EPILOGUE
The Grand Audience Chamber on Yavin Four was full to capacity for the first time since the beginning of the war. Both Jedi Knights and trainees sat side by side, watching the dozen or so Jedi apprentice's that stood off to the side of the stage, eagerly waiting for their names to be called. Tahiri Veila was among that group, grinning more broadly then Jacen had ever seen her. When Luke Skywalker called out her name, she took in a calming breath before proceeding to cross the platform amidst the cheering and applause from the crowd. Facing those assembled in the grand chamber, she ignited her brilliant blue saber as Luke pronounced her a Jedi Knight and all the responsibilities that went along with it.
Jacen joined the others in clapping as Tahiri took her spot with the other newly knighted Jedi on the stage, but his mind though, was anywhere but on the ceremony in front of him. Tenal Ka was gone. She had left soon after their return to Courscant, and he seriously believed that he was the main reason behind her decision to return to the Hapes Cluster. He understood that her father was sick and that she wanted to be there with him, but he highly doubted she would have freely offered to take his role in the Hapan court if things had been different between the two of them. If she really thought they needed some time away from each other the only way that would happen is if they were apart. Maybe then, being separated would not be such a bad thing. It would give them both a chance to think about some things and gain some perspective on their relationship, so that the next time they saw each other it would be nothing like the awkwardness they had experienced on Trianna.
Upon their return from the planet that was soon to become home for thousands of refugees across the galaxy, Luke Skywalker had greeted Tahiri with the news that she was ready to graduate to the next level of being a Jedi. That had not been the only surprise that day. He and Anakin had gone home to an empty apartment, finding a hastily scribbled note on the kitchen table from their sister explaining that she had gone with Zekk on some mission to the Outer Rim.
Jacen had trouble believing that his sister had just upped and left with Zekk without telling anyone. From what he understood, the two of them were barely on speaking terms, yet she had chosen to go on an assignment alone with him and had left no word when she expected to be back. He had been meaning to ask Ganner what he thought about it but had been unable to find the time to talk to the other Jedi.
The ceremony was over now, and Jacen watched as his Anakin was one of the first to rush up to the front to congratulate Tahiri, closely followed by Kam and Tionne.
As Jacen made his own way up to the front to join them, the troubling matter with Jaina and Zekk seemed insignificant compared to his own dilemma that he was currently facing. Since returning from Trianna, he had been struggling to sort out what his changing feelings for Tahiri meant. He tried to forget about them or at least put them to the back of his mind. When that didn't work, he simply tried not dwelling on it more than was necessary, knowing that path would only lead to trouble.
"Coming out of hyperspace... now," Jaina announced and pulled back on the throttle, allowing the green and blue world of Dantooine to come into view.
"We're being hailed," Zekk said, regarding the flashing light on the communications board.
"These Chiss don't waste time, do they?" Jaina said, checking her instruments in front of her. The blips on her screen identified four small ships as Chiss Claw crafts closing in on their position.
Zekk turned on the comm and Jaina heard a man's voice say, "unidentified vessel, please identify yourself and state your business,"
Jaina flicked a switch from the controls in front of her. "This is Jaina Solo aboard the Lightning Rod, requesting permission to land. My co-pilot and I have business with Blue,"
'Blue' was the code Luke had devised for them to use so the Chiss would know they had been sent by the Jedi Master.
"Acknowledged, Lightning Rod," the same male's voice said. "This is Colonel Jagged Fel. I'm sending you the coordinates for a course to follow. Do not stray from it – you have been warned,"
"Affirmative," Jaina acknowledged before clicking off the comm. She looked at the course they'd been sent and set it into the ship's navigation system. "You know," Jaina began, bringing the ship around, "we've only just met this Colonel Fel, and already I don't like him. This is going to make for some interesting negotiations," she said to Zekk and followed the Chiss Crawlers towards Dantooine's atmosphere.
THE ENDI hope you enjoyed the story. This will be the last Star Wars story I'm going to be writing for a bit. I'm going to be focusing on writing my Harry Potter stories for the next little while. Happy reading!
Until the next story,
~Buffybot