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Author	Topic: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Chapter 10 up 10/28!
NightSword Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 11/23/08 4:15pm Subject: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Chapter 10 up 10/28! - Date Edited: 10/28 5:21pm (36 edits total) Edited By: NightSword
	SPOILER WARNING: This story will contain a lot of LOTF spoilers and a few NJO spoilers. This story is a rewrite of my partially finished story (by the same name) that can be found here. I decided that I wanted to do a rewrite for two primary reasons: 1). After getting through just over 20 chapters, I started looking back on the earliest chapters, when I was writing without a clear storyline in mind, and I realized that there were a lot of things that should have been included there, but simply weren't, which meant that I had to play a lot of catch-up in later chapters. 2). For my later chapters, when I was trying to churn out a post a week, I just didn't have the time to write this fic at the level that I wanted to. So, without further ado... Title: The Face of a Warrior Author: NightSword Timeframe: LOTF post-Fury Characters: Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, Jacen, Tenel Ka, Han, Leia, Luke, OC's Summary: They think that this is the beginning. They think that the war against Caedus has just started. None of them know that this is actually the end of a game that has been played across the galaxy for decades. The beginning is set in duracrete; now, it is time for a new set of players to take over, and it is they who will determine the winner. But, in this case, the winner will not be the one who plays the best game, but the one that understands what it means to win. This is a game of life or death—a game that could finally deliver the galaxy its long-awaited peace, or remove any possibility of peace entirely. A big thanks to NYCitygurl for betaing! PM List: dm1 Jainasolorocks angry_bendu1 NYCitygurl gonz10 GrandMasterKatarn TheSwordJainaSoloFel EmpressJainaSoloFel shahid_chestro Kailene Master_Jaina1011 Please let me know if you would like to be added or taken off this list. Dramatis Personae Allana Djo; Hapan princess (female human) Aulani Syani; commander, Twin Hearts Squadron (female human) Ben Skywalker; Jedi Knight (male human) Cem Fel; CEDF pilot (male human) Chaf’ees’aklaio/Feesa; aide (female Chiss) Chaf’orm’bintrano/Formbi; politician (male Chiss) Corran Horn; Jedi Master/Council member (male human) Danni Quee; scientist (female human) Darth Caedus/Jacen Solo; Sith Lord (male human) Darth Voldeur; Sith Lord (female Fosh) Davin Fel; intelligence operative (male human) Denjax Teppler; Minister of Intelligence, Corellia (male human) Evlyn Tabory; Jedi (female human) Fyor Rodan; Prime Minister of Commenor (male human) Genna Delphin; Admiral, Corellian Defense Force (female human) Gilad Pellaeon; Supreme Commander, Galactic Alliance Forces (male human) Han Solo; captain, Millennium Falcon (male human) Jagged Fel; pilot (male human) Jaina Solo; Jedi Knight (female human) Jysella Horn; Jedi Knight (female human) Kenth Hamner; Jedi Master/Council member (male human) Kyle Katarn; Jedi Master/Council member (male human) Kyp Durron; Jedi Master/Council member (male human) Leia Organa Solo; Jedi Knight (female human) Lowbacca; Jedi Knight (male wookiee) Luke Skywalker; Jedi Grandmaster (male human) Mirax Terrik Horn; smuggler (female human) Mitth’ill’ayatako/Thillay; CEDF Intelligence Head (male Chiss) Nas Choka; Warmaster (male Yuuzhan Vong) Quill Car; Shamed One (male Yuuzhan Vong) Saba Sebatyne; Jedi Master/Council member (female Barabel) Sasuni Lraka; GAG commander, Unit 555 (male human) Shawnk’yr’nuruodo/Shawnkyr; CEDF General, Spike Squadron commander (female Chiss) Soontir Fel; CEDF Syndic (male human) Tahiri Veila; Jedi Knight (female human) Tenel Ka Djo; Queen of Hapes, Jedi Knight (female human) Thag’raff’nuruodo/Graff; Commander, Thrawn’s rogue phalanx (male Chiss) Tiraku Kiftu; Jedi padawan (male Rodian) Turr Phennir; Supreme Commander of Confederation Forces (male human) Valin Horn; Jedi Knight (male human) Wedge Antilles; pilot (male human) Wes Janson; pilot, Galactic Alliance (male human) Yub Stimson; bounty hunter (male human) Zekk; Jedi Knight (male human) Table of Contents: (links will go up once this story is finished) Trailer (11/23/08) Prologue: Split Beginnings (12/06/08) Chapter One: Fly Casual (2/12/09) Chapter Two: For the Fallen (2/19/09) Chapter Three: Forged Truths (3/08/09) Chapter Four: Cruel Happenstance (3/17/09) Chapter Five: Destiny's Beckon (4/12/09) Chapter Six: Just So Soon Before (4/22/09) Chapter Seven: People of the Mist (6/03/09) Interlude One: Reflection (6/08/09) Chapter Eight: Hunter and Prey (6/23/09) Chapter Nine: Trapped by the Darkness (7/28/09) Chapter Ten: Forget-Me-Not (10/28/09) -----signature----- -NS The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29497393/p1 Night Musings (Drabble Challenge IV): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29
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NightSword Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 11/23/08 4:17pm Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Trailer Up 11/23
	Trailer [The music “Victory Celebration” begins to play.] Announcer (voiceover): Ten years ago, after the defeat of the Yuuzhan Vong, the galaxy believed that they were finally at peace… [The camera shows Zonoma Sekot entering hyperspace.] Announcer (voiceover): …but time has shown over and over again that peace rarely lasts, and few of them realize that a new threat is already rising… [The music transitions to “Anakin’s Theme” as Wedge speaks.] Wedge (voiceover): The pressures that have brought this war into being are unambiguous, easy to identify. But there’s additional string-pulling going on that is harder to bring into focus. (1) Announcer (voiceover): …both in the Galactic Alliance… [The scene fades to show Vergere standing next to another Fosh.] Vergere: Sister, I leave the legacy to you. When I am gone, it will be yours to continue. [The scene switches to a small room in Corellia. Delphin and Teppler sit in two chairs, slouching and staring fixedly at the floor.] Delphin: And what else can we do with errant Jedi? Teppler [sarcastically]: Assassinate them? [The camera zooms in from behind to show Aulani swathed in a flowing blue dress, and standing in front of a hanger where twelve X-wings spiral down to land in a triangular formation. The pilot from lead ship hops out and walks towards her, saluting on the way.] Pilot: You may not wish us in this battle, Your Highness, but Hearts Squadron is ready to serve our people. We are ready to fight. Announcer (voiceover): …in the Imperial Remnant… [The scene switches to the bridge of a different ship, with technicians and soldiers swarming all over. Gilad Pellaeon stands at the front, wearing his white uniform and gazing out the transparisteel. A young Lieutenant approaches him.] Lieutenant: The Death Star is now operational, sir. Pellaeon: Excellent. Announcer (voiceover): …and in the Unknown Regions. [The scene switches to show a clawcraft blowing up with a grey moon silhouetted in the background. After a moment, a scream is heard.] Syal Fel: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO… [The scene zooms in to show Syal’s face, then switches to a view of Soontir in a formal garden, standing next to a uniformed Chiss.] Thillay: Have you made a decision, then? Soontir: We are ready, now. Commence operation Cem. Thillay: I will let Graff known. The first attack will commence at 0200 hours. [The camera view moves quickly over a lush planet covered with Vong, stopping outside a small hut with two Yuuzhan Vong standing outside.] Nas Choka: We are ready to return to the known galaxy. [The music switches to “Imperial March.”] Announcer (voiceover): A new war is already beginning… [The scene shows Luke Skywalker looking at a holo of Formbi on the screen in front of him.] Formbi: You will withdraw your Jedi from Akaith. Immediately. [Jacen Solo stands dressed in a GAG uniform and a black cape on a stage. In front of him, a huge crown, all of whom are wearing black GAG uniforms save for the holoreporters, stands and applauds.] Announcer (voiceover): …it has already been over three decades since a full Sith Lord has been given free reign over the galaxy… [The screen turns black. There is a flash that shows a red lightsaber, and then two glowing eyes.] Announcer (voiceover):…but three powerful forces are already battling amongst themselves for the position. [The music switches to “Luke and Leia.”] Announcer (voiceover): This war will be a war between families… Myri Antilles (voiceover): But if you look at family ties, one minute you all together, and then, boom, you were scattered across the galaxy. (1) Announcer (voiceover): …every family in the galaxy will be torn apart… the Solos… [Jaina and Jacen are facing each other in a dark room, their lightsabers crossed.] Announcer (voiceover): …the Skywalkers… [In Luke Skywalker’s office, Ben Skywalker is standing, glaring at his father.] Luke: I’m not asking you as the leader of the Jedi. I’m asking—as your father—for you to do it. Ben: No. I’m sorry, but I can’t. Announcer (voiceover): …the Solo-Djos… [The camera pans gradually through the royal palace, showing the bodies of guards and people alike thrown against the wall. It stops in the throne room where Tenel Ka, her arms around Allana, is facing off with Jacen.] Tenel Ka: I won’t let you take her. Allana: Father… Announcer (voiceover): …the Horns… [Valin stands watching as his father and sister board a ship. The ship takes off, and Valin continues to watch it until it enters hyperspace.] Valin [whispering]: Goodbye, father. Goodbye Jysella. Announcer (voiceover): …and the Fels. [The scene transitions into showing a formal ball, then zooms in on two dark-haired men, one with brown eyes and one with green. A hidden blaster materializes in one of their hands, and the sound of a single blaster shot echoes through the room as one of the two figures sinks to the ground.] [The music switches to “Han Solo and the Princess.”] Announcer (voiceover): And as this war progresses, they will learn the meaning of love… [The camera reveals a snubfight above the jungle planet of Tenupe, then zooms in to focus on Jaina in one of the X-wing cockpits.] Jaina: Jagged, we—I—want you to know that I still love you. And I always will. (2) Announcer (voiceover): …of betrayal… [The scene shows Fyor Rodan pacing back and forth behind his desk and shouting at Aulani, who stands calmly on the other side. Rodan [sputtering]: But…but…you promised to do what is best for the people! Aulani: I promised to do what is best for my people, Councilor. Not what is best for yours. Announcer (voiceover): …of sacrifice… [The scene shows Kyp and a small group of Jedi huddling in the shadow underneath a cliff. The camera angle is wide enough to show a large battalion of soldiers camped out at the top of the overhang.] Kyp: Go rescue her. I’ll hold them off. Announcer (voiceover): …of loyalty… [The scene now shifts to the Jedi temple, where a group of padawans stand talking in a corner.] Tiraku: This is our fight, now. Our duty is to peace. [The music switches to “Yoda’s Theme.”] Announcer (voiceover): …but nothing will be that simple, because there is one more legacy that has yet to be unleashed… [The scene starts with an icy planet, but immediately begins to zoom in, stopping inside a dark room where four figures stand silently.] Jag: I promise. Shawnkyr: I promise. Cherith: I promise. Aulani: I promise. Announcer (voiceover): …and, until the secret is finally revealed, its effects will be felt in many ways… [Luke is standing in front of a holoprojection of Soontir Fel.] Soontir: I’m rather surprised that my son hasn’t already told you about it, Skywalker. The legacy of Akaith should be rather well known to him. Announcer (voiceover): …from former loves… [The scene fades to show Aulani and Kyp sitting side by side on a rooftop at night. Aulani gazes absently at her hand while speaking.] Aulani: I suppose that I am engaged, if it’s possible to be engaged to a ghost. Announcer (voiceover): …to former flames… [Flanked on both sides by armed guards, Danni Quee stands in front of Jacen, her wrists bound in stun cuffs.] Danni: Jacen. It’s been some time since we’ve seen each other. Announcer (voiceover): …to former enemies… [The scene fades, to show Aulani facing Luke Skywalker, fury in her eyes.] Aulani: Both the Jedi and the Galactic Alliances made promises to the Caridan people a long time ago. And it is time that you started following them. Announcer (voiceover): …and former hopes. [The scene changes to show Zekk pacing furiously outside in a garden as it rains.] Zekk: All I used to want was for her to finally love me back the way I loved her. Now that I finally have a chance, I won’t let it go, no matter how much everyone tells me that it would be better if I did. Announcer (voiceover): None of them can anticipate the events that are about to unfold… [The scene changes to show Aulani stands in front of a communications unit, tears running down her face. Not bothering to wipe them away, she nods to the communications technician standing nearby, and the unit starts recording.] Aulani: Greetings, people of Carida. I have come before you to ask yet another favor… Announcer (voiceover): …so the only certainty they have left is death. [The music switches to “Battle of the Heroes.”] [The screen fades to black, and words appear.] Coming November 27th… [The words fade, and new words replace them, this time in bright red lettering.] The Face of a Warrior By NightSword (1) from Exile by Aaron Allston (2) from The Swarm War by Troy Denning The prologue is written and off, so I'm aiming for a Thanksgiving post. Thanks to everyone who's reading and enjoy your holidays. -----signature----- -NS The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29497393/p1 Night Musings (Drabble Challenge IV): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29
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dm1 Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 11/23/08 8:37pm Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Trailer Up 11/23
	Ok, count me in! -----signature----- Internet Mom to HSG! Hey, HSG, watch those explosives, be careful!!
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Jainasolorocks Registered: Nov '06	Date Posted: 11/23/08 9:05pm Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Trailer Up 11/23
	ooo, ooo! me too! -----signature----- Kiss my lightsaber! Preferably the blade. i dont need people to tell me im crazy and weird. i know i am, and i luv it! "Always wanted to know how a lightsaber worked. Can I take yours apart, Uncle Luke?" "How's this for a system malfunction?" Jaina Solo
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angry_bendu1 Registered: Apr '07	Date Posted: 11/24/08 2:14pm Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Trailer Up 11/23
	They need a [face_jaw_on_the_floor_and_can't_form_a_coherent_thought] icon. I'd be clickin' that thing nonstop here! That looked fantastic. Please let me know when you start! -----signature----- Ramblings of a Jedi (snarky Jesika's diary- filled w/ romance, sarcasm, etc.): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28753761/p1/?0 I was staring at the orange juice because it said "concentrate". Proud owner of a '96 Geo Metro. "To the Crapmobile!"
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Jainasolorocks Registered: Nov '06	Date Posted: 11/24/08 2:55pm Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Trailer Up 11/23
	[quote=angry_bendu1]They need a [face_jaw_on_the_floor_and_can't_form_a_coherent_thought] icon. I'd be clickin' that thing nonstop here![quote] that they do! guess this will just have to do... -----signature----- Kiss my lightsaber! Preferably the blade. i dont need people to tell me im crazy and weird. i know i am, and i luv it! "Always wanted to know how a lightsaber worked. Can I take yours apart, Uncle Luke?" "How's this for a system malfunction?" Jaina Solo
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NightSword Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 12/2/08 5:51pm Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Trailer Up 11/23
	Thanks for reading, everyone! dm1 Ok, count me in! Added. Jainasolorocks ooo, ooo! me too! Also added. that they do! guess this will just have to do... That seems to work just fine angry_bendu1 They need a [face_jaw_on_the_floor_and_can't_form_a_coherent_thought] icon. I'd be clickin' that thing nonstop here! [/i] You can probably tell that I had some fun with the trailer, especially since it gave me a bit of chance to vent tidbits of a lot of ideas that I haven't gotten far enough into the story to write yet. That looked fantastic. Please let me know when you start! Will do! I'll put the post up as soon as I get it back. Meanwhile, here's a little teaser: “Jag?” she asked softly when he seemed to have little intention of finishing his sentence. He blinked, and then finally looked at her. “What?” he asked, sounding befuddled. “What were you going to say?” When he just blinked confusedly at her, she continued. “You were talking about people being on the opposite sides of a war…” “Nothing,” he said abruptly, cutting her off. “Just semantics. The results of spending too much time thinking without anything better to do.” The corner of his mouth twitched up in a forced smile. “Cut it out, Jag,” she said sharply, straightening up to glare at him. “Just tell me what you were going to say.” “Nothing important. Just semantics,” he repeated dismissively. She ignored him. “Jag, between the Kyp, the politicians, and the holoreporters, I’ve heard just about anything people can think up about the topic. So just tell me.” As she spoke, she caught an immeasurable sense of frustration from him. “Like I’ve already said,” he spat, “it’s not important.” She sharpened her glare, but he didn’t even have the grace to flinch. “Stop that, Jag. If it’s bothering you this much, then it is important. Why are you…” She gasped and trailed off. “You’re not talking about us anymore, are you?” He didn’t reply. However, his slight flinch and the coloring of his cheeks gave here all the answers she needed. “Who?” she whispered. “Who were you talking about? Not…?” She trailed off, unable to speak her question. -----signature----- -NS The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29497393/p1 Night Musings (Drabble Challenge IV): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29
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NightSword Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 12/6/08 10:47am Subject: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Prologue Up 12/6 - Date Edited: 2/12 6:20pm (1 edits total) Edited By: NightSword
	Here it is. Enjoy! Prologue: Split Beginnings “…it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” –Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Jedi Temple, Coruscant Sighing, Jaina threw herself into a chair and allowed her shoulders and back to slump into the cushions. As one of the multitude of bruises covering her body brushed against the hard edge of the chair, a resolute frown forced its way onto her delicate features. The pain made her sit up slightly, then—just enough to take her weight off yet another bruised portion of her anatomy. Allowing herself a quiet sigh—little more than a soft whoosh of air implying long-suffering patience—she tipped her head back and waited for Jag to acknowledge her presence. To her side, he sat in an identical chair with back straight and posture perfect, glaring at the pristinely blank wall in front of them. Although the posture fit the man perfectly, something in the atmosphere of the room compelled Jaina into looking him over thoroughly, beyond the cursory glance in his direction when she had first entered the room. She didn’t give him one of the glances of interest that she shot in his direction whenever he was looking away. Rather, she glanced towards him in an effort to interpret his expression, not just to admire his features; she stared fixedly at the side of his face until she began to see the physical signs of what intuition—born of longtime acquaintance and intimate knowledge—had already told her. Something was very, very, wrong. Arms pressed firmly into the sides of the chair, she watched him grip the armrests with white knuckles, as if in an effort to avoid clenching his hands into angry fists . His eyes narrowed towards the blank wall. The lack of movement of his head gave her little hope that he would soon turn around to face her. As if sensing her scrutiny, his breaths began to come in perfect regularity, with one breath exactly every seven seconds—inhale for four seconds, exhale for three seconds, and then repeat. Of the signs that she observed, the tension in his jaw was the only one that could be construed as normal. While none of the individual symptoms themselves were of significant concern, all of them taken together created a combination of reactions that would have been completely foreign to the old Jagged Fel. There were two obvious explanations that might explain his behavior. Firstly, and most simply, he could be upset, although she had no idea concerning the reason why. However, the next thought that sprung into her mind told her that he might have changed—that his reactions had changed to the point where she could no longer recognize them. No matter how selfish the thought was, Jaina could not help but hope that it was the former possibility; her need for peace of mind dictated that she would rather believe him unhappy than believe him changed. She needed to know that the connection between the two endured—needed to be able to believe that her body and mind held at least some part of the Jaina Solo that had existed during the Yuuzhan Vong war. She needed most of all to be able to believe that she had something she could count on still being there when the war finally ended. She needed an assurance that she had something to fight for—something personal to fight for, and not just a thousand old demons to fight against. Holding herself to her former promise to Jag , she resisted the urge to immerse herself into the Force to search for answers. If Jacen’s fall had taught her nothing else, she had finally been able to understand that the Force did not hold all the answers—that while the Force might guide her ultimate destiny, she was the one to direct how it flowed through her, and those little choices that she could make meant everything. But, while she did not actively seek the Force, neither did she remove herself from it. Instead, she merely allowed her Force sensitivity to extend through the room, so that the Force became her sixth tense—she did not control the information it received, but merely how she interpreted it. However, the flicker she had detected the moment she had entered her the room left little doubt that he had noticed her; that, in addition to the way that he had automatically flung up mental barriers in her presence. “I want your answers, not the Force’s,” he had said. And she would give him her own answers. I will not break my promise, she vowed to herself. It doesn’t matter that Jag wouldn’t know if I broke it. I would know. Laying her arms down flat on the sides of the chair, she finally sat up, mirroring Jag’s position. Instead of interrupting the settled silence that had insinuated itself into the space, she paused for a long moment, allowing the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind to settle to mild gusts before she tried to fish individual strands out for conversation. “So you came,” he said finally. Coming from the same man at a different time, the comment might have almost been playful, and it most certainly would have been said under wholly different circumstances, when they actually were glad to see each other. How, however, his voice held an ingrained undertone of resentment and possibly fury—the only manifestation of the anger towards her that he surely felt. “I came,” she murmured softly. “Jag, I—” Silence overtook the room again as she searched for words to say. She could hear only the sounds of his evenly controlled breaths in conjunction with her own, raggedy ones. “Jag, I—I.” She paused again. “Solos don’t break their promises. I don’t break my promises.” Though she had not been looking for it, there was no mistaking the surge of resentment in the Force, and Jaina winced. The Killik lingered in the back of their thoughts, too fresh and imprinted in their minds for the aftereffects to be completely over with. To her, the Chiss who had died were merely some among many that she had killed during a lifetime of war—while she would mourn for them as much as for any of the others, she had never met them, never known them. To Jag, however, they were people—people he had respected, lived with, grown up with, and served with—brothers. And, even if her own actions did not provide enough evidence to disprove her statement, her brother’s certainly did. However, to Jag’s credit, he did not lash out at her. “You can hardly say that Darth Caedus is still a Solo,” he remarked. His voice was bland and almost indifferent, the emotion in it carefully limited to prevent an outburst; nevertheless, his hands clenched around the armrests of the chairs, and his posture straightened almost imperceptibly. “Jag, I—” Jaina began again, forcing herself to speak out past her dry throat. “I’m—I’m sorry.” Her voice came out soft, weak, and feeble, lacking any of the confidence that she had hoped to portray. Is this all that’s left of me? she asked herself silently. Am I nothing but a sword broken even before its most important battle? For a long moment, she waited expectantly, but he neither reacted nor responded to her apology. “Jag?” she prompted tentatively. “What are you apologizing for?” he asked softly. She sent him a blank look. “What are you apologizing for?” he asked again, his voice urgent and demanding this time. “For betraying my promise,” she said hesitantly. What else does he think I would be apologizing for right now? “So,” Jag said, his voice sharp and accusing. In that one word, she knew immediately and without doubts that forgiveness would not come as easily as she had hoped; Jag was no politician . If he had good news, he would not have hesitated. “Jaina,” he said with a heavy sigh. “You are asking me to forgive you for breaking a promise that was never made, a promise that was only agreed upon on one side.” Her expression grew disquieted. “If you never expected me to honor Lowie’s parole,” she said bluntly as the realization hit her, “then why did you agree to it to begin with?” His eyes suddenly averted from hers, and his gaze came to rest at a point just above her head. “Because I was hoping to avoid to avoid a war,” he said softly, his voice low and mournful. “Because I know what the Chiss are capable of.” “And?” she prompted, when he did not continue. He blinked at her—or, more accurately, at the spot above her head. “There’s nothing else,” he said firmly. “Jag—” He let out another, exhausted sigh. “Jaina, these things happen,” he said, still not looking directly at her. “People end up on the opposite sides of a war. We can wish that it wouldn’t come to that, but…” As his voice drifted off, his gaze softened slightly so that he seemed to be staring off into midair rather than attempting to avoid her eyes. “Jag?” she asked softly when he seemed to have little intention of finishing his sentence. He blinked, and then finally looked at her. “What?” he asked, sounding befuddled. “What were you going to say?” When he just blinked confusedly at her, she continued. “You were talking about people being on the opposite sides of a war…” “Nothing,” he said abruptly, cutting her off. “Just semantics. The results of spending too much time thinking without anything better to do.” The corner of his mouth twitched up in a forced smile. “Cut it out, Jag,” she said sharply, straightening up to glare at him. “Just tell me what you were going to say.” “Nothing important. Just semantics,” he repeated dismissively. She ignored him. “Jag, between the Kyp, the politicians, and the holoreporters, I’ve heard just about anything people can think up about the topic. So just tell me.” As she spoke, she caught an immeasurable sense of frustration from him. “Like I’ve already said,” he spat, “it’s not important.” She sharpened her glare, but he didn’t even have the grace to flinch. “Stop that, Jag. If it’s bothering you this much, then it is important. Why are you…” She gasped and trailed off. “You’re not talking about us anymore, are you?” He didn’t reply. However, his slight flinch and the coloring of his cheeks gave here all the answers she needed. “Who?” she whispered. “Who were you talking about? Not…?” She trailed off, unable to speak her question. “No.” It was one short, sharp syllable, but also thunderously spoken. “Not a lover. You were the only one.” She hid her relief at his confirmation. “Then who?” His only reply was a bitter, slightly ironic smile. “Jag!” she yelled, suddenly losing her patience at his phlegmatic manner. For Sith’s sake, just tell me who it is!” “Why?” The question was short and biting. “Because—because I—” and then she stopped speaking. Why do I have the right? she asked herself angrily. We may not be dating anymore, but I care, and that should be enough…except that it isn’t. Not anymore. Not with our history between us. “Forget it,” he cut in abruptly. “Some things are better left unsaid.” “But if it affects the war…” she said, allowing her tiredness to creep into her voice. “It won’t.” However, the bite had left his words, and he did not sound at all sure of his statement. “But just in case that it does—” “—I will tell you then,” he said, completing her thought with an understanding smile. She smirked at him. “You’d better,” she said, leaning over to playfully shove his shoulder. When he didn’t say anything, she feared for a long moment that she had overstepped—until his lips twitched once again back from their solemn expression into a smile. “Of course,” he said in what was for him a fairly light tone. “I wouldn’t want to upset the Goddess.” “Thanks, Jag,” she said softly. She blinked furiously to fight the tears that were threatening to emerge. “I mean that.” Nobody’s called me ‘Goddess since…well, since happier times, she thought to herself, but did not say aloud. “I know.” His voice was gentle and reassuring. “I’ve had two years of free time to think about that.” She flinched slightly at his offhanded mention of his stay on Tenupe, but must have managed to control it enough that he didn’t notice, since he simply looked at her, waiting for a response. Only after a long silence did she see his eyes widen in understanding. “Sithspit, Jaina,” he said hurriedly. “I didn’t mean—” She nodded. “I realized. I’m just not used to it yet,” she said softly, her throat still somewhat dry. There was a question in his eyes as he tilted his head slightly. “And when you do—” “—I’ll tell you then.” She echoed the words he had said only a few moments before. He smiled then—a real smile that was finally something more than a bitter twitching of the lips. As always, the actions caused something in her to flutter wildly, and, if she just leaned forward by a few inches… You can’t, Jaina, she reprimanded herself firmly. Not until you’re ready. “I’m leaving,” Jaina said softly, still reluctant to break the comfortable silence that had settled over them. Just please don’t get mad at me for it. This is something I have to do. When he didn’t look disappointed, angry, or even particularly surprised, she let out a breath of relief. “You’re going to see Fett, are you not?” “I’m not that easy to read, am I?” She kept her voice purposely mild—if he was not going to ruin their gentle banter, then neither was she. “It was the only logical choice for you to make.” His face had all the expression of a statue. “How?” “You already have all the resources here to train yourself as a Jedi and as a pilot. All that’s left is for you to train in ruthlessness. A logical choice.” No approval, but close enough. She sent a sharp glance in his direction, studying his face with care. Sure enough, there was the slight twist to the side of his mouth that his voice had indicated. She glared at him. “You mean that Zekk told you.” “Zekk told me,” he confirmed. “Although, to my credit, he only told me that you were going somewhere dangerous. I put the rest of the pieces together.” Jaina shrugged. “Fair enough. Do you want to come?” She was gratified to see a brief flash of surprise cross his features before his face settled into its usual mask. So this is what I finally manage to surprise him with. Interesting. “Why me and not Zekk?” he queried. Sithspit, she thought. Now the two are actually conspiring against me. Aloud, she merely said, “Fett isn’t a big fan of Jedi. I figured that one would already be enough, and I’d prefer to have him training me instead of trying to kill me. So are you coming or not?” “As much as I would enjoy spending the next few months of my life with an insane Mandalorian and a Jedi who sleeps with a lightsaber under her pillow,” he said, his voice dry, “I’m afraid that I have to decline the offer.” She allowed her lips to twitch into the briefest of smile in order to conceal her disappointment. “Tell me your actual reason, then.” He sighed heavily, all humor gone from his posture, and sunk into his chair. “I need to be elsewhere,” he said simply. “Where?” she demanded. “I still have a number of unresolved…issues from the Killik war that I need to deal with before this war progresses much further, and before Darth Caedus becomes too powerful.” “Will you still be here when I get back?” Please don’t say that you’re leaving permanently, she added silently. He let out the smallest of shrugs. “Very likely, although I can’t make any guarantees.” At least he’s planning on coming back. “Very well. I have to get going.” She felt awkward, but nevertheless stood up and pulled him into a brief hug. Thankfully, he didn’t comment. “Clear skies, Jagged.” Super Star Destroyer, Unknown Regions “Aula?” A brief rustling of clothing and an angry shout told her that her guards had already barred him from getting any closer. “You will address Her Highness with respect,” she heard one of them growl. “Yes, Commander Gavrisom?” she asked, turning around. Aula observed his attire with a repressed snort of deep disgust. Once again, he was dressed in resplendent purple and gold robes covered with trim, as well as a billowing cape. The attire was in sharp contrast to the soft whites and blues that made up the traditional Caridan military uniform. In such, his garments reflected only upon himself, and upon neither his position nor the people he served. While she had elected to wear, instead of her military uniform, the traditional warrior’s garb—a flowing set of tunic and pants, all in a gauzy white material—her clothing still paid homage to her people. He stopped short. “Madam Commander,” he said bitterly, dipping into a barely noticeable bow. She allowed herself a slight frown at his conduct. In Caridan society, a bow indicated respect, with the deepness of the bow indicating the strength of the respect. Considering her position as both Head of State and his military commander, such a bow would be considered by most to be an affront. And, although Caridan royalty had never been as quick to execute on such things as Hapan royalty, indications of loyalty—or lack thereof—were rarely forgotten. Nevertheless, she pretended to ignore it, and waved one hand so that the guards would let him pass. “Do you have something to report, Commander?” she asked as we walked towards her. “No, Aula,” he said with a cocky grin. “I mean, Commander Syani,” he corrected when she glared at him, although little of the cockiness left his tone. “In fact, I was hoping that—” “Your Highness!” An out-of-breath voice interrupted. “Yes, Alei?” she asked, turning her attention to the handmaiden rushing towards her. I should not be addressed as ‘Your Highness,’ she told herself silently, as I never officially became the Queen, only Head of State. However, she did not bother to protest her handmaiden’s greeting. If several decades had not changed Alei’s mind, then a few words would do nothing further. “Your fighter is ready, milady.” She barely had time to open her mouth to speak before Gavrisom interrupted their conversation. “Are you going somewhere?” he asked sharply. At her glare, he carelessly added, “Milady,” although the highness of his tone mocked the address used by Alei. You have no right to know, she raged silently. However, aloud, she merely said, “I will be returning to the Known Regions.” “Now?” His voice was incredulous and irritated. “But—” “Yes,” she said in a firm tone, cutting him off before he had a chance to say anything more. “I must leave ahead of the fleet.” “Why?” He sounded annoyed, irritated, and wheedling—all of it serving to grate on her already strained nerves. She snapped. “To remind myself of why we are fighting,” she reprimanded. “And I believe that it would do you well to find such a reminder on your own.” I should not have said that, she thought. Now I can only hope that he does not take it upon himself to follow me. Her voice quieted, although it did not lose any of its severity. “If you have nothing to report, Commander, you may go.” Her ton was one of firm dismissal and, despite his grimace, he left in a whirl of gaudy robes, shooting a wary glance at her guards on his way. “Come, Alei,” she said, motioning to her side. “Walk with me to the hangar.” Alei’s eyes widened slightly as she stepped to Aula’s side. “Will you be leaving now, milady?” she murmured softly as she followed Aula. “We haven’t much longer until the fleet leaves,” Aula murmured, equally softly. “It is best that I go now, before the war begins and I am needed here.” Alei just nodded. “Will you be returning before the fleet jumps?” Aula shrugged. “Unlikely. If all goes well, the fleet should be ready to begin the first hyperspace jump in a few days.” She paused. “Stay quiet,” she hissed, when it became apparent that the technicians were trying to listen to their conversation. They stopped talking then, their soft footsteps the only sound within the empty hallways of the ship. Only where they reached the open hanger, where there were no people in sight, did Aula speak again. “Has everything I requested been completed, then?” Aula asked, still keeping her voice low. “It has,” Alei whispered in confirmation. “All the part are in the hidden compartment. I’m afraid that you will have to make the modifications yourself, since I could not work on your fighter without attracting attention.” “Thank you.” “No,” Alei murmured softly. “It is I that should be thanking you, milady. You are the one that convinced our commanders to return to the known galaxy, where we will finally have our revenge.” “Justice, Alei. Not revenge,” Aula said softly, staring into space. “We will merely be observers and judges alike; we are not there to start a new war.” “And yet,” Alei remarked. “Will we still remain complacent observers when we are attacked?” Aula gave an enigmatic smile. “We will see then, will we not? We are all servants to many strands of fate, and there is little left for us to do but to watch our fates play themselves out.” “I suppose,” Alei said, dubiously. Aula smiled again, although the expression was softer this time. “I will miss you, Alei,” she said, stepping forward to embrace her handmaiden. “Stay safe until we meet again.” -----signature----- -NS The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29497393/p1 Night Musings (Drabble Challenge IV): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29
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Jainasolorocks Registered: Nov '06	Date Posted: 12/6/08 11:49am Subject: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Prologue Up 12/6
	hmm, interesting. so, jaina is still going to go to fett. i always loved them together in the LotF books. is there any chance of Caedus redemption? just had to ask. hope to see more soon! -----signature----- Kiss my lightsaber! Preferably the blade. i dont need people to tell me im crazy and weird. i know i am, and i luv it! "Always wanted to know how a lightsaber worked. Can I take yours apart, Uncle Luke?" "How's this for a system malfunction?" Jaina Solo
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angry_bendu1 Registered: Apr '07	Date Posted: 12/6/08 12:13pm Subject: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Prologue Up 12/6
	Wow, fantastic post! It was very enlightening and interesting to see the conversation between Jag and Jaina. There's some hurt there, but they are slowly and steadily moving back to what they once were. And Caridan? As in Carida? I'll bet that they and a certain Jedi Master won't be on the friendliest of terms... Once again, excellent job! Your writing was superb. I'm eagerly awaiting the next post! -----signature----- Ramblings of a Jedi (snarky Jesika's diary- filled w/ romance, sarcasm, etc.): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28753761/p1/?0 I was staring at the orange juice because it said "concentrate". Proud owner of a '96 Geo Metro. "To the Crapmobile!"
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NightSword Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 12/7/08 5:51pm Subject: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Prologue Up 12/6
	Thanks for reading! Jainasolorocks hmm, interesting. so, jaina is still going to go to fett. i always loved them together in the LotF books. is there any chance of Caedus redemption? just had to ask. hope to see more soon! Yes; Jaina is still going to Fett. When I wrote this story, I intended it to be canon through Fury. However; Chapter 1 will take place after Jaina's return from Mandalore, partially because the aftermath of the lessons she learns there will be more important than seeing the lessons themselves, and partially because I've never written Mandalorians before, and I don't have the knowledge to do any extensive writing about them. As for Caedus' redemption... I'll just say that being redeemed and being pardoned are two completely different things. angry_bendu1 Wow, fantastic post! It was very enlightening and interesting to see the conversation between Jag and Jaina. There's some hurt there, but they are slowly and steadily moving back to what they once were. A slow and steady road, but it's nice to finally see them moving towards reconciliation... And Caridan? As in Carida? I'll bet that they and a certain Jedi Master won't be on the friendliest of terms... Ah...yes. I've had the scene of their first meeting planned out for some time, and I'm definitely looking forward to finally being able to write it. Once again, excellent job! Your writing was superb. I'm eagerly awaiting the next post! Thanks again! Finals are this coming week, so I'm a bit doubtful about the amount of time I'll have to write; my estimated time until the next post is about 2 weeks. -----signature----- -NS The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29497393/p1 Night Musings (Drabble Challenge IV): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29
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NYCitygurl Title: Manager of SFFBC, C&G, NSWFF, and Icons Registered: Jul '02	Date Posted: 12/8/08 11:21am Subject: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Prologue Up 12/6
	Interesting beginning. I love the J/J talk If I'm not on the PM list already, please add me to it -----signature----- I agree with RJ Officially Idri's Muse
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NightSword Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 12/11/08 6:14pm Subject: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Prologue Up 12/6
	Thanks for reading! NYCitygurl Interesting beginning. I love the J/J talk Thanks! If I'm not on the PM list already, please add me to it Sure thing. -----signature----- -NS The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29497393/p1 Night Musings (Drabble Challenge IV): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29
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NightSword Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 12/18/08 9:44am Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) Prologue Up 12/6
	Okay...I'm borrowing a friend's computer for a few minutes to deliver the news: My laptop completely broke down and I am currenty suffering from the blue screen of death. Thankfully (crosses fingers here), I should be able to recover most of my files, including my mostly-finished next chapter. However, this means that it may be a bit longer before it goes up. Cheers, -NS -----signature----- -NS The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29497393/p1 Night Musings (Drabble Challenge IV): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29
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NightSword Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 12/27/08 9:22pm Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) A/N 12-18
	Okay...so it appears that my hard drive is neither fixable or recoverable. Between posts, PM's, e-mails, and printouts, I have almost all of my former writing...except for the next chapter, which I almost had done . Unfortunately, I have lost a lot of my notes and partially-written snippets. With all the files I lost, fanfic just isn't first on my list to get back up a running right now. I promise I'm not abandoning this story, but it could be a another month or so before I can get caught up enough to be on a regular posting schedule again. Cheers, -NS -----signature----- -NS The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29497393/p1 Night Musings (Drabble Challenge IV): http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29
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Vialco Registered: Mar '07	Date Posted: 12/27/08 9:56pm Subject: RE: The Face of a Warrior (LOTF AU, Jaina, Jag, Zekk, Kyp, J/TK, H/L, Luke, OC's) A/N 12-18
	That's okay, we understand, DRL comes first for all of us. Hope you can recover all of the data you lost, and take your time, we'll all be here when you return, and have a happy new year. -----signature----- "Beware, Jedi Master, lest through carelessness and inattention you let loose on the galaxy a monster…" -Bodo Bass My fanfic, Seer's End, http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/30478748/p1/
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