Wedge waited outside the outer office door, waiting to meet with General
Baron Soontir Fel. 'I haven't seen this guy for decades. And my sister,
too. Is she here? Does she want to see me? I wonder-'
"General Antilles," a voice startled him out of his thoughts. "General Antilles, General Fel will meet with you now."
Wedge nodded nervously, shooting a tight-lipped smile at the aide. "Thanks." The door whooshed open to admit him, and he entered in the office. The person behind the desk was facing the viewport, staring out intently at the stars, hands clasped at the small of his back. The room was dark, the only light from the stars outside the viewports. Wedge waited, standing as tall as he could, as straight as he could, and waited. The aging man, with black hair liberally streaked with silver, continued to stare out the viewport. Wedge stood there, still, just waiting, for a few moments. 'Some negotiations and talks.' He cleared his throat softly, and stood there, waiting for some response from General Fel. 'You could hear a pin drop in this room. I guess to hell with politeness in politics.' Wedge opened his mouth to say something, but, just at that moment, Fel spoke. "Wedge Antilles." His voice was cold, and seemed cut through the room. He turned slowly, to his left, regarding Wedge with his one good eye.
"General Fel," Wedge said almost casusally, acknowledging him with a faint nod. 'I'm not liking this, not at all.' He wanted to jump right out, and forget the reason the Chiss were here at all, and ask Fel about his sister, but he held his tougue. "It has been a long time."
"That is has, Wedge. But, enough with the pleasantries."
'Pleasantries? What pleasantries?!' thought Wedge incredulously.
Fel continued on. "As you know, Colonel Jagged Fel has been doing important reconnaissance for his house phalanx, and for our people. He has brought to our attention that the galaxy is in grave danger, far worse than we could have ever imagined. We have decided not to hole up, and save ourselves, but we would detest to see the destruction of the known galaxy, and I'm sure you would hate that too."
Wedge flicked his gaze across Fel's features, crossing his arms and narrowing his brandy-brown eyes. "You are correct in that assumption, General."
Fel allowed the slightest of a smile, just barely noticeable. " I thought I would be. We have brought a small fleet here, and at my word I can have another, much larger one en route. Tell us where you need us, General Antilles. My people are willing to die for your New Republic."
Wedge allowed a bitter laugh. "General Fel, you have come a day late. There is no more New Republic. That died with the capture of Coruscant."
"Then I offer my sincere apologies and regrets." replied Fel calmly.
Wedge shook his head. "The New Republic had been crumbling before this, and I'm sure this will be better. The Inner Council had been holding us back from fighting to save our galaxy. I know that the collapse of the New Republic was inevitable, but, unfortunately has come too late. We could have prevented the destruction and onslaught had this happened earlier."
Fel arched a black eyebrow. "I was unaware of that. It seems, then, General, we have come at the right time?"
Wedge nodded. "Your fleet is the flicker of light in the darkness of the storm, General. I knew there would be no victories for the New Republic, that we wouldn't be able to win. It was just a matter of time, and taking every Vong possible down with us."
Fel smiled broadly, and spread his arms. "Then, General Antilles, let us begin planning our next offensive. Please, take a seat."
Wedge sat down in a large repulsor chair in front of Fel's desk, and the General dropped into a high-backed chair behind his desk. His fingers ran across a keyboard, and in moments a small holoprojector image of the galaxy appeared. "Now, General Antilles, we have three days before we can expect…"
* * *
Jaina Solo sighed deeply, taking another gulp of hot caf. She leaned back into her chair, resting her head on the back, closing her whiskey-brown eyes. "Yes. I have a comment. Good caf, Colonel Celchu."
Tycho cocked an eyebrow at her. "Thank you, I brewed it myself."
Jaina smiled. "You have impressive skills with the food-prep unit."
"Thanks. As I was saying before, any other comments, on the mission?" he shot a pointed look at Jaina, who was oblivious to the look, still smiling, with eyes closed and head leaned back. He rolled his eyes. "No? Good. Get to your bunks. General Antilles has informed me you guys are the lucky recipients of a 24 standard hour leave." The two squadrons cheered. Tycho grinned. " Rest up people, you ship out to the outer rim of Pyria on the dot. I expect you at your ships ready to depart at 2100 hours. Dismissed."
The other pilots rushed out of the room, rather, made a mad dash for the door, pushing and shoving and laughing. Tycho shook his head. "Children." He exited out of a side door, leaving Jaina, who was still seated in her chair, and Jag, who was stretching lazily. "Come on, Lieutenant."
"Five more minutes, Mommy." Jaina joked, eyes still shut. Jag smiled, and pulled on her left hand, tugging her to her feet. Jaina cracked an eye open, squinting at him. "I was enjoying my nap."
"I bet you were. " Jag slipped an arm around her shoulders, directing her towards the door. "If you are going to sleep, crash in your quarters, not in the debriefing room."
"Yes, Mother." Jaina said, leaning against him. They strolled along the hall, when Jag spoke up, uneasy. "Jaina, my dad, I, well, I really didn't tell him about us, but, he's sharp, and I think he was thinking there was something going on between us…and, well, anyways, he wanted to meet you. I think he'll be coming planetside soon."
Jaina glanced up at his troubled features. "You think I wouldn't want to meet with your father? Or that your father wouldn't approve of you dating a Rebel girl?
Jag hesitated, and nodded. "I guess that's it."
"We don't have to tell him right away, if you prefer. We can wait for a little bit."
"Sounds good."
"Okay." She rested her head on his shoulder. "Hey, this doesn't look like my quarters, Colonel Fel. This looks like the landing grid."
"Quite the observer, aren't we, Lieutenant?" he replied.
Jaina tugged him towards her X-wing. As they neared the ship, however, Jaina froze. A vision from the Force filled her senses: warning klaxons pierced her brain, panicked cries and screams, explosions and hot burning shrapnel, all slammed into her senses. Her knees trembled, and if it weren't for Jag supporting her, she would have fallen to the ground. She distantly heard Jag call her name, but she couldn't respond. Scenes flashed by faster, and growing more terrible, when suddenly, they stopped. The shrieks faded from the background, and she was vaguely aware of tears streaming down her face, and Jag just cradling her protectively. Jaina started to wonder what it was that she'd just viewed, but already she knew: she had witnessed the destruction of their galaxy. She was sure of it. She blinked back the tears, and glanced up into Jag's concerned face. His pale green eyes locked with her brandy ones. He didn't say anything, but just held her tighter.
* * *
Generals Wedge Antilles and Baron Soontir Fel had been discussing the power of their now combined fleets, when the blue skinned aide burst into the room. The aide strode over to the desk, and while she was making her way towards them, Wedge's comlink chirped. He thumbed it on, listening intently. His brown eyes widened slightly, and he continued to listen while the aide spoke urgently with Fel. Wedge nodded, realizing belatedly that Tycho couldn't see it. "Send the fleet over to the central sector. We don't want any trouble just yet." He whispered, "Antilles out." He clipped the comlink back to his belt just as the aide left the room. He locked his gaze with Fel's.
"If you would excuse me, General. I must get planetside." Wedge said, rising.
Fel nodded. "I overheard you are sending your fleet to the innermost central sector, to Pyria's sun. I assume you are sending us out there, also?"
Wegde nodded curtly. "Thank you for your assistance, General Fel." He extended his hand, and Fel shook it. Wedge saluted him, and Fel returned it. Then Wedge turned and rushed out the room.
* * *
Jaina suddenly heard warning klaxons blare, jolting her out of Jag's arms. She glanced around, tears still sliding down her cheeks. "What's going on?" she whispered.
Jag shook his head. "I'm not sure. Must be a Vong something or other."
Jaina nodded. "Right." She hesitated for a second. "Where's the pilots' ready room?"
Jag tugged her in a direction. "You sure you're up to this? I mean, what was that all about?"
"It's ok. I had a vision, and it rattled me."
"It rattled you?" Jag repeated doubtfully.
"Yes, Colonel. I was slightly disturbed by my vision. There are some things you'd rather not see." She shot back, as Jag punched in the code for the pilots' room.
They emerged moments later, Jaina tugging on her black flight gloves. "Where are we going?" she asked as they jogged towards their snubfighters.
"Colonel Celchu said central sector over comlink. Appears a Vong armada showed up. Most of the fleet and the Chiss have jumped to hyperspace. They're prepared to fight for the system."
"Central sector? That doesn't feel right…" Jaina said, frowning. She heard the roar of engines in the distance. "Wait a minute! If they go to Pyria's sun, the gravity well will prevent them from jumping back here quickly, so they can-" Her eyes widened slightly as she put two and two together.
"Jaina! Get down!" Jag shouted as a wing of coralskippers raced towards the landing grid. Jaina's brown eyed gaze widened in alarm as she saw the skips start spraying plasma. He shoved Jaina down to the grass roughly, covering her, trying to provide some protection. Jaina heard the explosions and screams in the distance. 'That was no destruction of the galaxy,' she thought, 'I was seeing our base attacked!'
The explosions grew louder, as did the warning alarms. She could hear people scrambling around, and she watched as ships were nailed with plasma and explode. She could feel the singeing heat waves from the explosions.
"Jag, I-" she started, but another loud explosion cut her off. She waited, and then started again. "Jag, I-" This time, she felt the shock waves from the very nearby explosions. More and more were exploding around the landing grid, anything and everything mechanical, or near anything mechanical was being disintegrated. Jag held her tightly, and she closed her eyes against the brilliance as a nearby ship exploded in a fiery storm, raining shrapnel all around. The shock wave lifted them off the ground; they were too close to the ship. Jaina landed soundly on the ground, Jag a few meters away. An X-wing detonated, and Jaina bit back a scream as the hot shrapnel burned through her flightsuit, cutting into her skin. Jag picked himself off the ground; he had a gash along his left cheekbone. He straightened up, and looked around, surveying the damage. She felt something warm and wet running down her face, and when she touched her forehead, her hand recoiled as she touched warm blood. Jag glanced at her, and surprise flashed through his handsome features. He jogged over to where she sat, kneeling beside her. He gazed into her whiskey-brown eyes. "You ok?" he asked.
"It's just shrapnel." Jaina said.
"Let me see." He commanded, gently running his hands through her blood soaked hair, probing for the bits of metal. Jaina flinched involuntarily as his fingers brushed an open gash.
"I'm fine, Jag. It's just a few little cuts." She tried to say convincingly.
"No, come on, we need to get you to the med center." He insisted.
Jaina nodded, feeling lightheaded and dizzy. 'This is not good.'
Jag frowned, and scooped her into his arms, holding her close. He began to carefully pick his way through the pieces of ships, noting that most of the fighters on the grid had sustained some, if not serious, damage. There was about half a squadron near them that seemed intact. "I think the Yuuzhan Vong are gone, now."
Jaina's danger sense flared again. "Wait, Jag, I-"
Jag glanced down at her. "We're almost to the main building, hang on."
He froze suddenly, hearing the scream of the Yuuzhan Vong coralskippers. Jag swore under his breath, now running towards the old biotics building now serving as the command center. Plasma rained down as the ships fired upon the remaining six or so fighters on the grid. One of the B-wings took a plasma shot straight in the fuselage, and detonated. The explosion thew Jag into the air, and he lost his hold on Jaina. He smashed into a cockpit of some ruined ship, and slumped unconscious. Jaina felt the searing heat, and noted distantly that she was no longer in Jag's strong arms. She felt the impact of landing on the grass, and she tried rather awkwardly to roll and absorb some of the impact. She raised her blood streaked, grimy face, looking for the one man she loved. "Jag…" she whispered, scared. She saw darkness nibbling on the edge of her vision, and she fumbled around for her comlink. She thumbed it on, but couldn't find the energy to call for assistance. She tried to calm her whirlwind of thoughts, to focus on the Force, but she succumbed to the darkness threatening to overcome her, and dropped down, unconscious.
** *
ok, how was the chapter? hope ya liked, I'm trying to keep the story going…thanks again for all the reviews I've gotten! :D
"General Antilles," a voice startled him out of his thoughts. "General Antilles, General Fel will meet with you now."
Wedge nodded nervously, shooting a tight-lipped smile at the aide. "Thanks." The door whooshed open to admit him, and he entered in the office. The person behind the desk was facing the viewport, staring out intently at the stars, hands clasped at the small of his back. The room was dark, the only light from the stars outside the viewports. Wedge waited, standing as tall as he could, as straight as he could, and waited. The aging man, with black hair liberally streaked with silver, continued to stare out the viewport. Wedge stood there, still, just waiting, for a few moments. 'Some negotiations and talks.' He cleared his throat softly, and stood there, waiting for some response from General Fel. 'You could hear a pin drop in this room. I guess to hell with politeness in politics.' Wedge opened his mouth to say something, but, just at that moment, Fel spoke. "Wedge Antilles." His voice was cold, and seemed cut through the room. He turned slowly, to his left, regarding Wedge with his one good eye.
"General Fel," Wedge said almost casusally, acknowledging him with a faint nod. 'I'm not liking this, not at all.' He wanted to jump right out, and forget the reason the Chiss were here at all, and ask Fel about his sister, but he held his tougue. "It has been a long time."
"That is has, Wedge. But, enough with the pleasantries."
'Pleasantries? What pleasantries?!' thought Wedge incredulously.
Fel continued on. "As you know, Colonel Jagged Fel has been doing important reconnaissance for his house phalanx, and for our people. He has brought to our attention that the galaxy is in grave danger, far worse than we could have ever imagined. We have decided not to hole up, and save ourselves, but we would detest to see the destruction of the known galaxy, and I'm sure you would hate that too."
Wedge flicked his gaze across Fel's features, crossing his arms and narrowing his brandy-brown eyes. "You are correct in that assumption, General."
Fel allowed the slightest of a smile, just barely noticeable. " I thought I would be. We have brought a small fleet here, and at my word I can have another, much larger one en route. Tell us where you need us, General Antilles. My people are willing to die for your New Republic."
Wedge allowed a bitter laugh. "General Fel, you have come a day late. There is no more New Republic. That died with the capture of Coruscant."
"Then I offer my sincere apologies and regrets." replied Fel calmly.
Wedge shook his head. "The New Republic had been crumbling before this, and I'm sure this will be better. The Inner Council had been holding us back from fighting to save our galaxy. I know that the collapse of the New Republic was inevitable, but, unfortunately has come too late. We could have prevented the destruction and onslaught had this happened earlier."
Fel arched a black eyebrow. "I was unaware of that. It seems, then, General, we have come at the right time?"
Wedge nodded. "Your fleet is the flicker of light in the darkness of the storm, General. I knew there would be no victories for the New Republic, that we wouldn't be able to win. It was just a matter of time, and taking every Vong possible down with us."
Fel smiled broadly, and spread his arms. "Then, General Antilles, let us begin planning our next offensive. Please, take a seat."
Wedge sat down in a large repulsor chair in front of Fel's desk, and the General dropped into a high-backed chair behind his desk. His fingers ran across a keyboard, and in moments a small holoprojector image of the galaxy appeared. "Now, General Antilles, we have three days before we can expect…"
* * *
Jaina Solo sighed deeply, taking another gulp of hot caf. She leaned back into her chair, resting her head on the back, closing her whiskey-brown eyes. "Yes. I have a comment. Good caf, Colonel Celchu."
Tycho cocked an eyebrow at her. "Thank you, I brewed it myself."
Jaina smiled. "You have impressive skills with the food-prep unit."
"Thanks. As I was saying before, any other comments, on the mission?" he shot a pointed look at Jaina, who was oblivious to the look, still smiling, with eyes closed and head leaned back. He rolled his eyes. "No? Good. Get to your bunks. General Antilles has informed me you guys are the lucky recipients of a 24 standard hour leave." The two squadrons cheered. Tycho grinned. " Rest up people, you ship out to the outer rim of Pyria on the dot. I expect you at your ships ready to depart at 2100 hours. Dismissed."
The other pilots rushed out of the room, rather, made a mad dash for the door, pushing and shoving and laughing. Tycho shook his head. "Children." He exited out of a side door, leaving Jaina, who was still seated in her chair, and Jag, who was stretching lazily. "Come on, Lieutenant."
"Five more minutes, Mommy." Jaina joked, eyes still shut. Jag smiled, and pulled on her left hand, tugging her to her feet. Jaina cracked an eye open, squinting at him. "I was enjoying my nap."
"I bet you were. " Jag slipped an arm around her shoulders, directing her towards the door. "If you are going to sleep, crash in your quarters, not in the debriefing room."
"Yes, Mother." Jaina said, leaning against him. They strolled along the hall, when Jag spoke up, uneasy. "Jaina, my dad, I, well, I really didn't tell him about us, but, he's sharp, and I think he was thinking there was something going on between us…and, well, anyways, he wanted to meet you. I think he'll be coming planetside soon."
Jaina glanced up at his troubled features. "You think I wouldn't want to meet with your father? Or that your father wouldn't approve of you dating a Rebel girl?
Jag hesitated, and nodded. "I guess that's it."
"We don't have to tell him right away, if you prefer. We can wait for a little bit."
"Sounds good."
"Okay." She rested her head on his shoulder. "Hey, this doesn't look like my quarters, Colonel Fel. This looks like the landing grid."
"Quite the observer, aren't we, Lieutenant?" he replied.
Jaina tugged him towards her X-wing. As they neared the ship, however, Jaina froze. A vision from the Force filled her senses: warning klaxons pierced her brain, panicked cries and screams, explosions and hot burning shrapnel, all slammed into her senses. Her knees trembled, and if it weren't for Jag supporting her, she would have fallen to the ground. She distantly heard Jag call her name, but she couldn't respond. Scenes flashed by faster, and growing more terrible, when suddenly, they stopped. The shrieks faded from the background, and she was vaguely aware of tears streaming down her face, and Jag just cradling her protectively. Jaina started to wonder what it was that she'd just viewed, but already she knew: she had witnessed the destruction of their galaxy. She was sure of it. She blinked back the tears, and glanced up into Jag's concerned face. His pale green eyes locked with her brandy ones. He didn't say anything, but just held her tighter.
* * *
Generals Wedge Antilles and Baron Soontir Fel had been discussing the power of their now combined fleets, when the blue skinned aide burst into the room. The aide strode over to the desk, and while she was making her way towards them, Wedge's comlink chirped. He thumbed it on, listening intently. His brown eyes widened slightly, and he continued to listen while the aide spoke urgently with Fel. Wedge nodded, realizing belatedly that Tycho couldn't see it. "Send the fleet over to the central sector. We don't want any trouble just yet." He whispered, "Antilles out." He clipped the comlink back to his belt just as the aide left the room. He locked his gaze with Fel's.
"If you would excuse me, General. I must get planetside." Wedge said, rising.
Fel nodded. "I overheard you are sending your fleet to the innermost central sector, to Pyria's sun. I assume you are sending us out there, also?"
Wegde nodded curtly. "Thank you for your assistance, General Fel." He extended his hand, and Fel shook it. Wedge saluted him, and Fel returned it. Then Wedge turned and rushed out the room.
* * *
Jaina suddenly heard warning klaxons blare, jolting her out of Jag's arms. She glanced around, tears still sliding down her cheeks. "What's going on?" she whispered.
Jag shook his head. "I'm not sure. Must be a Vong something or other."
Jaina nodded. "Right." She hesitated for a second. "Where's the pilots' ready room?"
Jag tugged her in a direction. "You sure you're up to this? I mean, what was that all about?"
"It's ok. I had a vision, and it rattled me."
"It rattled you?" Jag repeated doubtfully.
"Yes, Colonel. I was slightly disturbed by my vision. There are some things you'd rather not see." She shot back, as Jag punched in the code for the pilots' room.
They emerged moments later, Jaina tugging on her black flight gloves. "Where are we going?" she asked as they jogged towards their snubfighters.
"Colonel Celchu said central sector over comlink. Appears a Vong armada showed up. Most of the fleet and the Chiss have jumped to hyperspace. They're prepared to fight for the system."
"Central sector? That doesn't feel right…" Jaina said, frowning. She heard the roar of engines in the distance. "Wait a minute! If they go to Pyria's sun, the gravity well will prevent them from jumping back here quickly, so they can-" Her eyes widened slightly as she put two and two together.
"Jaina! Get down!" Jag shouted as a wing of coralskippers raced towards the landing grid. Jaina's brown eyed gaze widened in alarm as she saw the skips start spraying plasma. He shoved Jaina down to the grass roughly, covering her, trying to provide some protection. Jaina heard the explosions and screams in the distance. 'That was no destruction of the galaxy,' she thought, 'I was seeing our base attacked!'
The explosions grew louder, as did the warning alarms. She could hear people scrambling around, and she watched as ships were nailed with plasma and explode. She could feel the singeing heat waves from the explosions.
"Jag, I-" she started, but another loud explosion cut her off. She waited, and then started again. "Jag, I-" This time, she felt the shock waves from the very nearby explosions. More and more were exploding around the landing grid, anything and everything mechanical, or near anything mechanical was being disintegrated. Jag held her tightly, and she closed her eyes against the brilliance as a nearby ship exploded in a fiery storm, raining shrapnel all around. The shock wave lifted them off the ground; they were too close to the ship. Jaina landed soundly on the ground, Jag a few meters away. An X-wing detonated, and Jaina bit back a scream as the hot shrapnel burned through her flightsuit, cutting into her skin. Jag picked himself off the ground; he had a gash along his left cheekbone. He straightened up, and looked around, surveying the damage. She felt something warm and wet running down her face, and when she touched her forehead, her hand recoiled as she touched warm blood. Jag glanced at her, and surprise flashed through his handsome features. He jogged over to where she sat, kneeling beside her. He gazed into her whiskey-brown eyes. "You ok?" he asked.
"It's just shrapnel." Jaina said.
"Let me see." He commanded, gently running his hands through her blood soaked hair, probing for the bits of metal. Jaina flinched involuntarily as his fingers brushed an open gash.
"I'm fine, Jag. It's just a few little cuts." She tried to say convincingly.
"No, come on, we need to get you to the med center." He insisted.
Jaina nodded, feeling lightheaded and dizzy. 'This is not good.'
Jag frowned, and scooped her into his arms, holding her close. He began to carefully pick his way through the pieces of ships, noting that most of the fighters on the grid had sustained some, if not serious, damage. There was about half a squadron near them that seemed intact. "I think the Yuuzhan Vong are gone, now."
Jaina's danger sense flared again. "Wait, Jag, I-"
Jag glanced down at her. "We're almost to the main building, hang on."
He froze suddenly, hearing the scream of the Yuuzhan Vong coralskippers. Jag swore under his breath, now running towards the old biotics building now serving as the command center. Plasma rained down as the ships fired upon the remaining six or so fighters on the grid. One of the B-wings took a plasma shot straight in the fuselage, and detonated. The explosion thew Jag into the air, and he lost his hold on Jaina. He smashed into a cockpit of some ruined ship, and slumped unconscious. Jaina felt the searing heat, and noted distantly that she was no longer in Jag's strong arms. She felt the impact of landing on the grass, and she tried rather awkwardly to roll and absorb some of the impact. She raised her blood streaked, grimy face, looking for the one man she loved. "Jag…" she whispered, scared. She saw darkness nibbling on the edge of her vision, and she fumbled around for her comlink. She thumbed it on, but couldn't find the energy to call for assistance. She tried to calm her whirlwind of thoughts, to focus on the Force, but she succumbed to the darkness threatening to overcome her, and dropped down, unconscious.
** *
ok, how was the chapter? hope ya liked, I'm trying to keep the story going…thanks again for all the reviews I've gotten! :D