Chapter Sixteen

Although Jaina had never wanted to be recognized as a Princess, she had to admit that it wasn't bad being treated like one. The man named Steffman had escorted her a suite that was apparently used typically for high ranking government officials...she assumed he felt that he was making up for her poor treatment before and didn't want the Republic government to dislike his people. Whatever people they were.

Jaina was told that she was in the city of Isham, but Steffman would give her no other information. According to the man, he didn't want to say much because of issues that were "currently developing with the Najeme." Jaina was curious, but didn't press for more. She wanted to be on his good side...it was the one thing she knew could help her in getting Ganner out of this place.

Jaina was treated to a warm bath and a clean set of clothes. The clothes, however, were not what she was used to. Apparently, Steffman had decided that if she was staying in diplomat's quarters, she needed to look like a diplomat. The robes that had arrived at her room were absolutely gorgeous--she felt like a goddess in them. The dress was soft, lilac-colored silk, with violet embroidery all down the front. The overcoat was also made of silk, this time white with large silver clasps. Jaina decided that something needed to be done with her hair if she was to wear this outfit, so pulled the top half up into a clip and let the rest of her curls hang loose. No ponytail today.

Jaina decided that it was time to venture out into the city. She needed to get in touch with Ganner somehow, to figure out what they were going to do. She had no idea how she was going to do this.

Jaina slipped quietly out into the ornate wood hallway and tried to find her way back to the entrance she had followed Steffman through before. Following a large, winding staircase, she suddenly realized she was on the wrong side of the building. Beginning to turn around, she heard voices coming from the bottom of the stairs, quickly approaching her. Not really knowing what she was doing, she slipped behind a large potted tree and hid out of sight.

"It was bad enough with the Najeme spying on us," a feminine voice said, "and now we've got a New Republic officer right here."

Steffman's voice responded. "The young woman has nothing to be suspicious of, Kilea. She's just here trying to get that Jedi."

"So she says," the woman responded. "There's something about that story that doesn't make sense to me, but I can't put my finger on it."

Steffman scoffed. "That woman knows nothing, I can assure you. The Jedi, on the other hand--"

"The Jedi is worthless with the ysalamiri guarding him." The woman giggled for a moment, and Jaina could sense her spirit lighten. "You would have thought those amazing Jedi would have found some way around them by now." She sighed. "Oh well. We will keep going as planned, even with the New Republic right here. Still..." Jaina stopped breathing as the two rounded the corner and the woman nearly looked right at her. "We must be careful. And the Lieutenant--"

"Let her go where she wants. She has nothing to be looking for. And if she does...she wouldn't know it if it were right under her nose," Steffman smiled.

Kilea brushed a lock of blond hair out of her eyes, which were deep purple. She was a very striking woman, not much older than Jaina, and was dressed in a long, plain forest-green robe, and carried a data pad. "We will meet again tomorrow," she said softly. "Not a word till then."

Steffman nodded. "Not a word."

Kilea turned and walked back down the stairs, while Steffman continued upward. Jaina waited a few moments, then headed back up towards her quarters. She was thoroughly confused.

* * * * *

Jaina knew one thing, however. She needed to get to Ganner to make sure he was okay. So she had convinced Steffman later that afternoon that she needed to make sure the Jedi was secure. Plus, she said, she still needed to convince him to join her. And that would be much easier with him incarcerated.

After traveling back to the edge of town on a silver speeder, Jaina was escorted into the large stone building by a pair of large guards. She thought she recognized them from the night before. "You have fifteen minutes," one said. "He's in there."

Jaina walked down a long, dark corridor, getting catcalls as she went past the cells. Reaching the end, she suddenly felt the Force leave her, and knew the ysalamiri were indeed here. Looking into the last cell, she saw Ganner sitting in a corner.

His face was bruised and bloodied, but his eyes sparkled to no end the second he saw Jaina.

"Ganner!" she cried out, rushing to the cell and reaching a hand through the bars. He stumbled forward and grasped her tightly, rubbing her palm against his cheek.

"You're all right," he said, kissing her knuckles and looking her up and down as she crouched down beside him. "And you've been treated well."

"Which is more than I can say for you!" she choked, rubbing her other hand against his face to wipe off the dried blood.

"You're what matters," he replied. "Nice outfit--you look gorgeous."

"Who cares about me?" she asked. "What are we going to do?"

Ganner sighed and held a finger to her lips. "Not get upset, that's for sure. That won't help either of us. What do you know?"

She softly told him the story she had fooled Steffman with, and he couldn't help but laugh. He had found a crafty one that was for sure. She then continued, "and there's something else. I heard him talking to some woman..."

After her story, neither of them had any better idea of what to do. "I know one thing," she said. "Steffman is going to hear about how you're being treated."

"Don't worry," he replied. "I've been in worse situations than this before." His hand instinctively went up to the scar crossing his forehead. "And I've never had you to think about as a reason for getting out."

Jaina blushed and leaned forward. "They're going to be making me leave soon, but I promise you I will be back as soon as I can." She placed a tender kiss on his lips and squeezed his hands. "I just hope they're not watching," she smiled.

"Let them watch," he said, and kissed her again. After a moment, he added, "You'd just figure out another one of your stories. I say, you are definitely a Solo."

"Ah..." Jaina muttered, "not at the moment. I forgot one thing. I gave them a new name."

"Oh yeah. What was it?"

Jaina bit her lip, not sure how Ganner would take it. "Lieutenant Jaina...Lehada."

"Oh really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It was the first unrecognizable name that popped into my head, and I didn't have time..." she said, quickly.

"Don't worry," he smiled. "I don't have the energy to be jealous. Maybe when I get out of here..."

Jaina smiled. "I need to go," she said, hearing the guard open the door. "Be strong."

"As long as I think of you, there's no other way to be."

Jaina followed the corridor back out, feeling like the life had been put back into her once she was out of the ysalamiri bubble. She walked to the speeder and traveled back to the center of town and into the building she was staying in. She returned to her room, intent on formulating a plan to get out of this place.

She entered the room, which was dark. "Lights," she sighed, but they didn't come on. She heard the door close behind her, and a hand suddenly clasped over her mouth, cutting off her scream.

I would like to apologize for how long it took me to post this chapter. I've been extremely busy lately and haven't had a chunk of time to sit and work on this story. Plus, I haven't been getting many reviews, and I didn't know if people were reading it anymore and/or liking where it was going. So, it would be great if you'd let me know! To everyone who has read and/or reviewed, I appreciate it more than you know and hope you are enjoying it! Thanks so much, and thanks for reading!