Chapter 14

Location : Coronet City, Corellia.

Less than 20 minutes before, "Ship" and Vestara had exited hyperspace close to the planet Corellia. She was now just a few hours away from Coruscant. It had taken her a week to get here from Mandalore, a journey that could usually be made in a couple days. The reason for her circuitous route was to stay in hyperspace for as long as possible. It was a simple way to stay off the grid and lay low. After all, Hyperspace was Nowhere. You couldn't be spotted, and you couldn't be followed unless someone had a tracking device planted on your ship, which she knew to be impossible in this case.

But now it was time to join the rest of the galaxy. After landing in Coronet, she made use of a Com-booth.

After punching in the correct code she had been given, a voice on the other end said "Greeting's "Fast Cat"! I heard that the third fish was able to slip through you claws."

Vestara, unphased by his critical analysis of the mission, replied: "You heard correctly "Sharp Bird". I'll be climbing the tree up to your "nest" shortly."

His only reply was: "The Nest, this time tomorrow."

After leaving the Com-booth, Vestara made her way to an alley that serviced a hotel. With the aid of the force she jumped to the 2nd floor Balcony. Sensing the attached room was vacant, she unhooked her lightsaber from her belt and activated it. With the most conservative of cuts, she made a small semi circular slice through the transparisteel door and around the door's latch. Once inside the guest room she made a short jab with the red glowing blade into the room's interior door control panel, thus ensuring her privacy.

The first thing she did was draw a bath, after all, long term space travel could take it's toll on a person's hygiene. She felt the warm water embrace her exquisitely flawless, naked body as she dipped in. There she lay with just her delicate face and perfect toes piercing the surface. Again She flexed her toes and again thoughts of Ben came unbidden to her mind, and she did not chase them away. afterwards, she crawled into bed for the first descent sleep she had in over a week, and allowed thoughts of Kesh to turn into dreams of Kesh

Location: Galactic.Alliance.Security Headquarters on Coruscant.

"Ma'am?"

The young surveillance technician trying to get Lt Kym Satieer's attention was finally reward for her efforts on her third attempt with an exasperated "Yes Zahna! What is it?"

Pushed on by equal parts sense of duty and professionalism she cautiously replied: "Well Ma'am, I was forwarded a B.O.L.O from the Calrissian assassination investigation team c/o Dena Yus... and ...well I think I got a hit on the sample they provided."

Silently, Lt Satieer lifted up the ear piece from its designated cradle, and placed it to her own ear that was partially covered by a chunk of brown hair that had escaped from regulation up-do.

A frown of concentration formed on her face as she heard the exchange: "Greeting's "Fast Cat"! I heard that the third fish was able to slip through you claws."

"You heard correctly "Sharp Bird". I'll be climbing the tree up to your "nest" shortly."

"The Nest, this time tomorrow."

She paused for a minute staring, not at the wall, but in the recesses of her memory trying to pin down the voice that sounded vaguely familiar. Fortunately she didn't have to spend long. A picture of the man who's voice she had vaguely recognized appeared on the data screen in front of the technician: Senator Goshawn VoxHayly.

At the bottom of the picture was a red blinking bar with the words CODE:969

The technician looked up at her Lieutenant and asked: "Shall I contact Dena Yus?"

She in turn answerd: "The Calrissian Investigation will have to wait. Send a copy of this Data to The Justice Minister and to the Office of Chief of State Dorvan."

Half to herself she muttered the words: "We went fishing for a Gooberfish and hooked a karkin Sea Killer."

Location: Jedi base on the planet Shedu Maad

"Good afternoon Master Horn" said the holographic mouth of GA Chief of State Wynn Dorvan.

"Chief Wynn" Corran replied with a slight bow.

Wynn went on to say: "The funeral is set to begin soon, so I don't have long. I needed to let you know that your request to monitor Comms has come back with a hit."

The long time retired CorSec part of Corran wanted to pump the air in an expression victory but the Jedi Master part of him calmly nodded his head at the news.

Wynn continued, like the Consummate bureaucratic professional he was: "The first voice (Fast Cat), of course, is identified as a Sith assassin Vestara Khai. The Second (Sharp Bird) has been identified... and uh this is classified information... has been identified as Senator Goshawn VoxHayly."

The Revelation had the expected result. Corran leaned forward and asked in disbelief: "A Galactic Senator?"

"Not just a senator, he is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Mineral Taxation. A position he gained by the assassination of our Mutual friend, Luewet Wuul."

Wynn just let his words sink in, he knew he didn't need to connect the dots for Corran. Luewet Wuul (Lue, as all his friends knew him) was close friends of Lando and the Jedi. First Lue, then Lando. "That is no coincidence!"

"I assure you GA security doesn't think so either, infact... Master Horn... GA Security has had VoxHayly in their sights for the past six months; they think he's good for Lue's death and that he is behind a good portion of the corruption plaguing the government. The Problem is between his lawyers and his judges, the ones he's bought off, he's been untouchable... so... this is awkward, but Security really needs another crack at him... and..."

"Let me Guess: They want to take over the investigation?" Corran surmised. "They want to take point on VoxHayly... but... I have asked that the Jedi can still observe and... the Sith girl... well, she is still under your purview." Confirmed Wynn.

"I guess that will have to do." Corran said unconvincingly, and then added: "Any Idea where this "Nest" is?"

Wynn, in his ever unconcerned manner replied: "No, but we will; we have discreet eyes on him now, and in less than 18 hours, force willing, we should be able to be the big silent third wheel at their little date."

Corran regained his momentum that he had lost a minute before and said with a glint in his eye: "I'll see you on Coruscant for breakfast Wynn, we have a big day ahead of us."

Location: Jedi Base on the plant Shedu Maad

Dena Yus walked down the abandoned hallway until she found the correct room. She knew she didn't have much time before the team left for Coruscant. She checked up and down the hallway to make sure she was not being followed.

When she was sure the coast was clear, she opened the room's door and slipped inside... to find Jedi Tahiri Veila and... Jedi Raynar Thul, who's appearance had always sent a shiver down Dena's spine.

His face, and presumably his body had been horribly burned nearly 20 years earlier. After that he was rescued by an insect race that joined his mind to that of the Hive's and he became their leader. After he was defeated by Luke Skywalker, Luke rescued him and returned him to the Jedi, where he spent several years in recovery; physical, emotional, and neurological.

Trying not to be overly rude she asked Tahiri "weren't we supposed to meet here alone?" It was Raynar who answered Dena: "I could sense Tahiri was up to something so I followed her here. Relax! I want to help you." Dena glanced at Tahiri who vouched for Raynar with a nod and then she turned back to him: "In that case, welcome Jedi Thul." She then summoned her courage by means of a long breath and then spoke: "As you know I'm worried about Master Skywalker, more specifically I'm worried at how the counsel is reacting to him... Im sure they think he's gone Barvey, and he's pretty much under house arrest... The thing is I don't think he is loosing it."

Raynar smiled, or attempted to smile through his reconstructed face, and said: "Oh, he's not Barvey, I've unfortunately become some what of an expert on the subject, living in the psych ward of the temple for several years." Dena nodded and continued: "but my real concern is he... he is going through some kind of change, and the force is guiding him towards something." It was Tahiri's turn to speak: "How do you know that?" Dena paused and decided to just go for it: "I was with him here at the base and he just all of a sudden collapsed... when he came-to, he told me about a Vision of Vestara Khai and a mysterious powerful force user behind her. He then heard the words Sith'ari being repeated. After that he saw himself walking on Kesh on fire, well sort of, he said it was like a blue glowing flame but he wasn't burning." Both Tahiri and Raynar were staring at her with shock and fascination, but not with fear. "What?" She asked slowly and suspiciously. The two Jedi shared glances and then Tahiri was first: "I...I've seen this vision." Before Dena could recover from that news Raynar add: "Me too." After she was able to regain he composure she naturally asked: "What does all this mean?" Raynar was the first to reply: "

Well, I don't know what it means, but I know whatever is happening is the will of the force, and Master Skywalker has a major role to play." Tahiri, who was nodding her head in agreement, said: "Something tells me this is going to be huge." "Exactly" Dena agreed "But the Council isn't ready to accept this yet. We... we can't let anything or anyone stop Luke. When the time comes I... I will help him!" Tahiri grabbed Dena's hand and lifted it to chest level in front of her and said: "I will help him!" Raynar now put his scarred hand on top of the two women's hands and said: "I will help him!" With that Luke's backers left the room; the two women off to a waiting shuttle, and Raynar off to whatever Raynar usually would be doing at this time of the day. A Biot, a failed Yuuzhan Vong experiment, and a former Insect Joiner. They were the wounded, and they would have Luke's back, no matter what happened next.