by Zekk Skywalk

Disclaimer: none of the characters depicted here are mine, except for

Alex, who is mine. All other characters belong to Lucasfilm Ltd. And

JAM! Books.

Note: Jacen and Jaina are about 16 in this story, Zekk is 19, Anakin is

14, and Tahari is almost 13. Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, Lowie, and Zekk

have graduated. They stay on Yavin IV until a mission pops up. This

story doesn't go in conjunction to my crisis at crystal reef story, so

ignore that one. Also, there might be language/content that might make

a reader a bit uncomfortable. I'd rate this PG-13. Also, I haven't

read Kenobi's blade, ('cause I haven't been able to find it) so bear

with me in this Anakin and Tahari training thing.

PART 1

Jaina and Jacen ran out onto the landing field in front of the Jedi

Academy. Zekk's ship, the Lightning Rod, was starting to land. Jacen

and Jaina hadn't seen Zekk for a while, because he'd been sent out on a

mission, and the mission took almost 2 months.

As the Lightning Rod touched the ground, Jaina's heart began to race.

<I haven't seen Zekk in a while. He's finally back.>

Jacen looked over at his twin sister. She was barely holding herself

from running up to the ship at lightspeed. Jacen giggled at that.

Everyone at the Academy could tell that she liked Zekk and Zekk liked

her, but they didn't admit it to anyone, but Jacen and a few others

could tell.

As the Lightning Rod's access hatch slid down, Zekk walked down, or at

least what looked like Zekk. He'd cut his hair short: as in

centimeters short. Also, his skin wasn't as pale-white as it had been

before. Jaina's jaw dropped as he ran up to hug her. "W-What did you

do to your hair?!" she exclaimed. Zekk laughed a bit, gave Jacen a

slap on his back, then responded. "Yeah, I cut it. After I got into a

fist-fight with some Teras Kasi master, and he was able to grab my hair

and throw me across the room with it, I decided to cut it. You like

it?" he asked sarcasticly. Jacen nodded, but Jaina was almost frozen

still and Zekk laughed again.

Tenel Ka was preparing for her early run the next morning when Zekk

approached her.

"Hello, friend Zekk. I had heard that you had come back from your

mission," she said.

"Yeah, well, it was the longest 2 months of my life," he responded.

"Why do you say that?"

"I was alone for most of the time. Jacen wasn't there to tell jokes,

or Jaina wasn't there to help me repair my ship."

"Ah, aha. Do you wish to join me for a run?"

"That's why I came out. Durring my time on the mission, I was taught

some martial arts skills, and I started running early in the morning.

I thought it would be a good challenge to keep up with you."

Durring the 20km run, Zekk kept up with Tenel Ka the whole way, and at

one point was ahead of her. When reaching the end, Zekk saw Jacen and

his little brother Anakin waiting for them.

"Hey, Tenel Ka, Zekk, over here," Jacen yelled.

"When did you start running Zekk?" asked Anakin.

"Long story, but started 'bout a month ago," he replied between gasps

for air.

"Anyway, better hurry if you want breakfast," Jacen said.

After breakfast and a lecture from Master Skywalker, the group had

gathered up near the landing field to work on Lowie's T-23 and the

Lightning Rod, when a shuttle appeared over them. Jaina looked over

the ship for a second before saying, "hey Jacen, that's Winter's

shuttle!"

"Your right sis, that is."

Winter, Leia's aid and best friend, had nearly been a mother for the

twins and Anakin. She had raised them from birth until 2 years old,

and had been around all the time until they had left for the Academy.

Master Skywalker approached the ship, and Jacen could sense that he had

known of Winter's visit. Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin approached the

entrance of the shuttle, with their friends behind them. The hatch

opened and Winter strolled out, and gave the Solo kids a hug. "These

can't be the kids that I took care of, can they?" she said with a bit

of truth behind those words. Both Jacen and Jaina gave that lop-sided

grin their father was so famous for. "Of course it's us, Winter,"

responds Jacen. "Well, I have a possible new student for your uncle's

academy. She is the daughter of a friend of mine, and she's proven

that she has healing capabilities. Come on out!"

A young girl, maybe 16 or 17, came down the ramp. She wore a spacer's

uniform, was about 5'6" and had long dark brown hair that was nearly

black. Zekk's mouth dropped down. <She's hot!> he thought.

"Hi, my name's Alex," she said.

Master Skywalker came up and shook the young girl's hand. "I am Master

Skywalker. Winter has told me you have some healing capabilities and

since you were a child was able to manipulate objects at a limited

level, right?" She nodded, then pointed to a small rock laying near

his foot. The rock began to spiral, and then lifted about an inch

above the ground before coming to a dead stop. "I think that proves

it. Welcome." Luke then nodded to Jacen and Jaina. "Jacen and Jaina

will show you to your quarters."

After touring the temple, Jacen and Jaina showed Alex to her room.

"That Black-haired boy. What's his name?" she asked.

"Zekk," Jaina said.

"He's hot," she blurted.

"He's also taken," Jaina said. Jacen looked at her with a bit of

surprise and amusement.

"Oh," was her only response. Jacen tried as best he could to hold back

a smile, but wasn't doing very good at it.

"We'll be right down the hall if you need us. The next lesson is in 40

minutes. See you then."

After leaving Alex's new room, Jacen turned to his sister. "He's taken

huh? I don't think he even knows that."

Jaina gave her twin a puzzled look. "Uh, umm, well, ah…" she

stuttered.

"uh, aha. That's what I thought. You're Jealous. You saw how she

looked at him, and how he looked at her, and your jealousy sparked."

"That's ridiculous. I'm not jealous, I'm…I'm, uh, stating the obvious.

It's obvious that we're basicly a couple," she finished lamely.

"Yeah, ok, right," Jacen said with a smirk.

"Shut up."

After Jacen and Jaina left her new room, Alex sat down thinking.

"Sounds like Jaina and Zekk are a thing. Well, he's good enough to

fight for," she thought with a smile.

The next day, durring lunch, Alex made it a thing to sit across from

Zekk. Jacen was just telling his newest joke. "Ok, does anyone know

the 2nd sign of insanity? It's growing hair on the palm of your hand."

At that, Zekk, Tenel Ka, and Alex looked at their hand. Jaina looked

at the group as if they were stupid, then Jacen continued. "You know

what the 1st sign is? Checking for the second sign.!"

Alex slapped herself on the head, Jaina slapped Zekk on the back of the

head, making him blush a bit, and Tenel Ka said, "I do not see the

relevance. I do not understand." Alex then wispered into her ear,

then Tenel Ka says, "Ah, aha. Thank you friend Alex, now I

understand." Jacen then put his face between his hands and growled in

frustration. "I'm never gonna' get you to smile, am I?"

After eating a bit, Jaina couldn't but help herself from watching to

make sure Alex and Zekk weren't looking at each other. Jacen thought,

<Jaina, drop it. He isn't yours you know.> Jaina looked over at her

brother. He knew she had heard at least part of that. Nobody really

said anything after that, because Anakin and Tahari then came to the

same table, and Tahari, as usual, began chattering away. Jaina

couldn't help but notice that her little brother had grown a bit of an

attraction for the young girl, and that the way Anakin was looking at

her, she could tell he liked her.

"So, what do you think of Alex?" Zekk asked.

Jacen shrugged. The two of them were inside the Lightning Rod making

minor adjustments. Jaina and Lowie were across the field working on

the Rock Dragon, and Tenel Ka was scaling the temple. Zekk was glad

Jaina wasn't here, he really wanted to talk to Jacen in private.

"Dunno. I can tell you one thing, you have a crush on her, and she has

one on you."

"WHAT!!! I do not!" exclaimed Zekk.

"Yes you do. I could see how you two were looking at each other

earlier today durring lunch. And, I can tell Jaina is jealous," Jacen

said with a smirk.

"I…I guess you're right. I don't even know her, but I like her. But I

don't like her as much as Jaina; we'd better get that straight," he

said, pointing a finger angrily at Jacen.

Just as Jacen was about to say something, Master Skywalker's voice came

from behind the closed door. "Zekk, Jacen, can I come in?" he asked.

"It's open," Zekk said back.

Master Skywalker opened the door then said, "I just received a message

from the NRI. Seems that there are some terrorist attacks on

Chandarilla. They need Jedi Knights to help with the situation. Since

there are only 3 ships on Yavin IV, and I can't allow the Shadow Chaser

to leave, I need you and the others to go on the Lightning Rod and the

Rock Dragon. Alex is going with you, because she use to live on

Chandrilla. Anakin and Tahari will be going also, because of the

pattern of the attacks, Anakin might be able to stop another one from

happening."

"Ok, we'll pack up right away Uncle Luke," responded Jacen.

30 minutes later, everyone had their gear together. Jaina made sure

that she was on the Lightning Rod and made sure that Alex was on the

Rock Dragon. Herself, Zekk, Anakin, and Tahari would be on the

Lightning Rod, while Alex, Jacen, Lowie, and Tenel Ka will be on the

Rock Dragon. <Finally, time alone with Zekk, without Alex there> she

thought to herself.

After being in hyperspace for nearly an hour, Anakin had gone back into

the Lightning Rod's main drive system and was tinkering with a few

non-hyperspace related drive systems. Tahari had fallen asleep, which

left Jaina alone with Zekk in the Cockpit.

Jaina broke the silence. "Zekk, do you, uh, like Alex?" she blurted.

Zekk sat there uncomfortably for a minute. "She's good lookin' but

that's all I can say about her." He responded.

Jaina looked at him puzzled for a bit. "Oh, I thought that you um, ah,

liked her or something."

Zekk looked back at her and said, "Oh, now are we a bit jealous?" he

asked with a smirk.

"Jealous, ME? No, I'm not jealous!"

"Yes you are, I mean, you need to look at yourself in a mirror. That

face has jealousy written all over it!"

Jaina blushed a bit before trying to slap him playfully. Zekk easily

grabbed her hand. She then turned herself in her chair to bring her

other hand to bear, and this time, her hand got paydirt. She was able

to grab his fatigues and push him out of his chair, but not before he

brought her down also, pulling on the arm he had grabbed. They both

fell to the deck, with Jaina on top.

"Ha! I win!" she exclaimed.

"Ok Jaina, you win. Now get off me."

After realizing their position, Jaina didn't move. Instead, she bent

over and gave Zekk a kiss. He tried to push her off of him, but then

relaxed and started to respond. Just as the kiss was turning

passionate, Anakin came into the cockpit and cleared his throat.

"Ahem," he mumbled.

Jaina immediately stopped, got off of Zekk, sat down in her chair, and

tried to look innocent. "Oh, ah, hey little bro." She then pointed a

finger at Zekk. "We were, uh, wrestling," she said lamely.

Anakin tried to hold back laughter as best he could. "Yeah, uhu, ok,

whatever," he said.

Jaina then gave her little brother a mean look. "You didn't see

anything, and if word gets out, especially to Jacen, your dead!"

"As dad would say, lips are sealed," he said with a smile. He then

returned to a stern face. "Uh, Zekk, I found a way to easily upgrade

your ship. If we add a Corillian drive system, you know, one like in

the Falcon, you can boost your Hyperdrive speed."

"That's my little brother," Jaina said with a smile.

"Rrruaaawwaaa!" Lowie yelled back.

"Master Lowbacca says that your joke, Master Jacen, was worse then the

last one," Em-Teedee translated.

"Aww, I thought I'd be a good one this time!" Jacen exclaimed. Lowie,

Alex, and Jacen were playing a holographic game of the battle of

Bakura. Jacen was playing the Imperials, Lowie was playing the Rebels,

and Alex was controlling the Ssi-ruuvi.

"Great! Skywalker is now on my ship!" Alex said with distaste.

"Hah! Se-ya Lowie, the Flurry just went down!" Jacen said.

"Aha! Se-you Jacen, the Dominant is now dead in space!" Alex said

back.

"Hey, Tenel Ka, c'mon and join us. We could re-program the game to do

the fight over Dathimor. We could do Hapan Battle-Dragons Vs. Imperial

Star Destroyers," persuaded Jacen. Tenel Ka, who was looking at

information over the bombings, shook her head. "If we are going to

help these people, we need to be prepared," she said.

"I guess so. Maybe we should quit and look over the reports as well,"

Jacen said.

"This is a fact," Tenel Ka responded.

"Do you guys have something I could use as a weapon? For protection of

course." Alex asked. Lowie pointed to a storage locker and growled

something. Em-Teedee translated. "Master Lowbacca says there is a

pair of stun-sticks and a blaster in that locker."

"Thanks. I haven't built a Lightsaber yet, so I may need something,"

she said as she got up to look in the locker.

Then there was a sound in the cockpit. Lowie got up, went in, and then

growled something back into the passenger compartment. "Master

Lowbacca says that we are 10 minutes from Chandrilla," Em-Teedee said.

"So, anything else happen that we should know about?" Jacen asked. The

group had landed in a docking bay and headed straight for the planet's

security force.

The Captain of the force had invited them to the newest scene of

terrorism. A bomb had exploded near a restaurant and had blown away

part of the sidewalk.

"Not really. Here is the report, and here is a map of where the bombs

have exploded." The Captain handed Jacen the datapad, and he

immediately gave it to his little brother. Tenel Ka and Zekk were

looking around the explosion, trying to sense or find anything that

might help. Jaina and Lowie were looking at the bomb reminants, and

Alex was talking to the restaurant owner. Anakin looked over the map

and report, and frowned.

"I've seen a pattern similar to this before, but I'll have to look at

it more closely and for a while longer," he said.

The Captain put out his hands. "Keep it then. I've seen enough Jedi

in my time to tell that they are good at what they do, and that they

can achieve the impossible. Good Luck, and may the Force be with you."

The Captain then walked away and got into his speeder, to head back to

his office.

Anakin looked over the datapad again with his puzzle-solving look.

Tahari broke the silence. "What do you think it is?"

Anakin shook his head. "looks like a part of a symbol I've seen

before, but I don't remember what," he said. He looked at it again,

was about to turn away from it again, when his face brightened up.

"Holy Sith! Hey, guys, I know what the pattern is!" he exclaimed as he

began connecting the dots.

The rest of the group assembled around him and he pointed at the lines

he had just drawn. "If you connect the bombings in a group of lines it

shows the sign of the Manalorians!"

"The Manalorians!?" Jaina said with surprise. "I thought they were all

defeated by the Jedi Knights durring the clone wars!"

Anakin shook his head again. "They may just be imposters, but they are

responsible, according to the drawing."

"We should report this immediately to the police," Tenel Ka said.

"Well what are we waiting for?" Jaina said.