Hey everyone, I took my time a bit with this update, because there was a lot that I wanted to cover. Thanks for continuing to be patient with me, and I look forward to your reviews so that I can get this story concluded as soon as I can. Thank you and enjoy.
Three weeks later
Earthshakes tore across the holy planet of Yuuzhan'tar, knocking people to the ground, toppling buildings and ripping chasms in the earth. Nom Anor stumbled to the balcony of his quarters and looked around.
Priests had fallen to their knees, uttering prayers to the gods. Members of every other caste were staring breathlessly into the sky. Nom Anor turned his eyes upward. Impossibly, in the middle of the sky was a bright, blue-green orb larger than the sun.
A planet, he realized.
Suddenly, there was a great pressure in his head, and then he felt a voice inside his head.
Yuuzhan Vong, the chosen of the gods. Hear me. I am Jacen Solo. I am the Lord Slayer. Too long has this war progressed with the Jedi and the Galactic Alliance. I have come to end this war. My people, Shimrra has lied to you. I come with Zonoma Sekot, the living planet. Together, we will end this war!
As the pressure receded, Nom Anor became aware that the Shamed Ones in the holy square had risen and were cheering at the top of their lungs in one voice. He shuddered as he turned his eyes back to the planet; Zonoma Sekot. Nom Anor suddenly realized that the planet's arrival had ripped apart the Bridge. It was as if Jacen and Zonoma Sekot had arrived and said, here we have come, fear us!
Distantly he heard the dilating lock open to his quarters.
"Prefect Nom Anor!"
He turned to see a pair of Shimrra's Slayers standing inside his room, amphistaffs out and ready.
"Supreme Overlord Shimrra demands your immediate presence in the Hall of Confluence," said one of them.
Nom Anor nodded briefly, pausing only long enough to don his formal green robes of office. Though he refused to acknowledge the gods, he still whispered a prayer that he might survive the day.
Jacen Solo stood on the bridge of the Errant Venture, watching as the squadrons of coralskippers approached. Between them was a line of Jedi pilots in Sekotan fighters, X-Wings, and other craft. Han and Leia had the Noghri with them in the Falcon, while Mara, Luke, and Ganner were in the Shadow, and Tesar had his blastboat. Jaina, Tahiri, and Kenth were in their X-Wings, while Zekk, Lowbacca, Corran, Kyp, Saba, Alema, Kyle Katarn, Waxarn Kel, Izaz Wal, and others were in the living ships that Sekot had crafted for them.
Sekot had explained that these fighters were vastly different than ones made earlier. Fighters that had been made such as for Anakin Skywalker had been equipped with standard ion engines and had rarely been armed. But each of these fighters came with a dovin basal analog for propulsion and a volcanic plasma cannon similar to that of coralskippers.
Jacen had ordered his Slayers to remain on the planet. He didn't want Shimrra to know yet that he'd assembled all of his warriors to prepare for an assault on Coruscant.
Remember Jacen, defense only, came the admonition from Sekot.
We will turn them back, he replied, Nothing more.
"What do you think, boy?" asked Booster Terrik.
Jacen glanced at the older man. "Its more an intelligence-gathering mission than anything else. If this was a serious strike, Nas Choka would have come with Yammka's Mount, especially with your Star Destroyer here. No. They're just trying to get a little information on our capabilities."
"Here they come," warned Luke.
Delving deeply into the Force, Jacen stretched out and touched the minds of the other Jedi, bringing them all into one massive battle meld, the largest he'd ever done. As the battle was joined, Jacen felt their thoughts before they came over the comlink.
"Watch it everyone, they're coming in hot," warned Jaina. She dove into the fray, her blasters lighting up the vacuum. Soon, Lowbacca and Alema were with her, as they normally were in Twin Suns.
"We have your back, Sticks," confirmed Alema.
"Thanks, Dancer."
The battle quickly devolved into a chaotic swarm, but with Jacen lending his eyes from the bridge of the Venture, it was much less confusing for the Jedi.
"Watch it Corran, you're got one on your tail," warned Kyle.
"He's got a lock on me, I can't shake him!" called the Corellian, "What the…! His shots went wide, he's breaking off! I'm clear!"
"This is Kyp, anyone else having trouble getting a lock on the skips?"
"I've got the same problem," agreed Zekk, "At the last moment my shots are going wide."
"You think we're just trying to get used to these ships?" wondered Corran.
"Or maybe the ships are trying to get used to us," suggested Kyp.
Suddenly, the Millennium Falcon tore through the melee, spinning wildly with its quad lasers spitting out blasts in every direction. Jacen suddenly laughed at his father's antics, trying to prove to the young Jedi that the old man still had the moves.
Jacen knew that this fight would soon be over and the Yuuzhan Vong survivors would limp back to the fleet. Eventually, he knew, Shimrra would order Nas Choka to launch a full attack against Zonoma Sekot. He just had to hope that the insecurities of the planet's prophesies kept Shimrra occupied long enough for the Alliance fleets to arrive.
Nom Anor hurried into the Hall of Confluence, where Supreme Overlord Shimrra sat high in his throne, with Onimi a few steps below. High Priest Jakan and High Prefect Drathul were on their knees before the Supreme Overlord. At the proper point, Nom Anor also fell to his knees.
"Dread Lord, I bade the litter bearers to make haste to the Citadel, so that I might serve you faster," he groveled, "If they have made me late, I shall have them properly punished…"
Shimrra waved a hand dismissively. "It is of no concern, Prefect. I have been brought… news… of a most interesting nature. Repeat to your underling, Drathul, what has been reported."
Drathul turned to Nom Anor and sneered. He didn't like how quickly the former Executor had risen through the ranks, and especially how he'd gained the favor of the Supreme Overlord. But no one disobeyed Shimrra in his own presence.
"Nas Choka has sent several squadrons of coralskippers to test this so-called living planet of the Lord Slayer's," explained the High Prefect, "The pilots report that it is well-defended by Jeedai, and that they have fought against living ships, which use dovin basals like our own, and who answer our plasma weapons with their own!"
Shimrra rumbled with what could have been laughter. "Well, Prefect? You are our expert on the Jeedai, the elites are demanding an explanation. What do you think of this dark magic?"
Nom Anor realized quickly that Shimrra was throwing him to the wolves. He could tell what he thought was the truth, that the Jedi had found a living planet and had convinced it ally with them, but then he would be putting himself opposite Shimrra, who was rumored to have known about this planet before overthrowing Quoreal. Or, he could make up a believable lie. It was hardly a difficult choice.
"Dread Lord, I doubt that the Jedi have found a living planet," he said carefully, "my opinion is that this is one of their mind tricks."
"Tricks!" repeated Jakan, "Tricks! You think that this is nothing but a Jeedai trick!"
"Why not, Eminence?" replied Nom Anor, now on firmer ground, "We know that the Jedi have been capable of tricking our yammosks and our warriors before. With Jacen Solo at the head of the Jedi, one who has played us for fools for so many years, it becomes even more likely. He is as diabolically clever as Yun-Harla herself."
Shimrra laughed. "Not Yun-Harla, Prefect. Yun-Shuno. For Jacen Solo is indeed, the Betrayer. But you are to be commended for your imagination. However, I have spoken at length with the True Gods, and this is no Jeedai trick. The gods are testing us. They are testing our faith by putting this weapon into the hands of the Jeedai. But we shall prove our mettle."
The others were silent for several moments, then Shimrra continued.
"The miserable Shamed Ones are rising in revolt against the True Gods, believing that the Betrayer is coming to pardon their shame and redeem them. They must be shown that the True Gods gave them their status for a reason. There will be no redemption. Prefect Nom Anor, you will find the largest gathering of Shamed Ones and when it occurs, you will take two thousand of the Citadel's warriors and crush them like bugs!"
General Wedge Antilles looked out the bridge at the unimaginable fleet that had been assembled. Ships of the Galactic Alliance, the Hutts, the Hapans, and even the Imperial Remnant were gathered together, one jump away from Coruscant. This was it, he knew. In five minutes the entire fleet would make the jump Coreward, and the battle that would determine who would win this war would be determined.
"General?"
Wedge turned back to the ship's captain, an Arkanian whose milky-white eyes stared holes at his underlings. He'd had to fight his species infamous reputation for his whole career, and was a hard-driver.
"There's a comm for you from Admiral Kre'fey, General," he said, "We'll be ready to make the jump whenever you give the order."
Wedge nodded and moved away from the viewports, then headed towards the comm station. A small holo of the Bothan admiral sat on the player.
"What can I do for you, Admiral?" asked Wedge. It had been decided by Admiral Sovv and the rest of Alliance High Command that Kre'fey would be in overall command, something that even Grand Admiral Pelleaon had agreed to, much to High Command's surprise.
"Slight change of plan, Wedge," answered Kre'fey, "We just got a comm transmission from Master Skywalker. According to him, the entirety of the Yuuzhan Vong have been in a complete frenzy since he and the other Jedi got there two days ago. Don't ask me how, I don't think I want to know the details. But he tells us there will be another planet in the system."
"Another planet, Traest?" asked Wedge in disbelief. Since he'd become friends with Luke over 25 years ago he knew his friend had been capable of many amazing things, but bringing a new planet into Coruscant's system?
"I told you I didn't want to know," replied Kre'fey, "What I want is for you to take your battle group and watch over that planet of his. This way you can keep your tactical units watching the battle. I want an outsider's perspective while we're fighting this thing."
Wedge nodded briefly. "I hear you, Traest. We'll be where you need us."
"Thank you, General," said Kre'fey, speaking respectfully to a man who'd been fighting for the freedom of the galaxy for ten years longer than he had, "May the Force be with you."
Warmaster Nas Choka watched as every ship of the Yuuzhan Vong's fleet within the Core made their way towards Zonoma Sekot. He knew that the planet was the doom of the Yuuzhan Vong, but even as he watched the fleet approach, he knew, deep in his heart, that this was the wrong thing to do. But Supreme Overlord Shimrra had given him specific orders. He was to destroy the Jeedai and raze the planet.
At this point so far, it looked as though Zonoma Sekot was undefended. The large red Star Destroyer the Jeedai had brought with them was on the other side of the planet, and even if it was in the way, one Star Destroyer could not stop the Yuuzhan Vong fleet.
Greetings, Warmaster.
Nas Choka spun around wildly, searching for the voice he had just clearly heard speaking to him.
You will not find me on Yammka's Mount, my friend. It is Jacen Solo, your Lord Slayer. I speak to you from Zonoma Sekot.
My lord, you have been declared an enemy of our people by the Supreme Overlord, replied Nas Choka, He has announced that you are not the avatar of Yun-Yammka, but of Yun-Shuno. Is this true?
He could almost imagine his lord's crooked grin in the reply. It is true. As much as it is true that I am the avatar of all the True Gods. The Jedi are not gods, Warmaster, nor is Shimrra. You are not the arm of Shimrra. He will destroy the chosen of the gods, Nas. Reject the commands he has sent you. Prove to the Alliance that the Yuuzhan Vong are warriors of honor.
Nas Choka was suddenly in a bind he had never anticipated. He was bound by all he'd been taught from the creche that the gods were infallible. That they encouraged the Yuuzhan Vong to prove their superiority through war. Yet the Lord Slayer wanted peace. Nas Choka did not know what to do.
Do what you must, my friend.
Nas Choka looked around the bridge of Yammka's Mount, realizing that the captain, the fleet's priest and his lead tactician were all watching him expectantly. They were awaiting the order.
I am sorry, my friend Jacen, he said to the presence in his mind, I honor the gods, but I cannot surrender without a fight. I am a warrior, I follow the orders of the Supreme Overlord. I pray that the gods treat you as the equal you are. But I must meet my own honor in battle first.
There was a brief silence from the other end. Then he could hear the Lord Slayer's voice in his head again.
I feel sorry that you feel you must fight. I hope you survive my friend. I hope you have the opportunity to experience the peace that others of the Yuuzhan Vong have. The Yuuzhan Vong's days of making war are over, it is time to learn and practice peace. Your honor will survive for a thousand years. May the Force be with you.
"Warmaster!" called the Yammka's tactician, "An entire fleet of Alliance ships has come out of darkspace near Yuuzhan'tar!"
Nas Choka spun around to the array of blaze bugs. A fleet was putting it mildly. The entire ship complement of the Alliance, Empire, Hapes and everyone else must have been gathered together to make one single unified assault on the holy planet.
"All ships reverse course," he ordered confidently, "The defense of Yuuzhan'tar is our primary goal. The Jeedai will have to wait until we have destroyed the infidels. For the glory of Yun-Yammka!"
The Yuuzhan Vong and Alliance fleets met in a clash that would be remembered for thousands of years to come. Dozens, hundreds of capital ships on both sides and tens of thousands of starfighters engaged in a deadly dance from which only one would emerge victorious.
The Alliance knew that victory would be decided on the surface of the shaped world they knew as Coruscant. Immediately, Alliance ships under the command of General Keyan Farlander, also a Jedi under Master Skywalker, began sending ships to destroy the planetary defenses, and drop ships began making their way towards the surface.
Planet-based launchers fired kilometer-long streams of plasma into the skies as well as hordes of grutchins. X-Wings, TIEs, My'tils, and a countless number of other fighters bombarded Coruscant's atmosphere with missiles, torpedoes, bombs, and laser fire. Emerald and crimson fire rained down from Star Destroyers, Bothan assault cruisers, Mon Cal Star Defenders and cruisers, as well as Hapan Battle Dragons and Dragon Novas.
Despite the planet's defenses under the capable control of the World Brain, the sheer scale of the Alliance assault created gaps in the defense systems. Gaps that were exploited by Alliance drop ships. Soon they were landing on the planet's surface.
Captain Judder Page was the first Alliance soldier to set foot the planet that would once again be known as Coruscant.
"Colonel Fel, bring your squadron around to mark six-point-one," came the voice of Kre'fey's fleet tactician, "We want Twin Suns flying cover for the drop ships."
"Copy that," he replied, "Twin Suns, form up on me, we're going to protect the crates. Shawnkyr, you still with me?"
"Since the Sword isn't watching your back, I guess that makes it my duty to sit on your tail," came the voice of his fellow Chiss pilot.
Jag allowed himself a slight grin. He'd been worried for Jaina these past few weeks, having heard nothing until they contacted the fleet only a few hours ago. For a brief time, his imagination had run wild, letting him think that Jacen had gone and played them all for fools and brought the Jedi right into the Yuuzhan Vong's lap. He was glad Jaina had shown him a few of her Jedi breathing exercises. He'd managed to avoid contacting Wedge with his fears.
He brought his clawcraft farther down into the atmosphere, feeling the bumping, jarring turbulence that flying through atmosphere did to you. He didn't know how those Alliance V-Wing and speeder pilots could fly through this muck.
"This is drop ship two-niner-zero, we got a swarm of grutchins heading our way!" called a voice.
"Let's go, Suns," he ordered, and led the squadron towards a thick cloud of the insect grutchins.
Every fighter let loose with laser blasts, scoring through the tough exoskeleton of the living weapons, cutting their way towards the drop ship.
"We've got 'em on the hull! They're eating through!"
The cries became more desperate. Jag's finger never left the trigger. He knew his guns were beginning to heat up but he didn't care. He wasn't about to let the grutchins stay between him and the drop ship.
"It's no use! Get clear while you can!" called the ship's pilot.
Blasters! cursed Jag. He could see the ship through the swarm of grutchins. Just hold on, rancor bait!
There was a sudden jarring bump and as Jag turned, he could see the black eyes of a grutchin on his wing. He ignored it and turned back to the drop ship, just in time to see it burst into flame.
"Twin Suns, the drop ship is down! Get out and back to the safe lanes, keep them away from this sector! Move it!"
His clawcraft suddenly dropped ten meters.
"Jag!" cried Shawnkyr.
"I'm going down," he said, surprised with his own calm, "Shawnkyr, you're in command of Twin Suns until I get back. I promise to bust you back down to a mechanic if we lose anyone while I'm gone."
"Copy that," she reported dutifully.
Jag kept losing altitude, heading towards a light forest on the edge of a city.
That's the Sacred Precinct, he knew.
The clawcraft kept dropping, the grutchin still eating its way through the hull. Suddenly, idea as crazy as something Jaina might do popped into his head, and Jag took the engines to full and aimed himself at the ground. As he approached the tops of the trees he leveled out, then cut the engines and hit the reverse thrusters.
Jag was thrown forward in his flight harness, and could feel the ship being tossed about, then everyone went black.
When he came to, someone was knocking on his viewport.
"You still alive in there, flyboy?" asked the soldier.
Jag gave a weak wave of his hand, and suddenly two more soldiers appeared… upside-down. It took a few foggy moments for Jag to realize that he was the one hanging upside-down – in a tree. Well, his idea worked.
The hatch opened and one of the soldiers wormed his way in, cutting the flight harness. Together, three other soldiers helped lower him to the ground as gently as they could.
"Easy there, flyboy," said one of them, handing Jag a canteen. He took a long drink of water and shook his head, trying to clear out the fog.
"How's he doing?" asked a familiar voice.
Jag looked up into the nondescript face of Judder Page.
"I'll live," he said hoarsely, "at least I think so."
"Good to see you've still got a sense of humor, Colonel," said Page, "I'd hate to have to go to General Solo and tell the man that his son-in-law got himself killed by a tree."
"Grutchin," corrected Jag as he staggered to his feet, helped by one of the commandos, "They also took down drop ship 290."
Page nodded gravely. "Yeah, we them go down. I sent a squad to check for survivors, but I doubt we'll find any." He took a brief look around.
"Well, I don't see any chance of getting you back into the air anytime soon, so…" Page pushed a blaster into Jag's empty hands. "Welcome aboard. You just joined the commandos, Colonel."
A small portion of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet had been left at Zonoma Sekot, but between the Errant Venture and Wedge's battle group they were quickly being decimated.
Meanwhile the Millennium Falcon and the Jade Shadow wove in and out of the debris that had been, less than an hour earlier, starships. Behind them trailed a half-dozen Yuuzhan Vong transports, carrying all of Jacen's Slayer warriors.
Han looked over his shoulder. Jacen sat behind his mother, staring at the carnage around them. He looked sick, but determined. Gone was any trace of humor or compassion in his eyes. They had become as hard as durasteel. Han hoped it was only a temporary thing.
He turned his attention back to flying, glancing over at the Shadow to make sure Luke and Mara were still with them. Despite their fighting capabilities, Han wasn't as concerned with the Slayers.
"This party's just the way we left it," muttered Han, "right down to the rubble of the starships."
"Party," murmured Harrar, "Some of our warriors use that to describe combat. You have the makings of a Supreme Commander, Han Solo."
Han turned to the Yuuzhan Vong priest and gave him a crooked grin. For some reason, he kind of liked the guy, and Jacen had said that Han fascinated the priest. He looked back out to see the Shadow swerve sharply to avoid a large fragment of yorik coral.
"You okay over there, junior?" he asked.
"We'll be fine once the farmboy learns left from right," growled Mara.
"Millennium Falcon, this is the Ralroost," came a voice.
"Go ahead, we're listening," said Leia.
"Madame Organa-Solo, we're sending you safe entrance vectors," came the voice of Admiral Kre'fey, "These are the safest routes. I presume you and Master Skywalker will want to make it to the Sacred Precinct with all haste, so those are the primary vectors indicated."
"Thank you, Traest," replied Leia, "We'll do everything we can on the ground."
"Admiral," said Jacen, "whatever you do, you must protect Zonoma Sekot at all costs. Once Nas Choka realizes he can't defend Yuuzhan'tar, he will seek to eliminate that which is the greatest threat to the Yuuzhan Vong. That planet is the key to victory, even more so than here. Don't forget that."
"I won't Jedi Solo," replied the Bothan, "Good luck on your end."
"May the Force be with you, Traest," said Leia, cutting off the transmission.
Jaina sat behind her father, looking out at the frenzy of combat. Part of her wanted nothing more than to jump into her X-Wing and get out into the fray. But she knew she had her part to play, just as everyone else did. Although there was something she could do.
"Twin Suns, this is the Millennium Falcon," she said into the comm, waiting to hear her husband's voice, "Can you escort a beat-up old freighter to the surface?"
She ignored Han's grumbling about making fun of his ship.
"Jedi Solo, we are coming up on you and the Shadow as we speak," said a voice, one that Jaina recognized.
"Shawnkyr? What are you doing in Twin Suns? Where's Jag!" she cried, beginning to panic.
"He was taken down by grutchins while covering one of the drop ships," said the Chiss woman, "We haven't heard from him since."
While the Chiss were known for their lack of displaying emotion, Jaina could feel the grief and fear in the other woman's voice. She'd been Jag's wingmate for three years before the beginning of the war. She considered him as a brother.
Jaina's heart was in her throat. She was terrified. But she hadn't felt his death. Maybe she'd been too far away? Jaina began to stretch out with the Force. Although Jag wasn't Force-sensitive, he had a unique sense that she could always find. Almost imperceptibly, she felt an enormous well of power begin to support her search, and Jaina realized that Jacen had silently added his own Force strength to hers. She sent a wave of gratitude to her twin, then quested towards the surface.
Finally, a faint glimmer of recognition.
"He's alive, Shawnkyr," she said breathlessly, "Get me down there safely so I can kill him for scaring us."
"With pleasure, Sword," replied the Chiss pilot, "Twin Suns, get the Solo's and the Skywalker's onto the planet without harm, or both Colonel Fel and I will skin you alive!"
The Falcon and Shadow tore through Coruscant's atmosphere, following Alliance signals towards the Sacred Precinct.
Jacen looked out at the carnage. Coralskippers and Alliance fighters were fighting for superiority in the skies, and larger drop ships were bringing repulsor-tanks and Imperial walkers to the surface. Even from this altitude, they could see the blaster fire.
The two ships landed at a clear area that was scurrying with activity. Han, Leia, Jacen, Jaina, and Harrar emerged from the Falcon, leaving the Noghri and the droids on board. From the Shadow came Luke, Mara, Vergere, Ganner, Kenth, and Tahiri. Dozens of Jacen's Slayers descended from their own ships. Only Garagh and Dahn came up to the Jedi as they made their way to the commandos.
"Master Skywalker!" called Captain Page over the deafening noise, "We just got this camp set up less than an hour ago! We've got several squads ready to accompany you to the Citadel! Colonel Solo, there's someone over there for you!"
Jaina turned and saw Jag helping to hold down a struggling, wounded commando. His flightsuit was bloodied, he had a bad cut near his right ear, and his face was smudged with dirt and sweat. But to Jaina, she'd never been happier to see him. She ran from the group and wrapped Jag in a Wookiee-hug as soon as he was free.
"Get your men ready, Captain!" ordered Luke, "Han, Leia, you two better get back into space, see what you can do to help Kre'fey!"
"Not on your life, farmboy!" replied Han, "What, you think we were just a delivery service! Harrar thinks Shimrra might have a go at the World Brain if he considers the planet lost! We're going to make sure he doesn't!"
Jacen had gathered off to one side with Ganner, Vergere, Garagh, and Dahn.
"Ganner, I want you to go with the other Jedi, they're going to need you. Vergere, Garagh. The two of you will stay with me. We must find a villip grashal. Nas Choka wouldn't surrender before. He may or may not now, but we must offer it to the entire fleet. Some may stand down. Dahn, divide the Slayers into three units. Have one accompany Ganner and the Jedi, and two others to divide up and join other assault forces. Choose worthy leaders who will help the Alliance in any way that they can."
"I hear and obey, my lord," replied the young warrior.
"Jacen!" called Luke, "Let's go!"
He watched as Jaina shared some quiet words with her husband, kissed him, then jogged back to Luke and the others. Jacen shook his head slowly.
"There is something else I must do, Uncle Luke!" he called back, "Ganner and some of my warriors will go with you, but I must still try to end this as quickly as I can! This is the path the Force wishes of me! Don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"
"That's what makes us worry, kid!" replied Han, who then strode up to Jacen, wrapping his son in a fierce embrace. "You make sure to come back before curfew this time, you hear me!"
Jacen threw his head back and laughed. At least some things would never change. "I promise, Dad."
He stood in place as he watched his parents board the Falcon with Harrar, and watched Luke, Mara, Jaina, Tahiri, Kenth, and Ganner take off towards the Sacred Precinct with Page's commandos and almost twenty Slayers in tow.
"Jacen Solo, we must go," said Vergere softly, "Your sojourns on the Paths of the Dead are coming to an end. You cannot delay their conclusion."
Jacen took a deep breath. He knew, deep down, that after today he would never be the same again. Just as the teenaged boy Jacen Solo had died at Myrkr, so too would Jacen die again here today. The only thing he wondered, was whether or not he would stop breathing.
He looked off towards the direction the members of his family had gone, and nodded.
"May the Force be with you all," he whispered, then turned back to Garagh and Vergere, "Let's hurry. We shouldn't delay the giving of the Third Gift."