PERFECT STRANGERS: PART VIII
Jaicob and Benjamyn re-entered the bridge to a roar of cheers. The entire crew carried on with cheers and applause until Tristan silenced everyone. "Hold it, men! The real hero is not even among us. Taurus, get Lieutenant Merlyn on the line."
Grumbling, Taurus paged his planet dwelling comrade. When he made the connection, he handed the comm to Tristan.
A mobil-comm vibrated on Merlyn's belt as he sat in the break room of the Coruscant clinic.
"This is Marc Henry."
"Marc Henry?" Tristan said masking a smile. "Oh, you must be Dr. Myers' new intern."
"Yes ma'am, that's exactly who I am." he grinned recognizing his Admiral's voice.
"Well, if you happen to run into a young Commander named Cristopher Merlyn, let him know that his deeds have not gone unnoticed and we look forward to his arrival home."
Merlyn's mouth fell open. Commander! "Yes ma'am!" he answered enthusiastically. "I'll let him know!"
ABOUT EIGHT HOURS LATER...
Mycenae sighed as he entered the small room where he had stored his effects prior to the operation. The whole process, from the first tests to the last injections and test results, had taken nearly all day. The Captain removed his scrubs and pulled his uniform jacket back on, a little unsettled. It was the worst feeling in the galaxy to be annoyed with someone for a reason they could never understand. He hated the way Tristan had been eyeing the patient before the procedure, and the way she had acted while it was taking place. He knew she was excited, but there was something else behind her emotion that sparked jealousy in his heart. The way she smiled down at the boy, the way she touched his face and-- ugh, it made him sick to think about it.
On the other hand, the procedure had been carried out flawlessly. Though lengthy, Dr. Alecto was very thorough and didn't overlook a single stage. The first serum had disabled his anamnesis, so the boy would have no memory of anything prior to the surgery. The second stage had put his mind into submission so that Tristan would have complete control of him, and the third actually altered his personality and his reactions to certain situations. "For example," Alecto had explained, "Some of our tests revealed that he still harbors anger against his father. Traumatic childhood experience I suppose. Anyway, we will now be able to call forth that rage and enhance it, allowing him to exhibit advanced fighting techniques, animalistic rage, zero tolerance for anything. He's going to be a perfectly savage beast when we're through with him."
Savage beast or not, Mycenae would have no problem taking him out. If he dared to make any moves toward Tristan, there would be a severe price to pay.
"What's wrong with you?" he scolded himself. "Why should you take anyone out for Tristan? She's never cared about you or done anything for you! Why do you follow her around like a trained animal!"
"Because--" he muttered softly. "Because I'm stupid and completely pathetic."
"What was that, Mycenae?" Tristan asked as she appeared around the doorway. Mycenae quickly lost his train of thought.
"Um-- I said I wonder how long that kid's going to be apathetic?"
"Oh," Tristan grinned deviously. "Hopefully not very long."
Mycenae's stomach churned. He turned his focus to reattaching his weapons. "Where are the other two?"
"They're coming." she answered, glancing behind her to make sure no one was there. Then, to Mycenae's delight, she lost herself for a minute.
"Nic, we did it! It's finally over!" she hugged Mycenae tightly around his neck. "You've stuck with me since the very beginning and now, here we are at the end." She quickly released him and smiled. "Thank you, Captain."
Nicolas was flying. "Of course, Tristan." he whispered, stunned by her actions. Maybe there really was a first time for everything.
Just then, Taurus and Cerberus appeared from around the corner with Dr. Alecto. The five crew mates stepped outside and into the long hallway.
The doctor smiled and extended his hand. "Well, it was a pleasure to work with you, Admiral. You too, gentlemen." Tristan shook his hand.
"So as for tonight, everything is finished?" she asked.
"That's right."
"Perfect. Tomorrow morning we'll check on him and then ship him out." Tristan said as the door closed behind them. "We can't waste any more time."
"Excellent, we'll see you in the morning."
Cerberus, Taurus, Mycenae and Lockhart continued down the hallway. "Well," Taurus began, "We've been in that lab like all day. It doesn't seem right just to go home. What should we do?"
Tristan smiled slyly as the group reached an intersection of the ship. "Since I'm in a good mood for the first time in years, go join the rest of your men at the cantina."
Taurus eyes grew wide. "You gave the whole crew the night off!"
"This is a once in a lifetime accomplishment, Benjamyn! Now remove yourself from my sight before I change my mind!"
At that, Cerberus grabbed Taurus by the arm and pulled him down another hall. Mycenae hid a smile. Alone once again.
"Well, today has certainly been eventful." he agreed. "But even the greatest Admirals have to relax every now and then. Would you care to join me?"
Tristan looked back at the Captain. "What did you have in mind?"
Mycenae smiled mischievously. "What's an entire crew in a bar with no Admiral?"
Tristan made a face, and then glanced back at Nicolas. "Oh gods," she laughed. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Nicolas shrugged.
Tristan looked up at Mycenae and finally sighed. "Oh-- why not."
Pleased, Nicolas offered Tristan his arm, not expecting her to take it. When she did, he grinned and pulled her in the direction of the onboard cantina.
The ship-wide celebration was audible before it was visible, and the pair was greeted with a round of applause and whistles as they entered. Nicolas ordered two shots and then, grinning at Tristan, climbed up on top of the bar.
"Hear ye! Hear ye!" he shouted across the crowded room. "I wish to propose a toast!" The crowd turned to face him and Nicolas raised his glass, glancing down at Tristan. "To the greatest Admiral the Artemis has ever seen! May you have continued success in your quest to overtake the galaxy! Cheers!" The entire tavern erupted in cheers as the crew downed their various portions of alcohol.
Tristan suppressed a laugh as she swallowed her own shot.
Nicolas and Tristan left the bar long after they had planned. The evening had been riotous. Mycenae lost count of his shots after eight, and engaged in drinking games he hadn't played since his time at the Imperial Academy. But what he found absolutely hilarious was that Tristan was even more plastered than he.
About 0200, Nicolas and Tristan headed for home, step by unsteady step. The Captain escorted his Admiral down the corridor on his arm and they giggled wildly, stumbling every step. They finally stopped in front of Tristan's door and Tristan laughed as Nicolas tripped over her feet and knocked both of them into the wall. He grinned sheepishly and she started laughing hysterically. Nicolas froze for a moment in his drunken stupor. Tristan was less than three inches from his face and her beautiful, usually non-existent smile was more intoxicating than all of the alcohol he'd consumed that evening. The dim hallway lights made her look positively seductive. His mind swirled with thoughts and he suddenly knew that he couldn't stand it any longer. It was now or never.
Her laughter died down as his fingers brushed her face.
"That was some fun, eh?" she grinned.
"Tristan—" he began, as confidently as possible. "I think I'm in love with you."
Tristan took a moment to process his slurred sentence, but before she had time to object and before he lost what was left of his nerve, Nicolas took her face in his hands and kissed her. He could feel her surprise at first, but after a moment, her hands were all over his face and his chest. They made out for a good couple of minutes in the hallway, until Tristan released him momentarily. Then she reached up and grabbed his uniform by the collar, pulling his face down eye level with hers.
"You should come in." she whispered clearly.
"Why?"
Tristan grinned mischievously unsnapped the button at his collar.
"Cause I wanna show you something."
Nicolas' eyes widened and he grinned, nearly overcome with giddiness. The couple barely made it into her quarters, releasing each other only momentarily so that Tristan could open her door and stumble into the darkness.
Nicolas awoke the next morning with a tremendous headache and an unfamiliar warmth at his side. It didn't take long for reality to set in. He grinned at the beautiful figure asleep against his chest. This couldn't be real. It was simply too good to be true. Not wanting to ruin the moment, he decided not to wake her. He caressed her smooth, bare shoulder with his fingers and when she stirred, he brushed her forehead lightly with a kiss.
A moment later, her eyes flew open in alarm. Nicolas smiled. "Morning." he whispered.
Tristan didn't answer, but she sat up quickly pulling the covers over herself. She quickly fell back on the bed, clutching her head with both hands.
"Oh gods." She moaned. "What happened? How did we get here?"
Nicolas chuckled, rolling over onto his side. "That's funny, I don't quite remember either."
Tristan focused all of her energy to stop her head from spinning and sat up again. She saw her clothes lying all over the floor, obviously discarded in a rage of drunken passion. She groaned softly and then turned to look at Nicolas. Her mind went blank and she squeezed her eyes shut. "Computer, time?"
"0838 a.m."
Tristan cursed under her breath and called a blanket to her hand from the floor. She wrapped it around herself and climbed out of bed. "I don't believe this." she mumbled. She grabbed a uniform from her closet and locked herself in the bathroom. She threw everything on the floor and covered her eyes with her hands. She didn't know whether to cry or collapse or just scream. She couldn't think about it at all. She dropped her blanket and slid into the shower.
Nicolas was in heaven. Even the severity of his hangover was not enough to darken his mood. In one night, his entire world had been turned around and the woman he had adored for years was finally a part of him. Though at the moment she seemed set on distancing herself from him, he knew she would come to herself soon. He climbed out of bed and pulled on his pants just as the water in the fresher shut off.
Tristan stepped out of the fresher, dressed for work. Warm water combined with the Force had assisted in soothing her massive headache, but she had never felt more uncomfortable about making an entrance into a room. She took a deep breath and opened the door, barely glancing at Nicolas as she made her way through the bedroom to the living room. Nicolas frowned and followed her into the den. She was sitting on the couch to pull on her boots when he emerged from the bedroom. Walking up behind her, he leaned over the back of the couch and pulled back Tristan's damp hair to kiss her. "You in some kind of hurry?" he whispered. Tristan jumped at his touch and quickly stood from the couch. She stared at Nicolas for a minute, but then averted her eyes and took her weapon belt from the table.
"Under the circumstances, Captain, I won't hold it against you-- but you are late for work." she finished coldly, not giving him another look.
Mycenae's brow furrowed. ""I'm late for work!"" he asked incredulously. "You take me for a ride like last night, and now all you can tell me is that I'm late for work!"
"Don't start with me, Nic." she warned. "I don't have time to discuss this now."
"Discuss? You're leaving!"
"Of course, I'm leaving," she bit out. "I have work to do. And so do you."
Nicolas stumbled around the couch. "Wait a second, Tris, you can't be serious. Do you really think your crew is going to be cognizant this morning? I-I mean you've gotta be more hungover than me and I can barely see straight." Tristan did not answer, but attached her saber to her belt and started for the door. Nicolas shook off his fog as he blocked her path. "Baby, hold on just a second--"
"What did you call me?" she snapped, spinning to face him.
Nicolas looked dimly at her. "Nothin'. Nothin', I just-- listen, what's the rush? We can hang out here, it's not like I'm gonna say anything about this and--"
"Damn right, you're not." she growled, glaring at him. She grabbed her uniform jacket and started for the door again.
"Tristan wait," Nicolas pleaded again. He forced a smile as he stepped in her path. "Come on, what's the matter with you? You weren't like this last night."
Tristan stared through him. "Everything about last night," she said through a thinly veiled snarl. "Was an accident."
Nicolas' blood froze. He barely felt her push against him and walk out of the flat.
"Good morning, Admiral." The young receptionist greeted Tristan. "You can go on back, he's awake already. And not the most pleasant patient we've ever had, I might add."
Tristan forced a smile and headed for the back room. She quickly pushed disturbing thoughts of the previous night from her mind. The last thing she needed today, was a distraction.
She reached the end of the hall and glanced through a tiny window at her masterpiece. She grinned with excitement. The boy looked strong and capable-- and he was much more attractive than she'd realized. At the moment, he was sitting on the edge of his bed in the barren recovery room and he stood up quickly as she entered.
Lockhart concealed a smile as she closed the door behind her. "Morning, sweetheart."
"Who are you?" he snapped. "What is this place?"
The Admiral frowned. "I am your Admiral Tristan Lockhart, and you will treat me accordingly. This is my ship, the Artemis. And you--" she smiled seductively as she walked toward him. "You are my chosen one; my servant, my headhunter. I've waited six lonely years for you." He glared at her as she moved to stroke his face, and jerked away like an angry animal at her touch.
"Why should I work for you?" he growled. His eyes flashed a frightening radioactive emerald color.
"Because I've given you power." she answered, calmly approaching him. "I created this part of you. I selected you over millions of others, and brought you here. I gave you a gift-- and this is the thanks I get? I should have you spaced immediately."
He eyed her with a confident smirk. "But you won't."
Admiral Lockhart looked back at him, a smile creeping to the corners of her own mouth. "No, I won't. I just might keep you for myself.-- But then, all my plans would be ruined."
"Plans?" he countered. "Who says I'm following your plans?" He moved in to intimidate her. "You've given me power," he continued. "So what's to prevent me from running off with it on my own?"
Lockhart's gaze narrowed. "Because I can take your power as quickly as I've given it to you. At any given time, I can shut you down like a droid and you'll be completely helpless. Without me-- you are nothing."
He glared at her for a moment and then, realizing he had been mastered, crossed his arms. "What do you need me for?" he muttered.
Ahh, the joy of submission. Lockhart smiled sweetly. "So glad you asked."
AFTERNOON AT THE JEDI ACADEMY...
It was a lovely day for the citizens of Yavin IV. The winter chill was beginning to burn off and the sun shone brightly over the hardworking Jedi students. They had already completed their group exercises and Master Skywalker had instructed them to work on their combat skills against each other. Something was telling him they needed the preparation.
Tenel and Jaina had wandered out into the woods and found a clearing to spar in. But while Tenel was pulling her long hair back, she noticed that there was something unusual in her friend's face.
"What's the matter, Jaina? Everything okay?"
Jaina ignited her saber and turned down the intensity setting. "I'm fine!" she lied.
Tenel's brow furrowed. "I don't believe you."
Jaina rolled her eyes. "Well, you should. Let's go!"
Shaking her head, Tenel complied and lit her own blade.
Creeping stealthily through the jungle, he listened over the squawking animals and kept his eyes wide for signs of trouble. The jungle was virtually empty. It was a perfect setup. He swung the blaster rifle off his shoulder to make sure it was ready for action. His hands nearly trembled as he ran them over the slick, high powered weapon he'd been given. He had been instructed to sneak into the main meeting area of the Academy and destroy everyone and everything in sight. But if he could take out a few before he got there, it would make his job that much easier. Images flashed through his mind of the students screaming and running in terror at the very sight of him. A diabolical grin crossed his face as dropped further into the foliage and made his way closer to the populated area.
Tenel and Jaina collapsed simultaneously after half an hour of intense sparring. Jaina pulled her long ponytail down and wound her hair up in a tight bun, away from her neck. She heaved a deep sigh and leaned against a tree stump. When Tenel caught her breath, she turned to her best friend.
"Good fight. But-- you weren't all there. You're keeping something from me. Come on, tell me what's wrong. What's goin' on?"
Jaina sighed again. "Nothing. I told you, I'm fine. I--"
Tenel said nothing, but simply glared at Jaina with wry skepticism. Jaina sighed.
"I just-- haven't heard from Brock in a while. A few days. Until now, he's been getting in touch with me somehow every night! But I haven't heard a word from him in almost four days. He won't answer his comm, and I know we're not really together, and he's probably just busy and all-- but still."
Tenel put her arm around Jaina and hugged her. "Don't worry too much, Jain. You're probably right about him being busy. He got doubled teamed right before we left, remember? He's probably flying for anyone who will let him, any chance he gets, to keep his mind off of you, so he doesn't go crazy!" She smiled and stood up, reattaching her saber to her belt. "You watch," she continued. "He'll call you tonight and apologize for like half an hour for not calling all week. But until then, just try to think about something else. Like maybe a strategy to defeat the greatest Jedi warrior princess that ever lived."
Jaina smiled in spite of her mood. "Why? I'll never have to battle myself."
Tenel playfully kicked Jaina in the leg and they both laughed. "Well," Tenel said finally. "I'm going to head back. You want to come now? Or do you want to sit here a while longer?"
Jaina pulled at a rip on the knee of her pants. Then she looked up at Tenel. "I'll come with you." Tenel helped her friend up and then darted off into the jungle. "We'll see who the faster warrior princess is!" Jaina took off after her.
An unnatural disturbance broke through the usual jungle cacophony. Sinking down into the brush, he waited. The noise was coming from behind him, deeper in the jungle than he was. Anyone that deep in the forest could be nothing but trouble. But whoever it was wouldn't be around long enough to tell anyone about him. He finally spotted it, flying through the trees. But it was no threat to him. Nothing was. Eyes aglow, he leveled his rifle at the moving object, and fired twice. His victim tumbled to the ground.
Tenel hit the jungle floor face first. The pain in her head was exceeded only by that in her side and her leg. She immediately tried to move, but nearly screamed in agony. "Okay, I'm not going anywhere quickly." she thought.
At the sound of the strange noise, Jaina looked up from her sprint and her face fell. Tenel was gone. "Tenel?" she called. Why would she run off like that? Jaina heard the noise again. Strangely enough, it sounded almost like a--
"Oh, sithspawn."
"Tenel!" she screamed. Jaina picked up her sprint again, running in the opposite direction from whoever was firing at her. She knew she should probably drop, but some part of her insisted that she keep on running.
Tenel's mind raced. Half of it was in shock from having been shot and the other half couldn't decide what to do next. She didn't quite know how to warn Jaina, because she wasn't sure what had happened. But the biggest problem right now was staying conscious. She blinked her eyes over and over to stay awake. It seemed to be the only part of her body that wasn't screaming in pain. But after much resistance, she decided that playing dead might be the best thing to do. At least whoever shot her would leave her alone. In her last conscious moment, she whispered,
Jacen--- help--- hurry...
Jaina evaded every blast that flew in her direction for a while, and even the sharp burn in the back of her shoulder didn't stop her. The barrier that did force her to halt was Tenel's own limp body on the forest floor.
Cursing under his breath, he looked up from behind the scope. He had missed! The girl was closer to camp now, and if she made it all the way in, his scheme would be ruined, and he would be punished. "I will not be defeated before I have begun." he thought. "Screw this sniper bit. I'll take her down myself." Dropping his gun, he charged after her.
Jaina rolled across the leaves and tried to spring to her feet, but she couldn't. The state of Tenel's body had paralyzed her. She didn't even realize that she had been hit also. Her elusive attacker was nowhere to be seen. She closed her eyes, trying to focus and determine where the shots had come from. She barely had to concentrate. A dark, savage power was fast approaching and before Jaina could get to her feet and ignite her saber, it was knocked away and the intruder was upon her, his strong, cold, hands encircling her neck and cutting off her air supply. The two rolled over and over, Jaina trying her hardest to improve her situation. But her efforts didn't seem to have much of an effect on her assailant. There were several defense mechanisms that she could have used to her advantage, but they all took at least a few seconds notice to activate. A few seconds she never got.
Jacen! Ani--- Jacen, I need you---
"Toby, hang on a second." Jacen said backing away from his sparring partner, a sixteen year old student named Tobias. "Where's Jaina?"
"What's the matter?" Toby asked. Jacen stood frozen for a second, confused. "I don't really know." he muttered. Without another word, Jacen deactivated his saber and jogged across the campus, surprised to see his brother on the move toward him.
"A.J.," Jacen called out. "Did you hea--"
"Yeah, yeah I did." Anakin interrupted, slowing down as he reached his brother. "I thought I was imagining things. Let's go." Both boys turned and bolted toward the jungle.
Tobias watched them start to run away. "Jacen!" He called out. "Wait! What's going on?"
"Don't follow us out, Tobias!" Jacen shouted back. "Get Master Luke. Hurry!"
Jaina and her aggressor tumbled over each other as they rolled across the jungle floor, but somehow, she always wound up underneath him. She had never fought a large wild animal, but she imagined it would be something like this. She got a couple of good swings at his face, but he kept his hands around her neck whenever possible, but it was as if he hadn't had much practice inflicting pain on people. His combat skills were hardly that of a dangerous criminal, but the fact that he was stronger and had hit her with a surprise attack gave him the advantage.
Jaina wished for a blaster or even a big stick. There was a chance she could have called a weapon to her hand, but it wasn't worth the risk. Divided attention could be deadly. If she took her focus off of him and his hands, he could easily crush her windpipe.
If only she could get him off for one second.
She glared up at him as menacingly as possible, and for the first time she got a good look at his face. Of course it was covered almost completely by a black mask, but he glared back at her with fiery, heartless, green eyes. Strangely familiar green eyes...
No. No way.
A new surge of terror gave Jaina an adrenaline rush and a spark of energy. Focusing all of her remaining strength, she rolled them over so that she was on top of him, and slammed his head into the ground. It was just the break she needed. He loosened up enough for her to jump off of him and reach out for her saber. But her concentration was shot. Fear and disbelief took over her mind. She needed another look at his face! Until she figured out who it was, she couldn't make an attempt on his life, she could only defend herself.
His feelings toward her were obviously on the other end of the spectrum and Jaina's indecision nearly cost her her life. In less than ten seconds, he had gotten to his feet and removed the assassin's dagger from his boot. Her eyes widened with terror as he lunged at her at full speed.
"JACEN!"
That voice was not in his head.
"Jaina!" Jacen screamed back. "Come on, Ani, move it!"
Though she didn't believe it possible, Jaina's position had worsened. Being strangled was one thing. Having your throat slit was another entirely. She was using the Force along with every ounce of strength she possessed to keep this man's knife two inches above her throat. Her grip grew slick with sweat and her hands trembled with the intense struggle. She could feel herself weakening. She had to be mistaken. This had to be a nightmare. In five minutes, she would wake up and everything would be okay.
Just then, she caught sight of Tenel's body again. The side of her fatigues were soaked with blood. Jaina swore she could hear rapid footsteps advancing. But they were coming so slowly. They'd never make it in time.
Who was she kidding? In five minutes, she would be dead...
"JAINA!"
Or not.
Just as she thought she couldn't hold on any longer, the footsteps came like thunder and she could hear lightsabers slashing through the trees. Jaina's confidence surged and she caught sight of Tenel's saber. Concentrating with the Force, she slipped the weapon off Tenel's belt, called it through the air and brought the hilt of it down hard on the back of her attacker's head. Consciousness flickered from his eyes and she rolled from beneath him before his knife could puncture her chest.
Jacen and Anakin emerged through the severed branches two seconds later, followed closely by Luke Skywalker, Tobias, Erik, Slade and Kyp.
Luke quickly surveyed the scene and spoke matter of factly, but it was obvious how hard he had to work to keep his emotions out of the way.
"Anakin, Jacen, get these girls out of here, now. Take them straight to the infirmary; I'll be right there. Kyp, Erik, take care of him." he said pointing to the subdued intruder. "We need to figure out who he is. Slade, Tobias, make sure he was alone. Don't let your guard down for a second."
The boys who had followed Luke split up to search the area. His eyes then fell on Jaina's who was trembling, covered in dirt and bleeding from her shoulder. She was already trying to stand to her feet, but if not for Jacen, she would have fallen again. He caught her as she stumbled backwards. "What are you doing?" he asked, turning her around to face him. "I'm not going to let you walk anywhere." Jacen mumbled, supporting her with an arm around her waist. But she pushed him away before he could pick her up.
"She needs you more than I do." she whispered. She pointed to her left where Tenel lie on the ground, motionless and bleeding. The color drained from Jacen's face as he squeezed her arm and then quickly left her in Anakin's charge. Jaina wanted to burst into tears as Jacen knelt beside Tenel and gently lifted her into his arms.
A few meters away, Kyp and Erik lifted the attackers' comatose body from the ground and carried him toward the infirmary. Jaina's heart burned and her body ached from the laser blast and fierce grip that had been taken on her neck. She couldn't speak. She couldn't move. Fortunately, her seventeen-year old brother chose that moment to slip his arm around her waist and turn her to face him.
Hot, angry, tears burned Anakin's eyes as he surveyed his sister's battered form. Dark bruises were already becoming visible on her neck and her shoulder was burned pretty badly. He could sense her physical pain and her racing mind—but overall, she was in shock, numb.
"Jaya," he murmured, touching her face with one hand. "I 'm so sorry. I can't believe this happened. I wish I could have taken it for you."
Anakin shook his head in disbelief and gently, cautiously, lifted Jaina from the ground, being careful not to irritate her shoulder. The blood in his veins boiled with anger as he started back toward the camp.
Jaina rested her head on her brother's shoulder, dazed. She couldn't feel a thing, but she had never hurt so badly in all her life.
END PART EIGHT