Chapter 10

Jacen entered the Council Chambers to find all ten of the council members in residence on Coruscant present. The Solusars were there via the HoloNet and Jacen instantly knew something must have happened, something important.

He bowed as the others acknowledged him and he took his seat beside Corran Horn. The older Master looked at Jacen and Jacen couldn't help the feeling of sight dread that went through him. It had been the first time since he and Jysella began seeing each other that Jacen ran into her father. He swallowed as he considered what his biggest opponent on the Council would have to say to him about dating his only daughter.

However, Jacen and Corran's attention was pulled away from each other and to Luke who opened the meeting by announcing, "The Council has just received word that terrorists attacked the government complex on Bastion and three Moffs and several others of the Remnant government have been killed."

Jacen along with everyone else was shocked. He was the first to speak up, "Is anyone taking responsibility?"

Luke met his nephew's eyes with a bewildered look, "Unfortunately, yes."

"Who is it?" asked Octa Ramis from her seat beside Kyp Durron.

Luke swallowed and went on, "The report is that a group of Jedi did it."

Kyp, Kyle Katran and Corran all responded incredulously in unison, "What?"

Jacen shook his head. This wasn't making any sense. "Surely, the Remnant isn't believing this report. What of Admiral Pelleaon? Has anyone spoken with him?"

Several of the others began murmuring their agreement with Jacen's questions but no one seemed to be offering any answers. Then Luke held up his hand and demanded quiet. After everyone settled down he began, "Admiral Pelleaon left for Bastion as soon as the report came in. Chief of State Omas is also on his way there with him. I will be leaving also in a few hours along with Mara and Leia. I spoke briefly with Chief Omas and assured him that all the Jedi Knights are accounted for and that none of them would do such a thing." Then he paused and looked at each member.

Corran who was looking at his hands as if in thought, looked up and said, "I think we should recall all Jedi who are not on vital missions until this is resolved. There are many in the Remnant who do not trust or like the Jedi and would readily agree with this accusation."

Jacen shook his head, "I don't agree. I think we need to stay out there, stay focused on what we are doing. If we pull back our Knights many may think we are scheming and are guilty."

"I agree with Jacen," Kyp Durron piped in. Jacen and Kyp often found themselves on the same side ironically when dealing with Corran Horn and Kenth Hamner. "We need to continue our mandate to the galaxy. If we pull everyone back to here or Ossus, it could give credence to those who really did this."

"But not removing Knights that are not vital to operations, could endanger Knights and their missions," Kenth countered.

Kyle who was rubbing his jaw in thought looked up and proposed, "I think both positions are somewhat correct. I think we should leave all Knights in the field but we shouldn't send any more out, unless absolutely necessary. Of those who are out there, they should be instructed to stay vigilant for any thing unusual. This could be just the thing the terrorists who did this are looking for. They want to disrupt the galaxy's trust in the Jedi, by removing Knights from the field we are giving the message that we may not be trusted or worse we are cowards. However, sending out more missions may look like we are trying to do something sinister. But I do think we need to send a team to Bastion along with the Masters Skywalker and Princess Leia." Then he looked at Jacen, "Master Solo, you have always been admired by Admiral Pelleaon; therefore, I feel that you should also go. Along with your Apprentice."

Several of the other Masters began to agree with Katran. Luke included, "I agree with Kyle. And with your knowledge we may be able to figure out who would do this and blame the Jedi."

Jacen swallowed, he really didn't want to go on such an important mission. Failure in this could bring about a war between the Remnant and the GA, which was the last thing either government needed. Jacen finally said, "I'll go, but I feel Knight Jysella Horn would also be good to have on this mission. She has proven her skill and ability in mediation on Kuat."

Corran bristled at this. He looked at Jacen and quite coldly asked, "You are not suggesting this for purely personal reasons, are you? Jysella has only been on one such mission which was Kuat. But one successful mission does not make her an expert."

Jacen couldn't believe Corran would down Jysella's skill so much, "Master Horn, Jysella is a very capable Knight. She is smart and talented. Her empathy makes her see things that may not be detected otherwise and she can quickly soothe harsh feelings. She is perfect as a mediator and I feel it important that she participate in this." Jacen paused a moment and then went on, "Jysella is totally neutral in this. Some in the Remnant government blame Master Skywalker and my parents for their demise. I receive some of this resentment simply because of who I am related to, as does Ben. Master Jade Skywalker is considered by some as a traitor to their cause. Jysella is young and unknown. She can be trusted because of this."

Corran still wasn't buying the argument, "Ahh…I may not have helped blow up Death Stars, but I was in Rogue Squadron at the very end, Jacen, and I did my share of damage to the Empire as a Rogue. Jysella wouldn't be considered as innocent as you proclaim."

"True," Cilghal spoke for the first time, "but I think Master Solo does have a point. Knight Horn and Apprentice Skywalker both represent the next generation, if you will. They were shaped more by the unity of the galaxy to the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong then they are by any lingering hate towards the Remnant. I think she should also be assigned."

Within moments Corran's argument was quickly thrown out and Jysella was also given the task of investigating the attack and mediating the fallout from it.

The meeting finally adjourned several hours after its commencement and Jacen was tired. They would be leaving for Bastion tomorrow afternoon. The chambers quickly emptied and Jacen too wanted to leave, but Corran's voice stopped him. "Solo, I want to talk to you."

Jacen straightened and turned to face the older man. Jacen didn't miss the lack of the honorific and what it meant, Corran hadn't wanted Jacen to be promoted to Master. The older Jedi didn't think he was ready. "Master Horn, what can I do for you?" Jacen knew what was coming. It was probably the sole reason Corran was so against Jysella going on this mission with him, which had nothing at all to do with her skill as a Jedi.

Corran looked back to were Luke, Mara and two other Masters were still conversing about the day's events. He looked back at Jacen with cold green eyes that Jacen realized were very much like Jysella's in color. Corran then nodded toward the door and said, "In my office, please."

Jacen fell into step with the Master and a tense silence enveloped them as they headed to Corran's office. Once inside the space that was very similar in size to Jacen's own, Corran turned and faced the younger man.

"I will not beat around the bush, Solo, I'm not pleased in your interest in my daughter. For one thing she is too young for you. Secondly, I don't think you are right for her."

Jacen swallowed hard and made sure his shields were as tight as he could get them. "Master Horn, I'm sorry that you feel this way. Jysella and I have—developed a relationship and I think we both are interested in seeing where it goes. As for her being too young for me, I disagree. She is a very mature woman and I think she is quite capable of making her own decisions about who she spends her time with."

Corran showed no signs of backing down; if anything he looked like a rancor protecting it's young. "I just don't want to see her get hurt. I know about the rumors, Jacen. I know you spend a lot of time on Hapes."

Jacen nearly gasped and he felt his stomach do a flop. How in the galaxy could Horn know this? He quickly covered any nervousness and swallowed the lump in his throat, "I won't deny that the Queen Mother and I are still friends. We have been through a great deal together. But she is nothing more than a friend."

Corran glared at Jacen as he turned away and went to lean against his desk. Then with arms folded over the dark Corellian green robe at his chest he met Jacen's gaze again and with a smirk he answered Jacen's silent question, "You seem to forget that before I was a member of the Rogues and a Jedi, I was a CorSec operative. I still have friends out there, Solo. I know about the rumors from Hapes that you and Tenel Ka are more than just friends."

Jacen couldn't believe this, but he hid any of his unease behind an impassive mask and countered with a smirk of his own, "Then, Master Horn, you should know that you can't always believe rumors. If you believe all the rumors from Hapes, some of them even proclaim me as the Princess's father which is impossible. I would think that you would be more judicious."

Corran stood than and came face to face with Jacen. With a scowl that Jacen had never seen on the older man's face in all the years he had known him, Jysella's father said, his voice low, "I'm just warning you, Solo, if you ever purposely hurt her I'll kill you."

Jacen didn't allow himself to be intimidated; he simply smiled and said, "Those are awful dark words, Master Horn."

Corran didn't budge either, "Yes they may be, but I won't allow you to hurt her. You just remember that."

Jacen met the older man's glare and responded the only way possible, "I would never do anything to harm Jysella. She is too important to me. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get ready for my mission." And with that Jacen left Corran's office.

Once he made his way back to his quarters, Jacen allowed the shock of what happened descend on him. He knew now that he had to be even more careful when it came to Tenel Ka and Allana. Corran was suspicious and that was dangerous. Jacen wouldn't allow Jysella's father the opportunity to ruin his happiness or his daughter's safety. He wouldn't.

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