AN: The survivors are my own creation, everything else belongs to Lucasfilm...
From Scratch
Chapter 28
"This is your idea of a diplomatic solution?" Tenel Ka asked archly as Jacen unhooked his lightsaber from his belt. They were still unnoticed, which said that the mob wasn't interested in posting guards, and as they neared it Jacen was steadily getting tenser.
He shrugged. "If you have a better idea, now's the time to voice it."
She looked at their small company and back to the mass of Shamed ones and slaves. "I do not - but violence is never an answer."
"I never said I intended to use it," he told her faintly, hating what he was about to do but willing to do it nonetheless. "Just follow my lead, we should get through this."
"Uh, Jacen, my man," Flynn stammered as he caught sight of what Jacen was holding, "What solution needs you to pull that out? Can't we just, you know, talk to them?"
Jacen glanced back at the younger man. "Ask Vola; she knows why."
Flynn looked at the young Yuuzhan Vong woman, who was staring at Jacen like he'd grown another head. Her unique eyes were a myriad of conflicting emotions. "Vola?" he asked concerned.
She jerked as if shot, drawing her gaze back to Flynn with obvious effort. "Yes?"
"What reason could Jacen have for walking into this camp with his light sword in the open?"
Vola turned towards him completely, her eyes sad and angry all at the same time. "Jedi are considered saviors by most of the shamed ones, the surface dwelling tribes in particular. By walking into the camp with his blade ignited, if that's what he intends, they won't challenge him. They'll believe he's here to help free them from the last of their oppressors. He's playing on their beliefs." She said the last almost bitterly.
Jacen knew he should feel more guilty for preying on her people's beliefs but couldn't. Not with his training and not knowing these same people were trying to injure or kill the World Brain. He'd have to find the leader quickly and reason with him, or her, and if that didn't work, he'd resort to force. Somehow he'd have to stop these beings from damaging the heart of their world.
"Jacen?"
He came out of his thoughts to find Tenel Ka looking at him, her eyes searching his face almost worriedly. He found a smile for her amid the pain in his skull. The intensity was slowly growing as they neared the source of those emotions. HE had a feeling they'd continue to grow until this was resolved and could only hope it'd be quick. "I'm alright," he assured her, reaching out to gently brush his fingers over her cheek.
She caught his hand, holding it to her face for a brief moment before nodding once as if to accept his reassurance. She obviously didn't believe him, but she wasn't going to call him on it.
Jacen looked at Vola and Flynn. "Jedi aren't seen as mere mortals and the two of you will likely be seen as our servants." He sighed. "Tenel Ka and I can't be seen with our packs."
Flynn laughed. "So that's why you wanted us along. Hey man, I understand. Load me up, that way Vola is free to do what you need her to. But, if things get ugly, I hope you don't have anything breakable in these since I'll be dropping them pretty quick."
Jacen laughed. "They've been fallen on a half dozen times during this journey; if there's anything breakable inside, you're welcome to break it."
The two Jedi quickly shrugged out of their packs and Flynn combined them ingeniously, slinging them both onto his back in what looked like a very uncomfortable arrangement before taking up his weapons. Vola fell into step beside him as they made they way towards the camp once more. Their legs and jerkins were covered with black ash, but they didn't stop again until they reached the outskirts of the mob. Jacen ignited his lightsaber, the trademark snap-hiss of the blade drawing every eye within twenty feet. The glow of the emerald blade drawing even more attention. He swung it around once. "I am Jacen Solo!" he called, looking to Vola.
Vola obliged, translating the words flawlessly into Yuuzhan Vong and shouting them out at a volume that nearly matched his own. Jacen looked at her impressed. For a small woman she sure packed a wallop. "I have come to speak with your leader."
Vola translated again and a murmur of uncertainty swept through the crowd. A small child, maybe five or six, stepped forward and said something quickly in the alien tongue. Vola asked something back, a clear question, before nodding. "He says their leader is on the other side of the camp. But if the Jeedai will follow, he will lead."
Jacen nodded, motioning for the child to lead the way deeper into the camp. He closed down his lightsaber but kept it in hand as they walked through masses of unwashed, underfed people. The suffering, the anger, was almost palatable. These people were starving and dying under the iron thumb of the remaining shapers and warriors; they simply wanted to be given freedom of their own. As Jacen walked through the camp, Tenel Ka at his side, he felt hundreds of eyes following them. He didn't understand the murmurs or the whispered comments, be he didn't have to. His presence was a mystery and people wanted to know why he'd come - and how they would benefit from it. Jacen kept his face impassive. If he could stop them from attacking the World Brain, they'd all escape with their lives if nothing more. And for some reason, that was becoming more and more unacceptable with every step. Something had to change - and soon.
They were led down messy, muddy pathways towards the front of the encampment. Jacen could feel the call of the World Brain, the Well rising high above the camp, blocking the view of many stars, the pleading that was more like a pressure building on his heart and mind. It was terrified, begging him to do something about its predicament. Begging him to save it again. Jacen carefully controlled his emotions towards it, forcing himself not to send out reassurances he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep.
Towards the front of the large mob were tents made of skin and bone. They weren't large, but they were large enough for a sleeping palate and several people to stand upright at once. The largest of these seemed to be their destination.
The child stopped outside the tent and scampered away before Vola could thank him. She turned to Jacen, "The people both respect and fear their leader. Some said he was slightly disturbed in his head. We should be cautious."
Jacen's smile was wry. "Cautious among people who would wish us harm? What else would we be?"
Vola managed a faint smile. "You have a point, Ja- Jacen."
He blinked, looking down at her. "No title?"
She shook her head fractionally, looking over at Flynn, "He's asked that I learn to use you name."
He chuckled softly, nodding in understanding. Turning he looked at Tenel Ka, "You and Flynn wait here. I'll go speak with their leader and Vola can translate for me. Make sure they don't get it into their heads to stone the tent or something."
Tenel Ka nodded solemnly. "We will watch your back. Be quick."
He nodded and turned to the tent, sweeping the flap back and stepping inside, Vola on his heels. A single male Yuuzhan Vong stood in the center of the tent like an avenging warrior but lacking the ritual deformities of the class. His stance, his bearing, had a poise and presence of a natural leader. Jacen looked at him critically, something in his eyes, in his stance reminding him of a Yuuzhan Vong he'd met a long time ago during his time here on Yuuzhan'tar... He shook off the feeling that he knew this one, and opened his mouth to speak. "I am-"
"I know who you are, Jacen Solo," The Yuuzhan Vong replied irritably, his voice making Jacen's blood run cold. That voice. That carefully cultured voice speaking basic like he'd been born to it. He knew that voice as surely as he knew his own name.
Jacen's eyes narrowed and he stretched out with his Vongsense. "Vola, go outside. Now."
She looked like she was going to protest but something in his gaze, his voice, must have warned her it was futile to argue and she departed without a word. The flap of the tent dropped behind her and Jacen empathetically reached out to the ooglith masquer that the Yuuzhan Vong was wearing and convinced it that it's job was done.
It pealed back slowly from the deformed face of the male wearing it and Jacen crossed his arms over his chest. The masquer pulled completely away and the unique scaring of the Yuuzhan Vong in front of him was one Jacen Solo would never forget. "Nom Anor, I should have known to find you at the heart of this. You know what will happen if you succeed; why are you attacking the World Brain?"
"Attacking?" Nom Anor's eyes flashed with spite, "You and that traitor Vergere left me to die, I am simply surviving. Give me one reason why I shouldn't have you killed right now."
Jacen laughed but it was a humorless sound. "Have me killed? There is no longer a reason to wish my death; you have lost the war. My death won't change that."
"No, but it will make me feel better," Nom Anor sneered. "I should have known a Jeedai could never be turned to the beliefs of the Yuuzhan Vong."
"The pretender accuses me of being one?" Jacen found an iota of humor in the situation, "That strikes me as hypocrisy. But then, you always were a pretender, a spreader of lies and half truths. What do you hope to gain here? An honorable death? You always thought of your own survival first."
"What do I care if these fools want to throw their lives away?" Nom Anor told him harshly. "Our race is dying thanks to your meddling, Jacen Solo, are you proud of yourself? Is that traitor Vergere proud of her accomplishments?"
"Vergere is dead."
Nom Anor's eyes flashed for a moment. "I hope it was in disgrace."
Jacen's smile was faint. "She rammed a planet to save me and my sister. The instant decompression killed hundreds of Yuuzhan Vong. I'd say she went out with a bang."
Nom Anor's eyes hardened. "What do you want, Jeedai?"
"I want your group to pull back from the Well of the World Brain. I want you to stop you destruction of the land - you're only hurting yourselves. The more you destroy, the less likely your chances of survival. You have a chance to build something new for yourselves, Nom Anor, a world where the warriors and shapers don't hold sway."
The Yuuzhan Vong laughed sharply. "We are trying, Solo, but they are strong. Trained. The last thousand hold the perimeter around the well of the World Brain and destroy anything around it. It is they who are trying to poison the World Brain - but they can't get in. Fanatics can be easy to manipulate, but dying without honor..." he shook his head in disgust. "They are fools."
"I see we agree. I offer my services to you," Jacen told him, fighting back the bad taste in his mouth. "How can I help?"
Nom Anor stared at him as if he'd just sprouted wings and Jacen took some satisfaction in having surprised and shocked the diplomat. "Why would you help us?"
Jacen met the Executor's gaze squarely. "I have been connected to this world since before its formation. What affects it, affects me. Your people are resourceful, Shamed ones and slaves alike. You no longer need the caste distinction; each group has something unique to bring to this world. By working together you have the ability to keep Yuuzhan'tar healthy and prosperous, but by dividing your forces there is no future. The Yuuzhan Vong are being forced to adapt and you're fighting it. If you don't adapt, you race will surely die."
Nom Anor had never been accused of being a stupid man, but his dislike, his distrust, of Jacen Solo, made him leery of the human's offer and words. "I will think about it," he agreed reluctantly. "If the warriors aren't stopped soon, the shapers removed from the vicinity of the World Brain, I don't think your words will have much meaning. If they kill the World Brain, we're all dead anyway."
Jacen's expression was grim. "Leave the shapers to me. One way or another they will leave the World Brain in peace to do its job. One way or another, it has to end this night."
Nom Anor simply watched as Jacen Solo strode from his tent, his mind working ways to make this work in his favor. But Jacen Solo was a powerful and cunning adversary. His last encounter with him had ended badly and Nom Anor was no fool. He wouldn't fall into the trap of underestimating the Jedi a second time. For now he'd watch and wait to see what Jacen would do. If Jacen proved to be as good as his word, he'd think about siding with him but until then he'd remain neutral. Picking up his ooglith masquer, he carefully allowed it to slide back over his skin, once again cloaking him in his disguise as a powerful Shamed one. Jacen Solo would have to be watched.
From Scratch
Chapter 28
"This is your idea of a diplomatic solution?" Tenel Ka asked archly as Jacen unhooked his lightsaber from his belt. They were still unnoticed, which said that the mob wasn't interested in posting guards, and as they neared it Jacen was steadily getting tenser.
He shrugged. "If you have a better idea, now's the time to voice it."
She looked at their small company and back to the mass of Shamed ones and slaves. "I do not - but violence is never an answer."
"I never said I intended to use it," he told her faintly, hating what he was about to do but willing to do it nonetheless. "Just follow my lead, we should get through this."
"Uh, Jacen, my man," Flynn stammered as he caught sight of what Jacen was holding, "What solution needs you to pull that out? Can't we just, you know, talk to them?"
Jacen glanced back at the younger man. "Ask Vola; she knows why."
Flynn looked at the young Yuuzhan Vong woman, who was staring at Jacen like he'd grown another head. Her unique eyes were a myriad of conflicting emotions. "Vola?" he asked concerned.
She jerked as if shot, drawing her gaze back to Flynn with obvious effort. "Yes?"
"What reason could Jacen have for walking into this camp with his light sword in the open?"
Vola turned towards him completely, her eyes sad and angry all at the same time. "Jedi are considered saviors by most of the shamed ones, the surface dwelling tribes in particular. By walking into the camp with his blade ignited, if that's what he intends, they won't challenge him. They'll believe he's here to help free them from the last of their oppressors. He's playing on their beliefs." She said the last almost bitterly.
Jacen knew he should feel more guilty for preying on her people's beliefs but couldn't. Not with his training and not knowing these same people were trying to injure or kill the World Brain. He'd have to find the leader quickly and reason with him, or her, and if that didn't work, he'd resort to force. Somehow he'd have to stop these beings from damaging the heart of their world.
"Jacen?"
He came out of his thoughts to find Tenel Ka looking at him, her eyes searching his face almost worriedly. He found a smile for her amid the pain in his skull. The intensity was slowly growing as they neared the source of those emotions. HE had a feeling they'd continue to grow until this was resolved and could only hope it'd be quick. "I'm alright," he assured her, reaching out to gently brush his fingers over her cheek.
She caught his hand, holding it to her face for a brief moment before nodding once as if to accept his reassurance. She obviously didn't believe him, but she wasn't going to call him on it.
Jacen looked at Vola and Flynn. "Jedi aren't seen as mere mortals and the two of you will likely be seen as our servants." He sighed. "Tenel Ka and I can't be seen with our packs."
Flynn laughed. "So that's why you wanted us along. Hey man, I understand. Load me up, that way Vola is free to do what you need her to. But, if things get ugly, I hope you don't have anything breakable in these since I'll be dropping them pretty quick."
Jacen laughed. "They've been fallen on a half dozen times during this journey; if there's anything breakable inside, you're welcome to break it."
The two Jedi quickly shrugged out of their packs and Flynn combined them ingeniously, slinging them both onto his back in what looked like a very uncomfortable arrangement before taking up his weapons. Vola fell into step beside him as they made they way towards the camp once more. Their legs and jerkins were covered with black ash, but they didn't stop again until they reached the outskirts of the mob. Jacen ignited his lightsaber, the trademark snap-hiss of the blade drawing every eye within twenty feet. The glow of the emerald blade drawing even more attention. He swung it around once. "I am Jacen Solo!" he called, looking to Vola.
Vola obliged, translating the words flawlessly into Yuuzhan Vong and shouting them out at a volume that nearly matched his own. Jacen looked at her impressed. For a small woman she sure packed a wallop. "I have come to speak with your leader."
Vola translated again and a murmur of uncertainty swept through the crowd. A small child, maybe five or six, stepped forward and said something quickly in the alien tongue. Vola asked something back, a clear question, before nodding. "He says their leader is on the other side of the camp. But if the Jeedai will follow, he will lead."
Jacen nodded, motioning for the child to lead the way deeper into the camp. He closed down his lightsaber but kept it in hand as they walked through masses of unwashed, underfed people. The suffering, the anger, was almost palatable. These people were starving and dying under the iron thumb of the remaining shapers and warriors; they simply wanted to be given freedom of their own. As Jacen walked through the camp, Tenel Ka at his side, he felt hundreds of eyes following them. He didn't understand the murmurs or the whispered comments, be he didn't have to. His presence was a mystery and people wanted to know why he'd come - and how they would benefit from it. Jacen kept his face impassive. If he could stop them from attacking the World Brain, they'd all escape with their lives if nothing more. And for some reason, that was becoming more and more unacceptable with every step. Something had to change - and soon.
They were led down messy, muddy pathways towards the front of the encampment. Jacen could feel the call of the World Brain, the Well rising high above the camp, blocking the view of many stars, the pleading that was more like a pressure building on his heart and mind. It was terrified, begging him to do something about its predicament. Begging him to save it again. Jacen carefully controlled his emotions towards it, forcing himself not to send out reassurances he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep.
Towards the front of the large mob were tents made of skin and bone. They weren't large, but they were large enough for a sleeping palate and several people to stand upright at once. The largest of these seemed to be their destination.
The child stopped outside the tent and scampered away before Vola could thank him. She turned to Jacen, "The people both respect and fear their leader. Some said he was slightly disturbed in his head. We should be cautious."
Jacen's smile was wry. "Cautious among people who would wish us harm? What else would we be?"
Vola managed a faint smile. "You have a point, Ja- Jacen."
He blinked, looking down at her. "No title?"
She shook her head fractionally, looking over at Flynn, "He's asked that I learn to use you name."
He chuckled softly, nodding in understanding. Turning he looked at Tenel Ka, "You and Flynn wait here. I'll go speak with their leader and Vola can translate for me. Make sure they don't get it into their heads to stone the tent or something."
Tenel Ka nodded solemnly. "We will watch your back. Be quick."
He nodded and turned to the tent, sweeping the flap back and stepping inside, Vola on his heels. A single male Yuuzhan Vong stood in the center of the tent like an avenging warrior but lacking the ritual deformities of the class. His stance, his bearing, had a poise and presence of a natural leader. Jacen looked at him critically, something in his eyes, in his stance reminding him of a Yuuzhan Vong he'd met a long time ago during his time here on Yuuzhan'tar... He shook off the feeling that he knew this one, and opened his mouth to speak. "I am-"
"I know who you are, Jacen Solo," The Yuuzhan Vong replied irritably, his voice making Jacen's blood run cold. That voice. That carefully cultured voice speaking basic like he'd been born to it. He knew that voice as surely as he knew his own name.
Jacen's eyes narrowed and he stretched out with his Vongsense. "Vola, go outside. Now."
She looked like she was going to protest but something in his gaze, his voice, must have warned her it was futile to argue and she departed without a word. The flap of the tent dropped behind her and Jacen empathetically reached out to the ooglith masquer that the Yuuzhan Vong was wearing and convinced it that it's job was done.
It pealed back slowly from the deformed face of the male wearing it and Jacen crossed his arms over his chest. The masquer pulled completely away and the unique scaring of the Yuuzhan Vong in front of him was one Jacen Solo would never forget. "Nom Anor, I should have known to find you at the heart of this. You know what will happen if you succeed; why are you attacking the World Brain?"
"Attacking?" Nom Anor's eyes flashed with spite, "You and that traitor Vergere left me to die, I am simply surviving. Give me one reason why I shouldn't have you killed right now."
Jacen laughed but it was a humorless sound. "Have me killed? There is no longer a reason to wish my death; you have lost the war. My death won't change that."
"No, but it will make me feel better," Nom Anor sneered. "I should have known a Jeedai could never be turned to the beliefs of the Yuuzhan Vong."
"The pretender accuses me of being one?" Jacen found an iota of humor in the situation, "That strikes me as hypocrisy. But then, you always were a pretender, a spreader of lies and half truths. What do you hope to gain here? An honorable death? You always thought of your own survival first."
"What do I care if these fools want to throw their lives away?" Nom Anor told him harshly. "Our race is dying thanks to your meddling, Jacen Solo, are you proud of yourself? Is that traitor Vergere proud of her accomplishments?"
"Vergere is dead."
Nom Anor's eyes flashed for a moment. "I hope it was in disgrace."
Jacen's smile was faint. "She rammed a planet to save me and my sister. The instant decompression killed hundreds of Yuuzhan Vong. I'd say she went out with a bang."
Nom Anor's eyes hardened. "What do you want, Jeedai?"
"I want your group to pull back from the Well of the World Brain. I want you to stop you destruction of the land - you're only hurting yourselves. The more you destroy, the less likely your chances of survival. You have a chance to build something new for yourselves, Nom Anor, a world where the warriors and shapers don't hold sway."
The Yuuzhan Vong laughed sharply. "We are trying, Solo, but they are strong. Trained. The last thousand hold the perimeter around the well of the World Brain and destroy anything around it. It is they who are trying to poison the World Brain - but they can't get in. Fanatics can be easy to manipulate, but dying without honor..." he shook his head in disgust. "They are fools."
"I see we agree. I offer my services to you," Jacen told him, fighting back the bad taste in his mouth. "How can I help?"
Nom Anor stared at him as if he'd just sprouted wings and Jacen took some satisfaction in having surprised and shocked the diplomat. "Why would you help us?"
Jacen met the Executor's gaze squarely. "I have been connected to this world since before its formation. What affects it, affects me. Your people are resourceful, Shamed ones and slaves alike. You no longer need the caste distinction; each group has something unique to bring to this world. By working together you have the ability to keep Yuuzhan'tar healthy and prosperous, but by dividing your forces there is no future. The Yuuzhan Vong are being forced to adapt and you're fighting it. If you don't adapt, you race will surely die."
Nom Anor had never been accused of being a stupid man, but his dislike, his distrust, of Jacen Solo, made him leery of the human's offer and words. "I will think about it," he agreed reluctantly. "If the warriors aren't stopped soon, the shapers removed from the vicinity of the World Brain, I don't think your words will have much meaning. If they kill the World Brain, we're all dead anyway."
Jacen's expression was grim. "Leave the shapers to me. One way or another they will leave the World Brain in peace to do its job. One way or another, it has to end this night."
Nom Anor simply watched as Jacen Solo strode from his tent, his mind working ways to make this work in his favor. But Jacen Solo was a powerful and cunning adversary. His last encounter with him had ended badly and Nom Anor was no fool. He wouldn't fall into the trap of underestimating the Jedi a second time. For now he'd watch and wait to see what Jacen would do. If Jacen proved to be as good as his word, he'd think about siding with him but until then he'd remain neutral. Picking up his ooglith masquer, he carefully allowed it to slide back over his skin, once again cloaking him in his disguise as a powerful Shamed one. Jacen Solo would have to be watched.