Chapter Fifteen
Tahiri stood in a doorway on the Phelope compound, watching raindrops puddle on the cobblestone pathway. She'd been fascinated by rain every since she first encountered it on Yavin IV. It had been her third morning on the planet. She had walked outside of the temple into the warm, humid air. Master Skywalker had been sitting on upturned stones near the temple entrance. He'd invited her to join him and they sat in the rain, discussing Tatooine. Tahiri would sit outside in the rain as often as she could, until Tionne told her not to. She was afraid Tahiri would fall ill. Since then, Tahiri would sit in alcoves and shelters to watch the rain.
"Tahiri?" Kam called from behind her.
"Yes, Master?" she responded as she turned to face him.
"We're ready to go," Kam told her. Tahiri nodded. She gave the rain one last parting look, and then followed Kam through the hallways of the compound to the landing field. She was accompanying several of the Jedi to Yavin IV. They were meeting Luke and Corran's groups just outside the Yavin system. Many of the Jedi wanted to help liberate the moon. Tahiri had been somewhat apprehensive about joining the team, but she knew she had to face her demons. Yavin IV had been the place of her Shaping. It was her home, after Tatooine. She had met Anakin Solo there. She had been turned into Riina. She had almost lost herself.
She had to go. She had to put the past to rest.
Jysella smiled at Tahiri as she approached the ship. She was carrying a crate of supplies. Tahiri noticed a small contingent of beings was standing off to the side, underneath an awning, to see them off. Ani waved her over.
"The children wanted to wish you good luck," Syal explained, clutching Ani and Davin's hands.
"Can you give this to Mama? Please?" Ani asked, handing Tahiri a folded piece of flimsi.
"Of course," Tahiri told the girl as she pocketed the flimsi and the datachip Davin handed to her.
"Thank you!" Ani said. She threw her arms around Tahiri's legs. "Good luck!"
"Thank you," Tahiri told the girl. She ruffled her hair. She was positive Ani had no idea what was going on, not that she should. "Be good."
"I will," the girl promised.
"You too, Davin," Tahiri told him.
Davin gave her a serious look, "Be careful."
Tahiri smiled at him, and then said her goodbyes. Davin knew something serious was going on, that was clear. She wondered how much he knew. Jaina had told her that he had overheard a conversation about Csilla; what else could he have heard?
Tahiri rushed through the rain and boarded the ramp. She found a seat in the main living area of the ship and strapped in. She took a deep breath.
It was time to go home.
Eleven pilots wearingly climbed out of their X-Wings and trudged out of the docking bay. Jag met Tycho just inside the main hallway leading from the bay. The Yellow Aces were unable to take their morning patrol, so the Dozen were forced to cover for them. Pulling double patrol was something no pilot enjoyed. Kyp had been called away five hours ago, leaving the squadron in Jag's care. Jag followed Tycho into a small office. It was a short report. There had been no anomalies, nor any unusual observations. The meeting was concluded in less than twenty minutes.
Jag was grateful he had no appointments or business to attend to for the next several hours. He on going to his quarters, see his wife and sleep. He didn't know what Kyp had been called away for; Kyp hadn't known either. Both men had assumed it was Jedi related. It was a common occurrence, enough to discourage much thought.
Jag entered his dark quarters, indicating that Jaina was not there. He walked into the bedroom and found a piece of flimsi resting on his pillow. He picked it and opened it. He recognized Jaina's handwriting.
Jag,
I had hoped that I would see you before leaving, but events have conspired against us. Uncle Luke has decided to retake Yavin IV and asked me to participate. I can't refuse. I will be participating in both air and ground combat. Corran is leading the aerial attack, while Uncle Luke leads the ground attack.
We are meeting another group of Jedi outside the Yavin system. I'm not sure of the exact number. Telma gave me the information about Nichos and Stav. I will make sure they get out alive.
I have no way of knowing how long I will be gone, but I promise, I will return to you. I already miss you. Promise me you will be careful and I will do the same.
I love you, Jagged.
-Jaina
Jag reread the short letter as he sat down on the bed. He placed the piece of flimsi on the nightstand. and stared at it as he removed his boots. He was sure that this mission was what Kyp had been called away for. It made Jag feel somewhat better that the Jedi would be with Jaina. Nichos and Stav had been sent to Yavin at their own request. Both had been captives on Belkadan, and Stav's cousin had been a young Jedi killed early in the warJag rose from the bed to shower, undressing as he walked. His thoughts circled Jaina. She'd been throwing herself headfirst into danger since he met her. It didn't make it any easier for him. It petrified him to think that the last time he held her, he kissed her, could be the final time.
He smacked the controls on the shower and stepped in. Beads of water rolled down his back. He, like everyone else on the base, was grateful for running water. It had to be rationed, but it was better than a sonic shower.
His thoughts returned to Jaina as he stepped out of the shower. He dried off, dressed in a pair of sleep pants and went back to bed. His fingers brushed the indention on her pillow. They had spent far too much time apart recently, each out on separate missions. He awaited the day that they and the children could live somewhere together, in peace; his thoughts focused on such times in the past.
Jaina and Jag had been married on Mon Calamari by her uncle. Leia and Wedge had pulled a few strings to allow the newlyweds a brief respite. At the time, standing outside in a coral garden, he never thought Jaina had looked more beautiful. He was wrong.
He remembered with perfect clarity when she told him she was pregnant with Davin. She called him into their bedroom to sit with her. She had taken his hands in hers.
Jaina stared down at the bed. Jag squeezed her hands reassuringly. He had no idea why she had called him in here. She had sounded nervous, which worried him.
"Jaina, love, what's wrong?"
She lifted her head to look at him. She took a deep breath, and then another. "Jag, I'm pregnant."
Joy, shock, amazement, excitement and elation coursed through his system. "Oh Jaina," he breathed, releasing her hands. He placed one hand on her stomach and the other cupped her cheek. He gave her a slow, tender kiss.
"What are we going to do?" she asked fearfully. Tears had filled her brandy-brown eyes.
He had reassured her, promising her that it would all work out. He swore they would keep their chlid's life safe, no matter what. He had fallen more in love with her each day. They were together when she had gone into labor. Jag had stayed by her side the entire time and when Davin was placed into her arms, he'd fallen in love with her all over again.
Jag rolled over with a sigh. The more he thought about her, the more he missed her. He was grateful for his exhaustion. It was the only way he would be able to sleep without her lying next to him.
Nichos Avery wrapped a living bandage around the deep cut on his thumb. He had sliced it open working in the lambet field. He felt like he was adding another scar to his collection. He preferred working in the lambet fields to the villip fields he'd encountered on Belkadan. At least here he could stay dry. So far, he'd managed to keep a low profile. Becoming slaves again hadn't been hard. He and Stav had landed on the far side of the planet and trekked across the surface until they reached the encampment. The lower caste guards barely noticed two new bodies in the dormitories.
Stav and Nichos had had some difficultly convincing the other slaves why they were there. They were only able to convince them when Nichos had brought out the toxin Danni Quee and Telma had created to slow the growth of slave seeds. Now the rest of the captives were waiting for he and Stav to tell them what to do.
Colonel Fel had told the two men to start small, like with minor sabotageand helping the other captives survive. Nichos had managed to smuggle in another toxin Danni Quee had made years ago that would weaken Vong structures. He had released it upon the Shapers' compounds two weeks ago. The supports were already showing signs of weaknesses. Jag had told them that he didn't know how long they would be on the moon, or if they would ever be rescued. He had told them that they would try to send more help. Nichos knew the eventual goal was to work with the slaves to overtake the Vong.
It was a lofty goal, but one Nichos believed in.
"Nichos!" a young girl, Reyna called. "Come look. Something is going on outside."
Nichos followed her, growing excited. Could more help be arriving? He exited the slave dormitory, and froze. Up above, he could see coralskippers and snubfighters moving about the atmosphere. Three attack shuttles landed around the field. Jedi leapt from the lowering ramps.
Nichos grinned. It was time.
Tahiri, Jacen and Kam crept forward through the lambet field to the nearest slave dormitory. They crouched behind a large bolder. Yavin hung overhead, casting an orange-like glow over the landscape. Tahiri clutched her lightsaber tightly, its studded grip bringing a comforting pain to her hand. It anchored her, kept her focused.
"That's Stav," Jacen said, pointing to a young man standing in front of a group of slaves. Yuuzhan Vong warriors were racing forward to meet the attack shuttles the Jedi had landed as decoys. The slaves were gathered behind the Vong. Commanders were barking orders. The slaves began stumbling forward as the slave seeds forced them to join the fray. Warriors handed the slaves various tools to use as weapons.
Tahiri, Jacen and Kam's mission was to move the slaves to safety. Tahiri was confident that it was a task she and Jacen could handle alone. She thought Kam was there to keep an eye on her. His concern was both touching and aggravating.
"How do you want to do this?" Tahiri asked.
"When I give the word, Tahiri you go left, Kam right. I don't want to encourage the slaves to fight, but I imagine they will," Jacen stated.
"Can you take out the dhuryam?" Kam asked Jacen.
"If I can find it."
"It's in the center compound," Tahiri told him. "Near the Master Shapers' laboratory."
"It'll be guarded," Kam noted.
"Mostly likely," Jacen agreed.
"We'll deal with them later," Kam stated. He ignited his lightsaber. "On three. One, two…three!"
Stav watched in amazement as the three Jedi sprang from behind a rock and ran forward. Their blades sliced through the lambet field. The few warriors guarding the slaves rushed to meet the Jedi. Ampistaffs met lightsabers with clashes. Stav jerked his head as the slave seed shot pain down his spine, urging him to fight the Jedi. He could see his fellow slaves also writhe in pain.
"Come on, fight it!" Stav encouraged as he fisted his hands to his sides. His nails dug into his palms as the pain finally subsided to a bearable throb. "The Jedi are here for us. Help them."
"How?" a Rodian male asked, arm twitching. "The Vong will cut us down."
"Is everyone out of the dormitories?" Stav asked.
"Yes," the Rodian answered.
One of the Jedi approached. Stav recognized him as Jacen Solo. Jacen held his blade low, tip just above the ground, "All empty? Good."
"What do you need, Jedi Solo?" Stav asked.
"I need to get to the dhuryam. It's in the center compound," Jacen told him, gesturing to the largest of the damatuks.
"You're in luck. The supports are weak," Stav told him. Jacen gave him a quizzical look, but gestured for him to continue. "Long story short, Quee gave me a toxin to hinder the shelter from properly drawing nutrients."
"It's starving to death," Jacen said with astonishment and disgust. Stav didn't have time to ponder his reaction.
"We'll help you," Stav stated, flinching as another burst of pain shot down his spine and into his legs.
Jacen was unable to argue. The blond Jedi ran to his side, panting, "Jacen, we have to go. Now."
"Follow Master Solusar to safety!" Jacen shouted over his shoulder as he and the blond Jedi ran towards the main damatuk. About half of the slaves ran towards the older Jedi Master. The rest stared at Stav, waiting.
"We want to fight," a female human said. She clutched her right side as pain ripped through it. All the slaves moaned as the dhuryam tried to impose its will upon them, but stood their ground.
Stav surveyed the area. Jedi and Yuuzhan Vong were locked in hand-to-hand combat. Snubfighters and coralskippers blazed overheard. An explosion sent coral and dirt flying through the air. A Shaper adept caught his eye as he scurried into one the smaller compounds.
Stav grinned, "We'll take that one down."