Chapter 48

A lone tear falls down Tahiri Veila's cheek.

Tahiri: "It killed Superman!"

Hal: "I don't believe he's dead."

Tahiri puts an arm around Hal's shoulders and says:

"I know how tough it is to watch a friend be killed and not be able to do anything about it."

Hal turns to look at Tahiri, and wipes the tear off her face.

Hal: "You don't understand, Tahiri. I meant that I believe he'll survive that."

Spider-Man: "I think you're being overly optimistic, Hal."

Hal: "Just watch."

Spider-Man: "I'd like to believe that you're right, but--"

Spider-Man stops in mid-sentence because he sees Superman flying out of the volcano.

When Superman flies out of the volcano, Doomsday has left the area. Superman uses his telescopic vision to look for Doomsday. He spots Doomsday 20 miles away. He's destroying everything in his path. Superman scans the planet for any lifeforms besides himself and Doomsday. There are none. Even Doomsday can't do any real damage here. So Superman decides to fly back to Earth and leave Doomsday stranded.

Chapter 49

A few hours later Leia Organa Solo, Mara Jade Skywalker, Mace Windu, Aayla Secura, and the Fantastic Four left Osarian and journeyed to Coruscant. After Reed had explained to Leia and Mara why they were there and told them about the disease that the Yuuzhan Vong had infected Mara with, Leia suggested that they go the to the New Republic's capital world. Master Windu had seconded that suggestion and everyone else had agreed. Luke Skywalker was contacted and he left Yavin for Coruscant immediately.

Reed Richards is working hard trying to cure Mara Jade Skywalker's illness, but isn't having much success. Mace Windu and Aayla Secura have attempted to assist by using jedi healing techniques but neither of them specialize in the jedi healing arts. The Mon Calamari jedi healer Cilghal arrived shortly after Luke did. She was the most experienced healer of Luke's new order of jedi. The efforts of Cilghal, Mace, and Aayla had helped somewhat to alleviate--but not cure--the symptons that Mara was suffering from. But her illness was getting progressively worse. Reed was trying to formulate a serum that could cure the disease. That was proving to be a very difficult task. This Yuuzhan Vong virus was very resilient.

When Leia got back to her apartment on Coruscant, Han was already there. He greeted her with a hug and a kiss. She was about to introduce Han to Aayla Secura, who had come there with her, when he started telling her a crazy story about a flying man who had lifted a falling moon back into orbit.

Leia: "Han, how much Corellian whiskey have you had tonight?"

Aayla: "Leia, I think your husband encountered one of the other members of my party."

Han(to Leia): "See, she believes me!" (to Aayla): "Who are you?"

Aayla: "My name is Aayla Secura."

Han: "That's funny. There was an Old Republic era jedi by that same name."

Aayla: "I'm pleased that you have heard of me."

Han does a doubletake. Then he says: "Are you trying to tell me that you're that Aayla Secura?"

Aayla: "Yes."

Han: "I don't think so. She's dead and you're very much alive. Besides you look much too young to be that old."

Aayla: "I came forward in time. From what you think of as the past. My present."

Han: "Really? You came back to the future?"

Aayla: "Yes. That is correct."

Han(sarcastically): "Was time traveling a common ability among jedi of your era?"

Aayla: "No. It is not. I know the concept of time travel seems far fetched. Before I experienced it firsthand, I did not believe it to be possible either. But is it really any more unbelieveable than what you witnessed at Sernpidal?"

Han: "You have a point. What's going on?"

Leia: "I'll explain everything, Han."

Aayla: "It was nice meeting you, Captain Solo." (to Leia): "I enjoyed meeting you also, Leia. It's amazing how much you remind me of Anakin."

Aayla realizes immediately that she has said something wrong. She apologizes and excuses herself.