Title ~ Forceful Betrayals: Section 4
Title ~ Forceful Betrayals: Section 4

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:

Seyla Starrider (herself), Enoil Shai, Lydia Ebony, Zengi Fin'h, Seth Midori, Ian and Ae`lina Lopez, Harmony Srov, Feng Shui and Qwi Xux for who she created: Re`quii, Reliance Skywalker, Ku Yonghai, Tune Srov and his wife.

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!!!!