Dark Legacy

by Djuva

With Yana Dar's death now official the Council has to move quickly to prevent a civil war on Byss and curb Naas Deron's excesses as he follows his call as Cor'dan.

20. First Move

Chapter 18

Leia Organa Solo was not happy at all. "Where have you been?" she demanded and jumped up from her seat on the couch to confront her father as he strode into the living-room. "Where have you been?"

"Easy, honey", Han tried to soothe her when he came after her to hold her arm. He had come back from Naboo only yesterday, and he was as concerned as she was, that she knew. Which was why she did not understand his siding with her father now. She shook him off angrily, her eyes glued to Anakin's face. "No. He will answer. What was that supposed to be about Jacen and Jaina murdering Mahel Sivaraya? This damn recording they sent all over the holonet! Father! Why do I hear all this from anyone else but you?"

"I told you what would happen, back on Naboo, didn't I?" he replied smoothly, seemingly unfazed by her accusations.

"You told me Yana would die," she countered sharply. "No news of that so far."

"Why should Jiliha tell us now? There is always a time an a place, Leia," he reminded her, eyes narrowing. "You should know."

"Wait a moment", Han injected, aghast. "Yana is going to die? Have I heard that correctly?" Gape-mouthed, he stared first at his wife, then at his father-in-law. Leia, who now regretted that slip of her tongue, glanced over at her father to seek some reassurance, but Anakin's expression did not give anything away. "Anakin," Han continued, "you knew?" He sounded lost, and she could easily identify with his feelings. She had felt much the same, when her father had broken that particular bad news.

Then Father shook his head. "There is no way to change her fate now, Han. Naas Deron cannot protect her. No matter what he tries, he would be too late."

"And you stand there and tell me that you are feeling nothing at all? Leia?"

"Han," she tried. "Please believe me when I tell you that I grieve as much as you do. But Father is right. There is no way to prevent it. Jiliha n'Averone would never let Deron come close enough to rescue Yana. You believe us, don't you?"

"Do I have a choice?" he asked weakly, before he turned away to seat himself again. "And what about the children?" he demanded softly. "Leia asked you a question, Anakin. What about this foolishness concerning Mahel's supposed death on Korriban?"

"They are trying to frame us," Father replied. "Don't you see? First they bring up the genocide of the Yevetha, committed by a man who is conveniently dead and can no longer be questioned. Then they try to paint Jacen and Jaina as cold-hearted killers, no matter that they have supposedly taken care of Luzaya Dan's kidnapper. You saw where this took place?"

"The news-grids certainly made sure to mention it, yes", Han grated out sourly. "Korriban, a mysterious stronghold of the Sith, wasn't it something like that?"

"They should not have access to the co-ordinates, not even under the charter," Leia mused aloud. "They must have allies in high places, to get that information, but that we already knew, am I right?"

"Yes," Father conceded. "This battle is not fought with ships and armies, I fear, but politics. I am not very good at those."

"Do you have an idea of what will happen next?" she asked nevertheless.

He shrugged. "I do not know when Jiliha will break the news of Yana's death, but I can imagine how she will package it up. She will claim that the Yuuzhan Vong rebelled against the Empress' injustice and that Yana was killed during an attack on the Citadel. I do not know whether Jiliha will try to frame Franzis in any way, but she will certainly try to tell the New Republic that Naas Deron is siding with the rebellious Yuuzhan Vong and that a state of emergency is imminent. Fey'lya will make a deal with her, you'll see."

"To what end?"

"Wipe out the Yuuzhan Vong, and therefore Yana's legacy. The Empire will fall to the New Republic and Jiliha will rule that sector. But Ja'han'mandana would never stand for it. So they have to isolate the Chiss first."

Leia felt her face drain of all colour. If the conspirators managed to break the alliance between the Chiss and Sith Empire … "How?"

"I have no idea. I cannot imagine what could make Ja'han'mandana abandon us. Mith'raw'naruodo is on his way to Csilla to muster a fleet that he can use to detain any threat coming out of either the New Republic or the Sith Empire. If all else fails, we will be at war again. He won't allow the Republic to attack the Chiss first."

"And the Council will rule, just as Mon Mothma feared," Leia finished for him.

He gave her a crooked smile and shrugged. "You know, right now I don't think that such a bad idea."

"It would be wrong, Father, and you know it. The people must decide what they want."

"Then we must help them find a truth. We must uncover this conspiracy", he said. "Naas Deron has the power to end this foolishness but he will not, for his own reasons. I think I know what he is trying to accomplish and therefore we should concentrate on the New Republic." He hesitated, then continued, "Luke is on Csilla, with Ja'han'mandana and he will assist both Deron and Thrawn in their respective missions. And there is something else. Jix and Mara are here – were, I should say."

Han's face lit up. "Oh," he said, "Why didn't they show up with you? Would have been nice seeing them again."

"Yes," Leia agreed with a smile and patted her husband's head affectionately. "So what made them leave without dropping by to chat at least for a moment?"

"Luzaya Dan," Anakin explained.

"She was here?" Leia felt her jaw drop in astonishment. "Father, she could have clarified a lot of misunderstandings, you know?"

He shook his head ruefully before he answered, "Yes, that is true, but I have given over the lead over this mission to Ja'han'mandana. If they are trying to frame us, the Council and respectively the Sith and Jedi, we should not be found dabbling with the princess' supposed kidnapping."

"And what if this is exactly what they want, so they can frame Ja'han'mandana instead?"

When his head came up his eyes were icy cold. "If Borsk Fey'lya even thinks of messing with him, then he deserves the bloody head he's surely going to get. They can't touch the Chiss."

"There are always ways," Han reminded him quite unnecessarily, as Leia thought.

She had something else on her mind, "Where are the children now?"

"Safe. They should be on their way back to Naboo already."

That reply made Leia sigh with relief. So they had gained some breathing space. Everything was in motion, another game had begun. Yet she had a feeling that until they had news of their allies, that everything was in place, they could not feel truly confident. And she was concerned for her children. Though she believed Anakin when he said they were safe, she would not be content until she held both of them in her arms again. "Is Nuron with them?" she asked softly.

"Along with Khameir," Father confirmed. "They will be all right, you'll see. I will contact Al'than'erudo and ask him to have the twins call us once they're on planet."

Leia exhaled slowly. "Thank you"; she breathed at last. "I appreciate it."

Then the apartment's comm chimed in a discreet but steady manner. It was Han who answered it. He listened earnestly for a moment, then handed the comm to Anakin. "It' s Page and he sounds serious", he told his father-in-law softly. Frowning, Leia watched her father very closely as he answered the call. "Yes", he said, and only that, before he handed the comm back to Han. "Leia, we need to pay a visit to the NRI."

"What did he say?" she asked, felling uneasy. "Is something wrong?"

"They've found Kattaran's body. The real Kattaran's body. This does not look good for us," he explained. "He wants to question us both."

"Which means that in truth he is questioning the Council?" she concluded and shook her head when he simply nodded. "Why must this always happen to us? Why can't they just trust our judgement?"

Father shrugged, then patted her shoulder affectionately. "Don't worry. He simply wants to know the truth. You and I both understand that desire, don't we?"

"Yes." Leia sent a pleading glance at her husband and asked, "Will you stay and contact Al'than'erudo?" It was immediately clear to her that he was disappointed and hurt by her refusing to take him along. Though he understood her desire to have someone stay behind and wait for news of the children, she could tell that he saw that she needed him too. No matter how competent he thought Father to be, Han felt that his wife, his family, was his responsibility, not that Anakin's. He was right, of course. But her decision had been a calculated one. She could sense that Father was nervous, and that could only mean they'd be in trouble. There was something he wasn't telling them, but she could guess what that might be. They had been suspecting back at Naboo already that someone was trying to frame the Council and bring it down along with Yana Dar. "Let's go then," she agreed. "Han, please tell me, if you have any news," she asked then and wrapped an arm around her husband's neck to draw him close for a kiss. When their lips touched she could feel his anguish, and resolved to fill him in on everything she knew once she returned from the NRI headquarters. "I will see you later," she promised in a whisper, then joined her father at the door. They left together, took the family's speeder to the fortress that had once belonged to the Dark Lord of the Sith and was now headquarters for New Republic Intelligence. They were expected already and an aide led them to a conference room that Leia thought looked like any other, stark and anonymous. Telmann Page was the only one waiting for them and she was not sure whether that was a good sign or not. The general sat at the table opposite from the door and went through some files on his holopad, as far as she could tell. When they came in he dismissed the aide and asked them to take a seat themselves. "What do you have for us? "Father asked without preamble.

"The question rather is, what information do you have that could be useful to us?" the head of the NRI asked right back. Page's expression was carefully neutral as he looked up to gaze straight at the former Cor'dan.

Anakin cocked his head to the side and smiled indulgently. "What might that mean? Concerning Kattaran? Where did you find his body anyway?"

"In the sewers, if you must know, but that is of no consequence," Page explained. "The question posing itself, to my mind, is where the princess is right now. Was the Yuuzhan Vong your grand-children killed truly Mahel Sivaraya? Because I doubt it," he added. "Alowyn Kattaran was killed on Crosucant and replaced by someone else. I am pretty certain that Mahel Sivaraya was nowhere near the capital when that murder occurred."

"And you would be right," Leia inserted quietly. "I have met Mahel Sivaraya in person. He was with the princess all the time."

Page gave a small nod, his eyes locked on something on the screen before him. "I believe you," he said, much to Leia's relief, but when he continued she felt her heart gush with ice-water. "Yet if this was not Mahel Sivaraya the twins killed on Korriban, I wonder, were these the real Solo twins? For, as perhaps you know, your children, Leia, Jaina and Jacen Solo, were reportedly seen on a world named Ordesha only within a day of these recorded events on Korriban. I have checked the co-ordinates," he added, before Leia could comment, "and that trip is impossible to make in one day."

"What is it you want to know?" Anakin asked gently. "Go ahead, please."

"Well," Page began and leaned back in his chair, seemingly at ease. "Let us assume this incident on Korriban was staged by someone who was aiming at leading us astray, perhaps even someone who wished to discredit the Council. This does not answer the question of what your children, Leia, were doing on Ordesha, along with your daughter-in-law and grand-son, Lord Skywalker, I might add. And, more importantly, what was their role in the death of one Doctor Plawal of the Preena Institute of Archaeology and Bioresearch on said world? I have here a report by a number of eye-witnesses, associates of Plawal, who claim that he was murdered with your children's consent, and, what is more, with the consent of Nuron Sarin-Skywalker. Since when, Lord Skywalker, does the Council sanction murder?"

Leia felt her breath catch and she was also aware of Anakin's surprise. This he had not anticipated. "What is this?" he asked, sounding uncertain. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Anteres Plawal was killed by a boy – it says here he was perhaps eight years old – on the planet Ordesha. Savagely slain, the report claims, in fact."

"Killed by a boy? A grown man?" Leia asked, incredulous.

"With his bare hands, apparently," Page continued unperturbed, "The report also says that your grand-son, Lord Skywalker, Khameir Sarin-Skywalker, stood by and let it happen, although, and this is also unanimous, he obviously was in control of the boy." He looked up to meet the former Dark Lord's blue eyed-gaze calmly. "I fear we must ask all of the participants to come to Coruscant for questioning. In the recent past the group around Doctor Plawal asked the Council's assistance in investigating the happenings on N'zoth, which, I know, you and your associates, have tried to disassociate from Yana Dar. Which is all very well. I don't judge your views, to me your evidence was sound. But Nuron Sarin-Skywalker will be held to her responsibility that she had when she entered that agreement with Doctor Plawal to assist him. She and her husband both. Perhaps, though, you can explain?"

"Tell me about the boy," Anakin demanded, his tone so cold even Leia flinched.

Telmann Page did not react immediately, but when he managed to shake himself out of his momentary paralysis he complied readily. "A boy, dressed like a savage, thin, with long, black hair. Do you know him?"

"That could well be," Leia heard her Father reply in a soft whisper. "And it would explain some things."

"What things?" It was Leia, who demanded to know just that. She, too, had a suspicion, but she wanted him to say it.

Anakin rose instead of answering and his daughter joined him instinctively. But Page was unimpressed. "I did not give you leave to rise," he said calmly. "Please sit down again."

"You have no evidence to hold us," Father replied. "Whatever these people have reported may or may not be true, but it does not alter anything. It were neither my grand-children who killed this Plawal nor Nuron Sarin-Skywalker. She could not have protected him anyway."

"Who is this boy?"

"Just someone who should not be here," Anakin growled. His patience was obviously wearing thin. "Al'than'erudo will answer for the Council, I can assure you that. But first we will confirm whether or not that report is true." Suddenly his mouth turned into a sweet smiled as he asked, "By your leave?"

"As you said, I can't hold you," Page confessed. "But keep me posted."

"I will tell Al'than'erudo you said that," Anakin promised, then went for the door. "Leia, do you have any business on Coruscant? Else you will be leaving with me. You and Han both. There's an appointment we have to keep."

Luzaya sat in her seat, twitching nervously. "You truly think he will be all right?"

Jix sighed and leaned back against the comm console, arms crossed in front of his chest. "Don't worry, the boy's not stupid," he tried, but Luzaya thought that the way he said it was not very convincing. But perhaps that was only an illusion. Jix simply could not be as worried for Mahel as she was. They had left him all by himself, in the midst of enemies. Of course, Anakin had assured her that someone would be watching over her bodyguard, but would that someone be enough? And had she been right to agree to this trip to Csilla? Why could she not simply return to Byss, see for herself what was happening at the imperial court. What would happen to her parents now? Was anyone watching over them? Deron? She hoped so dearly. They had told her at least that, that her parents had been made prisoner by that traitorous Jiliha n'Averone. She had never liked that woman, not at all! Yet no-one had told her anything else about what had been said while she had been away, throwing a temper tantrum that Mara had been forced to witness quite involuntarily. When she'd returned Mahel had said good-bye and left along with Anakin, and only shortly after the ship had left Coruscant. Somehow, she thought, all decisions had been made without her ever knowing what was at stake. It was a strange feeling, not to be the mistress of her own fate, and she wondered whether this was what Naas Deron felt, sometimes. It was a frightening prospect.

"Come on, girl, snap out of it and lighten up a little," Jix suggested in his usual blunt manner. "Ever been to Csilla? You'll like it. And you'll like Ja'han'mandana. There's a lot you can learn from him."

"That I don't doubt," Luzaya whispered. She knew a little about Ja'han'mandana, though she had never met him in person. A cunning creature, sharp. Mother spoke of him fondly. "What am I going to do on Csilla? If Ja'han'mandana officially sides with me and threatens Jiliha, won't she just close off the borders? She could start a war over this," she continued to muse aloud. "I would not want that. I know Mother would do anything in her power to prevent it."

Jix shrugged helplessly. "I fear I am the wrong guy to ask for advice. Why don't you just wait and see what the Emperor proposes? He won't betray you, that I know for certain."

How can you be so sure? she wanted to ask, but kept her doubts to herself. What motives did Ja'han'mandana have? Could Jiliha truly threaten his empire? The answer was a clear yes. If she allied herself with the New Republic, and that had to be her ultimate goal, Luzaya thought, else this entire conspiracy involving the New Republic would make no sense, she would have the resources to contain Ja'han'mandana's forces, if necessary. The New Republic was jealous of the relations the two empires shared, Father had told her that, hadn't he, just shortly before she had left Byss. So perhaps Jix truly was right and Ja'han'mandana was her best chance at turning the tide. But how to accomplish that? How to approach Jiliha? Not with arms, that was clear. She had to stall for time, gain the Council some breathing space to interfere. Luke Skywalker was on Csilla, perhaps he would be sent to Byss to contact Deron and assist him. So many questions! If only she had Mahel with her to discuss her misgivings. He would understand her and he would be able to offer advice now. But, as it was, she would have to rely on her own wits for the time to come. Still, was she not the Cor'dan's trusted pupil? Had Naas Deron not taught her all she needed to know already? This was her first test. Time to prove to herself that she had made the right choices, when she had decided to follow the Cor'dan.

The Millennium Falcon was berthed at one of the military ports and for once Anakin regretted that very much indeed. He did not like all those watching eyes that surrounded them as they prepared to board the ship and leave. Han was just making the last preparations and the Corellian seemed to be very nervous. They had not heard anything from Naboo yet and Anakin doubted they would anytime soon. Al'than'erudo would bide his time, until he could be certain that Anakin and his companions were out of Coruscant's reach. With a tiny sigh, the former Dark Lord looked over at his daughter, who had been very quiet ever since they had left the Solo family's apartment. There had been no need to voice his suspicion concerning that little boy aloud, he had felt that she'd understood and the idea of having to deal with Roj Kell again made her sick, even if he appeared in a different and seemingly harmless guise. Harmless? For Force's sake, he had killed a grown man with his bare hands! Why this interference now? Why not earlier? Why let twenty years pass in which the Council could evolve only to dismantle it now with this insidious game of hide and seek? Was he behind the conspiracy? Or was his a different goal altogether?

"We're ready to leave." That was Han, who came up to join Anakin at the landing ramp. "I'll go and power up the engines," he continued, "do you want to play co-pilot?"

Nodding, Anakin followed him into the depth for the freighter, where Leia was already waiting. She did not quite meet the men's eyes as they passed her wordlessly, but both Anakin and his son-in-law felt that she did not want to be disturbed. It was clear that she was worrying over the twin's fate, especially in the light of what Telmann Page had revealed to them. They really needed to get an update from Naboo soon. Anakin took his seat in the co-pilot's chair that was still too large and only fit for a Wookiee, even though Chewbacca had long retreated to Kashyyk to live in peace with his own family. And yet, the former Dark Lord would not want to miss that reminder of times so long past. Suddenly he though of Chi'in and wondered how his old friend would take Roj Kell's return. With grace, he suspected, as always. There was nothing that could truly shake the Noghri. In that he was much like Andarack was now. Andarack. He had known what neither Mon Mothma nor Bred Antham had been aware of, that the Noghri Sith Lord had been waiting for them on Coruscant even before they had left from Naboo. A brilliant move on Al'than'erudo's part, and obviously made in accordance with Thrawn's and Ja'han'mandana's wishes. Thrawn and Ishare Luvo where still busy assembling their fleet in the Unknown Territories, but that did not mean that the former Grand Admiral was not keeping an eye on what the rest of the Council was up to. So now Andarack remained on Coruscant to watch over both Mon Mothma and Bred Antham as well as over Mahel Sivaraya. Thinking of the boy, Anakin hoped that the young warrior would surrender to the New Republic authorities soon. He could clarify many an understanding then. And, more important, draw out their enemies for Andarack to expose.

A movement by his side interrupted his thoughts all of a sudden and he nodded, when Han asked, "Ready? We've received clearance just now."

"I am sorry, yes. I was just a bit –"

"No need for excuses," the Corellian assured him. "I feel the same, believe me."

Grimacing in sympathy, Anakin set to plotting their course to Naboo while Han gently moved the freighter forward. "Everything's clear", he announced and then the ship shot out into the sky. They gained height quickly, but just before they reached the clouds death reached out for them.

Mahel Sivaraya took a deep, calming breath, before he allowed himself to feast his eyes on the forbidding structure that was the NRI headquarters. Anakin Skywalker had asked him to go there to give himself up, and go there straight away, without delay. He understood that urgency, of course, but he still felt uncomfortable about surrendering to his enemies over a crime he had not committed. The former Cor'dan had charged him with telling the truth, and only that, as if Mahel had ever lied in his life. Wistfully, he looked over at what had once been the Imperial Palace and now housed the New Republic's senate. He had allies here, he knew, Mon Mothma and Bred Antham of the Council of Naboo, and a guardian, as Lord Skywalker claimed. He could well imagine who that was and he did not like it one bit. To trust the creature that had murdered his father was not easy. But he had met Andarack clan Rim'kai before and come to know him as an honourable warrior and cunning tactician, though not easily trusted. This would not be an easy task. Especially since he had been forced to leave Luzaya's side and give her into the care of Jixton and Jade. Of course, those two were competent and powerful themselves, very experienced, and Luzaya would be safe on Csilla. But still, he had a feeling that the princess would need a confidant soon. Someone she trusted, and, he was proud of that, this someone was none other than Mahel Sivaraya. He shook his head firmly then. No matter. If both Anakin Skywalker and Emperor Ja'han'mandana agreed that he would best serve her by giving himself up to the New Republic authorities, who was he to question their judgement? With a sigh he rose from his perch and began walking across the street toward the double-doors that made up the fortress's entrance. He was spotted immediately yet he watched the guards coming toward him with utmost calm.

"Get down!" one of the humans yelled at him. "Lie down! Now!"

Mahel halted and gracefully knelt on the tarmac. More guards were closing in around him. He just prepared to lie down when a deafening roar exploded into the skies and stopped time itself for a heart-beat. Mahel felt his own heart skip a beat and then leap into his throat for a hoarse scream of both fear and surprise. Someone grabbed his arm and dragged him upright only seconds before a large piece of masonry crashed into the street where he had lain before. "Come along!" the woman, a Twi'lek, screamed at him. She too, was a guard, he saw, and she was leading him toward the shelter of the fortress quickly, both of them sheltered in the midst of a phalanx of soldiers. Bewildered, Mahel looked around to see what had happened. In the distance he saw smoke rising from the former Imperial Palace. An explosion? What else could that roar have been? What had happened?

"What in Sith's hells was that?" Han yelled, both angry and shocked. "Anakin? Any idea?"

"An explosion," Leia heard her father mumble, stunned. "At the Imperial Palace, as far as I can tell. Can you contact anyone on the ground?"

"No need," her husband growled softly. "This is the Millennium Falcon, I can hear you;" he said into the microphone installed into this head-comm. "Return to port? I am not sure, whether –"

"No way," Anakin interrupted him icily. "We are leaving. Now."

"Sorry, buddy, but my father-in-law tells me we won't change course. Sorry, but you know how it is. Are you a married man? No? Was that an insult?"

"Han!" Leia called out as she fought to reach the two of them up front. "What is going on?"

"An explosion at the Imperial Palace," Father explained, his tone eerily calm. "They're likely closing off the planet."

"If we leave now, we will violate security regulations, you know what that means," she reminded him earnestly, but he only shrugged.

"I could not care less."

That was exactly what she had feared he would say. "Han?" she tried, but her husband's face was fixed into a tight grimace of concern and concentration both as he drove the ship toward open space hard.

"Honey, I won't risk your daddy's wrath over some bureaucrat's demands," he explained between gritted teeth. "That can be very unhealthy."

She had to laugh at that, but her mirth did not last. "This will have consequences, but – " she continued and held up her hand to prevent Father from interrupting her, "I agree. If we stay there's no telling when we'll be allowed to leave again."

"Good girl, clever as ever," Anakin commented with a smile. "They're sending fighters to intercept us, and a Star Destroyer, Han. Watch out."

"You're not going to shoot at them, are you?" Han asked suddenly, aghast. Leia had not even thought of that, but when her Father unstrapped himself from his seat and instead pushed her into the oversized co-pilot's chair, she had a very bad feeling. "Father?"

"Don't worry, Leia, I won't do anything stupid."

Compressing her lips into a tight line she shook her head at his retreating back, but she made sure she kept a close watch over him as he vanished from her sight. Following his presence through the ship she sought a hint at what he was planning to do, but all she could sense was that he was utterly calm, composed, as if he prepared to perform a particular difficult feat with the aid of the Force. Was he going to try and influence the pilots of the fighters that were just now converging on the Millennium Falcon? Apparently not, she found, when a warning shot hit the freighter's forward shields.

"What is he up to?" Han asked even while his fingers were dancing over the controls of his ship. "Is he all right?"

Leia paused, then shook her head. "I don't know. Just get us out of here, okay?"

"Whatever you say, honey."

"How many arrests today? Approximately?" Naas Deron asked coolly once Cordell Tryway had come to a stop beside him.

The innkeeper-turned-rebel fidgeted with the long sleeves of his shirt, nervous as ever when he was in the Cor'dan's presence. But he answered bravely. "Fourteen arrests, as far as we can tell," he reported. "People are growing restless. Some even say all Yuuzhan Vong should be interned for treason against the Empire."

"Yes. She has packaged it up very nicely," Deron agreed. "A clever move to claim Yana was killed by a Yuuzhan Vong mob. And no-one questioned that lie."

"People are afraid," Cordell tried to explain.

Laughing out loud, Deron threw his head back and closed his eyes. "That is a very human trait, my friend," he whispered, once his mirth had faded away. "But belief, true belief, knows no fear." Cordell kept silent. Annoyed, Deron whirled toward the door, brooding darkly. Jiliha had made her move by claiming that Empress Yana Dar had been murdered when a mob of angry Yuuzhan Vong citizens had supposedly managed to get into the palace. The human citizens had swallowed that lie all too willingly, while the Yuuzhan Vong populace had protested quite vehemently. And still he had not heard anything from Alyn Cha. The priestess had had enough time to think his offer through. Now she had proof that Jiliha would not remain true to her word, so what was keeping her from joining the Cor'dan? He had read her soul and knew that she would not betray him. But he needed her support now. "You are still spreading the word?" he inquired gently.

"Yes, Cor'dan. And more and more people join us, though they are mostly Yuuzhan Vong. And they are afraid," he added carefully.

"Of course. They need proof of the value of our belief first, Tryway. Always proof. Noone is curious enough to simply trust and have faith. It is infuriating, really."

"Did you believe, when you became Cor'dan?" the former innkeeper asked in wonderment.

"I was curious," Deron replied. "I did not believe. Now I do." Straightening his shoulders he continued, "Any news from Miecona?"

"None, Cor'dan. They are keeping silent. It's been three days -"

"Too long," Deron growled. "What about our spies in the palace? Myryane, for example? Any news from her?"

"Jiliha has her watched, that was the last she could tell me. She is too valuable to lose, you said, so I am not going to contact her now, else she'll share the empress' fate."

Naas Deron shook his head. "No. Jiliha means to use her to trap Luzaya. You'll see. When, and I know she will, the princess returns to Byss, she will seek out her old friends. And that is when Jiliha will have her." He fell silent again and listened to his surroundings, trying to keep up with the mood of the planet. There were so many variables now, inside the Empire and elsewhere, that it became hard to distinguish between them. And there was still that presence lurking in the back of his mind, an unknown ally that refused to be uncovered. It was really annoying. But not as annoying as being forced to stand by and let Jiliha destroy everything that Yana Dar had worked so hard to build. He had more allies now, of course, his congregation, or what was left of it, and more and more Yuuzhan Vong who sought to join the Cor'dan and enjoy his protection while Jiliha's troops hunted their brothers and sisters down. The Cor'dan's spies were everywhere, but there were not nearly enough. Which was why he needed Alyn Cha. "I am going to pay a visit to the priestess," he announced at last and turned to face Cordell. "I am waiting for a report from Colonel Hathak," he continued, referring to a tall human, who was also part of his congregation. "So you'll stay and receive it, all right?"

"Will you be long?"

"I hope not. But don't worry. Jiliha needs more resources than she has at her disposal to get rid of me."

"Are you sure?"

"Very. My time hasn't come yet. Once you have Hathak's report the two of you will leave, though. At once. Is that clear?"

He saw Cordell go very pale. "You mean – "

"That they've found this hide-out, yes. We'll regroup tomorrow evening at the old warehouses in the Southern port city, you know where."

"Yes, Cor'dan," Cordell mumbled miserably. "I'll be there."

"Good." Leaving the man alone, Deron slipped out into the darkness of the streets and shook his head with a sad smile. Cordell was extremely loyal, but he did not believe yet. He was propelled on by fear, fear for Luzaya, and fear of Naas Deron. An unwilling ally, but an ally nevertheless, and dutiful too. But there were only two allies he could trust completely. One was Luzaya, who would hate him when she returned to Byss, and the other Mahel Sivaraya. The young warrior believed completely, he would never doubt the Cor'dan. Which was both pleasing and reassuring. With that thought for company he turned into the small alley where Alyn Cha resided in that small house of hers. And he knew immediately that something was very wrong. His skin itched with a dark foreboding and the violence permeating the air grated at his nerves. A trap. Well. He had seen this coming, in truth, but he still needed to be certain of Alyn Cha's commitment That was, after all, the entire reason for his being here. She needed to trust in his sincerity too, that much was clear to him, especially now that she felt so utterly betrayed by her former ally Jiliha n'Averone. Moving cautiously, Deron tried to be as quiet as possible, and it was easy for him to alter the perception of those watching the narrow alleyway. He let himself into the small house and felt his senses heighten even more as he stalked across the living room. She was not asleep, that he could feel instantly. Instead the priestess was sitting very quietly in a chair by the window, listening to the suspicious sounds from outside.

"They are here, yes," Naas Deron said softly and immediately felt her fear lash out at him across the darkness, like a whip, hurting him deeply. It made him actually feel glad she could not see him. It would not do o show his weakness now. Then he heard her get up quickly, heard her turn toward him. "Cor'dan," she exclaimed, in a low voice, thankfully, but her surprise was still apparent. "You have come!"

"Why so shocked? Did you not expect me?" he asked back and came over to join her by the window. "You still owe me an answer, Alyn Cha, to a certain offer I made."

She looked up at him, honest concern plain on her stately features. "They have been waiting for this to happen, they've been watching my house for several days and nights now."

Deron nodded. "I know. I have been watching too, you see? And now, will you join us?"

"Do I have any other choice?" she bit back angrily. "Jiliha has at last shown her true face. You were right," she conceded, sounding bitter, even to him. "She has only left me alone until now so I could be bait for you. I have no illusions about my fate. I will join those poor people languishing in the palace's dungeons soon. And you will die."

"I will not," he told her firmly, "and neither will you be imprisoned. Come with me priestess, speak to you people, give them courage. That is what you want, is it not? You want them to stand up for themselves, free from all bonds, free from any overlord, be it human or Yuuzhan Vong."

"You read my soul, Cor'dan."

"Yes. And I know what your answer will be. So say it. Please."

He thought she was smiling when she replied, "If you knew, why ask? Why not wait until I was at your mercy?"

"Because I want you to trust me. So here I am, surrounded by enemies just as you are. Let us face this danger together, you and I, for the Empire."

"And for the princess? Yana Dar is dead," she reminded him, apparently afraid.

"Do you regret that?"

"She was a fine woman."

Naas Deron took a deep breath. "Thank you, Alyn Cha. For your honesty."

"Jiliha's soldiers will be trying to kill us."

"They won't succeed. Trust me on that." He offered her hand to her then. "Just trust me."

She hesitated at first, but then, very reluctantly, she, too, raised her hands to touch his. His fingers closed about her slender wrist quickly and drew her away from the window just as the first of the grenades he had been sensing exploded against it. Alyn Cha screamed out in surprise and fear but Deron held her tightly as he dove to the floor to avoid the shrapnel raining all over them from the destroyed window. He had to concentrate both on soothing her and keeping a close watch over the soldiers around the two of them, not a too difficult task, but then a familiar presence demanded his attention. He swatted its consciousness down brutally, he had no time to deal with any unexpected interference, no matter who was calling. "Down," he ordered harshly, when a volley of deadly blaster fire screamed toward them. "Toward the door," he added unnecessarily. Alyn Cha was already on her way. "Wait," he called ahead, "let em go through first."

She complied without protest, waited until he stood directly in front of her, breathing the scent of fear that came both from the Yuuzhan Vong female behind him and the soldiers on the other side of the door. Naas Deron concentrated deeply, seeking solace in his innate power and expanded his mind to those around him. So easy to twist them to his will, but unnecessary. At a word the door blew out of its hinges and he could sense the living house jerk in pain. No time to think about casualties now. "Come," he growled and took Alyn Cha's hand once more. "Run. Just that. All right?" Without waiting for her reply he leaped out into the street, dragging her with him as he hurried into the darkness, just moments before powerful light-beams cut through the night, like searching eyes. For a moment he considered attacking the soldiers following them, but decided against it just as soon as that thought had crossed his mind. There was no sense in further bloodshed, and besides, though he acted as catalyst, someone else had to lead that uprising. Mahel Sivaraya, for preference, Luzaya Dan, if all else failed. Those were the two candidates and no one else qualified. Hopefully, they were right now doing exactly what he expected them to.

None of the chaos he had expected was apparent inside the fortress as he was briskly led along a number of nondescript hallways, but then, Mahel would not have expected anything less. "What is going on?" he asked, as politely as he could.

The Twi'lek guard did not answer. "In there," she ordered suddenly and pushed a combination of buttons on the lockpad on the outside of what Mahel only now recognised as a holding cell. Realising that she and her companions meant to imprison him he balked at first, but then reminded himself that was exactly what would have happened anyway. "Don't do anything foolish now," she muttered, sensing him hesitate when the door opened. "We will explain as soon as we can," she assured him at last, then handed her weapon over to one of her companions. Then the two of them entered the cell. "You won't be staying in here for long, only until General Page has questioned you. Place your hands here, please," she continued, and pointed at what looked like hand-cuffs. Still reluctant, Mahel complied and set his jaw grimly, once the iron shut around his wrists. There was no going back now. "Thank you for your co-operation, I will see to you later," the Twi'lek told him at last, then he was left alone. Except for his own breathing the holding cell was incredibly quiet. No sound at all. Artificial light, artificial walls, everything was dead around him. He felt uncomfortable, almost claustrophobic. This was all so very different from what he was accustomed to. But not to be lamented. So he resolved to be patient a little longer, and wait.

He had no idea how much time had passed when he heard the lock in the door click open behind him, but he was instantly alert. "Please, no need to try to turn around," an unfamiliar, male voice asked, when Mahel craned his neck to see who had come to pay a visit. "There is a screen in front of you – ah, yes," the man continued when a section of the wall indeed lit up right in front of Mahel's eyes. "Can you see me now?" Mahel nodded, once the image of the man standing behind him became clearer. "My name is Telmann Page. Will you give me your name?"

"Mahel Sivaraya," the young warrior replied instantly.

He saw the general nod. "Yes I thought so. My people say you were on your way to the headquarters when the explosion took place. Why?"

"To give myself up to you."

Page did not appear to be surprised. "Is that so? I wonder why? Did you know that everyone's looking for you concerning the princess' disappearance?"

Mahel nodded. "Yes. But she is safe. There was no kidnapping. This is why I am here, to tell you that."

"Or else to clear the Council of all suspicions. You could have her hidden away somewhere, as your prisoner, you know?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Why indeed. Did you know that we intercepted a message just shortly before the explosion took place? No, of course not, how could you?"

"What message?" Mahel asked, bewildered.

"Addressed to one Lomin Domain Carr." The Yuuzhan Vong stiffened at that. Who would use that name? But Telmann Page continued, "Do you have any idea why someone would send such a message?"

"No," he answered truthfully.

"Do you know someone named Lomin Domain Carr?" the general pressed on.

"That was my name. Before I joined the Cor'dan's congregation." Truth, only that will save you, Anakin Skywalker had told him. Mahel dearly hoped that was still true.

"That is the name of Marayl Carr's son," Page corrected him. "Are you that Lomin Domain Carr then?"

"I am. What was that message?"

"It concerned the success of this attack. You were to report back to Byss."

"You know this is a ruse, don't you?" Mahel asked, but Page did not answer. He turned around to leave without another word. Fear slipped into Mahels mind and nested in his heart then. What was going on? They could hold him here forever and never tell him anything. And Andarack would never be able to reach him, no matter what! "Wait!" he called out, just as the door opened in front of the general. It was strange to converse with someone standing behind him via a screen before him, it made his head spin, nevertheless he continued, "What was that explosion?"

"A bomb, apparently, set into an empty meeting room in the senatorial wing of the former Imperial Palace," Page replied calmly.

"Was anyone injured?""

"Fifteen people died. Among them the senators of Kashyyk and Bothawui. We shall see how the Senate will take this. Those two were very fervent in placing the blame for this conflict on Empress Yana Dar. Did you know that?"

Mahel gave a helpless shrug. "I have no concept of the proceedings of the New Republic Senate, General Page. And I have not been keeping up with political goings-on in the past week."

"Of course," Page nodded. "Yet someone obviously did. You know what this will entail?"

"They will blame the Council."

"Indeed. One of their agents has been spotted here, on Coruscant, and I am not certain whether even Mon Mothma or Bred Antham are aware of his presence. He is also a Sith Lord. Do you know him, perhaps?"

"You are referring to Andarack clan Rim'kai."

Telmann Page smiled. "Yes. A clever warrior, a dangerous opponent. He is an agent of the Council but also loyal to Byss, and the Cor'dan. We cannot be certain what his mission is on Coruscant. But my people have orders to neutralise that possible threat, should it become apparent that he was involved in this bombing. Rest assured that we have the resources to keep track of him ,and to hold him, if necessary. He will not escape us."

To that Mahel did not answer. He doubted very strongly, that Andarack would let himself get caught so easily. Besides, what if the Noghri had allowed himself to be seen? But to what purpose? He was one of the Council's agents, true, but he was also the Cor'dan's trusted ally. And Page also was right to ask what was his function in this particular affair. But there was something else that disturbed him. "Why do you believe I could answer any of those questions?" Mahel asked softly. "Why do you believe I could know the Cor'dan's intentions?

Page nodded in acknowledgement. "You are observant. You see, thanks to our own sources on Byss we know that you, too, are one of Naas Deron's agents. You are part of his congregation, are you not?"

"And that makes me a spy?"

"No," the general shook his head, "but who you are makes you a special asset that Naas Deron would not hesitate to use for his ends."

Mahel was speechless. Why was everyone only thinking the worst of the Cor'dan? Had they felt the same about Anakin Skywalker? Somehow he doubted it. But what had Naas Deron done in the past that justified this distrust now? Angry, he replied, "And would you not do the same, in his place? Who are you that you can claim not to use people for your own ends?"

Telmann Page sighed. "We all do, true. But Naas Deron –"

"There is no difference between the two of you," the Yuuzhan Vong warrior said harshly.

"As you wish," the man conceded at last and nodded gravely. "I will not dispute religion with you."

"You said that message to Lomin Carr ordered him to report back to Byss. You believe this to be the truth?"

"You asked that already."

"And you failed to answer."

The general cocked his head to the side and looked at him interestedly. "Tell me, Mahel Sivaraya, who are you that you have such confidence even as your enemies' prisoner? What makes you believe you can question my motives?"

Incredulity made Mahel's features slip for just a moment, before he laughed out loud. "Are you serious?" he growled in response. "Now that you have judged me you demand I succumb to your accusations myself and forsake the truth? I am guilty, you say, but what of, you are not even sure, is that not so? The hypocrisy of that I need not point out to you, you are an intelligent being. But, perhaps, you need a reminder of what it is like to live by truth alone."

"You sound like Lord Skywalker, you know?"

"I do," Mahel nodded. He could tell that he had got Page thinking. The man was obviously embarrassed. And Mahel felt elated. He had scored a victory in this dispute, that he was certain of. No matter that he had lost his freedom, he could still affect something. Truth, as Lord Skywalker had told him, was to be his weapon. Now he knew, how powerful it could be.

TBC