Post 7

Tristan stopped pacing as Dr. Saskiya exited the inner chamber of the bedroom, and quietly closed the door behind her.

"Your highness,"

Tristan shook his head sadly, "We went to school together Jurer; Tristan, please."

"Yes, sir, Tristan, you know as well as I do that the extent of damage to your child's neurological framework depends largely on how long the fever was high. I am hoping that because we were able to bring it down through fluids and minimal medication, that there won't be any damage. "

"And Elbereth?"

The doctor frowned, her forehead wrinkling with worry. "She's resting comfortably, but her symptoms are not that of someone going through shock. I've taken some blood samples, and hopefully that will tell us what is going on with her. With luck it will merely be a reaction to her shifting hormone levels, but we have to wait and see. " Her lips pursed together, pausing, "I have to tell you this, just because there is a possibility that…" She met Tristan's eyes and trailed off.

He finished for her, "I know, there's a possibility that the only way to save her will be to abort the pregnancy--but it has not come to that, and I will not give up yet." With a stronger voice he asked, "What do you recommend?"

"Bed rest, a month minimal. We can decide whether to continue after a reevaluation." Dr. Saskiya walked to the door of the suite, and added one more piece of advice. "You need to know that you are in charge of making sure that her stress is minimal. If you want to save them both, whatever is going on must be put to rest."

Tristan nodded mutely, and turned to enter the bedroom. As a doctor, he was familiar with just how scary loved one's looked when they were under tubes and monitors, but seeing her shocked him all the same. Her violet eyes, still dim and glazed over, seemed to clear for a moment as she focused on Tristan. Her appearance was sallow, almost waiflike--as if she was being dominated and under enormous pressure. He collapsed on the floor, gripping her arm, and he heard her sigh.

"Oh Tristan."

"Elbereth, I'm sorry. My actions have been inexcusable, I've tried, I'm trying to overcome these irrational fears, but they keep coming back, keep attacking my conscience. I want this child, I do--I swear on the Force and our love, that I never meant you ill. I was.."

"Afraid, " She began stroking his head, "Oh Tristan, I was determined to convince you that we were worth it, that we would overcome the fear, together. I had vowed after last night, that I would…move out, that I would…leave you until you worked it out, but I couldn't, I could never do that…" her voice broke, "Don't you know that you are all that I have left? I know that your fears are the product of your upbringing, brought on by my family, I KNOW that…"

"Shh--we agreed that we must be strong, that it is up to us to break through our pasts, and work to build a new life. I made that vow, and at the first true test of our new life…I broke it." Her cheeks were soft as he wiped away her tears. "Don't cry..please?…My fear controlled me, but no more. Last night, after you left, I was struck by the ridiculousness of it all. That I was giving up something that meant more to me then life itself, so that I could wallow in self-pity and my own self-propagating ego of how much of a failure I was. I got up early so that I could pick up something…" He brought from his pocket a small ring box. "This is my pledge, my vow, that I will protect you, and I swear, I will never leave you."

Elbereth opened the box, and Tristan saw her eyes sparkle, "I love you, T." He stayed next to her, on the floor, until she fell asleep. As he drifted off he reviewed the days events, vowing to meet Iker and find out exactly what was going on. When he finally drifted off, his reflex was to cover her hand with his own, symbolically enclosing the tiny silver baby rattle in a parental embrace.

~~

He came to the next morning as she absently played with his hair. Lifting his head, he gave her a small smile, and whispered "Good morning."

"Hey, " She gestured for him to come around and take up an open area on the queen sized bed. "T, I've been thinking, did you talk to Iker while you were upset?"

"Yes, in fact he tried to give me advice, but bungled it up rather badly. He happened upon me in one of the CR rooms during my night wanderings; seemed rather, " Tristan paused while he covered up a yawn, "rather, agitated and surprised, almost not like him at all."

"Hmm, I don't know what to do about the petition. There isn't anyway for us to combat this new rider without imposing absolutism. The representatives are the voice of the people, and we can't go back on their decision."

"I know, even if they are wrong, then we have to accept it and make the best of it that we can. E, ashiela, " he murmured adding an affectionate name that meant 'mirror of the stars ', " you can't think about this. I'll take care of it; make it work-- see if there's a way to neutralize its effects. We may not be able to enter the New Republic, but we still have friends who can probably help us if things get bad."

Unconsciously, she kept brushing his hair, frowning with worry, "I know, I just wish I didn't feel so weak, that I could shake this feeling I have…" She trailed off and noticed that Tristan had fallen asleep again.

Not able to rest further, and despite the bed rest order, Elbereth got cautiously to her feet. Slowly she dressed in a loose fitting organza dress and made sure the monitors were off and the portable IV drip was tucked away. Taking care to not disturb the guards at the far end of the hallway she crept along the palace walls and through the palatial complex towards Iker Rafagr's office. Halfway there, she turned around and saw Nestor, a member of the honor guard from Danshitie following at a safe distance. She smiled ruefully, knowing she was going to get a lecture in the morning, and continued on her way. Approaching Iker's door she gestured for Nestor to wait outside, and let herself into the inner office.

Later, she would claim not to know what prevented her from knocking, but at the time a small premonition of danger stopped her. Through a crack in the door, she saw Iker, with his newly unhindered back to her, speaking to someone she could not see. His words drifted to her, along with a harsh guttural sound that she could not make out. "I am learning a lot about this galaxies history and current hierarchical structure. Yes, I am confident in…" She leaned into the door, straining to hear, but anything that was said was in a language unfamiliar to the young monarch. Elbereth swore she heard the word Jedi mentioned, but could not be sure. There was something bigger going on, and she realized her danger if she was found eavesdropping. Taking care to leave undetected and quickly returning to her residences, she put in a call to her secretary, who after assurances that she was better, agreed to find the background check that all Citizen Representatives went through. She promised to bring it to her later that day. It was then that Elbereth realized that the escapade had tired her out more than usual, despite the passage of a mere twenty minutes. Something was going on, but it would have to be put on hold. Carefully climbing into bed next to her still sleeping husband she was sound asleep within moments, dreaming of her unborn child.

~~~~~~~

Planet X4251 on New Republic Charts

Located just beyond Ryloth in the Outer Rim

"Hey you! What do you think you're doing!"

The short Aqualish stood up from the crate he was inspecting with a guilty expression on his face. He glanced at the figure towering above him, "I'm sorry, sir, I just wanted to protect myself, yes protect myself. These humans you know are going to attack. Just to protect myself."

"No you weren't…Zalder!, " the ominous figure cried over his shoulder, "I think we've found our thief, pat him down. " A sullen looking Bothan walked over, holstering his blaster. Minutes later the guard had produced two grenades and two blasters that had been pulled from the crates. "Right. You were protecting yourself, and in the process would have killed everyone on the base. You know if one of those sonic charges goes off, it'll ignite all the other arms. That's why we keep them padded and secure." The figure snorted, "I can't believe you." Ignoring the prisoner's pleas he turned to the Bothan, "Secure him in the east brig, and then rejoin me, I may need help with these pirates that are coming in."

He started to walk away, then yelled over his shoulder, "And find out who his contacts are; I'm sure it won't take too much to get it out of him." He made his way towards another of his underlings, and smiled smugly as his other minds chuckled at his performance. Small for his species, the Deck Officer of the base was a Thakwaash, who intimidated all those around him without trying. Not only was he a fantastic leader and organizer, but he also was one of the best pilots at the out of the way Diversity Alliance base. He had won many a credit, competing against his insubordinates in a race through a nearby asteroid field. Of course, that was all part of the Spy's plan. He was the smooth one, the one who outwitted everyone. The Spy was the one who answered to a different name.

"Deck Officer Insani, " a small Sullustan waved the foreboding Thakwaash toward a computer console. "The latest shipment has arrived, but it is not the regular courier. The contact here is one Lieutenant Seku, of the Hawk-bats, the new group. They say something blew up with the other guys, and that they agreed to take over in exchange for the other half of their payment."

The professor in his head, the strategist in charge of plans, laughed in delight. This should work out nicely! Flipping minds, the Spy returned to answer, "All right, make sure that the paperwork clears out. I'll go inspect the cargo myself, but I am just going to make a stop in my quarters for the schematic. "

Insani, made his way down to his quarters where he pulled out a bag from his closet, ripped out the bottom and retrieved some datacards to put in his inside pocket. With the base being a mere parsec away from Ryloth, Insani had been able, in his "asteroid" runs, to direct a remote receiver to capture short burst transmissions between the main planet and this out of the way storage base.

He hadn't been able to review all the data, but what he had been able to put together was alarming. Insani, rather Hohass Ekwesh, aka Runt, was a member of Wraith Squadron. His current assignment was Deck Officer Insani a clever but tough member of the Diversity Alliance, the inspiration for which had been Wes Janson on a power trip. Entering the loading dock he smiled inside as he approached the familiar profile of Dia Passik.

"Lieutenant Seku. Greetings, I am Deck Officer Insani, thank you for ensuring the protection of our cargo."

She sniffed, her eyes betraying recognition for the briefest moment, "Yes, we were glad that we could help. The cargo is being unloaded as we speak, with our pickup on the gray palates and the transferred material from Fallen Vengeance on the green. The full schematic is in the office on board, my assistant is bringing it out, and we can compare the rosters, see if anything missing. "

"Well, I have just received notice from my boss, that we need you for another run. And as our regular courier seems to be out of business for a few more days, I wonder if we could sit down somewhere to discuss your terms. There of course would be a trial period before we can utilize you fully, and of course I do not make final decisions, that will be up to her esteemed Tarkona."

Runt! Here! "I have a board room on ship, if that is convenient, you may bring an associate if you would like."

"That will not be necessary. Here at the Diversity Alliance we work on a platform of trust against the humans who have wronged all non-human species of the galaxy. I will merely tell my associates what I am doing. " He gestured confidently towards the Sullustan he had spoken to earlier. "Bund, I am entering into negotiations on behalf of esteemed Tarkona regarding a new trading contract. We will be on board their vessel discussing said terms." Runt pulled the little non-human away from Dia, "You know how paranoid pirates are, they won't meet out here, and we need their services. I know this is outside protocol, but these Hawk-bats are notoriously violent and prone to destruction, its best to keep them pacified."

The Sullustan tittered nervously and nodded. "Very well, let me know if anything comes up."

~~~~~~~

Mara, Kell, Hobbie and Janson sat in a windowless meeting room within the Hawk-bat transport. Prior to arrival in system, the rest of the human Hawk-bats had gone back to the base, while the four pilots-after switching Myn with Kell- were to fly cover for the transport. Unfortunately on their way to the meeting, while looking over the information provided by the crew of Fallen Vengeance they realized that the drop required only non-human personnel. This was why all four pilots now sat dismally within the transport, while Dia, Elassar and the NRI's temporary non-human crew landed the ship and unloaded the cargo.

Mara hated being idle, but she knew that sometimes situations called for patience, and experience told her that it would pay off in the end. So while she flipped through her messages that had been uploaded to her datapad, the other three occupants sat engrossed in their sixth game of Sabaac. Normally, Mara would join in, just to make Wes Janson squirm, but something told her to stay out of it. She realized it was a wise decision when Hobbie winked at her tilting his head towards Kell then returning to his traditional dour expression. Absently, she watched as they went through the fastest five games of Sabaac she had ever seen, with Wes winning three games with an Idiots Array and Hobbie winning two. Now on their sixth game Kell was frowning madly at his cards, trying to figure out what was going on. Wes had never been this smooth, and his one experience with Hobbie years ago during the night without rank had shown that they were all on even ground. From where Mara was sitting she could see that unless he received a three of any suit he would be unable to win, unless he had a skifter up his sleeve.

A skifter. Of course! Both Hobbie and Wes were playing with skifters, meaning that somewhere on them was a missing card. Discreetly Mara changed programs and typed a brief message entitled it "Skifters", then tight beamed it to Kell's datapad, which was sitting next to him at the table. As it made a soft beep, Kell instinctively glanced at the file name and froze perceptively. He took a deep breath and pushed a button on the pad as if to turn it off, then smiled as an idea hit him. He quickly discarded two of his cards and accepted what he had placing his cards down with a mere 21, not a bust but something that could be beaten only by a twenty-three or an Idiot's Array. It was then that Mara noticed the astonished looks on Hobbie and Janson's faces, and let out a small laugh as they through down their cards with a disgusted look on their faces. Nearly an hour later, about an hour after the ship had landed in system she could see the confusion on Wes and Hobbie's faces. Kell had outsmarted them, and even Mara could not figure out how.

"That's it, I'm out" Wes grunted, wiping a hand across his brow. "I give up, how are you doing it?"

"Yea, what did you do to our skifters."

Kell acted surprised. "You were using skifters? No, I don't believe it!"

Hobbie's expression changed and he turned to look at Mara, lifting a finger he feigned mock anger and with a Janson like accent accused, "You told, and you're supposed to be a Jedi, a good secret keeper."

Mara shrugged, grinning from ear to ear.

"Wait, how did you do it though? What did you do? " Janson's tone was pleading.

Kell grinned, "Now guys, I'm not the mechanic for nothing."

"Why you two-timing, double-crossing…." Wes stopped midway and sighed, "Maybe Wedge is right: I am getting old, I'm no longer up to top form. I really, really have to work on that."

Hobbie looked at his friend horrified, "You're giving up, no--no way…"He stopped mid sentence as the door behind him opened, allowing Dia and a very tall figure into the room.

"Runt!" Kell bounded out of his seat and rushed to his wingman, pounding him on the back. "What in the blazin' sith are you doing here!"

It was then that Mara noticed the tiny laser directed at his back and it all fell into place. What she had thought was a nervous game tick, messing with the controls on his datapad while he played, was really a directional control of a very faint blue laser that had the ability to mess with the sensors on the skifters. Impressed she redirected her attention to the new arrivals. As she came around the table she made sure the door was secure before extending her right hand in greeting. "Hello, "

"It is an honor to meet you Mara Jade. We are Hohass Ekwesh of Wraith Squadron, my friends call us Runt."

Mara smiled slightly at the misnomer, but realized that it was possible that Runt was small for his species, hence the nickname.

Wes echoed Kell's earlier statement, "What is going on Runt? Why are you here?"

"Runt is currently undercover for the NRI as Deck Officer Insani of the Diversity Alliance. " Dia answered, shrugging her apologies for interrupting. "Right now he's supposed to be finding out what our terms are for a trade agreement, pending approval from Her Esteemed Tarkona, I have not even met the woman and I already hate her."

"You are predisposed to hating her Dia, after all she is a usurper isn't she?" Hobbie queried.

Dia nodded, in the past year she had been reconsidering her stance as a Twi'lek from Ryloth. Consequently, Nolaa Tarkona was not her favorite person. She turned to Runt, "What is it you need to tell us?"

Mara watched as Runt changed posture as he pulled out two data cards stiffening slightly at the change in his voice modulation. "We are currently working to obtain information on the Diversity Alliance for the New Republic. Your presence here gives me both pleasure and the satisfaction that I will be able to pass along this information in due course. It is of the utmost importance, and may prevent many deaths."

Mara frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Through a receptor placed in directional space between here and Ryloth I was able to obtain communication between Nolaa Tarkona and her emissary. Some of that information included a list of assassinations that are planned and have already taken place." He saw Mara open her mouth and answered the anticipated question. "Some of them are humans while others are traitors to the cause. I was not able to perform a full decrypt, but I assume that the slicers on Coruscant will be able to complete our work. The other data card includes all the information I have about the arms shipments and their final destinations." Runt's posture shifted and took on one that was more relaxed, his voice returned to what Mara assumed was normal. "Most of you have met the Professor, he is the one who plans our strategy."

Mara blinked, that was something she would have to ask Kell about later. As Runt placed the data cards on the table she shifted her weight and tilted her head in their direction. "May I?" Runt nodded. Inserting one in her datapad she scrolled through the list of names. In essence it appeared to be two lists with two or three separate from the others.

Amira Wason

Bod'e Onjou

Denec'tour

Xian Xian

Ole-Fardeinano

The second list appeared to be assassinations pending, and as her eyes traveled down the screen she felt chill running down her spine…

Bornan Thul

Lusa

The first name did not surprise her, given what she knew about his disappearance. Obviously, this bounty was the reason he remained hidden. The name below his was familiar, but unrecognizable. Then it hit her. Shaking her head, Mara, in one smooth motion, popped out Runt's data card and inserted the one with Luke's messages to her. Scrolling quickly she came to a passage relating to events at the academy and drew a sharp breath.

Lusa is settling in well, I'm not sure if you remember, but she was one of Jacen and Jaina's friends who was kidnapped by Hethirir many years ago. Her involvement in the Diversity Alliance has filled her with much anger and fear, but I think our niece and nephew and their friends will help her get through it.

Belatedly, Mara became aware of the curious glances that were being directed her way, she gave a short explanation. "One of the names on the list happens to be at Yavin IV right now, a friend of my niece and nephew."

The men gave her a startled look, while Dia glanced at the chrono and turned to Runt, "We're going to have to move a bit faster now. I'll walk you out; we should be nearly finished by now. These are our transfer codes and our 'terms.'" Knowing she couldn't say goodbye properly outside, Dia hugged him, "May the Force be with you Runt. "

"We'll see you soon." Kell slapped his friend on the back.

A few hours later they reverted back to lightspeed above the Hawk-bat's hidden base. Almost instantly Face's profile appeared on the console looking disturbed. "Welcome back pirates, we have a problem. I just received a letter from our friend Voort who is spending time with Nolaa Tarkona on Ryloth; apparently she is planning to play exterminator, her target: getting rid of all the pesky humans in the galaxy."

~~~~~~~~~~

Ryloth

There were only two sets of footsteps…

Piggy tried to hide his agitation as he realized the escaped young Jedi had split up. Not knowing how he was going to go find them, but knowing he could not let the Chief of State's children and two other Jedi Knights suffer in the unbearable heat and cold of Ryloth, Piggy had made a plan, one he had decided would need more luck then anything else, and which should not blow his cover for the NRI. There was no other choice, for their friend Lowbacca was too well watched for him to approach, so he would have to try and rescue them himself.

Earlier, during his shift in the Ryll Mines, he had watched and listened as Nolaa Tarkona's guards planned their malicious beatings on the prisoners. Just as he was about to put his plan into action, the Wookiee arrived and escorted the four outside the grotto. Admirably, the Wookiee was not stupid, and as was to be expected of a Jedi out of Luke Skywalker's academy he had planned a diversion. So, careful not to be caught, the Wraith squadron pilot had followed, or rather tried to follow until, from his post behind an outcropping, he watched the Young Jedi fight for their lives.

Then, right before Piggy could come out of hiding, an enormous explosion had rocked the caverns, causing him to duck for cover--and now through the settling curtain of dust he stood staring at a wall of rock, and a pair of freshly covered footprints. Only two had left this side of the explosion, and they would not have left if the others had not survived the blast on the other side. What the young Jedi did not know, was that the exit they were now walking towards was the blistering furnace that was Ryloth's day side, while the other side would lead the others to the biting frigid hell that was the night.

~~~~~

Night

"It is also a fact that we cannot stay here," Tenel Ka said. Though she was careful to keep the flash heater away from his clothing, her arm slid around Jacen's waist and hugged him tightly. "We must find our way to the Temperate Zone, over the mountains. I do not believe we have come farther than five or six kilometers from where Lowbacca indicated we should wait for him."

"You m-mean, go back through the tunnels? We'd get lost." He shivered convulsively. "It could take us d-days to find our way back if we ever do…"

"No," Tenel Ka said. "We would risk being recaptured. " She nodded towards the frigid landscape outside. "No, we must go out there."

"But you'll f-freeze," Jacen objected. His lips had begun to feel numb.

"I am already cold, " she said. "We will grow no warmer by staying in this cave. We cannot hope for rescue if we stay here, and we risk being spotted by the Diversity Alliance."

Jacen's hands, still on Tenel Ka's back, were growing stiff and ached with the cold. He flexed his fingers a few times, then buried them behind the unbraided portion of the hair that hung down her back. "You're right, " he said. "I just wish we could make a blanket out of your hair."

She jerked backward a few centimeters and looked into his eyes. "Jacen, my friend that is an excellent idea!"

He blinked at her, not quite sure how what he had said could actually prove useful. "Please, assist me in unbraiding my hair," she said.

Reluctantly, Jacen released his hold on her; he had enjoyed the close contact. He shook the stiffness from his fingers and tugged a thong from the end of one of her braids. Still clumsy because of the cold, he combed his shaking fingers through her hair to untangle the braid. Handing Jacen the flash heater, Tenel Ka used her single hand with considerable less clumsiness. When they were finished, clouds of thick red-gold hair flowed down Tenel Ka's arms, shoulders and back, all the way to her waist. Tenel Ka looked out through the cave opening preparing herself for the ordeal they were about to face. Gazing out at the starry sky, she said, "Beautiful. As beautiful as rainbow gems from Gallinore.

"Yes…beautiful, " Jacen agreed, though he was not looking at the sky.

~~~~~~

The Bright Lands

Jaina climbed up a rock face, along a cleft in the stones that provided some shade. She slipped briefly and, reaching out to steady herself, touched an outcropping exposed to the direct sunlight. Jaina hissed in pain and snatched her fingers away. Red burn-welts sprouted on her skin. "Working the mines is starting to sound like a vacation to me," she admitted. "We don't have any water out here, no food or protection…."

Raynar spoke in a whisper so he wouldn't have to inhale much of the hot air. "Maybe Lowie can still find us. You think he made it out in the Rock Dragon? You think Jacen is safe? And Tenel Ka?"

Jaina continued climbing upward, grimly seeking a cave or cleft that would offer them temporary shelter from the unending day's fire. "We've had other plans that were a bit more successful," she said.

"I need to rest…just cool off for a little while, " Raynar said.

Spying a crevice, Jaina ignited her lightsaber and hacked away at it , chopping out huge glassy lumps of stone. Raynar pulled the rocks aside to deepen the small alcove, to deepen the shadows.

Jaina's lips were chapped and dry. Her tongue felt thick and her throat was like sandpaper. She was desperate for a drink, any kind of drink.

Dazzled by the brilliant sunlight, she fixed her eyes on the rock, daring to hope she might accidentally break through to a natural spring in the mountainside.

The lightsaber sizzled as Jaina worked, shedding its eerie violet light into the alcove. Raynar helped until Jaina finally gave up, panting and shuddering with exhaustion. "Rest here--in shade--for a while," she gasped. Together they crawled into their tiny shelter.

Raynar sighed. "It'll never get dark on this side of the planet. It always stays hot. Are you sure we can't just go back and surrender?"

"Absolutely not." Jaina fixed him with the most valiant stare she could muster. "We're Jedi Knights, Raynar. We'll think of something." She hunkered down against the rock wall of the new alcove. Even here in the shade, deeper in the rock, fingers of the throbbing heat reached out towards them…but at least it was a few degrees cooler. "We'll wait here until we can figure out what to do."

Raynar sat next to her in silence.

~~~~~~~

Piggy did not know what had caused the docking bay to collapse, but he knew that his chances of leaving Ryloth were now slim to none. His next hope for the young knights was to contact Yavin or Coruscant, and quickly. As he turned towards the communication center he stiffened at the angry roar of an agitated Trandoshan.

"Cossk kill Wookiee. Smell Wookiee."

"Oh shut up. He's gone, and now I get to go tell Esteemed Tarkona that the Jedi Knights were picked up." The second voice was the slow drawl of a Basic-speaking Rodian.

"Did you know we had sensor readings that indicated that there was another ship? There has to be a spy in our midst. To top it off, Havorak has not come back from the chase into the Bright lands. You think you're angry, wait until She finds out, we just lost some Jedi Bounty AND one of our main fighters, and a spy! Get your priorities straight--you can get the Wookiee later. Remember once we get the Emperor's Plague they'll be dead anyway!"

Backing up slowly, Piggy made a decision. It would not be untoward if a former space pirate asked to return to the Hawk-bats to try and recruit some of his compatriots….and if something were to happen while he was away…he was just a Gamorrean

He would not be missed.

~~~~~~~~~~

Iker looked at his specimens, eager to see how the comb spoors were being cultured. He had procured the sample from the first victim, a test case, to see how quickly it killed. The child she carried would die first, and if his development went well, he would be able to eliminate whomever he wanted, simply by releasing the spoors into the ventilation system. The means of success depended on one thing, to unhinge all those who could oppose him by any means possible.

This galaxy was alien to him, and disgusted him with their obeisance to mechanical ships and droids. Unnatural things, they may help him figure out who held the puppet strings. He needed to know what would make them crumble so he could cut the strings for himself.

Turning from the drawer where he had hidden his specimens, he pulled a semi-solid container from a hidden niche carved into his closet. He set it on top of his desk and picked up his datapad. That evening he had spoken to Tristan, he had been able to obtain new Holo's of the galaxy's leaders. Not much was known about the Empire, and it appeared to be a marginalized force, not the one he needed to focus on. On the other hand, this New Republic was strong, but he knew that there were weaknesses. He had found old news reports of a dispute over Bothuwaii over a planet called Caamas, and an insurgency in a sector known as Corellia. Humans fought humans with no honor at all. Apparently the species of this galaxy were not unified.

He filed that away for future use...right now he wanted to look at the leader, a female human called Leia Organa Solo who had been President of the New Republic for many years. He brought up a recent holo, one that dated two or three years ago and studied the woman. A mother of three pre-adolescent children, she appeared formidable, but not a soldier. He would have to meet her soon, and find out how to best her. He glanced at the other humans in the holo and frowned as he read the caption. Leia Organa Solo and Family, From Left to Right: Han Solo, Newlyweds Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade-Skywalker, and the Solo children Jacen, Jaina and Anakin. She was related to a Jedi? Iker flipped through some other files and found the information on Luke and Mara Skywalker. Warriors. Beating them would bring great honor to him before the others arrived…the thought trailed off as the semi-solid container on the table vibrated suddenly.

Pulling a leathery ball out of the case he glared angrily at the face that appeared before him. "What do you want, Yomin Carr. " His language was guttural, as the language of the Yuzzhan Vong was not easily spoken by those not of their race.

"Forgive me Executor, but I have information regarding the contact point. "

Nom Anor, or rather Iker Rafagr looked menacingly at the villip, " I'm waiting."

"I have learned of a group, called Ex-Gal. They have an outpost, it should put me in a prime position. By the grace of Yun-Yammaka, to be there when Prefect D'Gara comes."

"Good, and what of the Jeedai?"

"I have been unable to learn more. "

"Fine, leave that to me, I shall bruk tukken nom canbin-tu"

The scarred face nodded on the other end, "Executor." And the villip grew still.

Iker Rafagr, Nom Anor, the executor for the Yuzzhan Vong smiled; he would enjoy the next few days. Bringing chaos to his followers and destroying the delicate balances that this galaxy favored. War would come….and it would come soon.

~~~~~~~

"They escaped! They ESCAPED!"

Nolaa Tarkona slammed her hand into the grotto wall, her single leku twitching with fury. Incompetence met her at every corner, first in her take over of Ryloth, then with the retrieval of the navicomputer and Bornan Thul…and the now four human Jedi escaping into the open air of Ryloth. A day or two had passed, convincing the Diversity Alliance leader that the Jedi brats would not survive the heat or the barren cold that characterized the surface of Ryloth. But now she was being told that one of the two ships that had jumped to hyperspace moments before was the Hapan ship Rock Dragon, the very ship that they had controlled a mere hour ago.

"Bring me the Wookiee Lowbacca! And his sister!" She gestured to Raaba, and bared her teeth when the chocolate colored Wookiee stood still. Then she knew…

"After all I do for our cause, you cannot hold a few measly humans! " She spat, muttering in Twi'lek, " Cossk, deal with the guards who released them, and you--" she pointed at Raaba, "You see what happens when you trust humans? Your friend Lowie was convinced to go against his very nature and leave us, those Jedi have twisted him. He thinks they are his friends. Now leave, I have to contact Boba Fett, I need to know his progress." The room was empty save two Gamorrean guards…Her eyes met one of them, who stiffened and grunted softly, "I said out…GET OUT!" The two swarthy creatures stumbled over each other to reach the door first and be out of her sight.

Then she settled down to think. She had worked so hard to bring this group together; to make them understand the devastation that humans caused. There would be repercussions and she knew that they would have to be prepared, those Jedi brats would tell the New Republic what they had seen. Thankfully they did not know the full extent of her plans, but Nolaa had her spies, and they would work on discrediting the report. President Leia Organa Solo would not want to be seen as biased, especially since those Jedi were her children and her children's friends…how happy she would be when the disease cultures created by the human Emperor rid the galaxy of the human presence. She clicked on the holo console that was next to her, and watched again the death of the royal guard, smirking as he heaved and gasped for air. Somehow his trembling and last breaths warmed Nolaa to the core. They would pay the price, and they would pay dearly.

She felt better already.

~~~~~~

How does the story end? Two deceivers, two worlds apart. Uncaring and Unfeeling stand looking at the galaxy turning and smile.

One seeks vengeance from within, the other conquest, redemption.

Similar tools, similar wishes: Unrest, Disease, Death.

What does it matter? In the end it all comes down to who dies first.

End Post 7

Credit: All of the dialogue is from my head with the exception of the situation of the twins and Raynar/TK. Their specific stories in Night and The Bright Lands is from Jedi Bounty, I thought KJA and RM did a remarkable job with the section.. The italicized Vong quotation that Nom Anor uses along with Yomin Carr are all from Vector Prime the first book in the New Jedi Order.