Chapter Nineteen

A lone figure sat at the steel table in a dim room. He was leaning back in a chair with his fingertips resting against his forehead. His face was gaunt, framed by ragged black hair. He was underweight. The most alarming sight, however, was the tortured grief in his eyes.

Jag sat across from Nichos, waiting patiently for him to continue speaking. Nichos had just arrived with the rest of the former slaves from Yavin IV. He'd asked to speak with Jag immediately. He had outlined his capture, captivity and fight alongside the Jedi. He had just finished speaking about Stav's death.

Nichos closed his eyes slowly as he began to speak, "I'd like to go back out there."

His request didn't surprise Jag. Nichos had been determined before, but after losing Stav, he was bordering recklessness. Jag leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table as he said, "I think you need to take some time to deal with the events on Yavin IV before doing anything."

"I'm fine. What am I suppose to do? Take a vacation at a Yuuzhan Vong pleasure resort?" he drawled. He slammed his palms on the table. "Stav and I had agreed that when we finished on Yavin IV we would take another assignment. I know what the books say. I have to be reviewed and all that. I'm not going to do something stupid and get myself killed. I made a promise and I intend keep it."

Jag believed him. Nichos's determination was commendable, but he was still concerned. He'd seen many beings who had believed they would survive no matter what. Instead of shattering that illusion with Nichos, the death of Stav seemed to strengthen it. Jag couldn't afford to send someone in that mindset into a high-pressure situation. He could use his help in another way, however.

"I'm not against sending you back, but I have a proposition. We have several groups preparing to head out. They've all had experience with the Vong, but talking with someone who succeeded their objective would help," Jag said.

"How long would I have to stay?" Nichos asked warily.

"At least a month."

Nichos gave him a look, "I know what you're doing."

"Then refuse."

"You know I can't do that. I need your sign-off. I need your resources; you know that. Unless I want to die a pointless, pathetic death, I have to do what you say," Nichos pointed out.

"So you agree."

"Yes," Nichos stated, and then asked in a friendlier tone, "I'd like to do something for Stav. I know the military has canisters you can fill with mementos of the dead to launch into space. I don't have the authority for one, nor do I have a ship."

"Done," Jag stated. "Would you mind if we did something for the slaves that died on Yavin at the same time?"

"You've been planning this."

Jag nodded, "Tomorrow at noon. Take this to the office next to the morgue to pick up Stav's canister. Meet me at Docking Bay 398."

Nichos took the datacard from Jag's outstretched hand as he stood, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Jag waved as Nichos left the room. He ran a hand over his face in frustration. He hated maneuvering Nichos, but he didn't have a choice. Before meeting with Nichos, he had met with a senate representative who had heard about his operations. They had threatened to squash his operation because it wasn't a "practical use of funds or personnel." Jag needed a success. He couldn't use Nichos and Stav's success on Yavin IV because it was seen as a Jedi operation in the end.

Jag was jarred out of his thinking as the sounds of giggling travelled through the door. He grinned as the door opened and two children ran in. He stood up and caught Ani as she raced through the room. He asked, "What are you two up to?"

"Mama has to work," Ani stated as she crinkled her nose.

Jaina shot Jag an apologetic look, "I'm sorry. We've been called away. I have to be at the briefing in ten minutes."

"Trouble?" Jag asked with concern.

"Nothing major," Jaina responded too casually. "Kyp knows."

Jag nodded slowly. It was worse than she let on, but she wasn't going to say it in front of the children. He knew he could trust Kyp to tell him what was going on. He turned to the children and said, "Say goodbye to your mother, kids."

Ani and Davin told their mother goodbye, and then Jaina turned to Jag. "I'm sorry." She whispered in his ear and kissed him. Jag watched as she rushed out the door. This was the first time since the arrival of the children that one of them had been called for a mission.

"Come on, you two. Let's go see Kyp," he said. He placed his datapad in his pocket and took their hands.

Davin and Ani had been back with them for a week. After talking with Jaina, Jag had asked his uncle about the decision to keep Syal and Myri on the base. Wedge had said that he and Iella had felt that they had missed too much of their daughters' lives. They had to educate the girls themselves. Mirax had provided them with lesson plans. Wedge's reassurances had helped affirm the decision.

Jag led the chattering children to his office. Kyp was seated behind the desk, feet propped up as he read a datapad. He glanced up as they entered and said, "Newest recruits?"

Davin shot Kyp an annoyed look as he hopped onto one of the chairs in front of the desk. Ani scurried around the desk and began to crawl across the floor. Kyp had to twist his legs off the desk and out of her way.

"Ani, say excuse me," Jag scolded lightly. He had no idea what she was doing.

"'Cuse me, Kyp," she mumbled as she yanked the bottom drawer open.

"What are you doing?" Kyp asked with a perplexed look on his face. He glanced up at Jag, who shrugged.

"Mama told me to get this," she said as she reached into the drawer and pulled out a datacard. "Here, Daddy."

Jag plucked the card from her fingers. He snatched a datapad off the desk and slid the card in. It was a summary of her orders. A refugee convoy had been ambushed. Only two ships had managed to escape. The Crux Squadron had been ordered to investigate. They were expecting a confrontation. A TIE squadron was accompanying them. Jag glanced up from the datapad at Kyp. His solemn expression reaffirmed his concerns. Jaina was heading into a warzone.

Jag glanced over to Davin. The boy was sitting stiffly in the chair, eyeing him. Ani had stood up from the floor and was humming quietly to herself as she climbed into the other chair. Jag had no doubt that Davin knew the situation was serious. Ani either didn't understand or was ignoring the situation; he wasn't sure which.

"The squad's simulations are in an hour," Kyp commented. "I was thinking we would run the Belsavis run."

"It would expose any weaknesses against an interdictor," Jag pointed out. He continued as he walked over to one of the shelves on the wall. "We could block communications."

Jag removed a disc from the stack and handed it to Kyp. He took the disc and asked, "Did they run this with you?"

"Not yet. I figured you would like to be present."

Kyp grinned as he stood up and said, "This is going to be fun. I'll set it up. See you in an hour."

He smiled at Ani and Davin as he left the room. Ani hopped off her chair and walked over to him. She took his hand and asked, "Do you have to work, Daddy?"

"Yes, we need to find your grandmother or aunt," he answered. He picked her up, and then motioned for Davin to follow him. They exited the office and made their way to through the base to the apartment block.

"I want to do it!" Ani squealed as she wriggled down from Jag's arms and pushed the bell next to her grandparent's door. Wyn opened the door a few moments later. Ani threw her arms around her aunt's legs as she exclaimed, "Auntie Wyn!"

"Hello, Ani, Davin. Jag, do you need a babysitter?" she asked as she patted Ani on the back.

Jag gave her a guilty look. He and Jaina had kept the children with them as much as possible. Neither one wanted to take the kids to a babysitter unless absolutely necessary. Because Jaina wasn't in charge of a squadron, she had more time than Jag and usually took Ani and Davin with her during Jedi business.

"Do you mind? Jaina was called out and I've got simulations to run," Jag asked.

"Come on in, kids. I bet your grandmother has some cookies ready for you," Wyn answered. She ushered the children into the apartment. She smiled reassuredly at Jag, "Go on, we're fine."

"Thanks, Wyn," he said, shoot her a grateful smile and hurried down the hallway.

Steam hissed as the landing ramp of the Sunfire lowered. Jacen strolled down the ramp with his duffle bag slung over his shoulders. He'd been sent to the base to bring Danni samples from Yavin IV. Valin was with him to help him pick up the new X-Wings. Valin would pilot one back while the other stayed in the Sunfire's hold.

"Jacen!" a voice called. His head snapped up as Britna ran into him. She embraced him tightly. "Are you okay? I heard you were hurt!"

Jacen hugged her awkwardly, and then stepped back, "I'm fine. It was nothing."

Britna rested a hand on his forearm, "Are you sure? I was so worried."

Jacen felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. He opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a loud squeal, "Uncle Jacen!"

Britna barely made it out of the way before Ani collided with his legs. Jacen scooped her up, dropping his bag to the floor. "I didn't know you were here, Ani."

"I live here now, with Mama and Daddy and Davin," she explained as she draped her arms around his neck. "You back?"

"For a day. I have to pick up some things for Uncle Luke," Jacen explained, and then looked around, "Where's Davin?"

"There," Ani said as she pointed towards the side. Jag and Davin were walking towards them. Before they made it to where Ani and Jacen were standing, Britna gave Jacen a rushed goodbye and raced out of the hanger bay.

"Hello, Davin," Jacen greeted as the boy hugged his leg.

Jag gave Jacen a smirk. His eyes darted from Jacen to where Britna had disappeared. "I saw that."

Jacen's eyes widened, "Don't you dare."

"Oh I can't keep this from Jaina," Jag told him wryly. He glanced behind Jacen and nodded to Valin, "Hello, Valin."

Valin waved in greeting as he exited the ship. Ani and Davin began asking Jacen questions about what he had been doing, drawing his attention away from the two me. After a few minutes he was able to get his own question about Jaina's whereabouts in.

"Mama's not here. She's working," Ani told him with a sour look.

"When did she leave?" he asked Jag.

"This morning," Jag responded, and then changed the subject by asking, "Picking up the new X-Wings?"

"Yes, I have some information for Danni, too," he answered. Jacen caught a strong sense of concern from Jag.

"We won't keep you. Come on, Ani, let go of Uncle Jacen," Jag instructed.

"Will come see me?" Ani asked as Jacen put her on the floor.

"Before I leave, I promise," Jacen told her. Satisfied with his answer, she took Jag's outstretched hand. He waved in parting and turned to where Valin was closing the ramp. "Let's get this over with. Danni's questioning is going to last at least an hour."

"She talks a lot?" Valin asked as they exited the hanger.

"Yes and no," Jacen answered slowly. "She's more technical than what you're used to."

"Got it," Valin responded, and then asked slyly, "So, who was the brunette?"

Jacen ignored the question as he began to walk faster. He knew he couldn't outrun the curiosity, but he could try.

The apartment was quiet, a rare occurrence in the past week. Ani had fallen asleep an hour ago after Jacen left. Jag and Davin had spent the evening building a Star Destroyer from small connecting blocks. They had been working on the ship for the past two nights. Jag enjoyed hearing Davin talk about his day, what he liked and anything else the boy could think of. Jag was amazed at how intelligent Davin was for his age. He understood concepts and ideas that Jag didn't think was possible until he was older.

They sat on the floor, Jag leaning against the couch with Davin to his right. The basic shape of the Star Destroyer was complete. Davin put down his brick and looked at Jag with serious eyes. "Mom's doing something dangerous."

Jag nodded slowly, not surprised by the remark, "Yes, she is but she'll come back."

Davin gave him a hard look, one much too cynical for a five-year-old, "You didn't"

Jag didn't have a response to that. Davin picked the block back up and continued to assemble the ship. They worked on it until it was time for Davin to go to bed. He didn't mention Jaina again.

Davin's words haunted Jag the rest of the night.