Chapter 45: The Shuttle
"Is it true what they say about Coruscant? Is it really all one big city?"
Jas smiled as he watched Vess prepare for their trip, the girl radiated excitement. Despite the dangers, and tough choices, she would face in the coming days, she was almost all innocence and eagerness.
It was very fetching.
"Most of it," he replied, "Some of the mountains and lakes were left uncovered, but for the most part, yes, Coruscant is one big city."
"Amazing," the girl said, as she stopped to check on Claude. The Loth Cat mewed at her from inside a pet carrier, unlike his mistress, he didn't seem very eager to begin this trip.
Char Valenthyne stood near the door, the Sworn Protector was once again fully armed and armored, she was currently checking her blaster pistols, making adjustments to the sights.
"We still need to proceed with caution, my queen," she warned her young charge, "Neither your aunt, nor the mining guild will be happy with these negotiations, they will try to stop them."
Vess smiled.
"That is what I have you for, isn't Val? You, Mister Jas, and Miri, you will keep us safe."
The Loth cat mewed again, and reached out for his mistress, Vess stopped to gently rub one of his slender paws.
"It is okay, Claude," she murmured, "We're going on a little trip. We're finally doing something to try and help my home."
As the girl continued to pack, Jas reached out with the Force trying to get an idea of what they would soon face.
He was surprised to find any attempt to look into it was clouded, many elements were in play at that moment, so many emotions, desires, plots, and plans.
It did spoil his enjoyment slightly.
Val is right, he realized.
They needed to be wary.
Once they made it aboard the Righteous, all would be well, no one in their right mind would dare attack a Republic warship, much less be able to catch one as it moved through hyperspace. If the conspirators that wanted to stop Vess were to make a move it would need to be either before she left Alderaan, or when she was on her way down to Coruscant's surface.
Jas would do what he could to minimize that risk
Both he and Fallenstar would be travelling not in a shuttle, but in their individual ships. Miri had her True Justice, while he would be using an armed courier ship, one of the few the organization had here on Alderaan, left by Coop, just in case, Jas had needed transport with a bit of teeth.
We will be covering Vess' journey every step of the way, he thought, if someone was going to try anything, they would find that the girl was not without defenses.
I've done all I can, he knew, but that couldn't entirely kill his rising nerves, the Force remained cloudy.
He…didn't like that.
"You think the Jedi Council will support Vess' claim?" Val asked from her place by the door, she spun her pistol like a trained gunslinger, and slid it back into its holster.
"The Council is not as…ambitious as members of the Senate can be," Jas said, "They will seek to see order maintained, but at the same time will also acknowledge Vess' rights, as both a queen, and a citizen of the Republic."
He nodded.
"The Council will try to do what is best, I believe that."
Vess smiled wistfully as she finished packing her small bag, a larger trunk of clothes and jewelry had already been sent off with the servant droids, those would serve well when Vess did address the Jedi and whatever negotiators that the Senate assigned to oversee the matter of the Bantoon Succession.
For now, the young Queen was simply trying to be comfortable, dressed in a pale white blouse, and black pants. She slipped on the old nerf hide jacket that Jas had given her years ago.
She gave him a warm and grateful look.
"Thank you for the this, Mister Jas."
"I've done nothing," he shrugged, "Merely reminded everyone involved that you have rights in this matter."
"Which is more than most would have done," she said, "You came here because you were worried about us, and you've stood by both me and Val in this, we are both doubly grateful."
Char Valenthyne nodded.
"My queen speaks the truth, hotshot. We do owe you one."
Jas looked away hoping he wasn't blushing.
It was funny, he was not the type to get emotional, his training usually prevented that.
These two did something to him, they made him open up. He found himself thinking back to their first meeting all those years ago.
Had he known what effect they would have on him…?
You can't let them go, he thought to himself, not this time.
He nodded.
He hated to admit it, but these two ladies were quickly becoming his life.
Maybe Coop was right.
Maybe…it was time to look to the future, find a life outside of the organization.
Coop would understand, and Randa would help him to if he didn't.
Whatever happens, he thought.
My life is about to change again.
Vess took one last look around her quarters, it would likely be some time before she returned, if ever.
Jas hoped that she would be able to return to her home, to stand on Bantoon once again. He could sense her attachment to Alderaan, but that didn't mean that she had forgotten what she had left behind.
Her home world was still out there; she might not have missed it as Val did, but that didn't mean that she didn't want the chance to see it again.
"Will you be joining us on the cruiser," Vess asked him, "We will likely need you when we reach the capital."
"I'll be following in one of my people's ships," he promised, "Backing Miri up. if she needs it."
"You think we can trust Fallenstar in all this," Val asked, she remained skeptical of the former Padawan turned bounty hunter.
Once Jas would have shared that concern, but not anymore.
He was starting to understand just who Mirax Fallenstar was.
What he saw, gave him hope. Mondar had been right about her, there was still a chance she could find her way back fully into the light.
"She's on our side," Jas assured the protector.
"I'll vouch for her, in that at least."
"Our side," Vess said grinning, "I'm glad to hear you say it like that."
Jas Dar Bynn shrugged.
"I've been involved in this since I found you in that alley years ago. The Force brought us together, I need to see this through."
Vess blushed as she looked at him.
"I'm glad you're here," she murmured, "Here with me."
"As I said, I have your back, I won't…"
Vess ran to him then, he had been startled, but hadn't backed up, she was in his arms, embracing him.
He put his arms around her, returning her hug.
"Thank you," she said into his shoulder.
"It…um…it is no problem. I will…. mmm?"
He had not gotten the chance to finish.
She had pulled up at the last moment, their noses had touched.
Vess kissed him, softly, and chastely, on the mouth.
Her lips were soft and warm, he could taste sweet fruits, the smell of her skin making his heart beat a little faster.
He kept the kiss chaste, though he could sense the desire in the young woman in his arms, if he had decided to make the kiss…more, she would not have resisted.
No, he thought, I can't do that.
He loosened his grip on her waist.
He couldn't do it…
…Not yet.
She stepped back after that, blushing even a darker shade of red.
"I'm…ah…sorry," she said a little breathless, "That…that wasn't um…inappropriate was it?"
He rubbed his lips, and managed a smile.
The shy look on her face was sweet, and, despite her words…she wasn't the least bit sorry.
He didn't mind that.
"No," he said in a shy voice.
She beamed brightly, happy to hear that.
"Good, I…I hope it wasn't the last time."
Jas glanced over at Val, she was not meeting his gaze, focusing on one of her pistols again.
He felt many things when he looked at the protector, satisfaction that he was not completely rejecting what she had offered him, her idea that he would be a good husband for Vess.
Yet, he also sensed a bit of sadness, disappointment. Despite her training and programing Val still had wants in this life.
Jas guessed that giving up what they could have been…was not easy for her.
You need to get out of here, his Jedi caution warned him.
This is too much for you to deal with right now.
It is too much.
He bowed respectfully to the young queen.
"I will see you aboard the cruiser."
She nodded, happy to hear him say that.
He glanced up at the protector.
"Val?"
"See you in a bit, Hotshot."
He bowed to her as well, and turned quickly, not wanting to run, but moving quickly, needing to get out of there before anything else could be said, or done.
Jas Dar Bynn sighed.
So…what are you going to do now? He thought to himself.
Where do you go from here?
For once, the Force offered no guidance.
It doesn't matter what I do next, he knew.
Someone will get hurt either way.
He didn't want that.
He had never wanted that.
He knew what Val had wanted of him, and she knew what it would cost her if he did it, but that didn't mean that she was a mindless automaton. She was still a young woman with feelings and desires.
Vess cared for him, he knew that, he had felt it in that kiss. If he asked it of her, would she grant Val her blessing that the two of them could be together. Would she allow Val to act against the system? If Char Valenthyne asked that of him, he would have done it without hesitation.
Vess loved Val, she respected her too, if the two of them came before the young queen and asked her to release her protector from her vow, would she do it?
He would stand beside Val if she desired it. He would do his best to be a good mate to her. Even if they could not have a family in the traditional sense, he would love her and care for her. Maybe they could even go off together, see the galaxy. He was not without his own resources…
Yet, as he thought about that, he knew that that desire would never be. Val had too much love for Vess, it had gone beyond her programing at this point.
She would never ask that question of her queen, not if she believed that he and Vess could work, but the question was…could it work?
He wasn't sure.
He cared for Vess as well, in the last two weeks he had gotten to know her. The beautiful fun-loving young woman she was. She made him smile, and for the first time, in a very long time, got him to start thinking about things that he had not thought about since his time on Corellia, not since Prynn had he asked himself those questions.
If he was to accept Val's offer, go to Lady Dorma and ask to court Vess as a proper suitor, he would endeavor in all things to make her happy.
He found himself remembering his vision, the one he had had after the fight on the north mountain. He found himself thinking about the child, strong in the Force, but with his grey eyes.
Was this what the Force was pointing him to? Was Vess the woman that would give him that child? If so, that would make his daughter a princess wouldn't it? The girl would have to learn to be a queen, as her mother had.
What kind of father would he be to a future queen? What kind of role model could he be, a smuggler…a common criminal?
Such thoughts were daunting to be sure.
He would do his best but…
Damn.
Vess made him feel happy, but Val remained…well…Val, he was drawn to her strength and courage. She had been the first woman he had ever been with, that had left its mark upon him. He would always care for her, and be fond of her. They had so much in common. If she chose to remain at her queen's side, even if they had been granted leave to continue their relationship, he would have stayed, he would aid her, he would help her keep Vess safe…
Yet, that would hurt the young queen, he would be in her life, but it would not be the way that she wanted, she…she would not like that.
He shook his head.
He saw no way to win here.
He knew he needed to make a decision, but whatever choice he made, one heart would get broken.
He didn't like that.
Maybe the best choice was not to make the choice?
That thought made his brow furrow.
He could decide to step away, ask Master Vey to formally bring him back into the Jedi Order, she believed him more than capable of becoming a full Jedi Knight.
He didn't want to hurt them, the two women that had come to mean so much to him. If he stepped away, that might be the right call, but it would hurt him as much as it did them.
Now you see the problem with attachment, he thought.
Now you understand why the Jedi forbid it.
Possession is forbidden.
Passion is forbidden.
Could he do it?
Could he simply let go, and avoid the choice entirely?
It wouldn't be that easy.
It never was.
"So, which one will it be?"
Jas nearly jumped, in his rush to make it to his ship, he didn't even sense Mirax Fallenstar waiting in one the alcoves to his right.
She gave him a soft smile.
"Tell me, Jas Dar Bynn, will it be lovely lady number one, or will it be lovely lady number two?"
He glared at her.
"You know, it is a good thing you are a bounty hunter, you would make one horrible minder."
She grinned savagely at him.
He shook his head and tried to walk away.
"You should get to your ship," he advised, "We will be leaving soon."
"I'm on my way," she promised falling in step beside him.
She gave him a sad smile.
"It isn't easy is it?"
"No," he said, not even bothering to play coy, Miri was Force sensitive too.
She could no doubt sense the conflict within him.
"You can't have them both, you know?"
"I don't want them both."
She shrugged.
"Or…then again, maybe you can. I knew this Jedi from Cera, he had six wives, but that was because of the low male to female birthrate on his world. Think about that Jas, six wives, SIX? Imagine the hell that would be on holy days and feasts?
"Miri," he said giving her a suffering look.
"I don't want to…"
"He got some special permission from the council," She continued, "but…still…"
Jas glared at her.
"I wouldn't do that to them, even if it was possible."
Again, she shrugged.
"Who knows, I can only guess how far either of them would go to keep you in their lives. You don't want to leave, I can sense that, and they would rather you stayed."
Despite her history, and twisted sense of justice, Mirax Fallenstar gave him a compassionate look.
"I don't envy your choice. Love is hard to find, real love…even more so."
He pursed his lips.
Was it real love?
He cared about Val, and he cared about Vess.
He wanted to stay, part of him was tempted to say that he needed to stay, but was that fair to them, to Vess and Val?
Did he have the right to stay and mess up all their lives?
It was a question that haunted him.
Fallenstar could likely feel that too.
She shook her head.
"You will make the right call," she said.
He frowned.
"I don't think there is one here."
He gave his companion an appraising look.
He found himself thinking back to Corellia, their duel in that abandoned shipyard. He had been ready to kill her that night, and she had been willing to kill him.
What was it about the women in his life wanting to kill him when they first met, first Val and then Miri?
He didn't desire Fallenstar, not in the way that he did Val and Vess, but he had come to respect her.
He hated to admit it, but he was starting to like her. He might even have been willing to start calling her friend.
He no longer looked upon her with pity, or disdain. Mondar had been right.
She was worth saving.
He would do his best to help her, to bring her back into the order.
She didn't have to walk alone on the fringes of society.
She could come home.
It would be one of the missions he would work towards in the coming weeks, one of many, but first they needed to see Vess safely to Coruscant.
"When you get to the Justice," he told her, "Switch the comm over to channel three."
"Got it," she said, "Are we expecting trouble?"
He frowned.
The Force remained clouded, he couldn't tell, but a sense of foreboding was growing in his mind.
"We need to expect anything," he said.
He took a deep breath and mustered his courage.
This trip could be a very bumpy ride.
IOI
A few minutes later he found himself in the ship that Coop had left behind if he needed it, and once again Jas found himself pleased.
My brother comes through again, he thought with a nod.
The E-06 courier, was a long-range fighter that had become popular with groups like the Cooper/Halcyon organization. It had been used for years as a quick trip vessel, a means for people on the mid and outer rim to stay in contact as the expansion exceeded the demands of the Republic Hyper-Comm network.
The ship had been replaced by newer vessels, and better comm relays in the last twelve years, but the supply was still high, and most colonies were more than happy to sell them off for the right price. Groups like Cooper's purchased many such craft, grateful for their armor and adaptability.
The weapon systems on this craft had been specially upgraded, heavier blaster cannons, and a single torpedo launcher, perfect to discourage any enemy ships that might try to harass a cargo ship or a passenger shuttle carrying a VIP.
Jas nodded.
It would serve him well here.
He plugged into the comm network switching over to the channel used by the organization.
The comm crackled as Miri, aboard the True Justice, checked in.
"Are we ready to get this done?"
"Yeah," he said, "Stay sharp when we get up there. If anything is going to happen it is going to be on the way to the cruiser. We allow no ships to get into the flight path of Vess' shuttle. They don't back off; we take care of it."
"Roger that," Miri responded, "Finishing final checklist for take-off now."
Jas nodded as he began his own, he had already informed Rist control to let him know when Vess' shuttle lifted.
He and Miri would serve as her escort.
They would be covering her all the way.
"Justice Leader to Rist control," he said into his headset, "Come in control?"
"Control here, what is on your mind, lead?"
"How are things going up there, is the shuttle ready to leave?"
"Shuttle is being loaded now," the controller informed him, launch in two minutes, stand by and await exit clearance."
"Roger that," he said, switching back to his ship-to-ship communications.
"You hear that, Miri?"
"Yeah," she said, "Question though: Why are you Justice Lead? Shouldn't that be my call sign?"
"Client's prerogative, Fallenstar. My job, my call sign."
"As you wish," she replied, "I still think we should have traded."
He smiled and continued through his checklist.
They now had a minute and a half until exit.
He tried to stay focused.
Who knew what awaited them when they broke through the atmosphere?
If it was trouble, they would be ready.
Jas nodded.
He wouldn't let his ladies down.
He…would be ready.
IOI
The Two ships lifted, and began following on an identical vector.
Jas checked his scanners, making sure that the sky was clear, and that they were catching up to the Republic shuttle.
He nodded.
So far, so good.
The ship that Vice Admiral Rakkas had sent for Vess was a three-seater luxury transport, a single pilot, with a passenger compartment big enough for two. Jas had seen such ships before in the years he had spent working with Cooper. The ship was a favorite among the rich and powerful, small but extremely quick and agile.
As far as transports went, it was a good choice, if trouble did start, it would be too fast to catch, it would be aboard the Righteous before any interceptor could reach it, safe behind the warship's shields.
Jas had offered to pilot the ship for Val and Vess, but Rakkas wouldn't allow it. The shuttle was a Republic military vessel after all.
Only military personnel were checked out on it, and able to fly VIPs.
Jas accepted, he hadn't been overly happy about it, but understood.
Which is why he had chosen to fly escort, just in case.
The sense of foreboding remained, a sense that…something was amiss.
He doubled checked his scanner again, now that they were about to leave the atmosphere, it was now or never.
If trouble was to start, it would be now.
He and Fallenstar kept back as two Republic fighters came in. They dropped down and in front of the shuttle, providing a defensive screen. The shuttle was now fully protected. He opened a channel eager to speak with the two Republic pilots, make sure they understood…
There were two bright flashes of light.
Jas gasped.
The two Republic fighters vanished in twin balls of flame!
"Damn it," Jas hissed.
I knew it!
The Ladies' shuttle picked up speed, heading for the cruiser, Jas and Fallenstar accelerated as well, trying to keep up, and watching for any attackers.
The escort was gone.
The attack could come at any minute, but…
…where was it?
Jas tried to hail the shuttle, he wanted to speak with Val, make sure that she was aware that he was out here, that he had her back.
The shuttle didn't respond. The signal was strong, but no one was picking up, no one was answering.
Perhaps the pilot was too focused on reaching the cruiser!
Jas reached out with the Force, he tried to get a sense of what Val was feeling, their bond through the Force would be enough to do that, he might even be able to…
He gasped.
His world spun crazily, and he nearly lost control of his ship!
He had touched Val's mind, and in that moment, he had felt a mix of determination and panic!
No!
NO!
Something was very wrong!
He could see Val in his mind's eye, she was punching the privacy screen in shuttle, Vess was already unconscious, collapsed in the seat next to her.
Val struck the protective barrier again and again, her knuckles were bloody, her consciousness fading.
Jas could taste the gas in his mouth, he was familiar with the smell. A sedative that the military used for crowd control. A security measure that the Republic navy used to stop pirates from seizing warships, tanks of the stuff were kept aboard, to assure that any boarding party would be stopped in their tracks.
Val was holding her breath, but it didn't matter, the sedative was absorbed through the skin, she was a fighter, but her strength was failing.
No, he could feel her thoughts her mind was struggling, trying to stay awake!
Can't…can't stop…can't give…Jas…help…Can't…Can't…
Everything faded to black as Char Valenthyne slumped over in her seat, finally succumbing to the sedative.
"JAS!"
He blinked, pulled back into the here and now.
Fallenstar's voice screamed over the comm.
"You're drifting, what is going on?!"
He shook his head.
He could still taste the gas on his tongue, the memory of it through his connection to Val made him a little woozy.
He shook his head and focused.
The shuttle was still accelerating, but now it was changing its vector
If it didn't stop, it would slip beneath the cruiser.
The pilot wasn't heading for safety, he was trying to escape.
Jas growled.
The pilot was trying to kidnap Vess!
"Miri," he called out.
"I'm here," he heard her call back, "Something is wrong! I can feel it!"
"We have to stop that shuttle!" he called back.
"Tell me you have an ion cannon on that bucket of yours?"
"It is charging now," she called back, "Switching to targeting computer!"
"Forget it." He called back, "Use the Force! We have to stop that shuttle!"
"We have to save them!"
The pilot of the shuttle must have realized he had been made. He began to juke back and forth. He was going evasive, trying to present a small target.
Jas growled.
You're not getting away!
You're not!
He contacted the Righteous. He hoped that the ship could cut off the shuttle. It wasn't a long-range vessel, but it did have a basic hyperdrive.
If it cleared the planet's gravity well…?
"Justice lead to Righteous," he said, "Come in Righteous, we have an emergency!"
"This is Vice Admiral Rakkas aboard the Righteous. What is going on, Jas Dar Bynn? Why are you coming in with weapons hot! You should be covering the shuttle!"
"The shuttle is no longer under Republic control, Admiral! The pilot is not trying to reach your landing bay, he is trying to escape the system."
Rakkas didn't reply, the silence was deafening.
"Did you copy, Admiral? I said the shuttle is unfriendly, it has hostages aboard. We can't let it escape! We have to save them!"
"Copy that," the Admiral replied, his gravelly voice cold and determined.
"Moving to intercept now."
The hammerhead class warship began to turn. Again, the shuttle started to bank, tried to turn away from the larger vessel. The turn was good for Jas and Fallenstar, the pilot had to slow down to execute the evasive maneuver.
They were still out of range, but that wouldn't be for long. Fallenstar said she had an ion cannon on the Justice, it was just a little further, and she would be able to take the shot. The Righteous would be able to pull the shuttle in with their tractor beam. The fact that the kidnapper had used a sedative on Val and Vess was telling, he wanted them alive, he wanted…
The Righteous opened fire, not with an ion cannon, but with its heavy forward batteries.
The shuttle juked again, barely avoiding be disintegrated!
Jas gasped.
What the hell was Rakkas doing?!
"Righteous hold your fire!" he shouted into the comm, "The hostages…"
"Are already dead, Jas Dar Bynn," Rakkas called back, "The Republic does not deal with terrorists! We will not allow this murderer to escape the system."
"They're not dead, Admiral!" Jas shouted, "They're alive! I feel it!"
The Righteous didn't turn away, it was now coming in on a pursuit vector, its guns tracking the fleeing shuttle.
"What the hell is he doing?!" Fallenstar shouted over the comm.
"Tell him to fall back! I got this!"
Jas tried to close the gap, tried to force the shuttle to turn back towards the planet, maybe they could force it down. Maybe the would-be kidnapper would acknowledge that it was safer to flee back into the atmosphere, where he would have some cover from the Righteous' guns.
Jas shook his head.
This was a nightmare! What was Rakkas thinking. He was…
Jas' eyes widened.
Rakkas.
A memory came back to him, a gift from the Force, some might call it.
He was a boy again, aboard the Clan Nuna ship. They were hiding in an asteroid field, when…
Jas cursed under his breath.
Rakkas!
It was the fish!
It was the stinking fish!
Vice Admiral Rakkas had not changed his tune in the years that had passed, he would still rather kill an enemy than try to bring them in alive!
He didn't care about Val and Vess, only in stopping the shuttle from escaping.
Jas tried to get between the Righteous and the shuttle. Rakkas would not hesitate to kill Vess, Val, or anyone else to prevent that shuttle from escaping, it was his nature.
"Jas pull back!" Fallenstar called out over the comm.
"PULL BACK!"
He couldn't.
He had to shield Val and Vess!
A laser blast cooked the air off his port wing, the gunners weren't hesitating. It seemed that they didn't mind if they blasted him in their zeal to stop the escaping shuttle. They…
There was another bright flash, this time above and behind him!
The shuttle juked again, returning to its original course, heading back towards the cruiser.
He is mad, Jas thought, there is no escape. He can't just…
As he brought his ship around, he realized what had happened.
No, Jas thought.
No.
The Righteous had ceased firing, blue lightning played across its hull. Its mid-section, near where the escape pods were stowed, was blackened, he could see a debris cloud beginning to expand out from the Republic warship.
The bile rose in Jas' throat.
The Righteous had not been attacked from the outside, the damage had come from within.
He looked on in horror!
Someone had triggered a very large ion charge somewhere aboard the Righteous! The ship had lost power! Its shields and weapons were offline, but that was not the worst of it.
Jas tried to hail the vessel, find out if there was anything he could do.
He was trying, but in his heart, he knew it was hopeless.
The cruiser had been under power when the charge had gone off, it had been heading down towards the planet. Now its engines and shields were off-line, and it was caught in Alderaan's gravitational pull.
If the engineers could not restore power in the next few minutes, the Righteous was doomed, it would fall into the atmosphere and be burnt to a crisp.
All hands would be lost.
The shuttle, now unopposed, returned to its original course, it accelerated away from Alderaan, back on the vector of the falling warship. It was picking up speed again, pulling out of weapons range of Jas and Fallenstar's ships.
Blue ion blasts crackled through the void. Miri was trying to hit the shuttle on the fly, and she was getting closer. She…"
Her ion cannon stopped firing.
"Why did you stop!" Jas called out, "Justice Two, what are you…?"
"He is too close the Righteous!" she answered,
Jas looked again.
Mirax Fallenstar was right.
The shuttle was now too close the Righteous!
If she fired and hit the cruiser, she could undo what the engineers were trying to accomplish, it would only hasten the warship's demise. Fighters and shuttles were now launching from the cruiser, the few ships that had been powered down when the ion charge had gone off.
The ship was now beginning to tumble, and was picking up speed. Jas could already see the beginning of friction, the hull starting to glow the closer it drew to the atmosphere.
The shuttle shot just underneath the dying warship, making for deep space. None of the fighters and shuttles from the Righteous tried to stop it, the skies were filled with panic, as was the Force!
The shuttle carrying Val and Vess finally cleared the gravity well, Jas and Fallenstar's ships were still too far off to make a difference.
The shuttle slowed for but a second, it waggled its wings, an almost mockingly type of maneuver, as if saying goodbye to the would-be heroes.
Ja felt something in the Force, both menacing…and…somehow…familiar?
There was a sudden shift of pseudo-motion, the shuttle seemed to elongate slightly, and then…it vanished into hyperspace.
Jas almost screamed in rage.
It was gone.
Val was gone.
Vess was gone!
The Righteous flashed as it began its slow doomed tumble through the atmosphere, no pods launched, the bulk of the crew were doomed, trapped onboard.
The tumbling ship turned into a fireball, a fireball that was picking up speed.
Not only had the mysterious pilot took Val and Vess, but he had also managed to kill a Republic warship in the process, everything that Jas had seen suggested that this had not been an accident.
Someone had done this.
This person was both a murderer and a kidnapper!
The only question in his mind was…who?!
Who could have done this?!
WHO?!
