Chapter Seven
Harper found the fantastic bright swirl of hyperspace truly mesmerizing as he stared out the viewport in the transport shuttles passenger compartment. He had not said a single word to anyone in several hours, not since pulling out of their last stop over on world whose name he couldn't even pronounce. Behind him Rev Bem sat quietly meditating, Harper glanced back at his old friend remembering how menacing he seemed back when they first meet all those years ago on the Maru. Try as he might, Harper could not think of anyone he would rather have with him now on this particular journey.
In the cockpit the Jedi, Jacen Solo was piloting the craft, and old Imperial shuttle to their destination- the Kessel Maw.
During the transit, Jacen had told them much about the recent war with the terrible race known as the Yuuzhan Vong, how they had taken control of much of this galaxy, persecuted the Jedi and tried to purge the galaxy of everything they saw as abominations, particularly technology. Try as he might, Harper could not imagine an entire civilization that only used living organisms for everything from carpeting to spacecraft.
"Excuse me gentlemen," Jacen's voice called out over the intercom, "But we will be arriving in the Kessel System in a few moments, if you would like to join me in the cockpit."
"This should be a sight to see," Rev said gruffly as he pulled himself out of his cross-legged position.
"It's made up of black holes Rev," Harper replied, "we haven't exactly had good luck with black holes in the past."
"Perhaps, but it is where your path leads Harper," Rev told him, "And only you can walk it."
Harper nodded back at his friend as though he actually understood though he felt as confused as ever as he stepped into the shuttle's cockpit.
Out the forward viewport the swirl of hyperspace continued but in the distance a growing blot, like a dark stain against the bright blue/white vortex.
"What is that," Harper asked.
"Gravity shadow," Jacen replied, "The Maw produces so much gravitation interference in hyperspace that it actually distorts it."
"Great," Harper said as he took his seat, "they even have an appetite in parallel dimensions."
"Existing hyperspace in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1..," Jacen told them and the swirl became star-lines and star-lines became stars, but the dark distorted stain remained.
"Welcome to the Kessel Maw," Jacen announced.
"It's marvelous," Rev declared as he watched the strange glow of the competing singularities.
"We're going into that," was Harper's equally emphatic response.
"Of course Seamus, it is the most secure facility, probably in the universe," Jacen told him, "Only Jedi and a few others can find the way in between the singularities. A perfect place to hide from the Vong, and the Magog too."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Harper replied.
"I'm afraid the Magog use singularities as weapons," Rev explained, "at least they do in our time."
"Well," Jacen replied with concern, "I guess will have to deal with that Death Star when we find it. Strap yourselves in we enter in Maw in twelve seconds."
"Just relax," Corran Horn told him, "The Jedi Council is a surprisingly relaxed group of people, at least when there in those walls."
"I'll try," a very tired and distraught looking Yu Wang replied. After arriving on Coruscant it took all of Corran's influence to keep the former Commonwealth engineer out of the hands of Alliance Intelligence. However, a quick conversation with Luke was all it took to arrange this meeting of the Jedi Council.
A few moments later the Jedi Master Kyp Durron came out of the council room to greet them. The youngish looking Jedi Master exchange a simple Jedi nod with the older Jedi Horn, "Thank you for coming gentlemen. The Council is ready for you."
Leading the two into the council room Kyp took his place among the council. At the head of the council was Luke Skywalker; the first Jedi of the new Jedi Order, and beside him sat Cal Omas, the Chief-of-State of the Galactic Alliance. Unlike the Jedi Council of the Old Republic this council combined members of the government with the chosen members of the Jedi Order.
Corran and Wang took a standing position before Luke and Cal Omas.
"Welcome, Yu Wang. I am Luke Skywalker and I'm told you have something to tell us."
With a nod of encouragement from Corran, Wang began to speak, "Thirty years ago, I was part of the engineering team that was sent by the Commonwealth to convert the Imperial starship Running into a slipstream capable craft. I was taken back to this galaxy by Lord Krell.
"He forced myself and the few other engineers to build ships for him and terrible devices," he told them, "We helped him redesign a Worldship."
Wang continued telling them about the years of torture and Krell's obsessive search for the missing link in the Magog genetic structure, the Yuuzhan Vong. He told them who he spent years studying the structure of black holes under Krell's direction as they built something he called 'the Accelerator.'
He told them about the day Krell stepped into the Accelerator and came out changed as though he had drawn on the power of the Black Hole at the center of the galaxy.
"It was the most terrible thing I had ever seen," Wang told them, "I was in the control room, safe from what was to come. He did something, the room became a blur, and the Yuuzhan Vong and the other creatures he had gathered over the years seemed to meld. Most of them died, lumps of horrid burned flesh and gristle.
"A handful of Magog were born that day and they multiplied, by infesting the scientist and engineers who were on the floor."
"And Krell," Omas demanded, "What happened to Krell."
"He changed," Wang tried to explain; "It was as though he had draw to much power into himself. He began to blister and glow, but darkly."
"I'm not sure I understand," Luke interrupted.
"I've never seen it before, I've only heard it described mostly in whispers," Wang told them, "but I'm sure, I'm so absolutely certain. Darth Krell is the Spirit of the Abyss."
Of those gathered there only Luke seemed to understand the full gravity of what Wang had told them. Cal Omas leaned over to Luke to speak quietly to him, but it was clear the Jedi Master was lost in his own world.
A few heartbeats passed without a word from any of the Council members and the concern grew on the face of the councils leading member. Finally Luke could stand it no longer and he left the chamber without a word.
"I am afraid I don't understand," Omas announced, "What is the Spirit of the Abyss?"
"He is the 'god' of the Magog," Wang replied, "He guides them drives them and in truth he created them."
"And your saying that this Spirit of the Abyss, the same one who will lead the invasion of your galaxies thousands of years from now is a Sith lord from this time and this galaxy," Kyp asked.
"Yes," Wang replied, "I believe he is."
"I think we are in a lot of trouble," Corran announced.
"I' am afraid I agree," the Chief-of State responded.
The Andromeda exited slipstream at the edge of the Saccoria system along with the first wave of Galactic Alliance forces. Over one hundred ships, mostly from the old New Republic's Defense Fleet and all under the command of Tealera Meduk, exited hyperspace around her.
Massive carriers began to disgorge starfighters as the warships of the Alliance took up battle positions.
Andromeda's new sensors detected the arrival of the second wave nearly two AU out. That force was made up of mostly Imperial ships and was commanded by Admiral Pellaeon himself.
"Launch fighters," Dylan ordered.
"Launching slipfighters," Rommie responded.
"We are receiving orders from Admiral Meduk," Trance reported, "All craft are to proceed with the battle, engage at will."
"Very well," Dylan replied, "Let's bring it."
"We've got launches from the planet surface," Rommie reported, "Over one thousand Magog swarmships."
"That's a lot," Beka noted.
"Yes and it's our job to take them out," Dylan replied, "Load offensive missiles, tubes one through forty, defensive missiles tubes forty-one through sixty."
"Missile tubes ready," Tyr responded, "Enemy ships are in range."
"Hold fire," Dylan ordered.
"Holding," Tyr acknowledged, "though I cannot conceive why."
The Magog force continued to gather strength in orbit of Saccoria. Hundreds of thousands of Magog were crowded into those craft, many newly born from the millions of Saccorians who had been taken as hosts.
"The Magog fleet is leaving orbit of Saccoria," Rommie reported, "They are coming out to meet us."
"Good," Dylan replied, "very good."
"Your mad of course," Tyr told him plainly, "having a Magog swarm coming for you can never be a good thing, no matter the plan."
"He raises a good point," Beka added.
"Normally I'd agree with you," Dylan replied, "But not today."
"The third taskforce has exited hyperspace," Rommie reported, "The Magog are surrounded. Admiral Sovv sends his regards."
"Excellent," Dylan said, "Tyr open fire."
"Gladly," the Nietzschean growled.
The Andromeda began to loose wave upon wave of destruction as it targeted the small Magog craft. The rest of the fleet soon followed suit as the swarm entered the range of their powerful turbolaser weapons.
"The Magog are scattering," Tyr reported, "they are trying to break out of the bubble."
"Get me Commander Se Dong," Dylan ordered, referring to the Nietzschean leader of Andromeda's fighter wing.
"Se Dong here," the pilot called over the comm.
"Khaing," Dylan replied, "the Magog are trying to break out in between the two forward battle groups. I need you to take them out."
"Yes sir," the Nietzschean replied as he broke the channel.
"The Magog are being pushed back into the kill zone," Rommie reported casually.
"Excellent," Dylan replied with a slight smile. She does enjoy being a warship, he thought to himself.
"Dylan," the video version of Andromeda said as she appeared on the forward monitor, "We are receiving new orders from fleet command.
"We are to proceed with phase two immediately."
"Really," Dylan responded with surprise, "the battle must be going better then I thought."
"All ships have reported in," Andromeda announced.
"Beka set a course for the planet, all ahead full," Dylan ordered.
A quiet knock on the doorframe was all it took to knock Luke out of his reverie. Though one must suggest that the person doing the knocking might have something to do with that.
"Hello Luke," Mara said.
Looking up at his wife, her long flowing red hair pulled back into a tight ponytail and look of barely concealed concern were the first thing the Jedi Master noticed.
"Hello Mara," Luke returned, "I take it you've heard."
"I heard you were sulking in our quarters for the past few hours."
"Not sulking," Luke told her, "Considering."
"Considering what exactly," she asked gently.
"The Abyss," he replied with a slight quiver.
"You mean Krell," Mara corrected.
"No I don't," Luke told her, "Wang was right, I can feel it. Darth Krell and the Spirit of the Abyss are the one and the same."
"Luke it's not possible. Wang comes from a world that is thousands of years in our future. Krell could not have survived that long."
"Mara, it is true," he said gently but with no mistake, "And I must face him."
"Look farmboy," Mara retorted forcefully, "You're supposed to be beyond this whole destiny complex thing. Luke Skywalker does not have to save the galaxy from every crisis."
"No," he returned, "but I must face this one."
"Fine," she told him, "If you're going off to face this dark lord/spirit whatever, I'm going with you."
"NO," Luke said with a fire that surprised even him," You will not."
Mara regarded her husband with shock at the power of his demand. Luke was never harsh, not with her at least.
"If you go Mara," Luke told her gently, "you will die. I have foreseen it."
"What if you don't come back," Mara retorted, her own emotions beginning over ride her Jedi control.
"Then at least our son will have his mother," was all Luke could say.
Knowing she could have no response to that he pulled her into a tight embrace letting his emotions flow over her and drawing strength from the inexhaustible pool of her strength.
"I love you Mara," Luke told her quietly.
"But you have to go," Mara said with more understanding then she truly felt, "Come back to us Jedi Master."
"I will. I promise."
An odd assortment of rock and prefab construction made up the space station that housed the Jedi Academy. In some ways it reminded Harper of Winnipeg Drift or even Candu Station.
Jacen was clearly an expert at traveling the gravity null paths through the Maw and while the ride was bumpy Harper was surprised that he never felt himself to be in any danger.
"Three minutes and thirty-eight seconds," Jacen was saying to himself, "Beat you by three ticks Jaina."
"What was that," Harper asked.
"My sister Jaina," Jacen explained, "She was a pilot in an elite squadron during the war. Her best time through the Maw was three seconds slower then what we just did."
"Wow and she's a Jedi too," Harper asked.
"One of the best," Jacen replied.
"This is incredible," Rev Bem growled, "A completely stable zone in the middle of a black hole cluster."
"Indeed," Jacen replied, "Legend has it that some ancient and powerful race built the Maw for its own purposes. No one has been quite able to work out a model for how something like this could occur naturally, so basically that legend is as good as any theory."
A few moments later Jacen received his landing instructions and put the shuttle down in the main hanger of the installation.
The three passengers gathered themselves up and prepared to leave the shuttle. Walking down the boarding ramp Harper noticed a tall powerful looking Jedi in dark robes.
"Master Kam Solusar," Jacen began, "May I present Brother Behemial Far-Traveler a follower of the Way, and Seamus Zelasny Harper, our new initiate."
"Welcome to you both," Kam replied, "Mr. Harper, some of our apprentices will unload your belongings. Your training begins in the morning.
"I hope you are ready."
"Oh, I'm ready," Harper replied with nervous excitement.
"We shall see." Kam returned.
"Brother Far-Traveler has request the opportunity to study the history and philosophy of the Jedi order," Jacen told the elder Jedi, "To better his understanding of the Way and how we might fit with it."
"Please, call me Rev Bem," Rev told them, "such formality is not needed, and I have grown quite accustomed to the nickname.
"I would be honoured if you would grant me the opportunity of studying your beliefs and I offer myself to anyone who wishes to better understand mine."
"A generous offer," Kam returned with a smile, "My wife Tionne is the our current keeper of Jedi lore and the Academy's chief librarian.
"I believe she would be most glad to help you learn all that you can about the Jedi, the Force and whatever else we can help you with."
"It is you who is being so generous," Rev replied.
"Jacen, if could please show Seamus and Rev Bem to their rooms," Kam asked, "Mr. Harper is going to need a lot of sleep tonight."
The orbital path to Saccoria was littered with Magog ships, some only debris but most still working and quite dangerous warships. The Galactic Alliance had corralled the majority of the Magog fleet at a distance several million kilometers beyond the planets only moon, Sarcophagus.
This meant that the Andromeda Ascendant entered orbit of Saccoria not challenged by hundreds of Magog vessels but only by the few remaining ships that stayed to defend the planet.
"Mr. Anasazi," Dylan began, "would you do me the honour of clearing my sky."
"With pleasure," Tyr replied.
The small swarm of Magog vessels guarding this part of the planet, perhaps twenty ships in total was quickly destroyed the heavy barrage of missile fire.
"Nice work Tyr," Dylan praised.
"No further swarm ships are coming to greet us," Rommie reported.
"Send word to the fleet," Dylan ordered, "We're ready."
A few moments latter, with a flicker of pseudomotion, a small force of Alliance ships exited hyperspace. The force, consisting of ten ships, included two of the large Imperial Star Destroyers and eight large troop transport vessels.
"This is Captain Dayvid Kelar of the Star Destroyer Viscount," a familiar voice called out over the new subspace radio, "Andromeda Ascendant, we are ready to begin."
"Acknowledged Captain," Dylan replied, "You may begin landing your troops when ready."
"Understood," came the reply.
"I can't believe we're trying to take a planet from the Magog," Beka announced, "its kind of scary/cool. You know what I mean."
"We aren't taking this planet, we're just trying to secure it so we can save what's left of the population," Dylan reminded her, "which reminds me, are the 'Lads' ready."
"Ready and eager," Rommie reported.
"Launch planetary warfare 'bots," Dylan ordered.
"'Bots away," Rommie replied, "Wait, Dylan, I'm detecting multiple slipstream events in the outer system. A new Magog fleet has arrived, and Dylan they have a world ship."
"What," Dylan exclaimed, "let me see."
A tactical display appeared on the forward screens showing a large new swarm and much less expansive world ship.
"There are at least four hundred more swarmships," Rommie told them, "And that world ship has three planets arranged around an artificial star and held together by artificial gravity."
"Dylan they're firing point singularity weapons," Trance called out.
"She's right," Andromeda confirmed.
"Get me Meduk," Dylan demanded, "Now."
"It's to late," Beka said turning away from the display.
"We can't get through to the Griffon," Trance reported, "But at least forty ships have been destroyed. Admiral Sovv is ordering a full retreat."
"Recall all landing craft," Dylan ordered, "Set course for the Duros rendezvous point.
"It's never easy."