CHAPTER 16 – More To The Story

Sitting in a chair in the medward waiting room, Jag strained to see the expression passing between Jaina and Cilghal as the healer examined the younger Jedi. To his best estimation, the exchange looked promising.

Jag had been waiting to see Jaina since arriving earlier in the morning. He had not slept much the night before. Visions of Jaina's lifeless form haunted his dreams. Instead Jag had kept himself busy performing various tasks in order to allay his fears.

First, he had paid a visit to his uncle to inform him of Jaina's status and make sure Twin Suns squadron was taken care of. Next, Jag checked on Tahiri. Then, he had visited Kyp, who Cilghal had ushered away from the medward as well. Jag had to purge his guilty feelings from his earlier jealous tirade unnecessarily directed at the man who had been nothing more than a true friend to him and Jaina. The two men had uncomfortably traded words of thanks before Jag retrieved some personal effects Jaina would need in the morning.

Late into the night Jag had worked on reviewing sim tapes for both Vanguard and Twin Suns squadrons and then written evaluations, leaving the Twin Suns evaluations for Jaina's approval. Only for a short stretch had Jag actually slept before rising and returning to the medward well before the sun had broken the horizon, to await Jaina's release.

Now his usually unflappable demeanor was betrayed by the tapping of his index finger on his leg. Jag's finger stopped when he saw a smile flash across Jaina's face, one typical of when she got her way. The Mon Calamari native returned some assimilation of a smile her species had learned from interacting with humans.

Jag watched as Cilghal passed the care package, he had delivered earlier, to Jaina, before pulling a privacy curtain across the med bunk area. Cilghal left Jaina to her own devices and made her way across the medward, out of view.

Jag could make out the shadow of Jaina's form as she removed the medical gown she had worn the night before and proceeded to don the clothes he had supplied. Jag fought the feelings of longing that rose up from within him suggested by the sleekness of the shadow on the curtain. Then he tried to avert his eyes to no avail; they would have none of it. Jag's iron will failed him this morning.

Much to Jag's dismay, his attention was demanded by the sound of the waiting room door opening. He offered a polite smile to Leia as she flowed into the room. Fearing the Jedi mother would discover his thoughts; Jag forced all illicit suggestions from his head.

"Good morning, Colonel Fel." Leia was duly impressed that the young officer had even beat her down to the medcenter. One point for the boyfriend, she thought.

"It seems to be, ma'am. If it would be no trouble, Jag would suffice when we are able."

Leia understood his intentions and appreciated the gesture. Although most instances would prevent such informality for the sake of the Trickster ruse, the young man hoped to establish some tentative bond with Jaina's family.

She nodded in acceptance of his offer. "Then I must insist on you addressing me as Leia."

Jag returned the gesture. "It looks as if Jaina will be released."

Leia's eyes traveled to the view window and were met with the visual obstruction of the curtain. Her Jedi senses told her that Jaina was there and feeling well in body and spirit. Jag followed Leia's gaze, but quickly returned his focus to Leia in anticipation of the thoughts inspired by the silhouette of Jaina.

Leia glanced back at Jag. "Good thing for Cilghal she is letting Jaina out. I couldn't imagine her temper if she had to spend another day cooped up. I just hope she doesn't push too hard today."

Jag chuckled at the thought of Jaina's temper. "I think that can be arranged."

Their conversation was interrupted by a new arrival. Syal Fel swept into the room with her husband directly on her heels. Without a thought, Syal was wrapping Leia in an embrace like the two women were lifelong friends.

"Oh, Leia. Rane just told us."

As Syal released the smaller woman, Soontir questioned Jag. "Is Jaina all right?"

"I am the picture of perfect health according to Master Cilghal. Never felt better actually." Jaina did not exaggerate either, for some reason she felt like she had been recharged and full of renewed energy.

All heads spun toward the voice coming from the door to the medward. A cry in unison could be heard. "Jaina!"

Jag beat the rest of the visitors to Jaina as she stepped out of the doorway and into the waiting room. Jaina thought her insides would explode under the force of Jag's arms as he wrapped them around her and lifted her off her feet. The others waited patiently for the couple to get their fill of each other.

Finally, Jag released Jaina and rotated around to face his parents and Leia. His hand rested on Jaina's elbow. Syal spoke first.

"It is good to see you up and about. Soontir and I were most concerned when Rane informed us this morning about what transpired last night."

Jaina smiled in gratitude to Jag's parents, while Leia inwardly rejoiced at the newfound ease Jaina had obviously found with Jag's family.

"Thanks to a group effort I seem to have made a full recovery. I'm about to go see Wedge about returning to duty this morning."

Jag dropped his hand down to take Jaina's hand. "I already spoke to Uncle Wedge. He assumed you would be fit for duty, but we decided it was best if Twin Suns were scheduled for sim training today. That way you can have an easy day. Vanguard will take your patrol. My guys need the extra flight time with our new member."

Jaina listened to Jag finish and then stood silently for a few seconds before replying. "Okay, since that's taken care of, I have some sim evals to post before then so my pilots have something to work on."

Jag squeezed Jaina's hand. "I already took care of them. I saw them on your desk when Kyp let me in to get your clothes. I forwarded the evaluations to your office datastation. All you have to do is review and sign them."

Jaina furrowed her brows in thought. Syal, who had watched the conversation with some interest interrupted. "Jag, Jaina, Soontir and I hoped you two could come to dinner this evening. I know it is short notice, but Soontir insists it is time to take Briaun home. We are planning to return with the Magistrate tonight. Now that we know you are all right Jaina, we have no reason to postpone our plans.

Jaina felt Jag's disappointment flare in her heart like it was her own. She squeezed Jag's hand back in consolation. Jaina realized that some of his disappointment mirrored her own. She had hoped for more time with his family.

"I am sorry that we cannot spend more time together, but I understand your desire to protect Briaun."

Leia spoke up. "It looks like you are not the only ones leaving, I will be departing later tonight as well."

Jaina shot her mother a questioning stare. It was not uncommon for her to dash off at a moment's notice, but this seemed sudden and unexpected.

"Mom, what are you up to?"

"Well, something happened after you woke from the coma yesterday. Your grandfather gave me a message."

"You saw him?"

"Yes, he told me to go home. After talking with Luke we feel it's time he and I made a trip to Naboo – to go home."

Jaina reached forward and hugged her mother. "That's great Mom. I wish I could go with you."

"I do too. You have more knowledge than any of us to draw from, but I know you are needed here." Just then a thought struck Leia. "Syal, Soontir, why don't we have one big going away party at our place tonight. Wedge and Iella could come as well. It would be so nice to catch up before reality rears its ugly head again."

Syal exchanged looks with Soontir, who tipped his head. Syal grasped Leia's hand. "That would be lovely, if it's not too much trouble?"

"Not at all. Threepio needs a distraction before space flight anyway. I'll have him contact you later with details."

Jaina was both excited and nervous at the prospect of the planned activities. Most importantly though, Jaina was eager to be gone from the medcenter. She was about to suggest that they all make an exit when a thought occurred to her.

"I can't make it tonight. I have patrol duty."

Syal's and Leia's visible disappointment mirrored her own. Jag had a piece of information that he was certain would please everyone in the room. "No you don't. I arranged for Tahiri to take your patrol so you didn't push too hard today."

At first Jaina was please she could make the celebration, which was really for the benefit of Jag and herself, but then a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes. "Jagged Fel, is there some part of my life I get to decide today or did you determine what time my refresher breaks are as well?"

Jag's face dropped at the harshness of Jaina's words. Leia and Syal kept their feelings masked, but a casual observer might have noticed a twinkle in Soontir's good eye. Jag was thankful for the interruption of the waiting room door sliding open. Kyp Durron made a grand entrance with a beaming smile, obviously having put last night's troubles behind him.

"The Goddess has arisen I see."

Jaina pushed past the others in a huff. "Thank goodness you're here Kyp. Let's get out of here."

Kyp motioned with an upturned palm to the open door as Jaina strode past. "See you all later."

She waved at the two mothers and flashed Soontir a grin. Jag was dismissed with the wave of a ponytail. The two women followed slowly behind caught up in lively discussion of meal plans. Jag took a few seconds to follow, still unsure of where his good intentions had run astray.

Soontir kept pace with his son. He draped his arm over Jag's shoulder and in his most sympathetic voice said, "I bet you are still trying to figure out how something fraught from the depths of your heart could illicit all the wrong reactions."

"Well yes."

"Don't try too hard, women change the rules and no matter how hard you try you will always be on the losing team. Just get used to it son, it's the price of love."

With that Soontir released his son's shoulders and hurried off to catch up with Syal and Leia who had amounted somewhat of a lead.

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The sight around the Millennium Falcon was one that Luke had seen hundreds of times over his life. Han, accented with grease and sweat, walking around barking orders, as the ship endured another ingenious patch job. Luke marveled that the aging Corellian freighter could still fly, let alone outrun most spacecraft around.

The sight also brought a very profound sense of sadness since one very important part of the scene was irreversibly lost. Instead of Chewbacca parked on the top of the Falcon, hidden behind a welder's mask, howling his displeasure was the slight form of Han's daughter.

In his younger years, Luke would never have imagined the scene could have changed, but time had beaten the cold hard truth into him. So many friends and loved ones had been lost that the Jedi Master burned this memory into his mind. The fact that Han was there with his surviving children made it all the more special.

Luke could not see Jacen, who had been given the honor of replacing Kyp as Jaina's escort for the evening, but felt his presence nearby. The young man was obviously the recipient of Han's ongoing tirade, not an unusual occurrence due to the fact Jacen was not the natural mechanic like his sister.

It was fitting Jaina was the child who proved the replacement for Chewbacca in this scene. Many times, Luke could remember the brown haired child hanging from the enormous Wookie as he went from repair to repair, always taking time to instruct her as he went.

Luke quietly observed as Jaina skillfully applied a weld, just as Chewbacca taught her. She finished by switching off the energy current before flipping the shield off her face. With her sleeve Jaina wiped beads of sweat from her brow before hollering down to her father.

"Dad, I finished up here. Is there something else you need done?"

Han backed out from under the ship opposite from where Luke stood. "Maybe you can go help your brother with the power converters on the sub-light engines?"

Jaina stood and walked carefully to the edge of the ship, where she jumped off landing with the skillful grace of a Jedi. Jaina's attention was drawn to the elder Jedi as soon as her feet hit the ground.

"Hey Uncle Luke."

Luke noted the comfortable ease and renewed vigor emanating from his niece. "Hi Jaina."

"Ready to go?"

"I thought I would see if you guys needed some help."

"I think we almost have her ready. I just have to help Jacen finish up, and then you and Mom can get going. I am so jealous; I would have loved to go with you."

"You feeling better?"

"Actually I feel great – like I have renewed energy." Luke could tell from Jaina's bright presence in the Force she was telling the truth. The sound of Jacen yelling at some unseen frustration caught the attention of both Jedi accompanied by a loud banging.

In the distance Han could be heard bellowing, "Hey, take it easy on the old girl."

Jaina laughed, working on anything mechanical was not Jacen's forte. Their father's ship was a nightmare for the most mechanically inclined so she understood that it could drive her brother to the edge of control despite being a Jedi.

"I better get in there before he does more harm than good." Jaina flashed Luke a smile and headed for the ramp. "Dad, Uncle Luke is here."

Han came around the ship, wiping his hands on a towel. Jaina disappeared into the ship as the two men arrived at the bottom of the ramp. Luke's eyes followed the young woman until she disappeared from sight. "She seems to have recovered from last night."

Han flashed his Solo grin. "That kid is as stubborn as her mother and as tough as her father. I don't think much can keep her down. Based on her performance at dinner I'd say she's back to her old self."

"So dinner with the Fel's went well?"

Han chuckled. "Quite well after Jaina decided to forgive Jag for whatever he did to raise her ire. Soontir was on his best behavior. Syal probably gave him the same ultimatum Leia threatened me with. Their two other children would make any parent proud. And I hate to admit it but I actually might be starting to like that Fel kid."

Luke shot Han a look of disbelief. "Explain that one to me."

Han slapped his right hand on Luke's shoulder. "Look, the poor kid is obviously head over heels, she's never been happier and I am certain Jag would fly through a supernova to protect her. If I can't be there, then as a father I can't hope for more."

Luke placed his right hand similarly on Han's shoulder. "Han, you're aging like a fine Corellian wine. You just get better with time."

The two men stood frozen in the familiar moment of camaraderie before each took their hand back. Han not entirely comfortable in such exchanges shuffled his feet. Luke broke the moment with a question.

"So the Baron and family have left for Chiss space?"

Han nodded. "Yeah, they were leaving directly after dinner, so it's safe to pull Mara out of hiding."

"She'll be glad to know. Do you have an estimate on our departure time?"

Han pointed up the ramp with a hydrospanner he had pulled out of his belt. "As soon as the kids make this repair we can get under way."

The two men headed up the ramp side by side. "You sure Mara can't come with us?"

"I wish she could, but it wouldn't be right to take two squadron commander's away right now for a personal quest. Wedge is accustomed to dealing with the Jedi running off on one mission or another, but neither of us want to burden him unnecessarily."

Han and Luke turned at the top of the ramp, heading down the corridor as Han spoke. "That's the advantage to being an old retired smuggler, you can run off on all the personal quests you like."

They stopped at the top of the access shaft where the twins would be working below. At the bottom of the shaft, Jacen and Jaina operated side by side in their strange nonverbal partnership, which might have seemed unsettling to an outsider. Han had gotten used to it years ago. Luke admired the bond the twins had developed growing up. He and Leia were close, but had not been given the opportunity to develop such complete harmony.

The mood was suddenly broken as Jaina, completely immersed in the Force, stiffened visibly. A muffled cry escaped her lips. "Kyp."

Jacen watched as his sister's eyes went wide with concern. Before anyone could question her, Jaina leapt out of the access shaft. Her eyes met Luke's. "Something's wrong."

With that she sprinted toward the exit. Jacen landed in the spot Jaina had just vacated. Han's grip stopped the young man from departing as swiftly as his sister. "Son?"

"Jaina sensed something from Kyp. He's patrolling with Tahiri. I can't feel her."

Luke came out of the meditative state he had assumed to scan the Force. "Neither can I, but Kyp just sent a call for help."

The three men took off after Jaina. Jacen nearly toppled over the frozen form of his sister at the bottom of the ramp, he was so involved in scanning for Tahiri. He questioned her as he helped keep her upright. "Jaina?"

Jaina spun to face Jacen; her face had lost its glow from earlier, stark against the grease stains. "He's gone, too, Jacen. Kyp's gone."

Luke sent Jaina a calming touch. "Where was Kyp when you felt him?"

Jaina's eyes darted back and forth as her brain sought to retrieve any vital information. She had been honing in on him through their connection when he disappeared. It took several seconds to rectify a location with his presence. Sometimes getting lost in the Force resulted in a loss of perspective for time and space that could be disconcerting. Her eyes stopped and met Luke's gaze.

"The marketplace…" A sigh of relief escaped her lips. "No wait, I feel him again, he's heading for the marina district."

The foursome broke into a run through the hangar. The Falcon was parked at the farthest corner of the base hangar, although not a military craft, it was afforded the privilege based on its importance as a symbol to the New Republic and the status of the Solo family. They dodged around various parked fighters and maintenance crews.

The twins were slightly ahead of Luke by the time they exited the hangar. Han was far behind by the time he reached the first corridor. Rounding a corner, he was shocked to see the three Jedi heading back his way. Jaina was yelling something into her comlink frantically.

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The marketplace bordering the military base seemed like a living sea, riddled with currents and eddies of browsers and shoppers. Kyp kept part of his mind attuned to Tahiri across the courtyard; while the rest of his attention was focused on scanning the crowd for voids in the Force, signs of the Yuuzhan Vong infiltrators.

Tahiri, who had offered to take Jaina's place for this patrol, was concealed under the hood of Jaina's Jedi robe. Tahiri insisted on maintaining the appearance that Jaina had never missed a beat, and to the untrained eye, Kyp Durron and Jaina Solo were making the standard Jedi sweep of the area.

As he pushed through the crowd, Kyp silently hoped Jaina was enjoying her time with her family. He secretly wished she would also take some time for herself and get some rest before the impending fight Kyp could sense on the horizon as surely as the sun set on the day.

A sense of sudden alertness from Tahiri caught Kyp's attention. He began easing toward her position. Kyp was not as attuned to Tahiri, so it took a moment for him to ascertain her feelings. The younger Jedi had definitely picked up on something.

Tahiri had been tracking a parallel path to his own, but now her path angled away from him toward an accessway to one of the city's major thoroughfares. Guided by his tentative bond with Tahiri, Kyp recognized a vague emptiness in the Force, the source of the younger Jedi's apprehension.

Tahiri quickened her step as she visually confirmed a contact. Kyp broke into a run, compelling members of the crowd to disperse from his path, while simultaneously muddling the surrounding minds against raising an alarm.

The confirmation of Yuuzhan Vong presence near the base did not bode well for Jaina, so Kyp was anxious to apprehend the invader. He lost sight of Tahiri as she broke into a run around the corner heading down the accessway. Kyp arrived at to the edge of the crowd now in full flight.

In an instant, Tahiri vanished in the Force. One moment he sensed her rising adrenaline and fierce determination, followed by a spike of fear. The next second, Tahiri's presence ceased to exist like a blanket snuffing out a fire.

It was enough alarm for Kyp to broadcast a cry for assistance out through the Force to his fellow Jedi. Rounding the corner, Kyp caught sight of the figure in Jaina's robe being shoved into an enclosed speeder at the end of the accessway by two shrouded figures dressed in black.

Kyp's Force senses mocked him, as he was unable to rectify what his eyes told him. He reached the vehicle just as the second figure jumped in the vehicle's compartment. Kyp lunged for the door as the speeder powered away. The impact of hitting the door stunned Kyp, and he lost his breath for a moment.

As his breath returned, the Master realized he had lost all sense of the Force. Gripping the door as rising winds buffeted him, Kyp looked in the compartment and spotted four ysalamiri clinging to nutrient cages all around the interior. The mass huddled under Jaina's robe was not moving. Kyp was confident that the younger Jedi would be fighting back, despite the ysalamiri, if she were conscious.

This fact severely disconcerted the Jedi Master. It was now one Force-blind Jedi versus as best he could discern, a minimum of four determined Peace Brigade operatives. Kyp focused his resolve and swung into action.

With the vehicle speeding recklessly through traffic, Kyp made a grab for the closest operative, who was attempting to break Kyp's grip by smashing the back end of a blaster rifle against his hand. Kyp missed with his first attempt, but established a firm hold on a sleeve in his second swipe. With a sharp tug, the assailant flew out the door past Kyp and bounced out of sight.

Kyp, buoyed by his initial success, attempted to swing into the vehicle, but his effort came up short as the speeder veered sharply, cutting closer to the edge of the thoroughfare. Kyp adjusted his grip, feeling the fatigue set in his arms, just as the sight of a looming building corner caught his eye. With a renewed sense of urgency, Kyp swung his legs up toward the opening. Just then the vehicle door smashed into the obstruction and was ripped from its hinges in a ghastly sound of tearing metal mixed with the explosion of duracrete.

Kyp's legs were trapped in the vehicle as the unrestrained door flipped end over end bouncing Kyp's torso onto the ground. Suddenly his legs broke free, and Kyp was a tumbling mass of arms and legs, bouncing painfully off the ground.

No sooner than he hit, the Force returned to Kyp in a sudden burst, like a man taking his first breath of air after swimming some distance under water. Kyp used it to halt his tumble and propel him to his feet at a run. The speeder was stretching its lead with every second.

Realizing the futility of a pursuit on foot, he veered toward a speeder bike parked in front of a nearby building. With a nimble leap, Kyp was straddling the bike and kicking it into gear. He raced through traffic, keeping a mindful eye to the fleeing vehicle. Just as he felt he was making ground, the vehicle turned a corner and vanished from sight, heading for the marina district.

Kyp made quick work of weaving across traffic, narrowly missing a large open-air shuttle full of Bothans. The escape vehicle came into view, stopped at the end of a marina dock. Hovering at the end of the dock was an armored freighter of indeterminable origin.

Kyp hammered down the throttle, willing swifter acceleration after slowing to make the turn. His approach was unobstructed until one assailant stepped out of the driver's side and began firing at the Jedi with his blaster.

Another shrouded figure could be seen leaving the parked speeder with the limp form of Tahiri, followed by a second figure carrying a couple ysalamiri in their cages. Both were heading for the freighter, which had now extended a boarding ramp down to the dock.

Kyp called his lightsaber to his hand and blocked the incoming shots. The shots were persistent as Kyp rushed toward his attacker. Time was not Kyp's ally. Tahiri would be on the freighter before he ever reached the dock.

Kyp redirected one shot past the shooter, and it struck one of the ysalamiri. A second deflected shot hit the figure carrying Tahiri, who then stumbled and fell to the ramp. Kyp's satisfaction in his success was quickly stifled as two more forms emerged from the freighter to pull the two bodies into the ship with them.

The shooter backed to the ramp, laying covering fire, but met a swift end by one of his own deflected shots. The mortally wounded man tumbled off the ramp and into the water. Kyp recognized the error of that action as the freighter ramp instantly began retracting and the repulsors whined into action.

Kyp pulled up short on the end of the dock as the freighter accelerated away in the glow of eager sub-light engines. Cursing his own shortcomings, he reached for his comlink. It was at that moment he realized his robes were tattered from his earlier tumble, and the communication device was conspicuously missing. This unexpected misfortune sparked another outburst unfit for young ears, but also prodded the Master into action.

While grabbing for the floating body by the dock, Kyp reached for Jaina in the Force. Their unique connection would allow the best chance of relaying an accurate depiction of the situation. Through the bond, Jaina sent Kyp a reassuring sentiment, guaranteeing she understood his message. His best hope was that she could convince the Mon Calamari Control to close off outbound traffic by sealing the defense shields and thereby preventing the freighter from leaving the planet. Kyp also understood that timing was critical.

Kyp checked the body for signs of life, found none, so he abandoned hope of garnering information that way. He spun in a flurry of shredded robes to hop on the speeder, making a hasty return to the base.

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"No, I said close down all outbound traffic. I repeat, this is Lieutenant Colonel Jaina Solo. We have a priority situation, clearance code alpha-alpha-niner-two-seven. Shut down the defense shield to all outbound traffic."

After listening to the controller's indifferent reply, Jaina's voice became increasingly agitated. "There is no time to go through the proper channels. If you don't close that shield you'll be facing the hot end of my lightsaber buddy."

A familiar voice came over the comlink.

"Jaina, this is Colonel Celchu. What is the situation?"

"Sir, a Peace Brigade unit has abducted a Jedi. We need the shields closed to outbound traffic."

"Initiating shut down now. I'll scramble fighter squadrons to be at your disposal. I assume you will be taking point."

Jaina double-clicked her comm in an affirmative as she headed across the hangar bay. She switched channels. "Trick, get the ship on a fast start up. I need to get off the ground now."

The sounds of her fighter coming to life ahead confirmed her request was heard. Jacen's X-wing was closer than hers. He had run ahead while she was dealing with the Mon Calamari Control. She rushed past as his fighter was already gliding across the floor.

In one sure leap, Jaina bypassed the ladder and lit into the cockpit. A nearby technician pulled the ladder away. Jaina was activating the repulsors as the cockpit canopy was still lowering.

Tycho's voice came through her headset. "Twin Suns Lead, we had one contact that slipped through just before the shields closed. Transmitting data on the ship now."

Jaina bit down the string of Corellian curses tempting her tongue and drew strength to calm her nerves from the Force. Luke's X-wing shadowed her out of the hangar.

"Copy. I have Twin Suns Lead, Blackmoon Lead and Jedi One, all outbound. Requesting clearance through the defense shield and all available assistance."

Tycho's ever-cool voice responded. "Clearance granted. Fighter's scrambling behind you.

Then a second voice sounded in the cockpit. "Bring her home safe. May the Force be with you, Kid." Her dad's confidence in her ability reflected in his words. This was not a fight he could participate in, but he wanted her and Jacen to know that he believed they would succeed.

Streaking away from the planet through the atmosphere, a short distance behind Jacen and side by side with Luke, Jaina continued to work on her control, but her thoughts betrayed her. Tahiri was family; at least Anakin would have wanted her to be so. Jaina could not save Anakin, but she still could save Tahiri, his true love. To make matters worse, Tahiri had probably not been the intended target. Had circumstances been different, she would have been on that ship.

A cold fury ate at Jaina's heart. Then a calming presence enveloped Jaina. She looked out the cockpit to her uncle, always in control. How could he feel nothing?

Like an answer to her question, he opened himself up to her and she felt the heat of his own rage touch her before the Master twisted the energy into an icy resolve, the cool exterior he projected. Finding comfort in the knowledge that he, too, wrestled with the same demons, Jaina battled back the same dark emotions.

The blip on her tactical display, tagged as the ship that had slipped through the shields, was now visible to the naked eye. The nondescript freighter, slowed by its heavy armament, was not nearly as fast as the X-wings. Its escape vector took it close to the Chiss fleet, but the pilot seemed undaunted.

Jaina could not sense much of anything from the ship. It was as if part of it was a blank hole in the Force. Kyp's voice crackled in the comm like he knew she needed answers. He was short of breath as he spoke.

"Jaina, they have ysalamiri. You won't be able to feel her."

An instant concern crossed Jaina's mind at the sound of his voice. There was some part of him he was shielding. "Are you hurt?"

At first, Kyp did not answer. Jaina's concern mounted. Then, he was opening himself up to her, knowing nothing less would satisfy his partner. It would have been the same for him. Jaina felt some pains here and there, but nothing life threatening. She also found a deep seeded fury similar to her own that the Jedi Master was managing with the same focus as her uncle.

"We'll get her back, Kyp. I'm not losing anymore family, not today."

Jaina let go of Kyp and returned her focus to the task at hand. Jacen was just about in firing range. The proximity to the Talion gave him limited options for firing. He swept a tighter path along the Star Destroyer's dorsal side than the escaping vessel and came up on the freighter firing lasers directly at its engines. The glow of laser fire lighting up active shields highlighted the freighter in space.

Anticipating the pilot's defensive moves based on experience and not some insight from the Force, Luke and Jaina flew an arc away from the Chiss fleet and into the path of the turning freighter. It would have been suicidal to run between the Chiss vessels, risking a hit from their superior weapons. Both Luke and Jaina released a flurry of laser fire all easily repelled by the ship's shields. The pilot was skilled and had forced Jacen to overshoot while spinning the freighter around on its axis of flight, making it a more difficult target and spreading the impact of laser fire around the shields.

Now past the Chiss fleet, the freighter committed to its escape vector, only varying slightly to avoid incoming fire. All three X-wings poured continuous volleys of fire into the freighter's shield, limiting their aim to the engines. Jaina noted that the pursuit had allowed fighters leaving the planet and the Chiss fleet to close on their location.

"Trick, how long until that ship breaks out of the gravitational influence of the planet?"

The astromech droid's answer scrolled across the screen. "2.12 MINUTES. THE ALLIANCE FIGHTERS WILL BE HERE IN LESS THAN ONE MINUTE."

The sense of satisfaction washing over Jaina was short-lived as a strange voice boomed in her cockpit. It was louder than her standard comm signal, indicating it was probably routed in a tight datastream directed at her astromech.

"Jaina Solo, we know you are in pursuit. Order a cease fire or we will kill your Jedi friend."

Jaina halted her attack momentarily, but then thought better of it. "Trick, relay a message back on the same band." She keyed her comm as she set her finger back on the firing mechanism. Luke and Jacen were puzzled, but she pushed them out of her mind to focus. Too much was at risk to be distracted.

"We have no way of knowing you have not killed her already. I can't call off our fighters until you prove to me she is alive."

"Your friend is less than willing to cooperate but maybe this will suffice."

Suddenly Tahiri appeared in the Force, radiating pain mixed with frustration and anger. Then there was a spike of fear before she disappeared behind the ysalamiri bubble. The voice returned.

"Could you tell when we stuck the vibroblade against her neck, Jedi?"

Jaina cursed silently. They were probably close to defeating the freighter's shields or they would not have used such desperate tactics. Tahiri was in no position to defend herself. Jaina made a decision, then switched over to the squadron frequency. On her tactical display, Alliance and Chiss fighters were reaching their position. "This is Twin Suns Lead. Stand down. I repeat, stand down."

Jacen responded immediately, sensing something from his sister that Luke could not know. Luke, not used to answering to his niece, continued on when Artoo shrilled an alarm. Jaina had slipped in behind him and acquired a laser lock on him. He did not sense any malicious intentions, more like a warning. Luke stunned and bewildered pulled up on his yoke in submission.

Luke's voice started over Jaina's comm but was interrupted by a message from the freighter pilot.

"Thank you, Jaina Solo, for your assistance. You must know this attack was intended for you. We are willing to trade your life for your Jedi friend. If you meet us alone in the Kubindi system, no harm will come to her. Turn yourself over freely and we will ensure her safe return. Tell no one, bring no one. We will not hesitate to kill her if we suspect one of your Jedi tricks. We have spies everywhere; if you attempt to deceive us we will know."

Jaina keyed the comm to respond just as Trick began beeping incessantly. Just then the freighter flashed out of sight, escaping into the relative safety of hyperspace. A white noise buzzed in her brain, drowning out the numerous calls coming through her headset.

Jaina turned down the volume and listened to the comforting hum of her engines. She shut all the Jedi out with the Force. Frustration and momentary indecision flooded her eyes. Tahiri was gone, and Jaina was her only chance. No matter what, Jaina would not let Tahiri die in her place.

Jaina reached inside and harnessed the new strength of Padme Skywalker, bolstering her own. She pulled her X-wing around in a tight loop, heading back for the planet. Jaina would rescue Tahiri; the scum who had her friend would not succeed in their mission, not while the Trickster Goddess had anything to say about it. They would rue the day they crossed her path.

Slowly a plan formed in Jaina's mind, but for it to succeed, she would need assistance. The Peace Brigade may have spies on Mon Calamari, but Jaina had an ally they would never suspect, someone they would never be able to tell she was communicating with. Jaina sunk into the Force and reached for her brother, the one person she could truly communicate with in this fashion and the only one who would understand completely what she had to do.

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Jag studied the game board before him with intense scrutiny, carefully calculating moves and countermoves several in advance. None of the other participants made a sound, rather respected for his right to an undisturbed moment to make a carefully considered decision.

Chadrapak was an intense game of strategy popular among the Chiss pilots. Jag had agreed to join his brother in a match with Shawnkyr and Mithraw aboard the Talion after his parents and sister, Briaun, had departed for Csilla. This was the first time Rane would be so far from his family, so Jag thought it best to spend some time with him. It also gave him an opportunity to renew his friendship with Shawnkyr.

Jag moved a game piece across the board. Shawnkyr studied his move with a burning intensity reflected in her fiery eyes. Rane hissed at the realization that his brother's obvious strategy would make quick work of ensuring his defeat. Mithraw, already out of the game, dipped his head to Rane in consolation.

Shawnkyr's move was next, and a key component to the game was the limited time supplied for producing a move. Therefore eyes of all three active participants were still glued to the board. Mithraw, whose intense scrutiny was not demanded, had let his wander to the viewport of the Talion's game room. Not intentionally meaning to disturb the game, Mithraw jumped to his feet as a flurry of laser shots lit up space outside the window.

Just then Shawnkyr's comlink beeped for attention. Shawnkyr discreetly turned away to address the caller. All the others in the room followed Mithraw's gaze and were met with the sight of an X-wing blocking the entire view of space for a brief second before disappearing from sight.

The Chiss commander broke the silence. "Spikes are required at the hangar immediately." Rane and Mithraw pivoted and broke for the door as quickly as the words came out.

Jag had intended to do the same but was halted by a touch on his arm. Shawnkyr looked from her hand on his sleeve to Jag's face, something in her red eyes scared the Corellian pilot.

"Jag, there has been a Jedi abducted. Alliance forces are requesting our assistance to stop an outbound freighter."

Jag's heart pounded in his chest and white noise filled his ears. "Who?" was all he could choke out.

"Control could not say. I just thought you should know."

Without a word, Jag fled the room. For the second time in as many days Jag felt the cold grip of fear squeezing the breath out of his chest. By the time he reached his clawcraft, Jag could feel his hands shaking from either the effort, or the unknown, he was not really sure which. The odd sensation resulted in an intense flood of anger as Jag felt the betrayal of his body.

Once in the cockpit, Jag completely bypassed the startup procedure and kicked the repulsors into action as soon as they came online. He beat the two Chiss squadrons out the magnetic seal into space by several seconds. Several solitary fighters, one of them Jag recognized as Kyp's X-wing, sped past; Jaina was not with him.

Below a full squadron of Alliance ships could be made out rising from the planet's surface. Jag switched over to the squadron frequency, the voice he was waiting to hear never materialized.

His clawcraft was closing on the slower X-wing belonging to Kyp when panic again welled up from the pit of his stomach.

"Fel, it's not her."

The words from Kyp squashed the sensation as if a blanket were beat against a fire. He was past Kyp then, almost to the three X-wings, one of them he recognized as Jaina's voxyn decorated snubfighter, doing their best to disable the engines of the armored freighter. Jag was switching over his firing control to lasers, almost within range, when Jaina's voice broke in the comm.

"This is Twin Suns Lead. Stand down. I repeat, stand down."

One snubfighter disengaged, but the other continued firing. Jaina's ship side-slipped in behind that X-wing, and suddenly it stopped as well. Jag removed his finger from the firing mechanism, while he tried to discern what it was he has picked up in her voice - frustration, resignation, defeat or maybe all three.

Luke's voice demanded a justification for the order. He sounded angered. "Jaina, what did you feel?"

There was no answer.

"Jaina, what is going on?"

Still nothing.

Jacen's voice was next. "Something's wrong. I can't tell what happened to her, but something is definitely wrong."

Suddenly the freighter disappeared in a distortion of stars. Then the comm became a cacophony of voice's questioning Jaina's command. Jag flew up beside her X-wing. He could see Jaina sitting motionless in the cockpit, not even a twitch of movement. Something told Jag now was not the time to add to the ceaseless calls bombarding her. Suddenly, she moved her arm, guiding the ship around in a tight loop, which Jag matched, heading back to the planet.

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Jaina jumped out of her cockpit without waiting for a ladder. She could see Jacen beyond them. She watched as he spoke to Kyp, motioning in Jaina's direction. Kyp glanced her way before exiting the hangar at jog. Jacen headed in Jaina's direction until the Jedi Master was out of sight and then gave her a quick look before hurrying out of the hangar in the opposite direction.

Jaina, relieved to be free of her escort, made for another exit with all haste only to be cut off by a summons from Tycho Celchu, who was heading her direction. Her uncle joined up with Tycho before the two veteran pilots came to halt in front of Jaina.

Tycho addressed her first. "Problem with your comm unit, Lieutenant Colonel?

"No sir, just needed to do some thinking."

Luke studied his niece's face, but deferred to her commanding officer to garner answers before getting his own. Tycho continued.

"Do you want to elaborate on your command decision?"

Jaina held herself tall under the scrutiny. "I received a direct transmission from the kidnappers, they threatened to kill Tahiri right there if I didn't call off the attack."

"And you believed them?"

"Yes, sir. They had ysalamiri but they must have pulled them away. I could feel her fear when they threatened her. I don't believe I had a choice in the matter."

While Tycho absorbed the information, Luke spoke. "I did feel Tahiri for a moment as well."

"I'm sure it was a difficult decision. I will need a full report to send to Intel." He turned to Luke. "I assume you will want to coordinate with Iella and Wedge on a rescue attempt."

"Yes, I think time is critical at this juncture. I would like to call a meeting as soon as possible."

Tycho nodded in agreement. "I'll make the necessary calls, say the briefing room in fifteen minutes?"

"That is acceptable."

Tycho turned back to Jaina, who had disappeared behind a stone mask, her eyes turned inward. "I'll expect to see you there, Lieutenant Colonel."

Jaina tipped her head. "Is that all sir?"

"Yes."

Luke was not completely through though. "Before you go I have a question." Tycho and Jaina faced the Jedi Master. "Why did they call you directly?"

Luke saw a strange look flash in Jaina's eyes, but she stifled it quickly. "I suppose they knew from my ship's markings who I was. The Peace Brigade may assume I have more authority than I actually do based on the whole Yun-Harla business."

Luke absorbed the information without a hint of his true thoughts or feelings. "Makes sense." He dipped his head in dismissal.

Jaina threw a quick salute to Tycho, who returned the gesture. Jaina lowered her hand and spun on her heel, careful to avoid Luke's stare. Both men watched her leave.

Tycho spoke first. "She's not telling us something."

"No, but I suspect she has her reasons. I have faith in her to do what's right."

"The Peace Brigade weren't after Tahiri Veila, were they?"

"Tahiri had taken Jaina's patrol. There is more to this than we know. Someone knew Jaina would be on that patrol and set an ambush, which means we have a spy in our midst."

"And Jaina knows that."

"That's one of the things she knows, but there's more to this story." A tingle in Luke's mind hinted at a summons from Jacen. An image of the Skywalker apartment appeared to him. "I think I am about to find out though."

Tycho raised a brow in bewilderment, and then quickly shrugged it off to some Jedi insight. "Then by all means, don't let me keep you here."

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Jaina could not escape the hangar fast enough. Upon entering the hall, she was confronted by a reality she was not prepared to address. All her frantic planning had not taken one fact into consideration, and that fact was on an intercept course for her.

Jaina never broke stride as Jag caught up to her. He had carefully chosen this location to speak with her alone. Jag had expected Jaina would be agitated by the events so her dismissal did not particularly offend him; rather, he turned and matched her pace. She was silent in thought so Jag spoke.

"What's the plan?"

"Don't know. There is a meeting fifteen minutes if you want to be in on it."

"Will you be there?"

"I was requested to attend." Jaina could not bear to lie to him, so she did not.

Jaina was obviously troubled. Jag resisted the urge to drag her into his arms, so he used his words to comfort her instead. "We'll get her back."

"I don't doubt that." There was a strange fierceness to her voice. As they left the Starfighter Command building and entered a seldom-used courtyard, Jag studied the profile of Jaina's face. Something about her voice and the fire in her eye sent a shiver down his spine, despite the warm evening air. If Jag had one strength in his interpersonal skills, it was predicting people.

Jaina entered the medcenter through a back door and turned down a desolate corridor, almost as if she were purposely avoiding people. Jag grabbed her elbow and pulled Jaina to a stop, spinning her to face him. "You're going after Tahiri." It was not a question.

"What makes you say that?"

"I just know."

"Have you developed Force skills suddenly, Jagged?"

The use of his full name was an indication to Jag that he had hit a sensitive nerve. Jaina tried to turn and leave, but he stayed her by increasing his grip until it hurt her arm. "I won't allow you to do it."

Jaina jerked her arm free. "Won't allow me. Let me tell you something. No one allows me to do anything. I may have gone to your bed, Jagged Fel, but you surely don't own me. I don't owe you anything."

Her response was as good as an admission to Jag. The truth of her designs scared him to desperate action. He reached for his comlink. An invisible hand swatted it from his grasp, sending it sliding across the floor. Jag's expression was a mixture of shock and rage; shock that she used the Force aggressively against him, rage from the knowledge that he was powerless to stop her.

The look in her eyes confirmed the truth - nothing but fierce determination resided there. Jag had become an obstacle in her path. Knowing he would never succeed in a fight with her, he changed tactics. Jag forced his demeanor to soften. He held his palms away from his side defensively.

"Jaina let me help you. We can go together."

Jaina heard his words, but recognized his true intentions. She could not afford to be seen with him any longer. Jag was risking Tahiri's life unwittingly; she had to stop him. That fact, and the knowledge of his failed deception, fueled her temper.

"I don't have time for this, Jag." She brushed past him.

Jag panicked. "Lieutenant Colonel Solo, I order you to return to your quarters and await further instructions." Jag thought he had gotten through to her when she stopped short. His misconception flew out the window when he saw the fury in her eyes as she turned to face him.

"I don't have time for your games."

"You mean too much to me to play games. I gave you an order."

"I'm beginning to think, Jag, I made a big mistake. Obviously you are unable to have enough faith in me. Your feelings for me have clouded your judgment ever since we slept together. I am not a possession you can order around every time you are afraid of losing me. You don't get a say."

The door to a maintenance room slid open behind him. "I am a Jedi. There are things I will have to do that can't include you. It's not because I don't love you or think less of you because you are not a Jedi. There are some things only I can do and some things only you can do. Don't ask me to be less than who I am for you."

Suddenly Jag was flying back into the room, landing in a pile of tools. "If you can't learn to deal with it, then there is no hope for us." Her expression was sad, almost pained.

Jag jumped up but was met by an invisible resistance. "Don't do this, Jaina."

"Goodbye, Jag. No matter what, I will always love you."

The door slid shut. Jag, released from the invisible restraints, tried to activate the door control but they failed to respond. He rolled over and slammed his back into the door, his head collapsed into his hands. Jaina was gone.

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End of Chapter 16
TKL/zr