Chapter 6: Test of Faith
Jaina fought hard to keep the tears from her eyes, but couldn't quite manage it. They streamed down her face like rivers, falling off her chin and staining her shirt. She didn't care.
"Mommy," Hanna asked softly, as if she was afraid to speak.
Jaina looked down at her daughter, who was struggling to keep up with her anxious adult strides. She made and effort to slow down. "Yes, Hanna?" she asked, forcing her voice to be steady and strong for her child. Their child.
"Mommy," she repeated, this time a slight tremor to the word, "why are you crying? Why did those men take Daddy away?"
Jaina squeezed her tiny hand as another set of tears slipped out of her eyes. Not sure how to comfort her, she lifted her into her arms and carried her the rest of the way to the turbolift. An ensign tried to catch a ride to the hangar with them, but Jaina shooed him away. They didn't need an audience. "Hanna," she began quietly, "there are some really important things Mommy has to take care of. I need you to be a very, very good girl the next few hours, okay? Can you do that for me?"
She nodded, burying her wet face in Jaina's neck. But soon the weight became too much for Jaina's pregnant body to carry, and she was forced to set her back on her own two feet. The turbolift door opened suddenly, and Jaina strode through, pulling Hanna along. Her ship—their ship—stood out in stark contrast to the TIE fighters, it's sleek silver hull gleaming and polished. The Always, Jag had named it.
Jaina blinked, unwilling to shed another useless tear. Did she really know it was that bad? Maybe Jag was right, it was all a misunderstanding. And maybe it wasn't.
What if, just what if the man she loved had betrayed the New Republic? Wasn't it a big coincidence, when he had just returned from the Chiss Ascendancy, the place where his family all lived? Perhaps they had convince him to defect, again. Perhaps that was what he had wanted to talk to her about, not their failing marriage.
No. She wouldn't think that, not ever again. She had been close to a lot of people in her life, including a twin brother, but there was no one that she knew better than Jagged Fel. He loved her, loved Hanna and their unborn son. No matter what his parents might have said, he wouldn't do that to them. He just wouldn't.
Resolutely she wiped away the last of her tears as she strapped Hanna into the booster seat behind the pilot's chair. She would get to the bottom of this. And luckily for her, she knew just how.
She lifted out of the hangar without waiting for clearance, heading straight for Coruscant's senatorial district. Flying calmed her down a bit, as it always had. It had been her escape for as long as she could remember. Even though she had been raised by Luke Skywalker, a pilot in his own right, she knew the love for deep space and pilot's yoke was her father's legacy. She had spent most of her life resenting Han Solo, and only now, years after his death, did she realize how much like him she really was.
She cast a glance over her shoulder at Hanna, who was swinging her legs aimlessly and watching the ships in the spacelanes around them. That wouldn't happen to her baby. She would know who her parents were, how much they loved her. This new problem, it threatened that. Only another reason she would crush it like a snake in its egg, before it could be born in truth.
Once she broke atmosphere Jaina flicked the comm switch and began hailing her brother. She started to call Jacen, but he had enough problems. In the end, it was Anakin who answered. "Jaina?" he asked immediately, seeing the nervous lines in her face. Even as he spoke she felt him reach out in the Force, trying to soothe whatever affliction she was under. Bright blue eyes peered out from under shaggy brown hair, his handsome features completely matured, now nineteen years of age.
"I have a problem, Ani," she began without preamble. "Can you meet me at Uncle Luke's landing pad? I need someone to babysit Hanna."
"Yeah, sure," he said with a frown. "What's wrong, can I help?"
Jaina rested her head in her hand, blinking hard against tears. "Jag just came back from Csilla. He had only stepped off the shuttle, and these security officers shackled him up like a common criminal, accusing him of treason—Anakin I think I'm having a nervous breakdown."
"Okay, whoa, calm down," he said. "Are you sure it's not a mistake?"
"How could it be a mistake?" she practically shouted. Then, remembering Hanna could hear she continued more softly, "I don't have time for this. Just meet me there, okay?"
Anakin nodded solemnly. "Of course. But why can't she be with you?"
Jaina took a deep shuddering breath. "Because I don't want her to be there when I kill our mother."
The penthouse Leia Organa Solo had lived in with Jaina's father had been one of those destroyed during the short Yuuzhan Vong occupation of Coruscant. Since then, the New Republic Chief of State and President of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances had moved a block closer to the Senate Building and gone twenty floors higher, now owning the entire 1691st floor and the open-air gardens on the roof. Jaina rarely visited Leia, and when she did it was because Leia had asked to see her granddaughter. But this time, she thought as she rode the turbolift towards he mother, she had a purpose of her own.
It wasn't that she thought the Chief of State had set her husband up. No, she rather liked Jag, actually. It was instead that the imprisonment of such a high-ranking official would not have gone unnoticed by her office. And the actual arrest would have to have been authorized because technically, Jag wasn't under New Republic jurisdiction. He was, however, a part of the Galactic Alliance, and as a part of that governing body any action against either the Empire or the New Republic was considered treasonous. Still, you couldn't bring to charges someone from a different government without risking political chaos, and would have to be handled delicately from a high office. And yet, Leia hadn't so much as dropped Jaina a warning. The right thing to do, in Jaina's opinion, would have been to have an actual talk with her, explain the charges and reasons behind them—all of which were still unbeknownst to Jaina. The motherly thing to do would have been to try to reason the military into investigating in private, and let Jag keep his freedom while they did so. None of that had been done.
The door swished aside, revealing the plush and elaborate living room of the aristocratic suite. Jaina moved inside, disabled the security droid with a flick of her hand, and called, "Mother?"
For a moment, there was no reply. "Mother!" she called again.
"Jaina?"
She spun to the left, the direction the voice was coming from. Leia appeared from the adjacent room, a wary smile on her face. It whithered under Jaina's look. "Why is my husband in prison?"
Leia winced, as if the words had been a physical blow. "Sit down, Jaina, and let me explain."
"Explain why you couldn't even let me know that you were about to bring charges against the man I love?" she ground out, fists clenched. Forcibly, she loosened them. Somehow she had to stop being so tense. This couldn't possibly be good for the baby.
Leia retreated behind her sabaac face, the one so carefully learned from her late husband and perfected by years in politics. "Sit."
Stiffly, trembling with anger and distress, Jaina sat.
Leia sat down elegantly across from her, the epitome of poise and composition. "Now calm down a bit and let me explain. Two days ago the Renegade sent a distress call from the Ylian Corridor, saying they had come under fire from an Imperial Star Destroyer. We sent reinforcements, but by the time we got there they had been destroyed."
"Completely?" Jaina interrupted, a sick feeling clutching at her heart.
"No," Leia shook her head. "Some areas of the cruiser had been partitioned off in airlocks, and people survived, including a few snubfighters. The recordings from all those remaining ships were sent immediately here. The attacking Star Destroyer had been identified as the Valorous and Jag as its captain. From what we've managed to glean, all evidence shows that Imperial forces fired first."
Jaina's anger had frozen into an icy ache, every beat of her heart painful and squeezed from glaciated arteries. "That doesn't tell me why you didn't inform me about any of this. How do you think Hanna felt, watching her father be put in binders and led off like a criminal?"
Leia winced again, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't have any direct contact or authority over the time or place of the arrest. And I wasn't sure what to tell you. Jaina, it was only confirmed that the ship was the Valorous yesterday evening, and I've spent the past few days in a panic over the political repercussions. The New Republic can't afford a war with the Empire, which is what the families of those killed will want, along with others."
Jaina looked at her hands, still skeptical. She found it hard to believe that of Jag. He wouldn't have killed or assaulted anyone without being provoked. But she knew him well enough to know he would have defended himself and his men. He was staunchly patriotic, and wouldn't have suffered the hostility towards the officers, pilots, and soldiers who trusted in him.
"There's more," Leia whispered hesitantly.
Jaina looked up, knowing she didn't want to hear but understanding that she had to. "Tell me."
She took a deep breath and blew it out. "This is less about Jag and more about New Republic and Imperial relations. The Alliance has really opened the communication lines between us, and things have gone well till now. But in the end, this is about aggressive action between two nations. That could probably have been handled, but Pellaeon and the Moff Council deny all involvement and refuse to accept responsibility. They won't admit that Jag was under their legal power and so under their orders, making them responsible. Which in turn has, unfortunately, created new allegations against Jag personally. It brings up questions about whether he was under someone else's orders or not."
Jaina was numb all over. It was a feeling somewhat akin to that she had had on Csilla years ago, stranded in a blizzard. The same hazy half-alertness as you descended into temperature-induced unconsciousness. "What are you saying?" she whispered, clutching the folds of the plush chair tightly in both fists.
Leia looked genuinely sorry, which was odd enough in itself, but Jaina still steeled herself for the worst. "He was en route from Csilla, Jaina, a region that he must have a deep loyalty to. For something like this to happen as he's leaving seems hardly coincidental."
Jaina stood suddenly, turning to hide her fearful tears. "No," she told her, surprised at how confident she sounded. "I won't believe it. He loves me. He loves the Empire. Jag wouldn't do that."
"Jaina, just because he loves you, that doesn't mean he wouldn't go back to the CEDF. They could have asked him to do this. Things haven't been great between the New Republic and the Ascendancy since the two of you defected, this could be their way of announcing war..."
"No!" she snapped. "You don't understand. He can't go to the Ascendancy and still expect to stay married to me. I'm banned from Chiss space, Mother. I wouldn't be able to follow him."
Leia pursed her lips, but showed no sign of reneging on her claims. "I have no proof either way. That is why we are launching an investigation."
Jaina closed her eyes and stretched out to the Force. When she opened them again, she had her answer. "I will stand by him. Until there is proof otherwise, I refuse to believe that he did this thing you claim. But thank you for answering my questions. I'll probably be back to see you on the matter."
Leia nodded, but made no move to rise and walk her to the door. Jaina let herself out.
"Did you or did you not engage in aggressive action against a New Republic military force?"
Jag looked up at the interrogator, chafed by his incompetence and stupidity. For one, Jag had no respect for such a pitiful excuse for an inquisitor. Two, he persisted in repeating the same questions Jag had already answered, as if they would change. And three, the line of questioning was getting them nowhere. They were wasting his time, when he should be at home explaining everything to Jaina and hoping she understood.
He resorted to sighing and rolling his eyes, folding his arms across his chest. "I think we've already established the answer to that question, Captain."
He glanced up from the piece of flimsi he was reading. "Yes or no will suffice, General."
"Yes."
The man leaned forward, placing his hands palm down on the table separating them, the position making his gut hang over his belt. "And did you or did you not take part in treasonous plotting against the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances?"
Jag stared at him blankly. "Where do you all come up with this stuff?"
"Yes or no, General," he growled, this time less lenient.
"No," he said carefully, enunciating the word insolently.
"Then why do we have a video and voice recording of you ordering your pilots to open fire on the Renegade?"
"How many times do I have to tell you this?" he exclaimed throwing up his hands. "They fired on us. My men were under fire. I had no choice but to allow them to defend themselves."
"Not according to our records, General," he replied smugly. "The first shot fired came from an Imperial TIE fighter."
"That's a blatant lie," he stated flatly.
The man waved the disc in front of his face. "We're the ones with proof, General. We're going to need something more substantial than your word."
"Ask my men, any of them," Jag suggested.
"Oh, we plan to. Not that we expect to find anything different. They'll no doubt have been instructed to protect their captain."
Jag eyed him contemptuously. "I want out of here. There is no call for this. The Grand Admiral will not stand for—"
"I don't give a flying kriff what your admiral will want," he replied snidely.
Very slowly, Jag leaned forward and replied with complete calm, "You'll come to regret you ever said that."
"We'll see," he smirked. Suddenly he frowned and touched the comlink embedded in his ear. He cast a glance at the far wall, which was clearly two-sided glass where his superiors looked in but Jag couldn't see them. Sighing, the Captain turned back to Jag. "They seem to think we're going to get nothing further out of you today." As he spoke, the door opened and two armed guards stepped inside. "These fine men will escort you back to your cell."
"Now wait a minute!" Jag exclaimed. "I'm not spending the night in this place."
"I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice, General. Perhaps a night in your cell will make you a little more cooperative tomorrow."
Not quite able to believe what was happening, Jag followed the guards out the door and back towards his cubicle.
"Well, Miss Quee, I think you would be an excellent addition to this facility's staff. Your credentials are excellent, and you certainly seem to know what you're doing. Welcome aboard."
Danni smiled gratefully, an exhilarating drive making her heart race. She had been so preoccupied with half-hearted Jedi training and Jacen the past few years she had neglected to retain a steady job. But it was time for her to become independent again, and move on with her life. Jacen Solo was her past, and this lab job was her future. At least, for a while. "Thank you, Doctor. When do I start?"
"Tomorrow, if you can," the smiling young woman replied. "I could definitely use the help around here."
Danni opened her mouth to reply, but stopped as one of their comlinks started going off. "It's mine," Danni said, holding up her hand as she pulled the small cylinder from her pocket. "I'm terribly sorry, this shouldn't take long. Danni here."
"Danni?" an all-too familiar voice returned. Danni closed her eyes and took a long, slow breath.
"Jacen, what do you want? I'm busy."
"You can't come by and get your stuff tonight, I have to go help Jaina. Anakin called like five minutes ago and said I really need to come over, he had a feeling she was going to need us both there."
"Is everything okay?" She immediately cursed her own curiosity, reminding herself that they weren't her problem any more, no longer her family. Just Jacen's.
"I'm not sure, but I think Anakin said something like Jag's in jail."
"Jag's in jail?" she asked, incredulous.
"I think so."
"Well. Just let me know when a good time to come get everything is. And tell Jaina I'm terribly sorry."
"All right," he replied, and then was gone.
Danni looked back up at the doctor, who suddenly looked a shade or two paler. "I'm awfully sorry, that was my ex-boyfriend. I was supposed to come pick up my things from his apartment tonight, but there was some sort of family emergency—"
"I'm sorry," she interrupted, "but I could help overhearing. Did you say Jag Fel was in jail?"
Danni felt a crease form between her eyes. "Yes. Why, do you know him?"
She nodded slowly, looking highly stressed. "A little bit. I treated his brother."
"Oh," Danni said, things clicking into place. "So you're that Dr. Banks."
"Call me Ismene," she smiled, regaining some of her color. "We're colleges now, after all."
"Of course. I'm Danni."
"I'm very pleased to have you aboard, Danni. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tell me what to do. Someone tell me what to do," Jaina demanded of her brothers, who sat as if two opposite corners of the triangle they formed around the table. Hanna sat on Anakin's lap, playing with the buttons on his jacket.
"Jaina, I'm not sure there's anything you can do," he told her.
"There has to be something," she said, feeling helplessly pent up. She had the uncontrollable urge to do something, and yet there was nothing.
"You need to talk to Jag, for one thing," Jacen said.
"I know," she groaned. "But I admit I'm not looking forward to it. I'm afraid of what he'll say."
"Don't be," Jacen instructed. "Whatever happens, I know he didn't abandon you. He loves you far too much."
"I hope you're right," she sighed.
"We are," Anakin stated flatly. "Why don't you go see Jag, and when you come back we'll help you do whatever you need."
She smiled minutely. "Thank you, both of you." She went over and kissed the top of Hanna's head, ruffling her hair playfully. "I'll be back soon, sweetie."
She looked up at her mother with hopeful eyes. "Daddy too?"
Jaina forced a smile. "Let's hope so."
It had taken an hour of bickering, a comm call to the Chief of State, and a little Force persuasion, but Jaina finally managed to haggle herself a minute or two with Jag. They led her to a small room divided in half by a wall about a meter high and one huge piece of glass. There was a small seating area—basically a shelf-like table and a chair—on either side of the glass, and Jaina took a seat. A few minutes later, the door on the other side of the glass opened, and Jag stepped through. He had been dressed in a standard navy blue jumpsuit, but thankfully was no longer in binders. He smiled minutely when he saw her, but didn't speak until all doors had been closed and it was just the two of them.
"I can explain," he began.
Jaina shook her head, looking at her hands. "I already know."
"They shot first, I swear it. You know—Jaina, you know I wouldn't do that. They killed one of my pilots. They killed him! What was I supposed to do?"
"I believe you."
Her admission seemed to take him slightly aback. "You do?"
Jaina forced a smile. Even if she wasn't as confident as she sounded, he needed her to be supportive. As hard as it was on her, she could only imagine what he must be feeling. "There are so few things in this universe I can trust in anymore, Jag. I can trust in the Force. I can trust in the Empire. But most importantly I'd like to think I can trust in you."
He looked away, his scar standing out in stark contrast to his unusually pale face. "Where did we go wrong, Jaina?"
At that moment she felt more wretched than she had all day, but suddenly tears wouldn't come. In the privacy of her ship where there was no one to judge except Hanna, who felt the same about her unconditionally, tears were able to flow. But in this visiting room, where at least a dozen guards were certainly watching and a husband she wasn't sure she knew anymore...crying wasn't an option. She looked at her hands, once never seen without a caked layer of dirt from various mechanic jobs, now soft, clean, and neatly trimmed. It had been a long time since she had felt like herself, done the things that truly made her happy. "This isn't the time or place, Jag."
"Then when?" he demanded.
She shook her head, the whole situation feeling very surreal. "I'm not going to let this marriage fail. You don't need to worry about that. We'll make it through, somehow. But only if we can figure out how to get you out of here."
"Call Pellaeon," he suggested. "This can't be legal."
Jaina bit her lower lip, wishing there was some way to avoid this particular subject. "That's part of the reason you're in here, Jag. If the Empire backed you, this would be a New Republic/Empire problem, something to be negotiated between Pellaeon and my mother. The problem is that a situation like this wouldn't be able to end without the Empire having to make serious concessions, ones you know very well we can't afford."
She saw the muscles in his jaw tighten. "They've denied responsibility."
Jaina nodded, pained. "I don't like it either, but it makes it a lot easier on them if they just blame it all on you, instead of making it a galactic incident."
Jag slammed his fist angrily on the table. "But it's not my fault!"
She reached out tentatively through the Force, brushing his aura. Once upon a time, they had had at least some form of communication that way, and astound ability on his part to feel her Force touch when she brushed him. It had been a long time since she had felt that connected to him, but perhaps there was still a lingering vestige of that link. Surprisingly, she felt him respond almost immediately, becoming aware of her contact. He couldn't reach back, couldn't communicate, but he knew. Jaina poured all her love and strength into him, silently encouraging him to be strong, even if she didn't have much strength left herself. Reluctantly she pulled away, knowing she had helped him more with the simple contact than any words. Even if she felt perhaps slightly less optimism than she let him know, it was for the best. At least he would have one less thing to doubt until she could negotiate his release.
"Pellaeon may not be supporting you publicly," she whispered at last, "but there was a recording at home. He's sending the best defense lawyer the Empire has to offer, and is personally footing the bill."
Jag, looking much more positive than a few moments before, nodded in relief. "I have a feeling I'm going to need it."
She stood, managing to pull her girth from the chair with minimal difficulty. "I'll work on my Mom, too, see if there's anything I can persuade her to do that she hasn't already."
"Good idea. Make sure and take Hanna with you, you might actually have a chance then," he smirked.
Jaina smiled, wishing she could at least hold him, if for only a minute. "I'll have to remember that." Then, more seriously, "Stay strong, Jag. We're all behind you. This will all be over before you know it."
He smiled appreciatively. "Take care of yourself, and that baby. I don't want you working too hard while I'm not there to stop you."
She rolled her eyes. "Like you've ever stopped me from doing anything. But I love you, Jag."
"I love you, Jaina."