Newest Chapter: SEVEN!
It seemed as though the entire world had stopped. Everything ceased it's normal path in the Force, and all the life-forms slowed and the milliseconds were like hours. Jaina was forced to watch them fall, made to watch her children before a horrible death.
The twins fell, screaming, crying. Jaina rushed forwards, even though she knew it was hopelessly late. However, for some strange reason, it seemed that they weren't falling as fast as they should.
"I gotcha!"
Jaina watched in thankful awe as her little brother, Anakin, reached his arms out, catching the twins. First he caught the little boy, then girl. Anakin had caught them in the air, using the Force, and now held both of them in his strong arms.
Jaina rushed up, just in time to hear her little brother's quick introduction.
"Hello. My name's Anakin." Anakin grinned. "I'm your uncle." He watched Jaina run up. "And that's your mother."
As Jaina reached them, she enveloped all three in a hug. "Oh thank the Force." She whispered, tears streaming out of her eyes. "Thank you, Anakin."
It was then that Jaina felt such a disturbance in the Force it was incredible. It was as if someone had shot her with a blaster bolt. It was filled with pain, worry, and shock. Glancing around, Jaina spotted Zekk, who was standing about twenty-four feet off. He wasn't fighting anymore, but simply seemed to be examining his shirt. Jaina paused, and to her horror, she saw at first a crimson spot, but then the spot got bigger and bigger, until blood seeped down. Zekk looked up at her, his eyes tense, it was then he collapsed into the sand. Jaina's heart stopped. "Anakin! Take the twins, hide somewhere, I'll find you." With that, she took off toward where her husband lay.
"Wait!" Called a young voice. "Wait!"
Jaina glanced over her shoulder. Shallin was struggling in Anakin's arms, and trying to get something out of her shirt. Jaina rushed over.
"I took these." In the little girl's hand she clutched two lightsabers. One belonging to Zekk, the other belonging to Jaina.
Jaina took them both, leaned over and kissed her daughter's forehead. "Go with Anakin." Turning on her heel, Jaina again headed to where the battle raged.
Anakin turned to the two children in his arms. "What? Nothing for Uncle Anakin?" The little boy paused, then reached inside his own blue shirt, retrieving a blaster.
Taking the blaster, Anakin laughed. "You kids are a walking armory!"
Jaina ignited her lightsaber. Guards had poured in from the slave-holdings. Blasters at the ready, they were mowing down the slaves one by one. Jaina deflected a bolt that was aimed at her chest and sent it right back at the guard who fired. Hover craft were also filing into the arena, however, they were being overturned and broken. The slaves outnumbered the guards two to one, and they were fighting their way out by sheer strength in numbers.
Sliding down on her knees, Jaina knelt beside Zekk. "What happened?" She asked, her voice barely audible above the sounds of the battle.
Zekk looked at her. "I saw them fall, lost concentration. Someone shot me in the back."
Looking around, Jaina saw a downed speeder on it's side. They needed shelter, and fast. "Can you stand?"
"I think so."
Jaina took Zekk's arm, and put it around her shoulder. Together, they staggered toward the speeder, only barely getting there in time before anyone noticed them. Jaina lay Zekk down in the speeders shade. "Let me see it." Slowly, Jaina took Zekk's hand away from the wound in his side. It was deep, and crimson blood trickled from it. Jaina gasped, for once letting the fear and shock show on her features.
"I'm not gonna last long." Zekk whispered. "We gotta get outta here quickly."
Jaina tore one of her sleeves off, folded it, and the put it in Zekk's hand, and pressed it against the wound. "You've gotta hold on, somehow I'll figure out something." Jaina handed Zekk his lightsaber. "Here, take this."
Zekk, who had been looking over his shoulder motioned to her. "Look out!"
Jaina jumped up and turned, facing a guard. Instantly her lightsaber was out, and she deflected the two shots that were aimed at her. With a sideways swipe, she took the guard's head off. The body slumped to the hot sand, and the head rolled away. Quickly, Jaina deactivated her lightsaber and again ducked into the shade of the downed speeder.
"Are the twins alright?" Zekk asked, his voice faltering.
"Yes, they're fine." Jaina knelt beside him, trying to figure out what to do. "They're with Anakin."
Zekk grimaced. "Oh that's comforting." This time, Jaina ripped one of Zekk's sleeves, and then tied it around his waist. "He's responsible, even if he's on Spice." Jaina looked up, and then over her shoulder. "We've gotta get out of here."
Getting up, Zekk grabbed his side, groaning deep in his throat, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. When Jaina moved to help him he shook his head. "Don't worry. I can do this."
Together, they left the shade of the speeder. Igniting their lightsabers, they stepped into the fray. Working together, Jaina and Zekk made their way towards the walls of the arena, however, Zekk was getting slower and slower with deflecting the blaster bolts, and Jaina had to work overtime to keep them away from the onslaught.
Eventually, they became totally surrounded by guards. No matter how fast they moved, Jaina knew that eventually they'd get hit. "You have any ideas?" She yelled over her shoulder.
"No." Zekk deflected another blaster bolt, holding his lightsaber with his right hand and pressing his side-wound with his left. "You?"
"No!" Jaina's arms were beginning to get tired, and they burned from the amazing workout she had been giving them. Her mind was also getting weary, the pain in her ribs were again starting to resurface. Everything was falling apart. The fight in the arena was starting to fade away, the slaves had found a way out, and the spectators had all evacuated. Only a scattered few remained among the dead and dying.
Suddenly, the firing stopped. Jaina and Zekk paused, momentarily lowering their lightsabers in the silence that was tangible. Jaina turned to see Yurric walked towards them over the sand of the arena. Obviously, they were his guards that battered them and had Zekk and Jaina cornered.
"Surrender!" Yurric yelled, coming closer. "And your lives will be spared."
Jaina glanced at Zekk. His face was pale, and he breathed through his mouth. Zekk's black hair had come out of the band he usually kept it in, and it fell down his shoulders. Perhaps surrendering to Yurric would be the only way. After all, who knew how she'd get him medical attention if they did escape.
Zekk must have sensed what Jaina was thinking and he shook his head. "We will never surrender to you Yurric." He called, his voice traveling over the silence of the deserted battlefield.
Yurric turned to Jaina, now coming up to about seven feet away from them. "Does he speak for you also?"
Jaina nodded. "He does."
"Well then." Yurric shrugged. "You will die." With that, he turned away. Jaina and Zekk raised their lightsabers once again, readying themselves for the certain death that awaited.
Suddenly, they heard engines overhead, and all looked up. To everyone's surprise, coming down through the atmosphere were two heavily armed ships. Immediately, the guards opened fire on the approaching ships, but the outer hulls were too tough, and the ship's blasters began to fire on the guards. The guards made for a hasty retreat.
Jaina laughed with relief. "It's the FALCON!"
The Melenium Falcon glided in, and then landed with effortless speed and perfection. As soon as the ship touched the sand, the landing ramp was put down.
"You kids come on!" Han Solo, looking as ever the pirate he was, ran down the ramp. Blaster fire was all around, the guards had found places to fight behind, and now were taking pot-shots. Han ran up to Zekk, took the younger man's arm and slung it around his shoulder. Together, they all rushed to the safe quarters of the Falcon's hull. Han practically carried Zekk most of the way, and as soon as they were inside he sat him down on the floor. "Leia! Get us out of here!"
Jaina helped Zekk sit up. She didn't know how her parents had miraculously shown up, but things were going so fast she didn't have enough time to think. "Mom, we have to find Anakin and the twins!"
Han's voice came over from the cockpit. "We're on his tracking devise right now."
Jaina felt the ship heave beneath her, and knew that they were leaving the arena. "Where are they?"
"Just outside the arena, in one of the back streets." Leia answered.
Jaina looked up as they landed once again, and the landing ramp was let down again. "I'll go after them," she looked at Zekk, smiling. "I wont be long."
(((((((((((((((Five Minutes Later))))))))))))))))
Jaina had the Shallin in her arms, while Anakin had Dannon. Both of them sprinted up the landing ramp of the Falcon.
Anakin set the boy down, and then ran into the arms of his parents. "Lets go Dad. I'm tired of this dustball."
Han wiped his eyes, nodding his head. "You're right."
Leia wasn't letting go of Anakin for anything. "Oh my boy!"She whispered through her tears. "My baby boy."
"I missed you, mom."
"We thought you were killed!" Leia touched Anakin's face, looking into his blue eyes.
"I'm okay mom." Anakin said, trying to reassure her. "Really."
While her parents were having their reunion, Jaina hugged the twins to her, and they hugged her back. After a moment, she paused, looking around for her husband. That's when she realized he wasn't there. "Where's Zekk?"
Han came back from the cockpit. "What?"
Jaina broke down, and began to panic. "Dad don't lift off, where's Zekk? We have to find him!"
It seemed as though the entire world had stopped. Everything ceased it's normal path in the Force, and all the life-forms slowed and the milliseconds were like hours. Jaina was forced to watch them fall, made to watch her children before a horrible death.
The twins fell, screaming, crying. Jaina rushed forwards, even though she knew it was hopelessly late. However, for some strange reason, it seemed that they weren't falling as fast as they should.
"I gotcha!"
Jaina watched in thankful awe as her little brother, Anakin, reached his arms out, catching the twins. First he caught the little boy, then girl. Anakin had caught them in the air, using the Force, and now held both of them in his strong arms.
Jaina rushed up, just in time to hear her little brother's quick introduction.
"Hello. My name's Anakin." Anakin grinned. "I'm your uncle." He watched Jaina run up. "And that's your mother."
As Jaina reached them, she enveloped all three in a hug. "Oh thank the Force." She whispered, tears streaming out of her eyes. "Thank you, Anakin."
It was then that Jaina felt such a disturbance in the Force it was incredible. It was as if someone had shot her with a blaster bolt. It was filled with pain, worry, and shock. Glancing around, Jaina spotted Zekk, who was standing about twenty-four feet off. He wasn't fighting anymore, but simply seemed to be examining his shirt. Jaina paused, and to her horror, she saw at first a crimson spot, but then the spot got bigger and bigger, until blood seeped down. Zekk looked up at her, his eyes tense, it was then he collapsed into the sand. Jaina's heart stopped. "Anakin! Take the twins, hide somewhere, I'll find you." With that, she took off toward where her husband lay.
"Wait!" Called a young voice. "Wait!"
Jaina glanced over her shoulder. Shallin was struggling in Anakin's arms, and trying to get something out of her shirt. Jaina rushed over.
"I took these." In the little girl's hand she clutched two lightsabers. One belonging to Zekk, the other belonging to Jaina.
Jaina took them both, leaned over and kissed her daughter's forehead. "Go with Anakin." Turning on her heel, Jaina again headed to where the battle raged.
Anakin turned to the two children in his arms. "What? Nothing for Uncle Anakin?" The little boy paused, then reached inside his own blue shirt, retrieving a blaster.
Taking the blaster, Anakin laughed. "You kids are a walking armory!"
Jaina ignited her lightsaber. Guards had poured in from the slave-holdings. Blasters at the ready, they were mowing down the slaves one by one. Jaina deflected a bolt that was aimed at her chest and sent it right back at the guard who fired. Hover craft were also filing into the arena, however, they were being overturned and broken. The slaves outnumbered the guards two to one, and they were fighting their way out by sheer strength in numbers.
Sliding down on her knees, Jaina knelt beside Zekk. "What happened?" She asked, her voice barely audible above the sounds of the battle.
Zekk looked at her. "I saw them fall, lost concentration. Someone shot me in the back."
Looking around, Jaina saw a downed speeder on it's side. They needed shelter, and fast. "Can you stand?"
"I think so."
Jaina took Zekk's arm, and put it around her shoulder. Together, they staggered toward the speeder, only barely getting there in time before anyone noticed them. Jaina lay Zekk down in the speeders shade. "Let me see it." Slowly, Jaina took Zekk's hand away from the wound in his side. It was deep, and crimson blood trickled from it. Jaina gasped, for once letting the fear and shock show on her features.
"I'm not gonna last long." Zekk whispered. "We gotta get outta here quickly."
Jaina tore one of her sleeves off, folded it, and the put it in Zekk's hand, and pressed it against the wound. "You've gotta hold on, somehow I'll figure out something." Jaina handed Zekk his lightsaber. "Here, take this."
Zekk, who had been looking over his shoulder motioned to her. "Look out!"
Jaina jumped up and turned, facing a guard. Instantly her lightsaber was out, and she deflected the two shots that were aimed at her. With a sideways swipe, she took the guard's head off. The body slumped to the hot sand, and the head rolled away. Quickly, Jaina deactivated her lightsaber and again ducked into the shade of the downed speeder.
"Are the twins alright?" Zekk asked, his voice faltering.
"Yes, they're fine." Jaina knelt beside him, trying to figure out what to do. "They're with Anakin."
Zekk grimaced. "Oh that's comforting." This time, Jaina ripped one of Zekk's sleeves, and then tied it around his waist. "He's responsible, even if he's on Spice." Jaina looked up, and then over her shoulder. "We've gotta get out of here."
Getting up, Zekk grabbed his side, groaning deep in his throat, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. When Jaina moved to help him he shook his head. "Don't worry. I can do this."
Together, they left the shade of the speeder. Igniting their lightsabers, they stepped into the fray. Working together, Jaina and Zekk made their way towards the walls of the arena, however, Zekk was getting slower and slower with deflecting the blaster bolts, and Jaina had to work overtime to keep them away from the onslaught.
Eventually, they became totally surrounded by guards. No matter how fast they moved, Jaina knew that eventually they'd get hit. "You have any ideas?" She yelled over her shoulder.
"No." Zekk deflected another blaster bolt, holding his lightsaber with his right hand and pressing his side-wound with his left. "You?"
"No!" Jaina's arms were beginning to get tired, and they burned from the amazing workout she had been giving them. Her mind was also getting weary, the pain in her ribs were again starting to resurface. Everything was falling apart. The fight in the arena was starting to fade away, the slaves had found a way out, and the spectators had all evacuated. Only a scattered few remained among the dead and dying.
Suddenly, the firing stopped. Jaina and Zekk paused, momentarily lowering their lightsabers in the silence that was tangible. Jaina turned to see Yurric walked towards them over the sand of the arena. Obviously, they were his guards that battered them and had Zekk and Jaina cornered.
"Surrender!" Yurric yelled, coming closer. "And your lives will be spared."
Jaina glanced at Zekk. His face was pale, and he breathed through his mouth. Zekk's black hair had come out of the band he usually kept it in, and it fell down his shoulders. Perhaps surrendering to Yurric would be the only way. After all, who knew how she'd get him medical attention if they did escape.
Zekk must have sensed what Jaina was thinking and he shook his head. "We will never surrender to you Yurric." He called, his voice traveling over the silence of the deserted battlefield.
Yurric turned to Jaina, now coming up to about seven feet away from them. "Does he speak for you also?"
Jaina nodded. "He does."
"Well then." Yurric shrugged. "You will die." With that, he turned away. Jaina and Zekk raised their lightsabers once again, readying themselves for the certain death that awaited.
Suddenly, they heard engines overhead, and all looked up. To everyone's surprise, coming down through the atmosphere were two heavily armed ships. Immediately, the guards opened fire on the approaching ships, but the outer hulls were too tough, and the ship's blasters began to fire on the guards. The guards made for a hasty retreat.
Jaina laughed with relief. "It's the FALCON!"
The Melenium Falcon glided in, and then landed with effortless speed and perfection. As soon as the ship touched the sand, the landing ramp was put down.
"You kids come on!" Han Solo, looking as ever the pirate he was, ran down the ramp. Blaster fire was all around, the guards had found places to fight behind, and now were taking pot-shots. Han ran up to Zekk, took the younger man's arm and slung it around his shoulder. Together, they all rushed to the safe quarters of the Falcon's hull. Han practically carried Zekk most of the way, and as soon as they were inside he sat him down on the floor. "Leia! Get us out of here!"
Jaina helped Zekk sit up. She didn't know how her parents had miraculously shown up, but things were going so fast she didn't have enough time to think. "Mom, we have to find Anakin and the twins!"
Han's voice came over from the cockpit. "We're on his tracking devise right now."
Jaina felt the ship heave beneath her, and knew that they were leaving the arena. "Where are they?"
"Just outside the arena, in one of the back streets." Leia answered.
Jaina looked up as they landed once again, and the landing ramp was let down again. "I'll go after them," she looked at Zekk, smiling. "I wont be long."
(((((((((((((((Five Minutes Later))))))))))))))))
Jaina had the Shallin in her arms, while Anakin had Dannon. Both of them sprinted up the landing ramp of the Falcon.
Anakin set the boy down, and then ran into the arms of his parents. "Lets go Dad. I'm tired of this dustball."
Han wiped his eyes, nodding his head. "You're right."
Leia wasn't letting go of Anakin for anything. "Oh my boy!"She whispered through her tears. "My baby boy."
"I missed you, mom."
"We thought you were killed!" Leia touched Anakin's face, looking into his blue eyes.
"I'm okay mom." Anakin said, trying to reassure her. "Really."
While her parents were having their reunion, Jaina hugged the twins to her, and they hugged her back. After a moment, she paused, looking around for her husband. That's when she realized he wasn't there. "Where's Zekk?"
Han came back from the cockpit. "What?"
Jaina broke down, and began to panic. "Dad don't lift off, where's Zekk? We have to find him!"