Thanks to all of my loyal readers, and especially to Dattatreya, thank you for the compliment on my writing style. Shahid, your request for Jacen's Force power is answered here. And my new reviewer, Rephaim, (please take this as the joke it's intended as), yeah, it's usually good to start reading stories at the beginning. Anyway, I appreciate your review, although I couldn't find where I'd misspelled Leia.
To everyone, this is a very long chapter, but for everyone who was disappointed by Jacen's return in Destiny's Way, I think this should make you happy. I've been thinking of double-posting this in the regular Movies/Star Wars section of in order to get even more reviews. What do you the rest of you think? Good idea, stupid, or vain?
Anyway, once again, I look forward to your reviews, good or bad. Thank you and enjoy.
Two weeks later
Chief Tregg Noth, a Zabrak from the planet of Iridonia was the bridge chief of Admiral Kre'fey's flagship, the Ralroost. It had been a quiet shift so far, until suddenly one of the sensor technicians began waving his arm frantically.
"What is it?" he asked gruffly.
"You're not gonna believe this, Chief, but a Vong coralcraft just dropped out of hyperspace inside our defensive ring," said the tech rapidly, "and that's not all. We're receiving an offer for an open comm channel on the frequency we've used with villips."
Noth knelt closer to the speaker, then nodded to the tech. "This is Chief Tregg Noth of the Ralroost calling unknown coralcraft. State your business or be fired upon."
A mocking laugh came through clearly over the comlink. "You will not be firing today, Tregg Noth. This is the Slayer, True God of the Yuuzhan Vong. You will provide instructions for landing."
I'll kiss a Wookiee before I do that, thought Tregg, but suddenly felt the sensor tech next to him go stiff.
Tregg turned around and immediately snapped to attention. "Admiral, sir!"
Kre'fey, a white-haired, noble-looking Bothan was looking at the sensor screen. "Who's ship is that, Chief?"
"Sir, the speaker claims to be someone called the slayer, an agent of the Vong," explained Tregg, "He's expecting landing instructions, but I was just about to order the weapons…"
"You'll do nothing of the kind, Chief," ordered Kre'fey sternly, "Direct them to land at these coordinates."
The Bothan handed him a datapad with a list of instructions. Tregg couldn't believe his eyes. "Permission to speak freely sir?" he asked, getting a nod, "What the kriff are we doing! This guy's a Vong agent, we can't let him planetside. Who knows what havoc he could cause in the heart of the Alliance?"
"I understand your concerns, Chief," said Kre'fey softly, "and I must say that I don't completely disagree with you. But those instructions come directly from High Command. If it helps, I'm not exactly sure what's going on either, but Generals Sovv and Antilles confirmed it in person. I need to contact Ambassador Organa Solo and Jedi Skywalker. Get back to that slayer guy and give him those instructions."
"Aye sir," said Tregg, knowing that he could do nothing else, "Attention Vong."
"Yuuzhan Vong, Chief," said the same voice, quite amused, "it is considered an insult to abbreviate the name of their race."
Like I could care, you traitor!
"I have your landing instructions," he said instead, "Proceed to the following coordinates…"
Luke Skywalker had expected to have some trouble getting to the landing bay where the Slayer was being directed, being that it was far from major populated areas and was easily contained by Alliance security.
But he hadn't counted on the media showing up before him.
There was a veritable sea of holoreporters between the roadway and the open air hangar. They screamed questions at him and Mara, as well as Han and Leia about what they thought of a meeting between the Yuuzhan Vong and the Alliance. Behind himself, Luke could see Releqy and Triebbak fighting through the reporters as well, to allay fears that the Jedi were planning something without Alliance involvement. Dif Scaur, the gaunt head of Alliance Intelligence, had come personally to see what he could glean from this Slayer.
By the time he'd fought his way inside, Luke could see a large number of people already gathered.
Jag and Jaina had been nearby with Tekli and Tahiri working on healing the Trickster. Funny how it was healing the ship and not repairing it. He could see Ganner, Kyp, and Kenth Hamner standing near the landing pad talking quietly. A strange pair was Danni Quee and Saba standing together. The friendship between the scientist and the Barabel was unexpected, but they had become quite close over the years. But the real surprise was off to one side. Zekk, Lowbacca, and Tenel Ka stood together, the Queen Mother of Hapes had an arm around each of the others in a hug, and Lowbacca's large hairy arms encircled the other two.
Luke smiled wistfully. The three of them, along with Jacen and Jaina had been a terrifying group of marauders at the Jedi Academy. Luke had forgotten that Tenel Ka had arrived recently, to be present for the grand ball in honor of the anniversary for the Battle of Ebaq 9, where the tide of the war had turned away from the Yuuzhan Vong.
He walked up to the three of them with a smile. He bowed slightly to Tenel Ka, who gave him a bow equally low.
"Your majesty."
"Master Skywalker," she returned, "it is good to see you again."
"The order has missed you," replied Luke, meaning it. Tenel Ka had brought a level of vitality to the Academy that seemed to be lacking now. "The life of a queen seems to be good for you and your people. I recently heard that the Consortium is now more dedicated to the war effort than at any point previously."
"Fact," she agreed.
Luke noted that there was no following comment, asking about Mara or Ben. Never a very social individual, Tenel Ka had become even colder in the years since Myrkr. The only person she'd ever opened up to, the only person who could break down her legendary stoicism, had been Jacen. When he'd died, Tenel Ka had turned her back on everything.
Suddenly he felt a wave of apprehension from Mara, and turned to look at his beautiful wife. She was staring into the sky.
Are you okay? he asked her through the Force.
You look up recently, Skywalker? she shot back.
Luke raised his eyes to the sky and saw what had grabbed her attention, as well as the attention of everyone in the area. The coralcraft shimmered through a variety of colors as the late morning sun shone on it. The ship was a little smaller than the Millennium Falcon, but not by much. The pilot brought it in smoothly, almost casually.
He caught a feeling of disdain from Mara about how casual the pilot seemed to be flying.
Easy there, honey, he sent to her, they might have every right to be relaxed.
Stay out of my mind, Skywalker, she growled through the Force.
Despite the situation, Luke had to chuckle. A few minutes later, the coralcraft had finally landed. Once again Luke was struck by its beauty. Almost seven years of war had turned it so that he still felt the urge to get into his X-Wing at seeing the craft, but he could say the Yuuzhan Vong made one beautiful thing.
Slowly, a ramp unrolled rather like a rocky tongue. Holoreporters were still screaming over in their corner and getting as much footage as possible.
Suddenly six warriors emerged from the ship. They were very short, wearing only blood-red tunics and skirts, carrying amphistaffs slightly thicker than normal. Jaina had explained that these seemed to be the Slayer's personal guards. All six stood ready and alert, seemingly prepared to spring into a lethal dance in the blink of an eye.
The next one down was surprising, a bird-like alien with a strange crest of iridescent feathers on top of her head. Han and Jaina had described her extensively. Vergere.
Jaina was fuming at the sight of the Fosh. Why isn't she dead yet?
Finally, slowly, the Slayer descended from the craft. He still wore that off-white tunic and hood that hid his face in complete shadow. Up close and in daylight, they could see his powerful lower arms and wide shoulders. He truly looked like a giant compared to Vergere and the warriors.
Slowly, his gaze swept across the entire hanger, encompassing everyone. All of the holoreporters fell silent as that void of a face fell upon them. He gave a low chuckle.
"So few of them would be worthy, Vergere," he commented, then looked at Releqy, Triebbak, and Luke, "I told the Jedi that I would speak to the family and friends of Jacen Solo. Not to the entirety of the Galactic Alliance. Your people shall know me soon enough."
He turned back to the holoreporters and swept out his hand with a commanding "Leave us!"
Without a word, every single one of the holoreporters packed up their gear and walked out of the hanger. The Slayer then turned to one of the warriors and said something in the Yuuzhan Vong language. Snapping his fists to opposite shoulders, the warrior walked over to the doors to the hanger and closed them, then stood ready with his amphistaff.
"What did you tell him?" demanded Mara.
The Slayer chuckled. "I merely instructed Dahn to properly punish anyone who tries to enter. Do not be overly concerned with others' health, Counselor Organa Solo, I did not order him to send anyone to the gods. Not yet."
Leia gasped as the Slayer spoke to her. He'd been reading her thoughts? How? She could have sworn she was shielding.
"Your Jedi mind shielding techniques are no match for me," continued the Slayer, "for none of you understand the true nature of the Force."
But Leia wasn't about to be stunned by this Slayer. She had one reason and one reason only for wanting him on-planet. With a look at Han, she took several steps towards the Slayer. Danni and Tenel Ka also stepped forward with her. She could hear Han and Wedge, and probably Luke sucking in their breaths.
"My daughter Jaina told me you know what happened to my son," she said, trying to keep her voice from breaking.
"I thought you would have known Anakin was dead, you have his body," said the Slayer with a chuckle.
"I meant Jacen," she replied steadily, although the wound from Anakin's death was just terrible as her eldest's.
"Please," pleaded Danni, "I have to know. We all have to know. You don't know what he meant to us, and we didn't even realize it until after he was gone."
"Your words would touch a frozen heart, Danni Quee," replied the Slayer, "it is a shame that I am no longer among the living. I spoke the truth to Jedi Jaina Solo on Yuuzhan'tar. The boy you knew as Jacen Solo is dead."
Gasps and sobs broke out among the Jedi, but the Slayer continued. "He died not long after his capture at Myrkr. He was completely alone, and his death was painful. Yet he met his death bravely, as a honored warrior."
"On Coruscant, we were told about a battle aboard a seedship," Jaina struggled to say.
The Slayer laughed, as did Vergere. "A most glorious day for Jacen, indeed. He fought like a true warrior, didn't he Vergere? Jacen Solo found the power that comes from acting without hope. He found power in acting without fear of death."
"I had warned Nom Anor that Jacen threatened the Day of Decision," commented Vergere, "it is a shame that he did not heed my advice. He never learned that everything I say is the truth."
"But everything you say is a lie," joked the Slayer.
Jaina looked around at the others. She could see that several of the Jedi just seemed to be twitching to grab their lightsabers. Danni and Leia were nearly in tears, and Jaina could tell that Tenel Ka was struggling mightily to keep her face straight. She turned back to the Slayer.
"Tell me this, Slayer," she ordered, "did you kill Jacen?"
A wave of self-deprecating amusement rolled off the Slayer, who looked at Vergere before turning back to her. "Both of us here are responsible in our own way for the death of Jacen Solo. His time in the land of the living had come to an end, it was time for him to walk the paths of the dead. But perhaps it was an escape from the Embrace of Pain. Of course, it is only an article of faith that the dead are beyond pain. Tell me Vergere, do you think pain could be the ruling principle of death, as well?"
Fury swept through the Jedi, and more than just Jaina had their lightsaber in hand. Even Tenel Ka, the Queen Mother of Hapes, held her rancor-tooth weapon in hand. Where she managed to hide it in her gown was a mystery only she and her dressmaker probably knew.
She took another step forward, her rage overwhelming her normally stoic demeanor. "Show me your face!" she demanded, "I would see the face of the one who killed my only love before I kill you!"
"Your love?" echoed the Slayer, "Why Queen Mother Tenel Ka, Jacen never told us the two of you were lovers."
"I loved him," she said through a quivering voice, "I never knew how much until you killed him. I couldn't say it to him, I couldn't even admit it to myself until he was gone. But I shall never love another like I did Jacen. And you stole him. I want to see the face of his murderer."
The Slayer nodded in apparent admiration. "Such passion. And here my spies had told me the legendary Tenel Ka never showed emotion. Do not worry, they shall be properly punished. Yet I am… surprised… that you have not discovered my identity. Do you not recognize my voice? My mannerisms?"
"Look here, Slayer," said Mara, "I keep that kind of knowledge perfect in my head. I can recognize a person by a voice I heard one time. But we've never met you before."
"Oh I think you're wrong, Mara Jade Skywalker," the Slayer told her, "But in any case, search your precious Force. Does not this grand power tell you who I am?"
"Don't give us that Hutt slime!" screamed Tahiri, "You're as blank a spot in the Force as a Vong and you know it!"
The Slayer tsked her slowly. "Jedi Tahiri, I would have expected more honor from you. Certainly Riina Kwaad would have instructed you properly. To take Yun-Yuuzhan's name from that of his people is a terrible dishonor. Domain Kwaad would be properly ashamed of you. Oh well, perhaps your precious Force is too insignificant to provide you with answers. Perhaps Jacen Solo's one-time refusal to use the Force at all was an honorable gesture, instead of cowardice. On the other hand, Jacen Solo could have been right after all, and your Force could be too grand for any of you to understand or accept. Ah, but who knows the minds of the True Gods besides myself, one of their own."
"You're no god!" cried Mara.
"WHO ARE YOU!" screamed Jaina.
"I would have thought they'd be more intelligent, Lord Slayer," commented Vergere.
He nodded. "I agree, familiar. It's almost a disappointment. Perhaps they need an easier clue to my identity."
The Slayer's shadowed face scanned back and forth among the Jedi, his shoulders occasionally shaking with quiet laughter at their lightsaber in hand, or the rage that was clear on their face. Finally, that black void came to rest on Tenel Ka.
"Queen Mother Tenel Ka. You wanna hear a joke?"
Tenel Ka's heart leapt into her throat. She hadn't heard that in so long. Could it be…? It couldn't…
But the Slayer was already reaching for his hood and then threw it back, revealing the face of a ghost.
"But, you're… you're dead!" cried Jaina.
Jacen laughed uproariously at the stunned looks on everyone's face. "The looks on your faces is priceless!" he got out through his laughter, "Why don't I ever have a holorecorder when I need one!"
They stared at him, looking at the changes. His brown hair fell down to his shoulders and was sun-streaked with blond, a scruffy beard covered his face, and he had grown. A lot. But those brown eyes that had always been filled with humor and compassion were the same as always.
"It's not possible," whispered Tahiri, "you can't be alive."
Jacen shrugged. "I'm not. Not really. I told you all the truth. I died not long after Myrkr. I walk the paths of the dead now. The brightness of day is forever gone to me."
But he wouldn't allow death to stop him now. Jacen moved forward quickly and wrapped his mother in a tight embrace.
"Hi Mom," he whispered.
Leia allowed herself a brief chuckle before breaking into tears as she pressed into his chest. "I knew you were alive," she breathed, "I knew it in my heart, even if the Force said you were gone. I just knew!"
Eventually, Jacen pushed her back and embraced Han, then he turned to Jaina.
"Hey sis," he greeted with a wry Solo grin, "long time no see. At least on your end. Thanks for not attacking me in the dowlevels, I would have hated to hit you with that Force lightning. Although that would be better than letting my Slayers do the work. They would've killed you, plain and simple. It's kind of hard to keep you from killing my enemies, isn't it Garagh?"
Jacen called the last bit over his shoulder, and one of the Yuuzhan Vong warriors shifted uncomfortably, but with a feral grin on his face. But Jacen quickly moved over to some of the other Jedi, looking first at Zekk, one of his oldest friends, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Good to see you again," he said, "Thanks for helping everyone get off Myrkr."
"Jace?" breathed Zekk, still not quite able to believe it, "I should've known it was you, man. I should have recognized your voice, or that feeling of comfortable familiarity when we were around. I did feel it, but couldn't recognize it because I couldn't believe it could be you. You're back from the dead, man."
With a lopsided grin, Jacen punched him in the shoulder, then turned to Lowbacca. "Hey Lowie. Look, no hard feelings about the, uhh…"
Lightning crackled across his palm as he looked at his old Wookiee friend. Lowie roared an enthusiastic greeting and wrapped Jacen in an immense hug. Finally the Wookiee released him and Jacen turned around to be face-to-face with one person he'd been wanting to see.
He took in her stormy gray eyes, flawless face, and the impeccably-styled copper hair.
"Tenel Ka," he said, smiling broadly.
"Friend Jacen," she replied, "I wish to do something that has been waiting for five years."
"Oh really? And what would that be?" he asked.
Tenel Ka suddenly leapt forward and planted her lips against his in a fierce kiss. As quickly as she'd done it Jacen wrapped her in his arms and pressed into her. She'd been right. They should have shared that kiss before Myrkr. As suddenly as the kiss had begun, Tenel Ka pulled away.
"It is good to see you alive friend Jacen," she said, completely calm, but with the barest hint of a smile on her face.
Jacen let his gaze roam across everyone else assembled. He nodded to Ganner, Kyp, and Kenth, and sent a beaming smile and warm feelings to Danni.
"Well, I wish I could greet all of you so enthusiastically," he said chuckling, "but there'll be time for that later. I'm here, I'm back, but I have much to do."
"We're not going to let you do anything, traitor!" spat Tahiri, "What did the Vong promise you! They offer to worship you and everything else just gets thrown out the space lock!"
Jacen could feel the cold rage emanating from Tahiri. He wasn't offended, because he knew its source. Anakin. He had survived after so long, suffering things none of them could begin to guess at, but Anakin had been killed by a simple amphistaff spearing through his heart. Anakin, the Jedi hero whom everyone had thought would carry the mantle of the Jedi after Luke… dead in battle.
"It was not an easy decision to make, Tahiri," he told her, "but Anakin would understand. It was he who encouraged me to accept certain truths. About myself, about life, and about the Force."
"You're nothing," she sneered, "just a simple Vong stooge with delusions of grandeur! You should be one who's dead!"
Garagh could take no more of this and leapt forward, his amphistaff unfurling around his arm. None of the other Slayers had moved, as it was his right as Supreme Commander to defend the Lord Slayer's honor. He saw lightsabers ignite all around him, but his concentration was solely on the shaped Jedi before him.
Kyp had whipped out his lightsaber the moment he saw the warrior move, but even with his weapon in hand and everything in his mind screaming for him to move, something amazingly powerful held him securely in place. Whatever it was, all he could do was watch.
Luke watched in awe and horror, frozen in place. The warrior, Garagh, Jacen had called him, moved with superhuman speed. Even though he'd had to run over five meters to get to Tahiri, she'd only just gotten her lightsaber up in time. The warrior moved so fast, it seemed that even Tahiri's Vongsense wasn't able to let her keep up with his speed and skill. The warrior cut, thrust, and parried in a constant barrage whose assault was quickly taking Tahiri to the point of exhaustion.
Suddenly, one of the warrior's attacks forced Tahiri's lightsaber wide, and Garagh stepped in with a powerful blow to her abdomen, followed quickly by a cut with a coufee Luke had never seen him draw, and finished by sweeping her feet from underneath her with the amphistaff, cutting nastily across her calf. A heartbeat later, her lightsaber was hanging in midair, and the point of the warrior's amphistaff rested against Tahiri's throat.
"She has shamed herself, my lord," growled the warrior, "She has insulted your honor and defied the God-You-Are. I beg you to allow me to send her gracelessly to your fellow True Gods!"
Jacen looked at him, his face calm, but his eyes were burning. "You will return to the coralcraft, Supreme Commander. Inside you will hang yourself in the Embrace of Pain until I have you released."
Jaina looked worriedly at Tahiri. Through the Force, she could feel the poison spreading rapidly through the blond's body.
"I told you these infidels do not know honor!" continued Jacen, "Their anger would be natural, as would their disbelief. You are a great warrior Garagh, and I would not give up your support even were the Supreme Overlord to threaten me. But you will learn obedience! You will learn when not to fight! Go."
Leia could tell that the warrior was greatly humbled, and she briefly wondered how Jacen could have gained such influence over them. After all, he'd called Jacen "my lord"!
Garagh snapped his fists to opposite shoulders. He'd been wrong, he knew it. The Lord Slayer had given specific orders. It was so difficult to rein in his instincts. He didn't blame his lord. The God-He-Is had every right to inflict this punishment.
"I hear and obey, my Lord Slayer," he said calmly. Then he turned and walked back to the coralcraft with his back straight and his head held high. The warriors at the ramp nodded slightly at his honor in the face of his own humiliation.
Jacen said nothing more as he walked up to Tahiri, who was beginning to have difficulty breathing. Using the Force in ways only he and Vergere knew how, he enveloped Tahiri's small hand in his large calloused one, and channeled the Force through his sweat glands. He felt the poison recede and finally vanish all together as the wound on her leg closed, leaving only a small scratch. It would be enough of a reminder for Tahiri to think before speaking again.
"You can all move now," he told them, and watched with amusement as they all hesitantly experimented. The instant he'd felt Garagh move, he'd grabbed everyone and held them still with the power of the Force. He now pulled Tahiri's lightsaber through the air to himself, then laid it gently in her hand. "I'm sorry about Garagh. He tends to take his responsibility a little too seriously sometimes."
Jacen helped the blond Jedi to her feet, then thought back over the fight. "That was an interesting strike he caught you with, I'll have to have him teach it to me when we have a chance.
Luke was also replaying the fight in his mind. Tahiri was fine lightsaber duellist, especially since merging Riina Kwaad's warrior memories with her own Jedi skills. But this Garagh had moved so fast, so ferociously. It was… frightening.
"Sorry about holding all of you," apologized Jacen, "but I rather like Garagh. He's a good man, and I didn't want six of you to cut him into pieces."
"Kid, how do you have them so loyal?" Han asked his son, his voice still unbelieving.
"Simple Dad. To the Yuuzhan Vong, I am the Lord Slayer, avatar of the True God Yun-Yammka," he explained, "to them, I am their god."
"Jacen Solo," called Vergere, holding up a large villip, "Supreme Overlord Shimrra requests an audience."
Wedge and Iella gasped and looked at each other. The leader of all the Yuuzhan Vong requests an audience with Jacen! This was definitely something that everyone was going to need to know.
Luke, Mara, Han, Leia, Jaina and Jag clustered near Jacen as he looked into the villip, and the monstrous head of a Yuuzhan Vong solidified. He was simply the most terrifying Vong that Jaina had ever seen.
"Overlord Shimrra," greeted Jacen, "I trust that you have managed to keep Yuuzhan'tar from falling apart with me gone."
The other Jedi stared at him in wonder. Did Jacen have enough authority to taunt the leader of the Yuuzhan Vong?
"You will have to ask Master Shaper Qelah Kwaad," rumbled Shimrra with what could have been a chuckle, "but the World Brain has not informed me of any problems with the planet."
And it certainly won't, thought Jacen, not if I have anything to say about it. Just as long as my dhuryam friend keeps you out of the loop a little while longer.
Shimrra continued. "I merely contact you to inquire on your progress with your former comrades, the Jeedai?"
"I stand now among the infidels," answered Jacen, "and as I told you they would, they have accepted me with open arms. They see only the infidel Jedi who they left to die at the hands of the voxyn. In their grief, guilt, and now joy at seeing this form alive they will welcome the God-I-Am without question. I shall show them the futility of their lies and those of their bankrupt religion. Soon, Overlord. Soon the Jedi will be converted to the Light of the True Way. They will kneel to me as the God-I-Am and willingly offer up their lives to the True Gods."
Shimrra rumbled with laughter. "Excellent, Lord Slayer. I look forward to seeing a Jeedai walk to his sacrifice in the Well of the World Brain. Until then I will leave you to your plans."
"I am certain the dhuryam will enjoy the ceremony," agreed Jacen, "Do not contact me again, Overlord, I would not want to arouse the infidels' suspicions. Until next time."
Jacen silenced the villip and then turned back to face the other Jedi. All of them were standing with mouths agape and a hand on their weapons. Fear and a sense of betrayal radiated off them all.
Only Mara was able to find her voice. "Did you betray us Jacen? Truly?"
Jacen shrugged. "Depends. The truth is always greater than what we see or what can be explained. I am a traitor to more than you can imagine. However, it is also true that I don't intend any harm to you. My goal has always been to end this war as quickly and as completely as I can."
"I don't believe you," spat Jaina, "you can't be my brother. Jacen would never have betrayed us, he would have died first!"
"I am dead, Jaina," he replied simply, but his twin didn't hear him.
"Jacen wouldn't have stood by while innocent people were sacrificed. He wouldn't have sacrificed them! He wouldn't have hid himself from the Force. My twin wouldn't have blocked me out."
"I've had to block you out, sister dear," he said calmly, "I don't think you could stand the emotions that whirl about inside me. But if you wish, I will briefly open our twin bond, so that may feel as I have."
"Give it your best shot," she challenged.
Jacen went back to the bond that he and Jaina had shared since their birth, and could feel Jaina trying to open it. As carefully as he could, he let the slightest trickle flow across that bond.
It was remarkable to watch Jaina's reaction. First it started off curious, then confusion, hatred, and fear. Slowly, tears began to fall down her cheeks and Jaina slid to her knees. Jag was next to her in an instant, cradling her in his arms. Jacen closed off the bond and watched two of them sympathetically.
Several minutes later, Jaina was finally able to stop the tears and bring her eyes to meet his. "How can you stand that much pain? How do live?" she asked, her voice full of grief and sympathy.
"Because I walk the paths of the dead now," he told her, "Pain does not control the dead."
"But you're alive, Jacen," protested Leia.
Jacen gave his mother a warm smile. "No. No I'm not, Mom. I told all of you the truth. The boy you knew as Jacen Solo died not long after Myrkr. I just haven't had the chance to lay down and stop breathing yet."
"It doesn't matter," said Kyp, "no matter who you think you are or what you've become, you won't turn us to your side. We won't be converted to the Vong's True Way. We won't be corrupted."
Jacen looked at Kyp curiously, then tossed the older Jedi a Solo grin. "Corrupted? Don't think of it as corruption, think of it instead, as, umm, freedom. Freedom the lies we've inflicted on ourselves. And you needn't worry about me converting you to the True Way of the Yuuzhan Vong, I'm not on their side. But neither am I on your side. I don't really see 'sides' anymore, I serve only the Force. Besides, I already a convert. There is a Jedi who will follow me, who accepts what I've taught, and what I can offer. Come forward, you can stop hiding now."
Jaws dropped as Ganner Rhysode stepped forward and embraced Jacen. "Thank the Force, Jace. I thought you were going to keep me hiding away forever."
"Well the chance of keeping your ugly mug away from me was tempting," said Jacen laughing, "but in the end I think you're more useful to me at my side. What did you guys think? That I put Ganner in the Embrace of Pain for the fun of it? He needed to learn an important lesson in pain. Tahiri, come on. Riina should have told you what was wrong the whole scenario. Priests escorting a sacrifice to the Nameless Pit? You have to get on the ball here. But in all seriousness, none of you has anything to fear from me. I have no intentions of sacrificing, corrupting, or converting you. I have the best interests of the Alliance and the Yuuzhan Vong at heart. I want this war to end as best as it can for both sides."
"Then why now?" asked Luke, his voice full of genuine curiousity, "Why have you waited for so long before contacting us? Surely this incredible influence of yours can't have just appeared in the last few months. Why was now the time?"
Jacen smiled. Trust Uncle Luke to ask the really perceptive questions.
"Because I feel it in the Force," he said simply, "Ever since I became the Lord Slayer, I have been using my influence to prevent major offensive actions against the Alliance. This became easier after Jaina killed Tsavong Lah and Nas Choka was made the Warmaster. But it was only recently that I came across what believe might be the solution to this war."
"What exactly could that be?" sneered Dif Scaur, speaking for the first time today.
"Wouldn't you just love to know?" joked Jacen, "But I'm not about to divulge all my secrets just yet. I will in my own time. For now, though, you think I could get an apartment? It's been years since I last had a real shower. The robeskin keeps me clean, but it doesn't compare to standing under the hot water."
Jaina and several of the other Jedi laughed at that. Yep, no matter what changes had been wrought, part of Jacen would always remain the same.
"Friend Jacen, we must have a celebration to honor your return," insisted Tenel Ka.
"I know just the thing," agreed Leia, "the grand ball to celebrate the victory at Ebaq 9. We have almost two weeks. That'll be enough time to properly expand it."
"It's a deal," commented Jacen, "however, I must warn you. Shimrra's spies are everywhere, as are many of my own. Especially here on Mon Calamari. So I want you all to know that at any point I may revert to acting as the Yuuzhan Vong's Lord Slayer. After all, I am supposed to be converting you to the True Way."
The others nodded silently, but Leia came up to him and looked Jacen dead in the eyes. There was so much she'd have to tell him, so much she'd need to hear from him. But there were other things to worry about now.
"You must have been an incredible inspiration to the Yuuzhan Vong," she told her son as she began to lead him to the hangar doors where Dahn stood guard, "these warriors truly believe in you and would die for you. It takes a lot to inspire that kind of loyalty. You have that from the Yuuzhan Vong, now it's time to inspire the rest of the galaxy."
He nodded, and the doors opened to the sea of holoreporters, all of whom could only stare in amazement.
Jacen Solo was alive.