The Path of Dreams

~Chapter 4~

Jacen Solo’s Apartment, Coruscant

…The shriek of the chasing krayt dragon was closer and Ben forced himself to keep running…

Ben sat straight up in bed. Sweat glistened on his bare chest as he pushed the damp coppery hair from his face. Breathing hard, he threw his legs over the side of his bed and glanced at the chono. It was only 0145. He sighed and stood up; he would have to get up in less than an hour anyway. He moved over to the window and looked out at the dazzling lights of the city that never slept. He watched the ever changing holographic sign for the holotheater that was across the vast cavern for a long time. Jacen’s apartment was high enough on the sixteen-hundredth floor to afford Ben a spectacular view of the Senate District beyond the theater. His eyes were drawn to the motion of the multicolored lights on the construction droids which were clearing the debris and rebuilding the center of galactic government. He felt the bite of the hatred he held for the Insurgents and the war that was consuming the galaxy. Then suddenly he felt a familiar concerned presence brush his.

He closed his eyes, and focused on the sweetness and warmth of her mental hug. Jysella, his heart sang and he let her presence revitalize him. He sent her his reassurance that he was alright. She remained with him for a long time and, although they didn’t pass words or even emotions across the growing bond, he was glad that she was there. He hung onto her as if letting go would cause him to fall into a chasm. However, all too soon for Ben, her touch was gone and he felt only the lonely coldness of the night air.

He opened his eyes and continued to stare out the window, but he didn’t see the incredible city that spread out before him. Instead, he was remembering the nightmare. It was the same as the last time he had it, and he wondered what terrible thing would happen during the mission that he would not be able to stop.

He thought about what Jacen had told him about the vision being a way to predict the future. But what future? He screamed inwardly. What does it all mean? Angry and feeling alone, he hit the window frame with his open palm. “Why?” He whispered in a desperate plea, “Why can’t I understand this? If the dragon represents something that will happen in the future, why can’t I stop it from happening before more lives are lost?”

Feeling the weight of his words on his shoulders as if he carried all of Coruscant there, Ben leaned his forehead against the hand on the frame and sobbed.

~~~

Mullin, Northern Hemisphere, Coruscant

The community of Mullin in the Northern Hemisphere, which was about a thousand kilometers north of Galactic City, was famous for its floating water parks, small shops and shopping centers. Although Commenor had allied with Corellia two years ago; its Coruscant population had attempted to remain neutral, until less than a week ago.

Hanging onto the hand grip, Ben looked out of the open transport as they entered the beautiful area of low rise buildings with their terrace gardens. He almost couldn’t believe that such villainy could come from someplace that appeared and felt so peaceful. However, GAG’s informants insisted that this was the place and these were the people who helped bring Coruscant’s and the GA’s government nearly to a standstill.

The plan that the GAG Stormies followed was not hard and had been executed for two years now. Three of the teams would deploy on the ground and search the area where the informant had pinpointed the hideout of the traitors, while the remaining two teams blocked the flow of traffic and managed attempted escapees and those arrested. Ben was part of the ground deployment and was part of Beta Team, commanded by Major Shevu. Jacen commanded Alpha team and the third team, Calamari, was commanded by Lieutenant Betsi Webs.

As the troops transport began to descend, Lon was speaking through a voice amplifier as he commanded, “This is the Galactic Alliance Guard. Please do not panic and remain in your dwellings. Repeat: this is the Galactic Alliance Guard. Please do not panic and remain in your dwellings…”

Ben tuned the familiar phrasing out as he watched the targeted street come closer. He still felt uneasy about the mission. He had told Jacen about the latest dream; however, Ben didn’t feel reassured with Jacen’s explanation. Jacen encouraged Ben to use the vision as foreshadowing, a warning to be extra vigilant. Ben already was doing that. He knew something was going to happen; he wanted to know how he could stop it.

Finally, they were set down on the main street and quickly split up as was the plan, each team moved quickly to cover the area. The process was always the same: two GAG soldiers would inquire at each door; the occupants would be questioned by one of the members, while the other member would search the apartment for explosives or any other illegal contraband. If something was found, the being would be retained for further questioning. If nothing was suspicious, they would be ordered to remain inside their apartments until allowed to come out, and the team would move on to the next door.

Ben and Shevu were teamed up as they always were. Going from apartment to apartment, Shevu would do the questioning, while Ben would search the apartments with a hand-held devise that could detect firearms and explosives. After the initial wave of terrorism two years ago, all personal firearms had to be registered with the government and tracked with a microchip which was placed in the weapon and was impossible to forge. The scanner would read these chips and identify the owner. If as on several occasions, the weapon was registered but in the possession of someone else, then that person or persons would be detained. If any unregistered weapons were found, the possessors were immediately arrested. Even if a being’s weapons were registered, often the owners were subjected to more questioning then those without any. Ben felt that it was a fair way of doing things, and really couldn’t understand why those against the government’s policy claimed the Personal Weaponry Justification and Reporting Act echoed the types of laws that the old Empire had.

Jacen always assigned the Major and his young partner on the most dangerous of search areas and this time was no exception. Ben’s ability to sense, not only the intent of the people they were questioning but, also his ability to sense explosives, had already discovered several suspicious persons and two stashes of illegal arms.

Shevu looked at Ben as they came to the next door. The data retrieved from the city census identified the residents as Clarice and Foss Dakin. Neither one of them had ever been in trouble with the law, nor did they have any blemishes on their records at all. In fact, they were actually well respected in the community.

Ben answered Lon’s unspoken question with a shake of his helmeted head, indicating that he wasn’t getting anything from the upper level apartment. In spite of not feeling any ill intent, Ben felt uneasy as the older man banged on the door.
“This is Major Shevu of GAG, open up.”

Ben let the Force calm his pounding heart as the door slid open a few centimeters. A female voice came through the crack, “Go away. We have done nothing wrong.”

“I’m sorry Mrs. Dakin, but our orders are clear and come from the highest office. We must search your home, and you will answer my questions or face detention.”

Ben sensed the woman step away, and the door slid the rest of the way open. Ben stepped away from Shevu and began his scan of the main sitting room of the spacious home of one of the wealthiest members of this neighborhood. GAG’s spies said the terrorists had been seen coming and going from this particular building. Ben glanced sideways to Shevu and reached out to touch the woman again with a probe as the major began his questioning. Ben still felt nothing from her except genuine fear. To look at the well dressed, attractive, middle aged woman, one would never expect her to be tied up with terrorism, and Ben was beginning to think that maybe these people weren’t. They were just honest hard working immigrants who came to Coruscant after the Vong War to make a better life for themselves. Research of the occupants of this building, revealed that she was from Commenor but her mother was Corellian and her husband came from the industrial world of Eriadu. Ben turned his attention back to the task at hand and suddenly his danger sense sent a shock through him.

Ben called out to Shevu just before the blast ripped through the room. He leapt over the couch and landed on Shevu, pushing the older man down and immediately called on the Force to throw up a protective shield. Ben was vaguely aware of the woman’s terrified, pain filled screams, and then her winking out of existence as the dangerous explosion shattered the windows and expanded out with its ball of fire.

Ben felt the heat of the fire as it burned through his uniform at his shoulders and instantly reinforce his Force shield, but Ben knew that he wasn’t strong enough to hold back the flames for long. He suddenly felt Jacen’s concern and sensed his urgency. Use your hate. Let your anger make you stronger. Ben took a deep breath as he reached down into the boiling emotions and let his hate and anger at those who would take so many innocent lives crackle into the Force. Pulling the Force to him again, Ben felt its electric strength and its addicting power. He pushed outward with it and as he used the invisible grip, he sat up and concentrated on dousing the flames around him and his fallen comrade.

Ben continued to draw on the Force for strength and struggled to his feet. He was burned on several places on his body and he felt blood trickle down his face from a long gash across his forehead and a deeper one on his cheek. His ears rang, and he moaned from a sharp pain in his head when he tried to shake clear terrible sound. Then he looked at Lon. The forty-year-old father of four was unconscious, but his breathing was strong. He had burns as Ben did over his body but otherwise appeared to be alright. Ben sighed with relief knowing he had saved him, and then he glanced at the burned remains of the woman. He suddenly felt a pang of guilt; he could have possibly saved her if he hadn’t only been thinking only of his friend. Then realization of her treachery slipped into his thoughts, and he immediately forgot any sorrow he felt over her loss of life. Despite the pain Ben was in from his many burns, he hefted his friend and partner onto his burned shoulder and carried him out of the smoldering room. Ben glanced once more at Clarice Dakin and determined the woman got what she deserved. She was a traitor after all.

~~~

Hyperspace on the way to Bothan Space, Confederation Flagship, Intrepid

Wearing the immaculate white uniform of an Imperial Fleet admiral, Jagged Fel made his way up to the front of the wardroom of the Imperial-II Class Star Destroyer Intrepid followed by his Corellian counterpart, who happened to be his uncle. The relatively young admiral still found it odd that he and Wedge Antilles were of the same rank and fighting on the same side in a war with the GFFA.

He had come to Corellia almost two years ago under the orders of Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon to find Han and Leia Solo and Wedge Antilles. The old Imperial Head of State and former GA Supreme Commander wanted his former enemies-turned-friends to petition the new Corellian Prime Minister Dur Gejjen with a treaty. The Remnant wanted to join the fight on the side of Corellia, but Pellaeon knew his interest in the Corellian conflict would look suspicious. However Pellaeon’s reasons were not as calculated as those who had fought against him in the days of the Rebellion would have guessed; the old admiral truly did not like where the GFFA was going. He had spent his life’s blood to mold and chisel out a government from the fragments that were left at the end of the Rebellion and he refused to see his dreams be torn apart by leadership that was making the same mistakes that they had at one time fought against. Pellaeon would always be an imperialist but he had implemented several advancements in his empire and he wasn’t about to have them taken away.

However, Pellaeon realized that he was getting too old to fight this war, which was when he approached the young captain who had once been as much Chiss as he was human. Jag recalled the first time his father’s old friend approached him with the idea of coming to Corellia. He was new to the Imperial Navy, having found refuge in the Remnant after being rescued from Tenupe, where he had spent two years stranded in the jungles after being shot down by Leia Solo during the Swarm War. The Chiss were not pleased with him, but after dishonoring his family, demoting him and taking his command away, he was politely asked to consider leaving their service. He was crushed at first, but then his father helped him realize that he was destined for greater things then being a Chiss whipping post. He decided to follow his family to the Remnant where his father’s old friend welcomed him and quickly put him in for a commission. After accepting the job of coming to Corellia, Jagged Fel was promoted to admiral and put in charge of the First Fleet which was deployed to the war. Many in the Remnant believed Pellaeon was really honing the skills of the man who would, not only someday replace him as Grand Admiral, but would become the Imperial Head of State.

After he and Wedge returned the salutes of the top ranking officers of the Combined Confederate Fleet, Jag stepped before the podium and said, “At ease.” After everyone was reseated on the risers that surrounded the podium, he activated the holoprojector and the sector that was home to the Bothans came to life above a low table. He glanced over to Admiral Traest Kre’fey, the commander of the Bothan component of the Confederation, before beginning, “As you all know the government on Coruscant has received an incredible blow six days ago. Although the governments of the planets that the alleged terrorist are said to be citizens of have denied involvement in the horrendous act, Cha Niathal has already declared war on them.” Jag couldn’t help the glance he gave Han Solo, who sat toward the back as he went on, “She has also ordered Colonel Jacen Solo to round up and interrogate anyone who may remotely be involved in this act, as he did with Corellians and Bothans starting two years ago.

“The Ruling Council has decided not to wait for the GA to strike at our forces. Instead, we will use this time of confusion and disorder to implement our own initiative. It was determined that we would take on the offensive and attack the GA at Bothawui. We had lost this valuable sector eight months ago, but today we will take it back.” After the tickling of applause died down, Jag turned to the highest ranking Bothan in the Confederacy and stepped away, “Now Admiral Kre’fey will outline the particulars of the battle plan.”

Kre’fey smiled at Jag. He had always liked Kre’fey, despite his relentless hatred for the Yuuzhan Vong, when he had been under the Bothan’s command during the war, and now they were the same rank. The cream-colored fur rippled as the Bothan admiral turned to the room full of commanding officers and started, “If you turn your attention to the hologram of the planet Bothawui, you will see that the Galactic Alliance has the planet well secured by the Fifth Fleet…”

~~~

Officer’s Club, Intrepid

Han Solo lifted the glass of whisky to his lips and took a long draw on the smooth amber liquid. He let it warm his tongue and clear his sinuses before swallowing. He sensed the arrival of someone who sat down on the barstool beside him at the dark wooden bar of the Officer’s Club. He ordered a drink and after the droid poured it, Han finally acknowledged him.

“Do you think this will work?”

Admiral Wedge Antilles met his lifelong friend’s eyes and responded by picking up the bottle he ordered and his full glass. He indicated that Han follow him to one of the vacant tables in the back of the lively bar. After settling in their new seats in a dim corner that faced the door, Wedge said, “I don’t know. The kid has a good plan and I trust his tactical abilities.” He paused and took a draw on his whisky and, after savoring it like all good Corellians did, he went on, “Yeah, I think we might have a chance here.”

Han took another drink, thinking he never felt so old as he said, “Jaina flies with the Fifth, Wedge. I don’t think I could bring myself to shoot at her if it came down to it.”

Wedge set his drink down and slowly nodded, “Yeah, I know what you mean. Remember, Syal had her chance more than once to make starfood out of me?”

Han couldn’t look at his friend as he countered sadly, “Well, at least she wised up and joined the right side.”

Wedge sat back and after a moment countered, “That’s true, but she isn’t happy. She misses Valin, who also flies with the Rogues.” He sadly shook his head and looked down at his drink as he quietly said, “I never thought the Rogues and I would ever be on the opposite sides of a war.”

“Yeah, tell me about it,” Han mumbled.

After a moment, Han looked back at Wedge as he recalled the budding romance between his daughter, Syal Antilles, and Jedi Knight Valin Horn. The two of them became romantically involved after the Battle of Drall eighteen months ago. However, Syal’s loyalty to the GA began to diminish around the same time, and then six months ago she defected to the Corellian side. She tried to convince Valin to also switch sides, but Corran Horn’s son was as stubborn as his father; he remained with the Jedi and the GA. Finally, Han said, “Hopefully, there is still hope for him to change his mind. Love’s a powerful convincer.”

Wedge smirked and raised his glass, “It sure is.”

Han also raised his glass in salute and both men drank. Upon sitting down his glass, Wedge asked, “Have you heard anything from the twins or from Luke?” Han could hear the regret in his friend’s voice. Most of Wedge’s old friends were fighting for the GA. Gavin Darklighter was just named Supreme Commander, Tycho and Winter Celchu lived on Coruscant, though they tried to remain neutral, Corran Horn supported Jacen and the GA whole-heartedly, Mirax Horn had moved back to live with her family on the city planet, and Luke Skywalker supported the GA and had even authorized a Jedi attempt to disrupt the government of Corellia in the early days of the conflict.

Han shook his head and looked down at his drink, “No, although Leia has been in contact with Jaina and Luke via the Force. From Jacen she doesn’t get a thing; in fact, most of the time she can’t feel him at all. If she wouldn’t know better, she’d think he was dead. We’re really worried about him,” he concluded by looking up at his friend.

“Worried? By the way you said that, I gather you mean more so than the fact that you are on opposite sides of a war.”

Han swallowed and wondered if he should really divulge his thoughts on his son to his friend. He really hadn’t even spoken of them to Leia, mainly because he knew the implication would upset her. However, recently he began to recall an old vision she had years ago, not long after they were married. She had it while they were heading to Tatooine and as he remembered her description of the details it involved her seeing Vader’s mask within the twin suns and his voice repeating the word “mine”. Han began remembering the details she’d told him about the dream or vision, after he disowned Jacen for his cold-blooded murder of Boba Fett’s daughter.

Suddenly, realizing Wedge was still waiting for him to respond, Han swallowed again and said, “Yeah, worried. I’m beginning to think Jacen has fallen to the Dark Side. It would sure explain a lot of his actions.”

“Han,” Wedge leaned in over the table and his folded forearms again, “you are accusing your son of something pretty significant, you do realize that?”

Han scoffed, “You forget I’m practically married to the Jedi, Wedge. I fought as hard and as long for that order as Luke or Leia has. All three of my children are or were Jedi, and I know what the Dark Side looks like. Jaina’s been there, but fortunately she came back. Yes, I know what I’m saying. I fear that my son is really turning into the monster his grandfather was, not just in comparison with his actions, but in what he is.”

~~~

Skywalker Apartment, Temple District, Coruscant

Jysella was curled up on her bed with a holonovel when she first felt Ben’s presence spike in the Force then she felt his fear, anger, hate, and finally his physical pain. She let out a scream as the emotions washed over her and she fell to her side, clutching the datareader to her chest and called out, “Ben!”

Mara heard her apprentice scream and call out Ben’s name; she ran into the room in which Jysella lived when she chose not to stay with her parents. “Jys, what’s wrong? I felt it too. What do you think happened?”

Through her sobbing, Jysella looked up at her Master and replied, “I think Ben has been hurt.”