Chapter Fourteen
The time of war was near and the foe wasn't Thrawn or any from outside the galaxy again. Rather, it was a massive revolution that had occurred as a result of the revival of religious fervency thanks to the resurrection of fallen Supreme Overlord Quoreal. Shimrra had been injured during the confrontation with it and Onimi had just finished tending to his wounds. Now, with the Scepter of Power in his hand, Shimrra had vowed to the public that this resistance would be crushed forevermore.
In fact, Onimi had persuaded him to challenge Quoreal to single combat and the winner would determine the fate of the Yuuzhan Vong. What the Supreme Overlord didn't realize was that this played right into the hands of the rebels and helped Onimi more than anyone. By fighting Quoreal, Shimrra had set the stage for the completion of Onimi's ascendance to the throne room. In fact, he foresaw the fulfillment of a foolproof plan that only humans could mess up for him.
Unfortunately, not too long before persuading Shimrra to issue the challenge, Onimi was called telepathically to a challenge of his own by a woman introducing herself as Arden Lyn. She had stated that she was human and that her apprentice was the one responsible for what happened to Vergere. If you wish to avenge her, you will meet us on Czulkang's personal cruiser after he's left. He'll be fighting with the revolution and we will be alone there, you'll know us when you see us she added.
He had to admit that they were probably right about that, how could he miss human women floating about Yuuzhan Vong space even if they were far from an army? Nonetheless, he wondered if this revolution had allied with human powers in the galaxy that he had hoped to rule. There was no way they could gather as much power as they had had without some external help of sorts. Unless someone from within sparked the revolution through the Elite which would be a clever trick he thought.
Smiling, the thought of someone within the Yuuzhan Vong starting the revolution would be the most clever feat of cunning that he had ever seen. However, he had a trick of his own up his sleeve: the portal still fed him power whenever he went near it. Granted, it did extract a price on his soul but he began to wonder if he really cared about paying that price so long as he had eternal power. At this point, ensuring immortality and then taking over the Yuuzhan Vong was all that mattered to him now.
"Oh mighty gods of our people, track me the most massive surge of power that you can possibly give without killing me. A greater threat than any our people has faced is on the horizon and I must have the power to stop it from destroying us all!" Onimi exclaimed. Be warned, to track this surge of power into you even for the good of your people means paying the ultimate price the voice of the portal stated. "You know I am more than willing to pay that price just as much as anyone else that might possess your greatness," Onimi said before plunging his hands into the wall of the portal.
As usual, he felt the slow, melodramatic ebbing of power flowing into his hands but soon, he felt the usual mounting pace of the power's insertion into his body. Like several snakes slithering into openings in his skin, he felt it strengthen him in ways that he had never felt before. The pain that came with it was overwhelming but he bit down on his lip so that he didn't scream in agony. But when it was over, he felt more powerful than he had ever been before in his life, even whilst under Vergere.
"Thank you gods, I will be sure to repay you in any way I can when this is over," Onimi vowed. Bring me the heads of those who threaten your people when you have destroyed them to prove that what we have given you has not been in vain the voice stated. "I shall do such a thing the moment I can," Onimi stated with a bow. With that exchange taken care of, he walked away from the portal, confident that he could now defeat whoever it was that had just challenged him.
"So you let Nom Anor leave on condition that we kill Onimi or at least stall him until the outcome of the duel between Quoreal and Shimrra is decided. Can't say that I was liking our chances of escaping without a price anyway," Arden said. "Don't despair Arden Lyn, Onimi is a coward unless he's cornered: you might not even get the best that he can do thrown at you," Czulkang replied. "Yeah, count on the maybe to tell you how anxious I am for this to be over with," Depa sarcastically retorted.
"Depa, we shall do this and we shall do it without regard to the cost to ourselves. At least we can use the Dark Side in ways that the Sith never would or could," Arden said. Depa shrugged and yielded to the point that her Mistress had just made, not speaking again after that. Czulkang half-smiled, impressed that Arden could display such strength and yet maintain such innocence about her.
It was a wonder that Yuuzhan Vong women were not like that: either they were one or the other. Though the innocent personality was excellent for marital survival, the strength Arden radiated with was great enough to impress any Warmaster. It reminded him once more of his own wife, the mother of Tsavong, who had been very strong but still had a streak of innocence about her. But that was to be saved for another time, there was work to be done in the here and now where it belongs.
"Where do you recommend we meet Onimi on your cruiser? Would the bridge be the best space for the duel?" Arden asked. "That might be the best one as far as a straight-out duel is concerned," Czulkang answered, nodding. "Then the bridge of the cruiser, it is," Arden said with a smile. "Is that really wise, Mistress?" Depa asked.
Arden snarled, making sure to let her apprentice know that this wasn't going to be questioned. The longer I let her remain a loose cannon, the more I get the feeling that I may have made a mistake in doing soArden thought but didn't say. The Talisman counseled her, assuring her that she had not made a mistake by giving Depa the freedom that she had given her. Besides, she is much more useful when she is free to do almost as she pleases than if she is confined it added into her mind.
Mentally, Arden shrugged and wondered if it had a point there and if she was a similar way when Xendor was leader of the Legions of Lettow. It had explained why she rebelled against him whenever he felt like he was trying to dominate her even if it was just in the bed. Thinking about the flaws of Xendor hurt her and she began to wonder if she was being too hard on her apprentice. After all, the chances that they would die in combat against Onimi were as good as the chances they wouldn't.
But as Depa and Arden walked to the bridge, Czulkang watched in wonder as to which of the women was the more mentally powerful. Was Arden with the experience of knowing that everything she loved wasn't even dust or Depa Billaba who still knew much that was alive? Only time and the will of the Gods would reveal the answer to the old Warmaster who also awaited his fate.
Arriving at the grounded city of the Yuuzhan Vong for the festival was the same for Thrawn as it had been every year. It was a celebration of the truce in the Void where the Chiss had gained the upper hand in the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong but chose to save them for cultural reasons. "This is the fifteenth anniversary of a great victory for the Chiss Ascendancy! Can one believe that the Yuuzhan Vong have maintained their alliance with us for this long?" he heard Moses shout gleefully.
"I can," Thrawn answered, reminding his brother-in-law that he was the one who made the truce with Warmaster Czulkang Lah. "Don't be ridiculous brother, just because you fought them the longest doesn't mean you know what a man's thinking beneath the skin of his forehead," Moses said. "Give him credit Moses, my dear, he had to calculate their psychology in order to calculate their next move. How else was he able to save our skins before we had to courage to save them ourselves?" Thrawn's sister, Meg, spoke up.
"Speak when spoken to, my little muffin. You are no longer under your brother's protection, you know," Moses hissed. Meg lowered her head in acceptance but Thrawn knew better: deep down, she wanted to slit this man's throat. Who could blame her for wanting the old man dead almost as much as I do? Thrawn asked himself, smiling as he did so. "Let me consult my sister and cool her tongue," he suggested aloud.
Moses hesitated, reluctant to let Thrawn give her any ideas but that streak of brightness faded as quickly as it came. "And do a proper job of it, this time! Last time, she was a lot worse than when I sent her to you," he ordered. "Yes Master Moses," Thrawn stated with a bow.
Fool, I deliberately sent her back that way as I will deliberately send her back to you with the means to kill you Thrawn thought. When he and his sister were far enough away from the sight of the grotesque monstrosity that was Moses, Thrawn unveiled his ultimate weapon. It was a set of fake fingernails whose tips were sharp enough to scratch. "Mitth'raw'nuruodo, there must be a reason for you delivering me another set of fake fingernails at this hour?" Meg asked.
"Yes my little Mitt'mega'nuruada, there is a reason that I give you these ones in particular. They are all laced with a special concoction of deadly poisons that combine to form a super-venom. One scratch from either of these sets can kill a man in a matter of minutes, regardless to his size. These will do Moses for certain, especially if you do it during the fireworks and then slip out," Thrawn answered.
"Mitth'raw'nuruodo, your mind has always fascinated me. I'm the murderous psychopathic beauty of the Ascendancy, it's part of my charm. Yet the way you think, analyze, strategize, and execute your thoughts scares even me sometimes," she stated. "Rest assured little sister that I will never use this mind against you unless you leave me no choice," he replied.
"That's comforting to know," she said. "Put them on and use them when the fireworks begin, the poison is painless and he will be too dazzled by the fireworks to notice your absence," he said. "With pleasure, my brother," she stated with a bow before leaving. But he stopped her and reminded her to act like he had put her in her place to please her husband who was as good as dead now.
Alas, I will command all assets of the Ascendancy and I will replace those incompetent, old fools with fresher and more creative blood. I will also have my revenge for being forced to abandon Arden Lyn and Depa to their escape pod all those years ago Thrawn thought excitedly. But he also remembered one important detail of business to take care of, one that would need to be started before the assassination of Moses in order to be ready on time.
Sneaking off into a communications room and putting on the private channel, he contacted the one ally he thought he might never have a reason to see again. An audience with Emperor Palpatine was the objective of his desire for communication and one he would get by any means necessary. Luckily, he didn't have to go through some sort of private secretary or Lord Vader to get to his prize this time. Instead, it seemed as though the Emperor had been expecting the communication from Thrawn and was wondering what took him so long.
"Is everything in order?" Palpatine asked immediately. "Yes milord, soon the Ascendancy will be mine and we will have resources to share with your glorious regime," Thrawn answered as quickly. "Excellent, then everything is proceeding as I have foreseen. Upon your oath of allegiance, I will have you tested in your strategical ability against Rebels: if you pass you are a Grand Admiral," Palpatine said.
"And if I fail?" Thrawn asked rather inquisitively. "If you fail, you will merely be another one of my subordinate generals who must work his way up into my good favor. Normally, I do not accept aliens into the Army of my regime but with you, I am willing to leave room for exception," the old man answered. "You do me great honor by giving me a rare opportunity indeed, I shall not disappoint you," Thrawn stated reassuringly.
"I am quite confident that this test should be quite easy for you. However, another matter has come to my mind now that we speak of your achievements. What news on the front of finding this Arden Lyn woman and her apprentice?" Palpatine asked. "The search is still going but if anyone has found her by now, I have no doubts that Warmaster Czulkang did just that," Thrawn answered.
"And what would an official of the Yuuzhan Vong want with them?" Palpatine demanded. "I am not sure but he has told me of interest in them on the part of Nom Anor, an Intendant of the Elite class. However, it is my hope that Czulkang can rescue them from the Intendant's clutches and return them to me as the truce would be endangered should Nom Anor decide to keep them hostage," Thrawn stated. "Be careful, I do not need a war on another front when it's hard enough keeping my own lands united as it is," the Emperor warned.
"Yes Master, it could be just a mistake and they could still be floating but I will find them even if it takes eternity to do so," Thrawn vowed. Chuckling, the Emperor stated that he admired Thrawn's passion. "But I'm afraid this search might not have eternity if you do not find them soon enough," he warned before cutting transmission. The more time I waste, the less time I have to execute the plans that need her power most vitally in order to survive he exclaimed silently.
He hoped that he would be able to find Czulkang but with news of a revolution that had recently kicked out Nom Anor for losing a challenge to the old Warmaster, he wasn't so sure. But as fate would have it, Czulkang himself came to put his own uncertainties to rest forevermore. "Thrawn, it has been a long time," Czulkang said, greeting the Chiss that had ousted him in war. "Indeed Czulkang, how goes it all with your son?" Thrawn asked formally.
"It goes well with him, he learns more in a day than I could teach him in a week. But formalities aside, I presume that you are here to talk to me about some allies that you are still searching for?" Czulkang inquired. How did he know that I was searching for allies? Thrawn asked himself silently. "Yes, why have you found any?" Thrawn asked aloud.
Czulkang nodded and asked if the names Arden Lyn and Depa Billaba rung a bell. Thrawn did his very best to hide his surprise but he admitted that it did ring a bell to him. "Rest assured that they are safe for now as I have persuaded Nom to let them leave though he demanded a price. They are asked to assassinate one of our more minor nobles in exchange for free passage home," Czulkang confessed.
"Strange, why does he want them to do the job?" Thrawn asked. "Onimi, the target, is attuned to the Force like them. As a result, it's up to them to rid us of the Court Jester that obviously controls our Supreme Overlord," Czulkang answered. "Then for their sake, I hope that they actually manage to do it; I'll be leaving the festival now," Thrawn said.
"Wait, aren't you going to stay around for the ceremony?" Czulkang asked. "No, I have seen it fourteen times and arranged for a messenger to recite the speech wrote for this year. Besides, I have a little bit of an ascension in the ranks to make for my next alliance," Thrawn answered. Czulkang smiled and complimented Thrawn for always having plans within plans within plans to operate on.
"I assure you that it is just a means of survival by which I have always lived," Thrawn replied happily. The two old warlords parted ways as both of them began concocting thoughts of what would happen if they met again. True that it was sadistic but it was also fun to do... They were great minds that would bounce off each other rather excellently.
Several Yuuzhan Vong soldiers were thrown across the room and Shimrra had to admit that the entrance Quoreal made was rather melodramatic. "Do you really have to show off your strength like that? You know it was no match for me the last time that you fought me in combat," Shimrra asked. "Shut up and raise your Scepter to fight me, I will have revenge and besides, you had Onimi amplify your strength that last time; I just know it!" Quoreal answered.
Now how did he figure it out? He didn't even know who Onimi was at the time I challenged him for the right to the throne Shimrra asked himself silently. His guess was that Nom Anor and his allies told him about Onimi's power but that was a very vague and very undeveloped idea. In fact, he was wondering if he should ever consider exploring it once this duel was over and he had triumphed over Quoreal once more.
"Very well, I accept your challenge. You know the stakes, therefore I shall not state them," Shimrra said. He didn't need to since they were alone but he did have to wonder how Quoreal could have gotten passed the security that he had had installed around his palace during the festival. It didn't matter, he would use Quoreal's traditionalist beliefs against him soon enough, thus emerging the winner.
He has no idea what occasion this is nor do I think he will care until I tell him Shimrra told himself enthusiastically as he prepared to fight his old rival once again. "By the power invested in the creation of this Scepter, I shall not touch the symbol of my rule again until I have emerged from this fight. I shall command a common amphistaff for the duration of the duel that we are about to conduct," he stated aloud as he cast the Scepter aside and stole an amphistaff off one of his dead soldiers. Then, to his old enemy's agreement, he asked if they should get this duel underway.
After having met with Thrawn to confirm that Arden Lyn and Depa were still alive, Czulkang headed out to the field where the rebels and the loyalists were due to fight. Truly it was a sight to behold even if it was nowhere near as significant as their forces had been before fighting Admiral Thrawn. To think that we could have risen so far up and then fall so low again is unbelievable he thought. Sadness clouded his mind at that thought and he shook his head to push it aside as he headed out to complete the final stage of his plan for saving the humans and all his people.
Since Tsavong was leading this effort as the newest Warmaster, he would challenge his son to single combat, the winner either keeping or taking the title of Head Warmaster. And because Tsavong had been informed of this change in advance, he was glad to see that his son had come prepared. He is eager to complete this final stage, regardless of how it turns out for him Czulkang said to himself. The challenge was simple: if Tsavong won, he kept his title and the rebels surrendered back into Shimrra's fold and if he lost, war would begin and Czulkang would have his title back.
They would fight not with weapons but hand-to-hand as any member of a cast beside the Supreme Overlord would be asked to do. Though Czulkang determined that it was no more than a formality, it was one that he was willing to follow even against his own son. "Czulkang, Tsavong is younger and strong plus you trained him in what he knows. Even if you win, he'll give you a good run for your money," one of the rebel leaders warned him.
"That is precisely the point: I want my son to give me a good run before I triumph if my return to my former title is going to be honorable," Czulkang replied. Besides, it will feed the fires of my deceit much better anyway the old Warmaster thought but didn't say. He threw away the amphistaff he had originally had and prepared to fight his son with some of his finest martial arts ever. And in the distance, he could see his son doing the same despite the murmurs going around both camps.
"Czulkang, by the standards of most species, you are very old and are long past your prime. Even if your son doesn't gain the upperhand immediately, he could draw out the duel long enough for you to have a heart attack just when you might have finished him off. Please, for your sake more than anyone else's, don't do this," the leader begged again. But Czulkang only scoffed him off once again.