CHAPTER NINE
"You wan' that?"
"Yes. Get more if you're that hungry. This is for Jaina." Jacen slapped Valin's hand away from a heaping plate without missing a beat in his own ravenous consumption of food. If the Chiss did one thing right, apparently it was cook.
The Horn teenager snorted as he stood, then stomped across the mess. Jacen watched the young man go. Young man? Who was he kidding? Valin had inherited his father's short stature, and still looked like a Jedi learner not a Jedi ace. Still, Jacen trusted Jaina's judgment. If she said Valin was the best, the kid was the best.
"That boy's going to be trouble," Alema hissed. "You mark my words."
"Jaina sees something in Valin. He just lacks life experience," Jacen countered.
Tyria shuffled in her seat. "He's barely older than my son."
"I've heard rumors in the ready rooms that Valin rivaled his father in combat kills by the end the Vong incursion," Garrett said.
Jacen shot a glance at the green-eyed Jedi. "Being a Jedi is not about destroying. It's about protecting and defending –"
Alema's lekku smacked Jacen on the back of the head. "Space it, Solo. You know flying is all about the numbers. You're good - or you're dead."
Jacen opened his mouth to defend his position, then snapped it shut without saying anything to the four ace pilots staring him down. True, flying was in Jacen's blood. There was no denying its call. The dilemma came in acknowledging that to become catalogued as a good or even great pilot, one had to log stats and numbers – some of which tallied those who had met their demise at the end of a fighter's sights. For not the first time in his life, Jacen was at a loss for words, mostly because he honestly hadn't found the answers himself.
But then he was saved by the whistle.
Jaina's ear-piercing, overly shrill whistle harkened back to the days when their father expected the twins to react – quickly. That whistle, which Jaina now did so well, activated years of ingrained childhood discipline – when Han Solo had resorted to that signal, he meant business. So Jacen instinctively jumped from his seat ready to go.
His sister waved a summons from the entrance to the mess. "Time to fly. Let's go."
The reaction of the Jedi aces was instantaneous and brisk. Chairs hopped. Drinks were slammed back. Trays were gathered. All signs of the pilots' meal was discarded or disposed in a matter of seconds. Jacen, not accustomed to the rapid response required of fighter squadrons, followed suit a few seconds later. He did, however, take the time to grab the shuura fruit from Jaina's untouched tray before he dropped it in the recycler. By the time Jacen was trotting over to join the others, Jaina made the displeasure he already sensed from her known.
"Any day, Jace."
He had reached her by then, and chose wisely to avoid her scowl. She was perturbed, all right, but not necessarily at him. He was just a target of opportunity. Quickly, Jacen offered the shuura fruit as a peace offering. "I saved this for you."
"Not hungry." Swishing it away with a flick of her fingers, Jaina started off down the corridor.
Despite his longer legs, Jacen had to hustle to keep up with Jaina's all-business march, and the other four Jedi fell into step behind the twins. Jacen knew his sister well enough to give her some space, but the group's youngest member stuck his head forward. Valin was going to learn that lesson the hard way.
"Time to show these 'chebians exactly why they shouldn't mess with the Jedi?"
Jaina rounded on Valin, her nostrils flaring. "Horn! Wrong attitude. Keep it up and I might have to show you why it's not smart to mess with this Jedi."
The others had jumped back. Valin, left to fend for himself, found his cocky bravado melting like a sliver of ice on Tatooine's sand. "I didn't think…I mean –"
"No, you didn't. This is war, Valin. Not a joke." Jaina was gone before the others realized it.
Being Jaina's twin, Jacen had tracked her intention with ease and managed to stay at her side. He hedged initially at breaking her somber contemplation, and silently matched her pace along the corridors. The other four trailed a respectful – or was it safe? – distance behind. Out of the corner if his eye, Jacen saw what all the Jedi felt. The thin determined set of her mouth was the only overt sign of the roiling sentiment churning underneath Jaina's steely demeanor. And the odd thing was it had nothing to do with the impending battle. Jacen was certain of that.
"Where're we going, Jay?" he finally asked.
"The main briefing room."
"Oh. Right. You'd know where that is on this ship, just like the engine – Yeow!"
The sharp impact of a Force slap ended his taunt, and answered the underlying question he'd never have the courage ask. Simply the thought of Jag had caused Jaina's turbulent emotions to focus and spike suddenly.
He spent a moment pondering exactly what had happened earlier between his sister and Jag to set her feelings afloat on a Kaminoan sea, and came up with a blank. Cautiously Jacen placed a hand on Jaina's sleeve. She stopped suddenly and snapped her brown eyes his way. She dared him to ask; Jacen, as always, was a yellow-bellied junglethrush.
Her gaze darted past him, and he heard the swish of an opening door. "We're here," she said, and stormed past.
Jacen shook his head. Things sure weren't off to a promising start. He sighed in resignation, then followed his sister into the Polar Wind's briefing room. Just inside the door, though, he paused, and gaped. Briefing theater. That was definitely a better word for it. The large semi-circular room swooped down from where he stood, with rows of seats facing toward one of the most impressive battle assessment holoimagers Jacen had ever seen. Red and blue threat and asset projections orbited Vikova's likeness in the center.
A low whistle from behind expressed the awe Jacen felt. He glanced over his shoulder at the line of Jedi forming just inside the door.
"You can say that again," Alema said.
Garrett started to inhale for another whistle – until Tyria ribbed him with an elbow. "Act impressed, Flyboy, just not too impressed." The former Antarian Ranger threw back her shoulders and proceeded to glide down the stairs.
Alema shoved past Jacen to join Tyria. Garrett and Valin quickly followed, bounding down into the ever-growing gathering of Chiss intermingled with an assortment of Alliance pilots and soldiers. Jacen watched them go, his eyes ending front and center. His sister stood next to an Alliance commander, her arms crossed uncomfortably while she forced a stare at the situational assessment's constantly changing lights. Jaina appeared to be immersed in an intense conversation.
Instinctively, Jacen bypassed the row where the Jedi aces had marked their territory and went to his sister. A closer review of the two opposing fleets showed little of note, certainly not to cause the grim lines around her mouth, but then again Jacen had little on his twin as far as battle tactics.
When the Alliance officer, a squat Kuati man, finished describing the current malfunctions of his aft batteries, Jaina nodded just enough to give the impression she cared, then turned to her brother. "Jacen, I'd like to introduce you to Commander Hypho Shesh."
At the mention of the officer's last name, Jacen's eyes darted back to the man, who rubbed his palm on his pants before offering it to Jacen. Jacen took the clammy hand into his own. "Nice to meet you, Commander."
"Yes. Yes." Hypho shook Jacen's hand vigorously. "Always a pleasure to meet the famed Solo twins. I was quite excited to learn you and your sister would be –"
"Commander, I think the briefing is about to start."
"Oh. Yes. Of course," Shesh said with a nod. "I need to share our latest readiness analysis with Colonel…uh…Ambassador Fel."
Jacen watched the commander scurry off and head for a cluster of Chiss. Jag was among them, and looked up when the Alliance officer inserted himself into the huddle. His green-eyed gaze crossed the room, stopping at Jaina. Jacen thought he saw the corner of Jag's mouth curl slightly. Almost as quickly Jag's face turned to ice, save a polite nod in greeting directed Jacen's way.
Jacen would have tipped his head in turn, but he was caught…captivated…mesmerized…by her.
A tall, luscious golden-haired, blue-eyed woman drifted into the room. Her face was indefinable - Jacen knew he had never known such beauty. She had a quality that drew him in like an unbreakable spell.
"Who's that?"
Jaina shifted her stance. "Who?"
"Her," he said with a mental nudge in the beautiful woman's direction. Jacen couldn't be bothered to look away to address his sister directly, at least until he felt the dangerous flare in her emotions. By the time he glanced over, it was all but gone.
Reflecting the holoimager's light, Jaina's eyes shimmered as she faced Jacen. "That is Iliana."
"Iliana?" The name danced on Jacen's tongue, and he had to turn back to put the name with the face.
"That's what I said…She's the Vikovan something-or-other."
Jacen watched Iliana finished her stroll past the group of high-ranking Chiss and Alliance officers finishing the last details of the battle plan. She parted the group merely with her presence, and ended standing between Jag and Commander Shesh.
"Really? Their leader, huh? I thought maybe she was a holostar or holomodel. She's too beautiful –"
"Oh gods, Jace," Jaina huffed. "Spare me."
Across the room Jag appeared distracted, his gaze darting between Jaina and the conversation Iliana was clearly trying to have with him. With a simple glance from Jag, Jacen realized they were being summoned. Jaina marched his way like a podracer off the starting line, but Jag wasn't going to wait. The two met on the far side of the immense holoimager, where a long table wrapped around to provide all parties a good view of the display while still allowing the audience access to the participants.
"We should start," Jag said to Jaina.
"Of course. Problems?" Jaina asked, all the while watching Iliana approach.
"Not really." Jag reached out and squeezed Jaina's hand quickly. "Or better said, nothing we're not used to by now. This will be a working briefing."
Jaina withdrew her hand. "Working out the kinks on the fly. Always fine by me."
Iliana had sidled up next to Jag, then laid a couple fingers on his sleeve. "Do your Jedi compatriots need more time to be fully apprised of the situation, Jag?"
"We're more than ready," Jaina snapped.
Iliana graced Jaina with a pleasant smile. "Then we should begin…but first -" Iliana's gaze drifted to Jacen "- I must be introduced properly."
Jag stiffened, drawing his legs together so he distanced himself slightly from Iliana, and her hand fell away. "Your Grace, I would like you to meet Jedi Knight Jaina –"
"Oh, I have already met your paramour, Jag. It is her handsome Jedi escort who interests me." Iliana offered her hand to Jacen, palm down, fingers curled and parted daintily.
"Your Grace, meet my brother Jedi Knight Jacen Solo. Jacen, Iliana of Vikova." Jaina concluded the introductions with all the delicacy of a raging Wookiee in an Alderaanian china-dealer's shop.
Despite the blush burning in his face, Jacen managed to take Iliana's hand and hold it for a gentle shake without further incident.
"Jacen Solo, of course," Iliana said with a knowing grin, refusing to release his hand.
Jag cleared his throat. "It's time."
"Yes," Iliana agreed, then tucked Jacen's arm into her own. "Shall we?"
Jacen had no choice but to escort the world leader to her chair. He sensed she wanted the head of the table – only fitting for a woman in her position. Quickly he helped Iliana into her seat, then moved to join the others in the briefing seats. A hand on Jacen's shoulder practically shoved him into the seat next to the beautiful leader.
"Please. Stay," Jag ordered.
Complying, Jacen plopped into the seat. Jag sat next to him with Shawnkyr on his other side. Further down the table Jaina was seated next to a Chiss Jacen vaguely recalled as being part of the joint Chiss-Twin Suns missions at the end of the war. With all parties of import seated, the constant din in the briefing theater started to die.
As the last murmurs quieted, Jag and Shawnkyr exchanged a short dialogue while staring grimly at the battle assessment holo. The Achebian fleet seemed to be growing in size every minute, and Jacen shook his head in dismay. This was going to be one heck of a furball.
Once the room was silent, however, Jag wasted no time in beginning. "As you well know, the Achebians have fired on one of the Vikovan patrols in the neutral zone. Based on movements at the fringe of the system, we believe a naval attack, followed by a ground invasion, is imminent. Commander Shesh has brought to light some deficiencies in the Alliance frigate Imminent Reward that will require us to reconsider some of our fleet tactics. Currently our biggest asset is our combination of fighters, and I intend to capitalize upon that."
An excited buzz from the pilots gave Jag reason to pause. His business-like stare brought an abrupt end to the interruption.
"The Polar Wind carries one complete clawcraft squadron while the Imminent Reward boasts one partial squadron of older Y-Wings. Add to that the Jedi aces and we still find ourselves numerically at a disadvantage against the six complete Achebian squadrons our intel suggests."
Shawnkyr keyed a remote in her hand and the battle assessment image of Vikova morphed to a recreation of an Achebian-designed fighter. The Chiss continued, "The Zanxes SpaceFlight Corporation's Hawkbat fighter is a post-Republic era model. It equals the Y-Wings in speed and maneuverability, but lacks strong shielding. A well-placed series of hits here -" the area above the fighter's engine compartment glowed red for a moment, then dimmed in time for the image to flip and highlight an equivalent weakness on the fighter's belly "- or here will remove the Hawkbat efficiently from the fight."
Jacen took note quickly before the holo reverted to the grander scale likeness of Vikova. The red indicators showed a line of Achebian vessels moving closer. Instinctively he looked to Iliana. The Vikovan leader wasn't watching the imminent threat to her homeworld, though. Instead her intent stare was honed straight across table. Jacen followed it to its conclusion - Iliana was studying his sister.
Jaina, who had been conferring with the Chiss beside her, looked up at that moment. "If I may offer a suggestion, Jag?"
Jag tipped his head.
"Jocell just proposed something along the lines of our old Twin Suns days on the Selonia –"
"Jedi, clawcraft, clawcraft," Jag finished, then flashed an uncustomary grin. "Just like the good old days. I like it."
Jaina held up her hands, palms first. "Again, Jocell gets all the credit. But I think we could use the Jedi battle meld to benefit a larger cross-section of the fighter force, rendering us more effective."
"What about us?" the leader of the Y-Wings asked from the audience.
Jag fielded the question with hardly a pause. "You'll stay back and protect the fleet. Some of the Hawkbats will undoubtedly get through." Finished with the Alliance pilot, Jag turned his attention back to Jaina. "We'll need to make some quick adjustments to the clawcraft so they can communicate with your Jedi fighters on localized frequencies, but the six different bands should give the Achebians reason for concern. They won't know where to listen, or what we are going to do next."
Jag looked to his aide. "Shawnkyr, you should supervise the modifications."
"As ordered, sir. How do you want me to break the shielding trios?"
Jag pulled out a small handheld datapad and scanned its screen. Jacen assumed he was making quick study of each pilot's weaknesses and strengths. "Flight One - Jaina, myself, Hop'tu. Flight Two –"
"Certainly, Jedi Knight Solo does not require the protection of the Chiss ambassador –"
"That is not my intention, Your Grace. Jaina is more than capable. During my time spent flying Jaina's wing during the war, I learned that she is hard to keep up with –"
"I am sure she is," Iliana said right over the top of Jag.
"I am just trying to put the pilots most able to stick on her wing in her flight."
Iliana eyed Jag. "My understanding is that your Chiss pilots are all exceptional. Perhaps your talents would be wiser spent elsewhere."
This turn in the conversation was most unusual. In fact, Jacen sensed some underlying tension. So he searched his sister's emotions and face for any clue as to exactly what he was missing. Jaina simply smiled, an overly sweet smile.
"Of course, you know best, Your Grace. Jag, fly with Valin. He could use your experience." Jaina cast a glance out into the seats. "Or your sense of discipline. Either way, I'll know he's in good hands. And I'll take Jocell with me."
Iliana turned back to Jag and smiled victoriously. "Excellent. Now that we all know where we stand, let us continue planning this engagement."
Only then did Jacen realize a gauntlet had been thrown in Iliana's intervention. Looking to Jaina, who glowered unabashedly from the other end of the table, he knew this was true without a doubt. They were flying into battle in no time short, but the first salvo had already been fired.