Chapter Twenty-two

The hour was late; or early, depending on whom you asked. Jaina slipped into the dark apartment. Everyone was sleeping. She set her helmet on the table and walked over to the children's room. She opened the door and slipped inside to check on them. They were both sleeping. She left the room after a moment; she didn't want to wake them. She kicked off her boots and went into her and Jag's bedroom.

He rolled over and said groggily, "Jaina?"

Jaina unzipped her flight suit, stepped out of it and tossed it on the floor. She slid under the covers next to him. She wasn't surprised he had woken up; he was a light sleeper. "Hey."

"Welcome back," he whispered as he pulled her closer to him.

She kissed him softly, and said, "You look tired."

"Long day," Jag stated. He craned his neck to check the time on the chrono and said, "I have patrol in four hours."

"Did you just come to bed?"

"About an hour ago. Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, but we lost quite a few," Jaina told him. She then went on to explain how pointless the entire mission was. They had accomplished nothing aside from some useful information on an up-to-date survey of the system. It wasn't worth the cost, though.

"I'm really sorry, Jaina," Jag said quietly.

"We lost Melina," Jaina told him, voice cracking. Melina Leston had been her squadron commander.

Jag didn't respond; he just held her tightly. Losing any squad mate was always hard, but the loss of a commander was more difficult. Witnessing the fall of a leader shook confidence. Jaina didn't know who was going to take over the position. The XO, N'Arin Leer, was in a bacta tank. It was unknown if he would be able to fly again.

There was nothing she could do about it now, she knew. She felt Jag kiss the top of her head. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep in the comfort of her lover's arms.

Everything in the shuttle vibrated as the pilot flew towards the surface of Barab I. Kit shifted in his seat. His ooglith cloaker-like garment, developed by Alliance scientists in order to block out the radiation from the small star, was uncomfortable. He gripped his seat at the ship's speed increased.

"Impact in thirty seconds. Hold on tight," warned Render, the male Rodian who was piloting the shuttle.

Kit held onto his seat tighter. This was it. Either they survived the crash or they wouldn't. Render had done everything possible to maintain their odds of survival.

The shuttle smacked into the hard earth, causing the three occupants to slam against their restraints. Kit swore he blacked out for a couple seconds. After the ship settled, he undid the clasps and fell to the deck. He noticed the others were doing the same. He opened a weapons locker and began setting charges in the ship while Render gathered blasters. The third member, a female Barabel named Reta opened the hatchway.

"We mussst hurry," she hissed as the ramp fell with a loud crash.

The three ran out of the shuttle. Fortunately, Reta knew the area and led them into a tunnel. Render opened up a map of the planet. Each of the slave compounds was marked.

"Okay, Kit, you go that way," he said pointing to the west. "You have your map and the time table. We're on schedule so proceed as normal."

"That sounded almost official," Kit commented wryly. "You'll make a military man yet."

Render made an annoyed sound, "If we get out of here, I'm going to be a fruit vender or something. No heroics for me."

"If you say so," Kit said with a smirk. He glanced at his wrist chrono, "Sunset is in an hour. We better get going."

The three wished each other luck and then parted ways. Kit crawled through the tunnel toward the west camp. He was sure that the Vong wouldn't notice one more prisoner in their custody. They probably had no idea who the prisoners even were. Kit chuckled. No one ever seemed to know whom he held captive, unless that person was a celebrity or politician. They always overlooked the damage the common person could do.

Kit crawled for hours. He had to stop a few times to rest. He hoped that Render and Reta had found their camps by now. His was the farthest. Reta had requested to take the largest, which was granted to her. This was, after all, her home world.

Kit checked the map. He was as close as he could get in the tunnels. He crawled up through the opening, which was hidden by a rock formation. Reta was positive the Vong wouldn't know of it. He wormed his way out of the hole, grateful that it was still night, and crept towards the settlement. It was set up as most of the Vong's slave colonies were. Kit assumed that the dwellings were able to block the radiation from Barab I's red dwarf star. Kit hoped his suit was functioning properly. Radiation poisoning would certainly create a problem.

He walked towards the closest dormitory. Two guards stood outside. They were lower caste warriors. They had almost no visible tattoos or mutilations. Kit found that the Vong's constant showboating of their social status disgusting. That type of competition bred hatred and violence.

The guards barely spared him a glance as he entered the dormitory. He wandered through the rooms; about half the beds were filled with sleeping slaves. They had an excessive amount of implants, which was good news for the operation. Kit found an empty cot and laid down to wait until morning. He would find the stronger slaves first to discover how life was at the West Barab I slave camp in the morning.

"Hey, I got a signal!" Tahiri exclaimed with surprise. Jacen glanced over at her as she dialed a frequency. He guessed she was calling Luke.

He was right. "Master Skywalker! Thank the Force," Tahiri exclaimed. She then proceeded to tell Luke everything that had occurred. Jacen could feel a shock from his uncle. He turned to check on Araneya; she was still asleep.

"I don't know. Something like that would take years to develop," Tahiri was saying. She was talking about the item they had found. "Absorbing a large amount of nutrients sped up its development, but where would it find…. Oh gods."

Silence rang through the cave. Mara's voice came over the speaker, "Csilla. That's why they destroyed Csilla."

"It makes sense," Luke interjected. "Not only did they obtain the materials to grow the seeder, but they took out a government capital."

"Tahiri, what exactly will this thing do?" Mara asked.

"When it's let loose on a planet, it secretes poisons to kill life. The legends say that it takes less a couple days to destroy an ecosystem," Tahiri said. "I don't know if it moves or not, or how they transport it."

"And you're sure that's what it is?" Mara asked.

"Definitely," Tahiri reassured. "What do you want us to do?"

"Keep the woman as calm as possible until we get there," Luke instructed.

"Will do," Tahiri answered as Luke ended the transmission. She tucked the comlink back into her belt.

"He didn't ask if we were going to kill it," Jacen observed.

"Of course not. He knows better," Tahiri stated, flashing him a smile. "What should we do about our friend here?"

Jacen shrugged, "I guess leave her here. I'd hate to knock her out."

Tahiri bent down and took the coiled amphistaff. She wrapped it around her arm. "Okay, now we can leave her."

"Do any of your memories say how to kill this thing?" Jacen asked. He bent down to make sure that Araneya was secure.

"No. All the legends say is that Yun Yuuzhan was the only one who could control it," Tahiri told him.

"Great," Jacen groaned. He hated what they were about to do, but they had no choice. It wasn't the seeder's fault it had been bred for destruction. It had completely innocent intentions. He was grateful that Tahiri was with him. She had been more help than she could know during his episode with the dhuryam.

They walked out of the cave together. The fire was reduced to smolders. The seeder had almost doubled in size. Tahiri unwound the amphistaff from her arm. She flicked her wrist so it formed a razor sharp spear. Jacen pulled his lightsaber off his belt and ignited it.

"How do you want to do this?" she asked.

Jacen closed his eyes. He focused on the seeder's systems. He located its pulsing heart near its middle. He could sense each individual mouth as the creature crunched rock. The rock traveled through the many esophaguses to one large stomach, about a meter away from the heart. Veins carried blood and nutrients throughout the body. Jacen called an image of an amphistaff to the creature's mind. It shuddered in fear and thought about its weak spot, under its heart, where the primitive brain was located. Thousands of tiny poisonous spines guarded it.

Jacen opened his eyes as he responded, "We need to get under it."

"Of course we do," Tahiri muttered.

"The heart is against those two broken walls of the temple. If we can get inside, we can get to it," Jacen said. "There is this fleshy piece surrounded by poisonous spines. We need to stab there."

"Oh, lovely. I thought this was going to be easy," Tahiri quipped. "So, you think you can distract it enough to make it relax?"

"I have no idea," Jacen admitted. He wasn't sure how well he could fight its survival instincts. He guessed that if something touched the membrane, the spines would automatically react. Whether they would contract, spit poison or stab, he didn't know. He didn't want to trick it, but allowing it to harm Tahiri was unthinkable. He had no doubt that Anakin would find a way to return to the living long enough to pulverize him if that happened.

"It can't hurt that bad," Tahiri mused. "I mean, after the first fifty bites, we won't even feel it. You relax it as much as possible. I'll drive the amphistaff inside, and then we run."

"That's a daring plan," a male voice hissed from behind. Jacen and Tahiri spun around. A tall male Shaper stood behind them. Two Adepts stood on either side of him. The Shaper's headdress twitched in agitation.

Tahiri and Jacen began to back away from the Shaper. They moved closer to the seeder. Jacen hoped the Shaper wouldn't notice. He ignited his lightsaber and held it in a low defensive position in front of him. Tahiri ignited her own blade, the blue hue reflecting off the gleaming armor of the amphistaff she was still holding. Jacen could see revulsion in the Vong's eyes at the sight of an infidel wielding one of their weapons.

"You think you can escape?" he said with a growl. Four Warriors appeared. One threw a coufee that Jacen dodged easily.

"Keep an eye on the Shapers," Tahiri whispered.

"Take out the Warriors first?" Jacen suggested as the four stalked forward.

"Let's do this."

Wedge stared at his the read-out on his desk. He'd been sitting there for an hour. He had received a call from Luke yesterday informing him about what Jacen had found, along with the progress the Jedi had made. Wedge had taken the information to the other military commanders and the intelligence division. At that meeting, Iella had presented a report stating that the Yuuzhan Vong forces were weakening.

Over the past month, Chief of State Cal Omas and the Senate had been pushing an end to the war. Wedge had presented a report to him about Jag's program. Omas had taken it back to his advisors. He had contacted Wedge yesterday informing him that he wanted to speed up the program. He thought it was a crucial method to weaken the Vong.

Wedge didn't know what Omas was planning. He wasn't in charge. Wedge had been given the option to head the Bespin headquarters or to be sent all over the galaxy. Several members of the military backed his efforts at Borelais, and encouraged him to take the job. Wedge enjoyed the stability. He had to do the normal military work in addition to office work.

His favorite part of his position was that he had been able to keep Syal and Myri with him. He and Iella had decided that they were going to bring the girls back to the base. He loved that when he came home at night, his family was there. When he and Iella had to work at the same time, the girls would stay with his sister. If only this war was over…

Wedge looked back down at the sheet of flimsi. The government had moved around his squadrons and was messing with his plans. He hated it. He hated when the government became too involved with military affairs. He had already met with Kyp Durron about the changes in the Dozen. He needed to speak with Jaina. His subordinates had offered to deliver her orders, but Wedge needed to tell her himself. She was family; he couldn't let just anyone tell her about what was going on.

Iella walked into the room. She sat down on the corner of his desk. She asked, "What's up?"

"It's too early to be working," Wedge muttered.

Iella gave him a soft smile, "No doubt there. Have you sent out all the orders yet?"

"Everyone except Jaina."

"How did Kyp take it?"

Wedge shrugged as he replied, "He didn't seem to mind it much."

"He's changed."

"Who hasn't?" Wedge shot back. This war had caused everyone to revaluate their lives and values. Everyone had lost something.

"What are you waiting for?" Iella asked.

"Jaina just returned last night," Wedge explained.

"You feel guilty," Iella accused.

"I helped convince them to bring her kids back here and now I'm not only issuing the orders for Jag to be gone, but now Jaina," Wedge groaned. "Syal is going to have my head."

"Ah, the great Wedge Antilles' true fear, his big sister," Iella said with a chuckle. She slid off the desk and moved to stand behind him. She rested her hands on his shoulders. "Oh if Soontir could see you now."

"Hey now, he cowers in front of my sister," Wedge stated defensively. "No one can say no to her."

Iella chuckled, "How true. There's something else bothering you."

"I can't hide anything from you," Wedge admitted. He took her hand and pulled her to stand in front of him. "Omas is up to something."

"Isn't he always?"

Wedge gave her an irritated look as he continued, "I don't like sending our fighters out without knowing what's going on."

Wedge stood up from his chair, "I need to get this over with. After I talk to Jaina, I have to see Tycho to review squadron reports."

"I'll see you tonight," Iella promised. She kissed his cheek and left the room. Wedge snatched the flimsi form his desk, shredded it and threw it away. He turned and walked from the office. He had a long day ahead of him.

Han chafed under his collar. He hated Hapes. Luke had called Leia, asking her to talk to Tenel Ka for him. Leia, of course, agreed. She had made Han prepare the Falcon and they took off for Hapes.

"Uncle Han, how long do we have to stand here?" Ben whined. Leia had insisted on taking their nephew. She had spent a lot of time with him during their stay, especially after Ani and Davin had left.

"I'm not sure, kid," he replied. They were waiting to be called in for an audience with Tenel Ka. Their request wasn't exactly a secret.

Han smirked as Ben shifted in his dress clothes. Ben had been excited to see another planet, but he was clearly changing his mind. Leia was standing slightly in front of him dressed in a gold sheath dress. Her hair was coiled in an intricate style on top of her head. Han hadn't seen her dress up like that in years. He had a feeling that she enjoyed it.

"Princess Leia, Queen Mother Tenel Ka will you see now," a tall, blond haired woman said. Han had forgotten her name. Leia thanked her and followed her into the chamber.

"Wow," Ben whispered in shock. Han had to admit the room was impressive. The vaulted ceiling went on for meters above their heads. The walls were decorated with gold, gems and pearls. Statues and paintings lined the room. Tenel Ka was seated on a dais at the back of the room. Han nudged Ben forward. He had stopped to stare at his surroundings.

"Hello, Princess Leia and Captain Solo. You are Ben Skywalker, correct?" Tenal Ka said as they approached.

"Yeah, Tenel Ka, I mean Your Majesty," Ben said blushing.

Tenal Ka smiled at him, "It's nice to meet you, Ben." She turned to her staff and ordered, "Leave us. All of you."

The members of the court slowly shuffled out of the room. After they left, Tenel Ka's shoulders dropped slightly. Leia smiled sympathetically at her, "We'll make this fast."

"No need to rush," Tenel Ka assured her. "Master Skywalker sent you, I take it."

"Yes," Leia replied. She then explained the situation on Yavin IV.

"Uncle Han?" Ben whispered.

"Yeah, kid?"

"This is boring."

Tenel Ka turned to him chucking, "Ben, how about you and Captain Solo explore my private gardens?"

"Can we? Please, Uncle Han?"

"I think you need to apologize to Tenel Ka first," Leia instructed.

"I'm sorry," Ben said firmly. "I should have been quiet like I said I would."

"Thank you, Ben," Tenel Ka responded. "Come, we can continue this discussion in the gardens. To tell you the truth, Ben, when I was your age I always thought my mother's work was boring too. "

Han grinned at Leia as Tenel Ka led Ben out of the throne room to a private hallway. Han rested a hand on the small of Leia's back, "Think we'll get a few minutes alone?"

"Han," Leia scolded, "Hush."

"Feel free to explore," Tenel Ka told Ben as they arrived in the garden. Four paths led to a large fountain that sat in the middle of the garden. Trees, bushes and flowers lined the path. Some small animal Han had never seen before was drinking water from the fountain's edge.

"Come on, Uncle Han!" Ben called as he made his way to the fountain.

Leia said. "Make sure he doesn't rip his clothes."

Han made a face as he followed his nephew. Negotiating with Tenel Ka would be easier than keeping that kid out of trouble.