A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks everyone! Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Taking Down the Fortress
Chapter 13
Jace's POV
"There he is papa," Shane said, pointing at Nico across the crowded cantina. He was sitting at a table, alone, with his back to a wall.
"Slow down Shane," I ordered my grandson as he surged ahead of me. I didn't want to lose sight of him in here. "Stay with me."
He huffed softly but stopped and waited for me to catch up. When I reached him, he slipped his smaller hand into mine and started pulling me toward the smuggler. "Hurry Papa!"
Shaking my head, I just grinned and allowed my over eager grandchild to pull me toward the man we were supposed to meet. I couldn't really blame him, though for a different reason. Shane was happy just being off the ship. He'd been very well behaved the whole trip but he was excited at the prospect of stretching his legs and meeting someone new. While I was happy to be dirt side, or in this case, snow side on Hoth, I was more eager for the chance to speak with Nico. We'd been running comms silent in the hopes of throwing off anyone attempting to follow us. As a consequence we'd been out of touch and I was worried about Theron and what may have happened in the intervening time.
Sensing our approach, Nico stood up and looked in our direction. He was wearing his typical wide brimmed dark hat, long tan coat, tan pants and dark boots. Two blasters hung from his belt and were strapped down to his legs. He looked exactly as I remembered and didn't look as if he'd aged a day. "Jace," he greeted us.
Stopping directly in front of the other man, Shane planted his feet. He slowly looked up and met the smuggler's eyes, a look of awe on his face. After a few moments, he said, "You fought the Sith with Papa."
"Yup," the smuggler agreed with a smirk, "Saved his a…,"
"Nico," I cut him off before he could complete that sentence, "Good to see you again."
"That's not what Papa says," Shane commented softly.
Hearing the remark, Nico's face got hard and his eyes turned cold as he glanced down at the child.
I was proud of my grandson. He didn't back down or try and hide behind me. He stood his ground and returned the man's glare. The only telltale clue that he was nervous was his hand squeezing mine tighter.
Silence reigned for a few long moments as boy and man glared at each other until the man finally broke first, his face splitting into a big smile and he laughed. Ruffling Shane's hair with one hand, Nico said with a wink, "I'm sure. When you want the real story come ask old Nico."
"Papa?" Shane questioned, looking up at me.
"Ignore him," I said smiling, "He's old and the memory is the first thing to go."
"Yes sir," he answered seriously.
Unable to stop himself, Nico chuckled again and ruffled Shane's hair. "Good kid," he said, "Yours?"
"No," I answered, knowing I could trust the other man. I rested my hands on Shane's shoulders as I finished, "He's my grandson, Shane Malcolm."
"I can see it, just like his fathers," Nico replied, making Shane's chest puff out with pride at the comparison, "But I definitely see some of you there too."
"Thank you," Shane answered earnestly, "I wanna grow up and be the leader of Havoc squad, just like my papa and papi."
I cringed internally. While I was proud that he wanted to follow in my footsteps, I didn't want Shane, Jett, or my unborn twins to be soldiers or fight in a war. I wanted them safe, doing something that wouldn't get them hurt or killed. To many people I loved were already in harm's way. I didn't need any more.
"That is an admirable goal," Nico answered diplomatically as he locked eyes with me before looking down to the boy in front of me. "But you don't have to be a soldier to be a strong, honorable and admirable man."
After a few moments of contemplation Shane said, "Like Daddy,"
Nico looked back to me and I mouthed, 'Theron,' to his unasked question.
Nodding in understanding, Nico ruffled Shane's hair again as he replied, "Yeah kid, just like daddy." Sitting back down at the table, he added, "Have a seat and relax."
"We can eat on the ship," I argued, anxious to continue our journey. "Better to get going."
Shaking his head, Nico gestured toward the chair and said, "We got the time. The only available departure time is still four hours off."
I took a deep breath and slowly let it out, before taking a second and a third. The last thing I wanted to do was wait around here. The quicker we were off this ice ball, the sooner we'd reach Odessen and my boys. The sound of the alarms going off and Theron's heart monitor flat lining still bounced around my head. I'm not sure I'd ever forget that sound.
"Jace."
"What?" I nearly growled, turning to look at Nico sitting at the table.
"Sit down and order some food for you and the kid."
"I could get us an earlier departure," I mused.
"You could," Nico agreed as he picked up a mug that was sitting on the table. He took a drink before he finished, "But you'd have to throw your name around and that would defeat the whole purpose of this little jaunt." He waved the waitress over. "Relax, take a load off, and let's eat something other than shipboard rations."
Closing my eyes, I tried to reign in my temper and push away the bad memories that were too close for comfort. I couldn't allow myself to act rashly just because I was anxious and upset. It wouldn't do anyone any good.
"Papa?" Shane nearly whispered, his tone thick with unasked questions.
Whether I wanted to wait or not, the smuggler was right. There was nothing I could do without compromising us. I didn't want to lead Saresh's agents to Odessen. "It's fine Shane," I reassured my grandson as I nodded toward the table, "Nico's right, hop up there and we'll order some food." Trying to reassure him, I smiled and added, "I know a growing boy like you is hungry."
"Yes sir," Shane agreed readily as he climbed up on the bench seat and sat down.
"What's the best thing you serve?" Nico asked the waitress as I slid onto the bench next to my grandson. "He's paying so let's not spare any expense," he said, motioning toward me.
"We serve a great ronto steak, if you don't ask where the meat came from," the young Twi'lek quipped back, "The spice cake's good too."
"Sounds good," Nico replied, finishing his drink. "The steak dinner and spice cake for dessert."
"Make it two," I said, "And an ale. Anything for my grandson?"
"We don't get many kids out here," she said, as she smiled at Shane, "But I'm sure the kitchen could scare him up a happy patty and some of the spice cake."
"Yes please," Shane answered eagerly, "And some juice."
"I can do that," she said as she started toward the kitchen door, "I'll be right back."
Just a few moments later, she returned with our drinks and sat them on the table in front of each of us. "The food will be ready shortly." She turned and left to help other patrons.
We sat quietly for a few long moments, each savoring our drinks. I lifted my mug of ale and took a long swallow, glancing at the smuggler over the rim. I locked eyes with him as I slowly lowered it back to the table. Before I could even ask my first question, Nico almost imperceptivity shook his head, his eyes cutting to Shane sitting between us. The young boy's eyes kept going back and forth between us, taking in everything. Whatever information Nico had about Theron, he obviously didn't want to share it in front of the man's young son. I suppressed a growl of impatience and took another drink of ale.
Looking at the smuggler, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, rapid fire Shane asked, "Do you still have the same ship? Is it really that fast? Are we going to ride in it? Can you show me how to fly it?"
"Slow down sport," Nico laughed affectionately at the young boy's enthusiasm. "Pick a question and we'll start from there."
"Do you have the same ship?"
"Yeah, she's sitting in the hanger."
Sitting up straighter, Shane gave the smuggler all of his attention, "So we're going to ride in it?"
"Definitely kid," Nico answered, "That's why your papa called me."
"Is it really that fast?"
"She ain't pretty but she's still the fastest ship in the sector," Nico answered with obvious pride in his voice.
Nearly vibrating with excitement, Shane asked, "Can you show me how to fly it?"
Shane loved to fly. He enjoyed everything to do with it, from the ship, the controls, to the feeling of being in the air. He spent the trip to Hoth in the cockpit. If he disappeared, I knew where to find him, sitting with the pilots.
"Sure kid," Nico smiled, relaxing in his seat. "You can be my copilot for this trip."
"Yes!" Shane nearly shouted, readying to jump down from his seat, "Let's go! I can't wait."
Grabbing his hand, I stopped Shane from moving. "Hold up young man. We have to eat first."
"But papa," Shane whined, showing his age, "I wanna see his ship."
"I know," I said, "But food first and remember we can't leave for a few hours. No use hurrying to the ship and missing a good meal. A soldier never turns down good food; never know where the next meal will come from."
"Yes sir," Shane replied, settling back on to the bench.
"Good boy," I said fondly.
The waitress arrived and refilled our drinks that were on the table in front of us and she placed a bowl full of chips down in front of Shane. "I thought you might like a little something while you waited for your patty," she said, smiling at the boy.
"Thank you!" Shane replied, happily picking up a chip and crunching into it. After eating a second, he asked, "What were you gonna do with those Sith thingies you had when Master Shan caught you." 3N1CB51D55L545467
My little boy's timing was absolutely perfect, Nico had just taken a swallow of his ale and the question caused him to choke and nearly spit it out. After sputtering for a few seconds, Nico managed to swallow the drink and wipe his mouth with the back of his hand. Before he could answer Shane's question, I asked with a smirk, "I never did get an answer to that. What were your plans for the artifacts?"
Cutting his eyes to me, Nico tried to level me with a glare. It was obvious he don't want to talk about the artifacts. The rumors were the smuggler found an artifact that kept him from aging. Just looking at him I couldn't help but wonder if it were true. He hadn't seemed to age a day.
"Artifacts?" Nico managed with a straight face, "What artifacts?"
"The ones papa and Master Shan found on your ship?"
"Nope," the smuggler denied, smirk firmly in place as he leaned back in his seat. "Nothing on board my ship, I was innocent," he said, glancing my way and quirking an eyebrow.
"That's not what papa said," Shane argued, crossing his arms across his small chest.
"He's old," Nico returned with a grin, "Memory's the first thing to go."
I watched the look of indignation pass over Shane's face. Just as he was opening his mouth to defend me, the waitress arrived with our food, making my grandson's stomach growl audibly.
"Someone's hungry," she said sweetly, placing a plate in front of Shane.
"Yes ma'am," he answered as he picked up his fork, "it smells good."
"It does," I agreed with Shane.
"Thank you," she said with a smile, as she put the rest of the plates on the table, "Can I get you anything else?"
"Not that I can think of," I replied.
"Enjoy," she said as she turned back toward the bar area, "Give me a shout if you need anything.
"Will do." Nico answered distractedly, cutting off a large hunk of steak and sticking it in his mouth.
Picking up my knife, I followed suit, cutting into it and popping a piece into my mouth. I savored the flash of flavor from that first bite. Closing my eyes, I took a moment, relaxed and allowed myself to enjoy this one small pleasure. How knows when I'd get another chance.
Conversation ebbed as we dug into our food. It was surprisingly good for a base on the back end of nowhere. For the next few minutes, the only thing breaking the silence was the scrap of utensils against the plates and the occasional sounds of us eating.
After he finished his food, Nico leaned back in his seat and stretched, interlocking his fingers behind his head. He shot a quick glance in Shane's direction. My grandson was fast asleep on the bench next to me, his head resting on my thigh. He'd finished his dinner and promptly fell asleep. It had been a long, tiring trip and with a full stomach, Shane couldn't resist the pull of slumber
"He's asleep?" Nico asked, motioning toward Shane with a nod of his head.
"Yeah," I answered, I absentmindedly carded my fingers through his dark looks in a soothing gesture.
"Gonna stay that way?"
"He should."
"Then now's the time for those questions."
"What the hells happened to my son?" I nearly growled. My worry for Theron and Zane had been growing the whole trip and I couldn't wait any longer. My conversation with Jayd had been short and lacking a lot of details. We spoke long enough for me to give my verbal consent so the doctor could operate and try to save Theron's life. After that, I'd made rushed plans to travel to Odessen and didn't have time to holo the doctor again. During the trip, we'd been traveling comms silent, hoping to throw off anyone trying to follow us.
"I don't have all the details," Nico said, finishing off his drink and flagging the waitress, "But we'll both need another for this." He motioned towards our empty glasses on the table and she nodded and head toward the bar.
"Quit stalling," I nearly snapped, eager for some answers.
"Not. After hearing what I have to say you'll want it." Taking a breath, he let it out slowly before saying, "You know Zane was injured on one of the missions to destroy the Star Fortresses?"
"No," I said, shaking my head, "I haven't heard anything." What else didn't I know?
"Yeah apparently the Commander suffered a severe concussion, broken collarbone, and separated his right shoulder during his fight with the Exarch. Not sure how it happened. Anyway, the team got him back to the ship and they made it back to Odessen. Jayd worked his magic, repairing the damage. Afterwards, Zane took a dip in a kolto tank. He was healing up and they'd removed him from the tank just before I left."
"What does this have to do with Theron's injuries?" I asked, puzzled. While I was concerned about Zane's injuries, I thought we were discussing my son.
"Everything," Nico replied, as he waited for the server to put our drinks on the table. After putting the new ones in front of us, she hurried to another table trying to get her attention. Looking around I realized they were busy in here, which was understandable, not like there were a lot of options. It was either eat in here or have rations. That's really a hard choice.
"I wasn't on the mission but I heard the Commander was injured due to the inexperience and negligence of some of the other team members." Nico picked up the glass and took a drink before continuing, "Which was bad enough but then that teammate had words with Theron on the shuttle after the pickup."
Understandable, if Zane was injured because someone wasn't doing his job, Theron would be furious. He had a low tolerance for stupidity at the best of times, and this sounded like anything but…
"Anyway, they made it back to Odessen and Jayd saw to Zane's injuries. We didn't see much of Theron until the Commander was taken out of the kolto tank," Nico continued, "While he was getting Zane settled, Jayd sent Theron to clean up and eat."
"I'm confused, how was Theron hurt?"
"Getting there, getting there," Nico said. "There was a confrontation between the kid that got Zane hurt, Samgir I think, and Theron. Not sure what was said or by whom but it came to blows. The other guy's friends were there and they ganged up on your kid, beating the stuffing out of him. A Zakulan named Vortana came to Theron's aid, took on the goons."
This time I couldn't stop the growl. When I got my hands on them I vowed to myself, they'd regret it. "So, this Samgir is responsible," I managed.
"Somewhat," he agreed, staring me from underneath his hat, "But that's not the worst of it."
"Tell me," I rumbled, my anger quickly building.
"A force wave swept across the room knocking people apart, think she was trying to end the battle quickly. Your boy wasn't ready for it. Got knocked around good and thrown into some broken furniture. He was impaled on some of the debris."
"What?!" I demanded. Theron was fighting for his life because a fight in the cafeteria on base, some place he should've been safe?! I was furious. Someone would answer for this.
"Through and through, in the back and out near his belly button," Nico explained, taking another sip. "Blood was everywhere and on everyone. I'm surprised he made it to the med bay but he did. You heard the rest."
"His heart stopped," I commented incredulously Taking a deep breath, I tried to reign in my thoughts and emotions. This was…kriff…this situation was just fracked up.
"Yeah but the doc got it started again and took him to surgery," Nico, twirling the empty mug on the table between his hands. "He was still in surgery when I left a few hours later. H was listed in stable but grave condition. You know the rest."
Leaning back against the seat, I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. How did these things happen to Theron?
"Frack," I mumbled. Someone was going to answer for this. After a few moments I thought of something and asked, "Jedi or Sith?"
"What?"
"The force wave," I explained, "Who did it? Jedi or Sith?"
"Does it matter?"
"Maybe, maybe not but I want to know," I demanded. If a Sith Lord hurt my boy…
"Sith," Nico admitted, "The force wave was Beniko's doing."
A pulse of rage passed through me. I slammed my balled fists on to the tabletop and started to jump up from the table. I was stopped by a groan of protest and Shane snuggling closer to me. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly and carded a hand through Shane's hair, slowly calming each of us. "Shhhh, it's ok."
He let out a contented sigh, stuck his thumb into his mouth, and fell deeper into slumber.
"If it helps, I don't think it was intentional. She just didn't think."
"They never do," I mumbled. Force users were notorious for not thinking through of the consequences of their actions and it was usually non-Force users that paid the price. "I'm ready to get out of here, let's head to the ship," I suggested, as I got the Twi'lek server's attention.
She hurried over to the table and asked, "Anything else gentlemen?"
"Just the tab," I replied. She handed it to me and I gave her the appropriate number of credits. When she tried to hand some back, I said, "Keep the change."
"Thank you!" she answered with a smile, her lekku twirling as she hurried away.
I carefully lifted up Shane until his head was resting on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around him and stood up. Shane snuggled his face into the crook of my neck. Though he'd been good, the trip had been long and exhausting for a small boy. I adjusted him again, making sure I had a good hold of him. All I needed was to drop Shane…
"Ready?" Nico asked, standing next to me.
"Lead the way," I said. I followed him out the door of the cantina and deeper into the base. We were on to the next part of our journey and one step closer to my son. Just hold on Theron…
TBC