Chapter XVIII
Ackbar could hear the roar of engines as they ran onward; turning back, he spotted an incoming shuttle. "That shuttle belongs to Admiral Vhaldoq," he said to Gavis, who seemed to smile at the name. "Quickly hide in that building ahead so he can't see you. I'll handle this," he said.
The shuttle slowly descended to the ground and Vhaldoq turned off the engines. Clutching his lightsaber, he looked out the cockpit at the man waiting. Yes, that is Ideji, he thought, Odd that he looks younger then before. The ramp lowered and D'ukal went outside. "Who are you?" he asked. "I believe you know who I am," the other said. "I know you once called yourself Gavis Ideji, or so my sources say," Vhaldoq replied. "I see, then you do remember me," Ideji said. "You never finished your training," he countered. "I had far more pressing matters," Gavis said. "I do know that you are not the man I recall," he said. "How can you be so sure?" Gavis asked. "Because I was told Gavis Ideji was dealt with on the planet Ziost by a servant of the Emperor," Vhaldoq answered. "That is obviously incorrect, for as you can see; I am alive," Gavis said slyly. "I think that you are merely a reflection of the former Ideji, you... are a clone," he said smiling. "So you must also be aware that my precursor was not the true Gavis Ideji, just as I am not," the man said. "It had crossed my mind that he was hiding something more to who he was," Vhaldoq answered. "I am the true Dark Lord of the Sith. More powerful than your master says he is. I tell you he is a mere pupil compared to me," the man said. "I see, so then who are you?" Vhaldoq asked. "You may call me Darth Sival," he said.
"Odd, that you, a Dark Lord of the Sith, have aligned with the Rebellion," Vhaldoq said. "I have my own agenda," Sival said. "It is obviously in conflict with the Empire, therefore I will have to dispose of you..." Vhaldoq said, grasping his weapon.
"Heh, I could use a slight laugh," Sival said, chuckling. As blue-white Force lightning shot out of his enemy's hand, Vhaldoq placed his lightsaber in the way to avoid it. Sival ignited his weapon and leapt over Vhaldoq's head, so he quickly slashed to avoid the lightsaber as Sival went towards the ground. The Sith twirled and struck his weapon against Vhaldoq's again after he landed. D'ukal attempted to use the Force to push him back, but before he could; Sival sent him tumbling to the ground. Rolling to avoid another attack, Vhaldoq kicked Sival back. With little effort, Sival back-flipped after landing on his hands; so that he wouldn't be caught on the ground like Vhaldoq just had been. "I'm already impressed," he said. "You seem to be growing tired, Admiral. Am I going too fast for you?" Sival said, laughing openly. "Too slow, as a matter of fact," D'ukal shot back. "Really? I guess I shouldn't disappoint you," he began. Immediately rubble flew towards Vhaldoq and as he slashed through it Sival shot out another wave of Force-lightning at him. Leaping out from where the debris was directed, Vhaldoq used his own skills of the Force and shot waves of Dark Side energy back at his foe. Quickly, Sival jumped out of the way; obviously he'd not been expecting that, Vhaldoq thought. The Sith threw his lightsaber at him; Vhaldoq barely missed being struck by it as he rolled and jumped up. Suddenly the blue-white lightning surged through his body & before he could even moan in pain, Sival kicked him against the wall. "I would kill you, but there's really no fun in that," he mused as Vhaldoq fell into unconsciousness.
"Is he awake?" Airen asked the man outside Jlan's room. "Yes, in fact recently he has asked that you alone should speak to him," the other said. "Really? I guess I can," he said, stepping inside. The door slid shut and Cracken nodded to the Wookiee lying in bed. [Do you know why I called you here?] Jlan asked. "I can wager a guess. You trust me enough to tell me what your true relation with Gavis is," Cracken answered. "There is more to it than that, I must tell you who Gavis is," Jlan said. "You can speak Basic!" Airen said. "Ah, I see you noticed my understanding of that language before as I had hoped. As you seem to already know, Gavis can not be trusted," Jlan said. "Who is he?" Airen asked. "Long before the Clone Wars began, he was one of those who used the power of the Force for evil known as the Sith," Jlan explained. "He's a Sith? I've got to tell Alexia," he began. "No, it's not likely they'll believe you; you have no proof that my claims are trustworthy. However, you must keep an eye on him," the Wookiee said, almost begging. "I understand; I'll try to uncover evidence that he's tricked us," he answered. "Do not fall prey to his ways as countless others have," Jlan said. Nodding, Airen stood & exited out the door. I'm bushed; better head back to my quarters & get a nap, he thought. Turning the corner, he spotted Alexia and Leonard.
"Hey, what's up?" he asked, waving to them. Then Alexia aimed her blaster at him. "Drop your weapon, Major," Leonard said angrily. "What's going on here?" he asked, raising his hands. "I should have suspected you from the beginning and I even trusted you," Alexia said. "Wait, you think I'm a spy?" he said. "You said it yourself. Now come quietly and we'll make sure you're dealt with properly," Leonard said. "This is Gavis' doing, isn't it? Hey, let go!" he began, then Leonard knocked him with the blunt end of his blaster. "I'm sorry, Airen," Alexia said as he passed out.
"Sir, incoming message from the Death Star," Niriz said, turning to Thrawn. The Admiral made no reply for quite a while. "Put it through," he said at last. "Admonitor, it is with great happiness I welcome your assistance," a voice said over the channel. "We were instructed by Admiral Vhaldoq to ensure the rebels do not leave the planet alive," Thrawn said. "That is no longer the issue. I have lost contact with the Admiral since he left the station and the Death Star plans are most likely still held by the rebels," he said. "A most puzzling predicament indeed; how to retrieve the plans without destroying the rebel ships," Vader said as he entered the bridge. "Yet one with a simplistic answer; our ships can be placed at the exact distance from the atmosphere where they would be able to enter hyperspace. There we can create a blockade; I trust you can supply more ships?" Thrawn said to man on the battle station. "It can be done, I will use the fleet we have here. Vhaldoq will also be able to assist as soon as we find him," the man answered. "That will be my priority," Vader said.
"Lord Vader, it is an unexpected surprise to see you here," he said. "He will also assist me in our chase for a renegade Wookiee who is with the rebels," Thrawn said. "Excellent; you must find Vhaldoq at once and remind him to contact me when you have finished going over your plan with him," he said. "Under stood," Vader replied. "Grand Moff Tarkin out," the man said and the transmission ended. "I trust this has nothing to do with the fact that the Wookiee bested you?" Thrawn said, turning to the Dark Lord. "That can only be a side note," Vader answered. Niriz swallowed hard as the ominous figure left the bridge. "He's quite a character," he said.