CHAPTER 3 - Revelations

Jaina felt herself rising to the plane of consciousness, growing more alert with every passing second.  The injuries pounding throughout her body reminded Jaina she was very much alive.  As she opened her eyes slowly, a small groan escaped her lips.

Based on her previous attempt at climbing out of the cockpit, Jaina took a moment to organize her thoughts.  She withdrew into herself, pulling on the Force from all around, using it to supply the strength she needed. Jaina felt a deep connection to the Force, one not previously there.  She thought back to the warmth and love she felt from Padmé, then used that feeling to sink deeper still.  The power flowed all around, lifting her up and out of her seat.  She floated out of the cockpit and gently lowered to the ground.

Her awareness heightened, Jaina could feel everything around her: the plants, the insects – and two spots of emptiness.  She could feel them approaching like blips on a tactical board, stalking her.

As Jaina's feet touched the ground, she surveyed her surroundings. The forest stretched out in all directions, rising from the tip of her crumpled X-wing.  The fighter sat like an arrow in the forest, suggesting a path of escape.

So she began her ascent away from the wreckage and away from her Vong pursuers.  Jaina pushed herself on for what seemed an eternity, climbing higher and higher, but in reality it was only a couple of hours.  She could feel the life around her, giving her strength.  She could also feel the nothingness of the two Yuuzhan Vong getting closer, but she never hesitated to spare a look back.  She only focused on the Force, letting it guide her movements and power her battered body.

He will come for you.

Jaina was not sure how long she could sustain her hold on the Force given her physical state, but she put her faith in it, in where it was taking her.  She noticed the ground leveling off and that she was now entering a flat plain covered in tall grasses.  With her feet carrying her across the ground, time and space became a strange distortion to her senses.

"Jeedai!!"  The Vong cry broke through her barriers, awaking her sense of danger.

Jaina looked behind her and could see her pursuers across the field, tracing her steps.  She did not fear them.  Pulling on the power of the Force, she prepared her mind and body for the battle to come.

The Sword of the Jedi. That is your destiny.

In her awareness in the Force, Jaina became conscious of another presence, far away, but coming closer. The presence flared into her heart and burned into her soul. Jag. She called to him, and he heard her. He would come. A smile slipped to her lips, but she pushed it away to focus on her attackers still approaching.

The first Yuuzhan Vong struck hard, throwing the might of his weight at her.  Jaina did not acknowledge the limitations of her weary body, so deep she was in the Force.  In one swift motion, Jaina avoided his initial drive and brought her violet blade to life to block the amphistaff blow aimed by the second attacker at her head.

The first warrior spun around, swinging low at her legs.  Jaina leapt, twisting around her axis, over his sweeping weapon.  As her feet hit the ground, Jaina allowed her momentum to carry her around, driving her lightsaber past the second warrior's amphistaff, through his hip and up into his torso.  She continued the upward cut, drawing her lightsaber up to block a high slashing blow from the remaining warrior behind her.

The strength of the blow pushed the lightsaber down into her right shoulder, weakened from the broken collarbone. As Jaina pivoted away from it, the amphistaff slashed through her thigh.

The sudden pain broke through her concentration, and Jaina stumbled back, losing her guard. The warrior confident in his own victory raised his weapon to slash it down at her, but Jaina had fallen back into the Force.  She did not fear him.  She just smiled at him like she knew a secret and began to dive away.  At that very second, the warrior disappeared in a flash of laser fire from above.

**********

Wedge Antilles strode quickly down the hall toward the secondary hangar bay, where the Chiss transport was due to land any moment.  After leaving the control room, he had rushed to his quarters and changed into his dress uniform, which was more appropriate for welcoming dignitaries.  His second-in-command, Tycho Celchu, was waiting for him at the entrance to the hangar.  He fell into step with Wedge as he passed out of the hallway into the expanse of the bay.

"The Chief of State has been informed of the arrival of the Chiss ambassador.  We are to direct General Fel to his office as soon as he arrives."

Wedge grunted in reply, looking up to the sky, following the path of the Chiss transport.

"I suppose you will be anxious to hear news of Syal."

Wedge nodded, never turning his gaze.

"What are you going to tell the General when he asks for Jag?"

"Hopefully, we can avoid that subject in our initial conversation."

"Not likely, the way your day has been going," Tycho chuckled at his friend, hoping to ease the tension he sensed.

"Any word from Durron?"

"Not as of yet, but it is still probably too soon to expect any."

Both men admired the smooth skill applied to the landing of the Chiss shuttle.  Tycho glanced back at Wedge's face, noting the tension in it, betrayed by the taught muscles around his jaw.  This man, who blew up the Death Star, was experiencing a case of the nerves.  Tycho put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"It'll be fine."

Wedge turned to face his friend, compelling a confidence into his words he did not feel.  "Thanks. I am sure it will."

Both men turned to watch the ramp lower and touch the ground.  General Baron Soontir Fel marched down the ramp like a true Imperial.  He was dressed in black from head to toe, accented by the blood red stripes running along his pant leg and a plethora of medals on his chest.

General Fel crossed the floor with a determined stride, marred only by the subtle limp he could not hide, and stopped in front of Wedge Antilles.  He stood up ramrod straight and offered General Antilles a curt bow.  Not to be outdone, Wedge snapped an equally formal salute in return.

"Welcome to Mon Calamari, General Fel."

"Thank you, General Antilles."

"I hope this bodes well for relations between the Galactic Alliance and the Chiss.  Any support from your Council is and will be welcomed enthusiastically.  The Chief of State is eager to meet with you.  Do you have any needs before I escort you there?"

"No, we have none."  Soontir Fel grinned at Wedge, the patch over his eye giving him a wicked air.  Wedge paused, uncertain how to take the look.  Soontir Fel broke the moment of silence.  "You look well, Wedge. Time has been good to you."

Wedge took the informal address as a sign that the Baron was stepping outside the boundaries of formality for a moment.  Grabbing the opportunity, he replied, "Thank you.  You look good as well," sidestepping the issue of the Baron's obvious injuries.  "May I inquire how my sister has been?"

Wedge did not think it possible, but Soontir's grin now consumed his whole face.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?"

Wedge stared at the Baron in disbelief before turning his eyes to the ramp of the Chiss vessel.  Standing at the top was one of the most beautiful sights Wedge Antilles had ever seen – Syal Fel, his sister.

As soon as their eyes met, Syal began her descent down the ramp.  Her footsteps were swift, but she still traveled with the grace of a holodrama star.  Wedge could not move from the spot where he stood dumbfounded.  Before he knew it, Syal wrapped him in a warm embrace that Wedge returned with the same enthusiasm.

"Oh, how I missed you," she whispered to him.  After a minute, Wedge broke the embrace and stepped back from his sister.  She wiped at the tears brimming in her eyes.  Wedge was fighting back his own, so he compelled himself to study her face.  She still was as beautiful as ever, her hair a little grayer and her eyes a little sadder.  Soontir slapped Wedge on the back, breaking his reverie.

"Never seen you speechless before, Wedge."

Wedge turned to Soontir.  "I am at a loss for words.  This is quite an unexpected surprise."

"Just don't make me regret it."

Wedge smiled at his brother-in-law and turned back to face Syal, taking her hands in his.  "Never.  Iella will be so happy to see you."

"The feeling is mutual.  Maybe we can have a nice family dinner and catch up on life."

"I would like that," he replied, plans racing through his mind.

"Will it be possible for Jag to be there?" Syal asked with a smile, anticipating seeing her son again.

Wedge held his breath expectantly.  Tycho Celchu stepped forward, interrupting.

"Excuse me General Antilles, General Fel, Mrs. Fel.  The Chief of State is expecting us," he stated flatly, hiding his amusement.

"Certainly, there will be plenty of time to catch up later," General Fel added.

**********

"Han, dear, maybe you should just wait for Wedge to come back," Leia called out as she chased her husband out of General Antilles' office.  "The sergeant said he was receiving some important people."

"Seeing that no one seems to be able to answer questions concerning my daughter's whereabouts, I am going straight to the top," he shouted back at her.  Leia knew it would be difficult to persuade her husband to be patient.

Both parents had been concerned since Leia had sensed trouble from Jaina during their return flight to Mon Calamari.  Shortly afterwards, Leia had been given an insight from the Force that Jaina would be all right.  Leia had tried placating Han's growing concern since that time to no avail.  Ever since losing Anakin and the near loss of Jacen, Han's protective tendencies had become almost obsessive.  Leia could not fault him for it; the problem was Han was trying to control the uncontrollable.

"Han, I really think Jaina is going to be fine.  Jacen had the same sense when I spoke to him at the Shelter."

Han wheeled around just at the entrance to the hangar bay.

"And he is still coming back early anyway.  I know your Force tells you that everything is going to be fine, but it won't be fine until I see her with my own two eyes, sweetheart."  His hands pointed at his own eyes for emphasis.  He turned back around and resumed his previous course.  Han's pace increased as he spotted Wedge Antilles across the quiet bay.

Leia immediately noticed Wedge, decked out in full dress uniform, standing next to another man, equally turned out.  Both men focusing their attention on a handsome woman, who Leia recognized but could not place.

"Han, I don't think this is a very good time for us to intrude," Leia insisted, as she watched Tycho Celchu step into the group.

"It won't be a good time for anyone if I don't get some answers," he snapped back.  Han Solo then raised his voice and barged his way into the conversation.  "Wedge, I need a word with you."

Leia's step broke for a moment as the couple next to Wedge focused their attention in her husband's direction.  She immediately realized who they were, although Han was too intent on his task to notice either of them.

 Tycho Celchu and Wedge Antilles shared a concerned glance before they turned to greet the arriving couple.  Tycho stepped between the approaching Corellian and the family reunion.

"Maybe we can go somewhere and talk, my friend," he offered.

"Thanks, Tycho. I would prefer to speak to the boss, if it's all the same," Han countered never taking his eyes off Wedge.

Wedge stepped around Tycho, knowing that stopping Han Solo, when he was set on something, was like turning a Star Destroyer on a collision course with a black hole.

"It's all right Tycho." Leia had just reached her husband's side as Wedge spoke, motioning towards his guests. "Han, Leia, I believe you two know my sister Syal and her husband, General Baron Soontir Fel."

Han's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the couple.  His zealous demeanor softened slightly when he realized what he had just interrupted.  Not that the knowledge would have prevented him from doing the same thing over, however.

Soontir Fel reached out and took Leia's hand, putting it to his lips.  He gave Leia back her hand and executed a sharp bow to Han Solo.  Leia reached over and embraced Syal Fel.

"Welcome. I am sure Wedge is pleased to see you," she said to the blonde woman.

"Thank you. It is good to see you as well."

Han composed himself and dipped his head to Syal Fel and then again to her husband.  "Syal, Soontir, good to see you. Sorry for the interruption.  It is just I need Wedge here," he turned toward Wedge as he spoke, "to tell me what happened to my daughter.  No one on this base seems to have any answers for me."

"Good to see you have not changed a bit, Han," Soontir interjected, before addressing Wedge.  "Is Major Solo all right?"

Wedge looked from Soontir to Han, then Leia.  Jaina's mother did not seem to reflect the same concern that shadowed Han's face.

"Lieutenant Colonel Solo came under fire and received damage in a skirmish on the return trip from Bespin.  She was forced to land her X-wing on a nearby planet."  Wedge did his best to keep his voice unemotional.  "Did you feel something, Leia?"  Wedge understood that the reason Han suspected anything at all was based on Leia's Force abilities.

"I only sensed she was in trouble, but the Force seems to be telling me she will be fine."  Wedge relaxed visibly then.  He did not understand Jedi and their use of the Force, but he had come to trust both over time.

Syal Antilles reached for Leia's hand, sympathizing with the woman as only a mother could.  "Leia, I am so sorry. I trust that she will be fine."

Leia squeezed Syal's hand.  "Thank you."

"What's the status of the retrieval effort," Han quizzed Wedge, still not satisfied.

"We are tight on available personnel.  Tycho sent a message to Kyp Durron asking him to assist earlier today."

"Have you heard from Kyp yet," Han shot back.

"We have yet to receive confirmation that he has headed toward her location, but I am confident he will not hesitate to come to your daughter's aid."

"I am sure he will, but Jaina may be hurt or worse.  You're hedging some big bets, Wedge.  We can't afford to wait.  Give me the flight data, and I will take the Falcon out right now."

"No, that won't be necessary.  We already have another pilot heading out after her."

"A pilot.  One pilot.  Have you gone mad, Wedge?  That's my daughter you are talking about," Han bellowed, his face flushing with agitation.

Leia grabbed her husband's arm, trying to get him to calm down.  She offered her best diplomatic smile to the others.  "Han, I am sure that whoever Wedge has assigned is more than capable of bringing Jaina safely home to us."

Wedge and Tycho exchanged a quick glance again, not unnoticed by Han or Soontir.

"Well, Wedge I want to know who is the one-man-show saving my daughter," Han pried.

Wedge took a breath, accepting that, other than his sister's arrival, not much was going his way today.

"A name?" Han demanded.

"That would be Colonel Fel."

The shock on Syal's face was evident.  General Fel's military training allowed him to maintain his stoic demeanor despite the mention of his son's name.

"What?" Syal and Han spurted out simultaneously.

"I must have heard you wrong, Wedge," Soontir added.  "Now you have my son running out on search and rescue missions."

"Is your son too good to go after my daughter, Fel?" Han bellowed.

Leia stepped between the two men. "I am sure General Antilles has the best interest of both our children at heart. I am confident Jaina is in excellent hands.  Now I am sure you all have a lot of catching up to do.  Gentlemen, Syal, we'll leave you be."

Leia took her husband's hand, guiding him away.  Han, satisfied he had the answers he was after, followed her compliantly.  The rest of the group stood in an uncomfortable silence. Tycho Celchu broke the quiet.

"Excuse me. The Chief of State is expecting us."

"Yes, he is," Wedge replied grimly.

**********

Jag guided his clawcraft along the precise route Jaina had flown her X-wing into the planet's atmosphere according to the data he had obtained from Brance Wartrue.  The air was clear as he swept a path across the blue sky, making visibility exceptional.  Jag monitored his controls, looking for signs of the downed X-wing.  Below Jag could see the remains of a city destroyed by some unnatural event many years ago.  The encroaching forest was swallowing up the ruins.

An alarm alerted in the cockpit, signaling to Jag his scanners had found something within the parameters he had set.  Jag spotted a metallic flash contrasting against the green foliage in the indicated direction.  He slowed the clawcraft, circling around the wreckage for a better view.

On the forest floor rested the remains of an X-wing, the running voxyn emblem looked like a strange character from above.  Jag could tell the cockpit had been opened.  His heart sank as he realized there was no visible sign of Jaina from his vantage point.

Jag.  Jaina's voice sang through his mind, and his hope renewed.  It's pointing you in the right direction.

Jag hovered over the crash site for a moment, wondering what he had just heard.  Perhaps he was so anxious to find her that the intensity was fooling his mind.  Then he observed that the remains of the craft looked like a pointer on a map.  For lack of a better idea, he lined his clawcraft up on the fighter's remains and headed off in that direction.

The terrain rose before him until cresting into a plateau.  As he guided the ship over the top, Jag sucked in his breath as he saw the flash of a violet lightsaber spinning ahead.  He saw Jaina cut through one of her attackers.  Jag pushed forward on the yoke, accelerating toward the scene, switching on his lasers as he went.

Jaina blocked a blow, but the strength of it overpowered her, pushing her back towards Jag.  He could see the Yuuzhan Vong raise his weapon to level a deadly blow and was powerless to help.  Jaina stood in the line of fire between him and the tattooed warrior.  Suddenly, she dove to the side.  With lightning speed, Jag activated his lasers, cutting through the warrior with pinpoint accuracy, earned from years spent in the cockpit.

**********

Jaina rolled and came to her feet, raising her lightsaber in a salute as the clawcraft passed over impossibly close.  Jag maneuvered the ship in a tight loop and dropped the fighter to the ground. Jaina stood watching as Jag raised himself out of the cockpit.  Her hold on the Force started to diminish as her mind realized the danger had passed.  The drain of energy required to maintain her Force use began catching with her.

As Jag's feet touched the ground, Jaina's lightsaber flickered off and dropped from her hand. She tried to smile at her rescuer, but the effort was so difficult that the smile was barely perceptible. Jaina felt her knees buckle and the ground rushing up at her. Jag was at her side in several long strides, scooping her into his arms.

"Jaina," he called her name, his voice cracking with concern.  Jaina put her hand on his chest as he cradled her in his arms, walking toward the humming fighter.

"You came for me," she whispered.

Jag set her down and leaned her back against the landing skid of the clawcraft.  "Yes, I came for you," he answered, gently brushing the hair out of her eyes.

Jag left her side to retrieve a medkit from the fighter's storage compartment.  He returned and kneeled down beside her.  Jaina turned her head gingerly to look at him.  He opened the kit and pulled out a scanner.  Jag looked into her eyes, and Jaina could see genuine concern etched across his face.  He looked tired, like he was carrying a heavy burden.  She could feel his emotions like a hot storm.  Jaina grasped his presence in the Force and felt it burning with tempestuous emotions – a passion stronger than she had ever felt in him before.

Jag began to run the scanner across her body, studying it intensely.  He returned the scanner to the kit and removed some bandaging material and antiseptic cleansing pads.  He started to work on her leg wound first, cutting away her flight suit around the laceration before cleaning it thoroughly.

Next, he wiped the blood from her forehead, careful not to press too hard around the swollen cut.  All the while, Jaina watched Jag work, marveling at how adeptly he handled the situation.  He moved with the efficient skill of someone who did this every day. It was the same ease with which he performed all of his duties, and it amazed her.  Jag reached up and placed a bacta strip over the cut.

"Why did you come?"

Jag stopped his ministrations to look at her curiously.  "Because you needed me."

Jaina shook her head.  "How did you know?"

Jag picked up her leg gently so he could apply an elastic bandage over a field dressing.  Jaina watched him, waiting for a reply.

"Vanguards were reassigned to Mon Calamari.  I was waiting for you when word came back of your crash.  I took it upon myself to handle the situation," he spoke while wrapping the bandage.  Jag finished, inspected his handiwork, and then looked up at her.

"So you just hopped in your clawcraft and flew out here to rescue me without a by your leave."

Jag nodded his reply.

"No plan.  No rescue transport.  My dear Colonel, that was quite rash.  Almost as good as my father and uncle trying to save Mom on the Death Star."  Jaina tried to muster a laugh, and it ended up as a gasp, her ribs wracking in pain.

"Kyp is on his way with a transport," he offered, somewhat embarrassed by his behavior.  It did seem quite odd in retrospect, but when he thought about it, Jag knew he would do the whole thing again.  Deciding to change the subject, he continued on, "Let me look at your ribs, maybe we can use the bone mender on them."

He reached for the zipper of her flightsuit, in his haste to get away from her questioning, and pulled it down.  Her suit opened revealing a gray tank.  He quickly pulled his hands back, suddenly realizing what he had done.

"Why Colonel, I didn't know you could be so bold.  Who knew all I had to do was crash to get a little action," Jaina gasped with a grin.  Although they had shared brief moments of passion in their time together, Jag had always been reserved about advancing their physical relationship too quickly.  Not that there were many opportunities to act on such impulses.  The usually unshakeable pilot turned two shades of red brighter, with only his scar remaining neutral.

"I am sorry if I offended you. It's just…"

Jaina touched his hand with hers.  "It's all right. I don't think I could do it myself. Teasing you takes my mind off the pain."

Jag looked into her eyes and saw the trust there.  He could also see she spoke the truth.  Her skin was becoming paler, her eyes a little duller.  Her breathing was more strained with each breath.  Jag instantly forgot his embarrassment and focused on his concern for Jaina.

He pulled her forward so he could ease her right arm out of the flight suit.  Jaina grimaced and emitted a groan as her collarbone moved.  Jag winced himself, not wanting to bring her more pain. He shifted her delicately in his arms and pulled the other arm out.  Then he rested her against the landing strut again.  Jag looked down at Jaina, and his heart nearly broke when he saw the tears welling in her eyes.

"Sorry."

Jag reached forward and pulled up the tank, maintaining her dignity.  Jaina watched his face for hints of what he saw, but he remained stoic despite the severe bruising he observed.  Jag reached back over to the medkit and pulled out the bone mender and scanner. Using the scanner, he identified the broken ribs.  Reaching around with his left hand, he pulled Jaina upright, supporting her back with his arm, and applied the bone mender to the broken ribs.

"It is best if you are in this position when healing broken ribs," he recited like a line in a field-training manual.

He kept his eyes on the mender's readout as the timer counted down. Jaina was silent and still in his arms, overcome with pain and exhaustion. Sensing she needed a distraction Jag spoke, "I bet you wonder why I was waiting for you in the hangar."

He could feel her nod and continued, "I needed to see you. I have something important to tell you, and it really couldn't wait. I suppose that is why I flew all the way out here."  The bone mender finished its cycle, and he turned it off.  Jag looked up from her injury and gazed into Jaina's eyes.  He could tell she was listening, but had only a weak grasp on consciousness.  Her eyes blinked slowly as he settled her back against the fighter.

"Jaina, I needed to tell you something important. I didn't want to regret not telling you like I regret the things that were left unsaid to Davin and Cherith."  He paused on the names of his dead siblings.  "I needed to tell you that I love you."

Not expecting the declaration, Jaina's eyes widened in surprise despite the fog filling her mind.  Suddenly, Jag was leaning into her and placed the sweetest kiss on her lips.  He leaned back and smiled.  Jaina picked up her left hand and touched his lips.

Before she could speak, Jag's comm unit in the clawcraft crackled, Kyp's voice coming through, "Colonel Fel, do you read me?"

Jag stood up swiftly and climbed up the side of the craft, leaning into the cockpit to trigger the comm.  "I read you. Go ahead."

"How's the Goddess?"

"A bit banged up but otherwise fine."

"Listen, Fel.  No time to talk.  We've got company up here.  Somebody must have figured out that it was Jaina they downed.  The big guns are headed straight for us.  We don't have time to get a transport down to you.  n you get Jaina out yourself?"

"It will be tight, but it will have to work."

"Good. I'll keep them occupied until I know you've jumped.  Make your exit vector from the planet's dark side."  The comm went silent, signaling Kyp had ended the transmission and was probably engaging the enemy.

Jag jumped back to the ground.  Jaina was already pushing herself up, calling the lightsaber to her hand from where she had dropped it earlier.  Jag grabbed for the medkit as he helped her to her feet.

She planted a quick kiss on his lips.  "Let's go," was all she said.

**********

END OF CHAPTER 3
TKL/jj00