Solo Bounty

By Sara Dillon

They came in the night. Sleek, swift and trained. He knew what he had to do. Get in, get the twins, get out. Simple.

Tieron had provided him with a map, which he passed on to his troop. They were some of the best.

"Ok. You know what to do," he whispered, "On my mark split. We l meet back at the ship as soon as we have them. Ready? Go."

Three black clad figures headed one way while three headed another way.

N

Jacen was in the middle of a nightmare. His Uncle was being tortured. He could not see who was doing it but his Uncle was in pain and close to death.

He tried to move, but his feet were stuck.

Suddenly Jacen woke up. Three black clad figures stood over his bed. He tried to scream but his mouth was gagged and his feet and hands were bound so he could not put up a fight.

"That wasn so hard," one figure said.

"No it wasn . Finish it and let go," another man said.

The third in the group brought a heavy club down on Jacen head.

"Night, night Jedi."

N

When Jacen came to he found his sister, Jaina, sitting next to him. They were both un-bound and un-gagged.

"Jaina!" Jacen explained.

"Jacen!"

"What happened?" Jacen asked.

"I don know."

"Where are we?"

"On a ship."

"That helps Jaina!"

The twins fell back into silence. Jaina tried to contact her Uncle or someone she knew through the Force, but it didn work.

"Jacen I can contact anyone thought the Force. I can even feel your presence!"

"What do you mean?"

"I can tell Uncle Luke where we are."

"He l find us," Jacen said as he leaned back against the wall, "He a smart man, don forget."

"I scared, Jasa."

Jacen looked at his sister. He hadn heard his nickname in years. He was surprised she still knew. He smiled and put his arm around his sister shoulder. "Don worry Jaya. I l protect you."

"I know you will," Jaina said. She snuggled into her brother arms, enjoying the warmth. "I so tiered."

"Then go to sleep," Jacen suggested.

"Ok, but what if the men come back?"

"I l wake you up if they come back."

"Good."

"Don worry Jaina. Remember, we e Jedi now. Is this any way Jedi acts?"

"Well no, but..."

"See. Master Skywalker would be ashamed."

Jaina playfully slapped her brother.

"Just go to sleep Jaina," Jacen said between laughs.

"Promise you l wake me?"

"Yes. I l have a joke for you when you get up."

Jaina groaned. "Wonderful!"

N

"Sir? They have the twins."

Tieron pivoted in his chair and smiled at the young officer. "Good. When will they be here?"

"In a few days. They are leaving Yavin 4 as of now."

"Good. Bring them to me when they arrive."

The officer nodded and walked out of the room.

"Now, my friend, we shall see how deep your commitment runs," Tieron commented out loud. His ultimate plan was about to unfurl. The thing on Hapes was just a test. He needed to show the universe that he was there and not a threat to just be passed over. No, Tieron was definitely a threat to be tangled with... and this entanglement was about to begin.

N

The day started out line any other. Life at the Jedi Academy went on unaware of what happened that night. It wasn until the morning meal when they found out.

"Master Zekk, there is Mistress Tenel Ka, but I am afraid Master Jacen and Mistress Jaina are not with her."

"Thanks MTD. I l be right back."

Zekk crossed the dining hall to escort Tenel Ka to the table. Lowie greeted the young warrior and returned to his meal. MTD also bid her welcome.

"Good morning Lowbacca, MTD," Tenel said as she sat down.

"Tenel Ka, have you seen Jacen or Jaina today?" Seek asked as he slid into the booth on the other side.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Well I haven seen them either."

"Maybe Master Skywalker has seen them."

"Yeah maybe. I worried."

"Don be. They are Jedi. They can handle whatever comes their way."

N

"Jaina wake up! Someone is at the door. Wake up Jaina!"

Jaina Solo slowly opened her eyes. She blinked and gazed up at her brother. "What did you say?"

"Someone is at the door!"

Jaina sat up and looked at the door. Someone was at the door.

Jacen and Jaina got to their feet slowly. Jacen moved in front of his sister and held his fists up ready for a fight.

The door opened slowly and two men entered, wearing identical uniforms and carrying old Imperial style blasters.

"Who are you? What do you want with us? Jacen asked.

The guards didn answer. Instead they turned on their heels and stood at attention near the door.

"Answer me!" Jacen demanded.

"I don think they can tell you, but I can."

Jaina squinted into the dim light in the doorway to see who produced the voice. It was familiar, but not too familiar.

A figure clouded the doorway and finally stepped into the light.

"Tieron!" Jacen exclaimed. He drove his sister back with one hand while his other reached down to pick up his lightsaber, which wasn there.

"I glad you remember me! It was not to long ago but I though you would have brushed me aside!"

"Why would we? We didn know what had happened to you and we needed to make sure you weren still plotting against us!" Jaina said over her brother shoulder.

"Oh I am defiantly still plotting against you! How is your friend Tenel Ka? Ok I hope. I sorry about what I did to her family... NOT!" Tieron stifled a laugh as he gazed at the twins.

"If you are trying to scare us or something it not working. It never will. We are Jedi!" Jaina said.

"I not TRYING to scare you! I know just how to scare you if I were though! Let just put it this way. I imagine that you were now enroute to your homeplanet of Coruscant. There you will find havoc running wild all over. You see, the reason for the chaos is that I have kidnapped your mother, father and little brother. They are now inhiding waiting for your arrival. I will not hurt you, if you comply with my orders. See I have moved on to blowing up worlds. I want your uncle. I want him with me to rule the galaxy. And you my dear children, you and your family are the bait to bring him to me!"

"That crazy! Mom and Dad probably have your guards under their control now. Uncle Luke would NEVER go with you!"

"Are you so sure about that?"

"Yes!"

"Then let just see shall we. In a few moments you will be reunited with your family. Then we will se just how much your Uncle cares!"

"Well. The ship is here. Both of them."

Luke nodded and looked around for any other strange ships in the Jedi Academy docking bay.

"I wonder if they have been kidnapped," Tenel Ka said.

Luke and Zekk looked at her in surprise. "It is a possibility you know."

Zekk nodded. "Yes it is. And it the only explanation. I hate to admit it but I think you might be right Tenel Ka."

Tenel Ka nodded. "If this is true we must start the search immediately."

N

Tenel Ka squeezed her eyes shut then opened them again. She been staring at the viewscreen for hours, trying to find someone or something that looked suspicious. So far the kidnappers had covered their tracks well. Tenel Ka sighed and rewound the holoreel once more to see if she could find any thing else.

"I think I e found something," Zekk said. He was sitting with his back to Tenel Ka reviewing another holoreel.

Tenel Ka stood and leaned over to see what Zekk had found. Tenel noticed that his reel was from the hall in front of the twin room.

"There. See? Someone, four humans it looks like. They go in, and come out with an added figure," Zekk commented as the reel played.

"Can you zoom in on the figures?" Tenel Ka asked.

"I l try. They e covered up fairly well."

Zekk hit a few keys and the picture enlarged. Zekk hit another key and the picture enlarged one more time.

Tenel Ka leaned in closer to the screen, as if she found something. "That mark, on the shoulder. I e seen the same sign somewhere."

"Can you remember where?" Zekk asked.

Tenel Ka drew herself to her full height and closed her eyes. "Tieron," she whispered.

"Tieron? You mean the guy who killed you e family?"

"Yes. He got Jacen and Jaina."

N



"Are you sure about this Tenel Ka?"

"Yes master Skywalker. Tieron has the twins."

Luke Skywalker rubbed his temples then looked back up at Tenel Ka and Zekk. "You two must go find them. Lowbacca is on Kashyyyk. He won be able to help you."

"Where should we start?" Zekk asked.

"You can start with this," a new voice chimed in. Tionne, Jedi historian and Luke assistant teacher, walked into the room. "There is a transmission from Coruscant for Luke. I suggest you all come though."

Luke looked from Tenel Ka to Zekk. "Come on. This may be important."

N

"Master Skywalker, Princess Tenel Ka, how nice to see you again," Tieron said.

"Cut the chatter Tieron. Where are the twins?" Zekk asked.

"They are safe, don worry." Tieron slid to the side to show Jacen and Jaina, bound, gagged and unconscious. "Their family will son be joining them, so they will not be alone.

"What do you want?" Tenel Ka asked. She felt the rage building up inside her.

"I want Luke Skywalker, delivered to me."

"If there is a hair harmed on either of their head Tieron..."

"There isn . Your boy-toy is safe Princess. Don worry. You know what I want now deliver!"

Tenel Ka slammed her hand down on the board and ended the transmission. She turned to Zekk, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Let go," she said, sternly.

Zekk came forward and hugged Tenel Ka. "It ok Tenel. We l get Jacen back." He pulled back and looked in her eyes. "Don give in!"

Tenel blinked the tears away and turned to look at Luke. "What now?"

"I l accompany you two to Coruscant. We l go from there."

Tenel Ka nodded. "I l go pack. I will be down in the hanger bay in five standard minutes." Tenel Ka jogged out of the communications room.

"You ready Zekk?" Luke asked.

Zekk checked at his waist to see if his lightsaber was there. He smiled. "Ready as I l ever be."

"Ok. We l take two ships. I l take Tenel Ka in the Shadow Chaser. You can take the Lightening Rod. Let go get the ships ready."

"Are they coming, Tieron?" Colora asked.

"Yes. I sure Skywalker will be with them."

"Do you really think you can use Skywalker for your campaign?"

"Of course. And you may have your fun with him to."

"Oh goody!" Colora said, sourcasticly. She rolled her eyes at Tieron and stood up. He dress fell to the ground and she pulled her robe on. "I going to take a shower. Be nice."

"I will. Don worry."

Colora smiled evilly at Tieron and stepped into the fresher.

Tieron sat back in his chair and took a deep breath. Everything was going according to plan. He allowed himself a brief smiled before one of his offices burst in.

"We have the rest of the Solos in custody my Lord," the officer said.

Tieron nodded. "Excellent. Inform me when Skywalker arrives."

"Yes sir!" The officer saluted and ran out of the room.

Tieron smiled again. He stood up and crossed to a small bar. "Night as well celebrate." He pulled out a bottle of Corellian wine and a glass. He poured some out. He looked at it then finished it in one gulp. "Now for Skywalker."

N

Tenel Ka looked out the viewport without the view registering in her mind. Ever since she found out who had kidnapped the twins her usually alert mind was numb. All she knew was Jacen... and Jaina were gone. She had to get them back... and soon.

"Tenel? We’re ready to drop out of hyperspace. You ok?" Luke asked.

"Yes Master Skywalker. I’m fine."

Luke put a hand on her shoulder then pulled her into a strong embrace. She started to cry softly.

"It’s ok Tenel. It’s ok. Don’t cry," Luke whispered.

"I lost Jacen, and my family to Tieron. I don’t wanna loose you to!" Tenel said.

"You won’t Tenel. Maybe we can bargain with him. Maybe I don’t have to go."

"I know him Luke. He won’t negotiate." Tenel looked up in his eyes and started to cry again.

"Tenel this isn’t like you. Something else is bothering you."

"You’ve been like a father to me. Now that my real father is gone, and you’ve adopted me, I can’t risk loosing you too."

"You won’t Tenel. I promise. Now let’s go check on Zekk. I’m sure we’re about ready to reach Coruscant."

Tenel Ka nodded and smiled softly at Luke. "I love you like a father Luke."

"I love you too Tenel Ka."

N

"Dropping out if hyperspace on my mark... now."

Tenel Ka pulled back on the lever on the control board and the Shadow Chaser dropped out of hyperspace.

Coruscant, a planet-wide city, shimmered before them. Tenel Ka glanced over Luke’s shoulder and then sat back behind him.

"Coruscant Ground Control? This is Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. I wish to land these two ships in an Imperial Palace docking bay."

Luke waited a few minutes for an answer. When he didn’t receive one he asked again.

"Hey Luke," another voice called.

"Yeah Zekk?"

"I don’t think anyone is down there."

"How do you figure?"

"Look."

Luke looked down to where the CGC building should have been and found it gone. He cursed silently the opened up the con to the Lightening Rod. "Zekk? Let’s land anyway. Follow me," Luke ordered.

"Ok. Lightening Rod out."

"Master Skywalker? How are you planning to land?" Tenel Ka asked.

"I’ll just land. I’m sure Tieron knows I’m here. We should have no problem landing."

Tenel Ka nodded. "I see."

"Don’t worry, Tenel Ka It will be ok. I promise."

"I know. I’m sure it will be ok. If I see Tieron, Luke, I won’t hesitate to kill him," she replied. Her voice was strangely low.

"Don’t give into the dark side, Tenel Ka. If you do who will help get me back? The galaxy needs you, Tenel. Don’t throw it away. Not for me."

Tenel Ka threw herself into Luke’s arms despite him still sitting in the pilot’s chair.

"I’ll never forget," she whispered. She sat back in the co-pilot’s seat. She checked her belt to see if she had everything she needed.

Luke slowly brought the Shadow Chaser down, followed closely by Zekk in the Lightening Rod.

Tenel Ka stood up and took Luke’s hand. I’ll be strong, but there is no guarantee that I won’t kill Tieron."

"I know. Just the Force guide your actions."

"I will."

Tenel Ka dropped Luke’s hand. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. For everything."

"You’re welcome."

"I’m gonna grab a med pack. I’ll meet you outside," Tenel Ka said, her voice back to it’s normal tone.

"Oh. I’m gonna finish shut down. I’ll hurry."

Tenel Ka nodded and walked out of the cockpit to find a med pack.

Luke sat back down in his chair. He pulled a picture he had of the twins, Lowbacca, Tenel Ka, and Zekk after the celebration of the destruction of the Diversity Alliance. He smiled to himself and returned the picture to the pocket in his cloak. He finished shut down and joined Tenel Ka and Zekk outside.

"You two ready?" Luke asked.

"Yes Master Skywalker," Tenel Ka replied.

"Ok. Let’s see if we can find Tieron," Luke ordered.

"Shouldn’t be hard. We’re Jedi. Let’s get going," Zekk said.

"What are we waiting for?"

N

A soft knock came on Tieron’s door.

"Come in!"

Colora strode into the room. She bowed before Tieron. "They are here, my Lord."

"Good. Show them in."

"Yes sir."

Colora stood and glided out the door.

Tieron smiled. Skywalker and the Princess were here. No doubt Skywalker would leave with him in exchange for the Solos.

"Good. Very good."

N



Zekk opened the door to the throne room in the Imperial Palace. He, Tenel Ka, and Luke strode in. A protocol droid met them half way.

"What is your business here?" the droid asked.

"We wish to talk to Tieron," Tenel Ka answered.

"Lord Tieron is busy."

"Tell him Master Skywalker is here. He will make time," Tenel Ka returned.

The droid turned and disappeared. It returned a few moments later. "Follow me please."

The droid started toward a door opposite where they were standing. He led then out the door into a hallway. Tenel Ka’s hand fell to her lightsaber. Zekk and Luke followed her example.

The followed the droid down the hallway to a large, red wood door.

"Wait here. I’ll inform Lord Tieron you are here." The droid opened the door and went in.

"Be ready guys," Zekk said as soon as the droid was gone.

The droid came back "Lord Tieron will now see you."

The droid led them through the doors and into the large room Tieron was using as an office.

It was lavishly furnished. A viewport show a section of Coruscant to the right. To the left there was a series of doors and directly in front was Tieron, sitting behind a desk. Luke put a hand on Tenel Ka’s shoulder. He could feel her pull against him

"Welcome Skywalker. Did you have to bring them to?" Tieron asked.

"Leave them out," Luke said.

"Where are the Solos?" Tenel Ka asked.

Tieron snapped his fingers. The doors to the left opened and the Solo family fell out of separate doors. Zekk and Tenel Ka ran over but were thrown back by a force field.

Tenel Ka sat up and looked at Jacen. He looked back, his brandy brown eyes were tiered and half hidden by his eyelids.

"Jacen," she whimpered. She crawled over to the force field and Jacen came close to.

"So Skywalker, you ready?" Tieron asked.

"What do you want Tieron?"

"You, your power, helping my cause."

Luke bowed his head. "Let them go then I’ll join you."

Tenel Ka jerked around. "What? No!" she screamed.

"It must be done. I’m sorry."

Tieron pushed a button on his desk and the force field dropped.

Tenel Ka and Zekk rushed forward and embraced the friends.

"Follow my guards to my ship, Skywalker," Tieron ordered.

As Luke was being led away all the rage Tenel Ka had held inside the whole trip, spilled out.

Tieron laid venerable, unprotected, ready for the picking, and Tenel Ka took advantage of this.

Tenel Ka leapt from her spot near Jacen She lunged toward Tieron, lightsaber blazing.

"Tenel Ka! No!" Luke called.

Luke broke free of the guards and tried to catch Tenel Ka. He got to her right as her blade connected with Tieron’s left cheek. He howled with pain and Luke pulled Tenel Ka off the desk before she killed him. They both fell off the desk and onto the floor. Tenel Ka dropped her lightsaber and it rolled to the middle of the room.

"Kill her!" Tieron screamed around the medics.

The guards rushed forward and pulled Luke away.

"Tenel Ka! Tenel please! Don’t!" Jacen called.

More guards piled into the room. They headed for Tieron.

"Kill her!" he called again.

The new guards rounded and circled Tenel Ka who was sitting on the floor unmoving.

"Tenel! Get up! Fight!" Jacen called again.

Tenel slowly stood up again. She looked over at Jacen and smiled evilly.

N



The guards let Luke stay long enough to see Tenel Ka get to her feet before dragging him out of the room. He knew it wouldn’t do his friends and good if he put up a fight so he let the guards lead him away.

"So you’re a Jedi?" a voice asked.

"Yes," Luke replied. He looked up and saw the face of a man no older than twenty-five.

"Wow. I was once trained as a Jedi. That was before the Empire killed my Master and took me in."

"I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. I was really young. I’m just sad I never got to finish my Jedi training."

Luke looked at the man again. "Of you help me, I can train you while I’m with Tieron. After that, if you’d like, you can finish your training at my academy."

"I’m to old. Any way I swore off using all my powers."

"My offer stands."

"And I’ll help you. Don’t worry."

N



Zekk tried his best to get the Solos unties quickly so they could help Tenel Ka. Jacen stood there watching Tenel Ka not know what to do. He watched throw off another attacker and start in on another one.

Jaina came up and stood beside her brother, watching her friend. She sighed and walked over to the desk, which was empty. Tieron had left soon after the fighting broke out. She started opening drawers, looking for some sort of weapon. "Jackpot!" she whispered. She pulled out five blasters, fully charged, and ran back to her family.

"Jacen! Catch!" she yelled. She threw a blaster at her brother and then one at Anakin.

Jacen pointed the blaster toward the fight and fired.

N



Tenel Ka felt the blast coming and ducked just in time. The bolt hit the guard she was fighting between the eyes and killed him instantly. She turned and saw Jacen. Wide eyed, holding a smoking blaster.

Jaina rejoined her brother’s side. "Come on." She started to run toward the fight, yelling. Jacen, Zekk and Anakin followed while Leia and Han left to find Luke.

Tenel Ka saw her friend rushing to her aid and smiled softly. Using the Force, she leapt over the heads of her attackers and landed beside her lightsaber. She bent and picked it up. Slowly the blade sprang to life. Tenel Ka cried out and ran back into the battle, weapon blazing.

N



Jacen snuck up on the back of one of the guards and brought the handle of his blaster down on the back of his neck. He smiled and turned and shot the guard approaching him. He allowed himself a brief smile before turning and shooting the other guard.

Jaina and Anakin both took their respective guards out and soon the five young Jedi were standing alone weapons smoking or blazing.

"Let’s go help mom and dad!" Anakin said. He led the way out the door and toward the docking bay.

N



By the time they got to the platform it was to late. All the Jedi could do was watch as Tieron's ship lifted off, carrying Luke with him.

N



A few hours later, Tenel Ka, who’d changed into a special set or armor used for those in mourning, sat on a stone bench, head in hands, with Jacen, Jaina, Zekk and Anakin. Leia and Han were near by, talking quietly with some guards and heads of departments. She looked up when Han and Leia came their way.

"We think it best you four go back to the academy. We’ll contact you as soon as we have a plan. Right now, rest, you’ll need your strength. Anakin you stay here," Leia said.

The four Jedi looked at each other and nodded

"Ok mom. But keep in touch. Other at the academy will want to help," Jaina said.

"I know. Take the Shadow Chaser, and be careful."

"We will mom," Jacen replied.

Leia and Han hugged their children then their friends then they left home for Yavin 4 to plan their final attack on Tieron.

THE

END