"Come on this way," the taller man said as he led them to their ship. The man followed meekly behind them, content to play the role of a thankful rescued man who was escaping certain death. He was willing to play this role since he knew that soon he would be able to play the role of the victorious. That had been a Noghri back there in the cantina dressed up to look like a Jawa. Even the dumbest of the dumb knew that no Jawa could move like that and only a Noghri could defend it self while being outnumbered 10 to one. He used to think they were over rated until he went up against a squad of them. It was an experience he could do without, even the Yuuzhan Vong would survived the encounter, the very few who did survive, had remarked that at last this galaxy had some worthy opponents around. There was also very few that traveled solely around the galaxy with one very notable exception. It was a known fact that Han Solo and Leia Organa-Solo had a Noghri's bodyguard that traveled with them everywhere with them. If 'gramps' and his woman were really Han and Leia Solo in disguised then the so-called savior of the people was the Abomination. It all made sense now, somehow the Abomination and the Wraiths had survived the attack at Borleais and not just survive but they were actively seeking to destroy the Yuuzhan Vong.
"Remember if we are stopped, we just came back from the Flaming Bantha and are heading back to the ship for a little rest before heading out," the taller Wraith said.
"Do we sneak or blast our way home?" The female asked, a sensible question no matter which side they were on.
"We sneak at all cost, there is a good size garrison here and we want to avoid any one tracking us or the boss."
The man had to agree with that plan, especially since he had already decided to take out these two when they got in their ship and sneak away from Tatooine. Avoiding the GA military would make his live easier as he escaped. They were not the Abomination nor were they the Solos but they were Wraiths. Heck, even if they weren't Wraiths, they would still know enough to help track down the Abomination later. After they were properly motivated of course, a job he was sure that his master would enjoy handling personally. However, before that can happen he had to take them down.
He would have to take the male out first; he was bigger and in better shape then the female. He could afford no mistakes now, not when he could proved the existence of the Abomination and showed how close that thing had come to delivering the death nail to the great gods' plans. His master couldn't even complain about letting the Abomination escape since it was decreed that only the Slayers should destroy that thing. In fact, the Slayers would be more anger if he had killed it. Nevertheless, he had no worries about completing this mission. He was the best of the best, and he had the finest Imperial training, the finest training the Yuuzhan Vong had to offer him and the best genetic coding that exist today.
Yes, his master would be so pleased that he would finally let him complete his own quest against those who wronged him. Yes, after all these years of bowing and scraping, of medical treatment and prison, after all these years of humiliation at the hands of that fool Grand Admiral Pellaeon, that incompetent Talon Karrad and that witch Shada … he was finally taking the first step to completing his revenge. Yes, Major Grodin Tierce was about to rise again!
"Turn right at the top of the ramp," Kell said securing the bay door. It wouldn't take much for someone to break it open but it would slow them down enough to buy him time to get them out of here. Lucky, no one stopped them on the way back. They must still be back at the cantina putting the pieces together. He thought as he headed to the Sweet Sunrise to prepare for a launch. Had they known just who was all there they would already be searching for them. Kell also had to figure out where to drop this extra luggage off before he heads to the Endor to meet with the others. Tahiri was smart enough to know not to allow their contact to follow the Solos. By splitting them up like this she could travel with the Solos to Endor and start doing damage control while they got rid of this guy.
As he head back to the ship, he realized just how he was glad that Tahiri was quick enough on the ball to know that someone needed to get them to Endor. If she hadn't thought of it herself then he would have to suggest to her. Which won't have been smart since it wouldn't have been in character for her to accept an infidel's suggestion. They would meet with Face there, he could decide what to do, and they wouldn't trust Ratnena and Kell to travel with them. The only way they would trust either of them was after spending more time then they had to spare to bring them u to speed. Now all they had to do is drop him off somewhere so they can explain things to the General without worrying about who was listening. Walking up the ramp and into the lounge area, Kell saw the contact standing at an angle to Prankster, while she stood facing him exposing her mid section, doesn't she ever pay attention in my …
Kell had no warning from the man before he threw a chop design to take out his neck. Kell was, is, one of the best hand-to-hand combatants in the galaxy. Unfortunately, for Kell, it looked like he met mister 'number two' who was going to try his best to be number one. Although his first blow didn't hit the mark, it did have enough oomph behind it to take Kell off balance. Kell heard more then saw Ratnena go flying into something. The man turned his undivided attention on Kell with madding precision and skill. Not all his blows were getting past Kell but enough were to make the fight painful. Ratnena jumped back in the tussle with some ineffective jabs to his kidneys; either she wasn't strong enough or she was missing her target. The attacker ignored her and drove punch after punch into Kell, driving him back towards the holds. He could here Little Brother screech as he rolled into the lounge from the cockpit area. Ratnena unable to effect him at all, so she did the next best thing, at least it would've been the next best thing to do if she was trying to help the attacker, she jumped on his back and tried to chock him. He arched his back and then tossed her over his back right into Kell, knocking them both to the deck.
"It is over Wraiths, you and your Abomination is finished," he said, with evil smile, advancing on them.
Little Brother screeched again and then the fire extinguisher above the man let loose a stream of fire retardant into his face. It started him only for a second but that is all Kell needed. Now it was his turn. He swept the man off his feet and then rolled up to a standing position. Kell gave their nemesis a kick in the ribs, which caused him to fall to the ground again. Kell tried to kick him in the face but he just rolled away from him, the next kick was block as the man grabbed his boot and then using his weight and momentum, he was able to toss Kell back into the lounge area. As Kell bounce off one of the seats, the man was able to get up and charged at him. Little Brother charged across the room at the man, he tried to leap over Little Brother but clipped him in the dome with his left foot, causing him to land unbalanced and favoring that his right foot. Before either one of them could move first, three stun bolts hit the man in the back causing him to collapse to the deck.
Kell let himself collapse back down on the deck, lying on his back, trying to catch his breath. He was in some pain, maybe broken rib, Ratnena is not the only one due for a refresher course, he thought as he laid there, sloppy ole Kell, what would Tyria say if she saw that. "How you doing over there Bora?"
"I think I have one … no wait two, I have two bones not broken sir," she said from the passageway, "you ok sir?"
"Oh yea, I'm fine," he said, slowly. "It just ceiling inspection day and as long as I was down here, I thought I would get it out of the way." He heard a snort of laughter coming from Ratnena. "Novel approach that was, shooting the bad guy; I'll have to remember to try that one next time."
"Thank the Vong, sir, she the one that taught me that trick. I guess even she could be right once."
Kell let out a snort of his own that just made his ribs hurt more. Little Brother rolled over to him with two first aid kits trailing behind him.
"Thank you Little Brother," he said reaching for one of the kits, "and thanks for the assist. You were able to buy me just enough time to get the stuffing kicked out of me again." Little Brother made a raspberry sound then a sound the girls say is his chuckle. Little Brother then rolled over to Ratnena with the other kit.
"Permission to speak freely sir," Ratnena said while he was trying to sit up to open the kit.
"Granted."
"I'm going to be 22 in a few weeks and I think I just learned my most valuable lesson in my life," she said.
"It is never too late to learn something new Bora," he said looking through the kit for something to help the pain, "and what wisdom has befallen you today?"
"I' m too old for this crap, sir!"
"I hate to tell you this Bora," Kell said chuckling, "I learned that at 16."
"As I said earlier," the rough voice of Han Solo said as he and Alema Rar came walking back to the lounge from the 'inspection' tour of the Falcon. Not that Alema knew it was the Falcon nor did she know it was Han that she was talking to as she and a guard, with a hand held scanner, followed them around. Han was wearing the same getup that he wore while on some mission for the 'Insiders' during the Siege at Borleais as was Leia and the Falcon was wearing one of the many fake ids that Han kept on file out of habit as he claimed. Leia, also, didn't have to work to hard at hiding her identity as she thought she would when Alema first showed up. Alema had already seen to that for her. "We are honest business people here and this delay is costing me work."
In response to all of the trouble Tahiri has caused for Alema in the past few months, the young Jedi decided to take certain precautions to protect herself from a rogue Yuuzhan Vong who could access the force. Not all together different from the same steps Han and her had taken before leaving Denon. Alema was wearing an ysalamiri nutrient cage around her shoulders and a blaster rife instead of her normal light saber. She must figure that since she could not sense the warrior anyways she might as well make sure he couldn't affect her like he did twice already.
The initial shock has worn off and was being replaced by a simmering anger, an anger Leia was trying to keep a grip on. For starters, why was she attacking fellow Jedi, why was she blocking Leia's earlier attempts to read her in the Force and lastly why did she kill Fusty. And because Leia wasn't sure of the answers she would get there was a duplicate ysalamiri in the 'escape pod' … just in case. Leia had told Tahiri that they had originally brought it incase she wasn't who they thought she was, which was the truth. Tahiri didn't seem to mind, on the surface, and was excited to spend time with 3PO, whom they locked in the scan proof smuggling pod with her. Han had commented earlier that if that didn't prove she has totally flipped, he didn't know what did.
"And I told you that this is military matter sir," Alema responded in a very rude and icy tone. The kind of tone she used a lot before she was knighted, it sadden Leia to see Alema revert to her old ways. "You should be glad that your government is looking out for your safety, if that man we are looking for was to have snuck on board I doubt you would have lived long enough to jump to hyperspace."
"What man are you talking about, Major Rar?" Han asked in a frustrated tone.
"That is not something you need to know sir."
"Enough of this crap," Han said exploding and doing his best 'tired of humoring' glare. Leia, for once, couldn't tell how much of her husband's frustration was real or an act. "I have been waiting seven hours for this port to reopen. Every time I talk to one of you stiff necks, all I get is 'Talk to the major'. Well, you are here now and I want some answers!"
"Sir," Alema was not looking a bit uncomfortable or put out by Han's rant. By now, she must have heard about it a million times. "Your cooperation is required by your government to ensure that we eliminate this threat …"
"What threat, wamp rats?"
"To the safety of the good people of Tatooine," she said without missing a beat, "and if that cooperation cost a few extra credits, trust me I won't lose any sleep over it." She took out a pad and punch in some information. "You should be glad to do some honest work for once."
"I am a honest businessman," Han replied stiffly.
"Yes, I am sure," Alema said with a look that said she would believe a Hutt before she believed him, "you're clear you may leave when ever you want. And don't forget to get this," she stopped and looked around with a look of disgust before continuing, "crate up to code. All escape pods must be functional." She stomped away with her scanner boy right behind her smirking.
"She would made a good storm trooper," Han said as he watched her head out of the hanger bay.
"I going to have to drop a hint or two to Luke when we see him again," Leia said standing near the hatch control. "I don't need the Force to see that she is close to the edge again. Even with the difficulties catching Tahiri and the Wraiths taken in to account, she shouldn't be enjoying bulling people around like that."
Meewalh entered the hanger and bounded up the ramp, as soon as she was clear Leia closed and secured the hatch for launch.
"Well," Han asked her as she took off her Jawa robes.
"I saw no one enter the hanger after the Jedi and her aid enter the ship," Meewalh said looking at Han, "there was a probot that hovered over head for a total of 3 minutes but I did not observe any devices falling from the droid nor did it land in the hanger."
"Right," Han said, he didn't ask if anyone had seen her, at one time he would have but he knew better now. "Check the ship for any listening gear or tracking gear I might have missed."
The Noghri bowed and headed aft to began her search.
"We are going to go get that one load." Leia asked on the way to the cockpit.
"Yea, that what we agreed on," he said rolling his eyes, "but I'm still not sure about the exchange rate."
Before Tahiri climbed in the pod, she told them that they would get some answers after they made the jump to, as the Yuuzhan Vong called it, dark space. She told them that what she couldn't answer, but One would be able to answer for them. She also wouldn't let them know where they were headed, not yet anyways. She said she would plot out a course for them and upload it later. She also asked them to trust her on this, there was just too much to explain. They had agreed, for now. True, Tahiri was a Jedi Knight, a member of the military and an adult, and she was reasonable for her own actions. However, she was a member of their family, official or not and as Han once said since when did he care what some data pusher thought was official, and the desire to protect her was strong. Many of the actions of the Wraiths were dubious at best, treason at worst and if they find out this 'One' was using Tahiri in a way they don't consider healthy they would take steps to step in and stop them. There was also the matter of the murder of Fusty.
After they were safely on their way towards the core, Han and Leia headed aft to get Tahiri and 3PO out of the pod.
"Bet you 10 that Goldenrod is switched off."
"Nerf herder," Leia said slapping his arm lightly, "unlike you she adores 3PO. Besides," she added with a smirk, "she doesn't know where his off switch is."
"Yea, I guess you're right," then with his own lopsided grin, "I'll give you 100 that I will have to reattach his head."
When they opened the pod, Leia had wished that she had taken that bet; sitting calmly in the pod was Tahiri and C-3PO. "Come on out, we jumped already," Leia said. She stepped out of the way so Tahiri, who was sitting near the rear, and then 3PO, climbed out of the pod. "Did you have fun in there."
"Oh quite, Mistress Leia; Mistress Tahiri was quite happy to help me in updating my files on Yuuzhan Vong langue and customs. It was a enjoyable activity for the afternoon."
"Really," Han said in a flat voice as he closed the hatch. Tahiri narrowed her eyes, while she was outside the sphere of influence and Han was inside, but she seemed to catch something in that tone. She visibly decided not to make an issue out of it.
"I don't get much chance to practice my Yuuzhan Vong, except with Little Brother. Like any skill, I need to practices once in a while to keep it fresh for me." Her voice was still being altered through an implant pressed against her voice box and she still wore the man skin. "I hate to be rude but I would like to get out of my skin and clean up some, may I use one of the refreshers?"
"We haven't cleaned out your cabin yet," Leia said, with a smile on her lips, "I'm sure you still have some clothes in there. Would you like any dinner?"
"Yes please," Tahiri said, even with her skin the expression of relief and gratitude was easy to see on her face. "I'm starved actually, I haven't eaten since early this morning."
"Well the quicker you get cleaned up the quicker we can eat," Han said easily with a smile. Tahiri smiled back, giving them both a small bow, and headed to the cabin they let her used while she had stayed with them during the last year or so of the war. As soon as she was out of sight, Han and Leia exchanged concern looks and head forward to the galley. "So, you two had a nice talk," Han asked 3PO.
"Oh yes sir, Mistress Tahiri did expressed concern for Mistress Leia and your heath and well being since she last saw you and asked me to tell her everything that has happened in the past year and half since she left for Borleias." 3PO answered happily as he walked into the galley. Han and 3PO made a great team in the kitchen, not that either one of them would ever admit it aloud. "She also expressed distress at any pain and suffering she may have caused while she was forced to remained hidden. She did ask for my forgiveness, which of course I gave her. I thought it was a nice gesture for her to worry about my feelings."
"Did she say where she has been?" Leia asked watching for her return.
"I am afraid not Mistress Leia, when I asked her she informed me that I would have to get that information from her commanding officer."
"Did she say who her commanding officer was," Han asked as Meewalh walked up to the small group.
"She stated that was information I would have to get from her commanding officer."
"Nice," Han mumbled out and looked over at Meewalh, "well?"
"I have detected no listening or tracking devices left behind from the inspection," Meewalh said softly.
"Good, that means Alema really didn't suspect us helping Tahiri or anyone else," Leia said.
"Or she just not as sneak as we are," Han said with a smirk, "Meewalh, I think we might need your help later."
"I understand and obey Han clan Solo," Meewalh said and headed back aft, moving as silently as she always did.
Leia let out a sigh as she sat down in the lounge; knowing better then trying to help cook anything while those two were in the galley. She had to smile at some of the banter going back and forth between Han and 3PO. For all his complaining, she knew Han did care about 3PO and would be lost without him. Not that he would ever admit to her. So was so lost in though she didn't hear Tahiri return until she gave a small cough. Leia turned, startled by the noise, and saw Tahiri standing next to her. The young woman was dressed in one of the combat jumpsuits that had been her preferred mode of dress since she awoken from her merging. Her hair was still the short style that she had also worn since Anakin had saved her at Yavin 4 but she looked smaller then Leia had remembered and more tired then she should have looked. There was one big difference in her that took Leia by surprise.
"What happen to your Domain Marks?" Han and Leia, along with Luke and Mara, had at one time quietly suggested that she had them removed shortly after the Battle to Reclaim Coruscant. That suggestion went over as well as their attempts to get Jaina to take it easy during the war.
"I had to have them removed," Tahiri said sadly as she sat down across from Leia, "they would make me too identifiable. Master Skywalker and Master Horn had explained that they would make me stand out too much and for the good of my squad I would have to have them removed before I head to Borleias."
"Must have been hard for you to agree to that condition."
"It was, it still is actually," she said with a sad smile and rubbing her forehead, "I still look in the mirror and wonder who was looking back at me. But for the good of the squad it is a sacrifice that is needed, the gods never promised us a easy life."
"No," Leia answered, "the Force knows that is true. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Tahiri said leaning slightly foreword, Leia still could not get a good read on the young woman, it was like looking at a stranger.
"Jaina said that you claimed the gods and the Force were the same what did you mean by that?"
"I'm not sure I can answer that really," Tahiri said.
"Could you try?"
"Well," Tahiri said after a pause to arrange her thoughts, "when I was on Zonama Sekot I heard some stories, folktales actually, that our home world was like Zonama Sekot, alive and intelligent and have the power of the Force but amplified. A thought had occurred to me one day, if you didn't know the Force wouldn't you think that the things we do would be impossible for a mere mortal, that we had to be gods?"
"Many have described us as god-like."
"Yes, and most of them know that we aren't gods but would the early Yuuzhan Vong, who knew no differently, just assume that their planet was a god?"
"Yes I could see how that could happened. So what happened?"
"That is not clear," Tahiri said looking abashed, "the Yuuzhan Vong claim the records are non-existent as to why the Yuuzhan Vong rebel or how they were able to defeat their gods in the first place."
"What does Sekot say about all this, does Sekot know anything?"
"Sekot doesn't remember Yuuzhan'tar, it was just a seed when it was ejected from its mother. It would be like you or I remembering our mothers. There is no way to know if Sekot had been ejected minutes before Yuuzhan'tar died or years before."
"I see what you mean," Leia said. "Have they found out how they were stripped?"
"Not while I was there," Tahiri said looking back towards the galley where Han and 3PO were having a difference of opinion on something. "I'm not sure they were stripped."
"What do you mean?"
"I think that they just operate on a different wave length then Jedi use."
"Then why can't we see them?"
"Why can some animals see ultraviolet and others can't?"
"You think it is as simple as that."
"Yes, both Jacen and I had been altered and until we were changed, we couldn't see them anymore then you could. But now we can, to a degree, see them."
Leia was about to ask some more questions when Han burst in saying "dinner is severed."
"That smells wonderful," Tahiri said as Han set the dinner down on the table.
"At least someone around here appreciates all my hard work," Han said with a smug look on his face as he sat down next to Leia.
"Excuse me, Captain Solo but protocol states …" Han held up one finger at 3PO to stop him from saying any more.
"It's ok 3PO, we will be dinning informally tonight," Leia said as 3PO started to sputter.
"That is right," Han said with a nod and then turned to Tahiri with a grin, "a nice, quiet family dinner."
"Yea," Tahiri said, not looking like she believed him, "nice quiet family dinner."