Luke Skywalker, Grand Master of the Jedi, was alone. He could feel the power of Sekot, channeled through Danni; swallow the resistance of the Jedi, making them powerless to fight back. Even he had fallen, briefly, to the power of a planet size Jedi.
Yoda use to tell him size matters not, but clearly Yoda never had to deal with something as large or had access to so much raw power. But another saying floated through his head as he struggled to his feet, Do or do not there is no try. Luke had to break the control Sekot had on the other Jedi, to fight against the evil Sekot wished to unleash on the galaxy.
Now was his chance, while Danni and Sekot were distracted by the appearance of the other fleets and the attack by the Yuuzhan Vong. He reached out for his wife, Mara, whom he loved more then life itself and who strength he has relied on in the past to help him overcome his greatest nemesis. He felt her reach back but she was confused and uncertain. She couldn't understand why Luke wasn't joining them, fighting against the True Way. He poured into the Force his love for her, the Jedi Knights, his family and for their son, Ben. She began to waiver; he felt her struggle to make sense of everything that was happening. Luke pushed harder, to show her what …
NO, the might of Sekot pounded down on Luke, forcing him to his knees and blocking his connection to Mara.
"It is over Master Skywalker," Danni said quietly as the Force hummed with Sekot's power and her eyes dancing merrier with the power coursing through her.
Luke reached out in the Force, to anyone who could hear him! All around him, in space above him, in the soil below him, the power of Sekot vibrated in the Force. Danni laughed mightily as Luke fell …
… A presence reached back, one that he could not sense in the Force but felt it reach out to him. The shadow reached out with love, admiration, and respect for her master, her teacher, her uncle … TAHIRI!
Luke seized on the faint echo in the Force, joining with her. He poured his love into the Force for his adopted niece, his admiration at what she had become in face of incalculable odds and hardships as she has always stay true to her heritage, to embrace all that she was and all that she will become.
"Sekot, please stop this madness," Tahiri sent through the Force as she embraced Luke. "We can find another way, there is always alternative. I don't wish to destroy you."
"You can not defeat me Tahiri!" Sekot sent back, pushing harder on Luke; Tahiri responded by drawing the pain away from Luke and accepting it herself.
"Alone you are correct Sekot, but the greatest lesson I have learned since leaving you is that I am never alone!" Tahiri and Luke both reached out to Mara "Alone I never was, surrounded by love of my family I am!" Tahiri poured into the Force her respect for Mara, as a friend, as a teacher, as a mother. She knew with Mara teaching Ben, loving Ben, being there for Ben; the greatest of all Jedi he would be.
Sadly, they still couldn't break through Sekot's hold on his wife.
"I will never be as strong as you in the Force or even as strong as the Skywalkers or the Solos. Nor do I ever have to be, I just need to be there to help them, to help my family." Tahiri and Luke tried reached out to Leia and Jaina to destroy Sekot's control on them. "Sekot, please I do not wish to destroy you, you have so much to offer the Force, the gods and the galaxy; you must stop this now!"
"Listen to Tahiri," Luke also implored as Leia and Jaina responded only with the same confusion that Mara was projecting. The power of Sekot was too great for them to break. "We are not your enemies. Let us work with you to understand and eradicate your fears."
"You lie Skywalker, out there in the galaxy are full of creatures who wish to destroy me!"
Luke watched as Danni's face contorted in pain as the power flowing through her increased and directed towards the Jedi.
"Sekot, the Yuuzhan Vong, the other fleets, I can't control them …" Danni screamed out in pain.
"Sekot this is your last chance," Tahiri sent through the Force, a sad determination filled the Force as Sekot ignored her. "I am sorry."
Then there was nothing but pain.
--
Face shook his head as he stared dumbly at Cindy and her party; his mind racing with what had just happened to him, to everyone. He turned back to the view port to see several, at least 15, large clouds of some kind of explosions rising from the planet's surface.
"Grand Admiral," Cindy said walking up to the shaken Imperial ruler, "Tahiri has bought us time to fight back. We must destroy the bio-sphere of Zonama before Sekot can recover."
"What did she do," Face whispered aloud as hundreds of officers and enlisted men began fielding calls from the crew of this ship and the fleets.
"She exploded something called a nuclear bomb that these fine gentlemen provided," Yunder said pointing back to the strangely dressed soldiers, who were staring in awe at the destruction their weapons were causing on Zonama.
"Admiral, the Yuuzhan Vong fleet is demanding orders." One faceless aid announced.
"Admiral, complements of Col. Fel, the Chiss Expendarie Forces are awaiting your orders." Another aid said.
"Admiral, a Mr. Karrad sends his regards and wishes to know where you wish his forces to attack." This aid sounded more surprised then the others.
"Admiral, the Imperial fleet is … sir, I can't explain it but the enemy fleet is … half of it is missing, the force formally of the Empire and GFFA wishes to know what is going on."
"So would I," Pelleaon turned to Cindy, who was looking very sad. "What is going on here Private?"
"Sir, Sekot was trying to take over the galaxy, by using the Jedi as focus points to spread its will through the Force. What happened to you here will happen everywhere if Sekot wins today. Every thinking being in the galaxy will be drones to live and die at Sekot's whims for eternity. And I don't use that term loosely, no rebellions will be possible, no child will be born without praising Sekot with all its heart. The galaxy will become one big insect hive." Cindy's normal bright eyes became clouded with anger and sadness as she spoke. "Tahiri has given you this chance to fight back; she needs you to help her people fight back. She needs her people to save themselves."
"Sir, the Yuuzhan Vong fleet again request orders, they have many young ones on the planet. They will attack with or with out us."
"Her people," Pelleaon echoed as he slowly nodded. "Then she shall get her wish, her people will fight back."
Face pulled out his comm link as Pelleaon walked down the catwalk above the command pit to stand in front of the view ports. While watching Zonama, Pelleaon asked a channel to be opened to all fighting units. Before Face could order the Wraiths into action, Face heard Doc giving orders for all Wraith units to go planet side to do a search and rescue of Major Tahiri. He gave an answering click and hoped that they were successful.
"Attention all of our people around Zonama," Pelleaon paused looking around the bridge of his flagship. "All of our people; for once that phrase have more meaning then any other time in our histories. Today, it does not matter if your Imperial, GA, Yuuzhan Vong, Chiss or even a smuggler. A force none of us could completely understand, a force that wish to destroy what we are, has just attacked us. We came because we believed it to be in danger and yet it us who was in peril. Sekot wished to rule the galaxy, it has the power to do so, and in fact, it came very close to succeeding today. However, we have been granted a second chance, a chance to fight back, to save not only ourselves but our families as well. One Jedi gave us this chance and I for one will not waste it." Pelleaon finished his turn and once again faced the planet below them. "So I will issue orders that will be followed to the letter, no argument, no disagreement, no dissent, will be tolerated. If you do not wish to save everyone here then leave now! Any attempts to interfere in rescuing the Jedi and Yuuzhan Vong or anyone on the surface shall be dealt with swiftly and without mercy. Any attempt to distract us, to halt our defense against the threat Sekot poses will also be handled in a similar manner. In addition, you can be guaranteed that history will remember you harshly for any short sighted actions you may hope to gain today. Stand by for orders."
Face swore he could hear a pin drop as everyone held their breath as Pelleaon watched the clouds of death spread over Zonama.
Suddenly, Pelleaon turned back around, marching back across the catwalk, with his shoulders squared and head held high as he rattled off orders. "Rogue squadron, 501st, Twin Suns, all fighters' squadrons; you are to attacked Northern hemisphere land mass Beta along with the Smugglers Alliance. All bomber squadrons you will attack all landmasses on the Southern hemisphere. Chiss squadrons are to attacked the Northern hemisphere land mass Charlie. Yuuzhan Vong ships are to target the North ice caps and tundra areas, Kuat, Hapes, and Bothen ships are to attack southern ice caps and tundra areas. All ships smaller then cruisers will remain in orbit, hitting targets of opportunity. All rescue shuttles and all ships large then cruisers that can make planet fall will do so to rescue the Yuuzhan Vong and Jedi. All units already assigned to CAP will continue to perform their duties, with every odd unit following us down."
The bridge exploded in a frenzy of activity as the various officers and enlisted personal relayed the Grand Admiral's wishes to the various elements of the fleets.
"Ok people, listen up," Face said to his team on the bridge. "We need a threat assessment on Sekot's offensive abilities. Col. Bomen pull up all historical data we have from the Battle to Reclaim Coruscant, when you get it have your team watch out for any surprises. Captain Rickter, you and your team assets the damage we are doing to the biosphere. Lt. Fel, you and your team keep an eye out for anyone getting frisky, understand." Face clasps the two youngsters he had joke with only a lifetime ago on the back. "You two monitor the area around the JedI and Vong. Sing out if you see anything."
"Someone open up a channel to Grand Master Skywalker," Pelleaon said rather loudly as he headed to the edge of the catwalk. "General…"
"Admiral, they stole her!" A young ensign said, surly they aren't recruiting them that young now, are they? Face through, as she came running over to Pelleaon. "Ship security reported that they attacked them!"
"Who ensign?" Pelleaon asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The blood thirsty pirates, sir! They said that they need that ship sir, they stole the Falcon!"
"Never mind General," Pelleaon said with a sigh, "It is ok ensign, those people don't exist. Return to your duties." The confused girl tried to explain as Pelleaon gently guided her back to her station while giving Face a suffering look.
"Yub Yub," Face said quietly with a smile before turning to look at Cindy and her party. "Pusher, do you guys have anymore of those bombs?"
"Negative General," Cindy said sadly while watching the mighty fleets launch an all out attack against Sekot. He turned to see even the might Guardian angle down to reach the surface. Face knew that even a SSD could make landfall but never seen one do it before and she would be needed since the Guardian could hold many of the 500,000 plus refugees that was on the planet. She had to talk loudly as the gunner commanders began firing the Guardian's main turbolazers. "Tahiri never told us where she was going to be either," when he asked for her location. "She was near the Citadel when we left her two days ago."
"Seven be advise five's location unknown, suggest you grab a JedI or two to help." Face said into his private comm link as explosions began forming on the planet from the great ship's main batteries.
"Will do lead, Yub Yub!"
--
It was all a lie, Tenel Ka though as she stood near Jaina Solo listening to Grand Master Skywalker coordinated with the Fleets to get everyone safely off Zonama. Everything that has happened to her, her family's deaths, her ruined kingdom, had all happened because of Sekot's will. It's desire to rule over the galaxy. Worst, Jacen Solo had been nothing more then a illusion, all the nights she cried in his arms, all those tender moments were nothing more then lies. Tenel Ka felt violated, unclean, used, and to make it worst Sekot had almost succeeded in making her the evil that she fought so long against.
"No, we must stop her!" Tenel Ka turned at the sounds of a raving lunatic. She saw that Danni, with blood running from her eyes, ears, nose and mouth, walked towards them on shaky legs. "Tahiri is going to kill Sekot! We must save Sekot! We must protect our god! Join me in stopping Tahiri!"
There were many things Tenel Ka could have said to the ambassador, to help her see what Sekot really was, what Sekot had become, and why they must stop Sekot before it unleashed its evil on the galaxy. But time was short as was Tenel Ka patients, so she opted for the quickest method of persuasion. When Danni got close enough, Tenel Ka swung, her fist connecting squarely with Danni's jaw, and watch in satisfaction as Danni spun three times before collapsing to the ground unconsciously.
With dignity, Tenel Ka turned back to see Grand Master Skywalker looking at her with a strange expression on his face and one raised eyebrow.
"Wow, remind me never to get on your bad side," Jaina's father said quietly as he could in the howling winds.
"Fact," Tenel Ka replied, Luke then gave her a smile as he returned to his comm link.
"The young ones are going to stating to panic soon," Master Calghal said over the rumbling of Zonama as Sekot unleashed its pain through the bedrock. "We must calm them or they could run off to hid."
"Knights, listen to me," Grand Master Skywalker's voice projected through the Force to be overheard by everyone. "Pelleaon and the fleets are going to land at the grass lands 2 klicks east of here. We must lead the Ferroines and the Yuuzhan Vong to the fleets so they can get off Zonama. Make sure no one is left behind and be mindful that as Sekot recovers it will try to stop you. Kyp, Corran, Han and Mara; you are in charge!"
"What about Tahiri," Jaina screamed as the wind and earthquakes increased.
"The Wraiths are on the way down in the Falcon, I'm going to go find her."
The ground shock so mightily that many trees and Knights fell, Tenel Ka looked up to see the clouds swirling in a maddening pace and felt the prickling sensation of electrical charge fill the air.
"Let's go," Corran and Kyp, commanded together, "the children are going to running for the hills soon."
Tenel Ka and the rest of the Knights began the running towards the assembly of Yuuzhan Vong and Ferroines as a great mass of life forms began boiling out of the ground to do battle. She saw Calghal pick up the fallen ambassador in the Force as the Skywalker family and Master Tyria gathered around Luke.
--
"No," Luke replied quietly as Han, Jaina, and Mara all voiced their objections to his plan.
"Damn it farm boy if you think …"
"Mara, they need you," Luke said waving at the group of jettier children and adults on the horizon. The groups that need their help far more then Tahiri and Luke did. "That is the future of the Yuuzhan Vong, their hope for a better life; if they lose them then the galaxy will suffer."
"Fine, but I am not a Jedi!" Han yelled out, "I am the best pilot you got and I know the Falcon better then anyone!"
"No Han," Luke said as gently but firmly. "It will be far too dangerous for you to risk it Han. If I could I would forbid the Wraiths joining me, but it would take too much time to explain it to them."
"All the more reason for us to come with you, Luke," Leia said eyes fill with dread.
"Tyria, didn't you once tell Leia and Han that the mandate of the Wraiths was to protect the GFFA from all threats from within and without, regardless of their lives."
"Yes but that doesn't matter…" Tyria started to say but stop when Luke held up a hand.
"You are correct, it doesn't matter, the Wraith's lives, Tahiri's life, or mine. It is their lives and the lives of every being in the galaxy; only our future matters here. We need to get those people clear of Zonama so we can stop Sekot here and now! Not just for the children of the Yuuzhan Vong but our children as well. The Jedi have a mandate to follow just as does the Wraiths. To protect all life from evil." Luke took his wife's hand, stared in to her incredibly beautiful green eyes that reflected his love. "I have to find Tahiri and help her fulfill my mandate, to get in the way of evil."
"You get yourself killed I am going to kick your butt farm boy," Mara said, with tears in her voice as she hugged the air out of him.
"Luke, come on …" Han started to say but stop as Luke just shook his head not releasing his hold on his wife. Han, looking crestfallen as Leia and Jaina embraced him, gave in to Luke's wishes. "Fine, but if you need us …"
"I will call," Luke said with a small grin and released his wife. "Now go and save the future." They sadly nodded, wished him well and then turn to run towards the others. Luke took of his robes, picked up his lightsaber in the Force, as the Falcon and three X-wings broke through the cloud cover. He watched as bolts of lighting trailed the four vessels, playing a merry pyrotechnical display against their shields.
--
"What are they saying 3PO," Darren asked the fussy protocol droid as the might ship opened up on the planet. The so-called Lord Major and one of his underlining were engaged a fierce but quiet argument.
"Lord Smit was wondering just how come Major Tahiri needed their 16 warheads of she commanded so much power. The one identified as a sergeant was more interested in just how they could develop defenses to protect their planet against such a fleet. Lord Major Smit reminded the 'lowly' man that they are Eutopians, and surly they worth more then a 100 of these so-call Imperials."
"His arrogance is truly astounding," Darren snorted, from everything that he saw a group of third rate smugglers in a busted up freighter could conquer that worthless planet before lunch.
"I bet that is what Sekot is thinking right this minute Darren," Cindy said with a twinkle in her eye and that damn smug smirk. "But as history as shown over and over again, never bet against the little guy. He has a way of pulling a ace out of his sleeve when you least expect it."