Chapter XIII

"So let me see if I've got this straight," Lando said, counting off the points on his fingers to emphasize them, "The Maw has been compromised and Mara was supposed to be headed here for help. You don't know who is in charge of the fleet that attacked them but you think that this Sith Lord of yours has something to do with it. You believe that we can trust D'ukal for now, but should keep an eye on him. Have I left out anything?" "You've forgotten that while you delay me here I am unable to do what I came here to accomplish," the man said, holding the helmet of his Mandalorian armor in his lap.

He'd removed it at Han's request so that his friend could confirm that this was the same Zol Xarh Solo was familiar with. "How'd you know the Maw was in danger? Jedi hunch?" Han asked. "The Ryn network provided the clues, but the Force did play an integral part in saving your daughter and sister-in-law," the bounty hunter said. "Which side are you on these days?" Solo inquired, "I was never able to figure that out." "I have always done what I thought best," Xarh replied, "Whether things worked out as I intended them to was another matter."

"It really doesn't matter what he's done before, since we have no way of verifying whether or not that was actually him," Calrissian reminded his friend, "Now do you intend to hold him indefinitely or can he go about his business?" "Feeling those credits slipping away from you, eh old buddy?" the former smuggler said with a lopsided grin, "There's another question I want to ask. Where's that Wookiee you hung out with?" "My friend is old and often leaves for long periods without explanation," Zol told him, "I can really tell you no more than that."

Han nodded, and gestured to the door. "I hope you are successful, Captain Solo," the bounty hunter said as he rose and put his helmet back on, "When one as powerful and crafty as Darth Sival is involved you cannot be too careful." The man left, and Lando could see his friend gazing thoughtfully after him. "Come on, Jag and Corran have to be here by now," Calrissian said, "They probably have news of Mara." Solo nodded and together the two old friends headed down the corridor.


The ship that was landing was of the same type as the others he'd observed coming and going and Luke Skywalker took in a breath of fresh air and glanced at the man watching him closely. Brakiss wasn't letting the arrival distract him, especially since the man knew what the Jedi Master was capable of. Luke could probably overpower him even unarmed and gain that vessel in order to get away, but then he would still have little answers as to what Sival was up to here. The Sith Lord appeared at the edge of the complex, heading to where the new arrival sat. The fact that they were letting him outside told Skywalker that they were pretty confident there was no chance of him getting away.

The opening on the side of the craft widened and a contingent of Yuuzhan Vong warriors filed past Sival and towards the waiting structures. "New disciples, eager to learn the path to redemption," Brakiss said. "You mean zealots, seeking death rather than subservience," Luke corrected. "Call it what you will," the younger man said, "I find much in common with them." Skywalker did not reply, for his attention was drawn to the figure that now stood before the Sith Lord. Though he had never seen him in this guise, the alien was instantly recognizable. Luke felt dark emotions begin to well up as his mind called up the atrocities committed by this one.

An old Jedi who had hidden among the invaders had said that understanding was the key to conquering the Dark Side, but Skywalker couldn't imagine a way that could overcome the loathing he was trying to suppress before it gave way to action that would surely mean death. "Nom Anor is the key to our plan," Brakiss said, naming the being who was speaking with Sival, "It is through him that much of our influence over his kind comes." "He shouldn't be here," Luke said, "He was aboard the same vessel as the last of the Supreme Overlords of the Yuuzhan Vong when it was destroyed and he didn't get off." "What you say is true, from a certain point of view," Brakiss said, mocking one of his teachings, "You see, this is not the original though he has been carefully crafted to resemble him." Skywalker understood now and turned back to looking at the newcomer, having gained mastery over his feelings now that he knew this was a clone.


The room was abuzz with alarms and frenzied reports as the fleet above pounded at the defense Pellaeon was able to muster. "Sir," Vhaldoq said, "If you give the order my fleet can be here within the hour. Their presence could turn the tide of battle." The older man nodded wordlessly, pointing to a comm station. After a few moments fine-tuning the controls, D'ukal reached his armada and relayed the message. "I should have known you'd put them on standby in the vicinity," Leia said. "How else do you think I got to our rendezvous point?" the Grand Admiral countered, "Do you think I flew all the way across the galaxy in the shuttle we came here in?"

Gilad was handling the situation well, though Vhaldoq knew that it was unlikely he'd get immediate support from the Moff Council after the many times he'd been at odds with them. A thought occurred to D'ukal and he went to the older man's side. "Where are the Moffs now?" he asked quietly. "All of them are off the planet, except for Sarreti and Flennic," Pellaeon told him, "Why?" "Have any of them fallen out of touch recently?" Vhaldoq asked. "As a matter of fact, I haven't heard from one of them for a number of days," Gilad said, "Just what are you getting at?" "Which one?" the younger man inquired. "Valeriy Quirlarna, why?" the other said.

"Open a channel to that fleet," D'ukal said, his hands folded behind his back. "You think this Moff Quirlarna is up there?" Leia asked. "We'll know, in a minute," Vhaldoq said as the technician signaled that the channel was ready. "To the ships above," D'ukal said, "This is Grand Admiral Vhaldoq D'ukal. I know that your records say that I am dead, but I can assure you that I am very much alive. In a matter of minutes, forces loyal to me will be coming out of hyperspace and assisting in the defense of Muunilinst. These include the Super Star Destroyer Star Empire as well as numerous support vessels. I will not hesitate to use deadly force if I believe it to be necessary. I call upon Moff Valeriy Quirlarna to stand down and cease hostilities at once."

Flicking the switch so they would no longer send his words, the younger man said, "Now we wait." It was not long before the ships above began drifting outward as if hesitant to give up such a prize. That reluctance died when his fleet dropped into normal space and all the vessels above which has been throwing their firepower down on the planet drove towards deep space and out of range of his command "Thank you for your assistance," Pellaeon said, extending his hand to D'ukal. The two men shook hands and Gilad said, "I'm not certain how I can assist your efforts, but I think you have enough to take to the Galactic Alliance without waiting for Captain Solo." "I agree, though I wish we could get a message to Han as to where I'm going," Organa Solo said. "Do not worry, your Highness," Vhaldoq said, "I have a feeling that we'll meet up with him sooner than you think."