Coruscant- Sunday night
Today had started out with a Discussion, one Jaina had been dreading, but in actuality turned out okay. She'd expected Jag to be upset when she told him she was leaving with the Jedi, wanting to be part of a united front with everything that had happened, but he totally understood her reasons. And it didn't seem like he would be on Coruscant much longer, either.
In fact, it seemed like they were all splitting up. Jaina was going with the Jedi to find Abeloth, Jag was off to Imperial space, and Leia would be staying on Coruscant at Wynn Dorvan's request to deal with the GA. So the night before they were headed their separate ways, they were getting together for a family dinner at the safehouse where Han, Leia and Allana had been living since that attack at the restaurant.
Well, it was mostly a family dinner. There was more to it.
"I would have thought your family would have moved back into a regular apartment by now," Jag said as they arrived.
“Are you kidding? When would we have had time to move? Even with droids to take care of most of it, moving is a pain. And we’ve been a bit busy, you know,” Jaina replied.
Jag smiled a little. “I suppose you’re right. I guess I just never liked the idea of the Solos having to live in a safehouse at all.”
Yeah, no one did, but it was what had to be done. Jaina was about to reply when the door opened, with C-3PO standing on the other side. “Goodness gracious, how pleasant to see you again, Head of State Fel! If only Master Luke and Master Ben were here, the entire family would be gathered together. It’s been some time since that last occurred. I rather miss it.”
It was sobering to think about how long ago that had been- the day Luke and Ben left- but Jag replied with a, “Good to see you again, too, Threepio," as Artoo sounded his hellos.
And a second later, Allana had charged at Jag's legs for a hug, with Anji right on her heels. Seriously, it was great to see how much that little girl loved him. "Anji is happy to see you and so am I!" Allana told him.
"Glad you could join us tonight, kid,” Han greeted him. “Family’s going to be going off in all kinds of directions tomorrow.” Because of course Jag, at thirty-five, was still "kid."
“Indeed,” Jag said, “and about that …?” He let the question trail off and lifted his eyebrows in inquiry.
Han handed him a drink and said, "After dinner. In the meantime, I can’t take all of this with me, so drink up.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a safe house with such a well-stocked liquor cabinet,” Jag said, looking at it.
“There are some things you just don’t skimp on. For me, that means good alcohol, and good blasters.”
“Which go together so well,” said Jaina, rolling her eyes at him even as she let him hand her a drink.
While dinner was cooking, they had a good visit with the family, and Allana was all to happy too show Jag all the new tricks she'd taught Anji. And after about an hour, Han and Leia sent her to bed. Allana was disappointed, but gave Jag a hug before she and Anji took off for her room.
Jag eyed the table, set for five, and looked confused. "I thought Amelia would be eating with us."
“At this hour?” said Leia. “Oh, no. She’d be far too cranky in the morning. No, someone else will be joining us.”
If Jaina was at all nervous, it was because she really hadn't been okay with this setup, and she hated having to do this after all that she and Jag had been through regarding this thing, and it didn't seem fair, and there might be a huge fight later… but she'd do it because it was the right thing.
Tahiri took that as her cue to step into the living room, smiling uncertainly. "Hello, Head of State Fel."
Jag looked at the Solos, at a loss.
“Sorry to spring this on you, but we thought this was the best way for all involved,” Leia said. “She came to us for help.”
“I had a chance to escape,” Tahiri explained. “Just disappear in the chaos of Daala’s breakout. For a while, I did just that. I thought about going to Eramuth, but I realized I would put him in a terrible position if I did.”
“So you went to the Solos,” Jag said. He did not sound happy.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Tahiri continued quietly. “I was found guilty in a court of law. I was sentenced to execution. And I’m running away from it. And viewed in a certain light, that’s completely accurate. But… I want to make things right, Jag. My death won’t help anyone. It won’t bring Gilad Pellaeon back, it won’t repair any damage I’ve caused. It’s legal… but it’s not just. I have many debts to repay, many errors to correct. And I want to do that.”
“When she came to us with this, I had an idea,” Leia said. “Technically, the crime was against a former Imperial admiral. Justice would best be served by having Tahiri tried in an Imperial court. And until such a time as that can be arranged, Tahiri has offered to begin making reparations by assisting the Empire.”
“And these days,” Jaina said, “that’s you, honey.”
Jag stared at them, and then looked back to Tahiri.
“I’ll abide by whatever decision you make, Jag,” Tahiri said quietly. “If you want me to turn myself in, I will. I’ll sit in prison, and I’ll have factions using me to advance their own agendas, and it will be a holojournalist’s field day until the GA gets around to executing me. Or I can come with you, and serve you with my life. And when the dust settles, I’ll get a fair Imperial trial for what I’ve done.”
Han snorted. “Times sure have changed when Imperial trials are certain to be fairer than Galactic Alliance trials.”
Leia placed a hand on his arm to shut him up, watching Jag.
“This isn’t a setup, Jag,” Jaina assured him. “We’ve all agreed to abide by whatever you choose to do.”
Jag sat back against the sofa and fell quiet for a minute. "I think now would be a good time for you to tell me where you and Han went for a few days,” he said finally. “And elaborate just a tiny bit on the whole I’m-in-danger thing.”
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving,” said Han. “Can we talk while we eat?”
“Just not with our mouths full,” said Jaina.
Over dinner, Leia filled them in on the story.
“Let me make certain I understand everything,” Jag said slowly, putting his fork down. “Some Squibs you met years ago contacted you out of the blue. They just happen to be working for me, although I was unaware of it. They have information on where Daala is going, what she plans- which is targeting my job- and who she’s working with and who she’s planning on betraying. Said Squibs have done something to warrant Getelles’s people trying to kill them, but we don’t know for sure what that is. Have I gotten it all correct?”
“That sounds right," Han said.
“Assuming this is true- and I confess, I’m dubious- why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Because we needed to make sure it was true before coming to you with rumors or misinformation,” Jaina explained. Which, she'd only just found out about this, but still. “Mom and Dad wanted to check out their story. All parts of it. They needed to make sure the recording the Squibs gave them was genuine.”
“And it is,” Leia said.
“Don’t feel bad,” Han said. “I was surprised, too.”
Jag went quiet again, and finally Jaina glanced at Tahiri before asking him, "So, what are you going to do?"
“Have you told anyone else about this?” Jag asked Han and Leia.
“Not yet,” Leia answered. “We wanted you to know first. Dorvan does know that I’ve been following up leads on Daala’s whereabouts, however.”
“Thank you. Do you think he’ll act on the knowledge?”
Leia hesitated. “He might. But frankly, it’s chaos there right now. Dorvan’s a cautious man. I think he would wait until there’s more stability with this current government before he did anything. He’d certainly want to know more before committing GA resources toward extracting her. Though she’s an escaped prisoner, she’s under the protection of Moffs. Which makes it your business more than his.”
“Ashik’s confirmation of the Squibs’ involvement on behalf of the Imperial Remnant goes a long way toward convincing me,” Jag told them. “Dorvan doesn’t have anything comparable to go on. I agree with you- it should be his decision whether or not to act, not ours.”
“So,” said Jaina, “like I asked earlier… what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to talk with your parents’ little blue friends first. Depending on what I learn, I’m going after Daala. I have an escaped prisoner hiding in Imperial territory, protected by a Moff who is supposed to be loyal to me. It’s my right to seek her out. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be sticking around Coruscant after I got your message,” Jag said to Leia and Han, and then turned his attention to Tahiri. “You do know I have a very fine security detail, headed by Ashik.”
“Ashik,” said Tahiri, “isn’t a Jedi.”
“And you are?”
Tahiri didn't answer.
“Well, that’s the million-credit question, isn’t it?” Jag said. “Are you a Jedi, Tahiri Veila?”
“I- would like to be again, yes," Tahiri said, and Jaina was so happy to hear that. "And I will serve you in that capacity, if you will take me with you.”
“I tried my best to bring the Imperial Remnant formally into the GA. But it never happened. And because that never came to fruition, the Empire is a completely separate entity, not bound by the laws of the Galactic Alliance," Jag said. "And therefore, as Head of State, until such time as a lawful court trial can be held- and I must say, it’s looking like that won’t be anytime soon, considering Daala is attempting to wrest control of the Empire- I hereby agree to take custody of you, Tahiri Veila. You will obey my orders to the letter, and not go haring off as if your last name were Solo.”
“Hey,” Han and Jaina said at the time.
Jag pretended he didn't hear that, and would be smacked later. "Basically, you're on parole. Don't violate it."
"I won’t, sir,” Tahiri promised.
“And don’t call me sir. I’m Jag. And I’m also hungry. I’ve ignored this delicious meal for too long. Tomorrow, I want to meet your friends. But for tonight," he said, reaching over to squeeze Jaina's hand, "let’s enjoy the rest of the evening as a family.”
She was marrying the best guy.
[NFB, NFI, OOC and Jag love okay. Dialogue from Ascension by Christie Golden.]
In fact, it seemed like they were all splitting up. Jaina was going with the Jedi to find Abeloth, Jag was off to Imperial space, and Leia would be staying on Coruscant at Wynn Dorvan's request to deal with the GA. So the night before they were headed their separate ways, they were getting together for a family dinner at the safehouse where Han, Leia and Allana had been living since that attack at the restaurant.
Well, it was mostly a family dinner. There was more to it.
"I would have thought your family would have moved back into a regular apartment by now," Jag said as they arrived.
“Are you kidding? When would we have had time to move? Even with droids to take care of most of it, moving is a pain. And we’ve been a bit busy, you know,” Jaina replied.
Jag smiled a little. “I suppose you’re right. I guess I just never liked the idea of the Solos having to live in a safehouse at all.”
Yeah, no one did, but it was what had to be done. Jaina was about to reply when the door opened, with C-3PO standing on the other side. “Goodness gracious, how pleasant to see you again, Head of State Fel! If only Master Luke and Master Ben were here, the entire family would be gathered together. It’s been some time since that last occurred. I rather miss it.”
It was sobering to think about how long ago that had been- the day Luke and Ben left- but Jag replied with a, “Good to see you again, too, Threepio," as Artoo sounded his hellos.
And a second later, Allana had charged at Jag's legs for a hug, with Anji right on her heels. Seriously, it was great to see how much that little girl loved him. "Anji is happy to see you and so am I!" Allana told him.
"Glad you could join us tonight, kid,” Han greeted him. “Family’s going to be going off in all kinds of directions tomorrow.” Because of course Jag, at thirty-five, was still "kid."
“Indeed,” Jag said, “and about that …?” He let the question trail off and lifted his eyebrows in inquiry.
Han handed him a drink and said, "After dinner. In the meantime, I can’t take all of this with me, so drink up.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a safe house with such a well-stocked liquor cabinet,” Jag said, looking at it.
“There are some things you just don’t skimp on. For me, that means good alcohol, and good blasters.”
“Which go together so well,” said Jaina, rolling her eyes at him even as she let him hand her a drink.
While dinner was cooking, they had a good visit with the family, and Allana was all to happy too show Jag all the new tricks she'd taught Anji. And after about an hour, Han and Leia sent her to bed. Allana was disappointed, but gave Jag a hug before she and Anji took off for her room.
Jag eyed the table, set for five, and looked confused. "I thought Amelia would be eating with us."
“At this hour?” said Leia. “Oh, no. She’d be far too cranky in the morning. No, someone else will be joining us.”
If Jaina was at all nervous, it was because she really hadn't been okay with this setup, and she hated having to do this after all that she and Jag had been through regarding this thing, and it didn't seem fair, and there might be a huge fight later… but she'd do it because it was the right thing.
Tahiri took that as her cue to step into the living room, smiling uncertainly. "Hello, Head of State Fel."
Jag looked at the Solos, at a loss.
“Sorry to spring this on you, but we thought this was the best way for all involved,” Leia said. “She came to us for help.”
“I had a chance to escape,” Tahiri explained. “Just disappear in the chaos of Daala’s breakout. For a while, I did just that. I thought about going to Eramuth, but I realized I would put him in a terrible position if I did.”
“So you went to the Solos,” Jag said. He did not sound happy.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Tahiri continued quietly. “I was found guilty in a court of law. I was sentenced to execution. And I’m running away from it. And viewed in a certain light, that’s completely accurate. But… I want to make things right, Jag. My death won’t help anyone. It won’t bring Gilad Pellaeon back, it won’t repair any damage I’ve caused. It’s legal… but it’s not just. I have many debts to repay, many errors to correct. And I want to do that.”
“When she came to us with this, I had an idea,” Leia said. “Technically, the crime was against a former Imperial admiral. Justice would best be served by having Tahiri tried in an Imperial court. And until such a time as that can be arranged, Tahiri has offered to begin making reparations by assisting the Empire.”
“And these days,” Jaina said, “that’s you, honey.”
Jag stared at them, and then looked back to Tahiri.
“I’ll abide by whatever decision you make, Jag,” Tahiri said quietly. “If you want me to turn myself in, I will. I’ll sit in prison, and I’ll have factions using me to advance their own agendas, and it will be a holojournalist’s field day until the GA gets around to executing me. Or I can come with you, and serve you with my life. And when the dust settles, I’ll get a fair Imperial trial for what I’ve done.”
Han snorted. “Times sure have changed when Imperial trials are certain to be fairer than Galactic Alliance trials.”
Leia placed a hand on his arm to shut him up, watching Jag.
“This isn’t a setup, Jag,” Jaina assured him. “We’ve all agreed to abide by whatever you choose to do.”
Jag sat back against the sofa and fell quiet for a minute. "I think now would be a good time for you to tell me where you and Han went for a few days,” he said finally. “And elaborate just a tiny bit on the whole I’m-in-danger thing.”
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving,” said Han. “Can we talk while we eat?”
“Just not with our mouths full,” said Jaina.
Over dinner, Leia filled them in on the story.
“Let me make certain I understand everything,” Jag said slowly, putting his fork down. “Some Squibs you met years ago contacted you out of the blue. They just happen to be working for me, although I was unaware of it. They have information on where Daala is going, what she plans- which is targeting my job- and who she’s working with and who she’s planning on betraying. Said Squibs have done something to warrant Getelles’s people trying to kill them, but we don’t know for sure what that is. Have I gotten it all correct?”
“That sounds right," Han said.
“Assuming this is true- and I confess, I’m dubious- why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Because we needed to make sure it was true before coming to you with rumors or misinformation,” Jaina explained. Which, she'd only just found out about this, but still. “Mom and Dad wanted to check out their story. All parts of it. They needed to make sure the recording the Squibs gave them was genuine.”
“And it is,” Leia said.
“Don’t feel bad,” Han said. “I was surprised, too.”
Jag went quiet again, and finally Jaina glanced at Tahiri before asking him, "So, what are you going to do?"
“Have you told anyone else about this?” Jag asked Han and Leia.
“Not yet,” Leia answered. “We wanted you to know first. Dorvan does know that I’ve been following up leads on Daala’s whereabouts, however.”
“Thank you. Do you think he’ll act on the knowledge?”
Leia hesitated. “He might. But frankly, it’s chaos there right now. Dorvan’s a cautious man. I think he would wait until there’s more stability with this current government before he did anything. He’d certainly want to know more before committing GA resources toward extracting her. Though she’s an escaped prisoner, she’s under the protection of Moffs. Which makes it your business more than his.”
“Ashik’s confirmation of the Squibs’ involvement on behalf of the Imperial Remnant goes a long way toward convincing me,” Jag told them. “Dorvan doesn’t have anything comparable to go on. I agree with you- it should be his decision whether or not to act, not ours.”
“So,” said Jaina, “like I asked earlier… what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to talk with your parents’ little blue friends first. Depending on what I learn, I’m going after Daala. I have an escaped prisoner hiding in Imperial territory, protected by a Moff who is supposed to be loyal to me. It’s my right to seek her out. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be sticking around Coruscant after I got your message,” Jag said to Leia and Han, and then turned his attention to Tahiri. “You do know I have a very fine security detail, headed by Ashik.”
“Ashik,” said Tahiri, “isn’t a Jedi.”
“And you are?”
Tahiri didn't answer.
“Well, that’s the million-credit question, isn’t it?” Jag said. “Are you a Jedi, Tahiri Veila?”
“I- would like to be again, yes," Tahiri said, and Jaina was so happy to hear that. "And I will serve you in that capacity, if you will take me with you.”
“I tried my best to bring the Imperial Remnant formally into the GA. But it never happened. And because that never came to fruition, the Empire is a completely separate entity, not bound by the laws of the Galactic Alliance," Jag said. "And therefore, as Head of State, until such time as a lawful court trial can be held- and I must say, it’s looking like that won’t be anytime soon, considering Daala is attempting to wrest control of the Empire- I hereby agree to take custody of you, Tahiri Veila. You will obey my orders to the letter, and not go haring off as if your last name were Solo.”
“Hey,” Han and Jaina said at the time.
Jag pretended he didn't hear that, and would be smacked later. "Basically, you're on parole. Don't violate it."
"I won’t, sir,” Tahiri promised.
“And don’t call me sir. I’m Jag. And I’m also hungry. I’ve ignored this delicious meal for too long. Tomorrow, I want to meet your friends. But for tonight," he said, reaching over to squeeze Jaina's hand, "let’s enjoy the rest of the evening as a family.”
She was marrying the best guy.
[NFB, NFI, OOC and Jag love okay. Dialogue from Ascension by Christie Golden.]