This is the second to last chapter. I hope you've enjoyed this story. I've already started the sequel. Let me know what you think and thanks for reading.
Saganu POV
I entered data into a pad, preparing commando team gamma for another assault. I was beginning to think my tactics for getting Zanthia home were not going to work, until they became lethal. I had really hoped it wouldn't come to killing, but I was ready to start if I didn't hear from my mate's captors soon.
I placed the pad on my desk in my quarters and walked over to my son's bed. For the first time since Zanthia was captured, he was sleeping soundly. For weeks he tossed and turned, as if plagued by some terrible nightmare he couldn't escape. I tried everything to calm him, but it was like he knew his mother was in a bad place.
Zanthia had said Thrane was starting to show signs of Force sensitivity, which made me wonder if his nightmares were actually linked to some future power. If that were true, what did it mean that our son was now sleeping like an exhausted Nexu cub?
The communicator on the wall started to beep softly. I looked down at Thrane one last time then headed over the answer the call.
"Yes?" I answered, speaking softly enough so as not to wake Thrane.
"We're getting a transmission from the Jedi, Sir." Freggin replied.
My heart started to race. "I'll take it in here, Commander." I walked over to my holotable and started the message. An image of Zanthia appeared and my heart stopped for a few beats. She looked tired, but very much well.
"Hello, my love. An agreement has been reached with the Republic. Arrangements are being made to drop me off on Nar Shaddaa in one standard week. I'll see you at the place where our adventure began. Tell Thrane mommy is coming home."
The transmission ended and I had to sit down before my legs went out. I turned around when I heard a quiet giggle from the voice behind me.
"Mama's coming home?' Thrane asked, his red eyes shining more brightly than usual in the darkened room.
I nodded. "It would seem so, but you already knew that, didn't you."
Thrane nodded enthusiastically.
"Can I go with you to Na Sha?" He asked, mispronouncing the longer words. He traditionally spoke well, but when he was excited, his annunciation suffered.
I chuckled at his words, but had to think before answering the question. If this was some sort of trap, I didn't want Thrane anywhere near Nar Shaddaa. I had a feeling with wasn't a trap. I wasn't exactly a high priority target for the Republic, regardless of my actions on Hoth. There was a much larger war being waged and my guess was there were few resources available for non-imperials. It would be a waste for them, but I could not be sure.
I sat down on the bed next to him.
"You can go, but you must do as I ask while we're there. Do you understand me?"
Thrane nodded again. For his younger age, Thrane was incredibly intelligent. Zanthia liked to say our son took after me in that respect.
"Mama's not in danger. She's with friends." He said. He snuggled back under his covers and closed his eyes.
He sounded so sure. I only hoped he was right.
Zanthia POV
It was surprisingly easy to rent the room where Saganu and I had found each other again. There were so many memories here that I was unable to control my emotions. I could tell both Kiwiiks and Satele, who had made the journey to Nar Shaddaa with me, could feel my erratic mood, but they didn't inquire.
Saganu was on the moon. I could feel him. For not being a Force user, his place within the Force was like a beacon. At least that was what it felt like to me. I could also tell he had brought Thrane with him. I had wondered if he would risk bring our son along. I shouldn't have been surprised that he had.
I had left a card key at the bar for Saganu and had left instructions for it to be delivered as soon as he arrived. I did my best to remain calm as the card was used and the door opened. Without hesitation, Thrane rushed into my arm.
"Mama!" He said, hugging me tightly. I hugged him just as tight, making sure not to hurt him. I could feel amusement in both my masters.
Saganu came in much more slowly. I could see Murrn and another of his men take up posts outside the door. I stood, holding Thrane on my right hip. It would only be another year or so and I won't be able to hold him like this, he was growing so fast.
Saganu looked over at the two Jedi across the room, then wrapped me into a hug. It felt good to be with my family.
After a moment, I passed Thrane over to Saganu and turned to address my former masters.
"Saganu, this is Master Bela Kiwiiks and Grand Master Satele Shan. Masters, this is Saganu, Aristocra of the Chiss Ascendancy and my mate."
"It is an honor to meet the people responsible for making Zanthia the person she is today." Saganu said, bowing his head to the Jedi respectfully.
"And this little ball of energy is Thrane."
Thrane wiggled out of Saganu's arms and marched right up to Master Kiwiiks, offering her his hand. She smiled down at him and took it.
"I'm Thrane." He said, very proud of himself for being so polite.
"And, as you can see, he is not shy." I said.
He then went up to Master Satele and did the same. Satele knelt down and took his hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Thrane. How old are you?" She asked.
Thrane grinned widely. He loved it when someone wanted to know his age. He was very proud of being two.
"I'm two." He said, holding up two fingers.
"Wow, you're practically an adult already, aren't you?" She replied, standing up as Thrane hurried back of to me. I could see sadness in Master Satele's eyes, though I wasn't sure why interacting with my son was causing such emotions.
"I feel I must apologize to you for the attacks on Hoth. I got the feeling from your holo that the words you spoke were not entirely yours and that the Republic wouldn't consider negotiation for Zanthia's release."
Master Satele nodded. "You're very insightful. The words were not mine, you are correct. As for your actions, I'm only happy things were resolved before anyone was seriously hurt."
"As am I. I'm not a violent man, master Jedi, but Zanthia means a great deal to many people. And to me."
I cleared my throat. "Speaking of people who care about me. I found something else out during my stay at the Jedi temple. I'm pregnant." I said.
Saganu stood motionless for a moment, letting my words sink in. He then pulled me into a hug again, being mindful of Thrane, who I once again shifted to my right hip. "That is most wonderful news, my love."
Thrane looked puzzled.
"You're going to be a big brother." I said to him.
Thrane sat up taller in my arms. One of his favorite stories was about a pair of siblings and the adventures they had together, so he knew what it meant to be a big brother. "I'll be good big brother." He said.
I chuckled. "Yes you will." I replied.
"On this note, I think Bela and I will take our leave." Satele said.
Master Kiwiiks approached me and I once again shifted Thrane to his father. My former master pulled me into a hug. "I will miss you, my padawan." She said. "Also, the council has talked about it and if you wish for any of your children to be trained as Jedi, they will be most welcome. We would be honored to train them."
I was speechless. I had never thought about sending my kids to Tython. I figured my leaving the order the way I had, ruled out training at the temple as even a possibility. "I appreciate that and I will keep it in mind. If any of my children decide they wish to learn to be Jedi, I would be proud to have them train with you."
Kiwiiks joined Satele at the door. "May the Force be with you, Zanthia." Satele said, as they left the room.
Once the door was closed, I threw my arms around the two most important men in my life. We stood like that until Thrane started to get fidgety.
"Can we go home now?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yes, my dear, we can go home now."
To Be Continued...