"We ran the serial numbers through Lando and his company, and found something rather interesting," Tahiri said as Luke flipped through the data pad looking for the correct entry.

Again, Luke was impressed, by the information that the Wraiths had gathered in the few weeks of investigation on the Bliss trade here on Kidriff 5 and the larger Bliss trade in general. Most of the credit rightly belongs to Ratnena Bora and Little Brother and their works on the various computer systems. Using slicing codes she had originally developed from her dealing with her former educator Darren Yunder and his criminal syndic and adapting them to the newer system he had, Ratnena was able to uncover the vast military, commencer and governmental contacts and money laundering contacts that all started at the school he ran.

Being an educator and mentor himself, Luke founded it harder and harder to look at Yunder without being angry and sadden by the man. Using the school to recruit, train and exploit his charges to assist in his criminal empire just sicken Luke to the core. Children with potential as these children have, they could have done much to help not only Kidriff 5 and beyond if they had the right guild. To Luke, Yunder was no different then the old Emperor, twisting young impressionable children to evil. Add in the logs that they found form Ratnena about her dealing with Yunder and the information Kidriff 5 security got from Celia … yes it was very hard not to hate the man.

"The Hu-Yunfer Company of Tatooine," Luke said when he found the right page.

"From the records Squeaky and Little Brother had stored in them, we found them to be one of the dummy corporations that the Vong Free movement established to supply arms and other goods for the Shadow Fleet." The young Sorr Hun said reading a data pad, one of the many spread out in front of her. "It was shut down and had all its assets frozen early in the investigation. They reported to have fronted the money for the droids and resold them to military. The YVH1 version they received are nearly identical to the military version except the override program, which would allow them to target non-Yuuzhan Vong life forms."

"Not that it makes that much of a difference really," Flight Officer Uhilka, said picking up another data pad, "it is a simple program upgrade to allow this override exists."

"Exactly, the droids that Yunder deployed had those overrides in place," Hun said, "those droids were reported to be deployed in the Shadow Fleet and believed to have been destroyed in the battle."

"What does Lando think about all this," Luke said looking at Han and Leia. Their history with Lando, the good and bad, make them more qualified to judge Lando's story then the young Wraiths.

"He is innocent on this one kid," Han said. Luke just gave him the look Mara called his JedI Master stare, "really Luke, he is."

"Lando told us before all this had happened, he sacked all those who had any dealing with the Vong Free movement," his sister said. "He also installed new protocols to make sure none of his employees attempt to sell these droids on the markets again."

"Lando may have had a shade deal or two in the past, Luke, but these droids are too profitable for him to lose the government contracts. In addition, he knows just how much damage these droids can cause in the wrong hands. If he says he is keeping a tight rain on the droids sales, I'm betting you can take his word on it."

"I would also say Mr. Carlrissian Company and employees are not at fault here," Kic Foruta said bring up a badly distorted scan of a frigate. "Apologies about the resolution of this scan but the frigate was unloading a large amounts of ordinance at the chase fleet, at that time their main concern was survival and not intelligence gathering."

"I, of course, was able to download this scan since I am able to remain calm and unconcern," the very unusual protocol droid Squeaky said in a smug voice.

"And won't shut up about either," the former Wraith Elassar said while covering his mouth.

"What we found out when we studied these scans," Tahiri said giving both of them a piercing stare, "the frigate has the same designs that we found in the Shadow Fleet."

"I'd thought that all the ships in that fleet had been accounted for," Luke said leaning back in his seat.

"We may have had misspoken JedI Master Skywalker," Elassar said looking apologetic.

"As we reported to the Senate and others, we met the fleet while in transit not at the ship yards. All ships had been accounted for that we commandeered," Squeaky said.

"It is very likely that a ship or two could have failed the initial jump," Tahiri said.

"We sent Kyp and a squadron out to the ship yards, Captain, and there were no signs of any ships left behind."

"Master Durron and his support crafts arrived three weeks after the Battle for Ossus," Tahiri said, "the warrant for Alema Rar went out nearly two and half weeks earlier. More then enough time for her to sneak in and out with any ships left behind."

"Remember Luke," Wedge said leaning forward, "those ships were designed to limit the number of personal needed to fly them."

"It is possible, however difficult it may seem, for JedI Rar to enter one of these ships and commandeer it for her own purposes," Squeaky said. "She was one of the high ranking members of Vong Free Movement."

"So why is one of my JedI flying around assisting a drug king pin?"

"We have been able to access some more information on Bliss, Master Skywalker, and there is a rumor going around that it is a JedI in charge of the operation and their main base is in a frigate," Calghal said then looked down the table towards Elassar, "and the news gets worst I am afraid."

"Worst how," Luke said with a sinking feeling in his gut.

"Shortly before Ratnena … well she contacted me about some brain scans she acquired from dead Bliss users. She said that they appeared to be similar to but not quite like Captain Tahiri's scans."

"Similar how," Luke said not really wanting to hear the answer.

"There are Yuuzhan Vong chemicals and proteins affecting the parts of the brain," Calghal said while bring up some scans and flashing through them. It is a plant protein that much we know since all plants and animals DNA differ in key areas. The problem lays in the fact that this protein is altering their brain chemistry, significantly."

"It is in fact transforming them into," Elassar broke off and looked at Tahiri.

"They are turning into copies of me," Tahiri said flatly.

"They are turning into Yuuzhan Vong?"

"Not quite, they don't have exactly same characteristic and their bodies, unlike Captain Tahiri, can't handle the stress and neither can their brains."

"I went to see some Bliss addicts, Master Skywalker; I can feel them in both shades of the Force."

"Which brings us to the worst news," Elassar said softly.

"It gets worst!"

"I am afraid so Master Skywalker, before Lt. Bora … died she had some evidence that the Bliss addicts were actually hearing the 'voices of the gods', as they claim, because the areas being affected also increased the sensitivity to the Force." Squeaky said translating what Little Brother was speaking as Little Brother flashed through some reports that Ratnena had dictated. "Lt. Bora was always puzzled as to why the Bliss addict would ever share their product with anyone since their need overruled any form of common sense. She had theorized that someone was speaking to them while they were intoxicated and controlled their actions."

"Which would also explain how it spread so quickly, which has been a mystery since the start," Doc said nodding her head.

"Are you saying that Rar is using Bliss as a form of Mind control?" Luke asked after a long pause.

"As much as I hate to admitted, no," Tahiri growled out, "She is not strong enough to control as many people as there are on Kidriff 5, let alone the rest of the galaxy."

"She could be the front man to someone else," Elassar said quickly.

"After what we observed in the Empire," Hun said while having Little Brother brings up some new files, "we think we know who is strong enough."

"One thing that was so disturbing about the Empire was the Hive Mentality that seemed to be everywhere," Uhilka said, "it was as if they were nothing but bugs dancing to an unseen and unheard music player."

"So you are thinking that Raynar Thul is somehow responsible for Bliss?"

"We are saying it is a possibility Luke," Tahiri said dropping the formalities, "what we are saying is the JedI and Wraiths need to pull together on this one."

"I can see that Tahiri but how do you wish to pool our resources?"

"Well, we are thinking of having Explosion Boy and JedI Girl, along with Mr. & Mrs. Solo, work with us to track down Rar …"

"Why start with Rar," Luke asked, interrupting Tahiri.

"Going after Rar is simpler then marching into the Empire and talking to Raynar," Tahiri said with a raised eyebrow, "besides my team should be able to handle Rar and anyone with her. If we get her into custody, we could get the intelligence to assist in getting the JedI into Raynar's palace. Remember Luke, my team is not equipped to deal with Raynar, that is strictly a JedI concern, however we can help in the insertion and planning. And in the outside case that Rar has no connection with Raynar, well we got one less danger off the scanner."

"We been bumping around in the dark for months Luke," Leia said leaning forward, "looking for Rar. Any help the Wraiths can provide we should take them up on it, they might see something that we have been overlooking."

"Agreed," Luke said without hesitation, "have you discussed this with you commanders, Tahiri?"

"I've put in a request yesterday," Tahiri said, in a business like manner. She then gave him a small smile, "Of course, if the legendary Master of the JedI, Hero of the Republic was to help by putting in a good word …"

"Flattery will get you everywhere Captain," Luke said with a grin, "I'll talk to Cal this evening. What about you Wedge?"

"I'm going to Denon, with my wife's connections and my own; we will see if we can track down Mr. Yunder. I have a promise to keep with him."

Luke gave his friend a hard look, he has heard Wedge mad before but it had been years since he heard that kind of steel in his voice. Before Luke could ask any questions Calghal also made the comment that she need to return to Denon or Ossus to run some test on this new development that Ratnena had discovered.

"If Lt. Bora is correct then this was in fact a very clever biological attack against the GFFA. By isolating and curing this weapon millions can be saved."

"Any luck in curing all the people here on Kidriff 5 since you have closed down the operations here?"

"No," Tahiri said in a sad voice, "the lack of Bliss anywhere is …"

"Captain Tahiri?"

"Tahiri here go ahead," she said pulling out her comm link.

"Tatooine Surprise here ma'am, message just came through from command. Hawk Bat Base compromised destroyed 1245 yesterday. Attack came from unknown frigate. Command suggests you return to Home. Do you copy?"

"Copy, Tatooine Surprise," although Luke could not sense Tahiri as well in the Force any longer, the sensation he was getting from her felt like … love shattering. Luke looked over at Calghal and his sister; by their nods, they too felt something from her even if outwardly she had not changed. "Please contact command and inform them we will head to Home a.s.a.p. Ask the captain to ready for launch in 4 hours."

"Affirmative, ma'am captain is … ma'am a flash message is coming across. Ma'am, Coruscant is reported to be under attack. Forces unknown …"

"Little Brother," before Tahiri was finished the small droid had already locked in the comm signal and had it displayed for everyone around the table.

"By the Cold …" Elassar whispered as everyone leaned towards the viewing screen.

The planet of Coruscant was a washed in fire!


"Hey Doc," Cathy turned around and saw Aden High walking towards her in his traveling uniform. After the briefing and seeing the destruction of Coruscant, again, Cathy decided that she wanted to go somewhere and have a drink or three. "Care for some company.

"Sure Flight Officer High," Cathy said stiffly, the last thing she really wanted to do was spend any time around High right now. Sure, if that was true why did you come to Space Port for your drinks? Her inter voice asked as High sat down and gave her a smile. She sternly told herself to be quite as she waved to the bartender for a refill. "I thought you had left already."

"I was able to get my leave time extended a few hours," High said as he took a sip of his own drink. "I was working on one of Ratnena's pet projects, the one about those strange comm signals that no one is able to record. It seems that there was some of that at Coruscant earlier."

"You heard about that?" Cathy said wishing she had not seen the aftermath of that attack.

"I was on the Tatooine Surprise when it came across," High said looking into his glass, "then of course I heard who was responsible …"

"Don't blame her for that!" Cathy said slamming her drink down and giving High a high power stare.

"The Emperor is a JedI …"

"So what? Uh so, freaking what? Face it High; she is no danger to anyone …"

"How about this, those signals have all been heard where ever she or the Emperor have been in the area. What if those strange comm signals are really used to boost their powers to mentally control everyone in the area?"

"Do you have any proof?"

"Not yet," High said sitting back, "Little Brother has denied me access to Ratnena's computers."

"You didn't tell him what you were thinking did you?"

"Well," he broke off and then gave her a dirty look as she laughed at him. "He gave me some line about that the computers are restricted to Wraiths only."

"That droid is more loyal to her then most humans are," Cathy said giving him a pointed stare.

"Well, in the long run it won't matter. When my appeal is heard …"

"Your what?"

"I'm appealing her orders to have me removed from the Wraiths."

Cathy just stared at him in disbelief, shaking her head she paid for her drinks, "you will never learn, will you?" With that, she left without a backward glance, leaving him in her past and wondering what was in her future.


Little Brother stood quietly in Tahiri's stateroom as the corvette Tatooine Surprise raced through Hyper Space to the main base on Borleais. He was reviewing his actions, Ratnena's actions and those of Tahiri since they all met up, his conclusion was obvious. He failed, completely. Tahiri counted on him to keep Ratnena unharmed and functioning, instead he failed. Tahiri never said that he failed her or his mission but her action since then had left him with the probability nearing 100 that she blamed him for her friend ending up dead. Why else would she order him to stay on the ship while she went to Coruscant to inspect the attack, why else would she take Searcher instead of him? Therefore, he stood there quietly, awaiting his mistress to return. He was also making changes to his programming, changes that would not allow him to fail again.


"It's completely dead," Tahiri said quietly as she and her X-wing slowly orbited the burned out husk of a planet. No one lived, neither Yuuzhan Vong nor normal life found there existed any long except in the minds of those around galaxy. She had come at the request of Command and Master Skywalker to give them her impression of the latest attack against Life from those who would destroy.

COMMAND AGREES WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT CAPTAIN TAHIRI.

"Do they have any idea how the Empire did this?"

NOT YET, CAPTAIN TAHIRI.

Tahiri was shocked at the damaged that Tahiri Veila's former classmate had inflicted on Coruscant but not nearly as shocked as she had been when she learned of the cheers it brought from many in the Senate. Rayner's bold proclamation that he and his Empire will continue the brave and under appreciated work of Admiral Kre'fey had many of the Senators loudly proclaiming that the GFFA and the JedI were the true criminals of this crisis.

CAPTAIN TAHIRI, COMMAND REPORTS THAT YOU ARE FREE TO RETURN TO YOUR NORMAL DUTIES.

"Thanks Searcher, plot a course back to Borleais, please. Time to go home." Home echoed in her head, home was the Hawk Bat base and Rat. Both were gone now as all connection she could hold and look at. Just as Tahiri Veila lost everything when Anakin died, she too had nothing but her memories of Rat and her home. Rat's family wanted nothing to do with her; they refused to allow her to retain any mementos of their daughter. Rat … not even the Force was giving her any comfort or hope. After weeks of strange but useful lessons, it has been weeks since she received any. The strange creature seems to have left her, as Rat has.

Tahiri was alone, again, and had to be strong … and protect Little Brother at all cost. After all he was the only family she had left, the only one she could trust.

Goodbye Rat.


Never fear Tahiri will return, soon I hope. To all who read and reviewed …… A BIG THANK YOU!