Chapter 19 – Into the Unknown

Stepping up the ramp of the shuttle that was to take him up to the New Republic Star Destroyer Freedom Anakin Skywalker felt strangely elated. They would join Needa's Second Fleet at Bilbringi before making the last leg of the voyage to Byss, and then he would travel on toward Nirauan. Finally he would be able to do something for real, instead of being constantly dependent on outside information and always keeping his fingers crossed that all players moved their pawns the way he had anticipated. The political games had ended with Yana Dar's rise to Empress, and now that Leia was about to begin negotiations on Bilbringi alongside Tomas Piett the only threat that remained was the one out of the Unknown Regions. Anakin was really looking forward to having a serious talk with Roj Kell about exactly that. And about Irek.

Casting a sideways glance at the two women accompanying him he noted the way they were talking in hushed voices. Leia was casting him smiles and warm looks from time to time, while Roganda's face remained almost blank. There was just a hint of sad resignation he could make out in her dark eyes. She was longing to find her son again, he knew, and he dearly hoped that her wish would be granted. In that he could symathize with her, having known the agony of having loved ones apart. When she realized he was looking at her Roganda favored him with a tiny smile of her own, but averted her gaze almost instantly. He could understand her feelings. After all, had he not promised to kill her son, should it become inevitable?

"So, how do you feel, Ambassador Skywalker?" Leias asked as she hooked her arm around his and practically dragged him up the ramp with her. Throwing the Princess a somewhat surprised look her father suddenly broke into a smile.

"It is different. But this ambassador will not hold his job for long. Once we are on our way to Nirauan I will be a warlord again."

"And how do you feel about that?" she said quietly and took a seat in the passenger cabin. Anakin dropped down beside her and pursed his lips thoughtfully.

"I am not sure. Although I prefer action over sitting in stuffed meetings I also had hoped that the war would have ended at last."

"You are a warrior, no killer. There is nothing you have to be sorry for," his daughter told him in a gentle tone.

"Really nothing?" Anakin smirked at her. "There is much I did in the past that I regret."

She hugged him fiercely. "But you are still a good person. People will realize that one day."

"I wish that were so. I am just glad no one seems to want to blame you for my past."

"That's because you always make sure to point it out to them that you were responsible," she murmured against his shoulder.

"What was that?"

A bright smile lit up her face as she gazed up at him. "Nothing. I only find your resilience astounding. You do not apologize to appease people, but because you mean it. And you do not take responsibility only to earn respect, but because you are sincere. People know that. That is why they would blame no one else."

"Oh. Good." He paused. "I wish we could stop always running around and saving this galaxy."

Leia laughed out loud. "I'll join you in that!"

Joral's palace fortress on Nal Hutta was just as Telmann Page had described it to her. Wrinkling her nose delicately at the stench Padmé had to suppress an urge to walk on tiptoe. The dirt-smeared floor was sticky and rubbish seemed to litter every corner of the hallways. She was wondering in earnest how anyone could live in a place such as this by choice. Surely even Hutts must feel uncomfortable here. As her honor guard, an ill-assorted group of Gammoreans and Twi'lek, led her, Anja and Cesh Kendar toward what she supposed was the throne room Padmé put on her best face. Joral, reclining on his dais, was watching her walk closer, his huge golden eyes regarding her lazily through slitted lids. The former queen drew herself up to her small height and raised her chin, not haughtily, but self-assured.

"Greetings, Joral" she began evenly. "I am Padmé Naberrie, Senior Analyst for Internal Affairs to the New Republic government. Thank you for seeing me."

"Be welcome, Padmé Naberrie." His voice dropped dangerously low. "I had not expected you so soon."

"Matters between the New Republic and the Empire are changing fast," she explained with a small smile. With Nar Shadaa this close she had no doubt Joral already knew of Yana's ascension. Although, she herself had heard the news only upon her arrival at Nal Hutta, from Anakin.

"That may be as it is, but what brings you here, Padmé Naberrie?"

"A request. You were so gracious as to assure General Page of your assistance, should we require it concerning Ryloth. I would like to take you up on that offer."

"Really. Are you certain that my assistance is needed at all?"

So he knew. And he was wondering why she would come to him now that Yana was in charge of the Empire and could simply recall Antham from Ryloth. But that had not been for certain when Padmé had left Coruscant. Mon Mothma had not wanted to leave anything to chance. Had Yana lost to Tious Markhan the Hutts would have served to intimidate Antham and make him surrender his command. Now, though, Padmé's presence on Nal Hutta could serve another purpose. Byss was far away, and if the Empire retreated from Ryloth the Hutts would gladly snatch the planet up again and claim it as their own. That she was to prevent, by reminding Joral of the promise he had made, to leave Ryloth alone. And until the order from Byss that she hoped for came, the Hutts could still be used to keep Antham in check.

"Esteemed Joral, the New Republic is ever grateful for an ally such as yourself. Your insight and wisdom are valued among the members of our government. Stability is needed, and we want to achieve that goal in this sector of this galaxy, between us, the Hutts and the Empire."

"A wise decision," the Hutt said slowly.

Padmé smiled up at him and nodded. "I would appreciate it if you could function as intermediary between myself and Commander Antham. I doubt he will be thrilled to see me again."

"You have run into trouble with him on Ryloth?"

"One could call it that, yes," she answered smoothly, but her smile froze. On Ryloth she had come to trust Andarack clan Rim'kai, who had turned out to be an Imperial agent and who had hurt her husband. All in all her memories of the planet were anything but fond.

"Then it will be my pleasure to be of assistance."

"Your Highness, there is something else I would want to discuss with you. Something of a more private nature."

Joral waved a tiny hand at the honor guard standing at her back and they left, along with Cesh Kendar and Anja, who had had taken the protocol for this session. Alone with the Hutt at last Padmé took another step toward him.

"What is it you wish?" he asked wearily, yet she could see the alarm in his eyes. There was something he feared she would bring up.

"You are aware of the operation Yana Dar ran from Nar Shadaa."

"Of course."

"I would like your permission to reopen it once more."

"Under whose direction?"

"That need not concern you, Your Highness. But this has nothing to do with the New Republic."

He gave a booming laugh and his eyes gleamed with mischief. "No? In that case I would like to hear more ...."

"So what you are saying is that the Dark Lord wants to use the fringe to keep the governments in check?" Karrde was almost grinning at the Corellian seated across from him. The proposition was ludicrous, and yet – and yet it might work.

Solo glared at him. "That's what I just said, isn't it?"

"Of course." Leaning back in his chair the information broker mused about the possibilities. With Yana Dar's network merged with his he would be able to control almost the entire flow of information. But that came at a price. He doubted that the Dark Lord intended to let him enjoy that power. On the contrary. Anyone in power could be challenged, and would be, if the rules allowed it. "An independent council? Sounds impossible to me," he said aloud, seeing Solo frown impatiently at him.

"Don't ask me how it's supposed to work. That's not my job. I'm only here to get you to listen."

"Who would supply that council? How would it be financed? What about protection?"

The former pirate gave him a leisured smile. "I see I've got you interested."

"That you have, definitely. I am intrigued. What about the lady? What is she up to with Joral?"

"She's mellowing him a bit in order to get him to see the benefits of that arrangement and agree to making it happen."

"She wants to establish an outpost on Nar Shadaa!" Suddenly it all fell into place. "That is how the council will be financed!"

"I have no idea what you are talking about," the Corellian said, his face blank.

"Certainly not," Karrde replied in some amusement. "If Mon Mothma finds out she will be furious."

"That's why his lordship is already on his way to Byss."

"Undoubtedly to bring Yana Dar over to his point of view. With the Princess persuading Piett and her mother working on Joral the New Republic will have no choice but to join once they are faced with the facts. A clever plan. And it might even work. And what is this business with the bounty-hunters?"

Solo casually leaned back in his seat. "You tell me."

"Adopting your in-law's bad habits?" the broker muttered, bu there was not much rancor in his tone. "Very well. The council he wants to create will be aware of every scheme that is going on, every law that is made, every alliance that is forged, no matter how secret. That knowledge will be their protection. Competition will prevent anyone from ganging up against them, which is why the council will have representives from all governments. The bounty-hunters now, well, they are an additional source of knowledge, of a darker kind. I suppose Skywalker wants them bonded to the council?" Solo nodded with a smile. "So anyone who wants a bounty-hunter will have to hire them from the council. I also assume the council will pay the bounty-hunters more than an independent client ever could. A twisted strategy. Just like any the Dark Lord has ever come up with. But also straight forward."

"Yeah," the Corellian agreed, "he always has everyone's best interests in mind."

"Regardless to whether they want him to or not," Karrde added. "So he will rule in the end."

"No." Solo shook his head. "That's where the third force comes in. Someone has to control the council."

"And that would be who?"

"First I need to know if you are in, or if you'd rather quit before its too late."

Inhaling slowly Talon Karrde gazed at the man seated opposite from him, the earnest eyes, the expectant expression on the former pirate's face. There was a good man ruined by having been around idealists for too long. This plan was madness. If it ever succeeded it would change the face of this galaxy forever. "Why? Why does he believe all of this necessary?" he asked hoarsely, feeling intimidated by the scale of it all.

"The New Republic will form an alliance with the Chiss and the Empire to counter the forces invading the Unknown Territories. Do you know why they are doing it? To teach others a lesson. This is a warning. Anyone who threatens this alliance will be handed their heads back to them after they have had their guts ripped out of their bellies. This is not about politics, it is about survival."

Talon Karrde frowned deeply. "You are talking war, Solo. You mean anyone who dares oppose this supposed alliance gets swatted down? Sounds like tyranny to me."

"I agree." Running a hand through his brown hair the Corellian sighed. "I know it sounds bad, but what would the alternative be? This way we would have an ever-vigilant council to watch over us. They would prevent tyranny."

"And dictate what others are to do and what not?"

"They would only direct the governments, if necessary."

"That's too much power, for my taste. Sorry, Solo, but this still sounds to me as if your Dark Lord has finally decided to follow in the Emperor's footsteps."

"Not the Emperor's, I think," Solo murmured absent-mindedly. It was the defeated look on the man's face that froze the marrow in Karrde's bones.

Something fundamental was changing, something that affected all of them. A frightening prospect, yet at the same time thrilling. If he took the offer he would charter unknown territory, would jump head-first into a scheme that would sweep the entire galaxy, if it succeeded. Should it fail, he and everyone who had worked to make it happen would perish, be destroyed. Solo was right. This was about survival, nothing else. Either way, caution would get him killed. Leaning toward the Corellian Talon Karrde extended his hand to seal the bargain.

"I will join your cause, but only because I trust my abilities and the Dark Lord's to make this plan come to fruition."

Solo grinned at him as he clasped his hand tightly. "I knew you'd see it that way."

Wondering how Han was getting along up on the Smugglers' Moon Padmé was idly stirring the hot soup Anja had brought her for dinner. It smelled wonderful, but unfortunately it looked like the fetid swamps that ringed the palace. She could not bring herself to eat it. But it was not only the sight of this desolate landscape that had spoiled her appetite. Her son was still missing out in dangerous territory.

When Anja stepped up to her she willed her worries away and thanked the woman for the soup, that she had not touched at all. Raising her eyebrows sceptically Anja shrugged.

"I suppose the cook will complain to Joral about your shunning his delicacies."

"Well, I certainly would not want to inconvenience the poor creature," Padmé answered as she sat the bowl down on the window sill. She could always throw that away later. "Any news?"

"Yes." The secretary nodded. "Joral has established contact with Antham, to get a feel for the situation. Apparently Antham knew that the Republic would send someone to Nal Hutta, just in case."

"I see." Pinching the bridge of her nose tiredly Padmé sighed. "It would seem as if someone is anticipating our moves."

"Is that bad?"

"No." She smiled up at Anja. "But I wish whoever is doing this would act a bit more openly. So Commander Antham would have contacted Joral out of his own volition, am I right?"

"That's what he supposedly claimed. He has invited you to Ryloth for a meeting."

"When?"

"At your convenience."

Nodding with a grim expression on her face Padmé rose from her seat by the window. "In that case I want you to alert our escort at once. We will be leaving within the next three hours."

"Why the hurry?" Anja seemed taken aback.

"Because the faster I can complete this mission the faster I will be home." Her eyes took on a haunted look as she thought of her son and daughter, who were both immersed deeply in another dangerous adventure. She would have loved nothing more than to accompany her husband to Nirauan, but that was impossible, she knew. But if she were on Coruscant she could at least pretend that at any time Luke, Leia or Anakin might be coming back. And there she would be at the hub of information, would have a better chance of keeping watch over her family. "We will meet with Commander Antham as soon as possible," she stated at last, then gave her aide a determined glance. "And once this situation is resolved I will see to it that the New Republic is prepared for whatever may come next."

"Han, buddy, you are even crazier than I thought," Lando Calrissian announced as he strode into the Pashey Club. He flourished his cape elegantly as he joined Karrde and Solo at the bar. The baron wore an elegantly cut black suit of some satiny fabric and a black silk cape lined with gold. Looking his friend up and down Han smirked at him knowingly.

"No ladies here to impress, Lando, and that outfit is just a bit over the top for the people we are about to meet, don't you think?"

Lando shrugged. "They might be more amendable if they believe me a witless prick. You didn't say I was to dress down when you called. And besides, who says there are no ladies among our guests?"

Throwing his hands up in resignation Han feigned an indignant sigh. "It's your life," he said at last and turned toward Karrde. The information broker was eyeing Lando calmly, as if searching his memory for something to go along with the name and face. Suddenly he smiled.

"Ah. that Lando Calrissian."

The baron gave Karrde a small bow. "At your service."

"Did you get everything I asked you for?" Han inquired quietly, trying to refocus the two men's attention on the task at hand. But he shouldn't have bothered. Both Lando and Karrde had practically grown up in the fringe, just as he had. Turning sparkling brown eyes on him Lando nodded.

"Cost me a fortune and some favors, but yeah, I got everything. What do you want with all that stuff anyway? Build up some high security prison?"

"Not really, Just keep something safe," Han retorted with a wide grin. They had to prepare everything for the arrival of the transport that would bring the Seeker-program here, to Nar Shadaa. It could not stay on the Smugglers' Moon, that much was clear, but since they did not have a real headquarters yet that was where it would need to remain for the time being. He had asked Lando to use his connections to get them the latest in security tools and as always the baron had delivered just in time. "We are going to meet them in two hours. You sure you don't wanna get changed?"

"Sure," Lando told him placidly. "How do you propose to approach this meeting? The straight-forward way?"

Han nodded. "We don't have to take unnecessary risks, but I also don't want potential allies put off by unnecessary threats."

"Threats!" Lando exclaimed. "The only ones threatened will be us!"

"Come now, Calrissian, we are far from defenseless," Talon Karrde injected. "My people are hardly novices to this kind of business."

Lando arched his brows questioningly. "Really? I don't think something like this has ever been attempted before."

"Yeah," Han retorted with a grin," but this is us."

After the two-day trip from Nal Hutta Padmé hesitated a bit before she took another step down the landing ramp of her shuttle, remembering all too vividly what had happened during her last visit to Ryloth. Commander Antham was waiting for her already, his hands clasped behind his back and a relaxed smile on his face. She did not like his expression at all. Once she had set foot on the hangar deck he stepped toward her and bowed deeply.

"Ambassador, an honor to see you again. Permit me to apologize for the recent quarrels between the two of us. I was somewhat confused as to where the Empire was headed."

"We all share that sentiment," Padmé told him graciously.

"Indeed we do." Straightening once more he gestured toward a trasnport, not a military one like the last time, but an open speeder. Feeling pleased the former queen joined Antham on the back-seat. "Your bodyguard is absent on this trip? Is that a good sign, then?" the commander joked, but Padmé could see the real question behind the quib. He was worried for some reason.

"Andarack clan Rim'kai has been deployed on another mission." Assassinating Irek on Franzis Sarreti's orders, as Anakin had revealed to her. She stiffened at the very thought. Imagine, if someone decided to have her children eliminated simply because of who they were, what they might do. It was unthinkable. She had agreed with Anakin when he had told her that he could not allow this senseless execution when there was still a chance to bring Irek back on track.

Antham, who had held his silence for a while, addressed her again with an enthusiastic smile. "The Empress has announced her participation in this meeting."

"Really?" Surprised, Padmé turned her head to look at him. She could easily identify the pride shining in his eyes and she understood it well. After the weeks during which Ryloth's fate had hung in the balance Antham must have been completely on edge, never being able to determine a course of action, never able to be certain about his own directive. For a military man such as himself that must have been terrible. And now the Empress herself would join in the effort of resolving the situation on the Twi'lek homeworld! Yana Dar certainly could not have chosen a better occasion to make her debut in the political arena. Favoring Commander Antham with a nod she replied: "It is an honor."

The meeting room was actually the governor's office, a splendid chamber that had been carved into the mountain with delicate precision. The bleak walls had been painted in soothing pastel colors, and giant screens, displaying different vistas of Ryloth and Belsavis, functioned as replacements for windows. Antham motioned for Padmé to take a seat in one of the chairs ringing the holo transmission field before he chose his own place next to her. An aide was standing to attention, and at the commander's request initiated the decrypt sequence for contacting Byss. After a while an image unfolded in the transmission field, showing a bland office, and a wiry human stepped into view. His cool gray eyes seemed to cut through Padmé as he looked at her, but then he shifted his gaze toward the Imperial commander seated next to her.

"Commander Antham, I presume?"

"Yes, sir." Antham frowned a bit." Ah – Lieutenant – I – "

The stranger gave him a tight smile. "It is Counselor, now, Commander."

Heaving a relieved sigh Antham nodded. "Counselor Sarreti, I had informed Her Majesty of my upcoming meeting with Ambassador Padmé Naberrie. She had requested to be included in this meeting..."

"Of course. Ambassador, we have not yet been introduced. I am Franzis Sarreti, counselor to Her Highness, the Empress."

"I have heard a lot about you, Counselor. Mostly good," Padmé told him sweetly. "Although I question some of your methods."

"They work, Ambassador, and in some situations that is all that counts," he replied without hesitation and she could see in his eyes that this had not been a slip of the tongue but rather a deliberate statement.

"I so agree. You have been injured recently?" Arching her eyebrows she indicated the pink scar running down his left temple, and he raised a hand unconsciously before he caught himself.

"A mark of honor received in defense of my Empress. It was nothing," he explained, and there was no trace of pride in his tone. A dangerous man.

Padmé inclined her head in recognition of his loyalty. "I am very much looking forward to meeting her at last. She has been of great assistance to my daughter in the past."

"Of course." Sarreti threw her a quick smile. "I am sorry for having delayed your meeting, Ambassador. Commander. Please have patience for a moment longer."

The Imperial crest appeared on the screen and Padmé had a hard time hiding her dark thoughts. She did not like Franzis Sarreti at all. He was ruthless and seemed fervent in the pursuit of his duties. Why else would he have delayed them if not to get a first glance at the ambassador the Empress personally wished to talk to? Of course she knew that it had been Sarreti who had made Yana's ascension possible at all, but he seemed loath to let go of that responsibility.

Once the still image dissolved again Padmé almost jumped at the sight greeting them. It was not a life-size hologram, but an enlarged image of the Empress' head and torso. Looming over both Antham and Padmé Yana Dar regarded them with a measuring look. Her blue eyes, large and clear, had the piercing quality of her father's gaze. Padmé shuddered inwardly. She had been wondering, just as about half of the New Republic government, why Yana Dar played so crucial a part in Tious Markhan's scheme. Now she knew. Yana Dar was Palpatine's daughter. Clad completely in black she gave the impression of mourning, not the dark power the late Emperor had exuded. Yet the strength in her stance was unmistakable.

"Ambassador, it is an honor to meet you at last," the Empress began, and a small smile appeared on her lips. "Commander Antham, I must thank you for your dilligent effort in bringing the situation on Ryloth to my attention. Your sense of duty is commendable."

Padmé did not need to look at the commander to know that he must be beaming with pride. "Your Majesty, it is also an honor for me to make your acquaintance at last. And for having agreed to seeing my husband on Byss," she said, drawing Yana Dar's attention back on herself.

"His business does not concern Ryloth," the Empress reminded her with a cool smile. "And as I understand it the New Republic quite unscrupulously took advantage of diplomatic privilege to gather intelligence on Imperial activities on Ryloth."

Padmé couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Your Majesty, the evidence gathered on that trip clearly proves that the occupation of Ryloth is illegal!" she exclaimed.

"I never implied anything else, Ambassador. Yet you must also permit me to weigh our actions with equal measures. I am also aware of the fact that the New Republic has not, in fact, made this evidence public."

Her outrage dissolving into surprise Padmé opened her mouth to reply, then changed what she had wanted to say once more. "The New Republic is also aware of what difficulties you had to overcome to make your claim official. We recognize your intentions as a sign for a new beginning, but our keeping this specific evidence under lock and file as of yet is no more than a gesture of good will on our part."

"I understand. Yet neither your government nor mine can ignore the threats that concern all of us. In regard to this Ryloth is, forgive me for saying so, Commander, a mere speck of dirt marring the overall harmonic picture of our beautiful galaxy. The Empire has no interest in endangering its survival for the sake of petty powerplays my predecessor thought to play."

"A wise decision, Your Majesty. Then Ryloth and Belsavis will be granted independent status?"

Yana Dar nodded gravely. "Internal struggles have to be resolved or suspended until the threat from the Unknown Regions has been eliminated."

"I am very pleased that this problem could be solved to our mutual benefit," Padmé answered gently. "The New Republic is looking forward to working more closely with the Empire in the near future." And for once she had a good feeling about this.

Out in the Unknown Territories Luke Skywalker had problems of his own to deal with. The scout party under Al'than'erudo's command had been skimming low above the roiling surface of Kynda'bey's Southern ocean and the peaceful, steady beep of his onboard sensor equipment had lulled the young Jedi into a sense of boredom and false security that had cost him a precious split-second when the enemy had decided to attack. Now, dodging what seemed to be a sort of glowing plasma shot at his ship, Luke was fully focused on the battle and on the commander's orders.

"Blue two, bank left," came the Chiss' calm voice and Luke complied grudgingly, even though he was sure that this would hamper Al'than'erudo's own maneuverability. They were too close together, wingtips almost touching, to react properly to the enemy fire. But he had agreed to fly under the man's command, so he would obey his orders too. After all, Al'than'erduo knew the Unknown Regions and their worlds far better than he did.

Watching his radar warily he frowned at the trio of enemy fighters that was constantly gaining on the two Chiss scout-craft. Where was the rest of their flight? Edging even closer toward Luke's tiny ship the commander let his own craft drop away underneath the other ship's belly.

"Stay on course, Blue Two."

"What the hell are you doing?" Luke demanded.

"Following my advice," another voice explained with a chuckle. Luke's jaw dropped.

"Nuron! This was your idea? Are you crazy?"

The Zabrak let out a low growl of annoyance. "Shut up and concentrate on flying," she admonished him. "Blue Lead, drop another meter. They have taken the bait."

"Nuron, where the hell are you?" Luke shouted over the comm. He could not find her on the radar and he could not see her anywhere close. And he got very worried over that.

"Blue Two, pull up!" she yelled suddenly and Luke yanked at the joystick hard. The scout-ship dove into the sky and his radar showed him that one of the enemy fighters was following, while the other two were still hounding Al'than'erudo's craft. Suddenly that pair seemed to vanish in a small typhoon.

"Whoa!" Luke called out when another craft broke from the ocean and started spewing laser-bolts at the belly of the enemy ship that was trailing the young Jedi. It had to be Nuron. A few seconds later something huge emerged from beneath the surface and a giant maw opened underneath the pair of ships chasing the commander. The thing was barely visible, its body seemingly part of the ocean and Luke knew immediately what it was. Mahsenda. Behind him his pursuer died a fiery death as his ship broke apart under Nuron's steady fire.

She drew level with Luke and her laughter warmed his heart as it came over the comm, clear and full of triumph. "That was fun!" she exclaimed.

"Blue Two and Three check in."

"We're still here, Commander!" the Zabrak yelled and Luke could sense her exhiliaration and pure joy of being alive.

"That's something, at least. They surprised us."

"What?" Luke stared wonderingly at his radar. Indeed, of the Chiss flight only the three of them had survived the attack. His stomach congealed into a tight knot, when he noticed more enemy fighters coming their way. "Let's get out of here," he whispered.

"We can't," Commander Al'than'erudo said in a maddeningly calm tone, his voice sounding

almost mechanical. "Capital ship starboard, launching more fighters. We have a dozen on our tails and we can't even use the ocean as camouflage because Nuron has drawn the Mahsenda's attention on us."

"So what are we gonna do?" Luke asked, feeling strangely fatalistic.

"We go and hide. Follow my lead."

The commander drew his scout-ship into a wide arc, with Luke and Nuron following close behind. As they accelerated the enemy fighters picked up speed evenly, keeping pace with their prey.

"They are gaining," Luke stated at last. "Why can't we go faster?"

"Thermal currents, Master Skywalker," Al'than'erudo explained. "We are closing in on the coast. Hit it too hard and the winds will crush your ship just like that." And with those words the commander let his craft shoot toward the distant coastline, a maneuver designed to fool the enemy into taking up the pursuit. They had to believe that their quarry was trying to reach the coast, perhaps to get into safety. Therefore they would try to catch them before they could make it that far. "Triangle formation. Be prepared to hit the brakes hard."

"Sure thing, Commander," Nuron breathed.

Up ahead black cliffs rose into the sky and as they became ever taller Luke could make out small cracks and crevices in the stone. Perhaps they could hide there...

Al'than'erudo's voice interrupted that thought harshly. "Evasive! Watch your backs!"

Luke let the ship perform a 180 degree turn and dove toward the ocean's surface once more. At the lowest point of his dive he felt the hairs on his neck stand on end. Concealed almost completely by the wave formation a darker shape was rising up, rapidly closing in on the surface. Frantically trying to speed up his ship Luke watched the Mahsenda propel its heavy bulk toward him, maw gaping open as it lifted out of the water.

"Luke!" he heard Nuron yell just as her ship came to his rescue, pelleting the sea monster with laser bolts. The Mahsenda shook itself and let out a roar that reverbrated through Luke's entire body. But it fell back again, retreating into the safety of the ocean. The young Jedi drew a deep breath.

"Did it work?" he asked at last, referring to their pursuers' fate.

"Yes. Luke, don't you ever scare me like this again!"

"I'll try," he answered sheepishly, but a smile was creeping onto his lips. It had been far too long since he had flown in combat and it was good to feel the thrill again.

"When you two are done you might want to get out of trouble before trouble gets to us," the voice of commander Al'than'erudo told them placidly. "Just head my way and keep coming, no matter what happens. I have a feeling we've stumbled across something big here."

When he felt two familiar presences at the edges of his awareness Chi'in at first was too stunned to think of trying to contact them. Additionally he felt numbed by the extended torture and new impressions he had had to process over the past days of his captivity. It was as if an invisible shield was protecting his mind from going insane, but it also shielded him against rash emotions, making it impossible for him to react in time. He recognized the signs, knew them to be sure indicators of extensive injuries of both body and spirit. The stress was getting to him, despite his efforts, and he had a feeling that his upcoming meeting with the Yuuzhan Vong war coordinator would be anything but glorious. He needed rest badly.

Yet he tried to reach out, tried to establish contact with Luke and Nuron as they sped across his inner vision, sharp eddies in the flow of the Force, They kept slipping away from his grasp, and his mind seemed to have developed a protective will of its own and dilligently prevented him from overexerting his powers. It was hopeless. Observing them from a distance he managed a sad smile as they seemingly escaped pursuit by enemy fighters,

and he felt some pride in the young warriors. Their being here, though, was an unfortunate incident. If the war coordinator was smart he would not let anyone get even a whiff of where he was hiding. Therefore every effort would go into hunting those intruders down and

destroying everyone who knew about their presence on this world. Luke and Nuron would have to be extremely careful now.

The three scout-ships were nestled in a small cave a few miles from the coastline and harsh winds were howling outside their little hiding place. The air was clammy, moist and salty, and smelling heavily of the ocean. It was unlike anything Luke had ever experienced before. Standing at the entrance to the cave wrapped in a thermo-blanket he was staring up at the gray sky with his mouth hanging open. There was something about this world, a feeling that made him itch with excitement somehow. Strange.

"Master Skywalker, I would appreciate it if you would join us again. If they have heat detectors they can find us easily with you standing in the open like that."

With a sigh Luke turned around and picked his way through a course of craggy, fist-sized rocks toward where Nuron and Al'than'erudo were huddled in a corner of the cave. He plopped down next to the Zabrak, who lay her arms around his neck immediately to cuddle against him for warmth and comfort. The young Jedi had a hard time suppressing a triumphant smile at the look the Chiss commander threw them.

"What happened with those ships back out on the ocean?" Nuron asked suddenly. "They seemed to draw the water to themselves somehow."

"Gravitational anomalies. They use them to shield their ships, perhaps even for propulsion," Al'than'erudo explained. "There is a lot we don't know about them yet."

"Like miniature black holes?" Luke asked, astounded.

"Something like that, yes."

"So, if we could invert those gravitational anomalies, as you call them, they would destroy the ships themselves."

The Chiss favored him with a surprised smile. "Yes. That is a good idea. But how to achieve it?"

The Jedi frowned in thought. "I don't know yet. They are vulnerable, though, especially the belly, isn't that so?"

"Yes. Probably it would be too dangerous to have those anomalies all over the hull, lest they interfere with one another."

"Exactly. Chi'in said the ships are semi-sentient..."

"I would not know about that. I suppose except for Master Chi'in no one has ever come close enough to those aliens to know for sure," the Chiss said with a shrug.

"You can't just go and try to influence the ships' awareness," Nuron murmured against Luke's shoulder quietly. "That would be coercion. Dark Side technique."

"Thanks for reminding me," he whispered back and placed a kiss on her forehead. "So, what do you two suggest?"

The commander's glowing eyes seemed to blaze even more fiercely as he shook his head in a rare show of temperament. "I believe the presence of a capital ship in this vicinity means they have a base close by. Perhaps even on this planet. Therefore I will have to order the rest of our scout team to retreat and report to Syndic Ech'an'dana. I do not doubt that he will bring the entire battle-group here and by the time they arrive I want to have some useful information."

"Just the three of us?" Nuron asked doubtfully.

"Obvioulsy not. One of us has to warn the rest of our fleet," the Chiss replied coolly.

"One single scout-craft could never survive this trip." Frowning at the commander suspiciously the Zabrak tightened her grip on Luke's shoulders.

"I am still taking that risk, and it'll have to suffice. We have no other choice," Al'than'erudo insisted.

"There is something else," Luke injected quietly. Golden and red eyes turned on him. "There is a feel in the Force here, something exhiliarating. Nuron, if you focus deeply enough you will feel it too."

Closing her eyes immediately she complied, and Luke could sense her presence even more acutely than before, a vibrant flame in the fire of the Force. She reopened her eyes with a loud gasp and a look of wonder lit up her beautiful face as she gazed up at him. "You are right," she breathed. "There is something here." She smiled impishly as she drew his head closer toward her mouth and whispered. "And someone. Didn't you feel it? It's Chi'in!"

Luke's jaw dropped. "Chi'in? Are you certain?"

She took his hand in hers gently, her cool fingers feeling incredibly good against his skin and lay his palm over her heart. "Here. Listen," she ordered softly, her golden eyes taking on a dreamy look. Luke felt entranced by the peaceful expression on her face. and it helped him relax and surrender his mind to hers so she could help him see. His connection to the Noghri had never been as tight as hers, and had he not known that Chi'in was no more than her dearest friend he would have been quite jealous of the short warrior. What he could sense from her as she concentrated all her being on finding Chi'in was fond love, admiration and worry. A faint echo of those feelings resounded throughout his mind, a beacon that led him

to the Noghri's presence. Despite the joy he felt at having found their friend again Luke groaned softly at what else he could pick up from Chi'in.

"He's been hurt badly."

Nuron shuddered quietly and her golden eyes seemed troubled. "If he betrays the base's defenses they can wipe them out with ease. Not to mention the Chiss. Chi'in has gotten past their perimeter forts once before."

"But they have already destroyed those," Luke reminded her. "Well, some."

A rustle of clothes brought their attention back on the third member of their little team. Commander Al'than'erudo had risen from his seat on the ground and joined them. He was leaning toward them with an intent expression on his handsome features, and his unsettling gaze bored into them mercilessly. "They are torturing him, undoubtedly. And Nuron Sarin is right. If he talks, we are lost." Straightening to his full height Al'than'erudo gazed at the three ships resting at the cave entrance pensively. "Very well. I will take my ship and attempt to get this location back to Syndic Ech'an'dana. The two of you will track down Master Chi'in and, if necessary, eliminate him. We cannot take the risk of his betraying us, even involuntarily."

Luke wanted to protest, but Nuron lay a cautioning finger across his lips as she turned to face the commander once more: "What if he has talked already?"

"I leave that decision to you. Once night falls I will go. You have until then to prepare your mission."

TBC

Author's Note:

Thanks for all the feedback to my (anonymous) readers. J