Project Counterpart?" He took a beat after her eyebrows raised. "Yes, I know you were involved. Though I must admit, I did not know it when we first met in Drex's apartment days ago. The ones we hired for the project were anonymous to most in the organization. It's too bad that Drex found out. I assume you hadn't told him everything about your past."
"You don't know a thing about me," she snapped.

The doctor considered. "Perhaps not. Perhaps you don't know about yourself, young lady."

"Will you stop with your fake pleasantries? It's kriffing frustrating! Let's just say what you really need me for so that I can refuse to do it. You said it yourself. I'm not luring Drex here. He has the Force now thanks to your Yuuzahn Vong biotech, and he's getting stronger with it by the day."

For the first time, Dr. Kenzeel frowned. "So Drex has discovered the origin of our enhanced injections."

"You bet he did." Nika realized at that moment that X-Tec may not know that Adan and Jan were still alive from their failed injections, in addition to knowing that it was them who cracked the code of the Vong origins. Nika wanted to keep it that way.

She asked as a subject changer, "I still don't know why you need to test Drex more."

"Some formalities that need to be ironed out. They do not concern you."

"Look, I told you before, Drex is not coming for me. Honestly, I have no clue where he is. He doesn't trust me anymore. He's already decided. He's figured the mathematical odds in his analytical brain and you can't change it."

Dr. Kenzeel laughed. "Then you don't know your significant other well." He stood up and told her, "You care about him. So much that you sacrificed your freedom to save his. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that is love. So unbecoming of a con artist."

"You sound like you know something I don't."

"Naturally." He bent down to say gently, "We've been tracking the Millennium Falcon and it is heading this way. Now that is a ship that is famous for its rescue missions, wouldn't you say?" He turned and left the room, leaving Nika alone again.

She muttered under her breath, "Drex, you idiot."

Millennium Falcon – en route to the Taris System

Drexall Connick sat in the booth of the Falcon's main area at the dormant Dejarik board. Everyone had their duties. Jaina Solo was piloting the ship. Corran Horn was fiddling with the ship's computer, which, judging by the condition of the ship, it needed much fiddling. Luke Skywalker and his wife, Mara were in a discussion from across the room. And Drex was alone with only the task of rehashing his thoughts. He couldn't help thinking of his decision to go to Taris to rescue Nikala. She betrayed him. And somehow, he no longer cared. He could feel her regret once he found out that she was hired by X-Tec to spy on him. Maybe she didn't have a choice. As a scientist, Drex knew that there always was a choice. As a newly formed Force wielder, he just didn't know. The truth that he didn't want to admit to himself was that he missed Nika. He missed her spontaneity and free spirit. Maybe that was the basis for his decision to go after her.

His thoughts were interrupted by Master Luke when he called him. "Since we have the time, what do you say about a quick lesson?"

"Uh…sure. What kind?"

Luke reached at his belt to retrieve his lightsaber. "How would you feel to a lesson in handling a lightsaber?"

"I don't know. I've never held any weapon in my life."

"I understand. But the time may come when you may need to defend yourself. You're in a different world now." He handed him his weapon. "Come, try it out."

"Are you sure? I mean this is yours. The Master Jedi Luke Skywalker's lightsaber."

Mara Jade quipped from behind them, "He's a better character than I. I'd never let you borrow mine."

"You're not helping, Mara. And I trust you, Drex. Go ahead. Fire it up."

Drex slowly caressed the weapon with his hands. Then he wrapped them around it. It was heavier than he imagined. He found the activation switch and he pressed it. The famous snap-hiss sound appeared, and the meter-long green blade emitted from its housing. Drex waved the blade around in awe. "It's almost like it's alive. How does it keep the same length to the blade?"

Luke answered, "The focusing crystal works in tandem with the bending lens. Then the focusing vents at the top prevent the blade from emitting the energy too wildly."

"And it contains a regular power source?"

"Yes. Basic power cells in its base."

"Strange. I was always amazed at seeing these in holo-pics. Always wanted to know how they worked."

Mara said, "Leave it to you, Drex, to analyze the technical schematics of a lightsaber."

He shrugged. "The scientist is still in me."

Luke said, "Now let's be more practical. Drex, take both hands on the handle. Spread your legs apart, one behind the other. No, keep your other leg back more. That's it. Now bring up the blade at about a quarter of an angle against your hips. Tighter angle. Good. You are now in a defensive position. Mara here is going to fire at you with her blaster—"

"She's gonna what?"

"Calm down, Drex. I'm sure she'll have it on the lowest setting."

"Of course," Mara said. She pulled out her hold out blaster and switched settings. "I'll only fire one shot at a time. Don't worry, I'll be gentle. Not that I should after you pushed me against the wall the other day."

"Mara," her husband warned.

"Just kidding."

Luke addressed Drex. "I can feel you're nervous. Apart from my wife always joking about her violence, you don't need to be. Focus on the Force and become calm." He watched as Drex closed his eyes and breathe deep to allow the Force inside himself. "Good. Keep your eyes closed."

"What? How am I to see the shots coming at me?"

"Through your mind, Drex. And the Force. Trust your feelings. You can do it. Feel Mara's presence. Now extend that to the blaster." He gave a nod to his wife.

Mara fired a shot wide on purpose. Drex tried to block it, but he missed, and it landed on the metal grated floor.

"Sorry," he said.

Mara replied, "Never fear. This ship has endured much worse."

"Focus again, Drex."

Mara fired again. This time, Drex angled the blade to just barely nick the shot. She fired again. He succeeded to block it. She quickened her pace of firing. Drex managed to block most of them. One of the shots he did miss hit his shin. Drex let out a cry of pain and dropped the lightsaber. It landed with a metal clink with the blade extinguished.

Mara called out, "Sorry."

Luke said, "That'll be enough for now. You did well for your first weapons training, Drex."

"Tell that to my leg," he replied as he rubbed his leg. "That was amazing. I could really see the shot coming at me in my mind. I knew where it was going."

Mara snapped, "Luke, if you tell him he's taken his first step into a larger world, I'll hit you."

Luke shrugged and smiled. "But he has."

Corran said from the computer, "Come now, Mara, let your husband follow the same Jedi clichés."

"Whatever."

Drex said, "Let's hope I won't have to use that lesson anytime soon."

"Actually, you hit on an excellent point," Luke said. "A Jedi uses their weapon only in defense, never for attack."

Mara offered, "I see you're teaching him the basics first. Smart. That was classic Form 3 Soresu."

Drex asked, confused, "The what was what?"

Luke said, "A little too advanced knowledge at your stage now, Drex. Sorusu is one of the seven lightsaber techniques. We can go over those later. Go ahead and rest up, Drex."

"Don't have to tell me twice."

Corran turned his chair around to face Drex. "You okay? Need a bacta bandage?"

"No, it's a light burn. Just an uncomfortable shock."

Mara said, "In that case, you're welcome. The enemy will not be using that low setting though."

Corran shook his head. "Way to motivate, Mara."

Luke replied, "No, she's right. One has to be prepared for the enemy not being forgiving."

Drex asked, "You don't think I can handle it?"

Luke told him, "Drex, I've only known you for a few days and I can already tell that you have a strength that even you don't know you have."

Corran added, "If Luke gets on you too bad, Drex, you can remind him how well he did with a remote on his first lightsaber training."

"Shut up, Corran."

Mara chimed in sarcastically, "I'm sure we can find that same remote in here, Luke, if you two want to be reunited."

Drex smiled. "You didn't do so well on your first time either?"

Luke admitted, "Let's just say, you did much better. Come on, Mara, I think it's time we leave Drex alone." They both left the main area to leave Drex alone with Corran, who went back to work on the ship's computer.

Drex felt more confident in his abilities in the Force. Yet he was still unsure about the mission to save Nika.

"The room feels heavy, Drex," Corran said as he turned his chair around again. "What's on your mind?"

"Just thinking. And wondering."

"That could be dangerous. I suspect it has to do with why we're heading to Taris."

"You would be correct. I mean, I know the science of how I got these abilities to use the Force. I'm still not sure of the explanation of the how. Like you and Luke said earlier."

"Then don't focus on the how. Just accept it."

"But I'm a scientist. It's my purpose in finding out the how."

"You can't be both? Understanding the why and the how? You can't accept the Force for what it is with no technical explanation? If that's the case, Drex, you might as well end all training lessons now."

"I suppose I'll have to learn how to do both. Then there's the other thing that's bothering me. I know that the biotech inside of me is Vong related. The nucleotide proteins could never combine their RNA with ours. Luke was right in saying the X-Tec biotech is closer to our own. Yet, I still have this feeling that these living nano-machines inside of me will make me somehow…inhuman."

Corran scoffed. "Drex, that's insane."

"How do you know?"

Corran leaned closer to him in his chair. "Drex, you chose a mission to a place where you are a wanted man. The opposition there may want to harm you at first sight. But you risked that in order to save your girl."

"So, it makes me an idiot."

"No—well, it does involve a bit of idiocy. It makes you in love. Anyone who chooses love and risk keeping it could never be inhuman."

"Maybe. All I know is that I had no clue for two years as to how to handle a relationship."

"Welcome to the club."

"I was so focused on my work that I didn't pay attention to her. To us."

"Look, Drex, I may be the last person to give romantic advice, as my wife would agree. I do know there will be mistakes. On both sides. The ones that last are the ones who learn from those mistakes and not run away from them."

Drex nodded. "I just don't know what to say to her. I left her so badly."

"You'll know when the time comes. Best not to think too hard on it. Overthinking is love's demise."

"Right. I'm tired of thinking about it."

"How about a distraction, then? How would you like to add another Jedi Force ability?"

"Another training session? This won't hurt, will it?"

"No. I think you'll like this lesson."

Hours later they were approaching the Taris system. Luke gathered everyone in the main area of the Falcon, and he spoke to them. "Does everyone understand the plan?" All nodded in turn. "Good. Drex, are you sure about doing this? You may have the hardest job of all. Plus, the X-Tec Security wants to detain you."

Corran added, "In addition to the Taris authorities."

"Yeah, no pressure." Drex then said in confidence, "I'm ready."

"Very well. Jaina, if you could open a channel and patch the comm through here."

"Jaina was sitting at the ship's computer and she uttered before she turned a switch, "You got it, Unc. You're live…now."

Luke announced, "Attention Taris authorities. This is Master Jedi Luke Skywalker requesting permission to land at X-Tec Corporation. I need to speak to Dr. Bose Kenzeel immediately."

There was a pause before a human male voice spoke. "Acknowledged, Master Skywalker. What business do you have with Dr. Bose?"

"That is for Dr. Kenzeel and I to discuss."

"I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to land without knowing the nature of your request."

Jaina muted the comm. "Notice the emphasis on you."

Corran shook his head. "Showing their Jedi bias already."

Jaina unmuted the comm as Luke continued. "Very well. Tell Dr. Kenzeel that we have detained Drexal Connick."

There was a longer pause before the voice came back with, "You are authorized to land on Platform A of the X-Tec building. Sending the coordinates now."

Jaina waited a few moments and then nodded to Luke. He said, "Coordinates received. Thank you." No reply.

Jaina said, "They cut you off."

Drex uttered, "Glad to see I'm so popular."

Mara said, "They really do want you."

"To what purpose remains to be seen," said Luke.

"Do they want to run more tests on me or just silence me?"

Corran said, "My money's on both."

Luke said, "Perhaps. Come on, let's get prepared. It has to look convincing."

Jaina landed the Falcon at the designated platform on the X-Tec building. The ramp opened and they all exited by guarding Drex in the center with binders on. They walked out onto the platform to be greeted by X-Tec security guards. Senator Adoni Gavron was at the forefront with a satisfactory grin.

The Senator announced, "Alas, it is the Drexal Connick. Finally. The people of Taris and the X-Tec Corporation thank you, Master Jedi. I believe we can take it from here."

Luke said, "Perhaps you didn't hear my message. We need to speak with Dr. Kenzeel."

"I do apologize, but the doctor is preoccupied at the moment. I assure you I have the authorization to take over in this matter. Drexal will be given the most excellent care in his incarceration."

"That's what scares me," remarked Corran.

Luke added, "And I assure you that I have the authorization to leave with Drex under Jedi rule if we don't meet with Dr. Kenzeel. He is our prisoner."

The Senator moved closer and was seething with joy. "Oh no, Master Jedi. You are on Taris jurisdiction now. He is now our prisoner."

Luke stated, "Then you will be forced to go through us in order to detain him. I'm not familiar with the skill of your security men here, but I suspect that they have never taken on four Jedi Knights."

"And one Master," added Mara as she grinned at her husband.

The Senator finally scowled. The Senator gave the men his command to stand down. He then snapped to Luke, "Follow me."

They all did so as the Senator led them through the building via a lift to a lower floor. He brought them to a large conference room with an oval table in the center. He spoke quickly. "Wait here." He left the room.

After a few moments of silence between them, Corran said, "Watch the vents for toxic gas."

Jaina said, "They wouldn't dare. Too much publicity in killing famous Jedi."

"My thoughts, too," said Mara. She addressed Drex. "What can we expect from this Dr. Kenzeel?"

Drex shrugged. "Your typical over-confident doctor of high esteem and ego. He has doctorate degrees in Genetics and Physiology, so he demands you use the Doctor title with his name. Always wants things done his way instantly."

"We know the type," said Corran.

The door opened and Dr. Bose Kenzeel walked in. "Greetings. Welcome to X-Tec, Master Jedi and Knights. I should say welcome back to you, Drexal Connick."

"The feeling's mutual. Where is Nikala?"

"All in good time. First we must discuss the terms of your prisoner transfer to us."

Luke stated, "It's fairly simple. All we require are some questions answered. Why are you using Yuuzhan Vong biotech on humans to give them Force abilities?"

Dr. Kenzeel gave a sly grin. "I see Drex has informed you well. It is purely for profitable means."

Mara asked, "How did you get a hold of Vong biotech in the first place?"

"It was sold to us by a Vong male, who came to us shortly before the war ended. He offered us the specs for a considerable sum. He was once a high council member of the Vong before he betrayed them, as I understand it."

"Nom Anor," uttered Mara with malice.

"Yes, that was him. Now, shall we take Drex into custody?"

"Not so fast," said Luke. "Why do you need further tests on him? I can attest the fact that Drex has the Force. As far as we can tell, he has not shown any cellular breakdown of the nano organisms like the first subjects you tested."

"You are not a scientist, Master Jedi. There are tests that need to be run for data that you wouldn't understand."

"Condescending much?" cried Jaina.

Drex called out, "That's why they have me to translate. You're not testing me for molecular breakdown of the DNA protein. That's why the others had fake accidents. They showed signs of breakdown with mechanical nanobots. The DNA sequence that you injected me with is based on living organisms."

"Why would that matter, Drex?" Luke asked.

"Because living organisms can adapt. They can conform to the human RNA strand, unlike mechanical nanos. My strength in the Force grows stronger by the day. I am showing no signs of breakdown, as Master Luke said. No, Dr. Kenzeel doesn't want to run tests on me for what went wrong. He wants to test me for what went right."

Luke turned to Dr. Kenzeel. "Living beings being given the abilities in the Force instantly. Why?"

Dr. Kenzeel grinned. "To knock the Jedi off their pedestal, of course. You almost gave up the entire galaxy to beings from the Unknown Regions. Ironically, they did not possess powers of the Force. And they reeked destruction in their path. Ithor, Reecee, the fall of Coruscant. Over a billion lives lost."

"We don't need the history lesson," snapped Mara. "Get to your point!"

"The Jedi came in to save the day. They were given a new position on the high council. The galaxy adored you. They yearned to be you. Your actions in the war made the ordinary beings in the galaxy feel helpless."

Luke stated, "That is not how it was perceived."

"Oh, I beg to differ. Nom Anor gave us the idea to offer the ordinary the extraordinary. They can experience the Force's power for themselves that only the Jedi could previously possess."

Corran added, "For a price."

"Of course. The extraordinary always has a price."

Drex said, "You've set up injections of the protein serum in gene guns."

"Several thousand. All set to be distributed."

Drex said, "I was wrong. You don't need to test me at all. You need my blood to create more serum."

The doctor nodded. "I thought an intelligent scientist like you would understand."

"Understand?" Drex gasped. "What you're doing is dangerous. There's no telling how an individual's body chemistry will react to the protein."

Mara said, "And you can't just buy the Force like a bottle of azure milk at the marketplace. You may be creating a new race of beings who would treat your Force serum like a drug."

"You underestimate the desire of beings in the galaxy, my dear," countered Dr. Kenzeel. "They want the power of the Jedi, and we can give it to them."

"You're a manic," cried Mara.

The doctor calmly replied, "No worse than your former boss, my dear."

Mara gritted her teeth as she hissed, "He may have set out to control the galaxy, but he did not profit from it. Oh, and call me My Dear one more time and I'll break both your arms!"

"Enough, Mara," said Luke. "I say we move on to the prisoner transfer."

Dr. Kenzeel replied, "Excellent. I believe I have answered enough of your questions. We will detain Mr. Connick. As you are well aware, we cannot keep you here."

Jaina nodded. "More unwanted publicity."

Drex cried, "Wait! I want to see Nika first."

The doctor replied too calmly, "But, of course."

Drex was escorted in binders by two guards to a holding room. Luke and the others headed back to the Falcon, seemingly ready to depart. Drex entered the room with the guards and his eyes immediately to Nika. A rush of emotion washed over him unlike anything he felt before. All of her lies and betrayal disappeared. She sat at a metal table also in binders.

"Drex! What are you doing here?"

Drex shrugged. "You're here. I missed you."

"Oh, no you don't! You don't just leave me the way you did and then smooth it over like you pretend it didn't happen. What are you doing playing the hero and trying to rescue me? I turned myself in to protect you, and you're here making my plan moot."

"Oh, I really missed you. Did I say I was here to rescue you?"

She went silent and uttered an embarrassing, "Oh."

"Look, we don't have much time."

"Wait, Drex, I'm sorry. For everything."

Knowing that she meant it not just for her scolding now, he said to her, "We can talk about it later. Right now, you have to trust me."

"I do, Drex."

He turned around to face the guards. He focused in the Force and directed his words to them. "You will take us to Platform A. Dr. Kenzeel has instructed you."

One of the guards laughed. "In your dreams, prisoner."

Drex breathed in and out and reached deeper into the Force. Be calm and project. Just like Corran said. "You will take us to Platform A as instructed by Dr. Kenzeel." He then felt it. The guards' weak minds shifted to his power.

One guard stated in monotone, "We will take you to Platform A as instructed by Dr. Kenzeel."

"And you will take off both of our binders."

"We will take off both of your binders." The guard proceeded to unlock their binders. Nika stood up as she rubbed her wrists and came up to Drex.

The other guard cried, "Come on. We don't want to keep Dr. Kenzeel waiting."

"Of course not," acknowledged Drex.

Nika spoke closer into Drex's ear and muttered, "You would be handy during a con."

"Doesn't work with everyone."

"I guess not. I assume there's a plan."

"If we follow it right."

The guards led them out of the holding area and towards the landing platform where the Falcon was. Once they reached the door to the platform, Drex stopped and reached into the Force again. He simply said, "Sleep." The guards immediately closed their eyes and slowly tumbled down to the floor, asleep. Drex was forced to chuckle. "Wow. I'm surprised that worked. I wonder if it's how I say it or if the Force is altering their minds."

Nika gave an eye roll. "Don't start analyzing now, Drex. Let's go."

They both entered the roof where the Falcon was sitting with its ramp open. Corran and Luke were awaiting there. Nika entered the ramp first. Drex stood at the base of the ramp.

Nika turned back at him. "Drex, what are you doing?"

Drex said, "This was my plan. You go with them. I have something I have to do."

Corran exclaimed, "This was not our plan, Drex. Get on board."

"No. Keep her safe. I have to end this."

"Drex, no!" cried Nika.

Drex backed away from the ramp and began to run back into the building.

Corran said, "Didn't see that coming."

"Me neither," said Nika. "It's not like Drex to be spontaneous."

Luke said, "I think he had this plan in mind all along. We have to go after him."

Nika cried out as she ran back to the platform exit, "I know where he's going!"

"Nika! Get back here!" Luke shouted.

"And this plan is taking more left turns," said Corran.

Mara and Jaina appeared from behind them and Luke caught her up to Drex's true plan and Nika going back after him. They all agreed to split up to find both of them. They reached inside the building where they were greeted by X-Tec Security. The head Security officer called out, "Release the prisoners or suffer the consequences!"

Jaina shrugged, "I say consequences."

"They don't know they escaped from us," noted Luke.

Mara said, "Let's keep it that way. Drex must know this place in and out."

The officer shouted, "If you do not comply, we will be forced to shoot!"

Mara said from behind a pillar, "Something tells me they're going to shoot anyway."

"Oh, yeah," said Corran, "this plan officially went south."

The security men began firing at them.

tbc