Chapter Seven

Catalysts Gathering

"Lo, all shall be Awakened!" Kukuklan preached to his enraptured crowd of Shamed Ones and Worker caste in the area as his friend a Shamed One from the Domain of Tsun named Ajani stood by his side keeping an eye out for the guards least they see the heresy. He was an influential speaker and since he was one of the few in the Priest Caste to fall into Shamed Ones people still trusted him to a certain point. Of course, it'd helped that in attendance of the particular gathering had all been Awakened to the Light. All had abandoned the cult of Jeedai figure known as Anakin Solo and had embraced the Jeedai cult figure of the Kryze.

It'd been difficult but since he'd spoken and once Ajani and many other Tsun had been Awaken the others had joined in and because they'd shared the knowledge of how to Awaken themselves the cult was growing rapidly. Now there was more faith in the Yun'o and the idea that now they were one with the gods once more which pleased him greatly.

"We shall cleanse our people of grime from the Dark of the Rainbow Eyed False Prophet and of the false god Yun-Yammka."

Now this had been a hard thing indeed to preach to the Shamed Ones that used to be warriors but many although not all were convinced that was true. Those not convinced were at the very least willing to shun the god due to fact that they were shamed and not saved. As for those devoted to other gods it was easier to convince them. Kukuklan was very pleased that the message was being well received considering what he wanted to was to free the Yuuzhan Vong from the slavery they'd found themselves in. Yes, they'd gained Yuuzhan'tar but had it brought them closer to Yun'o? No, it did not in fact instead made them even more hunger for conquest and bloodshed. After all, didn't they flee from their home world and in fact their galaxy because of the blood lust?

"My lord," a Shamed warrior from the domain of Taav spoke up. "What shall we do with the infidels among the Yuuzhan Vong? They are kin to us although they shun us now."

"Convert them," Kukuklan said resolutely. "They shall see the Light as we have. Do not fight unless provoked. We will not succumb to the Dark."

"What of their prophet?" Another asked. "This Jacen Solo that Nom Anor claims as embraced the True Way."

"Lies," Ajani hissed answering for him. The warrior was missing his left arm and had been replaced only for the implant to fail and yet even still he still was an imposing figure to behold. "He follows a false god. He is a creature of the Dark. Even now he falls deeper into the depths of Night. Soon nothing will be left save for a shell. Do not listen to his pernicious lies."

"Ajani of the domain Tsun speaks the truth," Kukuklan confirmed with a nod. "He follows the Dark. He has lost the Light. The True Way itself has been corrupted centuries ago. We must purge it of the Darkness so we might see the Light."

"For the glory of the Yun'o!" The crowd bellowed holding up their hands in benediction.

"For the New Covenant," Kukuklan replied bowing to the worshipers humbly accepting their blessing. "For the prophet Kryze (May His Name be Blessed)."

"Kryze, the bringer of the Light of Yun-Yuuzhan may his insight lead us out of the Night," the group replied reverently bowing their heads ending the prayer they'd been taught not to long before. As the group session ended the various Shamed Ones and Workers headed back to their positions and began doing their jobs once more leaving Ajani and Kukuklan alone.

"My lord," Ajani said looked at him. "There are others that doubt the message. There are Shamed Ones that still yet cling to the old Jeedai heresy."

"Have you spoken to them on the matter? Did you do a Baptism upon them?"

"I have spoken to them, but they wouldn't accept the Baptism," he bowed his head in shame. Aside from Menvra, Ajani was the ardent and devoted convert to the new way due to how it restored him to the Yun'o. Now before he was fervently devoted to Yun-Yammka before falling so his conversion was hard but now, he was fervently devoted since being reunited to the Yun'o. Evidently not convincing them stung at his pride.

"Do not let pride blind you friend," he said placing his hand on the young warrior's shoulder.

"It is not pride my lord...it's sadness that they refuse to see the Light. What are we to do if they don't accept? How can we save them from the Dark?"

"Not all will accept it at first," Kukuklan consoled him as he bowed his head in equal sadness. "We must convert who we can and make sure they are secure in the faith. We must work to make sure all see. We shall not force them and not attract attention."

"Then we must tread carefully," Ajani said nodding his head in agreement. "If we are not, we will fall into the trap in which all the Priest Caste has fallen into by falling into political factions and our ambitions and not the will of the gods. If we do then we ourselves succumb into the Night."

"I know that," Kukuklan said as he nodded his appreciation for his friend's worry. "Well do I know but your reminder of such a danger is good. I need those unafraid to voice what is true and not fall into the trap of pride. It will keep us straight and true to the Light."

"Of course, milord, but I have one more question to ask of you."

"Then ask."

"Will Menvra be able to keep the Kryze safe?" Ajani asked. "She's only a Shamed One."

"She goes with another that can help," Kukuklan assured him. "The Yun'o are with him and they won't let him fail."

"May he not. Glory to Yun'o."

"For the New Covenant, now let us go before we're missed."

"Yousa sure?" Boss Vijay asked as he leaned back into his seat at the Ahmet's report. Ahmet knew that he was just being cautious as good leader should be cautious of new information. Beside him the Queen of the Naboo named Bolanilé Shikha dressed in a haggardly handmaiden dress stood to the side the light of Otoh Gunga reflecting upon her dark black skin tone.

"Mesa positive," Ahmet said looking directly at the two leaders. "Theysa bring in some more to help out the occupation force, the Governor is allowing it."

"I expected as much," Shikha sighed rubbing her head with frustration. "That man won't stop at nothing to appease the conquerors."

"Yousa shouldn't blame yourself over an honest mistake," Vijay assured her. "Mesa is sure that yous people won't blame yousa."

"Perhaps but the damage is done," Shikha sighed. "In either case we need to find out more about those coming into the planet. Ahmet could you meet Captain Hana at the usual place?"

"Of course," he bowed to her. "Mesa wouldn't mind and shesa would be willing mesa thinks."

"Good then do it," Vijay commanded. "Wesa need all the information yousa can provide if this plan is going to work. Wesa must not fail. Our planet's safety and freedom are at stake."

"Yes sir."

"Well then," Shikha said she stood up and began walking towards the door. "I'll ensure that our "present" is ready for delivery since we're on a deadline."

"Good, may the guds bless us and may this work so that all might live."

"May the Force be with us all."

The preparations for the journey weren't long at all. Just consisting of gathering up the warriors and weapons into the ship along with himself and Calliope. She was trying to behave despite her fears in a very Jedi-like manner but still squirmed with fear every time she was approached by warrior even in passing. Obi-Wan did his best to calm her and distract her from the chaos surrounding her by telling her stories. Most of the warriors ignored both them expect Qat who occasionally checked up on them. Otherwise they were left to their own devices. Not that Obi-Wan minded considering once Calliope had fallen asleep in his arms, he could make plans on what he could do once he'd gotten to the planet.

Qat mentioned about landing the capital which was good but disconcerting to say the least. Firstly, the fact the Naboo would surrender so easily and the fact there was no mention of Gungans or of the reigning monarchy. In fact, perhaps most oddly there was no mention of the Supreme Chancellor coming from that planet at all. What was going on here?

"Commander Qat!" A voice called his captor's attention. Obi-Wan turned and saw another Yuuzhan Vong decorated with tattoos and several scars going down his arms.

"Nom Anor," the captor bowed at him with a mocking tilt. Obi-Wan wasn't so sure that noticed because he walked up with a something that looked like crabs with a silk cape. The result looked both majestic as well as savage. Rather like the species actually.

"I see you're being transferred."

"It would seem so," Qat said. "It's to a planet been conquered for about a year now."

"Ah," If Nom Anor seemed taken back by the comment, he didn't show it. He was slimy in Force with his essence inky almost like he was of Dark Side...or tainted by association with someone who was. Oh no. This was really not good if a Dark Side user or worse a Sith was involved. But he needed more information and infuriatingly he was only getting snippets of what was going and what was happening.

"I've been told that you have a Jeedai in your possession," he looked over to Obi-Wan who ducked his eyes in a suitable manner for a slave. "He was found on Yuuzhan'tar I was told."

"He says he missed the evacuation," Qat said.

"How is that possible?"

"I'm not sure, I think he's a fool."

"Then he would be a great sacrifice for the upcoming ascension of the dhuryarm to become the World Brain of Yuuzhan'tar."

"I doubt that," Qat said looked at Obi-Wan disdainfully. "As I said he's a fool and wouldn't be worthy."

"And yet he's a Jeedai which makes him the perfect candidate competent or not," Nom Anor insisted. "Surely he can be spared?"

"If your convert can wait until my return then we'll see. I'm sure no one is in a rush for the auspicious occasion," Qat replied. "Now I go Executor."

I am NOT going to be a sacrifice, Obi-Wan thought to himself as he followed his captor upon the ship. I'm getting free with Calliope and seeing what I can do for the slaves like or not. I owe my Master and Anakin as much since they hated slavery.

With that particular oath made he looked around the ship and noted once again that there was an organic feel around the ship. Another "grown" being? Was the entire technological base organic? If this were the case, then how could they allow themselves to stagnate so much when the nature of life is to grow and mature. Something was wrong here. He could feel it and he was going to get his answers on Naboo. One way or another.

Robin didn't know what to expect once they'd gotten to Naboo. From what she'd remembered Naboo was a small Mid-Rim planet whose only claim to fame was supposedly according to legends that the Emperor came from the planet. Aside from that it was a nothing world. Nothing to offer in the terms of politics and because exports were nothing special it had nothing to offer traders so the world kinda remained isolated in a sense although it did trade with Kashyyyk a lot. But all in all, it was an insignificant planet that no one in their right mind cared about.

"Coming in for a landing," Tal Rhal said as he punched in the coordinates given to him by Mand'alor where they'd meet the Yuuzhan Vong Prefect of the planet. Supposed this was a planet that submitted very easily to Yuuzhan Vong rule so the capital Theed wasn't damaged at all despite there being a warrior garrison now. Robin wasn't sure why they surrendered but she had a feeling it was for a good reason which others agreed was the case.

The Naboo were a pacifistic people so she could understand their surrender but that would make their real mission difficult since they were supposed to arm and group up a resistance according to the Mand'alor. Sarai of the Wren clan was already grumbling about the amount of work that needed to be put into the planet now. She wasn't too happy about going to the world because it was just for show at this point. Also not helped by supposedly her sister was planet side...Fun.

"So, we show up and the crab brains think we're there to help and then we supposedly boost the swamp heads," Tal asked as he finally settled the ship and put on his helmet. He was armed with some blasters and a tube that looked vaguely familiar to Robin but she didn't inquire about it.

"That's right. So, you shebs follow me and do as I say. Are we clear?" Sarai said as she readied herself.

"Crystal," Akiko said as he rubbed off some scuff marks on the side of his helmet before putting it on.

"Understood," Robin agreed as she too put on his helmet like the rest as they walked down the gangplank to the landing pad. Showtime. She thought as they walked towards the envoy that assembled to meet them. This was going to be a long day and job.

Menvra held her breath as they took off from Yuuzhan'tar. She'd done it. The Yun'o were with her and so was Yaotl who was escorting her to the Shamed Ones quarters She wasn't a Shamed One but she'd come to believe in the Kryze due to her brother's old friend giving her a Baptism along with him. Her aura burned like Kukuklan, Ajani and herself so she too could sense things unseen. Her countenance was calm and because of this was considered a substandard warrior. Not bad enough for the ranks of the Shamed but accursed by Yun-Yammka fanatics.

"So, I'm to watch the Kyrze?" She said as they quietly walked down the halls.

"Yes," she replied. "I shall keep an eye on him from my place and you are my eyes when I'm unable. Meanwhile I'll see about Awakening the others on the ship."

"Very well, for the glory of Yun'o I shall obey," Yaotl bowed as she left Menvra to the others. Menvra breathed a sigh of relief. If all went well then, the Shamed Ones would be restored to Yun'o and soon the Yuuzhan Vong would be redeemed. It would be so as far as she and others were concerned. Menvra then set out to evangelize to the Shamed Ones onboard. They needed to hear the True Gospel and reject the false hope. The real salvation was at hand.