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Author	Topic: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): COMPLETE
jedi_princess18 Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 3/15/07 4:20pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	Another amazing update. I wonder what Jacen thought he owed Jag? -----signature----- Would it help if I got out and pushed?
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Solo_and_Fel Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 3/15/07 9:20pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	“No, it certainly didn’t.” He shook his head. “I don’t know which is the bigger disaster – creating the Galactic Alliance Guard, or promoting that crazy fish Niathal to Supreme Commander.” The GAG!! Whoops. Yelled that one out loud, didn't I.... I think the GAG's earned the GA a lot more enemies than Niathal has. And I know we talked about Jag having a contact in the GA... but Jacen... that is interesting. Nice job, Lex. -----signature----- "Hurling black lightning is one thing, but quoting Kyp Durron puts me lower than I ever expected to get." To Suffer & Be Strong: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28435487&brd=10477 Check profile for more fics.
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Madame_Solo Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 3/15/07 9:58pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	I can't believe I somehow missed this, so I just caught up reading. This story is just awesome! That's all I can use to describe it. I really like your writing style, its very clean if that makes sense. Reminds me of the books in that way. I've also enjoyed Jag's relationships that we don't always see, especially with Palleaon. All I can say is keep up the good work, and I look forward to more! -Flygirl -----signature----- See my profile for my fanfiction writings ^-^ I am happy to be the Padawan of TKeira_Lea! Take that! Jag's back
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Lyne Registered: Aug '06	Date Posted: 3/16/07 3:33pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!! - Date Edited: 3/17/07 5:36am (2 edits total) Edited By: Lyne
	Chapter 9: Great interaction between Pellaeon and Jag. Chapter 10: Like how Jag and Jacen don't really trust each other, but act like they do. It's kind of like a cat and mouse game with those two. Can't wait to see how you write Jag's point of view concerning the events that happen in Tempest.
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obsessedwithSW Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 3/16/07 3:34pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	Whew Lex! Boy did you paint Jacen cold! Maybe from a purely outside position he comes across that hard but in the profics we see into his side of the situation so it eases the slap! Jag set his destination for the Hapes Cluster, and jumped to hyperspace. ******** Chapter Eleven (during Tempest) next week… I am really really excited about where we are in the story. Tempest was really the book in LOTF that sold the series for me. Is Jag going to figure out or guess the jacen Tenel Ka relationship? -----signature----- Yes Darth Maul -bring sexy back! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW8kOYvwVng Avid SiriWaner ! Stories in Bio
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jade_angel Title: Executive Officer Vancouver BC, Canada Registered: Apr '01	Date Posted: 3/17/07 4:44pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	There'll come a day when Jacen will lose his use for Jag and then Jag can shoot him in the head. Yes, I'm not fond of Jacen if you can't tell :P Honestly, when I was reading this fic, at an earlier point I thought about how neat it'd be to see a Jacen and Jag show down. Jacen and Jag (even if Jag's not aware of his :P) have two ultimate goals after all and we can't have TWO emperors leading the galaxy after all. -----signature----- Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before Let your soul take you where you long to be Only then can you belong to me
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TahiriSoloFan Registered: May '03	Date Posted: 3/17/07 5:12pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	-----signature----- Auntie & the Chickens ~ Keepin' hope alive A/T ~ Greater than the sum of their parts J/J ~ Unstoppable force vs. unmoveable object AKA ~Auntie ~ Chicken Wrangler Extraordinaire~ Joshua 1:9
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lurker2209 Registered: Jan '05	Date Posted: 3/18/07 11:39pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	Hm...I thought I replied. Must be loosing my mind. I'll find it again; always do! Can I just say that I never really considered the dynamic between Paelleon and Jag before I read this fic, and now that I do, it seems almost essential to Jag's character. Maybe part of the reason it works so well is the way it complements and contrasts the Jedi Master/Apprentice relationships we see. Which brings us to Jacen. And even though we don't see Ben, the contast between Paelleon and Jacen is so clear. Both are manipulating the galaxy to peace, prosperity and so forth, but this time the Empire isn't the one going around sacrificing people to do it. And of course, we know which plan works! And of course, you gotta love the fact that Jag is the kind of guy who will get info from Jacen when he needs it, but has enough character to feel tainted by doing it. It's when you no longer feel icky after working with nasty people that you know there's a problem. -----signature----- "When I face the desolate impossibility of writing five hundred pages a sick sense of failure falls on me and I know I can never do it. This happens every time. Then gradually I write one page and then another." ~ John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley
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jedi_ashes Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 3/19/07 12:05pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	i really like this story so far. It took all of Jag’s mental strength to keep his face composed and his voice level. He’d known Jacen Solo was losing it, but… That question was pure madness. yeah, Jacen might just be losing it a little, both here and in the books. more posts. WOO ashes -----signature----- "My friend here is trying to convince me that any independent contractors who were working on the uncompleted Death Star were innocent victims when they were destroyed by the Rebels. "
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Darth_Lex Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 3/19/07 7:15pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	ChissGoddess: Spring break rocks. Flowerlady: Thanks! RedGold: Tricks on the way soon… Voz: It's interesting to me to see Jag's emotional shift when it comes to Jaina. Not even 3 posts ago, he couldn't think about her without being filled with frustration and rage - now there is just calm... acceptance perhaps? Nearly three years have passed from the end of the Killik war to the beginning of LOTF, so that explains most of it. The passage of time always helps to take the edge off those dark emotions. Of course, it also helps that Jag hasn’t had any interaction with Jaina since then, either. Out of sight, out of mind… Pallaeon was the first Imperial I actually liked - to see the relationship you have developed here between the two is perfect. I like Pellaeon’s character, too. It’s fun to see an honorable, moral character who also believes in the Empire, and backs up his values with deeds. Which makes him a perfect complement to Soontir as a mentor for Jag. loneastronomer: Welcome! Great screenname. The EOTH is basically perfect for him - innovative, secretive, and strict, without an excess of bureaucracy. Great description. That does sound like something Soontir would help build, doesn’t it? He’s all about secrecy and efficiency. The only thing I find problematic about it is that it may lessen the tension between Jag and Jaina with regards to his isolation from his family. (I am such a sucker for angst. True. Although for reasons I’ve explained earlier in this thread, I’m not sure Jag isn’t overplaying that issue in canon for emotional effect or to hide something. But even if he is, it makes for great J/J angst in the meantime. It both shows how secretive and cloak-and-dagger he's become - very different from the boy he once was - and how easily he lets his own agenda blind him. Creepy, but good. Yeah, Jacen sure is getting creepy fast in LOTF. Even by the end of Bloodlines, he’s keeping an awful lot of secrets. And he’s definitely letting his own agenda blind him to the reality around him – and to the threats he faces. I like Pellaeon almost as much. He was cool as a villain and he's even better as a good guy, which is rare. Well said. Yobi: The Alliance is certainly going to notice that missing. You underestimate the power of bureaucracy to lose things and never find them again, intentionally or otherwise. Tibbix has a copy of Tempest Actually, Tibbix is his planet’s version of the name Troy. Where are they finding the money to buy these ships? Taxes? Seriously, though, I have in mind that the Empire of the Hand has certain resources and assets it can sell to raise funds… More on that in later chapter. Interesting the way you worked in the memory cord and Alema Rar's survival. Yeah, had to deal with that part. And conveniently, it provides Jag with a nice mission and cover story for returning to the Known Regions. IceFire27: It's interesting to see that I wasn't the only one who thought that Jag had a hidden agenda when he talked to Han and Leia. Oh yeah. I definitely thought he was hiding something. I may be totally wrong about what it is but it certainly wasn’t the whole truth… OJN: The master and the apprentice. Ah, yes. Well, Pellaeon probably is as old as Sidous at this point. you disinterested ex-boyfriend. Jag has to feel just a little like he's in league with the devil. Better on his "good" side than his "bad", I suppose. If there is such a thing with Jacen. I think that’s exactly what’s going through Jag’s mind at this point. If he’d had any other option, he wouldn’t have contacted Jacen. But at least if he had to, he’ll do everything he can to play to Jacen’s ego and stay off a hit list. He is so uncomfortable in his own skin these days, and apparently assumes that everyone else is as messed up as he is. Classic sociopath… Or is it psychopath? Loved the way you drew a straight line from Jag’s involvement with Jacen to Jag finding Han and Leia. Very well done! I’m convinced that’s one of the “secrets” Jag is hiding in canon. Jacen was the leak to Jag about Tenupe in TSW, and Jacen was his source for the Bwau’tu communiqué in Tempest. For his own reasons, Jag hasn’t chosen to tell the Solos about Jacen’s betrayals. Yet. But I believe the time will come soon… jedi_princess18: I wonder what Jacen thought he owed Jag? Nothing in particular. But given that Jag did as Jacen requested at Tenupe, he knew there was a favor to be called in later. Solo_and_Fel: The GAG!! Whoops. Yelled that one out loud, didn't I.... Yeah, that’s my thought, too. Madame_Solo: This story is just awesome! That's all I can use to describe it. Thanks! I've also enjoyed Jag's relationships that we don't always see, especially with Palleaon. That’s been a really fun part about writing these “hidden backstory” scenes. It gives me a chance to showcase parts of Jag’s life we hardly see in canon. For example, it’s hard to imagine Jag doesn’t have a close relationship with his father, but in the profic we only have a single scene with the two of them (in Dark Journey) and some bits and pieces from Jag’s POV. Elaborating their relationship much more has been tons of fun. And of course Pellaeon, too. Lyne: Like how Jag and Jacen don't really trust each other, but act like they do. It's kind of like a cat and mouse game with those two. Definitely. They both realize they’re a threat to the other, but for the time being they’re working to mutual advantage – at least until it no longer serves their interests to do so… obsessedwithSW: Whew Lex! Boy did you paint Jacen cold! Maybe from a purely outside position he comes across that hard but in the profics we see into his side of the situation so it eases the slap! You’re exactly right about that. In LOTF we see a lot of Jacen’s POV, and he certainly doesn’t perceive himself as this chilling. And the other POVs we get are his family, who so far have had their perceptions clouded by their feelings for Jacen. So he doesn’t come off looking this grim. At least until the scenes from Uran Lavint’s POV in Exile. On the other hand, Jag already thinks Jacen is dangerous and falling toward the dark side, so he’s probably perceiving Jacen from the opposite end of the spectrum. I am really really excited about where we are in the story. Tempest was really the book in LOTF that sold the series for me. Is Jag going to figure out or guess the jacen Tenel Ka relationship? The Tempest scene will be a lot of fun, I think. And the Exile scenes should be even more fun. As for Tenel Ka – don’t expect much there. Jag wasn’t really in a position in Tempest to pick up any clues about Jacen’s personal affairs. Not yet, anyway… jade_angel: There'll come a day when Jacen will lose his use for Jag and then Jag can shoot him in the head. Now THAT would be a fun scene to write! Honestly, when I was reading this fic, at an earlier point I thought about how neat it'd be to see a Jacen and Jag show down. Jacen and Jag (even if Jag's not aware of his :P) have two ultimate goals after all and we can't have TWO emperors leading the galaxy after all. Very true. And from the title, I think you know who it’s gonna be in this fic. You’re right, though, a Jacen-Jag showdown has all kinds of potential. It couldn’t be a Jedi duel like a Jacen-Jaina showdown, but that could make it all the more fun. I’m not anticipating including either showdown in this fic (you’ll see why when we get there), but it would make for an awesome Bonus Scene. I’ll definitely keep the idea in mind. Auntie: Thanks! lurker2209: Must be loosing my mind. I'll find it again; always do! Can I just say that I never really considered the dynamic between Paelleon and Jag before I read this fic, and now that I do, it seems almost essential to Jag's character. Maybe part of the reason it works so well is the way it complements and contrasts the Jedi Master/Apprentice relationships we see. Thanks! I’m glad you find it so compelling. Given what little backstory there is in profic, it seems like Jag’s primary mentor probably has been Soontir. But working with a much more devious, clandestine backstory, I think Pellaeon fits in very well. And a Grand Admiral is certainly a good Master for an apprentice emperor-to-be. Which brings us to Jacen. And even though we don't see Ben, the contrast between Paelleon and Jacen is so clear. Both are manipulating the galaxy to peace, prosperity and so forth, but this time the Empire isn't the one going around sacrificing people to do it. And of course, we know which plan works! This is exactly how I see it, too, and I’m delighted you’ve picked up on it in the story. Pellaeon wants the same ultimate goals for the galaxy as the Rebellion/NR/GA heroes – he just doesn’t believe in democracy as they way to get there. He does reject tyranny and oppression, though. Which is why, I think, he would oppose Jacen tactics so strongly – enough to resign from the GA even while insisting to the Moffs that the Remnant not join the Corellian side. And of course, you gotta love the fact that Jag is the kind of guy who will get info from Jacen when he needs it, but has enough character to feel tainted by doing it. It's when you no longer feel icky after working with nasty people that you know there's a problem. Well said. Fortunately for us, Jag definitely feels like he needs a shower after that conversation. (There’s another Bonus Scene for you, ladies. ) jedi_ashes: i really like this story so far. Thanks! yeah, Jacen might just be losing it a little, both here and in the books. Yeah, just a little. Thanks again for all your great feedback, everyone! See you tomorrow for the next post! -----signature----- Return to Bolis Island (J/J wedding, post-LOTF) http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29571370/p1/ ----- Christie Golden FTW!
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Tahi Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 3/20/07 1:35pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!! - Date Edited: 3/21/07 3:16am (2 edits total) Edited By: Tahi
	I'm up to the last chapter now. I really enjoyed the idea of Jag as the soundrel secreting away a fleet of star destroyers. Tibbix shook his head. “You’re ex-military, maybe. But no respectable government would ever hire someone like you.” Ha ha - great line. Little does he know. The chapter with Pellaeon and Jag was astral. I loved the dramatic tension there - although am wondering if Jag maybe might have an inkling about what Pellaeon's hinting at. Maybe . . . Anyway - the dialogue was spot on. Loved it. Pellaeon is a wise old space dog, and a wiley one when he needs to be. Hence his survival. Hope to be caught up tonight. Back again with the last chapter. Woohoo. “Now that there is state of war proclaimed by both sides,” Jag added, “we’ll wait and see who makes the first move.” The turbolift slowed to a stop, and the door slid open. Pellaeon motioned Jag ahead, then followed him into the ornately decorated corridor. For a moment they stood in place. “Whoever it is,” Pellaeon said, “it won’t be the Empire. Even if I spend all my time in the coming weeks browbeating Moffs to ensure it.” “That,” Jag said with a sly grin, “doesn’t sound particular fun.” Pellaeon grinned back. “It is in its own way, I suppose. But if I were a younger man, I would much prefer to be in your place rather than mine.” Then he indicated down the corridor. “You have time to join me for dinner? With no talk of politics?” “For you and for that,” Jag said, sincerely, “I would always make time.” So it's the old watching and waiting game for Jag and Pellaeon. Lucky they are both patient men. They make a great team, too. Jacen is decidedly scary, but Jag handled him well. I enjoyed the asides. Jacen's madness is even more obvious in comparison to Jag's cool logic. Is he going to be able to warn the Solos before crazy Alema hacks them to pieces? Oooh - exciting. -----signature----- "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 Master to THE_PIED_PIPER
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Darth_Lex Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 3/21/07 1:59pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!!
	Tahi: I really enjoyed the idea of Jag as the scoundrel secreting away a fleet of star destroyers. Those Corellians are sneaky devils. Just look at Han, Corran, and Wedge. The Fels might pretend to be straightlaced military types, but I don’t buy it. The chapter with Pellaeon and Jag was astral. Astral. What a great SW compliment. Thanks! Pellaeon is a wise old space dog, and a wiley one when he needs to be. Hence his survival. Exactly. You don’t learn than much from Thrawn and not end up a crafty one yourself. So it's the old watching and waiting game for Jag and Pellaeon. Lucky they are both patient men. Yep. I figure being raised by a man who was willing to move to the Unknown Regions and prepare to face its terrors, not knowing when or where they’d strike but always being ready, would give Jag a supreme amount of patience of his own. Jacen's madness is even more obvious in comparison to Jag's cool logic. Definitely. Now if only we could get poor Ben to see it. Is he going to be able to warn the Solos before crazy Alema hacks them to pieces? Maybe. Sorry about not getting the post up until today, folks. Blame a nasty whack from DRL. But here it comes! -----signature----- Return to Bolis Island (J/J wedding, post-LOTF) http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29571370/p1/ ----- Christie Golden FTW!
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Darth_Lex Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 3/21/07 2:02pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 15th!! - Date Edited: 3/21/07 2:08pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Darth_Lex
	CHAPTER ELEVEN 40 ABY, three days after the failed assassination attempt at Hapes Telkur Station, the Transitory Mists Ducking into the alley behind the cantina, Jag leaned his back against the stone wall and blew out a long, deep sigh. His knees trembled. His fists were clenched against his hips. And a tight knot still tangled his gut. Seeing Han and Leia Solo again had been much harder than he’d expected. Jag didn’t need the Force to tell they still cared about him – and still mourned what might have been. Their genuine concern for him, and about the suffering he had endured because of actions of the four Solos, had almost cracked his resolve. He very nearly had dropped the charade and warned them about just how dangerous Jacen really was. He had been a moment away from telling them that Jacen had been the one to betray their mission at Tenupe several years earlier. He had wanted to tell them to forget all about Alema Rar, and stop their son before he became a monster. Then Jag had remembered how difficult it had been for him to comprehend that reality, and he had realized that a few words from him would never convince them. Han and Leia had to figure out the truth for themselves. Jacen already had issued arrest warrants for his own parents. If that hadn’t clued them in, nothing Jag could say would convince them. He exhaled another deep sigh. Maybe convincing Han and Leia wouldn’t have been so hard, though. After all, deceiving them had been easy enough. Jag shook his head. He had been worried that lying to the Solos would be all but impossible. Between Han’s smuggler’s skepticism and Leia’s Jedi talents, he had feared they would see right through his deceptions. Instead, they seemed to have accepted everything he told them at face value. It almost had been too easy. In a funny way it all made sense. If you were careful not to betray your emotions and told a story that fit with their preconceived notions, Jedi were just as easy to lie to as anybody else. Especially when they were off-balance before you ever started talking. The sharp retorts of blasterfire echoed into the alley. “Always have to do it the hard way,” Jag muttered. Solos were all the same. He snatched his blaster from its holster and hurried along the wall. Reaching the door he had just exited, he pressed flat against the stone and listened. When he heard no footfalls in his immediate proximity, he readied his blaster in one hand and opened the door with the other. The corridor was empty, so he burst inside. A group of patrons stampeded toward him, wailing as they fled the gunbattle in the cantina’s main chamber. Jag stepped to the side, and they ran past without a second glance. He bounded ahead, passing the doors to the refreshers before arriving at the open archway to the main room. He checked that his blaster was set to full power, not stun, then peered around the corner into the firefight. From near the middle of the room three members of the Hapan security team were firing on the Solos and their creepy pale, bald companion, while a fourth moved for a flanking position. The bartender was nowhere to be seen, nor was the scrawny man who’d been leading the squad. Jag knew they hadn’t fled. The Solos were still pinned down near the booth Jag had occupied. Leia’s lightsaber flashed to deflect blaster bolts, but not nearly as fast or effectively as it should have. Han was firing stun bolts at the Hapans, but his aim was unusually poor. And Creepy was mostly just sitting there. Just as Jag had feared – they had consumed whatever debilitating toxin the Hapans had put in their drinks. “Fools,” Jag growled, and raised his blaster. He steadied his aim on one of the Hapans, then – Han’s holler of pain broke his focus. Jag glanced over to see Han slumping to his knees, a smoking blaster wound in his shoulder. “For the love of –” Jag hefted his blaster again and poured a stream of bolts at the Hapans. With the mass of innocent bystanders scrambling for the exits, though, he couldn’t get a clean shot at any of the Hapans. One of them still noticed enemy shots from a new angle, though, and spun toward Jag – Just as Creepy’s blaster lit up with a loud, deadly barrage. In a heartbeat, it was over. The four remaining Hapans fell, collapsing to the floor in lifeless heaps. “Whoa,” Jag said. Creepy’s position next to Han was a better location to fire on the Hapans than Jag had. But still. She couldn’t have fired more than ten shots. Jag didn’t lower his blaster. Not yet. If Creepy had turned out to be that good a shot, especially after being drugged, who knew what else she was hiding. She might have saved Han and Leia from the Hapans so she could kill them herself. He waited, and watched. Leia helped Han up, and they spoke with Creepy. Then Creepy headed toward a different archway along another of the room’s eight walls. A moment later a middle-aged brunette woman wearing a red vest emerged from the shadows. She was obviously Hapan, and clearly expecting to see Creepy. This was getting more interesting by the moment. Jag had little doubt it had everything to do with the failed assassination attempt on the Queen Mother a couple days ago. Too bad Jag hadn’t brought any of his covert audio surveillance devices from the Wampa’s Claw. Listening to this conversation could have been very worthwhile. Instead, he would just have to observe as closely as he could. Creepy and Red-Vest spoke until Han and Leia arrived. Then, abruptly, Creepy grabbed Red-Vest and slammed her against the wall. A few more words later, Red-Vest relented and Creepy let her go. After handing something small to Han and Leia, Creepy walked away. As she left, Jag committed her face and physical features to memory. Someone like Creepy was highly dangerous – and that meant he needed to know who she was. He’d task Intelligence on that as soon as he could make contact. Jag watched Han and Leia leave, taking Red-Vest with them. He didn’t follow them to the Millennium Falcon. The threat of Hapan security was gone, and if Creepy had wanted to kill them she’d have done it already. Jag went back down the corridor, exited into the alley, and headed toward the spaceport where the Wampa’s Claw was waiting. While he walked, Jag pondered his next move. As he’d planned, he had passed along the warning about Alema Rar to Han and Leia. They had believed him that Alema was still alive. The memory cord, safely stashed back in Jag’s jacket, probably had helped convince them, but they hadn’t even questioned it. For all they knew, it wasn’t really Alema’s – or didn’t say what Jag said it did. But they hadn’t asked to get it translated themselves. They hadn’t doubted his report. Quite simply, they trusted him. That was what had made deceiving them about his true allegiance and status so easy to pull off. They weren’t expecting him to be lying, and almost everything he’d told them was true anyway. Alema had survived, and she had ambushed a landing party to escape Tenupe. Jag was no longer serving in the CEDF, and after Lowbacca’s parole he wasn’t welcome in the Ascendancy, even in the Houses and Families that were loyal to his father. He had been stranded on Tenupe, and the status of his rescue was a Chiss military secret even long afterward – to conceal the embarrassing fact that it had been the 501st, not the CEDF, who had extracted him. He was hunting Alema Rar, and it wasn’t an assignment from anyone, even his father – he had requested the mission because he didn’t trust anyone else to get it right, not when it came to eliminating a threat like a Dark Jedi. Admittedly, he had exaggerated the length of time he’d been stuck on Tenupe and the severity of his dishonor among the Chiss. But that had only increased the shock value of his story, and had put Han and Leia even further off balance than they already had been. By the time they had gotten past the surprise, it had been too late to realize he’d deceived them. Best of all, he had seen in their faces that they had picked up on his anger. If Leia had tried to sense beneath the surface, she would have found anger at the Solo family, and Jaina in particular. Given the rest of his tale, Leia would have made the natural connection to Lowbacca’s parole and the events at Tenupe, and concluded those were the source of Jag’s anger. And she would have been wrong. Jag was angry with Jaina, sure, but it didn’t have anything to do with Chiss politics or being on opposite sides of a war. They were soldiers; that kind of thing didn’t bother him at all. His anger was something else entirely – it was personal. Jaina Solo had broken his heart. Nearly seven years ago now, but that didn’t matter. When he reached down inside and let his raw emotions rise to the surface, it hurt just as much today as it did the day she’d left him. And when he let himself imagine that she had filled the void in her heart with, of all people, that lumbering oaf Zekk, well… Oh, yes, that anger was real, all right. Real enough to fool a Jedi. Real enough, probably, to fool even Jaina herself. He chuckled darkly. He’d had nothing to worry about. When you knew how they ticked, deceiving a Jedi wasn’t any harder than lying to anybody else. Quickly Jag glanced over his shoulder. He didn’t think he was being followed to the spaceport, but it never hurt to make sure. Now that he had shared the warning, he could count on Han and Leia getting word to the rest of their family. Even if they were temporarily on different sides of a conflict, Jag knew they would never put their family’s lives in danger over some political squabble. They would find a way to warn Luke and Mara Skywalker, and Jaina. He caught himself. Just because Jag hadn’t warned Jacen didn’t mean his parents wouldn’t. Then again, if Soontir had put out an arrest warrant on Jag, he wasn’t sure how he would react to that. Maybe he wouldn’t feel reciprocally protective any longer. It was impossible to know what it would feel like to be betrayed by a member of his own family. He hoped he never found out. Jag reached the landing area and walked straight to the Wampa’s Claw. He tapped in the security code and the boarding ramp lowered. He hustled inside, closed the ramp, and went to the cockpit. He didn’t even bother to change into a flight suit. Right now, he just wanted to get off this rock and on his way. Firing up the drives and activating the diagnostics, his fingers paused over the console. “All right, smart guy,” he said under his breath, “where exactly are you going to go?” He leaned back in the pilot’s seat and sighed. “Yeah, a destination would help.” Jag closed his eyes. He was a hunter, so it was time to think like a hunter. Except a demented, delusional hunter with the Force. The answer, it turned out, was surprisingly simple. Jag had only been able to find Han and Leia by calling in a favor with Jacen. It was unlikely Alema Rar would go to any similar amount of effort. Not when there were much easier targets to find. He would have to go back to Coruscant. Until things changed, that would be where the first assassination attempts would occur. Alema probably wouldn’t try to infiltrate the Jedi Temple – but Luke and Mara Skywalker couldn’t stay there forever. The GAG headquarters were a fortress, too – but between operations and meetings at the Senate, Jacen Solo was constantly on the move. And Jaina – well, Jaina was a Jedi Knight, and she was Jaina. Even having resigned her military commission thanks to her brother’s court-martial, she would be back in the field in no time. Like the others, she would be in the open soon enough. Which meant Alema would be there, waiting to strike. Jag’s eyes popped open. He was going to be there too, waiting to kill her. “Coruscant it is, then,” he said. By now the shuttle was ready, and everything checked out on the diagnostics. With one hand he took the yoke, lifting the Wampa’s Claw into a smooth takeoff from the duracrete landing area. With the other he reached to the navcomputer, setting it to begin calculating a hyperspace jump to Coruscant. Coruscant and the Jedi Temple again, his subconscious noted, intruding into his thoughts. You can’t avoid Jaina forever. He wanted to smack himself. It was bad enough that Pellaeon had leapt right into asking Jag about the incident leading to her court-martial, as though Jag cared. Then Jacen, and now Han, had assumed Jag would be contacting another Solo because of something to do with Jaina. As though he couldn’t have business with one of them without involving her. And now his own brain was accusing him? Jag ignored the traffic management transmission from Telkur Station Control and slammed his atmospheric drives to maximum. Heedlessly he soared up toward space. “Why does everyone think this about Jaina?” he grumbled. Maybe, his mind pointed out, because they know something you don’t. Jag refused to think about what that was. Not now. Not ever. “Just fly, idiot,” he spat, and clenched the yoke until his knuckles went white. ******** Chapter Twelve (during Exile) next week… -----signature----- Return to Bolis Island (J/J wedding, post-LOTF) http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29571370/p1/ ----- Christie Golden FTW!
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IceFire27 Registered: Jan '07	Date Posted: 3/21/07 3:19pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 21st!! - Date Edited: 3/21/07 3:30pm (1 edits total) Edited By: IceFire27
	First? Lex I loved the dialog that Jag had with himself. It makes you wonder just what his feelings for Jania are. I can't wait for next week.
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Solo_and_Fel Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 3/21/07 3:33pm Subject: RE: The Making of an Emperor (canon speculation NJO-LOTF: Jag & J/J): New Post March 21st!!
	I really like seeing scenes from alternate viewpoints... especially one like Jag's where we wondered what he was thinking the whole book. Wampa’s Claw I'd like to hear the story behind that name. Jag was angry with Jaina, sure, but it didn’t have anything to do with Chiss politics or being on opposite sides of a war. They were soldiers; that kind of thing didn’t bother him at all. His anger was something else entirely – it was personal. Jaina Solo had broken his heart. Nearly seven years ago now, but that didn’t matter... That whole paragraph was a small bundle of powerful. Not to mention a neat insight. I would believe that if Jag was ever made at Jaina for being on the opposite side, the anger over that would have subsided over 7 years. Jag closed his eyes. He was a hunter, so it was time to think like a hunter. Except a demented, delusional hunter with the Force. Funny AND true. Fun post, Lex. -----signature----- "Hurling black lightning is one thing, but quoting Kyp Durron puts me lower than I ever expected to get." To Suffer & Be Strong: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=28435487&brd=10477 Check profile for more fics.
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