A/N: Hey all! Thanks for your patience. I just lost inspiration for this story and writing period. It's taken a while to get back into it. but I'm slowly starting to get back into my writing. Hopefully you'll see more from me, a whole lot quicker.

Taking Down a Fortress

Chapter 14

Jace's POV

"Redshifter you're cleared for landing on pad #2."

Standing in the cockpit door, I found my grandson sitting in the copilot seat with a headset on. He keyed up the communicator and answered, "Roger that control. We're beginning our descent now."

"Copy that Redshifter."

The voice clicked off and another voice could be heard through the speaker. "Need to be careful with those relics Nico. Don't watch it and you'll need someone to change your diapers."

Shane erupted into giggles while Nico keyed up his headset. "You're just jealous Varga. I'll still be chasing the nurses while you're lying in a biobed waiting for one to change your adult nappie."

"Okarr," a voice growled before the smuggler clicked the channel open again.

"See you in ten. Redshifter out."

"Control out," the original voice answered.

"That was soooo cool Mr. Nico," Shane said, nearly vibrating in his seat with excitement. "I've never talked with flight control before!"

"Ya did good kid," the smuggler answered as he reached out and ruffled my grandson's hair. "And just Nico is fine."

"Papa says I should always respect my elders."

Stepping into the cockpit, I reassured my boy. "If he's given you permission, it's fine Shane."

"Papa!" Turning in his seat, Shane grinned at me. "Nico's letting me help him fly the ship!"

"And you're following his directions?" I asked.

"Yes sir!"

"Kid's a natural born pilot," Nico complimented Shane, his hands moving expertly across the console in front of him. "Already listens and flies better than some fully grown pilots I've flown with."

"It's really easy!" Shane enthused before launching into a full explanation of how to fly the ship, complete with arm waving and hand gestures. "But Nico said I can't fly the 'Shifter without him," he finished seriously.

"A natural," Nico reiterated.

"Sounds like you've learned a lot."

"Yes sir."

"Good, I'm glad but now it's time to grab your pack and get ready for our landing planet side."

"But Nico said he'd let me help land the ship," Shane protested, an almost whine coloring his tone.

"Shane," I started.

Before I could answer, Nico contributed, "Figured I could use a copilot this run, help me land the ship and run through proper shutdown procedures ground side." Glancing back, the smuggler caught my eyes, suddenly serious. "I already contacted the doc. He'll meet you on the dock. Thought I'd keep Shane with me, teach him what I know and we'd catch up with you later."

What he left unsaid—his offer allowed me to meet with Jayd without worrying about what young ears may overhear. Better that Shane wasn't with me the first time I talked with the doctor. We'd been out of touch for longer than I liked and if Theron has taken a turn for the worst or gods forbid, died, I wanted a chance to prepare my grandson for the news, not spring it on him unaware. "You'll listen to Nico and do as he tells you?"

"Yes sir."

"And you promise to be good?"

"Yes sir," Shane replied seriously. "I promise papa."

"Good boy," I said, ruffling his hair again. Glancing back to Nico, I nodded. "Thanks man."

Nico returned the gesture and turned back to the console in front of him. "Shall we land this thing kid?"

"Yeah!"

Knowing I was leaving Shane in good hands, I turned to leave. Before I got out of the cockpit, Nico said, "Leave the gear. Kid and I will make sure it gets where it needs to go before we grab some refreshments in the cantina."

"Nico…," I sighed.

"No worries," he laughed, "Alcoholic for me and something more kid friendly for my new copilot."

With a snort of amusement, I just shook my head and walked out. I was fairly confident that Nico knew better than to give alcohol to my grandson. Or at least I hoped so for his sake.

Purely out of habit, after stepping off the ship, I surveyed the area looking for any possible threats. I saw the doctor waiting near the entrance to the docking bay. He was leaning against the bulkhead, arms crossed over his chest. "Jayd," I called out, striding toward the doctor.

"Jace," he answered, grasping my hand and pulling me into a back slapping hug. "How was the trip?"

"Long-too long," I released his hand and stepped back. Unable to wait for answers any longer I got straight to the point. "How's Theron?"

My heart constricted and plummeted into my stomach when Jayd refused to meet my eyes or look at me. The silence seemed to stretch out between us until the doctor finally broke it. Taking a deep breath, he let it out and said, "Come on, let's go to my office."

Shaking my head, I took a step back and steeled myself against an answer that had the power to break me. "Just," I ground out the words, "tell me."

Dragging a hand through already messy hair, Jayd took a breath and let it out with a whoosh before he finally spoke. "I'd rather do this in my office."

"Jayd, quit avoiding the question."

"I'm sorry," he started but I didn't hear anything else as a black haze filled my brain and blocked out everything else.

Theron?! Not my son-not Theron. He couldn't be dead. I'd barely gotten a chance to know him and now he was gone? It felt like my heart exploded in my chest, the pain unbearable.

"Jace, dammit!"

I couldn't stop the growl in the back of my throat or the cold fury that washed over me.. He was supposed to be safe on this base, among comrades, friends even. Now he was dead and there would be hell to pay. A certain Sith Lord wouldn't know what hit her. Accident or not, I'll be damned if I'd let a Sith get away with harming my boy.

"Jace!"

Theron...my son…

"Damn it Jace," I heard a voice say with a threatening growl of its own, "I swear if you punch something again and break your hand, I won't fix it this time."

"Don't say things you don't mean," I said, finally turning my attention to the other man, "You'd fix it."

"I would," he relented with a small smile, "but I'd have to kick your ass later." The doctor has never allowed my size or reputation to intimidate him, something I greatly appreciated about him. The smile slipped from his face as he asked, "You ready to listen to me now?

"Just tell me." I mentally prepared myself,. "Save the details for the office."

"He's alive."

I closed my eyes and lowered my head. "Thank the gods," I mumbled, offering thanks to the deities I wasn't sure I believed in anymore.

"I'm not sure how," he continued, shaking his head, "but he's still alive and fighting." Motioning toward the exit with a tilt of his head, "Follow me."

"Lead the way."

Without another word the doctor turned and headed for the door. I followed him into the corridor and across the base. I kept my eyes on Jayd's back and did my best to ignore the surprised, shocked, and suspicious looks and whispers that followed in my wake from Republic and Imperial soldiers alike. None of it mattered at the moment. The only thing that did was getting to the med bay as quickly as possible.

After a short walk, that seemed unreasonably long, we stopped at the medical center doors. "My office is inside," Jayd said as the doors swooshed open and we heard sounds of a struggle and raised voices.

"Where is he?" an angry voice could be heard demanding over the others.

"Commander, I must insist you stay in bed," another said loudly, avoiding the question, "Doctor's orders."

"Frack doctor's orders." A crash was heard before the voice was back, angrier and louder, "Where...is... Theron?" He enunciated each word.

"Blast!" Jayd cursed as headed toward the disturbance.

"What's going on?" I asked, following on the doctor's heels.

"Zane's awake."

"He was still out?" I asked, concern for my son's partner surging through me, even as the shouting grew louder.

"With his head injury, I kept him sedated until you got here, just in case," he explained, leaving the worst unsaid. We rounded a corner and the voices got louder.

"Commander, get back in bed," was heard above the din. "Or we'll be forced to sedate you."

Bad idea…

"Move," Zane growled low and menacing. I recognized the tone. I'd used it once, two or a hundreds of times on my enemies. It boded bad things for whomever it was refusing to get out of his way.

"Comman…," someone was interrupted by the sound of a fist hitting flesh and a hard exhale, "oooff," amd someone falling to the floor.

The already volatile situation seemingly spiraled out of control after that. I could hear the sounds of a brawl, pushing and shoving, cries of pain, and shouts for help could be heard down the hall. Finally an alarm could be heard.

"Pig headed trooper," Jays muttered as he broke into a jog.I was a few steps behind the doctor as he stepped into the room and out of my view.

"Enough," Jayd tried to take command of the situation, "back in bed Commander."

Unfortunately, no one heard him over the as I stepped through the doorway, Jayd was pulled into the melee by a hand. The situation was quickly getting dangerous. Zane was a highly trained, elite soldier. He was used to overcoming overwhelming odds and a few medical personnel wouldn't stop him. Someone could be seriously injured or killed. This needed to stop...now.

In my loudest drill sergeant voice, "Trooper!" I commanded with as much power as possible. "Attention!"

My words had the desired effect. Utter silence filled the room as the argument abruptly ended and all the soldiers snapped to attention, including Jayd. Every soldier was taught—-obey the drill sergeant.

Shaking his head in amusement, Jayd gave me a relieved smile, and said, "Thanks Jace."

With his back to me, Zane hadn't seen me enter the room. Like the other soldiers, he unconsciously snapped to attention but after recognizing my voice, he slowly turned to look at me. "Supreme Commander?" his tone colored with confusion.

I met his gaze, my own eyes reflecting some of his perplexity, "It's just Jace, son."

"Jace," taking a step toward me, "What are you doing here?" He looked around again and asked, "Where's Theron?" his voice trailing off with my son's name, almost like he was finally putting the pieces of the puzzle together and didn't like the image was showing him.

Ignoring his questions for now, I stepped toward the other man and gently grasped his upper arm, and tried to guide him towards the bed. "Let's sit down."

He allowed me to guide him for a few steps before he stopped and pulled out of my hold. He took a step away and asked again, "Theron," his breathing growing more rapid and shallow as his anxiety skyrocketed. "If you're here," he managed between ragged breaths, "then is he... ," Zane trailed off, shaking his head. He took another step back and tried to sit down on the edge of the bed but missed, sliding to the floor instead, dazed and devastated. He finally reached the only conclusion that he could with the information that he had. Theron wasn't here, I was and no one would tell him what was going on. .

"Oh god. Dead—Theron's dead."

A/N: I'd planned on adding more but this was just to perfect a place to stop. Evil cliffie! MAhAHAHA!