Saga The Journal of Jax Pavan [DDC 2014] Complete!

Trouble, Vader is deep trouble. I hope they will reunite

 

Well, if they weren't being followed before now they will be. I hope Jax's plan works; this is one time when splitting up makes a lot of sense. But Vader is unpredictable.

 

Splitting up is probably the best way. Vader wants Jax.

It probably will. I haven't figured out how to have Jax write his own death scene. Maybe his journal ends with ARRRRGGGHHHHHHH cough, cough, [death rattle] cough, cough, "Rosebud".

Vader is always trouble. I don't think anybody has ever said, "I really hope Darth Vader shows up to my promotion party".

Vader is very unpredictable.

Thanks everybody for reading and taking the time to review. I really appreciate it!

This is it...the last journal post. I feel sad. I know I won't be continuing this journal since after this post there really won't be anywhere for the journal to go. It is too bad. I will miss these characters and I am fairly sure I won't see them in future professional novels. They will be missed.

Thanks again for reading!!!

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Entry 58

We arrived to the planet Noglla by the end of the day. It is a barren world, but it is positioned next to two intersection hyperspace lanes. The spaceport is large with massive public personnel carriers docked to let passengers make connecting flights. It should be simple to get passage off this planet.

I planned to debark the Laranth alone and have everybody else go to Dathomir. Of course, my team always disagrees over any plan that has us separating. So, the arguments commenced. I wanted Sacha to get as far away from me for her and the baby’s safety. But she stubbornly refused.

“Darth Vader has had contact with both of us, Jax!” She protested. “He wants us both. I killed one of his Inquisitors.”

“He’s also had contact with Den and I-Five,” I pointed out.

She heaved a frustrated sigh. “Den is not a Force Sensitive, so Lord Vader probably can’t sense him over great distances. I doubt he could sense I-Five’ weak Force signature or whatever we are feeling from him and he's never interacted with Magash or Norro. What’s the use of you splitting from the team to lead Vader away when he may sense me aboard the Laranth?”

“If he arrives here and tries to pick up our scent…even if he does sense your departure…he will go for me instead.”

She threw up her hands in frustration. “Then he may send an Inquisitor after me. I killed an Inquisitor. I am sure they are looking for me with just as much intensity.”

I wish the Jedi Order taught us how to deal with women. Apparently the female human brain can outmaneuver mine with relative ease. Every time I thought of a reason for her to go to Dathomir she came up with an impressive counter argument. Finally I caved in. We would split up. Magash, Norro, Den and I-Five would go to Dathomir. Sacha and I would get a transport to any planet outside of Imperial territory that had public starship transportation.

Norro was not happy with my decision. I gave him a hug and told him not to worry. Once we got to Dathomir we would find a planet to settle down on. “I have seen a vision of the future. I am confident this will work,” I told him.

I wish I was as confident as I sounded. As Master Yoda once taught me as a youngling, “The future is always in motion.”


ENTRY 59

Sacha and I watched as the Laranth departed the docking bay. I truly hoped it wouldn’t be the last time I saw my ship. We walked to a ticket office and purchased passage to the planet Doerj. The flight would leave in three hours. My first thought was to hole up in a hotel room or somewhere private and hide, but I came to the conclusion that it would only make me easier for Vader to locate. My only hope is to hide my Force signature among the throngs of sentients occupying the city.

Sacha and I ended up spending our free time dining and walking around the metropolis. At one point we stopped in front of a jewelry store. I smiled broadly. “Would you like to go in an look at some rings?”

She gave me a sideway glance and tried to suppress a grin. “Is that your non-romantic way of proposing to me?”

I shrugged sheepishly. “Sorry. The Jedi Order never prepared me for romance or what is expected of a boyfriend.”

“We need to save our money.” She sidled up next to me and grasped my hand in hers. “I don’t want to rush things just because we might die today.”

“Rush things? You’re going to have a baby. I think we did an all out sprint when it came to our relationship.” I came up from behind her and put my arms around her waist and pulled her close. I let my hands glide across the fabric covering her abdomen. I risked reaching out with the Force to sense the growing life within her. “It is definitely a boy.” I leaned in and kissed her neck.

She shooed me off. “We’re supposed to be blending in, not attracting attention.”

An apologetic smile crossed my lips. “Sorry. Maybe we should be getting back to the docking bay. Our shuttle should be loading soon.”

Hand-in-hand we strolled back to the ship loading area. Her warm hand in my palm gave me a sense of peace that calmed my ragged nerves.

“Sacha, I know you don’t want to rush, but I need to know. Will you marry me?”

She stopped and gazed at me tenderly. “You mean if Darth Vader doesn’t capture us?”

I gave a dry laugh. “I mean regardless of asthmatic Sith Lords.”

“You know the answer to that, but I’ll say it anyway. Of course I’ll marry you.”

A wide smile blossomed across my face as I pulled her in for a tender kiss. The romantic moment was blemished when I felt a wave of darkness wash over me, making my skin crawl.

I broke away from Sacha and spun around. Darth Vader was here somewhere. My eyes darted down the long line of ships until I spotted an Imperial shuttle. A squad of Stormtroopers was moving down the ship’s boarding ramp and forming up in two columns. I didn’t wait around to see Vader’s dramatic exit. I grabbed Sacha’s hand and pulled her down the street. “Vader found us. We have to get as far away as possible.”

I was now convinced that Darth Vader was actively seeking me. We've evaded him before, I can only hope we can do it again. If we could lead him away from our shuttle and then double back and board minutes before departure we might be able to slip through his fingers…but I’m not going to count on that. He’s probably already locked down all in-and-outgoing shipping and a Star Destroyer is most likely waiting in orbit to shoot down any ships trying to break the blockade. The only way out of this situation is to avoid Vader until he gave up looking for us.

We ran down a litter-strewn alley and into an old deserted warehouse that stunk of dust and bird droppings. Light poured through a dozen broken windows lining the top of the walls. "Watch your step," I warned Sacha as we walked over sharp shards of glass covering the old duracrete floor. I guided her through the decaying building and to the back exit. When we reached the door I turned to face her, pulling her into my warm embrace. “Sacha. I’m going to have to face him. He’ll never stop hunting for me. It doesn’t matter if I give up being a Jedi or not. Vader will find and kill me and everybody close to me.” I gazed deeply into her eyes as I tried to maintain the strength in my voice. “Sacha, get out of here. Take your ticket and leave. I doubt he is looking for you. It’s me he wants.”

A stubborn look pinched her face. “I’m not leaving you Jax.”

I hugged her tightly. “You need to take care of the baby.”

She shook her head. “Your vision had all of us in it. We were older. We survive…so I’m not leaving.”

I sighed deeply. “The future is always in motion. Things change from day-to-day.”

“Then check my aura again. See if you are still in my future.”

“Sacha, it doesn’t matter what I see. If we are meant to be together we will. Please save yourself.” I bit my lower lip to keep it from trembling as I wiped a tear from my eye. “Please Sacha. I know this is the hardest thing for you to do, but please leave.” I brought my hand to rest on her belly. She wasn’t showing yet, but I could feel the growing presence inside her womb. “Please do this for our son. I could die a happy man knowing my child is safe…that you’re safe. I love you Sacha. Please take care of my baby. Please go.”

Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “Jax, I don’t want to live without you.”

I tried to stifle a sob, but was unsuccessful. “I don’t want to live without you either, but I want my son to have a chance at life. Please.” I was begging her. I had to convince her for my son’s sake. “Please.” The word came out as a garbled plea. I could feel time dwindling. I needed to convince her now or it would be too late.

Her face was etched with sorrow as she gave a forlorn nod of her head. “Okay.”

Relief rushed through my body as I pulled her into my embrace as I kissed her for what I thought would be my last time. “Remember I love you and the baby.” I forced the exit door open and gently pushed her out. “Get to the shuttle and get off planet. I will meet you on Dathomir.” I gave her one last kiss before I shut the door.

I leaned forward and pressed my forehead against the rusted metallic door as I sobbed in a spasm of despair.

I stayed that way until I heard the familiar hiss of a lightsaber igniting. I slowly turned to face my opponent. There, across the warehouse expanse, was Darth Vader. He was alone and not with his usual escort of Stormtroopers. He moved towards me, his steps measured and unhurried, the darkside exuding from his person as he neared. I could feel tears well up in my eyes when the reality of the situation hit me. I was about to face a Sith Lord, a man who was once one of the Jedi Order’s greatest warriors, and if I lost I would never again see Sacha or gaze upon the face of my unborn child.

I reached into my coat, pulled out my lightsaber and activated it.

Vader stopped a few meters from me. “Your friends have abandoned you.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“I came alone,” I lied before deciding to take the offensive. I rushed forward brandishing my lightsaber in a deep sweeping arc intent on taking off his head. Vader easily parried and pushed me back with a series of strikes.

“Don’t make me kill you Jax Pavan. With training you might make a better Inquisitor than you were a Jedi.”

I blocked a downward saber strike. “I’ll never be an Inquisitor.”

“You cannot win this fight, Jax Pavan. Lay down your weapon and I may spare you.”

I scoffed. “Not likely.” I brought my blade down in an overhead attack. The Sith brought his saber up in high guard and deflected my strike. I sprung back just in time to avoid his counter attack. I could see the collar of my jacket smoldering where Vader’s blade grazed it.

That was close.

I pulled in the Force and steadied myself before I leapt forward swinging my blade toward his midsection. Vader Force jumped backwards and brought his blade up to clash with mine. The Anakin Skywalker I knew would have done a fancy backflip and probably decapitated me in the process, but it was obvious that Darth Vader was no longer as flexible or acrobatic as he was before he found himself in his black suit. I don’t know what happened to him, but it reduced his power and abilities. Unfortunately, even with his diminished strength, he was still more powerful in the Force than I would ever be. I had to try another tactic.

I backed away and circled around him with my saber in the guard position. “Anakin, I just want to leave the Jedi behind and live in peace. Why can’t you let me do that?”

“That is no longer my name!” He shouted in a booming voice.

“I know, but I can’t believe the man I knew, the hero of the Clone Wars, is totally gone. You were the greatest Jedi—the hero with no fear. What happened to you Anakin?”

I could feel his hate roll over me like a dark cloud. “Anakin Skywalker no longer exists!” He moved to strike but was distracted by the sound of a blaster ringing out. I looked over at the direction of fire and my heart sank. Sacha had came back to defend me. She was shooting a steady stream of blaster bolts toward the Sith Lord, but it didn’t help. Vader put out his hand and absorbed the blaster energy before he Force-snatched the weapon from her hand. He then made a flick of his wrist and used the Force to propel her against the far wall. She hit the duracrete with a thud before crumbling to the ground. My heart clenched in horror as I feared for her life. I was profoundly relieved when I heard her groan and gasp for breath—at least she was alive.

“Get out of here Sacha!” I attacked the Sith Lord, my blade a blur of strikes, but each one was effortlessly deflected by Vader’s red blade.

“You are protective of her,” he said in a taunting voice. “You cannot help her. She will simply be another woman you failed to save. Just like Dejah Duare the Zeltron traitor who betrayed you and then was destroyed by her own desires. Or your Twi’lek Grey Paladin friend that perished saving you. Women around you have a habit of dying…painfully. She will suffer the same fate.”

I was growing increasingly irate at the Sith Lord’s words. He was trying to rill me up and it was working. I was spinning, hitting, parrying, and counter attacking to the best of my ability, but I was never as good as Anakin Skywalker. I knew I was fighting a losing battle.

“Sacha!” I screamed over the the clash of sabers. “Please run!”

“No!’ Sacha managed to climb to her feet, reached into her jacket and pulled out her lightsaber. She ignited the blade and limped forward.

“She is brave,” Vader remarked. “But foolish.”

He extended his free hand toward her and made a grasping motion. When I heard Sacha gasp for breath I realized he was choking her. She dropped her saber and brought her hands up to her neck as she strained to pull air into her lungs.

“No! Stop! I’ll do anything if you let her go.”

Vader turned his head back to me. “It is too late for bargaining. I will bring you before the Emperor, but first you will watch another woman in your life die.”

“Anakin stop! She’s pregnant! I know in my heart you can’t be so evil to kill a woman with child!” It was a last ditch effort on my part. I wasn’t sure if the information Bail Organa told me was true, but I had to do something. I was surprised when he dropped her and pulled his hand back like it was stung. Sacha fell to the floor wheezing and coughing.

Vader turned to me slowly. “Are you the father?”

“Yes.” I deactivated my saber in a sign of surrender. “Please, just let her and my son live and I’ll go with you peacefully.”

He turned his gaze back Sacha. “You have a son.”

“Yes.” My head dropped. “All we wanted to do was to get out of here and raise our child. We were going to leave everything behind, the rebellion, the Empire, everything…and just be a family. I know I’m going to die today, but please…please let her and my baby go.”

Vader regarded Sacha for a long moment. All I could hear was his respirator pumping air into his lungs and the hum of his lightsaber. Eventually he turned to me, his black cape billowing out from the quick movement. I couldn’t see his eyes through the dark eye coverings of his mask, but I could feel his cold stare. I didn’t move. It appeared he was contemplating my words and I didn’t want to disturb his train of thought. I was extremely surprised when he deactivated his lightsaber.

“Jax Pavan…I will give you an opportunity that I refused years ago. Take your woman and go far away. I will no longer seek you out, but if our paths cross again, I will kill you and your family.”

He then turned and walked away.

I remember my jaw dropped at what had just transpired. Darth Vader spared me! I ran toward Sacha and slid down on the floor next to her “Are you alright?” I put my hand to her belly and reached out to the growing fetus. I sobbed in relief when I felt my son reached back.

“Yes.” Her voice was hoarse and strained as she watched Vader stalking out of the building. “He let us go?”

“Yes.” I pulled her arm around my shoulder and helped her to her feet. “We may be able to make our flight if we hurry.”

“Then let’s hurry.” She coughed and then took a few deep breaths. “I don’t want to be on the same planet with that man ever again.”

“You will get no argument from me. Let’s go home.”



ENTRY 60

We arrived to Dathomir a week later and were greeted with hugs and pats on the back. Nobody could believe what had transpired with Darth Vader. I barely believe it myself--and I was there! I think sparing us was probably a way for Darth Vader to make up for killing his wife. He also is living with the belief that he murdered his daughter. Perhaps he wanted to make penitence for his sins and luckily Sacha and I benefited from his guilty conscious. The growing fetus within her womb saved our lives. Now it was time for me to fulfill my promise. I would take my family and disappear.

Magash opted to stay with us until we found a safe place to settle down. She said she might return to her planet to find a mate, but she wasn’t sure. Den, Magash, I-Five, Norro, Sacha and I boarded the Laranth and set off to find a world we can live on in peace. I felt guilty for leaving my comrades among the Rangers, but I have a family to take care of.

I guess I am no longer the last Jedi—the Jedi are no more. Perhaps the Jedi Order will rise again…and if they do, I truly hope I live to see it.

 

Uh...

Wow.

 

Perfect. I loved the last entries with Vader showing some of the light hidden there inside him. Jax has now a great future with his family
Thanks for sharing this delightful diary

 

Thank you for sharing and congratulations on completing this diary that was hilarious, mushy, and totally riveting! I will absolutely miss these characters too.

It was wonderful that Jax's belief in Anakin being "in there somewhere" wasn't misplaced.

I am happy that his vision of the future comes to pass.

 

And now that 1) I read Coruscant Nights, 2) the diary is complete, I can start reading! I've been looking forward to this one for months, it actually motivated me to read the trilogy. Binge session starting now

 

Chyntuck, you're in for a treat. One of my favorite EU stories here.

Ewok_Slayer, I liked the twist with Vader letting them go -- on condition. But that will at least allow Jax to be more okay with settling down for a while, I think. Great conclusion. I've enjoyed reading this diary and can't wait to see what you write next year.

 

Okay, I'll post my review of entries 1-6 before the bus I'm sitting in reaches its destination. I really enjoy your characterisation of Jax and Den, but what has me officially hooked to this story is your I-5. You captured his quirks and his sense of humour perfectly!

Nyota's Heart asked you this and your answer was no, but since it was nearly a year ago, can I hope that you changed your mind about writing I-5's diary?

 

Entries 7-17: I'm loving this! Your story is absolutely riveting and, if memory serves, they're going to find out a whole lot more than they bargained for on Despayre, aren't they? Also, between Jax calling I-Five "brother", Sasha talking about Dathomiri pole dancing and the Magash's oversized overalls, I'm laughing my head off

 

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the ending. I wasn't sure how realistic it is, but Vader is unpredictable.

Thanks! In my mind they end up living in a little place called Myrkr. They rent a home on the outskirts of the forest. Jax is fascinated with the trees. He believes they have the ability to shut out the Force. It isn't until years later that he realizes it is the ysalamiri that cause the Force blocking effects. He discovers this by accident when Norro befriends a youngster named Chin who brings over his pet tree lizard (Chin is from Myrkr in the EU). They never tell Chin that Jax was a Jedi, but they let it slip he is Force sensitive and the animals can block the Force. Chin grows up to be a smuggler and tells his boss, Talon Karrke, about these special animals. Chin, Talon Karrde and Mara Jade later use ysalamiri to capture a certain blond haired and blue eyed Jedi Knight. So, in a way Jax Pavan helped bring Mara and Luke together in my AU.

Thanks! These characters deserve a happy ending. I don't think any more Legends books will be written...so I felt obligated to give Jax and friends their final farewell.

Thank you. I am not sure what to write next year. I was thinking of writing a Kyp diary based on my short story Cursed. That is where Jacen kills Jaina in their dual. Kyp is heart broken and is intent on capturing Darth Dummy and making him pay. I think I can write a redemption story, but I am not sure if it will be well received.

I don't think I could get into I-5's head. He might be sentient, but would he have the same type of thought process as humans? Also I am not sure what time frame I would write about. Unless it is a continuation of my current diary but in I-Five's POV. Since Jax has sworn not to fight in the rebellion I am not sure what adventures they could get into. I have to think about this some more.

Thanks. The story goes from humor to serious a lot. Hopefully you will continue to enjoy it.

Thanks everybody for reading this journal. I am happy how it turned out. I didn't have any outline and so I just wrote what came to mind any given day. I'm glad it flowed.

I also want to thank my friends that read over a few chapters and helped me out and gave me advice. They know who they are.

I appreciate all the reviews and I also want to say thank you to the lurkers for reading.

 

Entries 18-27: The whole Despayre arc was amazing. Your depiction of the lawlessness on the prison planet made me sick to my heart but at the same time the comedy at the women's settlement had me laughing out loud. Sasha and Magash are two tough ladies I'm taking a break from reading now, but I'll be coming back to this story perhaps as early as tonight. I want to know how all this will come to bite them in the butt!

 

Entries 28 to end: I read all this in one go, so do I really need to say how much I liked it? It was all good: Jax's patented Jedi clumsiness with women (seriously, he didn't get the hint before she told him?), I-Five's and Den's teasing (the dance lesson was hilarious), Magash pulling details out of Sacha in no time (I-Five's programming must be really good if he managed not to blush while eavesdropping on that conversation , Norro choosing them as his parents, the encounters with Obi-Wan and Bail Organa, the romance...

And Vader!!!! I adored that scene with Vader. There must have been a few arguments that would make it through the armour, and you found one of them.

*thunderous applause* As Kahara said, this was a treat. I'm curious to see what you come up with in 2015

 

Thank you. I used some of the descriptions from the book Death Star. That is where the planet was mentioned. It was used as target practice for the newly operational battle station. I think the destruction of Despayre bothered me more than Alderaan...only because Imperial guards and military were stationed on the planet when the commander of the Death Star ordered his men to fire on the planet. Who orders soldiers to fire on their own men? That just seemed wrong even for bloodthirsty Imperials. The book at least discussed the reaction of the Alderaan-born troops on the battle station. I never thought about that before. There had to be a huge amount of soldiers from that core world. I am surprised they didn't mutiny. That would be a neat fanfic for somebody else to write. I would think most of the crew would have misgivings about what occurred. They could overthrow the leadership and find themselves riding around the galaxy in the most powerful weapon in the universe. That would be fun to read.

Thank you. Using Sacha's pregnancy as a way to be sparred was the only thing I could think of that might make Vader flinch. I wanted to end the story with a final encounter. I am glad it seems somewhat believable. Thank you for reading and I am glad you enjoyed the story.

I am not sure if I am going to write anything this year. I was going to write a Diary of Kyp Durron based on my short story Cursed...but I don't think Kyp fans will like it and Jacen fans don't really exist in large numbers anymore. I am not sure about writing it.

I also considered writing an I-Five diary as suggested, but I am not sure. I was thinking Jax and gang go to Myrkr and use the ship to move supplies from around the planet, sort of like the show Firefly. Because Chin (from Karrde's crew) lives on Myrkr during that time I could tie in Jax to Karrde and later to the Chiss. I don't know if I want to research the Thrawn Trilogy to do the story though. Right now I am undecided as to what to do. I may just do writing challenges.

Happy New Year everybody! Thanks for reading!

 

All these plot bunnies bouncing around your head? I'm pretty sure you'll find something to write in 2015.

Happy New Year to you too

 

Thanks! I started a DDC for I-Five, but I am having problems getting into his head. I just hope my muse will come back soon. Thanks for reading!

 

I want to thank everybody who nominated this story for Saga: Best Epic and also Best Canon Relationship for not only Jax and Sacha but also Jax and I-Five. I had a laugh about that. I thought the best relationship was for romance. I didn't realize it was for buddies also.

Thanks everybody! I really appreciate the nominations!

 

I took the opportunity that this fic was nominated for the awards to skim through it again for my favourite passages. Not only are your nominations all well-deserved (and congrats!) but I find it almost surprising that you got only two noms for "best relationship" since every possible relationship in this fic could be nommed for best relationship: Jax-Sacha and Jax-I5 obviously, but also Jax-Den, Den-I5, Jax-Norro, Sacha-Norro, Sacha-Magash, etc. I really think that the way you crafted the relationships within your group of characters is what makes the whole story so endearing. Bravo again!

 

Chyntuck, same here! The development of the interconnections between the crew is excellent. Congrats on the nominations, Ewok_Slayer.

 

Thank you Chyntuck and Kahara for your kind words!