Alanna: Thanks, and I know it's a little confusing… As to why the chapters are so short is because I had them formatted differently for another site and they were about 5 ½ pages rather then the 3 ½ they are now. I can't add on to them because they are already pre-written. They should get longer though.

Kazzy: Mara and Leia… *cackles* You didn't really miss 2 chapters, I just uploaded two because I had been internet-less for a day so I couldn't put one up. *sad sigh* You like the little ones? :-D YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! I love 'em too. :-D

Ameri: The voices? *groan* Them… They… Okay. I'll give it my best shot. The other voices are Jedi long dead. They go away and come at will. *shrugs* He's only 5 and living in the Under-World of Coruscant. I had to do SOMETHING… Djai is a bit different but he'll be explained in the coming chapters. BTW, I like your SN.

Lyse: Thanks. :-D

Disclaimer: Oh all right. I'm GL's youngest Granddaughter and will be inheriting the Lucas Arts company… *has fingers crossed*


Chapter Seven


Kyp knew he was alive... At least he hoped he was. Air was moving past him, or maybe it was just his imagination. Something touched his nose - or possibly it was his eye. Everything felt the same. The same red-hot heat infused his every cell. The same icy cold was present whenever he brushed against something. Everything had the same dream-like quality... Except these nightmares were real.

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Zekk carried her carefully in his arms. A blanket that he had grabbed at the last minute was wrapped painstakingly around her. With each step he took he fully expected someone to jump out at him and snatch her away from him.

He didn't know why but he knew that he had to keep her with him.

If he didn't…

She'd die. And so would he.

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The pirate walked with a definite swagger. He'd soon be rid of that Durron brat... It was only a matter of time. The ship continued unrelentingly in its course.

Destination? Coruscant.

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Something kept Mara from pulling the trigger. She smiled ferally at the seated woman.

"Do you have any idea how pathetic your guards are?" Laedala's eyes blinked, her glowing eyes hidden from view for a brief moment. She opened her mouth to retort and Mara's sharp green eyes hardened. "Can it, slut."

Laedala's eyes flared with hatred as Mara continued. "My only objective here is to make you pay. I thought about taking your life..."

Laedala whispered softly, "Why don't you?"

Mara raised one curved eyebrow and then with a malicious gleam in her eye reached past her nemesis's head to press a small button hidden in the design on Laedala's throne. A pale blue shield suddenly sprang into place above the two Christmas-eyed ladies.

"Because I want to see you squirm."

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Han held Jacen awkwardly as the ramp slowly lowered.

Chewie was at his side as they walked down the ramp where a commanding woman stood, face blank.

Eleven battle-worn Dathomirian women surrounded her, their faces full of warning. Han swallowed. The comforting weight of his blaster pressed against his thigh made him feel slightly surer about himself.

"Tenneniel." He nodded his head at the Force-user.

"Han Solo. We've heard about Leia." Tenneniel's face remained devoid of emotion.

Han's face paled. "Do you know how she's doing?"

Tenneniel's solemn facade cracked and sorrow for the galaxy in general and Han in particular shone through. "I'm sorry."

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Zylar stared quietly then placed one long-fingered hand on Tanyr's shoulder.

"We should contact our superiors."

His head reared back slightly as the full import of what she said hit him. "Now? We don't kn-" he stopped himself. Sighed, "Fine."

I hope she's in a good mood...

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Tenneniel kept her voice low. She had already spotted two spies. Neither of them were hers. She curled one lip contemptuously.

If Ta'a Chume wants them to stay alive, she'd better actually try training the next bunch. If this is the best she's got, I shudder.

Han continued to speak quietly and Teneniel's heart went out to him even as she berated herself for allowing herself to feel sympathy. And for a man. She thought about the reoccurring vision that had been troubling her ever since that day she had spent with Tenel Ka and her husband.

Tenel Ka was already extremely powerful in the Force. They had melded their Force signatures together twice and had managed to reach Jacen's own even more powerful signature each time. A sudden flash came from her right and she immediately reacted.

"Duck!" her cry was short as she threw herself down and instantaneously began weaving a spell around Jacen.

Han watched in horror as six large blaster bolts pounded into his partner's face. Chewie dropped to the ground… dead.

"CHEWIE!" Han raged. Without thinking he dropped Jacen and drew his blaster, he fired only once. And that once was more then enough to kill the assassin.

Teneniel breathed a sigh of relief as Jacen was gently lowered to the ground. Standing to her feet she picked him up gently, he cracked open his left eye. The crystal cobalt blue was penetrating and made her feel like a void.

"Highness, we need to go," one of the blaster bearing warriors murmured.

Teneniel nodded her head and turned to Han with one raised eyebrow. "I'll keep Jacen." He voice was quiet and hard.

Han turned back to her, his face a mess of tears and his eyes wild.

"No! Not Jacen! Please! Ple-"

The blaster bolt caught him full in the back.

Teneniel turned on one heel and strode into the Imperial Palace, her "guards" quickly surrounding Han's limp form.

The one who had spoken to Teneniel grinned slyly at another one of the nine comrades. "How much do you think Thrawn will pay for him?"

"Enough." Their leader's voice was like silk. "Although I am disappointed that he had to kill one of our number."

"It couldn't be helped."

"True." the leader fell silent.

At a wave of their leader's hand they picked up Han's inert body and carried it to their ship.

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Isolder stood quietly watching his baby girl sleep.

His baby girl.

Tenel Ka's face crinkled as a dark presence approached her room. It turned into a full-fledged wail as it stopped outside the door. Isolder cradled her protectively in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder, her flaming hair tickling his ear.

"Who's there?" he called over the sounds of his unhappy daughter.

"You?" The tall lady stood in the door in shock. "Let go of her! She's not yours!"

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Thrawn sat in quiet contemplation. He was missing something...

"Captian Pellaeon." Thrawn acknowledged his second in command with a low voice. "What is the news?"

"Karrde is dead."

Thrawn's head snapped up, his red eyes blazing. "What?!" his voice gained a razor edge.

"And so is Pellaeon." a smoky voice whispered out of the darkness.

Thrawn watched as the man who he trusted raised a blaster and fired. Thrawn's lifeless body slumped forward and the shifter changed his human features for the alien kind that was his natural state. He pressed a small button on the com system built into his synthetic arm.

"Inform the Black Fighter that the target has been eliminated."