Chapter 3

;;;;;;;;;In the Pilot's Quarters NEXT DAY;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Zekk rubbed at his eyes, gathering up a new uniform for the briefing with Commander Leia Solo. But he was still exhausted from the battle the day before. Not to mention that Deg was there.

Deg was a younger man, 20 years old or so, with blonde hair and light eyes that never seemed to blink enough. Ever since Zekk had welcomed him to the fleet, the young man had always found something to rile Zekk about- and today it happened to be a very touchy subject.

"So, you and your sweetheart stayed up late last night?" Deg smirked, following Zekk as he went to his bunk. "I guess you just don't find the death of your comrades enough to even mourn about, do you?"

Zekk combed his fingers through his hair, trying to calm himself, and more importantly the temper everyone had rumored about but had never seen.

"So I guess you'll see her again tonight, wont you." Deg scratched at his face, picking at a pimple that was deep beneath the skin.

"It's none of your business." Zekk murmured, slipping on a clean shirt.

"Oh I know it isn't. But you lead us right into that attack to save her didn't you." Deg answered, getting right up into Zekk's face. "Just to save your little hoar."

Zekk froze, his mouth turning into a thin line, and his left hand becoming an iron fist. He was crossing the line again, feeling the hot fire rushing up behind his ears.

"Of course she might have rank, but that doesn't matter, does it. She's worth an entire squadron just to save her pretty hide." Deg looked into Zekk's eyes, and for once he faltered, but was stupid enough to keep going. "I bet you even-"

Before Zekk knew what he had done, he had smashed his fist into the younger man's face, and buried his other fist into Deg's stomach.

The pilot's quarters hadn't been very crowded, but suddenly it seemed like everyone was interested. Word spread quickly that Deg was getting what he had coming to him, and he was getting it good. Soon a crowed had come into the quarters, sitting on the bunks and cheering.

Zekk didn't really hear the crew cheering him on, and he didn't feel the blood trickling from his nose from where Deg had gotten in a lucky jab. He only felt his rage being fed by the exhaustion and the tension in his body being released with every bone-cracking blow he dealt out. Deg was a pilot, and not even a Jedi. Zekk was both, and he was a few years older. Although Zekk didn't look like he had much muscle mass, he could flatten a giant with very little effort.

"WHAT'S GOING ON!" A voice yelled out.

Quickly, Zekk jumped away from Deg, who was curled up on the floor. It was Commander Sierran, Zekk's commanding officer.

Sierran was an older man, but not much older than Zekk. However, he knew he was a commanding officer, and also knew that on a battle ship was no place for a brawl. He walked over to Zekk, and surveyed his best pilot. "You're out of line, pilot." He was still yelling.

Standing at attention, Zekk stared straight ahead. "Yes sir."

Glancing at Deg, Sierran surveyed the younger man's bloody lip, and bruised up face. He turned back to Zekk. "This behavior is unacceptable." He paused again, looking around. "There's nothing to see here! Disperse!"

The crowd jumped at their orders, and immediately left.

Sierran turned to Zekk, sighing, and letting his voice go back down in volume from a yell. "Get cleaned up, you're going to be late for a briefing with Solo."

Zekk nodded, wiping the blood away from his nose. "Yes sir." With one last glance at Deg, Zekk turned toward the exit, looking for something to wipe his face with.

The Command Ship of the Jedi Fleet

Leia wasn't the one to ask about her daughter's romantic relationships, but it seemed like her daughter wasn't sure about her self...ever. She had watched her daughter, and Zekk walk in. Zekk had smiled, while her daughter had smiled back, but found something to look quizzical about also.

Back to work, Leia had to admit that it was good that she had to talk to her daughter herself, and assign the mission. But was it actually a good idea to... She sighed, watching as the small council took their seats. There was also a Commander Antillies, who was Jaina's commanding officer, and Commander Sierran, who was commander of Zekk's squadrons.

"Jaina, I have gotten the reports from the doctors." Leia watched as her daughter sat up in her chair, listening. "They say you're physically alright, but your mental state is on the edge of being unstable."

Jaina smirked, turning away. "Why did you have to -"

Leia continued, "So I have found it to my responsibility to reassign you. Many of the crew have noticed that the Vong have somehow been able to pin-point you in every battle, and if you haven't noticed , they have made every effort to kill you."

Jaina snorted, flinging her hands up. "So I've got a reputation, Mom, I-"

"BE QUIET!" Leia snapped, rubbing her temple. "Both you and Captain Zekk are to go into hiding. This isn't a vacation. It has come to my knowledge that on the planet of Naboo there is a hibernating cell of ancient Jedi."

Commander Antillies tilted his head, "Jedi?"

Leia turned to him. "Yes, after the empire it was rumored that some of the younglings fled the Jedi temple, and were kept on a planet in hiding. A senator had gone to their aid, and hid them in caves on her home world of Naboo."

"Mom, I can't leave. I've got to help secure another base, and regroup my squadron. Taking me away won't assist us at all. I need to be with my pilots!" Jaina didn't raise her voice, but had lowered her voice to match her mother's cold sound of reason.

"Those are your orders, Jaina." Leia said, "I suggest you and Zekk leave as soon as possible."

Leia watched as Jaina glanced over at Zekk, frowning, then turned to her.

"I'll be going then." Jaina bit out, her anger showing in her eyes.

They all stood, as the doors slid open to let them out.

Leia caught her daughter's attention. "Jaina."

Jaina turned toward her mother.

"May the Force be with you."

Jaina's face softened a bit around the edges. "May the Force be with you."

2b continued