"Captain, we have the YT-1300 coming in at 087-134, range 130 klicks, speed sub-light .742, time to intercept 15 standard minutes." The sensor officer of the frigate Glory said to the very nervous acting captain, Lt. Kiven.

"Roger, navigation plot a intercept course," Kiven said as he watch the blip on his command screen. The Glory had just gotten out of dry-dock after a 6 day refit and re-supply and a badly need rest and relaxation for the crew. They had been in the thick of things for several weeks out in the Hutt space and were finally rotated back to Denon. Normally Kiven wouldn't even be on the bridge during any kind of alert, even though he was a command level officer; he was normally in command of the port side forward guns. However, a quark of fates had landed him in the hot seat tonight. This was his first watch as the Officer of the Deck, sure it was third shift while in port and with a skeleton crew, but it was a sure sign that he had impressed his superiors during this last tour of duty. He had figure that he would be spending the night just signing off on routine repairs and supplies loading but now he was one of three ships trying to stop a Yuuzhan Vong spy that the Jedi were interested in speaking with. "Comm, inform PDF of our course and speed, weapons we will target the YT-1300 with Ion guns first but make sure all the guns on the port side are ready. We want to force them to our starboard side so we can trap them between us and the other frigate."

"Sir PDF acknowledges our plan and wishes us good hunting."

"Roger, sensors what is the location of that corvette?"

"Sir, course plotted."

"Roger, send it to my screen for approval."

"Sir, corvette is approaching the bandit from his rear, he will be in firing range in 3 minutes."

"Roger, helm I'm sending you a course, execute at speed .75 light. Comm, I'm sending you the same course and speed. I need you to let the other frigate know our course and speed and have him parallel and match. Also, remind them that they are not to use full power on their port side just Ion guns. We want this guy alive and I don't want to give the captain back his ship all banged up." Kiven was worried about the other frigate, her acting captain was even greener then he was. "Also keep the corvette informed of our course and speed, he will need to know where to herd the target."

"Sir, weapons showing green."

"Roger, same thing I told the other frigate gunnery; Ion only on our starboard side."

"Yes sir, the crews understand."

"Roger, flight control how many fighters in the area?" Kiven wished his ship had fighters out there, it would make it easier to herd the target, but their squadrons were all dirt side while they were in port.

"Corvette is firing on the target," the sensor officer said.

"Sir, there are four from the corvette, and we have 18 coming dirt side. Estimating that we will be in range before most of them get here."

"Roger," Kiven looked at his senor board and watch the corvette expertly used his guns and fighters to move the target in the direction of his ship.

"2 minutes to range," the weapons officer called out.

"Roger, as soon as they get in range …"

"Sir, the fighters are accelerating toward the other frigate!"

"What are they doing? Comm contact the corvette and …"

"Sir, emergency call from Col. Solo, she has reason to believe the corvette is hostile."

As the communication officer was speaking both the corvette and the YT-1300 accelerated and open fired on their ship. The YT-1300 with its topside guns and the corvette with its bow guns and an ion gun it should not possess. Kiven felt the Glory rock from the fire hitting the shields. All around the bridge alarm bells began going off.

"Weapons target the corvette first, engineering boast power to the shield …"

"X-wing off the starboard side, its firing …"

Again the mighty ship rocked as the X-wing added its fire to the mix.

"REPORT!"

"Sir, shields down 18% starboard side."

"We lost Ion gun 3 and 5, turbo laser 9 and 11 are damage."

"Sir, the other frigate reporting damage from the other …" the sensor officer was cut off by another barrage from the X-wing as it danced around the starboard side. "They have substantial damage to their starboard side."

"Full speed, get us up and over that frigate," Kiven order as he watch the corvette and the YT-1300 slide behind the damaged frigate. "Navigation plot a course that is most likely the escape route and send it to the helm." Kiven then turned to the engineering station, "Get damage control to the shields and vital systems, and leave the damage guns alone for now."

"Torpedoes incoming!"

"Everyone brace …" the ship rocket violently as the torpedoes exploded on their starboard side. Anyone who was standing on the bridge was knocked to the deck. "Report!"

"Shields are down, we are rerouting controls now."

"Sir, those two torpedoes exploded prematurely or we would be in worst shape."

"Where is that X-wing?"

"Fleeing sir looks like it is trying to catch up with the two targets."

"Comm, inform PDF of our statues and we are in pursuit," Kiven said as he watch the ship finally get over the damaged frigate and could once again see the fleeing targets. "Navigation do you have that course yet?"

"Yes sir, sending it to helm now."

"Helm lay in course and go at full sub-light speed, sensors how long till they can jump. Flight control how soon till those fighters get here?"

"Course laid in full speed sir."

"Fighters are still 2 minutes from us sir,"

"Sir, PDF reports more support will be here from the far side in 14 minutes."

"Sir, we will be in range to fire in 4 minutes."

"Sir they are 6 minutes from optimum jump."

"Engineering, I don't care where you get it but get more power to the engines. We need to catch these guys now."

"Yes sir," the engineering man said as he bent to his task.

"Weapons as soon as we get in range open up, right now we have less then 2 minutes of fire time."

"Yes sir,"

"Sir, the fighters are passing us," the flight control officer said with relief in her voice.

Kiven looked up at the screen and saw 18 fighters accelerate pass his ship and in hot pursuit of the targets.

"Gunnery, target those 18 as friendly and the other four as hostile, have comm send it to those X-wings and PDF. Also make sure your crews know what is going on, I want to limit friendly fire incidents."

"Aye-aye sir," the older non-com said with a grim look on his face. Kiven understood why he looked that way; in every battle, friendly fire accidents were the thing everyone wanted to avoid but knew it sometimes just happened. Moreover, at the kind of range they would be firing at, it just added to the hazards since the screen would be clear when they fire but a ship could just get in the way before the shot got to the target. Kiven watch as the range slowly decreased, knowing that they will have only a few shots before the enemy was able to get away. When they were in range, he ordered the fighters to stay clear of the firing lane and ordered his guns to open up. As he knew, the crew only got a couple shots off before the targets jumped cleared. Having only a skeleton crew and being damaged he knew he could not pursuit in hyperspace. With great reluctance, he ordered his crew to stand down and reported personally to PDF, he hoped that some where down the line another ship would be able to find them.

"Dropping out of hyper-space," Runt called out to Kell.

"Roger, we will load the fighters as quickly as possible, make sure Prankster is loaded last." Kell said as he pointed to Piggy for him to follow Kell out of the bridge. "Have 3 of the droids meet us on the flight deck."

"What are we going to do?" Piggy asked keeping abreast with Kell as he ran down the passageway.

"I want Prankster and Dagger to go track down those ships they reported coming from Corporate Sector. I want you to load some food, water aboard while the droids, and Road Kill and Boom-boom help me prep her ship and load new fuel in her tanks."

"Right," Piggy pushed his way past Kell to enter the hanger and head to the storeroom. Kell went over to the flight control to help guild in the four fighters. They had been jumping in a random fashion for the past 8 hours and the fighters were getting low on fuel. They, hopefully, lost any pursuit about 3 hours ago. Now it was time to bring the kids home. Face and his team were heading home on a different vector and hopefully they were having an easier time now then they did getting away. Kell shutter to think what would have happened if his wife and son hadn't warned him about the problems Face and crew would have had getting away from Denon. They both had a force vision that made them believe Face and Tahiri would have been captured without their help. It was also their idea to find and bring Ratnena along. Ratnena finally lived up to her potential in the battle, she had hammered one of the frigates by herself doing more effective damage to the frigate then the other three did to the other frigate. By knocking out many of the guns on their port side and forcing their shield to fail without causing massive lost of life had sealed their chances of getting away free. As soon as Sparks landed, Kell sent him up to the bridge to help Runt and the others. Kell didn't want to waste too much time in real space just in case they hadn't lost the pursuit.

"Boom-boom, leave Eyeball in the ship, I need you to help me get Prankster ship ready to head out again."

"Yes sir, you want me to get the fuel transfer ready." Boom-boom looking tired and grubby but he seemed ready to help.

"Yea, you load the fuel Piggy is getting the food supplies," Kell said as he watched Road Kill slowly back her fighter into its parking slot. He got Road Kill parked and had her help Boom-boom, once Ratnena was landed he ran up to her ship. "Stay in there Prankster. I need you to track down that ship yard in Corporate sector."

"Yes sir," Ratnena said re-strapping herself in while the other three were running around her fighter doing a quick check and loading up her supplies. "How is Tahiri doing?"

"As far as I know she just exhausted, she will be fine with some rest. How many torpedoes do you have left?"

"Four, sir, I'm showing no major damage either I should have no problem getting there and back. Tell Tahiri she is in trouble with us for getting into trouble without us."

"Get there and scout out the position and get as much information as you can without exposing yourself to any danger. I expect you back in six standard days. And I will pass on the message."

"Yes sir," then she gave him a sly smile, "you know I could use some rest too. Any chance I could stop somewhere to get some rest and met some young hot males?"

"Sure, Prankster I think that would be a good idea. I'm sure you would be well rested by the time you get back. I bet you would be rested enough to clean your ship, Tahiri's ship and every ship in our hanger inside and out."

"Yes sir," she said with her smile slipping, "six days I will see you then."

"I kept wondering how it would get worst and now I know," Jaina said tiredly from the couch. Luke looked over at his young niece who looked as tired as he felt. They both had just returned from a closed-door session with key military and political leaders about the escaping Yuuzhan Vong two days ago and the implications of a Yuuzhan Vong with Jedi powers. For almost 12 hours, both he and Jaina had to answers questions that they had no good answers for; Jaina received the brunt of the questioning since it was her operation in the first place. It also didn't help that she had been present at Bilbringi when the Mount Tantiss had been stolen, that made her suspect in many of the senators eyes or at least incompetent for not recognizing the significances of the corvette suddenly appearing in Denon space like it did. In addition, that the office of Mr. Fusty had been ransacked and the two guards had been stunned while everyone was out chasing the Yuuzhan Vong also did not sit well with certain senators.

Admiral Kre'fey and Luke tried their best to shield Jaina from the worst of the criticism but they could only do so much. She had been after all in charge of the operation and there for ultimately responsible for the out come.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of Colonel Solo, you did the best you could do under the circumstances." Jag Fel said from his position next to her. Jag was the official Military liaison for the Chiss embassy to the Galactic Alliance here on Denon. He had just returned from to Denon this morning and came over to wait for her as soon as he could. Moreover, after she let out another large yawn he suggested that she let him escort her to her quarters.

"Jag right honey," Leia said from her position next to Han, "after all you have to alert for tomorrow meetings."

"Yea I know," she said with another yawn, "I think you right I better hit the sack before I hit the floor."

"Well I thought I would never hear Jaina Solo actually agree with someone when they made sense," Jag said with a raised eyebrow and getting up to his feet.

"Watch Space Boy," she said with a glare but also standing, "it is a long walk back to the embassy with a boot shoved up your ass."

"In your case I will take my chances," he said holding out his arm to escort her to her own apartment, "you have small feet."

After a round of 'good nights', the two young lovers left leaving the four older adults alone.

"Do you notice how much they bicker," Luke asked his wife Mara.

"Yea I wonder where they get it from farm boy," she said with a grin and looked over at Han and Leia.

"I don't either," Han said looking confused, "must be the Skywalker side of the family."

"Quiet fly boy or you'll have two boots."

"See what I mean," Han said pointing to his wife with a hurt expression on his face.

While Han and Leia argued in their usual good nature way, Luke had to get up and answer the door. Standing outside was Corran Horn with an attaché case in hand and a grim look on his face. The look was somewhat normal for the one-time police officer but he looked more grim then usual. Luke had set him lose on this Yuuzhan Vong spy right after the chase was over. He also sent him and Kyp looking for Jacen, who quietly disappeared when no one was looking. Neither one of them found any trace of Jacen but from Corran's message from earlier today he had something to report on one of Luke's hunches.

"Hello Corran, please come in," Luke said stepping out of the way.

"Thanks Luke, sorry I had to come so late," Corran said walking in and nodding his hello to the others, "but I wanted to wait till Jaina and Jag left."

"Why is that Corran," Leia said as Corran took the seat Luke pointed him to while Mara got up to get him a drink.

"Because I not sure if I'm seeing what is actually happing or if it is wishful thinking," he stopped to take the cup of hot caf Mara handed him, he waited to she sat back down before continuing. "If what I am find out is true it opens a whole new can of worms that we might not like."

"What did you find out?" Han said leaning forward in his seat.

"Well, my wife brought Whistler by this morning," like Artoo, Whistler had been with Corran a long time and has helped him not only solve many cases but kept him alive through out his career as a pilot. When Corran retired from the military life Whistler went working with Corran's wife Mirax in her thriving shipping business. Artoo and the Wraiths had used many of Whistler's Corsec programming when the reprogrammed Little Brother for Tahiri. Luke felt a pang of sadness as Tahiri crossed his mind. Mara reached over and gave his hand a squeeze; he knew that her lost was hard on her also. "I feed him all the data you gave me on these raids in both our territory and the Vong's along with the information you wanted me to check on Luke and what came back was quite a shock."

"They matched," Luke said, in his head certain pieces snapped into place.

"Not conclusive Luke but it is in the high 90% range that it was the Wraiths that had been doing all these raids along with the actions two days ago."

"The Wraiths," Han said as if he was just told that the Hutts were the galaxies greatest givers of charity.

"Corran, the Wraiths were wiped out almost a year ago," Leia said stone face, Luke knew how hard Han and her took Tahiri's death. They had been close to the young lady ever since Anakin and her became friends almost decade ago. After Anakin died, they, Luke, and Mara sort of adopted her into their family, to help her in her time of need. Han and Leia, along with Jaina, help Tahiri through her difficult merging and been there for her no matter what the reason she needed them. "There must be some mistake in your information."

"Yea Corran, if Tahiri was still alive why hasn't she contacted us," Han put in bitterly.

"That is the part that has me lost too, Han," Corran said gently, far more gently then his norm. He too knew what Tahiri meant to them. "But I ran the data twice. In addition, that YT-1300 was sensor stealth, which is how it got pass those X-wings Jaina had running patrol. How many pirate groups have the expertise to pull that off? Add in the fact that they stole a corvette from a ship yard, disrupted both Vong supply bases and our own and get away with it?" Corran turned to Luke, "remember that ship that arrived this afternoon with a message for you? I talk to the only crewmember that was not arrested, his claims of the people who saved them fits in with the Wraiths normal pattern. The crew that was arrested said the ship that jumped them had disabled them so fast that they never had a chance, their logs agree with them. All the interior cams were erased after the take over but some of the description given would match pretty close to Piggy and Kell."

"Corran, Tahiri and the Wraiths are dead!" Leia said eyes blazing; "there is no way she would not contact us if she was still alive!"

"Unless her mission wouldn't allow it Leia," Luke said softly.

"What mission could be more important then letting us know she is still alive," Han said hotly.

"I don't know, Han," Luke said standing up and pacing the floor, "but lets face facts here. One we have an unknown who registers both human on one scan and Yuuzhan Vong on the second. The spy was using the Force but we couldn't feel her in the force, now as far as I know Tahiri is the only one to accomplish that feat. Even when we go 'small', there is still a residue of the Force for us to notice. Fact; Lando meet a unidentified male, using both normal technology and Yuuzhan Vong bio-tech, who also used the Force and that male has yet to be seen again. That was before the attack on the Wraiths. At the same time Lando had a run in with the unknown, Face stopped in to do some computer training with several of the new Wraiths and gave me a progress report. He told me about a theory that had about Tahiri's role in the new Yuuzhan Vong Empire and about the many security leaks they had surrounding her. How the Wraiths and he were convince that the Yuuzhan Vong felt that the only way they could succeed and please their gods if Tahiri was killed. Tahiri once told me that the Yuuzhan Vong on Zonama Sekot had felt that she was the ultimate abomination and it was her shaping that was the beginning of the end for them."

"And if they felt that way on Zonama Sekot then the ones out in Hutt space would feel even greater revolution to her since they are the hard lines." Mara said with that far away look she get when she is analyzing a problem.

"So what? The Wraiths used that attack on them to 'disappear"? Han asked but in a voice that suggested he was thinking more aloud then to question Luke's explanation.

"But why would they fake their owns' deaths?" Leia said looking distressed, "why didn't they go to Command and ask for more security?"

"There were security leaks, Leia; major ones coming from the Senate or High Command," Corran said, "there were only a handful of people that was supposed to be aware of her being there in the first place. The fact that two Peace Brigade spies were there really shock Command when the Borleais commander told Admiral Kre'fey about it in the after action report. In fact Luke that was the reason Face wanted Tahiri so badly, their mission, after they finish training, was to root out those leaks."

"How do you know that Corran," Luke asked, he never knew why Face wanted Tahiri.

"Admiral Kre'fey briefed me on that after the Wraiths were attacked. He had me work with Jaina setting up her security procedures to protect some secret project they were working on." Corran said sitting back and looked at Luke, "but the main question is 'even if they were hiding from Peace Brigade and Yuuzhan Vong why attack certain ship yards that we use'? A few of these raid can be written off as getting supplies but taking out ship yards is a whole different rancor."

"So there is more going on then we know," Mara said.

"Yes," Luke said nodding his head. "I can't imagine Face or Tahiri doing anything like this without good reason."

"So we'll go find out," Han said getting up. "You three can snoop around here and see what you can find while Leia and I do what we do best."