Location: Wayland
Date: 6 ABY
The T6 shuttle broke through Wayland's dense, stormy atmosphere, its hull trembling as the turbulence hit. Below, the jungle stretched endlessly, a sea of dark green interrupted by jagged peaks and occasional ruins poking through the foliage like skeletons from an ancient grave. The planet radiated mystery, its shadowed terrain hiding secrets long forgotten.
Kata leaned forward in her seat, eyes fixed on the viewport. "It's so... gloomy."
Vader stood behind her, his broad frame looming over the cockpit. His voice was calm, measured. "Wayland has always been shrouded in secrecy. Palpatine made certain of that."
Huyang, ever meticulous, adjusted the shuttle's trajectory, his mechanical voice cutting through the tension. "We are approaching the designated landing coordinates, Master Vader. Local topography suggests a stable clearing near the ruins."
As the shuttle broke through the final cloud layer, the ruins came into view—a crumbled facility half-buried by vines and moss, its durasteel structure rusting under the weight of time and nature. A faint shimmer of energy flickered above it, a remnant of ancient shielding struggling to remain functional.
Kata pressed her face to the viewport. "That's it? Doesn't look like much."
"Appearances can be deceiving," Vader said, his tone sharp. "My master's secrets were never left unguarded."
The shuttle landed with a soft hiss, its landing gear sinking slightly into the soft, damp earth. As the ramp lowered, the humidity hit them like a wave, thick and oppressive. Kata wrinkled her nose.
"Why is every planet either too cold or way too hot?" she grumbled, peeling off her outer jacket and stuffing it into her pack.
At the edge of the clearing, two figures waited. Cal Kestis stood with his arms crossed, his stance relaxed but alert, while Merrin leaned casually against a tree, her pale skin standing out starkly against the jungle's dark backdrop.
"About time," Cal called, his voice carrying over the jungle sounds.
"We had business on Arkania," Vader replied evenly as the group descended the ramp.
"And that business went…?" Cal prompted, a curious smile tugging at his lips.
Vader nodded to Kata.
Kata blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… yeah, it went fine. We made a deal with the Arkanians to develop something that'll weaken the Vong. A bioweapon."
Merrin raised an eyebrow. "A bioweapon? That's… bold."
"Strategic," Vader interjected. "And effective."
Merrin tilted her head, watching Kata closely. "And you, child? Did you play your part in this deal?"
"I… helped where I could," Kata said, shrugging. "It was quick. No big heroics."
Merrin gave a faint smile. "Sometimes subtlety is its own strength."
"Right," Kata muttered, brushing her damp hair out of her face. "So, what's the plan here?"
Cal gestured to the ruins. "They've been excavating for a few days now with the help of some droids. Most of the surface-level stuff has been picked clean, but the droids detected an energy source deeper underground. Could be a power core, could be something… more."
"Define 'something more,'" Kata said, eyeing the ruins suspiciously.
"Treasure," Cal replied with a grin. "Or traps. Maybe both."
"Palpatine's treasures are rarely unguarded," Vader said. "We must proceed cautiously."
Cal nodded. "Agreed. The entrance to the underground levels is stable, but we've hit a dead end on one of the deeper paths. Figured we'd wait for you before moving forward."
XX
The group set out toward the ruins, the excavator droids whirring around them, clearing debris and scanning for hazards. Kata trudged along, sweat already forming on her brow in the sweltering heat.
"This planet's trying to kill me, I swear," she muttered.
"Good training," Merrin said with a smirk.
"Training for what? A sauna?"
Cal chuckled. "Or survival."
Ahead, the ruined facility loomed, its jagged edges softened by years of overgrowth. The entrance was a gaping hole in the side of the structure, the metal twisted and blackened, as if from an explosion.
Kata peered inside, her hand resting on the hilt of her lightsaber. "Looks cozy. Who's going first?"
"I'll take point," Cal said, igniting his lightsaber. Its glow lit up the dark corridor beyond.
As they entered, the temperature dropped sharply, the damp heat replaced by a sterile chill. The walls were lined with flickering lights, some still functional after all these years. The air smelled of rust and mildew, mixed with something faintly chemical.
"This place gives me the creeps," Kata whispered.
"Good," Vader said. "Fear heightens awareness."
They moved cautiously through the corridor, their footsteps echoing softly. The droids scurried ahead, scanning for hazards and mapping the path. Occasionally, a distant clang or groan of metal broke the silence, as if the facility itself were alive.
"Any idea what Palpatine kept here?" Merrin asked.
Vader's voice was quiet but heavy. "My master rarely shared his secrets. But Wayland was known for genetic experiments. It is likely we will find remnants of those endeavors… and perhaps something more..."
Kata shivered, though she wasn't sure if it was the cold or Vader's words.
XX
They reached a large chamber where the droids had stopped, their lights casting long shadows against the walls. The group approached the sealed chamber door, its surface smooth and featureless save for a faint, pulsing interface at its center. This was unmistakably technological—a relic of the Empire at its peak.
Cal approached it, running a hand along the grooves. "This is it. The energy source is just beyond this door."
"Are you ready…?" Kata asked.
"We're not sure what's on the other side," Cal replied. "Could be something valuable. Could be something dangerous. Or both."
"What kind of door is this?" Kata asked, squinting at the glowing panel.
Vader stepped forward. "This is a high-level security system designed for only the most trusted of my master's inner circle."
Cal ran a hand over his chin, studying the panel. "So, what's the access code? I'm guessing it's not '1234.'"
Vader ignored the remark, placing a gloved hand over the interface. For a moment, he was silent, the rhythmic hiss of his respirator filling the quiet. His helmeted head tilted slightly, as though listening to something unheard by the others.
Kata frowned. "What's he doing?"
"He remembers," Merrin said softly, her gaze fixed on Vader. "Or rather, the part of him that once walked this path does."
Vader's fingers moved across the panel in deliberate strokes, entering a sequence so complex that it seemed almost random. The interface pulsed red, then yellow, before finally glowing green with an audible chime. The heavy door hissed and groaned, sliding open to reveal the chamber beyond.
Cal raised an eyebrow. "You remembered that off the top of your head?"
"Not entirely," Vader replied, stepping inside. "The code was buried deep, locked within memories I have long tried to forget. The Force aided me in retrieving it."
Merrin crossed her arms, her voice cool. "You mean the entity within you did."
Vader turned slightly, his tone as even as ever. "What it is called does not matter. What it remembers does."
Kata shivered but said nothing, following as the others stepped into the dimly lit chamber. The faint hum of the room's systems greeted them, a reminder that even after all these years, the Empire's legacy still lingered, waiting to be unearthed.
With a low rumble, the door slid open, revealing a dark chamber beyond. The group peered inside, their lightsabers casting eerie glows across the room.
At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, and atop it rested a small, intricately carved box. The air around it shimmered faintly, as if distorted by heat.
"Treasure or trap?" Kata asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Both," Vader said. "Stay close. And do not touch anything."
They stepped into the room, their footsteps echoing eerily. The pedestal seemed to hum with energy, and the box atop it radiated a subtle power that made Kata's skin crawl.
"What do you think is inside?" Merrin asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Something my master deemed important enough to hide," Vader replied.
Kata's hand tightened on her lightsaber. "So… what now?"
Vader stepped forward, his movements deliberate. "We find out."
XX
The dark chamber hummed faintly, its walls reflecting the crimson glow of Sith etchings, still resonating with Vader's power. The pedestal at the center seemed ancient yet pristine, untouched by time or nature. All eyes were on it—and the small, ornate box perched atop.
"Don't touch it yet," Cal said, holding up a hand as Vader stepped closer. "One wrong move, and we're all toast."
Vader turned his helmeted gaze toward him, the faint hiss of his respirator the only reply. Without hesitation, he extended his gloved hand, hovering it above the box.
"Okay, never mind," Kata muttered, stepping back. "Let's just hope this doesn't end with another cave-in."
The moment Vader's fingers brushed the box, a spark of crimson light erupted from the pedestal. The group instinctively drew back, weapons at the ready. The box clicked open, and a burst of light shot upward, forming a hologram that filled the room.
"Whoa," Kata whispered, tilting her head back to take in the display. It wasn't just a single image—it was a sprawling web of data, files upon files spinning and shifting in midair like a chaotic galaxy of information.
Cal stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "What is all this?"
Vader reached out, his hand moving methodically through the holographic mess. With precise gestures, he isolated several sections, each one glowing brighter as he focused on it. "My master's archives," he said, his tone unreadable. "His contingencies, his schemes… and his failures."
"Failures?" Merrin asked, stepping up beside Cal.
"Every plan he made that didn't come to fruition," Vader replied, selecting a cluster of files. "Every experiment that bore no fruit—or bore too much."
As Vader swiped through the data, the room seemed to grow colder, the oppressive weight of the information pressing down on them. Finally, he paused, isolating several key sections. The holographic display shifted, the chaos narrowing into distinct categories.
The first section exploded into intricate blueprints, diagrams of tiny machines barely visible to the naked eye. Kata squinted at the floating schematics.
"What are those? Little robots?"
"Nanodroids," Vader said. "Designed for infiltration and assassination. They could be injected into a host unnoticed, then activated remotely to kill without leaving a trace."
Cal's expression darkened. "A weapon for political purges."
"Precisely," Vader said coldly. "My master was nothing if not thorough."
Kata frowned. "So… why didn't he use them?"
"Perhaps he did," Merrin said softly, her gaze lingering on the blueprints. "And we simply never knew."
The next section unfolded into a series of written files and audio recordings. Vader's hand hovered over them, selecting one at random. A holographic recording of Palpatine flickered to life, his raspy voice filling the room.
"If I fall," the recording hissed, "as well as Rax, Exegol, the Empire—we shall make do with our loyal men and escape to the unknown regions. Ally with any distant aliens and cause proxy conflicts to weaken the enemy. The Empire will rise again."
"Lovely guy," Kata muttered sarcastically, crossing her arms.
The files detailed contingency plans that sent shivers down her spine—self-destruct mechanisms built into critical Imperial facilities, sabotage instructions for key star systems, and lists of targets deemed too dangerous to leave alive.
"Typical," Cal said bitterly. "If he couldn't have control, no one could."
The next section caused the hologram to shift into something almost organic-looking. A collection of twisted, alien shapes spun before them, each one pulsing faintly with a greenish light.
"What are those?" Merrin asked, her voice low.
"Artifacts," Vader said. "The Vong. Relics of their presence in this galaxy before their full invasion."
Cal took a step back, his eyes wide. "You're saying they've been here before?"
"Long ago," Vader replied. "Perhaps my master suspected as much. These artifacts were his proof."
Kata stared at the floating shapes, unease prickling her skin. "They don't look… normal."
"They aren't," Merrin said, her voice almost a whisper. "There's something unnatural about them."
"Grand Admiral Thrawn has his ways of learning a species' art and using that information against them in battle. I will forward this information to him," Vader decided.
The final section brought up maps of a lush, green planet, its surface dotted with forests and mountains. Small, lizard-like creatures were highlighted, their presence marked across the terrain.
"Ysalamiri?" Vader asked himself. "It says they are creatures capable of nullifying the Force. Their natural habitat is this planet—Myrkr."
Cal leaned closer, studying the map. "Nullifying the Force? How?"
"Apparently, they create a bubble," Vader explained. "A zone where the Force cannot be accessed. Perhaps Palpatine sought to harness them as a weapon against Jedi—"
Kata shuddered. "That's… terrifying."
"Perhaps effective," Vader said, his tone matter-of-fact. "But since he was Force-sensitive, he didn't want to risk having them around him."
As the final section faded back into the swirling hologram, the group stood in silence, the weight of what they'd just seen settling over them.
"This is… a lot," Cal finally said, breaking the tension. "Weapons, contingencies, Vong relics… What are we supposed to do with all this?"
"We take it," Vader said simply. "And we use it."
"For what?" Kata asked, her voice sharp. "To build more weapons?"
"To prepare," Vader said, turning to face her. "The Vong have started a faction similar to the former Confederacy. These files may hold the key to stopping them—or at least surviving their attacks."
Cal sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "He's not wrong. If what we've seen here is true, we're going to need every advantage we can get."
Kata bit her lip, her gaze flicking between the hologram and her companions. She didn't like it—any of it. But deep down, she knew they couldn't just leave this knowledge behind.
"Ok," she said reluctantly. "Cal is right. If we're going to fight the Vong, we do it with everything we've got."
Vader inclined his head slightly, a gesture of approval. "A wise choice."
As the group began transferring the data, the chamber seemed to grow darker, the oppressive weight of Palpatine's legacy pressing down on them. Kata couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking a fine line—one misstep, and everything could fall apart.
But for now, they had the files.
XX
The chamber's blue glow faded as they exited, the hum of machinery slowly replaced by the crunch of boots on stone. The excavator droids shuffled ahead, their clawed appendages clinking with each step. None of the group spoke; the oppressive silence of the cavern seemed to demand it.
Kata trailed near the back, her thoughts drifting as she glanced at the cold, jagged walls around her. Her mind wandered to Luke, wondering how he was holding up. Vader had spoken to him briefly before they left for Wayland, but she hadn't messaged him since. "I'll reach out once we're back on the ship," she told herself.
The eerie quiet seemed to deepen the ache of her thoughts. Lately, it seemed every Jedi was feeling a pull toward their roots. Gungi moved back to Kashyyyk, spending his days guarding his people against any potential Vong threats. Even Spectre Seven—former Seventh Sister—was planning a trip back to Mirial to investigate rumors of separatist sympathizers aiding the Vong.
And Ezra? He'd been talking about returning to Lothal once Spectre Seven finished her business.
Kata sighed, hugging her arms. Their missions so far with Vader had been enlightening—one diplomatic, the other archaeological—but she couldn't shake the feeling she wasn't contributing enough. Her training felt stagnant, her role too passive. But as the thoughts bubbled up, she stopped herself. She'd learned to recognize the negativity for what it was: whispers of impatience and doubt.
"Be patient. Growth takes time," she reminded herself.
Vader's helmet turned slightly, a subtle gesture that told her he'd noticed her inner turmoil. But, as usual, he said nothing.
XX
The group reached a narrow tunnel, the excavator droids carefully navigating the tight space ahead. Vader tapped his wrist console, a slight frown crossing his hidden face.
"The comms are blocked," he said, more to himself than anyone else. "The signal... perhaps too deep in the caverns."
Cal exchanged a glance with Merrin. "Typical."
Merrin smirked faintly, but the air remained tense.
"I sense a disturbance," Vader said suddenly, his modulated voice cutting through the quiet like a blade.
Cal's hand went to his saber instinctively. "Where?"
"I can't feel anything," Merrin added, her tone wary.
Neither could Kata, though she gripped her hilt tightly, scanning the dim corridor for any signs of movement.
The excavator droids screeched suddenly, their mechanical voices echoing.
"What the—" Cal started, but his words were cut short as a blast of energy shot from the darkness above. Kata barely had time to react before the stun bolt hit her square in the chest. She crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"Kata!" Merrin cried, but more blasts followed, forcing her to leap back.
XX
The attack erupted in chaos.
Creatures moved through the shadows above—quick, agile forms clinging to the walls and ceiling. The excavator droids were targeted next, small bombs detonating with precise force, reducing them to sparking scrap.
Vader ignited his crimson blade, the hum casting an ominous glow over the scene. Cal followed suit, his saber snapping to life as Merrin raised her hands, green sparks of Nightsister magic crackling at her fingertips.
But something was wrong.
The magic fizzled, her connection to the Force slipping away. Merrin stared at her hands in disbelief. "I can't... I can't use my power."
Cal lunged forward to deflect a volley of stun blasts, but even he felt the Force's familiar presence growing faint, like a muffled voice in a storm. "What's happening?!"
Vader's movements slowed. His own connection to the Force felt murky, obscured by an oppressive weight. The entity within him stirred.
"Let me take control," it whispered, its voice curling through his mind like smoke.
He hesitated.
"They'll die if you don't."
With a growl, Vader relented, surrendering to the entity's will.
XX
A surge of power erupted from him, dark and violent. Purple lightning crackled around his hands, striking the creatures above with devastating precision. Their stun blasters fell, the smell of charred metal filling the air.
The creatures—Noghri—hissed as they dropped from the walls, some retreating while others pressed the attack. The lizards clinging to their backs writhed and fell dead, struck by the unnatural lightning.
Cal and Merrin froze, watching in stunned silence as Vader moved with lethal efficiency. His strikes were relentless, each one infused with the entity's raw power. The Noghri faltered, their coordinated assault unraveling under the onslaught.
One by one, they dropped their weapons, raising their hands in surrender.
XX
The cavern was silent once more, save for the crackle of Vader's lightning fading into nothing. He stood still, his breathing labored as the entity receded.
Merrin rushed to Kata's side, checking her pulse and breathing a sigh of relief when she found both steady. "She'll be fine," she said, glancing at Vader warily.
Cal lowered his saber, frowning at the defeated Noghri. "What the hell was that?"
"They were trying to capture us alive," Vader said, his voice cold and distant. He gestured toward the unconscious Noghri. "Their tactics suggest a larger plan."
"And those lizards…" Merrin murmured, looking at one of the dead reptiles. "They must have been blocking our Force connection."
Cal exhaled, shaking his head. "Great. Another thing to add to the list of Force nightmares."
Vader didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the Noghri. "Secure them. We'll interrogate them aboard the shuttle."
As Merrin and Cal worked to bind the Noghri, Vader turned his attention to Kata, who was beginning to stir.
"Take your time," he said quietly, his tone softer than usual. "You've done well so far."
Kata blinked up at him, her expression groggy but determined. "Thanks… I think."
The group prepared to move out, the tension lingering like a shadow over them.
XX
The oppressive darkness of the cavern system finally gave way to daylight as Vader, Cal, Merrin, and Kata trudged back toward the exit. In front of them, the captive Noghri moved in uneasy silence, their loyalty wavering as Vader's words planted seeds of doubt. The cold silence of the tunnels was replaced by a growing tension among the group. Even the echo of boots on stone seemed to carry a foreboding weight.
Emerging from the cavern mouth, they stopped in their tracks. The T-6 shuttle was gone.
Kata frowned, glancing around at the empty clearing. "Uh, anyone else feel like this is bad?"
Merrin nodded grimly. "Worse than bad. I feel... nothing again." She raised her hand as if to summon her green Nightsister magic. A weak spark fizzled and died. "The Force—it's gone again."
Cal winced, his brow furrowing. "Same here. Vader?"
Vader said nothing, his breath steady but his posture rigid. His connection to the Force was also muted, leaving him unsettled. He motioned them toward the nearest rocks. "Take cover."
The group scrambled into position, crouching behind jagged outcroppings. Vader's gaze scanned the treeline, his mechanical breathing the only sound breaking the quiet. It wasn't long before they saw movement.
A fresh squad of Noghri emerged from the shadows, their lithe forms darting between rocks and trees. Each one bore a lizard clinging to their shoulders—the dreaded Ysalamiri.
The Noghri captives jogged to rejoin their comrades, and the leader, Kabarakh, shouted something in their guttural language. Blasters were drawn, and the skirmish erupted.
Blaster bolts whizzed past as Cal, Merrin, and Kata fired back with whatever weapons they had left. Without their Force abilities, every shot had to count. Kata ducked as a bolt scorched the rock inches from her face. "This is insane! They're everywhere!"
Merrin, frustrated by her inability to conjure her magic, pulled a small blaster from her belt. "I feel like a soldier."
"Not the time to complain!" Cal shouted, narrowly avoiding a shot aimed at his shoulder.
Vader, meanwhile, stood at the edge of the fray, observing the Ysalamiri. His connection to the Force was muted, but the entity within him—an ominous presence of dark energy—whispered.
"Let me take control. You cannot win this without me."
Vader hesitated, his eyes narrowing. But as another wave of Noghri pushed forward, he relented. "Do it."
The shift was immediate. A surge of dark energy enveloped Vader, purple lightning crackling around him. The first strike disabled the blasters of several Noghri, while a second volley incapacitated the Ysalamiri perched on their shoulders. The Force rushed back to the group like a tidal wave, and the remaining Noghri faltered.
Cal joined in, his blade a blur. Merrin, now fully restored, conjured swirling green tendrils of Nightsister magic to immobilize the last few attackers.
As the dust settled, Kabarakh and the remaining Noghri dropped their weapons and raised their hands. Vader stepped forward, his voice a cold monotone. "You have failed. But you may still serve a purpose."
Kabarakh, breathing heavily, glared at the Sith Lord. "You poisoned our planet for years. The Vong cleansed it. Why should we trust you?"
Vader tilted his head, the mechanical rasp of his breathing punctuating the silence. "I heard the Empire's actions on Honoghr, but your world still relies on imports, does it not? The Vong's terraforming renders your land barren and unfit for crops."
Kabarakh hesitated but finally nodded. "Yes, but the air quality is better. Our people are healthier. That cannot be ignored."
"The New Republic has resources," Vader countered. "Scientists. Innovators. We can reclaim your soil, make it fertile again. And I will ensure no corporation exploits your planet."
The Noghri leader's expression shifted, doubt creeping in. "Our allies alerted us when the vault on Wayland was opened. If you capture us, they have contingencies."
"Such as?"
Kabarakh gestured toward the Ysalamiri. "These creatures will be used in future operations against the Jedi."
Vader's tone grew sharper. "What do your allies want with the Jedi?"
Kabarakh exchanged glances with his remaining squad before answering. "The Vong and the former Imperials view the Jedi as a big threat, as they do Thrawn. They believe capturing or killing them is key to their victory."
Vader's mask angled slightly. "Come with us. As part of the Noghri Death Commandos, your people could still serve. You can ensure your planet's future."
After a long pause, Kabarakh nodded. "We will see where this path leads."
The hum of engines filled the air as the T-6 shuttle descended, its landing ramp extending. Huyang appeared at the top, looking perplexed. "Oh, you're alive. Excellent. I attempted to reach you, but the comms were blocked. And, well, there were ships approaching, so I decided to loop around until I saw you again."
"Wise decision," Vader said curtly. He turned to Cal and Merrin. "Take care of Kata."
Kata waved them off. "I'm fine. Really. Just a little stun blast."
"No arguments," Cal replied, steering her toward the medbay.
Vader handed a data chip to Huyang. "Analyze this. It was retrieved from a hidden vault on Wayland."
"Yes, Master Vader," the droid replied, his tone prim. "I'll begin immediately. It will give me something to do during hyperspace."
As the shuttle ascended, Vader glanced at the surviving Ysalamiri secured in a containment field. He muttered to himself, "Myrkr may warrant further exploration."
The ship's engines roared, and they vanished into the stars, leaving the shadows of Wayland behind.
XX
The hum of the T6 shuttle's hyperdrive filled Vader's quarters with a low, constant vibration. He sat alone in the dimly lit room, his mask placed on the table before him, replaced by a rebreather. Two Ysalamiri perched on a branch-like apparatus mounted to the wall, their sluggish movements a strange juxtaposition to the power they wielded over the Force. Vader observed them in silence, studying the creatures that had rendered him vulnerable during the Wayland skirmish.
He traced the rim of his steaming caf mug, the warmth a small comfort in the solitude. It was rare—this moment of quiet away from the Jedi and Noghri.
The chime of an incoming transmission shattered the stillness. Vader placed the mug down and leaned forward, activating the holoprojector. A small, flickering blue image of Luke appeared.
"Luke," Vader greeted, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity.
"Father, I hope all is well." Luke's tone was formal but edged with concern. "We've had a situation here on Chandrila."
Vader straightened. "Go on."
Luke took a breath, his holographic figure pacing slightly. "There's been a data breach at the temple. It occurred in the middle of the night. The communication center wasn't guarded during those hours, and the security systems in the area were down. Whoever did this left through an open window."
Vader frowned. "A breach? What evidence do you have of the culprits?"
"Security footage from nearby buildings and canals shows what might be Vong warriors—along with someone smaller in size. The smaller one might've been their agent."
"What did they steal?"
Luke's expression tightened. "Our database. Specifically, the registry of Force-sensitive individuals in the Order—and across the galaxy."
The revelation hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Vader leaned back, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair. "A move like this reeks of Palpatine's old tactics."
"Agreed," Luke said, his hologram halting. "What did you find on Wayland?"
Vader leaned forward, his tone low. "The Noghri confirmed their allegiance to the Vong. They were alerted to our presence and attacked us, using Ysalamiri—those creatures on the wall behind me. They suppress the Force entirely. Kata, Cal, and Merrin were rendered powerless."
"And you?" Luke asked, frowning.
"I allowed the entity within me to take over."
Luke's hologram froze for a moment, his silence loaded with concern. "It defeated the Ysalamiri?"
Vader nodded. "Yes. The dark energy is not subject to the same limitations as a Jedi's power. It subdued the Noghri with force lightning and incapacitated the rest. But this…" Vader gestured to the Ysalamiri. "These creatures are fascinating. A natural defense against the Force."
"I've never encountered such a thing," Luke admitted. "Are you returning to Chandrila?"
"Soon," Vader said. "Once there, we can discuss this breach and what it means for our future."
Luke nodded. "I tried reaching out to Thrawn to get his perspective on recent Vong activity. You should try contacting Captain Vanto. Specifically an encrypted channel."
"An encrypted channel?" Vader asked.
"Of course. Use the highest level of security. We can't risk any leaks," Luke said. He paused, his gaze softening. "Take care, Father. I'll see you soon."
"And you, my son."
The transmission ended, leaving the room in dim silence once again. Vader reached for his caf, the warmth seeping into his fingers as he sipped.
Vader strode into the cockpit, his mask back in place, the Ysalamiri apparatus left behind in his quarters. Huyang sat at the controls, his metallic fingers flying over the console as the stars streaked by outside.
"Ah, Master Vader," Huyang said without looking up. "I trust your private time was productive?"
"Productive enough," Vader replied. "How is our course?"
"Stable. Merrin and Cal are tending to Kata in the medbay. She's still recovering from that stun blast."
Vader nodded. "Good. I want you to analyze the data we recovered from Wayland as soon as possible."
Huyang, his eyes flickering replied, "I'll continue the process. Anything in particular I should prioritize?"
"Look for anything related to the Vong or General Pryde's operations. Compare it to the data we also discovered on Devaron."
"Understood, Master Vader."
The T6 sailed through hyperspace, its passengers preparing for what lay ahead. In the quiet of his quarters, Vader studied the Ysalamiri once more, their unassuming forms a stark reminder of the galaxy's vast and unpredictable nature.