Subject: [OTL]: (alt. Betsy/Star Wars) Fanged Butterfly 2: Knightcross 9/? (PG-15) From: Phil Hartman Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:53:15 +0000 will1@earthling.net Fanged Butterfly Vol. 2: Knightcross Chapter 9 by Phil Hartman DISCLAIMER: Marvel's are Marvel's. LFL's are LFL's. Any original characters are mine. The rest belong to their owners/creators. No money is being made off of this. Please don't sue. ---------------------------------------------- 40 ABY: Dathomir orbit: Corellian fighter/bomber carrier Shield of Tralus: ---------------------------------------------- Corellian Captain Garris Holdith wasn't a very picky woman. She wanted a decent-paying job, the respect of her fellow soldiers, freedom for the billions in the Five Sisters, and maybe Jacen Solo - dead. So when the Dathomir "government" started screeching on holocom to Holdith's bomber carrier that she had to halt her attack or suffer the consequences, the tall woman with short blond hair and icy gray eyes replied acidly. "We are at war with the Galactic Alliance, Master Ti. If you weren't hiding that vermin Jacen Solo on your surface, our bombers wouldn't have attacked," Holdith replied to the bloodied, furious Jedi Master in the holocom. "Solo has LEFT - and your attack endangered the Queen and Chume'da of Hapes, Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker and Master Mara Jade-Skywalker, and Han and Leia Solo AND their non-GAG children! For that matter, Ben Skywalker is on Colonel Solo's shuttle - and you've killed dozens of my people!" Kirana Ti yelled. "Luke ... Skywalker ...?" Holdith breathed - "CAPTAIN! Two X-Wings and a YT-1300 freighter - a star yacht and an Incom T-240 heavy freighter behind - all inbound!" her XO called, bringing a chill to Holdith's gut. Han Solo. Possibly Luke Skywalker and another - Anakin? Jaina? Solo - inbound ... with MARA JADE-SKYWALKER behind them ... The political fallout alone from Corellians attacking Han Solo AND Hapes would be suicide. Worse, the Jedi weren't going to stay neutral if their Grand Master died ... or, more likely, Skywalker took out the carrier ... Then space ... rippled ... and something HUGE, ebon and pointed blotted out many of the stars. "What in the Nine Hells is THAT?" one of the ensigns breathed - and a hail of turbolaser fire blasted the returning Shrike bombers, as Holdith recognized the new ship's outline. "Super Star Destroyer - CLOAKED - BREAK ORBIT! Get us the kark OUT -" Holdith managed to yell. Space lit up again, as the Super Star Destroyer Ganner Rhysode took aim. The Shield of Tralus scored a few hits to the Executor-sized, black-painted ship, but it was like a womp rat biting a krayt dragon. And the dragon's roar lit up space - The Battle of Dathomir would be recorded as one of the shortest - and most politically disastrous - conflicts of the Umpteenth Corellian Revolt. (Historians were never quite clear on how MANY times Corellians revolted ... that was what made them Corellians.) ----------------------------------------- "They bloody named a GAG ship - a fascist weapon of repression - after GANNER!?" Betsy growled - she'd managed to get to the Angel's Wing, and N4-EL had gotten it fixed. Ganner Rhysode's ego had annoyed Betsy when she'd first landed in this galaxy - rather like Warren, actually - but the "pretty boy" of the Jedi lost his attitude after a Vong weapon left a scar from jaw joint to temple. He sacrificed his ego at Ithor in a figurative gesture, to rededicate himself to being a Jedi and not an airbrushed playboy with a lightsaber. The transformation in Ganner had been most acute at Myrkr - he fought nobly and protected who he could. He'd refused to believe Jacen was dead after the Vong captured him, and had joined Betsy on her trip to Coruscant to free the young Solo. During their last stand at the Well of the World Brain - the biorganic creature programmed to "Vong-form" the city-world - Ganner had killed THOUSANDS of Vong before succumbing to his wounds. The last stand of Ganner Rhysode both gave Jacen and Betsy the time to kill the Vong Supreme Overlord, Shimmrra, and rallied the Vong underclass, the Shamed Ones, to revolt against the warriors and priests, helping to liberate Coruscant. #He deserves better than that ... being connected with the GAG,# Betsy lamented - "Betsy? We're going to have to keep this quick - Jacen's shuttle reached the Ganner, and the Corellians are space dust ... sorry, Han," Luke called over the short-range comms - the X-Wings, with the Falcon, the Jade Shadow and the Shawnkyr, pulled into a holding pattern near the Angel's Wing. "Won't hear me cry any tears, kid. Supporting Corellian independence is one thing. Getting shot in the back by my own countrymen is a whole different bantha," Han said bitterly. "Jacen's got nothing to lose now that he can spin our presence at Dathomir in Force knows how many ways," Anakin growled. "Getting political in adulthood, Ani?" Jaina teased from Tahiri's X-Wing - Tahiri was aboard the Shawnkyr with Jag, while the Falcon held Han, Leia, Chewie, Tenel Ka, Allana, Tenel Ka's guards, and Threepio. "Just wary of our dear brother. He court-martialed me - or would've if I'd stayed in the Navy. He might try to frame the Jedi for conspiring with Corellian supporters," Anakin muttered. "He didn't seem to be after your father and I, or targeting the Jedi - yet," Leia worried. "Still, Ben's Force-signature vanished. Jacen cut him off from us ..." Luke worried. Betsy's eyebrows rose - was that even possible, short of death or using the Sunrider technique to cut someone off from the Force? As if he'd heard her - and that was possible - Luke replied, "Jacen has five years of exotic Force skills, including Sith techniques - I remember him being able to comprehend one of those tassels he found at Kuat as Sith merely through the Force." "Oh, that's reassuring," Jag snarked. "Hey, nobody's proved Jacen IS a Sith. That stuff's dangerous to study, but he uses that Aing-Tii flowwalking technique, and the galaxy hasn't collapsed on itself yet," Han shot back. "I'm not saying he is, Han. We just need to be careful," Luke said, his heart aching through the Force - for Jacen *and* Ben, Betsy sensed. "Luke - I am willing to speak to the Senate and petition for ... Colonel Solo ... to be removed from command. He is obviously unstable, and if it frees Ben from his clutches -" Tenel Ka offered, her voice's calm wisdom cut by her agony in the Force. #Bless you, Tenel ... you're far kinder than I would be, had my lover betrayed me,# Betsy thought. "Thanks, Tenel Ka, but I'd ask that we save that as a trump card. The Holonet's going to be abuzz with a GAG victory over Corellian assassins soon, and we have to gather enough evidence against Jacen to make our efforts stick," Luke said, his Force-presence becoming resolved. The Grand Master was back, despite his best efforts; Betsy wondered if Luke was ever going to be able to go back to the DOER he'd been, instead of trying to be political. Jedi and politics ... Well, Jacen was the obvious answer. Or Sidious. It took a nearly-planet sized heart for a Jedi to avoid getting mired in the dark-side risk of politicking ... which was probably why Luke's patience made him as able to hold the Order together as he did. Luke focused, then called, "Jaina, Jag - can I ask for your help?" "Anything, Uncle Luke," Jaina said, and that assured Jag was in - the couple were inseperable. "The Shawnkyr's one ship, but it's at least large enough to transport the Academy students if something happens at Ossus. I need you two and Tahiri to get there and warn Kam and Tionne of what happened here. Anakin, I'm counting on you to get to Coruscant and warn the Council - and if you can, Chief Omas," Luke said. "Omas is in Jacen's pocket, Uncle Luke," Anakin worried. "He's also smart enough to know that Niathal's after the COS seat, and that Jacen's dangerous enough to find a way to unseat him for her," Leia said, sounding vastly tired. "Exactly. Han, Leia - please take Tenel Ka and Allana to Hapes. Once they're safe, I need to ask you to get to Coronet and find out what Dur Gejjen knows about this attack. The Corellian Head of State needs to be reminded that the Jedi don't *have* to stay neutral," Luke said. "Kark, you ARE getting political, kid," Han chuckled. "Hey, like you said, I don't like getting shot at," Luke tried to joke - his worry and frustration were spilling into the Force, until he centered himself. "Betsy?" he asked, and she stirred from her close observation of the situation - "Wherever you need me, Luke," Betsy offered. She WOULD'VE helped storm the Ganner Rhysode, but attacking a Super Star Destroyer was suicide - and Ben was effectively Jacen's prisoner. After Ailyn Vel's death, nobody could be sure Jacen was entirely in control of his temper. "I appreciate your concern for Ben - but he's not alone on the Ganner. We need you to maybe undertake the riskiest mission ... we need to know what really happened on that asteroid near Bimmiel. THAT'S where Jacen started turning into - Dark Jedi, Sith, deluded light-sider, whatever," Luke asked. "Understood ... but Ben's not alone?" Betsy asked - she'd done a head-count, and all the adult Jedi were accounted for from their reunion - except for - #Oh, Jacen ... you IDIOT. I almost pity you,# Betsy thought, realizing who Luke meant ... "He has Lekauf - the corporal felt truly decent, from what I could perceive. And ... well, the less said, the better," Luke said, sounding almost confident. "Then may the Force be with us all. Where should we meet once we've completed our missions?" Betsy asked, resetting her course for Bimmiel. "Some place with little love for Skywalkers," Luke said, transmitting the coordinates to each of the ships in an old flash-code - and Betsy's eyebrows shot up at the destination. "Are you sure that's a good idea? It's remote, but after what happened ..." Betsy worried. "It's remote, not obvious and not affiliated with the GA or the Confederation. We daren't gather someplace like Hapes or the Remnant - not yet," Luke emphasized. "And thank you, Betsy, for reminding me ... may the Force DEFINITELY be with us all." ------------------------------------------- GAG Flagship Ganner Rhysode, Hydian Way, approaching Bandomeer: ------------------------------------------- The retracing of the Ganner's "steps" to reach Corellia, after the Dathomir diversion, meant they had at least a day of travel time before realspace reversion at the blockade. Which meant Jacen had plenty of time to reflect. He needed it ... no Niathal grunting worries about how his tactics were playing on HNE, no Omas wringing his hands over internment camps, no Lumiya dancing around the Sith bonfire and performing shadowplays of Sith metaphors. #I have to be sure what I'm about to do is what's necessary,# he thought - sitting cross-legged and naked in his private chambers. Ben had a room just off of his, but Jacen wanted to give his cousin some privacy ... for now. #He still doubts. Not a terrible thing. But when I break out the Embrace of Pain, I have to be SURE. This is Ben, not some disposable tool like Maul was to Palpatine,# Jacen fretted ... He sank into the Force - just the Force, not light side or dark side - and focused - Ben was like a dimmed light, and that HURT, dampening him. #If I'm to get his trust back, I have to give him a little space, then talk to him ... # Jacen thought. He stood, allowing himself some vanity as he looked at his naked body in a mirror. Despite the hideous mid-torso scar where Vergere had implanted thatslave seed during Jacen's time in bondage, he'd aged pretty well ... still in shape thanks to lightsaber workouts and more mundane exercises, dark hair defying attempts to keep it tamed. A little chaos in the order kept the shrillest paranoids from grabbing blasters, Jacen reminded himself. [Very nice,] He heard, turning without shame or patience as the Force rippled ... An illusion of Lumiya, his Sith mentor - #An anachronism,# he thought, now that he had his apprentice - flickered into being, creating an illusion of her cave on that asteroid near Bimmiel. As if she'd sensed his thoughts, Lumiya smiled - or seemed to, underneath the triangular headdress which masked her scarred face and her gray-red hair. Only her eyes were visible, left exposed by her headdress. The cyborg's body appeared much as it had during her more overt attacks on Luke following Endor - sheathed in a metallic bodysuit, her lethal lightwhip hanging at her side. There was no need for disguises now. And maybe Jacen enjoyed a little gratuitous nudity on his part. It wasn't as if he had much of a chance to flaunt it now, lacking a lover. #Careful on the self-pity,# he reminded himself. "I heard about Dathomir. Messy, that - HNE is calling it an Alliance victory, but you managed to alienate Hapes, Mandalore, the Jedi AND your parents," Lumiya said. Jacen shrugged. "Hapes will fall sooner or later. Mandalore - Fett's old and focused on restoring his economy. The Jedi are more of a risk, but Luke won't do anything stupid as long as I have Ben ... who won't be `Ben' for much longer. And my parents? They have Anakin and Jaina to placate them," he listed, ticking off names on his fingers. #And Allana,# something cold and dead and guilty whispered - Jacen crushed the sound. "You truly believe you can convert the Son of Skywalker," Lumiya said, watching Jacen check a holocam feed from Ben's room - the boy was checking out the room, finding the GAG uniforms within the closet. He felt a spike of anguish at the thought of twisting Ben ... Force, was he really THAT ready to - "He has only me to reach to in the Force. And you can't pretend he wasn't your first choice," Jacen accused protectively. "He's almost 14. That doesn't inspire obedience in most of the civilized galaxy. Does the idea of turning Luke's son tempt me? Yes. It's also very dangerous to give in to revenge," Lumiya warned. "For you, perhaps. Luke will be sending someone to your neck of the galactic woods, I don't doubt. Perhaps you'd better close up shop," Jacen suggested. Lumiya's illusion seemed ... amused, and she shrugged. "I can handle almost anything Luke can throw at me. And despite the Rule of Two, there may be room in the galaxy for more than a duality of Sith," she suggested. Jacen scowled - the idea of sharing power beyond that accorded to his apprentice was ludicrous. Darth Bane had recorded the Rule of Two in his holocron over a thousand years ago. "Two there should be, no more, no less; one to embody the power, one to crave it." "If there ARE Sith pretenders lurking out there ..." Jacen pondered. No, Lumiya was now a liability. Jacen wasn't a fool - she was extremely dangerous - but he had Ben. Perhaps the Jedi could still be of some use ... and if Jacen knew which Jedi was coming to pay Lumiya a visit ... "The galaxy is a big place, and you're not eternal. I would appreciate you not turning Korriban or Ziost into speeder lots out of paranoia," Lumiya drawled - Korriban being the tombworld of the ancient Sith, Ziost their ancient capital. "Then stay out of my way. I survived Dathomir - and for all I know, YOU were the one who sent those Corellians after me," Jacen said evenly. "And if it was a test? As you say, you survived. Ben Skywalker is yours. If I must be removed from the board, I'm not adverse to it. Neither am I suicidal," Lumiya replied. "Then make yourself useful and divert attention. I have an apprentice to start turning," Jacen said dismissively. Lumiya bowed in a mocking fashion, the Force clearing of her presence, and Jacen swept the room with a burst of darkside energy - her Force "perfume" was an affront. #Touchy, aren't we?# he reflected. Jacen admired himself in a mirror, then ran a hand over his mess of dark hair as he pulled on briefs and a GAG uniform, minus the cape. #Normal. Kriff, what I wouldn't give to go back there,# he thought, fighting back tears. He glanced at the monitor to Ben's bedroom, his eyes narrowing as Lekauf dropped by - ------------------------------------------- Things were just ... so GRIM. It was an adult word, Ben thought; he'd usually use terms like "heavy," "nasty" or "karked." His Force-senses felt like he was trying to see through blankets. Jacen had done something to him back on that shuttle ... to"protect" Ben, he'd claimed. Ben couldn't reach out with the Force beyond the ship. His bonds with his parents were still there, but ... suppressed, the word felt right. #And Jacen's the only one I can feel ... he's all mixed-up,# Ben realized, getting ready to shower - rancor-hide clothing stank when you weren't sitting on a jungle planet where EVERYTHING smelled like rancors. The doorbell rang, and Ben called, "Open." He managed a smile as Jori Lekauf appeared, beaming, and said, "We're having lunch soon - want to join us?" "Yeah! Just lemme clean up - Dathomir's one big poodoo pit. The locals are kinda OK, except for the Nightsisters - I've got stories to tell you!" Ben gushed as he removed his vest and shorts and stepped into the refresher in his GAG boxers. He sounded so young to himself. He was glad he still could be accepted, could FEEL young after ... #Stop it. Dad and Mom - even Jacen - told you you weren't a monster. Be a kid a little longer,# Ben reassured himself. Ben closed the refresher door partway so he could hear Jori, then slipped off his boxers and started the shower. "I helped rescue the Queen of Hapes, and her daughter! And we fought a killer Ewok!" he called, stepping under the water - a real shower was a luxury aboard a starship, most were sonics. "An EWOK!? Not Tarfang!" Jori laughed - Ben's eyes widened as he washed, at least his hair didn't take long to do, even with the braid. #Jori knows about Tarfang?# Ben thought - he finished getting the stink off, then got out and dried off, wrapping a towel around his waist - check in the mirror, nope, no whiskers, shavit. He stuck his head out the door - Jori was being awful quiet, and the Force felt thick - Jacen was standing in the doorway between his room and Ben's, wearing his Guard uniform. Jori saluted Jacen, respect and a little ... hero worship? ... coming off of the corporal. Ben kind of felt the same way, ever after Vel's death. Jacen was just ... magnetic. And Ben had known him for longer than Jori, but he wasn't jealous. Ben stepped forward and saluted, asking, "Sir?" - not Jacen in front of the troops, it made Ben sound like a kid. Like he was getting special treatment. Then Jacen smiled, that "lead from the front" smile he got at pre-raid briefings, and he felt ... OK, again. "Sorry to interrupt - Lekauf, I didn't thank you for getting us off of Dathomir. I'm grateful, really," Jacen said, returning Jori's salute. "Thank you, sir. Care to join us for lunch? I invited Lieutenant Skywalker," Jori offered - more for form; officers weren't supposed to eat with the enlisted men, but Ben was an exception since he was so young. And Jacen occasionally ate with the troops to demonstrate - "fraternity," he called it. "I really appreciate it, Lekauf, but unfortunately Lieutenant Skywalker and I have to talk. I'll send him along soon, though," Jacen said, his tone of voice brooking no disagreement on Ben's part. And after Ben had run off the night before - after that last awful raid - he didn't want to disappoint Jacen again. [You didn't. It's OK, really - and I'd let you hang out with Lekauf, but we DO need to talk,] Jacen sent, making Ben jump. [O-OK, Jasa,] Ben sent back - maybe it was OK to use the old nickname... ? Affection, protective fierceness and sorrow flickered across the bond, and Ben fought back tears - Jacen felt HURT. Not by Ben, but ... "Jori - Corporal - later?" Ben asked, and Jori returned his salute with a look that Ben knew meant Lekauf would be there for him. "Later, Loot - Colonel. And sir ... permission to speak freely?" Jori asked. "Given, Lekauf, especially from you," Jacen said. "Sir ... you look ... pale. Are you sure you're getting enough sleep?" Lekauf worried. Jacen smiled and said, "I'm fine, Jori. But thanks. After we slap down the Corellians, I'll take some time for myself. But I can't ask you and the others to risk your lives while I lead from behind a desk." It wasn't anything Ben hadn't heard Jacen say before - it touched his heart. Maybe Jacen WAS OK ... maybe. Lekauf saluted, and Jacen returned it, before the corporal left. After the door to the hallway slid shut, Ben looked at Jacen, who smirked and said, "If you want to get dressed first ..." "Thanks," Ben said - it was one thing to get cleaned up with the rest of the troops, the guys, after a raid. It was another to run around half-naked for no reason. Jacen laughed - their bond was quite strong, and Ben didn't want to shield, Jacen was being ... Jacen - but he turned his back to Ben and said, "I won't look." "You're you, though. We've seen each other in less," Ben said, pulling on clean boxers, then tossing his towel in the laundry chute and getting into fresh black fatigues. Jacen waited to turn, his eyes a little teary as he radiated gratitude. "You still trust me," he said, watching Ben pull on black socks and boots. Ben stood, Force-tossing his rancor-hide clothes into a disposal unit, before walking to Jacen and patting his arm awkwardly. "I WANT to, Jasa. You've helped me - I can't even think how much - and ... I'm worried `bout you," Ben said. Jacen hugged him, sending, [I know. Thank you - and I should trust YOU. You saved Tenel Ka. So ...] The Force suddenly flooded back into Ben - he could reach beyond the Ganner, even if hyperspace made it impossible to lock onto his parents. He smiled up at Jacen - not so far now - and said, "Thanks." "Whyever else Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara came to Dathomir, they love you. I have no right to keep you from them in the Force. I just ... you're one of the few people who still gives me a chance ..." Jacen said, growing quiet as they entered his bedroom. The far wall was one giant sheet of transparisteel - a window out into space - with a comfortable-looking bed, a few chairs, and some meditation mats. The refresher door was in the wall opposite Ben's bedroom, with the hallway door perpendicular to the one with the `fresher. "Sit down, Ben," Jacen asked, sitting cross-legged on a mat, and Ben complied, echoing his mentor. The elder descendant of Anakin Skywalker became grim and continued, "I have to ask you some things." This sounded like the first time Ben joined the GAG - but he was worried this time. He knew their work was deadly serious, now. Before, he'd thought it was another Jedi adventure. "Yessir," Ben said - wincing at how quickly he'd fallen into military obedience; it hadn't been like that before with Jacen. Before the Guard. Jacen relaxed a little and patted Ben's shoulder. "While I'm glad you're still disciplined, you can relax with me. Force knows I've been strict with you since we joined the Guard, but you've been able to handle it. I'm proud of you, Ben," he said. Ben basked in the compliment, but became quiet when he realized what Jacen was about to ask him. "I ... should've stayed and done my duty. I just wandered off, after I ..." he said, trying not to cry AGAIN at the memory of killing those suspects. Jacen turned Ben's chin to make the boy face him, and said, "I know it's hard. I should've said this before - you were in shock, and Shevu was right to be mad at me for dragging you to look at those corpses." He smiled sadly and continued, "But we do harsh work, Ben. I agree, the Jedi way - negotiation - should be our first choice. When they don't give us any other choice ... your reflexes were for the right reason. You protected Shevu and yourself - you didn't act out of hate or anger. Fear ... Yoda wasn't altogether right there." Ben blinked at that, asking, "Why not?" "Because in a fight or flight situation - someone pulls a blaster on you, for example, no warning - fear saves you. The real meaning of `Fear leads to anger' is that we shouldn't let situations get to the point where fear controls us," Jacen said. Ben thought for a moment; it even sounded ... Jedi. "But the Guard's stopping people before they pull the blaster, right?" he finally asked. Jacen's pride and smile warmed Ben. "I KNEW you'd get it. It's all right to be free, but stockpiling missile launchers in freezers isn't what the Republic founders had in mind when they wrote the Galactic Constitution," he said, referring to what Ben and Captain Shevu had found on that last raid. He became sad again as he continued, "What happened to Ailyn Vel was NOT right. I ... Ben, I'm truly, truly sorry you had to hear that. I have no excuse -the police can't become the thugs. And you sat there, waiting for me ... you were loyal, even when I frightened you." "You scared me. You weren't YOU - before, even when I made you mad, you always tried to say it like you were training me. You've never been ... and then when Aunt Betsy and I were heading out ..." Ben said. He wanted to believe in Jacen, who looked at him with ... grief. "I'm sorry about that, too. Reaching for you was one thing, but when I hurt you with my volume ... I was scared for you, that's all. I'd never intentionally ..." Jacen trailed off. And he - SOBBED. Ben felt a hole open in his cousin - his brother, his friend - and hugged Jacen. "It's - it's OK -" the boy sniffed - Jasa was in AGONY. Then it was gone, but Jacen patted Ben's back and leaned back - still open in the Force, still trusting Ben. "Thanks. I ... if there was any other way ... there'll be no more Vels. I used excessive force - no pun intended. And you found a better way, a Jedi way, to learn what she was hiding. That's another reason why I need you - you're a conscience, Ben. A light," Jacen said, a promise in his voice. "We can help each other, can't we?" Ben offered - Jasa was trusting him on a new level, still Master and apprentice, but more like brother to brother than big cousin to little cousin. This was serious. "Absolutely. This doesn't get you out of drills with the remote, though," Jacen chuckled. "Thanks, sir, I think," Ben joked - Jasa was back. Things were going to be OK ... "Go, take the afternoon and hang out with Lekauf. Learn from his duties, help out where you can. I know you can't do much aboard a ship other than train, but I don't want to drive you nuts sitting around," Jacen said. "Thanks - later!" Ben called, running back to his cabin - he got his lightsaber and checked his appearance in the mirror, pulling his braid back from behind his shoulder. #Lieutenant Skywalker, Light of the Jedi ...# Ben liked it - then looked around as something - not Jacen, not a stray breeze from the air scrubbers, but a gentle touch - "... Mom?" Ben breathed. Nothing. But he felt safe as he walked out the door and checked the wall map for the mess. -------------------------------------------- Jacen waited until the door to his bedroom closed. Then he shielded himself from Ben's link and sobbed into his hands again. "What have I DONE?" he grieved - Force forgive him, he'd murdered Ailyn Vel. He'd driven Tenel Ka away. He was making war like an Imperial against his father's people. He was thinking about torturing his cousin - Ben. #You spineless FOOL. You keep this up, and the galaxy will tear itself apart ...# the dark thing whispered. Jacen screamed in frustration and lit his lightsaber, leaping to his feet - what good was sacrifice if it destroyed his family, warped his decent, loyal little brother? Ben had forgiven him, even after - "WHY DO WE HAVE TO *SUFFER!?*" Jacen screamed - he hurled a chair against the wall, then lifted his `saber - he had to VENT - - and a purple lightsaber blade blocked his downstroke, as his eyes bulged in shock. ---------------------------------------------- She'd learned the same Fallanassi illusion techniques that Jacen had. And Luke's lessons in Force-aura camoflague. Combined with decades of infiltration and stealth experience, Mara had the edge on sneaking aboard the Ganner. In raw Force power, Jacen outranked her. Mara was professional enough to admit that. But her son was coming home no matter how powerful his kidnapper was. "I can put an end to your suffering, Solo," Mara said, letting the professional assassin part of her cool the rest down. No way was she going to win this by being the shrill, enraged mother. The Emperor's Hand, however ... that Mara Jade could win. "Mara - I can explain, please, I need your help," Jacen pleaded - there was something in his eyes, the caring aunt in her wanted to hug him. He'd been kind to Ben. She'd seen it, felt it ... Jacen loved the boy like he'd cared for Anakin, before the Vong War tore Jacen apart. - The memory of Jacen before Vergere. That Jacen was the one Ben needed, strong, kind - honest. "You need to have your head examined. Slicing up chairs doesn't help Ben," she growled. "I don't want to hurt him again - but I need him. And Luke's spinelessness isn't going to save us," Jacen said, sounding ... Colonel Solo, again. Mara almost managed to swing through Jacen's right shoulder, but he blocked skillfully, reigniting his `saber and warping the Force around himself ... Orange-yellow sickness filled his pupils, and Mara was thrown back more than 40 years - to a cackling hooded figure in shadows. "Sith. You've gone SITH - that's it. That promise about the skinning and the rancor is ON," Mara snarled. She swung in, two-handed and aiming for Jacen's torso, but he managed to block easily with his green lightsaber. They broke apart, pacing in a circle - two sand panthers taking each other's measure. A web of Force lightning lanced from his fingertips against her lightsaber, but she blocked it effortlessly. "Come ON - Palpatine threw that at me once a week, Jacen. Or should I call you `Darth Whiny'?" Mara taunted. "Poor Yoda impression - try this one: `All too easy,'" Jacen shot back - something like a web of shadows snared Mara - the Force collapsed around her - and the floor dropped open, a hydraulic noise sounding - ------------------------------------------------- Steam filled the cabin as the sprayers finished their work - Jacen watched as the repulsors lifted the slab. He vaguely admired the shocked look on Mara's face, now frozen in carbonite, and pushed it into the closet. "Can't let Ben see," he said, as the Force SHIFTED. He'd sacrificed not a life, but a trust. His eyes closed. Darth Caedus' eyes opened. ------------------------------------------------- A deck down, Ben Skywalker clutched his heart, staggering as part of it was torn from him. #She WAS HERE - and now I can't feel her -# he realized. Somewhere aboard the Ganner Rhysode, his Mom was ... #I could've saved her - but from what - WHO -# Ben knew nothing more, as loss crushed him. ------------------------------------------------- tbc ...