Author: Marilee Worrell [email protected]
Pairings: m/f Tu/OFC R/OFC
Rating: PG-13 with NC-17 sub-chapters
Summary: The sequel to Krysira's Destiny and the rapidly growing relationship between Commander Trip Tucker and Jedi Knight Krysira Antilles
Path of Destiny
Prologue
Jinix Government Center - holding cells
One of the guards
unbound Drayce�s wrists and pushed him roughly into a cell, activating a force
field of criss-crossed beams.
Chapter One
Part One
Conference room
Ryvinia slumped in one of the chairs at the large table while Malcolm sat next to her. She looked at him. �Once again, thank-you for your support...and comfort, Malcolm,� Ryvinia said, a light purple tinge highlighting her cheeks. Malcolm�s cheeks reddened slightly. �My pleasure, Ryvinia,� he replied. �I know what Elkan is going through...unfortunately. But...at least he was able to be with Vallen at the end. I was not fortunate enough to say good-bye to Zarnay and Vartan.� She sighed softly. �It is good that our differences have been set aside. Perhaps an agreement can be reached and Exoia can once again be a peaceful planet.� �Do you think that things would�ve been handled differently if your friends were still alive?� Ryvinia shrugged. �I do not know. All I know is that Vartan was not willing to compromise. He refused to believe that...he could be...wrong about how he ruled the government. I only know that, because I accidentally heard him arguing with Zarnay about it. Only at the insistence of Knight Krysira and Master Jinn was a temporary truce reached, when you and Commander Tucker appeared.� �But...he didn�t know about the ten Exoian women dying...like you did.� �True, but I did not know either until Knight Krysira explained everything to me. Only time and hard work between us and the resistance will tell if this conflict will come to a...peaceful end.� Malcolm merely nodded. They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. �Your Commander Tucker is quite taken by Knight Krysira,� Ryvinia commented, finally breaking the silence. �He hardly leaves her side.� Malcolm nodded again. �I see that as well,� he replied. Ryvinia gazed at Malcolm, her heart pounding in her chest. �I am...quite taken...by...you, Malcolm,� she admitted softly. Malcolm gazed in surprise at Ryvinia, his mouth hanging open. Upon seeing his reaction and thinking that she had done something wrong, Ryvinia leapt up from her chair. �I have offended you! Please forgive me!�� Her voice hitched with a sob. Without another word, Counselor Ryvinia fled the conference room, feeling as though she had made a fool out of herself. Malcolm blinked and merely stared after Ryvinia, unable to fathom the idea that someone had an interest in him. Then he remembered the kiss in the hangar bay, but hadn�t given it a second thought until now. He leaned back in the oversized chair, running a hand through his hair, realizing that he had been oblivious of Ryvinia�s actions, that is, until now. But...how did he feel about her? He sat deep in thought, as he examined his own feelings in this matter.Part Two
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan�s quarters
Qui-Gon entered the rooms that had been set aside for his Padawan and himself while on Exoia, when he stopped short upon seeing Lonan near the door. �Have I interrupted?� Qui-Gon asked. �No, Master Jinn,� Lonan replied. �I was just leaving. I expect that Counselor Ryvinia will want me to resume my duties.� Qui-Gon nodded, seeing sadness in the Exoian youth�s large onyx-colored eyes. �Yes, of course. You handled yourself well and obeyed orders during the last few hours. I will make certain that Counselor Ryvinia knows that and commends you for it.� Lonan blushed slightly. �Thank-you, Master Jinn, but it is not necessary. I am glad that I was able to help in some small way.� Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow. He realized that the comment was most Jedi-like. He merely smiled and stepped aside to allow the youth to leave. The tall Jedi Master then joined his Padawan at the table, looking thoughtful. Obi-Wan noted the expression on his master�s face. �Master...what is it?� He questioned. �Through tragedy, our young friend Lonan has matured considerably,� Qui-Gon answered, softly, then studied his apprentice. �And you handled yourself quite well, especially in battle, Padawan.� The youth practically beamed. �Thank-you, Master.� Once again, the older Jedi could feel the warmth and happiness radiating from his Padawan, then he felt an immense sadness take over. �Obi-Wan...what is wrong?� Qui-Gon said, concern lacing his tone. �But, Master...I failed to protect Vallen!� �Vallen took a blast that would have most likely taken the life of an innocent. He was a warrior. He knew the risks,� Qui-Gon explained, gently. Obi-Wan bit his lower lip to keep it from trembling. �But...I had a vision...Master.� He saw Qui-Gon lean forward, listening intently. �I had it just before Vallen got shot!� Qui-Gon could feel the anxiety rising in his Padawan. �Easy, Obi-Wan,� he soothed. �What was the vision of?� Tears welled up in the teenager�s hazel eyes. �It was of Vallen...getting shot. I could not reach him in time.� He bowed his head. The Jedi Master sighed softly, nodding as he understood what Obi-Wan was feeling. �Unfortunately, my Padawan, we can not always do anything to prevent things that we have seen.� He laid a large hand on the youth�s forearm. �Understand, Padawan, a vision does not tell us exactly when or where something will happen. No one will fault you. I will not fault you. You reacted as soon as you could. That is all anyone can ask.� He squeezed Obi-Wan�s arm gently. �You were not neglectful of your duties as a Jedi.� He smiled gently. �You have brought honor to yourself and to me. I am...very pleased with you, Obi-Wan.� Despite the tears in his eyes, the teenager gave his Master a smile.� �Thank-you, Master.� Qui-Gon stood up. �Get some rest. There is still much left to do.� �Yes, Master,� Obi-Wan replied, as he stood as well. The youth started towards his room, but paused, thinking. He suddenly whirled around and ran over to Qui-Gon, giving the older man a heartfelt hug around the waist. �Thank-you, Master,� he whispered, then pulled away hurrying into his room. The tall Jedi merely stared after his apprentice, then allowed an affectionate smile to cross his lips, as he moved off to his own room.Part Three
Guest quarters
Caden sat a table eating, while Trey and Chelz sat together on a couch. Chelz gently fingered the material of Trey�s tunic, as she sighed softly. Trey looked down at her. �What is it, my sweet?� He asked, concern lacing his raspy voice. �I never found out why Drayce let my friend and those other women die,� Chelz replied. �What was his reasoning?� �It will most likely come out at his trial.� Caden grunted in agreement. �At least his accomplice is dead. She has paid the price for her treachery,� he replied with a certain amount of satisfaction in his voice. Then without another word, the big Exoian stood and went into one of the other rooms, after casting a half-grin at the couple on the couch. �I hope Drayce pays as well,� Chelz commented, her voice even. �I am sure that justice will be served,� Trey answered, then cleared his throat. �We should get some rest for there is still much to do and our help will definitely be needed in one way or another.� Chelz looked up at him, puzzled. �You are remaining here? You do not have a run to make?� Trey grinned. �You wish me to...leave?� He teased. �No! Of course not! It is just that...you usually do not stay...very long.� �Yes...this is true, but I was thinking that we are apart far too much and I plan to remedy that...with your consent, of course.� Chelz�s soft cheeks flushed dark lavender, as she caught the meaning of the space pilot�s words. �Of course, Trey,� she agreed softly. Trey smiled and hugged her hard. They sat on the couch, allowing the tenseness of the past couple of days to slowly ebb out of them.Part Four
Infirmary
Gadi assisted Kaylar in covering Vallen�s lifeless body with a black sheet. Both men murmured an Exoian chant. Gadi looked over to see Elkan leaning against a wall, staring idly out a window that overlooked the city. �I will finish the ritual, Kaylar,� Gadi said softly. �But Vallen was my friend! I should complete it!� Kaylar exclaimed softly. �Yes, I know. But I believe that someone else needs the kind of healing that requires a friend,� Gadi nodded towards Elkan. Kaylar looked over at Elkan, realizing that the elder healer was correct. He nodded in thanks and joined Elkan at the window. �I know that it is painful, but how did this happen, Elkan?� Kaylar questioned. �Drayce shot him,� Elkan simply said in a flat tone. Kaylar pressed his lips together in a straight line, barely controlling his emotions. �Had I known that Vallen was heading into mortal danger, I would have gladly switched places with him,� Elkan said. �I am certain that you would have. And we both know that Vallen would have blindly gone after Drayce,� Kaylar replied. Elkan looked at his companion square in the eye. �What makes you think...I did not do the same?� The healer studied his friend, then allowed a small smile to form. �It would appear that you have picked up a trait of Vallen�s.� Elkan allowed a weak half-grin to cross his lips. �So it seems.� The faint amusement disappeared and was replaced by a hard expression. �I do not want Drayce to go unpunished! He has taken away two of the people that meant more to me than life itself, as well as innocent lives for whatever obscure reasons.� He took a deep shaky breath. �If he goes free for whatever reason, I will hunt him down and he will pay...with his life,� Elkan snarled in a nasty tone. �And then you shall be no better than him,� Kaylar said, laying a hand on his shoulder. �I do not wish to lose you either, my friend.� �I know...however...� Elkan trailed off not knowing what else to say. �Forgive the intrusion.� It was Gadi, who had joined the two men.� �But I assure you that Counselor Ryvinia has absolutely no intention of letting Drayce go unpunished.� He paused. �You were not the only one to have lost people by Drayce�s doing.� A look of realization crossed Elkan�s strong features. �Of course. Zarnay and Vartan,� Elkan said in a low voice. Gadi nodded. �Exactly.� He saw the tiredness in both men�s eyes. �I will summon one of the pages to show you to a guest quarters for food and rest. This is a medical order.� �As you wish,� Elkan replied. �Thank-you.� Gadi merely nodded and moved off to summon a page, leaving the two younger men alone with their thoughts of their deceased companion.Part Five
Krysira�s quarters
After finishing eating, Trip stacked his empty dishes to one side. He saw that Krysira had done the same thing, then watched her reach in under her sash to pull out her holographic communicator. �Time to report in, huh?� Trip assumed. Krysira nodded. �Yes. There is much to tell Master Windu,� she replied, as she activated the device. The communicator came to life and a holographic image of Master Mace Windu appeared. The dark skinned elder Jedi smiled warmly at his former Padawan. �Young one,� he greeted, then saw Trip next to her and nodded once in greeting. �Commander Tucker.� �Greetings, Master,� Krysira replied, seeing Trip give Mace a nod in return. �I trust that you have a report for me?� �Yes, Master.� Krysira proceeded to relate the events of the last few hours to Mace.Part Six
Enterprise - Bridge
Helmsman Travis Mayweather shifted in his chair as he gazed at the viewscreen. He was worried. They had not received any communication from Archer or Hoshi and it had been at least a day since they had left to go through this gateway. He fought the urge to once again ask T�Pol how much longer they were going to wait. He was getting impatient just sitting here. Travis wished that he could have gone along with Archer and Hoshi, instead of waiting. But he followed orders. �Ensign Mayweather?� It was T�Pol. The good-looking dark-skinned young man turned in his chair to look at his superior officer, who was sitting in the comm chair. �We have waited long enough,� T�Pol said. Travis looked curiously at the exotic-looking female Vulcan. �Sub-commander?� He questioned. �Set a course for the gateway.� Travis turned back around to his console, tapping buttons on the navigation panel, while a big smile broke across his youthful face. �Course set.� �Proceed.� Enterprise moved gracefully through the gateway, then vanished.
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