Chapter IV

Centerpoint Space Station, GCT 2:35 am

"Are they running on time?" a man in an Imperial uniform queried.

"Yes, sir. The estimated arrival time is 0454 hours. The Defender is ready," a young woman said from a station.

"Excellent. We will take them without a fight."

On board the Reality, GCT 4:50 am

Laetras lifted his sleep-heavy body from his bed and walked toward the lift. As he stepped on, he got a warning from the Force. Still groggy, he shrugged it off. Yawning, he took the seat at the front of the cockpit.

A computerized voice said, "Two minutes and counting."

A display counted down: 1:59...1:58...1:57...

The Reality dropped violently out of hyperspace two minutes early...right on top of an Interdictor class cruiser, designed to pull ships out of hyperspace. Jaina materialized behind him.

"Get to a turret," he ordered. "You take top and have Tenel Ka take bottom."

"Where are we?" Jaina queried over the comm as she made her way to the top turret.

"Fringes of the Correllian system."

As the Reality flew under the Interdictor, identified as the Defender, Jaina got off a few shots before a loud thunk echoed through the ship.

"Reality, surrender immediately." The voice of a typical Imperial commander resonated through all the comlinks and headsets on the ship.

"I have a very useful thing," Ayja said. "A personal cloaking device. Jaina, take it and make sure you come back. I'll take care of the where I am part."

Jaina had barely activated the device before a stormtrooper came through the door.

"You are all under arrest. Where is the other person who is supposed to be on this ship?" the trooper asked.

"No one else," Laetras replied.

"No one else," the trooper repeated. "You will be interrogated."

Laetras and Tenel Ka were escorted in a rough manner to a small prison cell.

"Absolutely wonderful. We're stuck here," Laetras complained. Through the Force, he ordered, [Play along!]

"I cannot believe we were captured."

Laetras was looking over the room and transmitting to Jaina the general area where he was.

Jaina slowly walked out of the ship, watching the guards for any movement. Then, she realized there would be one problem:doors.

Ok, think. It hit her. Duh.

She walked over to a guard, and said, "Open the door."

"I will open the door," the trooper replied.

Jaina dashed through and ran toward the prison area.

[Ayja?] she asked through the Force. [Where are you?]

[In the prison,] Ayja replied quickly. [I've never been much good at this.]

[Any idea which cell?]

[4436-5.]

[Almost there.]

Jaina persuaded another guard to let her into the prison.

[Down the hall and to your left,] Ayja said.

[Gotcha.]

[Ditch the cloak. It overheats.]

Jaina appeared directly in front of the cell.

"Slice through it," Ayja said.

Jaina's violet lightsaber cut a large hole in the cell wall. Ayja walked out and drew two lightsabers. "Let's go," Jaina suggested. Good idea," Ayja replied, dashing toward the guard. In a moment, he was dead on the ground. "I wanted a blaster carbine."

He picked up the weapon, and cocked his head.

"Deefour," he said, whitening.

"He must have gotten into an access tube. He couldn't have been captured," Jaina said.

"For now, I'll take your word for it."

A stormtrooper came running down the hall toward them. Blaster darts scything from Ayja's weapon stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Let's get going," Ayja suggested.

The Jedi ran down a hall, with three guards coming their way. Ayja used the very helpful rapid-fire capability of the blaster carbine to knock down the last few.

"That ventilation duct ought to come out right in the landing bay," Ayja said.

The threesome climbed into the small, dusty vent and slowly slid, scrambled, and in some places, walked along. Later, they were directly over the landing bay. Ayja jumped down and Jaina and Tenel Ka followed. The landing bay had a catwalk about mid-way up and a few extra doors, probably leading to the gravity generators.

"I count thirty guards, all heavily armed. Does that match up?" Ayja questioned, crouching behind a box.

"Same," Jaina replied. "How are we going to get out of here with the gravgenerators active?"

"We are going to release thirty space grade thermal detonators, and then we are gonna haul jets," Ayja replied. "On the count of three. One...two...three!"

Ayja popped up and brought the barrel of the blaster carbine around the bay, dropping about ten of the troops. He tossed the carbine at a trooper and drew his two lightsabers.

"Get to the Reality!" he shouted over the din.

Three blaster bolts came in, but Ayja blocked all. He sprinted to the Reality and started the engines.

"Jaina, launch the detonators," Ayja ordered.

Thirty small, metal bouncing balls flew out of the back of the Reality as it shot out of the landing bay. Behind it, the Interdictor exploded spectacularly.

"Maybe thirty was too many..." Ayja said, grinning.

Deefour, who had come out of hiding, twittered his agreement.

"This is Centerpoint Station Defense Control to Reality. Do you require assistance?" The comm opened with a battle-hardened voice.

"A little late for that," Jaina quipped.

"That is correct," Tenel Ka said.

Imperial Base, Tralus

"...correct."

"Is it them?" an Imperialisic voice asked.

"Yes."

"Good. Prepare Plan B."

"Aye sir."

Space, inside the Reality

"We could stand for an escort back...we've been having enough trouble," Ayja replied.

"Whatever. You'll be landing at Landing Bay TL-445," the controller replied.

Three small fighters swooped toward the Reality in a standard escort formation.

Centerpoint Station was a place where all were welcomed. It hung between the Twin Planets of Talus and Tralus, hence the name. Centerpoint consisted of three main 'rings.' There was an upper, middle, and lower ring. Each was not a ring as one would think of, but a myriad of modules, made by companies based on Centerpoint. The entire Correllian system congregated on Centerpoint, making Correllia, Selonia, Talus, Tralus, and Drall united. These planets' orbits are very close together, therefore causing some scientists to believe the entire system was artificial.

Ten minutes later, Ayja, Deefour, Jaina, and Tenel Ka stepped out of the ship, alert for anything out of the ordinary.

"Hello." The voice startled Ayja. "We need to talk."

Ayja brought his eyes around, noting a female Selonian behind him.

Selonians were known for their unique physique. With their wiry strength and the fur, and a Selonian was an interesting thing to see.

"You Twin Star people certainly get around."

"You also. We had a time tracking you down."

"Well, since you obviously know my name, even though you hide that fact, I'd like to know yours."

"Christala H'thene. Been with Twin Star almost ten years. Who's with you?"

"Maybe you don't get around as much as I think. That's Deefour, to my left is Tenel Ka, and to my right is Jaina Solo."

"Good to have friends in high places..."

"You could put it that way."

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," Tenel Ka said.

"As with me," Jaina added.

"I am too," Christala replied. "I've been ordered to accompany you from wherever you go here on."

"Thank you, but-" Ayja said.

"We would be glad," Jaina cut in. [One more pair of eyes could come in handy.]

[I don't believe we need another,] Ayja replied through the Force.

[I do.] Jaina's 'tone' indicated she was not in the mood to argue. "Christala, we'll get you a room close to ours."

"Sounds good," Christala replied. "There's a very good restaurant on the Middle Ring, Deck Seven. It's called 'Kavan's Karvaech.' They sell anything under the sun and a little more, too. But Ayja here is buying."

"That's fine, Christala. But maybe I'll delay a promotion..." Ayja replied jokingly.

"Let's go," Jaina suggested.

"That would be fine," Tenel Ka added.

Deefour bleeped his agreement.

Ayja started laughing.

"What?" Jaina asked.

"Deefour just said, 'I'll go, but I hope they have oil baths.'"

"Don't worry, I think they do..." Christala said.

"I wonder if I can find a new alluvial damper there...starboard's getting worn down..." Ayja said to himself. "Oh, well, we'll see. Now, let's get going."

The group moved toward the lifts that would take them to the incredible marketplaces of Centerpoint Station. And they failed to notice the man in the black robes behind them.

"Ooh. Souvenirs," Ayja said, walking over to a small shop.

He picked up a small mug with a holo of Centerpoint emblazoned on the side.

"I'll take this," he said to an alien walking around behind a desk.

"Thete aer haen vegna?(What did you say?)" the alien replied.

"Ehrm...Thaeb habca thias magu,(I'll have this mug.)" Ayja said after a second.

"Ahes. Thaeb isae five ndae thirty-five(Ah. That is 5.35)," the alien said back.

"Haer yaeou rea.(Here you are.)"

"Taenk yaeou. (Thank you.)"

Ayja stepped away from the booth and back to Christala, Jaina, Deefour, and Tenel Ka.

They walked to a stairway and began the long walk down to the middle ring.

"The galaxy is in bad shape," Christala said, trying to begin a conversation. "The Imperials are tearing themselves apart, and trying to do the same with the New Republic. What are your opinions on this?"

"Disagree," Ayja said. "The Imps are too busy tearing themselves apart to bother with the New Republic."

"Agree," Jaina said. "Ayja has a point, I'll admit, but even by existing, they are causing extra trouble."

"I agree," Tenel Ka said. "The Empire is causing more trouble at a time when no trouble would be ideal."

"I'll have to go with Ayja," Christala said. "The New Republic has enough on its hands, but the Imps aren't causing any trouble."

"What are your thoughts on the Second Imperium?" Ayja asked. "Is it real, does it have power, can it do anything to the New Republic? I'd say yes, no, and yes. We have reports from reputable people, but they are of assault shuttles. But, those shuttles are extra heavily armed, and if that increases exponentially, then a, say, Blockade Runner, could take out a Mon Cal Cruiser without much trouble."

"Agree," the other three said.

"Ooh. Ayja, you said you needed an alluvial damper? There's a shop over there," Christala said.

"Thanks."

Ayja walked in, had a quick conversation with the shopkeeper, and walked out again. A few technicians moved off to install the new part.

"That's the place. Kavan's Karvaech," Christala said, motioning to a large double door.

Ayja walked in, and was greeted by a service droid.

"Seats for five, please," Ayja said.

"We can do that," the droid replied.

The droid led them to a table.

"We will be with you shortly," the droid said.

"High class," Jaina commented.

"The restaurant is also quite expensive," Tenel Ka offered.

"Okay, everyone, buy something expensive," Christala said.

"Remember who you are talking to: a man close to the richest in the galaxy," Ayja said.

"Ooh, lets buy something for everyone in the fleet," Christala replied.

"Then you pay," Ayja replied.

"Stop it," Jaina scolded.

Deefour beeped something.

"We did promise him an oil bath," Ayja said.

Everyone laughed. A few hours later, they were all ready for some work.

"The trade level on the Lower Ring is a good place to look. They have all the info from the last 70 days," Christala suggested.

Ayja shrugged. "I guess."

Thirty minutes later, Ayja and Deefour were sifting through a mound of arrival/departure records from the last 40 days, Tenel Ka and Jaina were looking at docking records, and Christala at records of sales in all the restaurants on board. Deefour bleeped something.

"Hmm...a set of records for a Stargazer-class freighter. Big enough to carry two hundred people, yet small enough not to raise suspicions. Arrived six days ago, left three days ago. Standard length for a refuel and resupply stop. Anything over there?" Ayja said.

"Yes. Docking Bay U-979 reported a Stargazer moving away," Jaina said. "Christala?"

"A few sales, all from a rather seedy place. Small tavern. Maybe we should check it out," Christala replied.

"Sounds good," Ayja replied.

Behind them at another terminal was a man in a black robe, watching and waiting for his moment.

Ayja dug a little deeper into the records while they were on their way.

"Hey! These records have been modified!" he exclaimed after a few minutes. "By a Verpine."

"How do you know that?" Jaina asked.

"Biocomm traces. And, they're still here!"

"How do you know that?" Jaina asked the same question again.

"Three is a very important number in Verpine society. Don't ask me why. It actually says they arrived three days ago-"

"And are leaving today!" Jaina finished. "But from where?"

"Stargazers aren't all that common. Christala, are those records delivery?" Ayja asked.

"Yes, they are," Christala replied.

"Where to?"

"Bay L-845."

"Let's go."

Twenty minutes later, they came upon a sealed corridor outside of the bay. Ayja, Jaina, and Tenel Ka sliced through the wall. Stepping through, they were confronted by three black robed figures, a tall one in the middle, flanked by two shorter figures.

"Prepare to die, Jedi scum," the center figure said.

Ayja squared off with the center person, Jaina on his right, and Tenel Ka on his left.

Ensuing Battle, Ayja's Point of View

Ayja drew both of his sky-blue lightsabers. The figure across from him drew a second red one as well. The battle began with an offensive move from the black robed figure, which Ayja deduced to be a Dark Jedi. Ayja easily parried and flipped around in a counterattack. The Dark Jedi blocked with one lightsaber and attacked with the other. Ayja, having used this tactic before, ducked the attack and sprang over the Dark Jedi. It turned, and Ayja brought one lightsaber up from under one of the Dark Jedi's blades, and another on top of it, flipping it out of her hands. Ayja doubled himself, both attacking at the same time. The Dark Jedi figured out which was which and blocked Ayja's attack. It called its lightsaber back and attacked again. Ayja cloaked himself so only his lightsabers were showing. He parried a stab and ducked away from a slash. He used an attack that threw off the Dark Jedi's hood. It turned out to be a very familiar she. She got back up and sliced at Ayja's robe. He spun out of the way and the attack only singed his clothing. Another barely blocked attack left a gash on his arm. Ayja, now almost enraged, sliced high and low, missing the Dark Jedi by inches. He used the attack made to flip a lightsaber away again twice. He kicked her in the stomach, putting her down. He looked around and saw that Jaina had similarly disarmed her opponent. But there was no sign of Tenel Ka.

The Ensuing Battle, Jaina's Point of View

Jaina had already figured out that this was a Sith. Her violet lightsaber intersected with the reddish-orange one of her opponent. A slash came at her feet and she jumped it, slicing at her opponent's lightsaber handle. Her attack missed and she managed to get away from the counterattack. She jumped over her opponent and sliced at its arm, leaving a deep cut. The enraged Sith went on the offensive, hammering Jaina from every side. She relaxed and let the Force guide her movements. She felt herself returning the favor, slicing high and low in no predictable pattern. She felt a jolt as the Sith's Force punch hit her. She jumped over it again, slicing the top half of its handle away. She then brought the heavy lightsaber handle down upon her opponent's forehead. He dropped like a rock. She glanced around, noticing that Ayja was done too. But where was Tenel Ka?

Ensuing Battle, Tenel Ka's point of view.

As soon as Tenel Ka's blue blade intersected with her enemy's purplish-red lightsaber, she knew she was overmatched. She only managed a few blocks before her lightsaber was twenty feet away. Her opponent grabbed her, knocked her out with the hilt of its lightsaber, and pulled her away.

After the battle, Docking Bay L-845 Subsidary Corridor 1

"Ayja, where's Tenel Ka?" Christala had hid behind the door to avoid injury.

"I don't know. I was going to ask you," Ayja replied. He looked at Jaina.

"I was going to ask, you, Ayja," Jaina replied.

"OK, Jaina, you get to tell her parents what happened," Ayja said.

A loud blast was heard as the Stargazer class freighter left the bay.

"Let's go! Maybe we can catch it!" Jaina shouted.

The three ran to an express turbolift directly to their bay. Ayja smashed the repulsor control panel, making it go at about thirty times its regular maximum speed. It shot upward into the thick foam padding designed to slow it down. Ayja and Jaina dashed out, closely followed by Christala. Deefour, who had left to get the ship ready, began the preflight checks. Ayja dashed into the cockpit and swung into the pilot's seat. He flicked on the power generator and slammed the repulsors to one hundred percent immediately. The Reality shot up and out as the engines came up to full power. It got out of the hangar just in time to see the freighter hyper out of the area.

"Jaina, get me that vector," Ayja said.

"33-246-88-459," Jaina replied.

Ayja entered the coordinates and hit the hyperspace button. The stars shot past, coming together into the blue streaks of hyperspace.

Sal'ya Tan'greth slowly got up and called her lightsaber back. Her apprentice came to as well.

"Very good. We did our job and we will be rewarded," she said.