The story is on its way towards a spectacular climax. Thanks to everyone who reviewed my previous chapter, it kicked me out of the slump so that I could get this chapter up quickly. ChristyS, thanks for your compliments on how "walk and kill" seems to be Jacen's fighting style. I imagine him to be very lethal and efficient with his amphistaffs, though a bit more graceful when he (eventually) does use his lightsaber. Thanks for the reviews, keep them coming. Thank you and enjoy.
Same night
Nom Anor was crouched nervously in the shadow of one of the ancient statues that had once lined Coruscant's Avenue of Heroes. This statue had lain outside the government district of the New Republic's Senate Hall, commemorating some hero of the Clone Wars, now it was simply another pile of rubble on Yuuzhan'tar.
He hated waiting for anything, but especially when it put him at personal risk. Yet he was tired of scrounging for scraps in the downlevels, or hiding from patrols of warriors, or leading the heretics in the same mantra over and over again to glorify the accomplishments of Jacen Solo.
In the name of all the True Gods, he was responsible for Jacen Solo's godhood! He had made that little cowardly boy into who he was. It was his plan to convince Tsavong Lah that Jacen was the avatar of Yun-Yammka, a glorious coup indeed. Had it played out as he'd planned, Jacen would have been considered equal to Shimrra and Nom Anor would have had him under control!
Curse Jacen Solo! swore Nom Anor, May he burn in all nine Corellian hells!
"When life is a gift doomed to end, who could our lord find to send?" whispered a voice.
Nom Anor spun around to find Shimrra's hideous familiar, Onimi, standing behind him, that grotesque single-toothed mouth grinning, his lolling eye staring off to the left while his other eye danced with amusement. Nom Anor struggled to keep from recoiling. Even after all these years, being so close to a Shamed One disgusted him.
"What are you doing here, you pet!" spat Nom Anor.
If possible, Onimi's smile grew wider. "When the Executor that our Great Lord wants dead so much sends a message that he knows of a traitor in our midst, Shimrra can hardly make an appearance himself."
"I have nothing to share with you! If the Supreme Overlord wishes to hear what news I have, I will give it only to him!"
Onimi tsked slightly and shook his head. "You will talk to whomever our Dread Lord wants you to talk to. In this particular case, Executor, it happens to be him. Put this on and follow me."
The Supreme Overlord's familiar handed over and ooglith masquer and began walking back towards the Citadel, keeping easily to the shadows.
Of course, thought Nom Anor, if it becomes necessary for Shimrra to kill me, he doesn't want anyone to know that I have been to the Citadel.
The former Executor donned the masquer as quickly as he could and hurried after Onimi. The once renowned Shaper led Nom Anor down through a series of tunnels, some of which had obviously been created by Yuuzhan Vong biots, others that were the remains of Coruscant's downlevels. Soon enough, Nom Anor realized that they had to be directly beneath the Citadel, and sure enough, Onimi's path soon became straight up. This went on for a long time, for Shimrra obviously wanted him exhausted before stepping foot in his private coffer.
Finally, after an agonizing climb, Onimi led the way into the coffer, and Nom Anor steeled himself for whatever might become of it.
Supreme Overlord Shimrra reclined in his throne, the Scepter of Power entwined about his arm. Beneath his cape of flayed skin, Nom Anor caught a brief glimpse of something metallic. What was it? A… lightsaber!
"Do you worry that I may have committed sacriledge by bearing the infidel Jeedai weapon?" rumbled Shimrra.
Nom Anor had to remind himself of the Supreme Overlord's penchant for seemingly be capable of reading minds, and kept his own on firmly on the task at hand. At the proper distance, Nom Anor genuflected, showing proper honor and respect to the Supreme Overlord.
"My pet has told me that you possess information that may be valuable to us," continued Shimrra, "yet when I checked, I saw that I had not rescinded the order for your death. So make it worth my time to suffer your presence."
"Dread Lord, I bring you news most dire," began Nom Anor, "I regret to inform you that the Lord Slayer, Jacen Solo, is a traitor to our people and the faith we have placed in him. He has long played the elites for fools, and even now makes plans with his warriors to support the infidel Galactic Alliance."
Shimrra was silent for a long time, and Nom Anor kept his face firmly planted at the floor. He had to resist the urge to even roll his eyes towards Shimrra, not even daring to risk that much.
"How is it you come by this knowledge?"
"Great Sky Lord, after the disaster of Ebaq Nine, it was the Lord Slayer who bade me to flee your justice," lied Nom Anor, but it was only a little lie, "He used the influence he already had in the blasphemous underground to have the Shamed Ones take me in. Though I knew not why, he declared to the heretics that I was to be his Prophet. I feared your wrath, Dread Lord, for I never wished to fail in my devotion to you. So I took the name Yu'shaa and wore a masquer, while I delivered Jacen Solo's missives to the Shamed Ones until I could find the knowledge to tell you of his treachery."
"You mean until you could find the courage to betray him and crawl back to me on your belly," rumbled Shimrra, though Nom Anor couldn't tell if it was with anger or amusement, "Continue."
"The heretics believe that Jacen Solo is their True God, the avatar not of Yun-Yammka, Dread Lord, but of Yun-Shuno."
"Yun-Shuno!" roared Shimrra, "The Betrayer! He is the most dangerous of all the True Gods, do you know this, Executor! Yun-Shuno stands alone amongst the True Gods. He is not overcome by the wiles of Yun-Harla or the might of Yun-Yammka! He resists it all and fights for his own causes! If Jacen Solo truly is the incarnation of Yun-Shuno, then he is without doubt the single greatest threat to our entire people!"
Nom Anor remained silent during the Supreme Overlord's diatribe. He hadn't been asked for his opinion. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Onimi, who seemed to be seething as well. And well he should be at his master being made a fool by that traitor.
"There is more, Executor," insisted Shimrra, "Speak!"
"Dread Lord, all else that I know is that he has manipulated Shaper Nen Yim and Priest Harrar into his plots, for they left Yuuzhan'tar nearly a klekket past in the company of Jacen Solo's familiar, Vergere. I also know that his Slayers are aware of his plans, for I have understood that many are preparing to leave the planet.
Shimrra's implanted eyes had shifted through a myriad of colors during the meeting and now burned a furious red.
"Rise, Nom Anor, and look upon me," ordered Shimrra.
Nom Anor did as he was directed and saw that the Supreme Overlord was shaking with barely contained rage.
"No longer shall you be forced to hide among the dregs of the Shamed Ones," said Shimrra, "I raise you to the rank of Prefect, and give you the green robes of the office. Your domain to oversee shall be Yuuzhan'tar itself. Prefect Hagran has done a poor job these many years. You will take my Slayers and a thousand warriors of the Royal Guard and slaughter all the heretics you can find until the sun outshines the Bridge. You will also find the Betrayer's warriors and kill as many as you can find. Go now, Prefect! Don the robes of your office and carry out my bidding!"
Nom Anor bowed deeply to Shimrra and left, Onimi going with him to inform Shimrra's personal intendants of Nom Anor's promotion and new responsibilities. Prefect Hagran would no doubt be dead by morning, sacrificed to the gods for some dreamed up reason, but Nom Anor didn't care. He had the rank of Prefect, control of Yuuzhan'tar, and the ear of the Supreme Overlord.
He soon met the Commander of the Royal Guard and led the warriors into the downlevels.
Before dawn, 5000 Shamed Ones would die.
Jacen leaned back lazily in the chair in his apartment's living room, which was now quite cramped. Besides himself, Garagh, Vergere, and Ganner were there, as was Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara, Han and Leia, Jag and Jaina, Tahiri, Danni, Kenth Hamner, Corran and Mirax, and Kyp Durron.
The holoplayer had the news on, and it was the same story that had been playing all evening. The attack by a virulent anti-Vong gang, targeting Jacen and Cal Omas. Jacen and his Yuuzhan Vong warriors defended the elite of the Galactic Alliance, and one of the warriors had even sacrificed his life for that of the Chief of State. Cal Omas was reportedly considering giving the warrior a posthumous award.
"Look, Aunt Mara, the last thing I want is for this war to continue any longer," explained Jacen, "look at what has happened just this evening. The Yuuzhan Vong have gone from being the most despicable beings in the galaxy to having one of their warriors almost hailed as a hero by the Chief of State."
"You mean you planned this!" cried Corran.
"Of course I did. Tash Breny'yla was going to make a terrible nuisance of himself. Vergere found Griest, who ran one of the most brutal group of thugs to fight independently against the Yuuzhan Vong, the Peace Brigade, and anyone else they considered a traitor. I had her watch Breny'yla, and we were both right when he inevitably went to Griest."
"But this has only shown how the war is still ongoing and terrible," protested Kenth.
Jacen shook his head. "Wrong again. This highlights how there are still terrible extremists in the Alliance, yet there are some Yuuzhan Vong who aren't necessarily the enemy, not when they'll sacrifice their life for others. Until we can get both sides away from considering genocide, then any victory would be worthless. With the Bothans still calling for ar'krai and at least another dozen species calling for something similar, we need to make sure that both sides can avoid killing each other after the war ends."
"But how can anyone believe that you want peace after what you did to Griest?" asked Luke.
"After what I did?" wondered Jacen.
"You did cut his throat after he surrendered," Leia pointed out.
He shrugged. "The only reason I would have wanted him alive would have been to find out how he got into the palace and who sent him. But I know both already. The guilty party has already been punished."
Luke suddenly got a very cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. A glance at Mara confirmed she just came to the same conclusion.
"Where is Breny'yla, Jacen?" he asked his nephew.
"I'm not certain," he answered, "Vergere?"
"He was mysteriously electrocuted in his apartment," she answered easily, "a most unfortunate occurrence. Don't you agree?"
Jacen chuckled. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting the attack to be quite so dramatic as Griest made it, but I think it made things even more effective than I'd planned. Even in a worst-case scenario, five years of planning wouldn't have fallen to a thug like him."
Everyone was silent for a few moments, contemplating this "new" Jacen. He still seemed relaxed, and had a comfortable, friendly smile on his face. One would never be able to tell that he was casually talking about manipulating the entire galaxy or that had killed more than a dozen men earlier that evening.
The door to the bedroom opened and Garagh came out, holding a villip in his hands. "My Lord Slayer, Khasheg, from Yuuzhan'tar."
Jacen took the villip and placed it on the table in front of him. "Khasheg. I will receive your report."
The others in the room couldn't see anything, but could hear every word from Jacen's agent.
Jacen could tell the Slayer was in Jacen's own quarters inside the Citadel.
"My lord, I must be quick. I have barricaded the lock in your quarters, I will only have a krizt to speak. The Prophet of the Shamed Ones, former Executor Nom Anor has betrayed you, lord. He returned to Supreme Overlord Shimrra and denounced you as a traitor. The Supreme Overlord has made Nom Anor the Prefect of Yuuzhan'tar, who led members of the Royal Guard to slaughter your worshippers this past night. When they were finished with the Shamed Ones, Nom Anor led the warriors here. I will fight them for as long as I can, if you so order, my lord."
Jacen nodded at the Slayer. "You have done well, Khasheg. Your Blessed Release approaches, and you shall be welcomed into the embrace of the Slayer. Go now and die in whatever manner you deem best."
"I will be certain that I am not captured. May you always have honor and victory, Lord Slayer," replied Khasheg, saluting. The next thing Jacen saw was the warrior shove a coufee into his own throat.
"Die well, brave warrior," whispered Jacen before silencing the villip.
Leia watched her son lean back away from the table. She could tell from the others that they thought Jacen was completely calm, but she could tell. He hadn't become good enough of an actor to hide from her. She saw the pain in his eyes, the exhaustion in his shoulders. Leia could tell her son was hurting from this war, even if he was able to hide it from anyone else.
"My lord?" said Garagh carefully, "I wish to thank you for allowing Savong an honorable death. He was honored that he could serve to advance your plans."
Garagh bowed deeply, but stiffly, and left the room. Jacen remained silent.
"What was that about?" wondered Jaina.
"Garagh and Savongs were cousins," explained Jacen slowly, "both of Domain Tsun. Before the Shapers took them to become Slayers, I learned that they had been very close. Garagh had mentored his cousin as a warrior."
Jacen's silence was soon joined by everyone else in the room. They had never considered the possibility that the Yuuzhan Vong had family relationships anything akin to normal, or that they could experience love for each other. Danni reflected on just how little they really knew about the Yuuzhan Vong.
Jacen suddenly burst out laughing.
Everyone stared at him in astonishment.
"Okay, Jacen, now you're starting to scare us," muttered Tahiri.
He turned to the rest of them, smiling broadly. "I'm sorry, don't mean to scare you. I've just been waiting for Nom Anor to betray me."
"You knew that even though you'd made him the Prophet that he was going to betray you?" wondered Kyp.
"Of course," answered Jacen easily, "it's part of Nom Anor's charm. To be honest, I didn't think he'd make his move quite so soon. I was sure he'd wait until the war was closer to being over before he gave me over to Shimrra. But this can work to our advantage."
"And this is a good thing how?" asked Jag.
Jacen tossed them a crooked Solo grin. "Because now that he's slaughtered Shamed Ones with the help of the Royal Guard, the heretics are going to be that much more eager to see the end of the war and the end of Shimrra's tyrrany. They'll be waiting for their True God to arrive and redeem them, and they believe that the Galactic Alliance and the Jedi will follow me, as well. This puts everyone on my side."
"Your side?" asked Luke.
"Well sure, you don't think I'm on your side, do you Uncle Luke?" asked Jacen, tossing a grin towards Vergere, "Then again I'm not on the Yuuzhan Vong's side. I'm not on anyone's side except my own. If you can call it that. I really don't believe in 'sides' anymore. Vergere, get me the villip to Zonoma Sekot."
The rest of them began looking back and forth at each other, never having heard of that planet in their life. Jacen smiled at them. Boy were they in for a surprise. As Vergere left to get the correct villip, he only wished that Tenel Ka could be here with them. But her Hapan guards had ushered her back to her rooms so quickly he hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye. Although, that nobleman Droekle had been staring blasters at him as they left. Maybe it would be a better idea to wait a little while.
Soon, Vergere entered the room with another villip, stroking the creature purposely. Soon enough, the villip showed the features of Ekh'm Val and Harrar. This time, Jacen was positioned so that the rest of the Jedi could see the features of the two Yuuzhan Vong.
"Lord Slayer, greetings from Zonoma Sekot," welcomed Harrar, "Blessings of the gods be with you."
"And with you, Harrar," returned Jacen, "First of all, how has Nen Yim been progressing with Sekot?"
"She has discovered too much that is identical to Yuuzhan'tar to come up with any explanation other than what you have doubtless already known."
Jacen shrugged. After seeing how every Yuuzhan Vong reacted when they were on the planet and knowing how similar certain items were… it hadn't been difficult.
"And my warriors?" he asked.
"All of your Slayers have arrived on planet, my lord," answered Ekh'm, "Sekot has been keeping them towards the southern ice caps, she does not want warships near the homes of the Ferroans. The last of the Slayers arrived just this afternoon and all of them are eagerly awaiting your arrival."
"Excellent. I will be joining all of you on Zonoma within a standard week," explained Jacen, "and I will be bringing the Jedi with me."
"You will bring the Jeedai?" breathed Harrar.
"Yes, priest. Inform Sekot that I will be arriving soon. My plans will soon be revealed."
"All glory to you, Lord Slayer," said Ekh'm Val as he saluted. Harrar bowed his head and silenced the villip.
"Jacen, what are all of you talking about?" asked Luke.
He smiled broadly and stood up. Leia looked at her son and nearly gasped. Moments before his eyes had been tired, his shoulders sagged. Now, he looked like a man who knew about exhaustion only by reputation.
"Zonoma Sekot is a living world," he said proudly, "It is the key to ending this war once and for all. Mom, Master Skywalker, call a conference with the Advisory Council and Alliance Command. The fun and games are over. The end of the war begins now."