Major Grodin Tierce stared stonily ahead, ignoring the two guards behind him as the shuttle he rode on traveled ever so closely to his finial end. It had been three months since the Battle for Ossus, as the rebels called it; the End as he was sure his formal masters would describe it and the gods had passed judgment on him. He failed in his holy duty to assist the Yuuzhan Vong to conquer the galaxy and bring the message of the True Gods to the worthless infidels, whether or not they wanted it.

It didn't matter to him that he was a worthless Infidel himself. He heard the truth in what the Yuuzhan Vong preached and felt deep within his bones that they knew the true way, the only way to live. He worked tirelessly for his masters to help bring the wretched galaxy under the rule of the Yuuzhan Vong. With his superior genetic coding, his enhance tactical skills and the best Imperial Stormtrooper training given to him at his creation by Grand Admiral Thrawn, himself, he knew he could help his new cause achieve victory.

However, the gods had judged the Yuuzhan Vong and him and found them … inferior. As was the case of his fall from grace when he was thwarted by the so-called Grand Admiral Pellaeon from ruling the Empire and restoring it to its greatness, so too was his second fall was caused by forces outside his control.

First, the gods were insulted by Master Kwaad's blasphemy attempts to practice heresy and create the Abomination on Yavin 4, then they found Shimrra to be practicing heresy and claiming that he was receiving their great gifts. To punish him, they drove him mad and desecrated their new home world with inferior world brain. Nom Anor, having led the Shamed Ones in revolt, just added to the long list of sins they had to atone for before the gods would forgive them. Gods had showed their displeasure by allowing the Jedi and the False God to defeat them at Yuuzhan'tar.

His masters understood the gods' anger and when they regrouped in Hutt space the new leadership first destroyed all those who displeased the gods. Many days the blood of the shamed flowed not in ritual but like cattle. The next step they decreed was to use the Slayers to destroy the Abomination. A task they had believed they completed and then to build a mighty fleet to rid the galaxy of the Jedi and restarted the Holy Crusade to subjugate the Infidels. In addition, when the False God, Zonama Sekot, was left a burned dead husk would the gods favor their children again.

Yet again, they failed to please the gods properly and they took an extra special revenge against their children. They had thought they destroyed the Abomination at Borleais along with the Wraiths but they had been wrong, so horribly wrong. The Abomination had risen from the grave, led a fleet against the Yuuzhan Vong 'Fleet of Redemption', and won! Out numbered, out gun and out everything, they met the fleet head on and won

For a long time as he waited in jail to be sent back to the Empire in disgrace he thought if only his masters had listen when he tried to warn them after Borleais that the Abomination was still alive. None this would have happened and he would still be on the winning side. It took many days of prayer, fasting and ritual slashing to finally understand that it wasn't his masters who had failed the gods but it was he. That is why the Abomination had injured him so; his pride is what sealed the doom for the Chosen Ones. When the Solos helped the Abomination on Tatooine, he should have contacted his masters immediately instead of traveling with the Wraiths. Nevertheless, he allowed his pride, his desire for revenge against those who ruined him to take precedent over the wish of the gods. Just like Nom Anor, whom he despised, the gods had punished him severely. With his punishment came the finial destruction of the Yuuzhan Vong. He can see that clearly as he can see that the gods are generous and will allow one to attempt to regain their favor but they never grant two chances.

That is why the guards were so relaxed and unafraid, they had nothing to fear from him. The rebels had stopped him twice from ritual suicide, when one lose favor why should one want to live, but that was about as violent as he had gotten since the Abomination disabled him on Endor. He just couldn't build up the energy or the will to fight anymore.

Pellaeon had stopped in to see him before the Right to Rule left Ossus. The Traitor to the Empire told him that his people were already asking the Rebels to turn him over to them. Pellaeon also stated that he was confident that it should be no troubles since there had been an outstanding warrant for his arrest for almost eight years now and his involvement with the Bothan Incident was well documented. He would stand trial for escape and flight and would serve out his time at the Empire's Pit, a little nasty planet that the Emperor had found long before the Clone Wars were fought before his raise to power. It was located out in the Unknown Regain, Grand Admiral Thrawn had talk about it with Pellaeon once, and it is where you were sent if the Emperor really wanted you to suffer. Rumor had it a Jedi or two had been dropped off there after the Clone Wars. There were no guards, no cities, no garrisons, no ship ever landed there, nothing but jungle. They flew in, stunned you, stuck you in an escape pod and dropped you off with nothing more then the clothes on your back. No one knew how many were sent, there were no records; no one knew how many still survived, no one ever bother to check on you once you were in the pod. Pellaeon has never used it before, although he knew of other who had, until now that is.

He didn't fight is extrication to the Empire, it was a sham and he refused to grant the Rebels any hint that he recognized their existence. In addition, being a true believer, he could see the god's hands in all this. They work in strange but just ways.

"Three minutes till course change, the voice of the pilot came across the intercom. One of the guards got up to make sure he was secured and then prepared himself for the exit from hyperspace.

"Only two more jumps," one said to the other sounding relieved.

"Yep, I kind of want to get home and see my wife," the other one said, "we been gone longer then I expected she is going to kill …"

Suddenly the shuttle rocked and all the lights and power died.

"What the …" one of the guards swore as the hatch to the cockpit was pushed opened. The two guards got up to help the pilot and co-pilot open the hatch.

"We got hit by two ion blast as soon as we left hyperspace," the pilot said, "the frigate that shot us is pulling us in now."

"I thought our course was classified." One of the guards said getting his pistol out and checking the charge.

"It is, not even the Grand Admiral knows where we are, he instructed me to come back any way I choose too."

The gods knew, the man though, hiding his smile, maybe the gods do grant a third chance. As the four men tried to figure out how to get away from who ever this was that attacked them, the man felt the shuttle come to a rest on its belly. Which puzzled him, how were the rescuers able to enter if the hatch was blocked? The answer reveled it self on the starboard side.

"SITH! That's a light saber!"

Grodin craned his neck and body to glimpse what appeared to be a yellow light saber cutting through the bulkhead behind him. He heard the guards muttered nervously as the wall heated and power lines melted under the assault of the Jedi. As the piece of the hall fell inward, all four of the Imperials raised their weapons as the pilot shout out for them to identify themselves and a demand for an explanation. The Jedi answered them, with the blade. He couldn't see who it was or what actually was happening but the screams of the guards as the Jedi cut them down made it clear on the Jedi's intentions. Grodin sat still; he could hear nothing but his breathing and the soft footsteps of the Jedi.

His 'savior' was a Twi'lek, with blue skin and a determined look in her eyes. Without a word, she released his bonds and step back for him to stand up on his own. He did so, very wearily, he had hoped at first that somehow the gods had intervened and granted him a very rare third chance. Now he was not sure, Jedi did not help Clones nor do they help Peace Brigade members. Especially this one, he knew her for she was Alema Rar, she was about as anti-Vong as they were anti-Tahiri. Of course, if she was going to kill him, she was taking her own sweet time. Then she did something that astounded him.

"Major Grodin Tierce, sir," she said coming to attention and saluting him, "I hope that we will be able to work together."

"Do you now," Grodin asked suspiciously and returning the salute.

"Yes, Major," her eyes dancing with excitement, "Yes indeed. If you would please follow me to the bridge and I will explain on the way." Looking over at the four bodies, "my crew will be disposing the trash as soon as I step off. They are not very bright and might accidentally mistaken you for … trash."

"And how would you view me, Rar?"

"Why sir, an associate, a equal partner in this troubling and wretched times we find ourselves in," she said with a amused smile and tone, "or stay here," she lost all humor as she glanced pointedly at the bodies, "and join the trash."

"What kind of partnership are you looking for?" He said as he headed to the hatch she had cut out of the hull.

"A profitable one Major," she said brightly and cheerfully as she step out a head of him. As he set out on to the deck of the hanger, he was taken back by the 25 YVH1 droids standing at attention and saluting them both as Rar walked across the deck. As they passed, the droids advanced on the shuttle and began dismantling it by their sheer strength and tearing it apart with their 'hands'. "After all, we both need each other to accomplish our own personal goals." The Jedi said as she led him out of the hanger into the depths of the ship. "This is one of the ships that was designed by the dear departed Admiral Kre'fey to be run by remote from a central control ship and be 'manned' by the various droids stationed here." She stopped by a bank of lifts and gave him a smile Grodin assumed was supposed to communicate cheer. "It was supposed to be your old bosses demise. 5,000 ships just like this one, from Star Destroyers to fighters, all remotely controlled to destroy the Scarheads."

"Like the Trade Federation before and during the Clone Wars," Grodin said stepping into the lift, unafraid if she was going to kill him she wouldn't have to trick him into it.

"Why yes Major," she said sweetly with no sign of surprise, she must know who he was then. "But with updated computer controls and relays the bypassed the many problems that were associated with the old Trade Federation system. If the Wraiths had not stolen and wasted that fleet I am sure the Battle of Ossus would have gone differently."

"Yes, the Yuuzhan Vong would have won," He said as the lifts opened and he step out. He could feel her stare into his back. "The Yuuzhan Vong had been planning that raid since the defeat at Coruscant and threw ever bit of energy they could spear and then some into building a mighty fleet." He stopped and turned to see her in the lift with a deadly look on her face and not moving. "Do not let what you wish for blind you to what really is, the only reason your fleet did as well as it did was the fact that Abomination was able to distract and confuse the objective. Instead of traveling straight to Ossus and wiping out the Jedi, they allowed the Wraiths to destroy them piece by piece."

"Maybe," she growled out and then visible brought herself under control, "I wasn't there, I was still out on the other side of the galaxy chasing shadows." She left the lift and started leading him to the bridge area. "I have been able to see the after action reports, the number of ships those fool said they fought were verified give or take a hundred. They had to travel over thirty systems to collect it all but there you go." She palmed the Bridge hatch open and led him through, his first impression was how clean, white and empty it was. "This gem was never there either," she said as he soaked up the scene before him, "it had a bad slave control circuit or chip or something and when the rest jumped it stayed behind. After I heard what happened at Ossus, after the Skywalker began sending out 'request' for me to return, I stole a X-wing and flew out there hoping something would be left behind." She sat down at the Captain's chair and propped her feet up on the control panel.

"I see," he said coming up and standing before her, "what I don't see is what I am doing here."

"Because I need you to help me destroy Tahiri," she said bluntly.

"Why?"

"The only thing I have ever agreed with the Scarheads on was that the little freak is better off dead then alive," she said anger returning to her eyes. "I know who you are major, I have your file that I 'borrowed' from the Imperials. You have been a busy little boy since you crawled out of that test tube haven't you."

"Yes," he said simply. He figured she knew who he was and now that she confirmed he knew what bait she would use to entice him to join his side. Of course, the Jedi would think that she was being clever, most of them do. She would offer to help him destroy the ones who have wronged him in exchange for his help in destroying the Abomination. Nevertheless, it wasn't going to happened that way, he was granted another chance to help the Yuuzhan Vong to victory and he wasn't going to waste it by chasing down the flea. Besides, the Slayers would kill him if he got her first and they were denied the opportunity to do so. He would listen to her and then either kill her or simply flee and return to his masters.

"I need you major," she said with a crafty smile and he braced himself for the pitch, "with your brain and connections and my many skills and connections we might just survive the coming destruction."

"Whose destructions?"

"The galaxies of course," she said with a wider smile and he was confused but didn't let her know it. "For months now I have been getting strange visions from the Force. Of entire sectors of space falling into disorder and chaos, a war with has many sides, as there are planets. I had thought it was the Vong who were responsible for all this but after seeing what happened, is happening to those in Hutt space, I know it can't be them. Have you heard what is happening over there?" He shook his head truthfully; she dropped her feet to the deck and brought some images up on the screens. "Mass suicides, mass starvation, massive break down of their empire."

Grodin watched as single skips making individual runs against Star Destroyers, warriors charging troopers unarmored and weaponless only to be cut down before they made it, usually with yards to cross. One entire planet that was burned to nothing and the bones of its inhabitants laying out in a ritual style that the GA would never know about or care to arrange them into. Grodin watched all this with his mind racing; he dismissed it as a ploy on her part. She had to know that if she was faking this and he found out later that she was, and he would eventually, he would kill her for it. However, discounting all that it just made logical sense, they have lost all hope; they lost their gods love there was nothing more for them to live for. Even Grand Admiral Thrawn would be hard press to turn this around, not that he could since the Yuuzhan Vong would never soil themselves further by following an Infidel. The gods' finial judgment was being realized and he knew that he could not return.

"So, the Rebels won," he said after awhile, "where does this leave us?"

"On the eve of a galactic hell," she said leaning forward. "The enemy has been defeated and what does the G.F.F.A have to show for it? Nothing! Social disorder is raising, starvation, homelessness, smuggling and piracy is at an all time high. Not just here but in the Empire as well, since many felt that if the Emperor was still around the Vong would have never been a issue and at Pellaeon for getting involved and losing their capital and their riches planets. The Wraiths just pushed things along with their exposing Kre'fey's plans to destroy Zonama Sekot, which by the way many Senators and majority of the people are in favor of since they are dying and the Yuuzhan Vong there are thriving."

"Again, where does this leave us? Are you planning on coming to the masses rescue?"

"Screw the masses," she said with a bitter laugh, "if there are two things those simpletons hate more then Scarheads are Jedi and clones. They wouldn't lift a finger to help either of us, if anything they would help. No, all I want are the Wraiths, especially Tahiri, dead! I help you do the same for Karrde and Pellaeon. After we accomplish those two goals if you want to crave out an Empire to run, I help there too. I am not interested in that but I'll help if you want. Or we can sit back enjoy the spectacle of the war." She watched him closely as he weight what she was saying against what was happening. "This collapse will happened if we help it along or not, I know this the same way I found you; by the Force. We can either help it along and take advantage of it and get our revenge or not."

"Yes, how did you find me, the pilot said that he was the only one with the course?"

"Why the Force, Major," she said brightly.

Grodin walked over to another chair near her seat, sat down, and thought long and hard about this plan. It had merit except a few things were still not clear and his masters were no longer a consideration as he knew and saw.

"Just how exactly are we to 'help' the break down occurring? Or do you have other assets hidden away?"

"No, so far it is just you, this ship and me," she said brightly and let out a little giggle. Grodin let out a snort of his own, the Jedi have never been known to think small. "Coruscant wasn't built in a day after all, we need to raise money for our activities and to paid for our help. And the best way to do that is smuggling."

"Yes, you and I in a frigate smuggling," he said with another snort, "we won't be easy to spot."

"Well not us," she said with a grin, "but I know something you don't. The Peace Brigade is running for the hills. They are finding any could size rock to hid under and they know you. You they would trust to work for but a Jedi," she shook her head, "no, they would never believe me. We get them to work for us, do some smuggling; in exchange, we give them whatever assistance we can with this little jewel I have. I sure an YVH or two for security would be a good price. They get to keep some of the money and we get the rest, and what they will be hauling will make us money hand over fist."

"Smuggling what, spice?"

"Something better then spice, have you ever heard of a murta root?" He searched his memory and was surprise that he had, it was a minor spice of the Yuuzhan Vong. It was cheep, tasted awful, and was generally used by the Shamed only because it was the best they could afford. When he told her about it, she nodded with approval and went on to explain why she was interested in it. "While the Vong have little or no use for it, the affects on many of this galaxy inhabitants is very striking. It is a drug more powerful, addictive and deadlier then any known drug around. In its raw form it is enough to cause a man to hallucinate and experience bliss for a week, so said the reports I have seen on it. It will also cause a man to kill anyone who dares to keep him away from another taste. The addiction properties are astounding. Moreover, after long tern exposure it slowly kills the person using it. It has been a minor problem on Coruscant for sometime now as those still living there use it to forget the hell they been through. They know how deadly it is but the effects are so wonderful, apparently, they don't care."

"So we become drug runner."

"Yes, I am sure either you or one of the Peace Brigadier would know a chemist who can help us refine the root for sale on the streets. Let the damn masses drug themselves stupid, the added strain to the G.F.F.A will only hasten their downfall. And the money we will make it assist us in getting our revenge!"

"So where do I fit in?"

"I need your brain Major, I need that wonderful brain that Thrawn gave you to help me set up and run this operation. I know G.F.F.A procedures and how to run rings around security systems and the Force can help me warn you of any potential problems. But I am not stupid enough to believe I know everything, what I don't know you do or know someone who does."

"And what if I refuse to help you?"

"Well," she said sitting back in her seat, "you won't get your revenge against Pellaeon and Karrde and I find someone who will help. My X-wing is down in the hanger; you would be free to fly away. Why should I stop you? You won't go to G.F.F.A or the Imperials and tell them about me. On the very slim chance you do, they won't believe you nor find me. Where would you go? Back to the Vong?" She snorted at that idea, "if you want to waste your time there then be my guest."

"What if I wish to kill the Abomination myself?"

"I heard what she did to you," the Jedi said and for the first time since he walked on this ship, she showed an emotion other then anger and a thirst for revenge; she showed real concern and regret. "Just goes you to show you what a true monster she really is. To do that to a man, any man …" she shuddered, "when we get her if you want we can work together to make her pay not just for what she did to you but what she did to me. That is the best I can offer."

She waited patiently as he worked through the plan as she outlined it. True, he had nowhere to go; the Yuuzhan Vong had been judged unworthy of the gods' love. Return to the Empire and do what, turn him self in and just get killed. The Rebels weren't even a consideration and Rar must be on the run from them or else she wouldn't be here now. True, she could be using him to track down the rest of the Peace Brigade but unlikely, eventually they would be found and killed. Plus, he knew ways to keep a Jedi under wraps if needed. No, he could see that the gains would out weight the risk of working with her. Maybe, just maybe the gods have shown mercy on him and granted him a third chance and if they had this was the bets way to do their bidding.

"If you would allow me access to the computers, I'll get started on contacting the needed people," he said standing up and holding out his hand.