Chapter 13

At the sound of the door chime Cal Omas looked up from the sheets of flimsy on his desk. He pulled his head off the hand it was resting on and noticed a few strands of white hair between his fingers. He looked at them thoughtfully for a moment, reflecting on how old he felt, and finally shook them off beside his desk.

"Come in," he called, and was welcomed to the sight of Leia Organa Solo.

"Leia, I'm glad to see you've returned safely!" Cal smiled warmly. "I heard your mission to Velmor didn't go well."

"Hardly," Leia said bitterly as she dropped into a comfortable chair in front of his desk. "We were insulted, banned from the planet, and thrown out. And that's before the Sith Lord tried to kill me."

"A Sith Lord?" Cal exclaimed. "Leia, surely you are mistaken. Luke has assured me repeatedly that the Sith are all dead."

Leia produced a datacard from her coat pocket and tossed it on his desk.

"This contains a recording from the Falcon's external sensors, and my official report."

Cal took the datacard and placed it into a slot on his desk. A moment later a two-dimensional image appeared showing the gruesome death of Los Othrul followed by Leia's battle with Zeeal Antilles.

"I see," Cal sat back in his chair pensively.

"Los gave his life to warn me about the Sith," Leia said meaningfully. "We should be careful how we proceed."

"I agree," Cal said. "Have you discussed this with your brother?"

"I sent him a copy of that datacard as soon as we arrived here."

"Good," Cal sat up and started reading through the second file on her datacard.

Leia glanced at several of the sheets of flimsy on Cal's desk while he read. One memo caught her eye.

"'Regarding Assassinations, Kidnappings, and Gouging'?" Leia asked.

"Sorry?" Cal asked, distracted by her report at first, but slid the appropriate document across to her. "Oh, yes. Intelligence report. I suppose you've dealt with stuff like this anyway; no need to hide it from you. Force knows you may be better able to handle this than I. In summary, we've had three senators; all who were very vocal about restoring several traditional manufacturing planets that have gone missing. Only one of their bodies has been found and it was…not a report I intend to look at again, much less share. Various senators have also reported kidnappings, black mail, and as you can see, the list goes on. Price gouging for resources is merely the tip of the proverbial ice berg."

"There is also a noticeable increase in Mandalorian activity throughout GA worlds," Leia noted as she skimmed the report.

"Yes. And it's all being carefully hidden from the galaxy at large by the senate," Cal sat back again. "There have been many closed sessions of senate that have not made it to the Holonet. Between 'Jedi assassins' and the resource problems, a bombshell like this report would fracture the Alliance entirely. Trust between all parties will be lost entirely. As you know, it is one thing for the senators to be upset at each other, but entirely different for populations."

"Do we know who is behind these attacks?"

"No," Cal said bitterly. "I suppose our best guess right now is the Sith, though we have no evidence to support it except for your attack. Realistically, it is likely a few of the senators of disadvantaged planets are attacking the advantaged. I really can't see why anyone else would want to get involved in these politics."

A chime rang from Cal's desk and a button lit up. He pushed the button and the voice of his secretary came out of his desk.

"Chief Omas, there is an announcement from the planet Velmor on the Senate Holonet Channel you should see."

Cal cued the appropriate channel on to the wall holo display and turned to see Zeeal Antilles making a public address.

"…guarantee Jedi Leia Organa Solo's assassination of Los Othrul will not go unpunished as we seek out independence from the abusive Galactic Alliance!"

A roaring crowd of Velmorians responded to his words, and the picture changed to the face of a young female reporter.

"That was the scene in Del Velmor an hour ago as the former Deputy Prime Minister Zeeal Antilles explained his ascension to Prime Minister after the untimely death of the late Prime Minister Los Othrul. Jedi spokesperson Master Kenth Hamner denies the alleged assassination, citing former Chief of State Organa Solo was on a diplomatic mission from the Senate. Many planets already displeased with the Jedi have expressed outrage about this unprovoked attempt to strong-arm a planet into remaining in the GA. The autopsy on Los Othrul indicates he was choked without any signs of physical contact, a method once believed to be used by Darth Vader when executing disobedient officers. Leaders from other planets that have previously expressed their distaste of Cal Omas' handling of the resource crisis have started discussions about leaving the…"

Cal shut off the display and looked at Leia with a mixture of anger and disbelief. Leia merely sighed.

"At least she did a good job of dissuading everyone about your involvement," He said sarcastically.

"I did expect this: It's not like the Jedi can deny I was there," Leia said wryly. "Cal, Han and I believe the Sith planned this to set the Jedi and the Alliance off balance for takeover."

"Takeover?" Cal asked. "We just finished a war. Can't they wait ten years for my retirement?"

"It always seems that way, doesn't it?" Leia smiled weakly at his joke, and then stood up. "I must be going. Luke has asked me to visit the Jedi Temple to ensure some equipment is being encoded properly. I should be there for a week before returning to Ossus. That's where Luke will be coordinating our efforts, and I'll be of more use there. I suggest you check out the last file on that datacard. I drafted a speech for you."

"Thoughtful as ever, Leia," Cal smiled warmly. "Thank you. May the Force be with you."

-! #$%^&*()

The main training facility on Ossus shone like a beacon into the night sky. Normally never used during the night, the bright lighting escaped through the expansive skylight illuminating the fog that had moved in hours previously. From a distance it appeared that a massive phosphorescent bug had replaced the Jedi complex, but the inside of the building was lit bright as day to accommodate the occupants at a time it was rarely used. This particular night was the perfect time for Jacen and Eriana to spar in secret, as they were two of only four people who had access to the facility for several hours.

Jacen and Eriana often sparred to hone their skills, but they never fought each other with witnesses. The ferocity of their battles was not something they wanted anyone to see as the depths of Vaapad they fought with scared even themselves at times.

When they sensed others approaching, they quickly slowed their pace and eased out of Vaapad and switched to a simple Makashi routine. A few moments later, Luke and Mara appeared at the main entrance. They locked the door and walked over to where Jacen and Eriana were finishing their routine.

"Hello," Jacen said, bowing to Eriana. She returned the bow, and then called a towel to her hand to wipe off the sweat on her face.

"Hi," Mara said. Luke merely nodded. "So Luke tells me you have something new to show us?"

"Yes," Jacen replied. "Vaapad."

"Ah," Mara nodded. "I've heard of it, but all I know is that Palpatine feared it. I also know he killed the last person alive who mastered it."

"That person didn't die," Jacen said simply. "He survived his encounter with Palpatine and escaped. I met him a couple years ago, and he helped me with my training before he died. But what is most important is that he was not the first to teach it to me. A clone of an old friend of his, Soora Bulq, was the first. Soora's as corrupt as they come. I believe he is behind some of the political manoeuvring we are seeing in the galaxy, as well as the Mandalorian expansion. And I also believe he is creating an army of Sith to fight us with."

"And training them in Vaapad," Luke finished. "Is there anything more you can tell us about it?"

"Vaapad is just a nickname given to the seventh form of lightsaber combat. There always was a seventh form, but it died out long before Mace Windu, my instructor, invented Vaapad," Jacen explained. "Like the other six basic forms, it has signature moves, but it really is a combination of all the lightsaber forms. The key to Vaapad, what Mace believed was missing from the original form, is the state of mind the user enters and using all the forms simultaneously to provide a completely random attack catered to a specific, constantly changing situation."

"Wow," Mara said. "Palpatine once mentioned he almost was defeated by a 'Windu' but never elaborated. His mention of Vaapad was on an entirely different note, but a form like that could defeat almost any enemy. If mastered properly."

"Yes," Jacen agreed. "And I guarantee you; Soora has almost definitely mastered the techniques of it, whereas the original did not."

"To use it in combat without mastery is foolish at best," Eriana spoke up after tossing the towel into a bin against the nearest wall. "When in the Vaapad-mindset, you just go. You move faster than you've ever moved, your lightsaber moves more accurately than it ever has, and you do it all without even thinking. If the body can't keep up with the Force, and the mind doesn't have the ability to restrain it, you'll just burn out, lose concentration, and probably take your own head off." Eriana rubbed a spot on the back of her head upon mentioning this.

"I also don't mean to make it sound like Vaapad is invincible," Jacen continued. "Mace said he regularly lost to Yoda even though Yoda never learned Vaapad. Eriana and I have experimented with the other forms against it, and with varying levels of success we have been able to beat each other."

"I don't know about you, Luke," Mara said. "But this sounds pretty dark to me."

"Not if used properly," Eriana said. "Mace was a pretty nasty guy in a fight, but he never went dark."

Mara gave Luke a sceptical glance, but said nothing further.

"I was going to ask for a demonstration of techniques against a stationary target, but I have a feeling that won't do much good," Luke said. "So, I guess I'll get you to attack me instead."

"Sounds good. A stationary target would be chopped up faster than your eyes could follow," Jacen drew his lightsaber and activated it in training mode. Eriana and Mara stepped off the training mat to give them room as Luke activated his own and affixed a training collar. "I think its best that the first time you see Vaapad is when it is coming at you. At least, in this situation."

"Agreed."

"And Uncle Luke?"

"Yes."

"Don't hold back."

Luke gave his nephew a funny look, but Jacen already had his eyes closed.

"Five credits says Jacen wins in under a minute," Eriana whispered to Mara as the men took their place at the edge of the mat.

"Ten creds says Jacen ends on his butt in two," Mara whispered back.

Both men drew upon the Force to centre themselves. Luke held his lightsaber in the classic Djem So ready stance, saber hilt by the right hip, tip pointed up and left leg forward. Jacen stood right leg forward while drawing his mind into Vaapad. He warmed himself into the ready stance by drawing a figure eight around himself at a slowly increasing speed. When the figure eight became a constant blur of green light and Jacen was centred, he opened his eyes to look at Luke with a predator's joyful glare full of Vaapad intensity. Momentarily startled by the look in Jacen's eyes, Luke barely deflected the initial thrust that came at him faster than a lunging Corellian sand viper, and narrowly deflected the next five swings that came from completely random directions in less than a second. Luke's mind distantly recognized that the strikes were as strong as they were fast, but he did not have time to process the meaning as he back peddled to keep away from the furious onslaught of staccato attacks. He leapt over Jacen when he found himself out of room, but instantly regretted it when Jacen used the Force to throw Luke farther and harder than he expected to travel. Luke bounced when he hit a gymnastics mat thirty metres away, and brought is lightsaber up just in time to deflect another attack from Jacen, who had leapt across the hall to follow Luke. Jacen, still airborne when Luke's lightsaber caught his attack, flipped over Luke, rolled on the ground, then sprung up and continued his ferocious attack without pause. Luke kipped up and deflected the first couple of lightsaber attacks, then found himself on his knees with Jacen's lightsaber to his throat.

"You were so focussed on my lightsaber you didn't notice when I tripped you," Jacen critiqued, turning his lightsaber off. "Well done; nobody except Eriana has lasted that long against me without Vaapad in a while."

"Definitely a record," Eriana called happily, collecting something from a scowling Mara as they walked up to Luke and Jacen.

"That was much more intense than I expected," Luke admitted, sitting down and recalling his lightsaber with the Force. "Where did that telekinesis come from? And when did you grow so many arms?"

"Package deal," Jacen said. "I sensed a weakness and automatically attacked it. It was practically an unconscious reaction. I barely even remember the fight. Also, the illusion of multiple arms comes from the speed of movement, as you saw."

"Amazing," Luke commented, moving to get up. "Let me try that again."

"Mara's first," Eriana said, dragging Mara back to the original training mat. "You need rest."

"You wouldn't believe how much energy you just used," Jacen elaborated, positioning himself so he could watch Mara and Eriana fight while talking to his uncle. "You're actually very close to a Vaapad mindset yourself. I was analysing your mind as we were fighting, and I think the only things holding you back were when I startled you and your lack of familiarity with the form. I could feel you naturally moving towards a Vaapad mindset as a defence mechanism. Next time, you'll do much better now that you know what to expect."

"You mean expect everything that I once thought was impossible," Luke joked as Mara lost her fight.

"Exactly," Jacen replied with a classic Solo grin. " 'You must unlearn, what you have learned' I think you told me once or twice."

Eriana and Mara joined the other two Jedi at the far side of the room and Mara sat down exhaustedly.

"Now you know why these Sith are so dangerous," Jacen said. "An entire army of Sith warriors using Vaapad…" He let his voice trail off.

"We couldn't stop them," Luke finished sombrely. "Especially with the Mandalorians backing them."

-! #$%^&*()

From the Private Journal of Jedi Master Jacen Solo

=With comments by B. Wrarm, Jedi Librarian=

=Approximately 35 years after the Battle of Yavin, One Week before The Sekot Search=

Where do I start?

Well, on an interesting note, I was in Uncle Luke's office today with Kyp while Kyp ranted about Eriana for the better part of an hour. Okay, that's kinda dull, I admit. It was duller being there, I assure you. The interesting part is that Mom sent an urgent transmission to Uncle Luke, which included a video of her being attacked by some Sith. You should've seen Kyp's face! A blind hawkbat could've flown into his mouth it was so wide! Finally we have some conclusive proof the Sith really are out there to shut him up with. I half expected him to accuse me of forging Mom's transmission, but I doubt the thought crossed his mind! It looks like the search for the Sith is definitely happening now.

=Long pause=

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm worried about Uncle Luke. I beat him too easily during my Vaapad demo today. I mean...me defeating Luke Skywalker in a lightsaber duel! Nobody would have bet on that one! I thought I'd be showing him a new style of combat, not wiping the floor with him. Even Eriana said Aunt Mara was a pushover, but that didn't entirely surprise me. At least their ability to adapt is still there. They improved noticeably over the few times we fought. Aunt Mara almost landed a slash on me, and Uncle Luke almost took off my head twice. They still can't keep up with Eriana, but neither can I. They're getting much better, but I hope we can train them a bit more. I have a feeling that time is limited, and I still haven't figured out how I'm going to survive the meld with Sekot. We know there will be severe trauma to my brain, and we've figured out a way of protecting everyone else, but I'm still not sure how to keep the…

=Faint canine whining and scratching sounds in background=

Hey, Astro, stop that! Oh. Astro. That's a good idea. But I'll need you to protect me before I can do that.

=End=

-! #$%^&*()

One week later…

Fifty Jedi stood in a circle around Jacen in a small clearing in a forest on Zonama Sekot. They had arrived not an hour before and had immediately made their way towards the clearing Sekot had prepared for the occasion. Zonama had arrived at the core at the scheduled time with no damage from the stress of hyperspace. In the last five years, it had improved its control over the gravetic stresses of hyperspace to the point where the inhabitants could no longer feel the jump to hyperspace.

An image of Vergere stood in front of Jacen speaking to him in a way the other Jedi could not hear. The only other being who seemed to understand was Astro, staring directly at Sekot from Jacen's side.

"All the preparations have been made, Jacen Solo," Sekot spoke to him. "And I am ready. But Jacen, we both know what the strain of this will..."

"Yes," Jacen cut Sekot off, speaking to her in Vongese. "We also know this has to be done."

"Yes, we do," Sekot sighed. "I only wish we had more time to speak. I have missed your company. Among all other humans, I feel you understood me the most. Please begin, Jacen Solo. May the Force be with you."

"You sure you want to do this?" Kyle Katarn asked one last time. "We know the Sith are allied with the Mandos, and they're obviously in Hutt space."

"Yes, Master Katarn," Jacen smiled. "Hutt space is still quite large, and there may be auxiliary bases. Searching that area will take more fleet resources than we have. We have to do this."

"Alright," Kyle said. "But don't blame me if your head explodes."

Jacen nodded and drew the Force upon himself. He reached out to every Jedi, one at a time, drawing their power and minds and into his consciousness. Once he had become one with every Jedi, he reached into Sekot and merged with the planet. The planet's mind overwhelmed the Jedi, but Sekot guided their minds to prevent the sensation from becoming dangerous. Jacen reached deep into the power of the Jedi and the planet and pushed his perceptions out far over the galaxy to see. Days or seconds passed as a near-infinite amount of information unfurled through the network of minds being processed and forgotten at speeds beyond anyone's comprehension. Even Sekot's world-sized intelligence could not handle the scope of the information and it, too, had to let go of everything. When it was over and the fifty disoriented Jedi regained their senses, Jacen Solo lay motionless on his back staring unseeingly into the Zonamian sky with his faithful Vornskr whimpering at his side.