Chapter 13 – Winnings and Failures
Stepping down the landing ramp of the Millennium Falcon Leia had to suppress a sudden urge to run ahead and wrap her beaming father in her arms. Anakin Skywalker stood next to Telmann Page, and as always he seemed to command the entire scene, including politicians, security personnel and reporters. He appeared every inch a lord, and Leia assumed the graceful walk she had been taught as Princess of Alderaan in an unconscious response to his regal bearing as she strode toward the waiting assembly. Mon Mothma was smiling at her fondly once she had come to a stop in front of the President. Here was another most dignified woman, just like her mother, and so very different from the ones Leia had encountered in her previous adventure. She secretly wondered how Yana Dar would fare in the New Republic Senate.
"You are back," Mon Mothma greeted her and gave her a gentle hug. "We have been missing you dearly," she added with a sincere smile.
Leia nodded gravely. "My news was of use to you?"
"Oh, certainly. A lot has happened since last we spoke and I would require a full report and an official statement later today. First, though, I suppose you would want to reassure your father that you have indeed arrived in one piece."
Han chose exactly that moment to clamber down the ramp, already shouting for a medic. The waiting team hurried over to him and followed into the ship's interior to take care of Roganda, and Leia noticed with some concern her father stalking into the Falcon after them. She excused herself hurriedly and joined the two men in the ship's crew quarters. Turning cool blue eyes on her as she entered Father crossed his arms over his chest pointedly.
"I wasn't going to rip his head off, you know?" he said.
Leia suspected differently, judging by the way Han sheepishly tried to hide out of her sight, rubbing a hand over his throat. She arched her eyebrows ever so slighty and countered, equally calm: "And I don't believe it one minute." Then her face darkened once more. "Mother has left already?"
"Yes. She's on her way to Ryloth."
She felt a pang of regret at that. "Isn't that a bit dangerous right now?"
"As dangerous as cajouling all over the galaxy." Throwing Han a withering glare Anakin made it clear who, in his opinion, was to blame. "And certain elements present might want to reconsider a certain offer they have made to my daughter. I would not have her marry a man whose sense of responsibility does not extend beyond his ship's radar."
"Father!" Leia exclaimed, shocked, but he turned to wink at her, while Han paled visibly.
"Lord Skywalker, I – "
"Spare me, Solo. I wasn't being serious about that. Or the choking," he added for Leia's sake. "Now that you are back, my princess, I believe the two of us have work to do."
"What would that include? Exactly?" she asked, a bit suspicious.
"Mon Mothma is – " He stopped when the medics left the captain's cabin, carrying an unconscious Roganda on a stretcher.
"Excuse me," Leia said hurriedly and hastened after the men. "How grave are her injuries?" she asked softly.
"You did a good job on her," one of the medics replied. "She'll survive."
"Thank you." The Princess stopped at the top of the ramp and, after having thrown one last glance at Roganda's limp figure, returned to the two rogues she had left behind. Which had been joined by a third. Lando Calrissian was smiling at her and, judging by the scowl on Han's face, Anakin had taken the liberty of spreading his intentions concerning the relationship between his daughter and the Corellian further.
"It is a relief to hear that you will become available again, Princess," the baron commented smugly.
"Shut up, Lando," was Han's off-hand remark. "This isn't very funny."
And indeed, Leia noticed that her father's face had turned very somber for some reason. "What? she asked quietly.
"It – " He pressed his lips together tightly and to his daughter's shock she thought she could make out tears glistening in his eyes.
"Father?"
"It is Chi'in," he explained at last. "He is – I could sense him just a few moments ago and now he is gone."
Leia felt her heart clench with sorrow. Cronn's demise had been a blow, for sure, even though she herself had not felt his departure, but this was devastating, especially for Anakin. Chi'in had been his closest friend. Hugging her arms around him she held him closely, making soothing noises she knew would be no help.
"I am so sorry," she whispered.
Father took her arms and gently pushed them down. "This makes establishing contact with Nirauan first priority," he told her, his voice icy cold. Looking up at him in confusion Leia did not understand the sudden change in his tone. But then his face softened again. "Luke was with Chi'in," he reminded her very quietly.
Her face paled to a shade of gray. "No!"
"Nothing has happened to him," Father assured her hastily, "at least nothing of the caliber you put us through," he added. "You scared us near to death with your sudden disappearance."
"I am sorry," she answered with a helpless laugh, but her thoughts were focused solely on her brother. Nuron was most certainly with him and the Zabrak would disember anyone who even came close to harming Luke, but if even Chi'in could be hurt ....
"You are repeating yourself," her father admonished her gently, then wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her into his safe embrace. Left cheek pressed against his chest Leia saw the look in Han's eyes. He had heard what they had been talking about, and he looked as shocked as Leia felt. At his side Lando Calrissian frowned, trying to understand the implications.
"Then we have lost communications with Nirauan?" Leia asked suddenly, finding comfort in getting down to business.
"The relays in New Republic space are playing havoc with any signal that tries to get there," Father explained. "And Mon Mothma won't allow the NRI to even touch the ones in Imperial space. Understandably."
"What if it's a virus that scrambles our signal and transfers it straight to Imperial Intelligence?" the Princess suggested.
"You are right!" Freeing her of his embrace Anakin took a step back, eyes wide. "You are right." A low growl rose from his throat. "Why didn't I think of that? Or Page, for that matter."
Leia gave him a stern nod. "We had better round everyone up for a brainstorming session. We cannot afford any delays at this time. And I want a report on all of your activities so far. Legal and illegal." She blushed at the admiration that gleamed in his eyes when he smiled at her.
"That's my daughter."
When Chi'in came to again the first thing he noticed was the smell surrounding him, a fetid stench of decaying organic matter. Apart from that the sweet, metallic taste of blood hung in the air, his own, he remembered with a slight wince. His arms seemed to have been immobilized somehow and he suspected that his freedom of movement would not only be hampered by his injuries. Very slowly he sat up, acutely aware of each sting and twinge in his aching body and found that his left eye refused to open.
The moment he had struggled into an upright position a harsh voice bellowed something at him and he looked up at his captor's nightmarish face dizzily. Tall and muscular the creature wore full body armor. His face was a mass of scars and tattoos, his forehead sloping backward in a slight curve. Chi'in knew that his own species were considered pretty ugly by, say, human standards, but even he had rarely seen worse than this. Three deep, long gashes decorated the creature's chest, only half-healed, and the Noghri warrior grimly flexed his claws in remembrance of the fight.
He had encountered these beings before, on SAO-209404, the Jem'luz homeworld, and therefore he had not hesitated in the least when they had forced him to crashland the Ardana Ver on one of the more remote worlds dotting the outer perimeter and attacked at once. The fact that their presence was somehow shielded from his perception did not mean that he could not kill them. It had, alas, been a pretty short battle, despite his caution. Perhaps he should be lucky that he was still alive, but experience told him that this was solely due to his extended usefulness. He had come from the direction of Nirauan, making it the logical assumption that he was a scout who might provide them with intimate knowledge of the base's defenses.
There was, of course a slight problem in communications. Chi'in let the creature's inquiries wash over him with disinterest. But then a second being joined the first and there was a sudden silence that the Noghri interpreted as a change in command. He recognized the newcomer instantly and had to suppress a sudden urge to kill. Chi'in had received most of his injuries thanks to that one's combat skills. A deadly fighter, a match even for the Sith Lord's prowess and speed. Nodding at the captive the creature let his face twist into something like a smile, but it became something far more sinister on that distorted visage. He looked much like the other warrior, but there were sharp spikes growing out of his shoulders and knuckles, making him look like something found at the bottom of the sea.
"You may yet honor us," he said slowly in passable Basic. Chi'in had a feeling that a reply was not required, so he remained silent. "I am Fahl Dan and you are my prisoner." The Noghri risked an ironic smile at the other stating the obvious. "You came from Ni-rau-an," Fahl Dan continued, apparently oblivious to Chi'in's amusement. "Your bases here are destroyed, your warriors slain. You will tell us all about your base at Ni-rau-an."
The Noghri kept silent, simply returned the other's gaze with mild interest. He could recognize a pattern in the warrior's boisterous assumptions and somehow he thought now he understood Kell's motivations in fighting those 'Foul People' better. If he had one thing in common with the ancient Sith it was the dislike for bragging and empty threats.
Fahl Dan's eyes seemed to narrow as he hissed: "Your cowardly silence will not save you." Chi'in merely smiled again. Suddenly the Zush'Jem warrior bellowed a sharp laugh. "Taunt me all you wish. I will not give you honor until you have proven yourself worthy."
Chi'in bared his teeth in a mirthless smile. "My honor is mine, not yours to take or give," he grated out, put off by the creature's warped sense of honorable behaviour.
Nodding once Fahl Dan accepted the challenge. "You will help us defeat your base and bring glory to the Yuuzhan Vong."
Yuuzhan Vong? The Noghri did not answer. But a tiny spark of doubt had been lit in his heart and he knew instinctively that in this fight his greatest foe would be his fear of failure. Not his own, though, for he was in no position to affect anything. But when he had traveled to the Chiss' outposts he had felt a disturbance in the Force and had realized that one of his students had perished. Cronn. He did not blame himself for the Falleen's death, knowing as each good teacher does, that at some point the apprentice has to choose his own lessons.
Yet he feared for the others. Naas Deron was perhaps the only one who came close to a master's level, but he was confined to Almashin and answerable to Bal'maw'narda, not the base at Nirauan. Since Puket was acting as Voss Parck's guard on Byss that left only Luke and Nuron to deal with this invasion. Where they up to it? Chi'in was not certain. The only thing left to him now was to have faith in their abilities.
The Morning Glory made a last pass over the Chimaera's superstructure before it headed toward the jump-point. While Luke was working the controls Nuron plotted their course through hyperspace. They were very silent, each engrossed in their respective tasks and speculations on their friend's fate. Luke especially was worrying, since he had always believed Chi'in to be virtually invincible. His Zabrak companion outwardly displayed the same unrelenting trust in the Noghri's abilities as Naas Deron had, but Luke could sense that uncertainty held her heart captive, too.
"Ready," she announced calmly and Luke automatically pushed the ship toward hyperspace. The Morning Glory accelerated beautifully and then they had left Nirauan behind. Turning toward his co-pilot Luke made a grimace.
"You know," he began, "I could almost believe that Chi'in did this on purpose. After all that talk about our destiny ... Perhaps this is some sort of test – "
"Don't be silly," Nuron interrupted him, but there was a hint of fear in her voice.
Blue eyes narrowing Luke gazed at her for a long moment. Something was preying on her mind, and she was loath to tell him just yet. So she returned his glare steadily, and her unfathomable golden eyes gave her an advantage in their staring match. After a few moments it was Luke who averted his eyes first.
"I suppose it really is a stupid suggestion," he conceded quietly.
"Yes."
The Zabrak's wistful answer preceded another prolonged silence. For a while Luke considered asking her outright why she was so afraid, but in the end he left the cockpit, feeling rejected and hurt. The Morning Glory had a food processor unit and Luke began preparing a meal for two in deep contemplation. So far he had not given much thought to what was happening, always relying on Chi'in to have the ready answers. Perhaps it was now time that he tried to understand himself. Why was the Jem'luz homeworld so important?
He remembered that Commander Al'than'erudo had spoken of the planet as if he knew it.
"Nuron!" he called toward the cockpit and jumped when the next moment she appeared in the galley next to him.
"Yes?" she asked, a smug smile on her face.
"Please don't do that again." Luke shot her a helpless grin, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. "Can you try to raise the Shooting Star? If they have material on SAO-209404 I would like to have that."
"Perhaps you should do that," she said very coldly and Luke remembered the hostile welcome the Commander had given her.
He shook his head. "No. He has to learn to respect you, just as you learned to respect your own strength."
For some reason her eyes widened ever so slightly and she turned around and headed toward the cockpit without another word. Luke directed a frown at her retreating back, but again held his silence. Whenever she was ready she would tell him what was bothering her.
He shook his head to rid himself of his worries and concentrated again on the riddle surrounding the Jem'luz. Cronn and Chi'in both had insisted that the battles in the Unknown Territories had not registered in the Force, even though thousands must have died there.
The recovered wreckage material from all fifteen sites of destruction showed that not a single one had been of Zush'Jem origin. Had they been, it might have explained the absence of any Force residues. Not for the first time he wished Master Yoda were here to guide him. The old Jedi Master had known more than – Hold on. He remembered the very day Master Yoda had joined the flow of the Force, the immense disturbance he had felt then. There had been such peace in bis heart and mind ... as if the universe itself had reached down to welcome the tiny Jedi Master in its eternal embrace.
At the same time Roj Kell had vanished from Coruscant. There had been nothing to mark his passing, he had simply disappeared into the Force, as if he had never existed. As if the Force did not flow to him, but rather around him. Luke had no idea how that was possible, but then, it was technically not possible for any being to live as long as Kell had. Could Kell have been behind those massacres? He was alive, they knew as much now, and he had some scheme going on in Hutt Space, but that was a long way from the Unknown Territories.
"Luke!"
Jolted awake from his reverie the young Jedi hastened over to the cock-pit to join his companion. "What?"
"Al'than'erudo's battle-group has made enemy contact. Apparently they intecepted a distress signal from one of the perimeter forts and came as fast as they could."
"Battle-group?" Luke asked suspiciously.
"Yes. Our dear Commander has been busy, too. We should be joining them in four hours."
"Anything on the Jem'luz world?"
Nuron sneered contemptuously. "He says it might be better if you used the Shooting Star's facilities for your research. For the sake of efficiency."
"But he talked to you – "
"No. His aide did."
"Oh." Luke's face fell in disappointment.
"Never mind. He'll see the error of his assumption soon enough."
"Nuron," Luke said pensively, "you aren't thinking about pounding the idea into his thick skull, are you?"
Twisting around in her seat she gave him a long, hard look. "You know," was all she said, the accusation plain.
"I suspect." He took his place in the co-pilot's chair and turned to face her. "I believe you are experiencing a flashback of some sort. You are afraid of failure. Why? You proved to everyone that you are your own master and can make the right decisions. Just because you did not anticipate Kell on Korriban does not make you a bad fighter. Force, everyone fell for his tricks back then!"
Nuron averted her eyes shyly. "You are right. Chi'in told me exactly the same, and your father.... Eventually he recognized my skills, too."
"So, are you going to tell me now?"
She chuckled softly and rubbed a hand across her forehead self-consciously. "You can be pretty persistent, you know? All right. Here's the story." Her face turned a bit darker, but Luke could sense no anger in her, only determination. "The Emperor had left a guardian behind on Wayland to protect the treasures he had hoarded there. The guardian's name was Germyne Urian, a human of extraordinary abilities, but as blind to the Force as those Zush'Jem. My task was to eliminate him."
"Should have been easy for you," Luke commented with a fond smile.
"No. It was not easy. It was horrible. I misinterpreted your father's command and spun an elaborate plan to draw the guardian out of his fortress' security. There was a village at the foot of Mount Tantiss, where the fortress was located, and I assumed that if I preyed on its inhabitants they would call for the guardian to help them."
"And they did not?"
She shook her head. "I am certain they did, but I was losing myself in anger, because he made me wait and confused me with evasive maneuvers. I was impatient, lost my focus, and he caught me off guard." A shudder ran through her then, making Luke's heart ache in sympathy. "He captured me." He could see the horror in her features and reached out to hug her tenderly. She let his arms enfold her without protest and this display of vulnerability almost made Luke cry. Whatever had happened to her back on Wayland had shaken her badly.
"You weathered that crisis," he told her gently.
"But at what price? Your father believed me a failure. I – did not trust myself any more. I felt useless."
"That is long past," Luke tried to reassure her. Just then her head came up and golden eyes met blue ones.
"You and Chi'in made me see my mistake then," she explained softly. "Now he is gone and you yourself are uncertain of your destiny. I can feel it," she insisted when Luke opened his mouth to protest. "I know I have to be strong, but if I fail now I will lose you forever. I could not live with that."
"Nuron – "
"No, listen. Back on Almashin you accepted my role as your protector. It is my duty to guard your back while you deal with things I will never be able to understand. I do not even want to understand them." She placed a quick kiss on his lips and smiled. "Some of us reach for the stars while others are content to follow. You are a Skywalker, heart and soul, and I am honored to have your trust, if you will have mine."
"I love you, you know that," Luke said, feeling a bit helpless. Why did she have to burden him with all that responsibility? Perhaps he would have been content to follow, too. Secretly, though, he knew that he would never be able to stand back, the way Chi'in had done when Anakin had run headlong toward certain doom. Nuron was determined to give him support both by loving and protecting him, and refusing her gift would be like betraying himself. His mood lightened again as he drew her on his lap, feeling the sinewy strength of her body, the warmth of her skin as she pressed her cheek against his. "How could I love you and not trust you at the same time?"
"You are very wise," she marvelled, admiration plain in her tone. Luke winced inwardly. It sounded fake, to hear an eighteen-year-old warrior call a man only two years her senior wise, but he could sense that she meant it and it frightened him just a little bit. What if he could not fulfill her expectations? He risked a smile.
"We shall see about that, won't we?"
"Really, Admiral, I understand your concern, but I do not share it." Markhan tried to rid himself of Parck's annoying presence by slipping past him into his office, but the Twi'lek bodyguard intercepted him nonchalantly. Standing in front of the open office door she regarded him coolly out of dark eyes and her stance made it very clear that violence was not an option right now, but it might become one if he did not hear her master out. Turning back toward Voss Parck the Grand Admiral heaved an exasperated sigh. The man had the gall to actually look smug! Tious gritted his teeth and made a final decision concerning the two unwelcome visitors' imminent future. "I trust your forces to contain this threat," he grated out, "and should they manage to get past your troops I will deal with them accordingly. But right now, my friend, I have much more pressing problems."
"Such as the conflict with the New Republic?"
"You should be aware of your precarious position, Admiral. You are affiliated with Grand Admiral Thrawn, a traitor to the Empire - "
"Who is supposedly attacking his former ally right now."
"You yourself claimed the attack was not initiated at his order!"
"Perhaps he has changed his mind," Parck reasoned.
"What exactly are you aiming at? Do you want me to launch an all-out offensive against the New Republic or do you want my assistance for your own little problem?"
"Honestly?" The Admiral arched his eyebrows in a challenge. "I want you to tell me the truth. Perhaps we should talk someplace more private? Your office, maybe?"
Suddenly Tious found himself cornered. The door to his office was still open, and the Twi'lek gracefully stepped aside to let him pass, Voss Parck right on his heels. "You are making a mistake," he hissed as the door closed behind them. Franzis Sarreti rose from his desk in one corner of the room, looking startled.
"Sir?" the aide asked, directing a questioning frown at Parck and his bodyguard.
"Sarreti!" the Grand Admiral thundered. "Summon the guards at once!"
The man did not budge. Meeting Tious' glare calmly he gestured toward the viewport. "Right at this moment the moffs are arriving. They are anxious to meet Yana Dar."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"I also noted that you have another guest coming in. Roj Kell. That really is a delightful surprise."
"Sarreti, I – "
"Be silent." Sarreti's voice was calm, yet the two words were delivered with whip-lash accuracy and force. Tious' mouth clamped shut. Bending over his data-pad the lieutenant continued more thoughtfully: "I might yet end in front of an execution commando for treason, so I will need you a little while longer." He looked up and shot the Grand Admiral a bright smile. "I would therefore advise you to cooperate. Admiral Parck," he continued, "your request has been noted, but for now my hands are bound. I will not be able to give you an answer until this entire affair is resolved. I hope you understand."
Voss Parck knew he must look at least as ridiculously surprised as the Grand Admiral. When he had practically forced Markhan to talk to him he had acted out of desperation, having realized that the man would not grant them any support no matter how diplomatic Parck might be. The Admiral had been fully prepared to resort to even more desperate measures to have Tious give that order and then die, but this was – by the sound of it Sarreti had been planning this coup for a long time.
"Excuse me, Lieutenant, but I do not quite understand," he hazarded and threw Puket a helpless glance. The Twi'lek frowned at the aide deeply, then gave a sharp nod.
"He is sincere," she announced. "If he could aid us he would, but it seems that we will have to be patient a little bit longer."
"By then it might be too late," Parck said between gritted teeth. "Lieutenant, what is going on?"
"You have no authority on Byss and no right to question me," Sarreti reminded him mildly and turned his head to study Puket with open interest. "What is she? A Jedi? Or a Sith?"
"She is my bodyguard."
"Yes, of course." Sarreti's smile faded. "Alas, she will not be able to protect you if my actions are revealed before the time is right."
"We will keep that secret," Voss Parck assured him, but he did not feel very confident himself. "But how do you think to hold out until that day comes?"
"For now I am useful. Once Yana Dar arrives... We shall see."
"I will never support your traitorous scheme!" Tious Markhan shouted. Apparently he had finally recovered from his initial shock.
"No? But you and I have the same goal," his aide told him coolly. "Both of us want the Empire to reclaim its glory. Ah," Sarreti gave the other a mock smile, "I remember now. You had planned on taking control yourself, is that not so?"
"I have worked very hard for this, Sarreti," Markhan growled. "And I have every skill necessary to rule."
"Yana Dar is the rightful heiress to her father's throne."
Markhan barked a mirthless laugh. "You think so? Does not Lord Vader also have a claim to the Empire? Or Irek Ismaren, for that mattter. He is Palpatine's son, after all."
"Lord Vader has made his choices clear," Sarreti countered calmly. "I doubt he will give up his family to join the Empire once again. As for Ismaren," the lieutenant's face twisted into a disgusted grimace. "The boy is insane."
"So was Palpatine, some believe," Voss Parck commented. "Tell me, Lieutenant, do you have any supporters onplanet?"
Sarreti threw Tious Markhan a suspicious glance, then shook his head wrily. "Not enough."
"The moffs and governors – are they aware of your scheme or did you tell them it was in the Grand Admiral's name?"
"Please, do not insult my intelligence, Admiral. They know the truth and most agreed to my plan. They do not approve of Markhan very much. He has hoarded the late Emperor's treasures here on Byss and that does not sit well with them."
"So you are telling me that your 'allies' might decide you to be a liability now that Yana Dar is almost within their grasp?"
"It is a stand-off, I fear. There are dangerous days ahead for me, true, but I think I can manage. If the Grand Admiral – "
"Don't count on me!" Markhan hissed.
"If the Grand Admiral is reasonable," Sarreti continued, ignoring him, "the transfer of power will be made without blood-shed."
"He seems a bit loath to working with you," the Admiral observed correctly, and threw the seething Tious Markhan a meaningful glare.
"I can be quite persuasive," Franzis Sarreti answered drily. "And he might be amendable to some of my suggestions. As far as I am concerned, Admiral Parck, you are free to leave the planet until this situation is resolved. I imagine your troops would appreciate having you back at Nirauan."
Parck hesitated. Nirauan was cut off from the rest of the galaxy, they had lost communications with Coruscant and barely had been able to reestablish a line to Almashin.
"I believe we will stay for now. I will need to contact Coruscant, though."
"Not from Byss, please. Perhaps you could use your shuttle's comm system?"
"Of course." Turning toward the door he waited for Puket to join him, but the Twi'lek kept gazing at Markhan. Finally she gazed at his aide pensively and said:
"The future is hard to see at any time, but in your case I see betrayal and triumph clearly." Extending a slender hand toward the Grand Admiral she continued: "He will try to destroy you, but that certainly is no news to you. Yet his actions will decide your fate. Have a care."
The lieutenant gave her a sharp bow. "Thank you. I shall be careful. If you would excuse me now? I have urgent business to attend to."
Pacing the living-room of the apartment he ususally shared with his wife Anakin was dearly missing her presence. He felt lonely. Of course, he might pay a call to Leia, but he suspected that she would not be overly thrilled at the prospect of keeping her father company instead of being with Han. She had done a terrific job on the meeting, making the right connections and logical observations in record time and surprising even him with her insight. If she went on like that he would not be needed any longer and could retreat from active duty for good. Grimacing at the very thought the Dark Lord sat down heavily on the couch and glared at the silent comm. Just then a discreet chime announced a visitor at the door. Anakin called up a visual and jumped to his feet instantly. Loya. Perhaps the Devaronian had found something new on Yana Dar. Keying the door open he bade the alien to enter.
"Make yourself comfortable," he ordered briskly and followed his own words.
"I called in at your wife's office, but she's out," Loya told him reproachfully. "You said I was to relay any news to her."
"Yes, yes." Anakin replied impatiently. "Never mind. What do you have for me?" Loya handed him a datacard. "Yana Dar," the Dark Lord quoted, "human female, 36 standard years of age, homeworld Coruscant, parentage unknown." He looked up to frown at Loya. "That's all?"
"All there is officially," the Devaronian answered smugly and placed a second datacard on the table between them. "Her legal guardian was a woman named Shya Kee. She enrolled the girl in a number of posh schools, which must mean that someone paid the bills for her, someone rich and presumably powerful. On her sixteenth birthday Yana Dar left Coruscant and vanished in the Corporate Sector."
"Tough. Shya Kee, you say?" Anakin frowned. "I know that name." But his memory failed him as he tried to fit a face to that name. "Anything else?"
"Yana was not born on Coruscant."
"Where?"
"Naboo."
Recollection hit him then. Shya Kee, Palpatine's secretary on Naboo, before he was ever sent to represent the planet in the Galactic Senate. Her name had been a minor detail when Anakin had researched his opponent what seemed like ages ago. A secretary had not seemed important then, but now ... "Yana is related to this Shya Kee?"
"Nothing points that way."
"When did she resurface from her trip to the Corporate Sector?"
"Five years later, on Coruscant."
"Wait, her sixteenth birthday? The year Palpatine declared himself Emperor. And she came back when she was twenty-one. Leia said she's Force-sensitive."
"Boss, you aren't thinking what I think you are, are you?"
"That she is his daughter?"
Loya groaned softly. "First his son shows up in that Executor-monster and now his daughter runs a scheme against us. What is she up to?"
"If I knew, Loya, I'd be a happy man," Anakin answered glumly.
"Why are we stopping at Garqui?" Yana asked the man standing next to her, and Abla turned his head with a small smile on his lips.
"Supplies."
"Are you expecting a blockade at Byss?"
"You never know what might happen," he laughed. "Although I suspect the Grand Admiral has everything under control."
"Except for Irek."
"Yes. Apparently there has been no progress in tracking him down."
"Markhan is a fool to leave the Executor in that boy's hands."
"Who is going to take his toy away from him, do you think?"
Yana gave him a very cool look. "It is funny you should ask," she told him lightly.
"You mean you could?"
"I am his sister and he seems to like me." A certain glimmer appeared in her eyes. "Besides, I might know the perfect way to get him to come to Byss." Abla snorted softly, but she continued right over him, "without the Executor as back-up."
That got her his attention. His eyes narrowed slightly as he asked: "How?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"It might be the reasonable choice to tell me, and not the Grand Admiral."
Now it was Yana's turn to be surprised. "Abla, what else have you been hiding from me?" she demanded.
"First tell me who our other guest really is. You said you saw him on Byss."
"I am surprised that you don't know him. His name is Roj Kell."
"Kell," he repeated softly. "We had the logfiles, but there were no visuals. I wonder how Markhan could recognize him."
"Perhaps he's been hiding things from you too?"
"Oh, I am certain of that. The question is why?"
"He may not trust you," Yana offered, her eyes searching his face for any clue as to what he was thinking.
Her Force-senses were weak and told her nothing beyond that he was worried for some reason. She had a feeling that the source of that worry was Irek, and she could understand that, in a way. They had heard of the Executor's attacks on Ord Mantell and the New Republic, and Yana had been wondering what her half-brother was trying to accomplish with his moves. If Abla knew more –
"Abla, you promised you'd tell me what is going on," she practically pleaded, and for a moment it was just like the old times. The look in his eyes, both fond and full of desire, his smile. Shaking her head vehemently Yana took a step back. "No. Don't," she commanded, but he followed her. "Abla! I swear I will kill you!"
When she lashed out at him he caught her wrists easily and suddenly she found her back pressed against the cabin wall. He was too close, much too close for comfort. Struggling against his grip Yana did not dare meet his eyes, but she could not escape the words. They made her shiver. "Two years ago my master commanded me to track down a woman named Yana Dar. I did not know who you were, and I had no clue what he wanted from you. But now I understand. Irek is a failure, and your father always made sure to have at least one back-up plan. Tious Markhan was his willing tool, but someone is playing that fool like a glass-pipe."
"He – sent you?" she managed.
"To guard and guide you, yes. I told you about the secret installation on Dubrillion and I made sure that Markhan got all of that, because Byss, my love, is the key. You know the world. The possibilities there are almost infinite. We can run the program, use the facilities, we can restore th Empire. And you will rule."
"I told you I did not want to!"
"It is your destiny, Yana." Letting her go again Abla retreated toward the viewport to look out at the planet before them. "You were on Byss? You witnessed the – transition?"
A shiver ran down her back as the tension left her and brought memories instead. Shoulders slumping Yana took a deep breath and stalked over to the couch to sit down. Her father had arranged all this! She had always been so proud of leading her own life, of not being dependent on her father, or the court. It had all been a lie.
"You owe him very much, do you realize that? You owe him everything you have, Yana." Abla said softly, as if reading her mind.
"Have you got any idea?" she snapped, then heaved a deep sigh. "He was using me all along! That hurts. Doesn't it hurt you to be nothing but a tool?"
He shook his head. "Not at all. You should be grateful, Yana. I know that I am. For serving my master and for serving you." Joining her by the couch he dropped to his knees before her. "Yana, I love you more than anything else, but I will obey my master's command. Once you are Empress I will follow only yours."
"Why didn't you tell me two years ago? Why all those lies?"
"Would you have trusted me if you had known the truth?"
She looked down at his earnest face and she knew he meant every word. Reaching out she caressed his left cheek gently and sighed. "You are right, Abla. I would be a fool not to seize this opportunity." Guiltily she thought back on her conversation with Roj Kell, his advice. Perhaps he was right after all. "What should I do?"
"You said you could eliminate Irek – " he said hastily, his eyes shining. Yana snorted in disgust.
"Not eliminate, Abla! He is my brother, and I will not resort to my father's methods, even if the boy is insane. Irek is no lifeless tool, my friend. He is a living being and he deserves his chance."
His eyes narrowed in anger. "Perhaps giving him that chance will be the last mistake you will ever make. I do not trust him, and he has a powerful guardian."
"Erinin."
"Unfortunately the man is absolutely loyal to Irek. He does not know of the others and would not take orders from me; he would kill me first. How do you propose to get around him?"
"No one is immortal, Abla," she reminded him coldly. "No one." Slipping a hand underneath his chin she lifted his head up ever so slightly to meet his gaze. "As I understand it Tious Markhan does not know who you really are, Abla Othana, and if he ever realizes your position your life is forfeit. You know that as well as I do. But I will not become his puppet."
"That's the spirit, girl," he answered with a smile and drew her into his arms to kiss her. Yana's protests subsided quickly as she realized that Abla was her sole ally, the only one she could trust with her life and heart. True, he had betrayed her, but perhaps that betrayal had been necessary for her to become aware of her own position. "I love you," he said softly into her ear and kissed her again.
A single tear slid down her face when she answered: "I love you too."
An hour later they were seated together in the ship's comm center. Abla had sent the officers on duty away so they could have some privacy. Most knew his position with Markhan and respected it, so there would be no questions. Now, seated next to Yana, he could not stop looking at her. The way she moved, the concentration with which she went about her task, all that was bringing back memories. Moved by his sentimental emotions Abla lay a hand on her forearm and she quickly turned her head to look at him. The smile in her blue eyes was sincere and he gave a sigh of relief. Now that they had made their peace and set things straight between them nothing could stop them. Nothing and no one.
"I have a connection," she announced suddenly and refocused her attention on the comm.
"This is Unit Eight," a man's voice announced suddenly. "You are on receive."
"Code Nero-Negative-Blue," the information broker replied. "You have permission to intercept the quarry."
"Finally! That guy is getting far too creepy for my taste. We've had some losses – "
"Unimportant. You have enough resources to call upon. But I want to make one thing clear: Target One is not to be harmed."
"You are abandoning the plan?"
"Second thoughts, Unit Eight?" Yana asked lightly.
"No, boss, surely not. Code Alpha-Seven procedure?"
Yana hesitated only for the fraction of a second. "Excellent. Once you are finished wait for me to contact you again."
"Okay. Eight, out."
Yana nodded to herself in satisfaction, then punched in another code and activated the encrypt. "You said you could delete all traces, right?"
"Yeah," Abla frowned at her. "What are you doing?"
"My men will need some assistance and I have a deal with someone who might be able to provide it." Flicking a switch she took the headcomm and positioned it over her ears, so Abla could not listen in. Rising from his seat he tactfully retreated toward the exit and Yana gave him a grateful smile and a wave before he opened the door. But before it closed again behind him he could just make out the beginning of the conversation.
"Yes, Princess, it's Yana. I have some vital news for you concerning the Executor."
Grand Admiral Thrawn looked up a bit groggily when the door to his prison slid open. The room had once served as storage space for cleaning droids, and was therefore ill-equipped for imprisoning a living being. He had a feeling that there was almost no oxygen left in there.
After their escape from the New Republic fleet Irek had resumed command once more, and his frequent relapses into mad fury were becoming increasingly dangerous. Perhaps some of his crew had decided that they wanted out before it was too late. The corridor outside was dark, meaning that everyone safe for the sentries was asleep. Hopefully that included Irek himself.
"Come on, I'm not going to bite you or anything," a voice hissed at him and the Chiss stumbled upright tiredly.
"Halan?"
The man nodded at him hurriedly and a hand grabbed his arm and dragged him out into the corridor. "We gotta hurry. Quiet now."
They left the bridge unmolested and were joined by two more of Halan's team. One of them he recognized instantly. Thrawn threw Anjuri a hard look and the man had the grace to look embarrassed. "Sorry about your second," the man whispered, but the Grand Admiral waved him into silence.
"What is your plan?" he asked quietly as he caught up with Toss Halan again.
"We were kinda hoping that you could assume command of the troopers."
"Fifteen minutes, Halan. That is the time he'll need to reach a shuttle and leave before he blows up the ship," Thrawn commented drily. "It takes five to mobilize the TIE pilots alone. Why didn't you just kill him?"
"Not as easy as you make it. First you'd have to get past Erinin."
Thrawn gave him a cool glance. "You are right. Halan, what were you hired for? Not your navigational skills, I know. So?"
"I am good with machines."
"Excellent. Where are Irek and Erinin right now?"
"Lower bridge. One of the meeting rooms."
"No, my friend. Erinin has been following us for the past four minutes."
"Wha - ?"
"Surprised? Once he believes we've made a decision he will return to the lower bridge and make a report. What do you think will happen then?"
Toss Halan swallowed hard. "Something bad?" he ventured.
"Possibly. Anjuri, you are keeping an eye on our backs?"
"Yes, sir!" the man whispered.
"Good." Rounding on Anjuri Thrawn ordered quietly: "You will attack Erinin and create a diversion. Halan, you and your friend are coming with me. Where's the rest of your men?"
"They are rounding up some troopers to give them the good news."
"Perfect. Let's go."
TBC