Disclaimer: I do NOT own Star Wars. And Tahiri owns Anakin . . .
A/N: um . . . Yes, this is advertising. I've written a bunch of other fics, including one other SW fic that's Qui-Gon's POV as he dies. I also write X-Men: Evolution, X-Men, HP and Mercedes Lackey for anyone interested!
Chapter VIII: Nightsister Jaina
They were checked and rechecked for any evidence that they were, or were working in league with, the Yuuzhan Vong. When they finally checked out as natives of this galaxy they were told to wait, that an envoy would come to meet them.
"What's going on?" Sannah asked Jacen. "I can't understand a word of what that Bith said. You're the language person. Besides, Carratos is a smugglers world; I thought they didn't have any kind of government."
"I think that the only reason this framework has held up is because they've banded together against the Vong, and the Selonian who was with Jaina is holding this territory together."
"Ah. So you have heard of the Kirrenin den's Jaleth," a musical voice rang out from behind them, and the friends leaped around to find a male humanoid standing behind them, his silvery hair drawn back in a loose bun and his eyes – slightly too large for his head – were a bright gray. He seemed whitewashed, in a luminescent kind of way. "As I much suspect you're surprised to find any sort of representative for Carratos, we only approach those who do not use their employers docks directly. It is – safer, that way. Jaleth herself is trying to rally the people of this planet, to rouse a planet-wide response to the danger the Yuuzhan Vong represent. Even smugglers are aware enough to be hated by the Vong simply for the way we live, which is nearly worse than the Empire." The humanoid shrugged. "Well. My name is Yainne, and if you are interested – and not here on other business – Jaleth and her second-in-command wish to speak with newcomers to Carratos."
The group exchanged a glance. "Who is this second-in-command? We're on Carratos looking for a friend of ours; is there any chance this could be her? Human, about nineteen standard years, brown hair and brown eyes?"
Yainne shrugged. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you. Most of what we see of Jaleth's enforcer is red eyes, so she may or may not be the friend you're looking for."
Zekk and Jacen exchanged a glance, and Lobacca growled.
*
"If this really is going to be easier than we thought it was, then where are they? And what do we do if this second-in-commend isn't Jaina?"
"I wouldn't worry about that, Melodie."
The black-robed simulacra of Jaina Solo stood calmly in the doorway, red-ringed brandy eyes all that showed out from underneath the shadowed hood. Jacen, who had his back to her, stiffened. That is not my sister! She was my sister once, but she isn't anymore!
"Zekk, Lowbacca, Tenel Ka! And Sannah, I remember you," Jaina's voice was silky-smooth and full of sultry venom. "Now, who is this, who is this? I take it the "friend" you came here after is – JACEN?!"
Her other half just looked up at her, terror and remorse in his brandy eyes even as Jaina flung back her hood to reveal a face purple with bruises. Tenel Ka reached over and put a possessive hand on Jacen's shoulder. Jaina's shoulder-length brown hair had been shorn to a mere three inches, and the creature that walked in after her was just as alarming as her Dark appearance.
The four-legged, clawed, fanged creature had a face like a human skull and two tusks that stuck out straight from each corner of it's mouth. Long, pointed ears perked up at the sound of others in the room and the other teeth came into view as it growled. Jacen's attention, of course, immediately shifted.
"Where did you get a shook? They're really dangerous!" he said as he bent down and scratched it behind it's ears. The shook purred, and Sannah just looked at Jacen.
"Jacen?" Jaina's voice was weak, barely a whisper. "Jacen?"
Tenel Ka stood, her hand still resting lightly on Jacen's shoulder. "Jaina, my friend, all is not lost. All is never lost, when you have hope and life. Come with us – we need your help."
Shocked and wordless Jaina backed out of the room, bumping into Jaleth and racing down the hall. The Selonian stuck her head into the plush meeting room.
"We are not here to stay," Tenel Ka told her. "We are here to make an offer to your 'Nightsister'."
"I'll be back," Zekk promised, then took off down the hall after Jaina.