"Oidhche et Fàiredàn Trilogy I: Aftershock" Completed 11 July!

Okay, I'll just write more. And I have to finish the story sometime, anyway. I can hardly keep it going forever. Besides, there's a sequel.

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After that, the Council adjourned. Luke met Dantana in the hallway and they headed towards her quarters.

"You know it's not as simple as that," he said when they reached her door.

"I know. But it really isn't for them to decide, is it? That's between us."

"You can be a rather lengthy speaker," he laughed.

"Sorry. All those years spent giving orations in Fellescae." She studied him for several moments. "What is it that you want, Luke? I'm through with noble gestures."

"I don't know," the blonde man said. "I'm married to you, but as has been said, in everyone else's eyes, I've been married to Mara for the last seven years."

"I know." Dana placed a hand on his arm. "I tried to stay away, Luke. You know that, don't you? I love you, but I tried to let you have a life with her."

"But you keep ending up back in my life."

The door slid open and they walked into the suite. "Luke, there's something . . . Something I need to tell you." Dana hesitated.

"Something you need to tell me?" he repeated. "About Mara?"

"No. Not about Mara." Dantana took Luke's left hand, his real one, and placed it on her abdomen. "About me."

Luke, puzzled, probed forward. He suspected what she was implying.

The instant his mind touched the two lifeforces entwined arond each other within her, he was thrown back and away.

He picked himself up off the floor, blue eyes wide with amazement. The two children within Dana were the most powerful beings he'd had the occassion to feel in a long time.

"Thuar clanna," she murmured. Your children. "E na'bh thuar bhan, et e gharan clanna na Phòr." I am your wife, and I carry children of the Force.

Luke clasped Dantana to his chest. They stood in silence for a few minutes, then Luke said, "I love you, Dantana. And I want- I need you with me. I don't know what to do about Mara. I guess we'll deal with that if she wakes up."

"You love her."

"I do," he admitted. "But what I feel for you, when I have you near, overpowers all else."

"You've been involved with several women while away from me. I don't know if I can forgive you for that."

"Were you ever . . ."

"I've only ever been with you, Luke Skywalker. In twenty years."

"You make me feel ashamed."

"You should be," she said. "But I sent you away, so it's partially my fault."

"We'll work this out, won't we?"

"Yes, Luke. This time we'll make it work."

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I REALLY don't like the way she told him, but I tried writing it a couple of ways, and they all stank like the inside of a Tauntaun. So I went with this.

Dana

 

I figured I'd better post the Kyp/Jaina/Zekk part. On to the pummelling! Oh, wait, that's in a couple of posts.

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Jaina was deep in thought we she left the Council Room. The challenge of getting information from the J-327 Nubian excited her.

Behind her, she suddenly sensed anger. It warned her the instant before someone grabbed her and pushed her against the wall.

Zekk glared down at her fiercely. "How could you?!"

"How could I what?"

"Being Durron's apprentice is one thing, but to-" He broke off. "I don't know you any more, Jaina Solo. You've been different since Myrkr."

"I'm sorry, Zekk. I know I've changed, but . . . Look, I"ve got to go."

Zekk tightened his grip on her arm. "If you stay with him, you'll be throwing your life away."

"I'm sorry you see things that way." She regarded him with sadness. She tried to pull her arm out of his grasp. He didn't let go.

A dark, crackling aura surrounded them. "If you don't let me go . . ."

Like Kyp had done, Zekk damped down the black lightning. "I can do that, too, Jaina. I was trained to do it."

"What do you want, Zekk?" she asked.

"You," he said. "Plain and simple. I want you. I love you, Jaina, and I can't stand the thought of you wasting your life with Durron."

His grip on her had slackened. Jaina slipped out of his grasp.

"I'm sorry, Zekk," she repeated. "But I've chosen."

Zekk watched her leave, a plan forming in his mind. "That's what you think," he said quietly. "I'll make you mine, Jaina Solo. somehow."

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Kyp waited until Zekk had gone, then stepped out of his alcove. So Zekk knew, and wasn't happy. Wasn't there anyone on this blasted base besides Han Solo who didn't know?

Jaina's attempted use of the Force lightning concerned him. He'd have to talk to her about that.

The issue of Luke Skywalker and Dantana ni Uiletor Skywalker was an interesting dilemma. She'd been right in saying it wasn't really the Council's business. But the fact of Mara's illness brought up several interesting points. If Mara died under Dana's care, she'd always be under suspicion.

Kyp decided that his talk with Jaina could wait a bit. First, he had to talk to Master Skywalker.

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"If Mara really is sick because of some disease that's appeared recently, I don't think you should tend her anymore, Dana," Luke said. "Keeping the children in mind."

"You're probably right," she said.

Luke watched as Dana weaved several small braids into her hair.

"If she wakes up, what will we do?" she asked, turning blue eyes his way.

"I really don't know."

There was a knock at the door.

"Enter," Luke said.

Kyp walked in. "I've been thinking."

"Are you here to get something for your headache?" Dana asked. "Or perhaps I could summon Tionne. I'm sure she'd love to write a ballad about the accomplishment."

He and Luke both looked shocked for several moments, until they realised she'd made a joke. Luke hid a smile, and Kyp smiled, rolled his eyes, and shook his head.

"I deserved that. What I was thinking was, Dantana should probably leave Eclipse for a time, until Mara succumbs, or revives. If you're here, and Mara dies, you'll be under suspicion."

"I know," she said. She looked to Luke. "That's why I wasn't going to come back. I could feel that Mara was sick. What do you suggest, Master Skywalker? A fact-finding mission to Naboo? Or a trip to the cave on Dagobah?"

"That's probably for the best," Luke said.

"I'll take Katrael with me."

"And Jaina," Kyp said. "I'd like to keep her away from Zekk right now." He briefly described the scene in the hallway.

"Also a good idea," Dantana said. "I'll go talk her into coming with me."

"I think Kyp should go with you," Luke said.

"Why?" Kyp asked, though he was thinking he didn't want to be separated from his . . . apprentice.

"Han's going to find out sooner or later about you and Jaina," Luke said. "I don'

 

Why can't Kyp just bite the bullet, tell Han, get beaten up, and get it over with. All this waiting has to be bad for him.

"I love you, Jaina, and I can't stand the thought of you wasting your life with Durron."
And she wouldn't be wasting her life with him? See, this is how I could tell he's going to get beaten up. He simply doesn't approch Jaina with the respect she deserves He is still going to get beaten up, right? please?

Luke seems a bit off. He seemed to love about Mara, but now he's given her up for dead, and is discussing what he do if she does wake up. I mean, can't he wait till she's decently DEAD before going on with his life. I've changed my mid about the Mara/Luke thing. He obviously doesn't deserve her. Could she wake up, and storm off with Ben, never to see him again????

Luke needs a good beating too. From Karrde, or Jaina, or Mara, or Han or Leia. Talk about being inconstant!!!

Sorry for the rant. I just don't like the way Luke keeps going between Mara and Dana like a ping pong ball.

 

I like Zekk, I really do, but I needed a villain with something of a motive.

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Plans were made for departure the next day. Katrael was excited to go on an official Jedi assignment. Jaina was dying for a chance to fly the Nubian.

Dana and her niece were in the cockpit. Jaina was sitting in the copilot's seat, working on the logs.

"I've almost got these, I think," she said.

"Great."

Dantana's comlink beeped. She pulled it off her belt. "Yes?"

"Dana, I need you to come to the Council Room. I'm going to debrief you and Kyp on your assignment."

"I'll be right there, Luke."

She shut off her comlink and turned to Jaina. "I'll be back in a little while. Why don't you get yourself acquainted with the controls?"

"Sure thing."

Dana left Jaina tinkering with the ship and made her way to the Council Room. Kyp and Luke were already there. Luke held a datapad in his hands.

"I'm here. What is it you want us to do?"

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Jaina shoved her bangs out of her eyes and made a disgruntled noise. It was difficult trying to get any information out of this blasted ship!

There was a footfall behind her. Suddenly, she felt a little dizzy, but it passed almost instantly. She looked up and saw Kyp standing behind her.

"Hello, Kyp. Hey, I thought you were in a meeting with Uncle Luke."

"I'll be going in a little while. I wanted to see you first."

"What about?" she asked, with an arched brow.

He smiled and held out a hand, one eyebrow lifted.

"Where, here?" She laughed. "Oh, well, why not?"

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Dantana

 

The ping pong ball is done on purpose. He's got problems. Just wait until Mara wakes up. That'll be the fun part.

As for Zekk, well . . . Keep reading.

Dana

 

Ah!! I know what they're going to do next!! hehehehe!

Jae Angel

 

Just wait!

Dana

 

Since you guys seem to be anxious for Zekk-pounding, here you go . . . NOW, I can say, "On with the pummelling!"

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"So Dana and I will take Jaina and Katrael to Naboo, and if we don't get called away, maybe on to Dagobah?"

"That's the plan," Luke told Kyp.

"And you want us to go when?"

"As soon as possible." Luke glanced at Dantana. "Maybe within the next few days.

Kyp nodded. "That sound-"

He suddenly stopped. His green eyes went wide, then he said, "I've got to go."

Dana's lips quirked. "I've heard that before," she said lightly. "Who's Jaina sleeping with now?"

Kyp looked stricken and his face turned dead pale. He spun on one heel and bolted from the room. Luke and Dana followed.

"I didn't mean that," she said.

"I know," Luke said. "But I think you may be right, judging from Kyp's reaction."

They arrived at the hangar just in time to see Zekk emerge from Dantana's ship, a smug smile on his face. Kyp already had his lightsaber blazing.

Zekk took one look at the Jedi Master and knew he was in trouble. He hadn't counted on Durron knowing so quickly. A flash of guilt went through him, but was quickly replaced by anger. He drew his lightsaber. If he had to kill Kyp to get Jaina, he would. She'd probably hate him for a while, but she'd come around some day.

The instant before the two lightsabers connected, Dantana threw out a hand and used all of her considerable abilities to throw Zekk across the room. She wrenched the lightsaber out of the younger Jedi's hand. It landed in her outstretched palm, deactivated, as Zekk hit the wall.

"Stop!" she commanded, projecting it into every corner of the room.

Luke was taken aback at this show of strength. He'd had no idea Dantana was that powerful. Her abilites had increased over the last eighteen years.

Zekk struggled to his feet. He hadn't noticed Master Skywalker or his wife come in. All three Jedi Masters wore expressions indicating they knew what he had done. And from the look of Kyp's face, if the Jedi had been willing to use dark side powers, Zekk would be fried to a crisp.

Jaina came out of the ship, looking bewildered and dishevelled. "What's going on?"

"Luke, deal with this," Dana said. She ran over to Jaina.

Jaina frowned. "What happened?"

"Come with me, please," her aunt said. "Right now."

Confused, Jaina followed, glancing back over her shoulder at Kyp and the others.

Dana escorted Jaina into the living quarters. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. What is going on?" Jaina repeated. "It looked like Kyp and Zekk were about to kill each other."

The older woman sighed, staring at her with concerned blue eyes. "They were."

"What? Why?"

"What have you been doing since I left to speak with Luke?"

Jaina felt her face grow hot. "I, um . . . Kyp stopped by. He delayed going to his meeting to, uh . . ."

Dana shook her head slowly. "I don't know how to say this, alanna. But Kyp was in the meeting with myself and Luke for the last hour. As far as I can tell . . . I don't know why, but Zekk seems to have . . . tricked you."

Brown eyes opened wide with shock, the implications not quite sinking in. "I don't believe you."

"Then let's ask Kyp."

When they returned to the group, which now included Corran Horn, Ganner Rhysode, and a very confused-looking Han Solo. Ganner and Corran had hold of Zekk, who looked like he'd gone insane. Luke stood between Kyp and Zekk, keeping them apart.

"Kyp, a moment?" Dana called.

The dark-haired Jedi nodded and they walked a short distance away. Kyp was frowning, but appeared worried for Jaina. "Jaina, are you okay?"

"I'm very confused," she admitted. "I don't know what's going on, and Dana says that . . . you were in the meeting with her."

"I was," he said softly.

Suddenly, Jaina crumpled. She visibly shattered, the shock overwhelming her as the reality hit her like a thud bug to the gut. Dana grabbed her arm and kept her upright. Then Kyp took over, lifting her

 

That was vile, even for Zekk

My personal vote would be for rinjik juice and a vibroblade to certain parts of the anatomy," she said mildly
For once, i agree with Dana.
Isn't what Zekk did almost Darkside?

 

At least this takes some of the heat off Kyp. Han's so mad at Zekk, Kyp might get overlooked.

 

It was vile, which I why Han pretty much takes him apart. And then Dana gets a shot at him. Kyp doesn't really do anything until much later, because he's got Jaina to worry about.

Almost Dark Side? I think it IS a Dark Side action. And it causes lots and lots of complications later.

Did I say that was going to be the last post for today? If I did, I lied . . . THIS is the last post for today.

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Leia sat on the edge of Jaina's sleepcouch, lightly stroking her daughter's hair. "I can't believe it. It seems so unlike Zekk."

"Yes. I don't know him that well, but . . . It wasn't the same Zekk I spoke to on Naboo," Dantana murmured.

Kyp, sitting on the floor next to the head of Jaina's bed, back against the wall, didn't speak. In his hands, he held his lightsaber, the motion of his hands on the metal mimicking Leia's on Jaina's hair. He was obviously angry, but he also looked haunted.

Jaina had succumbed to sleep some twenty minutes before, and Kyp hadn't left her side, except when Dana and Leia watched over her in the refresher. The young woman had completely collapsed when she realised that her oldest friend, one of her most trusted friends, had betrayed her so completely. She was also sick to think that she had let him.

Dana couldn't understand what had compelled Zekk to commit the insane act, why he'd seemed to think he could get away with it. What had he thought to accomplish? Posing as Kyp did nothing to further his own cause, permitting only an illicit interaction with an unwitting Jaina. It got him nowhere except in very deep trouble.

"Kyp," she said softly. "This isn't your fault. And it's not Jaina's. Don't blame her, and don't blame yourself."

"I don't," he said hoarsely. "But it scares me."

"What scares you?"

"The rage," he said. "I felt the dark side beckon in a way I haven't felt in years. I know Jaina, and I know that if it was Zekk, she wouldn't have been willing, unless he did something to her. And when I thought he could have hurt her . . . It felt like Carida all over again."

Leia raised her head, hearing Kyp's words. She suddenly had a secure, warm feeling about Kyp. He felt safe, when she thought of him caring for her daughter. No matter his other faults, if he felt so strongly about Jaina, he was a much better person than she'd previously thought.

Dana moved away from the wall. "I'm going to go talk to Luke and Han. Make sure they haven't killed the boy. Kyp, if you'll come with me?"

"What about Jaina?" he asked.

"Leia will stay with her. I doubt there's a safer place for her right now than with her mother," Dana said, smiling at her sister-in-law. Then she unhooked her lightsaber from her belt and handed it to Leia. "Just in case."

Kyp nodded and stood up, following her out. "This is so strange, I don't know what to think. I haven't felt this truly confused since the first time I ran into coralskippers, out by Belkadan. My shields have been stripped, and a grutchin is burning through my hull."

Dana linked her arm through his. "The Council will deal with him. But it will take a while for her to get over it. Zekk, in effect, raped her. It won't be easy for Jaina to deal with it, since he used her memories of you to fool her. She loves you, and whether either of you want it that way or not, you are linked into the trauma. I really wish there had been an easier way to break it to her, but there wasn't. Tell me, how are you feeling?"

"I'm furious with Zekk, but honestly, I'm more concerned for Jaina." Kyp shook his head. "A part of me feels like I should be angry with her, but I know it wasn't her fault in the slightest. All she did was . . ."

"Fall in love with you? Sometimes it's crime enough," Dana said. "Believe me, I understand. It was far from easy watching my husband marry my sister. She didn't know me, didn't know Luke was already married. Neither did Luke, for that matter. "

"Yeah, he said that."

"I felt anger," she said softly. "I was ve

 

Yay! Pounding of the annoying character! You all know who I'm talking about I don't need to say his name. May I suggest what I think is going to happen later to bring Jag into the story? ? I won't say anthing till I get a pm or see a posting from the author in this thread.

 

What do you think is going to happen to bring Jag into the story? Hmm? I'm intrigued to know your thoughts.

Dana

 

Mama mia, I've been gone for a short while and see what happens

Very nice. Poor Jaina, she'll be okay, won't she?

 

She'll be okay. Eventually. After all, she has Kyp.

Dana

 

I knew it!

 

Jaina was raped... by ZEKK
Oh my, i just hope that the result isn't anything....permanent.
You are a very good writer, i hope han knocks the stuffing out of him.

Jez

 

I hate Zekk.
But I love your story.
More please!

 

Wow I just reviewed this thread and it turns out that I missed two posts! But anyways on to my predictions which will probably be way off base but anyways. Jag's gotta get in here somehow and as an alternative to his just dropping in habit that he's formed in the NJO books Mara's new illness came to mind. You said that this one was imperial? I believe that the Chiss are still strongly allied with the Remnant and who better than a reasonably close friend (not to mention one with a highly placed father) to help gain the attention and help from the Imperials. This could work as just a purpose for him being in the story if he pulls his usually popping in for no reason that could stand up to a through investigation. It could also work as a way to bring him in if one of the main characters decides to call him. Okay enough of my ramblings which have probably confused everyone, (I'm sure Wild-Melody didn't know which way was up after that last e-mail I sent in response to her story)
Eagerly waiting the offical decision!
Ick! Zekk's a jerk! Hehe! I can just imagine the pumelling he's getting! Haha two black eyes! Please! (have we all figured out what my favorite emoticon is yet?)

 

Whoa. Han is definitly P.O.ed. Hopefully that means he'll beat the... stuffing outta Zekk.

 

I'm back.

Wow, you guys seem to really like the Zekk-punching.

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Someone had tied Zekk to the wall.

He stood with his arms bent at the elbow, his wrists tied parallel with his head. The shackles looked old, and probably were Imperial issue.

Dana stood before Zekk, regarding him silently. He was bruised and battered, having receiving quite a beating from Han before anyone, even the Jedi, had thought to stop him. A solitary green eye stared sullenly back at her; the other was swollen shut and darkly coloured by the blood from broken capillaries in the surrounding tissue.

"You are not the man you would have had me believe," she said quietly, for his ears only. "I don't know what made you do what you did. I've thought about it quite a bit, and it makes little sense. I see before me a . . . liar. One who would use mind control on one of his closest friends to do something truly horrendous to her. You make my skin crawl, Zekk. And I've faced down the Yuuzhan Vong. I spend four months imprisoned in the hellhole of a worldship at Myrkr. But what you did to Jaina makes a lot of the terrible things I saw there pale in comparison."

She clasped her hands in front of her and started pacing. "You betrayed her, and I don't see why. I can't see any advantage you would have received from your actions. Jaina didn't know it was you until we told her. If Kyp had not reacted the way he had, Jaina probagly would have gone forever thinking that she'd been with Kyp. That would have done nothing for you."

She stopped and looked at him. "Care to enlighten me, Zekk?"

He just glared at her.

"The Zekk I've come to know over the past two months didn't seem like the type to do this. He was kind, funny, capable. Smart. Very, very clever. But this was just plain stupid. So unlike you."

Dana faced him, standing directly in front of him. "I dealt with a man on Gaeina once. He'd beaten his wife until she nearly died. He killed their unborn child. I asked him why he'd done it. He wouldn't tell me. It lost him his child and his wife, and had previously been unthinkable in the community. He was an upstanding citizen, a kind and loving husband. I'm strongly reminded of him this instant."

Silence reigned for several moments.

"Do you know what I did to him?"

He didn't respond.

Dana walked forward and pushed his head back against the wall, her hand on his forehead. "I cut off his hand. Not the one he'd killed his child with, but his other one. He had used a part of himself to take a life, one that should have been dear to him above all else. So he lost the use of his innocent hand, as if he had removed it himself. And by Fellescae law, he was forbidden to replace his hand if the authorities removed it.

"If we were on Gaeina, Zekk, I would feel compelled to take the part of yourself that you used to hurt Jaina, whom you've claimed to hold dear above all else. Unfortunately, that would require removing your head, so I don't feel any particular inclination to do so. A rather messy business, that. Maybe something else . . ." Dana's eyes ticked downward, then back up to his face, with a small, humourless smile.

She released him. "But that would be letting you off easy, in the long run. The man on Gaeina who killed his child had to live for the rest of his life knowing what he had done."

The door opened and Luke walked in. "So will you, Zekk," he said quietly. "In the morning, you'll go before the council."

"For a trial?" he asked, his voice hoarse and pained.

"Sentencing," Luke said. "You've had your trial, of sorts. We know what you did. You can't deny it. You might be able to change what Jaina saw in her mind, but cameras don't lie. You're on the security cameras for Dana's ship."

Zekk hung his head, resigned. He didn't speak again.

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Yeah, short, I know. But Kyp doesn't get to the Zekk-pummelling for another couple of year

 

Because staying with Jaina, and helping her, will be the hardest thing you will ever do

I hope Dantana dosn't have the gift of prophesy


And it causes lots and lots of complications later.

Please don't tell me the complications you're hinting at involve a baby. Please. I mean, Jaina has to be smart enough to use some kind of protection, right?

 

Well, there aren't that many ways something like this could complicate matters. And sometimes she might not be thinking really straight. Besides, Luke and Mara weren't planning on having kids, but apparently, they also weren't using protection. Maybe they don't have protection in the GFFA.

Don't worry. I know what I'm doing.

Dana

 

The conversation between Han and Kyp, round one . . .

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Early the next morning, Han found Kyp leaving Jaina's quarters. They shared a tense, silent moment, then Han said, "Come with me."

Feeling resigned to a beating like zekk had received, Kyp sighed and followed him to the Solo quarters. Once there, he spread his arms and said, "Let's get this over with."

Han looked at him for a moment, then smiled crookedly. "You think I'm going to hit you?" He held up a bruised hand. "Sorry, fist's outta commission. Beat the Sith out of that punk. Would have done worse, but Luke stopped me."

Kyp relaxed. "Look, Han, I'm sorry we didn't tell you immediately. We just needed to figure out a way to tell you that wouldn't result in, well, you killing me. And then this happened."

"I'm almost sorry you didn't get to kill Zekk yourself," Han said. He dropped down on the sofa against one wall and sighed. "I've known that kid for years. Why would he do something like that?"

The younger man shrugged. "No idea."

"Yeah, that's what Luke said the Council's been debating for the last hour and a half. They know he needs to be punished, but other than that . . ."

"I'm personally all for removal of limbs, or . . . other appendages, but I'd really like to know why he-" Kyp stopped, then sighed. "I don't know. I'm just worried about Jaina."

"Good. I'd have to shoot you if you weren't." Han eyed him. "Do you love Jaina, or are you just-"

"I love her! I love her more than anything."

Han smiled then. "Okay. That's all I need to hear. Well, maybe, I need to hear that you'll make an honest woman out of my daughter, but . . ."

There was a beep at the door. A moment later, it opened and Dana came in.

"Council's convening for the sentencing. They've come to a verdict."

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Dana

 

And the plot thickens...

What do they have in store for Zekk, personally I hope a removal of the head...

Post soon!