From Scratch
Chapter 33
Tenel Ka slipped into the darkness surrounding the Yuuzhan Vong camp, little more than another shadow against the blackness of the plain. New growth was beginning to sprout as the World Brain was given a respite from the Shaper's efforts to reach it. That, however, would not last long and the final battle for the World Brain had yet to be fought.
She didn't let it concern her as she circled the encampment of the former slaves and Shamed Ones. Few sentries patrolled the area, secure in the knowledge that the remaining warriors wouldn't attack them this night. However, that could soon change. If they failed to retrieve Vola and Jacen failed in his mission, the warriors would descend like silent death. Many would die and that was unacceptable. Jacen would succeed, Vola would be rescued and the World Brain would not be harmed. In Tenel Ka's mind there were no other acceptable outcomes.
She continued around the perimeter, waiting patiently for her quarry to show himself. Nom Anor would not escape, not this time. He'd caused too many atrocities, too much trouble, he could not be allowed to go free.
Carefully schooling her mind, she ignored the dank, dirty smells and strange sounds that were beginning to penetrate the night. She couldn't let them distract her. There would be no escape because she was distracted.
She prowled the area like a hunting cat, silent and swift despite her injury, alert to each nuance of her surroundings. She was ready when, as the moon was getting set to rise, the trio of shadowy figures detached themselves from the sleeping camp and headed into the barren area. The movements were slight, carefully, but she wasn't fooled. She crept low, keeping down as the figures headed towards the vegetation a distance away.
The moon began to rise, casting its faint light across the dark plain and causing her prey to crouch even lower. She stopped as the trio spread out, the middle one continuing towards the vegetation, the other two looking back, as if searching for something. Her, she realized. Nom Anor was expecting to be followed.
She held still until the sentries seemed satisfied there weren't being followed and then rose to her feet and sprinted towards the nearest one. Blackened by the ground she'd been so close to, she looked like the shadows she attempted to blend with. The knife in her boot came out, flashing once in the darkness, and the first of the two sentries fell without a sound.
He'd never known she was there. She took his place, inching forward as the other sentry turned to look at her. She flashed an "alright" signal, and continued forward, the other sentry doing the same. She waited until the shadows of the vegetation were long enough to cover her movements before calling on the Force to speed her movements. The second sentry went down without a sound, her knife drawing blood for the second time that night.
She wiped it on his clothing before her gaze searched the darkness for the third party. Nom Anor would be picking up Vola very shortly, not being stupid enough to leave her too far into the forest. He knew the dangers inherent in the Yuuzhan Vong vegetation and wouldn't want to risk his prize.
Creeping forward, she was careful to advance slowly. The deaths of the sentries didn't weigh on her mind; they'd been obstructing her goal, combatants in a contest she couldn't afford to lose. They wouldn't be missed. She didn't give them another thought as she stopped, carefully scanning the vegetation.
There. A few feet away there was a movement as someone began tearing up the earth around one of the larger trees, the vines and foliage being tossed to the side haphazardly. This was a hiding spot that was no longer to be used, then. She waited until the figure disappears inside and carefully calmed herself.
She needed to be certain this is where he'd hidden Vola. Only then could she attack.
The figure appeared after long minutes, a kicking, squirming bundle over one shoulder, curses in common and Yuuzhan Vong coming from the captive. The voice was familiar, though the tone had only be heard once, and that had been directed at Jacen.
Tenel Ka's eyes narrowed and she fingered Anakin's lightsaber. Vola was in that sack and, if things went as she planned, Vola would be free very, very shortly. Shadowing Nom Anor again, she was careful to make no sound as he headed along the edge of the vegetation, careful to keep out of sight.
A rise appeared ahead and Tenel Ka began forming her plan of action. The place for the coming fight would be her own choosing, a place where she would hold all the cards, except Vola's safety. And that one would come almost immediately. Carefully, she faded back into the forest and made her way around Nom Anor, planning the ambush as she moved.
Even before she cleared the rise, the small clearing illuminated by moonlight she knew what she was going to do. And Nom Anor would never see it coming.
Jacen's gaze focused back on Flynn as he pulled out of the powers he'd been forced to contact. The World Brain's plea to him was not longer as frantic as before, though he still felt the need for action. There was danger still, until all of the Yuuzhan Vong Shapers were dead. He pushed the thought away before rising in a semi crouch. "Flynn."
Flynn almost jumped at the soft sound of Jacen's voice, and he turned to look. Pain lines were more prominent on Jacen's face now, lines that hadn't been there before. "You ok?"
Jacen nodded. "We all do things we don't like to," he said softly. "Come, keep low and trust me, to get down to that camp is going to take the Force. Can you stomach being lifted down?"
Flynn hesitated for a half second before he nodded once. "For Vola, anything."
Jacen's smile was faint. He knew that sentiment; he'd felt it himself when dealing with his wife and her tendencies. Like capture or understatement. "Good. Now this will feel a little weird, once you're on the ground, stay perfectly still until I join you. Understand?"
"Yeah."
Jacen gave him no warning, simply lifted his hand, causing the other man to rise in the air. Flynn held absolutely still as Jacen lifted him over the side of the rise and down the wall. He was little more than a speck of black against dark stone, nearly invisible to those below. So long as they didn't look up. His heart jumped into his throat as Jacen's grip on him seemed to loosen for a half second before reasserting itself. He swallowed hard.
Falling from this height would kill him and Flynn had no desire to be a bloody pool of gore. He only hoped Jacen would be strong enough to see this through.
Without further incident, the longest moments of his life ended as his feet gently touched the ground, and Flynn crouched, staying behind the building where Jacen had set him down. He didn't have long to wait before Jacen joined him, the Jedi stumbling slightly, going down on one knee when he landed.
"You ok, man?"
Jacen's gaze met Flynn's. "Does it matter? We have to do this, fit or not. Come on."
Flynn followed the Jedi into the shadows, an uneasy feeling slipping down his spine. Jacen was weary, but determined, and Flynn was afraid the Jedi's reserves would soon be exhausted. If that happened, how were they going to get out of here? He pushed the thought away, focusing instead on Vola. Finding her was the first priority. Getting away without being seen would come later, and, by that time, the Yuuzhan Vong would either be a problem or they wouldn't. He would simply have to wait and see.
Nom Anor's steps were sure; he'd walked this path many times in the last years, his stride nothing short of determined. He wanted off this rock, but that was impossible. Impossible because of his followers, impossible because of the shapers and impossible because of his captive. No ship would allow her entry, no ship would allow him to pilot it.
His face took on a dark expression as he climbed the rise towards the familiar clearing. He was half way there and yet this plan was looking worse with each step. The Yuuzhan Vong were broken as a power, his influence limited to the former slaves and Shamed Ones, not the empire he'd desired, but an empire none the less. Perhaps with his influence he could inspire them to become more. Taking the form of a Shamed One left a sour taste in his mouth, but he'd do what was necessary, he always had.
He crested the rise and stepped into the clearing, checking back over his shoulder to make sure the two slaves he'd brought with his were no longer following. He couldn't make out their forms and nodded, carefully scanning the area. At least they'd listened - he wouldn't have to kill them now. He checked the area again, just to be sure there were no dangers, before stopping and placing the squirming bundle on the ground.
Or rather, attempted to. The sack, its contents dropping, stayed in the air and he spun in time to receive a kick to the face, his head snapping back painfully. He went with it, rolling backwards and falling to the ground with a groan. The violet blade of a lightsaber illuminated the area with the trademark snap-hiss and he froze.
"Jedi," he commented, his gaze trying to see beyond the illumination of the blade. He recognized the color of the blade as the same one the fool Ganner had used. At least, it was the same color. Try as he might he couldn't focus beyond the blade as its wielder stepped forward, backlit by moonlight, caught between two light sources, and now between him and his prize.
He reached up to rub the edge of his jaw. Whatever else, that kick had hurt. "Something I can help you with?"
"You have nothing I want."
Nom Anor's eyes would have widened if he'd lacked the training of an intelligence agent. Tenel Ka, Queen Mother of Hapes, had come after him. This then, was Jacen's warrior wife, She of Flame, which Vola had spoken of. Interesting.
He carefully inched back, but she kept with him, her blade always between them, her body between him and Vola. "Then, perhaps you have something I want," offered Nom Anor, trying to move his head into position to allow the creature in his skull a chance to attack.
Either she knew of it, or simply had no desire to see his face, as she gave him no openings. "And what will you bargain with?" she asked, her voice cool, controlled. "Your life?"
"If that is all your majesty requires." Came the smooth reply.
He lunged for her ankles, reeling back as her blade swept down into his path, her foot lashing out to catch him in the nose. He rolled, managing to gain his feet as he inched closer to the foliage. Once in the plants, he could hide until she gave up looking for him.
A sudden gap in the moon and lightsaber had him reconsidering as he finally saw her eyes. Pools of gray ice stared at him, their surfaces impassive but for the tightness around them. She wouldn't give up looking for him until he was dead. He backed up a little more before reaching into his robes and pulling out the amphistaff that was curled around his waist. He didn't want to have to fight, but Tenel Ka, warrior Queen, wouldn't give him another choice.
Tenel Ka watched as Nom Anor pulled the amphistaff from under his robes and waited until he was armed. Good, now he was no longer a target, but an enemy she could kill without remorse. Armed, he was now a threat greater than before. She allowed him the first strike, parrying with Anakin's blade before dropping into a defensive stance. She would allow him to tire some before taking him down; he didn't deserve a warrior's death.
The fight was short, Nom Anor coming in high to strike, using the amphistaff like a whip one second and a spear the next. He fought as he'd seen the warriors fight, but could not get through her defenses. She parried high, knocking the staff away before kicking out.
She caught a knee cap, then the ankle, as each time she turned aside a stroke meant to kill, she lashed out with other weapons; knee, foot and elbow. She wouldn't kill him quickly; he didn't deserve it.
A sound of tearing cloth behind her caught her attention, but didn't divert it, as Vola finally clawed her way free of her prison, a Yuuzhan Vong curse splitting the air. "Stay down, Vola." Tenel Ka advised, lashing out at Nom Anor before spinning away from his attempted counter strike.
"She of Flame?"
Tenel Ka nodded once. "It is I. Do not interfere."
Vola's exotic purple-gold eyes took in the fight she'd interrupted and she stepped back. "Not on your life."
Tenel Ka faced Nom Anor squarely. "Do you wish to try bargaining for your life?"
"Would it do me any good," he countered. "It's obviously the only... argh!"
Her lightsaber swept in as he spoke, taking his hand off at the shoulder and looping back to cut deep into his abdomen. He crumpled, folding over like a broken doll as the wound threatened to spill his insides on the ground. Tenel Ka stepped back. "You are finished." She said flatly before turning her lightsaber off with a flick of her finger.
He swore at her in three languages before looking at his shoulder, his good hand clutching his stomach to keep himself together. "Know you nothing?" He demanded, his eyes flashing as she stepped away. "I will rise again, the more you push me down, the further I will rise. I am the new way of the Yuuzhan Vong, their strength and purpose!"
"You are dead." She informed him calmly. She reached out, her hand whipping forward as the alloys of her blade caught the moonlight, before disappearing.
Nom Anor felt nothing beyond a sting of the impact, his throat closing, seeming to becoming clogged with fluid, and he could no longer speak.
Tenel Ka watched impassively as the Executor died, his blood soaking the ground beneath his body as he fell forward, the blade having opened his throat from ear to ear. She turned away, right into Vola's wide eyed, incredulous stare. "He will no longer harm anyone," Tenel Ka told the younger woman without emotion. "Come, Flynn will be looking for you. He was most distraught with your disappearance."
Vola turned to follow the Jedi, but she couldn't help but look back at the body of her captor. Tenel Ka had toyed with him, played until he was vulnerable, and then killed him. If she would do that to a person who crossed her... Vola shuddered. Hopefully she'd never have to see that side of the warrior woman again. It was too disconcerting.
Jacen felt Tenel Ka's self satisfaction as if it was his own, and he smiled. She'd accomplished her task and rescued Vola. Now it was his turn. He glanced back at Flynn, knowing that he was about to place the younger man's life in danger, but not having much choice at this point. By entering the Yuuzhan Vong encampment, they'd committed themselves to this course of action. There was no turning back now.
"Flynn."
Flynn's head jerked towards Jacen and he crept towards where Jacen was crouched. "Yeah?" his voice was barely audible.
"I'm going into this tent. You can't help me, not with this. Be ready to retreat when I come out, alright?"
"But..."
Jacen shook his head. "No Flynn. It's too dangerous, I need you to stay here and watch my back."
Flynn was quiet for a long minute. "You'll save her."
Jacen nodded.
"Bring her back to me man, or I'm coming in there after you."
Jacen's smile was faint. "You'll see her sooner than you think. Thanks." He slipped away, heading towards the main entrance of the hut before ducking inside.
Flynn put his back against the wall and controlled his breathing, looking for any immediate dangers that might give away their location or plans. He couldn't find anything, but didn't relax his vigilance. If something happened, Vola could die, and he couldn't let that happen.
Jacen stopped inside the doorway of the tent, his eyes adjusting quickly to the interior lighting, as he stared in surprise at the glowing [i]thing[/i] in front of him. "Vergere?" he almost took a step forward but checked himself, taking the time to look around just in time to receive a stinging slap to the side of his head.
He went down, rolling before coming to his feet and facing his attacker.
The remaining shaper stood in front of him, guarding the cocoon-like object that had first captured Jacen's attention. Whatever they were doing, Jacen knew that it wasn't good.
"You yell, you die." He told the shaper softly, his lightsaber in hand.
The shaper sneered at him. "I'm dead regardless, [i]Jeedai[/i], your threats are useless."
"Then your abomination dies," Jacen told him with a faint, grim smile. "You're the last shaper, the last threat to the World Brain. Why are you attacking it."
"Attacking?" The shaper looked genuinely surprised. "We are trying to regain control over it to help."
Jacen chuckled without humor. "You couldn't control it as a baby, you can't control it now. The World Brain is what I helped it to become. I made it question the edicts of your race. You can't regain control over conscious thought."
"We must try."
"You're dying, shaper, your race would long be dead if many of my species had its way, but I believe there is something to save. You and the warriors are the last road blocks between your race living in harmony with this galaxy. Once you're gone, the warriors will fight amongst themselves for power and the World Brain will again be safe." He stepped towards the shaper. "I don't believe they will be following your Gods when you are gone."
"They will." The shaper's eyes flashed, "Or they will suffer. They know this - it has been proven!"
"By your engineering." Jacen stepped towards him again. "They fear the repercussion of the shapers, not the Gods, and with you gone, they will find their own path."
"They will all die!"
Jacen lunged at the Shaper, missing deliberately and slicing into the sac behind him, destroying the contents with a single blow and sending fluids gushing around the shocked shaper. "No. They are already dead; as are you."
The shaper opened his mouth to scream, but no sound emerged as Jacen swiftly silenced him. The rest of the tent was empty, though now soaked. His job finished, he stepped to the side of the tent he'd left Flynn on and sliced through the wall.
Flynn jumped as Jacen emerged and looked at him shocked. "Man!" he whispered shocked.
Jacen looked as if he'd aged fifty years as he stepped through to Flynn's side. "The shapers are dead, Tenel Ka has rescued Vola; she was not in this camp. Come on, Flynn, we have to get out of here before his death rouses the guard."
Flynn's jaw dropped before the anger took over. Jacen's hand slammed down hard on the younger man's mouth before the angry tirade could begin. His brown eyes met Flynn's flashing orbs and Jacen smiled grimly. "You can yell at me when we find our women and after we get out of here with our lives. Until then, if you want to see Vola alive, follow me, stay quiet, and [i]do not[/i] give into your anger. Do you understand?"
Flynn nodded jerkily, his eyes promising retribution, as Jacen slowly let him go. He smacked Jacen's hand away with a violent motion, obviously not pleased with what had just been revealed to him.
Jacen nodded his head back the way they came, and started off, knowing Flynn would follow simply because he had no other choice. Tired as he was, Jacen knew they were entering the most dangerous part of their journey. The part where he would need to be at his best, and he knew they were in serious jeopardy if they were discovered. Pushing the thoughts away, he continued towards their exit point, carefully planning their escape as he did.
If he failed now, they would all lose. Vola and Tenel Ka would come looking for them and walk right to their deaths. He couldn't, wouldn't, let that happen.
Tenel Ka could feel Jacen's presence beginning to falter in the Force, and concern for his welfare, and Flynn's, crept into her confidence. Jacen had been at near exhaustion when they'd set out to the shaper's camp; now he was beyond it.
Tenel Ka looked at Vola as they exited the vegetation and stopped. The camp was a small speck in the distance, only the camp fires giving away its location. "We cannot return to the camp."
Vola almost jumped. "Why?"
Tenel Ka's gaze went to the mountain of rock where the Well of the World Brain was buried. "Jacen and Flynn need our assistance. Are you able to assist me?"
Vola nodded. "I'm bruised; not broken."
"Good. Follow me and do as I stay. This will not be easy."
Vola didn't say anything, simply stepped behind Tenel Ka and took up a rear guard position. Whatever Flynn and Jacen needed, she and Tenel Ka would provide. Vola only hoped that they hadn't come this far too simply be killed when victory was within their grasp. That would be the cruelest irony of all.
They almost made it. As Flynn was crossing to meet Jacen near the bottom of the World Brain rock slide, a hum filled the air that had Jacen's head swinging around in horror. Thud Bugs. "Down!" he barked, but Flynn was already hitting the ground and rolling behind the boulders.
Above them, they could hear the angry chatter of the Yuuzhan Vong, and Jacen knew that their handiwork with the shaper had been discovered. Sooner than planned; they needed more time to escape. He closed his eyes as the Thud Bugs slammed into the ground where Flynn had been a few moments earlier, sending dust and rocks into the air. He almost cursed, going over the options in his mind. They weren't many.
He looked in Flynn's direction and decided. "Stay down, Flynn." He stated calmly, stepping out of hiding and igniting his lightsaber as the next set of Thud Bugs came whirling in. "Hold your fire!" he called to the Yuuzhan Vong warriors, using their language in some of the only words he knew.
"[i]Jeedai[/i]!" the hiss came from above, echoed by several warriors.
"What do you have to say before we kill you, [i]Jeedai[/i]?" came the question from the obvious leader.
Jacen placed his saber in a defensive stance. "The Shapers are gone, and so are your gods. You have a chance to begin anew without their influence. A chance, a possibility of becoming a part of a bigger universe."
"Your universe will not accept us, even without Shapers," spat the leader, a large disfigured male whose eyes flashed red in the moonlight.
"I never said it would be easy," Jacen countered, "I said it was possible."
"We are warriors, they are not. They do not deserve to be in the same space as us."
Jacen lifted his blade in challenge. "Then perhaps your successor will be willing to negotiate for the betterment of your race. I challenge you to single combat. A chance for an honorable death to gods who no longer listen or exist."
The Warrior held his amphistaff aloft in acceptance. "When your blood soaks the ground where you stand, we will see who is the greater species; who has the greater gods!"
Jacen positioned himself in a fighter's stance as the Warrior made his way down to where he was standing. There was a ring of boulders surrounding Jacen, no more than ten by ten, but enough for their combat. Enough for Jacen, who didn't have the energy for a long, drawn out fight.
Their weapons clashed as the Warrior entered the impromptu ring and attacked without notice. Jacen felt the strength behind the blow, attempted to counter, but felt his arms begin to shake. Force or not, he was exhausted and his only chance would be in not matching this brute in strength. Rested, it might have been possible, but weakened as he was, there was a very real danger of being overpowered.
They crossed blades again, Jacen deflecting the blow, rather than accepting it head on this time. He saw the Warrior's eyes flash with sudden knowledge and spun away as the bigger alien lashed out with his weapon again. He combined a series of blows that would surely have sent Jacen to his knees if he'd tried to parry them.
Jacen ducked, dodging out of the way for the next several minutes, working his way around the circle and getting to know the lay out of the rocks. That might have been his only advantage, except one. And honorable combat didn't allow for Jacen to turn the alien's weapon against him. His own conscience wouldn't allow it. Blocking another blow that came dangerously close to his face, Jacen knew he might have to consider the possibility eventually; he couldn't dodge forever.
Even as Jacen parried and side stepped, he knew he wouldn't have to. Help was on the way and he simply had to hold out until they arrived. He smiled grimly and locked both hands around the hilt of his weapon. He didn't intend to wait for that long.
Flynn watched the battle fascinated. The warrior outmatched Jacen, simply for sheer size and strength. At least, at the moment. Even as he watched, Jacen changed tactics, launching a brilliant counter attack on the Warrior that caught him flat footed. The lightsaber slid in, sliding off the armor and into the crevice under the shoulder as the Warrior attempted to block high.
Jacen drew first blood, however the amphistaff curled, turning supple, and snapped at his face. He retreated, having only inflicted a minor wound, but one that would help even the battlefield.
The Warrior snarled, using his weapon as a whip and catching Jacen off guard, the fangs of the amphistaff racking him across the cheek. He felt the sting, the sudden surge of his blood as the poison entered his system. He leapt back, using the Force to assist him in blocking the spreading of the fluid and forcing it out of his cheek.
But the Force failed him. As he landed, he faltered, feeling his vision beginning to swim, his knees buckling under him as he couldn't keep his own weight up. He lifted his head, reaching out to the amphistaff in desperation as the Warrior closed on him. The amphistaff reacted, reaching back and biting the warrior even as Jacen's vision clouded and began to fade to black.
Chapter 33
Tenel Ka slipped into the darkness surrounding the Yuuzhan Vong camp, little more than another shadow against the blackness of the plain. New growth was beginning to sprout as the World Brain was given a respite from the Shaper's efforts to reach it. That, however, would not last long and the final battle for the World Brain had yet to be fought.
She didn't let it concern her as she circled the encampment of the former slaves and Shamed Ones. Few sentries patrolled the area, secure in the knowledge that the remaining warriors wouldn't attack them this night. However, that could soon change. If they failed to retrieve Vola and Jacen failed in his mission, the warriors would descend like silent death. Many would die and that was unacceptable. Jacen would succeed, Vola would be rescued and the World Brain would not be harmed. In Tenel Ka's mind there were no other acceptable outcomes.
She continued around the perimeter, waiting patiently for her quarry to show himself. Nom Anor would not escape, not this time. He'd caused too many atrocities, too much trouble, he could not be allowed to go free.
Carefully schooling her mind, she ignored the dank, dirty smells and strange sounds that were beginning to penetrate the night. She couldn't let them distract her. There would be no escape because she was distracted.
She prowled the area like a hunting cat, silent and swift despite her injury, alert to each nuance of her surroundings. She was ready when, as the moon was getting set to rise, the trio of shadowy figures detached themselves from the sleeping camp and headed into the barren area. The movements were slight, carefully, but she wasn't fooled. She crept low, keeping down as the figures headed towards the vegetation a distance away.
The moon began to rise, casting its faint light across the dark plain and causing her prey to crouch even lower. She stopped as the trio spread out, the middle one continuing towards the vegetation, the other two looking back, as if searching for something. Her, she realized. Nom Anor was expecting to be followed.
She held still until the sentries seemed satisfied there weren't being followed and then rose to her feet and sprinted towards the nearest one. Blackened by the ground she'd been so close to, she looked like the shadows she attempted to blend with. The knife in her boot came out, flashing once in the darkness, and the first of the two sentries fell without a sound.
He'd never known she was there. She took his place, inching forward as the other sentry turned to look at her. She flashed an "alright" signal, and continued forward, the other sentry doing the same. She waited until the shadows of the vegetation were long enough to cover her movements before calling on the Force to speed her movements. The second sentry went down without a sound, her knife drawing blood for the second time that night.
She wiped it on his clothing before her gaze searched the darkness for the third party. Nom Anor would be picking up Vola very shortly, not being stupid enough to leave her too far into the forest. He knew the dangers inherent in the Yuuzhan Vong vegetation and wouldn't want to risk his prize.
Creeping forward, she was careful to advance slowly. The deaths of the sentries didn't weigh on her mind; they'd been obstructing her goal, combatants in a contest she couldn't afford to lose. They wouldn't be missed. She didn't give them another thought as she stopped, carefully scanning the vegetation.
There. A few feet away there was a movement as someone began tearing up the earth around one of the larger trees, the vines and foliage being tossed to the side haphazardly. This was a hiding spot that was no longer to be used, then. She waited until the figure disappears inside and carefully calmed herself.
She needed to be certain this is where he'd hidden Vola. Only then could she attack.
The figure appeared after long minutes, a kicking, squirming bundle over one shoulder, curses in common and Yuuzhan Vong coming from the captive. The voice was familiar, though the tone had only be heard once, and that had been directed at Jacen.
Tenel Ka's eyes narrowed and she fingered Anakin's lightsaber. Vola was in that sack and, if things went as she planned, Vola would be free very, very shortly. Shadowing Nom Anor again, she was careful to make no sound as he headed along the edge of the vegetation, careful to keep out of sight.
A rise appeared ahead and Tenel Ka began forming her plan of action. The place for the coming fight would be her own choosing, a place where she would hold all the cards, except Vola's safety. And that one would come almost immediately. Carefully, she faded back into the forest and made her way around Nom Anor, planning the ambush as she moved.
Even before she cleared the rise, the small clearing illuminated by moonlight she knew what she was going to do. And Nom Anor would never see it coming.
Jacen's gaze focused back on Flynn as he pulled out of the powers he'd been forced to contact. The World Brain's plea to him was not longer as frantic as before, though he still felt the need for action. There was danger still, until all of the Yuuzhan Vong Shapers were dead. He pushed the thought away before rising in a semi crouch. "Flynn."
Flynn almost jumped at the soft sound of Jacen's voice, and he turned to look. Pain lines were more prominent on Jacen's face now, lines that hadn't been there before. "You ok?"
Jacen nodded. "We all do things we don't like to," he said softly. "Come, keep low and trust me, to get down to that camp is going to take the Force. Can you stomach being lifted down?"
Flynn hesitated for a half second before he nodded once. "For Vola, anything."
Jacen's smile was faint. He knew that sentiment; he'd felt it himself when dealing with his wife and her tendencies. Like capture or understatement. "Good. Now this will feel a little weird, once you're on the ground, stay perfectly still until I join you. Understand?"
"Yeah."
Jacen gave him no warning, simply lifted his hand, causing the other man to rise in the air. Flynn held absolutely still as Jacen lifted him over the side of the rise and down the wall. He was little more than a speck of black against dark stone, nearly invisible to those below. So long as they didn't look up. His heart jumped into his throat as Jacen's grip on him seemed to loosen for a half second before reasserting itself. He swallowed hard.
Falling from this height would kill him and Flynn had no desire to be a bloody pool of gore. He only hoped Jacen would be strong enough to see this through.
Without further incident, the longest moments of his life ended as his feet gently touched the ground, and Flynn crouched, staying behind the building where Jacen had set him down. He didn't have long to wait before Jacen joined him, the Jedi stumbling slightly, going down on one knee when he landed.
"You ok, man?"
Jacen's gaze met Flynn's. "Does it matter? We have to do this, fit or not. Come on."
Flynn followed the Jedi into the shadows, an uneasy feeling slipping down his spine. Jacen was weary, but determined, and Flynn was afraid the Jedi's reserves would soon be exhausted. If that happened, how were they going to get out of here? He pushed the thought away, focusing instead on Vola. Finding her was the first priority. Getting away without being seen would come later, and, by that time, the Yuuzhan Vong would either be a problem or they wouldn't. He would simply have to wait and see.
Nom Anor's steps were sure; he'd walked this path many times in the last years, his stride nothing short of determined. He wanted off this rock, but that was impossible. Impossible because of his followers, impossible because of the shapers and impossible because of his captive. No ship would allow her entry, no ship would allow him to pilot it.
His face took on a dark expression as he climbed the rise towards the familiar clearing. He was half way there and yet this plan was looking worse with each step. The Yuuzhan Vong were broken as a power, his influence limited to the former slaves and Shamed Ones, not the empire he'd desired, but an empire none the less. Perhaps with his influence he could inspire them to become more. Taking the form of a Shamed One left a sour taste in his mouth, but he'd do what was necessary, he always had.
He crested the rise and stepped into the clearing, checking back over his shoulder to make sure the two slaves he'd brought with his were no longer following. He couldn't make out their forms and nodded, carefully scanning the area. At least they'd listened - he wouldn't have to kill them now. He checked the area again, just to be sure there were no dangers, before stopping and placing the squirming bundle on the ground.
Or rather, attempted to. The sack, its contents dropping, stayed in the air and he spun in time to receive a kick to the face, his head snapping back painfully. He went with it, rolling backwards and falling to the ground with a groan. The violet blade of a lightsaber illuminated the area with the trademark snap-hiss and he froze.
"Jedi," he commented, his gaze trying to see beyond the illumination of the blade. He recognized the color of the blade as the same one the fool Ganner had used. At least, it was the same color. Try as he might he couldn't focus beyond the blade as its wielder stepped forward, backlit by moonlight, caught between two light sources, and now between him and his prize.
He reached up to rub the edge of his jaw. Whatever else, that kick had hurt. "Something I can help you with?"
"You have nothing I want."
Nom Anor's eyes would have widened if he'd lacked the training of an intelligence agent. Tenel Ka, Queen Mother of Hapes, had come after him. This then, was Jacen's warrior wife, She of Flame, which Vola had spoken of. Interesting.
He carefully inched back, but she kept with him, her blade always between them, her body between him and Vola. "Then, perhaps you have something I want," offered Nom Anor, trying to move his head into position to allow the creature in his skull a chance to attack.
Either she knew of it, or simply had no desire to see his face, as she gave him no openings. "And what will you bargain with?" she asked, her voice cool, controlled. "Your life?"
"If that is all your majesty requires." Came the smooth reply.
He lunged for her ankles, reeling back as her blade swept down into his path, her foot lashing out to catch him in the nose. He rolled, managing to gain his feet as he inched closer to the foliage. Once in the plants, he could hide until she gave up looking for him.
A sudden gap in the moon and lightsaber had him reconsidering as he finally saw her eyes. Pools of gray ice stared at him, their surfaces impassive but for the tightness around them. She wouldn't give up looking for him until he was dead. He backed up a little more before reaching into his robes and pulling out the amphistaff that was curled around his waist. He didn't want to have to fight, but Tenel Ka, warrior Queen, wouldn't give him another choice.
Tenel Ka watched as Nom Anor pulled the amphistaff from under his robes and waited until he was armed. Good, now he was no longer a target, but an enemy she could kill without remorse. Armed, he was now a threat greater than before. She allowed him the first strike, parrying with Anakin's blade before dropping into a defensive stance. She would allow him to tire some before taking him down; he didn't deserve a warrior's death.
The fight was short, Nom Anor coming in high to strike, using the amphistaff like a whip one second and a spear the next. He fought as he'd seen the warriors fight, but could not get through her defenses. She parried high, knocking the staff away before kicking out.
She caught a knee cap, then the ankle, as each time she turned aside a stroke meant to kill, she lashed out with other weapons; knee, foot and elbow. She wouldn't kill him quickly; he didn't deserve it.
A sound of tearing cloth behind her caught her attention, but didn't divert it, as Vola finally clawed her way free of her prison, a Yuuzhan Vong curse splitting the air. "Stay down, Vola." Tenel Ka advised, lashing out at Nom Anor before spinning away from his attempted counter strike.
"She of Flame?"
Tenel Ka nodded once. "It is I. Do not interfere."
Vola's exotic purple-gold eyes took in the fight she'd interrupted and she stepped back. "Not on your life."
Tenel Ka faced Nom Anor squarely. "Do you wish to try bargaining for your life?"
"Would it do me any good," he countered. "It's obviously the only... argh!"
Her lightsaber swept in as he spoke, taking his hand off at the shoulder and looping back to cut deep into his abdomen. He crumpled, folding over like a broken doll as the wound threatened to spill his insides on the ground. Tenel Ka stepped back. "You are finished." She said flatly before turning her lightsaber off with a flick of her finger.
He swore at her in three languages before looking at his shoulder, his good hand clutching his stomach to keep himself together. "Know you nothing?" He demanded, his eyes flashing as she stepped away. "I will rise again, the more you push me down, the further I will rise. I am the new way of the Yuuzhan Vong, their strength and purpose!"
"You are dead." She informed him calmly. She reached out, her hand whipping forward as the alloys of her blade caught the moonlight, before disappearing.
Nom Anor felt nothing beyond a sting of the impact, his throat closing, seeming to becoming clogged with fluid, and he could no longer speak.
Tenel Ka watched impassively as the Executor died, his blood soaking the ground beneath his body as he fell forward, the blade having opened his throat from ear to ear. She turned away, right into Vola's wide eyed, incredulous stare. "He will no longer harm anyone," Tenel Ka told the younger woman without emotion. "Come, Flynn will be looking for you. He was most distraught with your disappearance."
Vola turned to follow the Jedi, but she couldn't help but look back at the body of her captor. Tenel Ka had toyed with him, played until he was vulnerable, and then killed him. If she would do that to a person who crossed her... Vola shuddered. Hopefully she'd never have to see that side of the warrior woman again. It was too disconcerting.
Jacen felt Tenel Ka's self satisfaction as if it was his own, and he smiled. She'd accomplished her task and rescued Vola. Now it was his turn. He glanced back at Flynn, knowing that he was about to place the younger man's life in danger, but not having much choice at this point. By entering the Yuuzhan Vong encampment, they'd committed themselves to this course of action. There was no turning back now.
"Flynn."
Flynn's head jerked towards Jacen and he crept towards where Jacen was crouched. "Yeah?" his voice was barely audible.
"I'm going into this tent. You can't help me, not with this. Be ready to retreat when I come out, alright?"
"But..."
Jacen shook his head. "No Flynn. It's too dangerous, I need you to stay here and watch my back."
Flynn was quiet for a long minute. "You'll save her."
Jacen nodded.
"Bring her back to me man, or I'm coming in there after you."
Jacen's smile was faint. "You'll see her sooner than you think. Thanks." He slipped away, heading towards the main entrance of the hut before ducking inside.
Flynn put his back against the wall and controlled his breathing, looking for any immediate dangers that might give away their location or plans. He couldn't find anything, but didn't relax his vigilance. If something happened, Vola could die, and he couldn't let that happen.
Jacen stopped inside the doorway of the tent, his eyes adjusting quickly to the interior lighting, as he stared in surprise at the glowing [i]thing[/i] in front of him. "Vergere?" he almost took a step forward but checked himself, taking the time to look around just in time to receive a stinging slap to the side of his head.
He went down, rolling before coming to his feet and facing his attacker.
The remaining shaper stood in front of him, guarding the cocoon-like object that had first captured Jacen's attention. Whatever they were doing, Jacen knew that it wasn't good.
"You yell, you die." He told the shaper softly, his lightsaber in hand.
The shaper sneered at him. "I'm dead regardless, [i]Jeedai[/i], your threats are useless."
"Then your abomination dies," Jacen told him with a faint, grim smile. "You're the last shaper, the last threat to the World Brain. Why are you attacking it."
"Attacking?" The shaper looked genuinely surprised. "We are trying to regain control over it to help."
Jacen chuckled without humor. "You couldn't control it as a baby, you can't control it now. The World Brain is what I helped it to become. I made it question the edicts of your race. You can't regain control over conscious thought."
"We must try."
"You're dying, shaper, your race would long be dead if many of my species had its way, but I believe there is something to save. You and the warriors are the last road blocks between your race living in harmony with this galaxy. Once you're gone, the warriors will fight amongst themselves for power and the World Brain will again be safe." He stepped towards the shaper. "I don't believe they will be following your Gods when you are gone."
"They will." The shaper's eyes flashed, "Or they will suffer. They know this - it has been proven!"
"By your engineering." Jacen stepped towards him again. "They fear the repercussion of the shapers, not the Gods, and with you gone, they will find their own path."
"They will all die!"
Jacen lunged at the Shaper, missing deliberately and slicing into the sac behind him, destroying the contents with a single blow and sending fluids gushing around the shocked shaper. "No. They are already dead; as are you."
The shaper opened his mouth to scream, but no sound emerged as Jacen swiftly silenced him. The rest of the tent was empty, though now soaked. His job finished, he stepped to the side of the tent he'd left Flynn on and sliced through the wall.
Flynn jumped as Jacen emerged and looked at him shocked. "Man!" he whispered shocked.
Jacen looked as if he'd aged fifty years as he stepped through to Flynn's side. "The shapers are dead, Tenel Ka has rescued Vola; she was not in this camp. Come on, Flynn, we have to get out of here before his death rouses the guard."
Flynn's jaw dropped before the anger took over. Jacen's hand slammed down hard on the younger man's mouth before the angry tirade could begin. His brown eyes met Flynn's flashing orbs and Jacen smiled grimly. "You can yell at me when we find our women and after we get out of here with our lives. Until then, if you want to see Vola alive, follow me, stay quiet, and [i]do not[/i] give into your anger. Do you understand?"
Flynn nodded jerkily, his eyes promising retribution, as Jacen slowly let him go. He smacked Jacen's hand away with a violent motion, obviously not pleased with what had just been revealed to him.
Jacen nodded his head back the way they came, and started off, knowing Flynn would follow simply because he had no other choice. Tired as he was, Jacen knew they were entering the most dangerous part of their journey. The part where he would need to be at his best, and he knew they were in serious jeopardy if they were discovered. Pushing the thoughts away, he continued towards their exit point, carefully planning their escape as he did.
If he failed now, they would all lose. Vola and Tenel Ka would come looking for them and walk right to their deaths. He couldn't, wouldn't, let that happen.
Tenel Ka could feel Jacen's presence beginning to falter in the Force, and concern for his welfare, and Flynn's, crept into her confidence. Jacen had been at near exhaustion when they'd set out to the shaper's camp; now he was beyond it.
Tenel Ka looked at Vola as they exited the vegetation and stopped. The camp was a small speck in the distance, only the camp fires giving away its location. "We cannot return to the camp."
Vola almost jumped. "Why?"
Tenel Ka's gaze went to the mountain of rock where the Well of the World Brain was buried. "Jacen and Flynn need our assistance. Are you able to assist me?"
Vola nodded. "I'm bruised; not broken."
"Good. Follow me and do as I stay. This will not be easy."
Vola didn't say anything, simply stepped behind Tenel Ka and took up a rear guard position. Whatever Flynn and Jacen needed, she and Tenel Ka would provide. Vola only hoped that they hadn't come this far too simply be killed when victory was within their grasp. That would be the cruelest irony of all.
They almost made it. As Flynn was crossing to meet Jacen near the bottom of the World Brain rock slide, a hum filled the air that had Jacen's head swinging around in horror. Thud Bugs. "Down!" he barked, but Flynn was already hitting the ground and rolling behind the boulders.
Above them, they could hear the angry chatter of the Yuuzhan Vong, and Jacen knew that their handiwork with the shaper had been discovered. Sooner than planned; they needed more time to escape. He closed his eyes as the Thud Bugs slammed into the ground where Flynn had been a few moments earlier, sending dust and rocks into the air. He almost cursed, going over the options in his mind. They weren't many.
He looked in Flynn's direction and decided. "Stay down, Flynn." He stated calmly, stepping out of hiding and igniting his lightsaber as the next set of Thud Bugs came whirling in. "Hold your fire!" he called to the Yuuzhan Vong warriors, using their language in some of the only words he knew.
"[i]Jeedai[/i]!" the hiss came from above, echoed by several warriors.
"What do you have to say before we kill you, [i]Jeedai[/i]?" came the question from the obvious leader.
Jacen placed his saber in a defensive stance. "The Shapers are gone, and so are your gods. You have a chance to begin anew without their influence. A chance, a possibility of becoming a part of a bigger universe."
"Your universe will not accept us, even without Shapers," spat the leader, a large disfigured male whose eyes flashed red in the moonlight.
"I never said it would be easy," Jacen countered, "I said it was possible."
"We are warriors, they are not. They do not deserve to be in the same space as us."
Jacen lifted his blade in challenge. "Then perhaps your successor will be willing to negotiate for the betterment of your race. I challenge you to single combat. A chance for an honorable death to gods who no longer listen or exist."
The Warrior held his amphistaff aloft in acceptance. "When your blood soaks the ground where you stand, we will see who is the greater species; who has the greater gods!"
Jacen positioned himself in a fighter's stance as the Warrior made his way down to where he was standing. There was a ring of boulders surrounding Jacen, no more than ten by ten, but enough for their combat. Enough for Jacen, who didn't have the energy for a long, drawn out fight.
Their weapons clashed as the Warrior entered the impromptu ring and attacked without notice. Jacen felt the strength behind the blow, attempted to counter, but felt his arms begin to shake. Force or not, he was exhausted and his only chance would be in not matching this brute in strength. Rested, it might have been possible, but weakened as he was, there was a very real danger of being overpowered.
They crossed blades again, Jacen deflecting the blow, rather than accepting it head on this time. He saw the Warrior's eyes flash with sudden knowledge and spun away as the bigger alien lashed out with his weapon again. He combined a series of blows that would surely have sent Jacen to his knees if he'd tried to parry them.
Jacen ducked, dodging out of the way for the next several minutes, working his way around the circle and getting to know the lay out of the rocks. That might have been his only advantage, except one. And honorable combat didn't allow for Jacen to turn the alien's weapon against him. His own conscience wouldn't allow it. Blocking another blow that came dangerously close to his face, Jacen knew he might have to consider the possibility eventually; he couldn't dodge forever.
Even as Jacen parried and side stepped, he knew he wouldn't have to. Help was on the way and he simply had to hold out until they arrived. He smiled grimly and locked both hands around the hilt of his weapon. He didn't intend to wait for that long.
Flynn watched the battle fascinated. The warrior outmatched Jacen, simply for sheer size and strength. At least, at the moment. Even as he watched, Jacen changed tactics, launching a brilliant counter attack on the Warrior that caught him flat footed. The lightsaber slid in, sliding off the armor and into the crevice under the shoulder as the Warrior attempted to block high.
Jacen drew first blood, however the amphistaff curled, turning supple, and snapped at his face. He retreated, having only inflicted a minor wound, but one that would help even the battlefield.
The Warrior snarled, using his weapon as a whip and catching Jacen off guard, the fangs of the amphistaff racking him across the cheek. He felt the sting, the sudden surge of his blood as the poison entered his system. He leapt back, using the Force to assist him in blocking the spreading of the fluid and forcing it out of his cheek.
But the Force failed him. As he landed, he faltered, feeling his vision beginning to swim, his knees buckling under him as he couldn't keep his own weight up. He lifted his head, reaching out to the amphistaff in desperation as the Warrior closed on him. The amphistaff reacted, reaching back and biting the warrior even as Jacen's vision clouded and began to fade to black.