CHAPTER 17 – Hidden Truths

Jaina had tried to get some rest in her cockpit as her X-wing slipped through hyperspace, but despite the fact it now would be well past midnight on Mon Calamari, sleep had eluded her. Visions of Jag as she threw him into the maintenance room were burned in her mind. She had not meant to say the things she had said. They could very well be the last words he would ever hear her speak.

What she had wanted to do was fall into his arms and seek his reassurance. He would have told her everything would be all right before kissing her fiercely, and she would have believed him, but the Peace Brigade had not given her that option. All the more reason to succeed on this mission, she thought. Jaina only prayed Jag would forgive her when she made it back.

"Trick, time to Kubindi?"

The R2 unit tweeted and tooted merrily, almost as if he understood she needed a lift in her spirits, as he scrolled data across the interface screen.

"Five minutes. Good I was starting to get impatient about seeing my new friends. You know what you have to do when we get there?"

Trick bleeped enthusiastically.

"No matter what happens, you get Tahiri out of there and head for the coordinates I gave you. Got it?"

One whistle sounded.

Jaina ran through her own checklist. After leaving Jag locked in the utility room, Jaina had made her way to Cilghal's lab, where a cartridge of ysalamiri toxin had been left on a counter. Jaina took out one of the small delivery pills and slipped it between her cheek and lower jaw, tucking it back with her tongue.

Jaina rustled through Mara's utility bag that conveniently had found its way to a corridor Jaina had used on her return trip from the lab. She was grateful Jacen had been able to make as many arrangements as he had. Jaina was also grateful he understood what she had to do and did not revert to his earlier habit of trying to save her from herself like at Ebaq 9.

Jaina pulled out a minute tracer Mara had placed in the bag. It was similar to the one Luke had used on Kyp's X-wing a couple of years before. The trick would be to get it hidden on the Peace Brigade ship undetected. Jaina devised various scenarios while forcing down a nutrient bar left in the bag, not because she was hungry, but because she would require the strength later.

A small thermal detonator was the last item she removed from the bag. It was the key to getting Tahiri off the freighter safely; the Brigaders would take them both if they could. Jaina fondled the device in her hand reflectively as she asked the Force for the strength she would need when it abandoned her. Jaina was appreciative for the distraction of Trick's timer counting down to the reversion to real space. It prevented her thoughts from turning to the ysalamiri. They were the one creature that could give Jedi nightmares. That and voxyn, she reminded herself.

The countdown finished, and Jaina came upon her own nightmare as the X-wing dropped out of hyperspace. Hanging in space was the armored freighter that had fled Mon Calamari. A familiar voice cracked in her cockpit.

"Jaina Solo, our bay is awaiting your arrival. Just a reminder, no tricks or your friend dies."

"Such a warm reception from an old friend, how thoughtful." There was no reply. "Trick, did you hear that, no tricks? My reputation must precede me."

The astromech beeped curtly before emitting a low whistle.

"It will be fine, Trick. I promise."

He whistled again as Jaina guided the X-wing into the bay. The freighter had just enough room for one fighter. The bay was decompressed. After the X-wing settled on the floor, the large doors swung close behind her.

Jaina channeled the Force as she calmly waited for the atmosphere to return. Her concentration was unwavering. Too many people counted on her not to stay focused on the task at hand. She listened as the silence of the vacuum was replaced by the hum that accompanied an air-filled bay.

A door opened, and a bearded, dark haired man of average build and looks walked through, followed by two bigger men armed with blasters and ysalamiri strapped to their backs. Jaina released the canopy. Using the Force while she could, she maneuvered the tracer out of the cockpit, behind her head and out of sight of the Peace Brigaders. She floated the device to the side of the bay obscured by her fighter and quickly attached it behind a power conduit just as the canopy finished its cycle.

Jaina slowly rose out of the cockpit, her eyes never leaving the three men. She jumped down with an easy grace, landing without a sound. Just then, an even bigger man dragged Tahiri through the door. He was armed and carried an ysalamiri on his back as well. His contempt for the female Jedi was undeniable. Jaina did not allow the intrusion to distract her attention from the armed guards.

Tahiri struggled against the guard's grasp despite her obvious injuries. Her face showed signs of a severe beating. Her clothes had various blood stains, intermixed with tears and holes. The sight of Jaina brought the sheen of tears to the blonde Jedi's eyes.

Jaina wished she could touch her friend in the Force and comfort her. She would never take that ability for granted again. Tahiri tried to speak, "Jaina, there's…"

She was interrupted by the stiff voice of the leader. "Silence."

The two guards by the leader edged toward Jaina. As they neared, the Force vanished in Jaina's heart. For a moment she panicked, then she reminded herself she was still a Jedi, with or without the Force. Jaina decided it was time to play her cards.

"Okay, that's far enough." She raised her right hand as she flipped the trigger on the Kuilpi thermal detonator with her thumb. "If my thumb comes off this trigger, boom. And before you get any funny ideas, my R2 unit has a self destruct timer set for two minutes as of now as well."

The leader chuckled. "Jaina Solo, do you think so little of me to not believe I am a man of honor?"

"No man who would work with the Peace Brigade possesses even a hint of honor."

He seemed undaunted by the time limit imposed. "Let me introduce myself then. I am Sheibab Maddan of Peace Brigade Intelligence. I must say, Jaina Solo, that you are just as I expected you to be. I have not been disappointed so far." He eyed the detonator as he spoke. "So we should get on with it then."

Jaina tipped her head. The guard escorting Tahiri urged the young Jedi forward. Jaina watched with one eye, the other remained on the other three. Tahiri stopped when she was even with Jaina, despite the guard's prodding. Jaina did not turn to face her, rather gave the younger Jedi an encouraging half-smile.

Tahiri opened her mouth to say something but Jaina cut her off. "Go. May the Force be with you."

Tahiri looked away as the guard pushed her toward the X-wing. He hoisted the tiny blonde up to the cockpit. Jaina pivoted so she could keep all parties in her sight. She let out her breath as the cockpit canopy began lowering, and Trick engaged the repulsors.

With a sweep of the hand, Sheibab indicated to the door. "Shall we?"

Jaina snapped a retort. "I don't know. The cold vacuum of space is looking better and better," she sneered at the man. "After you."

Sheibab remained where he stood. With more conviction Jaina continued, "I insist."

Sheibab nodded, and the three guards made their way to the door, followed by their leader, then Jaina. They were through the door quickly, and it sealed shut behind Jaina. Sheibab gave an order into his comm. The Peace Brigaders and Jaina stood in the corridor, drenched in a tense silence. Instinctively, Jaina reached to the Force for comfort, but met a hollow void in her soul. Instead, she decided to focus on the give and take of her breath for calm.

After what seemed like an eternity, Jaina's comm beeped three times – the signal from Trick that the X-wing was a safe distance away from the freighter and about to enter hyperspace. Jaina let a smile of satisfaction tug at the corners of her mouth, but it was short-lived. Her eyes met Sheibab's cold stare as they stood in a silent stand-off.

The guards nervously adjusted their blasters. Jaina smiled wickedly, fueled by the knowledge that she still inspired fear in the men. She flicked off the detonator and held it out in her palm. Sheibab accepted the device without a word before stepping aside and making way for Jaina.

Her smile faded into a grim line before she stepped forward into the swarm of ysalamiri and guards. No sooner had she entered their midst a sharp crack exploded in the back of her head. Jaina slumped to the ground as blackness consumed her.

The pain tugged at the corner of her mind, commanding that she wake and answer it. Nothing her body did would relieve the pain. So, it called for her to wake and do something.

Jaina blinked against the harsh light that added more pain through her eyes. When she tried to bring her hands up to protect them, Jaina realized she was immobilized. Her movement caused a flaring of pain in her arms and shoulders. When Jaina tried to survey her surroundings, more pain emanated from her neck and back as they were stretched to their limits. Something in her shoulder popped, inviting a new degree of suffering.

There was no Force to seek comfort in; no touch from Jacen or Kyp to calm her fears. Jaina was utterly alone. She cursed the demons that taunted her, demanding her failure, telling her she was no one without the Force.

Then a thought came to her mind – Jag. He never had the Force and succeeded at everything he did. Jag, who she had dismissed so coldly earlier, deserved to know how much she loved him, how much she respected him, and most importantly how much she needed him. For that reason alone Jaina would find the strength to fight.

Jaina could not see them but she knew the ysalamiri had to be in the room and nearby since their effective range was limited. It took some effort, but she managed to push the toxin cartridge out from its place nestled between her cheek and jaw. Jaina maneuvered it between her teeth and ground down on it. Every move brought a new sensation of pain somewhere in her neck or jaw as the mechanism holding her captive fought her body.

Finally the capsule broke, and an aerosol spewed out into her mouth, filling it with a noxious taste. It caused her body to wrack and cough, expelling the spray. Every cough was like being stabbed with a hundred lightsabers. Not the most effective way of transmission, she chided herself, despite the agony.

The sound of the door opening filled her ears as her spasms subsided, followed by the echo of footsteps. The face of Sheibab Maddan came into Jaina's limited field of vision. His face beamed with satisfaction. "So you are awake."

Jaina forced a smug grin, despite the effort and pain it required.

He returned the smart look with a taunting grin. "How do you like our new toy, Jaina Solo?"

Regardless of the pain, Jaina gathered a breath and spoke. Each word cut like a vibroblade into her ribs. "An Embrace of Pain. I've always wanted to try one out. My brother has nothing but great things to say about them."

Sheibab did not like the Jedi, but he respected her spirit. A little verbal sparring would suit him fine. "You are as sharp-tongued as your father, young lady. I would have thought your mother's refined tendencies would have rubbed off on you." He leaned closer and squeezed her chin as he examined her face.

"I'm my father's daughter."

"In spirit maybe, but you are as beautiful as your mother. It's a shame what the Vong will do to your pretty face before they sacrifice you to their gods."

Jaina glared back into his eyes, refusing to submit to his taunts. The glint forming in her eye was unmistakable. What Sheibab did not know was that the toxin was already working. Its effect was subtle, but swift, on the creatures. The toxin retarded the ysalamiris' neural functions, slowing their hearts and breathing until the creatures appeared to fall asleep as they died.

The Force crept back into Jaina like a rising sun, gradually at first and then faster and faster, until it was stunning and bright. Sheibab taunted the female Jedi unaware of the change unfolding.

"You will be glad to know I plan to fund a nice personal fleet with the bounty money for your capture."

Jacen was there, offering her comfort and support; his encouragement fueled her resolve, in spite of the living torture device's manipulation of her body. "I hope you name at least one of the ships after me."

Sheibab laughed heartily. "It's the least I can do."

Jaina could feel the cold energy of the man. Nestled there in his heartless aura, she found what she was looking for. It never ceased to amaze her that time after time, many who had succeeded in capturing Jedi insisted on walking around with the lightsaber strapped to them like a war trophy. His mistake.

Jaina grinned back. "Then this is the least I can do to show my gratitude."

Sheibab's face dropped in a moment of unknown terror, sensing some change in the female Jedi. In one swift movement her lightsaber jumped from his belt and ignited with a snap-hiss. Sheibab was dead, impaled on the violet blade before he realized what had happened.

The next moments passed in slow motion. With the Force as her ally again, Jaina brought her lightsaber down along the living Embrace of Pain that was slowly pulling her body apart. The blade sliced cleanly through, sizzling living tissue as it went, to free her right hand and leg.

Jaina called the weapon to her free hand as the door slid open. One guard stepped through the opening, firing as he went. She deflected the shots; one hit the first guard. The dying creature of torture wrenched her left arm and leg in a desperate last effort. Jaina rolled to the side, aided by the energy provided by the pain-inflicting contortions. She sliced the restraining tendril on her left arm as the second guard plowed past his falling comrade.

The guard's shots were not even worth deflecting, the fear she inspired rendered his aim pitiful at best. Jaina freed her leg and batted away one close blaster shot with the tip of her lightsaber directly into the chest of her attacker.

Suddenly the chaos ended. Jaina scanned the room with wary eyes; the only noise her labored breathing. The floor was littered with the destruction she had dealt out – three dead Peace Brigaders, three lifeless ysalamiri and one razed Embrace of Pain.

The Yuuzhan Vong torture device had left an indelible impression on Jaina's body. After the exertion required, her joints were crying in agony. Calling on the Force, Jaina sought to control the pain. As her body responded, she reached out through the freighter, searching for hints that others had been warned. Luckily, she felt only one other life force that was somewhat sedentary and unalarmed.

Jaina grabbed a blaster off the floor and slipped it in the back of her belt. She swiped her hand across the door activator and stepped out into the hall. The freighter had one straight corridor spanning its length, lined with various doors or openings.

Jaina walked cautiously down the hall, hugging the wall. She still sensed an emptiness in the Force somewhere near the life form in the front of the ship. Jaina frowned. The ysalamiri still posed a problem and limited her awareness.

Jaina sensed the Peace Brigader ahead move, so she ducked through the first available door. She stood stock still, channeling the Force to enhance her Jedi senses. The movement ended, and Jaina let out her breath in a low hiss.

Her attention was drawn to the interior of the room. It appeared to be some sort of working office. Jaina went to the desk where various datacards and reports were strewn around on top. The datastation was still active, as if the user had stepped away momentarily. Jaina took the seat in front of the terminal, scanning the screen quickly. She could not believe her luck. Displayed were the itineraries, schedules and other significant data concerning the transfer of slave shipments along with payment records and fund transfers. Good old Sheibab really was counting his cash.

Jaina scrambled around looking for any available datacard. She found one in a drawer and slipped it in the receiver. A few quick keystrokes later, the data was downloading. Time remaining counted down on the screen as Jaina watched impatiently. The transfer ended, and the card was expelled from the receiver.

Jaina removed the datacard and placed it in her chest pocket. A glint of metal further across the desk caught her eye. It was the light reflected off Tahiri's lightsaber resting beside the thermal detonator. Jaina called them both to her hands, stuffing the detonator in her right leg cargo pocket and clipping the weapon to her belt.

About that time, the freighter shivered in the familiar sensation of the reversion to real-space. Jaina ran to the viewport and saw a larger frigate looming ahead, definitely not a welcome sight. She decided swift action was prudent for the situation. The numbers of foe were going to increase exponentially if she allowed the freighter to land on the larger vessel.

Jaina exited the room hastily and sprinted down the hall to the cockpit door at the end. She activated the door, and it swished open in a rush of air. The man in the co-pilot chair spoke without turning around. "You made it just in time to take her in, sir."

"There's been a change of plans."

The man spun around at the sound of Jaina's voice. He was not the third guard she expected. Out of the corner of her eye, where the emptiness of the Force existed, Jaina saw a flash of movement. She brought her lightsaber up in a high guard as it ignited. Her eyes flashed wide at the sight of an amphistaff slashing down to meet her weapon.

Jaina stepped back to absorb the energy of the impact. The guard ripped the ooglith masquer off his face to reveal the tattered lips and scarred face of a Yuuzhan Vong warrior. Even the other man appeared surprised. The warrior hissed at her in his native tongue.

Jaina backed out of the cockpit and down the hall as he prowled after her. The cockpit was not an ideal area to fight the warrior, but the corridor would prove only slightly better. The situation was only going to get more dire as the ship shuddered under the strain of the repulsors initiating a landing.

The warrior lunged with a powerful downward swipe, which Jaina deflected in a spinning move, using her momentum to continue around and slash across his body. The Yuuzhan Vong was quick to deflect her strike, swiveling his amphistaff around her lightsaber in an attempt to disarm her. Jaina retreated since the confines of the hall limited her usual options against this maneuver.

Jacen was calling to her; he was near. He told her through their bond to exit the ship. Jaina balked at the thought, but then she felt the other Jedi - including her brother -nearby, coming closer with every passing second.

With a flick of the hand, Jaina activated the boarding ramp and took off at a run, the warrior in pursuit. As she descended the ramp, the nose of the Jade Shadow breached the magcon field in a crazy tactic requiring precise timing to kill the speed needed to breach the outer defenses. The Jade Shadow blocked the path of the oncoming Peace Brigade soldiers.

Jaina reached the hangar floor just in time to turn and deflect a blow from her pursuer. The warrior must have sensed the desperateness of the situation; his attack became furious. Jaina blocked and parried in a flurry of moves. The earlier punishment on her body was taking its toll. The best she could manage was to maintain her defensive posture.

The soldiers were rounding the Jade Shadow and lining Jaina up in their sights when a pack of Jedi jumped from its lowering ramp one after another, forming a shield between Jaina and the soldiers. Shots were deflected easily, and Peace Brigaders fell left and right. Jaina sensed them all - Tahiri still safe on the ship, Jacen, Kyp, and then Zekk all running to her aid. Mara came down the ramp last.

Jaina felt an urging from Kyp and flipped away from the warrior. Kyp came under her and blocked the advances of the Yuuzhan Vong. The warriors stood face to face separated by their locked weapons. Kyp's green eyes were blazing at the cold hatred in the Yuuzhan Vong's expression. He barked at Jaina.

"Get in the ship."

Jaina, for once, did not question him. She spun and sprinted up the ramp as the Jedi shield collapsed behind her. The Yuuzhan Vong enraged by the turn of events, made an aggressive slash for Kyp's legs. The Jedi Master leapt over the amphistaff, landing a firm kick to the warrior's head as he spun around.

The off-balance warrior was slow to bring his guard up, and Kyp rammed the tip of his lightsaber through an unarmored armpit as he completed the spin. Just as swiftly, Kyp was up the rising ramp of the Shadow as it lifted off the hangar floor.

Jaina reached the cockpit first, where Tahiri was manning the pilot's station. Jaina jumped in the co-pilot's seat and initiated the repulsors as the ramp began rising. Tahiri hurried out of the pilot's chair and traded places with Mara, who had just rushed into the cockpit as well. Mara pulled back on the yoke as she took her seat.

"Just like old times?" Jaina jested with her former Master.

Mara shot a wicked grin at Jaina, who was seated next to her. "I'd say so." Flashes of laser fire bounced off the shields as the Peace Brigade troops fired on the rising ship. "They are going to go for a tractor beam lock as soon as we breach the containment field."

Jaina chuckled. "I got it covered."

Mara eyed Jaina as the Shadow broke into the vacuum of space. "Oh, Jaina you didn't?"

Jaina closed her eyes and fell into the Force, searching for the thermal detonator in the hangar. The Jade Shadow was spinning as it vectored away from the frigate.

"Reinforce the rear shields before you do that, young lady," Mara snipped at her niece.

Jaina never opened her eyes, rather adjusted the shield control blindly. "Yes, Master." The ship shuddered in reaction to the tractor beam. Jaina opened her eyes. "Time to bear the wrath of Yun-Harla."

Suddenly, the frigate's hangar bay erupted in a violent explosion, spewing liquid fire into space after the fleeing vessel. The Jade Shadow rocked from the buffeting forces as it jumped forward, released from the hold of the tractor beam. Moments later, the Jedi and their ship disappeared into a distortion of stars.

Mara leaned back in her seat, taking in a deep breath. "You make the old Master proud."

"That was fun," Jaina piped back.

"I'm sure it was. You've been itching to use that detonator since the first time you laid eyes on it."

"True, I won't deny it." Jaina's tone became serious. "Thanks for coming to get me, Mara."

The redhead shrugged off the gesture. "You'd do the same."

Knowing Mara would prefer the lack of fuss, Jaina spun in her chair to face Tahiri. The blonde Jedi looked as awful as Jaina felt. Her skin was pasty white where it was not mottled with bruises, and her eyes were hollow, with dark shadows rimming them. Tahiri fell into Jaina's arms, both knowing the horror the other had faced. The younger woman's body wracked with sobs. Jaina hugged her tighter and whispered soothing words in her hair. Mara reached over and laid her hand on Tahiri's hair in a comforting gesture.

Jaina's eyes were drawn upwards as Jacen entered the cockpit. She smiled at him; words were never necessary. Jaina eased Tahiri away. "Why don't you let Jacen take care of you? You have a lot of healing to do."

Tahiri sniffled. "What about you?"

"You first. I have to go over some things with Mara."

Tahiri nodded before rising. Jacen grabbed Jaina's hand for a brief second before guiding the younger Jedi out of the cockpit.

Mara gestured after the two as she spoke. "You should go back there, too. You're a mess. Whatever it is can wait."

"I'll go in a minute." As Jaina reached in her pocket, Zekk stepped into the cockpit. Jaina smiled at him tentatively as she pulled the datacard out. "Hey, Zekk. Thanks for coming."

Zekk shuffled from foot to foot. "Tahiri and you are friends, I expect you both would return the favor."

Jaina's smile grew bigger. "In a heartbeat."

Zekk settled squarely on his feet in a more relaxed stance. Mara eyed the whole exchange suspiciously. Jaina moved over to the dataterminal behind the co-pilot's chair and popped the card in the station's receiver. After a few quick commands, data was scrolling across the screen. Zekk and Mara huddled behind Jaina, studying the information over her shoulder.

Mara let out a low whistle. "Boy oh boy. Do they know you have this?" Jaina shook her head side to side before Mara continued. "This could prove crucial to putting a dent in the slave trade. Zekk, you might be able to make more sense of this after your time with the refugee ships on Bimmisaari. Why don't you look over this while Jaina gets some rest."

Zekk stood to make room for Jaina to get out of her seat. "Sure."

Jaina rose and scooted past Zekk. It was a tight squeeze, and she had to brush past him to get out. The touch made her uncomfortable. She never looked back as she strode down the hall away from the cockpit. Mara's eyes stayed on Zekk as he watched Jaina leave, before taking the seat she had just vacated.

Jag stretched his legs out on the hard floor of the utility room. He glanced at his wristchrono, the formerly cracked face now fixed. It had been several hours since Jaina locked him in the room, and it was approaching early morning. He was sure that someone would be looking for him. Jag was desperate to get out of the room, before his emotions got the better of him. He was unsure which was worse: his unbridled anger at Jaina for using her Force skills against him or his fear for whatever crazy scheme she had undertaken.

His assumptions were confirmed by the sound of activity outside. Jag rose and made his way to the door. After a few minutes, it slid open to reveal his uncle standing on the other side, his face weary and drawn. Wedge smiled politely at his nephew.

"Sorry it took so long, Jag. Jacen told us you were here before he left, but we were tied up with this whole mess."

Stepping out of the room into the corridor, Jag was greeted by the sight of Iella putting away some gear. Wedge explained. "I needed an expert to get you out. Subverting sabotaged doors is just not my forte, and I had to have someone I could trust. Kell Tainer was available, but I don't think you would have liked the result."

Jag managed to force a smile at the remark.

Iella finished packing her equipment and wiped her weary eyes. "Gentlemen, we have to get to the briefing room. Wedge will explain everything when we get there. Until then no questions."

Jag nodded in understanding, and the trio made their way out of the medcenter and back to Starfighter Command. Wedge led Jag and Iella into a small conference room in an obscure section of the building. Several others - all looking as sleep deprived as Jag felt - were already waiting there, including Corran Horn, Han and Leia Solo, Luke Skywalker and Tycho Celchu.

Everyone nodded a silent welcome. Iella pulled out a device from her bag and scanned the room, covering every wall. "The room is clear," she said, switching off the device.

Wedge took the seat at the head of the table. "Good. Sorry for the precautions and impossibly early hour, but after the abduction of Tahiri Veila, Luke and Tycho suspected a spy in our midst. Jacen Solo confirmed this, based on information Jaina passed to him upon returning to Mon Calamari. Through Jacen, Jaina apologized for anyone she offended by her actions. However, she was under threat to tell no one of her plans, for fear of retribution against Tahiri."

Wedge's eyes stopped at Jag before he continued. "The Jedi currently have a rescue mission underway, in coordination with Starfighter Command and Intel. Luke, do you want to elaborate?"

Luke shifted in his chair to address the room. "Certainly. Jaina went ahead to meet the kidnappers and make the exchange for Tahiri in the Kubindi sector." Jag noticed Han adjust his position and take his wife's hand. The simple act made Jag uncomfortable with the word - exchange. "Mara, on the Jade Shadow, has sent a scrambled message that the exchange was successful, and Tahiri is back on the Shadow with Jaina's X-wing."

Although Leia already knew the details, hearing Luke's words made her tired expression appear even more bleak. "Jaina was able to place a tracer on the Peace Brigade ship. Mara is tracking them as we speak. She has Jacen, Kyp and Zekk ready to extract Jaina as soon as they catch up."

Jag interrupted. "You mean the exchange was Jaina for Tahiri?"

Luke faced Jag. "Yes, that was the plan."

Jag pressed. "Whose plan?"

"Jaina's."

Wedge commented next, hoping to get Jag's focus back to the task at hand. "So far, everything has gone according to the plan." His eyes turned to Han and Leia. "I am confident they will get Jaina back."

Leia dipped her head graciously; Han remained stoic. Wedge turned back to the group. "Our concern now is rooting out this spy. The people in this room are the ones I can trust. Iella has some ideas where we can start."

Iella opened her mouth to speak when Luke rose from his seat and walked around the table to Leia. Everyone else watched in confused silence. Leia was white as a Csillan snowdrift. Luke gently spun her chair to face him and touched her shoulder as he kneeled down.

"You have to shut her out. It won't help Jaina to leave the connection open."

Leia blinked and nodded. The color returned to her face. Jag was on the edge of his seat. Leia could sense Jaina through the Force; obviously she had felt something.

Wedge voiced his nephew's concern. "Did you feel something?"

The Jedi Master's face was grim as he faced Wedge. "Jaina came back in the Force. She must have succeeded in administering the ysalamiri toxin. Something's wrong though; she was in a lot of pain. It's hard to say exactly."

Those words were enough to fuel Jag out of his chair. He was out the door before anyone realized what the young colonel was doing. Wedge shook his head and sighed. It was becoming obvious that the pressures on Jag to conceal his relationship with Jaina were affecting the usually solid pilot in ways no one could have predicted. Wedge eyed Corran and nodded to the door.

Corran exited the room without a word. Using his Jedi senses, the former CorSec agent followed the emotions boiling off Jag. It took Corran a few minutes to catch up to the younger man in the command barracks.

Corran keyed the door comm to Jag's room. He waited for a response. When none came, Corran pressed it again. The door opened, but not to invite him in. Jag tried to shoot past Corran, a loaded pilot bag in his hand and blaster strapped to his hip. Corran stepped in front of Jag, blocking his path. With a firm hand, the Jedi pushed Jag back into his room.

"You know I am getting really tired of being pushed around by Jedi today," Jag snapped as he threw down his bag, realizing a battle of power with the older Jedi was fruitless.

"I can appreciate that, but just hear me out."

Jag tipped his head. Corran entered the room, the door sliding shut behind him.

"Listen Jag, I know this is tough for you, and frankly I can't compare my situation to yours because I never had to hide my feelings about Mirax. I think I can offer you some sound advice based on the experience I do have.

Jag held his hand up to interrupt. "Is there anyone who doesn't know about us? I mean, is all this secrecy for naught?"

Corran grinned despite himself. "Some of the Jedi close to Jaina have figured it out, but not because of anything you two did overtly. We respect your right to privacy though. The Rogues, on the other hand, have a pool going to see when you two hook up. There isn't a pilot who doesn't see it coming with the sparks that fly between you and Jaina. I don't imagine it is something you can turn off with the flick of a switch. They don't know that you are together already, if that's what you are worried about."

Jag ran his fingers through his hair as he huffed at himself in disgust. He obviously was becoming careless.

"In my opinion, you and Jaina are doing an admirable thing. I don't think I could have pulled it off."

"I don't think I can take much more of this. I may appear like the emotional equivalent of a stone, but my heart is being torn in two and crushed besides. I can't stand being powerless like this."

"So I suppose running off after her will make those feelings go away?"

"It's better than sitting here in a committee."

Corran crossed the room and turned back to face Jag. "When I first realized I was in love with Mirax, our first couple of missions together were hard. I kept second-guessing myself and her, and I was sick with worry. I had worked with Mirax before, mind you, without ever thinking twice about her abilities. One time, I was such a fool about trying to protect her that I almost got us both killed. If I had trusted in her ability to do her job, like I had before we fell in love, that never would have happened.

"I had a couple of days in a bacta tank to think about it. I realized that my faith in her wasn't gone. It was just overshadowed by my own insecurities about losing her. You have a choice: either trust Jaina, or let her go. It's that simple. Otherwise you will destroy one or both of you. Asking her to change would make her less than the woman you fell in love with. Does that make sense?"

Jag reflected for a moment, pondering the Jedi's words. "More than you know. So what did you do to get over your insecurities?"

Corran chuckled. "I married her."

"Oh."

Corran put his hand on Jag's shoulder. "I don't suppose that's a possibility at this juncture, though. Can I trust you won't go jump in your clawcraft and do something foolish?"

Jag's reply was serious. "I will stay put. I have a lot of thinking to do."

"Good." Corran's comlink beeped. He took back his hand to retrieve the device from his robe. "Horn here."

Wedge's voice crackled through. "Did you catch my nephew?'

"We've been having a nice talk."

"I hope it's been productive. Could you pass along a message?"

"Certainly."

"The Jade Shadow sent a short-burst coded transmission. The long and short of it promises a reunion for him in the near future."

Jag let out a breath he did not know he was holding.

"Thanks, Wedge. I am sure he appreciates that." Corran clicked off the comlink and turned his attention back to Jag. "See, no need to worry. I'll leave you to your thoughts. I know being in a relationship with a Jedi is challenging, but if you ever need to talk to someone about it, give Mirax a buzz. She is a bonafide expert on the subject."

"Thanks, Corran. I may take you up on that."

Once he and the other Jedi had retrieved Jaina from the Peace Brigade frigate, Kyp had retreated to the back of the ship alone while the others had headed toward the cockpit. Kyp rummaged through the shelves in the crew lounge of the Jade Shadow looking for first aid supplies. The room had a small kitchen area and table on one side, and a workstation on the other. He figured this was the best place to begin looking.

Kyp found a jar of bacta salve, along with some anti-bacterial cleanser and gauze pads. He took the items over to the table and sat down. Kyp inhaled deeply through his nose and let out the breath in an attempt to calm his unsettled emotions, bordering on the edge of control.

Losing Tahiri had been tough enough on the Jedi Master. After Jacen had deceived him to allow Jaina the opportunity to escape alone, Kyp had worked feverishly to contain the frustration and anger threatening to consume him. The sight of Jaina battling the Yuuzhan Vong had brought the Jedi Master dangerously close to the old, dark emotions he had fought hard to banish the last few years. A voice brought him back out of his reflection.

"Are you hurt?" Jaina stood over him, concern etching her face.

"Just a scratch from rolling off a speeder."

"And you didn't take care of it yet?"

"I was preoccupied. You should take care of yourself."

Jaina persisted. "Let me see." She pointed to the bloodstain on the front of Kyp's tunic.

Kyp was too tired to fight her, spent from battling his own emotions, so he pulled the tunic aside.

"Emperor's black bones, Kyp! That's awful looking."

Kyp looked down and was inclined to agree. A gash went across his ribs and wrapped around his left side, disappearing behind his back.

"Take your shirt off, and let me clean that up."

Kyp obliged her. Jaina dabbed the cleanser on a piece of gauze. She motioned for Kyp to sit back down. She knelt in front of him as he did so. Jaina began gently applying the cleanser to the wound, picking up pieces of debris as she went. Kyp cringed at her touch, unsure from where the reaction came. Suddenly, he gripped Jaina's wrists to stop her ministrations.

"Jaina…"

"Kyp, don't push me away. Let me help you." With her free hand, she pulled his hand off hers. Kyp released his grip, and his hands fell away.

Jaina worked quietly. Kyp was rigid, never looking at her. She ignored his strange behavior and moved closer to see what she was doing. Kyp's breathing became slower and deeper as time passed. Jaina's presence soothed his raw emotions, steadying them like an anchor.

As he regained control, Kyp opened himself back up to the Force, and Jaina was there waiting for him. The connection felt like home. Jaina was working on his back, so she missed the first tear that fell. It did not take long for her to sense it in their bond. She came around to face him. Kyp looked into her questioning eyes.

"I'm sorry I failed you."

Jaina reached up to wipe away a tear. "I won't hear it."

"If I had stopped them from taking Tahiri, this would never have happened. That could have as easily been you, and we wouldn't have had this chance."

"If it had been me, they would have never taken me. Now, no more of this talk, do you hear me?" Kyp avoided her eyes. "Kyp Durron, do you hear me?"

He looked down at her face and silently scolded himself for adding to the worry that marred the beauty there. "Yes."

Jaina rose up on her knees and folded her arms around his neck. Kyp pulled her closer, holding her tighter than he should have. In that moment, Kyp realized there was nowhere he would rather be. It had been a truth he had been denying for a long time, but had been beating at the door of his mind ever since the kiss in Jaina's vision. He had spent so much effort convincing himself that he did not love Jaina, he almost had come to believe it.

All too soon, Jaina was pulling away, and Kyp's eyes were drawn to the clawcraft pendant resting on her skin where the flightsuit opened to reveal it, a grim reminder of the harsh truth. Jaina loved someone else, and Kyp knew in his heart that Jaina and Jag were destined to be together, like it was written in the stars. They were two halves of a whole, each incomplete without the other. There was no denying this fact.

Who am I to expect love? A man capable of such terrible horrors was undeserving of any happiness like a love returned. She deserved better than the likes of Kyp Durron, the destroyer of Carida, murderer of his own brother. Jaina was his burden he supposed, a punishment for his crimes. She would never know the truth. He would protect her until the day he died. He would make sure she found the happiness he never would know. This is what the Force expected of him, he was sure.

"Kyp?" Her voice startled him out of his revelation.

His eyes went to her beautiful face. Kyp realized he was still holding her, and his hands dropped to his side.

"I'm going to put the bacta cream on now, okay?"

Kyp nodded. Jaina applied the cream along the length of the wound, her fingers torturing his skin with promises of pleasure he would never know. Then, the touch ended. Jaina fell back on her heels. Kyp focused on her again, noticing the sag of her shoulders. Pain and exhaustion radiated from her. An inner turmoil, thoughts of her harsh words to Jag, blazed in her heart. Kyp cursed himself silently for being so self-involved that he missed the signs earlier.

"Let's take care of you."

Jaina accepted his arms as Kyp helped pull her to her feet. A moan escaped her lips at the demands placed on her battered joints. Her knees and hips protested after kneeling for so long. Kyp spun her around, using his hand on her shoulders. He spoke as he nudged her to the door.

"Go lie down." The words were colder than he had intended.

"I need to check on my ship and Trick first. He's probably worried."

Kyp chuckled at the notion of a droid feeling emotions, but did not comment otherwise. "I'll go check on him, go get some rest." The words were kinder now.

"Okay."

Jaina shuffled out of the room, heading for the bunks. Kyp fell back in his seat. He was about to bury his face in his hands when her head appeared in the doorway.

"When you're done, will you come help me with a healing trance?"

Kyp smiled. "Sure, now go."

Jaina pulled her head back and was gone again. Kyp was left to the lonely aching of his heart.

Zekk left the cockpit after reviewing the data Jaina had downloaded from the Peace Brigade ship. He had left some amended comments at various points before handing the information off to Mara.

Zekk made his way down the corridor until he found the room where Jaina's presence could be felt. He activated the door with a swipe of his hand. It took several seconds for his eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room. Jaina was lying curled up on a bunk. As far as Zekk could tell, she was asleep.

Stepping into the room, Zekk allowed the door to slide shut behind him. He walked over to the bunk and looked down at the woman to whom he had tried to give his heart. She had not returned the sentiment, but that had not changed his feelings.

When Luke had asked him to go along on this mission, Zekk had thanked the Force. He had taken it as a sign that he should not give up on Jaina yet. He was here to rescue her, not the Force-blind fool she loved in secret. He would find a way to make her see that they were right for each other, one way or another.

Sitting down on the edge of the bunk, Zekk used a hand to gently brush a tendril of hair from her cheek. Jaina stirred and moaned a word. "Jag."

Zekk put his hand gently to her forehead and sent Jaina a touch through the Force, pushing her back into a deep slumber. His heart pounded in his chest. Zekk had worked feverishly to discover the name of Jaina's suitor. Now the truth she had kept hidden had been unwittingly revealed.

Colonel Jagged Fel was an arrogant Imperial from the Unknown Regions, opinionated and rigid. Jaina had probably succumbed to his good looks and exceptional piloting skills because, in Zekk's opinion, the man had no personality. A grin tickled his lips. Jag Fel would eventually tire of Jaina's willful, unconventional ways and return to the Unknown Regions. No man with such an ego could manage a relationship with a Jedi, especially one as precocious as this young beauty, without succumbing to insecurities. Colonel Fel would break her heart, and Zekk would be there to pick up the pieces.

A moan from Jaina brought Zekk back to his senses. He returned his attention to her. Scanning Jaina with the Force, Zekk sensed the numerous aches and pains gnawing at her body. He knew Jaina had never been able to drop herself into a healing trance, probably because it had been so easy for her to rely on her brother. Zekk could do the same for her; she would thank him for his act of kindness later.

Zekk spanned his hand across her forehead, reaching from temple to temple. It was not difficult to manipulate her mind in this state. Jaina fell into the healing trance easily. Zekk stayed in the connection for a moment, reveling in the feeling. Then, a thought crossed his mind.

Without thinking of the right or wrong of his action, Zekk implanted an idea in Jaina's mind through the bond. Jagged Fel will never stay with a Jedi. How can a man of such ideals tolerate a Rebel like yourself? Zekk was smug with satisfaction. He reveled in the ease of making the suggestion to her mind. His thoughts spun wildly, pondering expanding the suggestion to affect her own feelings for the man. The act would probably require considerable more effort. Before he could make an attempt, a voice growled from behind him.

"Take your hands off her."

Zekk slowly removed his hands from Jaina's forehead and turned to face Kyp. The Jedi Master rippled with barely-contained fury. Zekk maintained a serene expression.

"I was just helping her get into a healing trance."

Kyp reached out to Jaina and felt the currents of the Force enveloping her body. His gut told him something was very wrong. As he made his way to the bunk, Kyp sensed something dark near Jaina. The sensation waned but an uneasy feeling stayed with him.

Kyp eyed Zekk warily. "So you did, now let her rest."

Zekk stood so he was face to face with the Master. His earlier success bolstered his confidence. "I'll go, but not because you say so."

Kyp's' eyes narrowed to slits. "I warned you once, and you didn't listen. I want you to heed my words now. Stay away from Jaina. I'm not sure what you are up to, but she is not interested in you."

Zekk hissed back at Kyp. "Trying to keep the competition out of the way so you can be there to pick up the pieces when the pompous Imperial dumps her like a hot vweliu nut?"

Kyp's hands were on Zekk's tunic faster than the blink of an eye, and Zekk was flying across the room. The younger Jedi's back hit the wall with a resounding thud as Kyp's Force-enhanced thrust ended with the two men chest to chest.

"I don't know how you found out about him, but Jag was meant for Jaina. Don't get your hopes up."

With the aid of the Force, Zekk pushed Kyp back across the room, ramming the Jedi Master with equal strength into another wall. Before Kyp could respond both men were being ripped apart by an unseen force. The two men spun to face the intruder in unison.

Mara Jade Skywalker stood in the doorway with her feet spread apart and her hands on her hips. Her eyes darted from one man to the other then finished on Jaina, blissfully ignorant of the events unfolding around her. Mara had no idea what had taken place between the two men, but she was confident it had something to do with her niece.

"I am not even going to ask, but I will not tolerate such behavior on my ship. I want you both out," she growled.

Kyp may not have scared Zekk, but the sight of Mara brimming with rage and disgust did. The younger Jedi dipped his head in submission and slipped past the redheaded woman before exiting the room. Mara turned her cold, green-eyed stare to Kyp, who was not as easily intimidated.

"I'm not leaving," he said as he crossed his arms in defiance.

Something in his demeanor suggested to Mara that a black hole would not have ripped Kyp from Jaina's side. Her husband trusted the man with Jaina's life, so Mara simply nodded before backing out of the room. Kyp turned and went to Jaina's side, determined to lend his strength to her healing.

End of Chapter 17
TKL/zr