Jacen Solo stared out the spacecraft's window. The planet Gala blocked any view of the stars and distant galaxies. He always preferred being on the surface of a planet rather than in space. He had a great love for animals. If someone were to shout out the name of a certain species, Jacen could state a dozen of its characteristics and behaviors.

As he gazed down at the yellow-brown surface, he wondered what type of animals inhabited this planet. Surely he would run into some new species, and maybe, if he was lucky, he'd be able to take one home to add to his pets.

His thought were abruptly interrupted as the spaceship jolted underneath him.

"Blaster bolts!" he yelled out in surprise. He grabbed the edge of the seat on which he was sitting and pulled himself up to his feet. He ran for the door and opened it quickly. The ship dipped quickly causing Jacen to fall to the ground. He dragged himself back to his feet and continued towards the cockpit.

He through the door open an rushed inside. Jaina was in the pilot seat trying desperately to safely fly the ship in for a landing. Beside her sat Corran. His forehead was wrinkled into a

frown. He turned as Jacen came up behind him.

"Hey kid, better take a seat and strap yourself in, we're being fired upon. Master Luke appears to be having some trouble controlling his ship. He's been hit worse than us."

"I thought they asked us to come here," said Jacen in surprise.

"The Chacune asked for assistance in resolving the war. The Enucach don't want us here and I'm sure they will do all in their power to force us to leave." The com beeped, signaling that they were receiving in incoming call.

"This is the Graveler," said Jaina. "Proceed on."

"Jaina, this is Luke. I'm in pretty rough shape here. I'm gonna have to eject. I'll meet you on the surface. Continue on with the mission as best you can and..." The com erupted into static. He pursed his lips gazing ahead as the planet grew closer.

"I have a bad feeling about this."

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Shara joined Jaina, Jacen and Corran in the cockpit just as the ship landed. She had fallen asleep during the journey but had awaken when the ship had been hit. Corran stood and motioned for everyone to gather around him.

"We will be met by a representative of the Chacune. Be sure to show no favoritism to their cause or that of their enemies. We are here on a peaceful mission. Our goal is to investigate, not aid a battle. Everyone understand?"

All heads nodded. Corran met Shara's gaze. He was well aware that this was her first mission. In some ways she hated the fact that he knew. She wanted to be treated with the same trust that Jacen or Jaina had. But she would have to earn that trust, and that would only be earned in time.

Shara studied Corran's face. He appeared drained. The flight in had taken a toll on him and he was now on they were now on their own until Luke located them.

"Let's go," said Corran.

The group headed for the ships hatch. The ramp lowered with a long groan and touched the ground with a soft thud. Corran exited down the first ramp, eyes moving back and forth as he took in all his surroundings. Shara followed closely behind. Move as a shadow. Always.

It appeared as if they had landed on what once had been a road. Buildings lay in ruin on either side of the ship. Sand swept across the cracked pavement. Ahead of him three figures were walking in his direction. In the center was a young woman, Shara guessed was about twenty. Her dark brown curly hair was pulled back away from her face in a thick braid that waved about behind her in the breeze. Her chocolate eyes looked surprisingly wise for her age. To either side of her walked two men. Each was clad in dark leather jackets, hair cropped close to their heads.

Dark hair. Everyone has dark hair.

The woman stopped several meters ahead of them. Shara felt the woman's eyes pierce her own momentarily. The gaze shifted to each of her companions, studying each. Finally, her eyes rested on Corran.

"Welcome to Gala. I apologize for you troubles in landing but their was little we could do. My name is Tyla. I lead the Chacune and remain only under Ahsile. This is Typer Kile and Tyson Fertz. Typer is both third in comand and my trusted advisor. Tyson is my bodyguard."

Beside Shara, Corran stirred.

"I am Jedi Master Corran Horn and these," he motioned to his companions, "are my fellow jedi knights: Shara Gorra, Jacen Solo, Tenel Ka, and Jaina Solo. Unfortunately, Master Luke Skywalker had more trouble during the landing and was forced to abandon his ship. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated."

Tyla shifted uncomfortably.

"We will do the best we can. Unfortunately, your master landed in lands that are controlled by the Enucach. We have already sent out a search and rescue team, but have not located him."

Corran frowned, unsure what to say.

Tyla motioned for them to follow her. "Come, we should not discuss such matters in the open. Enucach spies are everywhere. We will be safer underground."

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Luke came to conciousness and found himself jammed in the escape vessel of his ship. He pulled his hands up over his head, pushing on the top exit. The hatch came loose with a few pushes. Luke pushed himself up, pulling his feet up. He fell back into his seat as a sharp pain shot up his right leg.

He glanced down. The bottom of his pant leg was now dyed a deep red color.

He pushed up again, careful not to put pressure on that leg. Somehow he managed to emerge from the wreck and drop to the side of the ruined escape vessel.

The ground was composed of a sandy dirt. No vegetation grew. In the distance he could make out a mountain range. No other life forms were vissible.

Luke reach down at his belt for the survival kit he had there. He pulled a white bandage and gauze from it. He then began carefully rolling up his pant leg. He grimiced slightly at the sight. His leg had been cut into when he had crashed. He applied the gauze and wrapped the bandage around the sore wound.

As he sat, he thought. The city the jedi team was supposed to land in was in an open area, away from the mountains. The mountains were home to the Enucach. Luke did not want to tangle with the wrong side just yet. Especially while alone and wounded.

Luke grabbed the side of the vessel and once more pulled himself up on one leg. He took anything of value and hooked each object to his belt. He then began to make his way slowly away from the vessel. He would not let himself become easy prey. He made his way in the direction where he assumed the Chacune would be, careful not to make his tracks to noticible.

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Shara entered the room just behind Corran. The lighting was dim and several candles were the only source of light. The walls were a drab baishe color and had many cracks.

Wooden chairs were posistioned in a circle in the center of the room, most of them were filled.

"Please. Be seated," said Tyla, her hand motioned towards the last few empty chairs. All others were filled by Chacune. "I'm sorry that we could not provide more comfortable surroundings, but we are in the middle of war. All luxuries were destroyed by our enemy, the Enucach."

Corran took a step forward and seated himself in the closest chair. Shara followed suit and took the next seat. The rest of the group was soon seated.

Tyla was the last to sit down.

"I asked for the assistace from the senate in helping us to become a united planet once more under the overall covering of the New Republic," she began. "However, the Enucach do not agree with our move for peace. They are only concerened about power and control."

Shana listened to everything the woman said, weighing each word carefully. So far Tyla had done nothing to cause Shara to question the validity of her words. But the best deceivers are those that reveal nothing of their true intent, she thought.

As Tyla continued on, Shara studied the faces of each native of Gala sitting in the circle. Most were drawn up and tense. Wrinkles were apparent on more than half of the men and women, regardless of age. Perhaps the added stress from the war has caused them to age faster. Each appeared to have the same wise eyes as Tyla. Most had dark hair.

Shara studied the room outside the circle of people. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling. Boxes were pilled up in all four corners. Except one.

She had not realized it at first, but there had been a dark figure that did not enter the circle. The man stood motionless in that empty corner, taking in each word spoken. His face was not clearly visible for it was hidden by a shadow. No candle lit this corner.

"…but I realize your traveles must have drained your energy," Tyla continued. "Come, enough talk for today. We will discuss matter in the morning. My aid Eileen will show you to your rooms."

All stood. A slender young girl made her way over past the group and towards a door on the opposite side of the room.

"If you please, this way," she said.

The group of jedi's rose and followed her. Shara took one last glance in the corner. There was a sudden bright flicker of a candle and Shara caught a glimpse of the man. The candle cast a pale yellow hue upon his face. He wore a shirt black like thick coal. His head was either shaven, or he was bald. Yet he looks no older than 25.

Their eyes met. His dark eyes piercing her's. She dropped her gaze from his and tried to hide the shiver trickling down her shoulders and over her back. Something about him made her curious. She wanted ask the young girl leading them who he was.

As she exited through the doorway, she suddenly realized that she had not seen anyone acknowledge the dark young man's pressence. It was as if no one noticed he was there.

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Luke limped along as fast a he possible could. An hour ago he had stopped for a rest. Now he regretted that he had. In the distance, a deathly shriek was let out. The cry had chilled Luke to the bones.

He could sense that he was being persued.

Luke stumbled forward. The soil beneath his feat was still sandy, only fertile enough to host small shrubbery. The was no cover, no place to hide. His persuers were drawing nearer.

Luke collapsed to the ground. He had leaned to hard on his wounded leg and the pain that had resulted from that pressure had caught his breath. He paused, knowing he could not stop. His heart beat faster.

In the distance another shriek was let out, this time, closer. Luke knew it would not be long before he was found. He pulled himself up off the hot sand and staggered on.

Luke sensed a sudden disturbance in the force. He once again dropped flat on the ground, lying still as he could. There was a flash of fur above him. He pressed himself closer to the ground and the beast missed him by inches.

The creature spun back around to face him. The face of the large beast resembled that of a rat. Red eyes dared Luke to challenge it. Upon its back sat a human figure. He was covered in thick armor and a dark sash was drawn across his mouth and nose.

"If you move, you die," the man said. Luke could tell from the tone of voice that the man was not into playing games. "The rest of my team is coming up behind you. I suggest you do as we say."

"I am no Chacune," Luke said in a steady steady voice. He doubted it would persuade the figure to let him go, but he tried no the less.

"Silence!" the man yelled. "I know who you are, and why you are here. You are to come with us while we decide how to best deal with you…jedi."

"I am not in your war," Luke tried again. He had a feeling that they did not intend to kill him. He was worth something, if not merely more than a bargaining piece. But how do they know I'm a Jedi?

The man let out at cruel chuckle. Luke gasped as pain tore down his back. He had been clawed by a beast behind him. He felt himself struggling for conciousness.

"You don't know when to quit do you." The man leaped down from the beast and drew close to Luke. "Let me clue you in here. You are the vulnerable one. You are the one in our control." Luke was tempted to leap at the man. But he knew he was outnumbered. He could not afford anymore damage to his already torn body.

The man's voice lowered to a whisper. "You are the one playing in death's shadow."