AN: Flynn is a character of my own creation. Everything else belongs to Lucasfilm...
From Scratch
Chapter 13
It was dusk before Tenel Ka saw Jacen again. They'd returned from their run, eaten their meal, and Jacen had promptly dozed off inside. She'd thought about waking him, but the memory of the last time she'd walked in on him sleeping gave her pause. Would he lecture her on the 'proper' way to wake him? Joke about his state of dress? Tease her for her beside manner? Probably. Control or no control, a sleep-mused Jacen Solo wasn't something she was sure she could resist. And so she'd let him sleep. She'd managed to keep the fire going, gather firewood, and forage for more of the roots he'd brought back with breakfast to make a nourishing soup. She'd built a small shelter from the larger fronds she'd found in the jungle/forest, carefully checking to make sure they weren't alive before dragging them back to camp. Resourceful as ever, she'd also built herself a practice dummy, something she could hit that would withstand her blows but with enough give not to damage her hand or feet.
She was crouched by the fire, spooning some of the soup she'd made into a bowl when Jacen emerged from the ship. She didn't look at him right away, but could feel his gaze on her. She stood slowly before turning. He was stretching, his back arched, his hands extended above his head. She looked beyond him immediately, trying to ignore the muscle tone he was unintentionally displaying. She looked back as he relaxed, reaching up one hand to scratch his hair, a grin on his face. "Wow, I needed that. Two days without sleep is not a good thing."
"Two?" she asked before she could stop herself. He hadn't slept the night before either?
He nodded, stepping down from the ship and stopping near her, "Yes, two. We've only been on the ground for three days, including today, and I had to scout the area to make sure there weren't any really large threats. And the two I found were convinced to leave the area indefinitely."
She extended the bowl towards him. "Eat."
He looked at it cautiously. "Are you sure it's safe?"
Tenel Ka rolled her eyes, a rare show of exasperation. "I am sure. I had some for lunch."
He looked at her alarmed. "Are you alright, you're not going to be sick are you?"
"Jacen." She said firmly. "I am fine. I used the same kinds of roots you chose for breakfast."
"Ah." He sighed, relieved. "Smart woman. Thank you, I'm starved." He curled his hand around the bowl, covering her fingers in the process. Tenel Ka tried to pull her hand back, to avoid the jolt of electricity, but it was no use. Awareness flashed between them and their eyes met. She let her shields fall into place as her heart began to pound rapidly. Her face expressionless, she carefully extracted her hand from hers and turned back to the fire.
Jacen smiled a shadow of a smile as she pulled away, lifting the bowl to his nose and inhaling. It smelled delicious. He'd let her retreat for now, he decided silently, taking a sip of the hot brew. The cloying taste was unexpected, tempered with a musky flavor. All in all, the soup was very good, and very filling. He went back for seconds, but only had a half-bowl. Settling onto a crate Tenel Ka had dragged into the clearing, he took a look around.
A practice dummy for hand-to-hand maneuvers now stood off to the side of the ship on a base that allowed it to turn and bend. Near the entrance to the cargo bay, just overhead and shielding their fire was a shelter of fronds. Carefully woven, they allowed the fire to burn easily while offering protection if it rained. The working of walls, half finished, could be seen on the other side of the fire pit. A new stack of fuel for the fire was neatly organized under another, lower shelter, and placed directly next to the ship. Lastly, one of the crates near the fire was sporting a new latch and lid. Curious, he leaned forward and peeked inside. Roots, tubers and other assorted plants, similar or identical to the ones they'd had for breakfast, half-filled the box. He turned to look at Tenel Ka admiringly. "Wow, you've been busy today."
She took a sip of her soup, arching an eyebrow. "I am simply doing my part."
"More than you part," he looked around at the things she'd created in just twelve hours. "This is incredible, and practical." He grabbed the support nearest him, giving it a careful shake. It stood firm, the supports driven into the ground for stability. "With walls this will be really homey."
She stood, moving around him to kneel next to the fire as she finished her soup. She placed the bowel next to the fire. "It may rain," she told him flatly. "I do not wish to be soaked."
"Fun as that would be," he tossed back grinning. "But I see your point."
She turned, facing him, her eyes serious. "Did you find water on our first day here?"
Jacen shook his head. "Unfortunately no. We may have to take a hike to search for it."
She eyed him carefully. "Tomorrow?"
Jacen looked around, spying a canteen hanging on the vegetable box. "How's the water supply?"
"We have enough for two days, maybe three." She settled back, away from the fire and stretched her legs out so that the flames were warming her feet. She reached to one of the support posts and grabbed the length of vine wrapped around it. Tugging firmly, the top of the shelter rolled back to give them a clear view of the night's sky.
Jacen whistled. "And you say they don't let you do anything like this on Hapes?"
"Fact. I am the Queen Mother, according to my people it is not my place."
He snorted, telling her just what he thought of that and she turned to look at him, taking her gaze from the heavens. "You do not agree."
"You're a resourceful and intelligent young woman, why would anyone want to curb the talents you have?" he waved at the shelters, the practice dummy and the lid for the crate. "I never would have thought of all this."
Her eyes sparkled and he thought he read amusement in their depths. "You have not been spoiled with comforts for the last three years."
He laughed. "Ok, I'll concede you that one. Still, you were able to make all of this yourself, your people don't think you crippled do they?"
She jerked. "I have not given them a reason to. I am a warrior; that is what they see."
He reached over to grasp one of her braids, rubbing it gently between his fingers. "You're also an intelligent young woman with a passionate nature," he said softly, "and they're smothering you. To make things worse, you're letting them. You're letting rules that worked for other Queens, Queen's bread to that position with careful coaching, dictate your actions. You're above them, beyond that, Tenel Ka. You weren't raised the way the other women in your society are. You believe in equality, are trained to uphold Peace and Order; you're a Jedi Knight. Surely all of those differences mean something to your people. They're trying to force you into a mold you'll never fit."
She tossed her head, tugging the braid from his fingers. "Are you saying I am not a good ruler?"
"No," his smile was wry, "but I can see how you could take it that way. I'm simply saying that you're different than any ruler Hapes has had before, including your own mother. You're rational and without avarice. That's rare for a ruler. The rules of your monarchy were put in place to curb the impulsiveness and rashness of your predecessors. Your mother cracked the mold, defied alot of Hapes traditions, but you're trying to fit them."
She cocked her head at him, her eyes serious. "You are right," she agreed, shaking her head sharply. "I do not like my position, many of my politicians and representatives know this. They seek a reason for my abdication."
"Why? You're the best thing Hapes could ask for. You're an exceptionally strong leader."
"I do my duty." She said solemnly, "But I do not follow some of the traditions of past Queens. I will not take a slave to my bed."
"I'm glad to hear it."
She continued as if he'd never interrupted her. "I do not seek to destroy the extended family I have left. I do not seek more territory for Hapes. I did not take a consort in a time of crisis and attempt to produce an heir."
Jacen could read the almost defiant posture of her body and couldn't help but smile. She really didn't care what the aristocracy thought of her lack of promiscuous activity. That was fine with him; he would have lost it if he'd heard she'd slept with another man. She was his. -His-, and no one else's. She just didn't realize what that meant yet. "I understand." He told her, watching her as she leaned back and stared at the stars. "But what I don't understand is why you're letting them temper your spirit. You're a passionate woman, Tenel Ka, please don't let them take that from you."
She turned her head. "I am not passionate."
He settled down on the ground next to her, his mind screaming at him about how bad of an idea this was, yet he didn't care. Not passionate? Ha! He'd been burned before, but never by one that burned as brightly as she. No matter how controlled she was. "I beg to differ," he told her softly, stretching out next to her without touching her. He leaned his head on his hand, his elbow granting him leverage as he stared down into her face. "I've held a young woman in my arms several times this trip who's torn me apart inside with just a kiss. I may not see her very often, but when I do, she has the power to drive me to my knees and beg. You are a passionate woman, Tenel Ka, I've tasted a piece of that on several occasions, no matter how hard you try to hide it. I think that frightens you."
She looked up at him, and he saw her throat work for a moment. When she spoke it was without infliction. "You are mistaken."
"Am I?" he asked, bending his head towards hers as he lifted a hand to gently brush her cheek. She shivered at his touch, her eyes darkening.
She nodded. "You are."
"And you're lying," he scolded with a half smile. "You were never very good at it. I can feel the tension in your body Tenel Ka, and I'm not even touching you. Your heart is pounding rapidly." He brushed his thumb across the pulse point at the base of her neck and she swallowed again. "Your fighting that fire that threatened to consume us before you retreated into your walls of control and order. Know what? The more you push me away, the more I'll come back."
Her hand clenched by her hip. "I am not pushing you away." She told him pointedly, her eyes widening as his head came fractionally closer. She could read his intention in his eyes, the desire to kiss her, and an answering longing rose in her chest. She wanted this, wanted him, but she couldn't. Not if she wanted to maintain her sanity. Silently she begged her body to move, to roll away from the brown-eyed temptation, but she was frozen.
"You're not pulling me closer either," he observed. "What do you want, Tenel Ka?"
She couldn't reply, simply stared at him unable to speak. What she wanted and what she could have were two different things entirely. As if he could read her mind, he spoke. "There's nothing to stop you from taking what you want. What you should do, what you're obligated to do by law of your people, has no place here. This is between you and me. This is now. Choose and act, Tenel Ka," he told her softly. "But don't regret your decision. When you make your choice, stand by it and don't worry about the opinions of others."
She stared at him dumbfounded as he rolled away and got to his feet. He looked down at her, his eyes in shadow. "I won't make you choose today, but that day is fast approaching. Think about what I've said."
She pushed herself into a sitting position as he wandered to the woods and stepped into the darkness. She closed her eyes, pressing her hand over her heart in an attempt to calm it. She'd narrowly escaped the temptation again, but he'd left her with some very confusing words. Choose and act, he'd said. She thought she'd already chosen, but he'd put forth another point directly before that which gave her pause. She was alone with him, free to explore their relationship as never before, and was hampering it with affairs and laws of state. Didn't she deserve, just once, to take something for herself? Opening her eyes, she stood and brushed herself off.
She'd have to think about this later, for now she was exhausted and needed her sleep. Tomorrow she'd deal with the disturbing questions. Tomorrow she'd deal with her wayward emotions. Tomorrow she would have to choose.
Jacen's strides were long and sure as he moved away from the campsite. He passed through the harmless tress, bypassing the trail he'd taken earlier with Tenel Ka on their run, and heading into a dense part of the jungle like trees. She was exasperating. So dead set on doing what was right for her people, her planet and her damn politicians. What had they turned her into?
He stepped back from the Force mentally, slipping easily into his Vong sense. After three days in close contact with the world, it was becoming easier to access. He let that sense go, exploring the world around him, reaching deeply, down into the very core of the world. He shied away from actually touching and disturbing the World Brain, knowing that if he was needed, he would be called. He allowed the sense to guide his feet until he emerged into an area where there was little Yuuzhan Vong presence.
The area was covered in moss, hills of crumbled duracrete littering the landscape. He made his way between them, wondering idly how far he'd walked while immersed in that sense. He'd have to be back at the campsite before morning. The sound of running water caught his attention and he stopped, listening carefully. He turned in a half circle before starting out again. He crossed several rises before coming to a cliff. Crouching on the edge, he looked down. And gaped. Below him, flowing heavily into a huge underground pool thousands of feet down, was a waterfall of immense proportions. He closed his mouth, stretching out on his stomach and looking down.
The spray from the waterfall formed a mist, coating the girders and floors of the former undercity. Massive structures, untouched by the Yuuzhan Vong moss, extended deep into the planet's core, their beams still intact. Broken floors extended into the waterfall itself, lending it an almost bumpy appearance, yet the power of the water slamming into the floors was slowly eroding their integrity. Even as he watched, one of the floors began to bend. Not quickly, but from the look of it, it wasn't going to be stable for too much longer. Be it a day, a week, or even a month, he knew it was only a matter of time before the water had a free falling zone clear of all obstacles.
Pushing himself to his feet, Jacen looked for a way down. They would need fresh water, and this seemed like the closest source. He checked the lip of the rim, noting several places to tie a rope to so that they could climb down, and back up, if need be, but anyone could come along and cut or take the rope. He frowned. Maybe that wasn't such a bad idea. Shaking his head, he walked along the lip of the cliff, enjoying the view.
"You're human."
He froze. The voice was heavily accented, coming from behind him. He turned slowly, keeping his hands far out from his side. He hadn't been searching with any kind of sense, and been taken completely by surprise. He blinked, seeing a young human male who would have been about Anakin's age. The young man's eyes widened. "Jacen Solo!" he said, stunned.
Jacen nodded, smiling slightly. "Does everyone in the galaxy know who I am?"
The man looked almost sheepish. "Sorry, the last holo news report we were able to get through told of your return. Then those damn Vong destroyed our only surviving transmitter and receiver."
Jacen looked around. "There are more of you?"
He nodded. "Old slaves, people left behind and some shamed ones. We all get along, though I admit it's a difficult balance to keep. I'm Flynn."
Jacen shook the hand the other man offered. "I'd introduce myself but that seems rather unnecessary, doesn't it? Where are you and the others camped, Flynn? I didn't sense any humans in the area."
"Deep in the undercity. The Yuuzhan Vong warriors make forays into the remains of the city sometimes looking for things to smash. We keep out of their way for the most part."
Jacen nodded. "I see."
"So what brings you here? I wouldn't think to find the one guy they'd held for almost a year willing to come back."
"Contrary to popular belief, they didn't torture me," Jacen told him dryly. "However, now that I know you're here, I'll look out for you when I head down into the city tomorrow."
"Just be careful of the Vong patrols. The warriors are pretty power crazy at the moment with the defeat of their Supreme Commander."
"I bet." Jacen inclined his head politely. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my camp."
Flynn nodded. "Look for us if you're around, I'll tell my sentries to keep an eye out for you."
Jacen waved one hand in acknowledgement and headed back to retrace his steps. Not ten minutes later he knew he was being followed by Flynn. Flynn didn't trust him. Good, it was a good survival technique, but one that could endanger Tenel Ka. Or, more to the point, Flynn if he tried to sneak up on her. Shaking his head, Jacen faded into the trees, almost becoming one with the life around him as he stretched out to it. The foliage wrapped around him like a warm blanket, rendering him nearly invisible.
Jacen watched as Flynn arrived in the area, searching for tracks and then proceeded to curse fluently in a dialect Jacen understood as a mixture of basic and Yuuzhan Vong. Interesting. Flynn searched the area for long minutes before giving up, mumbling something about Jedi and how they couldn't be trusted. Jacen smiled faintly, waiting until the moons had set to step from his hiding spot. Sinking down into his Vong sense, he retraced his steps back to camp. Tenel Ka would be thrilled with the news of survivors, even if she didn't show it. Her time alone with him would come to an end much sooner than she thought.
From Scratch
Chapter 13
It was dusk before Tenel Ka saw Jacen again. They'd returned from their run, eaten their meal, and Jacen had promptly dozed off inside. She'd thought about waking him, but the memory of the last time she'd walked in on him sleeping gave her pause. Would he lecture her on the 'proper' way to wake him? Joke about his state of dress? Tease her for her beside manner? Probably. Control or no control, a sleep-mused Jacen Solo wasn't something she was sure she could resist. And so she'd let him sleep. She'd managed to keep the fire going, gather firewood, and forage for more of the roots he'd brought back with breakfast to make a nourishing soup. She'd built a small shelter from the larger fronds she'd found in the jungle/forest, carefully checking to make sure they weren't alive before dragging them back to camp. Resourceful as ever, she'd also built herself a practice dummy, something she could hit that would withstand her blows but with enough give not to damage her hand or feet.
She was crouched by the fire, spooning some of the soup she'd made into a bowl when Jacen emerged from the ship. She didn't look at him right away, but could feel his gaze on her. She stood slowly before turning. He was stretching, his back arched, his hands extended above his head. She looked beyond him immediately, trying to ignore the muscle tone he was unintentionally displaying. She looked back as he relaxed, reaching up one hand to scratch his hair, a grin on his face. "Wow, I needed that. Two days without sleep is not a good thing."
"Two?" she asked before she could stop herself. He hadn't slept the night before either?
He nodded, stepping down from the ship and stopping near her, "Yes, two. We've only been on the ground for three days, including today, and I had to scout the area to make sure there weren't any really large threats. And the two I found were convinced to leave the area indefinitely."
She extended the bowl towards him. "Eat."
He looked at it cautiously. "Are you sure it's safe?"
Tenel Ka rolled her eyes, a rare show of exasperation. "I am sure. I had some for lunch."
He looked at her alarmed. "Are you alright, you're not going to be sick are you?"
"Jacen." She said firmly. "I am fine. I used the same kinds of roots you chose for breakfast."
"Ah." He sighed, relieved. "Smart woman. Thank you, I'm starved." He curled his hand around the bowl, covering her fingers in the process. Tenel Ka tried to pull her hand back, to avoid the jolt of electricity, but it was no use. Awareness flashed between them and their eyes met. She let her shields fall into place as her heart began to pound rapidly. Her face expressionless, she carefully extracted her hand from hers and turned back to the fire.
Jacen smiled a shadow of a smile as she pulled away, lifting the bowl to his nose and inhaling. It smelled delicious. He'd let her retreat for now, he decided silently, taking a sip of the hot brew. The cloying taste was unexpected, tempered with a musky flavor. All in all, the soup was very good, and very filling. He went back for seconds, but only had a half-bowl. Settling onto a crate Tenel Ka had dragged into the clearing, he took a look around.
A practice dummy for hand-to-hand maneuvers now stood off to the side of the ship on a base that allowed it to turn and bend. Near the entrance to the cargo bay, just overhead and shielding their fire was a shelter of fronds. Carefully woven, they allowed the fire to burn easily while offering protection if it rained. The working of walls, half finished, could be seen on the other side of the fire pit. A new stack of fuel for the fire was neatly organized under another, lower shelter, and placed directly next to the ship. Lastly, one of the crates near the fire was sporting a new latch and lid. Curious, he leaned forward and peeked inside. Roots, tubers and other assorted plants, similar or identical to the ones they'd had for breakfast, half-filled the box. He turned to look at Tenel Ka admiringly. "Wow, you've been busy today."
She took a sip of her soup, arching an eyebrow. "I am simply doing my part."
"More than you part," he looked around at the things she'd created in just twelve hours. "This is incredible, and practical." He grabbed the support nearest him, giving it a careful shake. It stood firm, the supports driven into the ground for stability. "With walls this will be really homey."
She stood, moving around him to kneel next to the fire as she finished her soup. She placed the bowel next to the fire. "It may rain," she told him flatly. "I do not wish to be soaked."
"Fun as that would be," he tossed back grinning. "But I see your point."
She turned, facing him, her eyes serious. "Did you find water on our first day here?"
Jacen shook his head. "Unfortunately no. We may have to take a hike to search for it."
She eyed him carefully. "Tomorrow?"
Jacen looked around, spying a canteen hanging on the vegetable box. "How's the water supply?"
"We have enough for two days, maybe three." She settled back, away from the fire and stretched her legs out so that the flames were warming her feet. She reached to one of the support posts and grabbed the length of vine wrapped around it. Tugging firmly, the top of the shelter rolled back to give them a clear view of the night's sky.
Jacen whistled. "And you say they don't let you do anything like this on Hapes?"
"Fact. I am the Queen Mother, according to my people it is not my place."
He snorted, telling her just what he thought of that and she turned to look at him, taking her gaze from the heavens. "You do not agree."
"You're a resourceful and intelligent young woman, why would anyone want to curb the talents you have?" he waved at the shelters, the practice dummy and the lid for the crate. "I never would have thought of all this."
Her eyes sparkled and he thought he read amusement in their depths. "You have not been spoiled with comforts for the last three years."
He laughed. "Ok, I'll concede you that one. Still, you were able to make all of this yourself, your people don't think you crippled do they?"
She jerked. "I have not given them a reason to. I am a warrior; that is what they see."
He reached over to grasp one of her braids, rubbing it gently between his fingers. "You're also an intelligent young woman with a passionate nature," he said softly, "and they're smothering you. To make things worse, you're letting them. You're letting rules that worked for other Queens, Queen's bread to that position with careful coaching, dictate your actions. You're above them, beyond that, Tenel Ka. You weren't raised the way the other women in your society are. You believe in equality, are trained to uphold Peace and Order; you're a Jedi Knight. Surely all of those differences mean something to your people. They're trying to force you into a mold you'll never fit."
She tossed her head, tugging the braid from his fingers. "Are you saying I am not a good ruler?"
"No," his smile was wry, "but I can see how you could take it that way. I'm simply saying that you're different than any ruler Hapes has had before, including your own mother. You're rational and without avarice. That's rare for a ruler. The rules of your monarchy were put in place to curb the impulsiveness and rashness of your predecessors. Your mother cracked the mold, defied alot of Hapes traditions, but you're trying to fit them."
She cocked her head at him, her eyes serious. "You are right," she agreed, shaking her head sharply. "I do not like my position, many of my politicians and representatives know this. They seek a reason for my abdication."
"Why? You're the best thing Hapes could ask for. You're an exceptionally strong leader."
"I do my duty." She said solemnly, "But I do not follow some of the traditions of past Queens. I will not take a slave to my bed."
"I'm glad to hear it."
She continued as if he'd never interrupted her. "I do not seek to destroy the extended family I have left. I do not seek more territory for Hapes. I did not take a consort in a time of crisis and attempt to produce an heir."
Jacen could read the almost defiant posture of her body and couldn't help but smile. She really didn't care what the aristocracy thought of her lack of promiscuous activity. That was fine with him; he would have lost it if he'd heard she'd slept with another man. She was his. -His-, and no one else's. She just didn't realize what that meant yet. "I understand." He told her, watching her as she leaned back and stared at the stars. "But what I don't understand is why you're letting them temper your spirit. You're a passionate woman, Tenel Ka, please don't let them take that from you."
She turned her head. "I am not passionate."
He settled down on the ground next to her, his mind screaming at him about how bad of an idea this was, yet he didn't care. Not passionate? Ha! He'd been burned before, but never by one that burned as brightly as she. No matter how controlled she was. "I beg to differ," he told her softly, stretching out next to her without touching her. He leaned his head on his hand, his elbow granting him leverage as he stared down into her face. "I've held a young woman in my arms several times this trip who's torn me apart inside with just a kiss. I may not see her very often, but when I do, she has the power to drive me to my knees and beg. You are a passionate woman, Tenel Ka, I've tasted a piece of that on several occasions, no matter how hard you try to hide it. I think that frightens you."
She looked up at him, and he saw her throat work for a moment. When she spoke it was without infliction. "You are mistaken."
"Am I?" he asked, bending his head towards hers as he lifted a hand to gently brush her cheek. She shivered at his touch, her eyes darkening.
She nodded. "You are."
"And you're lying," he scolded with a half smile. "You were never very good at it. I can feel the tension in your body Tenel Ka, and I'm not even touching you. Your heart is pounding rapidly." He brushed his thumb across the pulse point at the base of her neck and she swallowed again. "Your fighting that fire that threatened to consume us before you retreated into your walls of control and order. Know what? The more you push me away, the more I'll come back."
Her hand clenched by her hip. "I am not pushing you away." She told him pointedly, her eyes widening as his head came fractionally closer. She could read his intention in his eyes, the desire to kiss her, and an answering longing rose in her chest. She wanted this, wanted him, but she couldn't. Not if she wanted to maintain her sanity. Silently she begged her body to move, to roll away from the brown-eyed temptation, but she was frozen.
"You're not pulling me closer either," he observed. "What do you want, Tenel Ka?"
She couldn't reply, simply stared at him unable to speak. What she wanted and what she could have were two different things entirely. As if he could read her mind, he spoke. "There's nothing to stop you from taking what you want. What you should do, what you're obligated to do by law of your people, has no place here. This is between you and me. This is now. Choose and act, Tenel Ka," he told her softly. "But don't regret your decision. When you make your choice, stand by it and don't worry about the opinions of others."
She stared at him dumbfounded as he rolled away and got to his feet. He looked down at her, his eyes in shadow. "I won't make you choose today, but that day is fast approaching. Think about what I've said."
She pushed herself into a sitting position as he wandered to the woods and stepped into the darkness. She closed her eyes, pressing her hand over her heart in an attempt to calm it. She'd narrowly escaped the temptation again, but he'd left her with some very confusing words. Choose and act, he'd said. She thought she'd already chosen, but he'd put forth another point directly before that which gave her pause. She was alone with him, free to explore their relationship as never before, and was hampering it with affairs and laws of state. Didn't she deserve, just once, to take something for herself? Opening her eyes, she stood and brushed herself off.
She'd have to think about this later, for now she was exhausted and needed her sleep. Tomorrow she'd deal with the disturbing questions. Tomorrow she'd deal with her wayward emotions. Tomorrow she would have to choose.
Jacen's strides were long and sure as he moved away from the campsite. He passed through the harmless tress, bypassing the trail he'd taken earlier with Tenel Ka on their run, and heading into a dense part of the jungle like trees. She was exasperating. So dead set on doing what was right for her people, her planet and her damn politicians. What had they turned her into?
He stepped back from the Force mentally, slipping easily into his Vong sense. After three days in close contact with the world, it was becoming easier to access. He let that sense go, exploring the world around him, reaching deeply, down into the very core of the world. He shied away from actually touching and disturbing the World Brain, knowing that if he was needed, he would be called. He allowed the sense to guide his feet until he emerged into an area where there was little Yuuzhan Vong presence.
The area was covered in moss, hills of crumbled duracrete littering the landscape. He made his way between them, wondering idly how far he'd walked while immersed in that sense. He'd have to be back at the campsite before morning. The sound of running water caught his attention and he stopped, listening carefully. He turned in a half circle before starting out again. He crossed several rises before coming to a cliff. Crouching on the edge, he looked down. And gaped. Below him, flowing heavily into a huge underground pool thousands of feet down, was a waterfall of immense proportions. He closed his mouth, stretching out on his stomach and looking down.
The spray from the waterfall formed a mist, coating the girders and floors of the former undercity. Massive structures, untouched by the Yuuzhan Vong moss, extended deep into the planet's core, their beams still intact. Broken floors extended into the waterfall itself, lending it an almost bumpy appearance, yet the power of the water slamming into the floors was slowly eroding their integrity. Even as he watched, one of the floors began to bend. Not quickly, but from the look of it, it wasn't going to be stable for too much longer. Be it a day, a week, or even a month, he knew it was only a matter of time before the water had a free falling zone clear of all obstacles.
Pushing himself to his feet, Jacen looked for a way down. They would need fresh water, and this seemed like the closest source. He checked the lip of the rim, noting several places to tie a rope to so that they could climb down, and back up, if need be, but anyone could come along and cut or take the rope. He frowned. Maybe that wasn't such a bad idea. Shaking his head, he walked along the lip of the cliff, enjoying the view.
"You're human."
He froze. The voice was heavily accented, coming from behind him. He turned slowly, keeping his hands far out from his side. He hadn't been searching with any kind of sense, and been taken completely by surprise. He blinked, seeing a young human male who would have been about Anakin's age. The young man's eyes widened. "Jacen Solo!" he said, stunned.
Jacen nodded, smiling slightly. "Does everyone in the galaxy know who I am?"
The man looked almost sheepish. "Sorry, the last holo news report we were able to get through told of your return. Then those damn Vong destroyed our only surviving transmitter and receiver."
Jacen looked around. "There are more of you?"
He nodded. "Old slaves, people left behind and some shamed ones. We all get along, though I admit it's a difficult balance to keep. I'm Flynn."
Jacen shook the hand the other man offered. "I'd introduce myself but that seems rather unnecessary, doesn't it? Where are you and the others camped, Flynn? I didn't sense any humans in the area."
"Deep in the undercity. The Yuuzhan Vong warriors make forays into the remains of the city sometimes looking for things to smash. We keep out of their way for the most part."
Jacen nodded. "I see."
"So what brings you here? I wouldn't think to find the one guy they'd held for almost a year willing to come back."
"Contrary to popular belief, they didn't torture me," Jacen told him dryly. "However, now that I know you're here, I'll look out for you when I head down into the city tomorrow."
"Just be careful of the Vong patrols. The warriors are pretty power crazy at the moment with the defeat of their Supreme Commander."
"I bet." Jacen inclined his head politely. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my camp."
Flynn nodded. "Look for us if you're around, I'll tell my sentries to keep an eye out for you."
Jacen waved one hand in acknowledgement and headed back to retrace his steps. Not ten minutes later he knew he was being followed by Flynn. Flynn didn't trust him. Good, it was a good survival technique, but one that could endanger Tenel Ka. Or, more to the point, Flynn if he tried to sneak up on her. Shaking his head, Jacen faded into the trees, almost becoming one with the life around him as he stretched out to it. The foliage wrapped around him like a warm blanket, rendering him nearly invisible.
Jacen watched as Flynn arrived in the area, searching for tracks and then proceeded to curse fluently in a dialect Jacen understood as a mixture of basic and Yuuzhan Vong. Interesting. Flynn searched the area for long minutes before giving up, mumbling something about Jedi and how they couldn't be trusted. Jacen smiled faintly, waiting until the moons had set to step from his hiding spot. Sinking down into his Vong sense, he retraced his steps back to camp. Tenel Ka would be thrilled with the news of survivors, even if she didn't show it. Her time alone with him would come to an end much sooner than she thought.