To my loyal readers, I want to sincerely apologize for having failed to update in so long. I have been fighting the worst case of writer's block in my entire fanfiction career. So I am sorry if this chapter is not up to par, I hope to make ones in the future better. Also, psquare has commented that a few of my previous chapters have seemed rushed at points. They are, but that is because this writer's block has been with me for a while, and I would rather get the chapter out and sound a little rushed than take too long in updating. So once again, thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoy.
Two days later
Even as the heretics led the Jedi assault team into what seemed to have been the basement of some tower or other, Jaina was still mulling over how she wasn't sure she trusted any Yuuzhan Vong.
As she looked around, Jaina could tell that the others were doing the same thing. She was astounded to see at least a few hundred Shamed Ones around, most of them in small groups, either talking quietly or examining supplies that they had gathered.
"Come, Jeedai Yun-Harla," said the leader of the heretics who had come to her, "the Prophet of the True God is expecting you."
As they were led through the throngs of Shamed Ones, Tahiri turned to one of those next to her, speaking quietly in the Vong language.
"You speak Basic almost fluently," she complimented, "I didn't think the warriors would have allowed you to learn our language."
"They do not, Jeedai," answered the heretic, "it is the True God who first instructed us in your language. But in the months and years since he graced us with the favor as the God-He-Is, we have been taught by your own people who fight against Supreme Overlord Shimrra."
"There is an Alliance resistance?" asked Tahiri in amazement. She should have known that the intelligence branch had to get their information from somewhere, but she didn't realize that there was an organized rebellion against Shimrra.
"Yes, we sometimes exchange supplies with them, but the Prophet seems not to trust them."
Tahiri nodded slowly and made her way back to the others. If the Jedi could meet up with this resistance, they might have the chance to get at this Slayer.
The team was led into a side room, and Tahiri almost stopped short in disgust. The Vong coming towards them was horrific, there was no other way to describe it. He must have had every single deformity possible for a Shamed One. It was only then she realized that he had to be wearing an ooglith masquer. There was no possibility anyone could be that Shamed.
"All glory to the Jedi," he said in greeting, "I am the Prophet, Yu'shaa, leader of these heretics. We welcome you to the latest of our hiding places from the warriors of Supreme Overlord Shimrra."
"Kinda hard to run a rebellion if your people spend all day hiding scared," commented Jaina snidely. Jag touched her arm gently, letting her know that they really shouldn't push the heretics, they were the key to survival for now.
But Yu'shaa didn't seem to take any notice of Jaina's sarcasm. "We survive only by the grace of the True God. The warriors of Shimrra are everywhere on Yuuzhan'tar. This is the only way to remain alive for now."
"We've been hearing quite a bit about this True God of yours," said Jaina, "so who is he exactly?"
"He is our salvation!" yelled one of the heretics.
"He will take away our shame!" called another.
"He will make us equal among Yuuzhan Vong!"
"He will unite us with the Jeedai and free us from Shimrra!"
A bevy of other comments rang out through the room. It took several moments for the Prophet to calm them down.
"This is our True God, Jedi. He is our hope, our salvation," he explained.
"I heard from one of your people that the Alliance has an organized resistance here," said Tahiri, "we are after the Slayer, and thought that they could provide us with necessary intelligence."
The Prophet nodded slowly. "The Slayer, avatar of Yun-Yammka is a dangerous foe, Jedi. Gifted with the powers of the gods, he is one who makes the elites tremble in fear and obedience. He has been threatened before, and is beyond all others."
"Well he's never been attacked by Jedi before," replied Jaina in a low, dangerous voice. Her brown eyes had turned dark and were full of fury.
"What kind of defenses does this Slayer keep with him?" asked Jag.
"None but himself," answered the Prophet, "Certainly there are always warriors surrounding him as bodyguards, but they should not be any kind of match for a team of mighty Jedi. But the Slayer needs no weapons, and even the power of the Jedi Force may not be enough for you."
The Jedi accepted that in silence for a few moments. These heretics seemed to have a good idea of what the Force was capable of, and yet they still thought the Slayer outmatched the team. None of them could tell if the Prophet was speaking out of certainty or out of fear.
"This resistance," began Kyp, "the one organized by the Alliance, how many soldiers does it have? Can you get us in contact with them?"
"There are close to three hundred human warriors with them," came the answer, "I do not mean they are all human of course, there are many other of your species with the resistance as well. If you wish to go to them, then I will send a scout team to lead you to their secret base as soon as you are rested."
Before anyone else could speak, another heretic, this one tall and powerfully built, strode hurriedly into the room, then bowed slightly to the Prophet.
"What is it, Kunra?"
"Prophet Yu'shaa, one of our scout teams has returned from the Sacred Precinct," explained Kunra, "They bring with them something of great value, which I believe the Jeedai will find most interesting."
The Prophet nodded and the warrior, for he could hardly have been anything else, led the Jedi out into the main room and towards one of the side corridors, where a knot of Shamed Ones had gathered. Kunra pushed his way through, but as the heretics became aware the Jedi were coming through, they reverently moved out of the way.
For a few brief moments, Jaina was glad there were at least some willing to give Jedi the respect they deserved. But all thought vanished when they reached what had drawn everyone's attention.
"Ganner!" she cried.
Tekli darted ahead of the rest of them, pulling out a medscanner and resting a hand on a wound in Ganner's side. He was moaning and mumbling in pain.
"No… not embrace… slayer… Shimrra… nameless pit…"
Jaina turned on the Prophet. "Do you have any idea what he's talking about?"
"I cannot be certain, but it sounds as though he had been captured and tortured," he answered, "He must have been hung in the Embrace of Pain, and seen either the Slayer or possibly even Overlord Shimrra himself. The Nameless Pit is where sacrifices are made to the gods of those who are not worthy. Those are simply slain where they stand and tossed into the pit for the ndgins to take care of."
Jaina nodded and turned back to Ganner. Kyp was on one knee next to Tekli.
"How bad is he?" the elder Jedi wanted to know.
The diminutive Chadra-fan barely glanced at him. "He's suffering from hysteria, not too uncommon for great trauma. He has several wounds that are extraordinarily painful, but none of them are life threatening. He'll be fine in a day or two."
With that, Tekli closed her eyes, resting both hands on Ganner's powerfully muscled arm. In moments he had stopped writhing and moaning except for the occasional twitch.
"I put him into a healing trance," explained Tekli, "I'll bring him out of it tomorrow morning, that should take care of the majority of his pain."
The Prophet turned to the group of Shamed Ones who stood behind Ganner with their heads bowed. "How did you manage to come across this warrior?"
"Prophet Yu'shaa, our assigned watch area was between the Citadel of the Overlord and the Well of the World Brain. Our patrol at one point brought us very close to the Citadel, where we saw three priests escorting this Jeedai. He was caged and barely conscious, but we knew he was a Jeedai for his light blade was tied to one of the bars. We could not allow one of those who will redeem us to be sacrificed, so we attacked the priests and thought of nothing else but to bring the Jeedai back here to you, Prophet. We even managed to recover this."
Jaina nearly gasped as the Shamed One held out Ganner's lightsaber. Kyp quickly strode forward and snatched it up.
"I didn't think a Yuuzhan Vong would even pick up anything technological," muttered Alema, but nonetheless the Prophet heard her.
"The fear and hatred of technology is one that we do not entirely share with the rest of the Yuuzhan Vong," he explained, "The True God has shown us that sometimes technology can be just as useful as our biots. He even bade us to salvage some of what you call 'droids' and bring them to the human resistance."
"Can you bring us to this resistance?" asked Tahiri.
The Prophet nodded. "I will have a scout team lead you there as soon as you are all rested and fed."
"In that case, we are in the Shamed Ones debt," Jaina said to all those nearby.
"No, Jeedai Yun-Harla," said one of the heretics in the front, "The Jeedai are our salvation."
Others agreed, and another summed it by saying, "The saviors owe nothing to the saved."
Jacen knelt peacefully in his quarters within the Citadel. Garagh was organizing the rest of the Slayers for the next step in his plans, so for a short, blissful time, Jacen was alone.
He delved deeply into the Force, surrendering to its awesome power, letting it take his mind where it will. Jacen and Vergere had spent many days or even weeks over the last few years exploring the remains of the Jedi Temple, although Jacen studiously avoided the basement room where Vergere had shattered his faith in all he'd believed. Slowly, his mind came to meet with that of Sekot.
Jacen was astounded. During one of their many talks in the few days that he'd been on Zonoma, during one of his talks with Sekot the planet had said that speaking with him had been like talking with a dust mite that crawled across his skin. In order for the two of them to communicate, one or both sides would have to change.
As months, perhaps even years worth of conversation went on between the two of them, Jacen was floored. Decades of Sekot's experiences flowed into him, the planet's understanding of the Force and nature, and endless debates about the Force and each of their places in the galaxy.
In order for us to speak, one or both sides must change, Sekot had said to him, For the moment, I am prepared to be the one to make the change.
But only for the moment? he'd asked in return.
Sekot had sighed, and then said, We will see what the future holds.
In what was only a few short minutes, Jacen realized that he had just mentally aged years, perhaps even decades. Zonoma Sekot had matured him.
In a distant part of his mind, he felt a familiar presence approaching him on Yuuzhan'tar. Vergere.
He sent a wave of amusement to Sekot that for all they had just shared, the living planet hadn't seen fit to let him know that Vergere had left. Jacen could only interpret Sekot's return sensation as the Force-equivalent to the planet sticking its tongue out at him.
Jacen laughed heartily as he withdrew from the Force, and heard the dilating lock open to admit Vergere.
"I've just had a long and amusing conversation with you former host," he said in greeting, grinning widely.
Vergere's headcrest flared a bright orange before settling to a more subdued green. "So you wish to inform me my time has been wasted. Poor action on your part, Jacen Solo."
"Not wasted," he countered, "Sekot and I did not touch on what was currently happening. What have the three of you found so far?"
Vergere settled into herself, those back-bending legs allowing her to settle easily on the floor.
"Harrar and Nen Yim act as though they are children in a candy shop," she began, "Nen Yim has been experimenting and examining many of Zonoma's native species, and she has found numerous examples of creatures that are entirely too similar both genetically and physically to Yuuzhan Vong biots for her to be entirely comfortable. Harrar has met with Sekot many times to discuss what Sekot knows of itself and what Harrar knows of the legends of lost Yuuzhan'tar. Much of what the ancient records tell the priest are extraordinarily similar to what Sekot knows of itself already.
"But Sekot came to a realization only a day before I left. This revelation was so important that I knew you should know of it immediately. The Yuuzhan Vong do not exist outside the Force, nor even simply outside the range of Jedi senses as I had suspected. The truth is rather that the Yuuzhan Vong have been stripped of the Force."
"Stripped of the Force?" echoed Jacen, "So that means at one point in their history, the Yuuzhan Vong did have a connection to the Force, but it was severed. Sort of like what you did to me, but on a much grander scale."
"Yes, Jacen Solo. Sekot has been working with Nen Yim, and is certain that it can apply Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology into its own resources, such as its own living ships to increase their power and effectiveness. But even with all of this, Sekot and I both wish to know what you intend with the planet?"
Jacen's face became firm. He still hadn't quite figured out how his plans ended. He wasn't about to let Vergere know that he was making things up as he went along.
"I don't want a weapon, I've made that perfectly clear to everyone involved. But if all the Yuuzhan Vong we've brought to Zonoma feel so perfectly comfortable there and so peaceful, then it's possible that Zonoma is more their homeworld than anything they could shape. I'll have to think some more on that."
Vergere nodded slowly. "And what of the rumors I've heard of Jedi infiltrators? What do you know of them?"
"Nom Anor informed me that he sent them off this morning to meet with the Alliance resistance movement. They should arrive at their headquarters within a day or two, depending on how fast they're going and how many patrols they have to avoid. But now, I have set some plans into motion."
Vergere nodded again, her black eyes boring into him as Jacen once again fell into the Force. His mastery allowed him to utilize the Force such that no one else could sense it. If the Force were a finely cut gem, the Jedi existed on one of its facets, but he could use them all. He could sense everything, but in turn not be sensed by them, which was exactly what he wanted.
Tahiri kept a suspicious eye on Ganner as they followed the Shamed Ones through the remains of Coruscant's downlevels. He'd come out of the healing trance on his own, displaying no ill effects from his injuries. Tekli couldn't explain how. Nor did he seem at all mentally affected by his torture and injuries, he was a little quieter and more humble, but nothing more than that.
He'd explained that it was the Slayer, and he had set an ambush for them. Not to kill them, insisted Ganner, but to test them, see what the Jedi were capable of. Never had the Slayer revealed his face, and Ganner couldn't be certain but he thought the enemy was using the Force to disguise his voice as well.
For Tahiri, some of it just wasn't making any sense. Within her mind, the memories and background of Riina Kwaad protested. No Yuuzhan Vong would have put a captured enemy in the Embrace of Pain only to order the captive sacrificed namelessly a day or two later. Unless Ganner wasn't being truthful and the Slayer had interrogated him for information about the Jedi. But Ganner insisted that he'd been in the Embrace of Pain as soon as they arrived to the moment the priests came to take him away to be sacrificed.
Another point that clashed with Riina's knowledge of the Yuuzhan Vong. If Ganner were to be sacrificed namelessly, then there shouldn't have been any need for priests. One or two warriors would have been more than sufficient. But two warriors might have been more than enough to repulse the heretics.
Tahiri shook her head as they walked on. It just didn't make sense. It was almost as though everything was designed to get Ganner back to them. But she couldn't swallow that.
As she turned to look down one of the side passages, Tahiri felt her heart stop. Standing near one of the walls, the lower parts of his legs seemed to sink into the stones at his feet. A strange bluish haze surrounded him, and his eyes seemed to scan over the whole team. He looked no different than the last time she'd seen him, in the dark gray combat jumpsuit, his face serious and yet content.
Tahiri could only stare at this apparition with eyes wide and mouth open. After a few moments, Jacen's image seemed to notice her stare, and gave her one of those crooked grins that he and Anakin had both inherited from their father.
"Jaina!"
Even as she screamed the name Jacen's image faded away. The last thing she saw was that Solo grin on his face.
"What is it? Tahiri!"
The young blond shook her head and focused on Jaina standing next to her, the rest of the team looking at her. She was glad to see that there was no curiosity in their eyes, only compassion, hope that she was okay.
"I say him, Jaina," she said breathlessly, "I saw Jacen."
Jaina slowly shook her head in disbelief. "No, no that's impossible. Jacen's dead, that's what everyone has told us."
"I know," agreed Tahiri, "I saw a… like how Master Skywalker has described seeing Obi-won Kenobi and Yoda. A sort of, well, Force ghost."
"You're wrong," said Jaina firmly, "Jacen's been dead for five years. If there was a Force spirit then he would have come to us by now. He's just gone, blasted out of existence, and I won't hear another word about it."
Jaina turned her back and strode away from her, rejoining Jag and Kyp with the heretic guides. Surprisingly, it was Ganner who came over and put a comforting hand on Tahiri's shoulder.
"I believe you," he said, and then gently pulled her along to keep up with the others, "I'm sure that you saw what you believe you saw, but I still don't think Jacen's dead."
"How could he be otherwise?" Tahiri managed to get out through the lump in her throat, "The Force scream, no trace of him in the Force, no word in five years, and now everyone saying that he's dead, killed by this Slayer we're hunting. You know, after Myrkr, I hated Jacen. I was glad that he'd been captured and hoped he was in pain. I was just so angry about Anakin, I couldn't think about anything else. When he died, I was almost glad, but a Jedi just can't think like that, it's not right."
Ganner wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. For a moment, Tahiri forgot her doubts about his return and just liked the comfort he was offering. It had been a long time since anyone had comforted her, even Jaina's parents, who treated her like a second daughter.
"You know, if Jacen is still alive, then he won't blame you for feeling that way," said Ganner, "that damn understanding everyone else's viewpoint always got in his way. You're human, we all are. We all feel emotions; love, fear, rage, and hatred. It's how we act on those emotions. Our lives are determined by our actions, and the consequences of those actions. All we have to do is make a choice."
The Shamed Ones had turned around as soon as they'd led the Jedi to the Alliance resistance's hideout. A Twi'lek and Whiphid escorted the Jedi inside to meet with the commander. Formerly Major Cedren of the New Republic Army, he was a tall human with a rock-hard face and built like a duracrete wall.
"Lieutenant Solo," he greeted, "Master Jedi. It's good to see the group of you. I'd like to hope that Republic command sent you out here to assure us that they're going to get more supplies in here, but I'd be fooling myself, wouldn't I?"
Jaina nodded sadly. "I'm afraid so, Major. And, not that I'm going to try and pull rank, but it's Colonel Solo, now. We've received your reports on this guy working for the Vong, this Slayer. We're here to stop him, permanently."
"Ha!" barked Cedren sarcastically, "That's a nice thought, kid. Which attack did you get? We've tried to take that son of a Sith out at least six times. We've lost over twenty men in those attempts. At least the damned Shamed Ones know to keep out of his way."
"He's never had to face Jedi before, has he?" countered Jaina, "We've got eight Jedi Knights here. We know he can use the Force, but so can we. And we don't worry about the warriors he'll have with him."
Cedren nodded, looking over the group. "I see a half-dozen young kids who think they can take out the single most dangerous person on this planet. Let me tell you something, Colonel, I've been a soldier for longer than you've been alive. Rank doesn't impress me, nor does the fact that you're all Jedi."
Jaina was beginning to fume, knowing that with all the fighting she's done in this war, this old warhorse should have at least a mutual respect. Before she could say anything however, another member of the resistance chose that moment to come in and hand over a report.
As he turned to leave, his eyes fell on Jaina.
"Excuse me ma'am, but are you are you Jaina Solo?" he asked.
"Yes, why?"
The man nodded. "I thought I recognized you. You look a lot like your brother, Jacen."
Jaina's heart skipped a beat. "Jacen? You know something about him? Who are you?"
"My name's Rokan Teblis from Ord Mantell. I was with your brother on the seedship that brought the World Brain here," explained the man, "He helped me out one time. The dhuryam had sent me to the amphistaff grove and I got a bad cut across my stomach. He patched me up pretty well. You're brother was so, so… different from all of us."
"What do you mean?"
"I know he was linked to the same dhuryam I was, but after the first few days, the monster never hurt him again. He worked to patch us up when we were injured, but none of us could get close to him. He was so much like the Vong, we didn't know what to do with him. I last saw him on the Day of Decision. Only one of the dozen dhuryams was going to be chosen to become the World Brain. That was the day he stood up to the Vong like no one I'd ever seen. He created a suit of armor made entirely from amphistaffs, they just… wrapped around him like a second skin. He slew hundreds, hell, maybe thousands of warriors, shapers, and priests that day. Heh, all he did, was walk, and kill."
Jaina swallowed hard. She couldn't imagine her twin brother like that. He wasn't a warrior. Like this Rokan said, Jacen was a healer, he wouldn't fight like that.
All he did, was walk, and kill.
Jaina shuddered. "What happened to him?"
"I don't know," answered Rokan, shaking his head, "His slaughter of the Vong saved myself and a few thousand other slaves from the seedship. But no one ever heard from Jacen Solo ever again. Then rumors began cropping up that he was sacrificed by this Slayer guy. I'm sorry."
With a bow of his head, the man's eyes watering, he left the room. Jaina swallowed hard and turned back to Major Cedren.
"We're going to kill this Slayer, now, today," she said firmly, "How do we find him?"
"He usually stays in the Citadel, but we know that there is a major sacrifice today that he'll oversee," replied Cedren, "We know the route he'll take, its one he always takes. I can tell you the best place to ambush him."
"Jaina," said Tekli, "are you sure about this? Ambushing someone, even an enemy like this, it's not… it's not right."
"Right?" echoed Jaina, "I'll tell you what isn't right, Tekli. What isn't right is that my twin brother was murdered by this guy. I'm going to make sure he dies today, one way or another."
Jaina stared hard at every member, and only a few could hold her gaze for more than a few moments.
As Jaina and Cedren sat down to look over the maps and how to best plan the ambush, Ganner delved down into the Force, seeking the unique signature that Jacen projected, something completely unknown to any other Force-sensitives except to himself and Vergere.
Jacen, they're coming for you, he sent.
The reply was immediate, and full of amusement. I know.