This is based pages 130-135 of Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham. Some of the text is directly from the book. There is some added dialogue for a conversation that is alluded to between Jag and the Hapan official, otherwise dialogue is not my own. When I reread this book, while researching Echoes of the Past, I saw this budding relationship with Jag and Kyp as seen from Jag's point of view and not Jaina's..


UNEXPECTED ALLIES


The whine of the repulsor engines filled the cockpit as Jag guided his clawcraft down to the crowded docks. The fact that the two clawcraft were an oddity proved helpful as people backed away from the descending fighters to get a better look. Jag supposed the inherent nature of the machines, reminiscent of the Empire's TIE fighters in design, caused some to step away in fear.

After a quick power-down, Jag leapt from his cockpit to an athletic landing on the ground, not expecting the benefit of the ladders provided by fighter technicians at home. He started his usual inspection of the hull, looking for signs of damage and wear, when Jag caught sight of a petite brunette heading his way. His heart jumped in his throat initially at the hope she might be Jaina, but as the woman came into full view, Jag recognized her as Leia Organa Solo.

If Jaina's mother was any indication, the Solo daughter had only tapped into the youthful reserves of beauty with which she had been bestowed. Experience and time may have added a few lines and gray hairs to Leia's appearance, but her outward loveliness was enhanced by an inner grace few women ever mastered. His mother was one of the only other women Jag knew who could hold a candle to Leia in that department.  Not that he knew many women, he reminded himself.

Hope sprung anew at the realization that where Leia Organa Solo went, the possibility existed Jaina would not be far behind, especially after losing a beloved family member. Jag was sure Jaina would turn to her family in her hour of need. He became painfully aware his face exuded more emotion than usual as Leia returned his smile. Recognition of Leia's colleague forced Jag's expression to revert back to its normal unreadable mask.

Kyp Durron. Jag had the dubious honor of meeting the green-eyed, dark-haired Jedi Master once before. The introduction had been brief, both men sizing each other up. Jag found little he cared for; he assumed Kyp had felt the same way by his actions. Jag had read the Intel concerning the key players in the war, including many Jedi, with some interest since returning to Csilla. Kyp Durron was seen by most as somewhat of a rogue, differing with the Jedi leadership on their purpose and role in the conflict. Kyp was the type who always went against the grain. Jag despised his kind and everything they stood for. Master Durron countered everything the Chiss held in high regard.

As Leia reached Jag, the young colonel drew himself up tall and greeted the woman with a crisp, formal bow. At the same time, Shawnkyr arrived at his side. "Your Highness, it is good to see you well. May I introduce Major Shawnkyr Nuruodo of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet."

Leia donned her diplomat's face at the mention of his second-in-command's last name. Ever the consummate lady, she dipped her head politely to the tall Chiss. "I might say the same for you, Colonel Fel. It is a pleasant surprise to see the Chiss presence on Hapes. Is your presence here a portent of things to come?"

Jag did not fail to miss the hint of hope in the older woman's voice. He inclined his head in a bow of apology. "I regret that it is not. Shawnkyr and I are scouts for the Chiss, no more."

"Pretty impressive arsenal for a pair of scouts," Kyp observed, tapping one hand against the proton torpedo launcher.

Jag stifled his initial desire to slap the man's hand off his ship. He was unsure from where the emotion was derived, but his considerable measure of control kept it well hidden as he calmly replied. "We don't seek trouble, but neither will we run from it."

Several uniformed Hapans strode toward them, flanking two men in bedraggled flight suits. One of them pointed to Jag. "That's him – him and the woman. They're the ones."

"Some of that trouble you didn't run from," Kyp asked.

Jag did not honor the Jedi Master with the benefit of a reply. His stare was brief and cool, barely hinting at the hidden animosity boiling beneath his steely demeanor. "Excuse me," he murmured to Leia, and then went over to speak with the officials.

One official edged forward from the others. "Are you Colonel Fel?"

"I am."

The official eyed Leia standing just out of earshot then returned his attention to Jag. "The Hapan government has a bit of a sticky situation developing. A Yuuzhan Vong frigate analog is hailing us, requesting an escort to Hapes."

Jag's brow furrowed. "Is this some sort of defection?"

"Apparently not. The transmission indicates the vessel has been taken over by a team of Jedi led by Jaina Solo."

Jag's heart skipped a beat, but he held his emotions in check. It amazed him that simply the mention of her name made his whole world turn upside down. His insides knotted at the thought of her fighting the Yuuzhan Vong. His mind conjured all sorts of terrible images of Jaina lying helpless and injured. He wondered where she could have been to stumble into such a predicament. Was her brother killed on a secret Jedi mission they had both been assigned to?

"Are you sure?"

"No, we are not. That is why we are requesting your assistance. It is entirely possible this is some sort of ambush and the pilot's voice was not Jaina Solo at all, merely a deception using her status to get the frigate close to Hapes. I was under the impression you have experience against the Yuuzhan Vong. Do you not?"

"Yes, I do. We'll take care of it." Jag spun on his heel and cast a glance at Shawnkyr, who, without pause, swung back into her ship with graceful ease. Her engines hummed to life as he returned to Leia Solo. Jag figured she had a right to know about her daughter before he left.

"We've been asked to undertake a short mission," Jag explained. "A Yuuzhan Vong frigate analog requires an escort to Hapes."

Kyp let out a burst of derisive laughter. "Who'd you have to kill to get that job?"

Jag ignored the interruption, wondering how this rogue could understand honor and duty. "The pilot is believed to be Lieutenant Jaina Solo." Honor and duty - who are you fooling Jag? More like a perfect opportunity to thrust yourself into Jaina Solo's path.

Any doubt about Jaina truly being onboard the vessel vanished at the sight of Leia's face, worry tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I know, and I thank you for undertaking this. It won't be easy to get an enemy ship in unscathed."

Kyp surprised Jag with his unexpected request. "Could you use another pilot?"

Jag regarded him for a long moment. His first impulse was to flat out refuse, but then he carefully reconsidered the idea. If Jaina was in as dire straights as he imagined, Jag would need every possible advantage to bring her ship in safely. Kyp was regarded as a skilled pilot and commander. Regardless of Jag's confidence in his own abilities, he was unwilling to risk Jaina's life on such a small point as his own ego. The thought of sacrificing some of the Imperial pride he worked so hard to wear as a shield simply for Jaina's sake was a scary revelation, and yet he did it without hesitation.

"The Hapan officials do not seem entirely convinced that this is not some sort of ambush. They have asked Shawnkyr and me to go because we have combat experience against the Yuuzhan Vong. It's entirely possible, however, that we were chosen for this task primarily because we are not Hapan, and are therefore considered expendable."

"Oh, if that's all," Kyp said dryly. "I've been expendable for years. And recently my status has been downgraded from undesirable to anathema."

Shawnkyr leaned over the edge of the cockpit, her red eyes taking Kyp's measure. Jag saw no disapproval despite the fact he was positive she knew of the Jedi's history. "You will fly under Colonel Fel's command," she demanded over the whine of her engines.

"It's his mission," Kyp replied, before facing Jag. "What about it, Colonel?"

Jag accepted with a curt nod. As he hoisted his body in a lithe move into the cockpit Jag thought to himself, Just this once Kyp Durron, for Jaina's sake.