Author Topic: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): COMPLETE
Darth_Lex  3881 posts
Registered: Nov '02
44424_Roan Fel
Date Posted: 1/2/07 9:54am Subject: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): COMPLETE - Date Edited: 6/2/07 5:55pm (23 edits total) Edited By: Darth_Lex
Title: The Making of an Emperor
Author: Darth_Lex
Timeframe: NJO and LOTF eras
Characters: Jagged Fel, Jaina Solo, Soontir Fel, Gilad Pellaeon
Genre: Drama, Political Intrigue, Romance
Summary: The son of a Corellian farmboy rises from fighter ace to ruler of an Empire.
Notes: canon speculation; not AU

Disclaimer: Lucasfilm owns all the rights to Star Wars. I don’t. No infringement is intended or profit to be made by me.

With gratitude to TKL for allowing me to rip off the wonderful title to her latest vignette series. whistling Thanks for the betas, EP. You’re the best. hugs

***

A brief note about canon:

This story takes the form of a series of “missing scenes” from the life of Jagged Fel, chronicling his path from clawcraft ace to Emperor. It is not an AU, but canon speculation. In other words, the story is meant to be canon-compliant as of Legacy of the Force: Tempest in the novels and Legacy #6 in the comics. I have done my best not to contradict any information we are specifically shown from a character’s point of view, particularly Jag’s or Soontir’s.

That said, everything else is fair game. I do not assume that characters always speak the truth, or that accounts of events by non-POV characters must be accurate. Nor do I assume that characters, POV or non-POV, always draw the correct inference from things they see or hear. In this sense, then, the story can be considered a re-imagining of canon.

One small caveat. Those who are familiar with the continuity debates in this era will notice that I have chosen to locate the short story Red Sky, Blue Flame at 22 ABY, just after the events of Survivor’s Quest. Even independent of the interpretation presented in Chapter One, I believe this timeline placement relates RSBF more coherently with the rest of canon; the few indications in RSBF that suggest a 19 ABY placement should be, in my opinion, ignored as the equivalent of typographical errors not requiring a retcon. (Perhaps when/if RSBF is reprinted on Hyperspace, we’ll see which way LFL chooses to solve the continuity problems, if they choose to include editorial fixes to the story, as they have in other instances.) Nonetheless, I think Chapter One provides a neat explanation for why there may not be any “errors” within RSBF after all… mischief

A brief note about timeline:

For those who might need a quick refresher on the principal events:

7 ABY.....birth of Jagged Fel [offscreen]
9 ABY.....Thrawn crisis [HTTE, DFR, TLC]
9 ABY.....birth of Jaina Solo [TLC]
19 ABY...Hand of Thrawn incident [SOTP, VOTF]
22 ABY...Redoubt incident [SQ, FB]
22 ABY...Rata Nebula academy incident [RSBF]
25 ABY...Battle of Ithor [DTR, Dreams of the Future]
27 ABY...Hapes crisis [DJ, All Angles]
27 ABY...Battle of Borleias [RD, RS, The Making of a Rebel]
28 ABY...Battle of Ylesia [DW, Yle]
29 ABY...Twin Suns missions [Rem, Ref, Reu, TFP]
30 ABY...Liberation of Coruscant [TUF]
35 ABY...Killik crisis begins [TJK]
36 ABY...Supply Depot Thrago attack [TUQ]
37 ABY...Battle of Tenupe [TSW]
40 ABY...Corellian Insurrection begins [Bet, Blo, Tem]

130 ABY..Emperor Roan Fel conquers Coruscant, ending Sith-Imperial War [Legacy: Broken]
130 ABY..Darth Krayt betrays Roan and declares himself Emperor [Legacy: Broken]
137 ABY..Roan Fel solidifies his hold on Bastion [Legacy: Broken]

***

 

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Darth_Lex  3881 posts
Registered: Nov '02
44424_Roan Fel
Date Posted: 1/2/07 9:56am Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
THE MAKING OF AN EMPEROR


CHAPTER ONE

25 ABY, shortly after the Fall of Dubrillon
Empire of the Hand primary fleet base, Unknown Regions


He stared at the flimsiplast in his hand. “This is… authentic?”

“It is,” his commanding officer replied from across the wide desk, and motioned for him to sit. “The message arrived on the appropriate channel, under the highest security protocols. I have no doubt it was issued by direct order of Admiral Pellaeon himself.”

Slowly, carefully, he lowered himself into one of the chairs opposite his father and set the flimsi on the desk. They would fight alone no longer. Bastion finally had recalled the forces of the Empire to oppose the Yuuzhan Vong invaders. All Imperial forces, even those under deepest cover within the New Republic.

All forces would, by definition, include the Empire of the Hand.

Jagged Fel took a slow, deep breath. “What are you going to do?”

“Obey,” Soontir Fel said.

Jag sat silent. The implications were staggering.

“In the form of task force Spike,” his father continued, “unless you would prefer I –”

“No, sir!” Jag sat up, ramrod straight. “I would be honored, sir.”

Soontir gave a tip of his head. “You understand you would serve the Empire under the command of Admiral Pellaeon, in whatever capacity he asks of you?”

The man who had been Thrawn’s right hand? Without hesitation! All Jag said was, “Yes, sir.”

“Even if that means serving alongside, or taking orders from, Rebels?”

“Whatever the Admiral deems wise, sir.”

“Good answer.”

Jag sat forward, about to stand. “I will prepare my squadrons at once. We can be ready for a full mission briefing by –”

“In due time, Jagged,” his father said, raising a palm to signal him to sit back. “First there are some matters we must discuss.” He glanced behind Jag’s shoulder, making sure the office door was closed. “Off the record, and in the strictest confidence.”

“Of course, s–Father.”

Soontir leaned back in his chair. “A good deal of the information you have been told about the Hand and its recent history is… inaccurate.”

That wasn’t a surprise, not by a long shot. For a while now Jag had thought that too many things just didn’t add up. He furrowed his brow. “That includes the attack on the Rata Nebula academy?”

“Among other matters, yes.” Soontir ran a hand through his hair. “It had nothing to do with Jedi spies. The academy’s location was compromised by elements within the Ascendancy who oppose our influence in the CEDF – if not our very existence.”

“Chak,” Jag said quietly. “And the Vaagari.”

“Exactly. Those who begrudgingly turned a blind eye to our Phalanx so long as we remained in our place on the frontiers – invisible and independent – saw your brother’s participation in the Aristocra’s mission to the Redoubt as an intolerable attempt to increase our legitimacy among the Chiss.”

That would explain the need to cast blame for the pirates’ incursion, and the deaths and damage it caused, far beyond Chiss borders. The truth was too volatile. “But what about the attack at Nirauan? Were the Jedi not responsible for that, either?”

“Not exactly. During Moff Disra’s farcical impersonation plot, Admiral Parck and I made contact with a former agent of the Empire, Mara Jade. We lured her to Nirauan in an attempt to persuade her to join the Hand and our cause. Luke Skywalker followed her, and during their escape they succeeded in crashing her starship into the main hangar bay.” Soontir paused, and chuckled. “Apparently the fireworks were not restricted to destroying our fleet of fighters, and they married a short time after returning to the New Republic. In any event, the damage to the facility was substantial, and those who were onstation at the time had known of the Jedi presence, so the word that did spread among the Chiss was close enough to the truth to serve our purposes.”

Jag frowned, working the math. “The false return was nearly three years before the academy attack, yet I first heard about Nirauan then.”

“I didn’t say the word spread quickly.” Soontir’s lips curled into a subtle, sly grin. “And that is what made it the perfect cover story. A few minor defeats made the Phalanx no longer appear invincible, and therefore less dangerous an ally for the CEDF. As well, it laid a foundation for the reality that we – the Phalanx, and the Chiss – cannot remain hidden from galactic affairs forever.”

“The Skywalkers were aware of the Hand of Thrawn all along?”

“They were, but so far as I have been able to determine they had shared that knowledge with only a few select officials in the New Republic by the time of the Vaagari affair – and no more broadly since then. A short time after the Nirauan incident Admiral Parck and I finally made contact with Admiral Pellaeon. We owed it to him that he learn of the Hand’s existence from us, not an intelligence report.”

Jag nodded. “So he will be expecting your response to the recall?”

“I do not know. We have communicated infrequently, and not in some time. But his commitment to our secrets has been unflinching; he has informed no one else on Bastion about the Hand, not even his closest aides and advisors. So perhaps he expects nothing from us.”

“Still,” Jag said, “answering his summons is the right thing to do.”

“It is. Nonetheless, we will be careful.” Soontir leaned toward him. “By sending only three squadrons, we will reveal very little about our true presence in this region.”

“And by sending only Chiss, you will reveal even less about the true extent of our forces and capabilities.”

Soontir raised a brow. “Reveal to whom?”

“To the New Republic and the Moffs.”

“And?”

Like a lightning strike in an arctic blizzard, it hit him. The levels of secrecy and deception ran far deeper than he ever had realized. The Chiss and the CEDF knew well enough the purpose and mission of the Household Phalanx of Syndic Mitth’raw’nuruodo – but they were just as ignorant as the rest of the galaxy of Thrawn’s broader legacy, the Empire of the Hand.

“And,” Jag said, awestruck, “the Ascendancy.”

Soontir actually smiled. “Indeed.”

********

25 ABY, shortly before the Battle of Garqi
Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera, Yaga Minor


He waited outside the stateroom door, at attention and unmoving. Inwardly, though, he fought the anxiety that threatened to embarrass him at the worst possible moment. His stomach churned. Sweat beaded on his brow. His knees quivered.

Beyond the door was a man Jag had envied – no, idolized – his entire life. Gilad Pellaeon had served more time in combat with Thrawn than anyone. He had watched battles unfold, observed tactics in operation, shared strategic planning sessions with the greatest military genius in the history of the galaxy. Through endless hours of the night Jag had studied the records and reports, even some holovids, of Thrawn’s campaign against the New Republic. But that had been only two years after Jag had been born, and studying history just wasn’t the same. Pellaeon had been there. Lived it.

Now, finally, Jag was going to meet him.

“The Admiral will see you now,” said the young female officer at the desk beside the door.

As the thick wooden door swung inward, Jag strode through. His new commander was not seated at his desk as Jag had expected. Instead a tall, white-haired man was standing to the right along the wall, gazing intently at the third of four paintings hanging in a mismatched set. Jag stopped, not wanting to disturb him, and peered at the painting. Except it wasn’t a painting, exactly. It almost looked like it was made of… lichen?

Abruptly Pellaeon turned away from the painting and marched toward him at a brisk clip. Hand extended, he said, “Jagged Fel! It is a great pleasure to meet you.”

Jag stepped quickly into the stateroom, meeting the Admiral halfway and shaking his hand firmly. “Thank you, sir, but truly the honor and pleasure is all mine.”

Pellaeon appraised him head to toe, and smiled. “You certainly are your father’s son. If you are even half the pilot he was at your age, you will be a great asset to our forces.”

“I will do my best to be much better than that, sir.”

Chuckling, Pellaeon motioned him toward the viewport. “I have no doubt that you will. You are ready for war?”

“I am, sir,” Jag said, almost too eagerly. Since the deaths of Davin and Cherith, he had chafed against his father’s orders holding him back from the front. He wanted to fight. He wanted to win. He needed to stop these aliens who had killed his siblings and so many of his peers. “More than ready.”

“Tell me, Jagged, do you believe, as your father does, that the Empire of the Hand is strong enough to hold off the Yuuzhan Vong in their sectors of the galaxy, so that I need worry only about the territory of the Empire and the New Republic?”

Jag swallowed hard. He had not expected to be asked his opinion, not so early. He had come here to serve, and to learn. But the Admiral had asked him a question. “I cannot answer that yet, sir. I have not fought the invaders directly, but my father has. I know of our early defeats – and the deaths of my brother and sister in battle against them, who were pilots as skilled as I, if not better. And I know that just before the invasion of the New Republic began, the rate of attacks against us reduced dramatically – while the rate of stalemates and our victories against them increased.” He paused, meeting the Admiral’s searching gaze. “If that indicates a lasting shift in resources by our enemies, then, yes, the Empire of the Hand will stand firm.”

Pellaeon waited a long moment to respond. “You are very insightful for someone so young,” he finally said. “And precise in your analysis.” He nodded, just once, decisively. “I can see why your father sent you here.”

“Thank you, sir,” Jag said, the heat rising in his cheeks.

Pellaeon looked out the viewport over the Imperial fleet mustering beyond the bow of the Chimaera. “I imagine your father intends to keep the true nature of the Empire of the Hand secret from the New Republic, and the Moffs, as long as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

“He is a wise man, and I have always respected him for that.” He glanced over, just momentarily. “Clearly you have learned a great deal from him already.” Then he was inspecting his fleet once more. “And he is correct. The leaders of the New Republic remain obsessed with the Empire. If they learn of the Hand, they will lose focus in the war against the Yuuzhan Vong and turn against us – and that will only hasten their defeat by our invaders.”

Jag nodded. For all his father had taught him about the atrocities and lies of Palpatine’s reign as Emperor, he could not understand why the citizens of the galaxy tolerated the incompetence and infighting that made the New Republic little more than a joke as a galactic government.

“Unfortunately for us,” Pellaeon continued, “the Moffs are even worse. Their hatred of the New Republic is pathological. If they had the full forces of the Hand at their command, they would strike back immediately, seeking to conquer once more the galaxy – and glory – they have lost. And that would just as surely help the Yuuzhan Vong defeat us all.”

“I understand, sir.” Jag’s heart sank. His father had been wary of the Moffs, to be sure, but Jag had never expected the reality to be this bad.

“When we arrive at Garqi to rendezvous with the forces of the New Republic, the Chiss squadrons will certainly catch their notice.”

“I would expect so, sir.”

“I plan to tell them that the Spikes are a task force from Thrawn’s Household Phalanx among the Chiss. That much is true, yes?”

Jag nodded. “Literally true, if not wholly true, sir.”

“Excellent.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I can never be sure just how much the Jedi can tell when one is lying, and I am sure Luke Skywalker will be there. But I also plan to tell them that I was unaware of the Phalanx’s existence until you arrived in response to my recall order.”

“Which,” Jag said carefully, “is not true.”

“No, but even if he detects a lie, Skywalker will say nothing.”

“Because he was aware of the Nirauan fortress even before you.”

“Precisely.” Pellaeon turned to him, and grinned. “Yes, Jagged, I think you will become a very great asset to the Empire, indeed.”

********

25 ABY, shortly after the Death of Ithor
Hand of Thrawn fortress, Nirauan


When Jag hopped down from his clawcraft, his boots thumping against the stone floor of the hangar bay, his father was there to meet him.

“You look angry,” Soontir said.

“This isn’t right, Father,” he replied, with effort, as calmly as he could. “We fought well. We learned new tactics against the Vong. We mattered.”

“I believe you.”

“Then why did you order the Spikes back?”

Soontir reached out and squeezed his shoulder for a moment. “I would have let you stay if I could have, Jagged. But politically I had no choice. When the Moffs recalled Admiral Pellaeon, the Nine Families demanded that the Chiss be recalled as well.”

Jag sighed. “And since the Spikes were held out as a Chiss force…”

“Yes.” Soontir began to walk toward the open portal to the corridor on the far wall, and Jag followed. “About which some in the Ascendancy were none too pleased, either.”

“I understand why it is necessary, particularly when we have other objectives besides simply the war to consider, but I still wish we did not have to guide our command decisions by the desires of politicians. Even Chiss politicians.”

Especially Chiss politicians,” Soontir said with a grim chuckle. “Have faith. Our day will come, Jagged. We have more allies than enemies among the Nine Families now, but the time is not yet right to force the decisions they will try desperately to avoid. We will bide our time, and soon enough they will be the ones who have no choice.”

“I know, Father,” Jag said, resigned. “But I know I could have made a difference against the Vong. I could have helped them.”

In his mind, the words leaving his mouth sounded different. Them meant the Rogues, and the Rogues meant Jaina Solo. Them sounded like her.

He glanced to his father. He really couldn’t have said that. Could he? True, he found Jaina Solo to be impressive as a pilot and intriguing as a girl. She was unlike anyone he had ever known; she fascinated him on every level. And she was breathtakingly beautiful, there was no denying that. But he was an Imperial and she was a Rebel, a Jedi on top of that. Worse, their fathers were old rivals. Everything was stacked – He caught himself. The whole line of thought was absurd. There hadn’t been – wasn’t – anything between them, so there was nothing to wonder about.

But… He couldn’t possibly have actually said her. Could he?

Soontir was looking at him curiously, but said nothing.

********

Chapter Two (28 ABY) next week...

 

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JAGSGURL15  3039 posts
Registered: Jul '03
49389_NY Yankees
Date Posted: 1/2/07 10:23am Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
Great beginning lex! Im eager to see where you go with this! Cant wait till next week!

 

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TelannaTani  591 posts
Registered: Jun '05
44418_Jarael
Date Posted: 1/2/07 10:23am Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d - Date Edited: 1/2/07 1:01pm (1 edits total) Edited By: TelannaTani
Woah - am I really First? Wow. Well I feel special. I'm super excited about this story!
I'll be back with my review in a few.

Edit: Well, I was first was I hit the post button. tongue

Section 1: Deployment – So many details weaved in an out of this brief vignette. And yet I didn’t feel overwhelmed; great writing! I really appreciate Jag’s reverence for Pallaeon. I really feel that it is fitting. More on that later. The depth of secrecy concerning the Empire of the Hand is equally compelling. That they’re sending “only Chiss” intrigues me. Only Chiss? As opposed to what? Humans? Clones? Other? I haven’t read as you, Lex, so if this is something I should know already, I apologize! grin Either way, very intriguing!

Section 2: Meeting the Legend – I loved to see Jag’s reaction and anticipation to meeting Pallaeon. I have always been a Pallaeon fan, but to me it only makes sense that someone as deep into Thrawn’s Empire as Jag his family are, would see Pallaeon as a link to their leader, long dead. I also think your characterizations here are great. They are very similar people, IMO, and would undoubtedly get along well together. Great writing!

Section 3: Recall and Revelation – Again, wonderful portrayal. I really appreciate Jag’s relationship with his father. I imagine they are quite alike, and it’s great to see the father/son dynamics here. Jag is as logical and thorough as ever… until he comes up against Jaina Solo. This rather back-door revelation was well-played. I truly think that is how their relationship came together – both were taken by surprise and startled by their own feelings.

Overall, fantastic beginning to what will undoubtedly be a great ride. Thank you for the canon-explanation and the timeline of important dates. They were quite helpful. As I said, I’ve not read all the material you referred to (Is it weird that I’d never heard of Red Sky, Blue Flame?) so I may have to play catch-up here and there. I have no doubt that you will make things clear for everyone – even those of us less versed. grin

A couple more questions: Will you be posting regularly on Tuesdays? Also, you mentioned that this story will “take the form of a series of “missing scenes” from the life of Jagged Fel.” Will They always be as spread out throughout the timeline as this, or will we at some point move towards a more direct storyline? Not that I mind this format, I’m just curious.

Great start, Lex! applause

Voz

 

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ccp  2453 posts
Registered: Apr '05
23950_Han Solo<br>Glactic Heroes
Date Posted: 1/2/07 11:17am Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
Great start. Can't wait to see how this goes.

 

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Chimpo_the_Sith  6580 posts
Title: FanForce CR
FF Poland

Registered: Mar '03
41709_JC Community
Date Posted: 1/2/07 2:47pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
Good start Lex happy

Is it next week already?

 

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YodaKenobi  11629 posts
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered: May '03
49382_Anakin Solo (1005091)
Date Posted: 1/2/07 3:10pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d - Date Edited: 1/2/07 3:11pm (1 edits total) Edited By: YodaKenobi
Soontir leaned back in his chair. “A good deal of the information you have been told about the Hand and its recent history is… inaccurate.”
That wasn’t a surprise, not by a long shot. For a while now Jag had thought that too many things just didn’t add up. He furrowed his brow. “That includes the attack on the Rata Nebula academy?”


raised_brow thinking

“Apparently the fireworks were not restricted to destroying our fleet of fighters, and they married a short time after returning to the New Republic.

laugh

Nice.

Jag swallowed hard. He had not expected to be asked his opinion, not so early. He had come here to serve, and to learn. But the Admiral had asked him a question. “I cannot answer that yet, sir. I have not fought the invaders directly, but my father has. I know of our early defeats – and the deaths of my brother and sister in battle against them, who were pilots as skilled as I, if not better. And I know that just before the invasion of the New Republic began, the rate of attacks against us reduced dramatically – while the rate of stalemates and our victories against them increased.” He paused, meeting the Admiral’s searching gaze. “If that indicates a lasting shift in resources by our enemies, then, yes, the Empire of the Hand will stand firm.”

The Empire of the Hand has been fighting the Vong directly already? So Jag was just lying in Ruin tongue

“When we arrive at Garqi to rendezvous with the forces of the New Republic, the Chiss squadrons will certainly catch their notice.”
“I would expect so, sir.”
“I plan to tell them that the Spikes are a task force from Thrawn’s Household Phalanx among the Chiss. That much is true, yes?”
Jag nodded. “Literally true, if not wholly true, sir.”
“Excellent.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I can never be sure just how much the Jedi can tell when one is lying, and I am sure Luke Skywalker will be there. But I also plan to tell them that I was unaware of the Phalanx’s existence until you arrived in response to my recall order.”
“Which,” Jag said carefully, “is not true.”
“No, but even if he detects a lie, Skywalker will say nothing.”
“Because he was aware of the Nirauan fortress even before you.”
“Precisely.” Pellaeon turned to him, and grinned. “Yes, Jagged, I think you will become a very great asset to the Empire, indeed.”


Nice retconning applause

He glanced to his father. He really couldn’t have said that. Could he? True, he found Jaina Solo to be impressive as a pilot and intriguing as a girl. She was unlike anyone he had ever known; she fascinated him on every level. And she was breathtakingly beautiful, there was no denying that.

Aww batting

Everything was stacked

mischief laugh


Great start, Lex! applause This should be a lot of fun. You did a nice job tying up some things from the NJO and correcting some contradictions. Can't wait to see how Jag's path to becoming the first Fel Emperor develops grin

Hope the next post is up soon happy

 

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oldjedinurse  3374 posts
Registered: Oct '03
24114_Barris Offee
Date Posted: 1/2/07 4:17pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d - Date Edited: 1/2/07 4:56pm (1 edits total) Edited By: oldjedinurse
Oh, wow, Lex! Now I'm really stoked to read this story! grin

Not exactly. During Moff Disra’s farcical impersonation plot, Admiral Parck and I made contact with a former agent of the Empire, Mara Jade. We lured her to Nirauan in an attempt to persuade her to join the Hand and our cause. Luke Skywalker followed her, and during their escape they succeeded in crashing her starship into the main hangar bay.” Soontir paused, and chuckled. “Apparently the fireworks were not restricted to destroying our fleet of fighters, and they married a short time after returning to the New Republic. In any event, the damage to the facility was substantial, and those who were onstation at the time had known of the Jedi presence, so the word that did spread among the Chiss was close enough to the truth to serve our purposes.”

cool This passage is just one example of the way you are so skillfully creating a background woven from the story we already know. I love that this is not AU but canon--and I know that you have such a fanastic grasp of SW details that MoaE will be incredibly real. applause


"I cannot answer that yet, sir. I have not fought the invaders directly, but my father has. I know of our early defeats – and the deaths of my brother and sister in battle against them, who were pilots as skilled as I, if not better. And I know that just before the invasion of the New Republic began, the rate of attacks against us reduced dramatically – while the rate of stalemates and our victories against them increased.” He paused, meeting the Admiral’s searching gaze. “If that indicates a lasting shift in resources by our enemies, then, yes, the Empire of the Hand will stand firm.”

thinking This analysis reminded me so much of the interpretive political discussion Jag had with the Solos during that unexpected meeting aboard the Falcon in NJO. Leia was so impressed with him then; I'm impressed with how well you've canon-characterized him here. applause


He glanced to his father. He really couldn’t have said that. Could he? True, he found Jaina Solo to be impressive as a pilot and intriguing as a girl. She was unlike anyone he had ever known; she fascinated him on every level. And she was breathtakingly beautiful, there was no denying that. But he was an Imperial and she was a Rebel, a Jedi on top of that. Worse, their fathers were old rivals. Everything was stacked – He caught himself. The whole line of thought was absurd. There hadn’t been – wasn’t – anything between them, so there was nothing to wonder about.

But… He couldn’t possibly have actually said her. Could he?

Soontir was looking at him curiously, but said nothing.


love Ah. So this is when his father first clued in--loooooong before Jag himself did! laugh

Fantastic opener, Lex! Keep writing!!

oldj

 

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Solo_and_Fel  827 posts
Registered: Apr '04
49847_H457: Jack Skellington
Date Posted: 1/2/07 4:45pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
I've been looking forward to this! dancing

Geesh, you must have a giant map somewhere of how this all works out. wink

This was a very intriguing beginning. I especially liked the analysis of Jaina & Jag at this point... everything stacked against them. So true!

Can't wait for Chapter 2!

 

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Lyne  158 posts
Registered: Aug '06
24201_Anakin and Padme
Date Posted: 1/2/07 8:15pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
“I know, Father,” Jag said, resigned. “But I know I could have made a difference against the Vong. I could have helped them.”

In his mind, the words leaving his mouth sounded different. Them meant the Rogues, and the Rogues meant Jaina Solo. Them sounded like her.


love That section was my favorite part.

I'm really looking forward to this especially to see Jag and Pellaeon interacting together.

 

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TKeira_Lea  6788 posts
Registered: Oct '02
48762_Padme (630092)
Date Posted: 1/3/07 5:19am Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
Solo_and_Fel posted:
Geesh, you must have a giant map somewhere of how this all works out.


Yeah well the beta is still waiting for a map so she can figure it all out. Lex keeps asking what I think of this retcon and that character perspective, and my head is spinning like a whirling dirvish trying to keep it all straight silly

I have been really stoked to see this story - to see how Jag became Emperor - so I'm so excited it's finally here. Great post, and even though my head spins with all the canon tie-ins I know we've talked them through to the point they are sound and even a bit cunning on your part.

Keep up the good work applause

 

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Flowerlady  3400 posts
Registered: Dec '05
41083_Jaina and Jag
Date Posted: 1/3/07 10:27am Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
Wow!!! I just found this and what a find it is...I love canon based stories and this one looks promising to be on of the best I've read in a while...

I'm also a Jag as Emperor fan...so I'm anxious to see your ideas as to how he gets there...

Great start and if you do PM's may I have one when you update....thanks... grin


FL rose

 

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rebel_cheese  2213 posts
Registered: Jul '06
42800_Anakin Solo
Date Posted: 1/3/07 10:51am Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d - Date Edited: 1/3/07 10:52am (1 edits total) Edited By: rebel_cheese
I like this so far. PM list please? happy

Yeah, I think Jag will become Emperor soon too . . . mischief Still, that leaves the question on who the second Emperor will be . . . I keep thinking it will be someone named Davin . . .

I can't wait to see how your canon speculation proceeds. grin BTW, I've read 'Chandrila Surprise' in the Archive and it makes me wish that DID happen . . . although I remain a J/Tk shipper.

 

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TahiriSoloFan  1683 posts
Registered: May '03
19661_Tahiri
Date Posted: 1/3/07 11:37am Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
Great work, Lex! Jag is spot on for canon, and your interwoven plot points are fascinating. I'm looking forward to seeing how acturate you get to be! wink

 

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Shinar  3090 posts
Registered: May '02
14825_ANH Concept Art
Date Posted: 1/3/07 12:01pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
Thanks for the refresher, that does make it easier for us lazy bums wink

Your take on characters not being accurate (on purpose or not) is interesting and very logical. I'm one of those folks that tries to take everything at face value and winds up confused all the time, I really need to break that habit doh! Folks aren't perfect in real life, neither are characters (even when they are created by profic authors). And it sure does help explain many of the conflicts! laugh

That being said, it is great to see some behind the scenes stuff and character interaction. That was seriously missing from the NJO and recent books applause I am SERIOUSLY looking forward to Jag Fel taking over the galaxy (and seeing how it was done) devil

 

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Darth_Lex  3881 posts
Registered: Nov '02
44424_Roan Fel
Date Posted: 1/5/07 5:19pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): 1st post Jan 2d
Time for replies! grin

JAGSGURL15: Thanks! happy

Voz: Well, I was first was I hit the post button.
doh!

That they’re sending “only Chiss” intrigues me. Only Chiss? As opposed to what? Humans? Clones? Other?
We don’t know a lot of details from canon, actually. In Survivor’s Quest and Fool’s Bargain we do see the Empire of the Hand’s version of the 501st Legion in action, and its stormtroopers are a combination of humans (non-cloned, it seems) and aliens of various Unknown Regions species. It’s not really clear how big the non-Chiss contingent of the EotH forces is – which is probably exactly how they want it. tongue

I have always been a Pallaeon fan, but to me it only makes sense that someone as deep into Thrawn’s Empire as Jag his family are, would see Pallaeon as a link to their leader, long dead.
Exactly. We don’t really know if Soontir ever served directly with Pellaeon, but we do know that it was Thrawn who convinced him to join the EotH. If anything, I’d bet that Soontir wished he could have lured Pellaeon away from the Remnant to the EotH. mischief

I really appreciate Jag’s relationship with his father. I imagine they are quite alike, and it’s great to see the father/son dynamics here.
Yeah, they’re quite the pair. Lots more of these two as we go along. happy

I truly think that is how their relationship came together – both were taken by surprise and startled by their own feelings.
All the great SW romances work that way, don’t they. love

(Is it weird that I’d never heard of Red Sky, Blue Flame?)
Yes. tongue

Seriously, though, RSBF is a Jag short story by Elaine Cunningham. It was published in the Star Wars Gamer magazine. It hasn’t been reprinted on Hyperspace yet, unfortunately. sad Probably because it has a few continuity goofs and they haven’t decided how to fix them yet. silly

Will you be posting regularly on Tuesdays?
Yep. grin

Will They always be as spread out throughout the timeline as this, or will we at some point move towards a more direct storyline?
Most of the chapters will be a single continuous scene, so not much timeline jumping within a chapter like the first one. This will be a vignette series, though, so we’ll be jumping to further points along the timeline with each new chapter. wink

ccp: Thanks! happy

Chimpo: Sorry. tongue I’ve only got time to get a chapter per week ready. sad

Yobi: The Empire of the Hand has been fighting the Vong directly already?
That’s really the only explanation that makes sense to me, in terms of the arc of the invasion and the purpose for the EotH.

So Jag was just lying in Ruin
He took lessons from Formbi, I’m sure. tongue

Nice retconning
Lots more on the way. silly

ojn: I know that you have such a fanastic grasp of SW details that MoaE will be incredibly real.
No pressure. blush

This analysis reminded me so much of the interpretive political discussion Jag had with the Solos during that unexpected meeting aboard the Falcon in NJO. Leia was so impressed with him then
We don’t see it as often as his military expertise, but Jag has quite a sharp political mind too. Another example is the discussion about the Chiss with Luke and Mara early on in Refugee. And a few years as a diplomat after TUF wouldn’t hurt… whistling

So this is when his father first clued in--loooooong before Jag himself did!
Well, something has to explain that moment in DJ when Soontir was so quick to notice Jag’s concern for Jaina instead of, you know, something little like, oh, just the fall of Coruscant. laugh laugh

Solo_and_Fel: Geesh, you must have a giant map somewhere of how this all works out.
Yep. cool

I especially liked the analysis of Jaina & Jag at this point... everything stacked against them. So true!
That’s how all the great SW romances start. love

Lyne: I'm really looking forward to this especially to see Jag and Pellaeon interacting together.
Lots more of those two down the line. cool

TKL: Yeah well the beta is still waiting for a map so she can figure it all out.
laugh Touché.

I have been really stoked to see this story - to see how Jag became Emperor - so I'm so excited it's finally here.
Me too. grin

Flowerlady: I'm also a Jag as Emperor fan...so I'm anxious to see your ideas as to how he gets there...
It should be an interesting ride. grin

rebel_cheese: Still, that leaves the question on who the second Emperor will be
I kinda wonder if Jag’s son will end up like poor Prince Charles. You just know Jag will live to be 90 years old or something (like Pellaeon) and never give the kid a chance. laugh

BTW, I've read 'Chandrila Surprise' in the Archive and it makes me wish that DID happen
Thanks! grin That story is still one of my faves.

Auntie: I'm looking forward to seeing how accurate you get to be!
Me too! thinking

Shinar: I'm one of those folks that tries to take everything at face value and winds up confused all the time, I really need to break that habit
silly Especially when you’re dealing with Formbi. That guy’s a massive liar. shame_on_you

it is great to see some behind the scenes stuff and character interaction.
That’s really how I see this story – the “real” behind the scenes story of the Fels and Empire of the Hand. cool


Thanks for the great replies, everyone! grin

Next post will be on Tuesday. dancing

 

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