Chapter IX

As he inspected the forest his ship now rested in, Rkvzlnmara was reminded faintly of his home on Kashyyyk. It had been a long time since he'd visited the planet, perhaps in part due to the fact that his other affairs had kept him busy. Putting those thoughts out of his mind, the Wookiee sniffed the air experimentally, catching the scent of the myriad lifeforms dwelling on Vansant En. One thing Kashyyyk and the alien planet were likely to have in common, Rkvzlnmara reminded himself, were dangerous predators.

Keeping one hand on his weapon, he strode through the woodland, his senses alert. His path was a more-or-less direct one towards the ship his sensors had spotted upon entering orbit. It matched the information he had been given, but as to whether the pilot was still in the vicinity or not, the alien would have to discover personally. Given his familiarity with this type of planetary environment, the Wookiee made good time, soon reaching his destination. The vessel lay before him, looking as though it were waiting in expectation of his arrival. That gave Rkvzlnmara pause, causing him to wonder if this were a trap. But how could the unknown individual he'd followed here have learnt of his pursuit?

"You have nothing to fear from me," a smooth voice said from the ramp of the ship, "As you can deduce, I am well aware of your presence." Not answering, the Wookiee's eyes scanned the clearing for the speaker. "It is only natural for those in power to discern my intentions and why I have done the things I have," the unseen man went on, "I am only trying to bring a new sort of order to our tumultuous galaxy. One that it seems the most brilliant minds in the Republic are unable to provide." Feeling exposed, Rkvzlnmara stepped forward, calling out to the other, [It is not your place to do such a thing! It is for the worlds of the galaxy to decide!] "It seems to me that they already have," the stranger told him, remaining hidden, "Is chaos and destruction really what you want?"

[We did not bring this upon ourselves...] the alien began, but was cut off by the other, who said, "But certain factions within you did! Someone must stop this madness, and I am not willing to trust those currently in power to do it for me." Then, the speaker stepped into the light and said, "Do you, Rmnklamara?"


While his wounded officer recuperated at his own pace, Xlc'r and his crew followed the signal still being emitted by Jonas. After all, the Duinuogwuin thought to himself, I never said the overlay was the only modification I made to the droid. His mind pondered the words of the bounty hunter who had turned out to be more than he seemed. Xlc'r did not fully accept the man's claim at face value, knowing that he had perhaps stumbled into the hidden workings of other more powerful forces. Since the presence of cloning was now well known, the alien felt it was certainly conceivable that Zol Xarh was in fact the product of such technology. But why, the Duinuogwuin asked himself, would anyone wish to bring back someone who was as dangerous as Exar Kun?

The answers eluded him as effectively as his ship tracked Adeyl and her companions. Xlc'r truly felt sorry that they had not been able to reach an agreement, but knew that it had been a long shot at best. His decision as to their course of action once they caught up with the Oarejin was more uncertain than even his conclusions regarding Kun. I'll make that choice when the time comes, he thought, knowing that it would not prove easy in any case.


There was only a short time remaining before their journey would be over, Adeyl knew as she sat alone at the ship's controls. She still didn't know what the bounty hunter thought of her earlier admission. Jonas had listened politely when she had told him about it, but had refused to offer advice. "Human affairs are still beyond my comprehension," the droid had said before leaving her here. Given the unfamiliar territory they were approaching, Adeyl felt more comfortable here, where she'd be able to react quickly to whatever they found once they reached the planet Kun had directed them to.

The truth regarding her companion was still shrouded in mystery, and Adeyl was certain that he expected trouble once they got to their destination. Then, would he leave to follow his own course, his motives and goals still wrapped in secrecy? Or would Exar make a different choice, and if so, how would that affect her? There was a sound behind her, and Adeyl turned to see him regarding her. "I felt the turmoil of your emotions," he said simply, "I cannot allow this to continue. You have suffered greatly, and to prolong the time until I decided how to respond to you would only increase it. I do not think it would be wise for me to stay here. My life seems to be filled with disaster. I can see that allowing myself to remain would bring a portion of that upon you as well."

"It's a risk, to be sure. But then, what isn't? Not everything works out," she said. "My decision is for the best," he said, "In many ways I lost out on my chances for any sort of normal existence years ago." "Things change," Adeyl replied. Kun stood there for a moment longer, then left. And that is that, she thought, turning back to the console. Outside, the interminable expanse of hyperspace continued to slip by as they neared the place they were going.


The words hung in the still air of Vansant En as the Wookiee regarded the man he had followed here. [I believe you are mistaking me for someone else,] the alien said at last, [The person you speak of was my grandfather. I am Rkvzlnmara.] "Of course you are," the human said, "Just as I am Gavis Ideji." Smiling thinly, the other added, "Or are we? It is truly difficult to say just who we might be in this new history, balancing delicately on the precipice of a great and sweeping change destined to alter the galaxy forever!" [What are you talking about?] Rkvzlnmara asked, trying to understand the man.

"You must see that while the forces allied with the Republic may prevail against their enemies, they can only do so by betraying the Jedi," the stranger said, "Such a development is only a matter of time. The question is, what will rise in place of them, and who will be in control." [I don't see how what you say can occur,] the Wookiee said. "It has already begun!" the other told him, "Dark minds within the Republic have engineered this battle for their own designs. Even in my short time dabbling in current affairs, I have discerned that. A strong force must be in control when the time comes so that order will prevail. Your arrival here is not unanticipated."

The alien regarded the enigmatic man, who went on, "I need followers in this new and troubled era, Rmnklamara. Oh, yes, that is who you truly are. You have merely forgotten, just as my nature is yet unknown to you. That can be changed, however, as easily as before." Warily, Rkvzlnmara took a step back, expecting trouble. However, he could not foresee the rock that suddenly shot from the ground and struck him into unconsciousness.