Register | Login | Search | Help | New Boards | Harassment Policy | Rules of the JC | TOS | Markup Codes
Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic
Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 - Previous | Next | Reload
Author Topic: "Conduit" (Completed)
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/3/05 12:29pm Subject: "Conduit" (Completed) - Date Edited: 10/4/05 8:31am (12 edits total) Edited By: Trepidation
CHAPTER 1

He stood in the back row. In his mind he took on the role of "back rower" around his 17th Life Day as he came to settle into the two-meter height he would carry with him for the rest of his days. Now at 23, the gangly arms and awkward gait had been replaced by confident grace and visible strength. Had he spent any time studying himself, more than likely, he would have been pleased with his reflection. However, Sha was never a student of himself. During much of the War, his focus had been on portraying a countenance other than his own. Being an Intelligence Officer under Iella Antilles would do that. Sha was convinced that she had an affinity for the dramatic…perhaps the dream of acting or performing. Of course, one couldn't get too close to the Yuuzhan Vong looking like a schoolboy on his way to an Ithorian Math class.

Sha had the distinction of being the only Galactic Alliance infiltrator who had successfully lived among the Yuuzhan Vong warrior class for extended periods of time. The only restrictive factor being the limited amount of temporary make-up, prostheses, and scar 'flaps' he could conceal during a mission. He invested countless hours extensively studying Yuuzhan Vong fighting tactics, cultural behavior, and language skills. When the necessity of information was required above 'his pay grade' he went as far as to challenge his superiors which almost always ended in a tek'at vahan, some warped Yuuzhan Vong trial between the disputed parties that left one in death and the other in a higher position. His Yuuzhan Vong fighting skills had been so attuned that he rarely needed the Force to prevail. One could never tell when the Voxyn were in system and he didn’t relish the possibility of attracting their senses. Instead, he relied on the inevitable weakness of the Yuuzhan Vong. Quite simply put, there were utterly predictable in everything they did…even the way they fought. The papers he wrote detailing the various fighting techniques attributed to specific Yuuzhan Vong Domains were required reading by the Jedi and ground troops alike by the end of the war. All one need do is identify the clan of the opponent, and their repertoire of combat moves became a given. They were limited. They were vulnerable in a fair fight and he had been the only one to notice.

Of course, Sha knew none of the fruit that his backbreaking efforts had produced. He was driven and content to have purpose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was surreal. Seven years before he had resigned himself to death on the outskirts of the Serpidal Space Center, and now, he was standing within the confines of the Denon's Government Affairs Facility outdoor amphitheater before thousands of enthused residents. The atmosphere was electric. However, truth be told, not many of the Jedi "displayed" on stage, as Master Horn had put it, looked overly energized to play the part.

That was another thing. Having grown up in the Outer Rim on a non-consequential planet, Sha had never dreamt of seeing an actual Jedi, much less establishing friendships with some of them. His mind was still reeling over the compliment he had just received. There is no possible way he had heard what he just had. Pinching one's self had no effect to counter what he had just processed.

"Master Horn, I just wanted to let you know that I greatly admire you as an example of the necessity and the integrity of the Jedi Order."

It was a simple sentence that Sha had even practiced over the last two days when he found that he would be placed immediately to Master Horn's right in the ceremony. It came out flawless, filled with the sincerity that he felt even after a rigorous round of practice that very morning. It was perfect, and Sha was feeling pretty good about himself. What followed, however, practically floored him.

Master Horn simply turned to him and stared intently…and smiled.

"Lorrisay right?…Intelligence?…Hapes, Duros, Coruscant, Tatooine, Ebaq9, Borleias?…did I miss any? I'm sure I have, " The expression not changing a lick on Horn's face.

The look on Sha's face accumulated more and more astonishment as each of the destined planets was named. The end result was a raised right eyebrow, and a silent open mouth.

Horn couldn't hold back and he let go a deep laugh almost doubling over in the process.

"Come on Lorrisay," Horn choked out of his laughter, "if you continue on with such an open mouth you are likely to catch shutterbugs, and while I was never one for institutional buffets, I understand there is going to be quite a nice spread after this circus. You'll want to save room."

"I, uh…, sorry," was all Sha could manage as he recovered his composure.

"Yes, Lorrisay, I know exactly who you are and what you meant to our mutual endeavors. They did not go unnoticed by those of us who depended on your talents." The seriousness returned quickly to Horn's voice and visage. "I have reviewed your reports, spoken with Iella, who I might add is a close personal friend of mine and an admirer of yours, and you have been the topic of discussion on numerous occasions with Master Skywalker himself," Horn counting off each point on the finger of his right hand and staring intently into Sha on the last point to bring home the importance.

Sha, having realized that portraying the expression of a dumbfounded Seglian Sloth Beast served no purpose other than lessen his value in the eyes of one he held in such high esteem recovered quickly, or so he thought.

At the mention at Master Skywalker, however, Sha instinctively lowered his eyes to the ground and softly murmured, "I owe Master Skywalker much. The Master, he gave me a life."

Now there was seriousness and intensity in Horn's words. "No, Shaud Lorrisay, he only gave you a path. Your life has always been your own…or some such Jedi nonsense."

Sha looked up quickly as if to assure himself that the words had actually escaped from the Master's mouth, both the kind words and the self-degradation. He was rewarded with a wink and a sly smile as Horn turned forward towards the flailing audience.

"Look sharp Lorrisay. We are the proverbial animals at the zoo, and the public has come out to see us. As such, my only goal for the day is to make it to feeding time. You, my friend, are instrumental to those means. I am counting on your considerable girth and agility to make a path for me."

Sha suffered a sidelong glance to his new acquaintance only to see a half grin firmly established. It was infectious as Sha glanced towards the podium reserved for Master Skywalker.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sha's eyes lingered on the empty podium for a mere second before he was snapped out of the reverence.

Hey tall, dark and solemn…

Now the smile was genuine as Sha searched the stage looking for the owner of those thoughts. He could sense her anywhere. He chuckled internally thinking how his veneration for Master Horn had, actually, distracted him so much as to shield the love of his life who was a meager three meters in front of him.

Normally, that wouldn't be of much consequence in consideration, but Sha was truly gifted in that regard. He was so strong in the force that it was rare that he could not establish a connection with other force sensitive beings anywhere in the galaxy. That alone was an uncommon aptitude, but there were other abilities that he had unexpectantly acquired while stationed on Hapes; abilities he was sure no other Jedi could perform. Of course, this was something that he had kept to himself. For all the other Jedi knew, he was a non-trained, force sensitive being with average abilities. His extensive intelligence training had the by-product of keeping a low profile. Additionally, his continued efforts in shielding all of his abilities in his youth, and while infiltrating the Yuuzhan Vong had given him the exceptional ability to portray controlled force strength. With minor effort, he could shut it off altogether. Such ability always reminded him of his mother, and her favorite reference to "save something for a rainy day."

Somehow, Sha knew that the "rainy day" was approaching. Something in the Force had alerted him to that. He was sure of it.

There she was, tilting her head back over her right shoulder staring right into his eyes. The smile was intoxicating, and he could not help himself. While he had known her causally for the last few years, her returning smile seemed to be directly reflective of the closeness they had developed over the last six months. If nothing else, Sha had convinced himself that regardless of the future, seeing that smile return to her facade was one of his greatest accomplishments in his life. Up until this point, their relationship had been for lack of a better term, clandestine.

The owner of the blonde locks and the marvelous smile raised her shoulders as if imitating a secretive act, turned her head right and left furtively, and finished with a wink before turning back forward as the festivities were about to begin.

Solemn? Is that how I appear. Sha thought to her in return.

Well, more of a 'I'd rather be wire brushing the scorching off a 20 year old ugly' look, came the reply.

Sha thought of this for a moment and realized that she must have observed him during his conversation with Master Horn. He supposed "solemn" was the expression that returned in his efforts to control his surprise.

Sorry love, you have mistaken solemnity for a rather poor attempt to portray myself as, serious and intelligent. Apparently, I failed miserably on both counts.

Looking back over her shoulder once again, this time she noticed Corran Horn standing to Sha's right with a rather cynical smile aimed toward the podium and she understood.

Ahhhh, I get it now. My favorite spy is trying to make a good impression for his idolized Jedi. And how is that going?

Sha sensed the playfulness is her thoughts. She seemed so amused for his reverence of the Jedi, and Master Horn in particular.

You wouldn't believe it if I told you. He, actually, knows of me, and complimented me on my work with intelligence.

Almost immediately, Sha saw her shoulders start shaking up and down, and even though she faced the murmuring crowd, he knew she was laughing.

And you find this amusing? He could not see what the humor would be. This was a day that he would treasure, and the woman he loved found it….well…entertaining.

Yes love I'm exceedingly amused, and more aptly amazed. Of course Corran Horn has heard of you. They have all heard of you. Many of the Jedi have taken it upon themselves to ask around about you to determine if the rumors concerning several of your missions were, indeed, true. If you would lift up that wonderful chin of yours and look around the stage I think you will find that while you are staring at Corran, most of the other Jedi are gaping at you.

As that registered, Sha took a few moments to study the Apprentices, Jedi Knights, and Jedi Masters distributed throughout the stage. Sure enough, there were many eyes upon him. Had he not had her thoughts on the tip of his mind as a catalyst to this glance he would not have made the connection. But, she was right. As he studied those watching him he noticed that most would look away as if caught stealing a sweet stick from the chemist's jar. That was, of course, until he fell into the glare of one Jaina Fel.

Jaina simply raised both of her eyebrows and nodded towards the golden locks Jedi of Tahiri Veila one row front. Then, as if in the same motion she tilted her head in that "is there something you want to tell me" way. The endeavor was without frivolity in the least until that blasted Solo smirk arrived followed by an almost imperceptible head nodding to the affirmative. The full-blown smile that followed was a welcome relief as Sha realized that the days of hidden wine and covert roses were very much out on display.

Uh oh.

What?

She knows.

Who knows?

Jaina…you and me…she knows.

Oh!

Sha caught Tahiri's quick glance over her left shoulder towards Jaina just as Jaina entered his mind.

Ahem…you and I are going to the lodging after this…be prepared for an interrogation.

Searching desperately for some levity Sha sent back, Your mind tricks won't work with me Jedi. Apparently, I have far too little to work with my friend.

Instantly a full-blown laugh erupted a short distance down the line to his left just as the crowd was shushing and Master Skywalker was taking the podium. The unexpected outburst caught the Jedi Master by surprise as his intense blue eyes focused on his errant niece. The result was twofold. First, Jaina turned a bright shade of red while simultaneously shooting an acid stare towards Sha.

Without a twitch of delay, Sha sent her another thought that had her fighting for control.

You do not fool me Jedi Jaina Fel. I am quite certain I can outrun you should the necessity arise, especially in your current state. While you are a formidable warrior and innovative fighter pilot, the simple fact of the matter is that my legs are longer, and I thank the Force each and every day for that advantage on you. So, in an effort to avoid an interrogation under the scrutiny of my friend, the Force has instructed me to…run.

Jaina merely shook her head in defeat as the effects of the calming breaths brought her back to the proper reflection on the ceremony. She would not risk another look as Sha, because he would invariably continue to make her laugh. Somehow he knew how to do it. Even Jag found himself uncomfortably shielding a smile now and then by his antics.

As if on cue the vision of a Troylayan Neck Bird outrunning a visibly pregnant White-Striped Prairie Lizard came out of nowhere. Blast him, she thought as she forced down another laugh with a grimace and some strategically placed coughing.

Jaina smiled inwardly at the new revelation, however. "Well it's about time kids," she thought to herself. Of course, Sha was due a good "squirming" nonetheless. She still had some retribution to deliver for the Wraiths and he showing up to her wedding reception in full armor Stormtrooper costumes. It had nearly taken an hour to calm down her father while her father-in-law insisted they sit at his table with the rest of the Imperials.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Master Skywalker was reminded everyday of the great price associated with the war against the Yuuzhan Vong. As he glanced behind him at the Jedi assembled on the stage he couldn't help noticing those that were missing. The amphitheater amplified the loss by showing far too much vacancy.

These Jedi events, for lack of a better term, were taking place throughout the galaxy at the request of Cal Omas and the Galactic Senate. While they were meant as a public relations effort, and they were quite successful in that regard, few of the Jedi had any love or ambition for political tangling. Additionally, they were a constant reminder of what was missing that had been there mere years earlier. Master Skywalker, not one for the routine, less it takes away from those who had made such unimaginable sacrifices never gave the same speech twice. It has worn on him as he was forced to live those terrible times over and over at each event while he spoke reverently about his lost charges and scarred friends.

Sha had taken to watching Master Mara Jade Skywalker during these speeches. He sensed the hurt and sorrow she felt for her husband in these times. The anguish was almost discernible on her features and her shoulders always seemed to visibly slump. Instinctively, he acted on the appearance. By nature he was not intrusive, but he could not bear it. So, without consideration for the immediate aftermath or the repercussions he focused the force onto Ben Skywalker, Master Luke's and Master Mara's son. He found him in an adjacent park awkwardly throwing tiny rocks like only a small child could into ornamental pond. Over his shoulder was Han Solo egging him on as if willing the rock to skip across the water. The smiles on both their faces seemed to be unconfined.

Without interruption, Sha transferred the images directly to Mara and watched.

It was immediate. The first look was surprise, and then a smile with a slight bob of the head as if stifling a laugh. Then concern as she whipped her head directly into his line of sight. There was no question that she was leveling her gaze directly at him. Then an appreciative nod as if she understood the purpose of Sha's efforts. Sha quickly returned the nod.

There was something else, however. Mara's face appeared to look into the distance, and immediately Sha noticed the silence coming from the podium. Looking up, he took in Master Skywalker turning his gaze to his wife. There was a quick, almost imperceptible, smile and he continued on. Just for an instant Sha was sure he saw a reprieve from the pain that enveloped the Master. When Sha turned his eyes back to Mara she was smiling at him. He wanted to smile back but instead just lowered his eyes to his hands that were folded inside the sleeves of his robe.

It did not even occur to Sha that he had divulged one of the many talents he had hidden for so long. It did not strike him that Mara would wonder how a non-trained, force sensitive being with average talents could transfer a real time image of her son to her. All he wanted to do was relieve her pain just a little. That was an issue that he had wrestled with most of his pre-war life. It felt wonderful to help someone else accomplish the task, if just for an instant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
oldjedinurse  3375 posts
Registered: Oct '03
24114_Barris Offee
Date Posted: 8/3/05 2:21pm Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
Hm. Interesting start. Let's see where you're going to take this one...

oldj grin

 

-----signature-----
Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
cheersweetie27  635 posts
Registered: Jul '03
Date Posted: 8/3/05 2:46pm Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
Nice start. Keep on going!

 

-----signature-----
She's Every Woman (L/M)-http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=26738997&brd=10477&replies=0
Too Young (J/Z)- http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=22666120&brd=10477&replies=0
Tattered Memory (L,M,B)- http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/3/05 3:04pm Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
I guess I should have provided a bit of a teaser on the story, but then again, you never know what the prize will be in your Cracker Jacks. That's half the fun.

Keep watching. Chapters will go up quickly...the story has been done for a while, and will give a little insight on some items shirked in the NJO series...

Cheers,
Trep

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/3/05 3:41pm Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay) - Date Edited: 8/3/05 4:00pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Trepidation
CHAPTER 2

Jaina had grabbed Sha by the arm while he ineptly tried to pretend that he had not seen her. No such luck. In honesty, he wasn’t looking to avoid her. In fact, he supposed that the time had come. However, while Jaina inevitably surmised that the talk would be a good natured ribbing at the expense of two of her clever friends, there would be more for her to digest...much more.

“A prairie lizard? You see me as a prairie lizard?”

Sha chuckled and stated dryly, “You have better skin.”

Sha never regretted the comment and he wouldn’t have taken it back. It was their usual song and dance. That was something he had learned about Jaina from their first meeting. If you couldn’t stand up to the verbal gymnastics you need not be in the gymnasium. Besides, their friendship was deeply rooted, and this little ball of fire enjoyed the challenge.

Their first meeting. That was going to come up later in the evening. Sha was resolved to that fact. The problem was, Jaina had no idea when their first meeting had occurred. She was convinced that it was when Sha was prepping the Skywalkers, Tahiri and the Wraiths for their infiltration of Coruscant during the defense of Borleias. Truthfully, however, they had met a number of times prior to those days. Their true first meeting had occurred on Hapes some time prior. Jaina would most certainly remember the conversations. She would, also, remember a disheveled older man who did little else other than raise her blood pressure at every opportunity. He was not completely sure that she would able to forgive him for what he had to tell her.

Sha was lost in that thought for the moment when Jaina nudged him.

“What’s wrong? You seem distant.”

Coming back to the present Sha ignored the question and glanced away for a second then back to her raised eyebrow. “Come on, let’s get this over with. And, you aren’t walking. Jag would have my hide if he knew I let you walk anywhere. No arguments. When he can’t make it to these wonderful events I’m in charge of your well being.”

“I am not an invalid. I can walk,” she responded irritably.

“Oh no, I promised the good Colonel, and you are intimately familiar with the Chiss and their promises. You have one month to go and you’re not shooting out that rambunctious little Jedi monster on my watch.”

“Monster?” Jaina overly dramatically exclaimed. “She is my sweet little girl and you, my dear Lorri, will be just as enamored with her beauty and poise as anyone.”

“Maybe so, but I am not inclined to clean up after you. And, chances are she’ll pop right out swinging a light saber and leveling a blaster. So, stay here and I will borrow a speeder with adjustable seats.” The last part was said as Sha strategically moved beyond her reach turning back just long enough to see the forming of that acid stare of hers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sha hadn’t gone twenty steps toward the exit flaps of the large oval shaped tent when Tahiri popped out between two face-stuffing Gamorreans. The look was unmistakable. Somehow Tahiri was able to wrap up all of her emotions in her eyes. This look said it all. Concern, inquisitiveness, support, and most of all love. How she did it was an enigma. Sha really wasn't interested in the mechanics of the talent, he just loved it.

“You’re going to tell her?” Tahiri asked, her body language obviously showing worry as she brushed away a piece of imaginary lint from her robe.

“I have to. She deserves to know the whole truth. Look, it is what it is. I had no control over what happened to me. What I do have control over is her knowing the truth. My involvement is no longer classified and Master Skywalker has assured me that anything I say is at my personal discretion.”

Tahiri pondered that and looked Sha straight in the eye. “She’s not going to take it well. Let me come with you.” Sha didn’t miss the pleading in those green eyes.

“No”

“But Sha..” he cut her off before she could finish the thought.

“No, this is my doing. Granted, I was acting on behalf of Master Skywalker, but ultimately, it was no one but me. And, Tahiri, I’d do it again. I’d do it again tomorrow if I had to. Honestly, I have no idea how she will react. Jaina’s like a sister to me. You know that. But, if she says she never wants to see me again, it’s the price for what I did. As long as you are around to help me pick up the pieces of my heart I’ll survive.”

It was instantaneous. Before the words had barely left Sha’s mouth he was enveloped in a wave of love and support. The depth and intensity of the feeling was staggering. Wave after wave encased him. It took a few moments for Sha to catch his breath. Finally able to gaze into her eyes he smiled.

“You’re not a halfway type of woman are you?”

She smiled back, but it was uncomfortably forced and flirting with tears straddling the edge.

“No..” was all she could manage.

Holding his smile he stepped around her and brushed her hand just grasping it briefly while he passed giving it a squeeze…”Cek ahk nar Zot Ma [My strength comes from you.]” he said in fluent Yuuzhan Vong.

“Zarn nar Zot Ma [And mine from you.] she exclaimed loud enough for his smile to continue and those in the immediate area to startle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jaina was doing what Sha affectionately referred to as her "Saber dance." The woman couldn’t sit still if they strapped her to a table with her weight in rope. At eight months pregnant and petite in stature, the sight was relatively humorous.

He pulled up the speeder and received the back end of the acid stare she started when he last left her. He knew she was just playing with him, and she appreciated the doting to some extent. However, he couldn’t help cringing at how short that good natured feeling would last. Sha was just opening the door to come around and assist her to get in when the words tumbled out of her mouth.

“Lorri, so help me, if you try and help me get in a speeder I’m going to give a light saber demonstration and filet you here on the street. How do you propose you help me anyway?”

Sha let out a little grunt, obviously starting to feel the stress and said the first thing to come to his mind.

“I have a shoe horn.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Sha weaved in out of traffic on the way back to the Lodging the conversation was sparse. With most people that wasn’t really a big deal. However, that wasn’t norm between them. By opening up to the force Sha could tell that Jaina was organizing her thoughts for the conversation they were about to have. There was nothing unusual until he caught her looking at him out of the corner of his eye. Glancing over at her briefly he noticed an expression of concern and confusion.

“What?”

She took a second and said what was on her mind, “You know I’m just joshing you about this talk don’t you? I really do think it’s great.”

He considered her comment and formed exactly to the words what he wanted to say. He could afford no missteps.

“Jaina, there is a lot we have to discuss. I’ll save you the trouble. I love Tahiri. Tahiri loves me. But, I’m afraid there is a lot more too it than your regular hidden space age romance. We need to get to a nice private place, get comfortable, and settle in, because what I have to tell you is going to take a while. It is going to take quite a bit of understanding on your part.”

The look on Jaina’s face remained the same. Sha knew she could sense the trepidation and stress Sha was feeling. It wasn’t like him in the least. Normally, Sha could shut down the Force and box his emotions without much effort, but he left them open for Jaina to experience. She needed to be in the proper mindset, and this was the best warning he could provide.

The remainder to the drive was quiet. Sha couldn’t miss the worry that had started to build in his friend as she played with the ring on her hand and occasionally stole a glance in his direction. As the Lodging awning swung into view Sha turned to her and said matter of factly, “Go up to your room, get comfortable and I’ll be up momentarily. I need to comm someone before I do anything. Jaina took in his words, stared into his eyes for a couple seconds and started to say something but held back. Instead, she nodded and began her exit from speeder.

As she started for the door of the Lodging Sha sent her a wave of calming thoughts and support. He saw the hitch in her step as she considered turning around, but decided against it and continued in the entrance and out of sight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The call Sha had to make went through immediately. It was no surprise because the recipient had received an image of his comm unit minutes before it chimed.

“Yes?”

“Master, it’s Shaud Lorrisay.”

“I expected your call Sha. I have spoken to Tahiri,” replied Master Skywalker.

“Master, I really wish she hadn’t done that. You need not be involved in this. This is my burden alone, and I did not want to engage you.”

“Nonsense. Sha, I am the one who sent you to Hapes to watch out for my niece. If there are any repercussions that result they are mine. Tahiri came to me because she knows you well enough to know that you are perfectly willing to fall on the sword. You should not, can not hold that against her. In fact, I think you will have to admit that it took courage for her to do what she thinks is right, yet is against your wishes.”

It was obvious due to the silence that Master Luke was waiting for Sha to respond to what he had just said. Sha read between the lines to understand that Tahiri was concerned how he would take her informing Master Skywalker of his plans. That was the easy part.

“Master, would you pass on a message to Tahiri for me. Tell her I would expect nothing less from her. However, tell her, also, to hit the sparring mat. She has an appointment with her better tomorrow morning at 0800.”

Luke chuckled in palpable relief that there was no ill will between the two young Jedi. Then his voice turned very serious.

“Sha, you and I have known each other since the early days of the war. I’ve watched you come out of a devastating situation with literally nothing to your name. Then, piece by piece, I’ve proudly watched you methodically start to rebuild your life. I refuse. Did you hear that Sha? I refuse to let you take one step in that other direction. My niece owes you much more than I think anyone could understand. Although I’m not convinced she is going to see it that way. I can’t let you take the full brunt of this. The idea was mine. Wait for me to get there and we will tell her together.”

Sha appreciated what he had just heard. However, he expected no less from Master Skywalker. That is specifically why he had not told him of his plans. He would not even consider it.

“Master, earlier today on the stage of the amphitheater I had the opportunity to talk a little with Master Horn. One of things he told me was that you showed me a path to take. However, my life has always been my own. Master, I appreciate your concern. However, I must ask a great favor. Allow me to address this alone. There is much more to it than you are aware. I would ask that you take some time with Tahiri and allow her to explain those matters to you. You may tell her that she has my blessing to tell you everything. She will understand. I, of course, will be available to you for any clarifications or…demonstrations that you may require. I believe that Master Mara will be able to enlighten you in that regard to a small extent.”

The silence on the comm unit was deafening. However, Sha was convinced that Master Skywalker was carefully considering his request. Perhaps he was even looking to the Force for guidance. When he did speak it was in a serene and even tone.

“Sha, I will honor your request. Talk to me when you are finished. And Sha.”

“Yes Master?”

“Thank you for the images of my son today. Sometimes the pain of recalling our sacrifices overshadows the purpose of our victories. Seeing my son skipping rocks on a carefree autumn day has a way of reminding me of why there was so much sacrifice. I am indebted to you for that message. You’d do well to remember that as well over the next few hours. Off the record, I believe you have made a new friend in my wife and that is always a good thing. May the force be with you Sha.”

“And with you master.”

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
oldjedinurse  3375 posts
Registered: Oct '03
24114_Barris Offee
Date Posted: 8/3/05 5:09pm Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
Sha actually suggested a shoe horn ... to Jaina Solo Fel??? A very pregnant, Jaina??? OMG! He doesn't like life, does he?

Good stuff.

oldj

 

-----signature-----
Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/3/05 5:25pm Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
Sha actually suggested a shoe horn ... to Jaina Solo Fel??? A very pregnant, Jaina??? OMG! He doesn't like life, does he?

Oh, I think you'll find that Sha can take care of himself. wink Glad you're enjoying it. I'll put up Chapter 3 tomorrow.

Cheers,
Trep

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/4/05 8:20am Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay) Chap. 3
CHAPTER 3

Jaina was sitting quietly on a synleather couch nibbling the remains of cold featherback when Sha entered the suite. It was obvious that she had moved a chair from the other side of the room so that they would be facing each other. She, noticeably, was taking this very seriously.

A quick smile preceded her comment as she held up the now naked bone. “We were hungry.”

Sha smiled back and asked her if she would like anything else while he was up, but he could tell by the scowl forming above her eyes that there would be no further delay to the subject at hand.

“Sha” she said, “Sit down, take a deep breath and tell me why you are more upset than a three legged Smirgin on an icy lake.”

And so he did…

“Jaina, when was the first time we met?”

She didn’t even pause. “Borleais, you were prepping Uncle Luke for his Coruscant mission, and I came down to help with some of the mapping. If I recall, you told me not to touch the fungus droids because they were finely calibrated and my hands had grease from the X-Wing on them. I believe your exact words were Hey sticks, hands off the merchandise.”

Sha cringed at the first impression that must have made. “Yes, well, those were my little contributions to the mission. I was…possessive.”

“Actually, it was a nice change of demeanor. By that time I was getting a little fed up with Goddess role and it was nice to be treated like I deserved.”

“Be that as it may. What if I were to tell you that you had met me before that time,” wondering if she could make the connection without any prodding.

“No, I don’t think so. I’ve always had a sense of familiarity with you. That’s not something I could overlook easily. In addition, I would have sensed you in the force. For some reason we just click that way. It’s kind of strange though, I don’t make that instant recognition with most Force-sensitives as quickly as I did with you.”

Sha raised his eye brows a bit at this revelation. It made sense to him, and it, also, clarified something that he and Tahiri had deduced.

“Jaina, let me start at the very beginning. It won’t all make sense at first, but I promise to tie everything together. I will warn you up front, not everything that you will hear from me is going to be pleasant. You are going to relive some very difficult times. However, I assure you that it is very necessary.”

“Sha, whatever you have to tell me I can handle it. For Force sake just tell me. Whatever it is I’m sure it is not as bad as you are making it out to be.”

“Jaina, when have known me to over react?”

This caused Jaina to pause. She had known Sha for nearly 6 years, and in that time he had been one of the most controlled, level headed individuals she’d known. One of the most amazing things about him is that he had the ability to shut down his Force sensitivity completely. She had lost several credits to him by betting that she could sense him. But, he had done it with little effort. He had, also, become nothing short of a legend among the Intelligence community for his ability to survive the most hair-raising missions without merely a scratch inside or out. Through it all he was oblivious to the accolades piled around him relative to his endeavors. Now he had her attention.

“Jaina, I will be direct. What I have to tell you may change your opinion of me for good. I have never given you reason to doubt me…that you know about. Some of the things that I did during the war were directly related to you. I suppose from a certain perspective they could be considered deceitful, underhanded, and outright invasive. I will tell you every single one of these events. And, I will tell you right now that if the exact same situation presented itself I would do it again in an instant. As I look at you right now expecting your first child with a husband that I consider to be a very good man and one of my closest personal friends I am content that what I did was proper. I will not apologize for any of it. If someone had to do this I am glad it was me.”

Jaina shifted uncomfortably in her seat, but he could tell that she was riveted on what would follow.

“As I stated previously, I will start at the beginning. 7 years ago I was 15 standard years living with my mother in a relatively normal childhood. That all changed with the invasion of the Yuuzhan Vong.

They showed up in the middle of night, put a massive Dovin Basal into a huge pit on my planet and dropped a moon on our heads. I was Force-sensitive since the day I was born and I have always been very strong in the Force, but since I received no training I had not the faintest idea how to control it. As a result, I would get inundated with the emotional outcries of many around me. The fear and pain generated by a moon falling on my planet did not help the situation. I would describe the experience as…unbearable. Fortunately, in my early youth I was able to teach myself to turn it off. It was like I had a switch I could throw that would take it away at a moment’s notice.

On that fateful day I had resigned myself to death. I had no preconceptions of escape. Instead, I went to the Space Center to watch the end. It was a front row seat to the end of all things. However, it didn’t work out that way. You see, this freighter came out of nowhere and swept me up and carried me away from Sernpidal.

That’s the simple version.

The detailed version is a bit more personal. The freighter turned out to be the Millennium Falcon. I was swept up in the arms of a wookie named Chewbacca. And, the pilot of that ship turned out to be a young man almost exactly my age named Anakin Solo.”

Sha gave her a few seconds to absorb what he had just revealed. Jaina had steadied herself on the couch and had the look of disbelief in her eyes. In her favor, she was nodding her head slowly in the affirmative to assure Sha that she was following and had accepted what he had relayed.

“I helped your father clear out the port storage and pull in the borders from a crashed transport. Everyone was aboard but Chewbacca. As he reached for the ramp the planet below buckled sending him hundreds of meters below the ship. At that moment I opened into the Force instinctively to see if I could help locate him regardless of the pain that would ultimately overcome me. I found Chewbacca and felt his strong sense of defiance. That is all he emitted. There was no fear. There was no pain. There was no despair. All of his being was strong, proud DEFIANCE.”

Jaina let out a slight sob no doubt reliving memories of her wonderful furry friend. But to her credit she motioned to go on.

“It all changed in a fraction of a second. The defiance in his soul changed to concern, then worry, then anger. All of these emotions were because he was afraid that Han would try and come back for him even though the result would be futile. I collected his thoughts, his vision of Anakin being thrown up onto the ramp, and even Chewbacca's thoughts directly to your father.

Jaina was now visibly shaken but had the strength to ask one simple question.

“Did Anakin hear those thoughts?”

Sha took a deep breath and took both of her hands in his.

“No, not at first. He was regaining consciousness and concentrating on keeping the freighter in the air. However, I felt him decide to leave just as the atmosphere was beginning to ignite. He made the choice and the pain of leaving his friend shot through me like a knife despite my precautions.

It was the right decision.

However, just before I lost consciousness from all the collective pain and suffering, I transferred what I had collected from Chewbacca and channeled it to Anakin. I had no idea who he was at the time. I had no idea he was Jedi. You can imagine my disbelief when he instantly he turned to me and nodded his appreciation. He, also, sent me a thought just as I went black. It was more than a 'thought' really."

Sha glanced at Jaina to assure himself that she was ready for what came next, and then focused on the wall just behind her head. He blindly extended his hand to her and she took it. Putting her hand against his temple he then channeled the Force deep into the recesses of his own mind searching out memories of the darkest times in his life. His eyes shut slowly as he found his goal.


Jaina felt herself drifting briefly in a silent darkness. As if turning the sound up on her comm unit a low murmur turned into a unbearably loud clutter. The din of loud winds was incessant and overbearing. A moment later the scene and the baggage thoughts pixilated into her mind. Jaina understood she was standing in for Sha in a memory from his life. For all intents and purposes, she was Sha.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Resigned to the reality that there were not enough transports to remove all the populace the equation's answer was unquestionable. Many would die. Sha was acquiescent to the truth that he would be among the lost. His mother, still likely to be sleeping after a long shift at the local cantina the night before, would never know her fate. There was macabre contentment in that thought. His mother's suffering would be tempered by her unawareness.

So, instead of making any profound efforts to the contrary, Sha was merely an observer of his own demise. He was not content in that solution, but he was resigned to any other possible outcome. Sitting here watching it fall.

A Wookie!

He had only heard of such a creature…never actually seen one. A mountain of ginger colored hair. This one was, well, he was huge. Just on the edge of the docking station, a transport, obviously overloaded with the fleeing crashed due to the overextended weight. Instinctively, Sha looked up as the transport scraped to a stop to see what else might fall from the sky. It seemed natural, although such an instantaneous ending would not have been entirely disapproving. Down came a freighter with the mandible things on the front and the hatch ramp wide open. It had to be wide open to account for the full sized Wookie that jumped to the ground in pursuit of what appeared to be a male human about the same age as Sha.

The Wookie stopped just two giant strides from where Sha had tumbled to the ground. The wind from the deteriorating conditions and the shock of the transports falling out of the sky was too much sensory to remain on his feet. The Wookie turned…and big brown intelligent eyes, with a hint of genuine concern leveled into him like a dart. Then a wink with a glance up to the unevenly hovering freighter. The next thing Sha realized was that he was sailing up through the drafts headed straight for the edge of the extended ramp. Behind him from the ground came a rumble or a growl as if announcing his arrival above.

"Hey kid, stop messing around and get in here," came a voice just audible over the wind sheer. "Make yourself useful, hook a rope to the stabilizer bar over there and run it over to me."

Finally shaking his head in an effort to dislodge the apathy, Sha proceeded to tie off a blue rope to before lofting the free end to the stranger. Then, as if previously instructed started to make room in the cabin beyond the cockpit for boarding survivors of the crash.

"Alright kid, 'make a hole' and clear the next cabin for boarders…if it isn't tied down, lose it out the ramp. We're going to be tight on payload…." the stranger trailed off as he watched the last of the containers slide out of the load chute.

Caught in site of the boxes dropping single file off the side of the ramp too perfectly and prior to his suggestion, the stranger raised and eyebrow and gave Sha a second look. Curling his lip in contemplation he returned his attention to the howling below mumbling something about Wookies not liking guests dumping perfectly fine boxes of potato rice especially on their head.

The next few minutes were a blur as body after body was heaved on board what turned out to be the Millennium Falcon. Somewhere in the middle of it all, Sha noticed the arrival of the same boy who the Wookie chased to the ground after the transport crashed. He was groaning and barely conscious, but fought to his feet to wrestle the controls of the ship. Sha straddled the lip of the hatch while pulling each newly tossed arrival in through doorway until the Wookie stared up to the ramp. He should have been the last to board. But he wasn't.

Without warning a horrendous explosion ripped through the plates of the now volatile planet. Bedrock and soil acted contrary to their state and formed waves across the landscape. One second a furry massive hand was coming up over the lip of the ramp, the next second the ground fell out from under the Millennium Falcon and he was 200 meters below. The smell of ozone was pungent and assaulting as the edges of the atmosphere started to combust.

One second, two seconds, three seconds…the Wookie was knocked off his feet. The stranger is yelling to the kid…"down, I said down, can you see him!?!"

Sha glanced to the kid about his age in the pilot's seat frantic yet controlled. The ship bucked as the atmosphere continued to ignite in the creation of kinetic energy as the pressure against a smaller area increased exponentially.

Sha pulled down his walls and allowed the force to flow just this once. Perhaps he can sense the Wookie. He saved his life, he owed him that. The result was instantaneous and remarkable…

A strong presence far below. Battered and broken, pained and dismayed all sensory of the subject stopped abruptly. However, it didn't end. Instead, rising up from the ground in its place is an unmistakable, unwavering thought. DEFIANCE.

There was no more pain…no anger…no regret…no sense of loss….From the heart and mind of the Wookie came resolve and contentment. A vision appeared of the boy pilot landing heavily on the boarding ramp. At the last possible second a sharp change is character occurred as the Wookie turned from contentment to concern…but the extraordinary thing was that the concern was for the stranger tied to the rope. His concern in has last seconds of life had been for his friends.

(((Gooooo Han! Goooooo! Do not search me out!!!!! I have fulfilled my life debt. I am content!!! Gooooooo!!!! )))

In that instant, Sha feels the twisting of a knife shoot through his entire being as the boy in the pilot's seat makes the excruciating decision to leave. Death of his friend in exchange for the possibility of survival for self and strangers.

Flirting with the overload of Sernpidal's collective emotions Sha instinctively uses what is left of himself to transfer the thoughts of the Wookie to the boy. The boy must know the Wookie's mind. Nothing else is important as the mindset, the images, and the thoughts are transferred.

The result is immediate. The boy wheels in his chair. Staring wide-eyed at Sha he considers it. Then a nod…a look of gratitude. Darkness is coming to Sha now. He is spent. But there is a forceful voice in his mind.

"I owe you a great debt…Thank You."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Jaina returned to the present to see Sha sitting beside her holding her hand with great concern in his eyes. She realized that tears were now streaming down her face as floods of memories of her brother filled her up. Putting on a brave face she glanced up to Sha and smiled a helpless smile.

Sha merely nodded and spoke softly.

"Jaina, you have seen what I experienced that horrible day. I was able to buffer most of the emotions surrounding you in the happening. I did not want to risk any ill effects on the baby. However, it was necessary for you to see, and more importantly, feel what your brother thrust upon me."

Now Jaina looked confused. "What are you saying?"

Sha sighed as he thought about how to answer that. This was the crux of it all. A great gift and a major burden wrapped up in complications and unknowns.

"Jaina, are you not the least bit curious how I can retrieve memories from my mind and show them to you? Do you know any other Jedi with that ability?"

Jaina was still. Sha could see her considering those words. Even in the tenseness of the moment Sha couldn't stifle a chuckle as he watched the standard left eyebrow go farther up her forehead than he'd ever witnessed before. Her eyes slowly came around to his. She was asking. He knew it was time to explain. She was ready now.

"Look at me in the Force Jaina.?

After a pause he saw the concentration and she returned from that place almost immediately.

"You turned it off. You have no presence," she said.

Sha nodded. "Good, now look again." he replied.

Again, she complied and after a longer period than previously she returned her eyes to his.

"Now you have a Force-sense, but it is somewhat clouded."

Sha did not wait.."Ok, Jaina, again."

Jaina's eyebrow returned to what seemed to be the natural position of an arched inquiry, but she focused again in the Force.

"Sha, you are so strong in the force. I never noticed it before."

"Jaina, that is my natural state. Or I should say it was my natural state. What you see now is the strength I have always had. It is what I was born with. Do you understand?"

Jaina nodded knowing that her friend preferred to shield himself. Yet, she was amazed at the strength he possessed. The potency rivaled that of the strongest and most tried Jedi.

"Now Jaina, open yourself to the force and tell me what you see."

Jaina looked at him guardedly and complied after a pause. She gasped at what she saw. It was…amazing. The light swirled around him like the whirl pools of Tagarin. It was as if his whole body was a eddy of churning light. By far the most wonderful thing was not what she saw, but what she felt. There were waves of warmth, comfort, support and love. She was sure if she wanted she could reach out and pick off the loyalty, confidence, and spirit like fruits from a Maglon tree. It was…astonishing.

She returned from that place and immediately turned her eyes to Sha. He was smiling when she did. Yet, there was no pride. It was a simple happiness of allowing his friend to know the truth. Jaina was sure she caught a sense of relief in his eyes as if a burden had finally been lifted. But surely she thought, this couldn’t possibly be what had her friend so concerned. This was not something to dread. It was to be reveled, celebrated even. Her friend had a magnificent gift.

"There is more, isn't there? Because if you were worried that I would be upset that you did not let me know your true self, tough luck, I still like ya kid." Jaina smiled wide as she said it.

Sha smiled back. Actually, he wasn't even sure how she would react to this new revelation. For all he knew, this part of the truth could have initiated a negative catalyst for what was to follow. Emboldened by this positive he went on.

"There's more. Much more."

Jaina wasn't dismayed. She had guessed there was more. However, she couldn't control her enthusiasm. "Does Uncle Luke know of your gifts? He has to know. I have never even dreamt of such a thing. Whenever I channel the force into another Jedi there are always negatives, and doubts. There always seem to be clouded memories and regrets. Yet, your Force-sense was so, …so, pure. How is that possible?"

"Jaina, you are forgetting what I had revealed to you earlier. I showed you my natural state, which I will agree was strong. But, then I showed you more."

The smile faded slowly while Sha watched her grasp for an explanation. It would not come he was sure. But, he needed to bring her back to a level of seriousness and contemplation. Then the smile was back again and he knew she was about to prolong her thoughts on this revelation.

"Does Tahiri know of your abilities?"

Sha sighed and said, "Tahiri knows everything. She and I have no secrets. If it were her choice, she would be sitting next to you right now offering her support and resolve for what is to come. What I have told you so far is only a portion of what you must know."

It was a sobering comment. The smile abruptly dissipated and Jaina pinched her lips as she gathered herself. Unmistakably, Sha could tell she was focused on him and was encouraging him to move forward.

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
jagsredlady  1539 posts
Registered: Oct '02
42771_Marasiah Fel
Date Posted: 8/4/05 9:19am Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
Wow! shock

This is unbelievably good! applause

 

-----signature-----
Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. ~ Mark Twain
"He's not that good." ~ Jag
Puh-leeze, she's not in his league.....
The socks are multiplying like rabbits.
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/4/05 9:20am Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay) Chap. 4
CHAPTER 4

"Hapes."

"Hapes?"

"Yes, that's where we met for the first time."

Jaina tilted her head as if searching her memory for a glimpse of Sha in that time.

"I don't remember you being there. But..." and her voice leveled off softly, "I don't remember a lot of things from that time. I was mostly numb."

"I know. You were numb. You were, also, vengeful, angry, insolent, and," he paused and sighed, "…you were reckless."

Jaina felt her friend's words hit her like a piece of permacreet. To her credit she didn't deny the truth of them. Instead she nodded in recollection while staring visibly down to the floor. Sha gave her a few seconds to ponder her thoughts and then softly used his finger to move her chin up from her neckline so that she was, again, staring into his face.

"I am not finding fault. I am not judging your reaction to your perception of life at that time. I am, merely, stating the truth of the matter. It is done now, and is the past. What I intend to tell you is why it is the past, and why it is done."

Jaina kept him in her vision but he could tell that her eyes were clouded with growing tears. The fact that there was such instantaneous regret and sorrow for her actions on Hapes caused Sha to offer a bit of a smile. Jaina noticed and was perplexed by his reaction.

"Why do you smile at such a thing? Do you know how many people I abused with the Darkness? I compromised my friends and strangers alike."

"Jaina, I know exactly who you abused, and every single crumb of pain that you inflicted. The fact that you are able to hold such remorse and naturally regret your actions tells me you are healing well. Look at your life now, and compare it to your…existence then. I will smile at that my friend. Anyone who wouldn't is, well…

Daft, Dim, and perhaps slow

Jaina pushed herself forward in the chair and grabbed Sha by his hand before he had a chance to react. She had heard him finish the sentence in her mind. However, it wasn't Sha's voice. No, this was a familiar voice that she had not heard for quite a while. It was a voice that she was quite sure she did not want to hear again. For some reason it invoked such anger and frustration in her. And then it came clear.

"You! That was you?"

"That was me," Sha said with a sigh of resignation.

"I wanted to rip your head off and feed it to a ravenous Gundark. You made me so, …so…I HATED YOU!"

"Yes," was all Sha would say. He wanted her to bring all of her memories and feelings to the front so that he would have the opportunity to address each of them in turn.

"You know, I even recall a night when I went looking for you to kill you myself. I was sure I sensed you around corners, but every time I got to that point, you weren't there."

"I was there," Sha simply stated while keenly trying to decipher the expressions on Jaina's face.

Jaina softened from her tirade and looked at Sha briefly. He felt the hurt in that stare. This was not the joshing façade that they were used to. She looked away and then back to him and addressed him without emotion.

"I only remember pieces. Some of it is foggy, mixed up in my mind." she shook her head as she said this.

Sha simply stated matter of factly, "Give me your hand."

She looked at him inquisitively and started to do so before stopping and pulling it back. The action cut right through Sha's doggedness, but he waited without a word. Finally, Jaina seemed to come to a decision and tentatively gave him her hand. Sha took it in his and placed it along his left temple. Without delay or warning the memory of their first meeting pixilated into her mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jaina was seated on the floor of the Coral Frigate wrestling with what served as a valve on the life support import vents of the ship. Deeply focused in her endeavor she failed to notice Lowbacca stand up and walk directly out the hatch without comment or sound. What she did notice was a presence before her some minutes later.

Without looking up she took an insolent tone, "Go away. I'm involved at the moment."

"I would say that you are more along the lines of enthralled my friend."

Still not bothering to look up towards the older man's direction, "Perhaps you missed my intent. Leave."

"Intent, now there is a nice juicy morsel of a word my friend."

"Go, move, vacate, EV, dispatch...depart."

Finally she looked up to see a man of about 50 standard years wearing a wrinkled tunic, unshaven, bent and poorly kept.

"Hello my friend," he quipped with obvious amusement never blinking from her exasperated stare.

"First and foremost I am not receiving vagrants on my ship, and second of all I am NOT your friend. Go."

The old man chuckled and matched her tone with one of his own.

"First and foremost, I would hardly call this overgrown sea shell a ship, and second of all I don't see where you have any say in whom I call friend. You see, that is my choice not yours. Obviously, you can form your own conclusions as to which you would call friend. But, for me, the decision is all mine. One sided, personal to me. Do you understand? And, NO I will not GO…MY FRIEND."

He chuckled at her again as he knew how he had stressed the very end of his comment.

Her nerves already razor-thin wasted no time. She reached for her light saber with the intent of intimidating the stranger back to the rock he crawled out from under. Raising the vibrant blade she swung it through the air haphazardly so as to watch the desired effect.

The old man laughed heartily and mimicked her efforts exactly with a walking stick he had pulled from his side. All the time he imitated the "Whuuum, Whum" that sounded from Jaina's Saber mocking her with his smile and eyes.

It did not take long before her efforts slowed as she tried to process the actions of this man. Perhaps he was mentally incapacitated. Perhaps he had escaped from some local facility and was not aware of what he was doing. His life was, quite possibly, in peril and he hadn't a care.

"What is wrong with you old man?"

"Old? OLD? Did the little girl with the colorful sugar stick just call me old?" he chuckled.

"I think you best return to your bed old man. You are, obviously, not right with the world, and cannot even perceive when you are threatened," Jaina offered in a huff as if dismissing the whole thing to return to her work.

The old man stopped chuckling at once, and reinforced his presence by taking a step towards her. Suddenly the walls of the cramped Coral Frigate appeared to become more confining so that the perception was that the old man occupied the only space of which Jaina could focus. She had no ability to look away. He spoke.

"Young Jedi," The words were spoken softly, but the strength of them was impossible to ignore. "Do not insult me by thinking you can swat my presence away like a sap fly on a stalk plant. I am here at MY leisure. I leave by MY leisure. Eventually, you will have no alternative but to accept that truth. How long it takes you to come to that realization is entirely up to you. You see, MY FRIEND, you have no control over me. My comings, my goings, my words, my thoughts. All of them, they are MINE." Without warning the old man moved with incredible quickness reaching forward towards Jaina he summoned her light saber from her hand and it flew directly into his.

"This, …this toy of yours. How does it work…oh yes this button here…how cute."

Without the least of a delay the old man threw his hands in the air holding his palms outward and the light saber immediately started to fly perilously close to Jaina. Each time she tried to reach for it, it moved just from her reach. As frustration set in she tried to reach out for it in the Force but was blocked easily by some unknown presence until she resigned to again trying to catch it physically. All the time, the old man laughed as if he had heard the most raucous of jokes and hopped around as if dancing a jig. Finally, the light saber slowly floated down from above and landed softly in her out stretched hand.

"Who are you?" an out of breath Jaina implored.

"Why, I must be a simple old man who has given his nurse the slip in order to torment the likes of you, who else."

"You are trying my nerves old man," she attempted with false bravado.

"Good Gods you are a feisty one. I would offer you the solace you request but for one thing," he said.

"And that is?"

"Quite possibly you are incapable of recognizing the difference. You see my tiny little Jedi...I have come to a conclusion about you. Would you like to hear it MY FRIEND?" a twinkle in his eye and a tilt in his head.

"Tell me if you must," now showing her impatience with her hands on her hips.

"I thought you were just suffering those things lost from your life," he smirked and gave a disapproving expression, "but, that's not it at all is it? Simply put I believe you to have more permanent problems. I believe that you are…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Daft, Dim, and perhaps Slow," Jaina repeated as she came out of the trance and Sha removed her hand from his temple.

Sha watched her carefully. This was the most pivotal of times. How she reacted would decide whether he would be able to complete the necessary task, or whether an impassable rift would forever exist between them. She was not looking at him or anything in particular for that matter. Instead, she appeared to be focusing internally trying to gather missing relevance to what she had just witnessed. She could not remember the meeting, although there was no doubt that it had occurred. She tried to see some semblance of familiarity between the old man and Sha. There was none that was obvious. Finally, she slowly raised her eyes to him as if the answers to the questions just out of reach were written in his eyes.

"Why?"

"That is a general question. You want to know why I showed you this. Why you can't fully remember it. Why you know it happened. Why you saw nothing of me in that man. But, most importantly, Why I would do this," he said calmly.

"Yes."

"I am going to ask you to do something that goes against all reason. Your heart and your mind will tell you to be apprehensive. Ultimately, your choice will rest on one thing and one thing only. That thing is trust. Trust in your friend. All of your questions will be answered. All of them. But, it will require a leap of faith. Are you capable of that?"

"Sha?" she started to say something and thought better. "I wanted to kill you. More than that, I wanted to make you suffer before I killed you."

"I know," was all he said without a bit of emotion.

"I don't see the point of this. You tormented me on purpose. You misrepresented yourself. You mocked me and all that I held dear. Yet, you want my trust."

"I do." Again, no emotion at all.

She fiddled with her ring and looked past him into the kitchenette. "I need some water," she said simply and softly.

As Sha moved to get up she grabbed his arm and held him in place. "I will get it myself."

Sha knew the connotations of such a comment. At this point in time he was not a friend or a confidante. It was shattering, but not entirely unexpected. He nodded and waited for her to return to the couch.

While Jaina was in the kitchenette it became apparent that it was a delay of sorts. She needed a bit of time to process what she had learned, and possibly the road to which it led. There was no doubt in Sha's mind that she was, also, reviewing the last few years of friendship with Sha to see if she missed something, anything deceitful in his nature.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Out of nowhere he felt the warm grasp of positive and confident thoughts. Tahiri had sensed his anxiety and consternation in the Force and sent him a gift. But, there was more. Jacen Solo joined in with her and offered the same as well as his appreciation for his efforts. He sensed Master Skywalker and Master Mara as well. An image appeared in his mind that surprised him in its clarity. There was little Ben throwing rock into the pond and in competition with Han Solo as to who had the widest grin.

Sha smiled inwardly and immediately opened to the Force to send his thanks and gratitude for their support. He followed it with a vision of a man walking a tightrope high above the ground with no webbing down below and felt the immediate amusement from his supporters.

Jaina finally returned to the couch and sat down with her water. She looked into Sha's eyes as he remained impassive and finally spoke.

"I know you had a reason. I sense that it was monumentally important. But, that is all I sense. My intuition and common sense tell me other things, however.”

He said nothing.

Sha…," she dropped off, "I am not afraid to know what you did or why you did it. I do trust you. It is shaky at best. But, at the end of the day, I trust you. What scares me. What I am afraid to know is what I did. I am wondering if at the end of that same day I will lose the trust I have in myself."

Sha sighed with such relief that it nearly jolted Jaina out of her thoughts. Without delay a wide smile spread across his countenance. He did not let her consider his next act. He leaned to her, wrapped her in his arms and whispered softly in her ear.

"When we are done today you will trust yourself more than you have in a very long time. If you truly mean what you just said, I promise you it will happen." Sha leaned away to see how she would accept this information.

Jaina's eyes showed pure hope at the thought. Her voice was weak, but it held a hint of perseverance as well when she softly stated, "I suppose that we should continue then."

Sha studied her briefly, slowly nodded once and settled in with a slow exhale.

"Jaina, I will be candid with you. I've gone over this entire discussion in my head many times since we have become friends. I knew it would be coming. But, you have to be asking yourself..'Why now? Why am I being told these things now?'"

Jaina latched on immediately and nodded solidly to the affirmative. "I am trying to understand what initiated your need to…to reveal what you have. I keep trying to see how this could be connected to my discovering your feelings for Tahiri. However, I cannot make the connection."

"Yet, your thoughts do not deceive you. To an extent there is a connection. However, there are other matters that have changed very recently that have…hmmm…opened the door if you like. Allow me to make this more clear."

As Sha looked over to Jaina he noticed a hint of a grin. The surprise in his usual flat line demeanor at the sight must have amused Jaina even more because she continued into a near smile. "Sha, we have been here for what? Nearly two standard hours? Nothing has become more clear."

Sha returned the smile. "I must admit. I do not envy either of us in our respective roles at this time. However, I am reminded of advice that my mother once served upon me. It was her warning to me that one should not make faces. Her contention was that such actions could eventually cause the subject's face to remain that way should the exercise be continuous. I would not want my friend Jaina Fel to walk throughout the galaxy with a constant set of inquisitive arched eyebrows." He winked at her as the levity had the desired result.

Jaina chuckled with him and simply said, "I'm waiting."

"Good, for what you are now about to hear is many things. It is inconceivable, wonderful, unexpected, astonishing and nothing short of miraculous."

Jaina's smile dissipated as he spoke, but there was no mistake that her full attention was with his every word.

Sha gave her a quick smile knowing full well that the news he was about to deliver was something that he had wanted to reveal to her since Tahiri and he had made the connection. She would, more than likely, be stunned, but it would make sense to her. It would be something that she could grab onto and start to assemble all the pieces of the wealth of information given and yet to come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Chapter 5 tomorrow)

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/4/05 10:31am Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay) - Date Edited: 9/15/05 6:09am (4 edits total) Edited By: Trepidation
Wow!

This is unbelievably good!

Someone with such kind comments deserves a teaser....Ah, but not on this little exercise, however. I am merely setting up the adventures to come by creating a familiarity with a new character. I often wondered what it would be like to have a Jedi that is unassuming, loyal, likeable, extremely innovative and at least as strong as the most Dark of Jedi.

The follow-up is nearly complete. Things you will see in the sequel "Dark Diplomacy":

--A triad of three-year-old Jedi girls who enjoy confounding corrupt politicians much to their parents' chagrine (and to Han's amusement)
--Jump seats in particular X-Wings and one particular Claw Craft that allows little ones to tag along for rides (When your bloodline is Antilles/Solo/Fell/Skywalker you have to start them early).
--A personal pleasure craft called the Indigo Sky that makes the Jade Shadow look like a carnival ride.
--Light saber action galore
--Jedi practical jokes
--Newly discovered Jedi abilities that close old wounds
--A newly Christened Princess
--One Strong Jedi (and some interesting friends)fight the Darkness in a unique way
--An interesting concept presented by the Senate to promote investment in various parts of the flailing galaxy that creates a financial windfall for various Jedi, and allows them to buy out their Autonomy out from under Political control....
--Kidnapping,and assorted mayhem
--Han/Leia/Jaina/Jag/Tahiri/Kyp/Luke/Mara/Ben/Jacen/Tenel Ka/Karde/Shada/Artoo/3PO/Saba/ and of course Shaud Lorrisay...plus three rambunctious little girls that are a handful alone, but together they are...a riot...plus more

And, there's much more to come on this little story...
Cheers,
Trep

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
jagsredlady  1539 posts
Registered: Oct '02
42771_Marasiah Fel
Date Posted: 8/4/05 11:42am Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
Whoah! Great teaser! I am even more hooked now! grin

Someone with such kind comments deserves a teaser..

Thanks! And such a well-written fic deserves a proper review! grin I'll write one as soon as I have more time. happy

 

-----signature-----
Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge. ~ Mark Twain
"He's not that good." ~ Jag
Puh-leeze, she's not in his league.....
The socks are multiplying like rabbits.
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Thrawn McEwok  13654 posts
Title: TFN EU Staff
 Registered: May '00
43231_Chiss Ewok
Date Posted: 8/4/05 3:06pm Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
Trepidation: grin I'm impressed. cool

I'm not quite sure what to make of this yet, but perhaps that's the idea.

Sha is a very complex and well-realised OC (so much so that I can more than forgive the wunderkind element). The characterization and the writing is classy and distinctive. But I don't want to say too much about where I think it might be going.

So, if it's okay with you, I'll just sit back and enjoy the ride... happy

- The Imperial Ewok

 

-----signature-----
A/T = OTP cool
:===8[#]8===:
Kyp/Jaina fans: stand up and be counted!
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/4/05 7:05pm Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay)
Thrawn McEwok posted:
Trepidation: grin I'm impressed. cool

I'm not quite sure what to make of this yet, but perhaps that's the idea.

Sha is a very complex and well-realised OC (so much so that I can more than forgive the wunderkind element). The characterization and the writing is classy and distinctive. But I don't want to say too much about where I think it might be going.

So, if it's okay with you, I'll just sit back and enjoy the ride... happy

- The Imperial Ewok


I might have telegraphed the destination on this one...I have a hunch you are on the right track...In fact, I'd bet the next chapter will put one in your win column. But, there are always those threats of covert twists and hidden turns...or not. wink

Thanks for the comments Imp. Ewok

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/5/05 7:15am Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay) - Date Edited: 8/5/05 7:17am (1 edits total) Edited By: Trepidation
CHAPTER 5

"Back to Hapes," he said without delay.

"Hapes," she repeated, and Sha did not miss the concern in her tone.

"Show no unease Jaina. What you will hear now is quite extraordinary."

Jaina nodded her understanding and shifted in her seat to get more comfortable.

"You know of my involvement in the War. I will not bore you with the details of how Master Skywalker and Iella Antilles led me into the Intelligence field. I will merely tell you of my time on Hapes prior to your arrival in that flying rock of yours."

He gave another little smile knowing that Jaina had developed a bit of affection for the Coral Frigate she had commandeered.

"I was sent to Hapes under a rather mundane assignment to establish a cover in which to permeate the refugee settlements that were growing rapidly on Gallinore. It would be my job to weed out Peace Brigade derelicts and masked Yuuzhan Vong infiltrators. I had been there for nearly two weeks when something happened."

He stood up as he said this because the unsettling topic was one that required him to release energy as he spoke. He was not sure that the full concept could ever be accepted absolutely in his mind.

"It was nearly mid-afternoon and I had just returned from a survey of one of the camps. It was my intention to secure some much-needed rest. I was on the cusp of sleep when something simply startling occurred."

He stepped toward Jaina and sat next to her on the couch. He put his left hand out palm up asking for her to take hold. She did not hesitate. Something in the Force told her that this was nothing to fear. Truth be told, she seemed to be drawn to this moment.

Sha took her hand and raised it to his left temple and looked her directly in the eye.

"Be prepared my friend. You are now going to meet the full content of my soul."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a dark inside the modular box of a room and there was a smell that seemed to leak in from the outside that was a mixture of Persean blossoms and wet, rich soil. It was, obviously, a temporary refugee housing large enough for one resident. She was face up on the bed arms behind her head staring up at the ceiling and drowsy. As she surveyed the contents around her she couldn't help noticing the sparse emptiness that Sha must have lived with at that time in his life.

She could feel sleep closing in, but there was, also, something else. What was it? An uneasiness? No, not quite. Something…strong within the Force was dangling, yet elusive.

And then,

((("I owe you a great debt…Thank you.")))

Jaina in Sha's place knew Anakin's voice instantly. So clear were the thoughts that she caught herself searching the room in quest of its owner.

There was no one.

Somehow she knew that Sha had associated the voice with the boy who piloted him away from Sernpidal on that fateful day. He had come to learn of the boy's identity from Master Skywalker upon returning from unconsciousness on Coruscant sometime later. This thought had just completed its reasoning when a vision appeared within her mind.

Sitting cross-legged on a substantial flat rock in a vast green field was a lone figure. The hood of a solid blue robe hid his face and was adorned his cuffs of gold piping.

Without explanation on how it occurred, Jaina found herself immediately in front of the still surreptitious figure. And then, something changed. Instead of being an outsider looking in on Sha's replayed vision, she became the messenger. For all intents and purposes, her identity of Jaina vanished to that of Sha.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The figure in the robe slowly pulled down the hood and smiled at Sha.

"Do you remember me?"

Sha with tilted head in contemplation of what he was witnessing simply stated, "I do."

The figure did not miss the apprehension and cautiousness.

"There are only friends here. You need not worry Shaud Lorrisay of Sernpidal."

The words were serene and filled with substance. Sha could not help but nod in agreement. He paused for a moment and replied, "You are Anakin Solo. I owe you my life. I am not inclined to forget such things."

The smile of the figure transformed into a small chuckle as he eyed Sha with tempered amusement.

"Such things as debts between us are of equal value I would say. In my mind we owe each other nothing. However, I am afraid I am here to solicit something on account."

Sha nodded for the figure to go on. However, there was already an understanding of what the figure, Anakin Solo, would ask of him. It had come to him like a fast moving thunderstorm caressing the Hills of the Mandzin Highlands. Yet, there was something missing from the equation. Why was Anakin Solo coming to him in a vision?

As if understanding fully the thoughts he was pondering, the figure simply stated,

"I am passed my friend. Just recently by your count. At this moment in your time I am gone of your Worlds." There was no remorse, no hurt, nor sadness in his voice. If anything, there was reverence in his words. There was release.

A thought moved forward from the back of Sha's mind as if it had been waiting for this moment to beseech and introduction.

"Your sister?" Sha queried as he looked back to the figure Anakin Solo.

"Yes, my sister. She will need your help before all is done."

The figure, Anakin Solo, removed the smile and met the eyes of his audience with conviction. "It is ironic, no?"

"Ironic?" said with obvious question.

"Yes Sha, it is ironic that the love my sister had for me is the catalyst for which she will flirt with the Darkness. I ponder that in…death just as I pondered that in life. It does not seem reasonable that such a warm perfect emotion can start an avalanche of its opposite." A smile returned. "But, then again, I could never understand how my father could eat those blasted awful Correllian prairie peppers either. There are many such mysteries in the Force I am afraid."

He chuckled at the thought and returned his attention to Sha.

"My friend, on Sernpidal you made an incredible impression on me. You did not waver in my time of need. I required something to assure me that I had made the right decision that day. The strength in your morality,…your character, overcame your most heartfelt fear so that you might levy my pain and my doubt. I cannot express how profound that is in defining your soul. The moment was harried to say the least. But, I did not miss that in you. I did not miss the whole person that is Shaud Lorrisay. That is why I come to you now."

In that moment Sha felt a connection between the two. He felt a will encase his whole being. The power and grace of the Force nested throughout him in voluminous fashion. It startled him and calmed him concomitantly. He took a few seconds to try and understand what this change was, but it would not take in his mind. Looking back to the figure, Anakin Solo, he, again, saw a smile develop.

"I am providing you a gift my friend. It will serve you well. It will be up to you, Sha, to serve the Force in return. Within you now lives an essence of me. It is not a loan, so use it well. In good time you will understand the importance of this gift. I am afraid it will be a necessary ally on the road ahead. You will learn of that path in good time, and I have vast confidence in your ability to face it. But, for now, I ask that you take the road immediately before you. That road leads to my sister, Jaina."

Sha nodded as visions and images started to file through his mind. The download of such was staggering in its wealth of information. It seemed natural as a full understanding of what he must do formed in his psyche. When it was done, he again looked upon Anakin Solo and nodded.

"I am honored that you turn to me with this endeavor. I can feel the importance of this to you.

The figure raised an eyebrow to accompany a trademark Solo half-smile.

"Sha, this is important to me, yes. But, it is, also, important to you. You have accepted a burden in this gift. Do not deceive yourself to think that my added strength to you will ease your life. On the contrary, I have added to your burden. But, I know that it is a burden that you are prepared to carry. Do not look at this as an ability to lift a larger rock. That is shortsighted."

The change began as his words ended. The vision started to fade, and Sha, again, transformed from first party to third party. It was if Jaina returned in her roll as spectator. The slowness of the vision's dissipation allowed her a glimpse of her brother's smile from her own eyes. Before she could respond or even move it washed away to black. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Jaina returned to the present, Sha sat quietly studying her face. He was sure that this would require quite a bit of contemplation on her part. He tried to put himself in her shoes but quickly gave up such a foolish thought. There is no way to understand how profound an occurrence this would be to her. Her expression did not disappoint.

Tears formed two endless tracks down both cheeks. Yet, there was a glimmer of a smile just on the edge. She stared at Sha as if to dare him to say that it wasn't true. It was clear that Jaina had accepted all that she had seen without question.

There was something else as well. After recovering from the stunning revelation she finally found a voice.

"Why did you not just tell me?"

Sha knew this would be her question. How could he not just start with this amazing disclosure and spare her the doubt. This…base…this…goodness would have gone a long way to quell her patience and apprehension of what had come before.

"Jaina, there is more to this than revelations and Force-strength. This is about you. It is not about me. I am, merely, the conduit of this task just as I serve the Force as the conduit of your brother Anakin. I am a servant in this effort…a piece of the puzzle but for the other pieces, you would not know my true nature. You will see this soon."

She seemed to accept this, or just pass it by, because the smile grew as she looked directly to Sha and said, "My brother Anakin is…is…he is with you."

Sha smiled. "Yes, he is with us all. I am merely a vessel."

Now Sha saw it dawn upon her. It was coming fast and furious. He could see her processing bits and pieces of what he had collected over time.

"Your familiarity to me in the Force?"

"Yes," he said.

"The reason you seemed to be everywhere I went during the war," Jaina exclaimed.

"Yes," he said with a hint of concern, not thinking she would pick up on that right way. Jaina always surprised him. "I am worried that you will think that our current friendship is an extension of my promise to your brother. I can assure you…"

She cut him off with a hand, and smiled, "Do not even try. I know a genuine friend when I meet one. This will take some time to…"

She stopped abruptly and turned to him with the widest of grins.

"What?" he responded realizing that this was an unexpected response.

"Tahiri !!"

"Oh, yes, that."

"Don't 'Oh, yes, that' Shaud Lorrisay. It makes sense to me. You already had so much in common with your mutual understanding of the Yuuzhan Vong. Then there is the similarity in your family background. You had both lost so much. But, NOW, I find out that about this. Good Gods, I have really been in the dark about both of you."

Sha considered the ripe pun sitting in her last comment and bit down on his tongue for it to pass. He then conceded the point by nodding. But, Jaina was just getting started.

"Your Force-strength…that which is above what you called your…"natural state?"

Sha smiled and stared briefly at the ceiling in consideration. "Yes, all that Anakin has given me is intertwined with my own soul. But, when I showed you the difference between my natural state and my full potential, you saw part of Anakin's gift on its own. I am quite sure you felt it as well, no?"

Jaina took an awed tone. "Yes. I felt it. I wanted to dive into it, truth be told."

Sha watched her as she continued to absorb everything into coherent packages. There was more for her to grasp. While a corner had been turned, the purpose of the entire happening was not yet revealed. He knew that there would be some relief for her to experience. However, there were difficult realizations for her to face as well. Still, he had a renewed confidence that the desired result was attainable.

As he reached into himself in an attempt to organize his own thoughts he was overcome with a sense of warmth and calm. He basked in the sentiment using it to embolden his resolve when it increased exponentially. What had started as a kindness from the woman he loved turned into a family of support as he recognized Masters' Skywalker, Jacen, Leia, and to his surprise Master Corran Horn. There were more as well. He felt the undeniable resolve of Saba Sebatyne, fierce loyalty of Lowbacca and even the discipline of Tenel Ka. It did not take long for Sha to understand, these were those individuals to whom Jaina was closest. For lack of a better term, her support group had assembled. Apparently, Jaina had felt it as well. A tear escaped as it became obvious to him she was returning the gesture with much gratitude.

She stopped suddenly and without warning.

She gasped and her eyes showed the excitement of discovery. Her left hand found her considerable abdomen and she smiled with such amazement. She smiled again and turned her damp eyes to Sha.

"My daughter is, apparently, in consort with my friends."

Sha was aware that Jaina had established a bond with her yet to be born daughter many months ago. However, it was always just awareness. It was inquisitiveness wrapped in innocence. He looked to her with a raised brow and said, "May I?"

She nodded still holding her smile.

Sha opened himself to the Force and immediately picked up the thoughts of the little one yet to appear. She was a treasure in the Force. There had been nothing that time and life experience could to do to corrupt her presence. Instead, the purity of the soul shown clear and bright. Sha smiled as he made the connection, and caught on to her diminutive perception. There was little doubt that her daughter was mimicking the messages of her mother's friends. Sha latched onto the pleasure the child had in accomplishing the task. There was something exciting in her thoughts as if the concept of discovery was her most joyous goal. He could not contain the smile that resulted.

Looking to Jaina he whispered, "I have no words to offer you."

Jaina just nodded, the smile not leaving her face, "There are none that would suffice."

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Trepidation  867 posts
Registered: Aug '05
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 8/5/05 9:03am Subject: RE: "Conduit" (J/J, L/M, C Horn, T & new character: Shaud Lorrisay) Chap. 6 - Date Edited: 8/6/05 9:11pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Trepidation
CHAPTER 6

The chime of Sha's comm unit broke the silence.

"Lorrisay."

"Sha I must insist that you allow me to participate from this point forward. I have sensed that my niece has accepted your guidance. I believe I can be of assistance," Master Skywalker said.

It seemed clear that there would be no debate on the issue. He couldn't recall the Master ever stating so much without the interruption of a breath. That thought made him chuckle to himself.

"Master, your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Although, I am not sure you will be accepting to all that you will hear. I did not, exactly, act in tandem with what might be perceived to be in line with Jedi principles. I may have been a bit …innovative in that regard."

There was a pronounced laugh. In fact, Sha was sure that he heard another laugh in the background. It was the very distinguishing baleful cackle of Master Mara.

"Tahiri has been most informative. As she has the propensity for, shall we say, verbal communication, we are quite sure that she has prepared us sufficiently. Please tell Jaina that Mara and I, as well as Jacen and her mother, my sister, will be joining you shortly."

"Yes Master."

"And Sha…"

"Yes."

"…there is much for us to discuss. However, having heard much of what you have done, beyond what I had asked of you, I can only offer you my profound 'thank you'."

"Master, if you truly wish to thank me I might suggest stopping on the way here to pick up some nourishment. I would remind you, and everyone, that I am currently alone in a room with a woman 8 months pregnant who hasn't had a bite to eat in several hours."

He could hear a chuckle escape from the Master, and again in the background a cackle.

"Consider it done Sha."

Sha looked down from his conversation as he replaced his comm unit to his belt and saw the same acid stare that he had received earlier in the day. Sha challenged the look and said matter of factly, "Would you like me to comm him back and tell him to forget the food?"

She could not keep the expression…as she blurted an undeniable "NO!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sha couldn’t help noticing how the Force always seemed to control the “time” of the galaxy. Even if he had wanted to continue his discussion with Jaina before the others arrived, the Force had seen fit to place the pregnant participant’s mind on food. Further diluting the focus was a yet to be born baby Jedi who had suddenly discovered an ability and found it necessary to try out the “new toy” with abandon. Perhaps it was an excellent time for a break regardless. He had dropped quite a bit of information on this friend that wasn’t exactly mundane or rote. Perhaps a small respite was in order.

He went over to the couch and started to share in the different Force-senses that seemed to be coming out of Jaina’s womb. He couldn’t help smiling as each little experiment with the Force came forward with astonishing frequency. He took in Jaina’s face and inhaled the absolute wonder and joy that resided there.

Jaina looked up when she sensed his stare and smiled.

“Mindrea,” she said quietly.

“Pardon?”

“Mindrea, that’s her name,” she said even softer. “We were not planning to pronounce it until she was born. She seems to have decided to escalate the announcement by establishing her presence.”

“It’s beautiful,” he responded.

“Thank you”

He just nodded once.

“No, I mean thank you for whatever it is we are doing here today. I don’t know why exactly, but I have the profound sense that whatever this is, whatever you did for me, and however you accomplished it…it is not something that I will be able to make up to you.

He smiled. “Jaina, you already have.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mother and daughter-to-be took the remaining time until the others arrived to steal into a short nap while Sha went down to the lobby of the Lodging and across the transport lanes into the small park adjacent the building. The fresh air and open space was a welcome release of sorts. He was amused to see a toddler wrestling with the idea of how catch up with a Gray Tail that was peeking around the trunk of a large Perchant tree. He loved to watch the wheels turn in a child’s mind. More often than not their means to the goal was flawed. However, at that age all things were possible.

He mused at the fact that he, again, found himself in such a role. He was, similarly, a child learning his capabilities, his weaknesses, and his potential. He couldn't help wondering what his "Gray Tail" would be.

“He looks determined. But, my credits are on the Gray Tail.”

Sha laughed out loud at the comment and turned to see the presence he’d felt since sitting down on the bench. Without saying a word he moved his right arm out and she comfortably slid in with her back leaning against his side as he brought his arm around her midriff.

“Hi.”

“Hi yourself.”

“How are you doing?” Tahiri asked with just the perfect sense of empathy and dread.

“Truthfully, it is going much better than I could have hoped. But, it is taxing,” he said.

“Tell me.”

“Sun fruit.”

“Sun fruit?”

“Yes, your hair smells like Sun fruit,” he whispered into her ear.

Tahiri smiled. It was a peculiarity about Sha that amused her. She had learned over time that his like or dislike for someone was directly proportional to the time he spent experiencing them. She had no doubt that if she asked he could tell her the number of buttons on her jump suit, the number of buckles on her boots, and the number of bangs falling ornately across her forehead. She liked to call it the “spy thing.”

“You are avoiding the question spy.”

He sighed. “I am doing rather well. I just have difficulty accepting the possibility of losing a close friend. I have done that many times over already you know,” he whispered again into her ear.

“I know as have I,” she said. And, as the words came from her mouth she realized the best thing she could do for her love was to remove his mind to somewhere else. She did not miss his arm tighten around her at her comment.

“I need your help next week,” she said with a plea in her voice.

“Hmmm, why do I sense the words ‘heavy lifting’ go with that statement?”

“They do not,” she feigned indignantly.

“Anything for you love. What did you have in mind?”

“I need you to assist at the orphanage back on Ossus. It seems that you are in high demand as a storyteller. I am told that your last visit included a yarn ripe with sound effects, faces, and a rather interesting imitation of a 2 meter Ewok named Porge with peculiar eating habbits.”

“You need to start mixing with a better class of people,” he said, but he couldn’t help chuckling as he remembered that visit and the absolute fun he had.

The Jedi had taken a front row position in the displaced refugee issue. Such an effort included the all too many orphanages as well. Many of the Jedi who had experienced far to much pain during the War found respite in the presence of children. Tahiri was no exception. In order to spend more time with her, Sha had found himself attending to the orphanages as well. He was rather surprised how much he enjoyed it. It was not lost on him that they both could empathize fully with their charges.

“Your wish is my command. I will be there at your whim,” he said.

“Good, now kiss me while no one is looking, and let’s go eat with the others.”

“I will kiss you whether anyone is looking or not. That is the one thing that is certain about this day. We have no further reason to conceal this wonderful thing we have. In fact…”

He stood up and gently pulled Tahiri up with him. Then, he deliberately tucked her arm under his and walked her straight over to most crowded part of the park. Getting his bearings he glanced around. Tahiri was wary. Sha had a tendency to act on a different plane. Somehow he could surprise her with something that was held out in front of her, simply because it did not register to her. She sensed that this was one of those times. Her concern was tempered in the thought that with each of these surprises another piece of Sha's personality came out from under a long hidden cloak.

“This should do rather nicely I think,” he said with a gleam in his eye and a divisive smile. “Now, excuse me a second while a show you just the kind of fool you tend to share your time with.”

Sha took one more glance and proceeded to shout out to the surrounding neighbors in the park.

“Excuse me my friends. I surely don’t wish to disturb your enjoyment of his lovely way station. However, I thought you should know that I am deeply and hopelessly in love with the woman in front of me. And, now, I fully intend to kiss her in front of all of you. Thank you for your attention. Carry on.”

With that, Sha took her in his arms, dipped her with a firm grip at her waist and kissed her passionately. There was no resistance, and neither Sha of Tahiri heard or even cared about the applause, whistles, and cheers that surrounded them. They were lost in each other.

It wasn’t until a number of standard minutes later when they collected themselves to return to the Lodging that they saw Master Mara Skywalker leaning against a carriage light pole grinning wickedly and clapping her hands in a slow calculated fashion.

Sha took a path that would take them directly past her position. He never made eye contact with her ignoring her fully as Tahiri turned three shades of red staring at the ground as she walked.

As soon as they were within speaking distance of Mara, Sha turned to Tahiri and said matter of factly,

“Tahiri, I don’t know why you make me do those things. Most people are satisfied with the sentiment and the words. But you, you make me shout it to the worlds. I wish you would take my dignity into consideration some time.”

Tahiri’s mouth was open to its maximum circumference and her eyes looked like saucers when Sha glanced at her. His iniquitous grin formed when her eyes met his. It wasn’t long before they were both laughing as the unmistakable cackle of Mara filled the air behind them.


They had made it to the lift in what Tahiri hoped was enough time to avoid the shared confinement with Master Mara. However, this effort was well anticipated. The door refused to close upon their entrance. Seconds later Mara swept into the lift and turned in a fluid motion so that the back of her robe brushed against, both, Sha and Tahiri in a half-twirl. No one spoke.

The lift started its ascent and without warning came to an abrupt stop midway to the destination, and quite obviously between floors. Sha caught the short breath of Tahiri as she realized that this happening was not an accident. Sha remained passive. In fact, he had decided in the park that he wanted to speak to Master Luke or Master Mara prior to proceeding so that they would be more in tandem in their efforts and thoughts. Mara turned slowly in what appeared to be a choreographed move, but the smile in her eyes betrayed the stiffness of her face. Tahiri must have noticed it too, because she visibly relaxed and Sha felt her tension release.

"Hmmmm," Mara said while looking to both of them individually and settling on Sha…then she let a little smile escape. "Shaud Lorrisay, I have to admit, quite reluctantly, prior to this day I only knew you by your face."

"That is understandable Master. I tend to blend in."

"Intelligence work, yes I know. I might have done a bit of that myself in my past," Mara said with an almost imperceptible wink. "Still, I am perplexed at how you would rationalize what I just saw in the park as…what?…blending in."

Sha chuckled and Tahiri cringed simultaneously.

"Master, I was establishing a cover for myself as a foolish love-struck young man with a hearing problem. In such situations, there is a tendency to speak at levels in excess of the norm," Sha expounded deliberately and without the hint of a delay of frivolity.

A Skywalker eyebrow went up with consideration and Sha thought, just for a moment, that he misjudged Mara's true demeanor. However, he was relieved when her smile erupted and the, all too familiar, cackle bounced off the walls of the confined lift. Tahiri just shook her head on the verge of a smile but not inclined to make it that easy for Sha.

"My husband has spoken of you in my presence before. He has described you as…I believe the word was, 'refreshing' among other things," Mara said to Sha. "I think I will add….hmmm…'colorful' to that list."

Sha did not know how to respond to the comment or the knowledge that he was a topic of conversation with the Masters so he said nothing. Tahiri shifted a bit uncomfortably which brought Mara's attention to her.

Mara still held a smile and then added warmth to intimate, "Tahiri, Luke and I are elated to see that you have found someone who makes you happy. However, we are sorry (and she whispered) to learn about his hearing problem."

That was all it took to break the remaining tension that existed between the three of them, as Mara gave Tahiri a quick supportive hug to end the small talk. Her conduct took on a formal flair just short of serious as she spoke.

"Now, about my apprentice, my niece," turning to Sha. "I will simply say 'Thank You."

Sha nodded and glanced to Tahiri to see her nodding the affirmative indicating that she had filled in the Masters on most of the details of the occurrences on Hapes.

"My husband would like to meet with you privately before we continue. Additionally, we will need to set some, for lack of a better term, ground rules from this point forward since there will be others in the room. If we understand your motives correctly, it is necessary for Jaina to fully experience the range of emotions that will be provoked. Interference with the natural state of such is not a desired remedy. Is that correct?"

"Yes Master. You understand perfectly," Sha stated while glancing to Tahiri an eyebrow raised making her aware that he was impressed with her perception and ability to express that to the Masters in such short time. He received a small smile in return.

"There is something else Master."

"Yes, I know what you are going to say Sha," Mara said while nodding. "I sense you are somewhat uncomfortable about meeting with Anakin's Mother and Brother without having the opportunity to address them individually on what has just been revealed."

"Well, actually, I have a solution for that to an extent. Once we are all collected I can transfer the full content of Jaina’s and my discussion to everyone much the same way I have been sharing the past with her. It will not take long."

Mara's face did not show a hint of surprise, but Sha sensed it within the Force. Apparently, Tahiri did as well because she took Mara's right hand in hers to get her attention and said softly with a smile, "After a while you get used to the revelations."

"No Master, that is not what I was referring to. Although I appreciate your concern, I was going to suggest that Han Solo be included in this as well. To be honest, I would be surprised if he hasn't already arrived."

Sha had sensed Han's presence in the lodging room above as soon as he stepped on the lift, and he picked up on the necessity of his presence from the Force. The expression on Mara's face was impassive, but the indecision washed through the Force in droves. She eyed Sha carefully before she spoke.

"I am not sure that is a good idea. Han has a tendency to, well, have a problem with …ground rules."

"I do not think that will be a problem, Master."

 

-----signature-----
"I've met people who figure me for a spoiled Jedi brat." --Jaina Solo
"Nooooooooooo !!!!!" *snort*---Trepidation
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 - Previous | Next | Reload
© 2009 IGN Entertainment, Inc (9.02.17.2300, IGNPRDAPPW64214) 0.875