Chapter II

Jagged Fel watched as the many vessels moved past his own and went into hyperspace. Sighing deeply, he wondered how long this was going to go on. He'd promised Jaina he'd see her at the Maw Installation. Now it looked like he wasn't going see her or anybody he knew until all the Yuuzhan Vong had cleared this sector of space on their way to Zonama Sekot. He opened a transmission to the ship at the outer edge of the Maw. "When's the Jedi group going to get here?" he asked the other. "They're already here, sir," the reply came and Jag nodded as he saw the ship coming in.

"Alright, I'll escort them to the Installation," he said back and switched off his transmission, and then opened another to the new ship. "This is Colonel Jagged Fel, I'll be your escort today. Please stay in formation," he said over the channel. "So it's your group that was chosen, huh? How are you doing?" a woman's voice replied. "Milady, I wasn't aware you'd be here," Jagged said, remaining formal. "Call me Mara, please. You don't always have to be so smooth, at least not around me," Mara said. "Forgive my asking, but why are you here?" he wondered.

"I came to check up on Jaina and do a few other things," she answered. "Sounds more fun than my job," he said as they entered the abyss. "I'm sending over the coordinates for our landing site so you don't get lost," Mara said. Soon the talking stopped for quite a while as both ships maneuvered through the black holes, getting closer to the secret facility. "This is kind of tricky," he reminded her. "Jagged, I've been here more times than you, you know," she said indignantly.

"Coming up on the Installation," he said lazily. To anyone who'd never seen it before the Maw Installation would probably strike them with awe at how the asteroids and the clusters of buildings came together. To someone who'd gone in and out of the facilities for hours on end like him it was nothing but a bunch of rocks that people stayed in. Apparently, he thought, a lot of people were coming here. This was of course no guess, since by his count today alone he'd brought in over six groups surreptitiously. Soon both ships landed in a docking bay and the airlock closed.

Shutting off his clawcraft, he got out and waited for Mara; hoping to go along with her and see Jaina. "So how are you doing?" he said nonchalantly. The older woman came down with her son asleep in her arms. "Luckily we planned this trip around nap time, otherwise the whole ship might have exploded," she said, walking to where he was standing. "I can't imagine him becoming a trouble maker," Jagged quipped. "Well, Luke hoped that would be able to hold onto him until he was a teenager, but we can't all have what we want," Mara said.

"I guess I better get back out there before more tourists come," he said. "Actually I was the last scheduled arrival. I know you're hoping to join Jaina and myself in meeting up with our guest," she said, turning to him. "Guest? I thought you were just checking up and getting errands done," he reminded her. "Well really I'm here on business, but you can trust my word when I say the information we're getting could affect the entire Galactic Alliance," Mara answered. "That big, huh? Alright, count me in," he said.


"Pass that wrench, Threepio," she said and the droid soon gave her the tool. "There, all done," Jaina sighed, getting out from under her X-Wing. "A most excellent job Mistress Jaina, however I am regretful to remind you that your aunt is due any minute," the nervous droid said. "Oh no, I look filthy!" she cried out and ran to the door that led to the ready room. "Might I ask what is wrong?" Threepio asked through the door. "Nothing, I just forgot what time it was," she said, changing her clothes. "I am capable of calculating over three thousand forms of time in any area of the known-" the droid began.

"Thank you Threepio, but I'm fine now," she said, coming out of the room and tossing the dirty clothes into the laundry chute. "Forgive my asking but, is it possible that Mistress Mara has any information on the whereabouts of Master Luke and Artoo?" Threepio asked. "I don't know, but we can ask them when they get here," she replied. "They? May I ask whom is the other party you refer to?" the droid asked. "Jag's coming too, or so he told me," she told him. "Ah, Colonel Fel, it has been some time since I have seen him and I'd very much enjoy his company again," the droid said delightedly.

The door to the conference room opened as she pushed the button, "Jaina, good to see you," Mara said, hugging her. "Same here," Jag put in. " So you came after all," she said, shaking his hand. Jag had been always uncomfortable with public displays of emotion, and she didn't know how much of that had resurfaced in their time apart. The man shrugged and sat back down. "Colonel Fel, it is an honor to see you again, I am C..." "...Threepio, human-cyborg relations. I didn't forget," Jag said, tossing a wink at Jaina that made her smile. He motioned the two to sit down. "So where's our guest of honor?" Jagged asked her aunt.

"I've already arrived," the reply came from behind her. She stood and shook the Jedi Knight's hand. "Jedi Horn, it is good to see you again as well," Threepio said, slightly moving around from where he stood behind Mara. "Likewise," Corran said, heading to Mara's side. "This meeting is very important, however I'd first like to say that the information you hear today cannot be passed on," the older man said. "Perhaps I should leave," the droid began to say. "You been trusted with sensitive information before. Just keep your mouth shut, Threepio, and you can stay," she said, comforting the droid. "Thank you Mistress Jaina. Every time I am left out I fall behind," the droid said.

"Threepio keeping something to himself?" Jag whispered to her, "What's happened since I've been gone?" "First off I'd like to discuss the situations that have been confirmed," Corran began, "Recently, parts of the Imperial Remnant have motioned for a breaking of the treaty that's lasted over the course of the war," he said, pausing to give them time to comment. "That's hard to believe," Mara said. "Especially after the threats Pellaeon made to drag the Moffs into it alongside us. What makes them think they have a chance of winning?" Jag asked him. "That is what brings us to the second order of business. It has been rumored that the prophet Yu'shaa has survived," Corran said gruffly.

"That's impossible, Nom Anor is dead," Mara pointed out. "True, however he was in disguise at that time. His successor wouldn't be the first to put on the role of the prophet," the man pointed out. "You think the two things have something to do with one another?" Jaina asked. "It's possible, I've got your parents investigating the breach in the treaty. I was hoping Colonel Fel could accompany me to where Yu'shaa is rumored to be," Corran said. "My parents are going into the Empire alone?" Jaina asked, slightly concerned. "Not really, it's more like a rendezvous point," Horn assured her.

"I thought they wanted to relax for a while," she said. "I'd be glad to help you Corran, but what about Mara? Couldn't we use her help too?" Jagged asked. "Her services would be useful, but also harmful," Horn explained. "What do you mean, Jedi Horn?" Threepio asked, the first time he'd said anything in the meeting so far. Usually he was more talkative, she thought.

"I mean that if Yu'shaa is alive or there's a new prophet he's probably one with new ideologies, possibly against the Jedi ways," Corran pointed out. "But why would the Yuuzhan Vong turn against us again?" Mara wondered. "That's what we're going to find out, hopefully," Corran answered. Jaina frowned; whatever was going on she didn't like the sounds of it.


The Millennium Falcon came out of hyperspace over the planet and Han went to the back to wake up his wife. "We're here," he whispered, kissing her on the cheek. Yawning Leia stretched her arms and returned the embrace. "That was a good nap," she said. "Wish I could have had one," he said. "Jedi hibernation trances can be very relaxing, I don't see why you're against them," she said, getting up. "I don't know, I guess I just view it the same way as the rest of Jedi stuff, kinda useless," he said, trying not to sound mean.

"It's okay," she soothed. Han smiled and remembered why he married this woman. Despite their differences the two always got along, now more than ever. "Alright, let's land this thing," he said as he returned to the cockpit. Taking the controls he moved the ship closer and entered the atmosphere. "Hang on," he said. They soon settled on the planet, making a smooth landing for once. "That wasn't too bad," she said, fixing her hair. "Nothing on the sensors... wait there's something. It's an Imperial shuttle," he said, pointing at the screen.

"You suppose that's our contact?" she asked. "Well if it's not I'd still like to find out who it is," Han remarked. "Point," Leia said, getting his blaster. "Remember we don't know how serious they are about a breach," she told him. "Just in case," he assured her. "I'm just telling you not to blast the first trooper you see," Leia said, heading down the ramp. "Who, me?" he said, "Besides, I've got a reputation to uphold." "Right," she said, looking him over as they sat foot on the ground, "The consummate rogue and scoundrel."

It was quiet for quite some time as they went to where the shuttle was located. "I had thought you'd be here earlier," a voice remarked. "Who's there?" Han asked. "Please, I'm not here to harm you," the answer came. "I know that voice," he said thoughtfully. "And so you should Captain Solo, it has been quite some time though," the man said as he came into view. "Do we know you?" Leia said in disbelief. Han could not believe it either as he stood face to face with his former commandant. "Grand Admiral Vhaldoq," he growled.