"Stop!"

Jaina's voice echoes across the spaceport and Tsavong Lah, Kyp Durron and Luke Skywalker turn in unison.

"Yes, Divine One," Kyp says obediently.

"That's what you call her?" Tsavong Lah asks Kyp Durron in surprise.

Kyp grins sheepishly and opens his mouth to explain, but Jaina is quicker.

"Uncle Luke Death Star Killer, you can go ahead," Jaina says. "But you two planet killers aren't getting away from me so cheaply!"

"What is it about?" wonders Tsavong Lah, who thought this matter had already been dealt with.

"We're going up there." Jaina points to a roof that belongs to a rather low wing of the spaceport. "Don't worry about your session. It won't take long."

Kyp Durron sees two figures sitting up there and his high forehead clouds over. "Well, that can be fun."

With force jumps, the two Jedi catapult themselves onto the roof of the approximately four meter high building. Tsavong Lah uses a one and a half meter high binary load lifter as a stopover, then, without any help from the Force, he also jumps onto the curved roof with graceful ease.

"May I introduce to you?" Jaina says to Tsavong Lah. "My fellow Jedi Zekk and this is Jagged Fel, Imperial pilot for the Chiss. He is the connecting man between the Chiss Ascendancy forces and those of the New Republic."

Jag's eyes look at the Warmaster, then his gaze moves on to Kyp Durron... and back to Tsavong Lah. "What will this be, Divine?" asks the Imperial fighter pilot Jaina.

Instead of answering, Jaina takes a brown glass bottle out of her bag and five plastic glasses to hand out.

Kyp snorts in disbelief. "Are we having a picnic?"

Jaina smiles proudly. "The Goddess wants it that way."

Jag looks at the Warmaster suspiciously. "I'm starting to think that was your idea with this goddess stuff for Jaina."

"Well, it comes from my people, that's probably true," admits Tsavong Lah, "but I have to admit: I like it extremely."

"There won't be enough time for a leisurely picnic," Jaina announces, opening the bottle and pouring the five glasses full. "We need to talk."

Kyp sniffs his glass. "Paint thinner?"

"Lowbacca would slap you," Jaina replies reproachfully. "This is Wookiee-Wango – the national drink of Kashyyyk."

The five sit down with their glasses on the shiny silver roof. A bee settles on Jaina's glass and sips a dark drop that sticks to the edge of the glass. The insect sways a little and Jaina pulls the glass slightly to the right. The bee falls to the other side onto the roof, twitches a few more times and then remains motionless.

"Yes, I've heard something like that about these brews," Jag says darkly.

"And now you will see that I, Jaina Solo, incarnation of Yun-Harla, the Goddess of Cunning, cannot be harmed by this paragon of Wookiee distilling!"

Jaina drinks from her glass and grimaces. "It's always like that in the beginning. You hate it or you love it."

"Admit it, you took an antidote before," Jag teases.

Jaina raises her free hand. "Enough of that. We have a problem, Jag. You, Kyp, Zekk, Tsav and me."

"Tsav?" Jag blurts out.

"Well, I'm not aware of any problem," says Kyp with an innocent expression.

Jaina fixes the Jedi with her dark eyes. "And why does our power connection always break as soon as it is no longer absolutely necessary for the tasks at hand? It's like dancing with a partner who jumps back at the end of each dance and wipes the dust off his shoes!"

Kyp is at first speechless, then he catches himself. "An interesting comparison. Maybe we should do it in private..."

"Better not," Jaina tells him. "That would be unfair to everyone else here. So let's have it out in the open."

"Apparently this willingness to confront things runs in the family," notes Jag.

"So, Kyp, you dragged me to Sernpidal to take out the Yuuzhan Vong's supposed superweapon," Jaina begins to get specific. "I, in turn, used you later on Hapes for a few tests in the battle there. I actually thought that made it even, especially when I let you join my squadron. And yet you keep backing away from me, as if you're afraid someone will accuse you of wrongdoing. You don't need that. We all have strange thoughts sometimes."

Kyp shrugs his shoulders. "My thoughts belong to me alone."

Jaina nods. "Just like your feelings and that's what this is all about."

Kyp wrinkles his nose and looks at everyone in the group after the other. The other three men also seem uncomfortable with this interrogation. "I don't know what my feelings are here…"

"You've been after me for a while, Kyp," Jaina cuts him off. "That must have been confusing for you, as it was for me. But now it's over, at least for me."

Kyp looked down, embarrassed. "That's… nice for you. And I apologize to you for perhaps occasionally getting too close to you..."

"Enough!" chimes Tsavong Lah in. "Kyp Durron, I want to tell you that I hereby forgive you on behalf of my people for destroying our newly minted world ship on the ruins of Sernpidal four months ago."

"Oh." The sound comes out of Kyp's mouth like a breath, then the Jedi smiles charmingly. "So apologizing to one here and, on top of that, thanking you for your generosity is a bit too much for me at the moment."

"Then take a sip of Wookiee Wango, it will make it easier," Jaina advises him. "And by the way, the sip will be enough of an apology for me."

"And enough of thanks to me too," adds Tsavong Lah.

Kyp puts his glass to his mouth and takes a hearty sip. "Brrr! Is there something that at least neutralizes the taste?"

Jaina smiles. "Ask Lowbacca."

"Zekk," she says to the next participant in the small gathering. "I know that back in the day about Hapes aboard the Trickster, I sat on your lap and blushed when I looked at you a certain way…" she pauses to take a breath, "…and you at me."

Zekk, just as black-haired and green-eyed as Jag, makes a surprised expression. "I had actually already put the matter aside after you had been out and about so much with Kyp and Jag."

Tsavong Lah's gaze moves back and forth between Kyp Durron and Jagged Fel, then settles back on Jaina. He takes a tiny sip of the Wookiee brew - and turns the spontaneous disgust into delight at the pain coursing through his throat.

"So don't worry, Divine One," Zekk's carefree voice brings him out of his cloudy thoughts. "I had plenty of other things to do."

"And yet you looked at me like that again," Jaina insists.

"What's that supposed to mean?" interjects Kyp Durron. "Zekk says he's done with it. It's uncomfortable, Jaina!"

Jaina ignores Kyp. "All the more reason to finish this once and for all, Zekk. So let me tell you, it didn't mean much to me back on the Trickster. It was just a hormonal surge, nothing else."

Zekk stands up and prepares to walk to the edge of the roof. "Now that that's settled, I guess I can go."

"Everyone stays here, including you, Zekk!" Jaina orders. "Besides, you haven't had anything to drink yet. Started together, drank together, finished together."

Zekk obediently raises his glass and takes a sip of Wookiee-Wango. One can really see his caution, but after that first sip he visibly relaxes and takes another one.

Jaina looks around happily. "Well you see, go ahead."

She turns to Jagged Fel and in anticipatory obedience the Imperial also raises his glass and drinks.

"Well, Jag, how do you like it?" asks Jaina.

"Not bad," replies Jag, although even his well-controlled and stiff expression says otherwise, "but tell me, Divine One, whether you are perhaps planning to expand your flying squadron, or rather, the number of your wingmen, a little?"

A smile crosses Jaina's face. "That's the first intelligent question any of you have asked me at this meeting."

Jag sighs internally. This praise from Jaina means a lot to him. His left eye briefly narrows in a slow-motion blink, while a delicate dimple appears on this side of his cheek - a facial expression so subtle that it took even Jaina about half a year to correctly interpret it, while to untrained observers, even many Jedi, as Jaina once told him, didn't notice at all.

Jaina gives him the same curt nod and Jag Fel's heart warms. Jaina not only understood but also responded. Everything will remain as it is.

"In fact, instead of just right and left, a wingman at the top and one at the bottom wouldn't be a bad idea," he hears Jaina answer, "but as most people here know, I'm very flexible and I need my freedom rather than too many protectors, who are stuck to my tail or somewhere else."

She leaves a pause, during which Jag's mood cools down a bit. Meanwhile, he takes another sip of Wookiee Wango and looks at Jaina with interest, without revealing any further emotions to the other participants.

Jaina's free hand makes a gesture that includes all participants in the informal roof conference. "As you all know, Tsav has joined our forces and I am on Kashyyyk currently training Yuuzhan Vong pilots on X-Wings while my wingwoman Vale and others are learning on coral skippers."

"And we should also learn on coral skippers?" asks Kyp.

Jaina's mouth twists in amusement. "Jag, why are men so stupid?"

"Biological predisposition probably," replies the Imperial dryly, "but perhaps also operational blindness in frequent flyers like us, hyperspace fever – take your pick, Divine One."

"Kyp," says Jaina and it sounds beseechingly friendly. "I used to think of you as a younger brother to my Uncle Luke. But that doesn't make you my uncle. I learned a few Force tricks from you, and yet I'm not your apprentice..." she pauses again, which causes Kyp's bushy eyebrows to contract even more - not just Kyp's. "…and we don't have a romantic relationship either. We both know that neither type of relationship would be right. So it depends on what valuable content we fill this partnership with, such as the use of the Force and flying... and yes, if necessary, also with coral skippers."

Kyp nods slowly and Jaina turns to Jag. "Jag, you aren't able to use the Force. You're such a fabulous pilot beyond that and it's good to have you as a wingman. What's more, we kissed on Borleias and I needed that back then - just like you, but now something has happened that has turned my whole life upside down..."

Jaina pauses and lowers her eyes for a moment, and for the first time the four men on the roof can see a hint of embarrassment in Jaina's expression. "... something I had secretly wanted for a long time, but didn't dare reveal to anyone."

The glass of Wookiee Wango hangs so still in Jag's stiff hand that the brown liquid inside doesn't move one iota - as if the brown juice were just a prop in a play.

"Let me tell you something, Kyp, Jag, Zekk," Jaina continues. "When we are partners, it is something that lasts until one of us dies. And whether it hurts you or not, you are all intelligent enough to know that none of you can control my relationships, whatever they may be."

Jag becomes very uncomfortable. Three out – one stays. Will he stay?

He hears Kyp sigh and then the Jedi says something that Jag has known for a long time and yet it suddenly takes on a very fresh note. "I see you have inherited your father's considerable negotiating skills."

And sometimes even your mother's, Jag adds quietly, remembering Leia's strange behavior on board the Millennium Falcon after repelling the Yuuzhan Vong attack. That wasn't just small talk from a seasoned diplomat, it was a warning. Just like he warned Han and Leia about Pellaeon's possible cooperation with the Yuuzhan Vong. He pushes that thought away, at least he tries ... unsuccessfully. Did Leia know why Jaina actually saw this holovid of Tsavong Lah?

Jag has really had enough of this. He will end it now, no matter how painful it will be. "And from the deliberate omission of the name I can already guess what this is going to lead to," the Imperial continues the thread and sets his sights on the Warmaster with his green eyes.

"Tsav did indeed have a hand in making this meeting happen," admits Jaina. "He gave me the impetus, even though I organized it.

Yes, Tsav and I are partners too," she ostentatiously takes Tsavong's hand, "and a whole lot more than that."

A lot of tension falls away from Tsavong Lah. He sees Jaina's eyes sparkle at this confession and it warms his heart. Jaina has once again committed herself to him - even in front of possible competitors. In other situations - among his peers - he would have grinned with satisfaction, even let out a howl of triumph after defeating his rivals. But that doesn't apply here. Everyone present takes the situation calmly and with dignity, even if he finds Jaina's way of approaching the whole thing unexpectedly direct and blunt. How she can still be so friendly. But that's exactly what fascinates the Warmaster. There are no thoughts of revenge, no anger - everyone remains loyal colleagues and even friends. I want that too! he remembers the words he said to Jacen back then. And now he got it.

The pilot of the Remnant Empire smiles authoritatively and a little too smoothly for Kyp - actually much too smoothly. "Colonel Jagged Fel." Jag extends his hand and the Yuuzhan Vong strikes. "Pleased to meet you, Warmaster Tsavong Lah. Well, I know my place and I wish you both the best of luck."

"Shut up!" Kyp hisses before turning to Jaina. "Jaina, this is really very unpleasant!"

Not entirely without anger, thinks Tsavong Lah, but absolutely understandable. It will be forgotten after the meeting at the latest.

"I know," says young Solo. "And I think we should drink to that before you and Tsav go to the High Council meeting."

Tsavong Lah has to smile. Did Jaina guess his thoughts?

Jag laughs quietly and toasts Zekk. "Compared to this stuff, duels with Vong pilots are nothing."

Tsavong Lah flashes a crooked smile. "Watch what you say, Zekk. We're getting better and better. Also, it's called Yuuzhan Vong. Vong alone means child."

The Warmaster stands up and so does Kyp, as the council meeting is only a few minutes away. There is a crack as both men walk together to the edge of the roof and suddenly the roof gives way.

Jaina jumps through the resulting hole and, together with Kyp, just manages to grab hold of the Warmaster's cloak... They soften the fall.

Senator Fyor Rodan is walking through the hall with his suitcase when a brownish drink drips onto his head, staining his light gray traveling suit and thus thoroughly spoiling his mood for travel.

"Idiots!" the senator shouts upwards. Then he looks at his soiled clothes. "If you're going to drink alcohol up there, then you should tolerate it!"

The Yuuzhan Vong Warmaster appears before him, flanked by Jaina and Kyp Durron holding his sides. Tsavong Lah's Vua'sa foot lands awkwardly on the senator's suitcase, knocking Fyor Rodan and his suitcase to the ground.

"What are you doing here, Jedi, Vong?"

Tsavong Lah waves his hand. "We will reimburse you for the cleaning costs," he says generously, considering delegating such a tedious task to a New Republic administrator. Then he makes sure that he didn't break anything in the fall.

"I haven't done anything wrong!" shouts the senator and jumps up, frantically reaching for his suitcase. "Isn't it enough for you that you, along with Luke Skywalker and Cal Omas, managed to get this seat on the so-called High Council? As a simple senator, am I no longer even allowed to go on vacation unmolested? What do you want?" He presses the suitcase in front of him as if the Jedi or Tsavong Lah wanted to take it away from him. "I have nothing to hide!"

Jaina raises her hand. "Alright, calm down, Senator Rodan."

"Please stop waving your hand in front of my face, Jaina Solo! I see through your Jedi tricks!"

"It's just an inspection tour to test the density and resilience of the roofs of this spaceport, Senator, nothing more," Kyp chimes in.

"That's right," says Tsavong Lah. "We don't want anything from you, Senator."

"Why so?" Fyor Rodan asks. "Whereas from now on the so-called High Council will certainly decide everything," he points his finger at Tsavong Lah, "and you!"

"There is nothing to see here," Kyp Durron implores the crowd of travelers gathering around the incident, waving his hands. "Just a senator who has a completely unfounded fear of two Jedi and a Yuuzhan Vong."

"… and of an Imperial fighter pilot and another Jedi," a black-clad Imperial adds with a smile.

"Jag! Zekk!" Jaina exclaims. "I didn't hear you two come."

Zekk crosses his fingers in front of his face. "We're just good."

Kyp sighs. "And we were clearly too many Jaina worshippers on this thin tin roof."

Tsavong Lah waves his hand. "This was hopefully the last event of this kind organized by Jaina. But now we really have to go to the meeting."

"Indeed," agrees Kyp Durron, "because now planets need to be freed, not killed."