by James Luceno
BB7
tragic truth about Alpha Red and what its deployment may hay loosed on the galaxy. A fellow Alderaanian, Omas had been shaken h Leia's report, and had claimed that deployment of the biological agen had been a difficult decision, born of difficult times—one that might have saved countless lives.
The Yuuzhan Vong vessel that had evaded Errant Venture1
weapons at Caluula was still unaccounted for, and it was hoped even
by some members of the Alliance's militant factions—that the craft had died in hyperspace. Omas had given his word to Leia that the Alpha Red project would be terminated at once, but she feared that, with Dif Scaur continuing to helm the Intelligence division and the Bothans still crying for ar'krai, Omas might not be able to make good on his pledge again. At best the project would remain on hold until Alliance scientists could determine if Alpha Red had actually been responsible for the deaths of so many of Caluula's winged-stars and flitnats. If the bioweapon wasn't to blame, then Alpha Red would continue to hang over everyone's head, as if a sword suspended by a delicate thread.
That had been seven standard days ago.
With the Perlemian still under sway of the Yuuzhan Vong, Han and Leia had taken the long way to the Coruscant system, jumping the thoroughly repaired Falcon to Kashyyyk, Colla IV, and Com-menor, then skirting the Corellian Trade Spine into the Core. At the same time, Sow and Kre'fey had united the scattered Alliance fleets in the Mid Rim, at Contruum.
Alliance command hadn't known what to make of the reports that had eventually reached Mon Calamari by couriers of a planet that had streaked from hyperspace into the Core. With no actual recordings or the event, all Sow, Kre'fey, and the rest had to go on were the statements of resistance fighters and smugglers, and a few grainy holos or a verdant world that hadn't been there days earlier, now orbiting m the Coruscant system. What mattered was that whatever it was that had nearly collided with Coruscant had drawn the Yuuzhan Vong armada back to the Core, along with the secondary cluster of vessels, which had turned up briefly at Contruum, only to make an abrup departure—presumably upon learning of the newly arrived planet.
Not one of the top-ranking Alliance officers was willing to stat
blicly that a planet had transported itself to the Core from the far
ches of the galaxy. Privately, however, many professed a belief that
u Jedi had put their heads together and collectively moved the
I net-—as they were rumored to have moved Imperial warships
I ring an attack on Yavin 4 some twenty standard years earlier.
For days Kre'fey waited for the recalled armada to storm the mys-erv planet, but no attack had been launched. Resistance groups were enorting that the planet had fomented widespread fear and confusion on Yuuzhan'tar, not only among the Shamed Ones, but also among me priests and other elite. Whether or not that was the case, Warmaster Nas Choka had positioned the vessels of his mighty flotilla in broad cover of Yuuzhan'tar, apparently while Supreme Overlord Shimrra made up his mind about what to do.
A proximity alert sounded in the Falcon's cockpit. "Coming into visual range," Leia said.
Han began to edge the Falcon out from behind the asteroid. "Let's have another look at those charts."
Leia called a map to the display, showing Coruscant's system of planets, sunward from Revisse to the OboRin comet cluster. The coordinates Luke had sent placed Zonama Sekot on the ecliptic, in orbit between Coruscant's Rimward brethren, Muscave and Stentat, at approximately ninety degrees to Coruscant.
"Unless the navicomputer agrees with me about this being a crazy mission, we should be seeing it soon," Han said. Leia pointed out the wraparound bay. "There." Han sighted down her finger, far to starboard, to a gibbous green planet.
"Well, it's sure no moon." "Or Death Star," Leia said.
With a squeaking of joints, C-3PO entered the cockpit. "Excuse Qe, Princess Leia and Captain Solo, but I wondered if I might view ifa my own photoreceptors our destination." He motioned behind m- "Mistress Cilghal would also like to see the living planet."
The Mon Calamari healer wasn't the only Jedi on board. Kenth amner, Waxarn Kel, Markre Medjev, and several others were in the mard compartment. Still other Jedi were due to arrive at Zonama
Sekot aboard Errant Venture. Jaina, Kyp, Lowbacca, Alema Rar anri the Wild Knights had come by starfighter.
"We should probably let Luke know we're here," Han said.
Leia turned to the comm board.
"Jade Shadow, this is Millennium Falcon" she said. "Just wanted to let you know that we're in the neighborhood."
Luke's voice issued from the cockpit annunciators. "Leia! Wei come to Zonama Sekot."
"Luke, Han here. I'm not imagining this, right? I mean, that's really a planet I'm seeing, and not the aftereffects of being bitten bv an amphistaff ?"
"Zonama Sekot is every bit as real as the Falcon, Han."
"It's beautiful," Leia said.
Luke laughed lightly. "I wish you could have seen it before all the hyperspace jumps we've been forced to make."
"You've got a lot of explaining to do," Han said. "How 'bout giving us some landing instructions?"
Luke fell briefly silent. "Han, I'm afraid you're going to have to leave the Falcon in synchronous orbit."
Han showed Leia a puzzled look and muted the mike. "The pollen must be affecting him." He reactivated the mike. "You're kidding, right?"
"I'm dead serious," Luke said. "Booster's going to have to do the same."
"Luke, a Star Destroyer I can understand," Han said. "But if this is about suitable landing platforms, I've parked the Falcon inside asteroids."
"It has nothing to do with that. Sekot refuses to allow warships on the surface."
"But we're a freighter!"
"Sorry, Han."
Han worked his jaw in annoyance. "I don't like it, but I'll do it I I have to. Who's this Sekot, anyway? The governor or something?
"Sekot is the planetary consciousness."
Han blinked. "Say again, Jade Shadow) I thought I heard you say planetary consciousness.'"
"Han, I told you I'll explain everything when you're planetside." "Luke, in case Sekot hasn't noticed," Leia interjected, "the ' zhan Vong armada is so close we can practically touch it. They have battle groups orbiting Muscave, Stentat, Improcco, and The
c)''
"Sekot has parried the Yuuzhan Vong before," Luke said. "I'm essing that Shimrra knows this. That's why the armada is staying put for the moment."
"It's been a while since they met," Han said. "Maybe the Vong
have forgotten."
"Not as long as you think, Han. Besides, Zonama Sekot can go to
lightspeed if it has to."
"Yeah, well, you'd better tell this Sekot to keep the hyperdrives idling, 'cause after what almost happened at Mon Calamari, I don't know that anything can stop the Yuuzhan Vong now." He fell silent briefly, then muttered: "Well, there is one thing—"
"We may know a way," Luke cut in.
Han blew out his breath. "I hope you're right, Luke. But how're we supposed to get planetside from stationary orbit? We can't just jam everyone into the escape pods."
"You won't have to. In fact, your transport should be visible to the Falcon's scanners just about now."
Leia and Han watched the display screen. Shortly a vessel that might almost have been Yuuzhan Vong grown came into view. The ship's lobed, faintly luminescent hull was made up of six oval modules, smooth as skipping stones and seamlessly joined. Knife-sharp, the leading edges of the modules glowed with what appeared to be organiform circuitry.
Han whistled in amazement. "The waiting list for those things must be a kilometer long!"
The pilot's name is Aken," Luke said. "Her ship will accept your n as soon as you're ready to extend it."
trorn the moment Leia stepped from the pulsing multicolored m °t the Sekotan ship and beheld the sight of her son, her brother, S1ster-in-law, and so many friends, some of who
m she hadn't seen
in almost a year, and all of whom were standing against a backdron incredibly tall and wondrous trees, her heart skipped a beat.
She felt like a child again.
Even from the air Zonama Sekot had appeared more fantastic I than real; a world of red and green-leafed trees, shimmering aqu lakes, and cryptic mountain ranges. The wounds the planet had su
tained through its several hyperspace jumps—its "Crossings" Wer
obvious and numerous, but they were surface blemishes, and couldn't impair the planet's aching beauty. This far from Coruscant's primary Zonama Sekot should have been frozen, but Luke had explained that Sekot was keeping the planet warm from within.
Leia didn't know whom to embrace first. But since Han had captured Jacen in a wampa hug, she went straight to Luke and Mara throwing an arm around each of them and tugging them to her.
"There were times I thought I'd never see you again," she said, her eyes closed in joyous relief.
No sooner had Leia let go of them than Jacen was in front of her, smiling enigmatically.
"Mom," he said.
For a moment Leia was too spellbound to move. She stared at Jacen as if he had manifested from a dream. He stepped into her open arms and allowed himself to be held for much longer than he ever had. Leia finally let him go, but only to arm's length. She stroked his cheek with her right hand.
"You look changed, Jacen—more than after your time on Coruscant."
"I am different," he said. "Zonama Sekot has matured me."
Leia turned through a slow circle, her gaze falling on Saba Seba-tyne, Danni Quee, Tekli, Corran Horn, Tahiri Veila ... All of them seemed to be reexperiencing their initial awe of the planet through the eyes of the newcomers.
"You all look so different," Leia said to her son. "Is it the months we've been apart, or is it something about this extraordinary place?
"Sekot makes a lasting impression," he said ambiguously.
Leia repeated the name, as if trying it out on her tongue. "I * hearing about Sekot. Will I get to meet Sekot in person?"
"1 hope so."
"Jacen!"
Leia recognized Jaina's voice and stepped out of the way just in
to avoid being trampled.
I eia turned another a slow circle, trying to commit every scene of nion to memory. There was bearded Corran, welcoming Mirax, i ncr with his father-in-law, Booster Terrik. Elsewhere Cilghal and Tekli were conversing in the latter's native Chadra-Fan. Danni—her blond hair elaborately braided—was surrounded by Talon Karrde, I ando, Tendra Risant Calrissian, and several other members of the Smugglers' Alliance, who were celebrating with sips of Corellian brandy from a shiny flask. Saba and some of the Barabel Wild Knights—including Saba's son, Tesar—were having an animated conversation, as were C-3PO and R2-D2.
"What adventures you've had?" C-3PO was saying. "Let me tell you, Artoo, you haven't experienced anything until you've been
inside—"
The astromech droid razzed, tootled, and whistled. C-3PO straightened. "You did what? You're exaggerating. The entire planet? That's impossible. You need to have your circuits serviced."
R2-D2 chirred.
"I do not need to defrag myself. I am perfectly—" Again, the diminutive droid beeped and zithered. C-3PO bent his head to one side. "Did I understand you correctly? Did you actually say that it's good to see me? Why, Artoo, this world must have done something to you, as well!"
Yet by far the most arresting sight of all was the manner in which fenth, Kyp, Lowbacca, Alema, Octa Ramis, and more than a dozen >ther Jedi were clustered around Luke, who now stood in the center * the circle his comrades had formed around him, some of them :ated, some of them actually down on one knee, paying close atten-°n to everything he was telling him, his every word about Zonama— le planet—and Sekot, the planet's animating consciousness . . . He has become a true Master, Leia thought. Momentarily overwhelmed by the emotions flooding through her,
Leia began to move away from the transport landing platform as 't dazed. Han was suddenly beside her, his arm about her should? leading her into a kind of glen.
"You okay?" he asked worriedly.
She took a steadying breath. "It's just so much to take in."
"I know." He gazed around. "Some place."
"Have you ever seen anything to compare to this?"
He took his lower lip between his teeth. "Well, there are some canyons on Luuq Two that are ever}' bit as deep. Then there's Kismaano for clifFside dwellings. And, of course, Kashyyyk for trees " His words trailed off as Leia began to weep. "Hey, hey. What's all this about? You should be happy about being here."
She wiped away tears with the back of her hand. "I am happy Han. This place—it's the safe harbor I've been dreaming about for months now. But I'm sad—for so many things. For Anakin and Chewbacca, and Elegos. For my parents, my homeworld, so, so many friends ..."
She cried softly against Han's shoulder, and when she looked up into his face, she saw tears in his eyes.
"I feel like we're coming to the end of a long voyage, Han, and I hate the fact that additional violence is the only thing that's going to get us there. It's like a final payment we have to make to conclude this thing, and to ensure that our children, and our children's children don't grow up with the threats we've been forced to face at every turn.
"I keep thinking that my father must have finally come to this point when he summoned the strength to save Luke from the Emperor. I know from her journal that my grandmother felt this way. And I have the strongest feeling that my mother must have also reached this stage—with war erupting all around her, her homeworld threatened ... Is this what Jacen has been trying to tell us all along that violence is never the answer, even if it seems the shortest and most direct path?"
Han shook his head. "I don't know, Leia. But I know I'd die to give him and Jaina a better life than the one we've had." He smiled lopsidedly. "Even though I wouldn't change a day of it, because or you."
T eia nodded. "I know. I know because I feel the same way, Han.
I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you. Especially fter NVhat I saw you go through on Caluula—
"Come on," he said, lifting her chin. "Look who you're talking t0-"
She smiled faintly, and sniffed. "If bluster counts for anything,
vou'll outlive us all."
"Leia! Han!" Luke called out. "I want you to meet someone." When they returned to the landing platform, Luke introduced hem to some of Zonama Sekot's tall and pale-blue-complected 'ndigenous residents—Ferroans—including a middle-aged woman he called Magister Jabitha.
"Sekot has agreed to fashion living ships for some of the Jedi," Jabitha told everyone gathered. "The process will require several days, but I promise you that it will be unlike anything any of you have ever
experienced."
"Only three Jedi have ever gone through the process," Luke told Leia. "And only one of them ever piloted a Sekotan ship—Anakin Skywalker."
Our father'. Leia realized.
Her astonishment and elation endured for only a moment before the sadness returned. Ships, she told herself. Then it was to be war, after all. She had persuaded herself that Luke had found some other way to end the conflict. But she should have known better. The dark side was strong, and right thinking alone wasn't enough to abolish it. She struggled to resign herself to what lay ahead. For Luke, she forced a brave smile.
Her brother's expression promised even greater surprises to come. There's someone else I want you to meet," he said for everyone to hear.
Turning to the Ferroans, he called one of them forward—a tall an, who lowered the hood of his cloak as he approached, revealing a -e of tattoos and scars, a hint of nose, a sloping forehead . . . Leia felt Han tense beside her.
'This is Harrar," Luke said. "A high priest of the Yuuzhan Vong. e> too, is going to help us end this war."
(.11 I
ur redemption is at hand!" the Shamed One cried
from the mound of yorik coral rubble that was her momentary pulpit. Her rapt audience of a hundred or so heretics was sitting at the base of the mound, either oblivious or indifferent to the danger they had placed themselves in by gathering in broad daylight, in the midst of the sacred precinct, no less.
"Yu'shaa urged us to watch the sky for signs, and that sign has appeared for one and all to see!" She spread her emaciated arms wide. "Gaze around you at what its coming wrought, and pray that Shimrra has taken its message to heart! The Shamed Ones have been granted a new home—and a more powerful one than Shimrra's. When the Prophet reappears to lead us to salvation, we will be reaay"
Seated atop the shaded litter Shimrra had sent to carry him to the Citadel, Nom Anor lowered his head by reflex, then resumed his upright posture. Though within earshot of the gathering, he was far enough removed not to have to worry about being identified, should Kunra or one of the other heretical leaders be lurking about. Besides, it would be only a matter of minutes before warriors arrived to da perse the crowd.
Despite the fact that Zonama Sekot had jumped into ortl between the system's sixth and seventh planets, aftershocks afl
rc were continuing to rock Coruscant, and the living world ffCffl
ined visible as first to rise and brightest in the altered night sky.
rClTl
• h one of Coruscant's moons whipped from orbit and the rainbow
. , collapsed, Shimrra's shapers were already positing that the
rial intruder would return to tug Coruscant gently away from its
• arv reversing what dovin basals had done to raise the planet's
surface temperature.
It was as if Zonama Sekot had proclaimed: Look at what I am capable of doing, and fear my return!
Eager to launch an attack on the newly arrived enemy, Warmaster Nas Choka's armada and other battle groups had returned to Coruscant only to be leashed by Shimrra himself.
