Dagobah Slip Stream
Part Seventeen
"It's settled." She said to the Vong around her.
She looked at Vua curiously. "What's the best thing to wear under Crab armor?"
"Skin." He smiled when she raised an eyebrow. "It keeps the Crab from having to adjust. Its more comfortable." She sent a message to Kir before completely letting him go, 'Bring me a cloak.'
She reached out and touched Uun. She let the Force flow into her bones, into every fiber of her being. Strengthening her immune system and her spirits.
Next she touched Slee. She felt the aches on the woman's body, in her mind, in her heart. She felt the pain the woman felt at loosing her position, her 'goddesses' favor. She let the Force flow through the woman, removing her doubt and lending her Cas's strength of will.
After that it was the Shaper. She reached up and held his many fingered hands. She let the Force bounce around in him like a beach ball. A joyous, healthy thing. She healed the hand she had bit almost clear through, and the one his supposed compatriots had poisoned.
Last she touched Vua Shai. He leaned in to her from where he pinned her, allowing her to hold his face. She felt his physical illness like a piece of night on his spirit. She wielded the Force like a Lightsaber and thrust it into the blackness. She watched as the blade dissipated the darkness, like any other Light-blade.
She felt his hope, his joy at finding favor in a powerful woman rush over her and she let that feed into the other three.
She opened her eyes and her mind and let them see themselves as she saw them now. Strong worthy, servants for Greatness. They were all smiling. That made her smile larger.
"How many are there at the Camp?" She asked in a moment of seriousness.
"Thirty-five" Vua said. "The Master Shaper and Commander. About four remaining under Shapers. Ten Shamed, and newly Shamed. Two remaining priests. They are to Yun-Ne'Shel and Yun-Yammka."
"Seventeen Warriors." She said. She took a deep breath; at least she wasn't taking on a small task. "Let's go vanquish us a few fools."
They all rose. She used the Force to pick her Lightsaber up from where it had been tossed while she had needed to be held.
They headed north, following the river, and Slee passed the time regaling her with stories about Past Yuuzahn Vong Heroes, about their gods, about their strictest beliefs.
Cas was glad when the woman didn't mention twins.
After Jaina had told her that the Yuuzahn Vong wanted her so that they could force her to kill her twin brother, Cas didn't want to see how they would react to knowing she had killed her twin brother.
By the time the sun fell Vua Shai assured her they were a good deal there, that they would be at the Yuuzahn Vong camp by sunrise.
They stopped and made camp for a few hours. They all slept on the ground, under the Stars. Vau and Uun took first watch, then Vo and Slee. Allowing Cas to sleep the whole time. And Vua was right.
They were there as the sun was peaking over the Hills. They wanted her to attack at dawn but she told them otherwise.
"We will wait until every one is up and then the four of you will go down there and show them you are healed and tell them if they want to see how to gather in…That square in the middle of the camp."
"Tell them the 'gods' have told you to do this. When everyone is in the square, stand at its edges to signal me that they are all there." They nodded, unsure of her plan. Hell, she was unsure of her plan.
At, she guessed it was about nine, they disrobed and walked down to the camp with more confidence than she had seen in them yet. And, what surprised her, was that She didn't even question their actions.
But then, it was their culture.
They knew what their people would respond to best.
About ten minutes later Kir appeared behind her. "Your cloak, My lady."
She smiled, disrobed and fastened the cloak around her neck.
When he looked curious, she smiled. "I'm gonna get me some armor. Now, and this is an order, do not follow me."
She turned, looking to the camp. "Better yet, go, find my speeder. I'll call you when I'm done." And she walked down the hill.
Kir stood and started to walk away, but turned to check on her one last time. He looked and saw nothing. He knew she had just gone, but he couldn't see her. He frowned and shook his head. Better go get the speeder.
Cas entered the camp on what looked to be the West Side, the side closest to the square.
There was a small wooden looking stage there. But she knew it wasn't wood. The Yuuzahn Vong don't use anything without its own brain.
She reached after its conscience and disconnected the brain from the thing's nervous system. That should keep it from swallowing her. She stood on it and it took her weight. For the first time she wondered at its purpose.
She saw her four appear at the square's edge, looking around curious. That was a good sign. It meant everyone was there and no one could see her.
She imagined what she wanted to do and the gauntlet did it.