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It was, Jaina decided as she eased her x-wing down onto the duracrete landing field, definitely not her day. She hadn't had any contact with Jag since he had left Shelter in the wake of Callista's attack and so far she had managed to avoid him. The full Chiss diplomatic envoy was actually staying on Bastion, leaving their large ships up in orbit. Spike Squadron had been dispatched down to the surface with the diplomats and now Twin Suns had been ordered planetside as part of the Chimaera's usual rotation of squadrons.
It had the advantage of allowing her to momentarily escape the currently unpleasant confines of the Star Destroyer, but at the same time, it gave her a new obstacle to avoid. Whatever she and Fel might have once had was long over. He had been the one to leave without so much as allowing her to explain that she had been hallucinating under the effects of amphistaff poisoning. And now she certainly didn't want to restart whatever they'd had. She no longer found Fel appealing. He was still handsome, but the only words that came to mind now weren't mysterious, or intriguing as they had been at one time, but rather bland and boring.
Jaina almost smiled. It was actually probably a good thing that he had left. His absence had left her with one less distraction from the war against the Vong. It had been what she needed, then and now. Now unfortunately, she would have to interact with him. Twin Suns had been placed into the planetary rotation with purpose. They would be required to attend the formal reception on Bastion. It would be almost impossible to avoid Jag then.
She sighed as she stepped out of her x-wing. Having a small on-site reception for a squadron of fighter pilots was one of the most ridiculous things that Jaina had ever heard of. It had also brought to her attention one of the scariest things to ever happen outside of an all out Vong attack. It was the dress version of a Galactic Alliance pilot's flight suite and it was even worse than the usual dress uniforms. It was the last thing that Jaina needed to top off her day. She almost hoped for a sudden emergency. Anything to her and her pilots out of this. It was the politicians job to politic, not the pilots. They should be out there fighting or honing their skills for the next fight. It was the only option.
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Jedi Master Kyp Durron surged through the crowded reception area. His cloak, made or a red material so dark that it bordered on black, seemed to billow out and snap behind him as he walked, despite the fact that he wasn't walking fast enough to create that effect and the total lack of any wind in the large chamber. With a half concerned and mostly upset scowl on his face, the Jedi Master made an intimidating presence. It had been less than an hour since he had heard that Jagged Fel was back in Known Space. It was an unneeded complication in an already delicate situation.
His Dozen, Jaina's Twin Suns and Fel's Spike's, as three of the most high profile squadrons in the Bastion system would be required to work together. These days Jaina didn't seem to be happy with anyone and despite the way that she had seemed to totally forget about Jag, Kyp knew better. He remembered when the two of them had been together and happy and he also remembered feeling Jaina's emotion's through their Force bond. What she had felt had been real and true. The thing that was making Kyp so worried was the knowledge of how stubborn both Jaina and Jag were and the memory of some of their past clashes. Now those fights would be fueled with genuine animosity rather than concealed emotions as they had been in the past. That was why Kyp was searching for Jag among the crowd.
He had really wanted to talk with Jaina first, but the Goddess was extremely skilled at making herself unavailable and this reception wasn't the place for his conversation with her, especially when that conversation was likely to get violent and destructive. He had a feeling that Jaina wasn't really interested in hearing what he had to say. Not, however, that he had any intention of letting that stop him when the time came.
"Fel," Kyp said quietly, pulling himself out of his determined thoughts as he stepped up behind the Chiss trained Colonel.
Fel's reaction was polite and controlled- everything that Kyp had come to expect from him. "Master Durron, it's been a long time." He paused, "I'm assuming that we'll be working together again at least while the Chiss envoy is here on Bastion."
Kyp nodded, "For the moment, yes. It depends upon what your people chose to do, during the conference, as to what will happen in the future."
The younger man nodded, "The representatives of the Ruling Houses have come with open minds. They are interested," his attention wavered and Kyp followed his gaze to see Jaina and the rest of Twin Suns making their entrance. Jag's hesitation was only momentary and with only a slight hitch he continued speaking about the Chiss leaders who were currently on Bastion.
Kyp ignored whatever else Jag was saying and focused on him with a knowing smirk. It was all the proof that Kyp needed. Fel still had feelings for Jaina. Kyp was a Jedi Master, supposedly above petty emotions. He was, however, not immune to the desire to make Jag suffer for what he had put Jaina through. Jag was just as much to blame for the ending of their relationship as Jaina was. His reaction had always seemed out of character and extreme to Kyp.
He and Fel had once, for a very short time, been rivals for Jaina's affections. In the end, for Jaina's sake, they had gotten past their rivalry. They might not have been friends, but they had respected the other's abilities enough to allow them to work together efficiently. It was the only reason why Kyp was allowing Jag to stand there unharmed. Esmen had been right, Jaina had unquestionable changed after Jag left. Kyp had given more credit than he deserved. At the time, he had thought that Jag knew Jaina better than to leave without considering that everything wasn't as it seemed. He had been wrong and instead, Jag had left without a backwards glance.
The Jedi Master leaned closer to Jag. "She's changed," he said in a low conversational voice. "She's not what she used to be."
Thrown by the sudden change in topic, Jag didn't respond for a moment. Jag didn't even pretend to not understand what Kyp was talking about. Instead he met Kyp's eyes and replied calmly. "Jaina is not the only person who has changed, Master Durron. I came back to the Known Regions because that was where my squadron was assigned. I am not here to make a fool of myself over Jaina Solo, again. Nor do I care about the fact that she has changed. Not," he added, with the same firm but almost emotionless voice that he had been using, "because hearing about how Jaina has changed or moved on would be too painful for me, but because it is of no concern to me. The only way in which I care about Jaina's well being is as a squadron leader who I will be working with- just as I would care about your well being." He shot one more look at Kyp and added with a hint of irritation, "Now, if you'll please excuse me, I have to uphold my duties as squadron leader." He turned into the crowd, and walked away, leaving Kyp with a hint of a scowl darkening his smirk.
He had been upset with Jag on Jaina's behalf, but he hadn't expected Jag's reaction. Jag wasn't a man who took big risks lightly and once he had made a decision, he stood by and it and didn't try to abandon it, if that decision produced some uncomfortable consequences. Getting involved with Jaina had been one of the largest risks that Jag had ever taken. Kyp hadn't thought that he would give up so easily. Any man would have had to be a fool to give up what Jag had with Jaina. Kyp hadn't thought Jag was a fool.
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The dark black hair, broken by a single startling splash of white, was what caught her eye as Jaina's partner, a middle aged diplomat from the Corporate Sector, whirled her around during their obligatory dance. The Corellian dance slowed into a more formal Alderanian waltz and Jaina got a better view of him. She noted with detachment the young blonde woman wearing a CEDF uniform, who was dancing with him and the few physical changes in him. If anything Jag looked leaner and a hint of stubble was visible, where he had once kept himself immaculately clean shaven. He still moved with the absolute confidence that she remembered. It seemed like he hadn't changed as much as she had.
The woman flashed Jag a smile that was dazzling even from where Jaina was halfway across the reception hall and then spoke to him lightly. Jaina missed an entire step of a dance that she had perfected at the age of eight, as he broke into laughter at whatever she had said. Jaina recovered quickly, ignoring her dance partner's comments.
Apparently Jag had changed, if he was laughing and flirting his way through a useless, diplomatic reception. The Jag that she had known would be railing at the ineffectiveness of the politicians and arguing against celebrating while there were still battles to be fought and people to protect. Taking a break was one thing, but neglecting one's duties for a party was another. Jaina wondered why she was suddenly so disappointed.
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It was, Jaina decided as she eased her x-wing down onto the duracrete landing field, definitely not her day. She hadn't had any contact with Jag since he had left Shelter in the wake of Callista's attack and so far she had managed to avoid him. The full Chiss diplomatic envoy was actually staying on Bastion, leaving their large ships up in orbit. Spike Squadron had been dispatched down to the surface with the diplomats and now Twin Suns had been ordered planetside as part of the Chimaera's usual rotation of squadrons.
It had the advantage of allowing her to momentarily escape the currently unpleasant confines of the Star Destroyer, but at the same time, it gave her a new obstacle to avoid. Whatever she and Fel might have once had was long over. He had been the one to leave without so much as allowing her to explain that she had been hallucinating under the effects of amphistaff poisoning. And now she certainly didn't want to restart whatever they'd had. She no longer found Fel appealing. He was still handsome, but the only words that came to mind now weren't mysterious, or intriguing as they had been at one time, but rather bland and boring.
Jaina almost smiled. It was actually probably a good thing that he had left. His absence had left her with one less distraction from the war against the Vong. It had been what she needed, then and now. Now unfortunately, she would have to interact with him. Twin Suns had been placed into the planetary rotation with purpose. They would be required to attend the formal reception on Bastion. It would be almost impossible to avoid Jag then.
She sighed as she stepped out of her x-wing. Having a small on-site reception for a squadron of fighter pilots was one of the most ridiculous things that Jaina had ever heard of. It had also brought to her attention one of the scariest things to ever happen outside of an all out Vong attack. It was the dress version of a Galactic Alliance pilot's flight suite and it was even worse than the usual dress uniforms. It was the last thing that Jaina needed to top off her day. She almost hoped for a sudden emergency. Anything to her and her pilots out of this. It was the politicians job to politic, not the pilots. They should be out there fighting or honing their skills for the next fight. It was the only option.
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Jedi Master Kyp Durron surged through the crowded reception area. His cloak, made or a red material so dark that it bordered on black, seemed to billow out and snap behind him as he walked, despite the fact that he wasn't walking fast enough to create that effect and the total lack of any wind in the large chamber. With a half concerned and mostly upset scowl on his face, the Jedi Master made an intimidating presence. It had been less than an hour since he had heard that Jagged Fel was back in Known Space. It was an unneeded complication in an already delicate situation.
His Dozen, Jaina's Twin Suns and Fel's Spike's, as three of the most high profile squadrons in the Bastion system would be required to work together. These days Jaina didn't seem to be happy with anyone and despite the way that she had seemed to totally forget about Jag, Kyp knew better. He remembered when the two of them had been together and happy and he also remembered feeling Jaina's emotion's through their Force bond. What she had felt had been real and true. The thing that was making Kyp so worried was the knowledge of how stubborn both Jaina and Jag were and the memory of some of their past clashes. Now those fights would be fueled with genuine animosity rather than concealed emotions as they had been in the past. That was why Kyp was searching for Jag among the crowd.
He had really wanted to talk with Jaina first, but the Goddess was extremely skilled at making herself unavailable and this reception wasn't the place for his conversation with her, especially when that conversation was likely to get violent and destructive. He had a feeling that Jaina wasn't really interested in hearing what he had to say. Not, however, that he had any intention of letting that stop him when the time came.
"Fel," Kyp said quietly, pulling himself out of his determined thoughts as he stepped up behind the Chiss trained Colonel.
Fel's reaction was polite and controlled- everything that Kyp had come to expect from him. "Master Durron, it's been a long time." He paused, "I'm assuming that we'll be working together again at least while the Chiss envoy is here on Bastion."
Kyp nodded, "For the moment, yes. It depends upon what your people chose to do, during the conference, as to what will happen in the future."
The younger man nodded, "The representatives of the Ruling Houses have come with open minds. They are interested," his attention wavered and Kyp followed his gaze to see Jaina and the rest of Twin Suns making their entrance. Jag's hesitation was only momentary and with only a slight hitch he continued speaking about the Chiss leaders who were currently on Bastion.
Kyp ignored whatever else Jag was saying and focused on him with a knowing smirk. It was all the proof that Kyp needed. Fel still had feelings for Jaina. Kyp was a Jedi Master, supposedly above petty emotions. He was, however, not immune to the desire to make Jag suffer for what he had put Jaina through. Jag was just as much to blame for the ending of their relationship as Jaina was. His reaction had always seemed out of character and extreme to Kyp.
He and Fel had once, for a very short time, been rivals for Jaina's affections. In the end, for Jaina's sake, they had gotten past their rivalry. They might not have been friends, but they had respected the other's abilities enough to allow them to work together efficiently. It was the only reason why Kyp was allowing Jag to stand there unharmed. Esmen had been right, Jaina had unquestionable changed after Jag left. Kyp had given more credit than he deserved. At the time, he had thought that Jag knew Jaina better than to leave without considering that everything wasn't as it seemed. He had been wrong and instead, Jag had left without a backwards glance.
The Jedi Master leaned closer to Jag. "She's changed," he said in a low conversational voice. "She's not what she used to be."
Thrown by the sudden change in topic, Jag didn't respond for a moment. Jag didn't even pretend to not understand what Kyp was talking about. Instead he met Kyp's eyes and replied calmly. "Jaina is not the only person who has changed, Master Durron. I came back to the Known Regions because that was where my squadron was assigned. I am not here to make a fool of myself over Jaina Solo, again. Nor do I care about the fact that she has changed. Not," he added, with the same firm but almost emotionless voice that he had been using, "because hearing about how Jaina has changed or moved on would be too painful for me, but because it is of no concern to me. The only way in which I care about Jaina's well being is as a squadron leader who I will be working with- just as I would care about your well being." He shot one more look at Kyp and added with a hint of irritation, "Now, if you'll please excuse me, I have to uphold my duties as squadron leader." He turned into the crowd, and walked away, leaving Kyp with a hint of a scowl darkening his smirk.
He had been upset with Jag on Jaina's behalf, but he hadn't expected Jag's reaction. Jag wasn't a man who took big risks lightly and once he had made a decision, he stood by and it and didn't try to abandon it, if that decision produced some uncomfortable consequences. Getting involved with Jaina had been one of the largest risks that Jag had ever taken. Kyp hadn't thought that he would give up so easily. Any man would have had to be a fool to give up what Jag had with Jaina. Kyp hadn't thought Jag was a fool.
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The dark black hair, broken by a single startling splash of white, was what caught her eye as Jaina's partner, a middle aged diplomat from the Corporate Sector, whirled her around during their obligatory dance. The Corellian dance slowed into a more formal Alderanian waltz and Jaina got a better view of him. She noted with detachment the young blonde woman wearing a CEDF uniform, who was dancing with him and the few physical changes in him. If anything Jag looked leaner and a hint of stubble was visible, where he had once kept himself immaculately clean shaven. He still moved with the absolute confidence that she remembered. It seemed like he hadn't changed as much as she had.
The woman flashed Jag a smile that was dazzling even from where Jaina was halfway across the reception hall and then spoke to him lightly. Jaina missed an entire step of a dance that she had perfected at the age of eight, as he broke into laughter at whatever she had said. Jaina recovered quickly, ignoring her dance partner's comments.
Apparently Jag had changed, if he was laughing and flirting his way through a useless, diplomatic reception. The Jag that she had known would be railing at the ineffectiveness of the politicians and arguing against celebrating while there were still battles to be fought and people to protect. Taking a break was one thing, but neglecting one's duties for a party was another. Jaina wondered why she was suddenly so disappointed.
Please leave a review to let me know what you think about this update. All feedback is appreciated.