I don't own Star Wars only the big guy does, I'm just playing around in his universe. I'm doing this for my own enjoyment and will not nor plan to nor expect any form of compensation for these stories. In addition, if the big guy ever finds out about this, I hope that he will be understanding and won't sue me till the ends of the Earth. Moreover, if you do read these stories, I hope that you also enjoy them. Please read 'Fresh Start' 'Tell me a secret' and 'I want to hold you, I wish to thrill you, and I'm going to kill you!' before reading this story or you may be lost.

Star Wars

New Jedi Order

Adventures of Tahiri

Fruits of the Gods

Luke Skywalker sat down at his spot next to Cal Omas, the Chief of State of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, at the dais located in the Senator Hall. Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master and Galactic Hero, normally didn't like attending a full senate hearing. Especially the past three months since the Wraiths incredible battle against the Yuuzhan Vong Fleet at Ossus and the 'Vong-Free' movement was exposed for what it was, a sham. The Vong Free was created to create a shadow fleet and line the pockets of certain senators and top military personal. The amount of credits that were use to pay off personal, the advancement of other military personal and out right murder of agents who had stumbled across this secret was staggering. They had only scratch at the surface of the scandal and already there has been a major shake up in the Senator and Military ranks.

Some of the Senators who had worked for the Peace Brigade, a now defunct group of mercenaries and outlaws, who work to help the Yuuzhan Vong conquer the galaxy, were recalled to their home systems to answer some pointed questions. Some had ran away to the depth of space to avoid facing their people and one took his own life, his home world had a especially gruesome form of execution that the GA and the Imperials before them had tried to abolish.

Some of the Senators and military leaders who were involved in the 'Vong-Free' movement where treated similarly but sadly most were hailed as heroes who took a stand against an evil aggressor. Many of the people thought that it was good that someone was willing to take a stand and fight the Yuuzhan Vong by any means, especially Admiral Kre'fey who lost his life at the Battle for Ossus. Fyor Rodan had once said that he didn't know what would come from all this but it could plant the seeds of a new terrible war. At the time, Luke had though he was just being pessimist, but after three month he had to agree that what Fyor fear could happen. Too much fear and hatred out there against the Yuuzhan Vong and too much pain in sorrow for all that had been lost.

Yes, truth be told he would rather be at Ossus, helping youngster learn and grow in the Force. To see their excitement when they clear another hurtles in their quest to become Jedi Knights.

Today, however, was different. Today Danni Quee, the representative from the living planet Zonama Sekot, was here on Denon to address the Senate on a proposal that the planet had from the citizens of the G.F.F.A. Danni had started out as a scientist on a mission to explore and discover extra-galactic life and much to her horror found them. The Yuuzhan Vong had not come in peace and had destroyed the outpost she work at, killed everyone there and she was taken captive. Danni was rescued by his then 16-year-old niece and nephew Jaina and Jacen Solo, after that she worked tirelessly to help defeat the Yuuzhan Vong before they destroyed the galaxy. After the war ended, Danni elected to travel with Zonama Sekot to a hidden system in the Unknown Region to help Sekot and teach the Yuuzhan Vong to live without violence. Luke wished that many of the citizens of the galaxy could learn from her example, to learn to love what she once feared.

Danni had met with Luke, privately, when she arrived yesterday in a Sekot ship, which caused quite a stir at the spaceport. She wanted to update him on their progress and to confirm some of the rumors she had heard on the hyperspace comm equipment they left for her.

"So it is true that Tahiri has left the Jedi Knights?" Danni had asked when Luke handed her the living light saber Tahiri left behind on Ossus.

"I am afraid so, Danni. Although I believe it is only a temporary, but Jaina's action seems to have had been the straw that broke the bantha back." Tahiri had finally had had enough. After being hated by the Yuuzhan Vong in the Hutt Space, disliked by the Yuuzhan Vong on Zonama Sekot, mistrusted by the Jedi, fear by most citizens in the GA who knew of her, and finally being shot by Jaina; she closed off all contact with anyone except the Wraiths. It saddens Luke, who considers her a special member of his family, but the more he though of it the harder it got to really blame her.

Tahiri's story was a complicated one; she was physically 19 years old but had actually been around only for a little more then three years. Tahiri was the results of an experiment gone horribly wrong and horribly right. Tahiri Veila was captured by the Yuuzhan Vong and was turned over to an insane shaper Master Kwaad. Master Kwaad had implanted a new personality in to her in hopes of having a Vong Jeedai for her to control. Riina Kwaad, a Yuuzhan Vong warrior, had been born. However, his 16-year-old nephew, Anakin Solo who died shortly before the Fall of Coruscant, had rescued her before the shaping could be complete or so they had thought. Shortly after she turned 16, Riina Kwaad began a campaign to suppress Tahiri Veila as she herself had been suppressed. During that battle, Tahiri Veila and Riina Kwaad had merged to create a half-human half Yuuzhan Vong, Tahiri.

Tahiri was most likely the only one of her kind, a unique Jedi who has the best and worst of both worlds. She had always known that she was the subject of intense scrutiny from those around her. Anakin had a vision of her before he died, that she became a Yuuzhan Vong Jedi whom used the dark side to help conquer the galaxy. Although she has never once acted in a way to suggest that she would help the Yuuzhan Vong win the galaxy and has proven many times to be loyal to the Jedi Cause, the suspicion was always present. Then when she and the super-secret intelligent/commando unit Wraiths fought and help defeat a attack against the Jedi Academy on Ossus, not to prove anything but because it was the right action to take, she was shot by someone she loved like a sister.

Tahiri, angry, disgusted, frustrated and heartbroken, walked away from the Jedi without a backwards glance. When he asked her what she was if not a Jedi, she answered simply and very sadly, 'alone'. Luke had seen her several times since then at different hearings, she was always polite and respectful but very distant.

"Sekot is worried that Tahiri's action may prove to be disastrous for the peace and harmony of the galaxy."

"Tahiri needs time to work out certain issues Danni, she will return to the Order one day."

"Sekot knows now that it was a mistake to let her leave in the first place Master Skywalker. Should the galaxy suffer because of an error on Sekot part?"

"I don't know if the galaxy will suffer by her leaving the Order. Many would have suffered had she not been with the group she is involved with now."

"But with her working with Sekot, a new age of prosperity and peace could be achieved. Isn't that more important then this game she is playing now?"

"Maybe," Luke said with a silent sigh, they have been over this ground a lot lately. Sekot seems to feels that only when Tahiri returns to Zonama Sekot and fulfilling her destiny, could universal peace be achieved. Luke, who had all the faith in the Force, had never had the same impression as Sekot did, yes, Tahiri had a hidden destiny as everyone does but he was not yet convinced that Sekot was right. "But she isn't speaking to us now and if I asked her to go back to Sekot she might rejected because I asked her too. I can't very well issue an order for her to go she would ignore it. Lets face it Danni, she is a very stubborn girl."

"Yes, I remember that very well," Danni said with a large smile on her face. Then she clouded up again, "but …"

"Danni there are many paths to the light side as there are to the dark side. I'm confident that, given time, Tahiri will choose what is right for her and the galaxy."

"Do you have any idea what Sekot wants," Cal asked Luke bring him back to the here and now.

"Danni never said last night, all that she would say that it would be the first step towards peace within the galaxy."

"That would be nice," Cal said with a tired sigh, "I would like my administration to be remembered for something other then bloodshed." Cal then began the special session; it didn't take long for him to bring the great hall to order, as it normally would have. Each senator and the representatives from the various unallied systems, who didn't have the power of vote on any matters before the senate but could petition and speak out on certain issues, were eager to here what the mysterious planet had to say.

After Danni was introduced, she walked up to the dais from which she would speak to the assembly from. She was wearing some kind of living but elegant business attire that sent some senators to grumbling about the Yuuzhan Vong. She also wore a content and happy expression; the time on Zonama Sekot has done wonders for her.

"Greetings gentle beings from the Planet Zonama and the mind of Sekot. Speaking for myself and for Sekot, we wish to thank you for this opportunity to address the Galactic Senate today. We both have high hopes that this is just one of many such visits." There was a polite applause to this, which was expected, everyone wanted to look like they agree with a planet mind, whether or not they actually did. "Sekot knows that the path to eventual peace and prosperity will only be achieved not by one group but by the masses. Sekot rejoices in the hope that one day that love and peace is the order of the day. That war and hatred will be a distant memory that our descendants will have to read from long forgotten achieves and fail to comprehend that what they read is the truth. It is in that hope that Sekot wish to present a proposal to this great and grand body that it may accept Sekot gifts to the galaxy."

"Gifts," Cal said quietly and sounding suspicious. Luke had to strain to hear him; the noise level in the great hall went up drastically. Luke wondered how many senators out there were wondering how to profit from anything that Sekot gave them. Others would be like Cal and be very suspicious of any gifts.

"Thanks to the generosity and forward thinking of the Jedi and the G.F.F.A we have a hyperspace receiver and transmitter on Zonama. From this unit, we have been able to listen in to the various news outlets and Sekot has been saddened by what Sekot has learned. While Zonama is recovering well from the recent war, in which Sekot played only a minor role in, and prospering" this time she was interrupted by angry outburst from many of the senators who's worlds were still trying to recover from the war. To hear their hated and feared enemy was not only surviving but also prospering was too much for them to bear. It took Cal several minutes to get order back, when he did Danni continued as if nothing happened. "Sekot wish to help your people enjoy such recovery. In return, Sekot asked for so little. One item would be to allow some of your people to immigrate to Zonama, although for now the number must be limited to a million. While we are prospering, a delicate balance must be maintained. We hope that in the future more can be admitted to our wonderful planet. The second is that you would permit us to send experts to your most effected planets so they can assist in healing the wounds of war …"

"What experts would that be?" A Senator that Luke didn't recognize said.

"The Shapers would …" This time she was cut off by a deafening cry of 'No' and 'Vong lover'. It took Cal a long time to get the noise level down to an acceptable level. Once it was quiet, again Danni continued her speech. "The Shapers have been reformed and many of them understand how to fix the damage since it was they who caused much of it. Only the most trusted and reformed of the Shapers will be allowed to travel away from Zonama to help you in your hour of need. I thank you for your time."

Several Senators all chimed for an opportunity to be heard, others just shouted to be recognized. Cal pointed to the Imperial Representative first. The Empire was not a formal member in the Senate, but due to there many timely assistance during the war and because of the peace treaties signed since the G.F.F.A allowed them a voice to be heard and an ear to listen. The man Grand Admiral Pellaeon and the Moffs had sent exemplified what it meant to be an Imperial. He was arrogant, tough as nails, had no give in him, but was also crafty, intelligent and possessed a razor sharp wit. He had also been a High General at the Yaga Minor Shipyards when the entire Bothan problem exploded on the scene about 5 years before the Yuuzhan Vong attacked. Pellaeon had asked him to come out of retirement to represent the Empire. The fact he was a Imperial High General prove to many how little Pellaeon regarded the G.F.F.A while others, like Luke and Cal, saw it as a sign how much he did care.

"May I be allowed to ask one question of Miss Quee," High General Hestiv asked politely. When Danni bowed in his direction, he continued, "You wish to allow Yuuzhan Vong Shapers free access to any planet that chose to accept them, have Sekot lost its ever living mind?" The bluntness from a normally reserve General jerked laughter not only out of Luke but many of the others in the hall, even Danni let her smile get wider.

"Sekot only wishes for the wounds caused to the galaxy during the war to heal, High General. Both the physical wounds and the spiritual ones as well, the Shapers whom Sekot wish to send have reformed and wish to assist not out of selfish need to be accepted but because they wish to live up to their responsibilities as a citizen of this galaxy. One would and could say that many of the Shapers have come to understand that they created the mess and it is their responsibility to clean up after themselves."

"I shall inform my government of your 'gift' but I shall warn you that the Empire, although did not suffer as much as many others had during the war, will take a dim view of any body that will allow the enemy a foot hold in this part of the galaxy again." He sat back down and stonily refused to engage in any more debate with Danni, she had tried several times, so with a smile she just bowed to him and moved on. Several other Senators spoke up in the same vain as the Empire, which made them uncomfortable to agree with the Empire about anything, while others spoke of accepting these conditions. The ones that spoke out against had been ravaged by the Yuuzhan Vong and had a very compiling reason to be suspicious. The ones who spoke out for it were mostly the richer systems who were tired of footing the bill. The whole time Danni held her smile, and as far as Luke could tell, she wasn't forcing it.

"If I may ask a question," the Bothan Senator asked. "What is the price of this gift? You said earlier that you would give much for very little in return. So what must we paid?"

"Nothing grand or costly as you fears Senator. Sekot only wishes that Jedi Knight Tahiri Veila be sent to Zonama to communicate with Sekot."

"No," Cal said flatly. Many in the hall were taken by surprise not only by his bluntness but also by his finality. Luke glanced over at Cal and saw that the man was not in a budging mode.

Danni turned to him to address him directly, her smile looked a bit forced to Luke, "Chief of State Omas please reconsider …"

"I can not Tahiri Veila was killed shortly before the war ended."

"I believe she meant Tahiri, sir," Luke said in the general buzz of confusion in the room.

"Oh, I am sorry, yes that Tahiri is still alive," Cal said but wasn't smiling. It was easy for Luke to see that Danni's smile was very forced now and slipped away completely when he finished by saying, "the answer is still no."

"Sir," she started but was cut off by Cal again.

"Also, in case you missed the announcement on the news feeds, Tahiri is no longer a Jedi Knight and this body can not negotiate to any power to force a citizen to leave against her will and travel to the capital and or territory of said power."

"However sir, I believe that she is a member of the Defense Force."

"And she was discharged from the military two days ago," that sent another shock wave around the room. Even Luke had not known that bit of information before now. "The Wraiths had been disbanded, their role of the events that recently took place has compromised their secrecy and they could no longer operate in a competent manner. She had requested and was granted a discharge from the GFFA military and Defense Fleet. Many of the Wraiths had opted to take this opportunity to retire. She is required to keep the lead prosecutor informed of her current location for any upcoming trails but due to the fact, she and the other Wraiths could be targeted for assassinations that information cannot nor will be released at this time. Therefore, she is a free citizen and this body cannot, in good faith, negotiate with Sekot with her life. If she chooses to travel to Sekot that is one thing or if you can get her to go of her own free will, but in no way can it be tied into this proposal." Cal then gave her a smile, "good luck on finding her too."

"When were you planning on telling me?" Luke asked following Cal back to his office. The meeting got hot after that and Danni informed them that she had to contact Sekot to inform Sekot of thee development. Unfortunately, for some, this meant she had to return to Zonama since the mind of Sekot could not use a hyperspace transmitter. She promised to return in 3 months.

"Sit down Luke," Cal pointed to a couch in a conversation nook he had by a large tinted window that would allow him to look out but no one could see in. Sighing Cal explained as gently as he could, "Look Luke, first she is not a Jedi anymore. She and I don't have to inform you of anything. Oh don't look like that; I know how close she is to you and the rest of the family. Believe it or not she still considers the Solos and you to be family to her, part of her family she is really annoyed at but family."

"Thanks," Luke snorted out.

"Plus I didn't tell you because it hasn't happened yet." Seeing Luke's confusion, he has never been good at hiding his feelings, Cal gave a chuckle, "yes it is true that officially the Wraiths had been disbanded and officially she has been discharge like I said earlier, but in reality they are still the Wraiths. I needed a way to get them out of the light so they could disappear from public view again. I want the Empire and the rest to think they won't have to worry about them anymore. To be honest I wasn't even going to do it today but Danni gave me such a great opening I had to take it."

"So all that stuff about not negotiating any citizen to any power?"

"No, I meant that. Even if she still were officially part of the military, she would not be part of the bargain. But I have to ask the question why does Sekot want her so bad?"

"What makes you say that," Luke asked, puzzled by his tone.

"Luke, you don't offer the moon in exchange for a teenage, no matter who she is. No one offer that kind of help free, well you would but I know you and I trust you. I don't know Sekot and I don't know if I should trust it."

"I know Sekot as asked for me to return Tahiri every chance IT gets but never why, only vague hints about her density."

"I always get nervous when someone starts talking about destiny. I also get nervous when someone wants to let a bunch of Yuuzhan Vong lose. I need someone to get some answers."

"Well it can't be Tahiri or the Wraiths, Sekot will know she is there."

"True, so get me a team of Jedi together. When Danni comes back, we tell her I want an independent study of Zonama before we talk anymore. We can send them back with her and have them look around. Make sure everything is on the up and up."

"Why not ask her by hyperspace?" Luke asked genuinely confused.

"I don't want them to have time to dress up for the occasion."

"They want to do what," Grand Admiral Pellaeon asked the High General' holographic image. Even thought it was not a full size image, Pellaeon could see his representative to GFFA give him a thin smile.

"That was my thoughts also," the General answered, "and after I heard what they want in exchange for this opportunity to unleash their shapers on the galaxy, I can only resolve that I was right to be skeptical of this offer."

"And how much of the galaxy do we give up without a fight to 'save ourselves'," Pellaeon said with a snort.

"Just one little Jedi, Tahiri," the General said.

"And?" Pellaeon started wondering if Sekot was even more naive the Skywalker.

"That is it, Sekot only wishes for Tahiri to travel to Zonama and have a nice cup of tea and talk," Pellaeon knew he should never let anyone see him baffled or taken by surprise but this was too much. What is Sekot up to was his first and second thought. No one, not even anything as idealistic as Skywalker offered all that help for free. "I had a private meeting with Chief of State and Skywalker before contacting you, sir. I inform Chief of State Omas that what I said in the Senate Hall still stands, that the Empire would take a dim view of any power allowing any Yuuzhan Vong a new foot holds in our part of the galaxy. I hope that I was not over stepping my bounds, sir."

"No, High General, that is exactly the stand I would've taken and I am sure the Moffs would agree with us." Pellaeon said without hesitation. Although as a whole the Empire suffered less destruction then the rest of the galaxy at the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong, they had suffered enough to make Pellaeon glad to know they were safely locked up on the other side of the galaxy. "What do Omas and Skywalker have to say about this 'offer'?"

"Skywalker is being Skywalker," the General said with a snort of his own. Pellaeon, not for the first time, had wonder what the Empire might look like today if Darth Vader had been a little bit more like his son and less like the Emperor. "But the impression I get from the Chief of State is that he is skeptical of the offer as I am. He stressed to me again that since Tahiri is no longer a Jedi Knight and the Wraiths had been disbanded that she could no longer be compelled to agree to any conditions nor could they, in good faith, negotiate without her consent."

"Do you believe him?"

"Admiral, we have been hearing rumors that Tahiri has indeed left the Jedi for some time now," Pellaeon nodded at that. During the ceremonies ushering in a new batch of Jedi, her absence was noticeable. He had asked about her, he truly did want to thank her and the 'people that didn't exist' for their work at Ossus. However, all he got were vague and uncomfortable answers of her 'recovering' from the battle. Considering the shape some of the Jedi and other were in and still arrived to witness the ceremony, he figured she would have to be near death not to show up. All that his people were able to gather was she was injured from a battle with a Slayer and somehow was shot with a blaster but was seen walking away from the battle. "But as far as their comments that the Wraiths are being disbanded, not a chance in the galaxy. That has to be a smoke screen, probably an attempt to get them under the scanners again. A team like that do not want their names in the news feeds every other day. If they can make the public forget about them, the better it is for them. It also allowed him to cut off debate before it got going since Miss Quee had to return for further instruction."

"So it seems that Chief of State Cal Omas is also suspicious and wants some time to think about it before making any kind of move."

"That would be my guess, Admiral. He also stated when Ms. Quee returns that he would like to send a team of Jedi to Zonama Sekot to do an investigation before they resume talks."

"At least that proves they are not all fools over there," Pellaeon said thinking hard. As the Battle at Ossus had proven that, given a half a chance, the Yuuzhan Vong Warriors could still be formable in battle. Even after the valiant and suicidal actions of the young Tahiri and the Wraiths to cut the Vong fleet down to size, what had actually arrived still prove to be almost too much for the defenders. His small fleet lost 75% of it fighters and 30% of its larger ships. The GFFA losses had been even worst. He wasn't sure what shape the GFFA was in now but he knew the Empire was in no shape to fight another prolong war. In fact, the only power left unscathed was the Chiss, whom thankfully tended to mind their own business. Nevertheless, this offer was too good to pass up, as it was to be true. If Zonama Sekot was using this as an excuse to do some preliminary recon, well he had a good imagination what a new full-scale invasion could do to the power structure of the galaxy. "We don't have enough information yet to really know what is going on. High General, arrange a meeting with Chief of State Omas sometime before Miss. Quee is scheduled to return, not too soon but before she gets back. Suggest to him that the Empire would also like to tag along to investigate this offer."

They are being fools Sekot, just as I predicted, Danni sent to Sekot while she traveled to the first of many jumps to get her from Denon to home.

I must admit, my voice, you do understand them better then me, the great mind sent back. You were wise not to allow them to know that I was able to hear your voice even from the Senate Chambers.

Thank you Sekot, Danni sent while looking at the living light saber while it slept, dreaming of the day it would be reunited with its true owner. Trust and understanding has never been their strong suit. Oh, if they thought they knew someone they would trust but they don't understand you or the gifts you wish to give them. I could tell by the mood of the chamber that the idea of the blessed Shapers were met with equal hostility and suspicion and if they had the knowledge that you could do something that Master Skywalker could not duplicate that would have them rejecting the proposal completely. As is I had 15 Senators sending messages wishing me a speedy return and hope they may speak with me more at that time.

That is good; after you visit my cousin you should return home, let them believe what they wish. The Mind went silently for many heartbeats before going on; my impression was Luke was astounded as we were by the news of Tahiri.

That was my impression also; Cal Omas flat refusal to deal with us in any manner concerning Tahiri was a bit of a shock. I had hoped that he would at least allow some discussion but now if she is truly no long any control it will be harder to locate her.

At least she is no longer under the influence of that female! Danni nodded, Tahiri's loyalty for Ratnena burned brightly. She had always turned to Ratnena for guidance after the visions Sekot sent Tahiri. Tahiri also felt safe, comfortable and content standing at her side. Danni felt a rumbling of anger, which is the way Tahiri should be feeling towards Sekot not to a girl with no redeeming qualities of her own. Neither Sekot nor Danni had understood the relationship between the two girls or how it had grown in such a short time. Not even when Sekot appeared before Tahiri as a facsimile of Jacen Solo, could the bonds of friendships be broken. Sekot had felt Tahiri wavering, could feel her lessening her fight against the tug of love from Sekot to stop running and return home. Then she arrived in system and Tahiri found a new burst of hope and energy, so she was able to resist long enough to get away. Ratnena Bora was, in Danni's opinion, the largest hurdle to overcome before Tahiri would ever come home and accept her destiny. Yes, I agree but if they are not lying to us it may well be that they had taken care of that problem for us. However, since she has giving up her gift tracking her will be very difficult. Tahiri's beacon goes dim as the weeks pass.

Moreover, your cousin is not helping matters either, Danni let out a sigh, but then again you never promised anything would be easy.

No, I never did, did I, Danni felt a great wave of amusement wash over her. She hoped that one day she would be let in on the joke. Nevertheless, it didn't matter when, just like Tahiri coming home and the galaxy praising Sekot with one voice, she knew it would happen.