Chapter 45

Convergence

Their captors gave them no chance of escape as they were lead out of the cool shadowed interior of the Slave I and into the withering heat of the Tatooine sun. Both Aayla and Celeste's hands were bound behind their backs by stun-cuffs, the explosive chokers clamped around their necks so tightly that she knew they were leaving bruises and now attached to these chokers were long durasteel poles held by one of Jabba's Gamorrean guards. They were helpless and their captors wanted them to know it.

It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the blazing sun, but when she did she saw that they had an audience. Jabba himself was there to greet them. The Hutt was sitting on a hover-chair, a large parasol open over his head to protect him from the burning sun. Surrounding him were six guards, all armed with blasters and all watching them with smug satisfaction at seeing a couple of Jedi, even former Jedi, brought low.

Aurra Sing stepped between them and her employer, whipping her ponytail out of her eyes as she approached the fat slug. "Didn't I tell you we'd get them, Lord Jabba."

The Hutt bellowed in deep laughter, his jowls jiggling from the effort before he spoke in deep, booming Huttese which the protocol droid by his side translated for him. "Indeed you did, Mistress Sing. I knew Fett had a good eye when he mentioned you."

"I am flattered." She replied silkily, bowing her head extravagantly. "It was quite fun, just enough to get the rust off of myself."

Fett stepped forward, offering Jabba both of their lightsabers, "Their main weapons. Should be enough evidence if the Imperial agent asks for it."

The Hutt smiled, licking his lips as he took the hilts of their prized weapons in his fat, grubby hands. "Ah yes, the infamous lightsaber. Jedi weapons through the ages. How much would these go for in the black market I wonder, now that those who wield them are considered an endangered species."

Both Aayla and Celeste bristled at the comments, but forced themselves to relax. Struggling now would bring them nothing more than further humiliation and a possible death. They needed to be patient, wait for the opportune moment.

"Please, let us get out of the sun." Jabba intoned, his hover-chair swivelling around and gliding down a long connecting bridge between the landing pad and the Palace proper, a huge structure of stone and durasteel crafted from the very mountain it was perched on. His guards surrounded them, blasters drawn and aimed as the two bounty hunters led them to the executioners block. "The Inquisitor has already been informed of our acquisition and should arrive within the next few days. Your fees have already been wired to your respective accounts but won't you remain a while and indulge in the festivities?"

"Oh yes, I see no reason not to, sire," Sing drawled. "I hear your celebrations are quite legendary."

"She certainly knows how to brownnose, doesn't she?" Sintas whispered in a disgusted tone to her lover, who simply inclined his armoured head in agreement.

Aayla was almost glad when they entered the entrance to the palace, the interior protecting them from the sun. She hadn't been to Tatooine before and if she were able to get out of this then she would never visit this force-forsaken planet ever again. Her glare settled on Sing's back, only broken when Celeste whispered a warning to her. She turned to see her friends worried look, and allowed a wan smile which she wished was encouraging but she knew it wasn't.

They had been led through the dark, dimly lit corridors of the Hutt crime-lords holiday palace to his main audience chamber, passed a motley crew of guards from huge, intimidating Gammoreans to Humans, Rodians, Trandoshans and Nikto, all armed with blasters and vibroblades. Even without the explosive chokers escape without weapons would be difficult.

Jabba forced himself from his hover-chair and slithered onto his throne, grubby hand grabbing a screaming insectoid like creature from a water filled jar and plopped it into his giant maw with a sickly crunch. Aayla and Celeste were half dragged before him, shoved onto their knees and kept there. When they raised their heads they were introduced to the crackling white light of activated Force-Pikes just hovering over their shoulders. The message was clear. If they struggled they would be shocked. The two shared a look, and forced themselves to relax before glaring up at the Hutt.

Jabba laughed at their glares. "I like humanoid women who don't break easily."

"What are we to do with them, Lord Jabba?" His aide and Majordomo, Bib Fortuna asked, filed sharp teeth grinning at the two captives. "A few days down in your torture pits should take some of the sting off."

"You fool. Do you really think I would damage such beauty as I see here?" The Hutt asked, licking his lips. Just looking into his eyes and feeling his blackened soul through the force brought a wave of uneasiness and disgust to both women.

"No, off course not Great Jabba." the man immediately apologised, suitably quelled.

"Good." The Hutt chortled. "I think such beauty should be taken advantage off while we have them in our company. Remove them from those rags and place them in something more appropriate for their temporary station."

Both Aayla and Celeste looked at each other, the humans face paling even as it mirrored her own thoughts. She had heard the rumours of Jabba the Hutt and his almost sickly enjoyment of chaining humanoid females to his throne. Both she and her friend were among his favourite species to keep as trophies.

"This is not going to be pleasant." Celeste whispered, even as a Gammorean grabbed her roughly and hauled her to her feet.

"No, it isn't." Aayla agreed before receiving the same treatment. Roughly she was pulled to her feet and shoved to the main exit, stomach sinking at what acts of mortification Jabba would force them to commit. At the very least they were going to be chained to his throne as trophies, humiliated and degraded by the time the Inquisitor came to claim them.

The very thought made her sick, and not just because she knew that if her former Master hadn't found her so many years ago this would have been her fate. If Quinlan hadn't found her Aayla would have been a slave, conditioned for obedience, nothing more than meek and timid trappings for someone as vile as Jabba the Hutt.

She heard Sing laugh from the bar and hoped that the next time they met it would be when her lightsaber blade pierced the woman's black heart.

The Lambda-class Shuttle glided to a stop, long elegant wings folding up even as its landing struts touched down on the pristine black deck. Three lines of Stormtroopers were standing to attention, their white armour flawless and their E-11 blasters held tightly to their chests. With a sure step and a single goal Tremayne stalked across the deck, his black cloak and scored battle-armour at odds with all around him.

He came to a stop and waited. He didn't have to wait long. The landing ramp descended with a whirl of hydraulics and hisses of steam. Walking through that steam was his Master. Darth Vader was as imposing and menacing as he remembered, everything about this cyborg from his black armour and cape to the mechanical inhale and exhale of his breath brought a chill to everyone who caught sight of him.

The Inquisitor came down to a knee, head bowed as his former teacher came to a stop before him. The Sith Lord didn't care for such acts of respect or flattery. "I have heard your strategy has paid off somewhat, Tremayne."

Antinnis rose to his feet, "It has milord."

Vader walked passed him, and without a moment of hesitation his former apprentice turned on his heel and followed. The Inquisitor had been around this man long enough to know how to adapt to his rhythm. "What news did the Hutt bring?"

"A few of his bounty hunters managed to catch Uzumaki's ship during the battle over Acherin. While they did not capture Uzumaki himself they have managed to detain some of his associates." Tremayne reported as the two black cloaked men stalked along the column of rigid Stormtroopers. "They are Jedi Masters Aayla Secura, Celeste Morne and a few others who have since been confirmed deceased."

Vader was silent for a moment, digesting this information. "Those two might be useful, bait to bring Uzumaki and his friends out into the open."

"That is exactly my thought, milord." The Inquisitor agreed. "I was about to order this ship to head for Tatooine. With your leave."

"Do it." The Dark Lord agreed. "If we play this right we can get Uzumaki, Secura and Kenobi all in one fell swoop. It will be a painful blow to this rebellion they have helped create."

"What of the rebel fleet?" Antinnis asked.

"They have been spotted near Solay."

"Near Solay," The Inquisitor repeated thoughtfully. "That is close to Dac."

"The Emperor believes Dac and its shipyards are their primary target." Vader supplied, exiting the hanger and into the myriad of corridors, soldiers and crew stopped what they were doing and wisely moved out of their way, standing to attention and saluting. "Admiral Kiln has been dispatched with the Twelfth Fleet to intercept them."

The Emperor was tired of this nascent rebellion it seemed. The Twelfth fleet was made up of thirty new state-of-the-art Star Destroyers including Imperial-class, two Interdictor-class and Kiln's own pride and joy, an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer he had called Respite. With such firepower brought to bear the rebels and their out-of-date cruisers would be pulverised.

"This could be an auspicious few days for the Empire." Tremayne smirked. "Capturing their heroes and executing them before the whole galaxy. The rebel fleet decimated around Dac by a fleet of our newest Star Destroyers. If all goes as planned then the Rebellion will become nothing more than a painful memory to the rest of the galaxy."

Vader said nothing, his focus was directly ahead.

Sasuke eyed the small hologram, the beginnings of a smirk beginning to show on his features. "So his woman has been caught by this Jabba the Hutt has she?"

The small figure nodded his head, "Yes milord. She and another of Uzumaki's crew were brought to the palace in chains a scant few hours ago. I apologise that it took me so long to contact you, but Jabba has been strengthening the security around his palace."

"No, no need for apologies. You have done well." Sasuke replied, now seeing the prudency in placing his own agents within the numerous bounty hunter guilds and criminal enterprises, the likes of Black Sun and the Hutt cartels especially. He still remembered those lessons Orochimaru and Madara had taught him over the years. When in the field of conflict there was never such a thing as too much information. "Continue your surveillance. We will be there with all haste."

"Off course, milord. It will be done." The figure bowed his head as the hologram flickered from existence. Sasuke eyed the contraption for a long moment before placing it back into his utility belt and fishing out his personal comlink. He switched the device on and set it to the needed frequency even as he began moving. "Captain."

"Milord?"

"Change of plans. Make all speed for Tatooine." Uchiha ordered as he stalked through the corridors of his ship.

"At once."

He couldn't help the smirk even as he turned off the small device. If he knew Naruto half as well as he think he did then he knew that a rescue would be mounted. The stubborn fool would never leave a friend, much less a lover, in the clutches of his enemies. He would be coming, alone if needed and he wouldn't rest until those he held dear were away and safe. One only needed to look at them and their past to realise this.

"We will finally have our rematch, eh Naruto." Sasuke whispered to himself, shades of fragmented memories flashing through his mind as he stepped into the turbolift. "And I promise you this old friend. Only one of us will be leaving Tatooine alive."

It wasn't unexpected. Naruto knew that the moment he introduced the Confederates into the game that his original plan of run and hide would not work, not with a force of their size. It had become obvious that Swell and his fleet were suffering from the lack of a base to repair and resupply their ships and even with the success of their raids they would need to hit a large target fast or else have their strength chipped away to nothing.

So he wasn't surprised when he heard that the bulk of the Separatist fleet had chosen a target in Dac. Aayla's lessons on the galaxy had made him aware that the planet was a major trading and shipbuilding hub, and with Imperial forces deployed elsewhere to sniff them out the last thing they would expect is a major attack like this. It would take the Imps time to reorganise and form some kind of response, their fleet presence out here was weak compared to what they had in the Inner Systems.

The problem was it wasn't just the Confederate's putting their full might into the attack. The Jedi High Council and Clone Command had also placed their hopes on the gamble. Half of the surviving members of the Jedi Order were taking part as well as half of the Clone troopers, that sapped their own pool of willing recruits for his own desperate mission.

He ground his teeth together. He understood the strategy and the need, but by all that was holy it was the worst possible time as far as he were concerned. At the same time Naruto was not going to stand before the remaining members of the Jedi Council or the Rebel War Cabinet and demand they send troops to Tatooine on what might be a wild goose chase. Oh how he wanted too, but he knew he couldn't. Nor would he risk the ships here, not the Morning Star and not the Refuge, especially the Refuge. He would not send the last safe haven the Jedi had for their younglings into battle.

That ship was staying put.

The blastdoors opened with a hiss of steam and he was met with some familiar and welcome faces. Jedi Masters Tholme and Obi-wan Kenobi, as well as former Jedi Master Quinlan Vos were waiting for them to return, worry etched on their faces. Naruto walked slowly out into the open, suddenly feeling shame send a chill through him at seeing their faces. Vos and Tholme had trusted him with Aayla's safety and he had failed. Rex flanked him. His one source of comfort in this dark hour, and their new ally Skirata remained just beyond the threshold of his own ship and the Refuge.

"You were unable to find her?" Obi-wan asked.

Naruto could only nod. "I'm sorry."

"Don't blame yourself boy." Tholme sighed, hand raised to massage the back of his neck. "Aayla knew the risks. So long as she is out there and alive we can bring her back."

"We found some bodies," Rex said, stepping forward when he saw Naruto hesitate. "Lowie is dead, along with one of your people Master Kenobi. We gave him a proper Jedi burial but I am afraid we could not reclaim Jack's lightsaber. I have no doubt that Aurra Sing has taken it for her expanding collection."

Grief made itself known on Obi-wan's face for a moment before it was schooled under the Jedi mask. "Thank you for telling me. He was a good man and will be missed."

Naruto flinched at that, and his friend noticed. Man? The boy was barely old enough to buy a beer on most planets, and he was cut down without more than a second thought. Images of his and Lowie's bodies flashed across his eyes, making him clench his eyes shut. It had been so many years since he had lost a comrade to battle that he had almost forgotten about the pain which came with it. The last time he had felt this way he allowed his emotions to overwhelm him, anger and revenge had been his path.

"We have a lead on where they will take Aayla and Celeste, Seth as well with some hope." Naruto said as he turned to Atin Skirata, who finally seemed able to muster the courage to enter the ship. "This is Atin Skirata, former Commando and currently a member of the Skirata Mandalorian clan. He has given me information that our friends will be presented to Jabba the Hutt in his holiday palace of Tatooine before they are given to the Inquisitor."

"If so then we need to hurry," Vos replied resolutely, folding his arms. "The Inquisitor will be moving with speed to claim them. We cannot allow him to take them, for once the Empire has them they are lost to us."

"Agreed," Tholme replied with a nod. "It doesn't need saying but myself and Quinlan here will be coming with you. We will get her back."

"I will go as well, Knight Lo'Kriss may still be with them and I refuse to allow another friend to die if I can help it." Obi-wan added, stepping forward with a fire in his eyes. "I have lost too many these last few years. I refuse to remain idle and add another to that list."

Naruto smiled as he nodded. Good, that was him, Rex, hopefully another Clone in Atin and three Jedi Masters, former or otherwise. "We cannot deploy the taskforce over Tatooine, not with the chance of the Imperials coming in with those new Star Destroyers of theirs. We will need a small elite taskforce."

"Hmm," Tholme intoned, thoughtful. "I'll ask around and see who we can assemble."

The Shinobi nodded, "Thank you."

Half an hour passed before Tholme and Obi-wan returned, and they didn't return alone. They were accompanied by a dozen ARC troopers, Ahsoka Tano and the woman he remembered saving on Kessel. Sia-lan Weiss looked a lot better than he remembered her on Kessel, colour had returned and she moved with no obvious sign of discomfort.

Ahsoka rushed up and embraced Naruto in quick hug, "Let's get our friends back."

"We will." Naruto replied as she broke away, gave him a brave smile before turning to Rex and embracing him as well. He turned to the leader of the Commandoes, his armour painted in the red streaks of a Republic ARC Captain. "Thank you for you and your men volunteering Captain."

The man stood at attention and saluted, "My name is Delta-23 sir, and this is Commando Squad three. We fought beside General Secura during the Seleucami campaign and we owe her. We will follow you into battle."

Naruto nodded, accepting his hand in a shake before turning to the last volunteer of the group. Weiss walked right up to him and offered a half glare. "I hear you can use some help."

"Yes." He replied.

"Then I'm coming," She replied, folding her arms. "I owe you for Kessel, and I'm not going to leave a fellow Jedi behind."

"You're fully healed then?" Rex asked.

She smiled, flexing her arm. "Yeah, thanks to you two."

"What, don't I get a thanks?" Naruto asked, only to find him on the receiving end of a glare. "What!?"

"For throwing me fifty feet in the air!?"

"It all ended well." Naruto managed.

"As much as I enjoy friendly banter we don't have much time." Obi-wan interjected. "We will need transport."

"We have it," Naruto replied, pointing a thumb at the half hidden form of Atin. "This fellow here has kindly offered to be out transport."

Skirata sputtered, then sighed and nodded his head. "It would be my pleasure."

"It'll take a few days for us to reach Tatooine from here, but we should make it just before that Inquisitor." Obi-wan explained. "He was chasing after the taskforce when they finished off the Jedi Asteroid, so we should be ahead by a few hours. Myself, Master's Tholme and Weiss will go in our fighters and provide backup for when you raid Jabba's Palace."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Soon a small force of three Delta-7's and the Etain left the taskforce behind and plunged into hyperspace. Their destination was Tatooine and their goal was rescuing their friends, no matter the odds. Naruto didn't care if he went against bounty hunters, Jabba's criminal syndicate, Inquisitors or even the Empire itself. He would go through armies to get to his friends and that was what he intended to do.

"They've been hit pretty hard, haven't they?"

"Yes," Shaak Ti answered, looking upon the landscape with a heartbroken expression. "Yes they have."

This was the second floating city of the Mon Calamari they passed since they had broken through the upper atmosphere, and it was the same as the one before. Once the archetype of beauty and majesty for the rest of the galaxy to adore the floating cities were now broken ruins, domed buildings caved in, towering structures demolished, interconnecting bridges and walkways destroyed, small homes and businesses little more than piles of rubble. No Mon Calamari or Quarren in sight. In some places the smaller sections of the city had broken away and either sunk under the waves or floated out with the tide.

"This was one of the first places I was taken too by my master." The Togruta said forlornly, placing a hand on the transparisteel viewport as if trying to reach out in comfort to the ruined metropolis. "I remember being a little girl and seeing one of these cities for the first time. How amazed I had been. Something else the Empire has taken away."

Schurk-Heren looked at the Jedi Master and shook his head. If anyone ever made the claim that the Jedi were emotionless machines then they just have to look upon this woman. Shaak Ti sighed, a heavy pained sound as she turned from the desolate view and back to those around her. Her fellow Jedi looked just as pained as she was.

Jaina Lancaster had drastically changed her appearance, the human woman had dyed her auburn hair red and tied it back in a ponytail, placed contacts which changed her eye colour from dark chocolate to dull blue. She had changed from her Jedi robes into a simple white buttoned tunic, brown pants, knee high black boots and a worn brown jacket. Latched onto her back with satchels was her lightsaber, out of sight and out of mind.

Jhou-Lo Shan had also changed his appearance. The man had shaved, removing the goatee and cutting his shoulder length hair short, eye contacts turned his eyes from emerald green to hazel with flakes of yellow. He wore a pair of black pants, knee high black boots, stained brown shirt and a long brown trench coat which hid his blaster and lightsaber from anyone.

Shaak Ti could do little to change her appearance, so she opted to use orange paint to hide her markings and white paint to create new ones. Her robes had also been removed from her person, replaced by a rough brown cloak, a pair of black pants, long sleeved shirt, ankle boots and an intricate clasp for her montrals and lekku.

The mercenaries and outlaws of the Uhumle had supervised the changes, adding and removing what they could to try and make them blend in as much as possible with the local population. It would be difficult considering the locals here were mainly Mon Calamari and Quaren but they did all they could with what they had. They were all happy with the end results.

"Our mission is to get into contact with an agent of the local resistance, an agent who goes by the name of Coral. He will be meeting us at a local cantina called the Blessed Spray in Sar Galva." She explained to the assembled crew. "The plan will be the same. Lady Taanzer will be the pilot and remain aboard, protected by Greenbark, Meerkerdin and Knight Jennir. Myself, Jaina, Jhou-Lo, Mezgraf, Valkier and the Captain will go into the settlement and make contact. If it looks like the Imperials know of you the ship is to leave port and make for open space, understood?"

A chorus of acknowledgements was her answer, and she couldn't help the smile which spread across her features. "Good luck to everyone and may the force be with you."

"Same to you, Lady Ti," Bomo nodded grimly. "May the force be with you, all of you. Come back safe you all got it?"

"We'll try," Jaina nodded.

"Indeed, I still haven't tried that moonshine of yours yet." Shan added.

Sar Galva was a small floating mine city located over the infamous Murul Trench. One of the smallest cities on Dac it had been a major mining outpost for centuries, with a long series of shafts connecting the surface city to the dome shaped mining colonies below, those mining colonies had been placed over vast veins which held the basic metals required to make durasteel.

Shaak Ti remembered the settlement as vibrant and busy, flourishing thanks to the income from the mines. When the Uhumele was given clearance to land and the group left the ship and delved into the city they saw the complete opposite. The city was deserted, and Stormtrooper patrols could be found at almost every junction and crossroad, Imperial banners fluttered in the salty breeze and the buildings looked decrepit. What few locals they saw looked nervous, frightened, dirty and without hope.

Finally they reached the cantina, to find that it was full of people. Mon Calamari, Quarren, Humans, Bothans and a handful of other species were inside drinking, smoking and gambling. The air was thick with tobacco smoke, alcohol and chatter. The group looked at each other, shrugged and entered together. A few leered at Shaak Ti and Jaina but were quickly scared away by the glares of the rest of the party. They took a few tables further in, ordered a round of drinks and waited.

It was an hour later when someone finally approached, a half mug of Ale in his webbed hand as he took a chair beside the Jedi Master. He took a swig, looked at her for a moment and spoke. "The winds are picking up."

"Storm's coming," Shaak Ti replied, leaning forward as she finished the code. "Best be ready."

"Lady Ti."

"Coral, I take it?"

The Mon Calamari nodded, "The one and the same."

"What's happened here?" She asked, frowning.

"A lot has changed since the Empire came." Coral replied, setting his mug on the table. "I'll explain later. We need to go."

"Where?"

"The mines." Coral looked around, spotting two Imperial officers in civilian dress, sipping glasses of Reef wine. "There are eyes and ears everywhere milady."

"I understand," Shaak Ti nodded before motioning the group to her. "We will leave in two groups, half an hour apart. Look casual and as if you're here for a few drinks."

"Go to the Lady of the Reef. It's a small outdoor cantina just beside the old entrance to the mineshafts. There are Stormtroopers guarding the entrances so wait until we get there." Coral added, eyeing the Imps across the bar.

Everyone nodded, waited until they finished their drinks and then Jaina, Valkier and Schurk-Heren rose to their feet, offered jovial goodbyes and left. The rest of them waited half an hour, waited a few minutes more than agreed. They even ordered another round of drinks before they left. The two agents didn't seem to know any better, but no one took a moment to relax until they were out of the cantina and turning into another street.

Coral led the way, arm in arm with Shaak Ti and pretending to whisper sweet nothings into her ear even as the two warned each other when a few Stormtroopers were passing by. They all took a few tables in the outside of the Lady of the Reef, and just as the Mon Calamari said there was the entrance to the old mines just down the street. It was guarded by a platoons worth of Stormtroopers and the tall imposing form of one of the new AT-ST's. It looked idle, but Shaak Ti could feel the pilots within through the force.

"There's no way we can force our way through that, boss." Valkier whispered to his Captain.

Coral chuckled, "Hardly. There are ways into the mines that the Imps don't know about."

"What has happened here?" Shaak Ti repeated, looking around her in dismay. "I remember coming here with my master, and the city was bustling and thriving."

Coral looked at her for a moment. "The Imps happened. It was fine for about a year after the New Order was proclaimed and then it all started to go awry. It came to a head when they dragged three Jedi Knights, two Mon Calamari and a Quarren, out into the central square of Coral City and executed them in front of the crowd. They thought they would get a mob baying for blood, but instead all they got was horrified silence. Several city officials protested, including Senator Meena Tills. The governors response was to execute them as well, even forged some evidence against Senator Tills, citing her as a traitor because she was a member of the Petition of 2000."

Shaak Ti remembered that. The Petition of 2000 was a coalition of two thousand Republic Senators and other officials addressed to Chancellor Palpatine. It had stated that, since the Clone Wars was nearing its conclusion, the Chancellor should give up his emergency powers and a new election should be called. Signatories included Padme Amidala of Naboo, Bail Organa of Alderaan, Garm Bel Iblis of Corellia and Mon Mothma of Chandrilla. When the New Order was declared the Emperor used the signatures against the Senators, calling them traitors. Many were arrested, some were imprisoned but most died.

"I take it that didn't go over very well." Jaina asked, scowling.

If Mon Calamari could smirk she guessed Coral would be doing just that. "It led to mass protests and rioting in every major city across the planet. The Empire responded by firing on protestors, bombarding cities from orbit and declaring a State of Emergency. The Council of Dac was disbanded, as was the local police and defence forces. In their place was an Imperial Governor who reported directly to the Emperor, and a small army of Stormtroopers at his beck and call. Since then our civil liberties have been stripped from us and we're forced to work in slave labour in the shipyards. They closed down all of our other industries, including the mines, and made us completely dependent on the Empire for everything. They also imposed a full military blockade, no one is allowed to enter or leave the system without authorisation from the Moff. I'm amazed you managed to get through it."

"Yes, well, we have an excellent pilot." Schurk-Heren allowed, scratching his chin.

"Indeed," Coral replied. "I would like to meet this pilot of yours. We need all the help we can get."

"Help is coming, that is part of the reason why we are here." Shaak Ti explained. "A fleet is approaching the planet with the intention of liberating it."

"I am aware of Admiral Swell and his Confederate navy raising havoc across the Outer-rim." Coral nodded. "I also know that they have buried the hatchet with their old enemies in the Jedi and the Clone rebels. I'm guessing you want our support when they come to liberate the shipyards."

"We are here because we have heard the plight of the Mon Calamari and wish to intervene." Shan interrupted. Shaak Ti envied his optimism, that yes they would try and help the people of this planet but their overall objective was the shipyards to resupply and repair their tattered ships.

Coral levelled a glare at the Jedi. "If only the galaxy were so kind. But tell me young man. Would the fleet still come if we didn't have a fully operational ring of shipyards around our planet? Do not try and flatter me with sweet talk and empty promises. This fleet would not come unless it has something it can gain."

"The Jedi Order will never leave a people in need." Jaina countered, the same fire burning in her eyes as Shan. Ah yes, how Shaak Ti envied the young.

"Ah, youth and idealism," Coral allowed, smiling sadly at the two young Jedi. "Your hearts are in the right place, both of you, and before the Empire came into being I would have believed it but the Jedi are as desperate as their allies, a victory is needed and supplies even more desperately so. If you take this planet it won't be for long and when you are forced to leave the blood of my people will colour the seas in retaliation."

Both young Jedi looked at him in dismay, then looked at the tabletop instead of retort. Shaak Ti sighed. "Does that mean you won't help us?"

"It doesn't." Coral replied, gaining the attention of the crew. "Five years it has been since the Empire was declared and we have not been idle. I only ask that once the move is made that you stand with us. We have more here than you know."

That caught their attention. Everyone looked at the agent as he slowly rose to his feet. "Please, before you ask this of your commanders I have something to show you. Follow me."

He walked into the cantina, and they followed. He walked across to the back, nodded to the bartender and exited through the rear door into a side alley. As calmly as he pleased, hands clasped behind his back he continued to walk at a sedate pace, coming to a stop by an ancient door and knocked three times, someone on the other end knocked twice and he knocked another three times. The door opened to reveal a Quarren who nodded to Coral, eyed his company and bade them enter.

Coral led the way, through huge empty rooms which once contained equipment for siphoning the metals from the rock and dirt, now empty and dusty, ascended staircase after staircase. As he did so he began to speak. "This old factory was one of many built along the walls of the mineshafts. The Imperials sealed all of the entrances they could find, but other, more secret passages have been built over the years."

They ascended to the top and came before a wall. Coral placed a webbed hand along its rough surface and walked along at a slow and sedate pace. He came across what he was looking for, and knocked hard. A moment of silence and a section of the wall snapped forward and then moved to the right. Within were four individuals, three Mon Calamari and a Quarren armed with blasters. The leader looked at Coral, and then at his assorted company. "The seas of our brethren run blue."

"And the Whaladon cries for their loss." Coral replied. The Mon Calamari nodded and stepped aside, allowing them all to enter before closing the hidden door behind them.

They walked in single file through narrow tunnels, their way lit dimly by glow-orbs. The tunnel broke off in several directions but Coral continued straight ahead, ignoring the deviations. Eventually they came to a turbolift, ancient and roughshod, rickety old doors opened for them and Coral led them within before entering himself. He closed the gates and hit a few buttons on an old controller, which beeped before sending the lift down into the depths.

Soon the rock gave way to open water, themselves protected by transparisteel glass as the turbolift continued to descend. They saw a pod of Whaladon in the distance, the giant mammals musical cries heard from even here. Everyone watched the huge creatures in awe, they had all heard of them but never seen them before. Soon the transparisteel was replaced by rock once again as they entered the bedrock at the bottom of the sea.

"Millennia ago the Quarren and the Mon Calamari were separated by the oceans of the world." Coral began. "The Quarren lived in the depths while the Mon Calamari resided on the surface. The Quarren made war upon the Calamari which lasted for centuries, only ending with their near extinction. Instead of killing them and ending a people our ancestors took in the survivors and taught them our values, which they have learned over the centuries. Even now the Quarren civilisation remains with ancient ruins within the planets many underwater trenches."

"Why are you telling us this?" Shaak Ti asked, confused. "It is common knowledge."

Once again if Coral could smirk she had no doubt that he would. "Because it is one of those ancient ruins we are going. We should be clearing the bedrock right about now."

They did, and everyone looked at the spectacle in awe. They had come into a huge cave network, whose open spaces were more than enough for entire cities. Within this network of caves were a number of ships, ones she vaguely recognised as Starliners from the Mon Calamari shipping companies before the Clone Wars, connected by funnelled walkways which held them in place and stopped them from floating away.

"That's the Oceanic Star," Schurk-Heren exclaimed, pointing at one of the ships. "It looks a little different but I'd recognise her anywhere."

Shaak Ti followed his pointed finger and saw that, yes, it was the Oceanic Star. It was yet it wasn't. The white paint and starliner markings were gone, replaced by dull grey paint. Her form had been covered with several layers of armour, she sported shield generators and sensor arrays as well as weapons batteries set in strategic locations including Ion cannons, laser cannons, turbolaser batteries, missiles launchers, torpedo tubes and hanger bays.

She wasn't the only one either. There were another three ships of her class within the huge cavernous chamber, all similarly modified and rearmed for war. Coral looked upon the assembled ships with pride. "This is one of several underwater hangers spread across the planet, and over the years we have managed to save these from the scrapheap and modified them into warships ready to defend our home at a moment's notice. We have only been waiting for the right moment, and with the agreement of the Rebellion to help defend our home we will gladly press them into service."

Shaak Ti looked at the Mon Calamari in a new light, "Who are you, really?"

"Really?" Coral asked, turning to look at her before back to the cruisers in dock. "Here and now I am known as Coral, leader of the resistance movement on Dac, but before that I had a different name and a different title. I was once a Captain of the Mon Calamari Guard before it's disbandment by the Empire. My name is Gial Ackbar."

"I remember now," Shaak Ti replied, sighing in disappointment at herself. "Your efforts on Dac during the Clone Wars were well documented and Master Fisto spoke very highly of you. I apologise for not recognising you sooner.

He chuckled, "I am hardly offended Lady Ti."

"I will contact Admiral Swell and Grand Master Yoda with this news, and will see if an alliance is possible with this new information." She bowed her head before the former Captain. "I hope he will accept."

"As do I." Ackbar replied. "It has seemed an age since the peoples of Dac have had any hope."

Not a lot happening this chapter, it's mostly build up as the various parties converge on Tatooine, also a bit on what is happening elsewhere in the galaxy. Naruto and his crew aren't the only ones on the move after all. Introducing the odd fan favorite here and there as well.

Happy New Year everybody! Thank you for all the reviews I have received over the last few chapters, and I feel really energised by the positive response.