Kelta was deep in meditation, feeling the currents of the Force flow around her, through her, when someone approached.<\/p>\n
She ignored the not-unexpected interruption. The Jedi Knight knew that solitude was far too much to ask for right now, with the Yuuzhan Vong on the ground and inside Rak\u2019Edalin. Halyn\u2019s words had been abundantly clear: the Zabrak were going to fight to the last Iridonian, and as a Jedi Knight, she would no doubt be expected to fight.<\/p>\n
Before she opened her eyes, though, she felt<\/em> the currents of the Force. Waves of fear crashed over her\u2014not unthinking terror, but the heartfelt tension as each Zabrak within fifty kilometers worried for parents, spouses, children, friends. There was no doubt Iridonia was in mortal danger, and there was a very real possibility that no Zabrak would leave the besieged world alive.<\/p>\n There was hatred. As a Jedi, she shunned such emotions as a path to the dark side, but she had spent too many years of her life outside of the Jedi Order for her not to understand it and, to a slight degree, indulge in it herself. The Yuuzhan Vong had invaded their galaxy, burned worlds, enslaved entire races, and now threatened another species whom dared to defy them. The Vong had specifically targeted the Jedi, and because of them, Kelta had no idea where her daughter was in the galaxy.<\/p>\n And there was death. Even with the Zabrak defenders at a stalemate with the Yuuzhan Vong landing force, a continual skirmish continued. It wasn\u2019t a lot of death, really, compared to the devastating losses in the fleet engagement, or the casualties both sides had paid when the Vong had established their beachhead. In some ways, this was far worse\u2014she could feel each one individually, a life ended too soon by a thud bug or slash of an amphistaff.<\/p>\n When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to see Anishor kneeling in front of her, settling into his own meditation.<\/p>\n She watched the Wookiee through half-lidded violet eyes. \u201cHello, Anishor.\u201d<\/p>\n <I am surprised,> the berserker said after a few moments of silence. <You have not progressed in the Force as I expected.><\/p>\n Kelta frowned. Wookiees never were ones for small talk, and Anishor was never an exception.<\/em> \u201cI spent some time away from the Jedi,\u201d she said slowly.<\/p>\n <I misspoke,> Anishor rumbled. <Your path is not the one I expected from you.><\/p>\n The Jedi\u2019s frown deepened. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I understand,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n The Wookiee was silent for a period. Kelta could feel him in the Force, resting in its strength in his own unique way. I never understood that, how he or any of his berserkers can do that. They don\u2019t use the Force like any Jedi I\u2019ve ever met, and certainly not like the Theran Listeners.<\/em><\/p>\n <You chose the path of a warrior,> the Wookiee finally explained. <While it was necessary during the war against the Empire, I thought you would choose another when the Jedi Order was resurrected by Master Skywalker.><\/p>\n Kelta\u2019s hand instinctively found her lightsaber. She squeezed the hilt for a moment, memories of a thousand battles flashing through her mind. \u201cWhy? I know I wasn\u2019t an ace starfighter pilot like Halyn or Lenn, and I was no master of combat like you or Master Sprint, but I was capable enough.\u201d<\/p>\n <Capable, yes, but your heart was never within it,> Anishor countered. <Your deny your very talents with the path you\u2019ve chosen.><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m using my ability with the Force to fight so others don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n <A slave to war,> Anishor echoed. <But your talents within the Force aren\u2019t about fighting. Korris recognized it but trained you this way anyways, because it was what was needed at that time. And perhaps even now, it is what the galaxy needs you to be. But you know well, young one, that your real natural abilities with the Force have nothing to do with the lightsaber.><\/p>\n Kelta said nothing.<\/p>\n <I do not sense your thoughts in the Force like a Jedi may, but I can see things in your stance, your posture, your face, your scent. I can see the death of every Zabrak who fights right now in your eyes, from moment to moment. You still feel it all, don\u2019t you?><\/p>\n The Jedi\u2019s eyes closed, but a single tear slid down her cheek.<\/p>\n <The nagbecca do not sense deaths the way you do. Most Jedi do not, either. The best warriors I\u2019ve ever known do not, either. Halyn does not love war, but when he wages it, he does so without remorse for the death of his enemies. While he mourns the loss of his friends and allies, he delays it until the battle is over, the fighting complete. You do not\u2014you cannot<\/em>, with your talent.><\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you have expected from me, then?\u201d Kelta asked quietly.<\/p>\n <I believed you would become a great healer, perhaps, or a councilor. Someone who binds up hurts and soothes pains, not inflicts them upon others.> Anishor\u2019s blue eyes studied her intensely. <I fear that the pains you feel from others, those you take upon yourself, will destroy you.><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m no healer,\u201d Kelta said shortly.<\/p>\n <Did you study those arts?> Anishor asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d came the flat answer. \u201cI studied under Cilghal for a time. Master Skywalker thought my skills would lie naturally along healing, too, because of my sensitivity. I just couldn\u2019t get the hang of it.\u201d She shrugged slightly. \u201cI\u2019m doing what needs to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n <For who?> Anishor asked.<\/p>\n Silence hung between the two, seconds that stretched into minutes. Finally, the Wookiee asked, <Are you going to stay?><\/p>\n Kelta hesitated. Master Skywalker\u2019s words came back to her in a rush: Something limits you. Your potential lies untapped because something in your past still shackles you. And the Force has indicated that you are the one who needs to do this.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d she said aloud. \u201cYes, I\u2019m going to stay. Until this is over, one way or the other.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kativie fingered the lightsaber on her belt as she approached the well-lit hangar bay. A part of her ached at the thought of the combat that had already happened, and was continuing even now. That\u2019s not very Jedi-like of me<\/em>, she chided herself. Master Katarn would be ashamed of you, Kativie Lusp. How many times did he scold you for being too eager to draw your blade?<\/em><\/p>\n The Force itself was dark and tense to her senses. I\u2019m not as sensitive as Kelta, but even I can feel it. None of us may survive it.<\/em> She swallowed hard at that thought, still pacing towards the bright hangar. Not even my own\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n She refused to let that thought finish. No. We <\/em>will win this battle. For all our sakes. No matter what happens, Halyn won\u2019t let the Yuuzhan Vong conquer us. Not while he lives.<\/em> She finally reached the open hangar doors and strode inside, looking at the single ship resting on its landing struts inside. Of course, the past could kill him before the Yuuzhan Vong even have a chance.<\/em><\/p>\n The ship was a battered old Gallofree light transport, a YKL-37R. Only a few of them had been built before the starship manufacturer had declared bankruptcy, way back before the battle of Yavin. This particular \u201cNova Courier\u201d wasn\u2019t even the production design\u2014its bow was blockier and larger than the final model, with an extra ten percent cargo capacity.<\/p>\n \u201cHalyn?\u201d she called. \u201cHalyn, are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n She heard a banging inside. Shaking her head, she marched up the boarding ramp and into the interior of the vessel.<\/p>\n The two narrow corridors, running from port to the starboard landing ramp, and from the aft engineering section to the forward hold, were nearly what she remembered, though cables and bare wires hung from overhead compartments, and she had to step over debris cluttering the walkway. Back during the Civil War, Halyn would never have let his ship get this way.<\/em> She crossed all the way to the port side to check the offset cockpit module, but her brother wasn\u2019t there. She moved back to the central corridor and then headed forward towards the cargo hold.<\/p>\n Halyn was dressed in trousers and boots but was bare-chested, his leather duster hanging from the corner of a loose panel just inside the cargo hold. He was clearing away fallen equipment and components, but he had apparently stopped and was studying something in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI never thought I\u2019d see this again,\u201d Halyn said softly without turning. \u201cThought I\u2019d lost it. Certainly lost the right to wield it, Katie.\u201d<\/p>\n Kativie stepped into the cargo hold to see what he was holding. He turned slightly, and it took her a moment to recognize the object in his hands. She\u2019d only seen it a few times, and then only in the months leading up to the battle of Endor. \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d Halyn extracted the straight-edged sword from its sheath. It seemed to shine with reflected light from angles which should\u2019ve provided no illumination. \u201cThe blade Anishor forged for me.\u201d<\/p>\n In spite of the years it had laid neglected in the hold of the derelict freighter, it bore no rust and still seemed as polished as ever. Even in the dim illumination provided by several worklamps, an inscription was easily readable. Kativie read it silently, then repeated it aloud. \u201c\u2019For the hope of Iridonia,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cSeems fitting.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn shook his head. \u201cThe hope of Iridonia isn\u2019t with me, it\u2019s with every Zabrak fighting on the front lines right now,\u201d he said flatly. \u201cYou know, twenty years puts perspective on what we did back then. We thought we were heroes back then\u2014the masters of fate. What amazes me now is that we succeeded<\/em>. We fought the Empire across the galaxy, helped defeat the Empire at Endor, liberated Iridonia. We were a few fools with delusions of grandeur.\u201d<\/p>\n Kativie shook her head. \u201cNot delusions\u2014you succeeded because you were one of the few people with vision.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVision? What vision? Vision of an Iridonia too weak to defend itself?\u201d Halyn\u2019s knuckles were white as his grip tightened on the blade\u2019s hilt.<\/p>\n \u201cListen to me, Halyn,\u201d Kativie said sharply. \u201cYou told me something once that you need to hear now.\u201d She paused, waiting until he turned to meet her gaze. \u201cYou used to tell me\u2014all of us\u2014that the galaxy had become too dependent on the Jedi. That was the real reason the Emperor was able to take over was because the common people were unable to act. They all expected the Jedi to act for<\/em> them.\u201d She met his uncertain gaze steadily. \u201cRight now, you\u2019re afraid that Iridonia is going to fall. Halyn, I firmly believe that the fate of all of us here, now, depends on what you<\/em> do. The Force provided you that blade again, here and now, because the inscription is true: you are<\/em> the hope of Iridonia.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ul\u2019akhoi studied the blade in his hands wordlessly for long moments. \u201cIt\u2019s why I left her all those years ago,\u201d he said softly at last. \u201cThe responsibility of being the warrior, the guardian, the leader. I don\u2019t want a life of death.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d she said. \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t have to be a life of death. Yes, that\u2019s a part of what you\u2019re doing here\u2014but it\u2019s to preserve life. You may not be a Jedi, and you never will be, but the principal remains. You\u2019re doing what you have to do to preserve everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn was silent now, just studying the forged weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard seeing her again, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n The older Zabrak sighed. \u201cReally, Katie? You\u2019re going to ask me that question?\u201d<\/p>\n She ignored the attempt to deflect. \u201cShe still loves you.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn snorted. \u201cIronic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI left her all those years ago because she needed a life that wasn\u2019t filled with constant war and death and fighting. It was slowly eating away at her. She never had the heart for it. Me, I thrived in the constant battles. I left to see if there was anything to me besides<\/em> a warrior. Now, I\u2019ve taken up that role again, and here she is, and I\u2019m just as wrong for her now as I was then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHalyn Sanshir,\u201d Kativie said flatly, her voice low. \u201cListen to me, big brother. You may be the Ul\u2019akhoi, and the Hope of Iridonia, and whatever other title you want to adopt, but sometimes you\u2019re such a big idiot I want to smack you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d His tone belied his one-word question, sounding completely unsurprised.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to let her choose for herself,\u201d Kativie said. \u201cAnd besides, I somehow doubt she\u2019ll just go running off after this is over. You\u2019ll have time to figure this out.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn stepped past Kativie and pulled his duster from the wall, shrugging it on sans shirt. \u201cFirst, we have to win this war.\u201d<\/p>\n In spite of her confident words, as Kativie stretched out to the Force, she could sense nothing of what the future held for herself, her family, her brother, or her world. Master Skywalker told us about Master Yoda, and his inability to see the future clearly\u2026just before Master Skywalker lost his duel to Darth Vader on Bespin. Are we really going to win this battle? Who are we going to lose along the way?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sandarie had decided to go for a walk to clear her head after returning from the skirmish. Her hearing was mostly normal again, the Twi\u2019lek found, but she still occasionally felt dizzy. Maybe this wasn\u2019t the smartest place to go for a walk, <\/em>she decided as she studied the curve of the Cathleen<\/em>\u2019s hull. Of course, we shouldn\u2019t be vulnerable to the Vong up here. They like being up close.<\/em><\/p>\n As she walked along the length of the kilometer-long warship\u2019s hull, she was surprised to see light several hundred meters ahead, just beyond one of the cruiser\u2019s bulges. It only took a few minutes to cross the distance at her leisurely pace, and the scene surprised her.<\/p>\n About a dozen Zabraks were sitting in a circle with a glowstick in the center, illuminating the group. She didn\u2019t recognize most of them, but Nisia Eisweep and Lenn Kaman were both present\u2014Lenn being the only non-Zabrak in the group. Sandarie frowned from outside the circle of light thrown by the glowstick. What are they doing?<\/em><\/p>\n Another moment\u2019s observation answered her question as she saw a pipe pass from hand to hand. The quiet night breeze shifted, and the distinct scent of Giggledust smoke assaulted her nose. The Twi\u2019lek couldn\u2019t help but sneeze as the odor of the spice infiltrated her sinuses.<\/p>\n Almost immediately, most of the circle turned in her direction. Sandarie grimaced. So much for quiet observation.<\/em> A moment later, she was surprised to see several of the Zabraks wave her forward. She frowned, then walked forward into the lit circle. Be careful<\/em>, she told herself. Just because you only smell Giggledust doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re not using something stronger, too.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Ello, Sandi,\u201d Lenn drawled easily. \u201cEnjoyin\u2019 the evening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d the Twi\u2019lek said, suppressing a shudder. \u201cNice, quiet night. Seems like even the Vong are quiet at this time of night.\u201d<\/p>\n Nisia shook her head. \u201cNope, this is when they\u2019re trying to infiltrate our perimeter. They\u2019re a long ways from here, though.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the other Zabraks, whom Sandi now recognized as the Cathleen<\/em>\u2019s navigator\u2014Not that the ship needs a navigator anymore<\/em>\u2014offered her a pipe, Giggledust smoke still rising from it. The smoke stung Sandi\u2019s eyes. \u201cNo, thanks,\u201d she declined with a shake of her head. \u201cWhat are you all doing up here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRelaxin\u2019 before we all die,\u201d Nisia said dryly.<\/p>\n \u201cDie?\u201d Sandarie asked, taken aback.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d one of the Zabraks Sandi couldn\u2019t identify spoke up. \u201cDoubt any of us is going to make it off this rock.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWouldn\u2019t have it any other way,\u201d another drawled. \u201cIridonia is the birthplace of the Zabrak nation. If the Vong are going to kill us all, no better place to die than right here where it all started.\u201d<\/p>\n Sandarie was immediately struck by two thoughts. Every one of them is spiced, including two of Halyn\u2019s own inner circle. And every one of them thinks they\u2019re going to die here.<\/em> She couldn\u2019t help but shudder this time. And maybe we all are. Without the fleet\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n Her thoughts fled to Ryian Coron aboard the Dauntless<\/em>, somewhere far away. Even now, was her husband engaged in battle with the Yuuzhan Vong? Was he going to return to Iridonia before the Yuuzhan Vong overwhelmed the Rak\u2019Edalin defenders? If I die here, will he even know what became of me? <\/em>That thought niggled at her. I don\u2019t want him to live a life not knowing, if I fall here.<\/em><\/p>\n Perhaps it was her own exhaustion or uncertainty, but she slipped into the circle and sat down. Again she declined the spice pipe when it was offered. \u201cDon\u2019t any of you think we\u2019ll win this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGeneral Sanshir is a fine officer,\u201d the navigator said slowly. \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t matter. The Vong have beaten everyone who has been fighting them for the last two years. We can kill them ten to one, and they\u2019ll still just overwhelm us with numbers until we don\u2019t have anyone else who can fight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHalyn beat the Empire here,\u201d Sandi reminded him.<\/p>\n \u201cJess didn\u2019t do that,\u201d Nisia contradicted. \u201cHe broke the blockade, but Argus beat the Empire. He was the one who had everything ready to go when the blockade fell, and it was the Resistance\u2014which Argus coordinated\u2014that did the work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Sides,\u201d the navigator said, \u201cGeneral Sanshir\u2019s already losing the fight. We lost the fleet, we lost the city\u2019s shields, we lost the city\u2019s turbolasers. The Vong are knockin\u2019 at our door already.\u201d<\/p>\n Murmurs of assent rose from the entire circle. Sandarie felt a twinge of doubt. Maybe they\u2019re right. Maybe Halyn can\u2019t win. He\u2019s always been able to bluff\u2026was everything he told us a bluff to ensure we\u2019d fight until the end? All his battles, he won by outthinking, outmaneuvering his enemy. Here he\u2019s trapped on the ground, defending a static target. Maybe he really is out of his realm.<\/em> Despair threatened to take hold. I\u2019m sorry, Ryian, for leaving the <\/em>Dauntless. I\u2019m so sorry if the last words we ever exchange were in anger.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSo,\u201d Nisia said with surprising cheerfulness, \u201cin fine Zabrak tradition, we prepare to fight. We\u2019re all warriors\u2014every one of us. And if we all die, the Vong are going to be climbing over their dead to do it. \u00a0And there\u2019s no shame in relaxing every night in any way we can\u2014whether it\u2019s whiskey or spice or food or sex. We\u2019re going to fight to the end, and if we\u2019re all going to die, there\u2019s no sense in not enjoying ourselves to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n Shouts of agreement met Nisia\u2019s proclamation.<\/p>\n Sandi closed her eyes. I should stop this\u2014I should turn them in. Halyn doesn\u2019t need his officers spicing up at night and fighting during the day, and if word of this spreads, it\u2019ll be bad for morale.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Of course, most of Rak\u2019Edalin probably thinks they\u2019re going to die in this war and they\u2019re doing the same thing.<\/em> She swallowed, resisted the urge to take a hit of the spice for herself. I can let them go. Halyn doesn\u2019t need to know. If these Zabraks are going to die fighting, I can honor their courage with my silence.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The old warship Dauntless<\/em> orbited in sync with the Cyclone<\/em>, the latter clearly visible through the former\u2019s bridge viewports. Allanna Saret, now commanding officer for the Zabrak navy, wished her flagship didn\u2019t look so blasted small<\/em>.<\/p>\n Ryian Coron\u2019s voice was heavy. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Admiral,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cApparently this location wasn\u2019t secure.\u201d<\/p>\n Fires were clearly visible on the planet surface below. The wreckage of warships and the shipyards they were protecting were intermixed, a screen of durasteel between the Dauntless<\/em> and the planet below. Occasionally the hull of a crippled starfighter would float by near enough for Allanna to identify it by sight, but more often it was only components\u2014a laser cannon, an s-foil, an ion engine.<\/p>\n \u201cHow long ago was the battle fought here?\u201d Allanna asked distantly.<\/p>\n \u201cSixty hours is the best estimate,\u201d Ryian said with a shrug. \u201cThe Vong apparently didn\u2019t stick around to hold the place.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d the Zabrak woman agreed. \u201cThey just struck to try to cripple the Fleet.\u201d She sighed. \u201cDeploy three fighter wings for search-and-rescue,\u201d she said at last. \u201cTwo to cover the ground facilities, one to fly whatever\u2019s left of the shipyards. We\u2019re looking for any survivors, any information on where the Fleet is.\u201d<\/p>\n Bridge crew on the Dauntless<\/em> began shouting orders, and the comm channels lit up with relayed communications. Allanna closed her eyes. Where are you hiding, Bel Iblis?<\/em><\/p>\n It had been Ryian Coron\u2019s idea after the fallback. To break the blockade, he had argued, they would need serious firepower\u2014Star Destroyer-heavy. The Dauntless<\/em> was roughly at that level, but the Iridonians would need half a dozen warships like her to drive the Yuuzhan Vong from orbit. Corellian-to-Corellian, Ryian believed he had a good chance of talking Bel Iblis out of the warships they would need\u2014as a loan\u2014to retake Iridonia\u2019s orbit.<\/p>\n Long enough to evacuate, anyways,<\/em> Allanna thought bitterly. If we ever find Bel Iblis, that is. Instead, all we do is chase shadows and arrive several days too late to link up with any elements of his fleet. Dammit, we should\u2019ve gone to Borleias, with Antilles under siege or not.<\/em><\/p>\n Ryian had willingly put the Dauntless<\/em> under Allanna\u2019s command for now, and while the Cyclone<\/em> was the largest surviving vessel in the Zabrak navy, she had reluctantly transferred her flag to the heavier-armed Dauntless<\/em>. \u201cOf course,\u201d she muttered to herself, \u201call the additional firepower doesn\u2019t do us any good if we never run into the enemy, either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdmiral?\u201d Ryian asked.<\/p>\n Allanna shook her head. \u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n Her frown deepened. It\u2019s odd, though. We never find any real traces of the Yuuzhan Vong, either. There\u2019s plenty of coral dust in orbit, but it\u2019s not like the Vong are getting some decisive victories here, either. This is the third stronghold for the New Republic Fleet in this area of space that we\u2019ve visited, and the other two look just like this\u2014shattered, but no Vong occupiers, either.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Fleet must be giving them a pounding just as hard as the one they\u2019re taking, then.<\/em><\/p>\n More wreckage floated within view\u2014the hull of a Nebulon-B Escort Frigate, drifting in two separate pieces. Even as she watched, half an X-wing starfighter crashed into it, then richocheted away. She shook her head. Back when I was a starfighter pilot, I only did that once, and there was more left of my X-wing than that. Bright was furious with me, too.<\/em><\/p>\n Something clicked in her head. \u201cCaptain,\u201d she said aloud.<\/p>\n Ryian was standing beside her a heartbeat later. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOrder the wing sweeping the shipyard to look for any astromechs,\u201d she said slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cAstromechs?\u201d Ryian asked with a frown. A moment later, Allanna could see his eyes light up. \u201cRight. Astromechs.\u201d He turned and walked to the comm officer to relay the order.<\/p>\n Astromech droids were the backbone of some models of starfighters. They were designed to operate in hard vacuum\u2014repairs in deep space, sometimes under emergency conditions, as well as system coordination, target assistance, additional computer power\u2026and navigation.<\/p>\n There was a chance, however slim, that a study R2 or R5 unit had survived the destruction of its starfighter and even now might hold the coordinates of Bel Iblis\u2019s fleet. We have to find them soon<\/em>, Allanna thought wearily. Or it won\u2019t matter anymore.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOpen the Holonet relay,\u201d she said aloud. \u201cSee if you can raise Rak\u2019Edalin.\u201d<\/p>\n Long-range communication was less than assured\u2014each passing month had made hypercomm relays less and less reliable as the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of the galaxy advanced. With Iridonia under blockade, there was a reasonable chance the Yuuzhan Vong had found the relay station outside the edge of the system and destroyed it.<\/p>\n Several minutes of patience demonstrated the relay was still intact, however, as a grainy blue-green hologram of Halyn Lance finally emerged from the holopad. \u201cAdmiral Saret,\u201d he said in greeting.<\/p>\n \u201cUl\u2019akhoi,\u201d Allanna replied formally. She paused and studied the hologram closer. \u201cDid I wake you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Halyn said with a shake of his head. \u201cJust busy. We\u2019re expecting the Vong to make another push at daybreak. Status of our fleet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIntact, sir,\u201d Allanna said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been unable to link up with other elements of the Republic Navy thus far.\u201d She hesitated. \u201cSir, if you recall us, we\u2019ll be on your doorstep within two days.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn shook his head. \u201cYou have your orders, Admiral,\u201d he said sharply.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir. Sir, what\u2019s the status of Iridonia?\u201d She bit back the questions she really wanted to ask: Is the family safe? Are my children protected?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe Yuuzhan Vong have landed an army outside Rak\u2019Edalin, and we\u2019re currently under siege,\u201d he said grimly. \u201cI\u2019m sending you a current tactical update, under your personal encryption. If nothing else, we should be able to learn some new things about how the Vong fight that may be helpful elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d she said automatically. \u201cAny new orders, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn shook his head. \u201cYou already have them.\u201d He glanced away from the holo for a moment. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to end this transmission quickly so the Vong don\u2019t find our relay, but I want you to know\u2026your children are still safe on the Cathleen<\/em>, along with Katie\u2019s kids. Iridonia out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdmiral Saret out,\u201d Allanna said quietly as the hologram vanished into static.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Triak Kraal stared at the blaze bug images of the infidel city below. Rak\u2019Edalin stood defiant to the Yuuzhan Vong army in the darkness, light blazing across the city. The Yuuzhan Vong army had managed to establish a foothold in the city, but only barely.<\/p>\n A minor tactician stood off to the side, prattling endlessly about casualties, attrition, supplies. Triak ignored his subordinate. He knew well how dearly his forces had paid for their tenuous position threatening the Zabrak capital. Over a third of his landing force had died in the air, intercepted by a massive wing of infidel starfighters. Less than half of the coralskipper escort had returned to the orbital positions, and a matalok cruiser had been utterly destroyed stripping the city\u2019s shields away.<\/p>\n Ret Kraal finally entered the chamber. He genuflected, both hands snapping to the opposing shoulders in salute. \u201cCommand me, Supreme one.\u201d<\/p>\n Triak waved away the formalities. \u201cTell me, Tactician\u2026what other surprises does the enemy hold in store for us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHonored one?\u201d Ret asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is clear to me now that their fleet was never beaten.\u201d He waved a hand at the blaze bug display of the besieged city. \u201cOur forces were savaged by their starfighters, far more than what they should have had with their fleet in retreat.\u201d He frowned. \u201cTell me, have the infidels prepared a trap for us? Do they prepare another ambush?\u201d<\/p>\n Ret Kraal frowned and studied the city display. \u201cNo,\u201d he said at last. \u201cI believe, Commander, that they have prepared defenses in depth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLayered defenses, you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn a way.\u201d Ret\u2019s eyes did not move from the city. \u201cI suspect now that they knew from the beginning that their fleet could not stand against us. They lacked the heavy firepower necessary to destroy our fleet in orbit. They offered such a defense because they could use it to damage us and draw us in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor their starfighter trap,\u201d Triak concluded.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not believe so.\u201d Ret\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cThe starfighter trap was only another layer of their defenses. They had also expected to turn the fixed implacements in their city against us as well\u2014their turbolasers, hidden behind their shields.\u201d He finally met Triak\u2019s piercing gaze. \u201cAnother layer to their defense.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it failed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but it was only another layer.\u201d Ret\u2019s gaze was unflinching. \u201cThey have prepared for a siege, Commander. I now believe it was their warmaster\u2019s intention from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Triak asked with a frown. \u201cSurely the infidels know that a protracted engagement will still end in their destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ret conceded. \u201cIf all they do is stand and fight. However, the infidel warmaster has shown multiple layers to his defense\u2014the battle in orbit involved multiple tricks and strategems alone. The defense of his city has likewise shown multiple layers. What other strategies does he have in store for us inside the city?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you believe he is prepared for us even on the ground?\u201d Triak asked doubtfully. \u201cNo infidels have shown the desire for such a campaign; even at their capital world, when their orbital defenses broke, they fled or surrendered.\u201d<\/p>\n The tactician was silent for several long minutes. \u201cI do not believe this Sanshir would invite chaos and destruction into his own city,\u201d he said reluctantly. \u201cHe made the same mistake of many infidels\u2014underestimating our resolve. If his city\u2019s defenses were still in place and their turbolasers still working, it is likely over half the drop force would have been destroyed. Any infidel army would have retreated long before that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour recommendation, Tactician?\u201d Triak asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOur forces on the ground hang on by their talons. Prepare another landing,\u201d Ret suggested. \u201cWith our forces doubled, we can begin to push these infidels back into their city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the starfighter attacks?\u201d was the Commander\u2019s question.<\/p>\n \u201cSend down the coralskippers all across the world,\u201d Ret advised. \u201cStriking as many settlements as possible. Their major cities, every village or settlement we can find. Draw their defending starfighters out and scatter them, and only when they are fully engaged, land your armies.\u201d<\/p>\n Triak weighed the advice in his mind and found it sound. \u201cPrepare the yorik trema and the coralskippers,\u201d he announced. \u201cWe will bathe these infidels in blood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA moment, Tactician,\u201d he said quietly as the chamber bustled with activity.<\/p>\n Ret Kraal inclined his head and stepped forward so only the Commander and himself could hear.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me, will these Zabrak fight to the death?\u201d he asked. \u201cWill they fight as true warriors?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are a stubborn race. The Galactic Empire attempted to enslave them over the span of two decades, and they refused to break. Instead, when outside assistance came, they were ready to rise up and destroy the occupiers.\u201d Ret\u2019s expression was troubled. \u201cCommander, I worry that we will never truly break them, even should we conquer their cities. Were our worldshaping tools effective against this Iridonia, I would recommend it.\u201d<\/p>\n Triak\u2019s expression bore no trace of worry, but instead was confident. \u201cThe gods have given us a worthy challenge, then,\u201d he said at last. \u201cWhen we have finished here, Domain Kraal will be shamed no longer. No one will dare question our worthiness before the gods if we have vanquished one of the few worthy races in this galaxy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are still infidels, and are nothing before us,\u201d Ret reminded.<\/p>\n Triak waved the admonishment away. \u201cStill, it is good the gods have lain worthy challenges before us,\u201d he murmured. \u201cOur redemption is at hand, Ret Kraal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Commander,\u201d Ret said head bowed in acquiesce.<\/p>\n Triak could hear the trace of doubt in his subordinate\u2019s voice. He believes we may lose this battle<\/em>, the Commander thought distantly. He believes we could all be left shamed. Our enemy may fight with some degree of skill and bravery, but they lay below us, waiting only to be beaten. They are the enemy already hamstrung and bound\u2014they may fight viciously, like a cornered beast, but have no real hope for victory.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kelta was deep in meditation, feeling the currents of the Force flow around her, through her, when someone approached. She ignored the not-unexpected interruption. The Jedi Knight knew that solitude was far too much to ask for right now, with … Continue reading
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