Thirty-Six
)-(I)-(
Sannah reflexively reached out to grip Doran's hand at the sight of the massive Ssi-ruuvi armada that had just dropped out of hyperspace. Now that subtly was no longer needed, the Ssi-ruuk had gone all out with their invasion force. In comparison, the few ships Bakura and the Galactic Alliance had managed to muster were woefully outgunned and outnumbered.
Doran likewise swallowed nervously, turning his hand over so that his and Sannah's fingers could lace together. "Some adventure, yeah?"
"Yeah," Sannah managed with a fearful smile.
Through the battlemeld set up by General Farlander's Jedi advisor, the Anx Jedi Master Madurrin, they could feel support come in from the other Jedi in the meld. Kirk Dekim had arrived in his own gunship, the Quixotic Seeker, just in time for the battle. While Alex Winger had survived her encounter with the Ssi-ruuvi battle fleet thanks to Jedi Knight Waxarn Kel, who had been serving aboard the Pride of Selonia and had been in position to respond to the Webley II's distress signal.
"This is General Panib, all forces form up. Things are going to be rough. Stick to the plan and hopefully we'll all get out of this alive."
The plan had been formulated only moments before, and it wasn't exactly a reassuring one. It more or less involved the voluntary capture of every single Galactic Alliance and Bakuran fighter. The fighters would allow the Ssi-ruuvi ships to bring them in for entechment, counting on the P'w'eck to destroy the powerful tractor beams in time. The said tractor beams would bring the fighters and gunboats pass the shields of the Ssi-ruuvi capital ships, where the large cruisers would be defenseless to any attack. It all hinged on whether or not the P'w'eck would indeed throw off the Ssi-ruuk, as Lwothin had promised. If things went badly, every single fighter-pilot and gunboat crew would soon join the P'w'eck in the entechment machines.
And being in a gunboat, it also meant that both Sannah and Doran were included with those at high risk for entechment. Tyria had definitely hated the idea, but it was the only possible way Bakura could win against such a massive Ssi-ruuvi fleet.
The Ssi-ruuk had fielded nearly thirty capital ships and several hundred fighters. The Bakuran Defense Force had only eight capital ships, plus the two ships of the Galactic Alliance, and barely sixty fighters. The odds were very obvious. As was the need for an unconventional plan.
"If this doesn't work," Sannah whispered, yellow eyes glancing back out towards the approaching Ssi-ruuvi fleet. "I…I want to say that I…"
Doran pressed a finger to her lips and shook his head. "It'll work. Think positive thoughts, Fish-Girl."
Sannah pouted behind his finger, but nodded resolutely. "Fine. You're probably right."
Doran returned his attention to the steering yoke. "I hope."
"Doran!" Sannah groaned.
Doran gestured to the fleet. "Hey, it's my first time staring down an invading enemy fleet bent on planetary domination, who also wants to suck my soul out. I'm new at this sort of thing too."
"You're also new at reassuring your girlfriend that her soul won't get sucked up and crammed into some machine," Sannah said with a shake of her head.
"In my defense, there aren't many situations where I get to practice that."
Sannah let out a weak laugh, but then grew serious as the Ssi-ruuvi fleet began to open fire. "Here we go."
"Yeah," Doran swallowed nervously. Their ship rocked as a nearby heavy cruiser laid down a scathing line of laser fire. The line of snail-shell looking ships were relentlessly battering the Galactic Alliance and Bakuran capital ships as they closed in on Bakura itself. Within the screen of laser and ion fire, a wave of landing ships surged forward. And through it all, the hundreds of triangle-shaped P'w'eck crewed fighters swarmed with frightening precision. "Heads up, mom. Several dozen landing ships are going to break through."
"Hey, I know we have the plan. But can you try to make some effort to stop them," Tyria replied with forced cheer.
"We'll try," Doran sent back. The Kell Dragon barreled through the storm of laser fire, followed by the fighter squadrons from the Pride of Selonia.
Waxam Kel's darkly-named Death Knight Squadron lit up several of the landing ships on the first pass as Doran and Sannah used the Kell Dragon's highly illegally, heavily modified, overpowered shield generators, created by Kell Tainer for his family, to soak up the majority of the incoming fire. The Kell Dragon may not have been heavily armed, but Kell Tainer wasn't going to let his family gallivant around the unknown reaches of space without some knowledge that they were safe.
Within the faint battle meld, Doran and Sannah could sense where Waxam Kel was going to take his squadron next, and continued to fly ahead of them acting as a shield. It also helped that the innumerable P'w'eck-controlled fighters were firing their own lasers at half-power, doing little to the Galactic Alliance vessels but making their shields flare impressively under the concentrated, but weakened, barrages.
Several Ssi-ruuvi landing ships erupted into balls of flame as Waxam Kel's squadron finished them off on a second pass. While another transport was left on fire and made a hasty retreat. But there were still too many transports, too many Ssi-ruuvi capital ships laying down suppressing fire, to stop them all.
"We're about to lose our deflector shields!" Sannah warned, after their ship was rocked by a volley from two Shree-class battle cruisers rapidly closing in on them. Death Knight squadron was already caught up in the tractor beam of another Ssi-ruuvi vessel and was out of the fight.
"The auxiliary shields should kick in, give us another few minutes," Doran said reassuringly, swinging the Kell Dragon around to make one last run on a landing ship.
"Auxiliary?" Sannah blinked, glancing back at the control panel as the alarms stopped.
"Dad made sure mom and I would be safe out here," Doran smiled faintly. "The Kell Dragon may only have a single quad-laser turret, but it sacrificed its missile launching system and ion cannons for heavy duty shield generators. We're safer here than on a Star Destroyer."
"You mean like that Star Destroyer?" Sannah pointed out one of the Bakuran Star Destroyers, completely engulfed in a blaze of fire and already being sucked into the planet's gravity well.
Doran winced. "Yeah."
Their ship rocked again, and the alarms returned. This time, all momentum was halted as a powerful tractor beam latched onto their vessel.
"Maybe I spoke too soon," Doran whispered, glancing fearfully out the viewport at the massive shell-like ship that was drawing them in.
"Doran?" Sannah said in a small voice.
He shifted and pulled the frightened Melodie teen from the co-pilot chair and onto his lap in a hug meant to reassure the both of them. Despite knowing that this was part of the plan, relying on the unknown allegiance of the P'w'eck was heart pounding. They did their best to synchronize their breathing, calming each other as the Ssi-ruuvi ship grew closer and closer. Force exercises failing them, they just held each other, their eyes squeezing shut as the maw-like opening of the landing bay, and the dreaded entechment machines, came into view.
All around the battlefield, the Ssi-ruuvi ships were pulling in the helplessly outnumbered Galactic Alliance and Bakuran fighters into their hold, while boarding teams were being dispatched to capture the heavily damaged capital ships. The fighting had been fierce, but appeared to have been for naught.
As the Ssi-ruuvi's swarm of triangle fighters reformed alongside their carrier vessels, a signal was transmitted to all the captured vessels. In unison, the P'w'eck controlled fighters opened fire on the larger ships' engines, tractor beam emitters, weapons, and any other location of importance. Landing bays were lit up, bridges shattered. The crippling surprise attack taking the Ssi-ruuk completely off-guard.
The Galactic Alliance and Bakuran fighters were instantly freed, and whoops of laughter rang out over the comm as they joined in the counter-attack. Within the Ssi-ruuvi capital ships' shields, the invasion fleet was completely and utterly defenseless.
In a matter of seconds, nearly the entire invasion fleet had been reduced to shattered wrecks. The few capital ships and picketships that had managed to maneuver far enough away from Bakura to jump to hyperspace, did so without a moment's delay. This left the dozen or so landing ships that had managed to touch down as the only remnants left.
)-(II)-(
Tyria was leading the defense of Bakura on the ground, alongside Lwothin and several P'w'eck who had landed in commandeered assault craft. Despite the loss of their fleet, the Ssi-ruuk shocktroopers were religious fanatics who would happily die for their Imperium. With the planet consecrated, they had no fear of death, and it showed in suicidal way they charged the Bakuran lines around the capital building.
Paddle-beamers lanced out, picking off members of the ground defenders, while laser fire streaked back in turn. A wave of Ssi-ruuk braved the constant blaster fire to overrun a Defense Force position, only to be mowed down by a second line of defenders reinforced with the P'w'eck soldiers.
"There," Tyria spotted a larger than normal, brightly colored Ssi-ruuk giving orders to the troops amassed around him.
The translation droid relayed Lwothin's reply. "Lwothin indicates that that is the Keeramak. Slaying him will demoralize the rest of the Ssi-ruuvi invasion force."
"We have to get to him first," Tyria grimaced, jerking her head away as a paddle-beamer beam sliced into the column behind her. "And these Ssi-ruuk aren't going to make it easy."
Lwothin let out a warbling reply, and the translation droid gasped. "Oh dear, Lwothin is suggesting that you use the P'w'eck as a distraction and flank the Keeramak."
"Lwothin, your people would be overwhelmed almost immediately," Tyria said in protest. "We're barely holding the line as it is."
"Lwothin acknowledges the risk, but he says that the P'w'eck are willing to risk everything to be free of the Ssi-ruuvi Imperium once and for all. He does advise that you be quick about it, however. He would like to see the freedom he and his people are fighting for."
Tyria closed her eyes, pained, as she nodded. "Then may the Force be with you, Lwothin."
As the P'w'eck soldiers defending the capital building collapsed the defensive line to make it more compact and concentrated, Tyria led the Bakuran defenders back into the building and out through a side door. They hurriedly passed through several alleys and side-streets to flank the Ssi-ruuvi force. The sound of battle from the capital began to rise in pitch as the Ssi-ruuk took the moment to press their attack with everything they had. Tyria had no doubt that the P'w'eck soldiers were falling, and used the Force to add even more urgency into the steps of the soldiers following her.
The defenders burst back out into the main street, behind the Keeramak and his personal bodyguard. The Ssi-ruuvi leader seemed surprise to see this new force and let out a bellowing roar in challenge. Immediately, several Ssi-ruuvi triangle fighters flew into flanking positions around the multi-colored Ssi-ruu. Tyria and the Bakuran defenders looked up at them fearfully while the Keeramak appeared to smirk in victory—just before the fighters opened up on his own people and began a massacre of the Ssi-ruuvi ground forces.
"Open fire!" Tyria barked in order, to shake the shock from the Bakuran defenders.
At once, the laser fire recommenced, picking off the completely stunned Ssi-ruuvi attack force. From the opposite side, the P'w'eck soldiers pressed their attack back out from the capital building, advancing past a line of dead and towards the Keeramak's position. The multi-colored leader fired his own paddle-beamers , one in each hand, at the P'w'eck; obviously enraged by their betrayal. Several P'w'eck fell, but the rest continued to push forward.
Finally, a paddle-beamer strike fired by Lwothin hit the Keeramak cleanly in the leader's head. The Keeramak shuddered and fell to one knee. Lwothin approached the Ssi-ruuvi leader, pressed the nozzle of his paddle-beamer to the Keeramak's head, and pulled the trigger.
The Fourth Battle for Bakura was over.
)-(III)-(
Sitting in orbit around the planet Onadax, the lone pilot of the Dancing Droid, tilted her head as she looked at the video feed on the display in front of her. After analyzing the remains of the Human Replica Droids produced by ODT, she had managed to reconstruct much of the source code and discovered the frequency and code one could use to gain access to any HRD operating systems. Though she had been confident that she had destroyed all the HRD's when she took out the factory, she just had to be sure.
She was glad she double-checked. If the feed she was viewing was anything to go by, there was at least one more HRD still operational. The HRD probably wasn't even aware that its optical sensors had been hacked from several light-years away. Using hyper-comm buoys and the knowledge she had learned from the ODT factory, the pilot of the Dancing Droid had full access to everything this particular droid was seeing and hearing.
"I gave you Bakura, and now I expect to be paid as promised. Half the money I shelled out for this body. It is not my fault the Galactic Alliance had ships nearby that forced you to accelerate your plans."
"You stink of the same filth that your kind drowns in. Bakura is still not in our possession. There is no deal."
"You can't go back on our deal like this. I'm not leaving without the credits. All you have to do is send another force to destroy both Bakura and the P'w'eck. It's not that hard considering the damage the first fleet inflicted upon them."
"I grow tired of listening to your voice. We gave you your body for a specific reason. It is you who have failed to uphold your end of the bargain. Not us."
"See here, General E'thinna! I…"
"Unless you wish to fight me for your money, we have nothing more to discuss."
"I will fight you, and I will crush you like an insect."
The general's mocking laugh filled the droid's audio receptors.
"I'm serious! Give me my money!"
"The only thing you shall get from me is death."
The pilot of the Dancing Droid raised her eyebrows as the system information she was receiving indicated that a restraining bolt had been activated.
"You are a fool, human," the general hissed, stepping forward and peering into the droid's eyes. "Did you honestly think that we wouldn't be ready for you? Do you believe us to be so stupid? We have learned much of your vile machines since coming to your galaxy…"
The pilot began recording the transmission at that line, knowing that something wasn't quite right.
"…You sowed chaos; now we shall reap the rewards."
The pilot gasped aloud as the alien's hideous face melted away. The long snout folded back and rolled down the long neck, taking the triple-lidded eyes and scent-tongues with them.
Beneath the ooglith masquer, the Dancing Droid's occupant easily recognized the purple-skinned, scarred visage of a Yuuzhan Vong. There was no mistaking the member of the race that hated everything mechanical. The Dancing Droid's pilot let out a sad sigh as the Yuuzhan Vong allowed more of his kind to enter the room. His lackeys began pounding the droid to pieces with their amphistaff. The last thing the droid saw was the Yuuzhan Vong posing as General E'thinna, walking away.
The pilot turned off the feed, saved everything to a data file, and then sent it all off to her contacts in Galactic Alliance Intelligence. She doubted any would care about the passing of the HRD known to many as Cundertol, but at least the Galactic Alliance Intelligence would learn about the Yuuzhan Vong who had infiltrated the Ssi-ruuvi Imperium. With her job done, she sent a 'thanks for the fun times, we should do it again,' note to Tyria, and maneuvered her ship out of orbit. With one last glance back at Onadax, the Dancing Droid leapt to hyperspace and to its next droid-filled adventure.
)-(IV)-(
It was indeed a new era for Bakura. Perhaps not the one envisioned by Cundertol, Harris, or Malinza, but a new era nonetheless. General Panib had proved very adept at keeping his people united despite the treachery of their leaders, and was all for including the Freedom into a new coalition government. This government also included the P'w'eck, now free of their masters, and it looked as if Bakura would indeed remain strong and prosperous for quite some time.
A referendum was held, and in light of the recent events, the people of Bakura chose to give the Galactic Alliance one more chance. They remained a part of the Galactic Alliance, but only just. Both General Farlander and Tyria had agreed to terms that gave Bakura more autonomy and more of a say in the way their military capabilities were used. No longer would the Galactic Alliance be able to just requisition ships from Bakura without giving anything back. Additionally, as a show of good faith, the Mon Adapyne would remain on hand for the near future. The P'w'eck were likewise welcomed into the Galactic Alliance and for the first time in a long while, the Balance appeared to have been restored on the fringe planet known as Bakura.
As the Kell Dragon lifted off of Bakura, Tyria smiled tenderly at the scene before her. She had left the cockpit to check on her son, and found both he and Sannah curled up together in one of the bunks. They were both sleeping peacefully, the events of the past few weeks finally catching up to them. That, and the realization that they had come so close to being enteched, had caused the two of them to once more reinforce the bond they shared. Tyria tucked a strand of hair behind her ears as she silently entered the room. She pulled the blankets back up around her son and Sannah, tucking them in securely, before giving both a brief kiss on their foreheads. With one last gentle smile, she dimmed the lights and left the room.
Returning to the cockpit and in need of some unwinding herself, she let out a deep breath and activated the hyper-comm emitter.
Her eyes sparkled happily as the holo-graphic image of her husband appeared.
"Hey Kell."
"Tyria," Kell's grin was child-like upon seeing her. "Another fun adventure?"
"Remind me not to go anywhere again just because the Force tells me too," Tyria said with a mock nod of sadness. "Are you doing okay?"
"Just fine. The Wraiths are helping Antilles hold Kuat at the moment. Care to join?"
"For a couple of days, maybe," Tyria nodded.
"Really?" Kell said brightly. "I'll have a full banquet ready for you and Doran, then. The best military rations the quartermaster will give me."
Tyria chuckled at his antics and reached to his hologram fondly. "That'd be great."
"So it really was some adventure," Kell raised an eyebrow as his expression softened. He may not have been Force sensitive, but he didn't have to be to read his wife's tired expression. "You and Doran all right?"
"We're fine. Sannah is too," Tyria sighed. "Bakura was a bit more of an adventure than we thought it would be."
"Bakura?" Both of Kell's eyebrows shot up. "Now this is an adventure I have to hear."
Tyria leaned back into the pilot's chair, smiling as she began to recount her latest adventure. Once more, she was thankful of the Force for giving her her son, her wonderfully dorky husband, and everything she would ever need.
)-(V)-(
Commander Shith'rii Choka sat back in his new Hutt-skin chair, finding it suitable enough. Placed in charge of all of Domain Choka's forces since the promotion of Nas Choka, Shith'rii knew that he had a large void to fill. It was why he was more than eager to teach these disgusting Hutts a lesson. They dare plot with the Jedi against the Yuuzhan Vong? How forgetful they were, to not remember what happened the last time they challenged the Yuuzhan Vong. He would finish what Nas Choka had started and annihilate the Hutts once and for all. It would a moment the people and the galaxy would recall and shudder in fear of.
From the numbers recited to him by the Hutt whose skin covered his chair, Shith'rii Choka knew that his own fleet outnumbered that of the infidels' many times over. Knew that it would be he, Shith'rii Choka, who would bring honor to Domain Choka, for the defeat of the Hutts and the capture of Jaina and Anakin Solo. With the Domains of Lah and Karsh currently disgraced, it was time for the Domain of Choka to rise above them all.
It would be a quick and decisive battle. His opponent would cower with fear at the might of the Yuuzhan Vong. Shith'rii would prove to Nas Choka and Shimrra that they were not wrong to entrust this region of space to him. They would drop out of hyperspace directly in the gravity well of the planet called Tatooine. With such overwhelming force, a planetary bombardment would soon commence after they swept aside the pitiful fleet thrown at them by the infidels. No amount of strategy or tactics would save them. Shith'rii had even delayed a retaliatory attack to ensure that he had as many ships with him as possible.
In addition to Domain Choka's vessels, the lesser domains, such as that of Rak and Qat added to the might of his fleet. Two yammosks were in attendance for the battle. Victory was all but certain.
"Real space reversion in three, two, one."
As the officer counted down, Shith'rii Choka sat on the edge of his seat. The cognition hood he wore allowed him to clearly see everything his ship could see. He was more than eager to see the panic his armada would cause among the infidel ships. Watching them flee before his might.
Unfortunately for Shith'rii Choka, that wasn't the sight that greeted him. No sooner had his fleet dropped out of hyperspace than hundreds of missiles slammed into the unprepared vessels. It was as if the infidels had known exactly where and when they would arrive and had fired the missiles ahead of time. Fire blossomed as the lead ships disintegrated under the barrage of missiles. The other vessels were frantically veering away from the onslaught as the warheads continued to detonate amongst the fleet on all sides.
This wasn't what Shith'rii Choka had expected.
"Reform the lines! Have the fleet regroup around…"
"Great One, the yammosks have been slain!" An officer cried out in panic.
"What?! Already? How?"
"Unknown!"
"The left flank of our formation is collapsing! Ten infidel capital ships have destroyed the Creeping Death!"
"Our right flank cannot hold much longer! Another fifteen enemy ships have punched through the line!"
Shith'rii Choka's head was jerking back and forth as a slew of reports came in, none of them positive. He glanced towards the blaze-bug niche and saw the ships in his fleet blink out one by one. It also showed that the enemy ships had surround them on all sides. Once again proving that they had known exactly where his fleet would drop out of orbit. He opened his mouth, but he had no answer to the panicked cries of his subordinates. Everything was going so wrong.
"It's like they know what we're going to do before we do it!" The villip officer wailed. "Yun-Harla is truly on their side!"
"Five more infidel ships are attacking the rear of our formation!"
"We have confirmed reports that Jaina Solo is in the battle. She is commanding the Ksstarr and being escorted by a squadron of their fighters."
That announcement seemed to get Shith'rii's attention. "Where!"
"She is with the group of six infidel vessels meeting our fleet head on!" The officer said in bewilderment.
"Prepare to engage the…" Shith'rii's orders were cut off as his ship shook violently.
"Great One! One of their triangle ships, and one of their oval ones they call Mon Calamari Cruiser have trapped us between them! Dovin basals are being overloaded!"
"The Ksstarr is lining up for an attack run!"
Shith'rii froze in complete panic, his mind shutting down at the impossibility of this situation. This was supposed to have been Domain Choka's moment of glory. His moment to show the galaxy what happens if the Yuuzhan Vong were defied. It just wasn't possible. It just wasn't fair.
From the cognition hood on his head, he could see the lone Yuuzhan Vong frigate being commanded by Jaina Solo line up to the bridge of his own vessel. Explosions were already ripping his ship apart. This was just the final insult. His hands fell slack to his side as the Ksstarr's weaponry opened up. Plasma projectiles ripped through the overloaded defenses of his ship and plowed into the bridge.
In the next instant, Shith'rii Choka felt a blinding surge of heat and then he felt nothing more.
)-(VI)-(
"The command ship is down!" Jaina reported to the rest of the fleet through the comlink. They had had four days to prepare for the Yuuzhan Vong attack, and things were going pretty much according to plan.
With the yammosk and command ships down, it was time to finish the battle.
Jaina nodded to Rashak, the Trickster's villip operator, and he nodded in turn, letting Jaina know that all Yuuzhan Vong vessels in the region could now hear her. "Fleet that formerly belonged to Shith'rii Choka. This is Jaina Solo, the Goddess Yun-Harla incarnate. Your yammosks are dead, your commander is dead. Your lines have been shattered, and I am preventing all of you from jumping into hyperspace by my will alone."
Technically, it was her will augmented by General Antilles' Interdictor cruiser and Tatooine's natural gravity well, but in their panicked state, Jaina didn't think they needed to know that.
"You will all surrender to me or join Shith'rii Choka in disgrace. Dying here will not grant you any honor. The gods have already turned away from you for following a commander as blind as he. As are well aware by now, I was ready for Choka and all of you. I knew your every movement and strategy the moment it came to your minds."
This time Anakin got credit for the all-knowing part of her powers, and Jacen was the one who alerted them to the arrival of the incoming fleet, but she was Yun-Harla, and tricking people was her specialty.
"You can fight and die in vain, or surrender to Yun-Harla and maintain your honor. There is no disgrace in living. There is always another option besides death. It takes a true warrior to see this. Your fate is in your hands."
Jaina made a 'kill' motion with her hand, and Rashak let the villip relax to its natural state. "Well, what do you think?"
A few moments of silence passed as everyone in the bridge watched the blaze-bug niche. Finally, Liir, the operator of the niche, spoke up, awe in her voice. "I think that you must truly be an avatar of Yun-Harla. The ships of Domain Rak are standing down."
"Domain Qat's ships are also broadcasting their submission to Yun-Harla," Rashak announced.
"Some of Domain Choka's ships are trying to regroup, but others have become stationary."
Jaina sighed. "Well, it was too much to hope that all of them would just give in. Let the Bothans have them. Hopefully it'll make up for the ones they won't be able to kill."
Rashak nodded. "As you command, goddess."
Several more seconds passed as the cluster of Domain Choka ships on the blaze-bug niche flickered out one by one. Guided by Anakin's Vongsense-enhanced battlemeld, the last hold-outs never stood a chance against the blood-thirsty Bothan fleet.
"What a waste," Liir whispered sadly. With every ship destroyed, not only were warriors killed, but so were hundreds of Shamed Ones who didn't even know what freedom felt like. Shamed Ones who had been beaten into submission and forced to obey the warriors and priests simply because it was what their religion commanded them to do.
"Yeah," Jaina remarked, walking over and placing a reassuring hand on the Freed One's shoulder. "But at least the others surrendered."
"There is that," Liir acknowledged.
"Goddess, seven more Yuuzhan Vong vessels with markings matching Domain Choka have just dropped out of hyperspace at the outer edge of the system," the pilot Falhar warned sharply. "Three Uro-ik V'alh, two Miid Ro'ik, a Suuv Ban D'krid, and a Matalok."
Jaina swore. "Tell the Hapan fleet to…"
"Receiving open communication from the Matalok, identifying itself as the… Blessed by the Jeedai?" Rashak sounded completely bewildered.
Jaina blinked in surprise. "By all means, put them on."
"This is Taan, commander of the Freed Yuuzhan Vong vessel, Blessed by the Jeedai. Please hold your fire, we came to help."
Jaina felt her surprise and happiness echoed by the other Jedi in the meld. "Taan? As in Tahiri and Anakin's Taan?"
"Yes, Yun-Harla. It is I." Taan sounded amused by the shock in Jaina's voice. "We came to reinforce you and the others, but apparently we were not needed. Either the Jedi are greater than even I could believe or Shith'rii Choka was more incompetent than I thought."
"Probably more of the latter, a little of the former," Jaina laughed. "How'd you get your own fleet?"
"Shith'rii Choka used Ylesia to house some of the fleet he kept in reserve. After that it was only a matter of time before the Freed Ones on Ylesia joined up with the Shamed Ones he had brought in. Since we all serve the warriors food…well…let's just say I know a priest of Yun-Harla who is an expert at making poisons. Our ships are only crewed by the minimum number of Yuuzhan Vong possible, though some of the slaves from Ylesia are also helping out. We didn't think we'd get here in time."
"It's the thought that counts, Taan," Jaina chuckled, unable to keep the smile off her face. "Feel free to join us. The rest of Choka's fleet surrendered to me, so right now it's just a matter of sorting through the prisoners. I'm sure Tahiri and Anakin would love to see you too."
"As you command, Yun-Harla. I would also like to inform you that the Hutt Underground has taken the planet you have called 'Runaway Prince,' and the Yuuzhan Vong equivalent of your shipyard there has been put out of commission."
Jaina shook her head, and knew she was grinning like a fool as she settled back into the command chair. Things couldn't get any better.
)-(VI)-(
Information provided by Taan and her confederates painted a pretty clear picture as to the situation in Hutt Space. Shith'rii Choka had more or less emptied it of all but a few Yuuzhan Vong vessels in his disastrous strike on Tatooine. With the loss of the ships at Ylesia, and those protecting the Runaway Prince's yorik coral production facility, only a handful of ships were left guarding a Kor Chokka grand cruiser in orbit around Nal Hutta. When asked about any Barabel captives, Taan confirmed that several shipments from Barab I had come in and that the slaves were being used to mine in the now toxic atmosphere on the planet's surface.
Saba Sebatyne had hissed at this, and thumped her tail anxiously; her desire to rescue her people echoing throughout the meld that the Jedi still maintained.
There were still some details to iron out before entering Hutt Space, however. Namely, the surprising number of Yuuzhan Vong who had surrendered.
Surrendered to Jaina specifically.
Apparently Anakin's advanced Vongsense-enhanced battlemeld had scared the warriors half to death, making it seem as if Jaina really had known what they were thinking and what they were going to do. When faced with such obvious impossible odds, even the most veteran of Yuuzhan Vong warriors knew when to give up.
Most of the logistics surrounding the captured Yuuzhan Vong ships and warriors were being sorted out by Jaina, Tahiri, and Taan in orbit around Tatooine. In the meantime, back on the planet's surface, Anakin, Jacen, and Corran were going over what was needed to take out the Yuuzhan Vong battle station. The last time the Galactic Alliance had gone up against one was over Obroa-skai. But that was with an armada of several hundred vessels and trickery on Jaina's part. Even with a small escort, the Kor Chokk grand cruiser was more than enough to repel the force at their disposal. Yet, they were in agreement that a lightning fast strike while the Yuuzhan Vong were cut off was needed.
"We can use some of the captured ships and board the grand cruiser," Anakin suggested. "We let the commander of the cruiser know that Shith'rii was slain in battle and that command of Hutt Space now falls to him. He'll most likely want to execute us personally for abandoning Shith'rii, so any ships that approach will be ordered to dock."
"We'll have to keep the number pretty low, though, otherwise we'll attract suspicion," Corran said. "One or two ships running away won't be that surprising. But if a third of the fleet that went out, came back, the commander might become wary."
"We'll just have to fit as many people into the ships as possible," Anakin said. "If my understanding about the Yuuzhan Vong is correct, the commander of the grand cruiser will expect the crews to obediently submit themselves to execution."
"That sounds right," Jacen agreed. "Security will probably be low, so overpowering any guards awaiting the boarding party shouldn't take long. But the boarding party has to take control of the station fast. Any sign that he's losing control of the situation, and the commander of the Kor Chokk will probably kill all the slaves and bombard Nal Hutta again. Yuuzhan Vong aren't very good losers. Especially the commanders."
Corran nodded grimly. "We'll need to have Freed Ones who know the layout of a Kor Chokk be part of the boarding party then. The last thing we want is for the boarding party to be running around in circles looking for the control room and ending up in a Vong refresher."
"So we have Taan and her people lead the boarding party," Anakin said. "As Yuuzhan Vong, they'll attract the least suspicion if they're seen running through the hallways. If it comes to it, any Jedi or Galactic Alliance soldier who goes with the Freed Ones can play the role of prisoner."
"Ah, yes. The old 'we're helpless prisoners so take us to your leader' routine," Corran said dryly.
"Again, that's only the backup plan. If it does come to it, hopefully it'll work out better than it did on the Myrkr mission," Anakin winced.
Corran smiled faintly. "So who should go with the Freed Ones, then?"
"Tahiri definitely. On top of knowing Yuuzhan Vong, she can also use Vongsense," Jacen said, looking to his brother for approval; she was, after all, Anakin's girlfriend.
"Tahiri," Anakin agreed. "Kyp too."
"Kyp? Are you sure?" Jacen said, sounding surprised.
"He's good at thinking on his feet if something should go wrong," Anakin nodded. "I'll be outside maintaining the Vongsense within the meld so he's the best choice."
"Then I'll go with the boarding party," Jacen said.
"Okay," Anakin said. "So Tahiri, Kyp, you, and Alema."
"Alema?" This time it was Corran's turn to be surprised.
"She has Vongsense too," Anakin said. "And she's better at close-quarters combat than actually flying a starfighter."
"Okay, so us four and what? A dozen or so commandos?" Jacen said, looking to Colonel Nek Bwua'tu and the other members at the table.
"Whatever you think is best, Jedi Solo," the colonel inclined his head, and then motioned to the representatives of the other fleet elements. "After the success of the space battle, I don't think any of us will doubt your planning abilities."
"Indeed," the admiral of the Bothan fleet harrumphed. "Never before have I been in a battle that was so successful as the one we just fought. Everything surpassed even my high expectations."
"You have my ships," Colonel Kadra Bres, of General Iblis' taskforce shrugged. "We've been ordered to stay on until you have no need for us."
"Hapes has its word to the Hutts to uphold," Tenel Ka likewise added in support. "The fact that we suffered only several fighter loses but no pilot deaths in the past engagement is only a welcomed bonus."
"Why don't we have a mixed commando unit, then," Anakin said. "We'll take the best people from each group and merge them into one unit. Make this a united effort."
"Good idea," Jacen said. "A mixed unit will also make it harder for the Yuuzhan Vong to predict what the group will do."
"This is one of those diplomatic things, isn't it?" Wes Janson sighed. "I told Wedge he should have sent someone else."
Jacen and Anakin exchanged wry grins that was all Solo. Neither particularly liked diplomatic maneuverings either, but some of their mother's abilities had rubbed off on them as they were growing up. As Wes had mentioned earlier, there really hadn't been a combined fleet of so many different independent groups in a long time. If Jacen and Anakin were going to help ensure the Galactic Alliance got off to a good start, they needed to actually make this an allied effort and not just have individual groups do their own separate thing.
"Colonel Bres, Colonel Bwua'tu, can we leave it to the two of you to create the joint commando unit?" Jacen asked. "I know mashing together these kinds of groups out of the blue isn't the best, so whoever you pick will have to learn how to get along on the trip over to Hutt Space."
"It won't be a problem."
"We'll get right on it, Jedi Solo." Both Colonels saluted, and then they excused themselves.
Anakin looked to the Bothan admiral. "Sir, we'll most likely need your ships on standby if things go disastrously wrong."
"You can count on the Bothans," the admiral nodded.
"Then can you and Colonel Janson make contingency plans just in case, say, a second Yuuzhan Vong battle fleet drops out of hyperspace while we're taking the grand cruiser?" Anakin asked.
"Strategy, that's a language I can understand," Wes looked relieved as both he and the Bothan admiral exchanged serious nods and likewise excused themselves.
That left only Corran, Tenel Ka, Jacen, and Anakin in the room.
"What exactly did you need me here for again?" Corran said dryly. "The two of you did absolutely fine by yourselves."
"We weren't sure how the others would take to being ordered around by kids half their age," Anakin said with a weak smile. "Even with the victory over Shith'rii Choka, they still might have preferred to hear their orders from an older Jedi."
Corran regarded Anakin with a surprised look. He was relieved that all the whispers about Anakin being the next Grandmaster hadn't gone to the kid's head. He was again also reminded that despite his command presence and loyalty he instilled, Anakin was still just that, a kid. Corran let out a small chuckle. "Anakin, with the success you just had, most of the people in the fleets above Tatooine at the moment would probably follow you all the way to Coruscant if you decided to go there. You too, Jacen. I heard some of what Master Skywalker said to the two of you during your knighting ceremony, and I have to say that I'm surprised, but pleased, at how well the two of you have adopted your roles."
"We are too," Jacen said. "But it's easier knowing that Jaina and Anakin have my back."
"Alone, holding up the entire Jedi Order might have been just a bit too much," Anakin said, inclining his head towards his brother. "Now come on, Jedi Knight Horn, I sense that the Queen Mother has some less than Queen Mother things to say to my brother after he volunteered to be on the strike team."
Jacen glanced back toward Tenel Ka, who simply arched a single eyebrow. "Your senses serve you well, Anakin."
"Thanks, Your Majesty," Anakin said brightly, rising and walking out with Corran. "See you later, Jace."
"Anakin," Jacen said with a half-hearted wave.
The door slid shut behind Anakin and Corran. The moment it did, Tenel Ka rose from her position on the opposite side of the table and moved to a seat next to Jacen. They sat side by side, staring off at the motes of dust that drifted through a ray of light coming from a small window.
"You will be careful, of course," Tenel Ka said evenly. The comparison of the plan to the mission to Myrkr didn't sit well with her stomach. Tenel Ka had no desire to have any aspect of that mission play out once again.
"Of course," Jacen agreed.
"We will be most displeased if you were to be harmed in any way."
"And it would be foolish of me to upset the leader of sixty-three systems," Jacen agreed again, his brown eyes still following the drifting motes of dust before him.
"I fully expect you to return. No running off after strange creatures or chasing ancient Jedi on some mystic quest."
"I don't expect to find any on the Kor Chokk, but I won't chase any if I do," Jacen said reassuringly.
Sensing Anakin erect a bubble of privacy around the room, both Jacen and Tenel Ka looked to each other in unison. Any pretense vanishing in the safety they had been granted. Grey eyes held Jacen's gaze solemnly. "Return to me, Jacen Solo."
Jacen nodded once. He lifted a hand to cup Tenel Ka's cheek and leaned in for a gentle kiss. "Always, Tenel Ka."
They blinked as they parted, their Force bond allowing for an influx of emotion to bounce between the two of them. Tenel Ka covered the hand he left on the table with her own, visibly swallowing. Finally she looked away and let her hand fall to her side. Anakin gave a mental warning that her attendants were returning for her.
Jacen allowed a ghost of his father's smile as he stood and bowed formally. "Be well, Your Highness."
Tenel Ka inclined her head as the door to the room slid back open. "You as well, Jedi Solo. The Hapan fleet will be the first responders if the Yuuzhan Vong do not fall for this ploy."
"You have my thanks," Jacen straightened, Tenel Ka's small retinue of followers had now caught up with and were flanking her. "Until next time, Queen Mother."
Tenel Ka made a dismissing motion with her hand, and Jacen walked out of the room. As he did, he caught her faint whisper of, "Next time, Jacen, my dear friend."
)-(VII)-(
A week later
Seated on the bridge of the Hapan ship, the Rock Dragon, Anakin maintained his careful balance between Vongsense and the Force. Since Ebaq 9 he had been able to refine it, lengthen the duration he could use it. Though the only reason why he had begun to bleed through his nose during the battle of Ebaq 9 had been because the Ralroost had taken a direct hit that had bounced his face off the nearby bulkhead, he had been reaching his limit anyways. Now, however, he could more or less double that length. It all depended on how he focused and used the Force energy of the others while maintaining his Vongsense. A very fine balance was needed between the two. Leaning just a little too much in one direction would quickly drain his energy reserves.
They'll be okay, Tenel Ka. Anakin sent through the meld, sensing the Hapan Queen Mother's thoughts. He has Alema and Tahiri looking out for him, and Kyp looking out for all of them.
Tenel Ka kept her gaze on the viewport of the bridge, giving no sign that she had heard him. She was currently focused on the mixed Hapan/Galactic Alliance fleet that was under her command. They were on the very edge of the Y'Toub system, home of Nal Hutta and the last of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet guarding the region.
"Bait One and Two have docked with the Yuuzhan Vong station," the helmsman reported. "Last report indicates that everything is going according to plan."
"Bel Iblis task group reporting exit vector is still clear."
As the situational updates continued to come in, Anakin stretched out and concentrated his enhanced Vongsense for the four Jedi in the strike team. For Alema, Tahiri, and Jacen, practitioners of Vongsense, all Anakin did was sharpen their own senses and make it so that they could keep in touch with both the Force and their Vongsense at the same time. Through the meld, Kyp was able to see both what the other three Jedi were sensing, but also what Anakin was laying out for him; a mental road map of the surrounding areas complete with glittering signs that announced the location of a Yuuzhan Vong.
I made it so that even you could understand it, Master. Anakin sent innocently.
Trying to capture a Vong battle station here, do you mind, Jedi Knight Solo? Kyp shot back.
Boys, play nice. Jaina added from her position onboard the Trickster.
The banter fell away as the strike force began engaging the patrols within the Kor Chokk grand cruiser. Taan's regiment of Freed Ones split up, each taking with them a portion of the joint commando unit that accompanied the Jedi. Tahiri and Jacen headed for the bridge, while Alema and Kyp headed for the dovin basal clusters. Everything continued to go as planned.
Tenel Ka was relieved in some way to have access to the Force, as she knew that she would have been otherwise worrying herself crazy waiting for some word from the infiltration team. The teams had gone dark to keep from giving away their position, and only those within the battlemeld knew what was happening. It was all up to the infiltration teams now, for better or for worse.
)-(VIII)-(
Working with Jacen was different than working with Anakin, Tahiri decided as they headed down one of the long corridors within the Kor Chokk. Though she had worked with Jacen before via the battlemeld, physically working with him, side-by-side, was a unique experience. Whereas Jaina's aura was similar to Anakin's, Jacen's couldn't have been more dissimilar, almost the complete opposite.
On one hand, Anakin tended to keep his own thoughts and feelings tightly controlled, whether in the meld or working side-by-side. On the other, Jacen continued to project an aura of calm and control, keeping the negative effects of tunnel vision and the adrenaline rush that might come from embarking on such a high-risk mission to a bare minimum. Like Master Skywalker had said, Jacen was the pillar of mental discipline for the order. With Anakin, you tended to emotionally attach yourself to the mission, wanting to see it through to the end no matter what. You felt that you had a job to do, a duty to your friends and family. It was that emotional connection that made so many people want to follow him.
With Jacen, though, you knew that you had a mission to complete. A goal was put forth and you tried to accomplish it as best you could. You knew what would happen if you succeeded. Just as you knew about the alternatives should you fail. He was the epitome of the 'do or do not' maxim, logical and precise. It was almost as if Jacen could detach himself from the emotional aspect of the mission and concentrate solely on completing the mission; just as he had done on Myrkr when he had left Anakin and her to chase after the voxyn queen.
As accustomed as she had become to working alongside Anakin, having her head oddly clear of the emotional stress Anakin normally took on—and unsuccessfully tried to hide from her—during the course of the mission was something she wasn't used to. In fact, in the oddly calm and clear-headed state she found herself in, she almost missed that emotional overflow.
She glanced at Jacen out of the corner of her eyes as they followed Taan and several Freed Ones to the control clusters that regulated most of the Kor Chokk. He had a face very similar to Anakin's, except for the eyes. Jacen and Jaina shared the same shade of brown, while Anakin had inherited piercing blue. It was just one more thing that set Anakin apart from his powerful Force sensitive siblings.
"Credit for your thoughts?" Jacen whispered, using the Force to keep the sound of his voice contained.
Tahiri blushed. "Just thinking about how different you are from Anakin."
"Good different, or bad different?"
"Different, different," Tahiri said.
They paused for a bit as they both sensed a Yuuzhan Vong warrior about to open a membrane door right next to them. Jacen activated his lightsaber and the blade cut through the membrane door and into the unsuspecting warrior. The warrior slumped to the ground without a sound, and they continued their trek.
"Different, different?"
"Uh huh," Tahiri nodded. "The both of you are so powerful, it's almost scary. You both have different ways of approaching problems with the different powers you have. And at the same time, you each control your power so differently. It's all so…"
"Different?" Jacen said with a smile.
"Yeah," Tahiri grinned back. "The way you and Anakin think about the Force is similar, but you both use it in your own ways. You're more of a 'what-will-happen-in-the-future-if-I-do-this' kind of guy. Anakin's a 'let's-see-what-happens-in-the-future-when-I-do-this.'"
"There's a difference?"
"Yup. You tend to try and predict the future by altering what you would do to get the results you want; before anything actually takes place. Anakin sets pieces in motion and then tries to redirect the events to a desired outcome as the events come along. He takes a more spontaneous approach. You don't act until you have as many variables that you can think of, accounted for. Neither are bad and both produce good results, but they don't exactly fit together well. Take this mission for example. We started off on Barab I, took a side-trip to Tatooine, baited a Yuuzhan Vong commander to come out to Tatooine, and now we're invading a Kor Chokk in Hutt Space. There's no way anyone could have planned all this in advance. Anakin takes what comes and changes his overall plans to fit the situation."
Another break as they felt a patrol of Yuuzhan Vong coming down an opposite corridor. They both motioned to the commandos and Freed Ones, and they all ducked into a side room. As the patrol passed their location, they attacked, efficiently taking down the patrol before any alarm could be uttered.
"Where was I?" Tahiri said sheepishly as she snapped her amphistaff back around her wrist.
"Anakin changing his overall plan," Jacen reminded with an amused smile. He now knew what his brother meant when he had said that Tahiri could talk non-stop and that it was nearly impossible to get a word in.
"Right. Though Anakin's good at overall planning, you're better at these individual pieces. Anakin sets a big goal, like taking out the voxyn queen or retaking Hutt Space, and he can plan basic steps to get to that goal. But in between those steps is where you're better. Like this Kor Chokk. Anakin's basic goal was for us to get on the station and take it out. You and Master Horn worked out the finer details on how we were going to do that. Just like when you worked out on Myrkr how you were going to track the voxyn queen after everything began to fall apart. He motivates people into wanting to do the mission, you show the people how exactly they can complete the mission. The two of you are so different, yet you make the perfect team if your plans sync up."
"It doesn't always feel that way, but I know what you mean," Jacen said. "Despite all the disagreements I have with him, he is my little brother. I'm proud of what he's been able to accomplish, especially with everyone placing so much pressure on his shoulders. I'm still a little jealous, I can't help but feel that. But I'm most definitely proud."
"You ever tell him that?" Tahiri tilted her head to look up at Jacen curiously.
"He knows," Jacen shrugged. "I think."
Tahiri let out an exasperated breath and shook her head in disbelief. "Really, Jacen?"
Welcome to my world, Jaina sent through the Force, more or less mimicking Tahiri's reaction.
"He's my brother. He should already know that I'm proud of him," Jacen said in his own defense.
"He's not a mind reader, Jacen," Tahiri groaned, realizing that that phrase wasn't the most apt for inter-personal relationships among Jedi. Eyes darting to the side, she whipped her amphistaff out and it bit into a warrior's throat just as he tried to charge around the corner. "He respects you too much to try to pry how you feel about him from your mind. It won't hurt to tell him." She said as the warrior gurgled and collapsed to the ground behind them. "Despite everything, he still looks up to you. A part of the reason why he's been able to do all the things he has is because he measures himself up to you and Jaina. On top of being named after your grandfather, he has to follow in yours and Jaina's footsteps, and somehow save this galaxy. Tall order for an eighteen year old, don't you think?"
"Alright, alright," Jacen sighed. "When we retake Nal Hutta, I'll sit down and have a word with him."
"You do that. And if that dummy of mine tries to be stubborn, let me know."
Jacen regarded her with sparkling brown eyes. "You definitely fit right in with us Solos. Stubborn, smart, and someone I'd be happy to have as a little sister any day."
Tahiri blushed again and looked away. "Hey, if you guys are my family. I want it as complete and as whole as possible, and that means you and Anakin making up for good. You know, like those times in the holovids Jaina gave me."
Jacen fondly patted her shoulder. "Hey, no matter what happens, he's still my little brother. And Jaina will always be my twin sister. We'll always be family and I doubt anything or anyone will ever be strong enough to tear us apart."
)-(IX)-(
Everyone on the bridge let out a breath as the infiltration teams reported in.
"This is Team One, dovin basals have been scuttled." Kyp reported.
"Team Two, here. We have control of the bridge. The commander is dead." Jacen announced over the comm-channel.
Tenel Ka wasted little time in authorizing the strike. "All ships in Task Force One, engage,"
A micro-jump later, and the Hapan and Galactic Alliance vessels pounced on the startled Yuuzhan Vong defenders.
After several of the Yuuzhan Vong ships were sent spiraling down into Nal Hutta, a yammosk vessel included, Jaina once again gave out an opportunity for the Yuuzhan Vong to surrender. Tahiri and Taan, now in the cognition hoods of the massive Yuuzhan Vong behemoth, used the Kor Chokk's weapons against the remaining Yuuzhan Vong ships; an emphasis that their greatest ship was no longer on their side. What sealed the deal was when the ships captured from Shith'rii Choka's fleet jumped in in support of the infidel vessels.
Though some struggles took place aboard a couple of the vessels, the Yuuzhan Vong fleet stood down without any further urging.
"Congratulations Anakin, Jaina, Jacen," Corran deadpanned over the comm-line. "You've successfully retaken Hutt Space in the span of a single month; something a concerted New Republic effort hasn't been able to do for two years. Unfortunately, your shore-leave has run out and it's now time for you to actually report for duty. Force help us all."
Anakin pulled himself out of Vongsense with great relief. "Let's get the Barabels and tell the Hutts they can have their planet back first. But other than that, this break's definitely been fun."
)-(X)-(
High Priest Naazar of the god Yun-Yammka, sat in the audience chamber of Shimrra, listening to the warrior caste give reports as to the state of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet. Ebaq 9 had been costly. The current commander sieging Kuat had lost nearly thirty percent of his forces and seemed to be no closer to a victory than he had been several weeks ago. B'shith Vorrik's schemes in Imperial Space were proceeding slowly, perhaps too slowly. By the time his plan came to fruition, there might not even be a Yuuzhan Vong Empire left to include the Imperials into. Even the new Warmaster, Nas Choka, appeared infuriated that there were more gains than loses being reported.
To make matters worse, the pazhkic Yuuzhna'tar al'tirrna, or World Brain, appeared to have stopped growing just before reaching its full maturity. Its stunted growth had confused and bewildered the shapers, and many had already lost their lives in their failure to explain the dhuryam's sudden mutation. With the World Brain still in its juvenile stage, it was unable to take full control of the thousands of processes needed to completely shape the planet to the specifications of a suitable home-world. Creatures were dying off because it couldn't regulate their growth, the weather was chaotic at times as it tried to compensate for one task by sacrificing another. And to make matters worse, the World Brain appeared to have unleashed a foul-smelling spore into the air of Yuuzhan'tar, which caused painful and embarrassing itching everywhere. Efforts to counteract this had caused seismic activity which brought down the new temple to Yun-Yammka.
It was one disaster after another, and even the most faithful were beginning to wonder if the gods had left them.
As Naazar rose to dress down the unfortunate member of the warrior caste, a group of individuals hurried into the room.
"Dread One! Please forgive the interruption!" One wailed, throwing himself down in front of Shimrra.
"Speak," The Supreme Overlord permitted.
"Dread One, Shith'rii Choka's fleet in Hutt Space has been destroyed! The last Kor Chokk to survive the journey through dark space lies in the hands of the heretics, and the yorik coral growing facility within Hutt Space now lies in the hands of the infidels!"
The chamber, which had been filled with murmurs at the interruption, fell deathly quiet as Shimrra rose from his red polyp bed.
"What?"
"Shith'rii Choka was casted down by the combined minds of Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin Solo!" wailed the messenger. "He and much of his fleet are no more. Worse, the remaining fleet have surrendered to Jaina Solo because they see her as Yun-Harla's avatar!"
There was a whip-like motion of Shimrra's arm, and the head of the messenger rolled away from the body. "I will not tolerate anyone who even insinuates such a lie." He looked to the other messengers. "So Hutt Space is no longer under our dominion?"
"No Great One," one of the other messengers spoke.
Shimrra's lips curled back in a snarl. His multi-colored eyes cast about until he spotted Nas Chokka, still standing in preparation to make a comment. "This failure is the responsibility of your Domain. Give me a victory or your life is forfeit."
"Dread One," Nas Choka bowed hastily. "I am your amphistaff, point me and I shall slay your enemies."
"Build up your fleet," Shimrra said. "When I order you, I want the blow to be decisive and crushing. No one else will doubt the Yuuzhan Vong. No more will the defeat of our fleets aid the heretical whispers circling amongst the Shamed Ones. You will break the backbone of the Galactic Alliance by massacring their forces at Kuat. From there, you shall go on and lay waste to their new capital. Let no one survive. Let the worlds burn. Let the names of the gods rise up from the lips of all Yuuzhan Vong!"
"Al' tanna Shimrra knotte Yun'o!"
)-(XI)-(
"Oh yes indeed, madness hath griped the mind of the Supreme Overlord," Onimi crackled in the empty room. Only Naazar had stayed behind once everyone else had left. "But who will dare question him, who will be so bold? Shall he lead us all to our deaths, oh yes he will. Yet we are all blind, mute, and deaf, we follow him still."
"Enough Onimi," Naazar whispered. Though Shimrra had returned to his Worldship, he still felt uneasy about speaking loudly in the meeting room. "Why?"
"Why what?" Onimi seemed to lose his veneer of insanity in an instant.
"Why did you show me what that heretical shaper, Nen Yim, was working on?"
"Would you rather you remain blissfully ignorant, High Priest?"
Naazar clenched his jaw. Onimi had used his title mockingly, and rightly so. If there were no gods, what was he the High Priest of? "Why?"
"Perhaps you had a glimmer of potential, a brain within that skull of yours," Onimi said in singsong. "Perhaps I was bored and it was simply a jest."
"A jest!" Naazar roared. "You showed me that there is no Eighth Cortex. That everything I believed in was a lie! That the gods are a lie! And it was for a jest?"
Onimi giggled and flitted about in his garments made from the cloth of various New Republic uniforms. "It is funny to me. Is it not to you? How feel you, standing before the Supreme One, knowing that the only gods are the ones he declares? How feel you to have grown up devoting your life to the empty words of another? Do you not feel relieved? Do you not feel happy? Or maybe even…Free?"
"Free?" Naazar said slowly, his eyes narrowing.
"Yes, are you not one who is free from all you despise? Are you not a Freed One in priest robes, a most convincing guise? Or will you once again close your eyes? Continue spouting your words that the Supreme One claims comes from the skies? What will you do High Priest of Nothing but Lies?"
Naazar worked his jaw furiously, but no answer came easily to him. What was he to do? He had long ago begun doubting the existence of the gods. Secret little niggling doubts in the back of his mind. But to actually have his hidden doubts confirmed? To now believe as the Shamed Ones he had been torturing believed? They had always been private little doubts for which he had never given much stock to. He had never prepared himself for what he would do if those doubts were actually realized.
And then the true horror struck him.
If the gods were a lie, then why had they gone to war in this galaxy? There was no point. Millions of Yuuzhan Vong had lost their lives for nothing. They had come to the galaxy on the whim of a madman. Yet there was no way he could hope to go against Shimrra and live. The countless others swayed by the web of lies Shimrra had weaved would cut him down without a second thought. It had only been recently that he had counted himself among those so happily and willingly ready to do Shimrra's bidding, and he knew what the others were capable of. Where their blind fanaticism had gotten them all.
"What can I do?" Naazar whispered in despair, his world crashing down around him.
"There is but one solution," Onimi whispered, leaning forward so that his head was next to Naazar's. "A tonic for your ails. To the stars, I have need of you. Go on, unfurl your sails. Find the planet that is origin of us all. The seed of the first true Yuuzhan'tar. Zonama Sekot, is its name. Find it and our people will never be the same."
Naazar's eyes widened. He recognized that name. The name so many feared, indeed the previous Supreme Overlord thought it a bad portent and avoided this galaxy for that very reason. "Zonama Sekot!"
"Yes. We too want the war to end, 'fore our race is completely destroyed. To lose with no home, we'll be cast back into the void. Will you find this Zonama Sekot, the planet thousands have sought? Or shall all our deaths truly have been for naught?"
Naazar nodded. "I will find the planet. And when I do, I will force the Supreme Overlord to renounce his lies. No more shall our people die needlessly, shall we suffer from his deception."
"And, High Priest of Nothing but Lies. What are you now?" Onimi crackled joyfully.
Naazar inhaled a deep breath, and then through his arms out as he shouted at the Supreme Overlord's bed of polyps. "I am Freed!"
)-(Chapter End)-(
A\N: Next chapter this coming Sunday.
For those who are wondering, Taryn and Trista will not be back in this story, but will have a prominent role in the sequel. Also, the new Jedi of the Jedi Order, namely the apprentices like Valin, Yaqeel, and the others, will gradually be taking on a larger role as the story arcs progress. Lastly, just a big, big, thanks and hugs to all who have continued to review and support this story. It's definitely the largest, longest, and most complicated story I've ever written, and your kind words and obvious enjoyment make the effort of writing it more than worth it. Thirty or so chapters to go =).
Deleted Scene:
A single scene this time. This one takes place during the assault on Gorga's base and is from Taryn and Trista's perspective. It would have taken place directly after the Jedi sabotage the base, as the others are waiting for the signal to attack. It was ultimately deleted because of the darker tone it set for the battle. As you saw in Chapter 34, the battle was more lighthearted and fun. It could have gone a whole lot differently…
*Snip**Snip*
"What type of signal is 'explosions and laser fire?'" Taryn muttered darkly, staring through her electrobinoculars in agitation. "What if something's happened to them? How will we know when to go?"
"Zekk's a Jedi, Taryn. He can handle himself." Trista said. Her tone was reproachful, but she too was intently focused on the camp through her own pair of electrobinoculars.
"The two of you are Jedi Zekk's women?" A'Rukven, the warrior Trista had faced the previous night, asked in confusion.
"What?" Trista's eyes bulged and color flooded her cheeks as her head snapped to the Tusken warrior. "No! We're not anybody's women. Nor would we allow any man to claim us as such."
"Speak for yourself," Taryn said unhelpfully, still focused on the base.
Trista closed her eyes and took several calming breaths. "The culture of Hapes is greatly different than your own, A'Rukven. The men…"
A rumbling explosion echoed through the empty expanse of the desert, and great clouds of smoke rose from the base. The constant sound of blaster-fire, coupled with flashes of light, was an indication that an all-out battle was already taking place.
"There's the signal," Vexa said professionally. She stood and let out a warbling yell, thrusting her gaffi stick in the air. Her cry was repeated by hundreds of other voices as the Sand People burst out of the sand and began sprinting towards the walled compound.
The three tribes in opposition scrambled to muster their own lines, but the warriors they put into the field were drastically outnumbered. The attacking force was approaching the compound from all sides, and there weren't enough defending Tusken warriors to meet every challenge. Sand was kicked up on both sides as the warriors charged out to meet each other.
Trista and Taryn ran side-by-side, each holding the weapon they had dueled with the previous night, with a blaster strapped to each leg. Also at their side were both A'Rukven and Ullaghariui and dozens of other warriors. Blaster fire pinged around them as a group of enemy warriors took aim with long-blasters. The shots felled some of the rapidly closing attackers, but not enough.
When the two sides met, the clash was brutal and loud. Tusken war cries continued to fill the air, making both Taryn and Trista glad that they weren't the targets of the rage-filled roars of hundreds of warriors.
A large group of enemy warriors won their initial engagements, the bodies of their defeated opponents sprawled in the sand, and raced towards Trista, Taryn, Ullaghariui, and A'Rukven. The four shared a glance, then met the charge head-on.
One of the enemy warriors ending up impaled on Trista's polearm's blade. A'Rukven covered Trista, allowing for the smaller and more nimble girl to use the same technique that she had used on him to get her first 'kill' to slash the femoral arteries of three more warriors. Blood spurted out and splashed over her, but her grey eyes were as smooth and calculating as ever as she readjusted the grip on her weapon and lashed out in a sweeping attack that tripped up another warrior.
For Trista, every warrior that fell was one that couldn't hurt she or Taryn. Couldn't later threaten the Royal House of Hapes through any of their actions. They met her in battle, so she would honor them with one. Show them the fighting techniques of Hapes and make it the last thing they would see. Her mind was cold and methodical as she cut into another enemy Tusken warrior. Thinking of how to best end their life as quick and as painless as possible, thus ensuring both her own and her sister's continued safety.
Meanwhile both Taryn and Ullaghariui worked together to take down countless opponents of their own. An enemy warrior found his head between the two weighted ends of the Taryn and Ullaghariui's gaffi-sticks. Another had his legs knocked out with twin shattering blows to his kneecaps. It was as if the actions of one influenced the actions of the other. Unlike her sister, however, Taryn couldn't quite distance herself from what she was doing. Fighting with blasters was one thing. Sparring with bladed weapons was in a similar category. But getting up close and personal, actually feeling your opponent's last breath as their blood coats your hand,was on a whole different level. Had Zekk or any of the other Jedi been around, they would have heard Taryn chant under her breath, animals, only animals. Not people. Not people. Just animals. The adrenaline of the fight kept Taryn's body moving, but, to protect her sanity, her mind had detached itself from the wanton slaughter occurring all around her.
The reason why the Sand People had a reputation for such visceral and brutal nature was revealed all around Gorga's compound as the sands turned red with blood. It was a kill-or-be-killed atmosphere; the chilling battle cries never ceasing as warriors on both sides continued to fall. No surrender was asked for, and none was given. That was the way of the desert.
*Snip**Snip*
Like most of the deleted scenes, ideas and concepts from this scene survive in a slightly different forms later on in this story.
*Snip**Snip*
Reviews are more than welcome. Motivation worked…currently working on Chapter 63, finishing up the first segment of the Unifying Force arc and will soon be writing the Battle for Mon Calamari. See you all Sunday!