CHAPTER 30 – To Die For A Cause

Back on the Trickster's Sword, Jaina had been ushered from her X-wing toward the command structure. Knowledge of the surrender had bolstered her strength to the point she could function on her own. Kyp was at her side as a group of Chiss soldiers escorted them through a corridor. Jacen caught up, slowed by the difficulty of getting the Falcon berthed, and pushed through the perimeter to take his place at her other side.

The procession slowed as they neared the door at the end of the hall. Jaina sensed Jag approaching from a path perpendicular to their own. She turned her head, barely able to make him out through the mass of tall blue-skinned humanoids surrounding her. His smile was genuine and clearly visible for all to see.

Jaina caught a glimpse of Cighal accompanying her husband as she smiled back. Jag disappeared from sight as she was led into a large conference room filled with officials from the Galactic Alliance, both civilian and military. Sensing a rush of anger from Kyp, she pivoted to see a wall of Chiss blocking Kyp, and her brother behind him, from entering the room. Jaina walked back to the door before the scene got ugly. She shouldered her way through the Chiss guards until her body was placed between Kyp and the Chiss. Kyp looked down at her and his cold stare softened.

"They can't stop me from going in there."

Jaina was grateful Jacen was calmer than her partner as she met her brother's gaze for a second. Jaina smiled sweetly at Kyp, for some reason that always seemed to work at softening up the Jedi Master when he became inflexible in a position. "I am sure it will be fine."

Just then, Wedge approached from inside the conference room. "Trouble?"

Jaina swung her head to greet him. Her smile faded as she caught the strange flash behind his eyes. She quickly determined its meaning, sensing the rigid posture of his body directed specifically at her. She looked down, embarrassed by the breach of trust found in his gaze.

Kyp's words were sharp. "Tell these permanently frostbit gargantuans it's not wise to mess with a Jedi. I go where Jaina goes."

Jaina glanced sheepishly back up at Wedge and shrugged her shoulders. Wedge smiled briefly, and the tension eased in her heart at the sign of forgiveness. She was sure that, although Wedge felt a sense of betrayal, he also saw a way past it. The general turned back to Kyp.

"There are some sensitive issues we need to discuss with Jaina. It's not that I don't trust you, but time is a premium. I think the political types are trying to keep interruptions to a minimum while they speak to Jaina."

"What do they want with her? We did our part. Now it's time for everyone else to sort out the mess."

Wedge bristled. "Shimrra will only surrender to Jaina, personally."

Jaina's breath rushed into her lungs in a hiss. The air around Kyp practically crackled with the electricity of the tension he exuded. Even Jacen's body grew stiff. Jaina released her breath, shoving away the mounting tension. She placed a palm on Kyp's chest.

"Let me do this."

The exchange between their eyes told an unspoken story. Jaina was the Sword of the Jedi. The fight was far from over. The end would be hers alone. Kyp knew that fact as well as she did. It was not a burden he could bear as his own. That was simply the way of the Force.

Jacen addressed Wedge. "How long do we have?"

Wedge glanced at his wrist chrono. "A little over an hour."

Jacen's voice was unusually forceful. There was no asking as he replied. "You have twenty minutes, after that she needs to prepare." Wedge opened his mouth but Jacen persisted, loud enough for the others to hear. "She has been fighting for over eight hours. Jedi can't continue drawing on the Force indefinitely. If you want her to do this, those are the terms."

Wedge nodded.

Kyp added for the benefit of the others. "Twenty minutes and then you'll have a pack of Jedi cutting their way into this room."

Wedge grinned. "I don't doubt it."

Jaina started to follow Wedge into the room when a voice called for her attention. "Jaina!"

She whipped her head back around to meet the green eyes of Jag as Jacen allowed his brother-in-law to squeeze past, first one shoulder then the next. Jag forced his hand between the door guards, stretching his arm out to her. Jaina quickly snatched the nutrient bar he held, allowing her hand to curl around his fingers. Their touch lingered longer than it should have, but neither one of them cared.

Jag knew she was not finished; he simply wanted her to know he understood. Something in his smile, undetectable again save the slight curl of the left side of his mouth and a twinkle in his eye, told her Jag was leaving to make preparations of his own. This was good-bye for now. Jaina winked and slid her fingers along his palm, caressing it tenderly until all that was left was the nutrient bar.

Her family and support network disappeared behind a sliding door. Jaina drew herself up tall as she sent a reassuring brush to her unborn child. She pivoted slowly to take in the room's occupants. In addition to Wedge, there was Admiral Duothenwar, Admiral Kre-fey, Iella Antilles, and Senators Slee-ghen Reem and Jorman Tapal, representing the Galactic Alliance. A couple of staff personnel supported each person at the table.

Jaina tipped her head to acknowledge the gathering. Suddenly facing Shimrra appeared to be the more desirable option. Wedge, who had already taken a seat at the large oblong table, pushed a chair out for Jaina to use. The immense chair, designed for the tall Chiss, engulfed her, but it was almost a sinful pleasure to be sitting in something other than her crash couch.

Admiral Duothenwar opened with a quick account of the status of the battle and fleet. Jaina scarfed down her nutrient bar in the first minute. She frowned when she realized two more would have been necessary to crush her ravenous appetite. A detailed account of the surrender followed as well as the terms Shimrra had agreed to meet under. The Yuuzhan Vong ruler would only met with Jaina and a handful of Galactic Alliance officials, including those in the room. He had specifically requested there be no other Jedi, as a courtesy to those in the Yuuzhan Vong party fearful of the Force-enhanced warriors.

Jaina held up her hand to interrupt as she sat forward. "I am not going in without back-up."

Admiral Duothenwar replied curtly. "It has already been agreed to. You will have the protection of highly skilled operatives posing as staffers."

"Then send someone else." The room was silent for a moment. Jaina added a thought. "Who has the upper hand here? We have two of the four worldships backing us, the Yuuzhan ground forces are non-existent, and there is an entire strike group floating like junk further out in the system, including a grand cruiser which is nothing but space dust."

The Chiss admiral nodded as he summoned an aide over. After a brief discussion the aide left out a side door. Admiral Duothenwar faced Jaina. "Point taken, Lieutenant Colonel Solo. The Alliance does have the upper hand. I have instructed the officer solidifying the details to inform Shimrra that your entire squadron will be accompanying you."

Jaina leaned back in her seat slowly. Shimrra had good reason to not want the Jedi at the meeting. She just wished she had an insight into the Overlord's terrible last-ditch effort. Jaina half-listened to specific instructions for the official surrender, knowing their carefully detailed plans were pointless. She nodded and spoke at the appropriate times as she focused on relaying the surrender plans to Jacen. She relied on her twin to broadcast the scheme she was concocting furiously in her own mind to the appropriate people.

Senator Tapal droned on, outlining specifics she could or could not discuss at the surrender. The monotony of the senator's voice combined with the exertions of the day began to lull her eyes to blink slowly, heavy with the desire to sleep. Jaina began to fidget in her chair in order to quicken her blood when the conference room door slid open. Jaina spun in her seat to greet her brother and Kyp striding into the room. Kyp spoke.

"Time's up."

Protests erupted from several mouths, but Wedge stifled them with a palm thrust at the table. Jaina popped out of her chair. Wedge pushed back from the table at the same time. She leaned in and whispered softly.

"A moment, General."

Wedge met her gaze. Jaina moved toward the door, allowing him to follow. She stopped shy of Kyp and Jacen and faced Wedge. "Do you like my costume, General?"

Wedge furrowed his brows for a moment, then replaced the confused expression with an affected smile. "Why yes, I do."

Jaina grinned. "I think you should get one for Iella – for the next Corellian masquerade ball. I know how all you important types like to pretend you are Jedi."

Wedge tipped his head in understanding. "I'll tell her you said so."

Satisfied she had made her point, Jaina started to turn to leave. Grabbing her by the shoulders, Wedge leaned forward to plant a kiss on her forehead. He almost appeared embarrassed when he pulled away. "May the Force be with both of you, Jaina."

"And with you, too."

Jaina felt a hand at her elbow. She yielded to the tug and moments later found herself being ushered down the corridor. Two quick turns later, Jacen and Kyp pulled her into a smaller meeting room. Cilghal was waiting inside. The healer motioned with her amphibious palm for Jaina to have a seat at the round table.

Jacen took the seat next to his sister, pushing a plate of fruit, sandwiches and fizz pudding in front of her. Jaina saw her husband's hands in the foods present. Everything available had been a craving at one time or the other over the last several weeks. "Eat while Cilghal examines you."

Jaina had bit off a mouthful of a sandwich before Jacen could finish the sentence. Cilghal positioned herself behind Jaina and placed a hand on either side of her head. The Jedi healer disappeared momentarily behind the mask of a trance. Undaunted, Jaina shoved down more food, taking a sip of a nutrient enriched fruit drink between bites. Jacen and Kyp were more interested in Cilghal than watching Jaina satisfy her cravings.

As focus returned to Cilghal's eyes, she turned to Jacen. "How much time do we have?"

"Twenty minutes until we need to leave."

Cilghal fashioned some semblance of a frown with her expansive mouth. Her eyes spun around in thought before she spoke. "Jaina, finish what you are eating, and then you are going into a healing trance."

Jaina picked up the bowl of fizz pudding and a spoon. "There's no time. I need to go over things with Kyp and Jacen before I leave. Besides, there's not a lot we can get done in that amount of time."

Kyp caught Cilghal's concerned eye. "Finish your pudding, then it's lights out. That's not negotiable. Jacen and I will take care of ironing out most of the details. Jag is taking care of a couple others."

Jaina glanced at Cilghal over her shoulder. From the healer's dour expression, Jaina suspected the toll on her body was worse than she could tell. The strain of the day was nagging silently at her body, hidden from view by the flow of adrenaline, which acted as a natural mask and would soon ebb away like the tide to reveal the damage of the many waves of the day's battle. "That bad, huh?"

Cilghal nodded; Jaina frowned. "The baby is okay though?"

"Yes."

Jaina finished a spoonful of pudding, deep in thought, then placed the bowl and utensil down. "Let's do it."

Cilghal splayed her hand across Jaina's forehead. Seconds later, Jaina slumped in the high back chair.

The walk to the hangar bay of the Trickster's Sword was filled with last minute details. Kyp and Jacen buffered Jaina from any one individual trying to occupy too much of her attention. Somewhere near the hangar, a sharp look from Kyp silenced any further discussion. Jaina used the undisturbed moments to center her focus, allowing the rhythm of the footfalls on the pristine floor to guide her meditation.

The baby was safely wrapped in the bliss-filled cocoon of warmth and love Jaina had held erect since the beginning of the battle. A brief caress from Jaina was followed by a brush of awareness from her daughter. After a shared intimate moment of bonding, Jaina soothed her daughter back to the peaceful bubble and withdrew.

Jacen peeled Jaina's hand away from her stomach where it had unknowingly traveled. He tightened his grip as the trio of Jedi passed through the entrance to the hangar. Jaina stopped and faced her twin. She took his other hand so she was holding both. Their eyes met and held each other in a silent heartbeat before Jaina spoke.

"Thanks for everything, Jace. I couldn't have done it without you."

"I'm glad you see it that way, because I'm going with you."

Jaina shook her head side-to-side. "No Jacen, you can't. Both of us going in there is an invitation for Shimrra to do something crazy."

Jacen grinned, looking as carefree and roguish as his father ever was. For a second, Jaina almost mistook him for Anakin. "The way I figure it, he'll do that anyway."

Jaina mulled the thought over before grinning back. "Then you might as well be there."

"I'm glad you see it my way."

Jaina jumped up on her tiptoes in order to wrap her arms around Jacen's neck. He hugged her back tighter than he should have, picking her feet off the ground. Running footsteps approaching from the parked fighters caught their attention.

"Lieutenant Colonel Solo, what's the plan?"

Valin skidded to a halt just as Jacen set his twin back on her feet. Jaina turned to address her apprentice. "Twin Suns, or what's left of it, will escort me, I mean us," she glanced from Kyp to Jacen, "down to the meeting. Twin Suns will provide cover while I participate in some aggressive negotiations with the Supreme Overlord."

"I want to go with you."

"I need you to stay with the rest of Twin Suns, Valin. We're short as it is."

"No, we're not. You've got a whole squadron with the best pilots around." Excitement timbered his voice as Valin motioned toward the center of the hangar where twelve X-wings were parked in a tight formation. Technicians scurried around working at a frantic pace. Brand new Twin Suns emblems had been affixed to several of the borrowed snubfighters.

Jaina queried Valin. "Who's flying all those?"

Kyp responded. "We rounded up the best we could find on short notice. I approved them all for this mission."

Jaina swung her head to cast a raised eyebrow Kyp's way. "You'll have to bump one for Jacen."

"He's been assigned Four already."

"So this was part of the plan all along?"

Kyp's mischievous grin surfaced. "You told us to line everything up."

Valin shifted anxiously, unhappy to have been forgotten. Jaina, easily attuned to the young man, picked up on his emotions. She turned from Kyp to offer him a stern gaze "What about Valin? Was he part of the plan? I don't want to step on anyone's toes."

Jacen spoke. "The way we figure it, if Mara had tried to leave you behind at that age, you would have been spitting mad."

Kyp huffed. "That's an understatement."

Jaina made a mockery of a serious expression. "I gather you are saying he should be allowed to stand with us?"

Kyp replied. "I believe it's his right to stand beside his master. He already proved himself once today."

Jaina's features remained neutral but a twinkle sparkled in her eyes. "I suppose you are right. All right Valin, you are in. I imagine Shimrra will be hopping mad when I bring three Jedi escorts." She shrugged. "Oh well. Let's go men; it's time to introduce the Overlord to the Sword of the Jedi."

Jaina stepped into the hangar with a determined stride. Kyp and Jacen flanked her, Valin ran on ahead. The hastily assembled squadron of fighters were all occupied save four. Just beyond the Twin Suns snubfighters, the last members of the diplomatic party accompanying Jaina to the official surrender were boarding a Lambda-class shuttle.

Jaina jumped up her ladder, her strength renewed, and climbed hand over hand up to her cockpit, leaving the other Jedi to get to their fighters at a quick jog. Eight X-wings were already humming to life as Jaina nestled into her crash couch and buckled her restraints. Trick emitted a series of tweets and whistles.

"Hey, Trick. Ready for one last jaunt?"

The droid whistled mournfully. Jaina chuckled as she read the interface. "No, I don't plan on getting rid of you after today." She tightened her restraints, stopping to rest her hand on her stomach, ensuring the lap belt was not too snug. "I plan on us all living happily ever after. We have got this one last mission today, then we all get a vacation. Promise."

Trick beeped his relief. Jaina reviewed the pre-flight checklist quickly then clicked the comm. "Twin Suns Lead to Twin Suns. I have four lit and ready to scramble. Let's run it down." Jaina listened intently trying to discern whom the new pilot's Kyp had wrestled into this mission.

Kyp was first. "Two, four lit."

"Twin Suns Three ready and waiting for a target."

Jaina was utterly surprised as she heard the voice of Twin Suns Three. With Jedi reflexes Jaina interrupted the next transmission. "Hold on the countdown, Four, until further notice." She fished out her comlink from a pocket in the purple flightsuit. "Jag, now is not the time to start learning to fly an X-wing."

"I qualified with a superior rating under the instruction of Colonel Celchu. Jaina, I have no intention of sitting this one out."

Kyp's voice trickled through from Jaina's astromech. "Jaina, I've flown with Jag several times in sims. He's passable."

Jaina called back to Jag. "Kyp says you're passable."

"I appreciate the vote of confidence."

Jaina returned to her cockpit communications. "Four, continue."

Jacen's call sounded. "Four, with the same number lit."

"Five, ready to serve the Goddess." Once again, Jaina was stunned by another familiar voice. She failed to respond before another equally familiar voice called next. "Six, eager and ready."

The calls continued to roll. Jaina was equally overwhelmed by the set of pilots flying under her command and saddened by the loss it signified. So many good pilots had been lost that day. Jaina would have never found time to respond to all of her new recruits in turn so she made the reply simple.

"Welcome to Twin Suns for those of you just joining us. You are replacing a great group of pilots - heroes in their own right. I am sure you will do them proud."

The official surrender ceremony was arranged to take place in the Grand Hall in the palace ruins. Jaina's X-wing flew point descending on the City of Theed. Jacen and Kyp were on either side and behind; Valin trailed to form a tight diamond formation. Four X-wings flared out to each side to create two trailing arms off the diamond. The shuttle brought up the rear, tucked in the relative safety of the Twin Suns Squadron formation.

As the courtyard loomed in her cockpit, Jaina could identify four Yorik-trema transports already parked at the base of the immense staircase leading to the Great Hall. To keep the area free of intrusions, a line of Naboo Defense Force and Galactic Alliance soldiers ringed the structure and landing zone, made up of a vast courtyard stretching out before the Great Hall.

The sight brought a nervous tingle up her spine. Something in the Force told Jaina this was her moment of reckoning. The baby reacted to her tension, seeking comfort in their bond. Jaina brushed her daughter in the Force gently, then set about compartmentalizing her child from everything that was about to happen, strengthening the cocoon of serenity.

Once satisfied with the baby's condition, Jaina addressed her squadron. "Three, Twin Suns is yours. Watch them; a couple of these pilots can be a bit roguish. The rest of you, listen to Colonel Fel and be on your best behavior."

Comm clicks followed. The quadrille of snubfighters made the final descent to land next to the transport carriers. The shuttle followed, lowering on its repulsors in line behind the four X-wings as the balance of Twin Suns Squadron skimmed low over the Great Hall to make their presence known. The formation split apart into four pairs, one heading for each compass point.

Jaina concentrated on her breathing as she slapped the canopy release. The sound outside was hollow with absolute silence, like the whole galaxy was holding its collective breath. Jaina exhaled forcefully as if it would expel the tension. She drew strength from memories of her mother embarking on one or another particularly difficult diplomatic endeavor. The visualization drew Jaina's shoulders back and her stature tall as she climbed out of the cockpit and trotted down along one of the wings.

With an easy grace, Jaina leapt to the ground. She did not have to use her telekinesis to break the fall; Kyp enveloped her in a secure bubble lowering her gently to the ground. Jaina's feet hit the pavers without a sound. Her game face was firmly in place. She ignored her escorts and pivoted with all the airs of a Yuuzhan Vong Goddess. The embroidery on her purple flightsuit flashed in the brilliant late afternoon sunlight.

The steps extended up two stories before her as Jacen and Kyp dropped into step on either side. Valin brought up the rear, his hand hovering near his lightsaber in nervous anticipation. A dozen Galactic Alliance officials paraded after the Jedi quartet including both Senators, Admiral Duothenwar and Admiral Kre'fey, Wedge and Iella Antilles plus an equal number of aides, Tycho Celchu among them.

Jaina started talking, but never looked in any direction except straight ahead. "Valin, remember to breath and stop looking like you expect something bad to happen." The apprentice relaxed his arm to allow it to fall loosely to his side. "Watch you footwork and keep your guard up on the weak side. Follow Kyp's lead. Are you with me?"

"Yes." To his credit, no emotion tainted Valin's voice.

"Kyp, Jacen, you have got to let me handle this. No heroics. Shimrra has got to buy that I am Yun Harla or this could all come tumbling down on us." They were almost to the top of the stairs; the climb had been exhausting. "Are you with me?"

Jacen responded through their bond. That was all the answer she required. "Kyp?" Jaina crested the last step, her breathing reflecting the effort. The Jedi Master met with a Force slap directed to the back of his head. Jacen and Valin snickered.

Kyp cleared his throat. "Your wish is my command as always."

Jaina stuck her chin out and strutted in through the enormous pair of doors leading into the Great Hall. The light filtered in a glass dome overhead, casting strange shadows all around. Through the shadows, all eyes were drawn to the towering figure of Supreme Overlord Shimrra, a pillar of a being seemingly as broad as he was tall, dressed in black and gray. He waited at the opposite end of the Hall like he was the victor not the loser, parked atop the dais.

Jaina stopped inside the doors and stood imperiously still for a moment as the Galactic Alliance delegation fanned out behind the Jedi foursome. The nervous energy was palpable. The entire delegation sized up their counterparts. Separate from the Overlord and closer to the front stood four Yuuzhan Vong, two Master Shapers and two warriors. Jaina recognized one as Shallot Lah of Domain Lah. She pieced together that the cluster represented their newly allied domains.

Flanking the Overlord were five warriors to each side, the colors of their attire were different from one side to the next. The two warriors closest to the Overlord were especially tattooed and scarred, indicating their advanced rank. Off to one side and before the dais, a lone Yuuzhan Vong stood. Although he tried to conceal his face in the shadows, Jaina knew his identity in an instant. Nom Anor had come to see his handiwork, skulking in the darkness like a Hutt with a secret. Jaina hoped to disappoint him.

As Jaina led the delegation down the hall, all but the central two warriors drew away from the Overlord to form two columns. The four delegates from the allied domains stepped forward to form a sort of receiving line. Their faces reflected a nervous excitement as Jaina approached. She greeted each in turn; the shapers were more enthusiastic in their greetings while the warriors were cautious and guarded.

Jaina left the friendly reception and worked her way toward the gauntlet of warriors. The air around Jaina came alive. The Force was flowing into her as freely as a river filled with freshly melted snow on a spring day. She exuded only confidence as she threaded her way between the eight warriors. Some of the Galactic Alliance delegation stopped before the columns, forming up across from the four allied Yuuzhan Vong, but half of them proceeded down the intimidating walk.

Jaina continued on at a leisurely pace, every step deliberate. She probed each warrior in passing, where Shallot Lah and his group seemed genuine in their exuberance; these warriors harbored no feelings of good will. She was sure it required serious degree of control for any of them to not make an attempt on her life as she passed.

Once through the gauntlet, Jaina halted, turning her head to face Nom Anor directly to her left. It was the first chance for the others to see her face. Jaina's eyes had changed to orbs of pure onyx. The hair around her face danced of its own accord. As the six delegates, including Wedge and Iella, Tycho, a blonde female, and both Senators fanned out behind the trio of male Jedi that ringed Jaina in a protective half circle, she remained locked in a silent exchange. Jaina cocked her head ever so slowly as if she were listening to his unspoken thoughts. Nom Anor remained motionless, but the unconscious stiffening of his body was unmistakable. Jaina's lips curled to form a wicked grin.

With a flip of her head, she dismissed the former executor to stare up at her true opponent. The dais was separated from the rest of the Hall by five steps. Jaina climbed effortlessly, her eyes trained on the ruler of the Yuuzhan Vong. She topped the last step and drew up beside him. The shadow cast by Shimrra alone could have consumed a lesser person. Before Shimrra, Jaina appeared to be nothing more than a child.

Suddenly the Galactic Alliance delegation struggled with a genuine concern. Jaina felt none of it though; all she felt was her impending brush with destiny. The ceremony was supposed to be simple by design. Jaina was to ask the Supreme Overlord a question; he would reply. Then the negotiations would begin.

Gazing up on Shimrra, Jaina doubted it would be as simple as that. The Overlord oozed darkness from his pours. Jaina knew some of the Yuuzhan Vong were telepathic, but the soft whisperings pouring from his mind spoke of unimaginable horrors. He had brought Jaina here for one reason alone.

Jaina started for a moment when the whisperings burrowed past the bubble of safety erected around her child. The baby panicked, reaching for the comfort only Jaina could provide. She pushed the baby from her mind. Jaina had to focus completely on her task; she could not even spare an ounce of distracted attention. She recovered quickly.

When Jaina spoke her voice resonated throughout the chamber like a rolling thunder. "Do you surrender your rule to the rightful claim of Yun Harla?"

Shimrra never moved; he simply glared down at her like a bug he wanted squash. Jaina repeated her question. "Do you surrender your rule to the rightful claim of Yun Harla?"

Again silence. The whisperings grew louder, swirling around Jaina like a specter of hate. Her child practically screamed to be heard as well. The panic was overwhelming Jaina's senses. She pushed it back with a steely resolve. Jaina knew she would have to forsake her child for the moment. Jaina rose off her feet, floating up until she matched the Overlord's stare.

Her voice now shattered the air with its strength. "Do you surrender…" The whisperings escalated, her child pleading for help. "…your rule to the rightful…" Jaina sensed Shimrra move a blink of an eye before he struck. However the distraction of her daughter's fear had slowed her response. His aim had been for her heart as he struck with a spearlike implant that burst from one wrist.

Jaina swept her body aside, twisting her shoulders. The living spear missed its mark, but still found flesh and embedded into her left shoulder. Jaina showed no pain, no emotion, a total disregard for that part of the Supreme Overlord buried within the confines of her body, nor did she bleed. It was as if the weapon had passed through a luminescent body. The presence of the spear activated the nano-organisms within Jaina as they found a new weakness to attack. At the same time, their actions brought her awareness of the Vong to a new level. Through the nano-organisms, Jaina formed a telepathic link to Shimrra.

Shimrra sensed the bioweapon in return. He grinned wickedly at the knowledge. He was even so bold as to eye Nom Anor. Hanging there in the air, stabbed through by the Overlord's implanted weapon, time stood still. Jaina was aware of Kyp and Jacen charging forward as the two ranking warriors flanking Shimrra stepped forward to confront them. Jaina halted their advance by a call in the Force. Kyp and Jacen squared off with the warriors, everyone remaining motionless.

Jaina looked in Shimrra's eyes and smiled as the spear implant retracted of its own accord. Jaina burrowed into Shimrra's mind while he fought her for control of the implant. Did you think you could defeat me Shimrra? I am Yun Harla.

The other Yuuzhan Vong warriors skulked forward surrounding the closer half of the delegation. Jaina smiled as she hung in the air before the Overlord. Do you think you have me at a disadvantage – your warriors against four Jedi and a handful of lesser mortals? You are mistaken. We all have the power; each must just be shown the way. I am the Jedi; I empower the Jedi. I can show anyone the light of the Force.

With a flourish of her hand, six of the nearest delegates stepped into a protective guard stance, drawing lightsabers from hidden recesses of their clothing and igniting them. The tightening net of the Yuuzhan Vong warriors halted. Pure hate and rage poured from the Overlord, flowing freely among his guards. Again Jaina's child cried to be heard with the renewed blanketing of hatred.

The roar of Shimrra drowned the cry out momentarily. "Do-ro'ik vong pratte!"

The Yuuzhan Vong attacked in a fury just as Shimrra brought his amphistaff to bear, slashing it down on the petite form before him.

Mara, disguised as a Galactic Alliance delegate, stepped up to meet one of the onrushing Yuuzhan Vong warriors while Corran and Tahiri, masquerading as Wedge and Iella Antilles, marshaled the two Senators to relative safety. The sudden onset of Force ability in some of the delegates was as much a surprise to the politicians as it was to the Yuuzhan Vong. Further back, the admirals and their aides, fully aware of the plan, drew their weapons to offer some assistance.

The attacking warrior leveled a downward blow at Mara from a full run. The move was simple to counter, but the effect was felt nonetheless. He ended his initial assault behind her. The next parry was a slash up and across which Mara deflected with a bold strike down along her body. The following exchange consisted of simple moves as each sized up the other. In the midst of all this, a voice trickled into Mara's thoughts. Mara?

The red-haired Jedi jumped deftly over a sweeping kick of the warrior's leg. The call came again. Mara, I need your help.

Mara's leap left her a few heartbeats of freedom. She withdrew momentarily to circle the warrior, her weapon at the ready in a defensive guard. Jaina?

Her niece did not respond; she simply opened a connection that was easily formed between the former Master and apprentice. The layers of shielding Jaina had erected fell away, revealing her predicament. Mara sensed the second life instantly, and she knew instinctively what Jaina needed.

Being a mother, Mara understood the connection of a mother to her child, and the degree of control required to protect that life. She also understood that Jaina needed every bit of her focus if she was to win the battle she faced. Without hesitation, the former Master accepted the task of protecting the unborn child. She forged a wall of safety, building it high and strong. Jaina broke the connection, retreating to her own fight.

Spurred to accelerate the completion of the battle ahead by her newly learned knowledge, Mara side-stepped as the warrior charged again. She kicked out, making contact with his torso just above the hip, knocking him off-balance. The blur of a lightsaber seared across his unprotected neck. The Yuuzhan Vong dropped to the floor, cleaved in two. Through her disguise, Mara offered a quick smile of gratitude to her husband – for the moment the spitting image of Tycho Celchu.

Luke touched her in the Force briefly, questioning something he picked up in their bond. Mara brushed her husband away, needing all her concentration elsewhere. She trudged forward, joining her husband to tag team on another warrior. The tide was turning.

The blows delivered by Shimrra were powerful, jolting Jaina right to the core of her being. The Overlord was all hers, for now. Kyp and Jacen had their hands full with the two elite Yuuzhan Vong warriors, and Valin was fiercely protecting their backs. Beyond the trio, the Jedi masquerading as Galactic Alliance delegates were pitted in a fierce battle all their own.

In her brief connection with Mara, Jaina sensed a subtle advantage for the Jedi. The Yuuzhan Vong had thought they would be faced with twelve Force-blind delegates, but more than half of those were Jedi in disguise. The initial surprise had given the Jedi the upper hand, and several Yuuzhan Vong had fallen in the opening seconds of the battle.

Blow by blow, Jaina matched Shimrra. Where he used his overwhelming strength in broad strokes, Jaina utilized her speed and agility to counter and redirect his blows. Shimrra's size and strength were to his advantage, but they could also prove to be a weakness.

Jaina deflected a blow, redirecting the amphistaff in a wide sweep away from the Overlord's body. She lunged quickly, delivering a driving thrust toward his mid-section while his guard was open. Shimrra stepped aside in a graceful maneuver belying his size. He finished the side-step, planted a foot then kicked out with his long leg.

The impact of his foot was unavoidable so Jaina flipped backwards in a handspring, absorbing most of the blow higher in her torso, away from her abdomen. The power of his kick still had enough of an impact to send Jaina stumbling back once righted. She recovered in a couple of steps and took a moment to open herself back up to the rest of the fight.

Kyp had his opponent all but beat. Jacen was holding his own, but his attention was divided between the warrior and Valin. Jaina immediately understood Jacen's concern. At fifteen, Valin was not as developed physically as the other Jedi, and his control of the Force was not sufficient to overcome his limitation against such a skilled foe. Shimrra was bearing down on Jaina again, so she was forced to withdraw when her growing awareness of the Vong alerted her to the intention of Valin's opponent.

Jacen, the only one close enough to help, was tangled up with his own adversary as Valin's aggressor whipped his amphistaff like a snake, its fangs bearing down. Jaina backed away from Shimrra and reached with a hand in the direction of Valin, shouting his name in warning. The fanged end of the amphistaff halted in mid-strike, inches from the young man's neck, Jaina restraining the deadly creature with her growing abilities.

As both Shimrra and Valin's opponent hesitated, Jaina prodded her apprentice in the Force, and he struck at the warrior before him while Jaina still controlled the deadly amphistaff. Valin's lightsaber made a clean thrust through the unprotected space along the hipbone, opening the flesh and allowing the warrior's entrails to spill forth as the lightsaber exited under the ribs. The warrior fell in a heap on the floor.

Jaina's pride in her apprentice's victory was short-lived. She sensed Shimrra regain his composure after the split-second of disbelief and a flood of hate pour from his mind. He advanced, and Jaina turned to meet him, catching Kyp level a killing blow to his own opponent as she did. The masquerading Jedi were bearing down on her location with only a couple of Yuuzhan Vong left standing. The impending victory fueled Shimrra to pound his amphistaff down at Jaina in vicious strokes, one after the other in a relentless barrage.

Nearby, sensing Jaina's predicament, Jacen aimed a kick at the warrior's head before him in a sweeping aerial spin as he tried to free himself to come to his sister's aid. Jaina blocked blow after blow as others rushed forward, but none came in time as she was a second too slow, weary from the constant onslaught. The amphistaff met the hilt of her lightsaber, jarring it loose from her hand. The weapon skidded across the ground, clattering as it went.

Jaina reached to call the silver cylinder to her hand, when the Overlord caught her outstretched arm in his with lightning speed. Jaina spun to break the painful grip, but Shimrra's bulk overpowered her easily. The rotation landed Jaina firmly in Shimrra's arms, his wide hand clutching her throat and pinching off her airway.

Jaina's eyes held no fear as she watched the Jedi approach at a run, all their battles ended save one. Black as the depths of space reflected from her eyes out at the others. The aura around Jaina still defied Shimrra in his moment of apparent victory. Sensing the closing circle, the Overlord ripped her around so he faced the Jedi snare in defiance. Jaina was his shield against any attack.

Jaina hung like a rag doll, nestled against his immense torso, pinned by the forceful grip on her throat. Long nails buried painfully into her skin. Kyp slid to a stop; Jacen ended his run the same way. Both Jedi stood balanced on the balls of their feet, lightsabers at the ready. A line of Jedi formed a wall behind them.

The Overlord exchanged glares with both men, sizing them up and offering a toothy sneer at the male twin. The fire in Jaina's eyes had died so they were brown again as she struggled for air, but she felt no fear. Jaina focused only on her brother.

If she were to die, he would be the last sight she saw. However, Jaina had no intention of dying. Shimrra whipped a tiny villip out and stroked it to life with his thumb. He delivered a command in his own language, then crushed the tiny communicator. Jaina felt his satisfaction. The Overlord was not afraid to die either.

She plucked the Overlord's thoughts from his mind. He planned on taking Jaina's life, proving her the mortal infidel that she was, and killing as many Jedi as he could before meeting his own honorable end. Shimrra knew the truth; there were no gods, only what he had ordained. His death was imminent, but he would relish in taking Jaina's life before it came.

Jaina felt the moment of truth near. Jacen, equally aware, was already beginning to swing his arm. Shimrra snarled, then drew his free hand up and began to change his grip. Kyp charged; Jacen's lightsaber flew past him. The Overlord grasped Jaina's chin and the top of her head, but the satisfaction in fulfilling his personal vendetta slowed him a fraction of a second. He was going to savor the moment.

Jaina summoned all her strength to resist the force of his thrust as his hands tried to snap her neck. She grabbed Jacen's flying lightsaber. In one smooth motion, the weapon ignited, and Jaina drove it back into the unprotected ribs under the Overlord's arm. The sudden agony from the thrust tricked Shimrra's body into forgetting its purpose. His hands fell away from Jaina as she spun around, still driving the lightsaber up and in. Shimrra reached down and enveloped Jaina's tiny hands on the hilt in his grasp. For a heartbeat Jaina saw defeat in his eyes. A second later, a sweeping arc of light hummed by, taking Shimrra's head with it.

Jag scanned the tactical display of his X-wing; ever vigilant for any readings indicating craft inbound for the city. All vessels had been grounded for the duration of the surrender ceremony. Jag had stationed pairs facing all four directions of the compass. He faced north with Brance Wartrue parked next to him. Wedge and Tycho took the east and west respectively, each with a Twin Suns pilot as their wingmen. Gavin and Wes protected the south approach.

A smile tempted Jag's lips as he imagined the great pleasure Jaina had taken in putting him in command over Wedge and the others, but the weight of their circumstances would not permit it to form. He also took it as a sign of her faith in his abilities. Only he understood completely everything at stake. She recognized, too, that Jag was a person who required control in every aspect of his life. By allowing him this simple measure of control, she lent him some degree of sanity.

There were many things Jag could control. He had learned to fly better than anyone, ensuring his survival. He had driven himself to study harder than others and develop every aspect of his knowledge from tactics to things as obtuse as music and art. Then he had fallen in love with Jaina. The simple act was one of faith. She was the one thing over which he had absolutely no control. His love required that he let her go, to surrender control, to believe in her abilities. So Jag sat in his cockpit and did something he never thought he would do. He prayed.

Gavin's voice broke the silence of Jag's personal reflection. "Three, I have multiple contacts descending from the outer atmosphere."

Jag checked his tactical display, several blips appeared moments later, blazing in from the south. The other Twin Suns flight pairs were all moving. Jag clicked his comm.

"Twelve, do you have visual contact?"

There was a pause. "A complete wing, thirty six skips incoming, heading for our location."

So Shimrra had one last hand to play after all. Jag figured it as a promising sign. The Overlord would not have summoned a strike on the Great Hall unless it was a final desperate stab at the Galactic Alliance. The eight Twin Suns X-wings were hurtling toward a wall of coral. Jag figured Jaina and the Jedi had done their job; now it was time to do his. Hopefully the Force would be as powerful of an ally in his endeavor.

Jag pulled out a specific high-powered transmitter and pressed the button, his insurance policy in case the Force was not enough. Somewhere on the outskirts of the City, Vanguard Squadron was decloaking to join the fight. Twenty versus thirty-six; Jag did not mind those odds at all.

Jaina pulled the lightsaber from Shimrra's headless body. After his dead hands peeled away, one hand still grasping the lightsaber, fell to her side. She backed away a few steps. The room was eerily silent; the occupants awed by the passing events. Kyp walked away to kick Shimrra's head, as to emphasize the point of the tyrant's passing. Then he held a hand out, calling Jaina's lightsaber from the corner where it had landed.

At the same time, Jacen approached his sister from behind. One hand gently tugged his lightsaber from her grip and extinguished the blade. Jaina's head snapped over to meet his eyes, like she had an urgent thought.

"Where's Nom Anor?"

Her eyes caught the sight of Shallot Lah and the other allied Yuuzhan Vong pinned against the wall. They had remained there through the whole ordeal. Expecting no help from the awestruck foursome, as they were on the opposite side of the room when the fight broke out, Jaina turned to face the gathering of disguised Jedi.

"Where's Nom Anor?' She demanded.

The Jedi spread out. A quick search of the bodies revealed no evidence of the treacherous creature. Jaina pivoted so she was facing Jacen, who had never left her side. They did not speak; they simply exchanged thoughts in each other's minds. The male twin broke into a run, searching in his Vongsense for Nom Anor. Jaina whipped her head around to face her partner. A heartbeat later, Kyp was racing after Jacen.

Moments after engaging the wing of skips, something in Jag's gut warned him that he was missing something, and it was not simply the comfort of clawcraft. He questioned himself. What did the Vong have to gain by engaging them in this manner? The answer hit him like a cold Csillia wind, sending chills down his spine.

"Three to all Twin Suns. Abandon positions. Return to the Great Hall."

As Jag finished his urgent call, his astromech squeaked a warning. He side-slipped, then spiraled as flashes of plasma blazed past. He decided the extra pair of eyes provided by the droids was a definite advantage in the X-wing. His uncle's voice sounded in the headset as Jag spiraled to present a difficult target.

"Break to port, Three."

Jag never hesitated; turning so hard he thought he would blackout. He revised his previous thought; he preferred the clawcraft ten to one purely on maneuverability. The astromech tweeted excitedly as the threat disappeared from the tactical display.

A new threat materialized just as quickly. Heading for the Great Hall was one lone skip with several Twin Suns snubfighters closing quickly from the opposite direction, but not quickly enough. Jag was farther away because of his brush with the skip moments before. Wes was calculating distance and speed over the squadron frequency. A quick recheck of the tactical display showed one snubfighter stretching out a slight lead, Twin Suns Six – Tycho Celchu.

Tycho ordered his astromech to divert all power to the engines, denying shields and most other vital systems. The droid vehemently protested so he simply voiced an override code. He would have one shot at getting there or every member of the delegation would be lost to this suicide run. Tycho also understood the kamikaze pilot would not have to maneuver, simply fly straight to reach his objective, allowing his dovin basals to concentrate on the incoming fire. There seemed to be only one option for stopping the coralskip from crashing into the Great Hall.

Tycho keyed his comm. "Five, give Winter my love."

Wedge's reply was strained. "Six, it will be my honor."

The skip was in range bearing down on the Great Hall. It was not even firing. The skip planned on simply hitting the structure. At the speed the two fighters were approaching, Tycho could put his fighter between the coralskipper and its objective. Hopefully the sacrifice would keep the building's occupants alive.

Tycho laid down a trail of stutter fire, which was easily absorbed by the dovin basals. He kept firing as quickly as his lasers would recycle; every laser flash disappeared into a miniature black hole. Tycho did not have time to regret his lack of experience against this enemy, experience that might have given him an edge. He did not have time to regret not kissing his wife one last time. He did not even have time to wish he had told everyone how much he or she meant to him, although this simple act would ensure each one of them knew. Tycho was a heartbeat away from not being able to regret anything at all.

"Five, give Winter my love."

Wedge heard the voice of his friend and comrade-in-arms. The evidence on the tactical display told him what the Alderaanian figured he had to do. It was a noble sacrifice – one life for all the members of the delegation. An act few could ever conceive, but then again Tycho Celchu was a hero in every sense of the word.

"Six, it would be my honor."

In pursuit from behind with the rest of the Twin Suns, Wedge watched the ineffective laser fire against the suicidal skip. He willed the hot energy bolts to make a hit, but none came. Tycho's snubfighter blasted over the Great Hall. In a blink if an eye, it would all be over. Wedge refused to blink. He forced himself to watch.

Wedge's body braced for the agony of watching his best friend's death. Just as the inevitable should have happened, the skip disappeared in a blaze of disintegrating coral. Tycho's fighter dispelled the inferno into a vortex of its passing air stream. The huge disc of an all too familiar freighter rolled away from the amazing sight as shouts of glee erupted over the squadron frequency.

"Woohoo! You're clear Six!"

An unusually emotional tone threaded through Tycho's response. "I owe you one."

Han Solo's wise cracking delight filled the cockpits of every Twin Suns fighter. "Couldn't let you and Wedge be the only old-timers to have some of the glory!"

End of Chapter 30
TKL/h94