Prologue
The underground of Coruscant spanned for miles. Over the centuries the city-planet had been built over and over, so no one knows where the bottom of it is. The remnants of the city are still there, buried under the new layers. The newest layer, the part the Yuuzahn Vong implanted in the planet to create Yuuzhan'tar, spanned for miles as well, but the original city still continued on.
There are some people in the undercity who have never seen the light of day. These outcasts, driven out of the main city for whatever reason, still lurk deep below its depths. Further down there are some who have completely adapted to the dark. Down here the effects of the Yuuzhan Vong have never reached, because it is so far below the surface of the planet.
Even further below the outer layer, more of the ancient city still exists. Some people say deadly creatures lurk down there. It is said these creatures used to be people who, after undergoing a horrible mutation process, have evolved into horrible monsters. That part of the city is their home now and any who venture down there never come up to see the light of day again.
But still further down, even deadlier things await.
He did not know for how long he had lived there, it seemed like centuries. The galaxy had continued its process of life and death while he remained, hidden. For a time he had gone mad, but he reclaimed his sanity.
Or what was left of it.
While the galaxy enjoyed its time in the light, he continued living in darkness. For all he knew all might be dead and then his purpose would be for nothing. The signal on the computer nearby flashed red.
His eyes snapped open. It was time.