Beyond - Legends DREAMS OF THE FUTURE (NJO, Jaina/Jag, Dark Tide: Ruin tie-in, Vignettes) - COMPLETE

These vignettes correspond with my fanfic Echoes of the Past. Even if you have not read it, I hope you will enjoy these vignettes and possibly come over to check the story out. (be prepared though it's a long one, but it's like Pringles, once you start you just can't stop!) I originally posted them on the Classic Fanfic Forum but decide to copy them over here, for a fresh start. There are still some more additions to the ones I will post.

Thanks to JainaJag00 and Zara_Rose for being my betas extraordinaire. All things Star Wars belong to the man, George Lucas. These stories coincide with the events of DARK TIDE: RUIN by Michael Stackpole (one of my favorite authors). Some of the lines are straight out of the book to ensure continuity, especially dialogue; I just used Jag's point of view and elaborated on some scenes. If you have not read the book, the vignettes should be just as enjoyable. I will give you page numbers in the book in case you want to go back and read the original scene.

The first vignette does not coincide with any particular part of the book, but rather is a 'missing' scene from before Jag's character is ever introduced to the readers. Without further ado, here goes....


THE DREAM

The swirling wind whipped snow flurries all around him, sometimes blinding him in a sheet of white. Other times he could just discern the outline of a figure in the distance. The figure was moving across the glacier, through the blizzard in a slow deliberate step. A violet light illuminated the hooded form from behind. The light moved back and forth in rhythm with the figure?s gait.

He called out, fearing the person lost on the glacier. Most inhabitants of the planet knew better than to be out in such a storm. Nobody ever really came this far out of the city, this close to the estate. The figure stopped for a moment at the sound of his voice, but never turned to face him. Then the form resumed its march.

He left the relative protection provided by the proximity to the main estate building to follow the misplaced traveler. His hunt was made all the more difficult from fighting through the drifts of snow, but he trudged forward, undaunted by the task. Some force was pulling him like a magnet, driving his feet faster and faster.

He was close enough now to make out the tiny shape of a blue robe, the figure was somewhat smaller than he was. This puzzled him for almost every native was as big as, if not taller than, him. Possibly it was a child. He called again, driven by a gnawing desire to protect this being?s life.

The figure turned at the sound of his voice. Instead of the blue skinned face of a child, there was a young woman with skin like his. There were so few humans on his adopted home planet that the sight was unexpected. He knew every female human in the city and surrounding parts, but did not recognize this face.

The features held him captivated. Her skin was flawless. Brown hair cascaded out of the hood, capturing snowflakes in its tendrils. Those eyes beckoned him to fall into them and lose himself in a warm, comfortable place. He had known those eyes his whole life, and yet he had never met this mysterious beauty. Her eyes reflected the brilliant violet rays emanating from the sword of light grasped in her hand.

Then she smiled, like she was greeting an old friend. Her hand came up; her fingers outstretched, beckoning for a touch. He reached outr, his farthest finger hungering for the feel of her. Their fingers were so close he could almost feel the electricity spark between the two.

In a cruel twist, the wind swirled heavier gusts. As he blinked away the piercing snow buffeting his eyes, he realized she was fading with the flurries. Pieces of her fluttered like colored snowflakes on the wind until she was just a ghost. He leaned forward against the blast of wind to grasp her, but his hand met cold air.

Her lips moved then, calling to him. ?Jag!? Her voice wa

 

TKL: hehe you and I decided we should here . . . my story was in teh dump over there . . .

I think i replied to this over there btu i love it anyway!

 

it's better the second time around, TKL! lol!

 

New vignette here corresponds to Chapter 21 of Ruin. So here we go...


THE VOICE

?Spike Lead, you are clear to jump to point blood-niner.? The voice of the Chimaera flight control officer boomed in his headset. Jag adjusted his flight glove one last time on his right hand before switching his comm over to the squadron frequency.

?All flights, prepare to jump on my mark. Orders are to intercept Yuuzhan Vong fleet advancing on the New Republic forces. Three, two, one, mark.?

The field of stars stretched out before him and then dissolved into the familiar swirling vortex of hyperspace. The jump would be short; the Imperial Fleet had been waiting outside the Garqi system for two days. The New Republic Forces had now shown themselves, just as Admiral Palleaon had predicted.

Jag?s clawcraft dropped from hyperspace near the embattled planet. Before his eyes the New Republic Forces were holding off an overwhelming offensive from the Yuuzhan Vong fleet. Spike Squadron had never flown against this new enemy before, but they had simmed for this scenario hundreds of times. Time to see how much we really know.

A call came over the comm. ?This is New Republic vessel Best Chance. Any and all help would be appreciated.?

Jag noted the small freighter amidst a sea of coral. He tagged the ship as friendly before keying his comm. ?Spike Two Flight, cover Best Chance back to the New Republic fleet.?

A double-click on the comm confirmed the orders as Shawnkyr Nuruodo, his second-in-command guided her flight group of four away from the rest, heading for the beleaguered vessel. Jag could see a flurry of X-wings dogging the coral skippers earnestly. He could make out the crest on one as it made an inhuman reversal to stay on the wing of its lead fighter. It was the Rogue Squadron emblem, his father?s old unit. Jag would enjoy rescuing the heroes of the Rebellion.

The lead snubfighter laid down a series of stutter fire across the skip in its sights, urging the vessel to veer away. The trailing fighter, still faster from completing the crazy turnaround, came up under the lead craft and shot a full-force laser volley through the coralskip, which had weakened its shielding effect to compensate for the evasive maneuver. Atmosphere vented from the skip in its dying throws. Nice shot, he thought to himself.

?Spike One and Three Flights, engage enemy.? Jag switched to the New Republic tactical frequency. ?Get clear, Rogues. They are ours now. Spike Lead out.?

Jag led his flight group straight into the thick of the battle. His pilots were well trained and followed his lead with ease, spinning and weaving in an intricate dance with the enemy fighters. Green fire rained down on the unsuspecting Yuuzhan Vong, who had never come up against such a foe.

Jag could make out the Chimaera maneuvering with the Ralroost to pin down a Yuuzhan Vong cruiser in a deadly volley of laser fire before twisting his ship around its axis to avoid the molten fire shot out of a nearby skip. The maneuver split his flight up into two pairs, each circling around to converge on a trio of skips. As the outer two skips broke away from their pursuers, the clawcraft pairs blasted one and then the other to nothingness.

?Rogue Leader to all Rogues, recall is ordered. Back to the ?Roost. We have achieved our objective and we?re heading home.? Jag knew this to be the voice of Colonel Gavin Darklighter, who had flown with his father many years ago. Jag had spent any free time studying up on the New Republic Forces, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, learning who the key players were.

All around skips were fleeing the coral graveyard, heading to the safety of the bigger transport ships. Some of the clawcraft flights were still in pursuit, pounding the Yuuzhan Vong as they went. Jag recognized the relative lack of gain from the effort.

?Spike Lead to all flights. Cease pursuit of all enemy craft and escort New Republic fighters bac

 

Ditto to JG, and I'm also glad you're settling in over here so fast

 

Gotta make your presence known!

 

Cool- I started reposting my Corran Horn Viggie over here too TK- although *bitelip* I'm not getting any new nibbles yet. Rather discouraging, but maybe there just aren't enough people visiting the new boards yet. If I get somehting written this week I'm still going to post it on the classic board, but I'll be posting over here quicker until they both coincide with posting schedules. I just need some readers that aren't already on the classic thread to make it worth my while though. Otherwise I might as well stick it out over there.

Can't wait until you get to the last one we haven't read yet TK

-Rogue

 

I'm back, I'm here, I found it!

 

This scene takes place directly before Chapter 24 in Ruin. Jaina eludes to Ganner that they sim with the Chiss but never beat them. This is my take on that...


THE FACE

Jag leaned back in the simulator, catching his breath. He used the silent darkness of the inactive machine to regain his focus. Usually he would be the first one out, waiting to escort the Chiss pilots off the Ralroost. Today though was different. Today was the day he would introduce himself to his uncle, his mother?s brother.

Wedge Antilles was an enigma to Jag. A brilliant pilot like Jag?s father, Wedge had chosen to fight for the Rebellion, even trying to kill Soontir Fel after he knew of the marriage to his sister. Jag?s father still harbored ill feelings for the man, but Jag had agreed for his mother?s sake to give Wedge a chance.

That was only part of what was bothering the Chiss commander. He had not slept well since the battle at Garqi. Every night his dreams were haunted by the voice that had filtered through his comm. It was just as he had imagined it in his dreams on Csilla, calling his name. He had tried rationalizing the absurdity of the notion to no avail. How could he know a person?s voice before ever meeting them, but then it had happened. Or maybe it was just a coincidence.

He had some inkling as to whom the voice belonged to. The other Rogue pilots called her Sticks, but she still had no name or face. He had flown against her several times in simulations. He even could find her easily without the benefit of her fighter?s markings. She was one of the better pilots, possibly close to the best, and she flew with a flare that was unmistakable, characterized by aggressive unorthodox moves.

Jag shook off the thoughts as an unnecessary exercise of his time as he released the canopy of the simulator. He eased himself out and gathered his belongings in his pilot?s bag before tossing it over his shoulder. The room should have been empty by now; Jag had no desire to associate with the Rogue pilots. Better to keep them guessing. It was all part of the head game pilots played with their foes.

Jag made his way to the exit, but paused at the sound of two voices near the main simulation control terminal near the front of the room. He stopped behind the last simulator in his row, staying well out of sight.

?It will just take a second, Anni. Hold on.? It was the voice from his dream. Jag.

?Why is this so important? So what he shoots us all down.?

?I don?t know, it seems like he has it in for me personally.? Jag?s heart pounded in his ears.

?Well, I don?t think your smart remarks the other day did anything for Chiss relations. He?s probably just teaching you a lesson for that near miss.?

?I wasn?t even close; I had feet in either direction.?

Jag eased over to the edge of the simulator, trying to catch a glimpse of the voice?s owner. Leaning over the terminal were two women dressed in the standard issue New Republic flightsuits. The smaller one, standing no taller than five feet with a brown braid thrown across her shoulder, pointed her finger at the screen excitedly. When she spoke, out came the captivating voice.

?No, it?s not me personally, but he always goes after the best pilot statistically and shoots us down in order, best to worst.?

?What does that say for me if I?m always near the bottom??

?No, you?re not. Look better than top half ninety percent of the time.?

?Okay, so you have your answer. Can we go now??

The smaller pilot stood abruptly, her slight frame motionless, her eyelids half-closed. Her profile presented itself from that position. He could make out the uncompromised texture of her skin. A whisper of brown hair floated by her ear, freed by the sudden movement. Her features were refined, just as he had dreamt them, and she was so young. Jag had started his stellar military career at around the same age, but it was hard to imagine such a petite youthful form capable of such deadly skill in a fighter.

 

You know, it's better the secong time round

 

RP89: I agree!

 

good posts so far! I can't wait to see what happens next. Jag's being haunted by Jaina. interesting concept. I like it!

~*Rose*~

 

RS Thanks!

 

Ok Prelude is at the beta so hopefully later this week

 

Here is a new one for you. This takes place right before Chapter 24 as well. It's the meeting between Jag and Wedge that we only hear about in passing when Jag and Jaina have their famous conversation, you know the one.

I'd say this is Wedge's POV, not Jag's in this case


Here goes...


THE UNCLE

Wedge Antilles had spent all day in meetings, coordinating the joint operation of the Imperial Remnant and New Republic forces. It had been an exhausting process, wrought with the typical political maneuverings he had come to despise. Life seemed so much easier in a cockpit. There at least, the enemy was usually cut and dry.

The last of the meetings ended and various members of Starfighter Command, Fleet Command and their Imperial counterparts filtered out of his office. At Wedge?s request, Tycho Celchu was the only person left in the room. The door slid shut, leaving them alone.

?So what did you think??

Tycho fell into one of the chairs across from Wedge, who was seated at the desk. ?I?d say that any help at this point is more than welcome, but with all the posturing it almost seems like more trouble than it?s worth.?

Wedge leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his graying hair. ?I?d have to agree. We just have such different ways of doing things.?

Just then the interoffice comm sounded. Wedge keyed the button. ?Go ahead.?

The voice belonged to one of his aides. ?Sir, there is a representative of the Chiss delegation waiting out here to meet you. Would you have time to see him??

?I don?t have any other appointments scheduled for today, but I need to get ready for the reception on the Tafanda Bay. Ask him to come back tomorrow.? Wedge shrugged at Tycho. ?Right now I don?t need some more Imperial posturing.?

After several moments, the aid replied. ?Sir, he is quite insistent about seeing you today. He says you have a mutual acquaintance ? a Miss Starflare.?

Wedge sat motionless, his mouth agape with disbelief. Seconds ticked past. Tycho was just as dumbstruck as his friend. Wynissa Starflare was the pseudonym Wedge?s sister had used during her acting career. She had married Soontir Fel, an ace Imperial pilot and Wedge?s mortal enemy, and fled with him, never to be heard from again.

There had been a rumor that the Chiss commander had implied something about being on loan from General Soontir Fel, but Wedge had originally dismissed the rumor as nothing more than Imperial pilots playing mind games with the Rogues after questioning some of the Remnant officers. After twenty years, Wedge was beyond trying to get his hopes up again.

?Sir, shall I send him away??

?No, send him in.?

Wedge ran his hand across his face as possibilities raced through his mind. Maybe Syal and Soontir had made it as far as Chiss space safely, but the Chiss had always been considered intolerant of humans. Perhaps this Chiss commander had brought a message from his sister. The scenarios were endless.

Suddenly the door was sliding open, and Wedge rose, preparing himself for the unsettling sight of a tall, blue-skinned humanoid with fiery eyes. To his surprise, a human male marched into the office and snapped to attention before offering an impressive bow. The young man, probably not more than twenty, returned to an upright stance, perfectly still, awaiting a response from the superior officer.

Wedge studied the features of the man. The young officer bore the rank of colonel on his black uniform marked with red Corellian blood stripes. He was taller than Wedge with a wiry build. His ebony hair was cut short and interrupted by a shock of white hair, following a scar from his right eye. The eyes were what startled Wedge the most, green and piercing, like a reminder of the past. He knew those eyes.

Tycho noted the man?s unflappable patience as Wedge sized up his guest. There was not even a trace of movement from the junior officer. The control was remarkable. Wedge finally came to his senses after Tycho cleared his throat.

?O

 

I originally posted this on Mar 12, 2003. I am leaving dedication as is.

This post is dedicated to my dad. It's his birthday. He checks in from time to time so everyone say, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!"

Thanks to Zara_Rose for proofing it.

This takes place in Chapter 24 during the reception on the Tafanda Bay, which is portrayed in Ruin from Jaina's POV. This time we see it from Jag's POV. Hope you enjoy!


THE EYES

Jag walked toward the dais with a crisp formality to his step, perfected from years of practice at the Academy. Behind him trailed a dozen blue-skinned Chiss, his adopted comrades. He held his wiry frame tall beneath his black uniform adorned with the blood-red stripes running along his pant legs and cuffing his sleeves.

Jag mounted the dais at a sharp step, leaving the Chiss in their white uniforms to file along the front of the platform below him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see them snap to attention as they turned to the stage in unison. In that same glance, his eye was drawn to a pair of robed figures heading through the crowd in the direction of the dais. One was a tall man, who would have been stunningly handsome in his black and gray attire if not for the vivid scar running the length of his face.

The second figure was a petite form wrapped in a blue robe. The robe grabbed his attention, igniting a fleeting memory; the face kept it. Framed by brown flowing locks, the face was none other than that of Jaina Solo. In the second Jag had to process the information as she passed out of view, he realized she was wearing the distinctive attire of a Jedi, much like he had observed Master Luke Skywalker and his wife wearing before they, too, had entered the hall.

The discovery that Jaina Solo was a Jedi rocked Jag to the very foundation of his being. The thought had never occurred to him as his mind pondered her over the last couple of hours since meeting his uncle. He was not sure why this truth affected him so. What Jag could not shake was the vivid image of the haunting dream replaying in his mind. Her eyes reflected the brilliant violet rays emanating from the sword of light grasped in her hand. Now, Jag had no choice but to see those eyes for himself and thrust this frivolous sidebar from his mind once and for all.

Jag pushed the thoughts out of his mind as he reached Relal Tawron. He bowed sharply before taking his hand. The Ithorian high priest turned to introduce Jag to Borsk Fey?lya, but Jag had already moved, bypassing the Chief of State?s Cabinet as well. Chiss society was based on a strict code of honor and truth. Power was earned through strength and actions. The lies and deception inherent in politicians was beneath everything the Chiss stood for, acknowledging their presence would only lower himself to their level.

Jag stopped again at Admiral Kre?fey and executed a stiffly formal bow. The Bothan admiral accepted his proffered hand. Jag continued down the line shaking each hand in turn, starting with Colonel Darklighter, the commander of Rogue Squadron. The New Republic colonel was courteous as he took Jag?s hand, but his face revealed confusion over Jag?s actions. Jag did not fret over the fact that a Rebel could not fathom the honor required to live among the Chiss.

Next in line was Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Jag acknowledged the man for his prowess as a warrior and the honor required to sacrifice so much for the good of others. The Chiss held these values in high esteem. Taking the man?s hand, Jag looked into his eyes and was drawn to the undeniable power lying beneath the surface. A Jedi, to the best of Jag?s knowledge, relied on a mysterious gift called the Force and should not be taken lightly. Jag berated himself; he should have anticipated that the daughter of Leia Organa Solo, the sister to this powerful Jedi, would have Force skills as well. It was a well-known fact that the ability was usually inherited.

Jag moved on to accept the hand of Mara Jade Skywalker, a Jedi Master in her own r

 

Oooh, and what next?

 

I never did reply to this one.
Well, this one was amazing.
Poor Jag, thinking Jaina and Ganner were together.
Can't wait for the next one.

 

X-AverySolo: Posting soon!

RP89: Jaina and Ganner haahaa!

Poor Jag

 

This vignette corresponds with Chapter 28 of Ruin when Jaina escorts Elegos' shuttle onboard the Chimaera. Jag and Jaina meet up in the pilot's lounge. The dialogue is straight from the book, but I took liberties with Jag's POV. The book is Jaina's POV. The last two lines are not in the book, I added them to the end of the scene. They are my own. How I envisioned it ending.

This is the last one guys, so enjoy!


THE PRELUDE

Jag halted midway through the door to the pilot?s ready room at the unexpected sight before him. Standing with her back to him, staring down into the hangar bay of the Chimaera, was the slight form of none other than Jaina Solo; the petite body, comfortably wearing the New Republic orange flightsuit, was unmistakable. He ventured a couple of steps into the room for a better look. As her profile came into view, Jag realized that regardless of the brown hair plastered to her head in a braid from hours under a helmet, there was an undeniable air of beauty surrounding her.

He paused for a moment and pondered the fortune that had brought her to the Remnant Star Destroyer, when his eye caught the sight of the shuttle in the bay. It was covered in strange growths. Around the shuttle, technicians buzzed about, performing any number of scans and tests. There was an obvious tension encompassing the bay and pervading Jaina?s aura.

He took a deep breath and braved some words. ?What they have done there is unusual.?

Jaina turned to face him as he made his way across the room in her direction. She studied him with a strange disdain he was unable to discern. Jaina folded her arms across her chest and looked back to the deck as she replied.

?Pretty much everything the Yuuzhan Vong do is unusual, as far as I?m concerned. They?ve spent an hour scanning the thing. I can?t imagine there is much more they can learn without cracking it open.?

Jag thought it odd she had the patience to stand there for an hour and observe the workings of the technicians, but then he realized everything about Jaina Solo seemed to be an enigma. He moved closer, drawn to her like a magnet, despite the peculiarities of the young woman that made her his polar opposite.

?There isn?t. That?s not what they are doing.? He stared at the reflection of her face in the transparisteel window. Perhaps, if he took a close look again, she would not be the same girl he had imagined in his dreams. The closer look, muted in the reflection, made him more certain than ever she was that very specter. ?They don?t know what is in there, and they?re making sure that if it?s harmful, they don?t get blamed for releasing it.?

?You say that as if it?s a bad thing to be cautious.?

The comment took him by surprise. Nothing about her had ever given him the impression she was ever cautious. On the contrary, from where he stood, she seemed to dash headlong into every situation. He shook his head at her and at the quandary she represented.

?They know they cannot be certain of what is in there. All they can do is reduce uncertainty to statistically insignificant levels. What they are wasting is time. We are at war. There is no absence of risk. There are times when one just has to do what needs to be done to win.? Oh boy, Jagged, you just about summed her up in one mouthful. Perhaps she?s not so hard to understand after all.

Jaina turned to look at him, and he was engulfed in the blazing depths of her brown eyes. For a second, he was sure his body had forgotten to breath. ?In theory you?re only two years older than me, but you?re talking like you?re old enough to be my dad.?

No, I am expressing in mere words what you seem to do instinctively. She probably is her father?s daughter, now that I recall Father?s tales of the infamous Han Solo. He nodded once as he thought. ?Forgive me. I was judging you based on your accomplishments, not your age.?

She blinked, and her eyes reopened to reveal a well-kindled fire burning in them. Her voice confirmed that he had

 

Wow!! That was awesome! Great job!

~Rogue

 

rogue11: Thanks!

 

It's the last one.
I'll say it again, all of the viggies were simply amazing.

He pondered what it was about this woman that could make him want to shake her senseless and take her in his arms in the same breath. Lol.
Poor Jag, imaging what it would be like to kiss Jaina.
That was really good.

 

RP89: Last one of this series, yes.

I hope to start a similar set to run through Dark Journey beginning next week. So look for it. It is tentatively titled All Angles.

Thanks for the kudos!

 

That was a great last postie! I'll look for the next fic too!