Post 8
The living strands of the Force swirled, and Mara tried to grasp the threads, all the while recognizing it was a losing battle. She had seen something that disturbed her, but even as she tried to find the thread, to remember… it disappeared leaving the impression that she would not ever find it again. There was pain, but there was happiness, she reached again and a face swam into focus---
Mara jerked out of her meditation, startled by the intense beeping coming from her comlink. She fumbled and pulled it out, trying to steady her breathing. "Jade here, "
"Mara, Bindhi here, there's an incoming holocomm call coming for you from Coruscant. "
"Can you patch it in here? "
"Not if you also want the video feed."
"I'll be there in a second." Within minutes Mara was in the communications center. Sharr, who was currently on duty with Bindhi, bent his head towards a console in the center of the room.
"The transponder says it's Master Skywalker."
For a second Mara's heart froze. Why would Luke be calling with full holocomm access unless--shavit. Mara tapped on the switch and blinked as the familiar face of her husband swam into view. To an outsider, Luke was a rock, a calm façade, but to his friend of ten years, and his wife of nearly four, Mara noticed the imperceptible relaxation his face had when he saw her. He's relieved; Force what happened…
While worrying, Mara could not hide the surge of joy that went through her as she saw Luke. Then, recognizing that she probably was grinning foolishly, Mara schooled her features and cleared her throat. "Hi."
Luke's expression dissolved into a soft smile, "Hey yourself."
She leaned forward and brushed the image in front of her, then broke out of her reverie. "Luke, what is going on, I've been trying to reach you. You weren't at Yavin IV and…"
Luke cut her off, "Mara, I don't know how to tell you this, its Jacen and Jaina. " He saw her smile turn into one of horror, then confusion as she felt for her niece and nephew in the Force. He went on quickly, to clarify "Oh, Mara, no they're all right. Well, they're all right now, but I wanted to tell you before it got broadcasted over the holonet."
"Luke, what?"
"The short version-- Jaina, Jacen, Raynar and Tenel Ka got themselves captured by the Diversity Alliance, they escaped, but all four had injuries from treks away from Ryloth's temperate zones. Lusa, Zekk, Lowbacca and I were able to get them away…" Luke blinked as he sensed a surge of urgency from Mara when he mentioned Lusa's name. "…but after a long dip in bacta, they are currently facing the New Republic Senate regarding their actions, and I can tell that it's not going to go very well."
Mara grimaced, "It's their first time facing the wolves, Shavit. Listen Luke, I can't tell you how I know this, but Lusa's in danger--the--"
For the second time he finished her sentence for her, "Diversity Alliance is going to try and kill her. Don't worry, it has been taken care of." Mara nodded her relief, a quizzical look in her eye. "…and no, you don't need to come to Coruscant."
After so many years, it still took both husband and wife aback when they knew what the other was going to say before it happened. Mara pursed her lips, "Luke--"
He smiled, "I know, I know--I'm not telling you what to do…."
Mara flashed him a wink, then quickly grew somber, "Luke, we know what Nolaa Tarkona is up to, I don't know what the kids found out, but it's not good…I can't give details over this line, but let's just say Palpatine has one more trick up his sleeve." She paused and examined his face as he closed his eyes briefly, and almost immediately she understood that the Young Jedi had found what Piggy's information was now corroborating. "When you find out more, you'll let me know right? We may be able to help. "
Luke nodded sagely, then smiled warily, "I felt some nervousness from you the other day. "
Mara started; she hadn't even felt his touch, "It was a bit touch and go, not for me, but we're all safe. "
"Good, " he hesitated, then feather touched her mind in goodbye, "I miss you, Jade"
"I miss you too, Skywalker. Give my love to Han, Leia and the kids." The holo dissolved, and Mara sighed.
Mara turned to the other two occupants in the room who were pointedly ignoring her, "All right, out with it."
Sharr snorted, "Nothing, it's just--" he never got another word out as Bindhi clapped a hand over his mouth. "Don't listen to him…he's not really a psychological expert, just a bantha in disguise."
"Hey, I resent that! I wasn't going to say anything bad.."
Mara gave him a menacing look, "So what were you going to say?"
"I'm happy for you. "
In a very un-Mara, sugar sweet voice, the ex-Emperor's Hand draped her arm around Sharr's shoulder, "Aw, isn't that nice, Sharr approves of my marriage, Gee thanks!"
He gave her a look of exasperation, "No, look, when you were married I was teaching at Coruscant University's branch on Mon Calamari. I heard a lot of negative comments about you and Master Skywalker, how it wasn't a good idea. I'm just glad they were wrong. Besides, they were all a bunch of psychology students who thought that finger painting when you were younger meant you had natural tendencies to buy green milk at the supermarket."
Removing her arm, Mara smiled sincerely, "Well, thanks--I'm glad we're happy too." She felt a twinge as she thought of the vague feeling that had lingered from her earlier meditation, but she shrugged it off--the Force would reveal itself in time. "Where's Face?"
"I think the mess."
"Thanks," Mara left the communications center biting her lip as she went over the conversation with Luke. As she approached the mess hall one voice filtered out above all the others, which from Mara's perspective were roaring with laughter.
"Come on Myn, I'm not even asking for a look at the picture, I mean who cares if she has red hair, just tell me her name."
"Shut up Wes." Shalla said, "If he doesn't want to tell you, he doesn't want to tell you."
"Yea, sure Shalla, what are you going to do about it?" Wes snorted, "Beat me to a pulp?"
"Did it last week, obviously you didn't learn." Shalla raised her fist, in a very obvious attempt to divert the conversation.
"Freeze." The loud voice forced everyone in the mess hall to turn towards the new occupant. Her green eyes flashing her nose crinkled in disgust, was a very angry, and very annoyed looking Mara Jade. "Before anyone starts pummeling each other, Myn has been trying to say something for the last five minutes, which as usual, with your loud posturing Janson, you've been loathe to acknowledge, or you are so focused on the feelings you have for Shalla, that you don't really care about Myn's 'girl'."
She turned to Myn and after looking him in the eye, and placed her hand on Myn's shoulders. "Go on Myn, tell them what you told me yesterday, about the picture that Dia saw in the ready-room."
Shalla pretended to looked shocked--she actually was a little, based on Mara's comment about Wes and her. "You don't need to tell them, it is your own business, not anyone else's." The Plan, Shalla. The Plan.
Myn looked at his hands foolishly, and if Mara didn't know better threw in a small mournful smile on top of that. "All right, as you all know by now, I went back to Corellia to visit some family I have not been able to see since well since the Diktat was taken down. One of which was, my grandmother who everyday for three weeks tried to find out if I had met anyone famous--namely Han Solo and company."
"So, when I found out that Master Jade-Skywalker was joining us on this mission. I uh..found a file photo of her from her wedding, and stuck it in the pocket of my flight suit, where it fell out….for Dia to see….so that I could …" The normally stoic Myn Donos, blushed.
"So he could get my autograph." Mara dimpled. "You see, Myn doesn't really have a girlfriend, he just has a bit of a crush on me." She turned to Janson, "And if I wasn't already happily engaged elsewhere, who knows…."
Janson looked abashed for a second. "Oh, shavit. I was kind of hoping that I could hassle you about." He put on a serious face for a second and turned to Shalla, "Hey Shalla, what Mara said about you and I, just to let you down easy, I know you love me and all but, I'm not really interested, you know?"
"Oh shut up Janson, We all know you and Inyri Forge are involved….and besides the only part of you that I like to see is that nice rear of yours." Shalla grinned and took a swig of her drink, relieved that Donos' crisis had been averted.
Knowing that Janson had not really bought the story, but was giving it a temporary rest, Mara glanced around, "Has anyone seen Face? I just talked to Luke--"
"Mara, over here--" She caught glimpse of a hand waving from a far corner of the room.
"Hey! Face, you were hiding, no fair--you owe me; I beat you fair and square."
"Not now Wes. Official business."
Mara scooted into the booth across from the former Imperial holoactor. He was still quite good-looking, and Mara smiled inwardly at the thought. "Is it good for a commanding officer to owe his minions money?"
"Oh I don't owe him money; I owe him a code to fix some of his sim scores from a joke that backfired on him last night." Face looked at her sheepishly, then grew serious, "What did Master Skywalker say?"
"Well, this may annoy a lot of your pilots, but it appears that some Jedi of ours were unintentionally detained on Ryloth. While there they were able to find out quite a bit about Nolaa Tarkona's plot, essentially what Lieutenant saBrining sent you, and they were able to stop an assassination attempt on Lusa the other day." Her gaze drifted towards the antics that were still going on in the middle of the room, and then glanced at the silenced holovid screen. Something Luke had said clicked and Mara jumped out of the booth, leaving a startled Face to quickly follow behind. Just as he got out of the booth he felt the buzz of his commlink.
It was the live feed from the New Republic Senate on Coruscant, and as Mara upped the volume she heard the familiar voice of her nephew Jacen. Next to him was Jaina, standing tall and determined through what seemed like a personal affront to her credibility. Mara could almost sense the girl trying to emulate her mother whose cool demeanor was a clear distinction from the rest of the senators. Tapping on the volume level, she sensed the surprise as the young Jedi's voice filled the room.
"But we explained what we were doing there. The Diversity Alliance was holding Lowie against his will. And they still threw us into their spice mines."
The senator, a man the holonetnews provider identified as Senator J'mesk Iman of Tamaran, fixed the children with a serious look and cocked his head to one side. When he answered though, his voice was not unkind. "Yet had any of you requested their government's permission to enter its headquarters?"
"No," Jaina answered truthfully. "But we never intended any harm. We just wanted to get our friend back."
"Even so, since your mission was not a diplomatic one, and not sanctioned by an any government, you placed yourselves under the jurisdiction of local laws by trespassing as you did. I do not believe even the New Republic could allow such an intrusion without punishing the perpetrators. It is only natural that any government should want to deter others from doing what you did."
Jaina bit her lower lip. She knew there was no way to refute the ambassador's logic.
"But what about the spice mines?" Mara identified the new speaker as Raynar Thul, "We were taken prisoner, turned into slaves."
"Very well, then. How long did you spend in the spice mines?" Iman asked.
Jaina answered, "We didn't have chronometers with us."
"Very well, a few days, then? A harsh punishment perhaps for highborn youngsters such as yourselves, but not outside the realm of reason…." Mara turned down the volume as Face tapped her arm.
"Pilots, listen up. I just got a message from our esteemed leader. And since most of us are here, I suppose we could just do the briefing here. I have good news and bad news. First of all, the good news: the data Runt and Piggy sent us about Nolaa Tarkona has now been validated, and we have successfully been able to trace the arms shipments to Ryloth under the guise of medical supplies, all in the name of the Diversity Alliance. The bad news is that list he gave us with those that the Alliance assassinated, four of them were NRI." Mara heard the disbelief and sorrow in the groans that followed.
"More good news, our current mission is over. Bad news, we have to stay around here for a few more weeks depending on what the New Republic decides to do about Ryloth…" He stopped as Mara turned up the volume again, this time it was Cilghal, the Jedi who was speaking.
"I do not believe any government is sacred. It may well be, as my colleague has said, that nothing more happened on Ryloth than a juvenile infraction of local laws and the punishment of that infraction." A murmur of approval ran through the Senate.
"However, if the government of Ryloth and the Diversity Alliance are peaceful and do no more than work in the interests of their members then they should have no objection to a visit by diplomatic inspectors. This would, of course be prearranged and approved through appropriate channels with their government. Some of the charges against the Diversity Alliance are indeed troubling and warrant our attention. Therefore, I propose a simple fact-finding mission. " Mara hit mute again, and nodded her apologies to Face, while sensing Leia's distant relief as a suitable conclusion to the incident had been found.
Face's expression grew grim, " It looks like we have our answer. Carry on Wraiths, the waiting game will now commence."
~~~~~~~~
Coruscant
Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, Lowbacca and Raynar stood anxiously in the Solo apartment in the Imperial Palace while they waited for Master Skywalker to arrive. Jaina sat on the edge of the couch and fidgeted nervously, while Jacen took several meditating breaths in order to release the tension. The meeting in front of the New Republic Senate had not gone well, and Jaina knew that some of their credibility as Jedi Knights had been damaged by the incident. What worried her most was that so far, aside from a brief talk before the meeting, their Uncle Luke had been too busy to discuss the events with them. She wondered if he was displeased with their behavior.
Jacen sighed and glanced at the pretty girl next to him. Tenel Ka betrayed no signs of nervousness, making him wish that he could have some of her stoicism. Sometimes Uncle Luke's reprimands were the worst. Jacen remembered one time when a self-made droid of theirs had exploded. Instead of getting angry, and telling their parents, Uncle Luke had really just punished them quietly, asking the twins to clean up the mess and then never brought it up again. Jacen and Jaina had learned that their actions could disappoint others, and that they must be aware of the consequences of their deeds. After Ryloth, Jacen understood that perhaps they had been too hasty in rescuing Lowbacca, even though it had been the right thing to do. He sat up straight as he heard the door to the suite slide open, and a moment later Jedi Master Luke Skywalker entered the room.
Luke could sense the tension in the room the minute he stepped inside the Solo's apartments. As he strode towards the children he felt Leia giving her reassurance that she was not going to interfere, having already discussed her feelings with her children, however grateful she was that they were alive. Meeting each of the young Jedi Knights' eyes he saw determination, worry, confidence and a vague feeling of relief and urgency. "Sit, please. Before we go on, I want you to free your mind your worry and turmoil."
"I am not here to punish you, for as future Jedi, you are expected to take the initiative, but I would like to hear how you would assess your own actions after the senate hearing."
As expected, Jaina spoke first, "We were worried about Lowie."
Jacen nodded, frowning, "If we had not gone… they would not have let him leave."
Tenel Ka sat up straight, "We would not have found out about Nolaa Tarkona's plan to exterminate all the humans. "
Lowie growled in agreement.
Raynar stayed silent, worried his mind on other things.
"Did you consult the Force before you left?" Luke asked quietly.
From the falling faces of his students, Luke got the answer. "Why not?"
Sensing the rhetorical nature of the questions, they continued to be silent. "The Force is your ally, the fact that all of you are standing here alive, shows this to be true. But while your actions were with good intentions, the way you went about them was not. There was some deceit, and a lack of trust in your peers. As Jedi we need to work together, and we need to know where you are going so that back up can be provided without jumping blind into a situation. "
"I trust your instincts, but sometimes it helps to get a second opinion. " He paused, and nodded, sensing the understanding and acknowledgement that was coming from the students. "That being said, what are you going to do next?"
Raynar spoke for the first time, almost hesitatingly, "I am going with Zekk to find my father. He hopes that dad will speak to him and let us help him if he knows I am on board."
Luke nodded, "When are you leaving?"
"In a few minutes, I have to go help with pre-flight." Luke nodded and gestured that the young Jedi knight was free to leave. He turned to the remaining students, and waited.
"We're going to follow them. I think that Zekk and Raynar may need backup, so Em Teedee has downloaded Bornan Thul's tracking signal information so we can follow just in case." Jaina bit her lip. "I can sense that it's the right thing to do."
Luke moved over to his niece and clasped her hand in his. "Go, but this time tell your mother what is going on. She needs to be kept appraised of the situation. "
Digging into an inner pocket of his robe, Luke handed his niece and nephew a datacard. "From your Aunt, and yes she knows. " Luke smiled at the furtive glances that Jacen and Jaina exchanged."
"May the Force be with you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Valdet
Tristan glanced at the empty chair beside him and rubbed the worry lines on his brow. The session had not ended well, and there was no way he could hold off the vipers any longer. Conspicuously absent was Iker who for some reason had not shown up with his now consistent taunts, diatribes and accusations. Instead the session had been filled with requests from senators to substantiate rumors about Elbereth's health. Tristan could tell they were not convinced, and from the undercurrents of the discussion, it was as if they had been given a story that they believed, and would believe no matter what. He knew that the day would come where he would have to tell them, but how could he explain to his people something he couldn't understand himself…..
"Sir."
Tristan glanced up and saw Senator Sian Arran standing next to him with a worried expression on his face. If it was possible, the greenish tint to his face was slightly mint colored. Something was bothering him.
"Senator,"
"I heard another one today, "
"Oh really, let me guess…the royal consort, Tristan has locked up his lady love in an ambitious scheme, while planning to join the Empire." The words were filled with sarcasm, regret, a hint of anger.
"Some are like that, others are nearer to convincing truths. All the populace has been told is that she is ill, and it is only natural to make the assumption that you are planning on ruling the two worlds alone without her. Some rumors even claim that it was a plan from the beginning. There is even talk that. …."
Tristan's voice was strangled, "Don't say it…"
"…that you killed Bran Morodin and staged the deaths of Lady Anian and Prince Illian, to move yourself closer to the crown."
Tristan, sat, unmoving, as he brought his fist down on the desk, the echo reverberated through the high ceiling. Somewhere in the ensuing silence he gestured for the Senator to remove himself, and only then did he release the breath he was holding in. As the door clicked shut behind him he put his head in his hands and took a deep breath, willing himself to regain his strength. Enough with the self-pity, you cannot change the past. She needs you now, she NEEDS you; don't back down from your promise.
He gathered himself together, and walked down the corridor towards the residential wing of the palace. Rounding a corner, a lilting voice, breathy and filled with sadness wafted down the long expanse and with every step the walls seemed to close in directing his long strides to a gilded door near the end of the hallway. Right as his hands closed around the doorknob, his heart shattered, as the words that had been vague murmuring coalesced into a recognizable sound.
"Endenyo al alcero
Mayim el monero
Yo coursin a marino
Me Tres Fera Ni Si
~
Salya me Sin
Salya me roea
O Salye dono to mar
A fale ta sin
~
Salya me Sin
Salya me roea
~
In dawan al acero
Sayim no Coreno
Do ne ma sin se
Me tres fera a ni si
~
Salya me sin
Salya me roea
Salya odono to mar
A Fale ta sin he."
~*~
"A little girl once cried
Mother why shall I die
There are things I still must see
You and me, shining stars.
~
Salya child of wonder
Salya child of wind
O Salya my soul cannot let go
But they call, they call
~
Salya child of wonder
Salya child of wind
~
You shall embrace the sun
Soaring cross the greening plains
I shall be there, through the mountain pass
Through the misty dawn
You and Me, shining stars
~
Salya child of wonder
Salya child of wind
O Salya my soul cannot let go
But they call, they call"
~*~
It was Elbereth singing, restless since the events of the weeks before. In traditional Danshi, she sang the ballad of Salya, the first child of Mora-din. For thirteen years, Salya's mother welcomed her child to the world with this song, which told of the wonders that would seek children as they left their homes away from the parental bond. After thirteen years of light and laughter, an unknown ailment struck and Salya died. Mora-din still sang the melody every morning, but it had changed to be a haunting ballad that spoke of death, grief, and loneliness.
Tristan heard a muffled sob break behind him, and saw Elbereth's guards standing stoic with tears trailing down their faces. For the last few weeks, Elbereth had been declining in health. There were days where she could barely walk around the room. They both saw it in each others eyes, and they both knew that this unknown illness was wiping her out, and they had hoped, that there would be someway to save the child, that maybe they could hold the disease at bay for another six months.
For Elbereth to be singing of Salya, could only mean one thing. They had lost the child, as he would soon be losing her.
Unable to enter the room until he had composed himself, Tristan slid against the wall, as silent and stoic as the guards with unshed tears glistening in the light.
~~~~~~
Sian Arran stalked out of the assembly room and made his way towards his office. The prince's behavior had been a bit…odd. Despite Sians' loyalty as a separatist, he still valued the prestige and place of the Romani in Valdet society, and he was anxious to make sure that whatever happened, Tristan's place would not be diminished by malicious rumor. He had been alive when the bomb had killed the entire family, had seen the horror and pain on the young prince's face….Tristan would not kill the last member of his family for power, least of all his own wife. One thing at a time…The Fl'ntil shrugged, locked the door to the outer office, making his way to his sanctum santorum, only to find someone else sitting in his desk.
It was Iker Rafagr. Their leader who had not shown up to the latest meeting…
"Citizen Representative Arran, I'm sorry to come to you like this, and to sit in your chair…I needed to make sure I could see the door. You're one of the few I trust. " The humanoid leader of the resistance seemed anxious, unlike his usual confident self.
"Citizen Representative Rafagr, what is wrong, is there anything I can help you with?"
"I received another threat today. I was able to trace it back to members of the Danshitie freedom group. I don't know what made me think we could hold this coalition together. I'm afraid for my life. "
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes, there is. Just in case anything was to happen to me, you need to stand tall and continue my work. I trust you, and even if I am no longer here it is important that Danshitie and Valdet remain free and true. It is imperative that someone be there with a strong force, in case something happens. "
"I agree; I will not fail. In fact I was about to send you the updated specs of armaments that I received last week…."
An hour later, Iker still looked frazzled as he exited the office, and in perfect timing, the Danshitie Representative Esperenza appeared around the corner. I couldn't have planned it better myself… Looking anxious, he grabbed the woman's arm and practically dragged her out of hearing from Arran's office.
"I'm sorry about that, you need to listen to me…Arran just threatened me. Said that if anyone opposed Tristan's rise after Elbereth's death, he had an army…and that no one could stop him. Not only is he reneging on our agreement, but he's also threatened our nation of Danshitie. We cannot let that go unrecognized. He has power Koi, power. "
He watched as her eyes grew larger, and angrier as she processed Rafagr's words. "Elbereth is dying, " The last of the Morodin, isn't that wonderful.-- "Tristan ruling alone! " She snorted, knowing it was terribly unladylike, but goodness, how ridiculous...that man was pathetic. Her heart froze, as the rest of the message sunk in…"Well, Iker, our friend Sian isn't the only one with firepower, if anything happens to you, be sure that he will face the consequences. It shall not be in vain. Our little coalition may not have worked, but I sure as sith won't let my nation be ruled by another as long as I'm alive. "
"Good, just keep it quiet, and when the time arises, if I am missing feel no fear in striking terror into their hearts. "
~~~~
In Hyperspace towards the Emperor's Plague Depot
Jacen fell into the seat next to his sister and adjusted his crash webbing. They were on their second jump on their way to reach the coordinates they had received from Bornan Thul. With their location, being closer than Ryloth, he hoped that they would be able to destroy the Depot before Nolaa Tarkona even received the information from Boba Fett. He glanced at the datapad in Jaina's hand and smiled warily. "Aunt Mara's letter?"
Jaina looked up biting her lip, "Yes, "
"Good, bad, will a joke help?"
"Jacen."
"I haven't read mine yet, but judging from our bond, I'm assuming she said something that Uncle Luke left up to us to figure out. "
Jaina nodded, pulled out her datacard, and quietly gave Jacen the datapad. Slipping in his card, he began to read.
Hello Jacen,
I hear from your uncle, that you and Jaina are back to health after an impromptu visit to Nolaa Tarkona. I am also sure that your Uncle was smiling when he handed you this message.
Not able to get the particulars, I have to say that as your teachers, we have to trust your judgement and accept that things often do not turn out as planned. I can tell you of a few missions where your Uncle Luke got into a scrape he could not get out of (remind me to tell you about the Cavilhru Pirates one day). As your Aunt, I am glad that you are back, safety and in good health. I know from experience that bacta is not pleasant.
I caught part of the Senate hearings on the Holonet, and I am proud of how you held your own against the vultures, you helped your mother achieve a small, but significant victory. That being said….
Jacen looked up and shook his head at his sister, "It's not so bad so far."
Jaina winced, "Keep reading little brother."
…. That being said, there is a such thing as recklessness, and while it is a Solo trait to go off and do things haphazardly without thinking, I'd like to think that there is some of your Skywalker cautiousness and clarity of mind in each of you. How did you even think that you could take on a world government? Yes, I know your Uncle Luke and your mother joined the rebellion when they were a few years older, but that is besides the point, and I would counter that in your uncle's defense, at least, his actions were guided by the Force, and there was no luxury of thinking. In your case, Lowie had been gone already for weeks, I am sure waiting two more days for your Uncle would have gone a long way from making this into an intergalactic incident. I'll let the matter rest there.
Jacen, tell Tenel Ka this joke for me; I heard it from one of your Uncle Luke's old friends, maybe she'll laugh this time.
"How many Ewoks does it take to put together a Death Star Destruction Party?"
The Answer: "Forty, twenty to bring the food, nineteen to bring the music, and one to make sure Janson keeps his clothes on."
Jacen snorted, and Jaina leaned over to read the joke, "I don't get it."
"I don't either, but it mentions Lieutenant Janson keeping his clothes…when has he ever done that at a party."
"I'm not sure Tenel Ka will get that." Jaina leaned over to read the rest of the letter with her brother.
On second thought, I'm not sure it is that funny, more like scary.
Stay Safe, Learn from your mistakes, and
May the Force Be With You
Mara
~~~~~
Nolaa Tarkona, grinned as they hurtled towards the Plague depot. Finally, those humans will get what they deserve. She could care less about the New Republic "inspection" team…whatever happened on Ryloth no longer mattered now that she held the power to destroy their species.
This would be a day she would never forget. Boba Fett had finally delivered, finally securing the navicomputer of Bornan Thul, where he had made his one fatal error and visited the depot himself, permanently leaving a trace on the harddrive. In a few days she would have the means to destroy her enemies, and the power to control all the humans for the rest of her life.
End Post 8
Credit: The opening scene with the interrogation of the YJK in the NR Senate is from the novels themselves, but the situation that they heard it was mine; another POV change. In the scene where Luke is reprimanding the YJK, I mentioned a situation that occurred in Roger Macbride Allen's Corellian Trilogy where Jacen, Jaina and Anakin build a droid, which ends up exploding.