Since his unusual episode, Ryu had been taken to the temple's hospital wing. For the past few hours, the young jedi had been sitting upright in bed with his mother, Charal, along with his wife, Xenia. All three were deep in their own thoughts, fears and curiosity when Luke entered the room.
"How is he?", He asked them.
"Still ill.", said Charal as she remembered the past disturbance of years past, "Just like last time…"
"Will he get worse?", inquired Xenia.
"I doubt it, Xen.", said Luke, "He may be subconsciously contacting the outsiders with the Force. The timing of his visions and that ship's arrival can't be a coincidence."
Skywalker was right; it was not out of Ryu's will to do such a thing. Rather, it was a trance that made his disturbed green eyes meet with the confused brown eyes of the elderly Vulcan, Spock of NC-1701-A.
The Enterprise crew were still being overwhelmed with the side-effects of their transportation, Kirk, McCoy, Sulu and The Seventh Doctor would take notice of Spock's uncanny disposition as he stared off in a dream.
"Spock?", asked Kirk, "Is there anything wrong?"
Spock said nothing and the screen showed nothing.
"What's happening ?", asked Rand, "Is he alright?"
"That boy…", Spock thought to himself, "I sense…familiarity with him."
"What boy?", asked Kirk who grew more concerned.
"A young man…", said Spock, "With long, wild, black hair…he's…", he could not explain further. Ultimately stood quiet, staring into space.
"Spock?", asked Kirk but was troubled by the lack of response, "Spock!"
"He's in a trance!", realized Chapel who recognized the Vulcan ailment. And, thanks to Dr. M'Benga in a past incident, she knew the cure: shock.
"Sorry to do this.", she said right before she struck Spock across the face.
"What the-?!", started Chess.
"What was that for?!", gasped Ace.
"It is alright.", said Saavik, "It is part of our Vulcan medicine."
"'Medicine?!'", both Ace's and Chess's eyes exposed their reasonable disbelief.
"That it is.", said Spock as he was slowly regaining composure much to Ace and Chess's utter confusion. Even with Chapel assuring that she'll explain later.
"What happened, Spock?", asked Kirk.
"I may have made contact with one of this planet's civilians. A youth who appears to be human. He said nothing; just stared in terrified awe. It was strange, indeed. Still, there is something about him…a connection."
As Ryu's hair covered his brows and ears, the elder Vulcan was unable to connect the dots.
"This could be stronger,"suggested Smith, "if Spock, Saavik and I can join him in a second attempt. If not that strange boy then another could reach us."
"Such an encounter could backfire.", argued Kirk, "For all we know, it could be a trap."
"I doubt it.", said The Doctor, "We're cautious folk."
"Not that cautious, Smith.", retorted Kirk, "That incident with Mr. Adamant is still fresh in my mind."
"Well…", The Doctor struggled with a comeback, "If worse comes to worse, we'll have your help. And with the ship's systems down, we have no other way besides telepathy.
"Dr. Smith is correct, captain.", said Saavik, "For the time being, those civilians must be contacted somehow. We may increase the tension if we show up on their land unannounced."
"Very well.", understood Kirk, "Report your findings and be cautious."
With the go-ahead, the three went to Spock's quiet room. Readying themselves to make contact.
Unbeknownst to that trio, the Sensitives were doing the exact same thing.
While Ryu recovered from his trance and was sent to bed, the jedis set out to their seance. In the chambers of the Jedi Council, the band of Sensitives sat in a circle. Led by Luke, eyes were closed, mouths shut and souls working through the will of the Force. As it flew through them, their minds picked up three individuals from NC-1701. The targets of contact were Vulcans, Spock and Saavik along with the Seventh Incarnate, John Smith. Thanks to Spock's earlier encounter, the trio were prepared this time.
As every one telekinetic gathered all their strength, vital information was passed to and from another. That no one meant harm and that the Enterprise arrived by accident. Not only that, they each get a look at their lives, their joys, their loves and their tragedies.
Within minutes, the communications ceased and all returned to normalcy.
"You guys alright?", Han asked his wife.
"Fantastic.", said Leia who said it in a happy, calm tone, "They saw right through us, Han! We saw right through them! Those people-some Vulcans-have been through as much pain as we have. But they desire peace. They want unity."
"So, it is true.,", Lando beamed a smile, "They really have come in peace."
"Definitely!", assured Luke, "That's why we told them to wait in the atmosphere until they see the Millenium Falcon. We managed to show them what it looks like so they'll know it's us."
"Wait 'til we tell Mothma.", laughed Leia as if she was a child about to present her latest drawing to her mother, "She'll be so relieved."
"Better start up the Falcon. Come on, boys.", said Han with Chewbacca roaring in agreement as they, along with Lando, made their way to the beloved vessel.
Back with the Enterprise, the telepathic recounted their encounter, telling Kirk where they ought to go.
"We are to remain up here in space,", started Spock, "until a guide comes to us. A small, odd-looking ship called a 'Falcon'."
"Very well.", said Kirk, "In the meantime be on the lookout and fix these panels."
"May take hours, sir.", said Scotty, "Three to my estimation."
"Remember, Scotty,", started Kirk, "time is of the essence. We don't know who else could be around here."
"Aye sir."
Within an hour, the great Falcon was ready to launch as Han, Chewie and Lando were preparing the engines. With the rest of the Rebel vets and their families at the temple's balcony, awaiting things to come.
"Do you see anything yet?", asked Bailey to Ben as the latter was handling the binoculars.
"Nothing yet. Just that ship still stuck…", just then the boy saw multiple shuttles suddenly fading into the sky.
"Mom!", cried Ben, "Come see! There are old tie-fighters coming at them.", he gives Leia the binoculars, "Do you see?"
With closer inspection she saw the familiar ship.
"I'm afraid so.", Leia answered, "Wait-Where did they even come from?"
"Good question.", said Luke, sensing something array, "It has to be the Dark Side. It just has to be."
"Do the outsiders have anything to do with this?", inquired Giselle, "If some of their crew can use telekinesis, then what can't they do?"
"It's doubtful, Giselle.", answered Luke, "We didn't sense anything that powerful with them."
"Well, we gotta do something.", said Leia, "the Enterprise could think they should follow them or that we're setting an ambush.
"Now, we gotta go after them.", said Luke.
"I'll contact Mothma.", said Leia to Giselle and Marla, "You two try to get through to Han and round up the troops and the Jedi to help them."
"Allow me to go.", pleaded Ryu, "I must-"
"You stay put.", ordered Luke, "If those are your relatives then it's best for you to meet them alive. Same for you, Charal.", he turned to the agreeing witch.
"You too, Luke.", said Leia. As much as her twin wanted to argue, he knew the vital reasons.
With all in agreement, Leia, Giselle and Marla to communications to get to Han, Lando and Chewie.
During this time, all aboard the Enterprise were questioning the presence of the mysterious shuttles.
"Any readings?", Kirk inquired.
"Negative, captain.", said Chekov, "I can't get anything."
"I have a bad feeling about this…", muttered The Doctor and turns to Kirk, "We must get to the TARDIS. Hopefully, I can make out something there."
But just when Kirk and Spock were about to follow the Gallifreyan, one of the peculiar shuttles began to fire at the Enterprise while another lowered itself down.
"Shields up!", Kirk commanded.
"Blast!", cursed Scotty as he remembered, "They've been damaged by our transportation!"
"And our defenses?", asked Kirk.
"Still weak, sir.", said Uhura when the ship was rocked once again. Seconds later, there was a call from the very bottom floor of the ship.
"Captain!", called a cadet, "A ship has latched onto us! It's an ambush!"
The cadet was right. The Yuuzhan Vong had its given shuttle latched on to the Enterprise's lower dome and burned through both barriers. Invading like a parasite. A fast and aggressive parasite.
In a flash, the brigade fired at the unarmed troops. The alarms went off from the phasers, signaling Kirk to send armed crewmen to investigate with Kirk, himself leading them. Spock took the helm. As for Doctor Smith, he, Ace and Johnny were forced to stay at the bridge.
Meanwhile, the Millenium Falcon team were ready to fight off the Vong-borrowed ships. One of the Enterprise defenders was Lando who, once shooting at an enemy, managed to contact the Millennium Falcon via radio.
"What's going on?", asked Han.
"I'm not sure.", said Lando, "All I know is this had to have been planned before the jedis did that telepathy thing."
As Lando and his team continued the excursion, Han and Chewie observed one Vong ship sneaking towards the Enterprise's lower decks.
"They're boarding on, Chewie.", said Han, "Exactly what we need to do."
The Great Falcon did just that; while the Yuuzhan Vong leeched themselves from the lower navigation dome, the Rebel Vets boarded from the upper dome. Unfortunately, the heroes we're unable to inform Enterprise-A of their imminent rescue.
"Now they're above us!", said Chekov to the radio with Kirk on the other line.
"Scotty,", replied Kirk, "You, Chekov and Sulu meet them up there. Uhura, you take the helm."
With an "Aye, sir!", The aforementioned three are taking position.
At the top, Han was leading his men to search for any Vongs.
"No sign of them, sir.", said a soldier.
Han wished they had the Falcon leech from the Enterprise's bottom. But, with the Vong's already doing so, it may have complicated things. For all they knew, a handful of fighters could have been left behind and armed.
"At least we'll be first meet a Milyan or t-"
That "two" Han was about say was interrupted by a harsh "Stay where you are!" From Captain Sulu.
Han instructed his crew to put their hands up. Within moments, Sulu took out his radio, calling Kirk.
"Sulu here, Jim.", he started, "We found a handful of our stowaways."
"And so have we.", said Kirk as he just shot his laser at a Yuuzhan fighter.
"Easy, gentlemen.", started Solo with his hands still up with caution, "We're on your side."
"Even that thing?", asked Chelov when seeing the tall, intimidating Wookie as Han's side.
"Chewie?", started Solo, "He's harmless…most of the time. With the Yuuzhan Vong, it's a different story; they're the ones attacking you. But,", he starts to rush everyone along the halls as he heard their menacing foes coming around the corner, "let's talk about 'why' later. Your friends downstairs need back up."
The band rushed to the lowest deck of Enterprise-A; at the lower main computer core. There, Kirk and the men were in the midst of a phaser battle with their Yuuzhan attackers. Ultimately, these enemies proved overwhelming thanks to Yuuzhan Vong outnumbering them. Overpowering most of the crew until Sulu and Solo's parties ambushed the scene.
"Ha! Now it's a fair game!", laughed Doctor Smith who just tackled an approaching Vong.
"You're welcome!", laughed Han as he fired against an enemy.
After Kirk flipped over another Vong, Spock knocked out one unconscious with a few punches while Scotty and Sulu took out another with their respective phasers. It was not long until the Yuuzhan Vong were found defeated, bound in cuffs in wrist while being escorted to the Falcon and the following shuttles.
"Mon Mothma will deal with these guys later.", informed a confident Han, "Thankfully, the Falcon's radio system is fine. We can contact our pilots so they can direct us to the temple."
The meeting has finally arrived. Upon setting foot on Coruscant soil, Kirk and his company felt the eyes of thousands of onlookers. Some were jedis, some pilots, others of high class while many were civilians. All of which belong to different species. From each side of a huge, middle path, curious folks observed the strange foreigners. Rodians, humans, droids, Twi'Leks, wookies, all of Skyriver had their eyes on them.
Once the crew were reaching the temple, they were unknowingly being watched from the temple's upper floor. With Mon Mothma having just entered the room, Luke, Leia, her three children, C3PO, R2D2, the Calrissians, Charal, Xenia and Ryu were holding their breaths by the sight.
"They're wearing red.", said little Bailey, remembering from his lessons that red was a Sith color.
"Not all of them.", said Ben as he points to Doctor Smith, "See?"
"He must be from a different region with those clothes.", said Lando, "Wonder how he got with them?"
"Diplomacy?", suggested Giselle, "His leaders must've wanted him to join out of alliance with those 'Red-Coats'."
"One thing's for sure,", started Luke, "They're here and ready to meet us."
The hesitant, but excited, party left the room save for Charal, Ryu and Xenia as instructed by the Skywalker twins. While the latter pair sat in the chairs, Charal looked outside the windows. She was paying close attention to The Vulcan, Spock.
"That one…", she recalled a vision she saw decades ago, "He almost looks like his child self…"
Spock sensed someone watching him and took his attention to Charal. Unbeknownst to her, he too felt a connection.
Down the stairs, and through the halls, Mon Mothma, Luke and his companions made it outside and stopped themselves at the top of the outer, ivory 3-layered steps. Both groups felt like children being presented a gift. Yet, they also felt like tiny rodents lost in the woods.
"We understand your fears.", said Kirk who meant what he said, "Do not worry; we have come to you in peace."
Sensing the timidity, it was Doctor John Smith, Timelord of Gallifrey, who gently guided Kirk and Luke together. Both willingly with brave, smiling faces for certainty then approached Mon Mothma who was more pleased to witness this historical event.
"Welcome, travelers.", she greeted, "We've heard much of you and cannot wait to know more."
"My sentiments exactly.", said Kirk, warmly as he, Mothma, along with the main groups, turned to the applauding crowd. A significant sign of beautiful friendships blooming. And yet to be tested.
To be continued.