Chapter XI
Like a behemoth emerging from the water, the Super Star Destroyer emerged from hyperspace and fell into orbit above the library world. Precisely on schedule, Leia thought, glancing at D'ukal. The Grand Admiral watched the sensor readouts carefully, remarking, "Sival will be timing this very precisely. This is only the preliminaries." Another blip on the sensors caught her attention and it took her just a moment to identify it. "Grand Admiral Vhaldoq, my brother has arrived," she said. "I thought I recognized his presence," the other said, "If that is true, there is a chance the clone has also."
"We should contact him," Organa Solo suggested. "It may attract undue attention both to us and to him," D'ukal said, "The crucial moment hasn't arrived." "Don't wait too late," Jaina said, "They could get away." "Escape is not their plan," Vhaldoq said succinctly, "They want to initiate a war between this faction, the Alliance and the Yuuzhan Vong." "How are they going to do that precisely?" Leia asked, determined to get the Grand Admiral to explain something to her.
"I have a suspicion that Sival will cause an attack elsewhere first in order to convince the leaders of your government of the validity of his claims. This is where we must stop him however, before he gets too far," he said. "And if we fail?" she countered. "Then we must pursue him to the ends of the universe if that is as far as he goes," D'ukal said firmly.
"We are pleased by your agreement with our desires, Senator Rianes," Tork said, "We have but to find the hiding place of our mortal enemies." "The new world of the aliens is said to be capable of traveling through hyperspace," Jonas said, "Although I have not personally seen this occur, my information comes from reliable sources." The Senator paused and said, "Can we speak in private, Lord Vader?" "Of course," the con man said, "If Moff Quirlarna trusts you enough not to make an attempt on my life."
"There are those in the Alliance that understand the reasons for your assault on Denon," Rianes said, "Our ally, Sival Jeth, has already spoken of making overtures to your cause." "He has done so," Tork said, "We expect him to join us soon." Turning to Valeriy, the impostor said, "I will rejoin you at my convenience." The woman nodded and walked off. The Senator escorted him thru a door, closed it behind them a swept a scanner around them. "This chamber appears secure, however my sensors are not designed to detect the biological servants of the Yuuzhan Vong," Jonas said.
"We'll have to take that chance," Tork said, "How long until Sival makes the delivery?" "He's arranging a demonstration to show the danger we face from the invaders," the other said, "I understand you have a hand in that." "My captive is even now being hunted by the followers of Yu'shaa," Tork said, "Once he is destroyed, the most dangerous threat to our plans will be gone." "You know that is not true," Rianes said, "Master Skywalker is here now with his wife, and he is accompanied by an old adversary of ours." "Just one?" Tork said pointedly.
"Your experimental modifications continue to improve," Jonas said, "I was wondering if you had the capability or just the rudimentary manipulation skills." "It will give our followers hope that we can do the same for them," the con man said. "They could spoil our schemes," he observed. "They are too late," the Senator said, "Once Sival arrives, he and Moff Quirlarna will proceed to the final battleground while you and I will pressure the Alliance to take the war directly to the Yuuzhan Vong."
"Are you certain of this?" Cal Omas said. "We just got the message in via the courier service," Garm said, "Sival is fighting them off as best he can, but he estimates that the shipyards will not escape damage." "We can't really afford to lose any more facilities," Omas said. "The message was delivered here by Jagged Fel," Bel Iblis went on, "He says that his companion is assisting the fight as best he can. He also reports that they have found Zonama Sekot but that it may be a trap." "On whose part?" he asked.
"Fel didn't have any conclusions, but if we expend forces there we will leave other areas unguarded," the General said. "Such is the fortunes of war," Cal said, "We cannot let the Yuuzhan Vong be subjected to genocide on such feeble evidence. Did our messenger provide the coordinates?" "He indicated that Corran would do so after finishing his duties on Sluis Van," the Corellian said. "We need to act with due speed if we are to reach there before that rogue force does," Omas said, "I wish that Leia had given us more of a clue as to their location."
"I will speak with the Supreme Commander," Bel Iblis went on, "We will begin our final mobilization at once." "Suppose Sival and those that attacked us are right?" Cal said, "Maybe the Yuuzhan Vong will spell nothing but trouble for us in the future." "We cannot foresee what tomorrow will bring," Garm said, "Even the Jedi do not always do so with complete accuracy. We shall have to behave as the events dictate."