Author ~ Seyla Starrider
When I Wrote
it ~ August 28, 2001
Why I Wrote it
~ To finish the story, and for
those of you who are just bored waiting for the big time authors to finish with
the next novel.
Contact ~ dpriser@aol.com
Note ~ This continuing fan-fiction was originally suppose to be
two separate ones, two totally different stories. But things change. Thanks to
compromise and a sudden surge of inspiration this story has an unexpected
twist. Hehehehehe!
Spoilers ~ YEAH A LOT!!!
Rating ~ PG-13 (this may be a little gory for anyone younger.)
Thanks ~ I would like to thank not only George Lucas and friends for
creating this vast universe, but to all my friends; especially to Jedi Knight
Jorim who used his abilities in the cyber world to publish this on the
internet, and to my Patriot-freak and BF, Hannah Martin for helping me through
the times I got stuck during a part in the story, and for Cousin It, for
putting up with me and my freakiness.
Warning ~ Some of these characters in this fan fiction are the
creations of George Lucas and the other authors that help him continue on the
stories of these wonderful heroes and heroines. But Seyla Starrider would like
to take credit for the ones she created, which are listed below:
Copyright
2001 of Sey & Qwi ~ Story credit to the authors. Credit of creating already
known characters in Star Wars to George Lucas and friends.
Time ~ Well, right after Forceful Betrayals: Section 3 of
course.
Description
~ Just read it already!!!
Note!!!! Yuuzhan
Vong's identity of a commander is called a perfect. You will see it come up
later in the story. So now you won't think that we messed up.
Part one ~ I Wish We'd All Been Ready Song by DC talk
"Why are we stopping?" Han demanded. He, Leia, and Anakin just came from the hospital. Now they were on their way to Shesh's personally quarters. It had been early morning when they had left, now it was nearly one in the afternoon, and Han was getting fed up with the driver.
"I'm sorry sir, but there seems to be traffic. Plus we need more fuel."
Closing the window that cut off the communication between the passengers and the driver, Han sighed angrily.
Leia put a loving hand on his knee, trying to calm him down.
Turning to his youngest son, he questioned, "Are you sure that Shesh is Chief of State? Did you miss hear some rumor on the Holo news?"
"No, I went to the emergency meeting."
"Anakin!" his mother scolded. "How did you get in? Only senators and representatives are allowed to be in the announcement hall."
"I sort of snuck in, but I had too." He defended himself. "I promised Aunt Mara I'd keep a look out on her."
"You're aunt and I are going to have a good talking to."
Shrugging off the parental worries, Anakin continued. "We have to talk to Shesh. All three of us. Ask her some questions, find out some proof about her motives."
Leia shook her head in defeat. "Even if we could. If you say she works like Palpatine, then it's a hopeless battle. If we are only finding out now, her tracks are so thickly and mostly inconceivably covered no one in the next sixty decades could uncover it. We still don't know ten percent of the stuff Palpatine did in his reign."
Finally Han couldn't take waiting anymore. He was fed up and tired of waiting. Patience had never been one of his strong traits. Rolling down the window to where the driver was he yelled, "Listen buddy, we need to get—" but his complaint was cut off when he saw the driver.
Limped in his seat, blood oozed from his head. Burnt flesh filled the speeder.
Leia's eyes widened in shock. "Han we've got to get out of here."
"I'm with you sweetheart." With that the three of them jumped out of the speeder onto the ground.
"Where are we?" Leia asked.
Anakin looked around and noticed a cozy little house a woman stood in the bushes, one had on her chest.
Han saw her and looked around, blaster already drawn from its holster. He wasn't going to take any chances. "Well, where ever we are, lets hope they're friends."
Leia put her hand on the blaster, "Put that thing away. That's Ae`lina Lopez."
"What is she doing out here in the bushes?"
"I don't know, but… Ae`lina?" she called rushing to her friend.
The other woman saw her. Jumping from the foliage she ran towards Leia, stopping her in her tracks. "Leia? What are you doing here?"
"Our d—" She was about to tell her what had happened, but her friend already looked white enough beyond her years. "Our speeder broke down."
"You have to get out of here."
"Why? What's the problem?"
Zen spoke to Tsavong Lah on the villip communication plate. "I've decided, in the best interest of both the gods and this mission, the breaking of the girl shall happen once the sun rises tomorrow morning here on Coruscant."
The image of the Vong showed it raising an eyebrow. "Why the change in plans?"
"Inspiration from the gods is the only way I can explain it. The process will begin tonight."
Nodding in agreement, Tsavong Lah continued. "Then whole world of Coruscant shall know we are here and in control before nightfall."
An eerie grin surpassed the Agent's face. "All the more reason to shatter her." With that, the Yuuzhan Vong laughed repulsively then cut off the communication.
Jacen's eyes flew open. Blackness filled his eyes as sweat droplets slid down his forehead. His heart felt like it was beating itself into hyper speed. A sense of someone walking into danger filled his soul. It wasn't Sey… but someone blood related to him.
Jaina.
It was frightening thought. He, for a long time, hadn't felt her presence in the Force, but now he suddenly felt the connection to his twin. He tried to tap into the Force to warn her, but an invisible wall kept him from making the connection.
Trying to lift his arms and legs; he found he was hanging suspended in the ceiling. A stomach turning smell seeped into the air. The stench was nauseating, but strangely familiar.
Suddenly he realized what the smell was.
Dead bodies.
He tried to yank his arms out of the hold, but the grip got immensely tighter. The pain was almost unbearable.
After a few impossible tugs, he gave up. Still hanging in mid-air, Jacen pieced back together the last moment he had in consciousness.
He had been singing with Sey at the local karaoke bar then… then came the attack. Remembering the pure surprise of what had happened was still shocking. Being held down by trained Yuuzhan Vong…
An agonizing tingling began to spread from his chest outward into the rest of his limbs. A light suddenly filled his eyes.
It took him a minute to focus on where he was but he recognized the place immediately. From the descriptions that the Coruscant Intelligence had inside the hidden files, Jacen knew he was in a form or something similar to the Embrace of Pain. A hideous figure of a Yuuzhan Vong stood a few feet away from him. Its face had been tattooed and scarred horribly. All of its original dead blue skin color had covered by the delicately embroidered designs.
The Vong didn't get closer to the being as it spoke harshly in perfect Basic. "You are Jacen Solo, are you not?"
Blinking a few times, the Jedi Knight thought for a moment trying to regain his senses. Tightly he pressed his lips together, not daring to even have them take in a breath.
"It would be must easier for you just to tell me now… or do you believe in pain as we do?"
"I am who you say I am."
The Yuuzhan Vong grinned sinisterly. "I've been dying to meet you, Jacen."
"Who are you?"
"I am Supreme Cleric Ku Yonghai."
"Supreme Cleric?"
"Yes," the high priest answered. "I am the uppermost celebrant of the Yuuzhan Vong. And you, my Jedi captive, will participate in Yravlac." Yonghai saw the perplexed expression filling the Jedi's face. "Yravlac is the most holy of all the sacrifices, caused by beings like you who refuse to believe in the gods. But first, a special treat has been set aside for you."
From behind the high priest, Fin'h appeared. He wore robes of black.
"Ahhh… Jacen Solo. We meet again. This would be so much less harsher on you if you'd just give up and join the Yuuzhan Vong's side."
Narrowing his eyes the boy replied. "Never."
"So be it. Then you shall endure the same fate your dear has." Pulling something out from behind him the leader held the head in front of his body. Horror filled eyes widened as a hideous laugh slipped out of Fin'h's mouth. "Don't be so quick to assume. This isn't Starrider." Throwing the bloodied cranium aside, Fin'h continued as if nothing had happened. "Just former Senator Viqi Shesh. But her fate's intention is the exact opposite to yours."
Shaking with shock, Jacen refused to be intimidated by the man. "I don't care what you do to me. No matter what you do, I won't go through death alone."
"You are right on one thing; you will never have to endure pain solitary."
All of the sudden another Yuuzhan Vong entered the chamber. Following directly behind the alien was she.
Four diagonal marks ran from the top of her forehead down to the lowest part on her cheek. Dried blood outlined the wounds. Tears began to adore her swollen face. His mother's dress Starrider wore was now torn in several places. The entire left shoulder had been shredded, leaving the teen's shoulder exposed. The whole bottom of the evening gown was tattered and ripped to shreds.
The girl wore no shoes. Her hair was tangled in a matted mess.
The Perfect yanked the restraint cord, which had been bound on the female's wrists jerking her arms ahead causing her to stumble forward.
When her
hands were yanked forward, Jacen saw her silver rings on her hands. They
glistened as if a sign of hope.
"Sey…" he
could barely breathe as the surprise of her being near, so close to him yet so
far.
"Jacen,
don't listen to…"
Her heed of
warning was cut off by a painful crack of the couffee landing solidly on her
back. A cry erupted from her. The Jedi Knight suddenly began to feel a swell
take form on his back.
There was no
way out this time. No matter what happened, the other person would feel the
other's pain. Fin'h was right. He wouldn't be going through this alone.
*No… she
can't break, neither of us can. God wouldn't allow it. He'll help us through
this. He has too. *
Part two ~ I Want You Back/You Got It Songs by N*SYNC
Jaina had
fallen asleep on the cold floor. She must have passed out after he had left.
Gradually,
she crawled off the floor. Her entire body ached, but not as bad as her heart
did. It felt beaten and trampled. Zekk had hurt her deep inside; worst than the
last time he had disappeared from her life at the Temple.
"Coruscant."
A voice cut through her thoughts.
Before she
could get up entirely, a helpful hand in the Force surrounded her, assisting
her to her feet.
Looking up,
her eyes were caught in the once kind eyes of Zekk. "What?" she asked.
"It wasn't
the Temple were I left you wondering and hurt, it was on Coruscant."
Anger surged
through her. "How dare you!" She swung her arm back and hit the man squarely in
the stomach. He bent forward slightly from the blow. "You left me! I don't care
where you left me, but you did!
Grabbing her
shoulders roughly, Zekk yelled at her. "Don't you ever… EVER do that again!"
His breathing came out hard and fast down upon her neck as she tried to turn
her head away from his face.
Water
outlined her face. She didn't answer.
Softly, Zekk
brought up one of his once gentle and caring hands, stroking her cheeks away
from the sadness.
Jaina didn't
move. All she wanted to do was submit into his warm arms like she used to do;
but that was impossible now.
"Come over
here."
Without
resistance, Jaina tolerated herself to be taken along.
He took her
into smaller room with a balcony. *It's like he doesn't care what he does to
me anymore. It used to be the opposite. *
Strolling
her out into the new morning mist, he tenderly shoved her to the railing.
A faint
closing of the two doors shut with him evidently using the Force to achieve the
simple tasks. Short tingling sensations began to run up and down her back.
Something in the back of her mind began to flash caution, but Jaina couldn't
hear it.
Crawling up
her back, his hand found its way around her waist. Forcefully, Zekk pulled her
closer to his body.
The abrupt
movement of position and closeness of the altered man caused the Rogue Squadron
pilot to peel away from him, but his hold was too fixed; too determined.
Suddenly his
cool yet tender lips kissed her compassionately, slowly making their way down
her cheek to her neck to…
"Zekk, stop
it!" she used the Force to pull herself away from him. Spinning around she
faced her aggressor. "What in the Sith are you doing?"
Without
answering, he narrowed his eyes giving her a look from head-to-toe then back up
again.
"I said stop
it!"
"Stop what?"
he asked innocently.
Anger
accelerated inside of her. She pushed him that sent him flying back into the
closed door. "STOP!" Forcefully, she pushed him harder against the solid frame.
Whirling
around, Jaina went to the farthest end of the balcony, but was unable too.
Invisible
hands gripped her, yanking her to the ground. For several minutes she blanked,
only darkness filling her eyes. All of the sudden she found herself on her back
pinned to the ground. Atop of her was Zekk, only a few inches away from her
face.
"GET OFF
ME!"
A
mischievous and eerie grin surpassed his face. "You know you want to give in.
Give in… into the darkside. Let your anger flow through you and don't be
afraid."
At the
horrific remark… she agreed to his words and kneed him. Hard.
Not even Zekk
could contain his pain. Rolling over to the side he clutched his sensitive
parts.
Scrambling
out of where she had lay before she stood up, still a bit shaky but badly
offended. "You
Sabaac-squealing-Hutt-Jawa-chewing-Sarlaac-breath-Twi`lek-of-Kessel! Why in…HOW
DARE YOU DO SUCH A THING, YOU SITH SPAWN!" Anger flared up in her.
She knew he
couldn't reply to her remarks, even through the Force, for his agony was more
than any man could bear. Jaina knew she could have fatally injured him… but she
didn't care. He had tried to have his way with her. The idea that the boy, she
once thought was the sweetest thing in the universe, dared to imagine trying to
impose her to act, disgusted her.
Jaina dashed
to the far side of the balcony not wanted to stay near the ex-friend's side any
longer, and leaving Zekk alone in his pain like he had done to her all those
years ago.
Another whip
from the couffee released a cry from Starrider. "Enough." Ordered Fin'h.
"Strike the boy."
Sey crumpled
to the ground, feeling every ounce of the pain being inflicted on him.
After
unending minutes that seemed like hours, the torture ceased. Too frightened to
look upon her friend's body, Sey felt for him through the Force.
He was
alive. Only a little energy had been taken from him.
Just as she
glanced up with her water filled eyes, the ceiling, which he hung from,
released him. Before he landed hard on the floor, she used what energy she had
to use the Force to stop the impact.
Jacen
hovered just inches from the ground, then she set him down steadily.
Using the
Force to break the chains that had been tied around her wrists, she scrambled
to his side she made it over to him before any of the beings in the room could
stop her.
"Jacen!
Jacen?" her heart began to dread the worst.
A faint
smile creased his face. "I need to tell you something," he hoarsely whispered
for only her ears to hear.
"Yes?"
"I do
believe that two total strangers can have a Force link."
With tears
still coming out from her eyes she half laughed at the remark.
A cold merciless
hand landed on her shoulder. She knew who it was. "Please… Fin'h can't I stay
with him, please?"
His hand
began to message her shoulder. "You may stay with him, alone, until his final
breath."
Shock over
took her. Had Zen answered her correctly?
Still
surprised by his answer, she thanked him quietly through the Force. *You
have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you. *
*Don't
thank me just yet. *
A chilling
sensation trailed down her spine as he lifted his hand from her shoulder.
Suddenly all
the beings left the room, leaving the two alone.
Not looking
back to him, she climbed down the balcony and jumped to the ground six feet
below. She used the Force and was able to land softly so her side wouldn't
become any more damaged than it already was.
Without
another moment to loose, Jaina broke into a sprint away from the hidden
building and deeper into the jungle.
Her side
ached, but she could barely feel it because of the fear welding up in her. She
had always been able to keep it under control, but now she didn't care. Zekk,
no matter what he thought, had hurt her deep inside. She thought she was over
him, knew he was, but it still hurt inside.
Her pain
tolerance was high and most of the time she scarcely noticed until it was to
late.
But the only
thing rushing through her mind at the moment was for her to find safety.
Part three ~ Be Song by Plus
One
Luke pulled
his wife low to the ground. Fiercely he whispered to her. "Get out of here
Mara!"
Determination
was set on her eyes. Her lightsaber now off. "I am not leaving without you."
"Listen, you
must go and save not only your life but our child's." He pushed her to the
kitchen door, and she scrambled to the back door. Her figure disappeared. It
would be the last time he would ever see his wife.
Something
hit the Jedi Master across the head causing him more agony not including the
burning deep in his throat. Quickly he snatched his lightsaber out and clicked
it on. The familiar hum of the defensive weapon came immediately to life.
A terrifying
laugh echoed throughout the room. Before Luke thought, *Mara, I love you. *
Mara ran out
the back door where she collided directly into Ae`lina. The jostle startled the
two of them. Ae`lina obviously had dashed from her home once she heard the loud
boom. Her friend's fearful eyes alarmed her even more so when she didn't see
Luke follow out behind her. Without a moments notice, Ae`lina helped the older
woman up and the two began to run franticly from the once pleasant and serene
home.
Leia, Han,
and Anakin were there. The woman didn't know if she was hallucinating or not,
but the familiar faces comforted her.
Just as they
got to the sidewalk, Ian drove up in their speeder with a confused look on his
face.
The two
females jumped into the front and the three others in the back, as Ae`lina
yelled at her husband to hit the gas.
Mara
squeezed her eyes tightly shut and used all her will power to give her husband
all her Force energy to help him.
They pulled
him forward. Jacen did his best not to stumble but even with the Force, his
barely unworkable limbs couldn't manage another step. Collapsing to the ground,
the Perfect yanked him forward even though Jacen was already before the alter.
Even though
death loomed near, the Jedi wasn't afraid and could feel the presence of another
being, yet this one wasn't Sey's.
The sound of
the Supreme Cleric's steps echoed throughout the cell as he approached the
human. Ignoring the resonance, and the words of the ceremony, Jacen continued
to think of Sey and God. There wasn't anything else he could do. Then suddenly
the room filled with a bright incredible blue light, and then peace.
Supreme
Cleric Ku Yonghai got up slowly from the ground, having no remembrance on how
he got to the floor he quickly scanned the room for the captive.
"Where is
he?" Yonghai yelled for an answer, but none came.
What ever
had happened, none of the others had survived. Their bodies were thrown across
the room like rag dolls, and none of them moved.
Luke fell
unconsciously to the floor.
The angry
Yuuzhan Vong executor stared down at the comatose Jedi Master. He had helped
his mate escape from his grasp. Glaring at the bruised human, Nor Anor would
punish him for his crimes. In a far worse pain than he could ever imagine.
Rage
accelerated inside of the Yuuzhan Vong. Again the little witch of a Jedi woman
escaped.
She would
die by his hand, he vowed to not just the gods but himself. She would die and
any of her offspring… if she had any, would parish as well.
Jacen could
feel her soft tender hands rest on his chest as if she had to feel his heart
beating. She laid her head next to his.
Turning his
face to the side, so he could look at her, Jacen stared at the tired girl. "I
thank God that He has kept you alive."
Her face was
tainted with salt from her previous tears. "I am very grateful He has granted
us this time. I never thought I'd see you again, at least in this world."
"Neither did
I."
A few
moments of silence lingered on before either of them spoke.
"Sey, both
you and I know what is going to happen." She silently agreed with him. "I will
be gone and you will be in the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong. Don't let Fin'h break
you. There has to be a reason why you are going to be in their power."
Seyla
nodded. "God has a plan, I just wish I knew what. But Jacen I…"
He interrupted
her. "Shhh… let's not talk about it."
Slowly, he
brought up his hand on top of hers. Their fingers laced together, each of them
vowing never to lose hope in one another.
Neither of
them moved from their position and before another minute had passed they had
fallen asleep.
For two days
straight Jag had stayed up in the cockpit.
Kyp pressed
the command council to open the door and found Jag intently studying the Holo
Net. Walking in, the Chiss pilot didn't even move from his position.
"What are
you reading?"
Jag didn't
look up from the Holo, but clicked the button beside it and scrolled down to
the one after it and continued his research.
"Jag?" He
didn't respond. Kyp shook his shoulder. "Hello?"
"Son of a
Hutt!" Jag nearly punched the Jedi Knight squarely in the stomach, but he
caught himself once he realized who it was. "Kyp? Why in Kessel did you do
that?"
"I wasn't
going to but when you didn't answer… it was the only way for me to get your
attention. So what were you reading?"
Combing his
hair with his hand Jag replied, "Oh, just some information of Chandrila."
Kyp shook
his head and clicked off the Holo Net using the Force.
"What?"
"You need to
get some sleep, that's what! You haven't had a bit of it since who knows when."
"I won't
sleep till Jaina is safe."
"What use
are you helping save her when you have no energy to assist her? If we where
there now you wouldn't stand a chance against the wind." He paused to let the
news sink in then added. "Even Force sensitive beings need to rest."
Jag glared at
the older man. How did he know?
"Having easy
access to the Force doesn't make you invincible. You forget I am one too."
Grabbing the
front of his Jedi cloak, Jag nearly choked Kyp. Then lowly scolded the man.
"You dare tell anyone of it and I'll…"
Using the
Force, Kyp yanked the crazed Chiss pilot off him. "You'll what?"
"Just
promise me you won't tell anyone."
"I promise I
will not reveal your secret to anyone, until the last day of the New Republic."
Narrowing
his eyes he took the word. "Deal." Then in a wave of sleepiness he headed out
of the cockpit. "Wake me once we arrive."
"Sure."
When Jag
finally fell asleep Kyp shut the door and clicked the Holo Net back on to send
an instant holo.
Avenge4Life- are you alone?
MelodyVor24- my mother is here, but sleeping.
Avenge4Life- good. Are you ready to leave?
MelodyVor24- whenever you want to pick me up.
Avenge4Life- one week from now I'll see you then.
MelodyVor24- I'm already singing sweet tunes of praise
to the gods.
Avenge4Life-
I share your glory. May the
gods be with you.
MelodyVor24- As to you.
He clicked
off the terminal with a smile spread across his face. *Now if only Jacen and
Sey were— *
His comlink
went off, startling him.
"This is Kyp
Durron. Who is this?"
"Kyp, this
is the Agent. I have some news I think you'll find worth your while."
Raising his
eyebrows in curiosity he nodded. "Go on."
"Jacen Solo
has been eliminated as of this morning. Starrider is almost broken and should
be very soon. The fall of the New Republic happened shortly after. Now the
entire world of Coruscant is finally in control."
Durron sat
there for a second in shock then his face beamed in victory. "Milord, would you
like me to carry out the next assignment?"
"I believe
the gods have planned this to fall in place… in perfect order. Yes, continue to
the mission as planned Durron. Do it all as planned."
They were
back on Adega in the Yuuzhan Vong temple.
Sey saw
Jacen being brought forth to the alter, bloody and chained. As he stepped onto
the dais he turned to her and she saw no water adorn his face.
*I will
always be with you. God has saved me and would never let anyone down. I love
you. *
*I love
you too. Goodbye Solo. * she
silently whispered back.
He smiled at
her. *There are no such things as goodbyes. * Then he turned around and…
Her eyes
flew open.
She sat up
straight ignoring the pain that shot throughout her body. Jacen wasn't at her
side, nor was she in the Embrace of Pain. Instead she was in a brightly lit
room that looked vaguely familiar.
She lay on a
soft bed. Slowly Sey got up and went to the window to open the curtains and see
where she was.
Sunlight
rushed into the room illuminating her eyes too fast.
It took a
moment for her eyes to adjust to the abrupt change in lighting. Finally she was
able to see through the window. And what she saw took her breath away.
It had
happened. The New Republic had lost.
Using the
Force she tried to feel for Jacen, but didn't feel him the same way. He was
with God. A tear of joy and sadness unhurriedly ran down her face.
Without warning
she heard a moan of agony.
Whirling
around Sey saw no one but another door, which looked like it lead to another
room.
Gradually,
she walked to the door. "Hello? Is someone there?"
Walking into
the room, she clicked on the lights and saw a person on the bed. He was wearing
a Jedi cloak that was now soaked in blood.
Quickly Sey
ran to the wounded man. "Luke?" she gasped. As fast as she could go she
searched the room for towels and fresh water.
After what
seemed like hours Sey was able to suppress the bleeding. The Jedi Master had
been unconscious the whole time.
Getting up
from his side she went to wash her hands.
Looking into
the mirror she saw how bad she looked. The marks where Fin'h had scratched her
had now become infected and swollen. Her hair was a tangled mess. Glancing for
a clean towel she wetted it and began to wash the scars clean.
Part four ~ What do we wish on now Song by True Vibe
"So what don't Jedi believe in?" she questioned.
"Emotions, love, fear, hate and anger." He answered. Luke had waken a few minutes after she had finished cleaning her wounds. The two were now in a fierce discussion to pass the time… and to get a few things straight.
"How can you be a Jedi and not have those feelings?" She paused. "I understand not believing in hate and anger, but the others? We know that the Old Jedi Order didn't believe in emotions, love, or fear. But how can you be a Jedi without those things. Emotions for discernment on what is morally right and wrong. Love, it surrounds us all. It can't and never will be fully excluded from life. Like the Force it binds us all. And fear… for when you are frightened something evil might happen so one can know when to act. Being a Jedi means nothing without these. Like these feelings we mustn't allow them to control us, but us control them. I just don't understand how you proclaim we aren't suppose to use these, when everyone, including you, is using them without your knowledge."
The Jedi Master stared at Starrider. "Are you contradicting on what is being taught?"
Before answering, she held her breath as she contemplated on the question. "Yes."
"Give me an example."
"Alright, when Mara was in danger of dying from illness, you cannot deny that you feared for her life. When you two became united as one, you couldn't deny your profound love for one another. You still can't. And you certainly cannot disagree with me that your emotions never have assisted with what your action becomes, can you?"
Luke Skywalker was literally without words.
"I'm right, am I?" she questioned. Looking at the near to death man the teen let out a breath. "But I am not here just to criticize what the Temple teaches."
"So why are you?"
"You and I both know that you won't be here much longer, but before you leave you must know your past."
"My past?" he repeated a bit confused by her meaning.
Taking a deep breath she responded. "Your family's past."
"You have a
plan right? Cause I don't." Jag whispered.
Kyp turned
his head at the Chiss pilot. "You're the leader of this mission, not me."
"All I know
is the format and layout of the planet and what inhabits it. Before I had time
to formulate a plan you sent me out of the cockpit."
He answered
him with a grin surpassed across his still young looking face. "Don't worry,
while you were snoozing away I figured it out." He conversed on how they were
going to proceed. Jag's soul filled with hope. In less than a few hours Jaina
would be back in his arms safe once again, but first they had to find Jaina and
it couldn't be through the Force. They had already tried that and someone was
hiding her, blocking her from receiving or sending though messages to anyone.
Anger fumed
inside of him. Seth Midori had no right to do such a thing to her. Once he got
his hands even close to him, he was going to—
Jag shook
off the thought. No, he wasn't going to be helping Jaina by stepping into the
darkside. He was going to have to do this defensively, no matter how much he
wanted revenge. Revenge would only cause more problems.
*Don't
worry Jaina, I'll find you… no matter how long it takes. I'll die before I give
up, and I'll never give up on you. I vow it. Never. *
"Where are
we headed?" Ian questioned. He had no idea what was going on but he knew not to
ask questions around Jade. Her whole manner was strange from her usual persona.
She had been silent the whole time, with her eyes tightly closed.
"To the
docking bay 362. We need to get to the Millennium Falcon."
The rest of
the ride was quiet making even Han squirm.
Jaina
huddled inside the hollow tree hugging her sides. The bitter cold night pierced
at her skin. She tried to draw warmth through the Force life all around her,
but it did little good. Her body was literally exhausted. She had no energy
left to lift her finger.
Suddenly she
felt her twin's warmth overflow through her, heating her body up back to its
normal temperature. He's presence enveloped her, creating some sort of void of
love and warmth throughout all her body and soul.
A tear slip
from her eyes.
She thought
she'd never feel his charisma or any of her family's.
A tender
caring hand rested on her shoulder. Making effort she opened her eyelids and
saw a faint hologram of what looked to be Jacen.
Was she
hallucinating? She tried to open her lips to speak but something stopped her.
It spoke but
mostly through the Force rather than through the mouth. "Jaina… Jag is coming
for you. You'll get through this. I won't leave your side until you are safe in
his arms again."
*Jacen?
What's happen to you? *
A smile
outlined his already faint facial features. "I'm in peace. But I won't leave
till you are safe too."
He was dead?
But… but she could still feel him. His touch seemed as warm and tender as it
had been before. Before her thoughts began to run away to her imagination, he
cleared up all her questions.
"Jaina, I'm
fine. Yes, I am dead… but only physically. Come now, you must rest. You must
face a great challenge in a day or two. You need the strength. Fall into the
Force's power and allow it to flow through you. Close your eyes and let it heal
you. " Jacen instructed her as if he were some ancient Jedi Master, but Jaina
didn't mind listening to the orders from her brother. Her pain was too great.
Before she
slipped into a deep sleep, she managed to whisper, "Jacen don't leave me."
"I'll be
right here the whole time. Just rest, now. Rest."
Then she
dropped into a unfathomable Jedi healing trance… one that not even Jacen could
wake her till she willed herself out of it.
Jacen held
his sister closely through the Force. She was still in a deep reverie but she
needed it.
A message
through the Force filled his senses. It was a implication of hope from Jag.
Silently, he
prayed to God asking him to help and bring everyone peace in this time of
affliction, and that some how Jag would find his sister before it was too late.
Jacen knew that she didn't have that much longer with the injury she had.
Infection was going to set in if Jag didn't come in time.
But Jacen
didn't give up, and continued to use the Force to bath his sister in its
healing powers.
*Come on
Jag. She hasn't got much longer. Hurry. *
The Lopez's
speeder slowed to a stop. Usually only a few security guards secured the
docking bays, but it looked like they had brought in an entire army regiment.
"You guys
stay here. I'm going to go check what's up with the safety measures." Climbing
out of the speeder, Han made sure his blaster was well out of sight, put away
underneath his pants at his ankles. Walking up to one of the guards he saw they
all held a strange weapon that look oddly familiar and resembled...
His adrenaline
rose up. *Sith spawn. They're not New Republican guards, they're Vong. *
Casually,
Han strolled up to the masqueraded army. "Hey, what's up with the buff on
security?"
"The newly
elected Chief of State, Viqi Shesh has been assassinated. No one leaves without
proper authorization."
Playing
along with that act, Han continued. "Well, my family and I just needed to get
our things off our ship. We just came back from our vacation on Mon Calamari."
The guard
looked to the one next to it then nodded. "You may go in, but make it quick."
"Thanks."
Turning around he yelled out for them to get out of the car.
"Hey, wait,
they can't come."
Han looked
at the guard in exasperation. "Listen, we will be able to unload easier and
faster if they help."
"How long of
a trip were you on?"
"Two
months," leaning closer he finished his comment. "With the in-laws."
They had
been running through the vibrant vegetation, when suddenly Jag stopped and
deceased to a halt surprising Kyp causing him to falter in his footing.
After slowing
down, he spun to face Jag and demanded an explanation. "Why in Kessel did you
stop?"
He didn't
answer the Jedi Knight at first and instead closed his eyes. As he caught his
breath and allowed his body to take in the Force all around him, Jag let go of
his senses and welcomed the life. It was abundant surrounding him causing him
to realize how amazing and animated everything was. Each Force-living creature
had a story to tell and shocked him how much they were attune to his presence.
Letting his
entire being submit to the Force and its' power, silently communicating to all
the animals and plants questioning them if they knew where Jaina was.
Suddenly he
felt pain.
But along
with that pain was a complete sense of security, and hope.
It was Jaina
and someone was with her. Someone who wasn't physically there but still there
all the same.
He opened
his eyes and answered Kyp. "She's hiding."
"What?" Kyp
slowly walked towards Jag in curiosity.
"Jaina's
somewhere over that way." He pointed to the opposite direction in where they
were going. "We must hurry. She isn't going to hold off much longer."
She sat on
the window bench of the Jedi Master's temporary quarters, just transfixed as
she watched hopelessly below at the beings being tortured and murdered.
There was
nothing she could do.
"Are you
alright?" questioned a male voice.
Sighing in
despair, the girl answered softly. "He's gone. He's really gone."
Luke knew
whom she was rambling on about. His own nephew, Jacen. When he had stretched
out into the Force to check on if everyone was alright, he felt Jacen the same
why he had felt Obi-Wan when he became one with the Force. "Physically, not
internally."
She nodded
in agreement, but the nod was weak barely much a motion. "I don't mean to be
intrusive--"
"It's alright.
You've helped me gain my past I was missing. All I ask of you is to hold on to
it and tell my sister."
"Of course,
but… is Mara alright."
Silence
stilled the room. Sey glanced over to Luke and saw him laying frozen on the bed
with closed eyes before he answered. "Yes. She and our son are safe, for now."
Looking back
out the window, relief filled the young teens face. "I will pray for her and
your son's safety. God will protect them."
"You believe
strongly in the unseen, yet are very against the Yuuzhan Vong's beliefs. May I
ask why?"
"I don't see
any intention for me to hide my faith. I don't believe in their way of life or
how they put it, way of pain. It is all backwards. They see people like me and
think the same. Odd, going about life/pain all wrong." She stopped.
"What?" Luke
said worriedly.
"Could you
do me a favor?"
"Depends on
what?"
"If you can,
answer this for me." Taking a deep breath, Seyla turned towards him and
continued. "Say in society you have a being who believes in what I believe, one
God that is all forgiving, one that doesn't approve of killing, hurting one's
self, suicide, and the other bunch of 'controversial' issues. Society would
number her as non-accepting towards those who do believe the opposite of her.
"Another
being believes in hurting themselves, such as scarring and the like. They are
strong in what they believe. They stand up for there faith and no one has any
objection to what they believe in. Yet when a being like me tries to stand up
for his or her truth about the matter, that it is morally wrong, we are
shunned."
Confusion
shown on the older man's face. "I see your point on that matter, but what does
it have to do with believing in the unseen."
"Tell me who
is believing in the darkside and it's ways?"
He was
caught off guard by the instruction. Blinking a few times, the statement got
him thinking in a deeper sense than he had ever done before. Luke had no words
only complex thoughts, which rang throughout his mind.
Half smiling
at Luke, Sey let out a breath and lay back on the bench, stretching out as best
she could. Sleep called her once again, but she was reluctant to go back to her
room, and felt safer with someone she was a least bit familiar with and who
spent his life protecting and defending others.
"You don't
mind if I—" she poised, but was cut off.
"No, it is
fine. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you."
After five
minutes, she was quiescent and sleeping calmly, leaving the Jedi Master awake
to think about what she said.
He knew the
answer, but morals had never been a question he had to answer before. It had
always been if something was of the darkside or not.
Deeply he
breathed in, trying to freshen up his muddled mind. He missed Mara. Was she all
right? Quietly he did his best to feel her in the Force, but an invisible wall
was blocking him away from her.
Sighing he
put his mind back on the question. Sleep wouldn't come to him so he might as
well make use of the quiet time.
As Anakin
helped Mara to the guest room in the ship, Leia turned towards Ian and Ae`lina.
"You two are welcome to come along with us."
The husband
and wife looked at each other as if discussing quietly. Ae`lina answered. "We'd
love too. But where are you headed."
"Away from
here." Han replied from the cockpit. "Those weren't New Republican guards out there.
Those were Yuuzhan Vong. And all of us are getting off this planet now."
"What? They
can't be here! Not now." Leia replied in shock.
"Sorry
princess, this is one fairy tale ending we can't go in and change. We have to
get off of here, and you two are coming with us. We will need your help, plus
there is no point in your staying here."
The couple
nodded and hurried inside the ship. Turning back to his wife he outstretched
his hand. "You coming your highness?"
"You aren't
telling me something. What else is there?" she asked skeptically.
Dropping his
hand he let his head fall on his chest. "The Vong also hinted that Shesh had
been assassinated and that was the reason why they had to up security. Now will
you get in your royal vessel, my princess."
"What about
Droma?"'
"He'll have
to find a way out of here himself. I'll keep an eye out for his family. And
right now I'm trying to keep an eye out on mine." Grabbing her arm he dragged
her inside, then just as he was about to press the button to pull up the ramp
his hand stopped still.
*Jacen, it hurts. * She whispered through the Force.
"Shhh… it's
going to be alright. Jag is on his way." Jacen soothed his sister. She had
awakened from the healing trance screaming in agony. Never in his physical life
had he seen someone wake from a healing trance in pain. Something was wrong
with her and not even a trance could nurse back to health.
*Jag
please, hurry. She's fading. *
Suddenly,
Jaina slowly sat up. "Jaina! Lie down. You aren't—" Jacen couldn't continue,
for he was cut off by Jag rushing into the hollow tree carefully embracing her.
Jaina
murmured something in his ear.
He turned
around and noticed the figure. "Jacen what's wrong with you?"
"I am one
with the Force. I must go now. Kyp is coming, and he can't see me like this."
Confusion
filled his sister's painful face. Turning towards Jag she looked at him. "You
brought Kyp along? Why?" her tone was anger, but Jacen understood her
reasoning.
"I asked him
to come. I couldn't find you alone, without his help."
Frowning,
Jaina opened her mouth to say something, but stopped and listened to what Jag
was telling her. Fighting back the shock and pain she replied. "Kyp… helped you
f-find me?"
"Yes."
Jacen
hovered over to his sister. "Jag will take good care of you."
"Jacen what
happened to you?"
He could
only smile. "When you see Sey again, you'll have to ask her. Goodbye."
Tears welded
up in his sister's brown eyes. "There are no such things as goodbyes. You'll
always be near. I know it."
Nodding, he
slowly began to fade away till the two humans saw only the other side of the
tree wall.
Breaking the
silence, Jag helped Jaina off the floor slowly so no to make her sick. Acting
as a crutch for her, the two gradually exited out of the tree into the
daylight.
"Can you
walk?"
"Yes," Jaina
replied without a second thought. Putting all her weight on her two feet, she
let go of Jag and began to walk leisurely at his side. But her pain tolerance
didn't hold up for long.
Crumbling
into a ball, clutching her side, Jaina began to fall to the ground, but was
caught in a pair of warm kind arms before she hit the ground.
"Whoa, I got
you," a voice answered that wasn't Jag's.
Anger
tainted her. "Let go of me." She replied weakly.
"Hey, it's
ok. I'm not going to hurt you."
"I'm going
to believe that one when I see it."
"Jaina, let
him help."
Reluctantly
she shut her mouth as Kyp's hands held onto her waist. He stood behind her and
slowly set her on the ground, still holding her waist. "Now this isn't going to
hurt."
She was
about to protest, but her entire body began to drain with pain. Soon she felt
brand new again.
Letting go
of her, Kyp lifted her shirt where her wound had been and showed her. "See all
better." He got to his feet and helped her up.
Still a bit
skeptical on the man, she glared at him, into his eyes hoping to find something
hidden in them but found nothing. "Thank you," she commented cautiously.
Kyp got up
from the ground and Jag helped Jaina up.
Testing if
the healing force he had worked on her did the trick she twisted her waist
slowly and cautiously around both ways. Surprise filled her body, as she felt
no pain. Staring up at him she asked in a state of shock, "Which of the Yuuzhan
Vong did you learn that from?"
Taken aback
by the question, he realized she was just using the reference as an expression.
"I've learned a few tricks."
"Why didn't
you ever tell Master Skywalker about it?"
Shrugging,
Kyp said nothing else.
Jaina glared
at him in anger. Charging for him she nearly jumped on top of him tackling him
to the ground, but Jag grabbed her before she could pound him. He held her
tight keeping her from acting out of rage.
Struggling
in his arms she yelled at Kyp. "You dirty Son of a Sith! You didn't tell him
cause all you wanted to learn about using the Force to get back at the Empire
for what they did to your family. If you had told him about your healing
powers, he would have—"
"He would
have stuck me with that Calamarian gal." He filled in the rest of her
statement.
Both Jaina
and Jag just stared at the man.
"But if you
are thinking that's why I never told him, your wrong. I never told him cause I
can't explain it, plus we are needed out fighting in the war."
"Then why
aren't you? Why are you here helping me, instead for you own vengeful needs?"
"Jay, he's—"
Cutting off
Jag, Jaina answered, "You don't know Kyp like I do."
"And you
don't know me like I do. Listen, I'm here cause your friend needed help and
asked for my assistance in saving your life, in which I have been doing so far.
Besides we had to get off Coruscant."
"What? Why?
What's going on?"
Glaring at
Kyp for telling Jaina, Jag slowly let go of her arms and mouthed, You shouldn't
have told her that. Rubbing her shoulder, he turned her around. "Well, have to
tell you back on the ship, right now we need to get out of here. I don't feel
this is exactly the safest place for us to be at this point."
With that
the three began to hike quickly back to the ship.
Part five ~ It's gonna be me Song by N*SYNC
Something
brushed lightly across her arm. The touch sent tingles down her spine.
Groaning, Seyla turned over on the bench sleepily.
This time
light flooded into her face. "Just a few more minutes of sleep, please?" No one
answered but something dark began to fill her soul. As her body began to awaken
more, Sey sat up, jumping to her feet away from the figure that had been
looming above her. Glancing quickly to the bed, she saw Luke was gone.
Eyes wide in
fear she gapped at him. "What have… where is he?"
"Being taken
care of at this very moment."
"No!" she
screamed. "Please you can't. I'll do anything…"
"You'll
what?" Zen pursued her against the wall. "What can you do without Jacen?"
Blinking
back the resurfaced pain. She opened up her mouth to say something but nothing
came out. Lowering her head she felt completely defenseless.
His breath
touched her skin hotly as he leaned closer and whispered into her ear. "You're
nothing without him. And I am sick and tired of this game of chase."
Disgust
filled her pale face. "What?"
"I have been
waiting patiently for you to understand me. And for a moment back on Adega
believed that you had learned, but it was all too quick of an adjustment. I was
so caught up in the other plans I didn't notice." Pausing he lifted his left
hand out from his cloak and raised it to caress her face.
Fighting
back the urge to cry, Sey allowed him to smooth her skin.
Moments of
silence passed without a word said. Looking up into his eyes she saw a half
gentle caring man yet half a cold heartless demon inside of him.
Finally she
couldn't hold in the truth she knew any longer. Without breaking her gaze she
moved her hands inside his cape, carefully grabbing hold of the hand he
constantly kept hidden from her, even though she knew the truth. She had known
since the day of her capture. It burned her deeply to know about what he had
done.
Pulling out
his hand in between them she made sure he could see it. It wasn't his, or least
didn't look like it anymore. Four sharp deadly growths grew from his fingers.
He saw what she was doing and glanced back at her then quickly away.
"You thought
you could keep it away from me." It wasn't a question.
Trying to
forget the subject he leaned closed towards her. "I wasn't trying keep anything
from you. Plus it's the past, let's forget about that now and—"
"Oh, it's in
the past. I see." She agreed whole-heartedly. Anger surged through her. She had
every intent of pushing him onto his back away from her, but she didn't want to
feel the drastic effect of threat hand once again. Instead she backfired a
remark. "If it is in the past why do you still see this." Sey let go of his
hand and pulled back her hair that covered the right side of her face,
revealing the four scars that ran down her entire face. "What do you see here?
Not a forgettable past I can tell you."
She could
already feel water filling her eyes and begin to fall freely down her cheeks.
"You can smooth out one side of my face, but you can never smooth out the
past."
Rage filled
him. "I'm not standing for these games anymore." Suddenly Seyla found both her
hands cuffed in some strange organic restraint cuffs obviously grown by the
Yuuzhan Vong. It felt like teeth were chewing on her wrists. She didn't dare
try to move them. Two perfects each held one of her arms.
"Take her to
Re`quii. She'll know what to do with her."
With a wave
of his hand, they dragged her away.
Perfect Feng
Shui held the human female firmly by the arm, holding the plasma gun to her
back. She had been struggling the whole way.
As they
pasted through the bridge above what the infidels used for parking their immoral
vessels, she began yelling at the top of her lungs in her strange language.
Tapping his ear he turned on the translating device to hear her words.
"…gone. He's
with Jaina at her side, helping her keep hold on to life."
Someone
across the hanger yelled back. Halting, he motioned the other perfect to find
and destroy the voice. He would keep the girl under control and take her to
Re`quii by himself. But if he had caught another Jedi, the honor the gods would
prevail would be enormous.
Instead he
twisted the prisoner's arm behind her back.
Mara jumped
up from the center room of the Falcon to the ramp. That voice she knew like the
back of her hand. She answered the woman's voice back. "Sey?"
"Mara! Thank
the Force. Leave with them. Luke, he—" suddenly she screamed in agony but
finished her sentence. "He will be reunited with the Force soon. I'll keep
watch over him. Don't stay. Don't even look back. Just go and find Jaina and
Jag. Hurry!" After that another agonizing scream followed.
But it
didn't intimidate her. She knew the Yuuzhan Vong holding her was trying to.
After years of being trained and listening to victims in torture, she forced
herself to go on.
Turning to
her left where Han and Leia stood transfixed, she slammed her hand on the
button, breaking the couple's train of thoughts.
Han looked
over at her to give her some smart comment but choked back the remark and
nodded. Rushing to the cockpit. They had no time to waste.
With
pleasure, Zekk watched the feedback from the spy cam of the old Imperial probe
droid following the three back to their not-so-well-hidden ship. Beaming with
amusement, he said, "Go fetch our guests. It's time to show them our
hospitality, or hostility."
"It'll be my
desire."
"Leave Jaina
to me. You may do what ever to your liking to the Jagged fellow. I know you
have more of a… how should I put it, rancor with him than I could ever."
"The
resentment runs deeper than the fat on a Hutt." He paused savoring the moment
before he would complete the mission he had been waiting to relish in all his
life. "What about Durron?"
"Let him
come to us. His core isn't pure with the same light as the other two. As long
as he is alive and crawling to us, then whatever you deem appropriate,
implement. Now go and do your assignment, your calling."
With that he
exited the quarters as swiftly as he had entered.
Pushing the
wretch to the ground, Feng pulled out his couffee prepared to strike the
female. He was fed up with her. She had gave him nothing but trouble all the
way to Re`quii's temporary rooms.
"I beg mercy
on you, don't credit me with pain." She didn't shield her arm over her head,
nor did she keep her eyes on him. In respect, she kept her head low, eyes off
him. He stopped his stroke.
Snapping the
couffee into the stiff position he dismissed the punishment.
"Well, who
do we have here?"
Feng dropped
to his knees knowing the atonement he would have to give if he didn't show the
priestess respect. "Priestess Re`quii, this human infidel has been sent to you
by Agent Fin'h."
The female
Yuuzhan Vong tilted her head slightly studying the human. "She doesn't look
like an infidel, then again the ones who don't look like they would disfavor
the gods surely would rather die for some mangled immoral faith."
The female
had an urge to spit out a comment at the priestess, but held her tongue. She
couldn't endanger Skywalker anymore than he already was, but she didn't want
6to take any chances. Fin'h would manage to break her heart again if she didn't
listen.
Re`quii
looked deep into her crystal blue eyes as if looking for something. All Sey
could see were pits of black full of emptiness.
"I'll take
care of her. When did Fin'h want her accumulated?"
Keeping his
head cast to the ground, Feng answered her. "Before the sun sets."
"He shall
have her then. You are dismissed."
With that
Feng exited out of the room, but rather than hurry off, he slowly got up
unhurried enough to catch the female's eyes in his. There was something in
them, something that sparked that made him… forgetting the thought he rushed
out of the room, leaving her with the priestess.
(ADD MORE STORY HERE).
Pressing his
comlink, Seth waited for Zekk to respond.
"Well?"
"They didn't
know what hit them. Durron should be waking up on the steps outside the
fortress tomorrow night. Jaina is in your quarters out cold. Jag is in the
conference room. I'll take care of him there."
"Good job.
When shall they awaken?"
Looking at
his chrono, Seth calculated the time before saying. "They both should be up
around noon tomorrow. By then Durron will be half way over here, if he is as
loyal to Solo and Fel as we think."
"Don't
worry. He's sense of curiosity will get to him first. That, or revenge."
"Ahh, Jagged
Fel, I finally you are here. Let's settle this old friend. Just you and me." He
through all his weapons to the side. "Now your turn."
"Not until
you tell me where Jaina is. What have you done to her?"
"I have done
nothing with your little witch."
"Don't you
dare call her that! She has nothing to do with this. Why did you kidnap her?"
"Oh, my
intention was only to lure you here. My 'friend' on the other hand has other
plans for her. But she refuses to join our side, so what use is her life to us
if she won't help?"
"No, you
can't!"
"On a
contrary, I can't, but he can."
"WHO?" he
yelled.
"Zekk. Her
boyfriend."
Shock filled
his face. He frowned. What was he talking about?
"You didn't
know?" Seth Midori laughed evilly. "Well, this gets better every minute. Jaina
Solo, doe of the New Republic cheated on—"
"Stop
calling her such things. Her name is Jaina, and she did not cheat on me. I was
her first date."
Shaking his
head in disbelief he half laughed. "You are really wrapped around her little
finger, aren't you? I always knew you would fall for a—" but Midori couldn't
get out his last statement for Jag already had him tackled to the ground.
Opening her
eyes Jaina's brown eyes found themselves looking up at a familiar white
ceiling. Sitting up, she scanned the room. *Was all that a dream? * she
thought but no pain filled her side.
*No, he
couldn't… I wasn't— *
"But you
are." Zekk's hideous voice filled her ears.
Falling off
the bed, she scrambled to her feet. She noticed Zekk was holding two
lightsabers. Glancing at the two deadly weapons, she darted her eyes back to
him, glaring at him. Before she could say anything, he spoke up.
"Don't
worry, Solo. I think I've learned my lesson on trying to make you love me."
"So your
going to use weapons this time?" she replied sarcastically.
"No, of
course not." He tossed her one of the blades. "You love challenges, right? Oh wait
what am I saying, you and Jag do it all the time." She opened her mouth to
criticize his account but he cut her off. "Here's my offer. You either join me
and the darkside, or… duel it out."
Raising the
blade, she clicked on the power. The well-known hum filled the room. "No that
you gave me no choice but to fight you Zekk."
"But I did."
Suddenly he charged for her, no longer caring for her as a lover, but as the
enemy.
Jaina raised
her lightsaber up and parried the blow. Sweat dripped down her face as she
stared intently into Zekk's eyes.
What
happened to the man she loved when she was little? The one who would do almost
anything for her? The one who would swim in the lake with her on cool summer
days on Yavin? She couldn't possibly believe he died. Even though he had left
her, there must be some light still in him.
For a moment
his face blurred replacing it with another familiar face. Tender and kind, yet
his eyes were ones of steel and power, of seduction and a misleading force.
Dark brown eyes with spiked light brown/blond hair. She had been related to
that face, that man. Trying to think harder she…
Instantly
the face was gone, leaving behind Zekk's same face. It had the same lost yet
determined expression as her grandfather's. Jaina didn't know what to do.
What had her
grandmother done to call him out of the dark?
A gentle
voice echoed through the Force giving her strength, telling her that it was
over. He was gone. Nothing would bring him back to the light, nothing.
In the back
of her mind, she began to see him outside of the fortress surrounded by
vegetation. He picked a rose, dropping it to the grown watching it die slowly.
Zoning back into the present, Jaina saw him about to strike her.
"I loved
Zekk. But I don't love you." The words slid off her tongue smoothly.
Backing off
his stance, Zekk backed away from her. Glaring with his cold eyes, he attacked
her.
Before he
could slice her down Jaina did a back flip over Zekk. Her blade hit his waist.
Burning flesh filled her nose.
He yelled in
pain, falling to the floor. His lightsaber went dead before it hit the ground.
Jag fled
room. It was over. Midori was gone. His past with the man though would burn in
his memory forever.
Unexpectedly
a scream cried out from down the hall. Dashing to the noise, he prayed with all
his might it wasn't Jaina.
Bursting
through the door, which the yell had come from, Jag saw another door that was
closed. Rushing to it, he tried to open it, but it was locked. Looking for
something to break the door down with, he saw nothing that would help him.
Instead he used a Chiss method of defending one's self that he had learned as a
kid.
A loud
breaking came from the other side of the room. Jaina lifted her blade,
preparing to fight someone else, but instead of cold eyes burning into her, she
met one's that were overflowing with concern and love.
The sight of
the feeling gave her hope, and she could no longer hold in her feelings. She
deactivated her blade.
Before she
hit the solid floor, warm caring arms caught her steadily.
They held
her tightly, as if holding her together. Jag slowly sat on the ground, holding
her in his arms as she cried out the pain, the past. Rocking her, he felt her
cave in. "Shhh… Jaina, it's alright. He won't haunt you anymore. It's over."
"I didn't
mean to, but—"
"Jay, you
had no choice. He was gone." With those comforting words he hugged her securely
and closely. He felt so lucky, so blessed to have her still in his life. "I
love you, Jaina. Please, don't ever leave me. I don't know what I would do
without no you in my life."
Pulling
away, she looked up into his eyes. He saw hers were red from the tears. "I
don't want to know what I would do without you."
"You want to what!" yelled the human mother at her half Vor child. She had endured another strenuous day of rebuilding the broken crystal monument, which once played beautiful music of whistling of the wind blowing through the different holes and openings, as certain Vors were placed to close and open the cavities. It was the second time the shrine had been shattered to pieces, but this time it had been done by the Yuuzhan Vong.
Now the magnificent structure lay in ruins. It had been a year and still the edifice hadn't been rebuilt. The pressure of completing it was overwhelming, not to mention that her husband, Tune, had been killed in a construction accident two months ago. Now what her twenty-seven-year-old daughter was purposing to her made her collapse on the soft cushion couch.
"Mother," Harmony Srov protested
in her gentle voice. It sounded as if many different types of pitches
harmonized it when really she alone was just speaking. "I have made my
decision. I want to join the Peace Brigade. No… I AM joining with or
without you're permission."
Shaking her head in disbelief, her mother tried to convenes her child
not too. "Harmony you can't. The Yuuzhan Vong may control this part of the
universe and things, but that doesn't mean you have to become one of their
supporters. We serve their gods, and obey them. Don't put your life in more
danger by keeping others safe."
"You don't understand. I desire to
become apart more than apart of the Peace Brigade, but directly to the Yuuzhan
Vong themselves. I have longed to do so for a while. I don't care what it takes
me… but I will be one of them."
Suddenly a piecing scream was let
out of the older woman.
Harmony's heart raced in shock and
fright. Her mother slumped to the ground lifeless. Rushing to her side, she
felt for a pulse.
Her blood went cold. No, it
couldn't be… "Mom. MOM! Stop playing around. Wake up please." She pleaded to
the comatose woman. Harmony tried to shake the woman to shake her out of
death's blinding hand, but it was too late.
A warm hand rested upon her
shoulder, brushing upon her wings lightly. "It was her time. The gods have
taken her to her home. In pain we enter this universe, and in pain we leave."
As the man recited the dictum of the Yuuzhan Vong religion, Harmony felt an
eerie yet reassuring sense of truth wrap around her.
Slowly she got back up on her
feet. With his support, Harmony made her way swiftly out of her home, parting
from everything she had ever known to a future she had longed so to enter.
A speeder waited outside. Kyp
opened the side door for her, allowing her to go in first, then climbing in
after her.
The two had met on the HoloNet
only by chance. Over the past year they had become secretly close friends. He
finally was able to get her off the shamed planet. She couldn't stand another
day in the place.
Silently and respectfully, Kyp
Durron bowed before the Yuuzhan Vong Warmaster. He waited for Tsavong Lah to
speak to him rather than conversing with the leader before he greeted him.
"Kyp Domain Durron, you come to me
with inspiring news, I have been told." Spoke the Yuuzhan Vong in a deep
baritone voice. It's eerie sound shook the inner core of the man.
Getting up from the ground, Kyp
answered. "Yes, milord. Young in flesh and very committed to the True Ways. A
half Vor, half human female from the planet Vortex. For years she has desired
to be included in the True Ways."
"If there is no problem with her,
why have you come to me? Very well, you know any being who openly accepts the
True Ways are welcome and non-threatening. They shall be spared."
"Of course, Warmaster. But she has
conferred with me the gods have instructed her to become more in tune to them
and the True Ways."
Tsavong Lah swirled around. Kyp
could tell, after being around the Yuuzhan Vong so long, that the alien was
surprised the such an offer of the outer beings had been presented. "What does
this being request?"
"To become a devoted precursor of
the True Ways. To become officially and faithfully accepted in a initiation
ceremony as the Yuuzhan Vong perfects and other high officials of the True Ways
have done." The request had even surprised Kyp. He expected a lot of the
female, but this exceeded his prospect of the woman.
Silence echoed throughout the
room. Finally the Warmaster answered. "Tell the holy being, her appeal will be
contracted."
A smile formed on his face. "Many
thanks to the gods, I give gratitude to you on her behalf. The news shall be
relayed to her immediately."
"On the night when the Ithorian
moon is full, will the rite be preformed on her. Go now and tell the future
priestess of her glorious attainment."
Kyp scurried off to tell Harmony
of the information. But before he left he questioned. "If it is all to humbly
for me to ask, whom is to direct the service?"
"Supreme Cleric Ku Yonghai."
She had been waiting for what
seemed like hours when Kyp finally entered the room where they had stuck her.
The door closed and Harmony rushed to him for news.
"Well?"
He didn't answer her right away.
Escorting her to a plant like chair she sat and waited for the report. Harmony
listened with attuned ears as Kyp relayed the news to her. She was stunned, and
wide eyed by the response.
"Your appeal is approved. The
ceremony is to be held on the up coming full moon."
Excitement filled her heart.
Jumping up from the seat she spun around in his arms as she fluttered her wings
in joy. Laughing in happiness she felt like… she slowed down increasingly
realizing what she was doing.
Gradually setting her down on the
ground, both she and Kyp's eyes were locked on another's. Deep inside a
trembling began to take her over. It was unlike anything she felt.
"I'm s—"
His hand came up and brushed
across her lips. Her words were cut off. His fingers upon her lips felt cool
and soothing. For the first time in her life her heart felt like it was beating
out of her chest. What was happening?
Kyp stared at the being before him
trying to figure out what was happening. Finally shaking out of the trance he
continued waving off the apology and walking away from her. "I… it's fine." He
cleared his throat. "You better get some sleep. It's getting late."
He left without another word.
As the door closed emotions he
never felt before swamped over him. Putting his hand on his forehead he
thought, *What is this feeling? *
Harmony was free to roam through
out the lush green world of Ithor. Its deep green canopy was thick and full of
life. It was well passed midnight, but sleep wouldn't come to her
Since she was awake she slipped on
her comfortable yet tight green swim/sundress and decided to go for a swim in
the clear lake she had spotted.
Slipping off her sandals she
placed her feet gently onto the dirt ground.
The moist soil felt tender to her
naked feet. Stepping slowly into the refreshing water she felt revived by the
liquid.
A slight breeze blew by, touching
her hot skin. She closed her eyes taking in the revitalizing wind. Standing
still she listened intently to all that surrounded her. The rustling of leaves
caught her ear, as well as the soft harmony of the night creatures making
noises in the dark night.
Snap!
Whirling around, Harmony scanned
to find out who or what had snapped the twig.
Nothing seemed to be amiss. No
bush or plant stirred besides the constant breeze from the wind. But all of
nature silenced. The quietness cautioned her something was out of the ordinary.
Turning back to the lake she acted
as if the sound was nothing more than her imagination, though she was secretly
waiting for her pursuer.
Taking another step into the water
she deceased deeper into the lake.
Just as she got arcane enough to
reach her mid-thigh a shadow fell over her blocking the almost full moon.
Before she could turn to see what stood behind her, her silhouette jumped on
her, dragging her further beneath the surface.
The sudden impact on hitting the
calm water surface reduced the weight of the two from going too deep.
Struggling to find her way back up to the surface she used her wings to swim
upward.
Her head broke through the top of
the lake, she gasped for air. Blinking she kept turning around to try to get a
look at who jumped her, but they were nowhere to be seen.
Something grabbed her ankle
pulling her back under. The water filling into her mouth as she was yanked
lower had muffled her stunned scream.
Finally, whatever it was, released
her.
Again she reached the surface,
this time choking for air. Something emerged from beside her. Scrambling away
from the attacker she stared at him.
"Kyp?"
Using his arms he swam closer to
her. "In person," he replied with an eerie grin of satisfaction.
Anger flared inside of her. "HOW
DARE YOU! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU DID THAT!" Avenging her pride she jolted at him.
Using all her strength she wrestled him beneath the lake causing herself to go
to.
Finally the both had to go back up
to get air.
"W—why did you do that?" Kyp
panted trying to get oxygen into his body. He wasn't the only one who was
grasping whatever air they could get.
Swallowing, she answered. "Why?
You…are asking m—me that? After you nearly…nearly frightened me to death?"
"Frightened you?"
"Oh, don't play dumb, Durron. You
know very well what you did!" Silence suddenly plunged around them. The ex-Jedi
Knight hadn't answered her, only stared at her intently. His cold eyes buried
themselves into her and it was beginning to make her squirm. "Stop that."
He blinked. "What? You don't like
me looking at you?"
"I don't prefer it." Before she
knew it, he was gradually making his way towards her, invading her space. She
tried to swim backwards but hit a rock behind her.
"Looks like I've got you
cornered." He commented as his lips got closer to hers.
Fear spiraled throughout her body.
"Kyp, you know very well that we can't be. The Yuuzhan V—"
"You aren't bond to their rules
yet." Placing his arms on either side of her so she couldn't swim away, he
kissed her deeply with such delight and craze her entire body felt like it was
on fire with fervor.
Part six~ I don't want to go/Oxygen Song by Avalon
(8 months later. Anakin, Han,
Leia, Ian, and Ae`lina have escaped
from Coruscant. Jaina and Jag are still looking for help beyond the Outer Rim.)
Water surrounded her. She swam deeper into the cool refreshing waters.
Everything seemed to disappear and no longer exist. Using the Force she was
able to stay underwater longer than usual.
Her head broke the surface.
Reality came back again.
Grabbing onto a floating organic
tube, Sey held onto it resting for a moment studying the scenery around her. It
looked nothing like the city world it once had been. Now it was like a jungle
world.
Tilting her head she saw Re`quii,
the Yuuzhan Vong priestess assigned to keep her in control, contently sitting
on the shore. "Re`quii, come in. The water is perfect."
"In the water?" she asked shocked.
Sey laughed. "Yes, in the water.
It's refreshing."
"It is not the will of the gods."
*Oh, then I'll make it. * Diving
back under the water, she swam close to the shore, but out of site of the
Yuuzhan Vong. Without warning, she popped out of the water and splashed the
stubborn priestess.
"Ahhh!" she stood up drenched in
water. "Look at what you did?"
"Oh, come on its just water."
"We're leaving. It's getting late.
Now!"
Sey let out a sigh. Re`quii wasn't
a being of patience. Reluctantly, she got out of the lake without complaining.
Grabbing her towel she dried herself off in the moonlight. It wasn't a full
moon, but tomorrow would be.
Tomorrow would mark seven months
since the fall of the New Republic, and the death of Jacen Solo and Luke
Skywalker.
Using all
her strength, the woman ran into the dark night. Her long red hair swished back
and forth as her feet pounded hard on the ground.
Her legs ached in agony from the constant running, but she knew all too
well if she stopped the both of them were doomed to death. Fear and adrenaline
spiraled up in her heart about the out come if they were caught. She shrugged
off the nightmarish thoughts. Mara wouldn't allow herself to think of the
negatives.
Trying to focus on the dimmed pathway she picked her pace and began to
head onward, not knowing where the road might lead her, but it was their only
chance of freedom again. For if they turned back, the screams of their death
would pierce the night air.
The dark agent jogged after the suspect, forcing himself to go faster
than he never had before. Taking a sharp turn into one of the allies, he pulled
out his gun clicking off the safety guard, aiming to fire.
To his anguish, no one was there.
He was sure he had saw someone dash into this ally. Looking harder, he
was able to see a figure lurking in the dark shadows. Quietly, he turned on his
night vision sensors and almost immediately the shadow was visible. But even
still the guard couldn't tell if it was a human or alien, for the cloak it wore
covered it from head to toe.
*No matter, * he thought. *Who or whatever it is will
still receive the same punishment for the blasphemy it has committed. *
The female human never in her life felt so afraid. She tried using the
Force to calm her and the child inside of her… but it wouldn't work.
Placing a hand on her stomach underneath the Jedi robe she wore, Mara
said a prayer to the vulnerable almost fully developed baby inside of her.
*Shhh… my little one. Your father maybe gone in
body, but I know for a fact he wouldn't allow you to die. Besides, I won't let
that happen either. I love you, my son. * A tear slid down her cheek as she mentally
kissed her only child goodbye.
Suddenly, blaster fire erupted and Mara Jade slumped to the ground.
Nor Anor looked at the half alive human that had just been brought in
before him.
"Mara Jade Skywalker," he hissed. "I have been wondering where you've
been. Ever since our last encounter… you seemed to have disappeared. I never
thought I'd get the chance to see you again."
The wounded Jedi Master didn't bother to open her eyes. She already knew
who was speaking to her and she didn't want to see the Yuuzhan Vong's hideous
face once more. "I had hoped the same. You still have one more chance to come
to the truth." He held out his hideous clawed hand.
Instead of grabbing hold of it, the Jedi Master spit in disgust at Nor
Anor. It was all the answer he needed.
"It's a shame," he continued as if nothing was wrong while circling
around her. "That your husband isn't here to witness his wife's last breath…oh
well. You shall be with him soon."
Mara cringed. She thought for a moment she felt a contraction coming.
She bit her bottom lip. He still didn't know about her child.
*Who could with me wrapped up in my cloak, nobody
would even think twice. *
The Yuuzhan Vong screamed out an order in his native language to one of
the guards.
The command was frightening. She knew in moments she was going to die,
but what frightened her even more wasn't losing her life, but their baby's.
Cloaking her child with the Force, Mara made sure her son was wrapped
protectively in a shield of safety. Even if the Force couldn't affect the Vong,
she would use every measure of protection she could give her unborn child.
Their baby didn't deserve to die. He deserved something more; a life and
freedom.
Lifting her sore arm, she rubbed her stomach once more.
No one, not even a Yuuzhan Vong was going to tear the last connection
she had of Luke away from her.
A pain swelled inside of her. Another one came shortly after, but after
each one they came quicker.
*No, not now… * but her worried plead was cut off the agony
of another contraction.
The guard had pulled out an organic device that could tell one if there
were any other life forms in the room.
Nor Anor had stiffened up the security level. It seemed every time he
had one Jedi cornered, another one would pop up and help them out of their
situation.
"There is one other being in the room but…" the guard stopped abruptly
and his expression turned into confusion.
"But what?" he ordered.
"But the location of the other being is…is inside of the woman."
Nor Anor blinked, then looked at Mara, and back to the guard. "I don't
understand what you are claiming."
"Well, if the device is correct, the human woman is with a pre-mature
life."
The Yuuzhan Vong paused for a second trying to comprehend. "How in the
gods---" but the Vong's reply ceased as screams filled the chamber. The cries
came from Mara.
"It seems she is having the child now."
The angered Yuuzhan Vong executor yelled furiously at the guard. "Then
go get that girl and bring her here!"
Sey woke up from her dream, with a start. Her heart raced in a pace that
scared her.
The room was still dark, but the moon illuminated it through the window.
Trying to calm herself down from the anxiety, she slowly threw the covers off
her and got out of bed.
She strolled to the balcony, not bothering to put on her silk robe.
Pulling the old fashion glass door, she stepped out into the bitter cold
as her blue saddened eyes fell upon of what was left of the city-world.
Once tall majestic buildings made of metal and glass stood up for miles
on end, now… now they had were in ruins. All of the original structures had
been brutally demolished and destroyed by the war and the grutchin.
It was a creature used for assault that was nearly a half a meter in
length. All of them that were released, after they had finished their job, had
been exterminated. They weren't like the other Yuuzhan Vong animals that came
back on command.
But the grutchin wasn't the only thing that had changed the whole world
of Coruscant.
Dweebits were freed onto Coruscant's surface; an insect infestation that
created an environmental alteration, changing the climate to one that would be
found on a lush green planet.
Sey knew Nor Anor had created the mutant creature.
Replacing the spots where buildings lay were all sorts of different
plant clusters that served as living areas, slaves quarters and other types of
vicinities, which either contained slaves or forced them to work in conditions
so traumatizing, some died from the pure exhaustion.
The wind blew by, making her shiver slightly. Taking in a deep breath,
Sey cleared her mind, doing her best to keep the thoughts on everyone she
barely begun to know, out of her mind.
*That was seven months ago. * Tears began to
tumble from her crystal blue eyes. *Leia, Han, and Anakin probably got away
from here as fast as they could. But Mara and Jaina… I just hope they are
still…*
Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of footsteps coming behind her.
Spinning around, Sey saw Re`quii come towards her. An expression shown
on her face that made her blink twice.
Her assumptions were quickly answered when she spoke. "Nor Anor calls
for assistance with one of you kind. Others are trying to be located, but I
know you are a human and may know about these things. Quickly!"
Re`quii's order was demanding and Sey didn't dare to question it.
Without another word, she followed the female Yuuzhan Vong, stopping
only for a moment to snatch her robe and shoes, then scurried behind the female
as fast as she could.
The contraction finally ended.
Taking in deep breaths, Mara allowed the Force to flow through both her
and her son.
Silence had submerged the room and Mara was wondering what Nor Anor was
doing about it. She smiled in glee as she guessed what he must be thinking of
her.
The Vong didn't believe in having the female giving live birth to their
children, or at least any female who wasn't apart of the lower class who
couldn't afford whatever they did… Mara could only imagine the horrible things
he was judging her of.
*What's so horrible about giving someone a new
life? * she pondered.
Suddenly another painful contraction came.
*Oh, Luke… why did you have to leave before your
baby was born? You have no idea how much this hurts physically and emotionally…
as well as spiritually. *
The pain seemed to get worse and she screamed in agony.
Faintly, the sound of rushing human feet entered her hearing, but it
sounded so far away.
Falling onto her knees, Sey grabbed Mara Jade's hand, encasing it in
hers so she'd have something to hold as the contraction got worse.
She had seen her father do the same thing when her mother was pregnant
with her littlest brother.
Sey only hoped that the Jedi woman wouldn't need to have a surgery to
get the child to come out like her mother had. There was just no way for them
to perform such surgery without the proper materials and medical areas needed.
Gradually, the constant squeezing subsided and the woman released her
grip relaxing into the hard floor.
After a few moments, she finally opened her eyes and saw who was helping
her.
"Sey?" her voice cracked.
She whispered low. "Yes. How did you…I mean I thought you had been…"
"Killed? No one, not even Nor Anor got close enough to put a mark on my
skin."
The fifteen-year-old bit her lower lip as she did her best to ask, "And
the rest?"
"I don't know. I hope they found a way off planet."
Another contraction came and Sey this time instructed the woman to take
slow deep breaths as it continued. It took a while for her to listen to the
young girl, but Mara gave in knowing it was for the best.
After it ended, she breathed. "Please take care of my son, when he comes
out. Protect him. Nor Anor wouldn't dare keep him alive, particularly when it's
my child."
How could Sey refuse? They were talking about a life of a child, one
that was vulnerable and hadn't even taken its first breath. "Mara… you'll make
it."
"No…no I won't. I'm barely staying alive by using the Force to stop my
wound from releasing anymore blood."
Her eyes widened. She knew how much energy it took just getting through
this, but it was practical impossible to get through it by using the Force at
the same time.
"Mara, let me use the Force to do that, you need to focus on you and
your child right now."
Kyp Durron had been surveying the environment in which the slaves had to
both live and work in with one of the corporals of the security guards, when
suddenly one of the higher elite soldiers came racing over to them.
Speaking fluently in Yuuzhan Vong after being around them for so long,
Kyp had to use the Force to catch all the words the Vong spat out.
Finally, he understood that he wanted him to follow him back to Nor
Anor's quarters.
In haste he dashed to his commanded location.
Beads of sweat dripped down Mara Jade's head. Her cloak had been thrown
aside and now was being used as a pillow. She was in another agonizing
contraction.
"Take in slow and deep breaths…come on, it's almost over."
The grip on Sey's hand unhurriedly released as the contraction ended.
Taking her free hand, she wiped off the woman's clammy forehead. It was
surprisingly hot.
She called out behind to the hovering shadow. "Re`quii, I need some hot
water and a few blankets."
The priestess did as she was told.
Mara spoke again. "Sey, thank you for your help."
"Anything for a friend," she smiled. "So do you have a name yet?"
"A name?"
"Yes. You're the mother. What's his name?" she questioned sincerely.
Mara closed her green eyes and though for a moment. "Reliance Skywalker.
It means trust and confidence, two things I pray my and Luke's child will grow
up to have."
"It's perfect," she replied as another contraction started up. "Breathe,
come on. You'll get through this."
Before Durron entered, Nor Anor motioned him over to his side. The
executor whispered to him in a different tongue.
He could understand every word, but the request was an odd one; one that
he didn't want to carry out, but what else could he do?
Nodding, Kyp answered back in the ancient language the Vong was using, "Suproc
saebah."
Suddenly a hand of comfort landed on her shoulder and came around to the
Jedi Master's other side.
Sey looked intently at the man across from her.
It was Kyp Durron.
Anger welded up in her, but she made it go away knowing that the rage
wouldn't help the woman who was about to have her first child.
His hand fell upon Jade's wound on her arm. Almost immediately it
healed.
She shook off her gaze of the Force healing powers he possessed. The
same powers had been worked on her, but Sey put the past behind her. There was
a baby about to be born at the moment, and she had no idea how they were going
to get through this without doctors who were trained to do so.
What also worried her was Kyp. She had a strange feeling that he might
try something to hurt or kill the tiny Skywalker child.
*Starrider, you assume too much. *
Lifting her head, she caught his eyes, but said nothing. Looking down at
Mara she saw her eyes were closed, but she was still awake. The contraction had
ended.
"Sey? Who's here?" her voice was quiet and soft.
She bit her lip again, not wanting to upset the woman. "Umm… help. How
are you feeling?"
"Tired. It's almost time."
"Shhh… you're doing fine." She replied as the woman went into labor.
Sey watched as Kyp held the crying newborn. He had wrapped the infant up
in a warm blanket and had cleaned its body.
Protectively she eyed the man as he handed the child to his mother. At
the sight of the him, Mara reached out quickly and gently to take her child.
She didn't know what to say to him.
What could she say? He, who had a hand in her husband's murder, yet was
at her side as she gave birth to both her and Luke's only child.
The action confused her.
Tearing her gaze from him, she focused all her attention to the little
bundle in her arms. Surprisingly, he stopped crying as she smiled at him.
Happiness filled her heart. He had fuzzy hair on his head. And all…
Blond, the same a Luke's.
Taking her finger, she brushed it across its tiny pink lips. He opened
his mouth and began to suck on her finger.
He was hungry. A tear of joy slid down her face. "Hello, Reliance, I'm
your mommy."
The small baby made a soft moan, saying at the same time hello and that
it was time to eat.
The executor watched in disgust as Mara fed her infant. Not only did she
give live birth from her own body as the lower class Yuuzhan Vong females did, but
also she fed it from her own body.
Turning away from the scene, Nor Anor nodded to Kyp who was at the
opposite side of the room of the others.
*Go on, Durron. And this time don't fail me, or you
will fail to return to see another sunrise. *
He had tried to kill the woman many times before, but now that he had
seen with his own eyes how unworthy a species she was, he decided to have
someone else, closer to her rank deal with her.
Once he had even called her his match. A competitor with the same skills
of battle and manipulation. Now he regretted his words.
Part seven ~ Heartbeat Song by Bleach
Re`quii was, by now, back with the blankets, handing the young female
her cloak back after tending to the Jedi woman. She had moved her over to a
different part of the room, on a couch of some sort where she nursed her
newborn.
Taking in a deep breath, Sey wrapped the robe around her more tightly
than she ever had before. A feeling of cold, a cold that didn't come from the
room temperature, but from something unseen yet so real.
Sey lend back and watched Mara cuddle her child. A tear slowly skated
down her cheek.
The tiny infant looked so much like the way her youngest brother looked
the day he was born. She watched caringly as Mara rocked her son to a
harmonious lullaby, when Jade motioned her over to them.
"What is it, Mara?" she questioned quietly.
The fatigued new mother held her son out to Sey. "Go on. Hold him." She
inclined.
Gently, Sey cradled he tiny bundle near her chest. He moaned softly. A
tear rolled down the fifteen-year-old teen's face. The child's warm body clung
to her as if asking to protect it. Her heart ached to see her family once
again, but she knew that was impossible.
She thanked God for the baby in her arms, and for Mara's forgiveness.
Things that used to be so trivial in her life no more than a year ago,
now where the most vital.
Her heart ached to hold her brother in her arms again. Back on Nrutas
she had taken everything for granted. Her home, a loving family, and friends;
all far away from a war over a constant strife for faith. The little child whom
she held was only another reminder of how life used to be before.
"I know you will take good care of him once I am gone."
The statement broke Sey from her previous thoughts. She glanced up.
"What?"
Tears of sadness glistened on the Jedi woman's face as she spoke. "It is
time."
Sey never had known her to cry in front of anyone, especially her. She
knew exactly what she meant, but denied the truth. "It…it can be. H-how?"
Mara placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. I promise you, you won't be
alone. They'll come back for you and Reliance."
"But how? After the destruction of Coruscant and the sacrificing… why
would risk to come…"
"Don't give into worry, Sey. You always told us not to, and now here you
are going back on your own beliefs. That is not the Starrider I once knew."
She grinned back, knowing she hadn't let her worries taken over her since
the first day she entered the galaxy, and Mara was making sure it would stay
that way. "But do you think I am the one you can entrust with such a treasure?"
"I know for a fact, you would give up your life for my son, or anyone.
You gave up your freedom for the freedom for my in-laws. I know you would do
the same for my child." Mara lifted her hand off the teen and on to her child's
head. "I love you my son, know that I will always be with you." Softly she
kissed his tender head for the first and final time.
Suddenly, almost rhythmically a slashing agony pierced throughout her
body, but as soon as it had come it vanished. A bright and blinding light of
love and peace began to pull her into a place where no pain existed, and
amazing standing before her was Luke.
Just as she thought it would be her last moments of life, she discovered
it was merely the beginning.
Nor Anor watched in pleasure as the human male lifted the body of the
former Mara Jade Skywalker towards him.
He beamed in triumph.
He had won.
Finally,
the witch was being taken care of by the gods. Finally, she would no more
influence those around her with the foolish thoughts of life and the mystic
'force' she used. Finally, both of the Jedi leaders were disposed of.
Durron knelt before the executor, holding outstretched the limp and pale
corpse of the human female. Blood spilled relentlessly onto the floor. Nor Anor
watched as five priestesses, including Re`quii, clean up the mess with a ngdin.
The 'clean-up' device was most useful for cleaning up the waste of any
beings that had fallen to their deaths. He watched in hunger as the creatures
began to plump up, knowing that a feast after the ceremony would await. A feast
that would only make the finality of Jade's death more sealed and confirmed.
*You said you were indestructible, that I would
never have my vengeance. Now here you are. Lifeless before me. I shall delight
in your blood tonight. Your birth was one of pain and now you die in pain. As
it always should be. Anyone as stubborn as your deserves such agony. * He paused for a
moment. *As for Starrider, the gods have something else in store for the
obdurate little wretch. *
Beaming, he ordered Kyp, "Take her to Antagog. There, Supreme Cleric Ku
Yonghai will prepare her for the ceremony."
Without another word, the human male did as commanded.
A cry broke the silence. It came from across the room.
*Ahhh… the child. * Swiftly the
Yuuzhan Vong strolled to the girl and crying infant.
Starrider was huddled in a corner, holding tightly to the Skywalker
child, rocking it back to sleep. After being around her for so long he
recognized that half of the rocking wasn't rocking at all, but her shaking.
Re`quii and the others were nearly finished cleaning up the mess. Once
they were finished, he focused his attention back on the young human female.
Holding out his hand he offered his help. "My dear?"
She looked up into his masquered face. The four diagonal scars where
Fin'h had used his secretly implanted claws to teach her a lesson still shown
on her face as attentive as they had the day of her imprisonment. Those scars
were reminders of her defiance… and she still hadn't learned her lesson.
Starrider slowly got up from the ground using the wall as support, not
allowing the Vong to assist her.
To his shock, no salty tears shown on her face. *So… she is getting
stronger. Perfect. *
"You don't approve, young one?" the executor questioned in his native
tongue.
She replied in the same speech. "To kill out of revenge is immoral as
your beliefs in the many false gods you claim exist. Blasphemous in your eyes,
I may be, but the truth is what I speak."
Anger surged through him. How dare she speak back in such a tone. "Take
this… adherent to Yonghai!" Before she could react, Re`quii and two perfects
grabbed her forcefully. Re`quii snatched the baby, cradling it as one would do
to their own. "The ceremony for Jade's death will be tonight. You are the
witness."
"No!" Starrider screamed with tears flowing from her face. For the first
time she allowed them to show brilliantly before a Yuuzhan Vong. "Please, don't
make me do it! I beg you."
Raising an eyebrow at the suggestion, Nor Anor focused his attention to
the baby. "Shall we use the infant then?"
Defeat filled her soft voice, which was now cracked and dry. "No, but…"
"I thought not. Take her." The executor waved his hand at the perfects.
They dragged the human out while Re`quii and the child trailed behind.
Once the door closed, Nor Anor shook his head. If only the girl
understood the power she was up against, maybe…
An idea suddenly sprang into his mind. His eyes glistened in awe at the
foul thought.
Greedily he walked over to his villip, contacting Supreme Cleric Ku
Yonghai, informing him of the little extra arrangement that was going to
proceed at the ceremony.
Ku Yonghai, a very influential Yuuzhan Vong by both rank and statue,
wore robes of deep scarlet. The entire front of the ceremonial outfit was
adorned with one small bone of each of those who had been reluctant to believe
in the true beings. His face was a pale blue, but the tattooing and scaring
that was required in the sacrifices covered most of his flesh.
Tattoos elaborately designed on his face continued all the way to the
first abdomen. Each depiction had been done in the blood from the sacrifice
mixed with niap, a deadly venom found in the stomach of a dweebit.
The toxin was extremely risky to have split on the skin, much less
injected into the first layer. One had to be so careful while having it done
for if it had just one atom too much, the being would lose their entire limb to
the pain.
What was more hazardous the tattoos were also designed on his chest. It
was a sign of honor towards the gods to take on such pain, or the risk of
death.
Even some of the other priests would have the tattoos done on their chests,
but never would they have them done with the venom mixed with the blood.
Usually the tattoos were only designated to be on the face, but being
the highest leader in the ritual acts, Ku Yonghai had to out of honor and
respect to the gods. It was his responsibility that the followers saw the gods
would protect him even from the poison that had been injected into his skin.
Ku Yonghai was now preparing the sacrifice of the Jedi female. The
helpful Kyp Durron, a former Jedi who had converted freely and willingly to
their religion and beliefs, sat cross legged at the other side of the room. His
eyes had been closed and his breathing had rapidly deceased into a slow and
almost fatally lingering matter. It even made the high priest curious on how
Jedi could slow down their breathing to near demise. He'd have to keep that
question in mind once Durron had awakened.
Suddenly, a noise from his villip entered his hearing.
"Oh, it will be a special treat for the girl. The gods surely inspired
you Nor Anor." With that, the priest touched the villip and watched it return
back to its original shape.
Turning back to the matter at hand, the Yuuzhan Vong strolled over to
the lifeless human.
As the lower priests and priestesses tended to her, making ready the
woman for the sacrificing.
Suddenly the door to the preparation rooms flung open to reveal a female
human struggling in the grip of two Yuuzhan Vong perfects.
Ku Yonghai eyed the human female. She had been most difficult at times,
even the time of her breaking. Not even she was broken.
Neither had the boy.
Rage burned deep within the darkened soul of the Yuuzhan Vong. The boy
hadn't escaped but the ceremony of Yravlac hadn't gone as planned. How it did…
the answer would never be fully revealed to him, but no matter what happened
Starrider couldn't find out. She could still be used as bait, but only in time.
Patience. It was something even the gods demanded.
To his surprise, at her entrance, Durron's eyes opened almost quickly,
almost too quickly. Jumping to his feet, the man went to the cleric's side.
Whispering for only Ku Yonghai's ears to hear, the man questioned. "Why
is she here?" then he saw the child being held by Re`quii. "And the Skywalker
child? What part of this do they partake in this?"
"Calm down, energetic one. Starrider is the witness for this
celebration."
Kyp's veins went cold. *No. * he screamed inside.
Still harassed against the Perfects, she didn't' make a sound. *Starrider,
don't struggle. You are only going to make things worse. Trust me. *
Using her famous words, and obviously hearing him through the Force,
Starrider slowly stopped her struggling, then glared at him.
She didn't trust him one bit, and he didn't blame her.
The priest began to walk over to the infant.
"Please! Don't hurt the child. Please, anything you want of me… I'll do,
just don't harm Reliance." She pleaded. The terror in her voice scared even
him. Kyp never heard her so frightened.
Finally, making up his mind Kyp strolled over to Ku Yonghai, the mumbled
to him. "You have the girl were the gods want her. We can use the child for
other manipulation purposes. If she is so willing to be a witness, imagine the
things in which the gods could force her to do with only the help of this
child." He had carefully made it known that gods had her were they wanted
her, not him or them, but where they wanted her.
As if thinking the priest stared at the newborn intently.
Walking away from him, he walked over to Starrider extending his hand
stroking the scars across her face with a claw. Blood oozed slowly from the old
wound, then nodding his head he responded.
"So be it, Starrider. You have vowed yourself before the gods that you
would do anything right now, if we would not hurt the human infant. Your
request will be granted, as long as you will be the witness for the ritual."
She took in a shaky breath before answering. "I will be a witness."
Starrider forced out.
At the very moment, Kyp felt something evil enter the room. He had been
around the presence all his life, but now something enticed it, giving it more
power than usual.
Then Starrider had been forcefully taken away to another room.
She had been stripped down to the bear minimal. Now she stood still as
the priestesses clothed her in extremely tight garments of black. Thrown around
her waist as a like a wrap skirt of black with fine luminosity designs
embroidered around the entire piece.
Suddenly one of the females' long slender hand began to take hold of her
now long hair, parting it into small sections, then tightly braiding each part.
She closed her eyes.
All the motion around her wasn't helping calm her down much. She wanted
to burst out in tears but held them back.
Reliance was only a few feet away, being cradled in the arms of Re`quii.
Standing behind her was Feng Shui, one of the male Yuuzhan Vong Perfects,
prepared to strike the child at the first sign of tears.
*God help us. *
It had been almost two hours since she had been sitting in a tiny
isolation room, when finally someone entered.
The human shut the entrance behind him. A series of locking noises could
be heard.
He saw her and nearly dropped his jaw. "Umm.. wow, I mean you look
extravagant."
Starrider narrowed her eyes at him. Standing up she thrust her finger in
his face. "You did this! Cause of you Mara is dead. You killed her! How could
you?"
"Sey… I had no choice. Nor Anor…"
"BUT YOU DID HAVE A CHOICE! THAT'S THE WHOLE—"
Roughly Kyp grabbed her shoulders surprising her into silence. "Sey! You
don't understand. No matter what I choose she would've been put to death. Plus,
if I said no, I wouldn't be around to keep Reliance alive. Yonghai surely
would've murdered the child too."
Water began to fill her eyes up from the frustration. *There must
have been some other way. *
Quickly, Starrider used the Force to ease her tears away. As fast as
they had come, they disappeared as if they never adorn her face. Changing the
subject she asked. "So is it time for the ceremony?"
He let out a breath. "Yes. Are you ready?"
"In a way." She responded, mocking his saying.
Kyp wrapped his arm around the girl's waist. He could feel her
resistance in his action.
*Get away from me Durron. *
They processed into the ceremony, but he didn't move his arm. *Starrider,
you have more protection with me than if I left you alone, let it be. *
He could feel her protest deep inside of her, but she didn't let it
overwhelm her. *You vow to me that Reliance won't be hurt or killed? *
*I give you my word. By the way do you know who the
other witness is? *
As the continued to walk up a shudder ran through Sey. *No. Do you? *
*No. I am afraid not. I thought that they might
have told you. *
*Then I guess we'll find out after the feast. *
Her bottom lip trembled. Whispering to him she quietly asked, "I can't
do this. Isn't there something you could tell them to stop this?"
"You're asking me to alter the universe. I already helped you and
the child too. Yonghai is already suspicious of me. If I ask of anymore my
early execution would only ensure yours."
Starrider bit her bottom lip, stopping herself from speaking anymore.
Every answer he gave only grieved her heart more. She made a promise and she
had to stick with it… but not without a fight.
*God, please do something… save us from the sin
about to be committed. Please. *
TO BE
CONTINUED IN FORCEFUL BETRAYALS SECTION 5!!!!
