The Birth Of Acceptance - Prologue
--------------------------------------

PG-13

The Yuuzhan Vong worldship "Doola" was an ancient vessel, one of the oldest of his kind, and yet, it was still strong and able to provide shelter and life for many Yuuzhan Vong domains.

There were no signs that it weakened because of age - its inner systems worked without failure, ensuring breathable air, clean rooms and enough nutrition for those who depended on it.

And the Yuuzhan Vong that lived on it thanked it the long, faithful service with good care.
While they had always thought it to be an advantage to have such strong and healthy a home, right now, with the way the things were going, the inhabitants of "Doola" were inclined to think that perhaps it would have been better if their home would be a little more weak, more in need of repair.

For it was because of the strength the worldship still possessed that it occupied one of the last places in the list of ships to be evacuated.

Many of the Yuuzhan Vong that lived on "Doola" still couldn't really believe that the war was over - that, at least, they should be able to settle down on a real planet again.
Most of them hadn't known anything else than wandering between the stars and even their grand-grandfathers couldn't remember a time in which they had lived on firm ground.

And none of them, whether Shamed One or Master Shaper, could quite comprehend that they wouldn't even have to FIGHT anymore for getting what they desperately needed to prevent their race's extinction - planets to settle.

The announcement honored Warmaster Tsavong Lah had made three weeks ago had caught many by surprise and had brought with it a lot of unexpected changes some had difficulties to adapt to.

Warriors on occupied planets made preparations to leave what they had conquered, Shapers who had been given the order to research the infidels' numerous species had been sent back to the worldships to tend them. Tend them until those who lived on them would be brought to a planet where they could establish a Yuuzhan Vong settlement.

Even Master Shapers were now assigned to worldships, bound to work that didn't challenge them and held much boredom.
As consequence, the Shaper caste was very suspicious about the plans Warmaster Tsavong Lah had explained to those he had to protect. Suspicious and dubious.

Unlike the average Yuuzhan Vong that dwelt on the worldships in remote sectors of space, the Master Shapers had come in contact with infidels, had studied them and had experienced first hand what strange ways of living those unworthy vermin had.

Most of the Yuuzhan Vong populace was rather glad to be given the possibility to lead a new, better life, one that wouldn't hold the fear of how long the being they depended on would survive in the merciless cold of space. Of course they met the prospect of having to deal with infidels, even making peace with them, with a certain amount of mistrust - a feeling that went deep and was placed in them from early childhood on.

But in the very end, the hope to get rid of ever present f ear and be able to offer the offspring a secure home to live and develop in outweighed any doubts that would have caused them to rebel against the plans of the Warmaster they had decided to follow into the conquering.
Tsavong Lah's sure words, his display of respect towards the head of the infidels, the strange woman Leia Organa-Solo, whom everyone now knew, had soothed even the most stubborn traditionalists.

Yet, there wasn't only those who supported Tsavong Lah in his quests, or such who merely ignored them and tried to live on - quite naturally, there were those who downright refused to accept what destiny had dictated them.

A part of the warrior caste had openly rebelled against Tsavong Lah - the destiny of Denj Idao and his followers had spread in many a tale throughout the whole Yuuzhan Vong populace present in the galaxy of the infidels.

The common folk had merely shook their head at Denj Idao, nodding and telling each other in grave voices that this was just what one could expect if one defied the Warmaster and therefore one of the gods, Yun-Yuuzhan the Slayer, who had blessed Tsavong Lah long ago.

The warriors for their part had learned of Denj Idao's fault and hadn't dared to stray from the orders their leader gave them - the few that had sympathised with the rebellious ideas of the late admiral had soon lost their braveness to stand up against the god of war and had given in, trying to adapt to what lay ahead of them.

The caste of the Priests was disturbed and had faced a great many accusations of treachery after the role of Priestess Elan, the daughter of the High Priest, had become known.
Not only had the young woman defied the orders of the Warmaster, whom she had pledged to obey as long as she travelled under his care. Elan also had acted against every belief of honour the Yuuzhan Vong culture held dear.

Trying to strike at an enemy was fine, quite expected and surely nothing that was to chastise - but abduction was dishonourable - an act of fear and a display of a sort of cunningness that was not appreciated within this society.
A Yuuzhan Vong didn't need to resort to abduction - either he or she was victorious and killed the enemy, or he or she failed and passed out of this life. There was nothing in between.

Soft paroles had been spread between the people - speaking of the Priests having become distant from their culture, having became fearful of pain. And most of all, the Priests having become untrustworthy.
The influence of the High Priest of the sect of Yun-Harla, the Trickster goddess, had decreased ten-folds and none of his underlings was present in the infidels' galaxy. This had been the proposal of a verdict by Tsavong Lah himself and the Supreme Overlord Shimrra had well accepted it, even banishing the High Priest temporarily from his court.

A small sigh escaped the tall Yuuzhan Vong who had indulged in these musings. Rising slowly, she walked over to a wide opening in the worldship that served as a window into space.
The big conference chamber was still empty, but she expected it to fill soon - to fill with the only ones she could still hope to gain for her cause.

If it weren't for this very thing, her cause, she wouldn't even care for the fate that befell the sect of Yun-Harla. The Yuuzhan Vong woman didn't care for the priests - whether Yun-Harla followers or not - and especially those of the Trickster goddess were like vermin to her. Their elaborate and mostly failing schemes were nothing to match rational intelligence and the skills of those who belonged to her own caste.

She admitted that she had tried to use on of the priests - young Elan had seemed very promising. More ambitious than most of her kind and willing enough to ignore laws and traditions to actually achieve something. Unfortunately, the feelings for an infidel had led her to an end.

With Priestess Elan, the possibility to use the sect of Yun-Harla had evaporated into space and she had been forced to go into hiding for almost three months, had been forced to revamp her plans entirely if she still hoped to succeed in what she was planning.
She didn't regret that it had been her act of treason that had got Elan killed - the Priestess had become useless the moment she had lost her cold, cruel reasoning to the soft pity her heart and her desires dictated her.

If she hadn't gotten rid of Elan this way, she would have found another one. Alas, now she had no caste but one left to address to find support.
And support was necessary. Oh, she was intelligent, cruel, cunning and resourceful enough to cause a lot of damage to Tsavong Lah and the foul New Republic alike. But a lot of damage wouldn't suffice to get what she wanted to.

She had to resort to other means if she was to be successful. The shuffling of many quiet feet and long robes and the quiet murmuring of surprise and curiosity that slowly filled the chamber told her that her guests had arrived.
Drawing the hood of her own robe deeper into her face, she went over to the small podium that grew out of the floor at the far side of the room.

Smiling thinly to herself, she saw that almost everyone she had addressed had managed to come here. Her invitations had been NOT to refuse, she had made sure of that.
After decades of dealing with all of those assembled here, she knew things from every single one of them that'd ensure her at least that they'd come to listen.

It would NOT ensure her any support if she didn't get around to persuade them, but it would at least make them attentive to what she had to say.

"I thank you for coming." She finally said. Her gentle voice resulted in a lot of snorts that went through the lines of the assembled Yuuzhan Vong. It were exactly 40, the whole amount of representatives of her own caste in the infidels' galaxy.
As she could see in their faces and head-dresses, none of them was delighted to be here and many of them greeted her with suspicious, hostile gazes.

"I'd suggest you say what you've got to say and let us be our way, whoever you are. We have things to see after." A tall, reed-thin shaper spat from the last line, his eyes glinting angrily. It was Taal Riid, one of the oldest and most skilful Shapers the Yuuzhan Vong could offer.
She had never gotten along with him - and he hated her with a passion since she had called him a weakling because he didn't dare to use his awesome abilities to go beyond the rules, the law, and see what wonderful things he could create on his own.

From him, she didn't expect any support and if she hadn't though politeness to be a key in the whole matter, she'd have enjoyed to kick him out of her immediately. As things lay, though, she had to keep him more or less "friendly", for she certainly didn't want him to go straight to the worldship's commander and tell him that some cloaked figure tried to arouse his caste and get it to rebel against those who governed it.

"Just as you wish, Master Shaper Riid. But let me begin with a question to you all." She gazed around, meeting everyone's eyes, then asked: "How do you perceive the development of things? What do you think about Tsavong Lah's plans to co-operate with the infidels and the Jeedai?"

Immediately, the whole gathering fell silent. Many of the younger shapers and, ironically, the ever timid and ever haughty Master Shaper Riid, too, cast glances around them. Probably they wondered whether this was an elaborate scheme of Tsavong Lah's to probe their loyalties.

It had long since spread through the whole caste that Tsavong Lah was uncommonly intelligent and quick-witted for a Warrior and that he TRULY had been blessed by Yun-Yuuzhan the Slayer not only with braveness and strength, but also with knowledge and reason.

And the news of the claimed involvement of one of THEIR caste with the treacherous, dishonoured Priestess Elan had spread in light-speed, too, and had ashamed the whole caste. To think that one of them would even dare to THINK at something like this was unbelievable.

When details had become known, the disgust for whoever it had been who had helped Elan had quadrupled. The fine art of shaping a familiar against the very being's will was something that was known only to a few and mastered by even fewer of them. What was more, the predecessor of Supreme Overlord Shimrra himself had forbidden this procedure to be exercised without the very consent of the reigning Supreme Overlord.

However, if one knew the specifics of this procedure, one was inclined to hold the Jeedai Master Luke Skywalker in a much higher regard than any infidel before, for it was now common knowledge that he had withstood by his own force of will and his own inner abilities.
Those who could accomplish things like this were thought to be extreme rare beings that held more in story than met the eye and those among the Shapers who were more open-minded began to assess their view of the infidels after they had learned about what had happened.

For weeks, the Shaper caste had tried to pinpoint the one member that had dared to disgrace them in such a way - by using the procedure, aiding in treason AND tolerating the sacrilege of abduction.
There hadn't been many to go with, only a dozen which would have been theoretically able to do the special shaping and only half a dozen who'd actually have had a chance to succeed in it.

After a lot of suspicion, interrogations and heated discussions, one had settled on one name. And after this questions, everyone in this chamber, even the most inexperienced Shaper Assistants, knew who the person was that stood in front of them and demanded to know what they thought about the latest orders of their Warmaster.

As this very Yuuzhan Vong had suspected, two dozens of Shapers and Shaper Assistants left immediately, throwing muffled curses and words of hurt in her direction. They merely glided off her as if they'd have been water and she'd have a skin of oil.

She ignored them and focused her gaze on the sixteen kinsmen and kinswomen that had remained with her. Curiosity and anger were to be seen in their faces, their head-dresses cramping in irritation.

Most of them were Master Shapers, people who had learned the art of Shaping at the same time as she had - people who were the closest things to friends she would ever have.
But one of them was a surprise even for her. Young, lean and handsome - for a shaper - the young one now stepped in front of her, bowing in respect. Not even one Shaper finger was to be seen - her limbs were smooth, but carefully painted, as was the custom among those who still learned.

"I greet you, Master Shaper Mezhan Kwaad." The girl said, firmly. The Elders behind her gasped and involuntarily looked around them, fearing to see guards streaming in and arresting them all. Even if they sympathised with what she had done - in a way - the weren't ready to support her openly and certainly not willing to face death.

Kwaad was delighted by the young woman's daringness and the mirth she saw in the keen eyes as the Yuuzhan Vong Shaper Apprentice threw a look behind her, enjoying the first fear stricken, then furious faces of her Elders.

"And I greet you, young apprentice. I'm afraid, though, I do not know you yet. What is your name?"

"Nen Yim, Master Shaper."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Nen Yim. Tough I am surprised to see you here. Who is your Master?"

"Taal Riid, Master Shaper."

Mezhan allowed herself a wide grin - no doubt that old Riid was loathing that his own apprentice had left his side to listen to his greatest foe.

"And why did you decide to stay and not follow your Master out?"

Nen Yim smiled, and Mezhan Kwaad began to think that this girl reminded her A LOT of herself when she was younger - when SHE had been Taal Riid's apprentice and had held as much respect for him as young Nen Yim - none at all.

"This is easily explained. Warmaster Tsavong Lah is committing a mistake. And the Shaper caste will suffer the most from it."

"I second your first assessment, child, and I sympathise with what you've tried with the Jeedai infidel, Mezhan, but I don't see why we should suffer anything." Another female Master Shaper threw in, the same age as Kwaad, only with a much fairer skin, Laal Toon.

"You don't? Then tell me, Laal, my friend, what will you do if the truce gets through, if we make peace with the infidels?"

"I will do what I've always done."

Nen Yim snorted, quite without any respect and Kwaad fought hard to suppress a chuckle. This girl was indeed a lot like her - quick-witted and fast to grasp. Not easy to play with.

"And that's where you're mistaken, Laal Toon." Mezhan straightened herself a little and forced a smile on her face - it was nothing she did often and in the last time, she had almost never done it, and now it felt strange a movement to her muscles.

"You will not do what you've ever done - that is researching, that is experimenting. You will do what you're doing NOW!" she poked her needle finger lightly into the face of her old-time "friend", causing Toon to retreat a step and the other members of the caste to growl a little. This was a tad too much disrespect - they were used to outrageous words out of Mezhan Kwaad's mouth, but there was only so much they would tolerate.

Kwaad tried to restrain herself and continued more calmly: "You - all of you - will be lowered to the positions of mere animal carers. You will tend houses, dumb, non-sentient beings that have no use but for food, shelter or clothing.
Because there won't be any need for more and because NO ONE is going to get rid of the stupid laws and allow us to do RESEARCH as befits our intellects."

Laal Toon glared at her, straightening and towering in front of her: "Not everyone wishes to explore the infidel's in quite the way YOU'RE wishing to do. Familiars are to no use for any of us."

The old Master Shaper received many nods for that, but Mezhan Kwaad merely grinned haughtily. "You are a fool, Laal, if you really believe that and you don't know me half as well as I did expect."

"I'd say it is time that you explain yourself, Mezhan, and don't waste more of our time." Her old friend replied coolly.

"Of course." Kwaad nodded, folding her arms before her chest. "It is true that I agreed to shape a familiar for Priestess Elan, using the ancient procedure to shatter the mind of a being and reconstruct it."

Already some of her listeners steered towards the exit, but she was fast to stop them and peek their interest: "But creating a familiar was not the only thing I had in mind while "tending" to the human Jeedai. I had him destined for being something entirely different than a mere PET to a spoiled Priestess."

"You are not exactly EXPLAING anything, you're just telling us more riddles, Mezhan. Get to the point." A male Master Shaper murmured, an old acquaintance of hers she did particularly respect for his deep knowledge of ancient protocols.

"Well, don't you UNDERSTAND?! You most of all!" Nen Yim exploded behind Kwaad, her cheeks flustered as she sought the eyes of the Master Shaper. The aged man regarded her with open dismay, but she wasn't intimidated at the least.

"She is right, Ood. You should really know what I'm talking about. After all, we discovered this secret together, when we were fairly young." Mezhan said softly, focusing on her old friend, too.

"You mean...." Ood whispered, his eyes widening in surprise, his anger at the audacious young girl momentarily forgotten.

"Yes, that is what I mean, my old friend. The shaping procedure was not the only ancient protocol I have studied and it was by far not the only ancient protocol I intended to use on the Jeedai. And the gods know that he would have been a result that would have made even Tsavong Lah acknowledge what we can DO if we are allowed to do it."

"So, what you are saying is that you want to try it again and bring it to a successful end this time, Mezhan? And that you want us to help you with it?" Laal questioned, equally folding her hands before her chest.

Kwaad snorted: "Let me assure you all that I don't need any of YOU if I really want to do that. No... I merely wanted to show you that I was not a petty plaything for a Priestess myself. I have hoped to achieve something with it, but Elan was nothing I could rely on." She came closer to her fellow Shapers, a fire now burning in her eyes. "I wanted to make us FREE of old, stupid restriction. I wanted to give us the possibility to REALLY create something useful. Something that would ensure us the victory over the infidels."

She paused for a moment, then softly, but clearly said: "I wanted to ensure that there will be NO peace treaty with the likes of Leia Organa-Solo or any other infidel. And I wanted to strengthen the position of the Shaper caste in the Yuuzhan Vong society. We are destined to rule below the Supreme Overlord. Not the Warriors."

Again there was a silence, then Mezhan nodded: "That's what I still want and that's what I wanted to ask you to help me in." She turned, showing her back to the assembled beings. Now she faced Nen Yim and the passion in the dark eyes of the young woman satisfied her immensely.
This one seemed to be a worthy follower and apprentice. A though Kwaad would pursue further later.

After a while, Ood cleared his throat. His head-dress withered in slight helplessness. "Mezhan, I agree with you, but we are but sixteen. We can't stand openly and alone against Tsavong Lah and everyone who is loyal to him. And you know that. I'm not going to accept certain death because of something that I feel SHOULD be if the world was perfect."

"Who said anything about "openly", my old partner in crime? Just promise me to prepare yourself to do me one favour or the other. And swear not to give me away. That's all I ask and you'll be rewarded greatly." Kwaad cackled
For a small eternity, the group of Master Shapers seemed lost in thought, assessing the ideas of one of their own and probing Kwaad with their eyes. Finally, all of them nodded, giving their silent agreement and pledge and left without a further word.

"Ah, sweet victory." Kwaad sighed blissfully, then turned and regarded Nen Yim, who still stood staring at her, with open longing in her eyes. The older Shaper grinned, then nodded encouragingly. "Speak away, child. What do you want to know?"

Yim smiled, then softly, slowly, asked: "Would you tell me about the ancient protocols you wanted to use on the Jeedai, Master Shaper?"

"WANTED to use, apprentice?" Nen Yim's head shot upwards as she was addressed like this - "Master Shaper.... Mistress?" she corrected herself, hope filling her eyes.

Mezhan Kwaad nodded: "Very well, I'm glad you agree. Now there, I wondered what makes you think that I actually DIDN'T use the protocols on him."

For a few times, Nen Yim's mouth opened and closed, then she had formulated her thoughts: "Mistress, I was under the impression that you only had in mind to use the second ancient protocol, but never got to it."

The Master Shaper smirked: "Indeed, I didn't finish it. It was difficult, for I could only apply it when the Priestess was not present and that was hardly ever the case. And its hold upon the Jeedai's mind was broken when he threw off the first protocol. But alas, it was not without success, after all."

Her apprentice's mouth opened once again to pose a question, but she waved her off: "Don't ask me further about it. You are not ready to share it. But come with me now, we have a lot to do and prepare."
Nodding mutely, the young girl followed her in awed admiration out of the conference chamber, on still, hidden ways towards the hangar bay.

**~

Mezhan smiled inwardly, all the way to her small ship. There was indeed a joker left for her - even if it wasn't something that would really help her in her plight, it would be a nice little distraction all through the way. Amusing, delighting.
'Isn't it so, my dear Liin?' she send throughout the deserted light-years of space.

**~

On Coruscant, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker sighed softly in his sleep, causing his wife to avert her gaze from her book-chip and muster her love.
No frown creased his face and he remained deeply and soundly asleep, untroubled by nightmares, his presence strong and well-guarded against any probing but hers.

Shrugging and shaking her head, once again concentrating on her book-chip, Mara Jade-Skywalker caressed through the soft hair of her love and forgot the little incident.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Be Continued
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't believe it myself, but I have actually overcome my writer's block. After six times re-writing the first chapter of "The Birth Of Acceptance", here is the final version of it.

I hope you will like it and am looking forward to your feedback. Please read and review.

Sincerely,

*|Sienn|*

--------------------------------------- The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 1
---------------------------------------

PG-13

-------------------------
2 weeks after "Healing"
-------------------------

-------------------------------------- Coruscant, Evening, Solo apartment
--------------------------------------

Luke Skywalker leaned back in the comfortable bodyform couch, tracking a passing speeder with his eyes. Although it was late in the evening, there was enough light on Coruscant to be able to see the small vehicle until it veered sharply to the right and disappeared behind a huge skyscraper.

It felt good to be home again. Mara and he had arrived on Coruscant two weeks prior and immediately had been involved into the peace making process that momentarily reigned the whole political life on the centre of the known galaxy.
Luke had been working almost constantly, having only the evenings and nights to spend wit his wife and the unborn life in her belly.

A soft smile played around his lips when he sipped at his red wine and glanced over to Mara, who stood in a corner of the nearby kitchen, intently discussing with Jaina.
She bore his child. His child. The thought alone made him want to dance around the room. In a way, it was so unrealistic that he sometimes feared he'd wake up and everything would just have been a dream. But so far, he hadn't woken up and the dream stayed truth. A wonderful, sweet truth.

He couldn't wait to tell the news to his sister, to Han and his other friends. He had just waited for the right moment and he had the feeling that today would see this moment.
Rising from the couch, he went out on the balcony and breathed in the cool night air, smelling the faint traces of civilisation. Although this city planet smelled totally different from Chandrila, it felt nonetheless good.

He had enjoyed the two months away from shores, away from politics and wars and pain and worries. But he had to admit before himself that he was glad to be back on Coruscant, where he was in the middle of things, where he was with his family.
Whereas Chandrila had helped soothe his soul with his peaceful, calm loneliness, Coruscant made him feel alive, when he reached out and the pulse of thousands of energetic beings echoed through his mind. This wholly technical oriented planet was the contrary of the planet he had called home in his childhood and the one he had called home in the last two months and yet if he would have been asked where his home was, then it was here.

Luke wasn't surprised when two arms wrapped themselves around his waist and a head snuggled against his shoulder.
Only 9 weeks ago, he would have been startled, would have been absorbed in depressing thoughts, isolated from those who loved him and whom he loved. But now he was in peace with himself, once again in tune with the Force and it felt good to be his old self again. Incredibly good.

"The view out here is beautiful, isn't it?" the soft voice of his sister asked, while she squeezed him gently, then released him and went to stand beside him.
Luke glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and smiled. She was beautiful - as beautiful as she had been all these years before, when he had first seen her. Petite and slender, she wore a wide, violet gown and her hair open. It flowed in the gentle, slightly cool breeze that was common in Coruscant's autumn. Her face bore almost no marks of time, just around the eyes one could see that she had been through too much worry - more than anyone should be through.

"Yes, it is." He replied, laying his arm around her when she leaned her head on his shoulder. Since the day he had been back, they had been almost every day together for hours, but it had always been business meetings. Political or military discussions, Senate meetings, appointments with some of Tsavong Lah's secretaries... it had never been calm around them.
It was because of this that Leia had invited all her family and friends this evening, to celebrate the new-found peace and enjoy the companionship and friendship that had survived the last two decades. It was also the first time for brother and sister to be alone and free from things to do.

For a while, neither of them said a word. They just stood their, watched the traffic and enjoyed the feeling of being near each other.
Luke became painfully aware of the fact that this hadn't been the case for far too long a time - that he and his sister just enjoyed the company of each other.
Suddenly, Leia laughed softly, hopped onto the railing of the balcony and looked at him. Didn't say a word, just looked at him and smiled.

"What?" he asked, being slightly unnerved at the fact that every woman in his life tended to do just that. Looking at him and laughing.
"I'm just glad that you're happy, Luke. Really happy." She took both his hands in hers and softly caressed them. "You had me worried a lot."

He sighed softly, guilt shadowing his still boyish features. "I'm sorry about that, Leia. I..." "No." his sister shook her head, determinedly. "Stop apologising for it. I don't want to have any of that and you know it. It is over and I'm glad about it."

Luke was relieved, he didn't deny that. He had felt guilty for having caused his sister so much distress. Now that he had overcome his trauma and his depression, he could see how he had behaved all this time. He couldn't even imagine what he had done to those near to him.
The presence of his sister brushed his soul reassuringly and he finally accepted what she had said. There was no reason for him to feel guilty and no use in it, either.

After a while, he cleared his throat. "Leia, I... when I came back, I told you there was something I wanted to share with you."

"Luke, you don't have to. This is over. I don't want you to open any wounds that have healed." The wonderful brown eyes of Leia rested on his face, worriedly tracing his features, searching for a sign of distress.
"Leia, I want you to know that. You are my sister. I... I trust you and I think you have a right to know what happened."

The alderaanian woman pressed her lips together, shaking her head stubbornly. "I don't want to hurt you and I don't have to know that. Luke, I know that you trust me, you don't have to prove it."
Luke smiled lovingly, taking her face into both his hand and sought her gaze: "Leia, I am through with it. I can talk about it without breaking down. In fact, I want to talk about it with those I'm close to. And I think that it is important that you know. Especially with the role I'm going to assume in all this."

His sister sighed, then nodded. "All right. I'm listening. Tell me."

"You might want to get down from this railing."

Her beautiful, soft laugh echoed through the air: "My over-protective brother. I'm not falling down - my balance is ok and even if not, there are security measures and you know that."

"I just thought that perhaps after you hear what I have to say..." Luke trailed off, his features growing serious suddenly. Leia frowned, then slid off the railing, leaned against the cool stone and focused on her brother.

*~~

About an hour later, Leia Organa-Solo was shaking with rage. Her fingers trembled when she clutched the railing, staring out at the city she called home through a mist of moisture that had suddenly appeared in her eyes. It took her a long time until she could summon enough of her courage to turn around and look at Luke.

Her brother sat on the small bench that was worked into the balcony wall at one side. He was slightly paler than sixty minutes before, but otherwise calm and composed. His presence in the Force was serene, but his beautiful, blue eyes were resting on her face, tinged with worry.

When she had looked at him before, she had seen just this - a still handsome, grown man, one of the sweetest beings she knew. Her brother whom she loved dearly and without whom she couldn't picture her life.

When she looked at him now, after everything she had just heard, she was assaulted with pictures of a diminutive Luke sitting at the feet of a Yuuzhan Vong women, of his face contorted in agony and pain, of his voice crying and shouting in terror.

"I.... I can't believe... If she wasn't dead, Luke, I would... I would..." she stammered, her hands helplessly clenched into fists. Fighting against the tears that threatened to overcome her, she went over to him, slid beside him and lay her arm around his shoulders.
He leaned willingly in her embrace and a moment later their fingers were intertwined, giving reassurance to each other.

"Leia, don't. This comes from the Dark Side. You know that." He whispered, his voice a little shaky, but not worryingly so. His sister felt how he relaxed and closed his eyes next to her and was able to calm down a little herself.

"I had vague pictures of what she'd done to you - of what she wanted to do. But I never imagined... I had never thought..." unconsciously, Leia whispered now, too. "I'm so sorry, Luke."
"You don't need to be. There is nothing you could have done - not more than you have, anyways." Anxiously, Luke waited for some sort of acceptation coming from his sister.
He had felt that it was the right thing to share everything with her - his torture, what Elan had intended him to become. Everything. But now, now that he felt the turmoil in his beloved sister's soul, heard the pain in her voice, he wasn't so sure anymore.

The last thing he had wanted to do was causing her more pain, more distress. But it had always been like this - he had always told her everything. She was his sister, she was him and he was her and there was no way that he could keep anything from her. Not much, anyways. But if it hurt her...

The next moment he felt soft lips on his cheek and Leia turned his face to her. She smiled and no more tears glistened in her eyes.
"Stop thinking like that, brother. Yes, it hurts to hear what you've been through and what more she wanted to do to you, but I am happy that you share this with me. That you trust me like this. This is more precious than anything else and I want you to know that."

For a long moment, azure eyes met brown ones and they sunk into each other's soul like they had done it often during the last years, searching for reassurance and comfort. Then they embraced, strongly, and Luke relished in the familiar smell of his sister.
It made him feel secure. There was only one place in the whole universe where he felt even safer than in his sister's arms and that was with Mara.

"I'm just sorry that I couldn't protect you, Luke. That you had to go through such terrible things yet again." Leia said next to his ear.

Luke couldn't help but smile. "I know, Leia. But not everything in the immediate past has been terrible. I had a wonderful time with Mara on Chandrila."

His sister drew back from him, mustering him carefully. "Yeah, Mara." she said. "You two... you have worked out the problem you had, yes?"
"Yes, Leia. I love her and she loves me. I do know that now." Luke's eyes had become dreamy and a smile played around his lips. He was in love, that was not to oversee for Leia. But that was not what she doubted, either.

Luke, catching on her slightly suspicious gaze, giggled lowly: "Now who's over-protective?" Leia rolled her eyes, folding her hands in her lap and staring at the floor. "She has hurt you. In a way she has hurt you more than Elan ever has. Do you want to deny that? Do you just want to forget that?"

If she had looked, Leia would have seen how her brother's face was full of love for her, but for she didn't look in this direction, she had just his soft voice to go by. "No to the first question. Yes to the second."
As he had expected, his sister's head spun around to him, her eyes staring incredulously. "You can't believe her, hu?" Luke asked, his expression turning slightly desperate.

The slender woman in front of him sighed: "I do want to. But it's not that easy, you know. I wonder whether she is honest with you. What if she's just lying."

"Mara has never lied to me." Luke stated, stubbornly trying to will this into Leia's mind with his eyes. But his sister wasn't about to back off. She wouldn't be his sister if she had. Cocking his eyebrow, she replied: "She hasn't?"
Now it was Luke who rolled his eyes: "That she didn't want a child with me WAS a lie. And about that I'm not exactly sad."
For a few seconds, brother and sister stared once again at each other, then Leia broke the eye contact, stood and faced the city and its millions of lights. "Oh, fine. But if she dares to hurt you again, I'm going to kill her with my own hands."
Although she did her best, it didn't sound as harsh as she had intended and Luke could very well picture the smirk on her face.

Laughing, he whirled her around, then gently sat her down. "Don't you ever dare to call ME over-protective, again." "Luke Skywalker, you..."

Before Leia could come up with some appropriate insults to throw at her teasing brother, Han Solo popped his head out onto the balcony, grinning as he saw that they were both in good mood. He had been a little worried when he had glimpsed out and seen the pale face of his wife some twenty minutes ago.

"Care to come in again, you two? Dessert is ready."

*~~

"You told her?" Mara Jade-Skywalker sank next to her husband onto a huge armchair near to the Solos' living room chimney, chewing on a caramel sorbed that she had managed to snatch before young Anakin got it.

Her husband just nodded, his light-brown hair bobbing up and down in front of his eyes. Obviously, he didn't think it necessary to cut it again. Although it was back at the length it was when he was very young. Mara had seen holos from decades ago, during the time around Yavin and Hoth and he looked quite like that. Only more mature.

"And she's telling Han." The ex-Emperor's hand stated, focusing on the Alderaanian and her husband who stood in the corner of the room, quietly talking to each other.
Solo had paled visibly and once again shot a look towards Luke who pretended not to look and concentrated on his orange-chocolate cream.

"Seems so." He just murmured. "You sure this has been a good idea?" Finally, Luke looked at her, his big, blue eyes open and reassuring. "It was. I had to tell her. And if I tell her, Han will know, too. I knew that and I'm comfortable with it." Mara's face didn't exactly soften and she still had her eyes hefted on the smuggler-turned-general.

"Mara.." Luke took her hand into his and gave her one of his cutest smiles: "Han is like a brother to me. I have no problem with him knowing about everything that has happened." "Okay, okay, I get it." His wife huffed, seemingly not too overjoyed.
Luke decided to cheer her up a little. "And he doesn't really know EVERYTHING that has happened. I have not exactly reported about every minute on Chandrila, you know."

Mara shot him one of her coldest glares, but her lips were tugged into a smile: "You better hadn't if you want to live to see your child born, Skywalker."
He laughed softly, then snuggled up to her, his arm sneaking protectively around her belly, as it did always in the last weeks. "I want to tell them this evening." He said suddenly. Luke felt Mara tense just a moment, then she relaxed and nodded against his chest. "Fine with me."

"Leia won't be bothering you." He added seriously. Mara sighed, sat up and looked him square in the eyes. "How do you want to know that?"

"I talked to her."

"Did you tell her about my pregnancy?"

Luke frowned at that: "Well, no, but..."

"Then how do you want to know how she will react? Skywalker, she hates me!" Mara put her dessert glass on the table and let herself fall back into the armchair, sliding into Luke's lap in the process.

"First: would you stop calling me that? I'm feeling like we're not married at all." His wife opened her mouth, but he quickly interrupted her: "Second: she doesn't hate you and you know that."
Mara cocked a dubious eyebrow, but then nodded hesitantly. "Probably not. But still, she is miffed with me. She's practically waiting for the moment where I'll disappear again."

"You won't." Luke just said, a stubborn streak in his voice. Mara smiled at him: "Of course I won't. But that's not what she thinks."
"Mar, you're seeing ghosts. Leia knows I'm happy with you and if I'm happy with you she will be happy, too. At least that's what she says."

"She is a politician. I'm not believing politicians. Never have." Mara insisted, relishing the feel of teasing her husband. Whereas she really was not quite sure about Leia's attitude towards her, she didn't think her sister-in-law would really try to sabotage their relationship or anything like that. That was not Leia's style and she loved her brother far too much for this.

"Stop that." Her love hollered into her ear, clearly annoyed that she tried to make fun of him. Once again. Now she laughed aloud, kissing him on the top of his nose. "Why? It's so much fun. And you want me to have fun, don't you?"
"Not on my expense." Enticing, green eyes locked with his and Luke couldn't help but smile. "At least not always." Determined to not let her get on with teasing him, Luke emptied his own dessert glass, put it beside Mara's on the table and rose.

Straightening, he cleared his throat audibly, gaining the attention of the crowd. With a fond smile, he assessed the group of friends that were assembled here.
Leia, his sister, which smiled at him, slightly curious. Han, his best friend that was more like a brother than anything else to him, who was visibly moved by something and looked as if he wanted to come right over to Luke and ask him about what Leia had told him. Lando and Tendra were there, Wedge and Iella, Tycho, Wes and Hobbie. Corran, Mirax and Kam. And of course his niece Jaina and his nephews, Anakin and Jacen. His family. All of them were his family and he felt eternally grateful for all of them.

For a small moment, the absence of Chewbacca let a cold shadow creep into his heart, but he didn't let it destroy the atmosphere. Chewie would be with him always and the Wookie wouldn't want to be the cause of sadness and melancholy. Surely not.
With a low twitter, R2 rolled to his master's side and Luke smiled. How could he have forgotten his loyal, little friend? Letting his gaze wander, Luke found C-3PO in one corner, over and over decorated with paper snakes and colourful foam. The very creative artwork of Myri and Syal Antilles which had decided that 3PO was just what they needed to cheer up a boring adult party.

"Well, you know, I'm not good at something like this. Speeches, I mean." He finally brought out, feeling a little awkward now that every gaze was turned at him.
"Since when exactly?" Hobbie chimed in from behind the counter of the kitchen, still chewing on something that looked like cake. "Since I have no other listeners than the likes of you, Klivian. Sit down and shut up." Wes Janson snickered from the other end of the living room. Hobbie shot him a devastating look, then settled down on a chair and grabbed another piece of cake.

"To cut it short, I have an announcement to make. A lot of destruction has been brought upon the galaxy by the Yuuzhan Vong and now we're all busy to rebuild. To begin a new era once again, in peace with a race we haven't been aware of only two years ago.
Everyone is doing his share, is doing what he or she can do to repair the damage that has been inflicted and creating a new life for us all. A new future - I want to thank you for that. Because you're also helping to create a future for... my child." Unconsciously, Luke released a breath he hadn't been aware of holding, looking around a little insecurely.

Everyone stared at him, gaping, eyes wide open. He felt Mara laugh at this in his mind. She sat calmly in the armchair, legs folded, and had focused her gaze on her husband, on the face she loved so much. Warmth had spread all over her body when she had seen the pride in his eyes, the love, when he had say 'my child'. He would be a wonderful father. Surely.

But not long and the stunned silence was broken. Leia swung herself in her brothers arms, while cheers and congratulations erupted from the gathered people. He got various claps on his back, as well as embraces, and Wes and Hobbie used the opportunity to spring a kiss on both of Mara's cheeks, which she accepted laughing.

"Congratulations, brother. I'm so happy for you." Leia beamed, kissing him on the cheek and squeezing him a final time before releasing him and wandering over to Mara.
While the crowd separated into little groups which discussed the latest news, Luke was left alone with Han, standing at the window. The hazel eyes of the Corellian wandered over the younger man's features, a half serious, half happy expression in them.

"That's great news, kid. I'm happy for you. This is what you've always wanted." Han said softly, leaning next to Luke against the thick window.
His brother-in-law smiled. "Yes. That's what I've always dreamt of. I... I sometimes can't believe it myself." "How long do you know?"

Luke averted his gaze from his friends and smiled at Han. "About two weeks now." His best friend grinned: "Don't let Leia hear this. She'd be deeply wounded that you haven't told her that first time after you've learned about it."

The Jedi Master laughed. "I just wanted to wait for the right moment. And this was it." "Sure was." Han's features grew serious all of a sudden. "Luke.., Leia has told me all about your talk out there. I just wanted to tell you that I wish I could have protected you from it. If I had come over to you this evening..."

"Han." Luke interrupted him softly. "There's no use in brooding about this. It has happened, but it is over now. And what could you have done? If you had been there, you would have been killed. I couldn't have protected YOU and I would have never been able to forgive myself that."

"Yeah. But still,..." Han shook his head, feeling a little helpless. The whole horror of what his little brother had been through had hit him quite unexpected and he cringed in sympathy and sadness when he thought about what the younger man had been through once again. Why did he never manage to shield him from so much pain?

"Still nothing. Let's forget these things. Let's forget Elan and let's forget Kwaad. They're dead. And we're not." Han sighed: "I don't know whether I can get these things out of my head that easily, kid."

Luke grinned: "Come on, let's play a round of Sabbacc with the others. I'm helping you." The Corellian rolled his eyes: "Oh no. I don't even have any money to loose. Help Lando!"

The blonde Jedi Master laughed and they both went over to the group of men that had settled around the dinner table.

~**

"Congratulations, Mara. This is quite a surprise." Leia said, sinking into the couch in front of Mara, giving the red-head a cool, but genuine smile.

Mara cocked an eyebrow: "Not the first one today."

The former princess of Alderaan frowned: "What do you... oh, you mean the Senate thing?"

Her sister-in-law's eyes narrowed. "Yes, I mean the Senate thing."

"I couldn't know Luke hasn't told you about it." Leia stated, also folding her legs and settling deeper into the soft couch.

"It's not about that I didn't know about it. It's about whether Luke is ready for that. That's all." Mara replied, her voice fiery and chilling at the same time.
Leia narrowed her eyes, piercing the other woman with her stare: "He says he is. Do I have a reason to doubt his judgement? Is there something you haven't told me?"

Mara met the Chief-of-State's stare, mentally going back in time, to a point earlier this day. When she had learned what exactly had been going on during all those top-secret meetings Luke had recently attended with his sister and a bunch of other high-ranking politicians in the New Republic governing apparatus.

She had been asked by Leia to be present during today's Senate meeting, without her sister-in-law telling her exactly why.
Thus, Mara had not been prepared to see her husband step out onto the speaker's pedestal with his sister. Not at all prepared. He had worn a dark blue, wide gown and had looked every bit as respect demanding and stunning as his sister had, but still, it had been a shock to see him on the stage that had been Leia's all the time she knew him.

And then the Princess and her advisors had announced the news. A committee had been formed that would work closely together with the Yuuzhan Vong. That much Mara had known. She was a member of this committee. Luke was also. That hadn't been what he and his sister had been cooking up behind closed doors. But the fact that Luke now was something called Jedi Ambassador was quite a surprise, to put it mildly.

Mara could still feel herself go rigid in surprise, could still hear the murmurs that had erupted around the Senate hall. Could hear the sudden cheers and applause that had erupted among the Senators. Luke had become more a hero than ever and most of the Senators were happy to have him at their side, especially during anything that concerned the Yuuzhan Vong. Luke had defeated them - that was what the whole galaxy was sure about. Because of Luke, there was peace.

She could see Leia standing beside a baffled Luke - a Jedi Master that surely hadn't expected to be greeted like this. And his sister had been about to burst with pride. That had not been hard to see for Mara.
But hadn't Leia thought about whether Luke could stand that? Jedi Ambassador and member of the committee? This meant a whole lot of work. A whole lot of work that would mean he had to work even closer together with Yuuzhan Vong. Because his first and only task at the moment was the peace between the New Republic and the Yuuzhan Vong. And becoming an Ambassador meant becoming a sort of politician.

A very special one, because it was a JEDI Ambassador, but a politician nonetheless. In the first moment, Mara just felt afraid. Afraid that Luke overestimated himself. Afraid that his sister had pushed him to do just that, by using his sense of duty and commitment to her and the government she presided.

With a jolt, she came back to the present and re-focused her gaze on the Princess. "No." she hesitantly admitted. "There is nothing I haven't told you. Luke is fine. He seems to be over his trauma. He is happy. Overjoyed in fact. Enthusiastic. He wants to do that to ensure our child a life in peace."

Leia nodded, a relieved smile gracing her features. "So, what's your problem, Mara?"

The beautiful Jedi Master sighed: "I don't know. I just have... a bad feeling about it."

Her sister-in-law frowned, leaning forward: "About what? About the whole thing or about something specific?"

To Mara's utter surprise, Leia seemed to taker her deadly serious and she decided to use this possibility. "I don't know. It's very faint. But I... heck, I can't really say. There is something nagging at me and I can't determine what it is."

The Alderaanian leaned back again, nodding slowly to herself. "Unlike what you're thinking of me, Mara, I'm taking this serious. I want nothing more than that Luke is fine. Healthy. Safe. And happy."

"Me either."

"Then let's keep an eye on your feelings and on him. Together."

Mara nodded.

They smiled at each other and both looked over to the table where the men were playing cards. Lando was grinning broadly, while every single of his opponents looked a little darkly onto her cards.

"I tell you he's using a skifter." Han murmured.

Lando shot him a wounded look: "I'm not! I'm a fair player."

"Yeah, sure." Wes huffed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Chip Criarto, At the fringes of the Coruscant System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I greet you, Supreme Overlord." Warmaster Tsavong Lah bowed his head slowly, so as to permit the villip of the head of the Yuuzhan Vong to imitate the movement.

"I have received the peace treaty you've worked out with the human woman Leia Organa-Solo." The impressive Yuuzhan Vong said without preamble, focussing his feral eyes on his subordinate.

Lah once again averted his gaze towards the floor: "I hope you're satisfied with it. I don't feel as if I have given too much. And we will receive much in return."

Shimrra was silent for a long time. Then his deep voice reverberated once again through Tsavong Lah's private quarters. "And there is no other way? We have no chance to defeat them in war?"

The Warmaster shook his head. "Certainly not. We are met with overwhelming powers. The Jeedai are too powerful for us."

"The Jeedai king... Skywalker is his name. He has withstood a shaping?"

"Yes, Supreme Overlord. And, if I may add, I think that there are worthy individuals among those I'm in contact with. Luke Skywalker is an amazing personality and his sister, Leia Organa-Solo matches myself. We will not regret this peace treaty."

The Supreme Overlord leaned back, his face being almost vanishing into shadows. Only his eyes were visible, thoughtful and trained on the Warmaster's face. "There are those who are not so sure about that. I have received word that the Shaper caste does not agree with you on all points."

Lah's eyes narrowed: "The Shapers have disgraced themselves. Besides, they have no means and no guts to rebel against my decisions. They will not dare to even think about disagreeing with yours, Supreme Overlord."

"You will keep an eye on them, then? I have decided to go with this peace treaty. I have to think at my people. We need homes. Even if this means we have to go into an Alliance with infidels."

"You can be sure that I will take care of any rebel activity. Though I don't assume there will be any. May I assume that you're going to attend the final talks personally then?"

Shimrra nodded gravely. "You may. I will begin the voyage to this galaxy of the infidels soon. There is something else, though, I want to take care of now."

Lah inclined his head, indicating further, respectful attention. "I'm very impressed by how you've handled the situation, Tsavong Lah. You have managed to keep the Yuuzhan Vong's face without actually winning and this is more I could have been wishing for."

Tsavong was reasonably surprised and even a little happy about this praise, but he didn't let the Supreme Overlord see any of this. He was not supposed to show any emotion at all. "I thank you, Supreme Overlord."

"You have a son, haven't you? A good warrior. He has survived Ithor."

Now it was Lah's turn to narrow his eyes. Suspicion grew in him. Worthiness and respect from a Supreme Overlord could mean different things. There had been respected and worthy warriors that had been sacrificed to the gods as a reward for good service. He would accept any verdict of the Supreme Overlord, but he would rather not see his son sacrificed.
"Yes, Supreme Overlord."

"He is not bonded?" Lah had to keep himself from gaping. This was even more unexpected. Most unexpected. "No, he isn't."

For the first time through the conversation, Shimrra actually smiled. "Very good. My daughter will arrive in four days from now on. I wish her to meet your son. I will arrive a week after my daughter. See to it that everything is ready." With this, the villip before Lah collapsed.

And a very baffled Warmaster remained. There was not much that could baffle Tsavong Lah and one of the things that could was Supreme Overlord Shimrra. There was no doubt about his intentions - he wanted a bonding between domain Shimrra and domain Lah. This was highly unusual. There were no bondings between different domains. This was not custom. Yet, the Supreme Overlord was the only one who could make exceptions. And Lah should actually feel honoured.
But it was also his nature to be suspicious. Shimrra was not Supreme Overlord because of nothing. He could always have second thoughts.

One had to be careful. Very careful.

-----------------------------------------------
Deep Space, Moota, Mezhan Kwaad's ship
------------------------------------------------

Almost everything was ready. In the past days, she had gotten regular reports from the little circle of Shapers that had agreed to help her. In the back of her ship, a lot of materials were assembled - materials that would help her achieve what she wanted. Materials that would be fun to work with - for her.

She glanced at Nen Yim, who was busy exercising minor brain manipulations with a little lizard. And additionally, she thought satisfied, she had a resourceful, intelligent apprentice.

Everything was set. She could set her plan in motion soon. "Nen?" she called, using the first name of the young female that was already now like the offspring Mezhan Kwaad would have loved to have.

The young Shaper lifted her head, looking over to her Master. "Get the ship moving. I'll give you the coordinates."

Nen Yim's eyes lit up: "It begins?"

Kwaad smiled broadly and nodded: "It begins."

While her apprentice went to the pilot seat, Kwaad stared out into the starlit space, focussing her thoughts with little effort on a human infidel that was light years away. 'Indeed,' she thought, 'it begins. And you have absolutely no idea.'

----------------------------
Coruscant, Solo apartment
----------------------------

He was in the middle of a Sabbacc round. Everything was perfect. He felt happy. He felt as if he could master everything, no matter what destiny decided to throw at him. He felt watched.

In the fraction of a second, his head had darted around, his eyes focussing on the dark balcony of his sister's apartment. There was nothing. Nothing and no one. Frowning, he once again concentrated on the cards.

But Luke Skywalker couldn't help but feeling that someone or something had an eye on him. And this something or someone felt uncomfortably familiar.

| To Be Continued |
Here is chapter 3 of TBOA. I hope you'll like it. I want to say I'm sorry for any typos in here. It's late and I really don't want to read it all through again.*hehe*

Please read and review.

Sincerely,

*|Sienn|*

--------------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 3
--------------------------------------------------------

PG-13

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant System, Yuuzhan Vong Ship Criarto
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Khalee Lah sighed - inaudibly of course. He was a warrior. Even more, he was the son of Warmaster Tsavong Lah. Showing emotions was not what was expected of him. Rather the opposite.
Up till now, he had never been in a situation in which anything could throw him off-balance. No matter whether in battle, whether in fierce discussion about tactics, whether in audiences face to face with Supreme Overlord Shimrra or during reconnaissance missions into unknown territories of space - Khalee Lah was known to be composed, almost indifferent to what was going on around him.

How was it then, he mused, that one single female could make him loose his countenance? And that so swiftly and with a single word, if she so wanted? It was a phenomenon. A disease. Something distinctly unwanted in his world.
And yet, he couldn't help but be impressed with her - at times, at least. Mostly, she was unnerving him and he found it tiring and exhausting to be guiding her around and tell her about what they did here and why. But sometimes, there was a glimpse of much more competence hidden beneath the guise of a spoilt, unknowing dignitary's daughter.

Slowly unclenching his fist, Khalee Lah glanced over to the bulkhead, to the slight, but well-trained figure of Miiram Shimrra. She was no particular beauty, though she wasn't ugly either. An average Yuuzhan Vong female. Her deep black hair was short, reaching to her jaw, and glittered in the light of the illumination coral that was lined around the room.
The daughter of a warrior, a Supreme Overlord even, she had nothing in common with the infidel females Khalee had encountered during his stay on his father's flagship.

The head of the infidel, their Chief-of-State Leia Organa-Solo had been a wonder for him. So different from everything he knew - small, slight, with smooth, light skin, long hair and big eyes... she looked very foreign to him, very exotic. Simply strange.
At the time he had first seen her, though, he hadn't paid much attention to something like that. He had rather tried to figure out while his father had sent for him to come here, to the system Coruscant. It was not common for his father to insist that his son be on the same ship.

The Warmaster was very keen on not letting anyone think he'd favour his own kin aboard the relative safety of the Warmaster's flagship. The summoning he had received had startled him, though he had of course not hesitated to comply.

Upon stepping into his father's private quarters and bowing respectfully, Khalee had immediately felt the older Yuuzhan Vong's eyes on him, scrutinising him in a way he was not used to. It had made him uncomfortable and he had automatically begun to search his brain for anything he could have done to have displeased the Warmaster, or, even worse, the Gods.
But nothing had come to him and he had straightened, meeting the gaze of his father bravely, waiting for Tsavong Lah to let him in on why he was there in the first place.

The first question should have let him see into it immediately, he though now, almost a week later. Why should his father had been interested in him being bonded to someone or not? In itself, the Warmaster's question was almost an insult.
Khalee Lah knew full well that there were warriors who didn't pay attention to certain rules, but he was not like them. He had been taught respect to the customs and this by his father and he found it hurt a little bit that Tsavong Lah would think him capable of behaving against everything that had been pounded in him.

Of course he hadn't had a relationship with any of the few females that had been present on the warship he had served on. Presently, there were only a hand full of female members of domain Lah in this galaxy and none of them had been anywhere near him. And women of other domains were out of question. It was forbidden and Khalee didn't even spare them a glance.

Another reason why he'd been all the more troubled when his father had introduced him to Miiram Shimrra. The woman he was supposed to be bonded with in due time. Strange tidings...
Khalee didn't really want this to happen, but there was nothing he could do. No one did disobey Supreme Overlord Shimrra and to even slightly protest against this particular order would have him killed at once.

"This is a fascinating planet." The soft, yet deep voice of the Supreme Overlord's daughter sounded through the otherwise deserted room. The young warrior stood and joined the woman at the viewport, frowning heavily.
They were hovering over the night side of the planet at the moment. Lines of glowing light seemed to be spun over the sphere like the net of a spider, weaving patterns on it. The space around Coruscant was busy with thousands of ships - personal yachts, little starfighters, patrol craft.... Abominable infidel ships. Though, they were capable of fighting and that had earned them the partial respect of the Warmaster's son.

"They really live in towers of... of steel?" Miiram asked, her coal eyes focused on the black surface of the infidel planet. There were no details to be made out, but there had been rumours going on about how exactly the humans and other aliens lived down there.

"I don't know, my lady." He answered respectfully.

"Why not?"

Khalee Lah frowned. "I'm afraid I don't understand your question." He replied hesitantly.

The Yuuzhan Vong woman turned toward him, eyebrows risen and stared at him with a sort of slight mocking: "Why don't you know how they live down there?"

The warrior's frown deepened: "I am only on this ship for a couple of days, so..."

"Just say you're not interested in it." She interrupted him.

"Excuse me?"

Miiram folded her arms before her chest and smirked at him: "You are not interested in the infidels' culture. Not even in the culture of ONE single infidel race."

"Well..."

"But you should be." She stated, once again focusing her gaze on the planet below.

Knowing her eyes temporarily trained on something else, Khalee Lah allowed himself a helpless hand gesture at the direction of the gods, before he drew a deep breath and carefully, almost timidly, asked: "Why do you think so, my lady?" How he disgusted those formalities... Him addressing a WOMAN like this!

"Would you stop calling me this, please?"

This time, he couldn't hold his emotions in check. Without even thinking about it, the young warrior gaped openly at the woman.

She poked him unceremoniously into the chest: "We're supposed to get bonded soon. At least that's what my father told me. Don't you think it is time to call me by my name? It's Miiram, in case you have forgotten."

Irritated, Khalee shook his head. He had never encountered a Yuuzhan Vong woman like that before. There was no respect towards the warriors. There was no respect towards customs and manners. There was... he couldn't even SAY what she was, HOW she behaved. He just knew that he had extreme problems to deal with it. And this didn't particularly help him to look FORWARD to the bonding.

"Well, okay... Miiram."

She smiled. The first time since they had met. Surprised, he had to state that he liked that. By the gods, this was more straining than an all-out fight against a whole fleet of infidel starfighters.

"That's better. You see, what I meant is that we should know more about them. That we should try to learn more about their culture, their way of living. Don't you find it fascinating?"

This time, Khalee Lah was appalled. In a dangerously low voice, he said: "Are you aware that you're talking close to heresy?"

Her raised eyebrow was expression enough of her disgust. She wouldn't have needed the words, but she used them nonetheless. "This is nonsense. If I study them, it doesn't mean I'm not believing in the gods. I can't understand you warriors. Are you never trying to LEARN something?"

Young Lah narrowed his eyes, his fury peeked: "I'm learning all the time, perfecting my skills in hand-to-hand combat, with the amphistaff, by..."

"Spare me." She hissed, lifting her hand to make him stop. "I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about learning NEW things. For example...." She tucked in her lower lip, thinking a little. Then her face brightened: "What about the Shapers? Did you ever try to learn more about what they do? How they do it?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because... because..." He stammered! By Yun-Yuuzhan, he stammered!! This was most embarrassing and he thanked Yun-Yammka that NO ONE was present. Well, no one except this annoying female he was supposed to get bonded with. "Because that is the Shaper's job and not mine." He finally brought out, feeling like having stated the obvious to a stubborn child.

Miiram rolled her eyes: "And I'm supposed to get bonded with YOU!"

If he hadn't been so surprised, Khalee Lah would have been furious. Never had anyone dared to talk to him like that. Dismissing him like he was a little thud bug that got flung into the wrong direction.
In his heart, admiration and fury fought against each other. He couldn't decide whether to like or despise this woman and that was not good. He was supposed to tell his father whether their would be any problems from his part concerning this bonding - this fusion of domains.

Of course there was no question of him denying it. This was no option. But he knew he could be open with his father. Even if it was to no use.
The problem was, part of him was really pleasantly surprised about the behaviour of the Supreme Overlord's daughter. It was a refreshing experience to have a female that actually voiced her thoughts. Even if it was disturbing rather than small talk.

"What is wrong with me?" he heard himself say and immediately regretted it. What was this?? He was no immature boy. He should be hurt in his pride by the statement of this spoilt child. His brain gracefully forgot at this moment that she was a little older than him.

"You're as stubborn and close-minded as my father." She flung at him, her eyes blazing and daring him to say something. A smile played around her lips and Khalee knew full well what she was just doing.
There was no way he could begin a serious discussion wit her now. If he said yes, he would have insulted the Supreme Overlord himself. If he defended his Master, Miiram would most probably go on annoying him all day.

Scowling furiously at her, he kept silent and met her stare. Suddenly, without preamble, she began laughing. It was a delighting sound, the most delighting one he had ever heard, and involuntarily, his heart skipped a beat when she flung herself into his arms, her armour shoving against him and causing his own one to ripple in pleasure at the contact.
Grinning at him, she said: "At least you're not dumb. That's something."

Not able to battle down his smile, he shook his head, as he had often done since he had met this woman: "You're really.... Curious."
She cocked a slender eyebrow, her grin widening: "I'd say this is better than nothing. We will yet get us to like each other."
"This I doubt." He stated dignified, prying loose from her, but not able to deny from himself that this contact had been pleasant - somewhat.

Once again she laughed, but the seriousness in her voice returned soon: "Khalee, I would want to know more about the infidels. Will you ask your father whether I can attend the next meeting with him? Can I have full access to the ship's brain?
I know there is stored information about every Master Shaper in this galaxy in here and I'm pretty curious to know everything about the rumours I've heard."

"What rumours?" he asked, suddenly getting defensive. He knew his father was not keen to talk about all this and for a brief moment, he wondered whether Miiram was simply here to keep an eye on everything in behalf of her father.
But then, Shimrra knew everything about what had happened. There was no need him to spy on his father. Or him for that matter. Khalee himself had had nothing to do with Mezhan Kwaad, nor with Priestess Elan.

"You know exactly which rumours. I want to meet Leia Organa-Solo and the Jeedai lord, Luke Skywalker. I want to know everything about Mezhan Kwaad and Priestess Elan. And I want to have data about Coruscant."

"You want a lot." The warrior stated.

Miiram's eyes twinkled: "You don't deny something to your bonded mate, do you?"

"You're NOT my bonded mate yet." He pointed out.

"But I'll soon be."

"The only thing you'll be will be my death." He muttered, following her out the room. Yet, he couldn't deny it. Somehow, in all the annoyance, there was a spark between him and her that he COULD interpret as the beginning of liking her. But he wasn't really sure whether he really wanted that.

**
Winter was surprised. And this was something that was rather unusual for her. It had been quite some time since she'd been surprised by anything. Though, as she mused, it was most probable that something that could surprise her would come from the Yuuzhan Vong.

She had been a little miffed - also for the first time in long years - when a call of Tsavong Lah had reached her, asking her, the assistant of the Chief-of-State, to come up to the Criarto this evening. Normally, there would have been no question about taking care of what was her duty.
But today was a special day. Her long-time friend and her Princess, Leia Organa-Solo, had invited everyone of her friends to a small celebration tonight and Winter and her husband Tycho had looked forward to it.

Tycho had been nervous all day, about being reunited with many of his friends from Rogue Squadron and with Luke Skywalker. This Winter could understand.
Although she'd never been as close to Luke as her husband had been, she considered the fair-haired Jedi Master her friend and had been deeply touched by what he had been through. She could only guess what torments he had had to undergo, but what she had seen of him when he had returned to Coruscant after being rescued a little more than two months ago, had looked terrible.

But instead of sitting cosily in Leia's apartment, she sat on a cold, if comfortable, yorik coral chair, facing a Yuuzhan Vong woman that regarded her with open curiosity.

The Warmaster had introduced her as Miiram Shimrra, the daughter of Supreme Overlord Shimrra and Winter had gotten the feeling that this could be more important that she had usually thought. Obviously, she had been right.

"I've been told you have asked for me." Winter stated with a clear voice, wondering what the Vong royalty wanted from her.

"Not specifically. But I think you will be the best bet, if Lah says so."

The experienced Rebel agent lifted a brow, giving her counterpart a cold, haughty stare. "Indeed?" Inwardly, though, she was very surprised at the manner of speaking.

Miiram Shimrra nodded eagerly. "Before I go into details, though, may I ask a question?"

When Winter nodded, the Yuuzhan Vong immediately continued: "Why do you have this light a hair? Is this common with your race? Why does Leia Organa-Solo have brown hair? Is it true that Luke Skywalker is her twin brother?"

"Have you asked me to come just to answer this sort of questions?"

Miiram smiled - to Winter's utter astonishment, it looked nice and genuine. "Indeed, Lady Winter, indeed. If you may listen to me for a moment...."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, Leia Organa-Solo's office, 1 day later
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"No." Mara Jade-Skywalker was adamant. She wouldn't let him do this. There was no way she would allow him to do that.

Luke Skywalker kissed her brow lightly, smiling: "I will fly this evening."

"Wrong." She growled, her arms still folded in front of her chest, despite the fact that the Jedi Master held her close to himself. "WE will fly this evening. Period."

"Mara, you know who this Miiram Shimrra is. This is important. You can't let Leia down. And it is not much you have to do. Fly up there and answer a few questions. Nothing you couldn't handle."

Furiously, she made herself free and shot a fiery stare at him: "You know full well that I'm not worried about MYSELF. I know that I can handle this Yuuzhan Vong woman. This is not about ME!"

Luke's smile vanished, his azure gaze sought hers. Their eyes locked. "Mara, I'm a grown man. I don't need to be babied and I don't want it."

"I know."

"Then why do you do it?" he queried, lifting one eyebrow and staring expectantly at her.

Mara sighed, throwing her hands in the air exasperated. "You can't really demand from me to be happy to have you flying off ALONE to Sernpidal after.. after... " she trailed off, biting her lower lip.

"After everything that has happened the last time you have been away from me?" he finished softly.

His wife nodded, averting her gaze and staring out at the misty dusk of a Coruscant evening. Luke went over to her and once again draw her into an embrace, resting his forehead against hers.
"We have talked about this. It hasn't been your fault. I thought this was done for."

"It is, but..." Mara turned in his arms, looking him square in the eyes and tugging one of his bangs behinds his ear. "Luke, I'm just worried. And I simply don't want you to be away from me for so long."

"Oh, my love, it is just a week. Before you know it, I'll be back again." He brushed his lips over hers and she relished the contact and his smell. Of course..., and it wouldn't be the first time.

If she was honest, Mara didn't know herself why everything in her rebelled against Luke going to Sernpidal alone. The system was tightly in check. A throng of New Republic ships would be accompanying Luke. The Yuuzhan Vong were peaceful there, had orders from Tsavong Lah himself. Before she knew it, she had nodded and Luke had released her, turning towards the bed to finish his packing.

Mara scowled. He had done it again. How was it that this innocent farmboy turned Jedi Master succeeded in playing her like that, to have his way? This had to stop and it had to stop now. Even if just to save her pride.

"I know that you've felt watched lately." She stated into the silence that was only interrupted by the shuffling of the clothes Luke packed into his carry-on bag.

Her husband froze for the smallest part of a second, then continued what he was doing as if she hadn't said a word. "It was nothing." He responded.

Mara perched an eyebrow. "Indeed, nothing? It has happened pretty often to be just nothing."

Luke stopped at least, turning to her, regarding her with a slightly startled expression. "Not in the last week."

"You will understand if this doesn't help to soothe my worries." Mara quipped, mustering him carefully. He sighed and plopped down on the bed, ruffling his hair.

"Mara, I didn't want anyone to know that. It has no meaning. It is just.. just repercussions from everything that has happened, I suppose. Nothing important."

"Nothing IMPORTANT? Luke Skywalker, you can't be serious. What has happened has almost destroyed your soul! If anything that has to do with it isn't important, then what IS?"

Luke had flinched violently at that and rubbed his temples with his fingers. Regretting the outburst, Mara slipped beside him, laying her cheek on his shoulder and rubbing his back.

"Luke, I'm sorry. But you have to understand that I'm worried. Please, don't go there alone. I have a bad feeling about this."

Her husband locked eyes with her, and for a long moment, they were both quiet. Then he straightened and rose. "I won't be alone. Anakin and Corran will be with me. Along with whole Rogue Squadron and a fleet of NR ships. There is no reason for you to worry. Besides, Elan and Kwaad are dead."

Mara sighed: "I know."

He dragged her on her feet, cupping her cheek with his hand and kissing her softly. "In a week, you'll be laughing about this. Just trust me. I can deal with that."

She pecked at his chin, drawing small circles at the small of his back: "I know that, too. I know you can. I'm afraid I can't."

Luke laughed softly, turning her, snuggling up towards her and folding his hands over her belly, rubbing her flat stomach tenderly. "Daddy will be back soon."

Mara giggled: "There's nothing but a few cells there yet."

"I feel it in the Force. And it shall meet his daddy as early as possible."

"What do you want to do? Crawl in and introduce yourself?"

The Jedi Master gave her a smug grin and spluttered some kisses on the back of her neck: "Not a bad idea, my dear."

She grinned and let herself be pushed onto the bed. Despite of the fact that he was supposed to show up on the landing pad in fifteen minutes and hadn't yet packed.

*~~

The X-Wing was ready for take-off. Luke was long secured in the cockpit, waving at his sister, brother-in-law and wife for a last goodbye

When he took off, he was immediately flanked by Anakin Solo and Corran Horn. The three of them would fly their starfighters up to the flagship of the New Republic task force and be off to Sernpidal within the next half hour.

And Mara was still not comfortable with it. The reassurances of both Anakin and Corran that they'd have an eye on Luke hadn't helped her that much. There was something that made her afraid and it had to do with Sernpidal. She couldn't determine whether it had to do with Luke specifically or not and that added even more to her feelings of danger.

"I still can't believe you've agreed on this, Leia." She stated, not being able to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

"I had no big choice, Mara. The rebuilding and retaking actions at Sernpidal have to begin now. And Luke is the one who has to be at the head of what happens there. There is no other way and you know that."

Mara shot her a look out of narrowed eyes. "Of course I know that. But this was not what I meant. He shouldn't go alone."

"He is not alone, Mara."

That only got a growl out of the ex-Emperor's hand.

Surprisingly, Leia turned around and poked a finger on the other woman's chest, furiously staring at her face: "Do you think I like it? Do you think I'm happy with him going off on his own? Without you, without me? No, Mara, I'm not. But I couldn't foresee that Miiram Shimrra would want to meet with you. I couldn't foresee that there would be such a development here. And you have to see that this IS important for the future of the galaxy, for the peace in the galaxy."

An icy silence settled between the two women.

"You know, Luke would be angry hearing you two talk like this." A soft, male voice popped up behind them. A little embarrassed at having forgotten him, they turned and stared at Han Solo.

He smiled thinly: "Don't look at me like this. I would like nothing more than to head off straight after him to have an eye on him. Trouble is following Luke ever since I know him and I don't think that will ever change. But he wouldn't want us treating him like a porcelain doll."

"Han..." Leia began, but her husband waved her off. "Come on, you two. Elan and Kwaad have succeeded in making him stray from his way. But he's back on and he needs no one to clear the path for him anymore. Not continuously anyways."

Laying one arm around each women's shoulders, Han led them into the building again. Neither of them liked the way things had played out, but neither of them could do something against it either. They would have to trust Luke. And they knew they cold. The problem was, could they trust anyone or anything else?

---------------------------------
Sernpidal, 1 Day Later
---------------------------------

It was harder than he had expected. A lot harder. Although Luke had never been in this system before, although he had never even seen the planet, the view of Sernpidal, or rather, the two halves that had represented it two years ago troubled him deeply.

The pain of those who had died and of the planet itself seemed to permeate the system And somewhere in between, he could feel like a cry the loss of Chewbacca. It was almost as if he could hear Han's soul cry out for the Wookie, could hear Anakin's guilt and his terror at realising what happened.
If he hadn't been a Jedi Master, if he hadn't been as accustomed to death and destruction, he might have shed a tear or two.

Glancing at his side, he saw his youngest nephew struggle with his emotions. Anakin finally succeeded to ban the sadness from his eyes and meet his uncle's stare. "It looks better as back when I've last seen it." The young boy stated.

Luke nodded. "Have you read the data I've compiled for you?"

The Jedi apprentice nodded, some of his dark bangs bobbing up and down before his eyes. "Yeah. The earthquakes have died down. The atmosphere is stabilised. Life is much more bearable down there again."

"Exactly. And that's why we're here. Partially at least."

Anakin nodded: "Where will we begin? What am I to do?"

Luke smiled at the eagerness in his nephew's voice. "More than enough. Corran?"

The corellian Jedi Knight stepped away from one of the consoles, smiling at Luke. They had had some interesting talks, as well as some lightsaber practice together and Corran was happy to see his Master back with him.

He still remembered the day when he had come into the captain's quarters on the Ralroost, finding Luke suffering from a nervous breakdown, his connection to the Force erratic, his cries echoing through his own soul like the cries of a man in agony. It had shattered him and had made him worry for his friend.

It was good to see Luke back to normal. Perhaps even more at peace than normal. Obviously, his little holiday with Mara had done him good. The blue eyes were glistening with enthusiasm. There was a goal for them here, for all of them, and that was something good. Something that spurred on. Enormously.

"Master?" he queried respectfully. Sometimes it felt strange to address Luke like that. They were befriended. Closely befriended in fact. Between the two of them, in private, they knew no such formalities. But in public, it had to be obvious who was the head of the Jedi Order.
And every inch of respect Corran displayed here was genuine and the Corellian felt Luke had deserved it. More than anyone else he knew, except the Jedi Master's sister perhaps.

Luke smiled shortly, then focused on a small datapad in his hands. "I want you and Rogue Squadron to sweep down onto the planet, accompanying the research teams. You won't go down yet today, just surveying the area and gathering as much surveillance data as possible. There will be a couple of squadrons more with you, and I will leave two gun boats. This should suffice, right?"

"This is Rogue Squadron. OF COURSE that will suffice. You wouldn't need that many, actually." A cheerful voice came over to them from the elevator and Hobbie Klivian stepped onto the bridge. Luke perched an eyebrow and met him with a cool stare that made the pilot halt in his steps.

"Just my opinion, Master... Sir... oh crap.." he muttered, strolling off towards the small station he saw Wedge Antilles siting at. Hobbie, as well as Wes Janson and Wedge Antilles, had been reassigned to this task force. Wes and Hobbie would fly with Rogue Squadron while Wedge was the official military head of the operation.

Luke allowed himself a low smirk. It was always fun to play his rank on this one. Helped shut up his big mouth that hadn't diminished with age.

"Anakin and I will take the rest of the task force and the transports and continue over to Belkadan, overseeing the evacuation of the worldship there and making a trip down on the planet to talk about freeing the slaves in a manner that will make them survive mentally."

He paused, giving the others some moments to digest the orders. Then, he continued. "As soon as you have gathered the data, Corran, you will head over to the flagship to deliver it to me and Wedge and we will talk about how we best help the survivors on the planet - if there are any - and how we clear a path for those who want to resettle their home. Everything clear?"

"Absolutely." Corran and Anakin both nodded.

Luke smiled: "Fine. Then let's begin. We have a lot of work to do and we've just got a week's time to clear so much of the rubber and the problems away for the thing to go for itself."

*~~

It was strange to think about setting foot on a Yuuzhan Vong ship again. Everything in Luke rebelled against the very thought, but he didn't let those feelings overtake him. There was no way he would back down here. He had overcome the trauma.

What Elan and Mezhan Kwaad had done to him would never be forgotten, would always be encased behind thick walls in his heart - but it had no power over him anymore. Luke was determined to live on, to show them, wherever their spirits were, that he wasn't going to let them destroy him.

Besides, it went against what he believe to hold a whole race responsible for the actions of some single individuals and so he would try to deal just normally with the Yuuzhan Vong.

It might be difficult. It might be impossible. It might be a lot easier than he thought. In any case, he would try and do his best. There was much that depended on him.

Looming ahead of him, the entrance to the worldship's docking bay resembled a dark pit, the naturally grown edges and sides resembling the teeth of some ancient monster.
Luke shook his head softly. Such thoughts would certainly not help him to feel any better right now. Turning his head to his right, he made sure Anakin was at his position at his starboard wing when he veered into a curve to dock at the large worldship.

"Anakin, have you ever been in a Yuuzhan Vong ship?" he asked over the intercom that was privately established between his and his nephew's starfighter.

"No. But mom and dad have told me about it. They said it is not as ugly from the inside as it is from the outside."

Luke smiled: "That's right. Care to show me whether you're exercising with the landing procedure has paid?"

Immediately, he felt his nephew's excitement and eagerness through their bond and readily slowed a little to make room for the other X-Wing.

*~~

Half an hour later, Luke was extraordinarily pleased. The commander of the worldship above Belkadan had greeted him with the reserved respect common among the higher Yuuzhan Vong rows and they had immediately began to discuss what was needed.

The worldship was not in that bad a condition and there was no need to hurry more than absolutely necessary to evacuate everything. They were now headed to the office of the commander, to discuss over some lists and numbers and to see how many of the Yuuzhan Vong inhabitants would have to be transported on the ships the New Republic had brought with it. The planet that had been chosen for them was two systems farther to the edge of the galaxy and had been received well by the Yuuzhan Vong.

There had been long investigations on the New Republic's part of sentient life in a organised society on this planet that had yet to get a name and there had been no sign of it found. There were no technical things, no buildings, there was absolutely nothing New Republic on it. It would be able to give home to at least three or four worldship populations, if their estimates had been correct.

On the way through the ship, during which Luke granted himself some time to look around at the marvellous patterns and colours of the yorik coral that had beautifully grown in this ship, he continued discussing some matters of administration with the Yuuzhan Vong commander.
Anakin beside him was quiet, listening intently and trying to savour every single impression he could get. Luke was pleased about that. The boy would certainly make a good Jedi in no time, if he kept his discipline.

Deep in conversation, Luke didn't pay that much attention to his surroundings. He trusted Anakin to point him to anything that was interesting enough to investigate, though he didn't expect to find anything.

Suddenly, while passing a corridor that obviously led deeper into the ship, Luke felt a chill run down his spine. For a little moment, he felt dizzy, but soon got it under control and hid it even from Anakin.
He already wanted to dismiss it as a sign of being overworked when a voice called through the ship. While his feet kept going out of reflex, Luke's mind froze. Liin. Someone had called his name. His Yuuzhan Vong name.

As inconspicuously as he could, he glanced back into the corridor. Was it his imagination or was there a shadow that moved deeper into the ship? Fleeing perhaps? Who had called his name?
Startled, he turned his head and looked at his nephew. Anakin didn't seem to have heard anything, still looking around in a mix of awe and curiosity. The Yuuzhan Vong commander was still talking about the problems of heating they had encountered lately.

Luke drew his robe closer around himself, suddenly feeling cold. So it had been his imagination? A hallucination? But it had been so real. He had heard this.
Shaking his head imperceptibly for anyone but the closest bystander, he straightened himself. This was ridiculous. He was over it. He had sworn himself that neither Elan nor the Master Shaper would have any might over him anymore.
Forcing the incident out of his head, he followed the commander into his office.

*~~

Mezhan Kwaad grinned, watching the retreating figure of Luke Skywalker through the small villip that sat on Nen Yim's shoulder. He had heard it. He had heard her call his name.

How she loved to play.

| To Be Continued |
I finally did it. I already was afraid I would need another week, but finally I churned out the fourth chapter of TBOA. I hope you'll like it. Please read & review. I can't wait to hear what you think about it.

Sincerely,

*|Sienn|*
----------------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 4
----------------------------------------------------------

PG-13

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yuuzhan Vong Worldship "Direen", Belkadan Orbit, Shapers' Laboratories, 2 days later
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How are you proceeding, Nen Yim? Is everything going well?" Mezhan Kwaad sat casually on her sleeping pad, polishing her tool fingers.

The last days had been utterly boring for her. On their way to Belkadan, she had helped her apprentice breed more of the bugs the young woman had used against the late Master Shaper Taal Riid.
Unbeknownst to Nen Yim, Kwaad had manipulated some of the bugs for her personal purpose. They'd make a wonderful surprise for a certain being.

The two Yuuzhan Vong women had arrived on the worldship "Direen" above Belkadan four days ago. A good time before Luke Skywalker and the infidel task force had entered the system and set to work.

To set her plan into motion, Kwaad had needed every single minute of this lead she had on the Jeedai. Unfortunately, her position within her own race didn't allow her to move freely on the worldship. To execute her plan, she had to trust on her apprentice.

Mezhan was not particularly surprised that she wasn't very comfortable with this fact. Nen Yim was intelligent, ambitious, cruel and devoted to her. But she was also curious. She wanted to know what sort of fate Kwaad had intended for Luke Skywalker - previously and presently alike.
But the Master Shaper was not willing to share this knowledge, this plan, with the younger woman. Although she liked her new apprentice, she didn't trust her.

In her whole life, Mezhan Kwaad had trusted only a single being, and he had disappointed her. Betrayed her trust. After that, she had come to see that trust was nothing she could afford if she wanted to succeed.
She was aware that Nen Yim was hurt about the fact that her Master didn't share her whole concept with her. But this didn't matter to Kwaad.

If it came to her, Nen Yim was no more than another tool. She didn't care for her, just for what she was capable of and the possibilities that she offered. That was all.

It was obvious, though, that the young Yuuzhan Vong thought differently. But this was her problem at the end and not Mezhan's.

"Very well, Master Shaper." Nen Yim now reported, slightly out of breath. To keep the worldship going was a task that was almost too much for an apprentice like Yim.
Though she had tricked everyone to believe she was a Master Shaper, Mezhan well knew that the girl was far away from this position indeed. The double work for her and the worldship took a toll on her. Kwaad only hoped that this wouldn't influence her work.

Catching her breath, the girl continued: "I have spread the bugs all over the ship, except for the areas you told me to let out."

Kwaad smiled and rose. "Very good."

Yim smiled and bowed shortly, then asked: "Master, why should I let out the captain's quarters, then aft hangar and the corridors in between? Do we want the Commander to live through it?"

The Master Shaper perched an eyebrow, fishing under her bed for a deep green yorik coral box. "My dear, we do want to."

When she saw the puzzlement on her apprentice's face, she gave a pitiful smile. "You've got to learn much, still, Nen Yim. What do you think will be worse for him? To die with his people and his ship or to step before Tsavong Lah as the one who has survived the perishing of all those who have been under his protection?"

It took a small while, but when Yim's eyes finally widened in understanding, Kwaad nodded. "I see you are able to think, despite of your unqualified question."

The girl blushed, averting her eyes and looking on the floor, ashamed. Mezhan allowed herself a broad smile, then grasped a yorik coral box from her shelf and gave it to Yim.

"Spread those in the areas that are yet untouched."

Opening the box, Nen's eyes widened. "But, Master.. those are... I mean.. I don't understand. I did already..."

"Don't question me, Apprentice. Do as I tell you. It is none of your business. Understood?"

Nen Yim stared for a moment baffled into the narrowed eyes of her Master, then nodded and hurried out of the room.

Mezhan Kwaad cackled lowly to herself, then sank down to the floor and made herself comfortable. The preparations were done. The play could begin.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Republic Flagship, Sernpidal Orbit, 1 Day Later, Early Morning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke Skywalker sat up in his bed, suddenly wide awake. For a moment, he was disoriented, but only seconds later, his brain caught up with his eyes and ears and he remembered where he was. The flagship of the Sernpidal task force. His quarters.

A glance onto the chronometer next to his bed made him frown. It was too early. He had planned to wake two hours from now. Why was he awake now? Normally, if he planned to get up at a certain time, he could rely on his inner feeling for time to let him open his eyes just at the desired moment. It was not like him to wake too early.

Luke lay back again, staring into the darkness. He knew what had roused him. Now that the adrenaline shock from being flung back to reality so suddenly had worn off, he felt it again. Clear like a homing beacon in the vastness of deep space. Dread. Danger. Menace.

Propping himself up on an elbow, he fished for his comlink, keying in the code for the bridge. "Yes?" a female voice greeted him, sounding bored and tired. A typical night shift lieutenant, he supposed.

"Skywalker here. Is everything all right up there?" Only belatedly, Luke realised how foolish he must sound to this bridge officer. But his question was asked. And if he thought back to previous experiences of this sort, he did well to follow his instinct. It had saved his life too often in the past.

The short, but intense silence that followed his query told him that he had indeed startled the officer on bridge duty, but she caught herself quickly.

"Yes, Master Jedi. Everything is all right. All systems running perfectly."

"Are you sure? Are the long race sensors working? Shields up and running?"

Now the voice sounded definitely amused. Probably she thought he had some sort of phobia.

"Absolutely sure, Master Skywalker. The sensor sweeps come in every quarter of an hour. Nothing we have to worry about. The shields are up on fifty percent. They can be brought to full power in less than..."

"Ten seconds, I know." Luke finished for her, sighing soundlessly. He was well aware of what Mon Calamari starships could do and what not. He had commanded them often enough. Studied them. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Good night." He murmured.

"Good night, Master Skywalker." A low click indicated that she had signed off and Luke let himself fall back onto his mattress. Wonderful. Was he really paranoid?

But no. This nagging feeling of impending doom was no imagination. It was there. It was in the Force. It was, was it?

Closing his eyes, he shook his head softly and tried to go back to sleep. There was nothing he could do. No immediate danger was to be seen. Whatever or whoever was in trouble, Luke was not able to help her or him or them.

With little problem, he sent his Force senses out and checked on his friends and family. They were sleeping. All of them. Sleeping peacefully. None of them was in danger. All those he loved were safe and sound. So what the heck was troubling him like that? And why did he let it trouble him? There was no reason for that.
In the past he had often had phases like those, troubling over fates and problems that were not his own, but brought to him by his extreme sensitivity in the Force. It could be that on some of the unconquered planets in nearby systems someone was robbed. Someone was killed. He was not indifferent to it, but he couldn't change it and would not let it take his sleep. He needed his sleep.

Luke rolled onto his side and buried his head in his pillow. Minutes later, he was fast asleep again. But the feeling of dread stayed with him. More subtle, more subdued. But it was still there.

*~~

"So we have around ten small settlements of survivors on the western sphere of Sernpidal?" Luke asked, surprise obvious on his face. He had expected to find survivors. But that many.... It was more than he had hoped for. Yet, it was curious that on the eastern hemisphere, no one had managed to live through the earthquakes and natural catastrophes that had followed the breaking of the planet. Sernpidal had been a relatively big planet. His moon had been small.

The impact had been enough to break the planet into two halves. The people that had lived on the line of breaking had stood no chance to survive the disaster, but therefore those that had lived at the most eastern and western points of the planet had been incredibly lucky.
If the planet hadn't broken, the consequences of the moon's crash-landing would have been fatal. Nothing and no one would have survived. But now that the parts of the planet were smaller, the earthquakes weren't so serious and there had been no masses of clouds that had assembled in the atmosphere and hidden the sun, condemning the plants and animals to die.

Hobbie Klivian nodded, fidgeting with his datapad. It was a habit of his that had always been unnerving for Luke, but as a Jedi Master, he was not supposed to be irritated by something like this. This was one of the rare situations where he wished to be a simple squadron commander. As such, he would have been allowed to take this datapad from Hobbie and smack it into his face. Now he had to trust on Wes to do that for him. It was not half as much fun.

"We estimate that we have at least 5000 people living there. We can't tell for sure of course, we would have to land and count them, but judging by the survey data and the number of shelter we have found, we think at least that much beings have survived the crash."

"Did they notice your starfighters?" The Jedi Master queried, snatching the datapad from his old-time friend and surveying the data himself. For a moment, he saw Hobie's indignated face in the corner of his eye, but the pilot knew better than to complain.

"I don't think so." Wes shook his head.

"I guess after two years of living in the shadow of the Yuuzhan Vong, they won't be very trusting about anything coming from above until it is near enough for them to recognise as mechanical." Corran threw in, sipping at a cup of caf. It had been a while since he had spend large amounts of time in an X-Wing. Though he had enjoyed it, it had exhausted him more than he cared to admit to himself.

Luke nodded. "You're probably right. Nonetheless, we have to go down there next time. Wedge, do we have enough researchers, doctors and specialists to make ten groups out of it? And ten shuttles to house them, with additional transportation for ill people?"

The Corellian General leaned back in his chair, furrowing his forehead as he went through all the ships he had brought with him. After a while, he nodded: "I think we could manage that. You want to launch those expeditions today?"

"Sure." Luke tossed the datapad back to Hobbie, then leaned onto the conference table. "Every shuttle will get a squadron to accompany it down, for air cover. The research teams will get a squad of soldiers each, in case the villagers down there are suspicious enough to try to defend themselves. Rogue Squadron will fly cover in space."

The ever sad face of Hobbie stared up at him. "You don't expect any false play from our scar-loving friends, do you?"

"Yuuzhan Vong, Klivian. They are called Yuuzhan Vong. I can spell it for you, if you want to." Wes chimed in.

Luke rolled his eyes at the familiar banter, then turned to Corran. "You won't fly with Rogue Squadron."

"I won't?"

"No. You'll take Wes and will fly cover over Belkadan. We will begin to evacuate the refugees today. If everything goes according to plan, we will be finished with this by tomorrow morning and have the remaining four days to go down onto the planet itself and take care of the slaves."

"The Belkadan commander actually agreed to free all the slaves?" Anakin blurted out, causing everyone to swivel their heads around and stare at the boy. Up until now, he had been silent, aware that all these people had much more experience in these matters than he had.

His uncle gave him a stern glance, though he obviously didn't succeed in totally hiding an amused smile. "If you hadn't asked to be shown the hangars, you would have been present at the meeting yesterday. Commander Hiirk has not protested against the conditions of the peace treaty. I have already informed the doctors and medicinal specialists we have with us to prepare to go down there and assess the slaves tomorrow afternoon."

Anakin blushed, but only for a moment. Then he straightened and smirked: "I guess that's the reason why we're two Jedi here, right?"
Luke perched an eyebrow, but he was smiling now and nodded: "I guess you've grasped the concept, Anakin. Next time I'll have the fun and you're going to discuss the politics."

His nephew stared at him for a moment, taking a few seconds to make sure this was just a joke, then scratched his head and settled back into his corner. He should know better than to taunt his uncle by now. Yet, he couldn't resist to try whenever he could.

*~~

"You know, it doesn't look as if it would fall apart anytime soon." Corran Horn stated, mustering the huge worldship that grew bigger with every second in his viewport.

"It doesn't, but it's very old." Anakin answered from his starboard wing. Corran had to give the young Solo credit for his flying skills. Up till now, even a skilled onlooker wouldn't have been able to tell that the boy was no seasoned fighter pilot. But Anakin was brash and daring. A little too much for a Jedi, as Corran thought, but exactly the right amount to qualify as a Rogue. He supposed Luke would take care of this eagerness sooner or later.

"Anakin, your shields are down." Luke's calm voice kept Corran from replying to the young Solo .

"I know, Uncle... err, Master Skywalker. I thought I..."

"Don't think too much. Get them up and running and that soon." Corran frowned, barely acknowledging Anakin's mumbled reply. The boy took it to his heart if Luke criticised him, but with time he would learn to distinguish between his uncle and his Jedi Master. To not associate critics with denial of love.

Switching to the private channel Luke and he shared whenever they flew together, the Corellian Jedi cleared his throat. "Luke, is everything okay?"

The short hesitation before the Jedi Master replied was everything Corran needed to tell that the following words were nothing but a polite lie.

"Sure. Why shouldn't it be?"

"Technically, we don't need shields right now."

"It can never be bad to be prepared, Corran." Luke's voice sounded indifferent, but his friend was sure he had caught some short flicker of wariness in the other's Force presence. Recalling everything Mara and Han had told him, Corran was determined to not let this pass unnoticed.

"You feel something?" he asked over the intercom, unconsciously checking on his sensors. Of course Whistler, his R2 unit, would give him a warning long before any danger could creep up on him, but Luke's over-protectiveness made him suspicious.
Over the years, he had learned that it was seldom wise to ignore a Jedi Master's hunches. Even more so when the Jedi Master was named Luke Skywalker.

"You're not going to back off, are you?" Luke's calm voice asked after a while.

"Nope."

"And you're not believing me if I tell you I just want to drill some piloting lessons into him?"

"Nope."

"Corran, sometimes I downright despise you."

The annoyance in the Jedi Master's voice was playful and Corran couldn't help but grin. "You know that I'm just here to unnerve you, Luke. So, what's the matter?"

Another pause. Finally, Luke sighed. "I just have a bad feeling about this."

"And you're only telling me that NOW??"

Luke laughed: "Oh, come on. If it would be THAT bad, I'd have told you long ago. It's nothing important, really. Probably just the overall emotions that are still permeating this system from two years ago."

"With all due respect, Master, but I think you're not telling me everything here." It was a long shot, actually, and Corran knew it. Luke seldomly confided into someone if one was pushing. But since the very first day they were in this system, the Jedi Master had seemed to ponder about something.
When he was thinking himself unnoticed, a frown was creasing his forehead and it was obvious that he was thinking hard about something that troubled him.

"What do you mean?" the caution in Luke's voice was obvious.

Corran's suspicion only hardened. "Since you've come back from Belkadan two days ago, you've been thinking about something. Thinking about it very hard."

"I've been thinking about a lot of things. The evacuation, the freeing of the slaves, Mara..."

"Luke, you know I'm not talking about that." The Corellian interrupted him, adjusting the speed of his vessel to keep a reasonable pace. He wanted to drag this talk out. Luke had to tell him this now, before he docked on the worldship and Corran would be cut off from him for a while.

"You have studied much of the information we have gathered about Vong culture in the last months, haven't you?"

The Jedi Master's sudden question caught Corran off-guard. Frowning deeply, he nodded. Belatedly recalling that his friend couldn't see him, he gave an affirmation.

Slowly, the whole talk began to unnerve Corran and make him nervous. They were almost there and Luke's ship would vanish any moment in the belly of the worldship.
He just wanted to open his mouth and urge the Jedi Master to answer, when Luke's calm voice sounded in his ears again.

"You have researched names. I know that."

Corran let himself fall back and watched how Anakin steered his X-Wing into the docking bay right before Luke. "Yes, I have. Luke, I don't understand..."

"Are there many Yuuzhan Vong whose name is Liin?"

"What? Why do you want to..."

"Corran!" Luke's voice sounded urgent now, while he steered his own vessel after Anakin, at a slow pace that just about still hid the fact that he was playing on time here. "Just answer my question."

"Well, no."

"There are non with this name on this worldship?"

"Surely not. Luke, what is this all about?"

"It is unimportant. I was just curious. Keep your eyes open. See you later." With this, Luke ended the connection and the X-Wing disappeared into the hangar bay.

Corran looked for a moment onto the place it had just been, then veered off on escort duty. His R2 gave a low hoot behind him. "I have absolutely no idea what he was talking about, Whistler. You know, he is a Jedi Master. He has his quirks." But this didn't sound very convincing even to Corran's own ears.
Activating the orbit around the worldship and Belkadan he had pre-programmed, the Corellian settled back, going through this talk again.

"Whistler?"

An answering twitter.

"Be so kind and go through all the warriors, shapers and civilians we have listed since we agreed on the peace treaty."

Another twitter, this time a little more questioning.

"Everything and everyone that's called Liin. And I KNOW that will take you some hours. Do it nonetheless."

*~~

Luke bowed low in front of Commander Hiirk and the Yuuzhan Vong warrior granted him the same honour. Turning towards the well-known corridor to his office, the small group set into motion.

"We have prepared everything." Hiirk explained. "At my signal, people will gather in the hangars, mount transports and be sent off to the planet you have chosen for us. I trust it is everything ready there?"

Luke nodded. "Of course. We have had Yuuzhan Vong Shapers meet with our researchers. They have confirmed that the planet is suitable for you. Air, water, soil. No toxic substances that could endanger you or any of your vital animals and plants."

Hiirk nodded: "This is perfect."

"The rest is up to you." Anakin added. In the past days, he had grown to be at ease at his uncle's side, even venturing to take part in some of the discussions.
He had been very proud when Luke had praised him after having stayed calm during a particularly heated discussion about the way Yuuzhan Vong tended to alter their environment.

It was good to have his uncle back with him. In the past two years, Anakin had missed Luke. Since his very first memories, the blue eyed Jedi Master had always been there.
He had not really understood what had happened between Luke and Mara on Ithor and he didn't know whether his mother had told him everything about the Jedi Master's time in Yuuzhan Vong hand's.

Anakin knew Luke had been tortured. He knew his uncle and his wife had had some problems. But that was about it. Nonetheless, the young Jedi apprentice had perceived that there was more. Much more. The fuss his mother and father did about his uncle. The gazes they threw at each other when they talked about him.

The talk Corran had had with Mara and Leia before they had flown off. All that had made Anakin be sure that something was not completely as he thought it to be. And now Corran and Luke had had a secret talk Anakin hadn't been allowed to follow.

Of course, they had used a private channel. He wasn't even supposed to know about it, but Anakin DID know about it. Subtle shifts in attention he had caught. But mostly the fact that Luke hadn't chided him when he had brought his shields only on half-power. The Jedi Master had concentrated on something else than him.

A soft nudge from his uncle brought Anakin back to the present, out of his musing. The deep-blue eyes of Luke mustered him, a question obvious in them. Anakin shook his head slightly, giving Luke the impression he had just day-dreamed.
He knew from experience that his uncle wouldn't want him to worry. So he would just not show him that he was worried. It was that simple.

Content with himself, Anakin followed the Jedi Master and the Yuuzhan Vong Commander into the office they had spent so many hours in in the past days.

*~~

Nen Yim watched as the yorik coral sealed itself behind the young infidel that accompanied Skywalker. They had almost caught her. If they hadn't talked vividly about the organisation of the worldship's evacuation, she wouldn't have noticed them and they'd have caught her red-handed, burying her precious animals in the yorik coral walls all along the corridor.

But now she was finished and stuffed the coral box that had housed the bugs into her robe. Skywalker was not overly impressive and Nen really wondered why her Master made so much fuss about him. Why everyone made so much fuss about him.

Mezhan Kwaad was not going to tell her anything about the second ancient protocol she had wanted to use on him. This was frustrating her. No matter how good a work she did, the Master Shaper didn't trust her.
Nen felt that. She was suspicious and wouldn't even tell her how she had learned that Skywalker would be on Sernpidal.

Did she have a spy within the ranks of the New Republic? This would be amazing. Unbelievable almost. But then, Mezhan Kwaad was special. No one matched her cunning.
Nen Yim thought herself to be extremely intelligent, but she couldn't for the life of her figure out what Kwaad's actions were about.
She knew that the Master Shaper wanted to be at the head of her caste and get rid of Tsavong Lah. But how exactly?

Everything she, her apprentice, was told were the small steps. And that only on a need-to-know base. Very frustrating. But she'd prove to Kwaad that she was worthy of trust. Of a lot of trust, in fact.

*~~

The numbers looked fine. There were about five or six Yuuzhan Vong that wouldn't find room on the transports. They would easily fit into one of the New Republic transports, if they could be made to accept this means of being brought to the new planet.

Commander Hiirk had assured Luke that this would be no problem. He had arranged that it be only warriors that had already had contact with infidel machinery and wouldn't feel too disgusted by it.

"What is going to happen to the worldship if the evacuation is complete?" the Jedi Master asked. He saw how Anakin's interest was peeked by this question and was glad he wouldn't have to chastise his pupil to be more attentive. Now it could wait till this evening.

Hiirk - a tall, impressive Yuuzhan Vong - looked at him astonished. Then his features cleared and he smile thinly. "I'm always forgetting that you're totally unfamiliar with our culture. The ship is going to be killed by our shapers and what can still be used will be used. Not all the tissue is too old to be of service to us."

"I see." Luke nodded, allowing himself some admiration for the perfect way this society dealt with garbage. While Anakin began to ask some questions about how and when this would be done, Luke consulted another of the lists they Yuuzhan Vong had been so kind to write in Basic letters for him.

They would need a lot of water and nourishment for their people until they had set up enough facilities or whatever they needed to produce enough food and water for themselves on the planet they were going to and the Commander had compiled a very extensive paper about it.

Luke had memorised the possibilities he had with his small task force, as well as the times more would be at their disposal. It would work without the Yuuzhan Vong having to suffer hunger or thirst on their new planet. Sometimes it would be a little difficult, but it would be possible.

- 'Hello, Liin' -

Luke's head snapped higher. With the speed and efficiency of someone who was used to it for decades, he assessed the room. Anakin sat opposite of him, throwing him a question glance. Hiirk was showing Luke his back and hadn't noticed his sudden movement.

There was no one else here in the room. But how could that be? He had heard this voice. Clearly. There was no way to be mistaken about it.

- Right, here I am again. But who am I? -

'Good question.' Luke thought, lowering his head again, so as to not irritate Anakin further. But he was not seeing the numbers. He was concentrating on his Force senses, trying to find out who was contacting him.

- One I'm not going to answer you. You hhave to figure it out yourself, my dear -

Luke frowned, barely aware that he did. Whoever it was, he or she could hear his thoughts. And it was no Force user. He couldn't feel anyone in the Force but Anakin and Corran, dulled through the Yuuzhan Vong ship, out there flying cover.

- I'm sorry that I have to go already. BBut I don't want to be here if the party begins. -

And with those very words, spoken in a voice Luke didn't know and yet perceived as startlingly familiar, the feeling of dread assaulted him ten times worse than this very morning. He felt himself go cold and the hairs on the back of his neck tingling.

Instinctively, his hand shot towards his lightsaber. Anakin, his eyes wide when he saw Luke's movement, jumped to his feet, his hand grasping his own saber.
At this very moment, the villip in front of Commander Hiirk took on the form of another Yuuzhan Vong soldier. A Yuuzhan Vong soldier that seemed startled and fairly nervous.

"What is it?" Hiirk bellowed, focussing on Luke, unlit lightsaber in hand, eyes misty and staring off into nothingness.

Anakin crept over to his uncle, nudging him slightly. 'Uncle Luke? What's the matter?' He got no answer.

The Yuuzhan Vong soldier whose image was projected by the villip began to chatter wildly in his own language. Obviously, he succeeded in startling his commander enough to make him gape openly.
After another exchange of words, Hiirk turned to Luke.

"Jeedai Skywalker, we've got a problem."

With obvious problems, Luke succeeded in looking at the Commander. "What sort?"

"I have no idea why, but obviously the ship is... dissolving."

"Dissolving? What do you mean by that?!" Anakin cried out, feeling distinctly helpless. His uncle was acting up really strange and this sounded absolutely ridiculous.

"I have no idea. The Shaper doesn't know what's happening either. We have a huge breech near to the brain of the ship."

This seemed to bring Luke back to reality completely. "Give the signal for evacuation, Commander."

- You can't save them, Liin. -

'Be quiet!' he hissed mentally. Anakin made a step away from him, staring at him with big eyes. Silently communicating through the Force, he assured his nephew that he didn't mean him. He didn't need the Force, though, to tell that this only irritated Anakin further.

"Already done. I'm going to take a look at this breach." Hiirk nodded grimly to Luke, then vanished out of the room.

Luke sighed. He hadn't really expected to have the Commander to do anything else.

"Anakin, get to the hangar bay and to Corran."

"And you?"

"I'm going to accompany Hiirk. I... have got to know what this is all about."

"Uncle Luke..." his nephew's blue eyes bore into him, a slight fear reflecting in them.

Luke smiled and pressed the boy's shoulder gently. "Don't worry too much. Get going, Ani."

Anakin smiled at the usage of his nickname of old, then turned and run along the corridor. Luke spun around a last time, snatching the lists and stuffing them into his tunic pocket, aware that these were worth days of hard work on both sides, NR and Yuuzhan Vong.

His nephew had reached the last turn of the corridor towards the hangar bay and was looking back, wondering what Luke was doing.

Luke smiled at him, touched by the care and love he felt from the boy. Causing the yorik coral to seal itself behind him, he stepped out of the corridor.

Later, he didn't know what had warned him - the horror on his nephew's face or the faint hissing sound behind him. Spinning around faster than any other living being could, he brought the green blade of his lightsaber in front of his face.

With a sickening sizzle and stench, something vaporised when it met the pure energy. Luke had no time, though, to examine what it had been. Suddenly, the whole corridor seemed to be filled with deadly bullets. Obviously, it were thud bugs.

"Anakin, get out of here!" Luke yelled, dodging another one and trying to see his nephew's form through the black cloud that suddenly filled his view towards the hangar. He saw his nephew hesitate, shimmering golden blade in his hand.

Luke swore under his breath. He'd never forgive himself if anything happened to Anakin. Only a moment later, though, the Jedi Master retreated a step and stared in a mix of amazement and horror. Anakin would be safe. Indeed, the boy was in no danger whatsoever at the moment.

The deadly bugs that filled the air with their buzzing had veered around in unison, focusing on their prey. And this prey was obviously the Master, not the apprentice.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship Criarto, Coruscant System, Same Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mara had enjoyed herself the whole day. Although she had met the daughter of Supreme Overlord Shimrra, Miiram, with a certain suspicion, she had soon come to like the woman. She was refreshingly different from Yuuzhan Vong.

Curious was the best word to described her. For hours now, they had been discussing what had happened in the past months and Miiram had asked question after question.

She seemed particularly fascinated with everything that had to do with Priestess Elan, Mezhan Kwaad and Luke. Her knowledge about the events had first infuriated Mara, but she had soon seen that the woman meant no offence.

In fact, Miiram was appalled by what Kwaad had done. Though the concept of familiars and slaves was nothing she disgusted, having grown up with it, she resented the fact that Elan had forced a warrior into this position. Warriors were very renowned in the Yuuzhan Vong culture and to disgrace them in such a way was a crime. No one who did this could achieve fame with it.

At this very moment, Miiram was sharing more information about Shapers with Mara, who listened interested. It was never bad to know more about this particular caste, even if just to understand better what Luke had been going through.
They were amidst a discussion about drev-membrane and the healing procedures it was normally used in when Mara felt a cold hand close around her heart.

Immediately, she reached out for Luke, to make sure he was all right. Tension and carefully measured fear were what greeted her. 'Luke!' she cried mentally.

'Can't talk now, Mar." he sent back, his voice full of urgency. For a moment she had the feeling she could hear the hum of his lightsaber, then a sizzle. Then he shut her out and with an evil, unfamiliar cackle sounding in her ear, she lost the contact to Luke's mind.

"Mara?" Miiram's voice startled her.

Green eyes focused on the Yuuzhan Vong woman, wide with anxiousness for a moment, then narrowing in frustration and anger.

"Mara, what's the matter? Did I say something that..."

"I knew he shouldn't have gone to Sernpidal alone." She whispered, stalking out of the room, towards the hangar bay.

| To Be Continued |

--------------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 5
--------------------------------------------------------

PG-13

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Criarto", Coruscant System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mara! Mara, would you please tell me what is going on?"

A hand grasped her elbow firmly, causing Mara Jade-Skywalker to spin around. Fiery green eyes focused in on the irritated face of Miiram Shimrra.
Her first instinct was to push the daughter of the Supreme Overlord out of her way. Just like that. No one stood between her and her husband anymore. Not even Yuuzhan Vong royalty.

Seeing the feral expression in the human female's eyes, the Yuuzhan Vong woman tightened her hold on the other's arm.

"Let go off me." Mara hissed, tugging at her arm, trying to keep herself from getting violent. She liked Miiram. She really liked her. But this didn't matter right now. Luke was in trouble. That was what mattered.

Miiram narrowed her eyes, showing her teeth in a gesture that looked much more Yuuzhan Vong than anything she had said or done in the time she and Mara had spent together in the last days. "Not until you tell me what's the problem. Did I insult you?"

The honest anxiousness in the other's expression got to Mara. She forced some air into her lungs, finally wrestling her elbow out of the Yuuzhan Vong's grasp. "It's Luke. He is in danger."

"Luke? Your mate?" Miiram had to run to keep up with her, her face still furrowed in irritation.

The question caused a small, ironic smile onto Mara's lips and she gave her follower a side-way glance. "Yes, indeed, my mate."

"But I thought he is on Sernpidal."

That earned her another side-way glance. "Right again. Any more questions?"

With an exasperated huff, Miiram overtook Mara and planted herself right into her path. "Yes. What do you have in mind?"

"What does it look like?" Mara folded her arms before her chest, impatiently eyeing the hangar entrance behind the Yuuzhan Vong woman.

"It looks as if you're going to do something rushed."

"Like what?"

"Like getting into your vehicle and blasting off to Sernpidal."

Mara grinned without any trace of humour: "You're quite an intelligent one, aren't you?" She ignored the explosion of fury that showed on Miiram's face and set about to push her way past her accompany. "Now get out of my way."

"No!" Refusing to make room for her, the young Yuuzhan Vong seized the smaller human on both her arms, but instead of pushing her towards the wall to get her to slow down, Mara twisted around reflexively, shaking Miiram's grip off and pushing her away.

The Supreme Overlord's daughter stumbled quite a few paces before she caught herself, staring surprised at Mara.

"What was that?" the red-head queried, her voice suddenly much calmer. Somehow it didn't sound friendlier though.

Musing that sometimes humans had a startling similarity with Yuuzhan Vong, Miiram tried to keep her own fury from showing up. She didn't intend to begin a fight with the wife of one of the most important figures of the New Republic. Her father would NOT approve with that. She was supposed to think more like a politician than a warrior, even if her expert training made this difficult to her in situations like this.

"I said no. You can't fly off."

"And who would prevent me from it? You?"

The challenge was obvious and Miiram cringed inwardly. Of course she could take Mara on on this challenge. In fact, since the very first moment they had met, Miiram was eager to test her abilities in combat against those of Mara, who was the ex-Emperor's Hand. The Yuuzhan Vong female hadn't yet found out what exactly this meant, having sensed that it was a sensitive subject with the human woman, but it was something that obviously meant expert skills in any way of combat and instilled great respect in many of Mara's kin.

Sighing softly, Miiram eased her tensed muscles and shook her head. "No. Of course not." It was nonsense to fly off to Sernpidal.
She had no real arguments to make Mara see the foolishness of her actions, but she knew that this was not what was called for right now.

"What about simple reason?" Another, deeper voice chimed in. Feeling someone step up behind her, Miiram turned her head and stared surprised at her fianc?Khalee Lah.
His gaze met hers for a moment, a question obvious in his eyes. She shook her head slightly, guessing that he wanted to know whether the human had hurt her. Of course she would have been perfectly able to defend herself, but as her betrothed and a male, Khalee would be expected to defend her properly.

Now he continued in a calm voice, his dark eyes focused on the Jedi woman that looked almost fragile in comparison to him. "You'd need 1 day to get to Sernpidal, Mara Jade-Skywalker. In whatever danger your husband is - mind you, you don't even know its nature - you would come to late anyway."

Mara was visibly panting. Whereas normally she would be as calm and composed as this Yuuzhan Vong in face of such a danger, this was no usual situation.
Since the events around Elan and Kwaad, she had sworn to herself that no one and nothing would stand between her and Luke. No one and nothing would hurt him as long as she lived to protect him. The sheer imagination of sitting around, knowing Luke was in trouble, of whatever sort, came close to instilling a feeling of going insane in her.

She was not in the right mood to think rational, the cackle of the unknown voice in her head, so evil, still reverberated through her soul.

"I think you better get out of my way NOW, or I..." she was interrupted by the shrill chime of her comlink, looking at it surprised.
From one second to the other, it was like her brain started to work again, pushing her feelings back and beginning to analyse the situation. With slightly trembling fingers, she activated the small communication device, aware of two pairs of alien eyes resting expectantly on her.

"Jade-Skywalker." She stated, cursing her slightly quivering voice. Anyone who knew her would catch on on her bewilderment and agitation.

"Mara? This is Leia."

Mara's heart sank inexplicably. Even before her sister-in-law had ended, she had noted the slight hint of anxiousness in the princess's voice. Leia knew about Luke.

"Leia, did you feel it? Did you feel Luke?" at the fringes of her perception, Mara saw the foreheads of two beings furrow that had never understood the Force and probably never would. At the moment, though, Mara didn't pay attention to it.

She could almost see the delicate lips of Leia pressing together tightly, see the unconscious nod, all before she heard the voice once again.

"Yes."

"I'm going to get the Jade Sabre ready in ten minutes and then I'm on my way. If you can get Han, you..."

"Mara, you're going to stay on the Criarto. I'm coming up. Han, too."

Finally forgetting her company, Mara allowed a slightly desperate expression on her face. "Leia, I can't just stay here. Luke is in trouble."

"I KNOW that. But Sernpidal is too far away as if you could help him if he needs help NOW. He has a whole task force with him. Stay where you are and wait for me. We have some information you might find quite interesting. The situation is more complicate than you can imagine."
The regal voice changing to a more softer tone, Leia added: "Luke will be all right, Mara. I know it."

"You sure you don't mean you HOPE it?" Mara murmured, but Leia had already signed off. Sighing defeated, finally acknowledging that she was wrong and the others were right, she turned to the onlookers.

Miiram's eyes met hers, showing the closest thing to compassion Yuuzhan Vong were able to feel, whereas the male's eyes were expressionless.

"I'm all right now." She assured the young royalty, then focused on the man. "Who are you anyway?"

He smiled thinly, obviously acknowledging the speed with which she could took hold of her emotions again. "Khalee Lah, son of Tsavong Lah."

Mara perched an eyebrow: "Indeed? So you're Miiram's betrothed?"

The young Lah nodded. "Perfect. It will be best to show me to your father. If the President is coming up here, she'll want to see the Warmaster. Looks like we've got some crisis at hand."

The Yuuzhan Vong nodded: "Follow me." After a sort of pleading look of Miiram, he added: "Both of you.", turned and went off purposefully.

------------------------
Belkadan, Orbit
------------------------

"Corran, what the hell is going on there?" Wes Janson's voice sounded to equal parts irritated and annoyed. For the past two hours, he and Corran had flown cover around Belkadan and the worldship "Direen", keeping an eye on the proceedings.
Everything had been completely peaceful when suddenly a commotion had begun on the worldship. The transports attached to its hull had readied themselves for take-off and soon the first of them had detached themselves from their mother ship, setting course on the system they'd be inhabiting soon.

Technically, that would have been no reason to worry, if it had happened two hours from this very moment. This was not planned at this time and there had been no word either from Luke nor from Anakin that plans would be sped up.

"I have absolutely no.... Oh boy!"

"Corran? Corran, what's the matter?"

"Get over here and see for yourself." Corran managed to bring out, horrified and mesmerised by the scenario that he saw in front of his cockpit.
He had just rounded the eastern flank of the huge worldship, expecting nothing special to show up before him, when Whistler started to hoot agitatedly behind him. Soon his eyes - sharp from years of piloting - had zeroed in on what had disturbed the little astromech droid.

Near to the point the brain of the ship was located - Corran had studied a lot of Yuuzhan Vong customs and technology in the last time - there was huge breech that broadened further and further, venting breathable air, yorik coral debris and two bodies, of which he caught sight when they spun away towards the planet below.

The curious thing was that Corran couldn't see anything that could have caused that breech. There was no attacking ship, neither Yuuzhan Vong nor New Republic, that was targeting this area. An explosion couldn't be the reason either, for that would have been detected either by his or Janson's scanners. Even the Yuuzhan Vong ships exploded in a way that did alert normal technology.

All that left the obvious question what was going on down there. He keyed the frequency of Luke's comlink into his own communication device, but the Jedi Master didn't answer.
Now definitely worried, he keyed in Anakin's frequency, after hesitating for a short time. But there was no other way to find out what was happening on the worldship.

He didn't know whether to feel relieved or more worried when Anakin finally answered. Why did only the apprentice copy and not the master? This didn't feel good. Not for the first time in the last years, the Rogue turned Jedi cursed the Force dampening affect of the Yuuzhan Vong ships.

"Corran?" the young boy's voice sounded slightly afraid and he was obviously panting from a run.

"Yes, it's me. Anakin, what is the matter down there? We can see an expanding breech at the eastern flank of the ship. Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm okay. We know about the breech. Commander Hiirk is on his way to check on it. We don't know what it is, though. But Uncle Luke..."

Corran felt a familiar cold hand press down on him. He knew that feeling. It always settled down on him if one of his friends was in danger. Too often in the past had it come to him. Far too often.

"What about Luke? Anakin, calm down and tell me from the beginning." He could feel the boy's sorrow like a buzzing next to his stomach. The fact that he could, that the Yuuzhan Vong ship couldn't blend it out, meant that Anakin was really troubled.

"He was behind me. We wanted to get to the hangar, to get out to you and see whether we can do anything, but... but Uncle Luke was cut off from me." For a moment the voice halted, and Corran had the impression of seeing the young boy's head turn.
The anxiousness increased ten folds and when Anakin began to speak again, he sounded truly afraid, his voice loosing at lest six years of maturity.

"There are thud bugs everywhere in the corridor between the captain's quarters and the hangar our X-Wings are in. They are blocking it. Uncle Luke can't get through. I can't even see him. It looks as if they're after him!"

"What?" Corran couldn't help the sharpness his voice suddenly held. This didn't sound good. Not at all.

"They haven't come after me, Corran. They all stay in the corridor and I hear a lightsaber. Uncle Luke is still in there." After a slight pause, the tormented voice of the young boy came back: "Corran, I wanted to stay but he told me to go. I didn't want to let him alone, but he told me and.. and.. I just did what he said and..."

"Don't worry about it, Anakin. It was right to listen to Luke. Is the hangar used to get refugees to the transports?"

"Uh, yes, but shouldn't I go help Uncle..."

"No. Luke has sent you away for a reason. It would be too dangerous. You're going to help the Yuuzhan Vong to get their folks out of there. This breech is expanding. It doesn't look as if they do anything against it and if they do, it doesn't help. So get them out of there."

"But Uncle..."

"I'm going to get down to you and see what I can do. Whatever you do, you DON'T go after Luke. Understood?"

Anakin sounded defeated: "Okay, Corran. But hurry."

"I will. Corran end." Signing off, he keyed in the private frequency to Wes, hoping that Anakin would indeed do what he had told him.

"Corran, would you finally tell me what's going on? Have you talked to Luke?" Wes sounded impatient - more than a little bit in fact.

"No, but to Anakin. Luke is in trouble. I've got to get down there, the kid can't help him all alone."

There was a slight pause, then Janson copied in a determined, if sorrow-tinged voice: "Acknowledged. I'm trying to cope alone with the trouble here."

"Trouble? What trouble?" Corran was positively flustered, looking around to get a glimpse on Janson's X-Wing while he veered off towards the hangar bay he knew Luke and Anakin had landed in.

"There are two Vong warships approaching fast, with weapons ready. I have no idea what they do want here, but I have the feeling they won't take kindly to us."

"Wes, this is no treachery."

"Tell THEM that!"

Corran grinned despite of the seriousness of the situation, finally seeing where Wes was getting to. "Oh come on, Wes Janson against two warships. They're going to beg for your mercy."

"You actually DO think you're funny, don't you, Horn?"

Now the Jedi laughed openly: "Horn end."

-----------------------
Sernpidal Orbit
-----------------------

Wedge Antilles was sitting in his chair, quietly enjoying a cup of hot caf after having to deal with a serious malfunction of cleaning droids that had afflicted three decks of his lower military grades. The picky ones who came straight from home and had still to learn that not everywhere they went everything would be clean like their mother's kitchen.

He hadn't expected much trouble during this mission. The worst he had prepared himself for was a few heated political discussions or an argument with Luke if it came to some tactical discussions. He and his long time friend had only seldomly disagreements of this sort, but if they did, it was hard to find a compromise. Luke was the most stubborn person Wedge had ever met and this had only increased with age.

Wedge had surely not though that a military alarm would pull him out a slight day dream about his wife, Iella Wessiri-Antilles.

"General?" his assistant, a young woman from Corulag, touched his shoulder slightly. He opened his eyes, sighing inwardly, gesturing to one of the bridge officers to shut off the alarm.

"What kind of problem do we have?" he asked, rising slowly and wandering over to the railing from where he overlooked the rest of the bridge.

"I don't know, to be honest. Commander Janson wants to talk to you."

"And because of this you've sounded the alarm?" Wedge stared at her, astonished.

The young woman blushed: "No... actually, I didn't sound the alarm."

"Then who...?"

"It was me. I wanted to show you it was urgent." Hobbie Klivian sat at the young woman's place, looking up at Wedge, his usually sad expression even sadder than normal.

"I should have guessed." Wedge grumbled, but couldn't fight the small smile that tugged at his lips: "So, what was so important that you disturbed the relaxation of your general?"

"Wedge, just get over here to Belkadan and that fast." Janson's voice sounded through the small loudspeaker on the console.

The general frowned: "Why?"

"I tell you if you're here. If you don't hurry, though, I may not be here to tell you anymore. I'm no diplomat, you know."

"Diplomat? Luke's the diplomat on this mission, he..."

"The boss is in trouble and Corran's on the worldship to help him. So that makes one single, little Wes all alone against two Yuuzhan Vong warships. Can you see where I'm coming from now?"

"I can see indeed. I'm there in a quarter of an hour."

--------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Direen"
---------------------------------------------

Luke backed away slowly. The thud bugs were hovering no two meters away from him, their buzzing almost deafening. That had to be at least a hundred of them, all obviously interested in him. Too much for his liking. Holding his lightsaber activated before him, he looked around, searching for some way out of this corridor. He had absolutely no idea why they had ignored Anakin, though he was pretty grateful for it.

His nephew was good with his saber, but this were too much adversaries - too fast, too deadly. No risk he would have wanted Anakin to take anytime soon.

- Aren't they beautiful? -

Once again this voice. If at least it wouldn't sound so familiar. He was sure he had heard it some time before, somewhere, but where? It had this edge he thought to recognise, but then, he couldn't place it in his head. The voice's ability to speak right in his head, not to be heard by anyone else, was unsettling, though.

'I don't think so.' He sent back, deciding that it was best to startle the other, whoever it was. He wouldn't be played with. Not again. Never again.

- No. I know that you're not fond of buggs, my dear. You told me. -

'I'm not YOUR DEAR' he replied calmly, feeling the cold yorik coral in his back. The bugs still hovered before him, hundreds of dark, glittering eyes trained on him.

It seemed to Luke as if they were waiting for something. Trying not to think at how he would possibly survive an all-out attack of those beasts if they decided to take him for a meal, he frowned at the last sentence of the voice. He told it?

- I can't remember to have told you anytthing. Stay out of my head or tell me what you want from me. -

He replied. Instead of an answer - or was it the answer? - five of the thud bugs veered out of the swarm, attacking him quickly and deadly.
Dodging skilfully, he managed to kill four of them, but the fifth one grazed his shoulder, making him hiss in pain before he fried it with the tip of its saber before it could turn and head back to its companions.

Holding the green blade of pure energy in front of himself, he spared his shoulder a glance. It was not a deep wound, but it was bleeding and his tunic was cut cleanly. Just before he wanted to focus on the bugs once again, a searing pain shot through his arm, making him cry out before he could restrain himself.

His eyes shot back to his shoulder and widened in amazement when he saw how the wound extended more and more. The borders of it were burning like hell and it was obvious that there had been some sort of poison injected. Showing the handle of his weapon into his other hand, he took an edge of his torn robe and rubbed it through the wound, ignoring the pain this action caused.

When he was done and tossed the piece of robe away, it landed on the floor, sizzling and dissolving. He stared at it, forgetting for a second the deadly menace of the surviving animals.

- Isn't it a nice invention? They're injjecting acid into their prey. -

The voice giggled in his head. Luke felt himself gulp and hoped whoever it was couldn't see that. That was no good news.

- Who are you?-

He sent for a second time, feeling desperate to get some answers.

- I'm disappointed you haven't figured oout yet. You will soon, though. If you survive, that is. Bye for now. Or forever?-

Before Luke could sent another reply or question, he had to concentrate on something entirely else. Forcing the fear out of his system, he watched as the swarm of thud bugs divided into five throngs, which positioned themselves on different positions in the corridor. There was no way for him to get into the hangar. He had to find another way. Somehow.

Before he could end his assessment of his surroundings, one of the throngs attacked, sending him somersaulting and slashing through the small space he occupied at the end of the corridor. As much as he could aboard a Yuuzhan Vong ship, that dampened the Force almost as effectively as an Ysalamiri, he immersed himself in the energy field that had accompanied him since he was eighteen, abandoning any conscious thought, just trying to figure out where the bugs would try to hit him next.

Normally, such a challenge would have been to his liking - if the possibility of an unpleasant death wouldn't have loomed behind.

The Force was a mighty ally and he killed one bug after the other, dodging, rolling on the floor, letting his energy blade sizzle through the air.
But even a Jedi Master had limits. And even a Jedi Master could be outnumbered. Just as he blocked an assault that would have severed his head neatly from his neck, one bug shot past his thigh, tearing a long gash into it. Crying out another time in pain, feeling the acid burn into his skin almost immediately, he fell onto his knees, clutching his leg while knocking a thud bug out of the air with the handle of his lightsaber.

However, the injury had disturbed his concentration enough to make him unaware of another thud bug that shot onto him from the right, ramming into his temple, sending him rolling to the other side of the corridor. Colliding painfully with the wall, his weapon was knocked out of his hands.

Trying to roll himself into a ball, to give the thud bugs as less target area as possible, Luke was surprised by the animals once again. A could of them veered all around him, the noise of their little wings reverberating in his head in a painful way. His temple throbbed, but didn't burn. This thud bug had just knocked him down, didn't want to kill him.

A part of him was astonished at their intelligence and wandered what they wanted to do now. Obviously, attack was not what they had in whatever mind they possessed. Luke tried to sit up, but immediately felt a sharp sting in his back.

Lying down again, he glanced around for his lightsaber, but all he could see were small, black bodies that flew from one wall to the other, around him, as if they guarded him. Slowly, he rolled around, to face the corridor instead of the wall. The bugs seemed to accept that and let him be.

It was then that he noticed that three of the five throngs had landed all around him on the corridor's floor and were busying themselves there. Small clicking noises led him to believe that they indeed bit into the yorik coral. Though he couldn't really imagine why.

- Breath as long as you can. -

Luke narrowed his eyes. He wouldn't be taunted by this voice this time. Not this time. He had other things to worry about and didn't have a spare minute to ponder what it wanted to make him see.

As it turned out, he didn't need the voice to tell him what was the problem. Only a couple of moments later, with a hissing sound, small pillars of smoke rose from the floor.
With no small horror, Luke realised that the bugs were injecting their acid into the yorik coral. The living tissue burned, along with the thud bugs that worked on it - fed on it, as it seemed - and the stench was suffocating. Soon, the corridor was filled with it and Luke, being so near to the floor, had trouble to get oxygen into his lungs.

Coughing, his instincts winning over his reason, he stood up, ignoring the shot of pain that attacked him from the wound on his thigh, only to be knocked down again flat on his face when a thud bug slammed into his neck.

Effectively dazed, his head spinning, his lungs aching and hurting from the lack of oxygen and the noxious fumes he lay there for a moment.
It took him a couple of seconds to gather his thoughts, as far as it was possible with his growing need to breath and cough, but when he had finally succeeded, he rolled on his back. The air around him was brownish and thick.

He had to get up. Soon. The fumes concentrated on the floor and if he'd stay down here any longer he'd pass out for sure. Already now the dizziness was barely to bear. Calling the Force to himself, pushing all his pain out of his thoughts, he concentrated on his lightsaber and felt the reassuring weight of his weapon in his hand only seconds later.

Up there, beyond the fumes, he suspected bugs were still watching over him. Someone or something controlled them. He was sure of it now.

It was obvious that those bugs were the reason for the breech near the ship's brain. Their acid dissolved yorik coral and that really quick.

Banning these musings from his consciousness, he clutched his lightsaber in a firm grip, closed his eyes for a moment, then jumped on his feet in one fluid movement, blocking two thud bugs that had immediately zeroed in on his mid section.
Barely registering that the fumes were gathering around his knees, he whirled around, green blade held high, and three more bugs were fried before they could bury themselves in his eyes. But the air was still filled with more buzzing and that was not good.

The effects of the fumes were serious and he felt wobbly. The acid eating away on the skin of his thigh was tormenting him even more as the noxious air, if that was possible. All in all, Luke mused, he had better get out of here as soon as possible.

Looking around, he oriented himself and began to run towards the hangar. As he had half-expected, the bugs that still lived persecuted him, starting attacks from behind that were difficult to block while running. Yet, he couldn't turn to face them, because one of the special things about Yuuzhan Vong ships was that their floors were not plain. There were little dents and higher sections, according to how the yorik coral had grown, that made running backwards tricky. Too tricky for him at the moment.

When he had crossed about three quarters of its way, the bugs obviously decided that they had to go for it now or they'd loose him. Or someone decided it for them.
Either way, all that remained - Luke estimated about three dozen at the least - attacked him at once. As if this wasn't a difficult enough situation, he felt his right leg, the one with the wound, give way beneath him and he thudded hard onto his knees.

Swinging his lightsaber, killing more assailants, he was aware of the three that headed for his throat before he actually saw him. Unfortunately, he was fully engage in blocking others that went for his side and chest.

Pressing his lips together tightly, he forced himself to calm down. He couldn't get through that alive. In a second or two, this trio would shred his throat, killing him at once.
He was not afraid - not really. He was sorry. Sorry to not see his child when it was born. Sorry to leave all those he loved. But he was a Jedi. He would accept death if it came.

Trampling on some bugs he had knocked out of the air expertly and frying more with the tip of his lightsaber before they could dug into his neck, he heard the buzz of the three going for his throat as if they were broadcasting their approach explicitly for him.

Then three things happened at the same time. An arm caught Luke around the waist and he was pushed out of the way, while another lightsaber whooshed through the air, taking care of all immediate attackers.
And a loud, evil laughter that had filled Luke's head only a fraction of a second before suddenly was cut off and he had the feeling that someone was enraged. Thoroughly enraged.

Getting his bearings back, he met Corran's eyes and his worried expression: "Can you run on your own, Luke?" the Corellian had expertly assessed his injuries, seeing the blood stained right leg of his trousers.

In face of the two blades, the remaining bugs had slowed down, hovering in seeming irritation some meters away of them.

The sight of his friend and the short break had given Luke some time to gather himself and the Force and he was able to suppress both his pain and his dizziness. "No problem. What are you doing here, anyway?"

Covering each other, the two Jedi backed off towards the hangar slowly, not letting their guard down despite the fact that the thud bugs didn't follow.

"Helping you out of trouble?" The former CorSec officer proposed, activating the small coral door that sealed the hangar off from the corridor if needed. When it closed itself, both men exhaled visibly.

"Thank you, Corran. But this was not your job." Luke deactivated his lightsaber, clipping it back on his belt.

"I know, Master, and you're very welcome." The Corellian was obviously amused, mimicking Luke and attaching his weapon back to his robe.

"Uncle Luke!"

Inhaling the relatively clean air deeply, coughing slightly because of that, Luke straightened and turned around. The eyes of his nephew widened in sorrow and obvious horror and the Jedi Master glanced at Corran.

"Do I look that bad?"

"You've looked worse."

"Often?"

Corran grinned softly: "No."

Luke grimaced: "Well, thank you."

"Uncle Luke, are you okay?" Anakin grabbed his arm carefully, mustering his temple. Blood was trickling slowly down his cheek. Now, that the adrenaline had worn off, Luke could feel the slight throbbing in his head again. His leg burned as if he had held it in fire.

Luke nodded nonetheless. Worrying his nephew was no good at the moment. "I'm fine, Anakin." He looked around, noting that only a small group of Yuuzhan Vong was boarding one of the smaller transports. Obviously, the evacuation was complete.

"Your doing?" he queried, mustering his nephew approvingly. Anakin blushed a little: "Yes. Corran thought I should help them a little. They were quite flustered that everything had to go so quick."

"Good job, Anakin." Luke smiled, then gestured to his nephews X-Wing: "Would you fly cover for the last transport till they jump into lightspeed?"

His nephew nodded hesitantly, smiling back, then heading off. Only when Anakin's starfighter was out of the hangar, did Luke allow himself to stop his slow advance towards his own ship and close his eyes.

Immediately he felt Corran's hand on his shoulder: "You're not ok." This was a statement and Luke knew it would be of no use to deny the obvious to the Corellian.

"This was narrow. They'd have had me back there if not for you."

"Anakin said they were explicitly after you. Probably he misinterpreted..."

"No." Luke interrupted him. "No, Corran, Anakin was right. They went just for me. They knocked me down and kept me on the ground. Then they set to dissolve the floor around me. They wanted to kill me. No one else."

Corran stared at him with wide eyes, shaking his head slightly: "Why should they? After all, it's been just bugs."

Luke's eyes strolled back to the door that hid the corridor now. This voice was the reason. This voice had controlled the bugs, too, and had told them to kill him. But could he tell Corran about the voice?

They were all so over-protective and worried about him. Perhaps they wouldn't believe him. Would think he was overworked or still influenced by what he had undergone on Kwaad's ship. No. It would be better to keep that voice to himself for the time being. Until he found out whom it belonged to.

"Yeah. Just bugs." He murmured. Corran looked at him strangely, until the Jedi Master shrugged: "Perhaps I was just so unlucky to be the only one in the corridor. Has Hiirk gotten away?" he resumed his walk to his fighter.

Corran nodded: "Yeah. There were casualties, though we don't know how many yet. But you've got to get out there and tell them that this was no treason from our part. Wes is trying to tell that to two Vong ships and they won't believe him because he's not you."

Luke sighed: "Well, that won't be a problem, I think. And after that I'll have a talk with you. I know what happened to the ship."

Corran nodded: "I thought so. But first you're going to see a doctor. The Force won't keep whatever burns through your skin right now at bay forever and you know it."

The Jedi Master just nodded and plodded down on his seat. Immediately he heard the hooting and soft twittering of R2. The droid was obviously worried. "I'm okay, R2."

- No, you're not. You're Liin Kwaad. I hhave made you. You're from my kin. And if you're not with me, you'll die. -

The words slammed into Luke's brain as if someone had hammered them in there. "I have made you." It echoed in his mind again and again. Freezing him. Making his heart hammer in his chest.

Like a droid, he assured the Yuuzhan Vong commanders everything was okay, asked about Hiirk and calmed down Wedge and Leia - he barely registered the explanation that everything down there had barely lasted half an hour, that Wedge had immediately contacted Leia and that his sister was on her way to Tsavong Lah and Mara on the Criarto to talk about everything with them.

His replies were mechanical, emotionless. His hands guided his X-Wing automatically towards the flagship that had jumped into the Belkadan Orbit.

His thoughts were on something entirely else. Mezhan Kwaad. This voice belonged to Mezhan Kwaad. She had controlled the bugs. She had bred them to trap him, to kill him slowly and painfully.

Was she alive? Or worse... was she within him? Attached to him after she had perished with Elan? How did she know he was on Sernpidal, on "Direen"?

When he steered his vehicle onto its landing pad, he noticed with dismay that his natural hand was trembling.

Luke had though it was over. He had hoped it was over. But it wasn't. It obviously wasn't.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Criarto", Coruscant System, Half An Hour Later
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was very calm in Tsavong Lah's private quarters. All they had witnessed in the past hour would have to be analysed thoroughly as soon as Luke was back. Spirits were low. This looked like sabotage. And sabotage was what could endanger peace treaties above all else.

But Mara Jade-Skywalker was not interested in this at the moment. Not really. Of course she would help analyse this. She was trained in Intelligence. She was trained in terrorism and sabotage.

Right now, though, her mind was on her husband. She had felt awesomely relieved when she had heard his voice. But at the same time, it had chilled her. He had sounded absent. On automatic mode. She knew this. All too well.
She knew when he used this mode. At all those times he focused on something in himself, some big problem he had to figure out.
To her this tone of his voice now, after all what had happened, having him a whole day way from her... it did not make her happy.

She felt eyes on her and lifted her head to see Miiram gazing at her intently. "Your mate and his fleet will head back immediately now. He will be here by tomorrow afternoon."

Mara nodded and said, softly: "I know." She could barely wait.

| To Be Continued
I know it has been awfully long, but I have been very busy with school. I hope this chapter will make up for it, it's the longest so far. I can't wait to hear what you're all thinking, so please read and review.

Sincerely,

*|Sienn|*

---------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Part 6
----------------------------------------------------

PG-13

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR Flagship "Sernpidal" Task Force, Hyperspace, Four Hours Later
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Searing pain shot once again through his leg, but Luke Skywalker scarcely realised it. His eyes were fixed on a spot on the white ceiling of the medical bay of his flagship. The lights had been dimmed automatically, taking into account the head wound the patient had suffered. He had been grateful for that, even if it didn't matter too much to him at the moment.

In fact, he hardly cared for his leg wound and would have headed straight for his quarters, to meditate, if it hadn't been for Corran and Wes who had insisted on seeing him to a medic. They hadn't quite understood why Luke would have preferred to see to his wounds himself and why he needed to be alone now. Why he desperately needed to bathe in the Force.

They didn't hear these words. They didn't hear them over and over again.

'I have made you. You're from my kin. You're Liin Kwaad'

As much as he tried, Luke couldn't make this voice go away. It had hammered itself into his head and didn't let him be. He felt the need to run and hide - a need that had taken so long to be battled down.
She was back. Mezhan Kwaad was back. And with her all the nightmarish memories, the terror, the fear. Probably that had been the reason Corran and Wes had been so overly worried about him when he had exited his X-Wing.

He had had to withdraw much of his attention from his wounds and his pain, just to stop his body from trembling.
All the way to the ship and out of his fighter, Luke had felt the cold hand of shock trying to grip his heart. He had felt the familiar need to bolt, to run away as far as he could. Away from this voice. Away from the being this voice belonged to.

But this would mean giving Mezhan Kwaad once again might over him. Something he had sworn he'd never tolerate again. He had let that happen on time and it had almost destroyed him. It had blocked him from everything that made life worth something. This wouldn't happen to him again. He would not run and cower in fear in some corner, hoping that she would not find him. Not again.

But what, Luke mused, would he do instead? This voice belonged to Kwaad. But what did that mean? Was she alive? For all he knew, that was impossible. Everyone had told him that she had perished with Elan, when the Priestess' flagship had exploded in the Coruscant system.

But how then could Luke hear her voice in his head? This troubled him deeply. He was the only one who could hear the voice. The Master Shaper had a special connection to him - that frightened and nauseated him.
He felt the need to throw up, but he hardly could. Corran was standing in one corner of the room, leaning against the wall, watching every movement of the medical droid with narrowed eyes. Watching HIM with narrowed eyes.

Luke smiled faintly, closing his eyes, forcing himself to concentrate on the pain. Slowly, gradually, this helped his brain, his thoughts, to find their way back to reality.
He could not afford to think about this again. Not here. Not where everyone could see him. And yet, time was running short for him. He had to come to terms with his feelings, had to quench this voice that whispered in his ears.

Mara mustn't learn about this. No one must learn about it. They would jump to conclusions - they would treat him in a way he didn't want to be treated. Most of all, they'd be worried sick about him and he didn't want to do this to them again.

This was something he had to stand up to himself. Others would learn if the need should arise. No sense in bothering them with it already now.

He suddenly became aware that the slight noise that indicated the droid was moving had stopped. Astounded, he focused his gaze on the 2-1B, finding the unit staring at him with mechanical eyes, obviously awaiting a response.

"Uh, what?" he muttered, cursing himself inwardly. He really did an exceptional job to make everyone see that he was fine.

"I recommended to you that you should accept a full body bacta treatment, Jedi Master Skywalker." The emotionless voice repeated.

Luke frowned: "A full body treatment? How long would that take?"

"Approximately twelve hours. I would..."

The Jedi shook his head vehemently: "No way. That is too long. We're going to arrive in the Coruscant system in 20 hours. Four hours for analysis and debriefing are too short."

"Luke, perhaps you should listen to the droid." Corran's calm voice was obviously set to soothe, but the recipient of this effort was in no mood to acknowledge that or even be influenced by it.

"I would if I could afford it. But I can't. We are bound to have a conference the moment we arrive in-system. That means we have to make ourselves a clear picture of what happened. I can't do that if I'm floating in a green goo."

His jaw set in a stubborn expression, Luke turned to the medical droid: "What's your alternative treatment?"

"Knocking you out and repairing the damage to your thigh surgically instead of letting it grow together with the help of bacta. I have to bring to your attention, though, that this will be a lot more exhausting than the ideal form of treatment in your case, Master Jedi."

It took only a second before Luke nodded: "Do it. Corran, be so kind as to take care that my nephew is all right. Tell everyone involved to have some rest and order their thoughts. The moment I'm out of here..." he paused, glancing at the droid.

"Two hours."

Luke nodded again: "Two hours from now, I want to have reports from everyone. As detailed as possible. And thoughts about the following questions: Why now, why here and who could be responsible for it."

"Master, I don't think..." once again, the blonde Jedi didn't allow Corran to finish his sentence.

"Just do it, Corran. And do it now."

With that, Luke let himself sink back onto the mattress of the clinical bed. He felt his friend's dismay, his incomprehension and heard the door whoosh open and closed a second later. He didn't even feel sorry for his words.

He didn't want to talk to anyone right now. Two hours of unconsciousness would be perfect. It was, when he was honest to himself, exactly what he craved right now. Shutting off his thoughts.

When he felt the syringe enter his arm, he closed his eyes, lowered his barriers and waited for the anaesthetic to kick in. A mere second later, he felt warm tiredness engulf his thoughts.

And finally, the whispering voice fell silent.

*~~

Corran Horn sighed softly to himself, sinking onto his sleeping bunk and leaning forward on his elbows.

It would have been too simple if this assignment had gone over without problems. In fact, the Corellian had expected problems. Just not these big ones. The whole worldship had been destroyed. There had been at least 1000 victims. These were the latest admirals they had been given the moment before they had jumped into hyperspace.

1000 Yuuzhan Vong dead. Killed by sabotage. And this when New Republic dignitaries were in-system and even on the ship. He didn't need political expertise to guess what kind of thoughts would go running loose in the heads of some of the Yuuzhan Vong.

This could endanger the whole process of establishing peace and tolerance between the New Republic and the alien race.

And as if this wasn't enough already, now he also worried about his friend. Luke had been curiously changed when he had exited his starfighter in the flagship's main hangar bay. He had barely registered Corran's words and had headed straight for his quarters.

Whereas it didn't surprise the Corellian that the Jedi Master had wanted to avoid the medicinal treatment - this was just typically Luke - the sudden paleness had worried him.

Corran had seen much in his years as CorSec officer and then as pilot for the New Republic. Countless times he had seen people under the influence of a severe shock. Pale skinned and wide eyed, they seemed to be asleep on their feet and more than a little bit withdrawn from reality.

And exactly those things he had seen in Luke. All the way to the medical bay and then during his treatment, he had seemed to be far away, pondering something that obviously distressed him.

But what this had been.... Corran shook his head. He had absolutely no idea what could have shaken Luke in this way. When he had boarded his X-Wing on the "Direen", he had seemed exhausted and in pain, but otherwise fine.

Something must have happened during the short voyage to the New Republic flagship. But what could that have been? There had been no communication from or to Luke's X-Wing except for the connection to Coruscant. And of this talk, the former CorSec officer had witnessed every single word. There had been nothing that could have justified Luke's behaviour.

He must have overlooked something. Some tiny bit must have eluded him. Closing his eyes, Corran tried to review every single moment of this day, but was interrupted by a light Force touch at his soul.

As soon as he had acknowledged the connection, the door whooshed open. The head of Anakin Solo peeked in, smiling a little half-heartedly.

"May I come in?"

"Of course." Corran nodded towards the chair that stood in the opposite corner of the room. His quarters were not exactly spacious, rather humble, in fact. Except of his sleeping bunk, there was just a table and a chair.

The sixteen-year-old boy plopped down, laying his hands into his lap, his fingers fidgeting nervously with his trousers.

"What can I do for you?"

Anakin bit his lower lip, then his blue eyes settled on the older man's face. Not for the first time, Corran was astounded by the similarity between Luke and his nephew. It was striking. Those eyes had the same colour and the same intensity.

"How is Uncle Luke?"

"You don't have to worry about him, Anakin. He is fine."

The boy's forehead furrowed: "Wedge told me that he is in surgery. Why? Have his injuries been that severe?"

"No." the Jedi shook his head. "Luke could choose between spending the day in bacta or having the wound at his thigh healed surgically. He chose the letter for the sake of saving time. You know your uncle."

Anakin grinned faintly: "Yes, I know my uncle."

Then he lapsed again into silence, gaze trained on the floor.

Corran sensed the apprehension in the young apprentice. Something was troubling him and he was searching for a way to make it understandable for him. Knowing better than to press, the Corellian settled back on his bunk and decided to wait.

It didn't take long.

Anakin's voice was unusually raspy and timid and the Jedi though to already know what was weighing down on his spirit.

"Do you think I should have gone back? To help Uncle Luke?"

Blue eyes focused on the more experienced fighter and Corran felt the urgency in this question. The boy was berating himself for having abandoned his uncle. Probably he even thought he could have prevented Luke from getting hurt. It took all the Corellian's self control to not sigh loudly.
Searching the guilt for everything by themselves seemed to be running in the Skywalker blood. Luke had it, Leia had it and her kids obviously were no exception.

"Anakin, I told you already that you have been right to listen to Luke. You have done well today. Because of you, there haven't been more victims to this sabotage. The evacuation worked quickly and without problems. And this largely because you helped."

"I know!" the 16-year-old jumped to his feet and paced nervously through the small room. "But I feel like I have abandoned Uncle Luke. Corran, those bugs were after him. All of them. And I just ran. I didn't stay and helped him, I just ran."

The helplessness in this voice cut deep into Corran's heart. He could very well understand the boy's problem with the whole situation.
Anakin had still to learn to distinguish between things he could take responsibility for and things he couldn't. This was not an easy thing to learn and it would take time. Time and help.

"But you ran because you've been told to do so by someone who pretty well knows what he can handle and what not. Don't you trust your uncle's judgement, Anakin?"

The blue eyes widened, shocked: "But of course! Uncle Luke is the mightiest Jedi there is."

Corran smiled: "Right. And now you tell me that you think you, a mere Jedi apprentice, could have prevented him, Luke Skywalker, from getting hurt? Think about it. He has faced at least one hundred of these things. And all he got was a wound at his thigh and a slight concussion. Do you seriously think you could have done anything but get yourself killed in this corridor?"

There was a short pause, then: "Probably not."

The Corellian smiled satisfied, stood and clasped the boy's shoulder: "See? There is no reason for you to make yourself any reproaches. You did what was necessary today and saved a lot of lifes. You behaved like a Jedi."

"But I could have lost Uncle Luke." Anakin's voice was soft, his eyes clear but serious.

Corran frowned. Not what he expected. His speech had originally been intended to lift the guy's spirit and make him smile again.
There was more to the whole thing. More than he had thought.

"Anakin, why are you really here? Luke has been in more dangerous situations already. You know that. You know that you could loose him. Anytime. You've always known."

For a slight moment, those words sounded cruel, incredibly cruel, to Corran's own ears, but he knew that they were true. Anakin and his siblings hadn't had a normal childhood. They had been aware - and involved - in their family's adventures in a way that was astounding. They had witnessed their uncle facing dangers in face of which the thud bugs seemed like a mere nuisance. It was uncharacteristically for any of them - and Anakin especially - to be so concerned.

"Corran, these bugs... They have been after him. Only after him."

Green eyes narrowed and focused on the slightly pale face of his counterpart. "Are you aware of what you're saying right now?"

The boy nodded: "Yes. I wouldn't have faced any danger if I had stayed and fought at his side. I..."

"No. No, no, no. That's not what I meant."

Anakin fell silent, staring at Corran, flustered: "I don't understand..."

"You don't have to. Just answer me some questions, okay?"

"Well..."

"Fine. First: are you absolutely - and I mean ABSOLUTELY - sure that the bugs have been solely after Luke. Could it be that they have simply overseen you?"

"Hardly. I had my lightsaber activated and was standing a mere meter away from them. They knew I was there. They just didn't care for me."

Corran massaged his temple. This was one of the key points. Suddenly, without having called for it, the memory of the gaze Luke had shot towards the sealed corridor on the Direen came back to the Jedi. This gaze had been curious.

Luke had also insisted that the bugs had been after him. There was a puzzle Corran had to put together to get the full picture - and his gut told him that the full picture would show him the reason why Luke was so distressed and withdrawn since the very moment he had left his starfighter. Or had he been even while he was flying?

"What are you thinking about?"

Ice blue eyes tore into his face and the Corellian felt a slight Force probing. Anakin was not trained enough yet to break through Corran's defences and he doubted the boy would ever do that, but then, knocking softly and asking for entrance could do no harm.

"Nothing special. There was just something that had me disturbed and I was trying to figure it out."

"It has to do with Uncle Luke." This was no question and the older man began to wonder how much exactly Anakin knew.

He nodded: "Yes, it had. But it's nothing you should bother about."

"Does it have something to do with talk you two have head while we were flying to the Direen?"

Corran tensed: "Which talk?"

"Oh, come on. I may not be a Jedi yet, but I'm not dumb." Anakin sounded genuinely hurt and folded his arms before his chest. "I very well noticed that you two have communicated. You probably have a private frequency."

"You are not supposed to know that."

"But I do. What do you want to do against it?" now the boy seemed amused and grinned lopsidedly. At this moment, there was not much resemblance to Luke. Han, on the contrary, shone through distinctly.

The Corellian sighed and shook his head. These kids were a curse and a blessing in one. "Nothing. I just want you to forget all that and not bother about my musings. It's a CorSec habit. Impossible to get rid of it. Now better get over to the medical bay. Luke will be glad to see you if he wakes up."

Anakin looked dubiously, his eyes still searching Corran's features, but there was nothing to see for him there. He was already half out the door when he turned: "Uncle Luke behaved strangely, just before we learnt of the breech. I thought you could be interested in that."

The older Jedi tried his best not to show his surprise and his suspicion. "So? Care to explain?"

Quickly, the boy made sure no one was in the corridor, then whispered in a ridiculously low voice: "I had the feeling he was talking to someone."

"And this is strange for you?" Corran perched an eyebrow.

"Of course not!" Anakin snorted indignantly, then continued: "I mean, he talked to someone with his mind. In the Force. And it was not me."

"Probably he just was broadcasting his thoughts too loudly."

Luke's nephew shook his head vehemently. "No. At one point, he hissed 'Be quiet' I have heard it. And I didn't say a word - not in reality and not in the Force."

Corran watched the young apprentice thoroughly for a few minutes, his thoughts racing. This didn't sound good. Not at all. It just added to the whole mystery.

Luke investigating about someone named Liin. Then this talking to seemingly no one. Then the bugs being only after him.... It didn't fit together and yet everything was there and obviously connected.

"I knew this wasn't good news. I was wondering whether to tell you... but when Uncle Luke got injured... and there is no one else. I couldn't get Wedge and..."

"It's okay, Anakin. You didn't break Luke's trust. Really, you didn't." Corran assured him. The boy looked distinctly relieved.

"But don't tell him you told me. And tell no one else for now. I have to do some thinking."

Anakin nodded, then headed off. Corran sunk down on his bunk, burying his face in his hands. Something was wrong. And it was between Luke and the Yuuzhan Vong. Or some Yuuzhan Vong.
He would have to keep an eye on Luke. And eventually, he'd have to talk to Mara about this. But not yet. Not as long as he didn't have more than a few clues and hunches.

*~~

When Anakin reached the medical bay, the medics told him Luke was still sleeping, but allowed him into the recovery room nonetheless.

His gaze nailed on the relaxed, yet pale, face of his uncle, the young boy sat down in one of the chairs.

Had it been right to tell Corran about Luke's strange behaviour? He didn't know how close his uncle and the corellian Jedi really were. Would Luke agree to this?

And yet, Anakin had the distinct feeling that something was wrong. He had a hunch that his uncle was in trouble. In severe trouble.

Perhaps it would be better really not to tell Luke that he had talked to Corran about what had happened before the bugs had attacked.
Of course he had sort of promised Corran to not tell Luke, but then, Corran wasn't his uncle.

But probably it was the best if he didn't tell Luke at this point. He should wait and see how everything went from here. And then he could always talk to his parents. Or to Aunt Mara. That would surely be better.

Yes, that would be better.

Taking the limp, but warm hand of Luke in his, he made himself more comfortable in the chair and prepared for some minutes of wait.

---------------------------------------------------
Coruscant System, The Next Day
----------------------------------------------------

"Are you REALLY okay, Luke?" Mara Jade-Skywalker surveyed her husband critically, noting his slight paleness, but not seeing anything else that should cause her immediate worry.

He nodded, a smile grazing his youthful features. His big, blue eyes twinkled: "Did you miss me?" he asked, drawing her into a tight embrace and spluttering light kisses on her lips and cheeks.
Despite of herself, Mara grinned, laying her arms around his neck and leaning towards his own lips, capturing them into a tender kiss, revelling into the familiar taste.

"No, I didn't." she said softly when they came up for some air.

"What an unfaithful wife I have." Luke teased, letting his Force presence sweep over her, making her bath into his feelings and thoughts, then searching for the tiny life in Mara's womb.

"Didn't I say daddy would be back soon?" He murmured, his voice directed towards his wife's belly.

For another moment, they stood there, firmly embracing each other. They were in Luke's quarters aboard his flagship, enjoying a quiet moment of private reunion before they would have to go over to the Criarto for a crisis meeting.

Finally breaking the comfortable silence, Mara made herself free and watched her love out of dubious, green eyes. "You had me worried, Luke. It wouldn't have taken much and I'd have flown over to Sernpidal when I felt you're in trouble."

The Jedi Master sighed and let himself fall into the cushions of his bunk. His wife immediately noted how his eyes blinked tiredly for a moment, before he could gather himself again.

"It was nothing. I had a run in with thud bugs. That's all."

"And it's already enough, too. Were you injured?" She came over to him, slid beside him and cupped his cheek, stroking it with her thumb.

"Not severely. A slight concussion and a thigh wound. Both are taken care of."

Mara perched an eyebrow: "By you or by someone who actually studied medicine or has a proper programming for it?"

He made a face at her, but grinned good-naturedly: "By a medical droid. Ask Corran, he can testify for me."

"Believe me, I will." She kissed him between his eyes, smiling when she saw how he relaxed.

"Force, Luke." Mara whispered, trailing his jaw with her index finger: "What happened there? You really got me scared."

"Mara Jade and scared?" He chuckled softly.

His wife poked him into the chest: "This is not funny, farm boy. Not knowing what you're up against and not being able to help you any is not what I take as a nice afternoon."

"It was not that bad, Mar. You're going to learn about everything pretty soon." He glanced at the chrono embedded in the wall of the room and rolled his eyes. "In fact, in less that twenty minutes. We have to go."

She nodded, rising and turning towards the door: "I'll have to drop by with Miiram before the conference. I'll see you there. Try not to get into trouble on the way from one ship to another."

Luke simply ignored her last comment and decided to bite back instead: "You seem to have gotten fairly close with this Miiram."

Mara stopped in her tracks and frowned: "She is not like the other Yuuzhan Vong. You can talk to her. She is genuinely interested in some things that concern our culture. I like her. Need any other justification?"

He grinned: "I never needed one. Take care of yourself, Mara."

His wife smiled lovingly, even if a little sarcastically: "How comes you're saying it so often but never do it yourself."

Luke cocked an eyebrow: "If I hadn't, I wouldn't sit here."

"Then learn to do it better, Skywalker." With that, the door closed behind the redhead.

The moment she was out the door, Luke's smile vanished. He felt better, even if a little tired. The anaesthetic had knocked him out for good and it had been unexpectedly difficult to overcome its side effect.

Nonetheless, Corran, Wedge, Was and himself - with help from Anakin - had gotten a decent report together and would have sufficient evidence to prove that the New Republic had nothing to do with what had happened above Belkadan. Adding to that the fact that Luke had witnessed himself how the bugs had worked, there was no question anymore about the fact that it had been Yuuzhan Vong who had sabotaged the worldship.

In order to figure out who and why, they would have to work together with Lah.

Luke sighed. He hoped this incident wouldn't delay the peace negotiations. Supreme Overlord Shimrra was due to arrive any day now, if he hadn't lost track of time totally and Luke felt responsible for what had happened to the "Direen".

1002 victims. And he had been the one who had been in charge. This was not good. He should have foreseen that something like that would happen. He should have noticed that he was tracked.

- You're from my kin. You're Liin Kwaad.. I've made you -

"Oh, shut up!" Luke whispered tiredly, closing his eyes firmly. He knew that this wasn't the voice that had talked to him on the "Direen". This was just his memory of what it had said to him in his X-Wing.
He had hoped it would have shut down completely while he was unconscious. But it hadn't. It didn't let him go. It persecuted him, followed him, no matter whether he was awake or asleep.

- You're from my kin. -

But he was not Yuuzhan Vong. He would never be. Never. But then, he had been. For a short time, he had been more Yuuzhan Vong than human. He didn't care to repeat the experience. But the voice made him wonder how much of him still was Yuuzhan Vong.

He hated not telling Mara everything. But she would worry again. More than she did already now. She would begin to seek the guilt by herself. She would think that she should have accompanied him to Sernpidal.

And would ignore the fact that it was good that had stayed behind. She was befriending the Supreme Overlord's daughter. This was a tremendous step in the right direction. Luke looked forward - sort of - to meeting the Yuuzhan Vong woman that had made such an impression on his wife.

If the voice would just shut up.

Luke rubbed his eyes, allowing the tiredness to sweep over him for a moment, then directing the Force into his very core and pushing it away.

There were things he had to do. He would read through his report again and then go over to the Criarto. Perhaps work would distract him

*~~

Mara Jade-Skywalker sat in the ferry that brought her over to the Criarto, deep in thought. Luke was keeping something from her. She was sure of it.

Perhaps he thought he had tricked her, but she was used to him shielding her from worry. All too used. He was more tired than he had wanted her to see. And there was something that troubled him.

Of course it could just be the fact that this mission had gone disastrously wrong. A worldship had been completely destroyed and more than 100 Vong had been killed. But she had the distinct feeling there was more to it.

He seemed distracted. Very distracted. Seemed to be contemplating something, fighting something. While she had skimmed over his report - just a little bit - she had seen how he had closed his eyes and pressed his lips together. As if he'd have a serious headache.

It worried her. It could be from the concussion, but then, a mild concussion was nothing he couldn't take care of within hours through the Force.

Clenching her hands into fists, Mara settled back in her seat. Something was troubling her husband. And sooner or later, she'd find out.
After the crisis meeting, she would have a talk to Corran. And if this wouldn't get her any progress, she would talk to Anakin.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant System, Yuuzhan Vong Ship Criarto, Half An Hour Later
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke almost laughed out loud. He had hurried to come here in time and now he was told that the meeting was delayed for a quarter of an hour because Leia's ferry from Coruscant had had some engine trouble.

This would have left him almost enough time for a short Force nap. Well, at least he could take a few minutes now to order his thoughts and once again think through what he would say. Some things would sound curious. Some things he would not share with the beings he would soon encounter. But all in all, he guessed he would be able to prevent any intergalactic crisis from happening.

Finally, the attendant at the hangar doors nodded to him, indicating he could process forward to the tactical room of the Warmaster. Straightening slightly, he headed over to the attendant, only to be halted by a lower Yuuzhan Vong servant before he had crossed half the distance. He knew this male Yuuzhan Vong - he belonged to Tsavong Lah's regular enntourage.

Luke had made it his habit to memorize such things, only for the sake of never falling into a trap of someone of the kind of Lonan, Elan's sister.

"Jeedai Skywalker, there has been delivered a present for you."

"A present? Of whom?"

"A certain Nen Yim. It is in an adjoining room. If you'd follow me, please."

Luke furrowed his forehead, searching his memory for someone with this name, but not coming up with anything. This was suspicious, of course, but he trusted this servant. Tsavong Lah only had handpicked men and women in his immediate vicinity. There was no treachery to be expected of them.

"I'm afraid I don't know someone of that name. Can you help me with that one?"

The servant sucked a moment at his lower lip, a gesture Luke had come to identify with a Yuuzhan Vong that hadn't been trained as a warrior. Soon after, the young male nodded. "I remember the identification villip it had before I brought it to the storage room. It identified her as a Shaper."

Luke halted, suddenly feeling tense. "A Shaper?"

"Yes, Master Jeedai. The villip said she was the Shaper assigned to the unfortunate worldship "Direen". There is a thanking message included - for the help with the evacuation the New Republic has given."

Slowly, Luke began to move again, pondering this. This sounded plausible. "I had the impression something like this was not in your culture. Thank you messages, I mean."

The servant snarled: "Shapers are a strange caste. Some say they don't have an honour code. They will thank even if they have not been really saved."

Luke didn't particularly understand what the young attendant meant with that, but it sounded as if it was not uncommon for Shapers to do something like that if they felt they had a reason to be grateful to someone for something.
They entered an adjoining storage room and the guard let him to a huge yorik coral package.

"If you press your hand at this point," the servant gestured to a place slightly darker than the rest of the passage, "it will open. I will wait outside to give you some privacy. Please try to hurry. Warmaster Tsavong Lah doesn't like to wait."

Luke smiled curtly: "Of course."

When the servant had left the room, Luke surveyed the package, listening to the Force, trying to find a clue whether it would be dangerous for him to open to package, but he couldn't catch on anything. There was nothing that indicated a danger.

Shrugging to himself, being confident he could handle anything that was in there if he was just prepared that there COULD be something in there that was dangerous, he pressed his palm on the spot the Yuuzhan Vong male had indicated for him.

Slowly, the yorik coral that had seemed so firm became jelly like and finally there formed a hole in the middle of the package.

After the whole experience, Luke didn't even know what had happened. Why he had done it. It had merely lasted a few seconds, but it had been exceptional seconds.

The retreating yorik coral revealed a long, black glistening object, delicate, and yet obviously strong. An amphi-staff. Luke had never seen the weapon from so close before. And it was his now. This Shaper, whoever she was, had sent it to him as a present.

Before he consciously registered what he did, he had reached into the package and carefully grabbed the amphi-staff, staring at it fascinated.
'But you don't know how to handle such a weapon. Only Yuuzhan Vong can handle such a weapon.' His inner voice whispered in his ear.

But Luke ignored it. Instead, he smiled delightedly when the snake-like animal wrought itself around his arm; in the manner he had seen it countless times on Yuuzhan Vong warriors. As if it would recognise him. As if it would really belong to him.

'How can I handle that?' Luke mused, feeling a little light-headed. This was an amazing feeling. It felt as if the animal belonged to him. It belonged to this place - wrought around his arm, ready to be a terrible weapon if he so desired. And it would listen to him because he knew all the right commands

Yes, he knew all the right commands. He didn't know how and why he knew them, when he had learned them, but he knew them. And it felt right to have this amphi-staff. Why shouldn't he have it, anyway?

*~~

Luke, totally caught up in an experience that had come unexpected and had overwhelmed him, didn't notice the figure that stood in the door of the small room.

Miiram Shimrra had come to the hangar, curious about her new human friend's mate. The attendant had pointed her to the storage room.
And now she saw him standing there, his eyes glinting in a most inhumanly way as he tested his amphi-staff, letting it wind and unwind around his arm whose sleeves he had rolled back.

The Yuuzhan Vong princess's eyes narrowed. This was interesting and deeply troubling. A human being - Jeedai or not - should not be able to handle an amphi-staff. They only reacted on Yuuzhan Vong.

Without a sound, Miiram turned and headed back into the deeper confines of the ship, towards her quarters. She would have to do some research. And then she'd have to talk to Mara.

*~~

'It is so fascinating.' Luke thought. Something in him urged him to let the amphi-staff go, but he couldn't. He quite frankly didn't want to.

The weapon was in many ways much handier, felt much more natural to him than his lightsaber ever had. The small part of him that was trying to persuade him to let the Yuuzhan Vong device fall rebelled at this last thought. How could it feel natural to him if he held it for the very first time in his life? And he did hold it for the very first time in his life, didn't he? Of course.

But why, he mused, did it obey to him?

- Because it belongs to you. It is bred for you. You're from our kin, Liin Kwaad, and it rightfully belongs to you. -

As if he had burnt his hand, Luke jerked away from the package, the amphi-staff clattering to the floor and hissing in complaint.

Feeling dizzy and as if he had awakened from a deep sleep, Luke stared at the weapon that was writhing discontentedly on the floor.
Frantically, he stashed it back into the box and headed out of the room, towards the room for the meeting.

Muttering to the attendant to let the amphistaff be brought to his quarters to Coruscant, Luke hurried past him.

This could not be. What just had happened disturbed him greatly. He had no explanation for it.

- But it's simple. You're from my kin. YYou're Liin Kwaad. -

"Shut up." He hissed through clenched teeth, his hands clenching into fists. Inhaling deeply, he straightened his tunic, only now noticing that he had rolled up his sleeves, and headed into the room.

| To Be Continued |

Here is the newest part of "The Birth Of Acceptance". I hope you will like it. Please read and let me know what you think. You know that I crave feedback :D

Sincerely,

*|Sienn|*

--------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Part 7
---------------------------------------------------

PG-13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Craft "Moota", Edge Of The Coruscant System, Same Day
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silence hung heavy over the small chamber Mezhan Kwaad called her home. Of course she had lived on many worldships during the last years - too many as that she could even try to count them.
But home had never been any worldship. Not even the worldship of domain Kwaad, which had not passed over into this galaxy yet.

She had spent her childhood on this worldship. Had studied her craft on this worldship. Had fallen in love on this worldship and had been disappointed on this worldship.
Yet, no emotional ties connected her with it. No hate, no longing to be back. She didn't even wonder where it was and how her father was, who meanwhile surely was nearing the end of his long life.

Already in her early years as a Shaper Apprentice, some of her colleagues had uttered the assumption Mezhan Kwaad didn't have feelings.
But they were wrong. Love, friendship, compassion, fear... these were emotions foreign to her. But elation, longing, triumph and hate - those were very present within her mind.

Unlike many beings she knew that had similar attitudes to life and other beings, Mezhan Kwaad was well aware that she could not say that any outside event had resulted in her being this way. She couldn't remember a time at which she had felt different, thought different.

Already in her teens, she mused, had she felt that the Supreme Overlord underestimated the Shaper caste and its potential.
Even then, she had had nothing but contempt for the Warrior Caste - stupid, blood-lusty individuals. They didn't deserve to stand this high in the Yuuzhan Vong hierarchy. No matter how many infidels they had slaughtered, how many worlds they'd conquered. The really important work was left to the Shapers.

If not for them, their people wouldn't have been able to survive the long generations of wandering between the stars. If not for them, there would be no way to alter planets so that they could provide nutrition, shelter, a home to the people she called her own. And yet, in matters of government, her caste had no say.

Supreme Overlord Shimrra consulted warriors. No matter what question, Warmaster Tsavong Lah and many of his caste were those who were asked their opinion if a crisis arose, if decisions had to be made.
Even the priests - of some of the gods and goddesses - were asked occasionally. Yet the Shapers----they were considered mere animal carers.

Their inventions practical, but of no importance. Those who ruled long enough had committed this mistake.
SHE would change that. She would make Shimrra see that the Warrior Caste belonged at the bottom of the hierarchy. The Shapers were the genius, the brain, in the Yuuzhan Vong society. No one else.

SHE would make the embarrassment of minor work stop. She would take care that never again any Shaper would suffer mockery from the likes of Tsavong Lah and his warriors.

Hurt. Another emotion she was quite capable of feeling. It had eaten itself deep into her heart. She had been mocked more than one time by warriors of her own domain for being nothing more than a Shaper.

Yet, her hate, her evilness, was no result of these insults. Not even her wish to better the position of the Shapers within her people's society was the reason for her to be as she was.
Sometimes, even she wondered that someone like her could be born, could survive, and could grow to what she was. And though some would say it was impossible, she was the living prove that it indeed had been allowed to happen. Perhaps only once, but it had been allowed.

Mezhan Kwaad didn't think it to be arrogant if she held herself for something special. She was quite sure that her intellect surpasses those of even the greatest Master Shapers.
She had no doubt that she rightfully belonged at the head of the Caste and that even Supreme Overlord Shimrra should be very attentive if around her.

Her schemes usually worked. If she held all strings in her own hands. After the disaster with Elan, she would never give anyone else control over even the simplest of steps of her plan. No one. Not even her own apprentice.

If she had monitored the Priestess closer, taken her more seriously, she would have been able to prevent her stupid foolishness from spoiling all her plans. She had lost more than she had admitted to anyone.

Nen Yim had probably some suspicions, but she was too inexperienced to really understand what could have happened.
But she, Mezhan Kwaad, she knew it. She knew what she had lost. And because of this, she hated Luke Skywalker even more.

And yet, she did by no means plan to kill him. No. She would torture him long - as long as he could endure it - for dennying her what would have rightfully belonged to her.
Elan was dead. She could not exact revenge on the Priestess. The Gods knew that she would have enjoyed seeing the girl writhing on some of her more innovative torturing tools. She would have deserved it.

Feelings towards an infidel - this was a heresy even Mezhan Kwaad, who disgusted most laws, could not tolerate. And of course even less if this particular infidel should have been hers in the first place.

Everything could be hers by now. If she just had been able to finish the protocol, this infidel galaxy could lie at her feet. Lah would have been disgraced. The Supreme Overlord would have seen that SHE and her caste were what he had to rely on. Now, the way to success was much more difficult.

Of course she WOULD succeed. Sooner or later. The first steps had already been made. But if not for Skywalker, she would have long been done with it all.

Clenching her fists, she exhaled slowly and allowed herself a smile. She would get back to him. These thoughts of dark hate that assaulted her whenever she was alone in her little ship didn't have any meaning but spurring her on.

She didn't allow herself despair. Why should she anyway? Her plans were developing just fine. And Skywalker... everything did go as planned.

Opening her eyes, taking in the star-sprinkled space in front of the small viewport, her smile broadened. Step by step, everything unfolded as she had planned. Step by step, Skywalker was more ensnared in her web. Step by step, she would destroy him and be satisfied to see another foe gone.

Noting the soft change in the chamber's air, she straightened fully and softly commanded: "Come in."

Graceful steps could be heard and a mere second later, Nen Yim lowered herself in front of her Master, assuming the same, meditative position Kwaad held at the moment.

"Did you do what I demanded?" the Master Shaper asked, green eyes now trained on the young face before her.

A short flicker of annoyance could be seen in Yim's eyes, but she caught herself quickly.

"Of course I did, Master. The present has been delivered to Skywalker."

"Excellent." With this, Kwaad closed her eyes again, ready to indulge in some plans of what she would do with this galaxy once it was hers to command - at least partially. There was a lot of potential here - many things to study, to experience on.

Nen Yim cleared her throat, bringing herself once more to the attention of her instructor. Dismayed, Mezhan popped one eye open and stared at her. "What?"

"Master, I.."

"Don't 'Master" me." She huffed, rising and stretching softly. Shaking her head, she glowered at the younger woman.

"You wouldn't even take the clue to leave if I stuffed it into your brain with my own hands."

"I'm sorry, Master." Nen Yim bowed deferentially, her cheeks paler than usual. She was REALLY sorry. The better.

"Well, what is it you want to know?"

The girl's head snapped high immediately and a faint glimmer of a smile played around her lips. Though her features were mostly governed by startledness and impatience. Upon seeing this, Mezhan already though to be able to guess what she wanted.

"Master, you know I respect you. More than anyone else. But I don't understand what we're doing. WHY we're doing it. Why did you send an amphi-staff to Skywalker? Why did we vanquish 'Direen'?" The words practically blurted out of the young girl's mouth and it took her Master all her self-control to not roll her eyes.

Now she remembered again why she never wanted to take on an apprentice. The annoying questions were a lot to put up with if you were a solitary worker and had always been.

"It all belongs to my plan, Yim. In fact, to both of my plans."

"Both?" the girl echoed, furrowing her forehead.

At this moment, Kwaad allowed herself an exasperated sigh: "Yes, both. My plan for our Caste to rise in the hierarchy. My plan to destroy Skywalker."

"But why do you want to destroy him? I don't understand why you bother with him. We could do so many more instead of sitting around and watching him. Even sending him presents." Now it was Nen Yim's turn to sound exasperated.

"We don't waste our time here, Apprentice. I will see Skywalker destroyed. He has defied me. He should have been mine, should have been my way to the top and he dared to spoil my plan. Whether he was aware of it or not does not matter for me. I will see him destroyed. Period."

"And you're planning to kill him by sending him presents." The mockery in this young voice was evident and before Mezhan could restrain herself, she had backhanded the other viciously.

Shocked, the girl took some steps backward and stared at her.

The green eyes of the Master Shaper were narrowed to slits as she softly, threateningly, declared: "Never - and I mean NEVER - dare speaking to me like this again. You are not to question my orders. Much less ridiculing or doubting my way of doing things. Understood?"

Timidly, Nen nodded, her eyes, huge, her hands trembling with an effort not to touch her burning cheek. Good, she tried to control herself.

"'Direen' died to show Lah that there is an opposition. He will seek for a vast network. He will seek for traitors. He will become suspicious of many innocent kinsmen and -women. But he will never suspect I'm behind it. Because he thinks I'm dead."

Pausing shortly, she clasped her hands together at the small of her back and stared once again out into space.

"Our further steps against Lah will become clear once it is clear what Skywalker is going to do."

For the second time during the conversation, Yim frowned: "You mean, once he is dead."

A cruel smirk played around Kwaad's lips: "There are other ways to destroy someone, Nen Yim. Much more effective ways. Aside from this, he wouldn't be of any use to me if he were dead. You should have grasped this meanwhile."

"I'm sorry to say that I'm not grasping why he should have ANY use for us, Master." The young woman huffed, trying desperately to conquer her anger about being treated like this.

Green, evil eyes focused on her and although she was used to them by now, a shiver ran down her spine. This was an expression that was reserved for no one but Skywalker. It had been always there when she had talked about him.
When other things preoccupied Mezhan Kwaad, this look did never appear. It made her look like a hunting beast. Like someone who was torturing and did enjoy it immensely. It was a look that made Nen Yim question the wisdom of her decision to join the Master Shaper.

At the same time, though, she was aware that this very same gaze, this aura, this personality of Mezhan Kwaad was addictive. She wanted to be with her, to learn from her. Even if it meant placing herself in deadly danger. A danger that might not be only her people to whom she was an outcast now.

"Luke Skywalker is Liin Kwaad, Nen Yim. He is trying to deny it to himself. He is trying to rid himself of this personality. But he can't. And despite of everything he knows - or, rather, he thinks to know - despite of everything that he has figured out of Elan's objectives, he does not know the truth yet."

Turning back to the viewport, she stated in a normal enough voice: "And the truth is that I created Liin Kwaad. Not as a familiar, but as something else. And I created him to be mine. I've lost him to Skywalker again. But a part of him is STILL mine."

She cackled lowly.

"Who knows, perhaps my scheme will result in him yielding to my orders. Perhaps I will get what I wanted from the beginning after all. Perhaps not. Either way, I will win. And I like to win."

For a few minutes, Nen Yim considered these words, while her Master looked out into space, into the direction she knew Coruscant to be.

"But he doesn't know that you're alive." The Apprentice stated finally, having thought through everything and finding herself staggering over this very fact again and again.

Once again, the cruel smile returned: "He doesn't know. But he begins to suspect."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Criarto", Coruscant Orbit, Same Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This is startling information, Jeedai Skywalker. Are you aware of what you are saying?"

Warmaster Tsavong Lah regarded him out of an impressive, huge chair. Unlike all the other times Luke had attended conferences with him, this very meeting was held in Tsavong Lah's office. And if it was possible for a Yuuzhan Vong, Tsavong Lah looked positively worried.

Luke bowed humbly in front of him, folding his hands on his stomach.

"I have merely told you what I have experienced while I was on the 'Direen', Warmaster. I trust you will know that you can count on my word. I would have no reason to lie to you."

The Yuuzhan Vong Commander didn't answer him on this, instead pinned him with rage filled eyes. Only experience gathered in long years assured the Jedi Master that this rage was not directed at him. And this was indeed a very reassuring thought. It was a reason to hope that Tsavong Lah would NOT think that the New Republic was sabotaging the peace treaty.

Leia was staring into the empty air, her face emotionless. But her Force presence was boiling. Luke could practically taste her anxiousness. This was an unexpected turn and one for the worse.

He hadn't had the possibility to talk to his sister yet. Immediately when he had stepped into the same room with her, he had caught on her urge to run into his arms.
Of course, when Mara had felt the danger he had faced on the 'Direen', Leia would have felt it, too.

Fortunately, Luke had not had to soothe her too much. He had felt her keen eyes mustering him from head to toe, her soul brushing his. Obviously, she had been at least halfway satisfied, for she had not tried to make mental contact to him ever since.

Mara and Han were just reviewing the recordings of the Sernpidal flagship, comparing it to the ones the Yuuzhan Vong warships present in the system could provide.

That left only two more people into the room, both Yuuzhan Vong.

All through the meeting, he had felt the eyes of Miiram Shimrra on him. Though she was not the first Yuuzhan Vong woman he saw, her looks thoroughly differed from those of Elan and Kwaad. Were both of them had been lean and slender, but obviously not trained, Miiram emitted quite the same aura as Mara - compiled, controlled, deadly power.

He had been informed that she didn't belong to the warrior caste. She was the closest thing to a princess the Yuuzhan Vong society had. But nonetheless, she was trained in the arts of combat.
Her dark eyes displayed intelligence, attentiveness and doubt about any fact she was presented with. She had greeted him with a small smile, nodding to him, obviously assessing him from head to tow much as his sister had done. But in another way.

One that made Luke feel uncomfortable. He had actually feared to have blushed, when Miiram drew Mara a broad grin, then had said a couple of words to her betrothed, Khaleeh Lah, the Warmaster's son, that had the boy glowering first at his fianc?and then at Luke.

He had hurried to get into the meeting room and away from Miiram. To his utter dismay, she had accompanied Khaleeh into Lah's office and since he had stepped into the midst of the circle of the assembled beings, her eyes had been on him. Regarding him with an expression that made him shiver.

Luke didn't know why, but he had the feeling she was trying to tell him "I know." It was as if she'd project the words right into his head.
But that was paranoid. There was only one voice in his head. He didn't need another and there was no other.

As dismayed as he was, Luke had to admit he was simply feeling guilty. Even now, hours after the actual event, his hand tingled. The hand that had held the amphi-staff. He could feel the cool skin of the animal against his own. Could feel the slight vibrations of it when it breathed.
Could feel it trembling with the need to strike something. Could hear the voice, his OWN voice, which was telling him to USE the staff. That was telling him that it belonged to him and that he WANTED to use it.

"You could lie to us in order to cover the fact that your own people are trying to sabotage the peace." Khaleeh Lah spoke up, his eyes now regarding Luke, too.

At the fringes of his eyesight, Luke could see his wife's head snapping up, her jade eyes focusing on the Yuuzhan Vong warrior, narrowing. He could feel her annoyance about him being doubted.

Luke reached out through the Force and brushed her presence, assuring her that he could handle this and that he had expected the Warmaster's son to say something like this. Or rather, that he had expected that SOMEONE would ask this question.

She calmed down, then reached deeper into his soul, wanting to reassure him, clearly intending to investigate on his well-being - as she did always and as he usually never blocked. But now he gently pushed her away, sending her an apology and asking her to understand that this was not the right moment.

He saw her frown, but she relented and concentrated once again onto the recordings. Luke released an inaudible sigh.

Good. He couldn't risk her catching on on his tiredness. Couldn't risk her stumbling over the Force walls he had ejected to block out this unnerving, terrible voice that kept nagging at his thoughts.
If she found the walls, she'd demand to know what was it he was shielding himself from so heavily. And if he told her, she would think he was insane.

Becoming aware that Khaleeh Lah was staring at him expectantly, Luke pushed all thoughts that were not linked to the immediate problem away and concentrated on his counterpart.

"Of course I could lie to cover up any sabotage from my people. But I don't. I do want this peace. I DON'T want more beings to die - not humans, not Yuuzhan Vong, not Bothans... no one else."

Leia nodded, smiling faintly at him, and Luke felt relief flood over him. Obviously this had been the right answer. Only belatedly, he had realised that he was being interrogated here. That they suspected him to have something to do with it all. This revelation had been a shock to him, yet, after some thinking, he found it perfectly logical for Tsavong Lah to assume this.

"Yet you have no proof for what you're saying." The Warmaster stated softly, laying the tips of his fingers at each other.

Luke shook his head: "No. But I saw with my own eyes how those bugs dissolved the yorik coral I was walking on. I think the conclusion that they have been the reason for the dissolving of 'Direen' is sound and logical. Besides, your Shapers will find the truth in a matter of days. It would be pointless to lie to you."

"It would give you more time for further actions against us."

Luke smiled thinly. If they chose to believe their own reasoning, nothing he could say or do would get them to reconsider. He REALLY had no proof for what he was claiming.

"That it would, Warmaster."

For a long while, the room was quiet. Everyone seemed to be focused on his or her own thought. Luke didn't let his gaze budge from Tsavong Lah's face. If there was the slightest possibility that the Vong could see his sincerity in his eyes, he should have plenty of time to do so.

After long minutes, Tsavong Lah rose and stood face to face with Luke.

"I do believe in your honesty, Jeedai Skywalker. You're a man of honour. You would not lie. Not even to cover up treachery from the side of your sister." At this, he glanced over to Leia, his eyes sparkling in something like amusement. Leia cocked an eyebrow, but didn't say a word.

Luke got the impression the two of them had already had some discussions about treachery before he had stepped into the room to give his testimony of the events.

"However, there is no question that this has been sabotage rather than an accident. If you're not mistaken and the bugs have been the tool to destroy the worldship, then we obviously face a threat that comes from our own people." He paused, his lips pressing together in a grim expression.

"This means that the New Republic does not need to concern itself further with the matter. We will take care of the situation on our own."

"Excuse me, Warmaster." Her voice calm, Leia rose, too, stepping next to her brother to face the Yuuzhan Vong commander.
"With utmost respect to you, I don't think this matter is only a problem of the Yuuzhan Vong. Whoever it is, he or she is trying to sabotage the peace. He or she does not want the New Republic to ally with the Yuuzhan Vong. If this is so, then the whole treaty is in danger. Should he or she or they succeed, millions will die. War will erupt anew. I can't let this happen, Warmaster. I officially offer the help of the New Republic in the investigation and DEMAND to be informed about every new information your intelligence may discover."

Tsavong Lah stared for a moment into her eyes, then actually grinned: "Leia Organa Solo, I should have learned meanwhile not to underestimate you. The permission is granted. Help is accepted. But yet, we ask that the other tasks your New Republic has taken on itself be not neglected. New homes for our people."

Luke cleared his throat: "Warmaster, I assure you that this is still our foremost priority. That and the arrival of Supreme Overlord Shimrra. Did you have contact with him?"

Lah nodded: "He will arrive here in a couple of days. We will have a special worldship prepared for him and his court. He demands to see the Jeedai Skywalker before he engages in political talks with Leia Organa Solo. I hope this will be no inconvenience. The Supreme Overlord doesn't take kindly to altering his plans."

Luke felt his stomach tighten a little. This was unexpected, too. And unwelcome. He didn't feel any need to meet up with this Supreme Overlord all on his own. But he assumed any hesitation would not suit the greatest Jedi of the galaxy.

Nodding, projecting a confidence he did not feel, he bowed once again in front of Tsavong Lah: "This will be no problem. I will be there."

"Splendid."

"Then we can discuss the plan for the political talks. And the reinforcing of all worldships' defences in this galaxy against further attacks." Leia interrupted, glancing shortly at Luke, smiling softly.

Luke smiled back, understanding the gentle praise he just had received.

"I can retreat then. There are other things I have to see to." He directed at Lah.

The Warmaster nodded, bowing a little distractedly himself.

Luke tried to conceal a grin and began his way over to the doors. Mara joined him when he had crossed half the way, touching his hand shortly and giving him one of her brilliant smiles.

"You handled this very well, farm boy."

"Why, thank you." He smiled, gripping her hand a little more thoroughly.

"So, what is it you have to see to?" Mara demanded to know, mustering him suspiciously. She was obviously a little suspicious about his blocking her earlier. Not that she was that obvious about it, but Luke knew her long and well enough.

He smirked, bending low and whispering into her ear: "My bed and my wife. Preferably at the same time."

"And this out of the Jedi Master's mouth." She teased, pecking at his lips, confident that no one was near. They were well towards the door and everyone else was still clustered around the Warmaster, talking.

"I'm just human, after all." His voice sounded a little hoarse, with this special tone she knew now to link to tiredness and definitely being sick of all the work. A feeling she shared with him.

"Right. And you know, I think your wife..."

"Mara?"

Annoyed at being interrupted while having a rather private talk with her husband, the ex-Emperor's Hand turned, facing Miiram Shimrra who regarded her with obvious humour. Though the expression in those dark eyes was more serious than suited the situation, even if she seemed amused by the exchange she had obviously overheard.

"What can I do for you?"

"You didn't introduce me to your mate yet." She simply stated.

Mara grinned, remembering Miiram's assessment of Luke that had been all but a welcome feeling for her husband.

"I'm sorry. Luke, this is Miiram Shimrra. Miiram, this is my husband, Luke Skywalker."

Luke bowed, smiling, doing a good job of concealing his impatience.

'Mara, get us out of here!'

'Why me?'

'She's YOUR friend!'

'I don't want to piss of royalty of the enemy, you know.'

A mental snort from her husband reached her after that.

'Since when exactly?'

'Oh, shut up, Skywalker!'

Miiram bowed, too, then took Luke's hand and shook it: "I'm delighted to finally meet you. I have read a lot about you. And Mara has filled me in on everything I didn't know."

"She did?" Luke asked, not able to banish the surprise from his features and instantly getting suspicious when he saw his wife blush. This looked like more than a casual working friendship.
He was still pondering whether he should be flattered or alarmed about the familiarity between his wife and the Yuuzhan Vong woman, when Miiram turned to Mara with an apologetic look on her face.

"Could I have a little of your time, still? There is something I have to talk about with you. Now."

Luke heard his wife's mental sigh, but saw her nod, sending an apologetic gaze towards him. He assured her with a soft Force nudge that it was all right and he'd fly ahead down to Coruscant, bowed to Miiram and vanished. Waiting for Mara would just be another welcome, unwelcome exercise of Jedi patience.

*~~

Mara watched the retreating figure of her husband, feeling unease settle back into her heart. Their little flirting had almost let her forget that he had blocked her just a few minutes ago.

She had just wanted to see whether he was all right, give him a little strength if he wasn't, and soothe him if he was worried. But he hadn't let her. For the first time in long, long weeks.

She knew Luke didn't mean it in a bad way - he had apologised, asked her to understand, mentally. And she had. Or at least she had told him so.
Because she didn't. After everything the two of them had been through, having him be so withdrawn from her made her feel suspicious. More than a little bit in fact.

"You worry about him." Her new friend stated.

Mara's head snapped around and she regarded Miiram out of narrowed eyes.

"What makes you think so?" she demanded to know, not liking that this woman began to guess her so well.

"The way you look at him. And what I know."

"And what DO you know?"

"Your husband has gotten a present. An amphi-staff. From a Shaper."

Mara tensed all over at hearing the word Shaper. Instantly, her worry increased tenfold and she tried to grasp what Miiram had told her just now.

"Why should a Shaper send him a present?"

Miiram smiled thinly: "The message said out of gratitude. Because he saved her people from her worldship, 'Direen'"

Immediately, the female Jedi Master relaxed. "Now, that's enough of an explanation, isn't it? Even if his nephew technically did all the work."

The Yuuzhan Vong woman stared at her without moving a single muscle in her face. Dark eyes peered into green ones and slowly, Mara understood that this was NOT enough of an explanation.

"What?" she almost whispered. "What is wrong with it?"

"The shaper who sent the present - Nen Yim... she was only recently assigned to the worldship. She had no kin there. She has never been on it before."

Mara closed her eyes. This was not good. It was in fact really bad. Why hadn't Luke TOLD her about that present?

"It could all be very harmless." She said softly, not believing her own voice.

Miiram still stared at her: "It could be. Did he tell you about the present?"

The ex-Emperor's Hand sighed: "No. But we had not much time to talk since he got it. I'm sure he still will."

Her friend cocked an eyebrow, but didn't say anything to that. Instead, she grasped Mara's hand: "I will do some research on Nen Yim until we see each other again tomorrow. Before you go to your husband, you should know something, though."

Mara had nodded gratefully for the offer of research, but now stopped amidst the movement to peer suspiciously into the dark, alien eyes. "And what would that be?"

"Your mate liked the present."

On outside, there was no reaction to be seen. But inside, Mara felt like someone had taken the floor out from under her. This couldn't be! It mustn't be! It was over. The whole nightmare was over!

"You must be mistaken, Miiram. Luke would have no use for an amphi-staff. They don't obey to non-Yuuzhan Vong." She said, her voice sounding mechanical in her ears.

"You're right. Still, he liked it. And I bet he has taken it with him down to your home." Without a further word, the Yuuzhan Vong woman turned and headed out of the room, leaving Mara behind, brooding.

Slowly, she began to make her way out of the hangar. Dread had settled into her stomach. Luke was blocking her. Something was troubling him. A Shaper had sent him a present. She would not be the ex-Emperor's Hand if she'd ignore all those clues.

"Oh, Luke." She whispered as she settled into her seat on the ferry down to Coruscant. Her husband would meanwhile probably already step into their apartment. "What have you gotten yourself into NOW?"

*~~

Miiram Shimrra hurried down the corridors to the brain chamber of the ship. She didn't know why she felt like she had to hurry, but the urge was there.
All this had her not only hooked. For the first time in her life she felt that she wanted to HELP. She had grown fond of Mara. This woman was so much like her and she wanted to learn from her. Wanted to teach her.

She didn't know Skywalker enough to care for him. But Mara cared. He was her friend's mate. And if she could protect him from harm, she would protect Mara from harm. And that was what honourable friendship was all about.

She hadn't told Mara all about the amphi-staff. She hadn't told her that it had obeyed to Luke Skywalker. Miiram didn't know what this meant, so she hadn't told her friend.
But she had the feeling that she would find out this night. That she'd find THAT out and much, much more.

*~~

Luke Skywalker sat on the floor of his private chamber in his apartment. The room was small, but comfortably furnitured. It was his little, private domain. Here he kept all his books and data files and his paintings.
Mara seldom came here, because she respected his privacy and because she was not interested in most of the books. What she was interested in, they usually both read or talked about in their living room or on the terrace.

Here would be a good place to hide it.

Stroking the alien creature that was sitting in its box on his lap softly, absent-mindedly, Luke dimly wondered why he felt the urge to hide the amphi-staff from his wife. He could talk to her about everything. But this was special. This was an exception. He couldn't tell her. She wouldn't understand. She would draw the wrong conclusions.

She would think that the Yuuzhan Vong once again influenced him. By Mezhan Kwaad. And he wasn't.

Softly caressing the head of the animal, he glanced down at it, admiring the sleek form. The might that was contained in something that looked so frail.
Not aware of his dreamy smile, he repeated to himself that it was ridiculous. He was not influenced by anyone. Mezhan Kwaad was dead. The voice was pure imagination. It would go away as soon as he didn't pay it any attention.

- Will it, yes? Oh, Liin, you're so wronng.-

It felt like it would spear his brain - like a cold hand was in his head and would write the words down there.
Looking up, looking into mirror that was situated on the wall above he sofa, Luke caught his dreamy expression, the delighted smile. Caught his hand stroking the animal.

"No.." he forced out between clenched teeth. Sealing the box, he pushed it under the sofa. "I'm not your toy. I never was, I'll never be. I'm not Liin Kwaad."

Luke straightened, once again staring at his image in the mirror. A delicate tattoo was drawn onto his forehead. In the light of dusk, it glittered.

The Jedi Master's hands flew to his skin there, touching, feeling. There was nothing. When he looked again into the mirror, he saw no sign of it.

"I'll not be played with by you. Never again."

Clenching his hands into fists, he stood and made his way out of the chamber, towards his bedroom.

A soft cackle followed him for a couple of moments and he resisted the urge to run. When he remained calm, the cackling subsided. But Luke had the feeling the voice was not gone. Merely sleeping.

While he changed into his nightdress, he resolved to get to the bottom of this. Soon.

| To Be Continued |

Here is chapter 8 of "The Birth Of Acceptance". I hope you're going to like it. Please read and review.

Sincerely,

*|Sienn|*

-------------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 8
-------------------------------------------------------

PG-13

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Criarto", Coruscant System, Late Night
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Khaleeh Lah was exasperated. And once again, his betrothed was the reason of this feeling. In the last days, he had grown almost used to her being around him and had actually started to enjoy talking with her.

Being a well-trained Yuuzhan Vong warrior who had never been interested in politics, in shapings, in studies of alien races, he had needed some time to familiarize himself with Miiram's thoughts, her beliefs.
She had shared with him a lot of musings about what was wrong in the Yuuzhan Vong society, about there attitude towards everything that didn't belong to their species, to everything non-living.

At first, Khaleeh had been appalled, being all the more sure she was harbouring heretic thoughts when she had told him about her wish to examine a lightsaber, but step by step, he had recognised that this young woman was a faithful Yuuzhan Vong.
She believed in the Gods, just thought that this wouldn't have to mean that one had to limit one's horizon.

Whereas the Warmaster's son had resolved to only accept her point of view and not share it, he had come to reconsider this decision in many an hours long talk with the woman to whom he would be pledged so very soon.

While his respect for Miiram Shimrra and her ideas had grown, there had been blossoming another feeling. One that irritated him, that he still didn't really understand. She began to mean something to him.
Khaleeh found himself searching her closeness and this evening, when she hadn't turned up in her quarters, where they usually shared the night meal, he had been.... Well, miffed. Normally, this word didn't belong to his vocabulary, but since he had met the striking woman, much had changed.

He had found an enthusiasm to learn in himself that he had never even guessed to be there and her ideas and plans did intrigue him.
Given the chance and the time, he would be able to perfect them in a way that they would really benefit his race.

Miiram was ambitious and brave, headstrong and eloquent, but she nonetheless knew that her father would never acknowledge advice from her. He loved her as much as a Yuuzhan Vong was able to; he gave her what she desired, put up with her quirks and for him doubtlessly maniacal thoughts. But he would never accept her as an advisor.

The son of his most famous Warmaster, though, was another case.

When his betrothed had first shared with him her little scheme, Khaleeh had had trouble to determine whether to be angry, flattered or just dumbfounded.
That Miiram was audacious, that he had already known, experienced first hand, but the extent had never become clear to him until she had confided into him.

"Father won't listen to me, Khaleeh. He never will. I'm just a woman and he will think my plans, my ideas, are mere crap."

She had sounded so unusually subdued when she had told him this one evening that Khaleeh had felt some soothing called for. After all, his father had taught him his manners.

"But they aren't, Miiram. Perhaps they could be perfected in regards to some points, but otherwise, they're absolutely impressive."

She had blushed, averted her eyes in a delicate gesture of being embarrassed and whispered: "But geniality doesn't count if it doesn't come from a real warrior."

At this, Khaleeh had had nothing to reply. It was true. He himself would NEVER have listened to the advice of a female Yuuzhan Vong. They were respected in their culture, yes. As mothers, occasionally even as warriors, as assassins, as Priestesses... but seldom as warriors.

In order to become a full-fledged warrior, a woman would have to give up her right to give birth to offspring. There were not many who accepted this sacrifice and the males didn't encourage them to do so. Children were the assurance of their race's well being. And without women, there would be no children. It was as simple as that.

Unfortunately, that meant that there were borders and hindrances created by these social structures that could prevent some brilliant plans as those from Miiram Shimrra from getting through to anyone who had enough brains to consider them for what they were.

After all this had gone through his head, Khaleeh had sighed softly.

"I wish I could help you." He had said.

Khaleeh shook his head. He had been stupid. He hadn't recognised the trap Miiram had created for him, had stumbled into it headfirst and hadn't found a way out of it anymore. Once offering help, you couldn't just back off like that, especially not with a lady. And even less if this lady was the Supreme Overlord's daughter.

The moment these words had left his mouth, Miiram's head had snapped high and the sadness in her eyes had been displaced by eagerness and a glimmer of amusement that had annoyed the warrior to no end.

"You can INDEED help me."

He had frowned suspiciously, wondering what she was getting at, having openly gaped when she told him.

"YOU could present my plans as your own propositions to my father after we've been pledged to each other."

He had protested. He had tried to argue. But Miiram was the most headstrong individual he had ever encountered - he not counted.

"You are Tsavong Lah's son. My father favours YOUR father. If YOU tell him all that in my place, he will consider it."

Khaleeh had slowly shaken his head, his eyes holding doubt and suspicions: "He might still not accept it."

His betrothed had laughed at that and taken his hand, surprising him so much that he hadn't withdrawn it before she had had it securely grasped.

"No, Khaleeh. My father is traditional - even old-fashioned for a Yuuzhan Vong. But he is not dumb. If a warrior - even a Warmaster's son - presents ideas to him, he will listen and will consider. And if he considers, he will think it worth a try. I KNOW my father. Believe me."

The young Yuuzhan Vong laughed softly while wandering through the corridors of the "Criarto". She played him for a fool, had laid out the bait, waited till he had bitten into it and then dragged him in like fish.
At first he had been angry, but after that he found it amusing, even impressing. Surely he would never be bored in his marriage.

Soon, though, he reminded himself that he was supposed to be angry about the fact that she had made him sit alone in front of his dinner for an hour, with honour guards standing at the edges and desperately trying not to grin.
This was embarrassing, and not to a small extent. If anyone of those stupid guards had sneered or even moved, Khaleeh would have challenged and killed him. No question. Miiram wouldn't have liked that, calling it a waste of race potential. But that didn't matter for the Warmaster's son now.

He allowed this woman much. A lot more than he had EVER allowed a woman. But somewhere, this had to be stopped. In a Yuuzhan Vong marriage, the male was supposed to be the superior.
Khaleeh Lah had never dared to dream of finding himself with a woman that even dared to question his authority in private. Much less had he ever thought that he'd actually like it.

Turning into a corridor leading deeper into the ship, he wondered what his father would say to the manners of Miiram Shimrra and the way his son handled them. Would he agree? Would he be amused? Or, worse, ashamed? Perhaps he would ask his father's council. Perhaps he would ask about his mother, whom he had never met. He sure had become curious over the years what had happened to her.

Silently berating himself, he turned his thoughts back on the present. After having questioned some guards and Shamed Ones who worked on the "Criarto", he was more or less sure where to find his betrothed, though it eluded him why by Yun-Yammka she would be there at this time of the day.

Pressing his hand on a spot on the yorik coral wall and watching it open in front of him, he stepped into a large room, without window-openings, in whose midst a thick, fleshy nod hung, suspended by nerves as broad as him, that grow out form the floor and the ceiling. In a wide circle around the knot, coral seats were arranged, with cognition hoods at the ready beside every one of them.

This late - or should he say this early? - there was no one but the figure of Miiram Shimrra, whose features were hidden under the cognition hood that covered all her face to her upper lip.

"Here you are, my lady." He grunted, planting himself behind her and folding his arms in front of his chest.

"I told you not to call me that." She replied, sounding absent-mindedly, but still enraged.

"And I told you to have dinner with me this evening. You don't keep your word, I don't keep mine."

She snorted, striking a part of the throbbing softly. "A bit childish, aren't we?"

"Just angry."

"You mean disappointed."

Khaleeh rolled his eyes: "No, I mean angry. Why should I be disappointed?"

"Why should you be angry?" came her retort, still sounding as if she was rather preoccupied at the moment.

The warrior was exasperated. He wasn't fit for such word games. In fact, he hated talking. He was used to conveying what he wanted and needed in a couple of short words and all his life, people around him had understood him and complied immediately.
Miiram turned everything into a duel with words. Surely just because it was not proper for a female and a male to duel if it wasn't a real grave insult on both sides.

"Never mind. What are you doing there anyway?"

"I'm consulting the ship's brain."

Khaleeh seriously thought about strangling her here and there. No one - and he really meant that - should be forced to have to put up with THIS.

"I SEE that. I wanted to know WHY you're doing it."

The smallest trace of a smile pursed Miiram's lips, which were pressed together in a grim expression otherwise.

"I'm doing some research on Mara Jade-Skywalker's behalf. She's worrying about her mate."

The Warmaster's son admitted to be dumbfounded. "Why ever would you help an infidel?"

"Because she is my friend, Khaleeh." The use of his name was supposed to soothe him, and against his very own will, it worked quite fine.

"You're befriended with an infidel? A Jeedai of all people? Couldn't you at least pick a warrior?"

"The Jeedai are delicate and very impressive warriors and you know that." She corrected him, her fingers nimbly wandering all about the part of the brain knot she had access to.

"I've heard some talks." He admitted, frowning unwillingly.

"Then you should try to gather some practical experience." His betrothed suggested, a mocking sneer evident on the part of her face he could see.

'I kill her.' Khaleeh thought. 'If she continues to be like that, I kill her. Probably Shimrra just set the two of us up to get her away from him.'

Oblivious to his annoyance and obvious helplessness with her attitude, Miiram continued, still being fairly distracted. "I suggest you challenge Luke Skywalker to a friendly training fight. I'd like to see who of you two would win."

The very idea of challenging the Jeedai Lord made Khaleeh forget the taunting female. His forehead furrowed in serious contemplation. The human didn't look like he could put up much of a fight and a victory above this being the infidel's revered like a god would surely look good.

He just wanted to reply something to his betrothed's proposition when Miiram stiffened, pulling the cognition hood off her head and staring at him with narrowed eyes.

"What?" he demanded to know. "Did you find something? Perhaps this would be the right moment to tell me what you're searching in the first place."

"As I said," Miiram began to explain, "Mara is worried about her mate. He has gotten a present from a Shaper called Nen Yim. You know about what happened between him and Mezhan Kwaad?"

Khaleeh nodded, his interest finally peeked. "Well, naturally, Mara was suspicious about the present from a Shaper. It was an amphi-staff. I accidentally witnessed how he unpacked it and got acquainted with it."

"Acquainted with it? This is impossible. He is non-Yuuzhan Vong. An amphi-staff wouldn't obey to him."

Miiram nodded: "My first thoughts exactly. Yet, this staff DID obey to him. I didn't tell that Mara yet, because I didn't want to make her jump to conclusions."

"And what did you find out now?"

"Something that makes me think that there is a reason to be worried about the Jeedai Skywalker. And something that makes me think I have found a clue about who is sabotaging your father's plans for this galaxy."

Immediately, Khaleeh sat next to her on the seat, staring intently into her dark eyes: "Tell me who did this to 'Direen'. Tell me WHO wants to discredit my father in the Supreme Overlord's eyes."

"A Shaper named Nen Yim sent the Jeedai Lord an amphi-staff. She claimed as thank you for him saving her worldship. She was new to 'Direen' though and none of her kin were there. So, she lied.
I did some research. She was originally assigned to the worldship 'Doola', being trained under the Master Shaper Taal Riid. A week ago, Taal Riid was found in his laboratories by his apprentice - dead."

"And?"

Miiram smiled grimly: "After some investigations, it has been stated that his inner organs and veins have been dissolved by acid. Immediately before his demise, he has experimented with bugs. One of them he held clutched in his right hand. 'Direen' has been killed by bugs that dissolved yorik coral with the help of acid secretion."

Khaleeh's eyes blazed with rage: "So this Nen Yim is plotting against us. She will die for this."

"Yes, but I don't think she's alone. She is younger than me. She can't know that much. I'm sure there is someone else behind this."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"The 'Criarto' has a connection to all ships in this galaxy. I'm going to take a look at the information accessed by Nen Yim before she left 'Doola'."

"Then let's get to work."

Miiram grinned, happy to have her betrothed helping her in this, and settled back into her seat. While she pulled the cognition hood back on, she wondered dimly whether Mara suspected anything and whether she had noticed anything strange about her husband. She had the feeling she had.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Skywalker Apartment, Same Time
----------------------------------------------------------------------

A Jedi dreamt seldom. It was just not efficient to waste times of calm and relaxation where your mind could settle down without something as trivial as dreaming. So IF a Jedi dreamt, he or she was usually quite suspicious and there were not many occasions on which the dreams were comfortable for the one who dreamt.

A very small part of Mara Jade-Skywalker's mind knew that she was dreaming. Unfortunately, this very small part had no reign over her emotions right now.

She was in a room, a darkened room made of yorik coral. The dim light made her guess that the coral was coloured deep red. Mist was covering the floor, swallowing every sound she made while she was wondering towards the other end of the hall.

It was vast, tremendous in fact, and for a short moment, Mara wondered why she was walking straight ahead, DEEPER into the room, instead of seeking for an exit. She didn't want to be in this room, but SOMETHING kept drawing her forwards. There was something she had to find, had to see.

Step for step she made her way, shivering as the cold hit her, as the walls dissolved around her. Her feet were freezing. Now she could see neither wall nor ceiling of the chamber. There was simply no other way than continue onward. Mara didn't know how she knew that, but she trusted her feelings, her instincts. And they kept telling her that it was important to go further.

It seemed like an eternity for her, just walking and walking, and after a while, she felt like collapsing where she was and just stay there forever. But this wouldn't do.

There was something calling her. It was further into chamber, very close now. The beautiful redhead fastened her steps and as she hurried straight forward, something materialised before her, out of the dark.

Gnarled trees, about her height, were growing out of a wall, out of the floor directly in front of the wall. They were grey and twisted, forming a world of their own. In there could be anything and nothing.

What draw Mara's attention, made her gasp, clasp her hands over her mouth and ran without precaution was what was situation in front of the small glade.

A stone table, very high and long, but not very tall, was standing there and on it laid Luke. Mara's steps, the rustling of her nightgown, echoed loudly in the chamber, in her dream, when she hurried to his side.

Glad in his dark Jedi robes, his lightsaber at his side, he lay motionlessly, eyes closed, hands folded above his chest.
When she stood above him, staring down in horror on his pale face, the white skin that glowed with a sort of inner light, she understood that he was dead. No, dying. The gentle light that seemed to cover him from within himself was flickering, it was retreating.

Sometimes, it seemed to get more powerful, almost blinding, but this never held long.

"Luke?" her voice was feeble, though she had the feeling to actually be shouting. Gently touching his shoulder, she almost cried for joy when he opened his eyes. The light grew stronger again, blocking everything else from her view for a moment. Everything but this loved face. His gaze was tired and his voice barely audible when he whispered: "Help me!"

"How?" now Mara practically clutched his shoulder, feeling his life ebb away, seeing the light retreat once again. There was a fight going on. Her love, her everything, was fighting against something and asked for her help.

Luke didn't answer her, seemingly oblivious to her voice, but turned his head, staring towards the place where she knew the glade of twisted, foul, alien trees to be.
Following his gaze, Mara wasn't able to see anything at first, but then Luke's light retreated anew and once again they dark red wall, the cold mist, the ugly trees surfaced.

Mara looked down at Luke for help, and, seeing his face still turned towards the glade, his lips moving weakly, she lifted her head to find out what was there.

She cried out loud at what she saw and stumbled back, terrified. Her eyes had met another pair of eyes, deep blue eyes situated in a face so delicate and beautiful, she had fallen in love with it unconsciously the first time she had seen it all the years before.

Framed by branches and rotten leaves, her husband's face stared at her, a sneer disgracing his handsome features. Only when he stepped out slowly, standing above the prone form of Luke - the other Luke - Mara could see more of him.

And only then she recognised what was going on, understood what she was dreaming, what the glowing form on the stone table was fighting against.

The Luke that had come out of the trees towered over the lean form, but his eyes were trained on her. Cold as ice, they were filled with hate, disgust and lust to kill.
Paralysed, she could do nothing but stare at them.

At the drev-membrane on his forehead, shaped into two delicate signs that were intertwined with each other. At the white coral growths that protruded from his cheekbones, following them for about five centimetres, then vanishing. At the vonduun crab armour that was covering his body up to his throat, letting the arms free. At the amphi-staff curled around his right arm.

This was what she had tried to fight all through the past months. She didn't know how she knew, for everything that Luke had told her had indicated nothing like what she saw in front of her now.

"Liin Kwaad." She whispered. Although it seemed not louder than the falling of leaf, the figure in front of her smiled, revealing sharpened teeth in a cruel smirk. With a flex of his lower arm muscles, the amphi-staff slid into his hand and stiffened.

Emotionless blue eyes still turned on her, he lowered the hissing head of the snake-like animal to Luke's throat - the REAL Luke's throat.
The light that glowed from within her husband diminished more and more, while the deadly, poisonous animal closed in to kill its prey.

To kill Luke Skywalker. To make room for Liin Kwaad to take over. The realization hit Mara and in the same moment, she was able to break through her shock-induced paralysis, jumping forward, tackling the Yuuzhan Vong warrior - because that was what he WAS, no matter how humans his face looked- to the ground.

He fought her, ferociously and with great skill, but had not expected anyone to defy him. With horror, some part of Mara's brain realised that he had firmly believed to have Luke Skywalker under control. She wouldn't let him kill her husband.

Dodging a blow of the amphi-staff that would have severed her head from her shoulders, she kicked him into the stomach, one time, two times. He staggered, reflexively clutching his hurting mid-section, and Mara used the possibility to administer another kick, higher, against his head.

He was catapulted back, rolling towards the right. Lying still, blood trickled out of his nose. Without thinking, acting just on pure instinct, Mara called Luke's lightsaber to her, feeling its reassuring weight in her hand.
Retracing the well-known structures on the hilt, she ignited it, allowing herself a sneer. He would be afraid now. Scared even, just before he died. Just before he would perish and never bother her husband again.

She began her way over to him, slowly, only noticing the tall, lean black shape when two tattooed, tool-fingered hands grasped Liin's shoulders, trying to drag him back into the glade of gnarled trees.

No. He had to die. Liin Kwaad had to die. She couldn't let him get away.

With a cry of sheer fury, she stormed forward, letting the green energy blade fall down onto the Yuuzhan Vong warrior. It burned itself into the yorik coral floor, not meeting any resistance. The stench let Mara gag and she hurried back, staring around wildly, searching.

He was nowhere to be seen. Nowhere. Mara was panting, fighting tears of fury and failure that stung in her eyes. She almost jumped when evil laughter echoed through the chamber, maniacal, evil.

"You won't win this easily, Mara Jade-Skywalker. You won't win this easily." She did know this voice. Force, she knew it. And if she had thought that she could not hate anyone more than Elan, she had been wrong.
Now, at this very moment, Mara understood that Kwaad had been the one who had held all the strings in her hand. She had wanted Luke. For whatever reason, she had wanted him. And she STILL wanted him.

Sudden realization making her heart stop, Mara whirled around. The stone table was empty.

Not able to keep back her tears any more, she stumbled forward, shaking her head, feeling as if someone had stabbed right into her heart.
"No." she whispered.

"Nooooo!" Mara set up in her bed, sweat drenched.

For a moment, she just stared into emptiness, trying to make herself free from the terrifying images that had just assaulted her. Only after half a minute, she was able to see her surroundings.

Coruscant was buzzing with night life, as always, the speeder lights dancing on the curtains they had draped in front of the large panorama windows of their bedroom. But Coruscant was not what Mara was interested in.

Pushing wet, red locks out of her face, she turned, scurrying over to her husband, who lay still deeply sleeping. She couldn't have cried very loud, nor have broadcasted her dream in the Force; otherwise he would have been wide-awake by now.

With unexpected effort, Mara succeeded in calming down her breathing. Her heartbeat slowed and she began to think clearly again. This was a warning. An obvious warning. The danger was not over. Liin Kwaad was not gone. Someone - whoever those tattooed hands belonged to - tried to bring him back. Tried to kill Luke.

Mara didn't need any further clues to understand that this Nen Yim wanted it. She was a Shaper. She probably had known Kwaad.

Letting herself fall back onto the mattress, Mara closed her eyes. This was not good. In fact, it was terrible. What should she do? She had the nagging feeling that this was not the right time to tell Luke about this dream. It also wasn't the right time to confront him about the amphi-staff thing.

She knew he had it here - here in their apartment. Specifically, in his private room. Hidden under the couch. Mara had discovered it fairly quick when she had searched the room after Luke had fallen asleep.

Something was nagging her husband. She guessed that Luke had suspicions, that he was aware that something was happening, something was gathering around him.
The only reason for not telling her she could think of was that he wanted her to trust him. That he though he had everything under control.

And Mara did trust Luke. More than anyone else. He'd be careful. And if things became too bad, he would tell her. Confide into her. She was sure of that.

So, she, resolved, she would keep an eye on him, even closer than before, and talk to Miiram about this research. Perhaps talk to Corran and Anakin for real.
But she would not let Luke know anything about that and wouldn't let him know that she KNEW about the amphi-staff. He should not think she didn't trust him to cope with any problem himself.

Sighing soundlessly, she turned her head, staring at the back of her husband. He was still sleeping soundly. Mara didn't understand how that could be, for she hadn't shielded herself for months around him.

Checking him with the Force, she was soothed by the fact that his thoughts were peaceful. He breathed and his heart beat strongly. He was fine. Snuggling up to him, softly caressing his neck, Mara closed her eyes.
"No one will hurt you, my love." She whispered, before she allowed herself to fall asleep again, sure that no new nightmare would assault her. She knew what she had to, now. Enough to get active, anyway.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Craft "Moota", Edge of the Coruscant System, Same Time
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mezhan Kwaad was smiling broadly. She had already settled in for the night when she had thought she would like to play a little.

At first, she had intended to amuse herself with Skywalker, but then another idea had hit her. Using the link of her little pet with his mate, she had invaded Mara Jade-Skywalker's dreams, creating some riddles for her to solve.

She hadn't expected the woman to fight back in her dreams, true, but that didn't matter to her. Kwaad had effectively scared the human woman and she was sure this would result in some developments that would make Skywalker even more prone to her little mind sabotage.

She had felt the surprise of the Jeedai woman that her mate hadn't responded to her dream, to her shock, her panic. Mezhan was inclined to think that the stupid woman with the sun-coloured hair would never figure out what had happened to her husband once the Master Shaper was done. All the better.

Mezhan Kwaad closed her eyes. Tomorrow was another day to play. Now she needed rest. Nen Yim was growing restless and nervous. She would have to have an eye on her apprentice. And Skywalker was not dumb - rather the opposite. Playing with him was fun, but not easy. Rewarding, but tiring.

And she knew that for the following days, she'd need all her powers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Criarto", Coruscant System, Same Time
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I will go alert my father to all this. He has to see the information we have gathered. I can't wait till you're done here. It could take you hours still."

Khaleeh Lah had risen from his seat, gathering a couple of tiny, information storage villips in his muscular arms.

His betrothed only nodded, her eyes still hidden by a cognition hood. She was on something and she wouldn't let go until she knew what she wanted to know. That much Khaleeh knew. It would be useless to try to persuade her to go to sleep now.

Wordlessly, he left the room and headed to his father's private quarters, ready to face the Warmaster's wrath upon being disturbed that late in the night - or early in the morning - and bring himm the bad news.

*~~

Miiram had very well noticed her betrothed leaving, but she didn't pay much attention to it. Accessing the memories of the worldship 'Doola' was unexpectedly difficult and complicated and after two hours of trying in vain, the Supreme Overlord's daughter was sure someone had tampered with it.

Someone who was skilled at this kind of manipulation. Someone who was much MORE skilled than any shaper apprentice of Nen Yim's age could ever be.

Finally, she could break though the block she had encountered, getting information about what Nen Yim had accessed before leaving her first assignment.

The Yuuzhan Vong woman quirked an eyebrow as she realised that this hadn't been Nen Yim who had accessed this information. Someone had succeeded in persuading the brain of "Doola" to label this unique handprint as the one of Nen Yim and ignore the fact, that all previous ones under this name were completely different.

Furrowing her forehead in concentration, Miiram demanded from the "Criarto's" brain to search for the true identity of the person to whom belonged this handprint.

The result was shocking her, yet she couldn't really find it surprising. This handprint belonged to no one else than Mezhan Kwaad.

Biting her lower lip - a gesture decidedly un-Yuuzhan Vong which she had adopted from some of the lower grade infidels she had had contact with because she found it fascinating to irritate her father with it - she now ordered the brain to show her what Mezhan Kwaad had accessed.

Small, moveable parts of the cognition hood's inside arrayed themselves in front of her eyes, forming words: "Second Protocol of the Ancient Masters: Slayer's Mind"

More words were formed, perished, and then were followed by even more words.

When she was done reading, Miiram took off the recognition hood. If anyone of her race would have been there, they would have been surprised about her uncharacteristical paleness.
This was worse than worse. Not only for Mara. Not only for the Jeedai Lord. This would affect everyone in this galaxy and especially Khaleeh's caste.

Copying the information onto one of the tiny storage villips, Miiram headed out of the room, towards her own quarters. She had to order her thoughts and talk to her betrothed.

| To Be Continued |

-------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 9
-------------------------------------
>

PG-13

--------------------------------------------------
The Next Day, Skywalker Apartment, Early Morning
---------------------------------------------------

Waking up was strange. Somehow different. Luke Skywalker blinked lazily, having difficulties to come fully awake. Stifling a yawn, he rubbed his eyes, hoping to shoo the tiredness away that still enveloped him like a think rug.
It had been a while since he had felt like this. Since he had slept like a stone, without dreaming, without even being able to remember having laid down, then waking up and having the distinct feeling that'd be better to stay in bed and sleep a little bit more.

Slowly, very slowly, the fog around his brain lifted and he realized that an arm was protectively wrapped around his shoulders. Grinning, he gazed back, looking straight at the sleeping, beautiful face of his wife.
Normally, she would be awake with him, giving him a good morning kiss before he'd head off for his practice.

They had kept this little rite from Chandrila, seeing no reason to let go of it. For a moment, though, Luke seriously contemplated to stay in bed, snuggle into his wife's embrace and go back to sleep.

For him, this thought was irrational and unused. Ever since he could remember, he had been no one to doze in bed. If he woke up, he had to get up, do something. His aunt had always said that he was a bundle of pure energy and not to be stood if he was forced to sit or lay still for too long a time.

But for a couple of days now, he hadn't been like always. Something had changed. While he carefully wiggled out from under Mara's arm, he tried to get to the bottom of WHAT was different.
He was tired, more than he should be. Sleep beckoned him - he knew it was not just from the work, not just because he was barely awake for two minutes now. In the middle of the day, when he was in some meeting with his staff, with Tsavong Lah or whoever, he wished nothing more than to lay down somewhere and take a nap.

This tiredness was bugging him, unnerving him, but still he wasn't really worried by it. He had had much relaxation on Chandrila and when he and Mara had arrived back on Coruscant, he was much better than when they had left.
But still, the strain of his mental illness and all the consequences it had brought with it had been not totally gone yet.

Plunging directly into a lot of work, plus managing to get a whole horde of thud bugs' main course hadn't helped that either.
All in all, so his reason argued with him, he probably was just overworked. Simply overworked.

The problem was that his heart, his instinct, told him that something else was wrong. The feeling of being watched had not returned, but this voice.... It could speak up whenever it wanted to. It gave no warning, eluded every barrier, every control. Luke had no way to stop it, no way to overplay it... no way to ignore it.

It made him plain afraid. Mezhan Kwaad was talking to him and he still hadn't figured out how that was possible. She was dead. She HAD TO BE dead.
He had seen the ship explode. For all he knew, she had been with Elan when the both of them died. But then, had he seen her?

No. No, he hadn't. Luke suppressed a sigh and buried his head in his hands. He had seen Elan, but not Mezhan Kwaad. His mind had automatically drawn the conclusion that Kwaad was with the Priestess. After all, she had been the Priestess's servant, she had worked for her.

But what if he had been wrong? This was what was nagging at him for quite a time now. While he rose and walked over to his drawer, selecting his training robe, he wondered whether it was possible that Mezhan Kwaad hadn't been the servant, but the master. Could that be?

He hadn't witnessed much interaction between Elan and Kwaad. The conscious memories he had were mostly of the Priestess. One or two belonged to the Master Shaper, but never was there any evidence of her being the driving power behind the whole scheme.

Luke halted amidst of buttoning his trousers up. What scheme? Elan hadn't had a scheme. All she'd had was a desire - a desire for a pretty plaything to show off with, a desire to share her life with someone whom she could control completely.
This was no scheme. Yet, the word had come to him naturally, the way it would have come if he had known this scheme he was talking about.

Frowning unwillingly, he clipped his lightsaber at his belt, crossing the distance to the door out into the living room soundlessly.
There had been no scheme. He had simply been too long in the presence of politicians - THEIR whole lives were one big scheme.

He would go for a nice, long run now, and then he would do some sabre practice. That would clear his mind, as it always did.
His hand already lay on the field that'd open the door when another thought protruded his mind.

Luke's eyes found the second door in the room, the one that led to his private sanctuary. Suddenly, without any special reason, the amphi-staff had come back to his mind. The strange, yet so fascinating Yuuzhan Vong weapon that lay there, under the couch, waiting for someone to use it.

The Jedi Master's hand was still hovering in mid-air over the door button, but his gaze was nailed on the door. Before he had finished the thought, Luke found himself crossing the room once again, slipping into the chamber he had hidden his secret in.

As if in a trance, he kneeled down, took the yorik coral box out of its secure storage place under the couch. Nimbly, his fingers traced some protruding lines and the box opened swiftly.
Waking the animal, feeding it, letting it curl around his biceps - it all felt so natural to him. He barely registered it.

Carefully hiding the staff under his robes - no one must see it, it was his alone - Luke made his way out of the apartment for good, entering an elevator only a minute later and pushing the button for the training floor.
When he fastened his belt and checked whether his lightsaber was secured on it so that he wouldn't loose it, the amphi-staff had fled his thoughts again, its warmth and texture not being registered at strange by his skin.

Smiling delightedly when he stepped out from the elevator and into the cool morning breeze - he had chosen one of the many gardens of the Imperial Palace to do his morning run this time - he headed into the small wood.

It would be much more pleasant to work surrounded by nature instead of cold, grey transparisteel.

**~

Mara Jade laid on her back, propped up on her pillow, staring at the ceiling of her bedroom. She had awakened the moment Luke had stirred in her arms.
He never was rude or made loud noises when he left the apartment to go for his practice. All the sign Mara was given was a slight twitch in his body, which meant he was drifting awake. It was something so uniquely Luke, something that she loved like everything else on him.

This morning, though, everything had been different.

Mara had by no means forgot her dream and the memories of it had stormed back to her the moment she had left the realm of peaceful, deep sleep.
For the first second, she had thought that Luke had woken her, as he did every morning, when his muscles contracted unconsciously, announcing that he would open his eyes any second now.

It had taken her a couple of moments to realise that it hadn't been that what had woken her up - it had been the lack of it that had woken her.

Acting on pure instinct, she hadn't opened her eyes, feigning to be asleep. She hadn't know why she had done it - her inner voice, the assassin, the ex-Emperor's Hand - had told her that it would be the right thing to do.

All the time, she had felt like spying on her own husband and her conscience had been screaming at her to stop. She just would have had to open her eyes, smile at him, and greet him. He would have smiled back, would have kissed her, then she'd have turned and slept on until he came back from his morning practice.

But Mara hadn't done that. Instead, she had carefully shielded herself, tuned her Force senses on the room, on her love, and had watched.
Now she knew that it had been the right and she knew that she wouldn't have had to shield herself. Luke had been that absorbed into his own thoughts that he hadn't even noticed the enhanced Force use that was distinctly unusual for a supposedly sleeping person.

She hadn't known what to expect, but what she had seen was enough to back up her worries. And she had seen enough.
Had seen how Luke had practically forced himself awake. Had seen how he had shaken his head, hidden his face in his hand. Contemplating something that he didn't share with her.

Why didn't he share it with her? It was troubling him, that was obvious. He had a problem and didn't find the solution to it.

Doing her best not to press her lips together to a thin line, Mara had sworn to herself that she'd get Luke to tell her what was troubling him if he didn't find a way out of it himself soon. She couldn't bear to see him like this for much longer.
It reminded her too much of his state when they had left Coruscant to spend some time on Chandrila.

Of course her husband was nowhere as irritated or lost as he was back then, but he was withdrawn from her, from his friends again, guarding a secret that did not need to be guarded.
There was nothing he couldn't tell her, of that Mara was sure. Luke, her love, her everything, couldn't possibly come up with something she wouldn't want to know and help him with.

While all this had only intensified Mara's resolve and her thoughts from the night before, the conclusions she had drawn from the nightmare, the VISION, what had happened then had done something entirely else. It had scared Mara.

Out of half-closed eyes, unmoving, Mara had watched her husband dress in his training clothes and go over to the door into the living room. But in mid-movement he had stopped. Simply stopped.

His head had turned, his gaze being glued to the door into his private chamber. To the amphi-staff. Not a single second had Mara forgotten about this thing lying there. Not a single second had she forgotten that he hadn't told her about it.

And now, the expression in his eyes frightened her. There was a desire in it that was so intense it seemed to burn all through his body.
More than once, she had seen Luke Skywalker's eyes twinkling with desire --- desire for her. They shone and sparkled then, their blue like the one of a summer day's sky, intense and pure.

At this moment, though, they had been dark like the sea during a storm - dark and strange. The picture of Liin Kwaad had come back to her, the both of them staring at each other. There was no hate in Luke's eyes, no lust to kill, nothing like that.
But there was this strange craving for a weapon that didn't belong to what he was. A weapon that didn't belong into this galaxy. And this craving couldn't be healthy.

Turning onto her side, Mara breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of her husband that had permeated his pillow and his blanket. She was afraid for him.

Mara was aware that anyone she had talked to about all this would have called her overprotective and perhaps even paranoid.
There was not much prove she could present that Luke was in danger. The amphi-staff - it was a present of a grateful Yuuzhan Vong and the Jedi Master kept it as souvenir.

She wished it could be that simple. No one who didn't love Luke like she did, who was not married to him and so attuned to his emotions and his thoughts would understand what Mara was feeling.
All the small clues that were presenting themselves to her. Luke's tiredness, his seemingly being absent so often, those little things in his behaviour that were unusual.... For anyone else, even for Leia, they would be invisible.
But for Mara, they were like shining beacons in the middle of deep space. Something was going on - AROUND Luke and IN Luke. And as long as she didn't know what it was, she'd find no calm.

What, in essence, just meant she HAD TO find out what was going on. And she would. She would continue watching and take the necessary steps.

Nodding determinedly, she rolled around, extending her arm and switching on the portable communicator on her nightstand. Keying in a certain number, she waited impatiently, not caring for the early hour.

After several seconds, a groggy voice answered her.

"Horn."

"Corran, it's me. Mara."

There was a slight pause, and Mara heard the soft noises of a blanket being drawn back, then an unwillingly murmuring female voice.
Smirking, she waited for Corran to speak up again and after another couple of moments, she was rewarded.

"You always up that late in the night?" the ex-CorSec officer queried.

"It's 6 AM, Horn."

"As I say, late in the night." He huffed.

"You have grown old, Corran. "

"If you're just calling to insult me, Mara, then I beg you to excuse me for signing off right now and there and going back to sleep."

She grinned broadly: "Calm down, CorSec. I want you to meet me today."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. It's important."

"It is? You know, in the last time, everyone is telling me that. Most of all your husband. Did you know how annoying he can be if he's your boss?"

"Yes. And he is exactly what I want to talk to you about. When can you meet me?"

There was silence for a while and Mara frowned. Was it her imagination or was Corran really uncomfortably surprised to hear that she wanted to talk to him about Luke?

It was a small eternity until Corran's voice - now a lot calmer and less cheerful - answered her.

"I'll be having a meeting with him this morning. We have a lot to co-ordinate still. But I have the afternoon off, provided he doesn't find me something to do."

"Splendid. I'll be on the "Criarto" all day, so get up to me there whenever you can make yourself free. And bring Anakin along."

"Why..."

"Just do it, CorSec." And with that, Mara signed off, letting herself fall back onto the mattress again.

Something was bound to happen and she had the feeling she had to be faster than someone. It would be hard to lay here and play the unknowing for Luke, but it was necessary. Unfortunately.

**~

Was kneeling on cold, damp earth... wood earth. His fingers were clenched into it, sweat pouring down his face.

This practice had been harder than usual. The training remotes he had taken with him had been very carefully programmed and had presented him with a challenge that had required him to go to his limits.

He liked to go to his limits. Only if one went to one's limits in training, one could be sure to not fail miserably in real fight.

Though he had been hard pressed, not a single doubt had invaded his thoughts. Even a dozen training remotes weren't able to get through his defences and best him. He was better than those computers, a natural with a lightsaber.

Even now, decades later, Ben's praise sounded in his ears and brought a blush of pride onto his cheeks.
The old Jedi Master had complimented him on his skills and predicted that he'd be an exception fighter with the lightsaber one day. And he was right.

A smile playing once again around his lips, Luke lifted his head, inhaling the rich, clear air deeply. He had been that deep in a trance that he hadn't even realised how deep into the woods he had gone.

The manifested way was nowhere to be seen, around him where just trees and bushes and flowers. It was beautiful here, and though it was an unusual place for him to do his practice, Luke didn't waste a thought at how he had come here.

He was used to loosing himself in the Force like this, trusted its guidance. It guided his movements, guided his weapon, it...

Luke's thoughts halted suddenly, inevitably, as his blue eyes widened when the settled on a silvery cylinder lying at the side of the small clearing he had obviously practiced in. His lightsaber. His lightsaber was lying there.

Then what did he have in his right hand?

Hesitantly, almost afraid, he lowered his gaze, jumping to his feet and staring unbelieving at his hand when he recognised the object.

The amphi-staff. He was holding the amphi-staff.

As if a shroud had lifted from his mind, Luke looked around himself, as if seeing his surroundings for the first time.
The training remotes lay destroyed - smashed completely. Not by the clean, surgical cuts of a lightsaber, not with as less movement as possible to reach the perfect efficiency.

No. They were completely salvaged, not repairable. If one were lucky, perhaps one could salvage a few spare parts.

With trembling hands, Luke touched the remains of the droids, feeling repulsed and sorry at the same time.

What had he done? What, by the Force, had he done?

It was only then, when he tried to remember what had happened, that he became aware of the fact that the last hour was a blank in his mind. There was nothing there. The last thing he remembered was stopping his jogging and deciding to work at his defence against multiple attackers now.

From then on, he could recall nothing. Next he knew, he was kneeling on the floor, panting, exhilarated, hilariously satisfied after a good fight. He knew it had been a good fight, though he couldn't remember the fight itself.

He couldn't remember casting his lightsaber away, taking the amphi-staff instead.

Luke swallowed hard - he couldn't remember taking the amphi-staff out of his box in the first place. Had he gone back again, to fetch the unknown weapon? And was it really unknown?

It lay in his hand as if it had been grown to fit especially in there. In his hand. In Luke Skywalker's hand.

- No, my dear. In Liin Kwaad's hand. It is Liin Kwaad's weapon. -

Luke spun around, knowing full well that he would see no one. But irritation and rage made him jumpy. He didn't like being watched. He didn't like being predictable. And least of all did he like to not have control over a situation.

- Go away. -

He shouted mentally, as loud as he could, all his frustration being channelled into this one cry, towards an unknown destination. Luke didn't know where Kwaad was, but he knew it reached her.

- Of course it reaches me, but I'm afraiid I can't do that. You're mine. -

"I'm not!" This time, Luke was shouting aloud, not only mentally, his gaze flicking from one side to the other. One clue. He just needed ONE clue as to where she was. One clue and he would go there and get rid of this voice. It drove him crazy, accompanying him wherever he went.

- You are. You proved it, my precious. --

Calm. The Jedi Master forced himself to take a deep breath, to still the quivering of his muscles, to quench the urge to smash something. None of the living plants and animals in this garden was guilty of what he was going through right now. It would be not fair to take it out on them. Yet it was incredibly difficult and he caught a part of himself thinking that he didn't care about those things.

"I did nothing of this sort." He finally uttered, being proud of himself for having his voice under control. He straightened, pushing soaked strands out of his face and going over to his bag.

- No?? I think you did. Let me show you.. -

And with these simple words, memory flooded back into his head. Memories of a frenzy of a sort he'd never experienced before.
One of the remotes had succeeded in hitting him. The sting was not actually injuring him, but it hurt, it hurt more than he had expected.

And instead of controlling his pain with the Force and finally ignoring it, his fury had been peeked. Without preamble, other thoughts had invaded his brain - these abominations had dared to hurt hiim. Droids ---- abominations.

He had thrown away his lightsaber, suddenly disgusted by it, and had flexed his biceps in a way he hadn't know he knew.
Something had slithered into his hand, had stiffened and for a moment, he had been surprised. But then, he hadn't bothered to think about how and why.

He had hit the droids, again and again, had smashed them, and shredded them to pieces. One of them, which he hadn't seen before, was lying in a bush, being pressed together into a tiny ball of crushed circuits. That he had done with his mind.

Luke stumbled back, away from the droids, feeling the blood leaving his face. He had done this. He had done this without reason.

- But you HAD a reason! They are abominaations. You're a Yuuzhan Vong. What else would you do with abominations? -

"I'm not Yuuzhan Vong!" he shouted, flinging the amphi-staff away from him, into the woods, being disgusted by the thought of touching it.

- Then tell me why you did it? -

The evil voice demanded to know.

Luke didn't know. He couldn't answer this question. It throbbed into his head, made him feel like exploding, but he couldn't by the life of him figure out an answer.

- Why? Why? -

Kwaad's voice continued, she continued on and on.

And Luke ran. He turned and ran. He didn't bother to pick up his lightsaber, didn't bother to slip on his robe again.
He ran without looking back, without stopping for a single second until he was in his apartment, stumbling into the bathroom, shedding his trousers, his boots, his socks.

Luke turned the hot water on, letting it thunder down on him. Trembling, he leaned heavily on the wall of the cabin, closing his eyes, calling the Force to himself and trying to calm down.

She had hit him unexpected. That was all. She was trying to play with him and because he hadn't known how strong she was, he hadn't been able to shield himself. Yes. Yes, that was all there was. Nothing else. Absolutely nothing else.

"Luke?"

His eyes flew open, meeting immediately the concerned, green ones of his wife. Mara was standing right in front of him, gloriously naked, but for once, he had no eye for that. Luke just tried not to let her see his fear, his irritation.

"Are you okay?" her soft hand pushed hair out of his forehead, cupped his cheek tenderly, her body drew closer, inviting him to a close embrace. And he took the invitation, overplaying his anxiousness by pushing her to the wall, kissing her ferociously.

Mara stared at him surprised and he gave her a cocky grin: "I just decided to do a death run to end my practice. To impress my wife, you know."

For a moment, she perched an eyebrow at him, looking dubious, but when he drew her close to him again, pressing her nude body against his hot skin, the gorgeous redhead smirked and kissed his chin.

"Well, you haven't completely succeeded. You should try something else."

Both lost themselves in the embrace of the other, yet one of them was well aware that something was wrong.

While her husband clung to her, ravaging every centimetre of her skin, she was aware of the way his spirit searched to be embraced by hers. He was afraid.

The big question was why? And how could she help him, beside of keeping him into her arms, making love to him and showing him that she would be with him always?

------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship Criarto, Coruscant Orbit, Same Afternoon
-------------------------------------------------------------

Mara was impatiently tapping her foot onto the yorik coral floor, trying to pat it in the melody of one of her currently favourite songs, but didn't really succeed.

Miiram had asked her to be there for an appointment two hours ago. And since then, she was waiting here, in the Yuuzhan Vong woman's private quarters, sipping at a tasteless water - the only Yuuzhan Vong drink she found to be half-way digestible - and tried not to get angry.

Never had her alien friend strained her patience like this. And if she'd go on with that for much longer, she would never do it again.

Mara was miffed enough as it was. She didn't know what was going on, but was sure that there WAS something going on. This sort of combination of things was NOT to the ex-Emperor's Hand's liking and that usually had bad consequences on her mood.

Luke had been passionate in the shower, after he'd come back from his morning practice. Not that his wife hadn't welcome the intermezzo before starting with her daily work, but as much as she had enjoyed it, she hadn't missed on the fact that Luke had tried to cover something up with it.

His emotions had been honest, as well as his craving for her touches and her embraces. But there was something else. She had felt as if he had held on to her for dear life, like a drowning man. And that was not like Luke. Something had happened during his morning practice and she had to know what.
Mara just wished Luke would confide into her. More and more she saw the strain it put on him to try to handle everything on himself. He couldn't stand that much longer.

Yet, the thought of forcing him into admitting whatever it was, into pressuring him to tell her what bothered him, appalled her.

Before she could further contemplate the problem, Miiram finally arrived, looking rather grim. Grimmer than usual. Mara meanwhile knew enough about Yuuzhan Vong to be able to distinguish their facial expressions more or less.

The female Jedi Master just wanted to question her friend what was worrying her, when another coral door opened and admitted Corran and Anakin into the room.

Miiram shot her a surprised glance and Mara hurried to explain.

"You wanted to talk to me about Luke. I wanted to talk to Corran and Anakin about the same thing. I thought it would be practical to have them here then, too."

The Yuuzhan Vong royalty nodded, then seated herself.

"The situation has indeed become more serious than I originally expected. I have every reason to believe that Nen Yim, the Shaper who sent your mate, Luke Skywalker, the amphi-staff, is responsible for what happened on "Direen" - at least partly responsible."

Anakin and Corran drew Mara surprised glances, hearing for the first time of the amphi-staff.

"So, did you arrest her?" Mara queried.

Miiram sighed: "We don't know where she is at the moment, but warriors all over the galaxy have orders to arrest her the moment they see her. However, back to the amphi-staff....
Mara, there is something I haven't told you yesterday."

The red-haired woman stiffened, her green eyes narrowing: "That would be what?"

"When I watched your husband opening the present, I also could see how he became acquainted with the weapon."

"What does that mean?"

Miiram leaned back, focusing her dark eyes on the coloured ones of the human. "It means that the weapon has accepted his scent and his handling it. It has tolerated that the Jeedai Master touched it."

"But I thought only Yuuzhan Vong can handle amphi-staffs." Corran chimed in, leaning forward, trying to comprehend it all.
Anakin was sitting next to him, staring at Miiram with wide, intrigued eyes. He hadn't yet seen a Yuuzhan Vong woman from close-up.

The Supreme Overlord's daughter was silent for a few seconds, then she stared again at Mara, though she answered on Corran's words.

"This is true, Jeedai."

Mara felt a hard knot settle in her stomach. No further explanations. Just the statement that it was true that just Yuuzhan Vong could handle amphi-staffs.

Miiram's expression suddenly became softer. She leaned forward, extending a hand to Mara and hesitantly laying it onto her forearm.

"Mara, did you notice anything strange about Luke in the past, let's say, three weeks?"

"I..."

Before the ex-Emperor's Hand could answer, Anakin blurted out: "I did."

The Yuuzhan Vong woman's head flicked around, pinning the human boy down on his seat.

"You are Anakin Solo, a Jeedai Apprentice."

The young Solo nodded, seeking Corran's eyes shortly, then meeting the cold, questioning one of his aunt.

"What did you notice?"

Anakin swallowed, feeling guilt well up in himself upon seeing the pale skin of his aunt. He hadn't realised that something was really wrong with Uncle Luke. Not really noticed. He had been worried, but since they were back on Coruscant, his uncle had seemed perfectly fine. There had been no reason to talk to Mara about it all.

"He... I believe Uncle Luke heard voices."

"What!?? What are you talking about?!" Mara bellowed, jumping to her feet.

The big, blue eyes of her nephew stared helplessly at her, so heart-wrenchingly like Luke's.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Mara, but I didn't think it was important. I thought after he was back on Coruscant and everything was all right again, that perhaps it was just momentary. Because we were on this Vong Ship and they're influencing the Force strangely and..."

"Anakin." Corran's voice was calm, controlled. He was trained in investigations and not as easily spooked. "Calm down. We'll explain from the beginning."

"You, too?" The Jedi Master's voice was trembling with fury now. "You knew that something was wrong with Luke and you didn't tell me?"

The former CorSec officer rose, meeting her eyes openly. "I didn't KNOW something was wrong with Luke. I SUSPECTED that something was not as it should be. But I had nothing but my instinct and some clues. And I didn't want to disappoint Luke's trust."

"Tell me everything." Mara said coldly, folding her arms in front of her chest.

"When we were on the way to the "Direen", Luke asked something strange of me. He wanted to know whether there was a Yuuzhan Vong by the name of Liin Kwaad on the ship."

The moment the words left his mouth, Corran noticed how Mara stiffened. Irritated, he mustered her. "What's the matter, Mara?"

"This name. It is Luke's Yuuzhan Vong name."

"It is WHAT?" Corran repeated.

"This is a story to long to explain now." Miiram cut in. "Please continue. What else did you notice?"

"When we were boarding our own ship, I thought to see signs of Luke being in shock. A while after that, Anakin shared with me that Luke was behaving strangely. He was talking in the Force to someone. Not to Anakin. And not to me, for I was at this point not on the Yuuzhan Vong ship."

The silence after that one was heavy, until Anakin softly added: "He said 'Shut up!' I was very surprised. I thought he was talking to me, but he wasn't. Then the bugs were all after him."

Miiram nodded gravely. "I see."

"But I don't!" Mara jumped to her feet now, beginning to pace and glaring respectively at Corran and Anakin.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me about that. My husband is hearing voices and you think I should not know about this!! If we weren't friend or family, I would..."

"Mara, I need to ask you something." Miiram interrupted her.

The redhead stared at her with furious eyes: "What? Just tell me what you know!"

"I won't know for sure until I have an answer to another question. So, please, would you answer me this question?"

Mara stared at her for a long moment, then nodded, expectantly.

"Did your mate speak in his sleep in the last weeks."

"Miiram, I don't understand why..."

"Mara, did he DO it?"

The beautiful Jedi pressed her lips together, then nodded.

The Yuuzhan Vong royalty sighed sadly for a moment, and then straightened.

"Mara, I'm afraid your mate is in grave danger. If I'm right we all are."

"What are you talking about?" Anakin asked, his eyes even wider than usual. He felt fear settle in his heart. The way this woman spoke, one could think Luke was going to die or something.

"I'm talking about that Mezhan Kwaad is alive. Alive and preparing a scheme that could cost us all our lives. Your mate," she turned to Mara, "sadly is one of the centre pieces of her play. Whether out of revenge or whether she needs him for something, I can't say. But he is in the middle of things and deep."

When no one answered her, Miiram decided to just continue.

"I have done the research I have promised you, Mara. Mezhan Kwaad has recently accessed a very secret file. She wants to use a very ancient protocol on your mate. It is called 'Slayer's Mind' - roughly translated into your tongue - and if she succeeds, we will have BIG pproblems."

Now, Mara spoke up again, her delicate skin pale, but her eyes clear and determined. "Tell me what this means."

Her alien friend met her stare with the same determination: "Soon. But first we should take care that your mate is secure - with us. Where is he? Where is Luke Skywalker?"

The redhead turned to Corran: "I assume he is at home, waiting for me. He had a meeting with Corran before."

The corellian Jedi looked at Mara, his brown eyes holding an expression that let her blood freeze.

"He isn't?" she breathed.

"The Warmaster's son did send Luke a message, asking him to meet him on the growing worldship at the edges of the system, to prepare some things for the Supreme Overlord's arrival. His father had entrusted him with the task of taking care of everything, he said."

"I did no such thing." A new voice sounded.

Every head turned, and four pairs of unbelieving eyes focused on the figure of Khaleeh Lah.

| To Be Continued |

-----------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 10
------------------------------------------

PG-13

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On His Way To The Growing Yuuzhan Vong Worldship, Edge Of The Coruscant System, Afternoon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A soft hoot, sounding definitely questioning, pulled Luke out of his thoughts. Focusing back onto his instruments and the space in front of his X-Wing's viewport, he forced a smile on his face, knowing that his droid would detect it quite fine.

"No, I'm fine, R2. Just a little tired."

Another hoot, this time doubtful and louder.

Luke's smile became genuine: "Well, you know, I've been working more, too. It's the same as if you're running low on energy. No need to be worried about it."

The little astromech continued to twitter, seemingly still not satisfied, but his master didn't respond anymore. Soothing his faithful companion's worries had never been easy. Especially if Luke himself wasn't so sure whether there was a reason to be worried or not.

True, he had been working a lot in the last days. There was much to be co-ordinated and the destruction of this worldship above Belkadan had only complicated matters. The Yuuzhan Vong had reinforced their security around every worldship, making plans to evacuate all the more tricky to establish.

There were suddenly almost twice as much beings to account for, especially considering food and water and that was not easy to manage. What was more, he was constantly pondering the fact who could have been behind the attack on "Direen".

What sense did anyone see in destroying a worldship? It could be simple protest; this worldship was scheduled for evacuation by the help of the New Republic. Perhaps someone simply wanted to express his disgust for the "infidels".

It was what Lah, Corran, Leia and Han had believed in this morning's meeting, when they had recounted all what had happened and tried to find clues, of which sort ever. But while Luke had been on his way up into space, doubts had come to him all of a sudden.

He couldn't really place them, couldn't really explain them, he just felt that something was not as they thought it was. But this was hardly the time to wonder about it. He had other things to take care of.

The invitation of the Warmaster's son, Khaleeh Lah, had come as a surprise for Luke. When they had met for the first time on Criarto, when Luke had been interrogated at what had happened above Belkadan, he hadn't had the feeling that the Yuuzhan Vong warrior particularly liked him.
Not that any Yuuzhan Vong warrior seemed to quite LIKE him, but usually they glared not quite as hostile at him since the matter with Elan had been made public.

Luke smiled without joy at the thought that Elan's scheme had indeed resulted in something positive. If nothing else, the Yuuzhan Vong had a lot more respect for him. Some of them had even expressed their admiration - the Warmaster being only one of them - about the fact that he had withstood a shaping.
He could draw no satisfaction from admiration thus earned. Luke couldn't even feel proud. He knew more than they all did. He knew that he had knelt at her feet --- mentally, if not bodily so. A word had sufficed and his legs had done what his thoughts had been willing to do since the moment he woke up on this table, shaken awake by the Priestess.

Memories were still fuzzy. The biggest part of his soul had been hidden away behind Force walls, in accessible for the membrane... but also for this little part that was unsolvable bound to his body. The part of him that had become Liin Kwaad and had succumbed to the torture of the Master Shaper.

When Mara had broken the Yuuzhan Vong's grasp on him, Luke had never given a thought to the question how much of Liin had stayed within him. The membrane was out of his head and all he had felt towards Elan was shame. With time, this had changed, too.
He had accepted what had happened, had known he was over it and had drawn strength from the fact that the Force had once again helped him to survive.

But that had been before the voice had come into his life. Luke knew it had been only a couple of days since he had first heard this voice. Yet it seemed like an eternity that it was with him.
It was Mezhan Kwaad's voice, but he still hadn't figured out whether it was Mezhan Kwaad. Or whether she was in him or somewhere else. If she were alive... he wouldn't know what to do if she was alive.

Should he go find her, destroy her? That was impossible. On the one hand, he had no clue where she was; on the other hand, attack was not in the Jedi Code. And he was not willing to ignore the Code, not even to free the universe from a being as bereft of emotion and compassion as the Master Shaper Mezhan Kwaad.

Revenge. This emotion had been a stranger to Luke Skywalker's soul for a long, long time. Even upon hearing of Chewbacca's death, sadness had presided over revenge. He wasn't the callow youth of past times anymore. Revenge didn't bring benefit to anyone. Not even to the one who exacted the revenge.

He didn't doubt that anyone who knew about what had happened would understand him. But fact was that Luke Skywalker didn't want to get back on Kwaad. He felt no hate for her, not even anger.
No, he felt something that was much more potent, much more worrying and a lot more difficult to deal with. Fear.

Luke was afraid of Kwaad. She was a brilliant woman, someone whose actions were impossible to foresee, whose schemes were conceived in a way that you only recognised what she wanted when she long had it. If you didn't KNOW what she wanted, you stood almost no chance against her.

And that was exactly the problem, Luke mused as he slowly led his X-Wing out of the uttermost space traffic lanes around Coruscant and steered it towards the edge of the solar system.
He didn't know what she wanted. If he went from the fact that she was alive, there was still the question what by the Force she wanted.

She would surely not appreciate Lah's plans for the peace treaty. Humans - or any other non-Yuuzhan Vong species - were nothing but vermin to her. Objects to experiment on, to study. To learn how to exploit or eradicate them, then dismiss them. That was her job. That was what she had been trained to do.

But would she go to such length? And if so, what did he have to do with all of it? In the past hours, while talking about statistics, plans, meeting schedules and what not, he had tried to remember more about his time on the "Moota", the Master Shaper's personal ship.

As far as he could recall, he'd always had the impression that Mezhan Kwaad despised him and would be more than happy as soon as the assignment was over - his shaping.
So what did she want from him? Why did she haunt him, insisting he WAS Liin Kwaad?

Unconsciously, his hands clenched harder around the control stick of his vessel. He wasn't Liin Kwaad. He wasn't. He'd never be, either. That was a fact. Luke had searched his feelings, his rawest instincts for signs of Liin Kwaad. In the first days after the membrane had been taken out of his head, he had felt urges and reflexes that had not been his own.

The need to hide himself from view, for example. This particular problem had even expanded into his time on Chandrila, with Mara. But it was gone for long weeks now. Along with all other instincts of a familiar he had had in himself.

Liin Kwaad would not be back. But even if, what would Mezhan want with a familiar? Shapers didn't keep themselves familiars. They didn't need them. For minor services, they had their apprentices, as far as he knew. So what did she want from him?

"NOW you don't talk to me, don't you?" he mumbled under his breath, his expression darkening. Of course she wouldn't answer. She was not willing to talk to him. Taunting him, provoking him, torturing him. All that she loved. But a simple talk... probably she considered him too dumb, too minor for it. Or she was afraid he'd find out what she planned.
Either way, from her, he would never get answers.

Luke sighed. He could think further about this later. Now he would meet the Warmaster's son and see what Khaleeh wanted from him. Judging by his luck lately, the warrior would likely challenge him to a fight.

In his viewport, the still growing worldship became bigger and bigger. The closer he came to it, the warier Luke felt. He didn't really want to get onto this ship. In fact, he had had to force himself to leave his apartment after he had changed into something more fit for an expedition like that.

After the meeting with Corran and the rest of his staff, he had felt like falling into his bed and not getting up for at least a week.
Yet, at this very moment he pulled his X-Wing into a tight starboard arc to reach the large docking bay that served as landing pad for any incoming vessel. The rest of the bays hadn't been grown yet.

Well, he would get this over with and then he'd head home and sleep - there were no meetings to attend the next day, so he'd be able to sleep longer, doing his practice in the afternoon for a change.

*~~

"He thinks it's that easy. The fool."

"Excuse me, Master?" Nen Yim lifted her head from the little animal she had been tending to with a pair of intricate coral needles.

Mezhan Kwaad smiled at her, turning from the "viewport" of her little vessel's cockpit, where she had stood for the last thirty minutes, gazing into deep, dark space.

"Skywalker. He thinks it's that easy to get rid of me. He has no idea of what is going on. None whatsoever." The Master Shaper turned once again to the viewport, ignoring her apprentice.

Nen Yim scowled. "He's not the only one." She muttered under her breath, careful not to be heard by her Master.

To tell the truth, she herself had no idea what she was doing. Of course she did what Kwaad ordered her to do, but why? To what purpose?
Mezhan had held a fiery speech, wanting to put the Shaper caste at its rightful place in the Yuuzhan Vong society. But what was left of this attitude?

All this seemed like a childish quest for revenge on an infidel that had defied her protocols. A matter of injured pride, not more and not less. And she was caught up in it all, still hoping to learn more about the one art she truly loved. Shaping.

And she'd only LEARN more about it when Kwaad was done with her curious plan. Thus, the sooner they made progress, the better for Yim.

"Master?"

"Hmm?"

"Why don't we just grab him now, kill him and be done with it? I mean, he IS heading to the Hiis El, the worldship for His Excellency, isn't he?"

"Of course he is. My faked message was state-of-the-art."

"So, why not?"

The glare she received from her Master now was well known to Nen Yim. Since she had decided to go rogue on her caste and join the despised Kwaad, she had been granted this stare more than once.

"You still don't seem to grasp what's going on, either, my dear apprentice." the voice of Mezhan Kwaad was low, angry. She was unnerved by the ignorance of her servant.

And her servant was unnerved by the haughtiness of her Master.

"Then perhaps you could be so nice as to enlighten me about what you really want? It's not the destruction of the warrior caste's presiding over the Shaper's, that much is sure."

Mezhan Kwaad's eyes had narrowed to thin, green slits. "You should better watch your tongue, Nen. My goals are clear. I want to put the Shapers onto the place next to Shimrra. Where we belong and where the warriors don't belong."

"So why..."

"And Skywalker is the way to success. If you haven't even begun to understand this, then you should really doubt your intelligence."

Without a further word, the tall figure of the Master Shaper left the cockpit and headed for her laboratory, leaving in her wake an angered, seething apprentice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jade Sabre, On Its Way To The Edge Of The Coruscant System, Lounge
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was not difficult to manoeuvre the ship through the traffic lanes of Coruscant orbit. Not difficult, not demanding, not even slightly distracting. Not for a pilot as seasoned, experienced and skilled as Mara Jade-Skywalker.

But it was something for her hands to do. Something else than strangling the Jedi that sat next to her in the co-pilot's seat. And if her hands had been free, she'd have done that, no doubt about it.

"Mara, how often do you want me to apologize? I can't do more than say I'm sorry." Corran Horn murmured, his arms folded in front of his chest.

"The problem is not that you don't apologize."

"Fine, because I've been doing just this for the past thirty minutes. Apologizing."

"The problem, " Mara steered the Sabre hard to port, almost gracing a large corellian freighter that had been pulling in behind a pleasure yacht headed to the southern pole of the city planet, "is that you don't mean what you say."

Finally pulling out of the traffic area, Mara powered up the engines, punched in the co-ordinates of the still growing worldship and spun around on her chair, now able to change her focus onto the only other human in the cockpit with her.

"You, Corran Horn, are not sorry that you didn't tell me."

For a long moment, brown eyes met green ones, both stubborn, both not about to be intimidated by the other's rage or lack thereof.
Corran knew Mara for a long time. He knew that, if she was seriously out for his blood, he'd be dead in seconds, whether Jedi or not. She was a trained Master, a trained assassin. So he had long learnt not to underestimate her temper. And not to overestimate it.

"You are worried about Luke, Mara. If you weren't so worried now, you'd understand that I couldn't possibly have told you about it."

"And why is that so, wise Jedi?" she spat, her eyes blazing with fury.

"What would you have done if I had talked with you? Do you want me to tell you what you'd have done, Mara?" Corran didn't even wait for her to answer, but continued straight on.

"You would have talked to him, would have asked him not to work with Yuuzhan Vong anymore, would probably have tried to keep him home. Do you think he'd have liked that? Do you think he'd have appreciated feeling like he's spied on by friends? He would have thought I'd been waiting for him to behave odd and then run to you to report. Are you aware at all, Mara, what is going on with him?"

The ex-Emperor's Hand laughed bitterly: "More so than you, CorSec."

Corran pressed his lips together, inhaling deeply before he said another word: "You know that's not what I meant. But when we're already talking about it - WHAT is it you're not telling me? You can't expect of me to behave in a way that fits your thoughts if I don't know them."

Mara gave him a thoughtful stare. Surprised, the former Rogue Squadron pilot watched as the expression on the beautiful woman's face changed, from anger, to thoughtfulness, to quiet sadness.

"What do you know, Corran?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what do you know about what happened to Luke?"

Corran blinked, startled by the change of topic, but sensing that bearing with Mara was the best he could do. She was hurting. He didn't know why and he didn't know what it had to do with Luke, but she was hurting at this moment. And if he could find out why by accepting her lead in this talk, he would do so.

"I know he was tortured." He said after a while.

Mara laughed softly, bitterly: "Tortured, yes." Her gaze suddenly met his, challenging him in a way that made him uncomfortable. "You have seen torture, CorSec, haven't you? You probably think you know everything about it that's worth knowing."

"Well," he began slowly, "I do know some things about it. Yes."

"Yet you have no idea what Luke's been through."

She lapsed into silence, averting her stare from his and gazing out the viewport. The bitterness and pain Corran saw in these green emeralds shocked him. Something else was on stake here, something he hadn't yet grasped. He had overlooked some clue
Until now, the former CorSec officer had thought this was simply an intrigue of a group that didn't agree with the direction of today's Yuuzhan Vong politics. But now he began to understand that this concerned Luke.

Not the Jedi Master, the Jedi Ambassador, who stood for the Order and the New Republic. It concerned Luke Skywalker, the man. And that far more than Corran could even start to guess. Flicking through the past days in his head as if in a diary, his instincts caught on a fact that had startled him just hours ago in Miiram Shimrra's quarters.

"Liin Kwaad." He finally said.

Mara stared at him, one eyebrow perched, waiting. He hated it if people tried to test him.

"You said Liin Kwaad was Luke's Yuuzhan Vong name. What did you mean by that?"

"Just what I said."

"Mara, you're not exactly helpful! How shall I help you - how shall I help LUKE - if I don't know what all this is about? Damn, can't you just TELL me!" the Jedi Knight had jumped to his feet and was now pacing the cockpit, shacking his head in frustration.
This woman was the absolute limit. Sometimes, mostly during moments like this, Corran seriously wondered how Luke put up with her.

He suddenly became aware that he wasn't shielding himself when a curious sound out of Mara's direction permeated the air. Corran's head snapped around to find the beautiful woman huddled in her seat, her arms protectively clutched around her mid-section.

The Jedi was instantly at her side, comfortingly grasping her by the shoulders: "Is something with the baby? It's not good for the little one if you let yourself get too worked up about all this."

"I know. I know, Corran." Mara's voice sounded tired, defeated, and her eyes were wide with sadness when she finally looked him in the face again.

"I'm fine. It was just.. just what you thought right now...."

"What?"

"You wondered how Luke put up with me..."

Corran blushed, scratching his head. "Well," he murmured, embarrassed, "I didn't mean it that way. Mara, you're just so... so..." He paused a couple of seconds, then sat down in the co-pilot's seat again and attempted a little smile. "Complicate. And stubborn. And jumpy."

Again this quirked, elegant eyebrow: "Anything else? Hysteric? Panicky? Unnerving, perhaps?"

Now Corran grinned: "No. Well, maybe a little unnerving, but I've learned to put up with it over the years."

The redhead snorted, but refused to comment on that.

Once again, they remained silent for a couple of minutes. But it wasn't Corran's nature to let questions go unanswered. Nor was it his nature to not apologize when he had indeed messed up.

"I'm sorry, Mara. Truly. I didn't want to hurt you or your baby. I'll be shielding myself better in the future."

The delicate woman shook her head, her red locks flying around her. "No, Corran, you misunderstood. You didn't hurt my baby. I'd never let simple thoughts hurt my baby. It's just... I wondered that myself sometimes."

"I'm afraid I don't understand you."

"I wondered sometimes how Luke put up with me and why. Corran, you don't know everything about what happened to him. And I'm not going to tell you much about it."

"Mara, you know you can trust me. I'd never..."

The female Jedi Master smiled, extending a hand and laying it onto the other Jedi's forearm. "I know that I can trust you, Corran. But it is not my place to tell you. Luke has to decide who knows and who not. It's been his pain, it's his place to tell. I can tell you only the most necessary fact."

The Corellian nodded, expectantly.

"Luke was not tortured as you may think. Do you realise what a shaping is?"

"A shaping?! They wanted to shape Luke? I didn't know..."

Mara waved his comment away: "Not many in the Republic know. The Vong know. All of them. But they don't talk a lot with infidels. They respect Luke since he has withstood this shaping."

Corran nodded absent-mindedly, obviously shocked.

"Do you understand why I'm so worried about him, Corran? Do you see why his behaviour in the last weeks freaks me out? They did want to mould him into a YUUZHAN VONG! And they'd almost succeeded. I don't think they've given up yet."

"And THEY are..?"

"Mezhan Kwaad and this Nen Yim. I don't know why. I guess I will as soon as Miiram tells us about this protocol. But first we have to get to Luke. Speaking of Miiram..."

Mara swivelled her chair around, suddenly all business again. While she checked on Miiram and Khaleeh, which both followed them in a coral skipper, not having been persuaded to enter an "abomination", she didn't notice how Corran settled deeper into his seat, his forehead furrowed in concentration.

He began to understand what was going on. Slowly - more so than he liked - but at least he began to. What he knew for sure was that they had get to Luke before this Mezhan Kwaad did. And that Miiram Shimrra had to tell them what this protocol was about.

Corran hated it to not know everything about a situation. There were far too many blanks here as that he could be satisfied or feel up to do whatever was expected of him. Yet he understood Mara's point of view. Perhaps Luke would confide into him. Perhaps not. Either way, he'd try everything he could to help him.
For two years now, he had worked hard to not give the Vong what they wanted. He was quite willing to hold this attitude for a little longer. And after fighting a whole populace, two individuals should be no problem.

And even if they were the most powerful beings in the galaxy, he would still try to help. Since he had first met Luke, they had formed a friendship he treasured. It was by no means as intense as Luke's friendship with Han Solo or even Wedge. Yet it had potential to grow. And if he could, Corran would ensure that it did.

"Thank you." Mara said softly, glancing at him out of the corner of her eyes, one corner of her mouth pulled upward in a little smirk.

"Could you stop eavesdropping on my thoughts, please!"

"Work on your shields and you won't have to worry about it." Mara steered the Jade Sabre into the hangar bay of the unfinished worldship, her eyes immediately finding Luke's X-Wing.

Concentrating on her husband, she reached out with the Force to find him. She knew that the yorik coral would probably dampen her call too much to be heard by him, but it was worth a try. After all, he couldn't be that far away.

Instantly, she practically bumped into his presence, strong and not dulled. How was this possible? They were on a Vong ship, for Force's sake! Of course, you could draw on the Force, yes, but sensing others was almost impossible. Yet, it was as if he'd stand directly next to her, miles away from any Yuuzhan Vong ship.

'Luke?'

His presence didn't even react. He seemed enraptured. Caught up in something. Obviously, he was feeling fine, yet also strange.

'Luke! Answer me!' she called, louder this time.

'Mara?! Where...?' he sounded surprised, startled. Irritated. Mara didn't bother to power down the engines. She didn't plan to stay. Making sure her lightsaber was on her hip, she stormed out of the ship, being barely aware of Corran trying to keep up with her and Miiram's coral skipper pulling into the bay.

'Luke, I'm coming!'

She ran through the corridors, following his presence. He was closing in on her, too. She felt his mind grasping hers firmly, using her own Force presence as kind of a homing beacon. Finally, after she had rounded another corner, she was face to face with him.

Mara flung herself into his arms, not caring whether anyone looked on or not. She was just incredibly relieved to see her husband, alive and unharmed.

"Mara, what are you doing here?" Luke finally asked, holding her at a little distance. His wife stared straight into his face, mustering critically. And although he seemed physically fine, she instantly caught the change in his eyes.

He seemed sleepy. Sleepy and dreamy.

"I was just checking on you. Khaleeh Lah..."

"Oh yes. It seems he kind of forgot me, hu?"

Mara sighed and grasped his hand. "No, Luke. This message you got wasn't from him."

"Indeed." The Jedi Master's gaze had wandered back into the direction he had come from, almost longingly staring into the darkened corridor. He didn't sound particularly surprised nor really interested and that scared Mara. It was as if he didn't really register what she said.

"Luke, what did you do here? While you waited, I mean?" she grasped his hand stronger, feeling how he tensed. He wanted to go back there.

"I watched. And listened." Luke simply said, dragging her a couple of steps back into the corridor that led to wherever he had been before she had landed.

"What? Luke, I don't understand you."

Her husband stopped and turned, this time smiling: "Oh, it's simple. You can see how it grows. And you can hear it. It's fascinating. Miraculous."

Mara stared at him, shocked. She couldn't quite shed the feeling that he didn't see the situation as she did. "It?" she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Luke nodded, extending a hand and stroking the wall. "The worldship."

"You can HEAR the worldship growing?"

Big, blue eyes, innocent and captivated with fascination, met Mara's suspicious gaze and in them she could read that something had happened here.

"They're here, aren't they?" she growled, unclipping her lightsaber from her belt and pushing Luke behind her. He didn't protest, but followed her stare down the corridor he'd come from.

"Of course. It's a practical possibility."

"A WHAT?!" Mara could barely restrain herself from shouting. She felt as irritated as Luke had sounded only a couple of moments ago and she didn't like it.

Her husband stared at her as if he'd see her for the first time, then he shook his head, smiling and massaging his temple. "I'm sorry, Mara. I forgot you wasn't there." At her incredulous stare, he continued: "There are Yuuzhan Vong warriors in the grand hall. As long as the ship is still growing, they're doing practice there."

"And you have watched them."

He nodded, then, suddenly, he grinned almost ferociously, his eyes darkening with contempt and mockery: "I could have shown them how to fight properly. But they didn't want me to. They laughed."

Mara swallowed hard.

"Luke, I think it's better when we go now. Miiram wants to talk with us, you know, and..." it was then that Mara first looked at his feet, rather coincidentally, but still it got her to stop dead in her tracks.

"Where are your boots?"

Her husband didn't answer her, once again extending a hand and laying it onto a bulge in the wall.

And that got Mara to snap. It was closing in on him. She didn't know what, who and why - and HOW - but she knew she had to get him out of here. And that as soon as possible.

Taking his face into both her hands, she pulled him closer to her face, making eye contact, and repeated: "Where are your boots, Luke?"

He stared at her, getting no word out of his mouth, and without preamble, something in his eyes changed. The startledness stayed, but it changed.

"Mara? Mara, where...? I... they are... I shed them..." Luke closed his eyes, inhaling deeply and drawing onto the Force. It didn't help much. He didn't know where he was, how he had gotten there and he knew even less why Mara was here. The last thing he could recall was getting out of his X-Wing and telling R2 to not draw too much attention.
The rest was a blank. Until now, that he had suddenly stared into his wife's beautiful eyes, felt her hands around his face - felt the cold yorik coral stinging to his naked feet.

"Mara... please... bring me away from here."

Mara smiled feebly, stroking his cheeks softly, then taking both his hands and dragging him softly towards the hangar. Before they could round the corner though, Corran, Miiram and Khaleeh stormed around it, slithering to a halt before them. The corellian Jedi held a pair of black boots into his left, his lightsaber into his right.

"Mara! Luke! When I found the boots, I already thought..."

"It's okay, Corran." Mara nodded reassuringly, laying an arm around Luke's waist, directing him further towards the hangar. She had the feeling that he wouldn't find the way out on his own.

"Wait!" Miiram demanded. She stepped to the two of them, taking Luke's chin into her hands and lifting his head to look him into the eyes. Softly, yet intensively, she asked him something in Yuuzhan Vong.

Luke stared at her for a moment, then nodded and hung his head.

Mara's green eyes found the ones of her alien friend, but Miiram didn't respond on the shocked, pain-filled gaze, on the soundless question that was asked.

"Come." She simply said and turned, leading the way. The ex-Emperor's Hand turned her head, her heart beating wildly upon seeing the tired, defeated look on her husband's face. Tenderly, she brushed over his soul and was relieved to see a small smile form on his lips.

"Is Anakin on the Criarto?" Luke asked, his arm snuggling around her shoulders, rather searching for help than giving comfort.

When she nodded, he closed his eyes for a moment: "I don't want him to be there. Tell him to get back to Coruscant and inform Leia and Han that there will be some important things to discuss."

"Luke, I can't..."

"It will be done." Khaleeh Lah said.

*~~

Half an hour later, they sat in Miiram's private quarters once again. Mara didn't know how it had been accomplished, but Anakin was gone as they had arrived. The Yuuzhan Vong woman had stroked the glow lichen that was living on the walls, methodically and strongly, causing them to give much more light than usually.

At Mara's and Corran's wondering expressions, she had simply stated: "It will help him to stay awake."

Now they sat in a circle, occupying various yorik coral seats. Mara and Luke had been granted a larger coral growth that roughly resembled a couch. Luke was sitting next to her, his eyes duller than she remembered for quite a time, his hand still clasped in hers.

"I would really like to know what's going on." Mara finally said, not loud and not demanding, simply stating the fact that she didn't intend to accept her own ignorance any longer.

Miiram turned to Luke: "Master Jedi?"

Luke sighed softly, then let go of Mara's hand, bent forward and buried his face in his palms. "I can't tell you much, Miiram. I... I have been hearing voices. Or, rather, one voice."

"Mezhan Kwaad's voice?" The Yuuzhan Vong woman asked, folding her hands in her lap. Her betrothed was standing in a corner, not letting his eyes off Luke in a mix of suspicion and respect.

The Jedi Master nodded, not bothering to look up.

"You have been experiencing blanks in your memory. You know you were doing something during those times, you just don't know what. Like what you did on my father's growing worldship."

Once again, Luke nodded. He felt Mara's worry increase more and more, her irritation as well, and he felt bad about it. Once again he had made her worry. Once again he hadn't been strong enough to withstand.

"Why didn't you tell me, Luke? Why didn't you tell me about that? About the amphi-staff?" his wife asked, taking his wrists and softly prying his hands away from his face.

Luke lifted his head, his eyes wide and filled with regret and pain: "I didn't want to worry you. And I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. Mezhan Kwaad is dead. I'm hearing the voice of a dead being. I'm..."

"Mezhan Kwaad is not dead." Miiram interrupted him, her voice unusually soft.

The blonde Jedi Master sat up straight: "What? What are you talking about?"

"She has proof, Luke. This Kwaad woman is alive." Corran explained, for the first time daring to speak up.

"Then... then..." he stopped, for a moment staring into nothingness, then leaning back, a determined expression on his face. Accepting Mara taking his hands into his, he met Miiram's gaze.

"What did she do to me?"

"She didn't really do it. She attempted it. She began with it. But she didn't finish."

"Tell me what." Luke insisted.

"Slayer's Mind."

"Tell us finally what you are talking about!" Mara hissed, her patience drained. Luke was suffering here, she felt it. He was tired, he was afraid.

Miiram nodded: "Slayer's Mind is a very, very ancient protocol."

Leaning back, she continued: "You have to know that we are not the first Yuuzhan Vong to enter your galaxy. A very, very long time ago, when our mother galaxy was dying, we sent spies into this galaxy, to scout for new territory. That's when we first discovered Jeedai.

My people back then captured a Jeedai - he was weak and not able to fight against us in any way. He was given to the shapers, talked to them about that the Jeedai were invincible, mighty, that they would come to rescue him and kill the Yuuzhan Vong. He levitated some stuff around, but more he did not accomplish. Yet, our Shaper's interest was peeked.

They experimented on him and developed a protocol - they called it Slayer's Mind. It is only know to very few Shapers. I didn't know about it until yesterday. Already back then, the Shapers were jealous of the warriors, because the fighters always stood in good grace with the Supreme Overlord.

Slayer's Mind was written down and given from generation to generation, to the most trusted Shapers. They waited for a possibility to apply it and thus reach their goal - destroy the warrior caste so far that they can rise in the hierarchy and rule directly under the Supreme Overlord.

I have done more research, with the help of Khaleeh's father. Mezhan Kwaad's father was one of those who have had the right of birth to know about it. His daughter has inherited this right and he has shared the knowledge with her.

Mezhan Kwaad hates the warrior caste - she has never tried to hide it - and she is the best Shaper there is. She can conduct Slayer's Mind and she knows how to do it. All she needs...."

Miiram stared around for a moment. Khaleeh's eyes had darkened and twinkled with rage. The eyes of the three humans were glued on her, all three shocked, unbelieving, afraid of what was to come.

"All she needs is a Force sensitive. When she learnt about the Jeedai Lord Luke Skywalker and his might, she must have chosen him - you." She nodded to Luke.
"Elan's offer to work for her, test her shaping skills at an infidel, must have been THE possibility for her to begin with her scheme without drawing any suspicion as to her real goals."

"I was never intended to become a familiar." Luke whispered, clenching Mara's hand stronger, desperately.

Miiram shook her head.

"Then what was he to become?" The Jedi Master's wife demanded to know, her eyes cold with fury and disgust for the Shaper they were talking about.

"The ultimate warrior. Slayer's Mind is a lot. It's blood lust, cruelty, cunning, ruthlessness, and no compassion. Perfection of the arts of fight. It's being the impersonation of death.
Your only thought is to kill what she tells you to kill. All your reserves, your ability, your intelligence - your Force skills - are devoted to one single task. Killing. In all ways possible. From battle tactics to hand to hand combat. You're not thinking anything else.

She tells you whom or what to kill or destroy and you do it. That's all that your life is. They have found a way to tune your Force skills to the Yuuzhan Vong and their creatures. You could sense my people; you could manipulate them and their creatures with your Force.

No feelings, no pain. You are like one of your abominations, your droids. Only that you're intelligent. Flexile.

If she succeeded, the warriors would be dead. One by one, you'd hunt them all down."

The silence hung heavy. Corran was staring at the floor, trying to digest it all. Mara was, surprisingly, feeling all right. Relieved. She knew what was going on now and she could do something against it. She would protect Luke. No matter what it took. She would protect him.

She had already opened her mouth to ask Miiram what they could do, when Luke jumped to his feet and headed to the coral door. Without a sound, he vanished into the corridor. Before the coral door slid closed, they could see him turning towards the hangar.

Miiram sighed: "Khaleeh has his honour guard watching over him. Nothing will happen to him. I will tell you what to do. Then you should go to him."

Mara just nodded, her eyes still glued to the door. She wanted to follow Luke, yet knew that she had to hear what else Miiram had to say.

"Do not worry, Mara. It is not too late. No permanent harm has been done. Listen to me and you'll understand. Jeedai Horn, you should listen, too. Someone will have to explain to his domain."

| To Be Continued |
--------------------------------------- The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 11
---------------------------------------

PG-13

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Criarto", Same Afternoon, Miiram Shimrra's Quarters
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miiram's words seemed to still float in the air. They had been reasonable, yes, and spoken in an intense voice. But at this very moment, Mara felt beyond reason. Her urge to follow Luke was simply overwhelming.

"Trust me, Mara. You need to stay with me and listen now. His life may depend upon it." The Yuuzhan Vong woman repeated, her dark eyes resting on the human woman with the faintest glow of anxiety.

Green eyes met her gaze, wide with suspicions, grim determination and worry. "He needs me, Miiram. Now."

"Yes, he does. But not with him. Your mate needs you to hear what I have to say. He needs you to know what you can do to keep him safe, to prevent him from becoming what Mezhan Kwaad wants him to be."

Mara bit her lower lip, her eyes darting to the coral door, then to Corran. He nodded, his complexion paler than usual, but his eyes mirroring her own resolve to help Luke, no matter what it took.

The ex-Emperor's Hand inhaled deeply, then sank onto a coral seat: "All right. Let's make this fast, then. I don't want him to be alone longer than absolutely necessary."

Khaleeh Lah chose this moment to participate in the discussion, breaking his brooding silence: "Do not worry, Jeedai, this will not take long. My betrothed has done thorough research."

"Speaking of research, WHERE did you get all this information?" Corran chimed in, training a suspicious gaze on the Supreme Overlord's daughter. "It doesn't seem as if Kwaad would go bragging with what she's about to try. At least not to people she doesn't trust."

"Corran, she is our ally." Mara gently admonished, shaking her head at him softly. All she got in reply was a perched eyebrow, then Corran focused back on the object of his interrogation. To his - and Mara's - utter surprise, Miiram merely smiled.

"I have been told that the Jeedai Corran Horn is not one to take any information for granted. Shedao Shai's files on you have been extensive and, as it seems, correct."

"Shai had FILES about me?"

"Of course he had. We have information about most of our adversaries. Every good warrior seeks to know the one he fights against. Don't infidels teach and learn this rule of war?" the Warmaster's son asked, a faint sound of contempt permeating his voice, while he went over to stand behind his betrothed.

"I don't think this is what we should be talking about right now." Mara's voice resembled a deep growl and her impatience was obvious.

Miiram nodded at her, cleared her throat and folded her hands into her lap.

"To tell you exactly how far your mate has fallen victim to 'Slayer's Mind' already, I would have to examine him thoroughly, with the help of a Shaper. We could.."

"NO member of this caste is going to touch Luke."

"Mara, I think you should reconsider this. It could be the best course of action at this point." Corran said slowly, realising that they all were walking a dangerous path at the moment. The redhead was close to loosing her countenance and patience with them all and if pushed too far, she would leave the room immediately to be with her husband.

The Corellian understood how she felt, remembering all too well the terrible time in which he had known nothing but worry for his wife, Mirax Terrik. But nonetheless, he knew that this was important.

Miiram Shimrra didn't seem like someone who wasted words. If she said she had to say something of life importance for Luke, then it was probably just like that.

"I think you heard me quite fine, CorSec." The female Jedi Master's voice was cold as ice and her emerald eyes blazed in barely contained anger. "NO Shaper is going to even look at Luke from a distance. Period. I don't trust them and I never will."

The Yuuzhan Vong woman stared at her friend for a while, then nodded curtly: "As you wish. Judging by what we have witnessed ourselves, I would say that the Jeedai Master Skywalker has been lucky. Kwaad doesn't seem to have progressed further than the first stage of the protocol."

"And that would mean exactly what?" Corran demanded to know, folding his legs and crossing his arms before his chest.

"It would mean that the Master Shaper has merely tuned his soul to herself."

Mara, who had up till now done an admirable job of keeping her nerves, blanched even more and jumped to her feet: "She did what?!"

Miiram joined her in the upright position and began to slowly pace the room, hands clasped firmly behind her back.

"When you talk with your mate this evening, you should ask him to search for memories beyond the ones of Elan and his shaping to a familiar. There have to be more. Kwaad has reached an atonement that allows her to sneak into his thoughts and exact a certain amount of control over them. Mara, when he spoke in his sleep, what did he say?"

Mara frowned in concentration: "Mostly, he simply sighed. One time.... " she interrupted herself, her eyes growing wide: "One time, he said 'Sernpidal'."

The Supreme Overlord's daughter nodded: "Exactly what I thought. This is the final prove we need that Mezhan Kwaad is responsible for the sabotage on our worldship above Belkadan."

Khaleeh smiled grimly: "Now we can convict her of even another crime."
"Hold on a moment, please. I'm afraid I don't really understand this. So, Luke said 'Sernpidal' in his sleep. What about it?" Corran interrupted, his features tensed.

"Your friend," Miiram explained, stopping in front of the Corellian's chair and peering down at him, "told Mezhan Kwaad where he would be next."

Mara nodded, her face suddenly relaxed, as if some question she had pondered for half an eternity had suddenly been answered: "It's because of this that he's so sleepy, isn't it?"

The Yuuzhan Vong royalty smiled, obviously impressed: "Yes. It's the first stage of the protocol. Establishing a deep contact with the Force user's subconscious. Her link to your mate is buried deep within him. Even his skills in your Force can't detect it. She has merged it intrinsically into his own biorhythm, into his own thoughts and instincts. If you want so, she has mixed a Yuuzhan Vong with a human and has done it that carefully and brilliantly that her victim couldn't possibly catch on it."

"So what you mean," Corran summarized, "is that this Yuuzhan Vong personality she has implanted in him tries to get the upper hand, but for it is rooted in his subconscious, it has to wait till he's asleep and lets down his guard."

Miiram nodded: "In a sense, yes. When he sleeps, he is guarded against outside influences, if I have understood the Jeedai correctly so far," turning to Mara, she received an acknowledgment and continued: "but in sleep, he doesn't need to have a reign about his own emotions and thoughts. Thus, it's the perfect opportunity for the Yuuzhan Vong personality to seize his thoughts."

"And his sleepiness is induced by this personality. It wants to create a state in which it can assume complete control." Mara added in a hushed voice, feeling anguish and regret flood her heart. All the clues and she had never given them enough attention. The scene on the worldship could have been prevented.

The former CorSec officer now rose, too, scratching his head in a gesture that had grown into his behaviour many years ago.
"So, if we assume Mezhan Kwaad has faked the message that asked Luke to come to the growing worldship, she wanted to achieve what exactly?"

"Confrontation." Khaleeh curtly answered, his features holding a challenge that made the experienced Rogue-turned-Jedi a little uncomfortable. While the Yuuzhan Vong continued, Corran tried to assess whether any weapons were visible on the other's body armour.

"By presenting him with an environment as completely from our galaxy as possible and having almost no one but him present - thus she chose this worldship and no other - she overwhelmed him. Jeedai Skywalker didn't expect an attack from within. The Yuuzhan Vong personality in him could strike swiftly, without encountering any resistance."

Mara closed her eyes for a moment, massaging her left temple: "I could have lost him right then and there, couldn't I? Couldn't I, Miiram??"

The female Yuuzhan Vong pressed her lips together: "If we hadn't come, she could have used the link to your mate to instruct the Yuuzhan Vong presence. Had she actually given him an order, we wouldn't have stood a chance. He would have been focused on fulfilling the order and you wouldn't have been able to bring him back to the present."

The ex-Emperor's Hand turned away from them, her shoulder heaving for a couple of times until she had gathered enough calm to face her friends again. When they finally could see her face again, she seemed to be all business again.

"So, why do you think Kwaad didn't order him to come to her?"

Miiram sighed, laying a clawed finger onto her chin: "I assume she wanted to simply play with him. His hearing her voice that often suggests that she wants him to be aware of his becoming more and more Yuuzhan Vong. She seems to be a weird individual. I wonder.... Did the Jeedai Skywalker ever say anything about his name? I mean, his name in our tongue?"

Mara shook her head: "No. Why?"

"You know, during my research, I found out that the name 'Liin' doesn't exist for as long as our common names. Indeed, it has been invented by the Shapers. Elan knew only the meaning every average Yuuzhan Vong knows - 'Delicate Treasure'. But for any Shaper, the name Liin means 'Slayer'."

"I don't believe it." Corran breathed, plopping down into his seat again and staring off into eternity.

Mara, for her part, was trying to not let her hands clench into fists: "She ways toying with him from the very moment she heard of him. I swear, if I get my hands on her, I will...."

"I'm afraid I will have the pleasure, then." Khaleeh Lah interrupted her. "As Yuuzhan Vong and son of the only Warmaster present in this galaxy, the execution of Mezhan Kwaad is granted to me. Unless my father or the Supreme Overlord himself takes it from me."

"Then you have to be faster than I am." The beautiful woman with the red hair growled, giving him a ferocious grin before turning back to his betrothed.

"Now, what I can do to help him? Can I do ANYTHING at all to prevent him from succumbing to Liin?"

"Indeed, you can. First and foremost, he mustn't sleep unprotected."

"Protection meaning...?"

"Protection meaning," Miiram continued, "that you have to hinder his subconscious from seizing control as long as it isn't cleansed from Liin Kwaad."

"But is there a way to cleanse him? Really cleanse him? The way I have understood it, no Shaper living at the moment is better than Mezhan Kwaad. She exceeds them all. So how can anyone even hope to outdo her in this task?" Corran wondered aloud.

"An interesting question, Jeedai Horn."

"With a satisfying answer, I hope." Mara quietly said.

"Only partly. I am afraid the only solution to the problem will have to be the radical one." The Yuuzhan Vong woman replied in a soft voice.

"What..."

"Mezhan Kwaad has to die. Only when she perishes, Liin Kwaad will cease to exist. It's that simple. We have to find her and kill her. Before she gets the Jeedai Skywalker under her control." Khaleeh chimed in, his voice quivering with a mix of anticipation and anxiousness. Obviously, he had understood quite well what would happen to him and his kin in case the Master Shaper would succeed in her ploy.

"Indeed, simple." The corellian Jedi murmured sarcastically.

Mara sneered, her face assuming the mask of the deadly assassin Corran had never had the dubious pleasure to meet. "Trust me, CorSec, I WILL find her. And I will make sure that Luke is protected wherever he is."

Turning to the two Yuuzhan Vong which stood shoulder to shoulder, features as expressionless as was common in their caste, yet dark eyes shining with enthusiasm and intelligence, she added: "I assume this is it for now."

Miiram extended a hand, grasping the smaller, softer one of the human woman with a kind of affections he had seldom displayed to anyone else: "For the moment, yes. Someone has to inform your leader. Leia Organa Solo. My betrothed's father will want to discuss tactics with her. We have to expect that the Master Shaper won't rely solely on 'Slayer' to achieve what she desires. Defence, prevention - it has to be discussed and has to be the joined effort of both our people."

"I will take care of that." Corran offered. "I think it's better if Mara goes to Luke now. He will have to be told what he has to do. For what he has to look out." 'And he shouldn't be alone right now.' He added silently.

The ex-Emperor's Hand gave him a grateful smile: "Thank you, Corran. And thank you, too, Miiram. Without you, I would have lost my husband. I owe you a lot."

The Yuuzhan Vong smiled: "Hardly. But I may still get back to you about that one."

Mara grinned, nodding curtly to Khaleeh in good-bye, then turning on her heels and leaving the room without further paying attention to the words that were traded between the three remaining people.

She had to go to Luke. All the time, she had felt like sitting on glowing, hot coals. Her husband was out there and he suffered. The yorik coral still dampened everything in the Force, but a look in his eyes before he had stormed out had sufficed to show here that he hurt. Hurt incredibly.

Mara shuddered while walking swiftly through the corridors, having memorized the Criarto's set-up thoroughly. It was so hard to imagine Luke as a merciless killer. Her gentle, wonderful, tender Luke. It was that much against his nature - the mere thought had to repulse him, maake him sick.

She knew how it was to be such an individual. Killing on order. Not caring whom or why or how. Still, Mara HAD had a conscience. She had been able to stop when she had decided she wanted to. If Kwaad achieved what she as desiring... Luke would have no choice. He would cease to exist and Liin would claim his soul, his mind, his body.

Her beautiful husband, this shining star in the Force, would simply vanish, converted into the figure she had seen in her dreams. His eyes, these beautiful, emotion-filled windows that could be so soothing, so enticing, would hold nothing but cruelty and hate.

It wouldn't happen. Not as long as she lived. She'd rather allow the Master Shaper to do that to her than tolerate her touching Luke ever again. At least she, Mara Jade, the former Emperor's Hand, knew how to deal with the remorse, the regret and the self-disgust that followed an assassination.

Luke would break. He'd fight Liin Kwaad as long as he could, would probably linger for years and decades somewhere in the other's soul, his incredible might in the Force preventing him from being vanquished entirely. But how would he be able to bear it, when his victims stared at him with big, terrified eyes before he took their life?

The answer was simple. He wouldn't be able to bear it. He would falter, crumple, guilt and pain eating away at his power and at some point, he would just vanish. Give up the fight and leave his life to Liin. The Slayer.

It was Mara's turn to prevent this from happening. After everything he had undergone because of Elan, she had sworn to protect him against any pain that might cross his path. And she intended to do just that.

Taking a last, deep breath, steeling herself against whatever she would find, she entered the hangar. And froze.

The place where the Jade Sabre had rested was empty. Luke was gone.

----------------------------------------------------
Mezhan Kwaad's Personal Craft "Moota", Same Time
-----------------------------------------------------

"THIS is a complete failure. You've wasted the potential of this animal." Mezhan Kwaad growled, pushing her apprentice Nen Yim rather rudely away from the examination table.

The young Yuuzhan Vong girl distanced herself from the form of her Master, glowering at her from behind. Kwaad had been in an especially bad mood for some time now. The Master Shaper hadn't shared with her apprentice what exactly was going on, what she had done hours alone in her room instead of supervising and instructing Yim on her latest task.

But whatever it had been, Nen was sure it had gone wrong. And she had to suffer the consequences. As always. As it had been with every other Master she had had before. And there went another thing she had thought Kwaad to be special in.

And at this precise moment, her carefully honed and trained patience left her. Nen Yim - for the first time in her life - literally exploded.

"I did my best without instructions. If YOU hadn't chosen to lock yourself in your room, doing who knows what silly stuff, you could have SHOWN me how to do it. You SHOULD have shown me how to do it. YOU are the Master, I am the APPRENTICE!! I'm supposed to LEARN, not to be perfect from the beginning."

For a long moment, Mezhan Kwaad just stared at her, her serious, intelligent eyes studying every inch of Yim's face.
Finally, she smiled: "I didn't do any SILLY stuff. But you're right. I am the Master." When Nen couldn't hold back a satisfied smile, she quickly added: "I shouldn't have assumed your intelligence to be that amazing."

Waving impatiently, she prodded: "Come here and watch. It's not that difficult, really."

While Nen Yim - her skin still flushed from anger - came back to the examination table and focused her attention on the Master Shaper's hands which prepared another, identical animal for its task in her plan, Mezhan Kwaad allowed her frustration and hate to envelop her thoughts and heart again.

Someone knew what was going on with the Jeedai. Someone had figured out what she had in mind.

Could it be this annoyingly protective human woman - the one with the fire hair? Mezhan seriously doubted it. She seemed bright, for her race. But not bright enough. And oblivious to everything that had to do with the Yuuzhan Vong. But who else? Who else could have found out what was going on?

It was a riddle she had to solve, and that quickly. Her plans might depend on it. She had almost had him. Skywalker had been on the growing worldship and the moment he had left his abomination, Liin - her dear Liin - had seized control over his thoughts in a way much more intense and firm than ever before.
She had guided him through the ship, Skywalker following her instructions without resistance. There was no way for his mind to escape from her without help.

Oh yes, he had struggled. At the beginning, a little. But even if she hadn't had the time to apply more than the first stage, THAT one she had applied thoroughly. He had stood no chance, succumbing to Liin in mere seconds.

And then someone had dared to rip him out of her grip. Only a minute more and she'd have planted her order. He would have come to her, without any hope of ever breaking free of her creation anymore.

She allowed herself a small smile. It was a minor setback. In the long run, she would win. Skywalker would come to her and would vanish, being replaced by Liin Kwaad, her Slayer, her tool.

Soon, her plan would go in its final round and then, everything would come as she had planned it.

-----------------------------------
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, Evening
-----------------------------------

The grass was soft under his naked feet, making him feel like walking on clouds. He had not been sure whether he'd find the way again - the first time he had taken it, he had been not conscious of it, the second time, he had only wanted to get away, plunging through bushes and trees and fields of carefully planted flowers.

But the moment he had reached the place on the stony way at which he had resolved to exercise his defence this very morning, he hadn't needed to even think about where he was going. His feet had developed a life of their own.

In the dusk of a Coruscant evening, the sun pouring through the trees, he had found the clearing again.

Now, the sun had long set and darkness prevailed. Soft sounds of night birds and insects were the only things to be heard in the little wood, artificially grown and maintained in the midst of a world of transparisteel and glass.

Luke Skywalker kneeled on the floor, not minding that dew soaked the knees of his trousers wet. His eyes, wide and filled with the emotions of an inner conflict no one but him could really understand, rested on the two objects that were neatly laid next to each other in front of him.

A lightsaber. An amphi-staff.

For a moment, while the sun had sunken lower and lower, Luke had wondered why he had come here. He could have sent R2 or 3PO to get the weapons. He could have waited for Mara, could have been resting in her arms, trying to forget what Miiram Shimrra had told him. But he had done neither.

He had fled from the quarters of the Supreme Overlord's daughter, had started the Jade Sabre, had flown back to Coruscant and somehow ended up sitting here.

With a little fantasy, he could almost make himself believe he was alone, on Yavin IV, deep in the jungle. No one but him. Him and the Force. But in truth, it was a mere island in a world so unnatural it made a part of him hurt.

But which part?

Luke hesitantly extended a hand and stroked the handle of his lightsaber. The weapon of a Jedi. Constructed by himself, all those years ago on Tatooine, his homeplanet. This was Luke Skywalker. Upon looking at it, studying every dent, memories flooded back to him. Han, Leia, Ben. Lando. His father. Wedge, Corran. Mara. Biggs. Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen.

His friends. His family. That was what he was. That was where Luke Skywalker belonged. They loved him. He knew they loved him. He would always be able to go back there, to seek refuge in their love and their friendship.

Luke Skywalker was love of flying, was the delight upon immersing himself in the Force, the satisfaction and feeling of millions of butterflies in his stomach when Mara took him into her arms, caressed and kissed him.
Luke Skywalker was the firm conviction of what was right and what was wrong, the desire to help and protect.

This lightsaber was a part of him, of Luke, and it belonged to him as his natural, left hand did. He couldn't imagine not having this weapon anymore. The security it gave, the memories and the symbolism were crucial to his personality.

And yet...

His hand now trembling, his breath catching in his throat, Luke grasped the amphi-staff.

This was not Luke. This was Liin. Liin Kwaad. This was hate and anger and contempt. It was the Dark Side.
Softly stroking the animal, the Jedi Master silently laughed at the irony. The Sith extinct. Dark Jedi not present. And yet, the Dark Side of the Force came to taunt him in yet another form.

He despised it. Probably there was no other thing in the universe he disgusted more than the Dark Side and what it made people become.

But how, he mused, his eyes never living the beautiful, living weapon, could it feel so GOOD if he despised it? Was Liin Kwaad the Dark Side? Or was he simply a part of HIM now? Was he able to fight him? Did he WANT to fight him?

Luke didn't want to become a killer. His soul ached and writhed under the prospect of being at the beg and call of Mezhan Kwaad to murder who knew how many beings, deserved and undeserved.

Yet, weren't there positive elements about Liin Kwaad, too? Hadn't it felt so wonderfully natural and comfortable to walk without his boots? To feel the yorik coral? To feel the grass? Wasn't it so much more beautiful to be surrounded by nature, by trees, by living beings, instead of cold steel?

Wasn't it so much more satisfying to interact with a ship by reading its thoughts? Becoming friends with him, one with him?

But then, was atonement with nature really what he craved for? What he craved enough to leave behind his life, his friends, his one, true love? Hadn't he always loved the view onto the skyscrapers, brought afire by the setting sun, the clear, blue sky of Coruscant on a summer day?

Hadn't he always loved flying in his X-Wing, in starships, training with his lightsaber, talking to R2, to 3PO?

How did this fit with his feeling of anger and disgust for droids that had assaulted his heart all of a sudden, when he had crossed the hangar on Coruscant, wandered through the corridors, until he had finally stepped out into peace. Quiet peace, without the sounds of droids, speeders or anything else.

It didn't fit. Liin Kwaad and Luke Skywalker didn't fit. Clenching his teeth together, Luke let go of the amphi-staff and forced himself to fold his hands into his lap.
There was no chance to unite those two personalities. They were fighting each other, constantly. One of them had to win. And when that happened, the other would perish.

If he arrayed all thoughts on a line, compared advantages and disadvantages, his choice was clear. He was Luke Skywalker. He didn't want to become Liin Kwaad.

Since the peace treaty had begun to take shape, he had grown to respect the Yuuzhan Vong and their culture. He had even begun to understand more of their beliefs. But all that still didn't make him WANT to be one of them.

Luke didn't want to abandon his life, now that everything had cleared up. He loved Mara and she loved him. He would become a father. He had a family he loved. Would have another one all of his own, to protect, to love - to be loved by them.

The problem was, he had the feeling he was not the one to make the choice. He had been fighting for days now.
True, it hadn't been until this afternoon that he had understood against what - or rather whom - he fought, but he had fought. And it had been useless. He was helpless against Liin Kwaad. There was nothing, not even the Force that could help him.

He would loose his life to become what Mezhan Kwaad wanted him to become. Liin. Her assassin. Her personal bodyguard. Her way to the top of her people's government. He would succumb to a personality that would murder because it was ordered to and because it liked what it did.

He would take life after life, in cruel ways, as pleased his Master, and he would bring about the ruin of a culture. And judging by the disgust Mezhan Kwaad held for anything non-Yuuzhan Vong, he would, eventually, bring doom to the ones he loved, too.

Only that Liin Kwaad wouldn't be capable of love anymore. Before his mind's eye, he could see himself killing Leia, Mara, Han. Anakin, Jacen, Jaina. Wedge, Lando, Corran. Tahiri. Tionne, Kam and Streen.

Whether it was a horror vision sprung out of his own fear or whether it was a glimpse on Mezhan's plans, he didn't know. But he knew it would happen. Eventually, it would happen.

He was too weak to withstand - didn't KNOW how to withstand in the first place - and when he faltered, he would be the one to destroy what generations had fought to build. In this galaxy and in others.

He couldn't let that happen. Whatever he could do to prevent it, he HAD to do it.

Rising from the meanwhile cold and damp floor, Luke Skywalker turned to the right and vanished into the trees. Two weapons were left in the clearing, one shining, and elegant and symbolic, the other dark, vicious.

If there were two choices, Luke mused, ignoring the sharp pain of stones under his naked feet, of which one was out of question and the other unachievable, there had to be created a third one.

*~~

Mara was running. She didn't know why, but she was. And in the depth of her soul, she felt that it was the right thing to do.

Droids, humans, non-humans---she wove her way through them, ignoring angry barbs, just focusing on the presence of her husband.

Feeling that he was deep in thoughts of his own, she hadn't brought himself to his attention yet. He had to figure things out himself first. There was need for a talk between the two of them, yes. Especially about the blanks in his memory and about the voice. About the reason why he hadn't shared it with her.

But all this had to wait until he had found a measure of calm again.

Trusting completely in the Force, she took an elevator down to a garden floor she had seldom visited. She barely registered the number of the floor or that she had left the way. In fact, she barely registered anything but Luke's Force presence until the very moment she took sight of him.

"Luke?!" she exclaimed in shock.

A supple movement and two wide, sad eyes stared at her, their blue glittering while it reflected the lights of thousands of speeders and lit windows of skyscrapers.
His back erect, the Jedi Master sat on the railing that separated the garden floor from the kilometre deep abyss between the Imperial Palace and the next building.

Mara's heart skipped a beat; the realization of what he had intended to do hitting her like a punch in the stomach. For an absurd moment, she wondered whether she should forcefully drag him back from there, but it took her brain only a second to catch up with her emotions.

If Luke had really wanted to do that, he wouldn't have let her come near enough to see him here.
Sometimes, her husband, her dear farm boy, was na? and rash. But he was never stupid. He might get rather dumb ideas, but at the end, he'd always see that he would not achieve anything with them.

Carefully, she swung her legs over the railing and settled beside him, her left hand seeking his right one. He clasped it, a desperate edge to the movement, and leaned his head onto her shoulder. For a while, they simply watched the traffic lines that wove lines through the sky, oblivious to the cold wind and the precarious, nauseating height.

When he finally spoke, his voice was soft and somewhat subdued. "I just couldn't make myself do it, Mara."

"I know, my love."

"But it would have been the right thing to do."

She felt his mind begging her to say yes or no, to give him a reason to jump or not to, to make a decision, ANY decision - simply telling him what he should do.
In the fraction of a second, Mara saw in his soul and thoughts how unexpected Miiram's revelation had hit him, how afraid he was of it becoming true.

"No. The right thing to do is fight."

When she swung her arm around his shoulder, he snuggled into her embrace. Though she still stared at the skyscraper opposite to her, she knew he had closed his eyes.

"Tell me how." He whispered, relaxing in the all-encompassing feeling of her love for him.

Of course he didn't expect an answer. All the better, she mused slightly amused, that she had one.

"I will, Luke. I will. You should have stayed. Miiram has found out more about this protocol. You're not helpless."

Shifting a little, suddenly attentive eyes peered into her face: "Seriously? You're not just saying that to keep me from jumping?"

Mara laughed, genuinely: "You wouldn't, Luke. You love life too much. Besides, do you really want to make me belief you'd abandon your child?"

No laugh, not even a small smile came from him. "Rather that than kill him. Or cause it any sort of pain."

Bending low, his wife kissed his forehead: "You'd never do that either."

He sighed softly, closing his eyes in bliss, then straightened: "What did Miiram say? What can I do against it?"

Mara swung back to safe ground, took his hand and dragged him back with her: "I tell you on the way home. I need to warm you up. Do we fetch your weapons?"

Luke halted for a moment, staring at her anxiously: "How do you know?"

"Miiram told me." She grinned, punching him playfully on the shoulder: "Don't look as if a moon dropped on your foot. We'll talk about this. Tomorrow perhaps. But now we have other things to do. So, DO we fetch your weapons?"

For the first time, Luke seemed shed the tension that had gripped him so powerfully in the last days. Although he wouldn't have thought it, the knowledge that Mara knew everything was comforting. That she didn't disgust him was encouraging. Perhaps he would really find a way to get through all this. No one was invincible. Not Mezhan Kwaad. Not Liin.

"My, you've understood it finally, haven't you?" Mara gently admonished, her arm sneaking around his waits.

"You know I'm kind of slow sometimes."

*~~

"I can't believe all that. It sounds so... so... unrealistic." Leia Organa Solo sat on the couch in the salon of the Skywalker apartment, her husband next to her, Corran Horn taking the seat opposite to the both of them.

The corellian Jedi nodded: "That it does. But it's real."

"Well, at least we know what we're up against. How is Luke taking it?"

Before Corran could answer, Mara entered the room, closing the door to her sleeping room softly. "He's fine. The sleeping pills 2-1B gave me are working fine. Together with the Force, they had exactly the effect we needed."

"Knocking him out cold?" Leia asked, rising and going over to the door Mara had just closed. With a worried expression, she opened it slightly, peering into the room.

Her brother, usually already up the second someone would step in his bedroom, was lying on the mattress, still and deep-sleeping. It was unusual for him to stay unmoving while sleeping, but this was not normal sleep.

Corran had explained to them why it was necessary and feeling in the Force the reassuring touch of her brother before he had dozed off, she hadn't protested. It would be better that way.

Sedating him would give him a peaceful night's rest and would protect him from this Shaper. And it was only for a time - until they had found Mezhan Kwaad and taken care of her.

| To Be Continued |

--------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 12
--------------------------------------

PG-13

----------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, Skywalker Apartment, Morning
-----------------------------------------------------------

Sunlight was pouring into the room, warming it and its occupants. The curtains drawn back, Mara Jade-Skywalker relished the view she had over the large city and its dozens of traffic lines.

The sleeping room of their apartment was one of Mara's favourite places to be. She remembered that she had been fairly surprised to find a largely impersonal apartment when she had moved into her husband's home. It had seemed like a hotel suite - ordered and beautiful, but devoid of personal belongings.

The only room that had borne signs of the occupant of this apartment - of Luke - had been the sleeping room, which he had furnished and decorated according to his own gusto. Drawers were worked into the walls. One side of the room consisted completely of transpariglass that could be dimmed if one so wished. The only other things that stood in the room were a large bed, two nightstands and a couple of plants.

Some would think it looked empty, but Mara appreciated the space she had. And she appreciated the view. One didn't have to get out of the bed to see Coruscant in all its splendour and the sun shone exactly onto the bed, waking its occupants softly. Usually that was.

This very morning, the golden rays had found Mara already awake, propped up on one elbow, silently contemplating the features of her husband. In his deep sleep - his body sedated by a drug, his subconscious held in mute check by her own Force powers - he looked peaceful and serene. No sign of fear, of despair or distress.

It was difficult for her to grasp what had happened the other day. When she saw him lay there, the boyish, beautiful face smooth and untroubled, Mara found it impossible to recall the image of Liin Kwaad.

Luke was not Liin Kwaad. He was gentle, caring, compassionate, loving. Beautiful from the outside as well as from the inside. The soft features didn't seem able to ever bear blood lust, ferocity and hate.
And yet, it was in him. A Yuuzhan Vong personality, waiting for the right moment to come out and seize him. Completely. To erase this wonderful creature that so many people adored, that was loved by its family.

And as if the sheer horror of Mezhan Kwaad's scheme hadn't been enough, Mara had had to fear that Luke would give up. She couldn't understand how she had managed to stay so calm and composed the past evening. The thought of Luke refusing to fight, of thinking the best course of action was to dispose of himself, to kill himself.... It was a terrible thought, one that she didn't want to contemplate any further.

Nodding determinedly, Mara bent low and kissed the unresponsive lips of her husband softly, taking his warm, limp hand into her own. "You don't have to worry, my love. We beat them once, we will beat them again."

She was sure of it. And if she had to tear every single Yuuzhan Vong ship out from aft to stern - she would find Mezhan Kwaad and then the Master Shaper would regret to ever have challenged the ex-Emperor's Hand.

A wicked smile on her face, Mara concentrated for a moment, called the Force to herself and reached for Luke's soul. As she had left it the previous evening, she found it bound by her own power, enshrouded, like in a veil. Protected.

Softly, not too quickly, she withdrew her influence, gave more and more of his conscience free, carefully scanning for any hint of Liin Kwaad trying to force an appearance. To Mara's utter relief, the "Slayer", as Miiram had called him, seemed to have been neutralised for the moment. There was nothing that worried the female Jedi Master and when finally the sky-blue eyes of her love fluttered open, trying to take in the reality, she relaxed visibly.

It worked. Their little counter-measure worked. One point taken over Kwaad. Mara swore to herself that it would be the first in a long, long row.

"Mara?" his voice still sounded a little sluggish, but it was almost visible how he strengthened with every breath he took, his deep azure orbs taking in every detail of the room.

"I'm here, love." She whispered reassuringly. The medical droid had warned her that the drug she had given him could create slight disorientation, but only temporary, after the patient had regained consciousness.
Being a Jedi Master, Luke was able to overcome such nuisances far quicker than the average human being and it took only a minute for him to sit up slowly and smile at her.

"So it worked?"

Mara nodded, grinning from ear to ear: "I told you it would work, Luke. She can't get to you anymore. Not even while you're sleeping."

He smiled back, yet his voice didn't sound as confident as she'd have liked it.

"At least not at the moment, Mar. We don't know exactly how strong her link with me is. How deeply Liin is established."

"No, we don't know it. But it doesn't matter." Seeing the doubtful look on his face, Mara laid both her hands onto his cheeks, forcing him to look straight into her eyes. Insecurity was still obvious in these blue depths, those windows to his soul that showed everything to those who knew how to read them.

"You won't let Liin win. You won't let Kwaad win. You belong to me, to us, and that's how it is. Correct?"

He stared at her, taking his time with an answer, but then broke into a smile, leaning his forehead against hers. "Correct."

"Good boy." Mara teased, pecking him on the lips, then rising from the bed and going over to one of the drawers.

"I'm going to take care of breakfast. You go shower to wake up. And stop worrying."

"Yes, ma'am." He mock-saluted.

With a laugh, she exited the room.

For a couple of minutes, Luke stared at the door through which she had left, lost in thoughts. She had saved him. Once again, as she had countless times before. Only this time it hadn't been from a mighty foe, from someone who hated him. This time, she had saved him from himself.

Shaking his head, Luke slowly left his bed, standing up with all due care and giving his body time to adjust to the new position after having lain unmoving for the whole night. When the slight dizziness that had enveloped him had vanished, he went over to the window, leaning against it and staring out at the incredible skyline of the city he called home for over a decade now.

What had he been thinking, the previous evening? Suicide! Never had he thought that he would consider something like this. It went against his beliefs. He had never given up - not completely at least.
Even when he had felt the membrane engulf more and more of his brain and his being, he hadn't ceased to fight. Hiding had been his way of fighting - making sure Luke Skywalker wouldn't vanish.

What had possessed him yesterday? What had made him think that he couldn't stand up against Liin Kwaad?

It had simply been too much. Closing his eyes, relishing in the coolness of the glass he was leaning against, Luke tried to recall the details of the previous day - up to the moment in which he had landed his X-Wing fighter in the giant hangar bay of the growing worldship that would serve Supreme Overlord Shimrra as home in this galaxy, he could recall everything perfectly. At least everything except this one training hour.

But what had happened on the growing worldship? What had happened between the moment he had opened his canopy and set foot onto the yorik coral and the moment he had suddenly stared into his wife's beautiful, but distressed face?

Drawing onto the Force, he tried to stimulate his memory, surprised to find a barrier that he hadn't been aware of. Like a thick, black wall it blocked his conscious from this time in which something crucial had happened.

Gathering his bravery, Luke concentrated a little harder and pushed through the black haze. He barely met any active resistance, what startled him. When his thoughts passed through the curtain - for that was a more fitting term for it, Luke thought - he felt like being watched, almost scowled at.

Liin. Liin had created this. Now more determined than ever to discover what had happened to him yesterday, Luke doubled his efforts, gathering the light of the Force around him and dissolving every little piece of the dark mass.

Was it a hallucination or did he hear faint hissing? Angry hissing? It didn't really matter. He had to find out about the whole thing.
And finally, all these blocked memories were accessible to him. It was a curious feeling. It wasn't as if he'd remember actually DOING these things - rather, he felt like watching a holo movie, an actor that portrayed him performing actions.
A part of him had been aware of all these things, had filed them away in this far-away corner of his memory, hidden from Luke Skywalker. And Liin Kwaad had reinforced the automatical barriers of the subconscious, taking the knowledge of ever having been there from the Jedi Master.

But Liin Kwaad was not mighty enough to withstand the Force. Luke felt his heart beat faster with exhilaration as he realised that he had indeed MIGHT above this Yuuzhan Vong personality.

Like in a holo drama, Luke watched how he descended from the X-Wing, told R2 to not draw too much attention and catapulted his helmet back into his canopy. Then he turned towards the coral vault that led deeper into the ship, to where the rooms of the Warmaster and his son during their stay here were.

So far, nothing seemed to be different from his usual self. But halfway from reaching the vault, he saw himself stop. A hand fleetingly reached to his temple, his head turned and without further preamble, he changed directions and headed down a totally different corridor.

His forehead furrowing with the effort, Luke forced more and more memories out of this hidden spot, recalling the profuse light-headedness that had overcome him only seconds before he had stopped in the hangar.

From this very point on, Luke Skywalker hadn't been aware of anything. Liin Kwaad had taken command, had at some point shed his boots, wanting to feel the yorik coral bellows his feet.
Liin Kwaad had headed straight for the big hall of the ship. Destined to house the great gathering of domain heads and the Supreme Overlord when the peace treaty would be signed, it now housed two whole contingents of trained Yuuzhan Vong warriors.

Fascination had completely overcome the Yuuzhan Vong personality. He saw Liin Kwaad, in HIS very own body, stand at the walkway that led around the whole hall - later, it would be the place where Prieests and Shapers would watch the festivities and discussions - twinkling eyes taking in every movement of the warriors.

He had been so fascinated. And at the same time disgusted and full of contempt. These warriors were nothing but imperfect impostors. HE was better than all of them. If they'd only give him an amphi-staff, he would kill them here and there. All of them, single-handedly, without them having the opportunity to land a single hit on him.

Luke felt himself shake his head. This was how it felt to be Liin Kwaad. Contempt and the craving of fighting. It was all he could think of, all he HAD thought of. Fighting.

- Well, what else would a Slayer do, my precious? -

Unlike all other times, the voice suddenly seemed to be more real and Luke's awareness in the Force spun around, meeting a pair of green, cruel eyes. Yuuzhan Vong eyes.

She had been there. Mara had been right: Mezhan Kwaad had been on the growing worldship, had met with Liin Kwaad. Shock froze his thoughts while he continued to stare in a mix of fear and anger onto the face that had burned itself into his brain - contorted in delight while carving a whole into his head, while torturing him mercilessly, intent to break his will. Alone the mere thought of having been so close to her again made him want to throw up.

- Such thoughts, dear Liin? And so wrongg, too! -

The apparition snarled and only belatedly Luke became aware of the fact that she was talking to him in the present. Casting a glance backward, onto his memories, he still saw himself, Liin Kwaad, standing on the walkway and watching the Yuuzhan Vong warriors.

- Caught!-

Too late - much too late - Luke remembered what had followed immediately after the light-headedness. It had felt like being sucked in by a black hole, suddenly, quickly, without warning. On the Yuuzhan Vong worldship, there had been no possibility to fight back, because he had not suspected anything like that to happen.

But now he knew about Liin Kwaad. He knew about Slayer's Mind. And he had promised Mara to fight. Promised it. Clinging to this one thought, Luke's spirit turned back to Mezhan Kwaad.

*~~

When Mara had entered the living room of their apartment, she had found Han and Leia just waking up. After Corran had left the previous evening to take care of some important administrative matters Luke hadn't succeeded in turning his attention to yet, the Jedi Master's sister and her husband had stayed and talked a long, long time with the ex-Emperor's Hand.

Mara had given them an exact summary of everything Miiram Shimrra had found out, shocking them in the process, but also pointing out how important it would be to have an eye on Luke and find the Master Shaper Mezhan Kwaad as soon as possible.

When they had finally decided that the rest had to be talked about with Luke present, it had been very late. So the both of them had decided to stay here. Mara suspected that they also were not sad about being able to watch Luke a little more closely after the terrifying news.

"Good morning, Mara." Leia called from the balcony, the wind blowing in her open hair. Mara nodded to her, smiling, her gaze travelling through the room and founding Han Solo still lying on the couch, awake but obviously not inclined to get up.

"Not a good morning for you, Smuggler?" she inquired, making her way over to the kitchen.

"There have been worse ones." The Corellian grumbled, fighting to sit up and then glaring at her out of two sleepy, hazel eyes. "Your couch is NOT very comfortable."

"It isn't destined to serve as bed, you know. And probably it doesn't like you. It only likes people who have a certain amount of taste, you know"

"I DO have taste, Jade. I married her." Pointing to Leia, who winked good-naturedly at him, Han finally managed to get to his feet, looking around for his belt. Nodding over to the door of the sleeping room, he queried: "How is he?"

Mara smiled, programming the food-prep unit and gathering some cups out of one of the kitchen drawers. "Better. This night has done a lot of good to him. He doesn't look half as tired as the past days."

"So our little scheme works? We can block out Kwaad and neutralize his subconscious?" The alderaanian princess sat down on one of the chairs at the kitchen table, taking the dishes from Mara and putting them onto it.

The ex-Emperor's Hand nodded: "It seems so. The sedative shuts his body down, I control his soul. There is nothing that could go wrong, actually."

"Sure." Came a stifled mumble from the living room and both women glared at Han's backside, which was the only thing of him visible at the moment.
Only a few seconds later, he straightened, triumphantly twirling his belt around his index finger, which was pointed straight at his wife and his sister-in-law.

"There can always go something wrong. ESPECIALLY if Luke is involved. You see, a couple of months after Yavin IV, we were headed for..."

Before he could finish his little tale, a loud noise that came out of the sleeping room let him fell silent at once. Leia and Mara, both with hands full, could do not much but stare at Han and at the door, but the Corellian had already vanished before they could tell him to check on the Jedi Master.

**~

Han stormed into the sleeping room of the Skywalker couple, his eyes first focusing on the bed, but finding it empty. Letting his gaze wander, his heart almost froze upon seeing the figure of his brother-in-law sprawled onto the floor.

"Luke!"

In an instant, he kneeled next to the Jedi Master, slowly lifting him and leaning him against his shoulder. Luke's face was pale, but calm, only his hands twitched and his eyes fluttered open and close.

"Hey, kid! Snap out of it! Come on, you're scaring me here!! Luke!!

*~~

It was so difficult. So terribly difficult. He still stared into those evil, green eyes, and felt something tug at his conscious, more and more intense. It strength multiplied by the second. Like stardust sucked into the black holes of the Maw near Kessel, Luke felt his conscious slip away from him.

He mustn't allow that. If he gave up, if he let himself flow with it, Liin Kwaad would gain control again. The Master Shaper had ambushed him. She had waited, aware that she couldn't get past Mara's protective walls of Force energy. Had decided that she would take him unaware. And with trying to find out what exactly had happened on the growing worldship, Luke had opened a door for her.

He was dimly aware of his legs giving way from under him, of the world around him suddenly swimming, then blurring, then vanishing entirely. It was, Luke mused, like swimming against a current that wanted to keep you under water.
Only that it was far worse than anything dragging at his body. They dragged at his soul, from every side, wanting him to give up the fight.

It wouldn't hurt anymore. That was what they promised him. He just had to give up and they'd stop hurting him.

Tempting. It was oh so tempting. He was so tired of hurting all the time. It seemed as if the past months hadn't consisted of anything else than hurt. Desperation once again threatening to overwhelm him, the weeks with Mara on Chandrila - peaceful, sheltered - shrank in his memories.

"kid .... scaring... snap out... Luke!"

The voice seemed to come from far away, for the first time making him aware of the fact that he had probably lost his consciousness for a time.

That was Han! Force, it had almost happened again. As if he'd suddenly found a dictionary for a language he hadn't understood up to now, the Jedi Master grasped what was happening. Liin Kwaad was a fighter, yes, but amphi-staff, thud bugs, his body - these weren't his only weapons. Now, on the spiritual level, he fought with other things - he fought with emotions. With fear and desperation.

And Luke had done exactly what Liin Kwaad had wanted. Focusing his strength on this might that tucked at his soul, he had not even recognised what was happening to him. Of course! There was no way for Liin to actively overcome him. Without Luke's help - without him loosing himself in sleep or in just that, desperation - Liin would not be able to seize control.

Forcing himself to abandon the "defence" against the tugging, Luke clung to the one presence he felt could drag him out of his present state.

*~~

Han was about to call for Mara and Leia - especially Mara. Though he was aware that it had been mere seconds since he'd come in and found Luke like this, the unresponsiveness of his brother-in-law began to unnerve him, if not even scare him.

Just as he opened his mouth, a sharp intake of breath let him turn his head once again to the up to this moment prone figure in his arms. Panting, Luke grasped Han's biceps, his blue eyes wide and pleading when he met Han's gaze: "Don't call them. Please. Please, don't call them."

The Corellian narrowed his eyes: "Luke, I think it'd be better if a Force sensitive..."

Strengthening his grip on his friend, the blonde man sat up, struggling, adopting a more comfortable position.

"Han, please. I'm fine. It's just..." averting his gaze, Luke looked directly at the door to his private room. Following a sudden urge, noting with a slight smile that Han hadn't called for either Leia or Mara's help, he tugged at the other man's shirt.

"Help me up, please."

Han shook his head, dubiously eyeing his brother-in-law, then nodding towards the door that led out into the living room.

"They will come nonetheless, you know. You made quite some noise when you decided to kiss the floor, kid."

Luke smiled more broadly: "They won't come, Han."

"One of these crazy Force things?"

"One of these crazy Force things. Now please help me up. There is something I want to show you."

The Corellian sighed, bending down and sneaking his arms under Luke's armpits, dragging him upright carefully. The moment he loosened his grip, his friend tumbled to the side, his hands flying to his head when a sudden fit of dizziness hit him.

Reacting with experience gathered in long years, Han managed to steady him in time, glaring at him darkly: "You're fine, eh? Yeah, sure looks like it. Kid, it's better if we call for a medic. I won't stand by and watch when..."

"Come on." Luke interrupted him, dragging him softly towards the door to his private room. With every step he took, his dizziness became less and by the time his hand lay on the sensory field that'd open the door, he felt much better already.

"Luke, I know you hate medics, but you're..."

Blue eyes twinkling amused, the Jedi Master smiled at his older friend: "Han, I'm fine. Now will you come? We don't have all day." And with that, he vanished into his room.

For a moment, the corellian ex-Smuggler stared after him, unsure what to do. On the one hand, Luke was not a child anymore. He had to know how he felt and whether he needed a medic or not. True, the kid hated medics and hospitals, but if it was serious - if he KNEW it was serious - he didn't object.

On the other hand, Luke's behaviour was odd. One second lying there, looking as if caught in a spasmodic fit, the other one acting as stubborn as ever.
Could it be... Han almost cringed at the mere thought of it, but could it be that this hadn't been Luke, but Liin Kwaad.

His heart, his soul, cried out that he would see the difference. He would see when his friend vanished, when there was only this murderer, this butcher that wanted to replace him. He would, wouldn't he?

His steps hesitant, Han entered the sanctuary of Luke. He had seldom been in here, the last time when Luke had moved into the apartment and he and Chewie had helped him to get some furniture into the room. Since then, things had changed.

As the drawers in the bedroom, shelves had been worked into the walls - into three of four walls, to speak exactly. They were packed full with ancient books, dozens of data chips, flimsiplast and paper readouts, holo cubes and discs.

The fourth wall of the room was - also as in the bedroom - a huge transparisteel window, letting him see out, but no one see in. In front of it, a large desk was situated, also filled with books, and equipped with a high standard computer access terminal.

The shelves on the right wall ended some two meters before they met the window, making room for a large, comfortable looking couch and a corner with drawing utensils.

In front of this sofa, on the floor, Luke kneeled. Serious eyes, dark because the sun was shining right through the window, tracked the tall man while he went over to the Jedi Master and kneeled down himself.

"I'm not Liin Kwaad." He stated, his voice calm, yet very intense. Han had the feeling that it was crucial for Luke that he believed it.
Perhaps, if Han didn't believe it, Luke couldn't believe it himself? All this was so very complicated.

"I'm not Liin Kwaad." His brother-in-law's voice repeated once again.

Han stared into his face, the sun not changing colours anymore when Luke used the force to draw heavy curtains before the window.

Dark was replaced by the familiar, azure blue, obscurity by the familiar kindness, love and loyalty.

"No." The Corellian said finally, smiling. "You're not Liin Kwaad."

Luke smiled back, making Han swallow hard. In this moment, it seemed as if he would for the first time grasp what had almost happened the day before. He had almost lost him. Lost the dearest, best friend he had ever had - aside from Chewie.

The thought at the Wookiee only added to the lump in his throat, but Han forced the paralysing grief out of his heart, his soul. He couldn't allow this to take control of his life again. Not as long as he had to fight for those of his friends, his family, who still lived. Like Luke.

He lived. It seemed like Han knew the kid forever. It seemed like they'd been always together, always able to rely on each other. Often enough, Luke had rescued him, or his family. Had rescued the reasons he lived.

And he had taught Han so many things. Compassion, loyalty, idealism ---- the need to fight for what you believed in, the need to do good no matter whether you got paid, the need to make the galaxy a better place.

By his selfless friendship and devotion, Luke had given him - and all other friends of his - something wonderful and new in their life and had it made thousand times more worthy of living it.

Chewie had liked Luke from the beginning. Han had liked him, too, had been flattered by the admiration the young boy had showed him, the experienced, hard space pirate. But in the course of the years, Luke's nature, his big heart, had succeeded in letting Han's feelings for him surpass mere appreciation of the flattery to genuine, deep friendship.

They were like brothers and they would always be like that. If he could, Han would prevent anything from ever happening to Luke again. This included Liin Kwaad, too.

Perhaps he couldn't handle a lightsaber, or an amphi-staff. Perhaps he couldn't use the Force. But still, he would fight against this being and its creator, and if he had to strangle it with bare hands to keep it from hurting Luke.

"Thank you, Han."

The Corellian grinned awkwardly: "Always eavesdropping, these Jedi." He murmured, not being able to fight a slight blush.

Luke smiled, then reached with one hand under the couch.

"Han, I know that you're my friend and that you trust me. And I trust you. Sometimes..." he paused for a moment when his hand found what it had sought, then continued: "Sometimes you're able to help me much more than Mara or Leia can. You understand things they can't."

His suspicion peeked, the former smuggler folded his hands in front of his chest: "Such as?"

Luke drew in a deep breath, then dragged the yorik coral case out from under the couch and put it in his lap. Stroking softly over the surface, the coral reacted and slid open, revealing the amphi-staff in all its splendour - and horror.

"Such as this." The Jedi Master softly whispered.

Han's eyes grew wide and in instinctive curiosity, he extended one hand to touch the weapon. Almost immediately, Luke caught his wrist in a vice-like grip, his eyes more serious than ever.

"Don't touch it. It would bite you. Kill you."

The Corellian stared at him for a moment, then withdrew his hand, nodding. "This is the amphi-staff this Shaper person sent to you. As a gift."

It was obviously no question.

Luke was only for a moment surprised. "So Mara has told you."

Han nodded. His friend's eyes were once again hefted onto the weapon, his natural hand stroking the animal that began to hiss contently.
There was an expression in Luke's eyes that made Han's stomach protest. He was fascinated by this weapon. More than he should.

"It is mine, you know." The Jedi's voice cut the silence like a vibro-blade, sounding rougher than usual. "She has bred it especially for me. It obeys only me."

"Luke, I don't think you should..."

Once again, the farm boy-turned-Jedi Knight from Tatooine interrupted his older friend: "I shouldn't keep it, that's what you want to say, right?"

Han swallowed, forcing himself to nod. There was a sort of ferocity in the other's features that seemed very unnatural. Noticing how Luke's hand that still stroked the amphi-staff trembled, his body tensed.

Of course it would be certain suicide, but in case this was Liin Kwaad surfacing, he would not simply sit here and watch.

Through the tension, Luke's sudden, soft laughter seemed almost surreal.

"You're so right, Han. It's... it's ensnaring me. It's like a drug." Honest, blue eyes meeting worried, hazel ones, the Jedi continued.
"I resent Liin Kwaad. All of him. All but this. You... you can't imagine how fascinating this weapon is. It means almost as much to me as my lightsaber. It's as if I have created myself, just as my sabre, though I can't remember having done something like it. Yet, it is a part of me."

He stopped for a moment, swallowing, then stopping to strike the staff and stashing it into its box again.

"But it is evil. It is a connection between Liin and me. The only one that really melts me into him. Do you understand?"

When Han shook his head, Luke continued.

"You see, Liin and I - we are separated, completely. He is a totally different personality. If he gets the control, I'm gone. Completely. As if he knocks out. But Mezhan - she never only relies on one plan. She sent me this to convert ME into him. Liin has a connection to my mind - but only to my mind. This staff has one to my body."

When he saw the older man's eyes light up in understanding, Luke nodded. "I see you understand what I mean. This staff is like an addiction. And whenever I take a dose, it binds me more to Liin. "

"So, what do you want to do? Han asked, his voice rough. This was troubling news, indeed.

"I can't destroy it. If... no WHEN we have taken care of Mezhan and of Liin, I want to train with it. I want to know the Yuuzhan Vong like that to be more effective against them - should any of them try again to damage the New Republic. And the animal... it may sound funny, but I LIKE the animal. It is not evil, you know. It just does what it has been trained to do."

|"But Luke, this is dangerous. If it is like you say, if it is addictive, you can't keep it."

"You have understood that it means much to me?"

Han nodded: "Yes."

The Jedi Master smiled, then - startling Han - put the box into the Corellian's lap.

"I want you to take it, Han. Don't worry, it can't hurt you through the box. I wouldn't give it you if it could hurt you. Take it and keep it safe. Hide it somewhere. Don't tell me where. When the time is come and I can handle it safely, you will know and can give it back to me."

Han opened his mouth, needed some minutes, then finally forced something out: "I will. Trust me, I will. But I don't understand why you don't give it to Mara. Or Leia."

"As I said, " Luke explained, "they sometimes don't understand me. They wouldn't understand this. They wouldn't want me to keep it, would destroy it. But you understand that I can't destroy it, don't you?"

The Corellian shook his head, smiling: "Don't ask me to explain it, because I can't. But I do understand."

Luke nodded. "That's why I want you to have it."

For a long while, they just sat there, engrossed in their own thoughts, relishing the trust between the two of them.

Now, Han was sure that Luke would win against Liin Kwaad.

"We should go to Leia and Mara now. They will start to worry." He said after some more minutes.

Luke acknowledged that with a pat of Han's shoulder, then rose. "I think you're right."

------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Craft Moota, At The Edge Of The Coruscant System
-------------------------------------------------------------------

So he had managed it. He had indeed managed it. Mezhan Kwaad clenched her hands into fists, ignoring the pain that stabbed through her forearm when her tool implants penetrated the soft skin of her palm.

Skywalker had not only found out about Liin Kwaad - the truth about Liin Kwaad - he had even found a way to counteract everything. The whole first stage.

She had underestimated him. Once again. But it would be the last time. Of course she didn't absolutely need him for her plans. But he would be an assurance. If she had him, no one could stand in her way. Absolutely no one. With Liin under her control, she would be able to rule her race and perhaps even the infidel galaxy - with time.

So she would not give up that easily. By no means.

She already had an idea how she could alter her plans for the Supreme Overlord's arrival in a way that Skywalker would end up under her control anyway. Nothing was impossible. Not for a Shaper.

Stroking the villips on the coral desk before her one after the other, she contacted all the Shapers that had pledged themselves to help her at least in some organisatorial matters.

"Everything is going as I wish?" she inquired.

One of her old friends, Laal Toon, nodded: "The animals are about to be completely placed. Everything will go according to plan. What about you?"

"This is none of your concern. Report to me if you have placed them all. I will remember all this."

All of them nodded and soon after, the villips sagged together.

Kwaad leaned back, staring out into space.

"You haven't yet escaped me, Skywalker. Not yet."

| To Be Continued |

--------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 13
--------------------------------------

PG-13

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Medical Centre, Restricted Area, Afternoon Of The Same Day
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Slowly, Luke Skywalker walked along the polished corridors. If the situation hadn't been that serious, he would have smiled. For all the times he had been here, in the Coruscant Medical Centre, he had never even set foot into this section.
Whenever he had been injured - whether gravely or not - Leia had made sure that he had a wing of his own, with highest security. No one was to come near him without a certain clearance on his or her identity card.

The people who had been brought here enjoyed the safety of high security, too, but out of completely different reasons. It was not because of the care of a loving sister that barely anyone was allowed to come to visit them. It was because there were still suspicions and the fear of what they were perhaps able to do that they were restricted here, monitored.

The doctors and med-droids did their best to help, true, but they, too, were afraid. Fear. It permeated the whole area and Luke felt extremely uncomfortable in these white, sterile corridors.

"Next time I volunteer for something like that, shoot me." Corran Horn, Jedi Knight, mumbled. His robes drawn about him, he walked at the side of his Jedi Master, glancing around annoyed.

Luke couldn't help but smile. "You didn't even see them yet, Corran."

The Corellian grimaced: "And I can't claim I'm looking forward to it."

In the empty corridor, his voice reverberated for several seconds, giving the two men the feeling of being lost in a cave. All the sunlight that shone in through the glass walls of the corridor didn't help to ease this awful feeling.

On the barren floor and walls, painted white, there was not even a warm glow. Just bleakness. For a moment, Luke wondered whether one could get snow blind by looking too long at a single place.

"I'm neither. But we have to. Out of several reasons."

Corran sighed: "I know that 'I' have to."

Luke perched an eyebrow, glancing sideward at his companion. The stress the other had put on the word "I" hadn't slipped by his ears.

Aware that his Master had understood the unspoken implication and that he did NOT appreciate it, the green-eyed man began to slow his pace, an expression of stubbornness written on his face.

"You see, if I didn't know you for so long, Luke, I'd think you're trying to avoid talking to me."

"I don't know what you mean."
The corellian Jedi snorted, then lightly jogged a few steps until he had caught up with his Master again.

"Come on. Since yesterday evening - since I know about IT - you're not all too keen to get into any sort of talk with me." Seeing the lips of the blonde man tighten to thin strings, Corran continued: "What are you afraid of? That I disgust you for it?"

Luke's head veered around and two narrowed, blue eyes focused on the other man's face, searching his features.

"Do you?"

The seriousness in the Jedi Master's voice took Corran aback and he couldn't help but stare open-mouthed at his friend. "Of course not!"

"Are you sure about that? You don't have to say that out of courtesy. Nor out of some feeling of having to go light on me."

The certainty with which Luke had determined that his friend suddenly looked down on him for what he had been through succeeded in doing something that had hardly happened in the last years. It got Corran angry.
Forcing himself to breath in deeply, trying to hide it from the Jedi Master, the Corellian counted to ten. This was a delicate field and he knew it.

For long hours the previous day, Corran had listened to Mara, to Leia, to Han about what had happened to Luke. For the first time, he had learned what the former farm boy from Tatooine had been through.
That torture could inflict severe damage on one's soul had been nothing new to Corran. He had dealt with a lot of such cases. His experience with both the field of crime and Luke Skywalker himself had kept him from worrying too much about any ill effects this might have had on the renowned war hero's soul.

But being almost brainwashed, forced into mindless submission, into servitude without limits - he couldn't even start to imagine what that would do to a human being. Especially to someone like Luke, who had fought for all his life for the freedom of beliefs, thoughts and spirit that had been a rare treasure under the Empire, reserved to those who were wealthy enough to be actually important to Palpatine.

Together with his own knowledge about psychology, the Corellian had been able to pierce together a scenario of the last months of Luke's life that he was sure to be more or less correct. Recalling this, he was not really able to stay angry with Luke for too long.

After glancing around to make sure they were alone, Corran cleared his throat: "Luke, knowing that you had to go through all this doesn't make me think less of you. On the contrary."

Luke bit his lower lip, turning his head and staring ahead, at the glass door that separated the restricted area from this corridor. Big, red letters warned everyone to stay away if they couldn't provide proper entrance codes. The guards wouldn't have to worry about any intruders. No one WANTED to go there and see what was behind. Not really.

"I could have become something like them, you know." The voice of the Jedi Master was suddenly very soft and his eyes stared at the Corellian in an obvious challenge. Confrontation. That was always the first step of those who felt insecure. Of those who battled with their own inner demons.

Corran's heart contracted in genuine sympathy. Luke had pulled himself together admirably since yesterday evening. He himself didn't think he'd been able to calm down like that, to carry out his duties again directly after having learnt that something terrible like this protocol had been well under way to vanquish his very personality. Yet, there was a doubt. And of course it was natural.

"You could never become like them, Luke. Not you."

The surprise about this statement immediately registered on the other man's face, an ice-blue challenge reversed into sky-blue confusion and insecurity when the sparkling orbs turned to the side, staring out at a skyscraper some half a dozen kilometre away. The afternoon sun gleamed on its windows.

When the Jedi Master didn't say another word, Corran closed the distance between them and laid a hand on Luke's shoulder.

"We all have trust in you. Why can't YOU have trust, too?"

Luke shook his head, making himself free of the other's touch and turning totally to the window-wall of the corridor. His arms folded in front of his chest, he portrayed a set of mind in which not many of his pupils would have dared to even say a word to him.

"You don't know what it feels like, Corran. Slowly loosing control. You don't know how close I've been."

Corran sighed: "No, I don't know. I just know that it doesn't matter."

This simple statement succeeded in breaking the grim, glum expression on the youthful face the Corellian had come to identify with one of the most admirable persons in the galaxy.

"What?"

The Rogue-turned-Jedi grinned. The best way to get a person's attention was to startle them. It worked every time. In case of Luke, he naturally waited until they were in a public place. The last time he had startled the Jedi - on the Academy, some one or two years back - he had gotten a blue eye and a severely displaced shoulder out of it.

Catching on the other man's thoughts, the Jedi Master grinned now, too. "That was an accident. It will teach you to side with my students and try to pull a trick on me."

Corran snorted: "I'm a Rogue. I'm supposed to do such stuff."

Now, Luke genuinely laughed: "And I founded Rogue Squadron. I know all of these tricks. But now seriously. What do you mean, it doesn't matter?"

The Corellian sobered again: "You see, Luke, I don't have all the background information here." When the blonde haired man opened his mouth to say something, Corran lifted a hand to interrupt him: "And you DON'T have to tell me more than I already know. But a fact is that you are still here, standing right before me, as Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master. Not as whoever, Yuuzhan Vong warrior. Do you understand what I mean? You may have had to fight hard. You may have almost succumbed. But you haven't. And that's all I need to know. And I'm sure NOT going to disgust you for it. Heck, I admire you for it! And in case you haven't noticed, you get me quite worked up with this stuff, so I'd really, really appreciate it if you just accepted that I'm your friend now and will always be and that's it. 'Kay?"

For a long moment, Luke just stared at him and Corran had the feeling to be teleported back in time. Tales of a wide-eyed kid that rushed into the Rebellion, blew up a Death Star and became the hero of the day sounded in his ears, told countless times by Wedge, Wes or Hobbie for new recruits of Rogue Squadron who had demanded to be let in into the squad's history. These eyes must have looked exactly like that all these years ago. And this smile must have been the same.

"I guess I'm kind of paranoid at the moment." The head of the Jedi Order said, suddenly sounding a lot more cheerfully than only a couple of minutes before.

"I sure can understand that. But YOU are the one who always tells me duty goes first."

"You're right. Let's go."

*~~

"We are very honoured that you out of all people come here to check on our progress, Master Skywalker." Bowing deeply, the Lekku of the green-skinned, elderly Twi'lek male almost touched the floor.

After having passed the security doors, Luke and Corran had immediately been greeted by the whole staff, led by their chief medic, Lor'Ardo. Nurses, helpers and guards alike had been whispering behind his back, throwing awed gazes his way while keeping a distance they felt obviously necessary. Yet, only a minor reaching out into the Force showed him that there was no fear or distrust causing these reactions. All Luke felt was admiration.

It was hard to keep the grimace that threatened to betray his emotions from coming through. He was not proud of what he had done above Ithor. Hadn't been proud of it back then and was even less proud of it now that he knew more of the Yuuzhan Vong.

They were not cold-blooded murderers. Their people sought new planets to live on, to save their culture from dying. It was an unfortunate play of fate that they and a civilisation as different from them as the one of this galaxy had to clash together.

To his utter dismay, no one seemed to understand his point of view on things. The adoration that came his way was genuine and under different circumstances, he may have been flattered by it. But not here and not now. This was no place to feel flattered, no place to brag and no place to allow people to think about anything else than to help the poor creatures that were entrusted into their hands.

"It's my pleasure, chief medic. But I suggest we start right away." Turning towards the gathered people - around two dozen, Luke estimated - Corran standing slightly behind him to the right, the Jedi Master addressed the crowd. He had never felt all too comfortable about something like this, but as Jedi Ambassador and head of the Yuuzhan Vong committee, he had to get used to it. The sooner, the better.

"I'm no man of elaborate speeches and I'm sure you're all more than relieved to not hear an hours long rant about what the Senate has asked me to do. So let's just begin with showing me and Jedi Horn around."

Lor'Ardo nodded, his head-tails twitching in a way Luke had come to know as anticipation and nervousness. Obviously, the Twi'lek was very sure that the results of the whole operation would please the Jedi. At the same time, though, the alien was frightened and this very palpable so.

For a fleeting moment, Luke wondered what was weighing down on the consciousness of the other. A light Force probe quickly informed him that it had nothing to do with the project he had been chosen to preside upon. Thus, it was of no concern of the Jedi.

"Of course, Master Jedi. If you were so nice as to follow me. This way please."

His senses on alert, Luke listened to the elaborate descriptions of the rooms, halls and gardens he was led through. Though this section was heavily guarded at the moment, these measures of security were not usual here.

The psychological section of the Coruscant Medical Centre had been designed to offer those who had suffered from traumatic events or were mentally ill a refuge and a place to heal, if possible, or to live peacefully and unbothered by the outside world when a cure was out of question.

Wide lawns, dotted with lakes, little groups of trees and carefully maintained fields of flowers stretched out towards the mountains that were not that far away anymore.

The aseptic corridors had been replaced by coloured walkways, walls dotted with pictures, that led to several booths and rooms in which the patients lived. Every species found the perfect environment according to gravity, oxygen, humidity and whatever else might be important for the bodily well being.

Out in the gardens, numerous pairs of beings walked around, sat under the trees or at the lakes, deep in conversations or simply enjoying the autumn sun. Though many species were present, every pair was basically alike. One psychologist, one patient. Just like it had been proposed in the therapy scheme the Senate had been presented by the Ministry of Health that had been entrusted with finding a way of curing beings that had been subjected to Yuuzhan Vong slavery.

"I figured it would be easier for you to gain an opinion if you could watch it from here. You can see everyone and the patients are not aware of your being here. So they can't be distracted." Lor'Ardo explained, folding his hands on his belly, smiling in satisfaction.

"Thank you, Chief Medic. But I think we would have gone largely unnoticed. We didn't come here to draw attention to ourselves."
"Of course you didn't, Master Jedi. But you would have. Perhaps you're not aware of it, but many of our patients know that you have been responsible of freeing them from Belkadan. They hold you in high regard."

Luke sighed inwardly. Even more admiration he didn't want. Sometimes he wondered how it could be that everyone adored him for something that he himself had never wanted to do in the first place. That everyone thought something to be heroic that he himself though of as cowardly.

But there was no use in pondering this once again. He would just ignore this comment and therefore not give anyone the possibility to engage in another praise speech about the Battle of Ithor and his role in it.

Focusing on some of the patients - several humans and couple of Ithorians - Luke surveyed their faces, especially forehead and cheekbones. "I see you have succeeded in taking out the coral seeds that have been implanted by the Yuuzhan Vong."

"Indeed, we have. Some of the more complicate cases are still in stationary treatment. Mostly those who have been caught very early during the war. The seeds have managed to grow firmly into the bones and it poses a riddle and a challenge to get rid of it in a way as to save most of the original tissue of the patient."

"How many are still in this state?"

"About two dozen. But they are taken care of all right. The Master Shapers Warmaster Lah has sent to us have provided us with some potions that are neutralising the pain. The patients can't actually do anything alone, for with neutralising the coral, we practically neutralise them, but at least they don't suffer. So, we have enough time to figure out ways to assure completely recreation for all of them - individually."

"So you are confident that all of them can be freed from the coral growths?" Corran chimed in, feeling a cold shiver run down his spine. He had seen and fought against Yuuzhan Vong slaves that had been controlled by those growths. The dullness in their eyes had been terrible to behold and it felt good to know that there was a way to help them.

Lor'Ardo beamed visible, his back straightening in pride: "We are very confidant indeed, Jedi Horn. And those who have been freed enjoy a lot of progress in their therapy.
I think the Senate can rest assured that our way of doing this will guarantee a ninety percent success for complete healing and recovery of memories for the rescued slaves."

"These are not the hundred we would like to have, Chief Medic." Luke said softly. While Corran had consulted the data pad the Twi'lek had carried with him all the way for statistics, the Jedi Master's eyes had settled on the form of a small girl. Her dark eyes and skin showed her to be from a world with at least a class 4 sun. Short, ebony curls reached up to her chin. She was perhaps six or seven years old, yet, when he looked into her face, the serious, sad expression on it..... that was not the way a child should look like.

The psychologist, an older woman with greying hair, obviously tried to get her excited about some small animal that was making its way towards one of the flower fields, but the little girl seemed fairly oblivious to it.

"Does she belong to our ninety percent or to the ten percent failure rate?" the Jedi Master's sarcasm didn't seem to get through to the Chief Medic, who came to stand next to the smaller man. Corran shot Luke a questioning glance, having caught the sudden change of mood in his friend.

"Unfortunately, little Shara belongs to the failures. She has been caught at the age of four. The coral had invaded almost all of her body. And this in a strange way. She had neither memories nor own will left. Not much of it anyways. Her parents were not to be found. We don't even know whether Shara is her true name. I'm afraid she will never be able to live on her own."

The sudden surge of anger and pain that erupted in his heart came as a surprise to Luke and he found it impossible to breath for a moment. Somehow, in some way, he felt connected to this little girl. Yet, he was sure he had never seen her.

Like in a dream, he heard Corran ask the Chief Medic what he meant by the coral having invaded the girl in a strange way.

"We think she has been subject to experiments."

Reflexively, Luke closed his eyes, doing all he could to keep from clenching his hands into fists. Experiments. This girl had been in the hands of shaper. She hadn't just been caught, been implanted with a seed of coral and then sent to work.

- Show me the girl again, my dear. -

Feeling himself tremble slightly, Luke forced his mind into serenity.

- I wouldn't have thought to hear from yyou again, Kwaad. -

Was that really him? Could he talk to her like this? It felt downright surreal. Luke didn't feel up to facing her like this. Not mentally, not in reality. She was a figure with overwhelming might - at least in his head and in his heart.

- Do you really think the ridiculous ideea of your little redhead is going to keep me from reaching my goals? -

Luke smiled softly. There had been something new to Mezhan's voice. Anger. He had never heard her being angry before.

- She has done a good first job. -

A snort echoed in his head and he had the strange feeling to see the Master Shaper, propped up on a yorik coral seat, against the background of space. Star patterns were visible, but Luke didn't pay attention to them. It was hard enough to cope with suddenly seeing the dreaded face right before his eyes.

Even though he was aware that he was not there, that she was not HERE - for he could hear Corran and the Chief Medic talking behind him - panic was close to his heart, ready to grasp it entirely.

- Luck. It was pure luck. Don't think yoou have overcome Liin. It would be a mistake, Skywalker. -

Skywalker again? Luke's smile became wider. Perhaps - only perhaps - this was not as useless a fight as he had thought in his moment of despair yesterday.

- You are too sure of yourself, Luke, myy dear. Far too sure. -

- I don't think so, Mezhan. -

There was silence. A long silence. Luke basked in it. The feeling of triumph almost made him grin. He had gotten the better of her. He had gotten the better of Mezhan Kwaad. It felt good, awesomely good. Perhaps, if he...

- SHOW ME THE GIRL! -

The shout reverberated in his head like the echoes of his and Corran's voices in the corridor earlier this afternoon had done. His eyes flew open, his will not being able to hold them down. His heart thudding in his chest, almost painfully so, Luke focused on the little girl that was still sitting on the lawn, that was still being cradled by her psychologist and that was still unresponsive towards the woman's words.

- Oh yes... -

Mezhan's voice purred after a couple of seconds. Luke shuddered, wanting to look around to make sure no one was aware of what was going on, but unable to move.
The panic that had been built up gradually for the past minutes was almost ready to grip him again as he realised what was happening. Liin... Liin had obeyed to Mezhan's voice, to her order.

- I remember her. I tried to find a way of extracting memories and knowledge into the brain of a ship --- without the help of a yammosk. It didn't work. -

Luke felt his teeth clenching together. He wished he could do something. Anything. The need to go out there, take this girl into his arms and protect her was almost overwhelming. But he couldn't move. He could just stare at the delicate, little creature.

- Protect her? Why, I have a much betterr idea. Haven't I, Liin? -

At the fringes of his perception, Luke noted how Lor'Ardo and his accompanies left to attend to an emergency elsewhere. Yet, before he could wonder where Corran was, before he could even attempt to focus enough to get his body to move, he felt his arm dropping and his fingers clenching around his lightsaber.

- Not his weapon, but it will do. -

Mezhan's voice was tinged with amusement now. She enjoyed it. She enjoyed torturing him like this. She would enjoy making Liin kill this girl with Luke watching. But he wouldn't permit that. He was a Jedi Master. He would NOT kill this innocent girl.

- No. -
His voice in the Force sounded like a whisper in comparison to Mezhan's. There was no power in it that made it reverberate like the one of the Master Shaper. He couldn't be that weak! It was impossible.

Meanwhile, Luke was clenching his teeth together that forceful that pain shot through his jaw. He would not let anyone else but himself control his body.

Drawing onto all of his powers, all his reserves and the immeasurable might of the Force, Luke prepared himself for another confrontation with this foe in himself, while the hand gripping his lightsaber began to tremble.

*~~

"Luke?"

Corran had been busy checking statistics and progress reports with the Twi'lek Chief Medic. It had been obvious that Luke hadn't intended to do that. Judging by the way he had stared at the little girl out there, his eyes full of compassion and pity, the Corellian had drawn the conclusion that the Jedi Master rather wanted his accompany to take care of the administrative matters.

After all, he was the Master. It would make a big impression on the Chief Medic if Corran attended to this sort of stuff. And as the former CorSec officer had expected, it had done just this.

But now... now Lor'Ardo was gone and Corran had suggested to the Jedi Master to leave the section. It was a depressing and highly sober place to be. Although many of the patients were on the way to sanity again, fear, panic, pain and irritation still permeated the Force around here. For a Jedi and a normal human being capable of feelings it was the very last place to feel comfortable.

Having gotten no answer from his friend, Corran had lifted his head fort he first time, feeling his mouth fall open at the sight before him. Lightsaber clenched in his right hand, Luke was still staring out of the window, at the girl. But now his face was not sad. It was grim, his teeth clenched together.

"Luke? Are you all right?"

As if he'd been deep in thought, the Jedi Master turned around quickly, his eyes turning this way and that for a few seconds, then focusing again on his friend. A small smile appeared on the youthful face and Luke nodded.

"Yeah, sure. I just... I was thinking about the girl. I wish I could help her."

For a moment, Corran mustered him doubtfully, but finally, he sighed: "I know. I'm feeling the same way. But we can't do more than make sure that no one else is going to suffer through what she did. Are we done here?"

"You've got all the reports and data."

"Yup."
"Then I guess we're really done here."

Corran brightened immediately: "Great. Let's drop that off at your sister's office and go fetch something to eat."

*~~

It had stopped as suddenly as it had begun. From one moment to the other, Liin had stopped fighting. From one moment to the other, Luke's muscles had obeyed him again.

The Jedi Master had been surprised by this. He had fully expected to have to fight a lot more to keep his Yuuzhan Vong personality from going out there and hurting the girl. Instead, it had been mere seconds of inner fight and he had been victorious. Hadn't he?

- Well, have you? -

The mocking tone of the Master Shaper's voice told him everything he had to know. Luke almost gave way to the weakness he suddenly felt. She was playing with him. He had done so much to keep her away and she was still playing with him. Would it never stop?

- You still haven't got it straight, preecious. You're keeping Liin away, but not me. And even that won't be working for long anymore. -

- It worked this night. -

He replied stubbornly, following Corran slowly, wondering whether the other could catch anything at all of the tumult that was going on inside of his soul.

A small, genuinely amused laugh sounded through his head.

- Oh yes, it did. I do not doubt that. BBut you can't keep him at bay. You can't keep the Slayer at bay. He is awake now. And whatever you do, he will want to come out. YOU won't hinder him. -

- We will see about that, Kwaad. -

A part of him felt almost insane to challenge her like that. He practically felt that someone in him was brewing. He had felt the need to kill, to fight, cursing through his body, cursing through what was Liin and invading all his muscles. And almost his thinking. But as long as he didn't get back into his thoughts, Liin could not exact control over his actions. That was what he had to keep in mind.

- Indeed, we will. -

And with that, the voice fell silent. The challenge was spoken. She had done it for Liin. Because Liin had no own voice. She was his voice. He was her weapon.

Luke breathed deeply. Now - unlike every time before - he could feel him. Could feel Liin Kwaad. Like a ball of energy - devastating, bad, dark energy - he sat somewhere in his soul, waiting to get out again. CRAVING it with an intensity that frightened Luke.

But on the other hand, it was logical and simple. Liin was not much else than a fighter. He could not think. He could just fight. It was the only way to unleash his power and energy. And if he could not unleash it, then it gathered and gathered.

Luke wondered whether he'd be able to control this. He had to. Of course he had to. If he couldn't, he would hurt people he loved.

Following a sudden insight, he reached out into the Force. 'Mara?'

'I'm here. I'm with you.'

Luke smiled, relaxed. Yes. She was with him. He would conquer Liin because he had something the Yuuzhan Vong personality hadn't. Mara. Love.

---------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship Criarto, Same Time
---------------------------------------

"Did you have contact with your mate, Mara?"

Miiram's dark eyes were focused on the face of her human friend. Both were sitting comfortably in the quarters of the Supreme Overlord's daughter, talking about the protocol of "Slayer's Mind" already for hours.

They were mainly recounting everything they knew, trying to find holes and hints that could still help them in fighting Mezhan Kwaad. Most of all, they were pondering means to find the Master Shaper.

Mara had been not entirely content with the way things were going. She would have preferred to have Luke with her right now. He had to hear these things, too. Han and Leia should be present, either.
But unfortunately, more important business - at least to the politicians - had kept them all away.

Luke had gone to the Medical Centre with Corran to inspect the progress of the rehabilitation of the rescued slaves from Belkadan. Mara knew that much depended on the success of the way of treatment this Twi'lek medic had proposed. If it worked, there would be a chance to free all of the slaves.

Yet, the though of letting Luke alone - even with Corran - confronted with this kind of stuff didn't make her feel that confident.

Leia was in another Senate session and Han was sitting in some conference room with Wedge, Rogue Squadron and Admiral Kre'fey to talk about the security measure for the Supreme Overlord's arrival.

Only Mara had the possibility to take care of Mezhan Kwaad. And if she was honest, she thought with a slightly cruel smirk, she wouldn't have it any other way. This woman would pay for everything she had done to her husband.

Meeting the gaze of Miiram, Mara nodded: "Yes. Liin has once again tried to force an appearance."

The Yuuzhan Vong woman nodded gravely: "Your mate is strong. Now that he knows what is going on and what to do against it, he will resist."

Mara smiled: "I know he will. For as long as it takes."

Miiram returned the smile: "He is an impressive warrior. Khaleeh wishes to duel with him at some point."

The ex-Emperor's Hand's eyebrows lifted: "Indeed? I don't know whether Luke would like that. It is not our way of doing things."

The Supreme Overlord's daughter made a small, rough sound Mara had come to identify as the equivalent of a sudden, explosive laugh.

"Last time I heard him, he was all for cultural interaction."

The redheaded, female Jedi Master grinned: "That could be a way to persuade him, yes."

"I will inform my betrothed about it, then."

"Do so. But back to the topic. Do you have ANY idea what else we could do to find Kwaad?"

Miiram leaned deeper into her seat, the coral adjusting to the new position: "I'm afraid I wouldn't know of much else, Mara. Every warrior knows she's alive and is searching. But she will know that. She won't be as dumb as to walk freely, even hidden by ooglith maskers. And if she is hiding in deep space - what I assume - we have no chance to find her. At least not anytime soon."

Mara massaged her temples. For hours, they had gone through all information about Kwaad and Yim, had sifted to reports of military scouts of the Yuuzhan Vong and the New Republic alike and had come up empty every time.

"Perhaps your husband is our best shot, after all." Miiram softly suggest.

The human female almost immediately stiffened: "You know what I think about that."

"And YOU know that I think it's just your over protectiveness speaking here."

"It is not your place to judge that."

"I don't intend to judge it. I'm merely pointing you to it. I suggest you simply inform the Jeedai Skywalker about the possibility and let HIM decide."

Mara folded her arms in front of her chest, staring darkly at a spot above Miiram's head.

It took her minutes to get out some words, and when she did, they were a mere growl.

"All right. I will talk to him about it. But I still don't like it."

"No one demands that of you."

-----------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Craft Moota, Evening, Same Day
------------------------------------------------

"The ship has completed the fusing, Master."

Mezhan Kwaad smiled. The little chitchat with Skywalker had delighted and relaxed her. The tension she had felt after the latest failure due to Mara Jade-Skywalker had been converted into eagerness.

When she was honest to herself, she preferred a good challenge to anything else. And Skywalker was shaping up to be much more of an adversary than she had thought.

He would give Liin a big fight. Almost a pity that, in the end, he would loose.

"Have the animals ready. They will be needed soon."

"Of course, Master. May I help you with your other preparations, too?"

Following the enthusiastically twinkling eyes of her apprentice, Mezhan glanced over at her living table. Several coral instruments and coral pods with potions had been neatly arrayed there.

"No, Nen. This is none of your concern. Just take care of the animals." With this, she turned back to her table, adjusting some of the pods. She liked if everything stood at its place.

She didn't catch the gaze full of disappointment and anger that was cast at her from behind and was oblivious to the clenched fists of her apprentice as the young woman hurried out of the laboratory towards the storage room nearby.

| To Be Continued |
--------------------------------------- The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 14
---------------------------------------

PG-13

-----------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, Training Hall 98, Two Days Later
------------------------------------------------------------

Two lightsabers clashed, filling the wide room with their characteristic sizzling. One a brilliant green, the other a paler version of this colour, the spread an eerie light through the room whose transparisteel windows were dimmed. Onlookers were not wanted here.

One of the combatants had come here to find peace and relaxation, to finally get rid of the nervousness, the need to move that had accompanied him for the last two days.

Luke Skywalker let his blade of pure energy slide down the length of his adversary's lightsaber, feigning an attack at his middle section, while kicking out with his left leg, shoving the other man out of the way and sending him slithering down towards the opposite wall.

"You're slow today, Corran." He taunted, carefully approaching the fallen Jedi, his blade casually pointed to the floor.

The Corellian merely grunted, pulling himself up. Without another sound, he readied himself for another take at the Jedi Master.

It wasn't as if Luke didn't welcome the exercise. On the contrary. He craved the movement, the fight. A small part of him knew that it might not be the best idea to give into this craving, but there was nothing he could do against it.

For two days now, Luke had been tensed and nervous. Not for a single second could he hold completely still. Meditation was out of question. There was no way for him to sit down and relax.

At first, he had been able to hide all this from Mara, but it hadn't taken his beautiful wife long to figure out that something was not as it should be.
Luke wished he could have spared the ex-Emperor's Hand the need to once again grimace in worry, wished he could have spread himself the pain of looking once again into emerald eyes filled with fear. But he hadn't been able to. Not after he had jumped up and begun to pace their balcony while they had been sitting there watching the sunset.

Energy filled him, pulsed in him. If he stood still, completely still, for a second or two, he felt like bursting from the inside out. His muscles throbbed when they weren't moved. There was no other way to soothe this craving of his whole body than to fight.

Luke did his best not to let joy come up, but it was hard to. The simple movement, the deadly precision, the feeling of having control over every single string of muscle in his whole body was immensely satisfying. And it didn't drain him. Strangely, he seemed to be at his best. Better even than when he had returned from Chandrila, after weeks of bringing his body and soul back in tune.

At first, he had thought that it was merely the fact that Mara's idea had helped him to have a wonderful night's rest once again. Not one where he felt like having been trampled by a herd of Banthas, but one that left him replenished. Replenished, and eager to move his body.

But although it had been merely three days since he had started to let Mara take control of his very being at the evenings and to take sleeping pills, he knew that this original assumption had been totally wrong.

This need in him, to fight and to move, had a name. And its name was Liin Kwaad.

He had never actually voiced his thoughts and suspicions in regards to that to his wife. But Luke knew that she probably had come to the same conclusion. Now that they had effectively blocked Liin Kwaad from seizing his mind, the energy, the might of the Yuuzhan Vong personality was kept.

The Slayer couldn't use his energy - not the slightest bit of it. Because he had no possibility to get through to Luke, get the control over his body and BE for real.

Unfortunately, this energy didn't vanish or was absorbed. It was still there, driving Luke to move, to fight, to run, to exercise almost continuously.

Cilghal had done a couple of tests on him, stating that his heart rate was unusually fast even if he was lying down for more than ten minutes, that his body processed energy and food on a scale that was absolutely astonishing for a man of his stature and weight.

And of course the Mon Calamarian healer couldn't do anything against it. The only way to stop this was to stop Liin Kwaad. To erase him from Luke's soul. But they still hadn't figured out how to do that.

It seemed that there was no solution but finding Mezhan Kwaad and killing her. Though Luke definitely wished with all his heart to be rid of his Yuuzhan Vong personality, of this cruel monster that embodied everything he despised, everything he hated, he wondered what it would mean for him to go out there, seek the Master Shaper out and kill her.

Would he be that different from Liin Kwaad when he did that? He would be a cold-blooded murderer then. He would save himself. From Mezhan. But would he be able to retain the light in himself if he simply killed her? Without her actually attacking him?
And she didn't. Since these dreadful days on the "Moota", she had never outrightly attacked him. She had implanted someone else into him who did that for her.

He didn't like to admit it, but in the previous days, Luke had spent one or the other hour thinking of what he would do, what he COULD do, when he ever faced Mezhan Kwaad again.
There was no question about what he wanted to do. But there was a question about whether that would lead him to the Dark Side or not. And it would be not worth it to get rid of Liin and therefore fall to the Dark Side that had almost destroyed his father and the galaxy along with him.

Drawing a deep breath, Luke decided that these thoughts were counter-productive. He had to take it step for step, doing what was necessary in the moment and then see what options it would open to him.

The most important thing now was to find Mezhan Kwaad. If not in order to get to the bottom of how to free himself from the Slayer, then to prevent the Master Shaper from succeeding in her plans of sabotage and preventing the peace treaty from ever being signed.
If - no WHEN - they had found her, then the Force would surely show him a way. It had always shown him a way. If he trusted the Force, trusted Mara, then everything would be all right.

But until then....

Luke allowed himself a small, delighted smile as Corran assaulted him with a couple of hard, fast parades.

Piece of cake.

*~~

Corran Horn swore to himself as he desperately tried to parry a determined assault from his Jedi Master. Whatever had gotten him to volunteer for this? He must have been delirious. At least now, he could hardly claim it had been a wise decision.

At first, it hadn't seemed like something that could get him to sweat or hurt so much. Luke had called him, asking him out for a few sparring rounds. That had been six hours ago.

Now, while Coruscant's sun was about to reach its highest point, Corran was sweating and hurting. By the feel of it, his whole body had to be covered with bruises. Not to speak from the burning sensation that had replaced every feeling he had had of his muscles before.

Luke was fighting in a way the Corellian never had seen him do before. If he hadn't felt the calm of the other's Force presence, he would have called it ferocious. But taking into account that the Jedi Master was in no way giving into the exhilaration that was trying to seize his conscious, there was no other term than "brilliant" that fit what Skywalker was doing.

Deciding to take him heads on, Corran drew on the Force and stormed onwards, faster than the eye of a non-Force sensitive could follow, moving his lightsaber in a pattern that was destined to disarm an opponent. It was expertly conducted, flawless, and it would have worked. With anyone else than Luke.

The spot where the Jedi Master had just been standing was empty by the time Corran's blade whooshed upwards and instead of catapulting the other lightsaber out of the adversary's hand, the momentum of the Corellian let him stagger to the right.

For a confused moment, he wondered where Luke had gone. The answer was unpleasant and unwelcome. With strength carefully measure to hurt but not to seriously injure, a foot landed in his neck and in the next moment, Corran slithered - once again - through the room, finally coming to halt by crashing into the wall.

That had to have completed the dozen. At one point or the other in the past sparring rounds of the day, the less experienced Jedi had found himself on the floor, slithering this way or that, being unkindly stopped by hard walls and trying to battle down the unnerved frustration and embarrassment.

Until now, he had never lost like that against Luke. And, as he had recognised this very day, this had given him some illusions that had dissolved in a very, very painful way just here and there, in the course of a couple of hours.

If he had had enough air in his lungs to do so, Corran would have laughed. He had seriously thought that he was an opponent Luke would have fight hard against to win. But he had been wrong. On the one hand, it seemed all too logical and he had to admit that his sense of self-importance and his tendency to be a little arrogant had simply kept him from seeing what had been the truth for the past years.

On the other hand, it hurt not only physically to be proven wrong so vehemently. Only today had he noticed that Luke had merely played with him all these other times. Or perhaps playing was the wrong word. He had just never used his full potency, all his abilities.

And now he did. And the result was that Corran Horn, CorSec officer turned Rogue turned Jedi was used as a washcloth for this uncomfortably hard training room floor.

Sighing, he pulled himself to his knees, clipping his lightsaber back to his belt.

"What? Already tired?"

Corran shook his head, carefully rising and stretching his right shoulder. It had suffered especially today and felt like one big bruise in itself.

"No. I just thought I'd give you a short pause."

The laughter that sounded through the hall now was both familiar and strange to Corran and for a moment, he simply stared at his friend.
Luke had changed in the last two days. He had noted his nervousness in meetings which he had attended while Luke had often presided them, but had never drawn the conclusion that it was due to something that wanted to come out of Luke. And better sooner than later.

Luke's movement this morning had been precise, powerful and faster than anything Corran had ever thought possible in combat outside a starfighter. The Jedi Master had been attuned to the Force in a way that was astonishing.
It bristled around him, like a field of electricity, and its charge didn't diminish. Now, as well as six hours ago when they had started, Luke seemed to be fresh like coming just out of a good sleep.

True, his hair was dark and clinging to his head with sweat, as well as his shirt, but his breathing was far from being laboured. And there was this change in his voice, the change in his behaviour.

Corran wasn't sure whether Luke had noticed it, but the taunting, the mocking comments, the provocative movements were omnipresent. If he hadn't known that Luke was going through a personal hell right now, if he hadn't know that this was someone else speaking out of the Jedi Master's mouth, the corellian Jedi would have been seriously insulted by the arrogance his adversary had displayed all through the morning.

It was not part of how Luke usually presented himself in a fight, especially in a training fight. Everyone knew that he was a fighter of superior skill. There was currently no one known who could challenge Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and hope to win. Years of training had moulded Luke into a graceful fighter for whom size really didn't matter.

But although everyone knew that, the Jedi Master never showed it. Whether he fought against a Yuuzhan Vong warrior, a Sith Lord, one of his fellow Masters or a first grade trainee, Luke always gave the impression of full concentration, of taking his adversary serious.

It was because of this that the kids on Yavin IV loved to fight against him, whereas they tried to avoid fighting against Kam or Kyp or even him. None of them quite succeeded in banishing a slight feeling of being bored from their Force signatures and the kids registered that. And where hurt, feeling inferior.

But the greatest warrior of all made them feel like being challenged and he pointed them to their strengths and weaknesses alike with a talent for teaching that made everyone else pale.

Corran remembered a time when Luke had been very insecure about being a teacher. Back then, the Corellian had resided on Yavin's Jedi Academy as Keiran, intent on getting more apt in the arts of the Force to rescue his wife Mirax who had been abducted.
But in the course of the past two decades, the farm boy turned Jedi had discovered that he had a gift of teaching and that people liked to listen to his experiences and the wisdom he had drawn out of this.

But today he saw a different Luke. Only one look into the twinkling eyes showed Corran the difference. Even now, after such a long time of exercising, the Jedi Master wanted to go on. The former CorSec officer didn't need to hear the question, the demand, he simply knew Luke desired to fight some more.

In the context of everything that had transpired in the last time, Corran was extremely worried. If anyone had cared to ask him, he'd have recommended to keep Luke away from fights - whether training or serious - for as long as Liin Kwaad was an entity to be reckoned with. Because if someone loved fighting and drew strength of violence, then it had to be a being whose name meant Slayer.

Luke approached him, emerald green blade still not deactivated, and looked down onto him.

"How long do you need, Corran?"

The corellian Jedi shook his head, getting to his feet and turning into the direction of his small bag that lay in a corner. "Probably some months."

"Oh come on. I've been slow on you."

Corran perched an eyebrow and Luke grinned. "Okay, so I haven't been slow on you. But you can't be tired already."

Exasperated, the former Rogue Squadron Lieutenant gestured to the chrono that was situated at the far wall of the training hall they had reserved for themselves. "Luke, we're in here for six hours."

"Perhaps it feels to you like that, but..." following Corran's hand, the Jedi Master's azure eyes settled on the time telling device and widened. "Force, you're right."

The Corellian snorted: "Of course I'm right. I may not serve as anything else but a broomstick here, but I do know how to read a chrono."

"It didn't feel like that long a time." Luke murmured, a strangely absent expression on his face. Corran watched him worriedly and in this moment, he made a decision.

"You know what, Luke? If we stop now, I can invite you to a nice lunch before I have to meet up with Wedge."

The question dragged the Jedi Master out of his seeming state of reverie. Staring at the other for a moment in irritation, Luke quickly banned this emotion from his face and shook his head.

"No. No, I guess I'm staying a little, still. I can do some multiple defence exercises."

"Luke, I really think you should stop now. You've been here for all day. You need a break."

A fleeting, kind of haughty smile appeared on the other man's face.

"Don't worry about me, Corran. Go take a shower, have lunch and meet up with Wedge." And with that, the Jedi Master turned away from him, heading towards the built-in storage compartments of the training hall.

By the time the former CorSec officer was about to leave the room, 13 remotes swivelled in the air in front of Luke, waiting to follow the destiny of their fourteenth comrade and be programmed by the blonde-haired man who almost exploded from within with energy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, The President's Personal Landing Bay, Shortly After
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everything was going as it should. The Jade Sabre powered up in her usual quick and efficient way and the humming of the sublight engines slowly began to fill the whole inner life of the ship.

As always, Mara was delighted by her sleep craft. Again and again these noises brought back to her the memories of her first flight with the Jade Sabre and the day when Luke had led her into the hangar, with the hugest little boy grin on his face and had presented to her his gift to their second marriage anniversary.

Tracing the dashboards contours with her fingers, the ex-Emperor's Hand smiled. Everything handcrafted. Luke had worked more than a year on this, together with a bunch of droids, and the result of this handiwork was an admirable ship that was one of the deadliest weapons you could commandeer.

Lost in her revelation, the thudding that suddenly protruded the well-known and cherished sounds felt distinctly strange and Mara furrowed her forehead.

"What, for Sith's sake..." she murmured, running a short diagnostic run on the ship's computer. Soon, she had determined that the source of the strange thudding surely was not anywhere within the Jade Sabre.
Switching on the cameras built into the armour of the ship, she felt her eyes almost bulge out of their sockets.

Pressing down on a button, she growled: "If you don't stop that at once, CorSec, I'm going to punch on the shields and invite whole Rogue Squadron to a grill party with fried Corellian."

*~~

"Couldn't you just have sent me a Force message?"

Corran Horn did his best to suppress a grin and shook his head: "Is it not you who always preaches that a Jedi should not resort to the Force for all those little day things, Mara?"

The fiery redhead smiled sarcastically: "Ever heard of something called a com-unit? You switch in on and you can talk to anyone whose frequency you've got."

"Not annoying enough."

Mara snorted, then looked at him more closely: "What's the matter, Corran? I was on my way up to the Criarto and I'm planning on not letting Miiram wait for too long."

"It is about Luke."

The female Jedi Master's eyes narrowed: "What about him? He is okay, isn't he?"

"That's what I'm not sure about."

The next moment, Mara was on her feet and halfway out in the corridor that let to the boarding hatch. It took Corran a slight jog to catch up with her and grasp her by the elbow.

"It's not that bad. We had a sparring this morning."

"I KNOW that."

"I just think he is doing too much. Mara, he has been there for six hours with me and he's still there training with fourteen remotes. And he likes it. You should see the expression in his eyes!"

The delicate lips of the former Imperial pressed together. "You suspect it's Liin."

Corran shrugged: "I'm not sure. I just know Luke is behaving in a way he usually does not and I feel shivers run down my spine when I look at him. If that's not enough to make you uncomfortable..."

The Jedi Master's wife nodded frantically, thudding one of her fists onto the wall of the corridor. "I know. I know what you mean. I didn't like how he has been the last two days. I feel like time is running out. I can control Liin now - HE can control him - but I have the feeling if we don't find Mezhan Kwaad soon, he will break free."

"I also feel time is running out for us. We need to figure out a way to find this Shaper."

"Yes." Mara murmured, her gaze unfocused for a moment. Then, as if she had made a decision, she focused once again on her fellow Jedi.

"Corran, can you do me a favour."

"Anything that doesn't get me hurt. I have enough bruises from your husband already."

The ex-Emperor's Hand grinned humourlessly: "Nothing that dangerous, I think. Go find Han. Then the both of you go fetch Luke and come up to the Criarto. Leia is already there. We have got about two days until the Supreme Overlord is coming, so she is up there almost the whole day."

"Uh, sure. But what for? I mean, why shall I bring Luke?"

This time, Mara smiled genuinely, if dejectedly: "We will make a step towards solving this whole mess."

*~~

Concentrate, parry, strike, role. Concentrate, parry, strike, role. The pattern had something soothing, something immensely relaxing. Never ever had he been in such a state. He felt exhilarated.

At one point, exhaustion would almost claim him, assault him with a fit of dizziness that made the hall spun around him, made his stomach lurch and his knees buckle. It was another limit his body had reached.
He would think that this was it, that he had to stop exercising now and a part of him craved a shower and a bed. But another part, one that became more potent and more impatient with every second heeded a completely different opinion.

And it would come out and drink in his exhaustion, swallowing it in huge gulps, neutralize it and flood his muscles with new strength, with new adrenaline.

And he would go on and focus and sink into the familiar pattern. Concentrate, parry, strike, role. His surroundings would vanish, the feeling for time would vanish. There was only him, his sabre and the remotes.

Concentrate, parry, strike, role.

"Luke?"

At first, the voice was almost completely drowned. The blood that raced in his veins, the air he gulped into his lungs, the pulse that thudded against his throat. That was what filled his ears. Not even the shrieking sounds of the tuned down lasers of the droid remotes reached his awareness.

He was one with the Force and the Force was concentrated on the single task of avoiding laser blasts, of thwarting the tactical moves of fourteen artificial intelligences.

Concentrate, parry, strike, role.

It felt so good to be immersed into the Force in this way. And because of this, the sudden absence, the sudden severance of the link to the omnipresence power, left Luke like a fish on dry earth.

Staggering in surprise, panting, he found himself held at one place by two hands. Slowly, the noise in his ears, created by the rush of his own blood, became softer and the haze in front of his eyes dissolved.

Han's face became visible, a worried expression into it. His impulse to bring up his energy blade and strike away at anyone who had dared to interrupt and challenge him died away when he recognised his friend. He wouldn't hurt Han.

Blinking irritated, he caught sight of Corran, wearing an equally worried expression. The corellian Jedi had taken the Force for him! Catching Luke unaware, he had simply interrupted the link to the all-encompassing energy field and had left Luke afloat in an incomprehensible void for a moment. Enough time for Han to come to him and touch him.

As if in a dream, Luke understood that it had to have been Han. Anyone else - except Leia and Mara - he would have stricken down. But why?

"Are you okay, Luke?"

Han's voice and the question dragged him completely back into reality, nodding his head, he summoned a towel to him with the Force and even smiled.

"Sure. What's up?"

Corran and Han exchanged a glance and his best friend softly pushed him into the fresher's direction. "Go take a shower. We have an appointment with Mara on the Criarto."

Luke frowned: "Something wrong."

Han smiled feebly: "If we knew that, we'd be happy, Luke."

-------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship Criarto, 1 Hour Later
-------------------------------------------

"Are you sure this is going to work? I mean, I am sure I would be aware if I knew something like THAT."

Luke fidgeted nervously on the yorik coral seat he had been given by Miiram. It resembled an armchair, big and comfortable, but it was not like any other piece of furniture he had ever seen on a Vong ship.

What was more, they weren't in the Supreme Overlord's daughter's private quarters, what added to his feeling of discomfiture immensely.

The Yuuzhan Vong woman smiled at him, a gesture that didn't bring friendliness across with this species, even if they honestly tried.
"Of course you're NOT aware of it, Jeedai Skywalker. That's her trick, you know."

"Luke, believe me, I wouldn't have asked this of you if I was not absolutely sure that we're running out of time." Mara chimed in, her complexion paler as usual, but her voice determined and her emerald eyes - so much like his sabre's blade - full of love and care.

He shook his head: "But I don't understand. Why do you think that? I'm feeling fine. The training session did a lot of good to me."

His wife smiled sadly, taking his natural hand into hers: "That's what I'm afraid of. Didn't you feel different, Luke? Didn't you feel curious during this session?"

Her husband, his expression becoming insecure, needed some time to get a word out of his mouth: "It was very long, wasn't it?"

Mara nodded: "Very long. It didn't feel like that to you, did it?"

When he shook his head, she smiled once again, softly brushing over the back of his hand.

Luke swallowed: "All right. Tell me what I have to do."

*~~

"This sounds definitely eerie." Han commented, leaning back into his yorik coral seat, the hand of his wife clutched into his own.

"It won't hurt him. At least not physically." Miiram Shimrra commented, stroking a little animal that she held in the palm of her right hand.

"How reassuring." Leia muttered, her gaze nailed suspiciously onto the Yuuzhan Vong woman.

Mara simply shook her head at her sister and brother-in-law and both of them resigned to quiet watching. The ex-Emperor's Hand had asked them to be present without actually telling them what would be going on, had only pleaded with them to trust her.
And they did. If Mara was willing to do this, to subject Luke once again to the care of a Yuuzhan Vong, then she would have made sure that nothing could happen to her husband. So much they were sure of.

"I will explain what I'm doing while I'm executing the procedure. I assure you he won't come to physical harm."

"I will come to NO harm. Please, let's get it over with." Luke piped in, resting comfortably into the yorik coral armchair, his body and face relaxed.

Miiram nodded and while she pushed her yorik coral seat closer to Luke's armchair, Mara took her husband's hand into her own. He squeezed it, turning his head and smiling at her reassuringly.

"You should drop any barriers you possess now, Master Skywalker. Mara, keep tuned. We don't need Liin Kwaad right now."

The ex-Emperor's Hand nodded, her gaze not living the azure one of her husband

Miiram took a living, glassy plate from a nearby desk and positioned it next to Luke's head on the armchair, then touched the animal she was holding - a blue-black form without any shape - to it. Extending small tendrils, the little animal moulded partly into the desk. Small, winged bugs buzzed to live, but stayed where they were, at the lower edge of the plate.

Nodding satisfied, the deep voice of the alien woman sounded in the chamber: "This could tickle a bit, Jeedai Skywalker."

Luke still looked at his wife. Whereas he believed Miiram that it would not hurt, he had no particular need to actually watch whatever creature she had doing its job. As she had said, it tickled behind his ear. It was the last physical thing he felt for quite a while.

*~~

The moment that strangely coloured and shaped animal touched Luke's skin, it extended another set of tendrils and sank them into his skin, directly behind his ear. At the very same second, the change in the Jedi Master's eyes made Mara almost jump.

His pupils suddenly dilating, he turned his head away from her and stared at Miiram.

"What are you doing?" His voice sounded dreamily and a little sleepy, but still aware. In a sense. His hand in Mara's was limp and her tentative squeeze went unnoticed by him.

"I want to access your memories, Jeedai Skywalker."

"Force?" Luke asked, blinking a couple of times. Seeing the appalled and worried expressions of the humans all around her, Miiram gave a small smile.

"Do not worry. He is simply thinking aloud. Because of that, he is not coherent. And he's not seeing us, he is seeing his memories."

"Does he hurt?" Leia asked in a small, slightly quivering voice.

Miiram shook her head: "Certainly not."

Turning back to Luke, she answered his question: "We want to access your subconscious memories. From when you were Liin Kwaad in the last couple of days. Because of this, we need the Hirtka."

Luke smiled a little, then nodded. "Hirtka means special sleep." He declared. Miiram frowned, muttering something about the tizowyrm lessons he had gotten being pretty deeply inserted into his brain.

Catching herself, she managed to reply to him. "That's correct. It will begin soon. Do not fight it with your Force, Jeedai."

"I won't." He whispered, shortly before his eyes closed and his head lolled to the side.

For long moments, nothing happened.

Han cleared his throat, staring at his brother-in-law, who seemed to be deeply and peacefully sleeping.

"Excuse me, but I don't see how we can learn anything from his memories if he's unconscious."

Miiram merely perched an eyebrow and turned towards the plate and the small bug creatures. "He is not unconscious, Han Solo. The Hirtka induces a drug that is highly potent. If administered in too great a quantity, it can even cause a delirium.
Applied in the right way, though, it can open doors to memories and experiences that have been stored away in the subconscious, far away from those parts of our brains that can register and understand them.
The Hirtka is trained to understand the specific impulses that are created while the drug is processed by the brain tissue and convert it into information. Into thoughts and memories we can understand.
By letting the Hirtka merge with the bugs here at the same time, he knows he has to search for something THEY can process."

"And what DO they process?" Leia asked, staring at her brother's serene face in obvious mistrust and worry.

The Supreme Overlord's daughter grinned: "Star coordinates and charts."

Mara smiled: "I told you this would help us."

Han shook his head: "You want to tell me those bugs can show us a star chart? I don't believe that."

As if on cue, Luke's form suddenly tensed, his brow furrowing and a low moan escaping his lips.

"He's accessing memories of when he was Liin." Miiram commented dryly. Her voice seemed devoid of emotion, but she was the only one who managed to stay this calm when Luke suddenly began to trash around, his moans becoming more frequent.

Mara had a hard time restraining him, throwing a dubious, reproachful gaze at her Yuuzhan Vong friend.

"You said it couldn't hurt him."

Miiram frowned, shaking her head: "Normally, the subjects are NOT hurt by it. But I never had a subject that had two different personalities. I hoped it would be as with everyone else."

"You HOPED?" Mara hissed, her eyes dark with rage.

The alien woman ignored that, focusing her gaze on the small bugs that had suddenly began to hover around.

"We're coming close."

"Close to what?" Leia demanded to know, having risen and gone over to her brother's side."
Meanwhile, the Jedi Master had begun to murmur softly, his hands clenched into fists, his body merely held on the chair by Mara's hands.

"Won't hurt the girl.... I WON'T hurt the girl...."

"What is he talking about?" Han had joined his wife and his sister-in-law, his face stern while his eyes were resting on his friend's face, ready to help the women if Luke should decide to become more vehement in his tries to stand up.

"I have absolutely no idea." Mara shrugged helplessly, clearly annoyed by the way this was going.

Before they could tell Miiram to stop, though, the bugs began to swarm around and land, one by one, on the plate.

Luke had gone stiff, his breathing haggard.

"Miiram, I'd rather stop now." Mara hissed, worry tingeing her voice. The Yuuzhan Vong held up a hand.

"Just a moment still." Only when the last bug had landed, Miiram curtly touched the animal and it let go of Luke.

Almost immediately, the Jedi relaxed, his face smoothing again, and after a couple of seconds, he blinked.

Focusing on his wife and the faces of his friends and the alien woman, he gave a small smile. "I feel like I've run a marathon."

"Do you hurt?" Leia immediately was at his side, taking his free hand into hers. He squeezed it reassuringly and shook his head.
Popping himself up on an elbow, he looked over to the plate and Miiram.

"So now, did you find something?"

His friends followed his gaze and all people present in the room held their breath when the Supreme Overlord's daughter tipped one of the bugs on its back.
With a humming, soft as corresponded with their small size, their abdomens began to glow in a white light, very similar to distant stars in the night sky.

For a while, no sound disturbed the completely silence in the room.

"I don't believe it." Han finally said.

"At least we now know where she is." Leia whispered, staring fascinated, yet shocked, at the plate and the animals on it before averting her eyes and glancing at her brother.

Luke had gone deathly pale, his eyes nailed on the bugs. Mara had sat down next to him, laying a reassuring hand onto his shoulder.

"The Coruscant system." The Jedi Master whispered.

| To Be Continued |
----------------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 15
----------------------------------------------------------

PG-13

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant System, Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Criarto", Same Evening
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How could it be? How was it possible? His mind refused to believe it. It just was not true. It couldn't be true, because if it was, then where did it leave him? The mere thought of her being able to get so close to him without him noticing it was making him nauseous.

If she could do that, what else could she do? What else was she capable of doing to him? Was there any way he could fight against her? He felt a slight shudder go through his body and had a hard time to keep from slinging his arms around his knees. The urge to crawl into the next corner, crouch there, hide there, was almost overwhelming.

Closing his eyes, trying to stop himself from panting, Luke leaned his forehead against the yorik coral wall, welcoming its coolness. He would not accept another panic attack. The last one he had suffered had been on Chandrila. Since then, he had always succeeded in quenching them.

Even when he had realised that Mezhan Kwaad was still alive, he had had better control of himself. But then again, it had been different.
The revelation of whom exactly this voice belonged to had been a shock, and a very severe one at that. Now, though, it felt different. It felt as if Luke had known it all along, that she was close.

He was hers and she would stick with her property, with the tool she desired to keep her plans moving. And there was nothing the Master Shaper wouldn't do to get what she wanted.

It was curious, Luke mused, that he seemed to know Mezhan Kwaad better than Elan. The Priestess had had a bond with him, as did her accomplice, but the one of the Shaper was stronger, deeper - and of a completely different nature.

'Luke?'

The soft mental touch made him recoil into himself instinctively. The thought that Kwaad had found a way to influence him in a conscious state again was terrifying him and his first impulse was to seal himself off.
A panicky, frightened part of the Jedi Master was on the verge of snapping. 'She could be anywhere. She could be on this very ship.'

That was what this panicky, frightened part whispered again and again. And how could Luke know she wasn't? How could he know that? The answer was simple. He couldn't. There was no way of knowing where exactly she was.

Of course one could exclude Coruscant. But, on the other hand, could one? Would Mezhan Kwaad - ruthless, intelligent, pragmatic Mezhan Kwaad - truly be repulsed enough by the city planet to not hide there? Or would she rather seek shelter there, in the knowledge that no one would suspect her to choose a planet-wide abomination?

Before he quite noticed it, his thoughts wandered towards the new neighbours that had moved into the apartment on the floor above his and Mara's quarters. It had been a couple of weeks ago and they both had been heavily veiled. Not even the eyes had been visible.

What if that was Mezhan Kwaad and her apprentice, this Nen Yim? Luke felt himself go cold with the mere thought.

She had been there. All the time she had been there. Almost next to him, seeing him, watching him. When he had moved through the crowds in the Imperial Palace, she had been there. Somewhere among the people, staring onto him, following his every movement.

He wasn't safe. His family wasn't safe. Not on Coruscant, at least. Not him, not Leia, not Han. And Mara and the baby. If Kwaad ever got her hands on Mara and the baby...

He had to figure out a way to prevent that. Now. Quickly.

*~~

"Luke?"

Mara looked into another, small yorik coral booth. Dozens of them littered the corridor that led from the room they had spent the past hour in to the quarters of Miiram Shimrra. The ex-Emperor's Hand still didn't know what they were for. And, truth be told, she wasn't exactly interested in it right now.

What she was interested in was finding her husband. Anger and worry preoccupied her mind. Anger at Miiram. The Yuuzhan Vong woman had assured her that no harm would come to Luke.
Yet, the Jedi Master's groans and the grimaces of his face had spoken volumes to his wife. He had been in pain. If it hadn't been a physical pain, it had been a mental one. And that was even worse, if it came to her.

Worry about Luke. He had stormed out of the room shortly after they all had recognised the star pattern those curious bugs had displayed. It was the very system they were in. Coruscant.

He had paled, instantly, and the next second, her hands had not touched his shoulders anymore but only empty air.

Of course she could understand that he was troubled, but nonetheless, his running away like that made her heart beat faster. The last time this had happened, she had found him on the railing of the Imperial Palace, pondering about whether to jump or not.

Would this thought - the thought of suicide - come back again now? Now that he had learned that Mezhan Kwaad, the woman that had tried to take away his free will and erase his personality, that still tried it, was so close to him?

Afraid, Mara had reached out for him, cold, pure dread seizing her heart when she had felt him recoil as if her mental touch had been the one of a needle.

A mere moment later, she herself had left the others, determined to find him and help him through this. She knew that he was trying to battle down a panic attack. Though Mara was confident he could battle it down, the fact that he didn't accept or seek her help this time made her nervous.

"Luke?" she queried again and peeped into another booth. Sighing relieved, she caught sight of her husband, sitting on a lean coral bench, his forehead leaning against the wall, his eyes closed.

She could see his chest moving fast and there was the slightest tremble in his breathing, on his lips.

Obviously, he hadn't heard her, for he gave no sign of having noticed her entering the room.

"Luke?" Mara repeated, this time louder.

Once again, there was no sign that he even registered her in any way and her worry increased tenfold. In a couple of quick steps, she was next to him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

He trembled a little, in a way that made it obvious to her that he was trying desperately to hold on. Big, blue eyes, widened in unveiled fear stared up at her when he turned his head. He swallowed hard, then, his voice raspy and timid, asked: "Do you remember the folks that moved into the apartment above us? Some weeks ago?"

"What?"

Luke averted his eyes, shaking his head, his hands brushing through his hair in helpless agitation. The movement was so senseless at the moment that it ticked Mara off. Her husband did not make senseless movements. His nervousness was increasing, as was his energy. It wanted out and that very badly.

How long would they be able to suppress this?

"A few weeks ago, that was when it started. When I first felt watched. And when I talked in my sleep. Do you understand, Mara? Do you see it?"

Helplessly, the beautiful redhead sunk next to the slightly taller man onto the bench and laid an arm around his shoulders. "What are you talking about?"

"That was Kwaad. She and this Nen Yim person. They moved in and have been watching me. All the time, all those weeks."

"Gods, Luke." Mara whispered, leaning her chin onto his shoulder and trying to keep from crying. It was all too much. Could he make it through without his trauma resurfacing? The double-strain of knowing Mezhan Kwaad was so near and of having to battle against Liin had to be barely bearable.

"We have to have to get out of there. At least you and the baby. And Leia and Han. You have to go somewhere safe. I will get you to Yavin IV. Or perhaps Anoth. That will be better. We can let the whole complex be repaired. She won't be able to get to you there. And I will..."

"Sh." His wife interrupted him, kissing him softly, then focusing his eyes on hers by touching her forehead to his. "Come back to yourself, Luke." As the words left her mouth, her soul reached out to him, enwrapping him in her love and her protection.

He stared at her, the panic still battling to keep its place, but ultimately loosing against a strong mind that had been pulled out of its state of over sensitivity - at least for the time being.

Luke slumped a little, falling forwards and burying his face in her neck. "I'm sorry." He mumbled, his voice muffled by the thick mass of her hair.

"You don't have to be. Really, you don't have to be."

She felt him nod his head and for a long while, they just sat there in silence. His breathing calmed down and it was almost palpable in the Force how he got the grip on his emotions back.

"I just wanted you to be safe. The both of you." His hand sneaking onto her stomach, Luke kissed her softly behind the ear. "The thought that Mezhan could try to get to me through you and our child.... I could not survive that."

Tenderly, his other arm moved behind her back and presser her at himself. "I could not survive without you."

Mara smiled, caressing through his hair: "And I could not survive without you, Luke. But I won't have to. And you won't have to live without me.. US... either."

"Promise?"

Now the ex-Emperor's Hand laughed: "Skywalker, how old are you? Six?"

He giggled lowly, snuggling deeper into her arms: "At the moment? Yes. Definitely."

"You're incredible. One second down, the other one high. You know how one calls that?"

"Amazing?" his eyes glinted gleefully and Mara couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. She had gotten him out of it. Once again. And she would always.

"Unnerving." She corrected, smacking a quick kiss onto his forehead and then pushing him away from her softly: "Let's get back to the others. They will wonder where we got to. Besides, Leia was worried half out of her mind when you stormed out like this."

----------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, Late Night
-----------------------------------------------------------

"Don't you think it's about time that I put you to sleep?"

"Only another five minutes."

Mara shook her head, not being able to be actually angry at the stubbornness her husband presented. She was feeling far too good and at peace to be angry with him. The incident on the Criarto had, for a moment, succeeded in scaring her quite much.

What would happen if, at one point, she was, by coincidence, not near him when something like this occurred? When the despair and the fear threatened to overcome Luke, her love, and he would not be able to withstand it?

Of course she was aware that her husband didn't want to be babied and she could understand that very well. Yet, it was a fact that he was vulnerable. His mental state was jeopardised by what he had to go through at the moment and she didn't intend to watch how he crumbled once again.

Nonetheless, how could she possible be with him every second of every minute of every hour? Of every day? It was not achievable and certainly nothing that was worth to be achieved.

"Thank you very much." The sarcastic voice of the Jedi Master pushed her out of her musings and made her dip her head, focusing on the mop of tousled, dark blonde hair that was resting comfortably on her stomach.

"You know I didn't mean it like that." At the immediate anxiousness in her voice, Luke chuckled lowly, carefully turning around, now facing her. His ear and left cheek, though, were still pressed gently against her belly.

For more than an hour, they were enjoying themselves like this, trying to calm down, to win back peace and balance. To prepare themselves for another day that would bring more challenges.

It was hard to keep being optimistic, for Mara as much as for Luke. She watched while he closed his eyes and - with a delighted smile - tried to find his child with the Force.
His wife left him to his own, private pleasure, knowing that this little being - THEIR offspring - was one of the many, yet thin lines that kept him with them.

Because even now, in their private sanctuary, shielded by her abilities in the Force, by Luke's, Corran's, Cilghal's, Leia's and the ones of the Solo children, the threat of Mezhan Kwaad and her scheme was hovering above them.

Of course her voice was nothing to be worried about. Not here. Luke allowed Mara a complete connection to his soul. What he saw and felt and heard was one with what she saw and felt and heard.

But Liin Kwaad was another matter.

It was almost as if two beings were lying in her bed, snuggled up to her body. One of them was Luke. Tired, comfortable, filled with love for her and for his unborn baby, engrossed in the tiny sensation the small assembly of cells in her belly emitted.

The other one... the other one was the Slayer. At moments like this - when they had occurred in the past days - he was barely present, yet they never could vanquish him entirely.
Firm determination marring her beautiful, relaxed features for a moment, Mara let her gaze wander along Luke's body, halting at the view of his feet bobbing up and down.

There was too much energy in him. Luke had always been someone that NEEDED to move and to be doing something. Laziness was only allowed if romantically caused or if his body needed to recover from one or the other misadventure.

But this was not how it was normally. Liin Kwaad - wherever he hid in Luke's soul - flooded the Jedi Master with energy. He fuelled it more and more and even the most exhaustive exercise couldn't wear Luke out.

Lying completely still would be impossible for him. Either his fingers or his feet moved, steadily. She wondered whether he noticed it at all. Wondered whether he was aware of the things that had changed in him in the last couple of days. Perhaps even in the last couple of weeks.

"I can control him, Mara." His beautiful eyes serious, Luke sat up and came over to her, stretching out with his face right next to hers.

Smiling a sad, loving smile, the female Jedi Master traced his cheekbone, her finger travelling through his face until it came to rest in the small dimple on her husband's chin.

"Yes. But for how long?"

Luke smiled back at her, stealing a kiss on her hand, then leaning towards her, noses touching. "Until we find Kwaad. And then he won't be a problem anymore. You believe me, don't you?"

She nodded. For a long moment, they lost themselves in the eyes of the other, love and trust flowing between them.

And for the first time today, Luke completely relaxed. His foot finally stopped movie. He relished this feeling of not having the urged to move. It wouldn't hold long, that much he new from the past three days, but it would give him a precious moment in which he was completely himself.

Mara's love did this for him. When he looked into her jade-green orbs, he could see so much. She loved him with all her heart and he had never felt anything more wonderful than that. There had been a time in which he had thought he'd be alone forever. After Callista had left him, he hadn't succeeded in allowing himself thoughts of a family of his own anymore.

And then Mara had come. She had changed everything. They had been through a lot together, and probably there were more than enough problems lying ahead, but as long as they loved each other, nothing would be able to break them apart.

"Shall I put you under now?"

Luke just sighed in reply, grimacing a little. He didn't particularly like this whole ritual, but he had to admit that it allowed him to rest effectively. And it replenished his body. When he had complained to Cilghal about the necessity of the sedatives, she had explained to him that not taking them could have fatal consequences.

Though Luke never had any feelings of tiredness - not when he couldn't push Liin completely out of the way at least - his body was not as easily fooled. The moment he wouldn't be forced to sleep, and sleep deeply, he would burn out. And this in a dangerous way.

The Mon Calamarian woman had told them about her theory. That Liin Kwaad used this method of making himself noticed because it could bring him victory in two different ways. Either Luke couldn't bring his body to rest, what would make him break down completely and choose death or a life as Liin. Or Luke would get completely caught up in the feeling of this energy, letting himself be swept with the current and loosing the battle against an adversary that knew how to manipulate in a masterful way.

While his thoughts dwelled for another moment on this talk of the day before, he had already swallowed one of the pills that had been all to gently placed between his lips by his wife. If the whole situation hadn't been that serious, he thought sleepily, he would have enjoyed being treated like that by her.

Luke felt a new smile creep on his face, while he tried his best to cope with the feeling of slowly sinking into a very deep, but soft and welcoming abyss of unconsciousness. Sounds were drowned out and he was barely aware of the delicate hands that enclosed his face.

He dimly noticed when Mara extended her Force senses into his soul, his own mind, and conscious thought left him. Before he knew it, he had dozed off.

*~~

As soon as Luke's head had limply lolled to the side, Mara let go of him, carefully positioning herself at his side. Drawing small circles around his navel, she finally allowed herself to relax. The night was the only time where she felt him to be completely safe. As long as she could control his sleep like that and took care that he didn't drown into the longing for fight, they would have all the time of the universe to find the Master Shaper.

Unfortunately, the next days were already packed full with responsibilities and offered no possibility to search the system for any sign of Mezhan Kwaad.

Tomorrow, the Supreme Overlord of the Yuuzhan Vong would arrive. The whole day had been meticulously planned by Tsavong Lah and Leia alike. Some time tomorrow morning, the ship that carried the head of the Yuuzhan Vong population would fall out of hyperspace in the Coruscant system.

Shimrra would immediately transfer to the worldship that had been grown and designed for this very occasion. There, in a ceremony that would unite Yuuzhan Vong as well as New Republic politicians, he would be greeted by Leia, Luke, Miiram and Tsavong Lah. Then the peace treaty would be signed.

It all sounded very simple, in fact, but Mara had the distinctive feeling that something was amiss. Not only Luke. Though also there, she had to investigate further. She had to know what girl he had talked about while in the manipulative sleep of the Hirtka.

She just hadn't wanted to stress him too much today. He had had to go through enough already.

Aside from that, something bugged her. Bugged her immensely. When Mezhan Kwaad was in the system, perhaps even on Coruscant, it would mean she practically begged to be found. And that was a troubling thought.

If she was found, she'd be killed. So much was sure. And there was no way of her getting Luke under her control now. At least none they knew of. Mezhan's seeming carelessness smelt of a carefully out-planned trap. There was something she had in store. And probably not only for Lah and the warriors, but mainly for Luke.

She would be prepared. And when Kwaad made her move, Mara would be there to take care of her once and for all.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Craft "Moota", Same Time
------------------------------------------------------------------

"A challenge, yes?" Mezhan Kwaad purred, very much aware of the thoughts of the human female. It was not as if she did actually see her. Not in a way other beings called seeing at least.

It was true that this annoying specimen of the human race had found a way to block Luke Skywalker's subconscious from her manipulations as well as from Liin Kwaad's assaults. But while she had tended to her mate, the woman had failed to recognise what else a Master Shaper could do.

Mezhan's bond with Liin was strong and the bond the Slayer had with Skywalker was strong, too. It had been no problem to establish a very thin, yet stable connection with the mind of the being Skywalker had given his heart to.

Of course Mara Jade-Skywalker was right. Mezhan Kwaad had a lot in store for her. So they knew she was in the system now. It didn't matter. Not really, anyway. It was annoying, yes. Someone of her own race was teaming up with the infidels in a way that personally insulted the Master Shaper.

In due time - already tomorrow - this Yuuzhan Vong would feel that it was not a healthy thought to bring upon oneself the wrath of Mezhan Kwaad. Skywalker was hers to tamper with. Hers alone.

The man didn't even realise that all what his mate and his friends did for him was completely in vain. If it came down to the two of them alone, in her laboratory - and it would come down to that, very soon, indeed - then their would only be so much as two choices for him to make. Death or obedience.

If she managed to set it up right, he would choose obedience before he realised he had another option.

Everything was going according to plan. Very much so, in fact. Kwaad had enough people who did her bidding in all the strategic places she'd need to have covered when the Supreme Overlord moved in tomorrow.

There was no question that her plan would work, and that flawlessly. It would shame the warriors, decimate them, and impress Shimrra. And finally she would get what she deserved.

Perhaps she should already begin wondering whom she would have killed by Liin first. It would be a special pleasure to have it be Skywalker's family. What kind of torture must it be, for a human, to be killed by the one they loved? And then live on in this mysterious Force of theirs and see how what they once loved succumbed to darkness and was altered, altered into evil itself, evil that was commandeered and formed by her, Kwaad's very own hands.

It would be delicious torture for all of them.

And then she'd add another victim. For not only the ones who didn't believe, but also the ones too ambitious risked to draw her wrath to themselves.

*~~

Nen Yim sat in her small cabin aboard the "Moota", her dark eyes resting forlornly on the yorik coral floor.

The decision had not been an easy one to make. Not at all. Mezhan Kwaad had demanded something of her that she had barely been able to do. Attacking infidels and Yuuzhan Vong who opposed the way things should be was one thing.

But what she had had to do now was completely different. She could bring upon herself the life-long hate of Supreme Overlord Shimrra. He would have her killed, in an utterly dishonourable way probably, if he ever learned that she had done this.

Her Master's curt reply had been that he mustn't learn then. But Nen was no fool. Shimrra would learn. Eventually, he would learn. And then the blame would come falling on her. Not on her Master. For her Master had made sure that no one knew about their ties. Absolutely no one.

Nen had never revealed herself when talking to the others. As far as they knew, she served on different worldships, taking turns because of the lack of qualified personal and the overwhelming need of tending the aging creatures demanded in the past time.

Yet, al this was simply a carefully created ruse. She had never been anywhere but with her Master, yet she had succeeded in accomplishing a lot for her.

The question that rose in the apprentice's mind lately was just whether Kwaad was WORTH all this work and loyalty.

Whenever Yim thought about this, she came to the same conclusion. The knowledge and the goals of the Master Shaper WERE worth this work and loyalty. Leaving Kwaad now was out of question for her.

But what she would do - and would gladly do - was to make sure that no blame could fall on her.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Ship "Criarto", Private Quarters Of Miiram Shimrra, Shortly Thereafter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Who are you?"

"This is not of any importance, Your Excellency."

"You know who I am?"

"Yes. You are Miiram Shimrra, daughter to Supreme Overlord Shimrra."

Miiram frowned. The voice that spoke out of the villip sitting in front of her didn't trigger any memory. The animal itself was a formless heap of flesh on the yorik coral desk. Whoever was contacting her knew how to handle villips so that they didn't portray the speaker's features. Impressive.

"That's correct. Now you will surely have a good reason to disturb the sleep of your Supreme Overlord's daughter, won't you?"

A small pause.

"Indeed, I have. I want to warn you, Your Excellency."

Miiram snorted annoyed, then glancing shortly over to the thin curtain of tendrils that separated her small living room from the room she slept in. Khaleeh had stayed this night and was sleeping soundly. She didn't want to wake him and have him go all investigative and threatening over this caller.

Suppressing a smile at remembering how the son of the Warmaster had refused to stay over night in her quarters and how easily he had been persuaded to stay on the yorik coral couch that stood in one corner of her sleeping quarters, Miiram forced herself to concentrate on the villip before her.

If she though a little more thoroughly about it, there was about one person who could be on the other end of this connection.

"I assume your Master, Mezhan Kwaad, found out that I have been the one to uncover her plans for Jeedai Master Skywalker."

This time, the silence was prolonged and the Yuuzhan Vong woman felt a welcome feeling of satisfaction settling into her gut. So her guess had been correct.

"You can safely assume this, Your Excellency. Let's simply say that you should be careful about your morning routines. That's all."

"I see."

The villip trembled a little, indicating that the young Shaper was about to cut the connection.

"Nen Yim."

The third tremble - the one that corresponded to the last stroke in the movement that would put the villip to sleep - didn't come. Miiram almost laughed. It was fun to play from time to time.

"Your Master has erased a part of the protocol of Slayer's Mind, hasn't she?"

"What if she had?" came the careful counter-question.

"Tell me what this part was about."
"I have betrayed her more than enough, Your Excellency."

Though no one could see her, Miiram folded her arms in front of her chest: "Indeed, you have. What makes me wonder why you did."

"You are not my target, Your Excellency. You're no warrior."

"Skywalker will withstand Slayer's Mind. Your Master has made a miscalculation. The humans are stronger than they appear to be. Especially Jeedai. Is she aware of that."

Again a pause.

"She knows what she does and what she has to expect."

Miiram snorted once again, this time louder. Of course. This sounded like some kind of sick worship and she began to wonder what Mezhan Kwaad had done to impress the younger girl so much.

"I doubt that very much."

A small chuckle could be heard from Nen Yim and Miiram frowned.

"Your Excellency, be assured of that: whether Skywalker will withstand or not, he will loose either way."

"How can he loose when..."

But the third tremble of the villip in front of her finally came and Nen Yim was gone. Hiding in some corner in this system, with her Master Shaper.
And left was just a riddle, a riddle that was important, how the Yuuzhan Vong female felt, but was hardly solvable. At least at the moment.

"Those shapers all don't have a trace of honour in them." A grave voice suddenly sounded from behind her and she had a hard time to keep herself from spinning around and lashing out.

Instead, she counted till ten and slowly turned, standing face to face with her betrothed, feeling herself gape when she noticed that, for once, he didn't wear body armour.

A non-existent eyebrow was perched and a thin smile appeared on the grim face of Khaleeh Lah. "Now then.... I don't think we will have any discussions about comparing human and Yuuzhan Vong without body armour, won't we?"

"We won't?" Feigning a feral grin, Miiram stashed the villip blindly back into its nesting spot on the desk, then went over to her sleeping room.

Her fianc?ollowed her, stopping in the door and staring down at her.

The Supreme Overlord's daughter grinned: "If you do that now, Khaleeh, there is no way you can back out of this bonding anymore."

"I'm counting on making you admiring me in a mute, shy way, as any good Yuuzhan Vong woman does. The prospect spurs me on."

"That is good." She growled deeply, rubbing a little deeper into her bed niche to make room for his bulky form.

When he joined her finally, she purred into his ear: "Because the prospect of this is everything you'll ever get."

"Heretic."

"Traditionalist."

"What kind of insult is that?"

"A bad one."

The male Yuuzhan Vong snorted: "Just for crazy ones like you." Suddenly pausing from gently stroking her cheek, Khaleeh's expression once again darkened.

"What about what the girl said? You could be in danger."

Miiram giggled lowly: "I AM in danger, you stupid warrior."

"Do you want me to take care of it now?"

The deadpan way he uttered this question made the Supreme Overlord's daughter gape at him once again: "Of course not!"

A slow grin spread over Khaleeh's face: "Good. I would have had to disobey my Lord's daughter then."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, Organa Solo Apartment, Same Time
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He was dizzy. Very dizzy. Explosions ripped the air in the hangar. They came from outside. Outside was space.

He turned. A lean shadow came into his view. Then a gust of air. His vision cleared. The lean shadow merged into a face.

This face - he knew it for so long, knew every expression and could read it well. For a time that felt like his whole life, he had been watching out for this face often, upon arriving home, upon wanting to have some fun, upon wanting to talk to a friend.

Now this face was empty. Terribly empty and blank.

The face was going away. Farther and farther away. The whole body that belonged to it was stumbling again and again. But was gaining. The farther it stumbled away, the more the face changed. Blue eyes became dark, dark until they were grey like a stormy sea.

Compassionate, open, loving features became caught in an expression that held no emotion.

At some point, the body became a shadow again and finally vanished in darkness.

'Help me!!!'

He extended his hand. He could not reach the other's. 'Luke! No!'

Han sat up in his bed, abruptly wide awake. His hair was sweat-drenched. A quick look to his right assured him that Leia was still fast asleep.

Sighing softly, he leant back into his pillows. He hated those dreams He had had them often. Very often. In the past. For over a decade they hadn't occurred anymore.
The last time they had plagued his dreams had been while Luke had been under the reborn Emperor's influence.

| To Be Continued |

-------------------------------------- The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 16
--------------------------------------

PG-13

-----------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, Skywalker Apartment, Next Day
------------------------------------------------------------

"You know, our mornings together used to be more lazy." Mara Jade-Skywalker commented dryly, stretching on the mattress, her eyes resting on the form of her husband.

Luke shot her a wry grin, but continued with his sit-ups. Since she knew him, they had always been part of his morning practice. Being a Jedi didn't meant to rely solely on the Force. Many people didn't fully realise how hard the training was for the body as well as for the mind.

The Jedi Master was in an exceptional shape and something like this could only be maintained by daily practice. Extensive practice. Unfortunately, in the last days, extensive had come to have a completely new meaning for the both of them.

The moment she had woken him up from the trance and the sedative had lost its grip on his metabolism, Luke had been out of bed and active.
Not that Mara didn't like watching him doing his numerous different exercises. It was actually quite delighting to study every single speck on his lean, muscled body. But the shadow of Liin Kwaad hung all too heavily over their heads and neither of them felt in the mood of actually enjoying themselves too much.

"It's getting stronger." The ex-Emperor's Hand stated, noting that her husband was covered in sweat but not even breathing any stronger. It was weird - and cunning - how the Yuuzhan Vong personality got him to wear out his body without him even noticing it.

If she asked Luke to take it slower and whether he didn't feel exhausted at all, she'd always get the same answer. That he was feeling fine and that she shouldn't worry that much. That he knew how much he could handle.

But that was exactly the point for Mara. She didn't believe Luke knew anymore how much he could handle. Though she had not talked to him about it, her suspicions became stronger with every hour. Her suspicions that Liin Kwaad was always present in Luke's mind now, carefully shielded by the Jedi Master's natural instincts and the decades long routine of exercising every morning, regardless how he felt.

Luke paused, laying on the floor and gazing up at her. His eyes were kind of feverish, holding an expression that had become a steady accompany of his for the last days. He wanted to move more. Yet he knew that Mara wouldn't let him.
If he were alone, so much his wife knew, he would go on and on. And how could he not? Because he was unable to feel the tiredness of his body. Mara didn't know whether he actually realised he was being manipulated and she was not sure how to breach the subject.

Correction. She hadn't been sure. Now she HAD breached the subject and Force knew what would come out of it.

"What do you mean?" Luke queried, his legs moving even now when he relaxed. Or tried to relax.

Reaching behind her, Mara grabbed a towel, robbed to the corner of the bed and tenderly wiped the sweat of his face.
"You know exactly what I mean."

Ice-blue eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed. Had she not been prepared to see the Slayer jump to defend what he was doing and had she not been whom she was, she might have shied away from him at this moment.

Because although it happened seldom that Luke Skywalker got angry - even slightly - it was respect-instilling sight if he did.

"I do have him under control. I told you. Repeatedly. You don't need to question my statements." He jumped to his feet, taking the towel from her and swinging it around his neck while he made his way over to the fresher.

Mara got up, too, following him and laying a delicate hand onto his shoulder.

"If you had him under control, Luke, he wouldn't be talking to me right now."

Luke swirled around, his eyes blazing, his hand gripping her biceps. Hard, but not yet hurting her. "How dare you!"

The redheaded Jedi Master didn't know what would have happened if she hadn't been prepared for this. If she hadn't kept her own temper in check and had even responded to him equally fiery.

She was grateful for not having to find it out when she met his angry stare with a cool, compassionate jade one. He had to see what was happening, had to realise who was keeping conquering more and more of his soul.

As she had expected, the provocation had succeeded in breaking through to him. Luke was stubborn, but he was not dumb. He would see how irrational he behaved and how out of character it was for him to get angry before they had even started to argue about a certain topic.

His eyes widened, this time not narrowing again, and his shocked stare halted at his mechanic hand that was still firmly grasped around her arm As if she had burnt him, he jerked away from her, turning and vanishing into the bathroom.

The inner turmoil that swept through his mind was palpable and for a moment - a very small moment - Mara allowed herself to be weak. Swinging her arms around herself, she let a slight shiver run through her body before she straightened again, her expression changing to fierce determination.

It was not easy on her to watch how Luke suffered and how difficult it was for him to fight against Liin Kwaad. The other, the Yuuzhan Vong, was cunning and stealthy. It was hard to detect him.
Mara had a permanent connection with her husband's mind and she hadn't FELT the Slayer creeping in during the morning practice. Luke's body had given more away than his soul. Liin seemed to have mastered the art of hiding IN Luke's feelings so well that it was impossible to detect him, but he couldn't help the signs that displayed on his human victims body.

They were minor, really, but Mara knew Luke well - very well - and she recognised them for what they were the moment they occurred.
It was the way he suddenly set his jaw, how this feverish glaze invaded his eyes or how his movements became more aggressive.

Drawing a deep breath, she entered the bathroom after their husband, hoping that the few moments she had waited had given him the time he needed to recover from the shock.
It was not hard for her to see that he hadn't been prepared for this. Luke had been absolutely sure that he had Liin under control.

She couldn't imagine what it did to his spirit to be proven wrong once again. To once again have to see that he had been tricked.

As Mara had expected, she found him in the shower. He sat in one corner of the elaborate cabin, hot, steaming water pounding down on him. His eyes were closed and his breathing almost even.
She felt the Force flowing around him and into him, reinforcing walls and driving the Yuuzhan Vong presence away, into its hiding spot. At the same time, she felt his frustration about not being able to KEEP Liin there.

Shedding her nightgown, she joined him in the shower and sank onto the warmed cabin floor next to him.
When she once again laid a reassuring hand onto his shoulder, Luke's wonderful eyes opened and without another word, he swept her into his arms.

She let him press her body at his, closing her eyes when her face came to rest on his hot, wet chest and embraced him firmly.
For a long time - it felt like hours, but certainly were not more than a few minutes, they stayed like this, the noise of the water drowning out every other sound, the warmth wrapping them into a cocoon that made them feel actually safe, as if isolated from the outside world.

Mara could have stayed like this forever, hearing the strong heart beat in a well-muscled chest, the heat of his body doing an effective job of warming her, the feel of his soft skin next to hers doing totally other things to her body.

But this was not the time for that. The situation was serious. More serious than they both had thought only the previous evening.

A muffled sound came from above her and she forced herself to open her eyes and leave the temporary safety of his embrace.
If she hadn't been dreaming, she would have understood him the first time, but as it was, only now that he repeated it did she actually hear it all right.

"I'm sorry, Mar." he whispered, kissing her temple, his chin resting on her head.

"You didn't hurt me, Luke." She said softly, patting his lower arm affectionately. He was so stupid. Did he really think she was angry with him?

"But I could have."

"No." Wiggling out of his arms, she kneeled in front of him, taking in his solemn, sad features, the dark brown hair that was sticking to his forehead, the drops of water that sought their ways over his delicate face. "You would never have hurt me, Luke. You're stronger than him."

The Jedi Master shook his head, reaching up with one hand and shutting off the water. It was a reflex - he never wasted water. Though Coruscant had enough of it, the way he had been taught to handle water in his childhood had never left him.

He was fascinated and awed by it at the same time. In the years of their marriage, Mara had come to see that Luke loved to meditate in the shower. Yet, she had also come to see that he didn't shower longer than absolutely necessary.

"I'm not sure. I didn't even notice him taking control."

"But he didn't, Luke. He didn't take control. He was just there, alongside you."

Her husband frowned: "Isn't that the same? He almost made me hurt you!"

This time Mara shook her head, persistently eyeing him: "No. He could never have made you hurt me. Don't you understand? He is just trying to let you taste what he is and make you like it. He tries to seduce you. That's all he did."

"And I let myself be seduced by him."

"You did? Then why am I still alive?"

If the whole talk hadn't been so creepy, Mara would have almost laughed at the way his eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets and the way he gaped at her openly.

"What... I'd never... I mean... How can you even say..."

"And that is my point, Luke Skywalker. Think about it. And while you do, dry off. We have to meet up with Leia in an hour." With that, she rose gracefully and left her husband to ponder this.

*~~

Half an hour later, Luke stepped out of the bathroom, dressed and ready for the day. And of considerable better mood than he had been when he had entered the fresher the first time today.

Mara had been right. He had been stronger than Liin. The moment he had recognised what he was doing, had realised what his wife had wanted to show him, he had been able to battle the Yuuzhan Vong personality off.

It relieved him a great deal to know that he was still the master of his own body and thoughts. At least at the moment. There was still a though lingering in his head that made him afraid and more than he liked to admit.

This thought was that he KNEW Mezhan Kwaad. Though he had never talked much to the Master Shaper, he had the distinct feeling to know her better than any enemy he had ever fought against.

If she had decided HE was what she wanted, what she needed to get what her heart desired, then she would not use something that was as easily countered.
He couldn't imagine that everything it took to get rid of what she had planned for him was a pill each evening and a slight manipulation of his mind to put him into a deep trance controlled by another Jedi.

There was more to it and that was what worried him. The Master Shaper had something up her sleeve and a small voice in the back of his head - whether it was his own subconscious or Liin he couldn't say - told him that sooner or later, he would once again face Mezhan Kwaad. And then - only then - he would see whether he was stronger than Liin or not.

Luke found it unexpectedly hard to keep his determination and resolve and assure himself that he was stronger than Liin.
Mara had made a point in the shower, so much was true. He hadn't hurt her, would never have in this situation, and that alone showed that he DID exact a kind of control over his Yuuzhan Vong personality.

But was this control strong enough to last even when the Master Shaper in person tried to manipulate him? He just wasn't sure. Wasn't sure what she was still going to do, what she still COULD do, to him.

His eyes came to rest on Mara and wandered - as they did mostly at one time or the other since he knew she was pregnant - down to her belly.
And suddenly, he smiled. What did it all matter? Nothing. It really didn't matter anything. There was everything he needed to hold on to himself right there in front of him.

"Mara?"

"Hmmm?"

"When will we be able to feel it move?"

His wife straightened, staring at him astonished for a moment, then grinning: "You know, sometimes I wonder where you've been while you're sister has been carrying her children."

"Well, it wasn't exactly my place to press my ear on her belly all the time." He smirked, fond memories of Han shooing him away from his sister during a nice barbecue evening during her pregnancy with the twins resurfacing.

"But you did."

"Yeah."

"And when you did and felt them, how big EXACTLY was her belly then?"

Luke looked at her dumbfounded for a moment, then his expression cleared in understanding. "Oh." He made.

Mara laughed: "Yes, Skywalker, oh."

"That long, hmm?"

"At least a couple of months, still."

"Darn. And I'd have liked to feel it before we go up there. It won't be a pleasant day." He sighed, coming over to her and stroking her belly softly. She hadn't yet slipped into her jumpsuit and he wasn't about to let this possibility pass unexploited.

Her arms sneaked around his neck and he felt her lips brush over his. "You don't know that yet, Luke."

"I have a bad feeling, Mara. And I think you have, too."

She sighed, yet didn't stop caressing the skin at the back of his skull. "I do have a bad feeling for a long, long time now. And I will only stop having a bad feeling when Mezhan Kwaad is no problem for us anymore."

Luke hugged her a little stronger. "I so know what you mean, my love."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two Hours Later, At The Edge Of The Coruscant System, Bridge of the Ralroost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It surely looks impressive." Han Solo stated, his gaze focused on the giant worldship that hung in space in front of the cruiser's viewport. Although it was still a long distance away from them, its size was unbelievable. Glittering in black and silver, it almost blended in perfectly with the star-sprinkled space around it.

"I guess that's what befits the Supreme Overlord of a whole race. Besides, we haven't tried to overplay what we have either." Leia Organa Solo replied.

Finally, after months of preparations and talks, the day had come when Supreme Overlord Shimrra, the leader of the Yuuzhan Vong as a race, would arrive in this galaxy and hopefully sign the peace treaty.

Though it was highly improbable that he'd have anything against it at this point - after all, he had already agree to what Tsavong Lah had forwarded to him - no one present on the Ralroost's bridgee allowed himself to believe it until the contract was actually signed.

Compared to the war against the Empire, the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong had been a short one. Yet, in a sense, it was far more devastating than any other war before. It was not about oppression. It was about extinction and total conversion of millions of different cultures into a single one - the one of the Yuuzhan Vong.

Thought they had been in close contact for a long while now, the culture of this alien race from another galaxy was still a secret to most of them. Glimpses and small pieces of beliefs they had gathered, meticulously archiving them in a completely new section of New Republic Intelligence.

Yet, there were still more questions than answer if it came to what the Yuuzhan Vong believed and how they lived.

If this peace treaty worked out, all this would change. The cultures would exchange knowledge and try to live peacefully together.
Leia allowed herself a small smile. Having overcome the doubts and suspicions she had originally, the former Princess of Alderaan now looked actually forward to learn more about the adversaries that had instilled such terror upon many worlds in this galaxy.

All the time she had spent with Tsavong Lah had accomplished two things. On the one hand, she had seen that the Yuuzhan Vong were as ruthless, violent and fanatic as they seemed. On the other hand, she had also seen that they were intelligent, rational and had a complicate, millennia old culture.

The way they had tried to annihilate other people had been partly natural and dictated by their beliefs, but partly also a necessity because they needed new planets to live on.
The possibility of creating diplomatic relationships with other cultures never had been a topic to spend thoughts on for them. They mostly had swept other civilisations away.

Leia couldn't help but feel pride upon the thought that it had been her brother who had showed them for the first time that they could not ALWAYS simply wipe out those they didn't understand.

The New Republic, the Jedi, could learn much from the Yuuzhan Vong, in the way of healing and in many other ways. If they accepted that the aliens didn't want to adopt their way of living and let them be, they would get along in a way.

Talks and negotiations still were tricky, without question. Leia wouldn't dare to send one of the Senators or a diplomat into one room with Yuuzhan Vong. The aliens wouldn't accept them and probably kill them.

People like Luke, who weren't easily intimidated and who could prove to the Vong that they could fight were what was needed to get into serious discussions on equal footing with this strange individuals.

Glancing around, on the bridge as well as on the scopes of the Ralroost, Leia assessed her impressive delegation. Han stood at her side, naturally, wearing one of the gala uniforms he hated so much.
She almost grinned when she recalled the argument they had had about it this morning. Many things changed in a galaxy so huge. But some would always stay the same.

Han Solo would ALWAYS hate formalities and formal clothing. The only thing that had been able to soothe him was the fact that he was allowed to wear his blaster.
Leia was almost sure that every Yuuzhan Vong on the giant worldship of the Supreme Overlord would be armed. She didn't see why she should forbid it to her accompanies then.

The only way this would work was showing the Yuuzhan Vong that neither of them was intimidated by them anymore.

Slightly to the side and behind her, she could see her brother Luke and his wife Mara. Both their gazes were focused on the worldship and most probably their thoughts were, too. The President had been filled in by Corran about what had almost happened there and she felt a shiver run down her spine when she thought about it.

She HAD to meet this Miiram Shimrra. As things lay, she had to thank her for her brother's life.

Forcing her thoughts away from these nightmarish pictures, she recounted the other members of the group. Several high-ranking Senators accompanied them and some Jedi were present, too. However, they would not stay with Luke in any way, for he was to be at all times with her.

If Shimrra hadn't demanded to meet him, Leia would have insisted on it. The thought of facing the mightiest Yuuzhan Vong out there without their own mightiest "player" had been a very unpleasant one for her.

The Ralroost itself had been chosen as her flagship. She considered it a powerful symbolism to greet them with one of the few surviving ships of the Battle of Ithor, now restored to glory and accompanied by another dozen - six Imperial Star Destroyers and six Mon Calamarian Cruisers.

The Super Star Destroyer Lusankya had been ordered to guard any space lanes whose entry points were in the vicinity of the Supreme Overlord's worldship.
Fighter escorts swarmed around her and all the ships that accompanied the Ralroost in carefully trained formations.

All in all, the display of power was immense. It was protocol and insurance at the same time. She didn't really think anything would go wrong, but hard won experience had taught her to be prepared for everything.

"How long?" Leia asked aloud when the Ralroost came to a halt and drifted in space a couple of miles away from the still empty worldship.

"Any moment now, Your Excellency." The reply came from somewhere below her. Leia didn't bother to turn around and look who had answered her. Although probably no Yuuzhan Vong creature could catch her picture from this distance, the mere possibility that they could let her act every bit the President and politician she was.

Nervousness was quenched quickly and expertly. When she felt a tender touch at her soul, she smiled and threw a quick glance over to Luke. He replied her smile and though his features were set, it seemed genuine.

Before she could muse about why he looked so grim - there was no better word to describe it - a flicker at the fringe of her perception caught her attention. Turning her head, she saw a big Yuuzhan Vong warship materialize, heading immediately toward the worldship that was awaiting its first guests.

The sheer size of the warship - it was about a quarter of the worldship's size, what made it equal to the Lusankya - told her that this was Supreme Overlord Shimrra's flagship. It was flanked by three smaller warships on either side, all the size of a Star Destroyer.

As had been agreed upon in previous sessions, the New Republic ships waited until the flagship of the Supreme Overlord was docked on the worldship, then drew nearer in perfect formation.

"Ready the shuttle." Leia ordered before she turned around and left the bridge in a pace that clearly showed she was not about to hurry. This was a meeting of equals. She had to keep that in her head.
All eyes were resting on her and she felt the turmoil of fears, opinions and thoughts of the whole crew. They were still afraid of the Vong and still didn't trust them. Still expected a trap. And they looked to her for guidance. If she showed any sign of doubt or fear, Force knew what would happen.

Decades of training came to her advantage now. That and the unshakable trust her family put in her. Luke was a steady source of reassurance and love behind her, Mara of determination and watchfulness and Han... Han wore this half-smile he always wore when he was about to cause some sort of trouble.

For a second, she was tempted to chastise him, but caught herself. All through the war, the best that she could have thrown against the Vong was creativity, independence, braveness and experience. Her husband embodied all of this. If he could throw the aliens off-balance, she would not complain.

*~~

When they exited the shuttle, stepping into a huge hangar bay on the brand new and therefore very young worldship, they were greeted by Warmaster Tsavong Lah and his son Khaleeh.

The exchange didn't take long, for both Yuuzhan Vong warriors were expected by the Supreme Overlord this very moment for some sort of private business neither of the humans did quite understand. Mara - who had left his side to talk shortly to the Warmaster's son - seemed to be the only one who was able to make sense out of it, for she nodded.

Luke admitted he was startled and admired Leia's countenance. Being the head of the New Republic, she deserved a very different greeting, but she didn't let any sign of disappointment or anger slip through her mask of perfect self-control and beauty.

When he thought more thoroughly about it, the fact that Shimrra didn't send any escort, any guards or a guide was more a sign of respect than of mockery. And of trust.

He didn't think the New Republicans would cause any damage, so they needed no guards. He didn't think them to be helpless in finding their way to him, so they didn't need any guides. And he didn't think they had to be advised in manners, so they didn't need an escort.

Trying to compress that into some sort of thought, he sent his impression to Leia. He could see her cock an eyebrow at him the moment Khaleeh and his father had left the hangar and he nodded reassuringly.

Somehow, he knew how to interpret the Vong. It frightened him and yet it felt natural. Perhaps - only perhaps - having a temporary additional personality could be helpful in such a situation, the thought while he began to move purposefully in the direction of a big yorik coral hatch.

"Where are you going?" A male voice hissed at his side and when he turned his head, he noticed surprised that he had almost crossed the whole hangar. Leia, Mara and the rest of the delegation were still standing next to the shuttle, eyeing him insecurely.

Next to him, Han was trying to keep up without making it too obvious that he hadn't exercised any in the last time.

Troubled by the fact that he had lost a couple of seconds, Luke shook his head slightly and focused on his friend.
To his utter astonishment, he heard himself say: "I know the way. If they don't follow soon, we'll be too late."

The Corellian stared at him for a moment, obviously unsure whether to take this as a good sign - after all, they wouldn't embarrass themselves by getting lost in this beast - or a bad sign. Deciding to interpret it positively, he nodded and turned, gesturing to the others to catch up with them.

Luke didn't pay any attention to him. The others would follow, so he didn't have to wait. He couldn't explain how he knew the way, yet he did and it felt strangely relieving and welcome to go through these corridors.

The colours and the texture of the walls seemed familiar and the air smelt good to him. Cool and a little moist.

While he went about his way, dimly aware that Han was somewhere behind him, hazy memories of a couple of days ago came back to him. Had he walked these corridors when he had been here for the first time? If so, he knew where they led him.

An absurd moment long, he actually looked forward to return to the big hall he knew would await him before he was able to crush this thought. HE had never been there. Liin had been there.

'You can rejoice all you want. I'm in charge. Period.' He thought towards the Yuuzhan Vong presence, satisfied when he got no challenging answer and no Shaper's voice popped into his thoughts.

Maybe everything would go as planned after all.

Smiling a little, Luke continued through the corridors, aware that the walk was still a couple of minutes.

*~~

"How, by the Force, does he know we are supposed to take THIS way?" Leia hissed to Mara through clenched teeth, trying hard not to draw any attention from the other delegates.

The present Jedi - two not that experienced Knights that had been chosen to accompany their Master - wore serene expressions, though her startledness was palpable as well.
For a fleeting moment, Leia wished Corran or any of her kids were with her, but they all had more important things to do.
Jaina, Jacen and Anakin all were part of some of the squadrons out there, for Luke had felt the need to show the Supreme Overlord that the Jedi were present everywhere and not a single, isolated caste as it was common in the Yuuzhan Vong culture.

Corran was aboard the Ralroost, serving as Jedi liaison with Wedge and Rogue Squadron there, which had been assigned to Special Forces and therefore was at the beg and call of either Leia, Han, Mara or Luke. A flick of their wrists and small, almost invisible communication devices would send out a distress call the equivalent of "Get us out of here NOW!"

"Why do you ask me?" Mara murmured back, her normally blazing eyes dark and suspicious while they rested on the form of her husband a couple of dozen meters ahead of them.

"Do you have a permanent Force bond with him or not?"

"You have, too."

Leia rolled her eyes: "Mara, this is really NOT the time to argue about who has the stronger bond with him. What the hell is he DOING?"

The redhead sighed: "I have no idea. I suppose he knows the way because he was already here. You know when."

The Princess's eyes became darker with worry, too. "Do you think we're in trouble?"

"From the Supreme Overlord's side?"

Leia nodded.

Mara furrowed her eyebrows: "No. Rather from a certain Shaper's side."

"Do you have any idea where she is?"

The ex-Emperor's Hand shook her head. "No to that, too."

There was a slight pause and she practically felt how Leia tried to analyse the situation. At times like this, she really came to respect what Luke's sister was. Palpatine had always portrayed all of the Alliance's heroes as mindless, heartless killers.
All what they were, were seasoned, experienced and damn good fighters. Leia was no exception. She was as versed in politics as she was in fight.
There was no doubt her sister-in-law very much felt her own worry for her husband.

"Don't worry. Han is with him."

Trying to ease the mood, Mara perched an eyebrow and softly quipped: "Since when is that a reason NOT to worry?"

*~~

"It is unbelievable how stupid they all are." Mezhan Kwaad said, her eyes glued to the villip in front of her.
Nen Yim shot her a questioning look: "The infidels, Master?"

The Shaper laughed meanly: "They, too. But our kinsmen are no better. I think I will have to teach Supreme Overlord Shimrra a lesson or two about tactics as soon as he has seen how valuable I will be as his advisor. More valuable than Tsavong Lah."

"I would not say they are stupid, my Master. After all, Miiram Shimrra survived today."

Cold, green eyes narrowed on the younger Yuuzhan Vong, pinning her effectively down. Nen Yim had a hard time keeping from twitching nervously and did all she could to meet her Master's stare.

"Not because of her intelligence, so much is sure. Isn't it, Nen?"

Yim's heart stopped for a moment. She knew. Mezhan Kwaad knew! But how? How could she have learned about...

"Do you think I don't know about EVERYTHING that happens on MY ship? You have much to learn, either, my apprentice. But as it is, we will talk about this insubordination later. When everything is done."

Nen Yim couldn't do anything but nod.

"Activate the animals. All of them."

*~~

Corran Horn and Wedge Antilles had been alert, but not overly nervous. Everything had gone according to plan so far and nothing indicated that there were problems.

Unfortunately, as it was common in wars and fights, situations could change within fractions of a second.

When an explosion rippled through the first of the Yuuzhan Vong ships escorting the Supreme Overlord, everyone stared dumbfounded.

When one tore a gash into the Criarto that was sitting at the other flank of the worldship, people were getting ready at their stations, scanning for the enemies.

When two more of the ships were crippled by heavy explosions and a breach was detected at the northern pole of the Supreme Overlord's worldship, suspicions hardened to security.

"This is going to get nasty. And complicate." Corran murmured.

"Get up the shields! Now!" Wedge shouted over the bridge. His order was followed and the shields flared to life just in time to deflect the first plasma bombs that were thrown their way by the escort of Shimrra who had to suspect they were attacked - by the New Republic.

*~~

Luke was enjoying himself. A part of him found that absolutely ridiculous and tried to get him to his senses. Yet, the Jedi Master was not willing to admit that he was NOT entirely in the possession of his senses at the moment.

He felt like coming home, yet again, he only though of it as a minor distraction. He knew he was Luke Skywalker. He knew he was human. He knew the peace treaty would be signed within the next hour. Why should he not enjoy the few actually nice feelings Liin Kwaad could provide him with?

The answer was that there was no reason not to enjoy him. He focused on the welcome feeling of familiarity and security, his danger sense being switched off in the trust you could only have in your home.

Thus, he only belatedly noticed that the fact that he was panting was not due to the fact that he was moving. He was not running, he was merely walking. Something like that didn't exhaust. He slowed a little - but not significantly - his forehead furrowed. Something was not right. But everything FELT so right.

Dizziness swept over him and he stumbled to the side, seeking support on the wall next to him. His gaze, barely focused, halted on something that was natural and yet not. There was a dovin basal sitting in the wall.
Of course they were everywhere on the ship. It was normal. Defence against any terrorist attack on the ship that held the head of the Yuuzhan Vong. Yet something was wrong with this dovin basal.

It made small sucking noises. Dovin basals didn't make small, sucking noises. Luke frowned more, wondering what it could suck in.

When stars began to appear in his field of vision, it dawned on him. Unfortunately too late. Before everything went black, he thought: 'It's sucking the air in!'.

*~~

Han was worried, and that about two things. The one thing was Luke, who kept going at a pace he couldn't keep up with and kept ignoring his calls. The other was the feeling of not getting enough air into his lungs.

Something was wrong. The Corellian didn't know enough about Yuuzhan Vong ships to realize what exactly was causing the lack of air, but he recognised the signs in his own body.

He stopped, drawing a deep breath, and called: "Luke, we should return! This is... Luke!"

The younger man had sagged at the wall, barely keeping himself upright. Before Han reached him, he had already crumpled to the floor.

His friend hurried to his side, kneeling down next to him. It was then that Han heard the sucking noise somewhere above his head and when he followed it with his eyes, he caught sight of the fast moving dovin basal.

Han didn't know WHAT animal it was, but he understood what it did. Luke had been with his face directly in front of this thing. For a short time, the air he had breathed had held NO oxygen. No wonder he had blacked out.

Gazing back, he saw Leia and Mara - followed by the delegation - stumble into his direction, but collapsing after having only crossed half the distance.

Kreth, that was NOT going well.

"Luke, come on. We've got to get out of here, we..."

Turning his friend around, Han froze in shock when he saw two pretty much aware eyes focus on him. Cold, icy blue mustered him and in the one second he had left, Han understood whom he was facing.

But that didn't help him any. He was shoved to the side hard, unfriendly and crashed painfully into the hard yorik coral wall on the other side of the corridor. Black dots danced in front of his eyes, but he ignored them.

Rolling onto his stomach, panting from the thin air and the pain that throbbed in his temples, he saw Luke, turning into one of the side corridors, not the slightest stumble to his steps.
His first impulse was to call out to him, but he saved his breath and forced himself to his feet. Luke wouldn't hear him right now.

Throwing a last look at the others, his eyes met with the frightened, green ones of his sister-in-law. She had two small breathing devices with limited capability and tried to rouse Leia.

The situation was clear. Mara had to get his wife and the delegates back to the hangar and into the shuttle, otherwise they'd suffocate. The pain in her gaze showed him all too clearly what she rather wanted to do.

Han turned towards the corridor Luke had vanished in.

Ten meters. Just ten metres. In this tunnel, there had to be air, oxygen, otherwise Luke wouldn't have been able to move like that.

Pressing his lips together determinedly, Han began moving. He had lost Chewie, unable to rescue him. There was no way he would let it repeat itself with Luke.

| To Be Continued |

-------------------------------------- The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 17
--------------------------------------

PG-13

----------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Worldship Hiis El
----------------------------------

The way through the worldship back to the hangar had been a blurry to Mara. So many things had gone through her head, so many things had demanded her attention that a thought at her own body had scarcely invaded her conscience.

She didn't know what was going on here, she just knew it was trouble. Immense trouble. The shortage of air was only one sign of it.
When their small group had reached the hangar, they had seen explosions blossoming on the velvety black panorama of space outside. There was fighting going on.

'Luke!' she cried out through the Force once again, as she had done repeatedly while she had helped coordinate the retreat towards the hangar.

As all the times before, there was no answer. Fierce, dark determination shielded her husband's presence. It was like a shell - impossible to crack and she had the distinct feeling that her desperate attempts simply amused Liin Kwaad.

She swallowed hard, distractedly helping another barely conscious Senator into the ferry that had already awaited them. The feeling of failure burned in her heart and fear gripped her thoughts.

Mara had seen how Luke - or rather, Luke's body - had pushed Han away, flinging him through the width of the corridor and letting him crash against the hard wall. The Corellian had been lucky not to lose consciousness.

There had been no glimpse into her husband's face for her, but his actions spoke for themselves. He had been tricked. Once again. But this time, it could prove to be fatal. She still didn't know how Liin had succeeded in neutralizing Luke, still didn't know why they all had been about to suffocate out there in the corridors, but one thing she knew for certain - it was Mezhan Kwaad's doing.

She had ambushed them all and had given Liin a possibility to seize control of her husband's mind. Given what she knew, Mara was almost certain that he now was on his way to the Master Shaper.

"Mara?" Leia's muffled shout drew her out of her dark musings. The petite Alderaanian stood in the hatch of the ferry and beckoned to her, the breathing device hiding most of her features. Only her eyes were clearly visible and the ex-Emperor's Hand was sure that her own looked much like those brown orbs. Wide, afraid and angry.

Nodding, she hurried up the ramp and hammered onto the button that would it let slide closed. When it had been sealed and some extra oxygen was pumped into the wide lounge, multiple sighs and gasps could be heard.

The Jedi members of the delegation had done their best to gather small oxygen atoms with the Force, binding them in the air directly around the frightened Senators and themselves. Although this had been an effective method, the precious gas had been vanishing to quickly and it had been pure luck that they had all made it before anyone had succumbed totally to unconsciousness.

Recalling the exact circumstances, Mara finally understood why Luke had fainted. She remembered seeing him stumbling, then looking up in surprise. His whole body had portrayed this emotion before it had gone limp and had given Liin Kwaad the possibility to seize it while the Jedi Master was put under because of lack of oxygen.

Panting heavily herself, Mara slid down the wall of the lounge, closing her eyes and trying to calm down her breathing.
Sending soft Force tendrils down into her belly, she smiled faintly when she felt that her baby was all right. Its small presence, not more than the sensation that something lived, still without a functioning brain, was not affected by anything.

Stubbornly, Mara had used the Force as best she could to channel all the oxygen she could get towards her child while she had taken up the rear of the small procession until they had arrived at the ferry. There was no telling what absence of oxygen would have done to her little, infant precious.

"Mara, are you all right?"

Her sister-in-law, now without breathing mask, crouched before her, a hand resting on the redheads shoulder.

The female Jedi Master nodded: "Yes, I'm fine. Just give me a minute to catch my breath."

The Chief-of-State nodded, her head turning and surveying the others: "We have no casualties. But we must find out what happened. Did you see the explosions?"

Mara nodded again, accepting the smaller woman's help in rising and standing straight. "This has been planned. Meticulously. They attacked in here and out in space.

Leia pressed her lips together, her eyes blazing: "We have underestimated Kwaad. Is Han with Luke?"

The ex-Emperor's Hand shot a surprised, yet admiring look at her husband's sister. All the time the woman hadn't been sure where her love was and she had gone on nonetheless, helping rescuing those people.

"You have done the same, Mara." Leia smiled feebly, then her eyes flicked over everything in the room. As President of the New Republic, she hadn't worn any weapon herself. She had trusted that it would do if everyone AROUND her was armed.

Her eyes focusing on a compartment that was quite obviously sealed firmly and protected by a code, she strode over purposefully and surveyed it.

"So, is he with Luke?" she repeated while she inspected whether there was a possibility for her to override whatever code was needed with her humble slicing capabilities.

"No."

The Princess's head shot around, her eyes wide: "What?"

"He is with Liin."

The Alderaanian blanched. "No. That can't be. I... he was... I mean..." Leia stopped, closing her eyes for a moment. Mara could see how her hands clenched into fists.

When she opened her eyes again, the brown haired woman had assumed a deadly serious expression.

"We have to find them. Luke... Liin will want to get to the Shaper. That means he will search for another hangar."

Mara nodded: "Probably. Do you have any means to contact the fleet?"

"Of course."

"All right. Let's first check on them and see whether we can raise someone in the audience chamber. We do have a villip here after all. As things lie, we can't get out of here anyway without more sophisticated breathing devices."

"Sure. You take care of that." Leia turned again towards the sealed compartment and muttered: "I will try to get my hands onto something that can hurt more than my hairpins."

*~~

"Shield status?" Wedge Antilles asked, his face grim.

"We're down to 60 %." Corran reported, relieving the nervous and busy officer that occupied the station from reporting to the Admiral in charge.

The former Rogue Squadron leader huffed. "This is not going well."

"Sir, we've got to return fire! They'll destroy us!"

"If we fight back now, they'll grill us for sure and the work of months is in vain. We will be back to war within seconds." Corran Horn interjected, focusing the frightened eyes of the younger man onto him.

The officer nodded, panic written clearly on his face. Corran abandoned him, making his way towards Wedge and finally stepping next to him.

"Well?" he queried.

The dark haired pilot frowned: "I know we can't fight back. But if we don't, they'll have us stripped of our shields in no time."

"Not to mention of all your fighter escorts." A new voice chimed in.

Despite of the seriousness of the situation, Wedge had to smile: "How's it going, Wes?"

"Fine. Really, we're doing great! We just thought about inviting you over for a little caf and a piece of cake."

The sarcastic voice betrayed almost nothing of the strain that was surely put on his owner at the moment and Wedge just couldn't help shaking his head. He'd never cease to be amazed at Wes Janson's behaviour in face of danger and perhaps even death.
It was one of his most endearing traits. His cheerfulness and his sarcasm succeeded in keeping fighting spirit alive where it would have long abandoned the troops.

"I'll get back to you about that." Wedge assured, then opened his mouth to inquire how long the fighters could possibly hold on without taking the fight back to the Yuuzhan Vong, when one of his communication officers interrupted him.

"Sir, we've got a communication from the worldship!"

Both Corellians - the Jedi and the Admiral - veered around and were next to the Twi'lek officer in seconds.

"Leia?"

"No, Wedge, it's me, Mara."

Brown eyes met green ones over the communication desk. Was that a good sign or not?

"Mara, where's Leia? The Vong are going nuts out here. There have been explosions on several of the ships that have escorted Shimrra and they obviously think WE triggered them! You have to get Lah to tell them we don't have anything to do with that. Or better, get Shimrra."

There was a small pause on the other end and both men's foreheads furrowed.

"Mara?"

When the ex-Emperor's Hand finally spoke, her voice was grim and tinged with a trace of sadness.

"I'm sorry, Wedge, but it's impossible. Whoever manipulated these other ships manipulated the worldship, too. For all we know, the corridors are completely devoid of oxygen. We are on the ferry here and are so far trying in vain to raise anyone in the grand celebration chamber."

The corellian Admiral felt himself pale and he didn't need the Force to see that his Jedi friend was visibly shaken.

Wedge swallowed: "What do you suggest, then?"

"I.."

"Wedge? Wedge, it's Leia. Do you copy?"

"Yeah."

"Whatever you do, don't fire back. You mustn't destroy ANY of their ships!"

"With all due respect, Leia, they don't feel any of these scruples with OUR people!" The former pilot felt rage rise in himself. As much as he saw the reason behind his old friend's words, he could not even begin to accept the thought of simply sitting dead in space and letting his people be slaughtered by the aliens.

"Then use your brains!" The Alderaanian shot back in a vicious tone that let both Corran and Wedge retreat a step backwards, although the actually petite woman was not even on the same ship with them.

"Leia, I..."

"No, Wedge. I have just one single order for you: don't kill any Vong. Aside from that, you've got the reigns."

"But..."

"Corran?" Now, the Princess's sounded downright exasperated.

"Uh.., yes?"

"That IS Wedge I'm talking to, isn't it?"

"Sure."

"Then what, by the Force, are you waiting for?"

And with that, a low click told them she had signed off, leaving two fairly startled men that, for one moment, didn't really register the chaos around them.
Finally, the Jedi Knight broke the silence: "Was she like that all the time during the Rebellion?"

Wedge just nodded.

Corran shook his head in wonderment, patting the other on the shoulder: "I never knew what you'd been going through."

His friend grimaced at him, then straightened, the puzzlement vanishing from his face as fast as it had come. "Well, Gentlebeings, you heard Her Excellency. Let's get to work."

"Sir, there are HUNDREDS of them out there. And they're shooting and we not." Someone pointed out. Wedge didn't even bother to look around to identify the officer.

"Did you ever play hide and seek in your childhood?"

"Of course."

"Then you know what you have to do."

And with that, he stepped back into his command circle, Corran right at his heels. The Jedi cleared his throat, softly, so as to not alert anyone present. "You sure know that is going to be terribly narrow."

Wedge perched an eyebrow: "We are Corellians."

Corran grimaced: "Right. I forgot."

The former Rogue Squadron leader grinned humourlessly, then turned towards the booth that held the navigation officers.

"Head for Coruscant's moons. Full speed. And get me a connection to whoever is in charge of the orbital mirrors."

"You think that works?"

"It simply has to, Corran."

*~~

Mara regarded her sister-in-law seriously amused, despite the fear that was gnawing at her mind. Luke was out there and he was alone. Against Liin Kwaad and the Master Shaper.

"You really think he finds a way out of this?"

Leia gave her a very small smile, but it seemed genuine enough in face of all what was going on. "Mara, this is Wedge."

When the ex-Emperor's Hand gave her a blank star, the Princess actually grinned. "Let me tell you a small story. Once, during the Rebellion, I sent him out to get us a new hyper drive for a Corellian Corvette. You know what he came back with?"

Mara shook her head.

"A medical frigate that only needed a week of repairs. And guess where he got it from?"

The redhead shook her head again.

"Bilbringi."

"Oh."

Leia just smirked.

"But you were really rough with him."

"He works best under pressure. He just doesn't know it."

Before Mara could reply to that, a loud bang on the outside hull of the ferry let them twitch in shock.

"What, by the Force.." one of the younger Knights that were still tending to the Senators uttered. The politicians were all not very trained - most of them even more corpulent than intelligent, as Mara secretly assumed - and had not taken kindly to the treatment they had been so rudely objected to.

The ex-Emperor's Hand didn't pay any attention, but flicked on the outside cams. Seeing the green eyes widen in surprise, Leia came over to her. "Dark moons... these people are always good for a surprise." The former Princess murmured.

Only a couple of minutes later, Miiram Shimrra, Tsavong Lah, his son and a very tall, very impressing and very glum looking Yuuzhan Vong stood in the lounge, warily eyed by the other occupants and giving the firm impression of barely suppressing a fit of nausea.

"Your Excellency." Miiram beckoned to Leia and when the President approached, she gestured towards the imposing alien figure that occupied a good part of the corridor to the hatch.

"This is my father, Supreme Overlord Shimrra."

*~~

His head hurt. His shoulders hurt. Actually, his whole body ached in a way he had never thought possible. Or at least, not in these years of his life, which he had hoped to spend sitting in the sun and enjoying the company of his wife.

Han Solo blinked hesitantly, not sure whether he wanted to wake up totally and a little afraid of what he would find upon taking in the outside world once again.

Slowly, memory trickled back. The chilling, terrible feeling of fear when he had looked into Luke's eyes just to find another person in there. The sharp pain of betrayal, quickly replaced by the very real, physical pain of crashing against a yorik coral wall.

Then only a blur. He had indeed managed to reach the corridor, but it had taken a lot out of him. He was pretty sure that there had been as good as no oxygen in the air anymore when he had finally reached the corridor in which Luke had vanished.

Judging by the way he was resting on the floor right now, he most probably had blacked out from exhaustion and lack of breathable gas.

Carefully, Han pushed himself upright, slowly rising to his feet, his hand hovering at the wall for support if necessary.

Luke. He had to find Luke. Surveying the corridor, Han swore under his breath. There was no sign of his friend. Of course not. Liin Kwaad would not have waited for the human to recover. He most probably had an order and this order would be followed without compromise.

"Sith. It's always the same with the kid. Can't keep himself out of trouble. I swear, he's worse than I ever was." Thus grumbling to himself, the Corellian began to cautiously make his way down the corridor. There were no crossing corridors, it was just this one. At least he'd not have to guess in which direction Luke had went.
Fear was clutching at his heart. This... this creature hadn't been Luke. He still looked like him, but he wasn't Luke. At least not at the moment.
This coldness in the other's eyes.... Han would never forget how this emotionless gaze seized. It had taken Liin but a second to decide he was not worth a fight. How had he managed to fling him across the corridor when there was barely breathable air around? How had he managed to get Luke to go upright, without even stumbling?

It all spoke of Liin Kwaad's strength. It all helped only to frighten Han more. If Liin could do that, what else could he do? And, most important, what about Luke? Where WAS he while Liin had the control? And could the Yuuzhan Vong personality hurt him?

Han had never been an overly philosophical person. The concept of a soul and what it consisted of, WHERE it existed had never interested him. And although he lived together with Jedi for almost more than half of his life, he never had even pretended to understand the Force. He didn't need to be able to in order to tell the bad guys from the good guys.

But now he felt the incredible desire to KNOW more. Because the mere thought that Luke, his friend, his little brother, was already vanquished and gone without a possibility to bring him back was driving him insane. He would let that happen.

Han quickened his pace as much as could, his face set in fierce determination. He would find him. And then he would see whether Luke was still there.

*~~

The lounge of the small Republic ferry was enveloped in stunned silence. In the past two years, most of the present beings had seen their fair share of Yuuzhan Vong. All of them had been impressing sights. Intimidating, fierce, strong warriors, whose eyes gleamed with mercilessness and intelligence.

But not even a meeting up with Tsavong Lah had prepared them for Supreme Overlord Shimrra. He exceeded the Warmaster in size. His face barely visible beneath several big appendages and coral growths, his eyes were glinting slits of liquid gold that rested on the petite Alderaanian.

It was impossible to guess his mood or his thoughts. There was no trace of emotion in those eyes and his garments, together with his scars, growths and very dark skin complexion made it a senseless task to try to interpret his mimic.

For a very, very small moment, Leia felt like a little girl. A little girl with the definite urge to crawl away and hide somewhere.
This was all beginning to exasperate her and take away her hope. The peace treaty challenged by a misunderstanding that had been carefully manufactured by a single being. Her brother in the grasp of a Yuuzhan Vong personality that led him to the being that wanted to erase his mind and use his body and might.
And now confronted with the mightiest Yuuzhan Vong, a figure that seemed to rival Darth Vader if it came to instilling fear, respect and awe.

But she hadn't been trained as a politician from early childhood on for nothing. These thoughts of desperation and fear assaulted her for about a second before she got a hold of them.
Straightening, she inclined her head curtly, not wanting to show deference where she didn't get any sign of respectful greeting from her counterpart.

"I greet you."

Shimrra remained silent, his eyes focused on her face, unmoving. Both the Warmaster and his son observed the scene quietly, obviously awaiting something. Leia couldn't even begin to fathom what.
Feeling a little at a loss, she turned towards Miiram Shimrra, who stood slightly behind her father.

The Yuuzhan Vong female met her gaze openly. "He wants to know what you intend to do about the situation."

Leia's eyes widened and she traded a surprised stare with Mara. The ex-Emperor's Hand shrugged ever so slightly, then folded her arms in front of her chest and focused on the Supreme Overlord.

"How did you get here from the celebration chamber? Is there oxygen in the corridors?"

The Supreme Overlord still didn't answer, his eyes staying transfixed on Leia's face. And that was the last thing that was needed to result in something that had happened the last time when Han Solo had insisted on flying the Kessel route with a defect starboard motivator. Leia Organa Solo's patience - hardened in countless Senate meetings - simply snapped.

Her eyes blazing, she took a step forward and peered angrily under the hood of the Supreme Overlord.

"I don't know what kind of test you're trying to pull of here, Supreme Overlord, but I can frankly tell you that I am NOT in the mood for this right now. My brother and my husband are out there and need my help, your ships have been attacked and your commanders are about to take revenge on MY people for something they didn't. I won't waste time with petty mind games. Answer Master Jade-Skywalker's question or give the way free so that I can find a way out of this mess."

The silence that followed this outburst was more final than anyone before had been. A small sound came from behind her and Leia knew Mara was probably trying to keep back laughter. Jedi Knights and Senators alike were stunned, whereas the expressions of the Yuuzhan Vong didn't betray any emotion.

Thus, it took Leia a few moments to recognise the deep growl as the voice of the Supreme Overlord.

"We have breathing creatures. You have a villip."

The alderaanian princess frowned, noting at the fringes of her eyesight that Mara regarded the Yuuzhan Vong with renewed interest.

"Yes."

A feral grin spread over the dark face full of shadows in front of her and inwardly, Leia cringed back. This was a face that seemed to have sprung out of the worst nightmares she could imagine.

"Then I think we should make a deal, Leia Organa Solo, before all the work we did in the last time goes up in flames."

"I agree. What do you propose?"

Shimrra looked around himself, his thin lips wrinkling in barely disguised disgust: "Whoever did this..."

"Mezhan Kwaad." Mara growled, her eyes dark with rage and - as only Leia could see - worry.

The Supreme Overlord simply stared at the redhead for a moment, then continued: "... has succeeded in blocking our villips from getting through to their relatives on my escort ships. We have to get out of the range of the creatures that are preventing them from linking together. And that fast. I'm afraid this abomination will have to serve us as transport."

Leia nodded: "Jedi Nights Bel'asca and Sofria will be your pilots, then." She gestured towards the two persons in question and they hurried into the cockpit. After a small nod from Mara, the remaining Senators withdrew into the private bunks the ferry offered to be out of the way."

"And what will you do, President Organa Solo?"

"See to some personal matters." She simply replied.

"We will accompany you, if you allow." Miiram stepped to Mara, laying a hand onto her shoulder. Feeling the Supreme Overlord's eyes on her, the female Jedi Master nodded gratefully to the alien woman and smiled grimly at the Warmaster's son.

"Now we'll see who's going to get to her first."

"I will be delighted by the challenge, Mara Jade-Skywalker." Khaleeh Lah replied deadpan.

*~~

It was a wonderful sensation to be free. To be walking and commanding a body. It was not a Yuuzhan Vong body, but it was strong, healthy. Perfectly capable of matching his spirit. And that was about everything that counted for Liin Kwaad.

Too long had he hid in the soul of this despicable Jedi Master. Peace. No violence. Compassion. These concepts went beyond his capability of understanding. The mere imagination of being kind to a being made him sick.

There was much Liin Kwaad did not understand. But it was not dumbness. It didn't make him feel bad either. What was the problem with not grasping friendship, love?

Luke Skywalker's soul had given him ample examples of those emotions and they had not succeeded in making him even slightly curious.

There was no need to bother himself with such things. They were nuisances. It was something else Liin craved.

The physical exercise he had tricked Skywalker into doing had helped him while this despicable woman had managed to restrain him. But it had not been enough. It couldn't replace what he truly craved. Killing. Taking another beings life.

Now, finally, he was free to do just that. All he had to do was find the way to his Mistress. She would relieve him of the presence of the human Jedi and would give him what he desired. A purpose. She would give him the possibility to fulfil his destiny. She would make him to what he was destined to be. The Slayer.

And Skywalker was powerless. He had succumbed to the ploy of his Master so quickly, it was a pitiful sight.
Liin Kwaad had taken advantage of the state the Jedi Master was in. While his spirit had drifted in oblivion, the Slayer had done a good job of restraining it. If he could get to Mezhan Kwaad quickly enough, Skywalker would have no chance.

"Luke!"

Liin spun around.

*~~

Han skidded to a halt, coming to a panting stand about ten metres away from the lean form of the Jedi Master. When the younger man turned around and the Corellian finally had a good view on his face, he wondered what by all moons had gotten into him.

"Luke.." he huffed again, trying to catch enough air. He was definitely too old for physical strains like that.

Blue eyes stared at him, bearing no sign of any emotion but disgust. They seized him, up and down, sitting in a face that was smooth and hard at the same time. Smooth where it was all Luke. The nose, the eyes, the cut of it. Hard when you saw the lips pressed together, the eyes reflecting a coldness of heart that chilled Han.

A cruel smirk appeared on it and the slender man made a step towards him.

"We are daring, infidel, aren't we?"

"Luke, I know you can hear me." Han retreated as many steps as the other advanced, all too aware that he was dead when Liin decided to dispose of him here and now. In fact, he was fairly sure now that he himself was insane. How could he say something like that?

He had no idea whether Luke heard him. Absolutely no idea. There was a chance, but seeing the feline grace of an animal stalking its prey that spoke out of every movement of his counterpart made him swallow hard in doubt.

He saw Luke's hand hover over his lightsaber. Fleetingly, Han noticed that Liin used the left hand. It made a weird kind of sense that he wouldn't use Luke's artificial hand.

"He cannot hear you and you know that, vermin."

"What did you do to him?" Han forced himself to come to a halt. His instinct told him that the moment he would turn around and run, he'd be already dead. You didn't run from a wild animal that chased you. It just peeked instincts that would make it run faster and be crueller.

Was that how he had to see and treat Liin Kwaad? Like an animal out for his blood? Judging by all he knew about the creature, it acted purely on instincts.

"It is not for you to know, human." Saying these words, Liin fluidly activated the lightsaber and brought it up before him.

Han's hand went instinctively for his blaster, drew it and pointed it straight at the other's heart, which, surprisingly, was left undefended by the blade as soon as the movement of the Corellian had registered with the Slayer.

He could do it. He could shoot now and save his life. No question about that Liin would kill him in the next seconds if he didn't pull the trigger now. Yet, he couldn't. He couldn't shoot at Luke.

Han could not simply make himself believe that this man he had come to love like a brother over the years didn't exist anymore. Luke was strong. Stronger than anyone he had ever know, except perhaps for his own wife.

Leia. She'd never forgive him if he shot now. Thinking about it this way, he would be dead whether he shot now or not. Mara would have his head.

But whom did he try to fool? He couldn't pull the trigger while Luke's kind smile was hovering in front of his imaginative eye.

Making a decision in the fraction of a second, Han lowered his blaster.

Liin paused, his eyes widening in surprise while his smile vanished to be replaced by an expression of disappointment and almost childish stubbornness.

"Defend yourself."

Han shook his head.

"You will die without even trying to save your life? What kind of honour do you think that is, infidel?"

Meanwhile, Luke - no, Liin - was directly in front of the Corellian, the tip of the lightsaber being only centimetres away from his throat.

"What do YOU know about honour?" Han pressed out between clenched teeth. He really didn't want to die. But as much as the prospect of leaving his wife and his children behind hurt, the fact that the face that sneered so evilly at him was the one of his brother-in-law hurt ten times more.

"End it. Slice." He hissed, strangely relieved that soon, he would not have too see the face of the person he cared so much for caught in this expression of pure evil. He would be spared from a life that would have him observe how his best friend was obliterated by a creature that lusted to kill.

Liin observed him carefully, almost studying him, and surprised him by shutting down his lightsaber.

"It would pain him, wouldn't it?"

Han frowned: "What?"

"Skywalker. It would pain him to know that I have killed you with HIS lightsaber. I know his memories. He protected you with it. Often."

The Corellian refused to answer this one, trying to not move at all. He to keep in mind that this was a predator. There were rules to follow if you faced a predator. Rules that would perhaps not save your life but extend it a little longer.

For a long while, Liin hefted his gaze on the Corellian, icy eyes heavy with thought. Finally, he broke into a broad, sadistic smile.

"What do you think would pain him more?" With a flicker of his thumb, the green blade hummed to live once again, sizzling at Han's throat. "If I kill you with his lightsaber or..."

Han couldn't help but yelp surprised when he was lifted in the air effortlessly, hovering about a meter over the yorik coral floor. A soft touch - like wind - was what he felt at his throat and he needed just that to understand what was going on.

"... or if I kill you with the Force?"

Bile rose in Han's throat. Never before had he felt that he was looking at evil itself. Even the Emperor had had something like a soul. Although it had probably not been often, but SOMETIMES Palpatine had thought about other things than killing. Han was sure of that. But this...

"What kind of creature are you?" he spat out, his voice trembling. He almost hoped that Luke could not witness this.

Laughter sounded from Liin's throat, a deep, growling laughter.

*~~

It would be so simple. This infidel was helpless and it would be delicious to show Skywalker what he had done with his body later. Oh yes. The Jedi would wither under this. It would be delighting to make him suffer while he was eradicated bit by bit from what was once his.

|Compassion was a stranger for Liin. Skywalker had not succeeded in defending his soul. Thus, the Slayer had every right to take it. Who didn't oppose him was vanquished. Who did mostly, too.

- Liin! What is taking you so long? We aare in a hurry! -

As much as he longed to kill, there was no question about disobeying his Master. With an indignant, almost sad huff, he flung the infidel through the corridor with the help of this strange energy they all called Force and turned.

Later. He would have enough time to track this vermin down. And perhaps until then, he'd know about a more delighting way to kill him.

*~~

Han picked himself up from the floor. Liin was gone. Of course there was only one way he could have gone, but the Corellian was far too shaken to follow him this very moment.

He could not fathom why the other one had let him go. Han had been sure that he would die the next minute. It hadn't happened. He didn't know whether he was glad or not.

"Han? Han?"

The former space pirate spun around, seeing his wife, accompanied by Mara, Miiram and Khaleeh.

Leia caught his being shaken immediately.

"What?"

Before he could answer, Mara was in front of him, seizing him by the shoulders and staring up at him. "Han, where's Luke?"

"He... that was not Luke. He wanted to kill me."

Leia averted her eyes, her hands clenched into fists, while Mara's eyes grew only darker. He could see a storm of rage brewing in her.

"Where is he?"

Han gestured towards the curve the corridor made. For a moment, the small group of beings remained silent. They didn't know what means of defence Mezhan Kwaad had. They also didn't know whether they would succeed in bringing Luke back to his senses once they found Liin Kwaad.

Finally, Mara gripped her lightsaber a little stronger and led the way around the curve.

They had expected several things, some bad, some not so. But they hadn't expected what they found. Around the curve, the corridor stopped. There was but a solid wall. And Luke was gone.

*~~

Mezhan Kwaad smiled. Hadn't she predicted that sooner or later, it would come down to just her and Skywalker?

It had come exactly as she had planned.

Gesturing towards her laboratory, she followed the human as he kneeled down in the circle she conducted all her manipulations in. He knew exactly what to do and where.

This was Skywalker's body, but in the eyes, she could see her creation. Liin Kwaad. The Slayer.

"He could come out during the procedure." She warned, readying some of her coral tools.

"I'm prepared."

Mezhan grinned and affectionately traced the cheekbone of the human.

"Of course you are."

| To Be Continued |

-----------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 18
-----------------------------------------------------

NC-17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Republic Ship Ralroost, Edge Of The Coruscant System
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sir, we're out of the range of their long range weapons for now." A collective sigh went through the bridge of the Bothan Assault Cruiser as the navigation officer's voice announced this fact.

General Wedge Antilles allowed himself a small smile at that.

"Are they pursuing, Lieutenant?"

"Not yet, Sir."

"That's something. Keep course onto the moons."

"The calm before the storm." Jedi Knight Corran Horn murmured. Standing next to Wedge in the heightened command circle of the General, the Corellian's gaze was firmly hefted on the display of the Coruscant system that hovered in the air in front of him.

"Will you stop depressing my crew and continue calculating the coordinates I wanted to have?" Wedge hissed, shooting him an annoyed sideway glance.

"They don't need anyone to depress them, Wedge."

Ignoring his former subordinate, the General turned to the communications station that was at his private disposal.

"Wes, do you copy?

Although the Ralroost's communication officer would have been perfectly capable of handling the comm traffic between the Cruiser and the starfighter squadrons, Wedge preferred to always have an open, coded channel to the highest ranking officer out in space, just to hear the point of view of someone who was in the middle of chaos.

Being a pilot himself - even if off-duty at the moment - he knew exactly that sometimes it was better to look at things from within than from without.

"At your service, General." A mock-reserved voice answered.

Wedge grimaced, shaking his head while Corran chuckled softly behind him. "He'll never forgive you that you don't let him shoot back."

"Wes, status report."

"We've got five pilots out in space and one dead."

Corran's fingers that had been flying over a datapad halted and he glanced over to his fellow Corellian. Wedge's brown eyes were full of sorrow, but his face remained serene.
In face of their enemy, one single kill was amazing and just another witness to the fact that Leia had only ordered state-of-the-art squadrons to fly cover for her delegation.

"Yuuzhan Vong kill?" the General queried, being aware of all the eyes that were resting on him at the moment. The bridge was not able to hear what Wes said, but by watching their commanding officer's face, they could very well guess of which nature the report was.

"Indirectly. His starboard wings were burned away, he lost control and plunged headfirst into a coralskipper. The Vong pilot is extravehicular, as far as I know."

Anger and resentment was burning all too clearly in Wes Janson's voice and for a moment, Wedge had to close his eyes. He could very well understand his friend's emotions, but he had - as all of them - to keep in mind the larger scope of this whole disaster.

If this escalated into an all-out space battle, the peace treaty was done for. The war with the Yuuzhan Vong would begin anew and thousands would loose their lives. As terrible as it felt to think this way, this one death had been tolerable. Should his plan work, it would be the last one for today.

"Sir, there is a communication. Yuuzhan Vong."

Wedge straightened, glancing over at his Jedi companion. Corran merely shrugged and returned his attention to the datapad. If he hadn't done so, Wedge would have him ordered to do it. The coordinates were crucial.

Looking over to his communications officer, the former Rogue Squadron leader queried: "You're working on the connection to the coordinator of the orbital mirrors?"

The young man nodded.

"Good. Patch him through."

Drawing a deep breath, Wedge stepped in front of the tiny villip Leia had given him for such occasions. For the Vong ethic forbid it to them to take anything mechanical into their living ships and the New Republic military knew no such restrictions, it had been agreed upon that the fleet's ships would be equipped with the alien creatures.

Living in small boxes of yorik coral, the villips never had to even touch any transparisteel or plasteel. For them, it was like living on a Vong ship.

The face that greeted Wedge was, as he had come to grow accustomed to, heavily distorted and sneered more than angry at him.

"Infidel, we demand to know why you attacked the Supreme Overlord's worldship."

"My name is General Antilles. Whom do I speak to?"

It was a gamble, he knew that. Wedge hadn't had exactly much contact with Yuuzhan Vong. Pure instinct let him choose the haughtier, arrogant reproach. He had the feeling the deference and explanations wouldn't really strike home with the aliens. Especially when he took into account that this one had probably never had contact with any human being.

"Admiral Reo Ku. Why did you attack the Supreme Overlord's worldship and his escort?"

"We didn't attack either him or his escort."

"If you think you can play me for a fool, infidel, you're wrong. State your reasons and prepare to die."

Well, that wasn't going as he had hoped, though, as the corellian general mused, definitely as he had expected.

"I can just tell you that you're mistaken, Reo Ku. I'm sorry that we meet under these circumstances. I will not endanger the treaty and won't let my people be hurt for something they didn't. I suggest you contact your superior on the worldship and get yourself a picture of what is going on. Antilles out."

With that, he heeded the villip no further attention and turned to Corran.

"They're beginning to pursue us, Sir! We haven't reached the moons! What shall we do!"

"Fly faster." Wes Janson's voice suggested in a sickly-sweet tone, drawing some chuckles out of the colleagues of the nervous, young officer who had asked this question.

The General ignored this little dialogue and instead caught the green gaze of his fellow Corellian. "Well?"

"Positive."

"Excellent. Navigation? Do I have the connection to the Mirror Chief now?"

"Yes, Sir. Speak whenever you're ready."

"Mirror Chief?" Corran murmured, now stepping next to his friend into the sensory area of the communication system.

"Corran, I really can't remember you ever being THAT annoying before."

The Jedi chuckled: "You've just forgotten."

Wedge made a face at him, then smoothed his features and resumed a reasonably serious expression when the drowsy face of a bald-headed human appeared on the screen.

"My name is Wedge Antilles. Am I talking to Captain Orid Wya?"

Brown eyes blinked irritated, their owner gaping baffled at the man whose head he saw hover in front of him in the air.

"Ye..es."

"You're in charge of the orbital mirrors around Coruscant?"

"Umm. General Antilles, Sir. I don't understand.. What."

"You really don't have to. Simply answer. Now." Wedge's stare was unemotional and he tried his best to push the fact that his people were being pursued while ordered not to fight back out of his head.

"Well, yes."

"Good. In a matter of seconds, you will receive a set of coordinates and calculations. Please check them double and take care that the mirrors are at the right places when my fleet is arriving."

"Er. sure."

"Oh, and you might want to tell civilian traffic to get out of the way."

---------------------------
New Republic Ferry
---------------------------

Feria Bel'asca was biting her lower lip that hard that she wondered whether it already bled. The young Lorrdian woman had enrolled on Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy seven years before and had been knighted only recently.

She had been proud that Master Skywalker had chosen her to accompany his sister, President Organa Solo, to the meeting with Supreme Overlord Shimrra.
To know that the Jedi Master had so much trust in her and her abilities had been a welcome caress for her ego and she had planned this to become a perfect day, with perfect Jedi behaviour.

Little had she known how very Jedi she would have to be in reality. Glancing behind her, she noted that the imposing Supreme Overlord hadn't budged a bit, even while she was flying evasive manoeuvres.

His right hand - or perhaps claw would be a more appropriate term - firmly grasped the back of her seat and his eyes were hefted forward.

Feria had always been a fairly skilled pilot. She was by no means good enough to get into a starfighter, but for ferries like this it did and that well.
Granted, she had never had to search a way through plasma shooting coralskippers before, but there was a first time for everything.

Sending the ship into a starboard dive, she once again stole a glance at the Yuuzhan Vong behind her. One of the reasons Master Skywalker had wanted her to be on this worldship was because of her natural ability to read a being's gestures and mimic and interpret it.

As it was common with Lorrdians, they were especially fit for such tasks and therefore appreciated diplomats and mediators.
In the past weeks, Feria had studied as much Yuuzhan Vong recordings as she could get her hands onto and she had thought that she was fairly capable of interpreting their movements.

Unfortunately, Supreme Overlord Shimrra had contradicted this assumption fairly quickly. His face was that heavily distorted and that unmoving that she couldn't even begin to fathom what he was thinking about.

"Is that far enough?" Her accompany Mak Sofria, an Ishi Tib, asked with a tad of impatience in his voice. The question was directed at the Supreme Overlord and although he hadn't yet taken a look at the alien, Shimrra seemed to be very well aware of it.

"Not yet, Jeedai."

"Your people are pursuing our people. This is going to be narrow." The Ishi Tib commented, his voice quivering only a little bit with annoyance. He was, like her, a full fledged night and as such had to suppress impatience. Yet, in such a situation, Feria doubted even Master Skywalker could reprimand his pupil.

Shimrra didn't deign to reply to this. Feria pushed the thrusters a little harder and sped after the two fleets that were racing towards the planet and its moons.

She had no idea what General Antilles had in mind, but she hoped it would work. And that soon.

-----------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Worldship Hiis El
------------------------------------------------

Mezhan Kwaad was satisfied with herself. Immensely satisfied. Everything had gone according to her plan. The infidels had succeeded in delaying her schemes a little bit, but they hadn't been able to thwart them.

"Master, can I help you?"

Her apprentice, Nen Yim, stood in one corner of the laboratory, curiously eyeing the human man that sat in the shaping circle, mute and waiting.
The Master Shaper knew that the younger woman was eager to prove herself and even more eager to make up for her treason.

The foolish girl had thought that she would not recognise by whom Miiram Shimrra had been warned of the assassination attempt. The most amazing thing was, even though she now had seen that Mezhan Kwaad was not played with, she still allowed herself illusions.

The Master Shaper wouldn't accept an apprentice that had turned out to be a traitor to her. Not in the long run. The only reason Nen Yim was still alive was the fact that she needed her. She had to concentrate on Liin now, couldn't spare any second to take care of Skywalker's infidel friends.

They were out there, searching for their precious Jedi Master. She didn't really think that they'd be able to figure out where they were, yet, she wasn't willing to take any unnecessary risks either.

Therefore, someone had to keep watching the entrance to the laboratory. Someone had to be able to operate the defence animals she had shaped and grown into her beloved, little craft.
This someone was Nen Yim.

"No, Apprentice. This is a protocol to ancient and complicate for someone of your skills. With due time, and enough ambition, you'll be able to conduct it. Not today."

Disappointment flickered over the girls face, but she bore herself well. "I see. What can I do, Master?"

"Make sure we're not disturbed."

When Yim nodded, Mezhan turned away from her and concentrated once again on the human in front of whom she still kneeled.

"You know what I'll have to do, Liin."

He met her gaze openly, his blue eyes cold and expressionless. The Slayer wasn't afraid of pain. Fright and panic were foreign concepts to him. He had not been made to feel them, so he didn't.

"Yes."

"Lay down." She ordered, giving the row of tools that laid on the floor beside her a last, careful glance. Everything was ready to go. It had been for the previous hour, while she had impatiently and eagerly awaited her creation to come to her.

The human obeyed, stretching out on the yorik coral war, placing his wrists and his ankles at the exact right points. The second they touched the floor, they were bound by a membrane organism, similar to drev-membrane, that laid itself around them.

She knew Liin was prepared for Skywalker to make some attempts to regain control over his body and thoughts. Mezhan herself doubted that the Jeedai would manage any opposition to be taken seriously, but she couldn't be absolutely sure of it.
Better to take some unnecessary precautions than to have to injure him seriously in order to keep him from going loose in here.

Mezhan Kwaad was by no means a defenceless woman, but this human was a dangerous warrior, even if Liin Kwaad did not possess his body. She surely didn't intend to let herself be killed by him.

Taking a sharp coral knife into her hand, she robbed closer to her dear Slayer. For a moment, she almost regretted that he was not Yuuzhan Vong. Pity that a being so wonderful as Liin had to be trapped in a shell so despicable.

His eyes were hefted on the ceiling and he didn't budge, even as she set the tip of the knife on his cheekbone, directly below his right eye.

For months, she had exercised those cuts. For any outsider, they looked so simple, yet they were a very delicate matter. She mustn't cut too deep, so as not to actually hurt the bone. The perfect cut for this protocol would have the tip of the knife halt just above the bone and the resulting gash would be exactly what her seeds needed.

Upon seeing Liin's reaction, Mezhan couldn't help but feel warm pride engulf her heart. She had him set up well. It had been tricky to conduct the whole first stage of the protocol under the nose of Priestess Elan.

The young Yuuzhan Vong woman had been annoyingly focused on Luke Skywalker. Kwaad had never understood what the other had seen in Luke Skywalker, for it had been clear that Elan had chosen the Jeedai Master not so much because of his might, but because of his appearance.

Heretic. That was what Elan had been. The Master Shaper smirked evilly. Her own people considered her to be a heretic. But they wouldn't for long anymore. As soon as she could present the Slayer to them, they would have to acknowledge that she was the ultimate Shaper. SHE was the first in decades to be able to conduct this protocol, the first to actually dare it. SHE would be the one that would give their caste what it deserved.

Not a single muscle in Liin's body twitched as the knife slid along the bone, carefully avoiding touching it, only severing skin and flesh. When she had arrived next to his nose, she carefully withdrew the coral blade and inspected her work.

A clean, slim, perfectly shaped cut. Still smiling, Mezhan blindly extended a hand and took a small, white coloured coral seed out of a yorik pod she had set side with her tools.

Although her Slayer was still doing admirably in accepting and thriving on the pain and shielding it at the same time from Skywalker's presence, his real test would come now. Because the pain of the cut was nothing in comparison to what would assault him now.

The human body went stiff when she pushed the small, round seed into the gash, pressing it firmly onto the bone below. Blue eyes narrowed and full lips were pressed to thin lines, but still no sound left his mouth.

Mezhan ignored the obvious signs of pain and set the knife anew to work, this time on the other cheek of the human. The seeds were the first stage of purging the annoying Jeedai Lord out of this body.

Combined with the other thing she had in mind, Skywalker would stand no chance. His mind would perish, once and for all.

Soon, she could fish the next coral seed out of the small coral pod. Now, the pain would get not only bad, but excruciating. She hoped Liin would be able to keep the true owner of this body at bay. Though she trusted into the strength of her creation, she could never be sure.

In the past days, she had come to see that Skywalker was not to be underestimated and it'd be better to not assume too much. She had already committed a mistake while she had made a superficial familiar out of him. Mezhan was ashamed of herself that he had been able to break free of her conditioning as easily as he had.

It wouldn't happen this time. Determinedly, she pushed the second seed into the gash, pressing it hard onto the bone, harder than she had pressed the other one.

A scream tore out of the slender human's throat, shrill and pain-filled. Even before she actually focused on his face, she knew that she had made the right decision in restraining him.

*~~

A hot, white flash of agony seared through the blackness that had held him and it tore apart to drop him into complete disorientation.

Sensations assaulted him, too many to take them all in at once. The most prominent of them was a burning ache in his face that kept him from opening his eyes the second awareness returned to him. In fact, it felt as if his eyeballs might just fall out if he opened his lids.

Trying in vain to battle the pain down with the Force, he tried to take in his surroundings with eyes closed as best he could. He was laying on his back, his arms and legs secured firmly. The scent of fresh blood filled his nostrils, making him almost gag. It mixed with another scent, a scent he knew all too well.

Yorik coral. He was in a room made of yorik coral. And he was restrained. Panic crept into his heart when his brain drew the obvious conclusions.

No. No, it couldn't be. It simply couldn't be. He had been safe. With Mara, with Leia, with Han. How did he come to be here?

It couldn't be. It was a nightmare. Just another nightmare. It was not real. It MUSTN'T be real.

Another searing flash of agony made him gasp and, involuntarily, his eyes flung open. He was greeted by a sight that made him freeze in absolute horror.

"Welcome home, Jeedai." Mezhan Kwaad grinned at him.

"No.." It was a weak croak, nothing more, when Luke shook his head in denial. This couldn't be true. He would waken soon, shaken by Mara and she would soothe him and tell him it all had been a dream. Just a dream.

Mezhan Kwaad cackled, laying her pincer finger onto his chin. Her cold, green eyes met his straight on and twinkled in obvious delight.

"Oh yes, my dear. Oh yes. Aren't you glad to see me again?"

Panting, Luke forced himself to not flinch away from her gaze. He wouldn't show her how afraid he was. He wouldn't give her this satisfaction. Yet, concentrating was difficult. He felt like trapped in a haze.

His memory was blank. How did he come to be here? Where WAS here?

For a short, terrible moment, Luke feared that everything had been nothing but a dream. His rescue, Chandrila. his baby. Had it been a hallucination, born from delirium, while Kwaad had tortured him? Had he never left this terrible place? Her laboratory?

"Oh, don't worry, you have. Unfortunately. But you won't be here for long anymore."

Absurd hope surged forward in his heart, if only for the fraction of a second. Of course she didn't mean that she'd let him go. Fear, cold, desperate fear made his thoughts slow and sluggish, but finally, after a seeming eternity, he succeeded in getting words out of his mouth.

"I will not succumb to Liin." After pausing to catch his breath, he added: "I can bear the pain, Kwaad."

The Master Shaper nodded, smiling, and bent closer to him: "Of course you can, Jeedai. But can you bear the memory of it, too?"

Grinning evilly, she laid her hand into his neck and lifted it just a little bit. Narrowed eyes stayed focused on her face, filled with fear as well as determination. If it came to stubbornness, he didn't lack anything of Liin. A fact that made it all the more amusing to break him.

With uttermost delight, Mezhan held her pincer finger in front of the Jeedai's eyes. "You didn't think I wouldn't rely on other means to make you obey?" she asked innocently.

Luke stared at it, panic finally seizing him completely. The world swam around him, coldness reached into every single muscle of his body. Everything would repeat itself. The membrane, the hole. the pain.

Before he could get a hold of himself, Luke cried out in terror, his body wriggling in its restraints with the sole purpose of fleeing, of getting away from the monster that had inhabited his nightmares and sprung to life once again.

And in this very moment, another presence, that had thoroughly underestimated the power of pain before, stroke again.

*~~

They had almost given up the search in this corridor. The small group of beings had gone through it again and again, had reconstructed the past hour meticulously. Every step of Solo had been retraced. It had only left one direction in which Luke could have gone. But this direction led only to a dead end.

Desperation had seized the human members of the group when it had become obvious that they had lost him. They couldn't fathom where he had gone. Neither his sister nor his wife could feel him.

"I saw him go in here." Han murmured. His complexion was paler than usual, almost a sickly grey. For all he knew, Luke could long be with Mezhan Kwaad. Liin had gone there for a purpose. There was no telling what the Shaper would do to his friend to ensure that the Slayer would stay prominent. That Luke would perish totally.

Leia carefully took his right hand into hers. Her eyes were dull, duller than he had ever seen them, yet she managed to give him a small half-smile. "It's not your fault, Han."

Although he appreciated the gesture and loved her for thinking at him when her heart obviously ached for her brother, Han was thrown into a fit of intense anger.

Making himself free of his wife, he shook his head defiantly: "No. I lost him. I should have gone after him. I should have."

Before he could finish his sentence, a cry tore through the glum stillness of the dimly lit yorik coral corridor. The familiarity of the voice made them all spun around, staring at the solid wall behind them.

For a seeming eternity, they stared onto it. They had tested it with careful knocks - it sounded as massive as all the other walls in the vicinity. Luke couldn't be anywhere behind it, could he? Yet, they had all heard the cry. There was no chance Han could have just imagined it.

Another cry permeated the air, louder - terrified. Suddenly he felt Leia stumble beside him. Her hands flew to her face, clasping her cheeks, and her eyes widened in terror.

"Noooo!" That was Mara's voice.

Han turned his head just in time to see the redhead throw herself onto the yorik coral wall, her lightsaber cutting deep into it. Fury and fear showed on her beautiful face, while she shouted her husband's name repeatedly.
After exchanging befuddled glances, both Miiram Shimrra and Khaleeh Lah joined the ex-Emperor's Hand in her task, their amphistaffs cutting neatly through the yorik coral.

*~~

'Go back to sleep, Skywalker!'

The voice was deep, growling and downright dripping with evil. His first instinct was to back away from it, but how could he?

Desperation reined his thoughts when he opened his eyes, staring right into the face of the being he feared most in this universe. He was barely ware of the hoarse cries of panic that left his throat, was barely aware of his body straining against the material that held it on the cold yorik coral floor.

All he saw was this face that smiled at him, so sinister and yet so genuine, the pincer that was held in front of his eyes, so that he couldn't do anything but look directly at it.
Reflexively, he pressed his eyes shut again, only to be immediately assaulted by the other voice again. It was not Mezhan's voice. It was male.

'Go back to sleep, little Jeedai. This is my place. Not yours anymore.'

It was tempting. All too tempting. He was tired, so tired, and if he listened to the voice, he wouldn't have to face Mezhan Kwaad anymore. No pain, no fear, no complications. Just peace. Forever. Eternal calm.

'Yes. Don't worry about anything. I'll take care of it all for you. Just go back to sleep.'

Though he didn't really want to, Luke couldn't help but succumb slowly to this voice. Dimly, he felt how his head sank back onto the floor, heard the laughter of the Master Shaper, but half of him didn't really care anymore.

This half of him simply wanted to sleep. It didn't matter that Liin would take control. There was no point in fighting anymore. All he would get out of fighting was pain. Horrific pain. Everything would happen anew. The hole, the membrane. But if he slept.. If he slept, everything would be fine.

While he sank deeper into oblivion once again, a small part of Luke Skywalker tried desperately to cling to the Force.

*~~

At first it had been almost inaudible a hum. So low and soft that Nen Yim had completely missed it. She had been riveted on what was going on back in the shaping circle. Only when it had been already too late had she noticed the impending doom.

A huge chunk of yorik coral had crippled to the floor next to her and behind her, causing her to stumble some steps into the room.

When she had turned around, shocked and surprised, she had stared straight into the eyes of Miiram Shimrra, the daughter of the Supreme Overlord.

For a moment, she had been too stunned to move. Conflicting emotions raced through her soul. She was loyal to her race, loyal to Supreme Overlord Shimrra. Had always been. Yet, the main loyalty of a Shaper apprentice had to lay with his or her Master. It was an unwritten law and if there was anything Nen Yim had incorporated more than the culture of her race than it was the code of the Shapers.

Pressing her lips together, meeting the stare of her lord's daughter, she shouted a warning that was a command at the same time. A command that activated the self-defence animals Mezhan Kwaad had had installed in her ship.

Inexplicable tears stinging in her eyes, Nen Yim turned and ran.

*~~

The moment they had pushed through the wall, things had begun to happen too fast for anyone to comprehend. It was filed away in subconscious memory and clear understanding would only come later to the ones involved.

Mara barely acknowledged the petite, young Yuuzhan Vong woman when she entered what was, as she assumed, Mezhan Kwaad's secret laboratory. That was probably Nen Yim. She saw her stumble away, deeper into the ship, in the direction out of which the cries had come.

When the girl had left the anteroom the small group stood in, a buzzing began to fill it immediately.

"Thud bugs." Khaleeh Lah growled, bringing his amphistaffs in front of his face.

"And razor bugs." Miiram added, mirroring his movements and putting herself back to back with him.

The three humans eyed their Yuuzhan Vong companions for a moment, unsure whether they should proceed without them. Mara sought the gaze of her friend and received a grim nod.

"Go look for your mate. We'll handle that."

With grateful nods, Han, Leia and Mara proceeded to follow Nen Yim.

"I didn't know you have an amphistaff. Yet another heresy." Khaleeh growled in Yuuzhan Vong as the two of them were alone, with only about three dozen of bugs to keep them company.

"If you can convince me that you would like me to have none at the moment, I will immediately back out of the bonding."

"Why your father hasn't yet executed or sacrificed you is beyond me."

"It is beyond him, too." Miiram snickered.

With a grunt that could be interpreted as the poor attempt to stifle laughter, her betrothed charged as the first of the bugs made a go at them.

*~~

The sight that greeted Mara was pure horror. Deep, seething rage cursed through her veins as she took in the scene and it took all her will to keep herself from giving in to the Dark Side. Never in her life had she felt its call as strong as now.

The laboratory was a vast hall, filled with all possible yorik coral jars that contained things impossible to identify. Off to the far left corner of the room, there was a big, round blotch of lighter coral and in this blotch she found her husband, the tall, lean form of the Master Shaper bent over him.

He was bound to the floor by a dark-blue shimmering materiel. Blood streamed down his face, fresh and dark red. He didn't move and no sound came from his lips anymore.

A couple of meters ahead of them, the girl, Nen Yim, stumbled to her Mistress, though the warning came definitely too late.

Her lightsaber humming reassuringly in her hand, Mara barked a short: "Han!", confidant that her brother-in-law would understand.
Upon seeing that Leia was expertly seizing Nen Yim by her left wrist and twisting her arm around, leading her away from the Master Shaper, Mara threw herself onto Mezhan Kwaad without even bothering to shout her rage into the Yuuzhan Vong's face.

*~~

Han was next to his brother-in-law in a couple of quick, fast steps. Mara wouldn't have needed the command. The Corellian had seen the fury in her eyes and had known immediately that she would go for the Master Shaper. There was no way to prevent that and if he was honest, he didn't really want to either.

Mezhan Kwaad would only get what she had deserved. Han had often admired Luke for the way he was able to deal with things like rage, lust for revenge and fury, but he had never allowed himself the illusion to be able to imitate that.

Kneeling down next to Luke, his own hatred for the Master Shaper multiplied. The vast amount of blood that was trickling down his face stemmed, as Han could see now, from two deep, but clean cut gashes on his cheeks.

Had this witch tortured him? Or did these injuries have a deeper sense?

His questions were answered when he cupped Luke's cheek, feeling the hot liquid stream over his hands, and saw a small white ball in either of them.
Recognising this as the slave seeds he knew so well from the slaves they had freed from the Yuuzhan Vong, Han swore vehemently.

Hurrying, he buried his thumb and index finger as carefully as he could in the gash on the younger man's left cheek and securely grasped the seat. The Corellian just hoped that it hadn't yet connected too closely with the bone below. Otherwise, they would have to get Luke to a surgeon, and that quick.

To his relief, he had no problems getting it out. Small tendrils already extended from the underside of the seed, bloody and think, but they were too short. The seed was new.

He repeated the procedure with the other cheek, drawing a groan out of the prone form of his friend. This wound had obviously been inflicted upon him before the other, for it was already tighter and in the first stages of growing together.

Having taken care of the second slave seed, Han cupped Luke's face, shaking it a little. Luke's eyes fluttered open and closed and the Corellian could glimpse nothing but white in them.
His friend had to be in excruciating pain and Han's stomach protested at the mere thought of it.

"Luke? Luke, come on. You hear me. Show me that you hear me."

*~~

Another voice intruded into his head. At first, he had wanted it to just shut up. Drifting slowly into sleep, loosing more and more of the pain, was a wonderful sensation and he didn't intend to let it be spoiled by either Liin or Mezhan Kwaad.

But then, slowly, he had registered that this was not a voice of either of the Yuuzhan Vong. It was a voice that awoke pleasant memories in him, pleasant feelings of security, friendship and love.

"Luke? Luke. on. me. show. hear me."

It drifted in and out of his awareness, together with the pain. And it did something else. It strengthened him.
A part of him didn't want to listen to it. Pain was linked to this voice. Listening to it, obeying to it meant accepting more pain. He didn't want that. And yet.

Luke felt the Force surge through him the next time the voice formed a word he could understand and he knew, all of a sudden, that he had to fight. There were people out there who trusted him. They wouldn't want him to give up. He couldn't let Liin win. He had to bear the pain. He had to. For them.

*~~

Han had repeated his calls, desperately, stubbornly telling himself that it would help Luke to fight. And now that these blue eyes he knew so well fluttered open finally and stared at him, pain-filled but awake, the Corellian released a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding.

"Luke!" he exclaimed relieved.

"Han. the bonds." the Jedi Master's voice was strained. Those gashes had to still be painful and it was obvious that he had to concentrate immensely to stay awake.

"Sure. In a minute, kid." Han pulled his old, trusted vibro blade out of his boot and began to cut the jelly-like organism away from Luke's wrists. They were raw and a little bloody. Obviously, he had strained against them in panic.

Han swallowed a little, lifting his head to ask Luke whether he had been hurt anywhere else than in his face, and immediately slapped him lightly when he saw that the younger man was about to doze off again.

"Luke, talk to me. I want to have YOU with me, not Liin."

"Don't worry. I'm with you." Luke assured him, smiling feebly. He felt tired and drained, weary to the bone. And sleepy. He didn't deny it. Liin fought to come back. But he wouldn't let him. He had him under control. Luke didn't know what had changed, but something had and he was glad about it.

*~~

"Tell me one reason not to kill you." Mara growled. Mezhan Kwaad crouched in front of her, pressed to the wall, a small line of blood trickling down her nose. She had not been a helpless victim for Mara, but had had nothing that had prevented the ex-Emperor's Hand from nailing her down on the long run. Especially not with the determination cursing through the redhead's veins.

"Your culture is despicable, infidel. How can you even think at mercy for me? After what I did to your precious mate?" The Master Shaper smiled at her, still no trace of fear showing on her alien face. Almost as if she still thought to win.

Mara allowed herself a feral grin and brought the tip of her blue energy blade close to the other woman's throat. "You're so right, Kwaad."

Mezhan inclined her head, her smile broadening. "I am pleased to see that you seem to be an infidel with less heretic scruples."

The ex-Emperor's Hand simply glared at her, then turned her head towards the shaping circle. "Luke?" she queried, while she witnessed how her husband sat up carefully. Han was still at work on his right foot, grumbling curses at the sticky materiel.

Blood was still streaming down his face, but the Jedi Master nodded: "I'm all right. A little woozy, but that's the blood loss."

Relief poured through Mara as she refocused on the Master Shaper that still crouched in front of her, seemingly subdued. Why, though, did her eyes still shine with this light Mara had come to associate with the beginnings of madness over the years?

"You think you've won, Jeedai. But you know nothing."

That was Nen Yim's voice. The petite girl was held firmly by Leia, who was a little smaller than her even, yet better trained and far more determined. The brown eyes of the Princess rested on her brother, full of worry and love.

Mezhan Kwaad laughed at the words of her apprentice and regarded Mara with open mirth: "You know, infidel, she may be a traitor to me in certain regards, but this time, she is definitely right."

Cackling a little bit, she peered through Mara's legs at Luke, who was crouched low at the moment in order to give Han easier access to the living bond that still held his right foot. His face was hidden in his hands, both to stop the bleeding and ease the pain of the cuts.

She sneered something in Yuuzhan Vong, earning herself a vicious kick into her stomach by Mara.

The ex-Emperor's Hand had already opened her mouth to fling an insult at the Master Shaper, when she was interrupted by another cry, this time uttered by Leia. It was even articulated, just an expression of utter shock and Mara spun around just in time to see Han pick himself up from the floor about three meters away from where he had previously worked on freeing Luke's foot.

Her gaze immediately settling on her husband, she felt herself go numb. Everything seemed to go on in slow motion while she watched as Luke increased the power of Han's vibro-blade. An absurd grin plastered on his face, he gripped the weapon harder and prepared to thrust it into his own heart.

"Luke, no!"

| To Be Continued |
----------------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 19
----------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Worldship Hiis El
------------------------------------------------

Mara acted on pure reflex. There was no other way to react at this moment. Reason, conscious thought - this didn't work if you looked into the face of your husband, the man you loved, grimacing in cruel delight. If you saw how his hand gripped a vibro blade that would spear right through his heart, killing him instantly if you didn't DO something.

So, Mara acted on pure instinct, stretching out with the Force, pushing through all automatic barriers her husband had ever erected in his life.
Liin Kwaad was theoretically able to use the might the Jedi could connect to, but he was untrained, unaccustomed to it. He would need exercise and time to fine-tune his Yuuzhan Vong senses to something as foreign to them as the Force.

Never had she done something like this. When she had put him to sleep, in the evening, to shield him from the Slayer, she had never touched Luke's barriers. She had merely comforted him, enveloped his spirit, lulled it to deep sleep and watched over it.

Now... it was something completely different. She mowed his mental walls down, roughly, unceremoniously. There was no time to pay attention to the sickening feeling this action created in her. Did she hurt him? Would this have any permanent effect on him?

Mara couldn't answer these questions. No one had ever done something similar to her, no one had described it to her. She prayed that she didn't injure his soul in any way. What was more, she prayed that it work at all.

'Hold it!'

The hand holding the vibro-blade stopped suddenly, hovering in the air, the humming weapon far enough away from its target to be considered harmless for the moment.

"By the Force." The soft voice belonged to Leia. Pale faced, she stared at her brother whose face now bored an expression of helpless fury. Blue eyes, burning with rage, stared at Mara and a sneer disgraced the youthful features.

"Release me. Now."

The ex-Emperor's Hand clenched her hands to fist. Not even the voice resembled her husband anymore. Deep and growling, it reminded her quite a lot at Tsavong Lah's baritone.

"I don't think so."

"RELEASE ME!" the shout echoed through the room, the Jedi Master's whole body beginning to shake as the Slayer tried to do what he had been told to do.

Mara grinned at him, humourlessly, barely aware of the fact that Han had pushed himself on his feet and was coming over to her and Leia, rubbing his neck and limping slightly.

"What kind of a feeling is it, to be trapped in a body that doesn't obey to you?" she asked, tightening her mental hold on him.

Feeling his efforts counteracted even stronger, the Slayer's eyes narrowed to slits: "You will die for this, infidel."

"No." Mara shook her head. "No, Liin Kwaad, YOU will die for what you did to my husband."

For a moment that stretched into minutes, blue eyes met green ones. The female Jedi Master's heart contracted painfully - there was no emotion but hate and seething rage in those crystal blue orbs. No trace of her husband. Did he still live? What had happened to him? HOW exactly was she going to push the Slayer out of his mind? Was there a possibility at all to make him retreat?

Mara's mind reeled with those questions. For the moment, Luke was safe, if he lived. But she couldn't stand here forever. Something had to happen and that better sooner than later.
Having Han try to wedge the knife out of Luke's hand was out of question. She couldn't allow Liin to move a single muscle or she risked to loose control over his whole body. And then she'd loose the man she loved for good.

To reach Luke with words wouldn't work either. Whatever command Liin had received, it had overridden everything else. It was his top priority now and focused like this, he was impossible to overcome.
His power frightened her. She felt his presence - a spooky mix of alien and known, bristling with energy and might. She had him pinned down like a coiled spring. Giving the possibility, he'd kill them all in a matter of seconds.

All in all, she had one option left. Steeling herself to once again look into the eyes of the one being she hated more than anything else in this universe, she turned and stared at Mezhan Kwaad.

"Tell him to let go of the blade."

The Master Shaper grinned, leaning back against the wall and folding her hands in her lap.

"Perhaps if you beg convincingly, Jeedai."

Now it was Mara's turn to narrow her eyes. Careful not to waver in her Force hold of Luke's body, she stepped closer to the Yuuzhan Vong woman, bringing the tip of her still lit lightsaber directly at her throat.

"Does it burn already, Kwaad?"

Mezhan perched an eyebrow, her grin becoming a touch more smug. "How long do you think I go along with your play, human?"

"I wasn't aware we're playing. If that's play for you, you are going to loose. Slowly. And very painfully."

"If you dare hurting her, infidel, I'm going to..."

"You're going to shut up, that's what you're going to do." Leia interrupted Nen Yim's fiery cry, pushing her into the opposite corner and pinning her to the wall. Glancing at Mara with blazing, brown eyes, she emphasized: "Go ahead. "

The redhead nodded in appreciation and refocused on the Master Shaper: "Perhaps you don't understand my language well enough. I said tell him to drop the weapon."

Now, Mezhan Kwaad laughed. Heartily. It was a sound that seemed so grotesque giving the circumstances that Mara had trouble to keep in mind that this was real.

"I will do no such thing, Mara Jade-Skywalker. Don't you understand what's happening? It is interesting how much you underestimate my creation after living with him for so long."

"I do not underestimate him. Not anymore."

"So sure you are?" the voice of the Yuuzhan Vong Shaper had gone low and taken on a tone that conveyed deep satisfaction.

"Mara, watch out!" Once again, it was Leia who warned her, but this time, it was a fraction of a second to late. With a suddenness and power she hadn't expected, a blinding wave of Force energy crashed together over her as pain erupted in her back.

*~~

Leia had listened to the exchange between her sister-in-law and the Master Shaper quietly, thankful that her hands were occupied with holding the wrists of the young Yuuzhan Vong woman that obviously was Kwaad's apprentice.

If she hadn't to pay attention to the girl, she wouldn't know what she'd have done. To see her brother like this was terrifying. Never before had she seen him when he was Liin Kwaad. Mara had told her about it. Corran had, too. But somehow, as she now recognised, she had never believed them that the face of Luke, her dear, beloved brother, could ever look like the monster she had imagined behind the mask of Darth Vader for a large part of her youth.

Evil. Downright evil. For a moment, her eyes had met with his, with the ones of Liin Kwaad, and in this very instant, she had thought to see glee shining through the rage and fury she saw there.

'Isn't it an art to hurt without even moving?' Luke's voice had reverberated through her head, shocking her to the very core of her being.
Never had she drawn the conclusion that, with Liin being Force sensitive, he could reach out and touch her being, talk to her like only Luke could.

Frozen, nailed by ice blue windows to darkness, she had shaken her head, retreating a little bit, dragging her captive with her.
This being enjoyed torturing others. Liin Kwaad knew exactly how much it hurt her to see her brother like this - he knew it because he FELT it clearly through her Force bond.

Laughter echoed in her head when she recoiled into herself, reinforcing her shield. But whom did she try to fool? Luke had taught her how to put up those shields. He knew her. And his knowledge lay bare and unprotected there for the Slayer to use. What he did.

'Incapacitate the Jeedai woman and I will not kill Skywalker.'

Bile had risen in Leia's throat as the proposition had fleeted through her brain, whispered in a dark growl that she wouldn't have recognised as Luke's voice if she hadn't seen him right there, only two or three meters away from her.

For the smallest fraction of a second, she considered agreeing. It would be for Luke. It would be to save his life.
But her reason didn't give this thought much room. Liin was lying. The moment she'd distract Mara from what she was doing, he would retake control over her brother's body and kill him. As Mara, as Han, Leia didn't know what kind of command the Master Shaper had given to Liin, but she assumed it was kind of a suicide order.

Able to override his survival instinct. Focusing back on the known and yet so strange eyes, she understood that any way of saving himself and getting out of the situation he was in was not on his mind. His priority was to kill himself. And he would use all his resources and might to do just that.

So she had blocked him, almost completely missing the words that were spoken between her sister-in-law and Mezhan Kwaad.
Her attention still on her brother, she was the first, though, to note the change. He stopped trembling. While Mara was still talking to the one who was the brain behind the whole, devious scheme, Liin's eyes graced Leia with a fleeting look of amusement, then wandered over to the redhead.

Leia barely had time to shout a warning before she felt a vast amount of ferocious Force energy slash through the bond between Mara and Luke, annulling her control over his body and sending her staggering a couple of steps away from Mezhan Kwaad. And before Mara could gather her senses, Liin had already moved, slamming into her back.

Nen Yim, still firmly in her grasp, cheered.

*~~

It was all impossible. It just couldn't happen. Han wished fervently that all of this wasn't true. And yet, it was. And that hurt. Hurt a lot.
When Luke had opened his eyes for the first time, lying blooding and prone on the yorik coral floor, Han had thought everyone had to see on his face how relieved he was. He had seen Luke in the blue orbs, not Liin.

And then, everything had changed. Without preamble, without a warning. One moment, Han had worked on cutting the restraining goo from Luke's foot. The next he knew, he had found himself at the floor, a couple of meters away from his friend, dizzy and hurting.

Liin must have used the Force to push him out of the way. Once again, as he had done in the corridor earlier this day.

The Corellian had been helpless, trying to get air into his lungs. Unable to do anything, he had had to watch how his very own vibro-blade - a weapon he owned practically all his life - was thrust towards Luke's chest by the Jedi Master's own hands.

Han had closed his eyes, not wanting to see his friend die like this, when he had heard a deep sigh from Leia. Only then had he dared to glimpse and had been relieved to see the blade frozen in the air. Not buried in his best friend's heart.

His gaze riveted on the face he knew so well and yet couldn't recognise at the very moment, he had completely missed the exchange between Mara and Mezhan Kwaad.
And then it had happened. In a matter of seconds, something had changed in Liin. Suddenly, muscles, before tensed and quivering with the effort to move, had relaxed ever so shortly only to tense again right away - only differently.

Being unable to touch the Force, it had taken Han too long to realise what was happening as that he could have warned Mara. Fortunately, Leia was thinking quicker than he.

In a blur of motion, Liin jumped, for a moment vanishing from Han's field of view as if having disintegrated. Looking around frantically, the Corellian found him again, crouching over Mara, pressing her to the floor with the weight of his body, his hands clenched around hers. She still held his old lightsaber and with a growl of pure delight, the Slayer pressed the hilt at his chest, his finger hovering over the activator button.

Without thinking, Han threw himself onto his friend.

*~~

'No nightmare could be worse' That was what Mara thought the moment her senses returned to her and the dazzling haze that had blocked her eyes dispersed.

"Luke..." she croaked, barely getting a sound out of her throat. Shock froze her. How could she move when fear nailed her down on the floor? All her training, all her experience, all her skill were forgotten.

All she could think of was that her husband would die. Killed by a weapon SHE held in her hands. It repeated itself in her head, over and over again, deafening her, making her shake with anguish.

'You'll be the one to kill him. YOU. You will kill your husband.'

For a long moment, she was sure it was the voice of her own conscience. Only slowly, Mara became aware that these words were spoken, thought, by another presence, a dark, alien presence. The very one that had engulfed Luke and was blocking him from her now.

'Luke, please, listen to me!' She shouted desperately into the Force, trying to rouse his presence in SOME way. He couldn't be gone yet. He was just sleeping or unconscious. He COULDN'T be gone.

'He won't hear you, human."

Pressing her eyes closed, Mara stopped straining against the iron grip her husband's hands had on hers and concentrated. There was no chance she could bodily stop him from killing himself. She had to trust in Han, whom she had sensed snapping into action just seconds before, to somehow stop Liin from moving.

*~~

It was easy for about the first couple of moments. Han had caught Liin off guard and was able to drag him away from Mara. Sneaking his arms under the armpits of his friend and brutally forcing the smaller man back with him, the Corellian leant against the closest wall for support as the Slayer began to struggle.

The lightsaber fell to the floor, rolling away in the door's direction while Mara picked herself up and kneeled down in front of Luke.

"Just hold him, Han." She said, her voice unexpectedly calm.

The former space pirate snorted softly, panting from the effort to hold Luke in check. He felt muscles straining against him in helpless, complete fury and honestly didn't know how long he could indeed force his friend to sit at least relatively still. Not to speak of what would happen if Liin regained enough focus to use the Force once again.

"Sure. Whatever you say, Mara."

*~~

Mara gave Han a small smile, then shortly glanced over her shoulder. She almost gaped with surprise when she saw Nen Yim lying unconsciously on the floor and Leia training her blaster securely onto Mezhan Kwaad's face.

"What?" The Alderaanian asked, feigning innocence.

The ex-Emperor's Hand grinned: "Nothing."

Turning her head again, Mara's grin vanished as quickly as it had come. Her dream from a couple of days before came back to her as she stared at the face that was her husband's - and wasn't.

Blood was still trickling down his cheeks, though the flow was not as strong as it had been only minutes before, when they had first discovered him. As in her dream, two cold eyes glared at her, his jaw set in stubbornness and defiance.

She extended a hand, softly touching his left cheek. He growled, trying to evade her fingers.

"You haven't killed Luke yet, Liin. And you know that you're not strong enough to keep him at bay. Not without her."
She didn't even bother to gesture over to the Master Shaper, confident that the Slayer knew about whom she was talking.

"I AM stronger than the Jeedai. I'm here and he's not."

"But for how long? The Shaper wants you to kill yourself. Are you going to do that? Do you WANT to do that?"

Liin paused for a moment, his eyes searching the Master Shaper who stared at him with darkened eyes, green as a stormy sea. It was another shade than Mara's, more sombre, giving her a deeply sinister appearance.

Pressing his lips together in determination, the Slayer met Mara's gaze again. "I want what my Master tells me."

"You haven't even killed something since you're here."

"I want what my Master tells me."

Mara sighed inwardly. It didn't work. She had thought she could get him to defy Kwaad's orders, could turn him against her by showing him that she didn't care about him if he didn't server her purposes.
But he was not able to see that. Liin Kwaad was not capable of thinking at his own survival, not capable of loving himself in a way that would make him strive to avoid harm.

"I will not allow this, Liin."

He didn't reply to that. Not that Mara had actually expected him to say something. Anyone else might perhaps have backed down now. But that was another thing he just couldn't even think at. It had not been programmed into him to think at giving up.

In other words: when she'd try to reach Luke now, to find him in there, he would fight against her. But she was prepared.
As her enemy, she was determined not to give in. She wouldn't accept that her husband was taken from her. Not to serve as soldier for a crazy Master Shaper and certainly not to simply get killed because said Master Shaper thought it to be an ironic streak before getting sentenced to death.

Drawing a deep breath, Mara focused wholly onto the Force and reached out to establish a contact with the mind of the being in front of her.

Immediately, she was catapulted back to the dream landscape she already knew. Back then, the nightmare had seemed like a warning. She had been sure it was a warning. Now, faced with the present, Mara mused that perhaps she had just wanted it to be a warning. Perhaps she had subconsciously simply denied the possibility that it was a premonition.

Now, at least, it had become true, had become deadly, terrifying reality.

There was the dais and Luke lying on it, play and only weakly shimmering, his eyes closed, his features relaxed as they were when he was sleeping deeply.
The lean figure of Liin Kwaad was propped up on the edge of the stone table, watching her closely while she approached, an amused smile playing around his lips.

Everything seemed to be so real that, for a moment, Mara wondered what had become of Leia and Han. And the Master Shaper.
But of course it wasn't real. She was inside his soul, inside Luke's soul and there were the two presences that battled for control over his body.

'Luke? Luke, wake up!' She cried, her disembodied voice echoing in the vast chamber. Slowly, she made her way towards the dais, gazing back and forth between her husband and the creature that was currently in possession of his body.

The form on the stone tables stirred, faintly, but it was a movement. Could he hear her now, that she concentrated all her powers on this one link to him? She hoped it with all her heart. Nonetheless, something puzzled Mara.

In her dream, Liin Kwaad had fought against her. He had tried to keep her from reaching her husband. Now he behaved differently. When she came near him, he even rose and cautiously retreated in the direction of the dark yorik coral forest.

Retreated.....

In sudden realisation, Mara stared open mouthed at the Yuuzhan Vong warrior. She had understood that her dream had been symbolic of the situation her husband was in, but how symbolic exactly she had realised only now.

The dark yorik coral forest... it was the small part of Luke's soul in which Liin had been implanted. There it was that he had been nurtured, that he had grown and from where he had finally broken out.

But if it meant this was the exact situation her husband was in, then...

"You can't do anything, can you? As soon as he wakes up, you're done for." It was a realisation that made her heart jump in joy. She hadn't just underestimated the Slayer. In her anxiousness, her panic, she had underestimated her own husband, too.

All he needed was someone to wake him up. Vividly, she could picture how Liin Kwaad had surprised him, jumping out of this stunted forest with unexpected, newfound energy. This one command of the Yuuzhan Vong woman that had made him was destined to be just that.

The last possibility if everything else didn't work out. When the Jedi had proven to be stronger in the long run, Mezhan had activated a command that would mobilize all the might of her pet in a single, powerful outburst destined to take Luke by surprise. And it had succeeded.

Liin simply continued glaring at her, now standing behind the dais, alert but obviously unable to get into action. Mara had no doubt, though, that he had understood every word.

Smiling sweetly at him, she softly laid a hand on the still shoulder of her husband. She knew it was all an illusion. Her hand was nothing more than a disguise for her spirit that finally had found the one of Luke's again.

Relishing in the well-known feel of his presence, she basked in the feeling of calm and tried to push the dark blackness away that had enveloped him.

'Luke?'

'Mara?'

'Yes. You have to wake up from your nap now, my love.'

'She's waiting. If I sleep, she cannot hurt me.'

Mara shook her head at the reasoning. The Master Shaper truly was a genius. She had anticipated everything - every reaction of Luke. Had she seen all this while she had shaped him? Had she been able to strip him of all his defences, to see deep into him and come to know him in a way that would allow her to foresee every single reaction on the things she would confront him with?

The only answer for Mara was obvious when she felt the fear that emanated from Luke's spirit? She had been right. He was not too weak to withstand Liin. But he was scared out of his mind about what would expect him if he came out.

The violent seizing of his mind must have had side effects. Practical side effects for Mezhan Kwaad and her creation, no doubt. He had simply forgotten that he had been freed by the time Liin had attacked him again.

'She cannot hurt you when you're awake either. Remember, you were free.'

Mara felt his irritation and disbelief, as well as his slowly wakening senses. He was hesitant to believe her, and yet, he knew she wouldn't lie to him about that. His wife would not beckon him to face reality if there was hurt waiting for him.

'The laboratory... my face... the knife.. It didn't happen?'

'It happened.'

Fear erupted anew from him and she felt him recoil, but was quick to counteract.

'But it is over. I'm here now. Leia is here. And Han. There is no reason left why you couldn't come out, farmboy.'

'I could come out.' He stated, his voice only a trifle bit insecure.

'You CAN come out. Remember, my love? You're stronger than him.'

There was pause, a long pause, during which she could see the body on the stone dais beginning to glow brighter again. Liin retreated a couple of steps, his face a mask of hate and anger. He had lost. And he knew it.

'Help me?'

'No, Luke. You don't need my help. You can defy him on your own. You can defy Mezhan on your own.'

And with that, she let herself fall back into reality, yet maintained the link to her husband's mind. He should know that despite everything she had said, he was not alone. Would never be alone.

Although she wasn't directly in Luke's mind anymore, she could feel how he grasped the Force, more and more of it, how he let it flow through his body. She could FEEL how he purged the darkness that was Liin Kwaad out of himself, once and for all.

A quick surge of delight let her smile. Finally, after long weeks, he didn't have to wonder anymore where the Slayer hid from him. He had found his refuge and made sure that it would never be used again.

When she consciously took in her surroundings again, she sank panting back onto the floor. She had never tried such a direct mind link before and hadn't had any idea that it would be so exhausting.
But it had paid. Paid more than enough. Han helped Luke to his feet, relief reining his features. Leia was smiling broadly, tears glistening in her eyes.

She had been afraid to loose her brother this time, in a way more terrible than she had ever imagined. The Princess had picture him being shot, being killed by a lightsaber, being beaten to death, exploding along with his X-Wing... all this had been possibilities all too probable in years of war.
But never had she thought of one day having to witness her brother killing himself. She was eternally grateful that it hadn't happened like this.

"Luke..." Mara just said, her voice sounding strange to her ears, rough and laden with emotion.

He smiled at her, tiredly. "You have been right."

His wife just replied his smile, seeing no use in talking now. She felt, if she was honest, far too tired herself to be talking much.
Han, on the other hand, didn't seem to be inclined to push explanations to later occasions.

"You mean... you mean he is gone now? For good?"

Luke nodded, taking an insecure step away from his brother-in-law, testing whether he was able to stay on his own feet.
Liin had simply ignored the blood loss and the after effects of the black out because of lack of oxygen. Luke, though, wasn't able to compensate such things quite as easily. Not if someone else had possessed his body and driven it to its limits without paying any attention to logic.

"Only in your dreams." The voice of the Master Shaper was quivering as she rose herself from the crouching position she had assumed previously. Anger disgraced her features and her eyes blazed with a cold, insane fire.

For the first time ever, Luke met her gaze without backing away, without cowering in panic in a corner to hide from her.

"I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore."

"You can not get rid of him this easily, Skywalker. He is in you. He is a part of you."

Luke looked at her for a moment, trying to make sense of his feelings. Memories of some minutes here in the laboratory were hazy for him.
Liin's attack had taken him totally off-guard and from one moment to the other, he had been flung back into the darkness, into comforting, complete silence. It was security. That was what he had thought. Safety. From her. But now...

Something had changed. There was still fear when he looked at her. But it was different from before. It was the fear he would have before flying into battle. The fear when he faced a Yuuzhan Vong warrior whom he knew to be fierce and dangerous.
It was not the fear of a helpless child that didn't know what to do in face of the personification of horror.

"No." Luke stepped forward, placing himself directly in front of her. Never before had he stood face to face with her. It felt oddly liberating. "No, Mezhan. I'm not him. And he is no part of me anymore."

Her eyes narrowed until there were only green slits visible. It felt oddly good to Luke to be able to infuriate this being that had challenged him in a way not even Palpatine had done.

"You're a disappointment, Jeedai. A failure."

"Only in your eyes." Luke replied in a firm voice.

She cackled. "Perhaps. But then, is there anything else that counts?"

The Jedi refrained from answering this, gesturing towards the door: "Your plan has failed. I'm sure you would prefer to not go in shackles before the Supreme Overlord."

Luke felt the disdainful gaze of his wife on him while she picked up her weapon. He easily could feel that she'd have preferred to kill Kwaad here and now.
Of course he wouldn't let her. The intensity of her emotions flattered him and made him feel protected, but he also knew that it would anger the Master Shaper far more to be treated as if she had no influence on either him or those who loved him anymore.

*~~

Mezhan Kwaad nodded curtly at the Jeedai's proposition, not even sparing a glance at her apprentice. A failure, too. Skywalker turned his back on her, directing his gaze and stride towards the door in the anteroom.

It would be his last mistake, that she would make sure.

*~~

Mara had just about picked up her lightsaber, shaking her head softly at her husband. After all these years of training, she still hadn't managed to reach the state of serenity he could achieve. Even after this straining an ordeal.

The wounds in his face still bled, even if not worryingly so anymore, and the paleness of his skin was only one testimony to the shock he had suffered upon awakening once again into a nightmare.

She wasn't able to bring herself to the point where she could feel comfortable with showing mercy to Kwaad. The Master Shaper would never show mercy to anyone. She had been willing to accept the death of Liin Kwaad the moment she had been caught.
What kind of loyalty was that? Mara doubted that the Yuuzhan Vong woman even knew the exact meaning of the word. She probably interpreted it the way it fit her best.

But alas, it was no use to think about revenge now. She had Luke back, free of Liin Kwaad, and the devil's creator was caught. Of course there were still problems. No one of them knew at this point what had become of the battle outside, in space. As things lay, they would learn soon enough.
And of course they would have to check on Miiram and Khaleeh on the way out. Not that Mara doubted the two Yuuzhan Vong's fighting capabilities. They probably hadn't had that many problems and all the chaos in here had merely lasted about ten minutes.

Straightening, she turned towards her husband. Later, she would thank the Force for her timing. Had she waited only a second longer, everything would have been too late.
Mezhan Kwaad was a Vong and therefore a blank spot in the Force. Her intent was hidden and nothing could have warned any of them about what had happened then.

There was only a small glint, the light of the glow lichen reflecting on the sharpened, polished blade of a coral knife, that alerted Mara.

"Luke!"

Excellent reflexes and the fact that they had relied on each other for years was what saved her husband. He immediately jumped forward, dodging whatever weapon his wife had caught view of.

In seconds, Mara had grabbed her lightsaber, activated it and swung it in a high arc. Before Leia and Han had even grabbed their weapons, Mezhan Kwaad's dead body clattered to the floor, unceremoniously, without even spilling a drop of blood for her wound had been immediately cauterised by the lightsaber.

*~~

Between his wife's warning shout and the fall to his knees were about two seconds and Luke knew they had saved his life.
The stinging sensation over his back told him that the tip of whatever weapon Kwaad had tried to use on him had touched him, but the injury was minor.

When he turned his head to see what had hit him, he was greeted by a sight that stunned him into momentary silence.

She was dead! For a moment, he wondered whether he could allow himself to believe what he saw. When Mara thumped off his old saber and met his gaze, he knew he could.
He would have to talk to her about the utter satisfaction he saw in her eyes now, but for the moment, he was willing to neglect it.
Some weeks ago, on Chandrila, he had told Mara that he was finally free. But the truth was, only at this very moment, he was really free.

----------------------------------------------------
The Birth Of Acceptance - Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------

PG-13

--------------------------------------
New Republic Ship Ralroost
--------------------------------------

A siren was blaring, deafening the crew on the New Republic's flagship for this occasion and doing nothing to soothe the worries and fears that kept assailing the beings of numerous species that tried to fulfil their duties.

At least, Wedge Antilles mused, it was not yet the siren that indicated danger. The signal that the thrusters and their sublight engine were about to overheat was not necessarily a good one, but a lot better than the report of a hit.

"Distance?" he shouted over the howling of the siren. Shaking his head, he added: "And will someone please shut that off now? We KNOW that we're straining the ship."

At the fringes of his perception, he saw someone hurry for a station and a second later, the alarm subsided. While his ears still rang, Wedge let his gaze wander over the part of the bridge that housed, among others, the control stations that controlled the ship stats. Not being able to detect any guilty face, Wedge shrugged. Sooner or later, he'd find out who had had the guts to leave his station during a fight.

"They're gaining on us by the second, Sir. They will be in perfect firing range in about a minute."

Wedge frowned, assessing the data on his own display and comparing it with what he had just heard. It never hurt to double-check.

"How long until we reach the position I want?"

"45 seconds."

The corellian General smiled grimly: "Captain Wya, you heard it. Will you be ready?"

"Of course, General Antilles, Sir."

"Have you ever had classes about advanced shielding technology?" Corran Horn mumbled into his old friend's ear. The Jedi had been assigned to the escort ships as a liaison between them and the Chief-of-State and her brother Luke Skywalker who both attended the festivities on the worldship of the Yuuzhan Vong Supreme Overlord.
Or rather, who had intended to do just that. Last thing the Corellian had heard, the worldship had been bereft of oxygen and shown a breech in the vicinity of its brain.

Wedge grinned at him. "No, never. I found it boring."

"Boring. And then you're trying to pull of a trick like that? What if it doesn't work?" Corran whispered, staring at him incredulously.

"What should go wrong?"

The Jedi Knight snorted: "Give me an hour and I may get the raw draft of a list done."

"Corran, you know what your problem is?" The hazel eyes of the former Rogue Squadron leader held a small, but genuine amount of amusement as they met the green ones of his friend, who snorted.

"Aside from being on a ship that isn't allowed to shoot at a horde of attackers that want to blast it into oblivion? I have no clue, boss."

"You are too pessimistic. It WILL work."

"Ten seconds, Sir. Countdown started. We're entering the space between the moons." The voice of the navigation officer yelled across the bridge. A deadly silence laid itself over the assembled beings. Neither of them knew for sure what their General had in mind, but they all had guesses as to what it could be.

"The Vong ships are accelerating. 18 seconds until optimum plasma cannon range." The sensory officer added with a quiver in his voice.
Out there were six heavy Yuuzhan Vong ships. If they all opened fire at the same time and concentrated on the flagship of the New Republic, even shields like the one of the Ralroost would not hold for long.

"Excellent. Head deeper into Coruscant orbit and take care that the moons stay between us and our visitors." Wedge clasped his hands tightly together behind his back, out of the field of vision of any of his crewmembers.
Truth be told, he didn't feel as optimistic as he gave himself. The playful banter with Corran was as much a way of reassuring his men and women, as it was a way of reassuring himself. There was no question that his old friend suspected, and that very accurately so, that Wedge had no clue whatsoever as to whether his idea would work.

Wedge preferred rather not to think at the fact that he endangered even the crews of the orbital mirrors with his little experiment.

"Captain Wya, feel free to move to your positions anytime now." He ordered, not sparing a glance to the bald man that still seemed quite flustered by the way he had been involved into something he most probably didn't understand.

"Done, General Antilles, Sir. Mirrors will be in place in exactly 5 seconds."

It was just enough time for everyone one the bridge to abandon their displays and readouts and star out towards the planet that was looming bigger and bigger in the viewports.
Coruscant's planet-wide shield flickered in brilliant colours as more and more private craft raced at full speed into the safety zone beneath it. So Wya had indeed managed to warn them.

Wedge allowed himself a short, then focused again on the small, black dots that were barely to make out in the star-littered blackness that was the space around the city planet.

The very moment the countdown clock for the mirror that had been placed on his display reached 0, these black dots were illuminated spectacularly, revealing that they were indeed more than just space debris.

The corellian general held his breath as he followed the events. All in all, it took only another couple of seconds, but for him, these stretched into eternity. So much was at stake. The life of his crew, of the people that served on the orbital mirror stations and of who knew how many civilians that would have been caught unprepared when the Yuuzhan Vong fleet had taken its revenge for the claimed attack from the New Republic.

He was, except for Corran, the only one who knew what to watch out for on the scopes and outside, beyond the viewport.
His eyes sought a special ship among all the corvettes and yachts that hurried to safety and finally found it, at the coordinates he had gotten from his Jedi friend.

A sole orbital mirror ship moved into position, rotating on its axis in a way that seemed painfully slow to Wedge's gaze.
When it had completed its turn, a blinding flash of blue-white light shortly took his eyesight from him. The brilliant stream jumped, from mirror ship to mirror ship until, finally, it came back to its point of origin, closing the circle that would save all their lives - at least for a time.

For a moment, Wedge stared out at the spectacle in stunned awe, then he turned to Corran with an admittedly shaky smirk on his face.

His fellow Corellian, seemingly as shell-shocked as everyone else aboard, simply shook his head.

"Navigation, hold position."

"Yes, Sir."

"Sensory?"

"They are furious and shoot with everything they have. All our ships and fighters are in."

Wedge perched an eyebrow: "They better be. Captain Wya, shield status, please?"

"100 %. Very slowly decreasing."

"You don't think they'll simply give up and wait for someone to tell them what REALLY happened?" Corran asked non-chalantly, his voice betraying nothing of the fascination his green eyes held as he looked out the front viewport at the breathtaking colour spectacle that presented itself there.

"You sure have been too long around Luke. I can't stand this kind of pessimism." Wes Janson's voice chimed in over the communication. In the background, they could hear the noises of engines being powered down. The break they had would be used to refuel the starfighters that had spent more fuel than usually because of the extensive evasive and high-speed manoeuvres.

"Look who's talking." Corran mumbled under his breath, refusing to be dragged into banter with the notorious pilot in front of the whole bridge crew. The loudspeakers of Wedge's personal console were turned low, but Wes had shouted at the top of his lungs. No doubt deliberately. Later, he promised himself, he would get back on the cocky Rogue.

Wedge wisely ignored the exchange and focused the first time since contacting him on the chief of the Orbital Mirrors. "How long do you give us, Captain?"

The pudgy face of Orid Wya wrinkled in thought: "About half an hour."

"That should suffice. Thank you for your help, Captain." Wedge nodded gratefully to him, then turned on his heels to address the officer of a booth that had been largely neglected during their latest disaster.

"Communication, what about our reinforcements?"

The elder woman, probably of Coruscanti origin, smiled reservedly up at him: "General Bel-Iblis and Admiral Kre'fey will join us in 10 minutes with their fleet groups, Sir. Coruscant Security sends three squadrons of A-Wings and two squadrons of E-Wings."

Wedge plopped down into his seat, finally allowing relief to flood through him. Even if everything went just worse from here on, now he had more pieces to play with. If he were taking care of his resources and his tactics, he would be able to play an eternal hide-and-seek game with the Vong out there.

"Any contact to the worldship or to our ferry?" he queried, a new wave of worry assaulting him. Some of his closest friends were down there and he didn't even know whether they were still alive.

"No, Sir. But Coruscant's shields are more massive than average battleship shields. They block communications to a high amount. Long range receptors tuned into this direction are neutralized completely."

The General sighed: "I see. Keep me up to date about everything."

"Of course, Sir."

Swivelling his chair around, Wedge beheld for the first time the view in front of the transpariglass that presented the windows out to space. He whistled softly: "Wow."

Corran came over to him and bent low, so that no one could hear his next words: "You didn't think it would work, did you?"

Wedge laid both his hands together, fingertip at fingertip: "Nope."

"You expected it to backfire on us."

"Yes."

"Wedge, you're definitely crazy."

------------------------------
New Republic Ferry
------------------------------

"What, by all the Sith Lords...." Mak Sofria breathed, unbelievingly staring at the planet of Coruscant and what was unfolding directly in front of it.

"A krishta shall take me! What a stupid idea!" Feria Bel'asca shook her head, her grin pretty much contradicting the insult she had flung at the corellian general that was still many light-years away from her.

"What kind of idea, Jeedai?"

It was but a soft rustle of a robe that told Feria that their Yuuzhan Vong passenger, the Supreme Overlord himself, had come forward and now stood between her and the co-pilot seat that was occupied by her fellow Jedi and friend Mak.

Glowing eyes were trained on the shining wall of energy on which spectacular colours played. The New Republic ships that were safely hidden behind it were not to see, only the group of Yuuzhan Vong living ships that barraged it with fire without achieving anything.

"If I'm not completely mistaken, General Antilles has used the orbital mirrors to channel a part of Coruscant's shield energy away from the planet." She explained, barely keeping herself from asking whether any Yuuzhan Vong would ever have been able to invent such a tactic.

The Supreme Overlord made a sound that resembled a half-growl and leaned forward, suspiciously surveying the sensory display of the ferry.

"These small dots..." a vicious looking claw pointed at the readings that presented the mirror stations, "... are what is channelling the energy. He has built a corridor of shields?"

The male Ishi Tib nodded, now grinning, too. "He is save from your ships for the moment. Hopefully long enough for us to reach the range of your villip's communication ability."

Shimrra lapsed back in silence, ignoring the Jedi's last comment. With an expression that could be interpreted as thoughtful, he stared out at the one-sided fight.

-----------------------------------------------
Yuuzhan Vong Worldship Hiis El
------------------------------------------------

Luke's old lightsaber still lay in her hand, firmly, but unlit. Although she knew these feelings to be from the Dark Side, Mara Jade-Skywalker couldn't help the satisfaction and the contempt that filled her heart when she saw the lifeless body of the Master Shaper Mezhan Kwaad clatter to the floor.

And why shouldn't she allow such feelings to herself? This monster had tortured her husband, again and again. Mentally and physically. She had inflicted so much pain, self-doubt and irritation on him that she would have deserved a much more painful death. Wasn't it just to claim revenge in such a case?

A wave of surprise and disbelief interrupted her thoughts and she turned her head to stare straight into the crystal blue orbs of her husband. They were wide and nailed on the dead Yuuzhan Vong, harbouring an expression of awe.

She saw how he sought her face for confirmation, thought to almost hear the unspoken question that flew through his mind in this very moment.

'Is it true or is it all a dream?'

She smiled softly, continuing to meet his stare and finally, she saw acknowledgement replace the startledness. Mara had expected to see happiness appear, too, but there was no such thing.

For a short moment, his eyes held intense relief and sheer joy, but she could feel that this wasn't directed at the fact that she had killed Mezhan Kwaad.
Free. That was the one word that permeated his thoughts and which he projected loudly into the Force, totally unshielded.

Luke excelled her at this. He was not able to feel satisfaction upon killing. In an odd way, she had the distinct feeling that he mourned her in a way that was completely incomprehensible to her.
She would have to talk to him about all this. Mara didn't need to be a psychologist to guess that all that had happened in the past hour had to have reopened wounds that had been barely closed.

The terror filled cry that had revealed his position earlier on had conveyed all the panic he had felt at awakening once again in what was the closest to a chamber of horrors Mara had ever seen.

Her husband smiled tiredly at her, his eyes blinking open and closed slowly. As unshielded as he was at the moment, Mara could easily feel exhaustion claiming him.
Now, that Liin Kwaad was gone, all the extensive exercises he had put himself through in the last days caught up with him. Adding to that the shock and his most recent injuries, he had to be weary to the bone.

Speaking of injuries....

Leia, Han and her reached Luke at the same time, causing him to chuckle softly as the helped him on his feet.

Mara suspiciously assessed the cut on his back. It bled softly, though not worryingly so.

"You think the blade's been poisoned?" Leia asked anxiously, following her sister-in-law's fingers meticulously with her eyes.

"I would already be dead if it had been." Her brother chimed in, his voice small, but steady.

"Nice." Han grumbled, keeping a firm grasp on his biceps to hold him upright. The Jedi Master didn't sway, but his face had adopted a sickly grey complexion and blood was still streaming down his cheeks.

"She had her special charms." The younger man smirked feebly, wriggling away from the probing fingers of his sister and his wife. "You inspect me all you want, but AFTER we're out of here."

Finally sure that the newly sustained wound was not dangerous for now, Mara nodded, leading the way when they went cautiously over to the passage that led to the anteroom. They met Miiram and Khaleeh halfway through, both slightly panting but obviously perfectly healthy.

"I take it those bugs posed no particular problem to you." The ex-Emperor's Hand stated, her tone tinged with the smallest hint of relief. Miiram simply sneered at her, something that Mara had learned to interpret as the Yuuzhan Vong form of a very broad grin.

The Warmaster's son, meanwhile, had gone a few steps into the chamber, halting and narrowing his eyes when he noticed the remains of Mezhan Kwaad.
The young Yuuzhan Vong grumbled something that sounded distinctly disappointed and angry and shot the redhead a withering glance.

"You took my kill from me."

Mara met his stare deadpan and made a negligent gesture towards a corner of the laboratory. "I left you the apprentice. Be faster next time and perhaps you get to kill someone of importance."

A sound suspiciously resembling a laugh exploded from the Supreme Overlord's daughter's throat, but she quickly stifled it and accompanied her betrothed deeper into the laboratory, who was obviously ill tempered at the moment.

Before they vanished in the shadows around the corner, Miiram called a fleeting: "Get into our coralskipper. We'll follow you soon and bring you to one of your ships."

-----------------------------------------
New Republic Ship Ralroost
------------------------------------------

It had been a long wait, grating on nerves that were already strained to the maximum. But finally, after more than twenty minutes, the continuous, hypnotizing whirlwind of colours that ridiculed the danger of the plasma shots that created it subsided and gave view onto the group of Yuuzhan Vong warships. Now serenely drifting in space, they looked to be not much more than large asteroids.

This dangerous misinterpretation had cost many New Republic pilots their lives in the early stages of the war. It had taken some time to equip the targeting computers and the sensory fields of starfighters and starships alike to identify Yuuzhan Vong craft by flight paths and accelerations atypical for real asteroids.

Wondering why these thoughts came to him now, Wedge stood and looked over to his communications officer. The Coruscanti was intently listening to some broadcasts, a rare smile blossoming on her severe face.

As far as the Corellian knew, she was a veteran of the Battle of Endor, having joined the Alliance to avenge the loss of her two sons and three daughters at the hands of the Empire. Her husband had been a journalist and obviously too freely broadcasting his opinions about how Palpatine handled non-human races. The family had been charged with treason. She and her husband had barely escaped from the city planet, loosing their children in the process.

It was one of millions of sad stories linked to the Empire and it had robbed this woman of her joy to live. She had devoted her whole existence to the military and it wasn't her first assignment with Wedge.

Thus he knew how seldom anything could result in her showing a smile.

"Good news?" he queried.

She nodded. "Very good news, Sir. Supreme Overlord Shimrra has informed his ships about what happened. We are safe to come out."

Corran perched an eyebrow: "Says who?"

"We have the word of two Jedi Knights."

Wedge grinned: "Corran?"

The green-eyed Corellian grimaced at him, a smile tugging at his lips: "That's good enough, I think."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal Coralskipper of Khaleeh Lah, Aft Compartment
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke sagged onto the coral bench, closing his eyes for a moment and trying to fight the nauseating feeling the Yuuzhan Vong breathing device he had used to travel through the worldship created.

As if he hadn't hurt enough, they had also had to note that the creature that had enabled them to survive the total lack of oxygen in the worldship didn't have anything against taking fresh blood for a snack. Obviously smelling the open and still bleeding wounds on Luke's cheeks, it squirmed and convulsed, a very annoying and uncomfortable process if one took into account that it was plastered firmly against the back of Luke's throat and extended just up into his nose.

"Come one, I help you take it out." Han sat down next to him, shedding his own breathing creature that had not nearly been as painful to wear for the Corellian didn't have any injuries except some bruises.

"No, Han, it's okay, I can..."

Before Luke could finish the sentence, his friend had expertly taken him by his chin and in a matter of seconds, with another flash of nausea that almost made the Jedi black out, the tiny, glob-like creature joined its fellows in a corner of the room.

The simple action left Luke drained of energy and he was not sure whether he had perhaps even lost consciousness for a time as he opened his eyes and found himself lying on the bench, Han kneeling next to him.
Mara and Leia were nowhere to be seen and the former pirate had somehow gotten his hands on an emergency med-pack.

"Where...?" he mumbled irritated, astonished at hearing the rough quality of his voice.

Han smiled at him and, while rummaging in the pack, nodded over to the corridor that led to the cockpit of the Yuuzhan Vong craft. "They are with Miiram and Khaleeh to take care of Nen Yim."

Luke frowned, having difficulties to grasp that Mara would have left his side. He admitted that he even felt a little hurt that she had.
It might not be the most heroic thing to wish for, but he wouldn't have objected to having her next to him and feeling her love.

The Corellian gave him a mock-hurt glance: "Hey, I know I'm not as beautiful as Mara, but give me some credit for my ability to patch up the holes you so frequently acquire."

The Jedi Master chuckled and started to sit up, but Han pressed him back determinedly. "Hold still now. Those cuts are still bleeding. Gotta stop that before you ruin the nice furniture here and I have to pay for it." His best friend mumbled, setting to work with some small bacta packages and wound sprays.

Luke obliged, all too happy, if he was honest, to be able to just lie still. The wounds in his cheeks were throbbing and he still felt woozy because of the blood loss.
Patiently waiting for Han to finish his ministrations, the Jedi took sight of the slowly darkening bruises at the side of his friend's head.

Grimly, he pressed his lips together. He had inflicted those upon Han. He had hurt his best friend. Remorse and pain assaulted him and he closed his eyes to not have to see what he had done.
Of course he couldn't remember when he had done it. Technically, it hadn't even been HIM, but this fact didn't help to soothe Luke's conscience. Not at all.

"Hey, kid, postpone your nap a little, will you?" Calloused hands patted his cheeks with measured force, and Luke hesitantly allowed himself to open his eyes. Han's expression was worried and he frowned down on his younger friend.

"Until we have some medical units to supervise your life signs, I'm not going to let you drop off. We had that one time and I don't care to repeat that particular experience." The Corellian huffed while he stashed the remaining bacta patches back into the emergency med pack.

Luke couldn't help but wince at the memory of this one mission some years ago that had gone disastrously wrong - as most of their missions went, if he came to think about it.

Watching Han work for another few moments, he finally cleared his throat. If he didn't get it out now, he wouldn't at all and then it wouldn't let him a calm moment.

"I'm sorry, Han."

Hazel eyes focused on him, suddenly, suspiciously, and his brother-in-law's hands halted in what they were doing. "What for?" the older man queried.

Luke smiled bitterly: "I think I did that." He indicated the bruises with his right hand, his eyes firmly on his best friend's face.

"Nonsense."

"But Han..."

"Liin did that."

"Han, listen,..."

"No." The Corellian jumped to his feet and towered over the smaller man that was still lying on the bench. His expression was furious and he saw the Jedi cringe at the sight.
Han's rage immediately faltered. This was not the time to tell him how infuriating his habit of blaming himself for everything was.

Luke was deathly pale and so exhausted that he looked ready to loose consciousness anytime now. In fact, the kid had him scared quite well when he had gone limp in his arms after Han had helped him to get rid of the living breathing device.

Fortunately, it had been mere minutes before he had woken again, quieting his brother-in-law's worries effectively.

Sighing, Han sank down onto the bench, taking Luke's left hand into his own carefully. It was a gesture that was seldom between the two of them and the Jedi didn't even try to hide his surprise.

"Luke, I admit that it freakin' scared me, okay? Seeing this monster as you.. I mean, IN you... it's not something I want to see ever again. He was a little rough with me and yes, I admit, it hurt."

The Jedi Master winced and averted his gaze, but Han wasn't about to back off. "But do you know what hurt more?"

Luke ignored the question. Of course. He had already firmly resolved that it was all his fault and his alone.

"You're such an idiot." The Corellian grumbled irritably and pulled at his friend's arm. Luke shot him a passive glance, his face emotionless. How often, Han mused, had he seen this very same expression on his brother-in-law? And on his wife? It had to have been more times than he could count.

"Luke, these bruises are nothing. It hurt more to think to have lost you. I mean... well, if we're at it, I had panic you were gone. I'm not Force sensitive and I never really envied you for it or wished for it." Han paused, staring at the yorik coral floor. He was not accustomed to talking like this about his feelings, but he knew this was important. He didn't want to erect another wall between him and Luke that would endanger their friendship.

"At this very moment, I wanted to be a Jedi. I wanted to be able to feel whether you're still there. You know, I could have killed Liin. I had the chance. But I couldn't make myself do it. I didn't know whether you were still alive. I couldn't bear to have hurt you, much less killed you. And I know you wouldn't hurt me - ever."

There was a silence, a long silence, and through all this silence, Han didn't dare to look up. He always assumed Luke knew him well enough to guess what he really felt and thought but even between the two of them, in all those years they knew each other, they had seldom had a talk similar to this. Perhaps one or two times and always, it had felt curious to Han.

It did now, too. At some point, though, the silence became unbearable. Bracing himself, Han lifted his head, surprised at finding Luke simply staring at him.
It was another consolidation of their friendship. There were no words needed, not beyond those the Corellian had already spoken out loud. He could see in the blue eyes of his brother-in-law that the younger man had understood. And Han himself had understood, too.

After a while, Han patted the slightly cold hand of his best friend and rose: "I'm going to fetch Mara now. You're not going to faint on me, are you?"

"No. No, Han, I'm fine. Thanks." Luke smiled, waving him away.

"No big deal, kid." The Corellian winked at him and vanished in the corridor.

*~~

The sight that greeted him when he entered the cockpit of the living craft was pretty much what he had expected.

Khaleeh and Miiram were sitting at the controls, quietly explaining some of the "instruments" to a very interested Leia. The worry about her brother was easy to see for someone as familiar with her face as her husband, but he knew she would take her time later.

Nen Yim was restrained on a seat in the furthermost corner of the cockpit, her eyes dull and her face wearing no expression whatsoever. Han shortly wondered whether she had been a simple pawn in the Master Shaper's game or whether she had been a more active part in the scheme against his best friend, but quickly decided that such musings were no use right now.

Mara had immediately risen from her seat when had entered and met him at the door.

She looked at him scrutinizing, the smiled: "Every all right?"

Han nodded, replying her smile warmly: "Everything all right. Thanks for letting me take care of him." The Corellian appreciated the gesture very much. It must have cost Mara a lot to let her husband alone, even if only for a couple of minutes, after everything that had happened in the last time. And yet she had done it and he was grateful for it.

"You're welcome, Han. The two of you needed that."

They smiled a last time at each other, then Mara hurried out of the cockpit, to Luke, and Han planted himself in the seat she had just vacated.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Coruscant, Skywalker Apartment, Late Evening
------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke didn't think he had ever felt older in his life. This day had been long. Terribly long. It had taken hours for everyone to recount what had happened and bring it into a logical order. Wedge's scheme to save the fleet without killing a single Yuuzhan Vong deliberately had been a genius one and Luke had told him so willingly.

The Supreme Overlord's worldship had suffered severe damage and was, for the moment at least, absolutely uninhabitable. Therefore, they all had agreed on signing the peace treaty on the Criarto, two days from now.

Nen Yim had been condemned to death, in a procedure with a very foreign name neither of them wanted to know more about.

While Luke had attended all those meetings and discussions and had even taken the time to praise his two Jedi Knights that had brought Supreme Overlord Shimrra into the range of the communication creatures of his Vong escort, the Force had been all that had kept him going. Luke wasn't even sure anymore whether he had made up an appointment with the Supreme Overlord again or not.
The personal talk between the two of them had never taken place because of how everything had developed and Shimrra had expressed his interest in realising the meeting nonetheless.

His surroundings had vanished into a haze halfway through most of the sessions and by the time he had boarded the ferry down to Coruscant, he had barely been aware of anything. Leia had stayed with him, while Mara had piloted the ship together with Han, and it had helped him to hold on just a little longer.

He would have loved to fall into his bed the second he had stepped into their apartment, but his wife had insisted that he had to clean up, already for the sake of his wounds. So he had bathed, almost dozing off in the hot water, and now finally sank down on his bed.

Luke felt more than heard the soft footsteps of his wife. The movement of the bed when she joined him merely lulled him deeper into his doze. Even the slight stinging sensation as Mara finally tended to the superficial cut on his back didn't rouse him anymore.
Perhaps the dim sounds he heard before sleep claimed him totally were words she directed at him, but although he longed to talk to her and hold her, he couldn't fight against the exhaustion anymore.

*~~

Mara smiled lovingly, carefully rolling her husband onto his back and pushing some stray hairs out of his forehead. He had already been in a daze when he had come out of the bathroom. Probably it would do him good to sleep really long and deep after all the straining days he had been forced to go through.

The ex-Emperor's Hand could barely believe that it was really over now. Kwaad was dead. There would be no terrible scheme of hers surprising them again, endangering their life and threatening to take the one thing from her she loved the most in this universe.

Tomorrow, they would talk about everything that had transpired. Tenderly, she reached out in the Force and touched her husband's presence. His shields weren't yet in place and Mara doubted he had even noticed it.

All the time she had wondered how he had managed to go on at all and it was a small miracle that he hadn't simply collapse. Another proof that the Force was an ally that could give you a lot.

Now, probing his feelings lightly, she could feel that what she had feared hadn't happened. The events of the day hadn't pushed him back into the terrible state of shock he had been in after Mezhan Kwaad had first laid hands on him. His trauma hadn't been reinstalled and she was eternally grateful for it.

Finally, everything would be all right. Mara stretched out next to him, laying her arm over his stomach under the covers. Luke snuggled up to her instinctively, his hand seeking her belly.

Mara grinned. He was safe with her, his injuries a matter of days. Their baby was fine and, most important, would be borne into a galaxy in peace.

Of course there would be trouble again, sooner or later. She didn't make herself any illusions about it. But at this moment, for once, there was nothing to worry about.

"I told you you'd be stronger, my love." She whispered, kissing his lips softly and closing her eyes.

~~~~ Epilogue ~~~~

Luke Skywalker sat in the living room of his sister, holding a small bundle in his arms. It was unbelievable. Simply unbelievable that this tiny being was what he and Mara had created.

For the past months, he had been able to feel it grow, more and more. It had been a wonder to him. He had already been fascinated by the pregnancy of his sister, but the fact that this time, it had been his child, his very own, had changed his whole perception.

This small, precious creature had helped him to push the memories at Kwaad and Elan back into the deepest recesses of his mind.
The fateful day, when the Master Shaper had finally vanished from his life, had not instilled as much fear in him as his shaping had, but it had not been something to dismiss as easily as a bruise either.

This time, though, he immediately had accepted the help of his family. In between the signing of the peace treaty and the adjoining meetings about the resettlements, slave liberations and what not, there had been much leisure time for all of them.

Often, they had gathered to simply talk the whole evening or sit together and be quiet, watching the sunset or listening to music. It had been a source of immense peace and strength for him, those times, when his family and many of his friends had been present.

Love was the best medicine. He had read that somewhere at some point. As young man, he had not really believed it. Now he did.

Little Ben Skywalker cooed and gurgled delightedly as his father stroke his cheek softly.

Luke smiled. Love could have so many faces. Even a chubby, petal soft one like that of his son. Grey eyes stared at him, thoughtfully, as if the little boy could hear his father's thoughts.

The Jedi Master settled deeper into the couch, settling the infant against his chest so that he could hear his father's heartbeat. Ben was strong in the Force and his father didn't deny the pride he felt upon touching the bristling, if undeveloped, presence of his child.

"You will hopelessly spoil him if you continue like that." Mara gently admonished, letting herself sink down next to her husband and leaning her chin on his shoulder.

"He was afraid."

His beautiful wife laughed: "He was bored, Luke, nothing more."

"She's right, kid. First thing you have to learn about babies: they're cunning creatures." Han plopped down into an armchair, sipping at his beer, his eyes transfixed on little Ben. His nephew.

The Jedi Master perched an eyebrow and glared at his brother-in-law mock-sternly: "Did you just insult my son?"

Han just grinned as every further discussion was quickly prevented by Ben Skywalker demanding his daddy's attention once again, his tiny hand fishing in Luke's face and getting a firm grasp on the lower lip of the Jedi.

"Ouch! Hey, you..." Luke mumbled, grinning, too, trying to pry five small fingers from his mouth.

"At least now we know that he's got Mara's temper. We will need to buy him some transparisteel cage to run around in."

"Han!" Leia admonished, extending a hand from the tray she was carrying and smacking him across the head. She had just come out of the kitchen in time to catch her husband's comment.

"Ouch!" the Corellian cried out in an overly dramatic manner, grimacing as if mortally wounded.

Ben, whose grey eyes had been resting on his uncle, erupted in small, gurgling giggles and crowed his delight.

Luke laughed along with his family, laying an arm around the shoulders of his wife and hugging his son closer to him. He couldn't remember a time when he had been happier.

| End |