Chapter 10: The False Hope

Jacen braced himself against the hull as the transport took yet another hit. They had just made it into Hapes' atmosphere but now the ship was being hammered by turret fire from the surface. A few more critical hits and they would be done for. He scrambled toward the cockpit barely keeping his balance while the ship lurched under the barrage of the intense laser fire around them. The young Jedi got there just in time to see another transport disintegrate into a fireball outside the cockpit viewport.

Jacen's assault team had been decimated when they set out from the Errant Venture. Countless ships had been lost but then the Mandalorians stopped targeting them. Over the com they were informed that of all people the Corellians had come to their rescue. After that they had a nearly clean run to the surface until the Mandalorian turrets began to fire. Since then not much hope remained.

Solo was knocked to the ground after another blast hit home. Sirens began to sound throughout the ship. "What's happening?" Jacen asked, out of breath.

The co-pilot turned to him. "We've lost our shields and we're going in hot! Get back there and get strapped in."

Jacen looked quickly out the viewport to see Mandalorians entrenched everywhere. But despite the overwhelming enemy numbers the Hapan people were standing strong. However, it was only a matter of time until the Mandalorian forces broke through the palace gates. Jacen got up and sprinted back to the cargo hold to find everyone getting strapped into their harnesses.

Jacen got himself tied down and looked at his wife. Tenel Ka had a mask of steel on her face as she stared into his eyes. Jacen grabbed her hand and whispered, "Take a deep breath." Then their transport hammered into the city.

Callista felt all kinds of emotions flooding the Force as she tracked the dark presence she had seen in her visions. The elder woman had, with help from the Force, managed to reach the Hapan surface without too much difficulty. There was fierce fighting on nearly every street corner. The former Jedi Master didn't quite understand what her prey was doing here until she came to the fallen bodies of Mandalorians.

Unlike others she had come across, these were different. Lightsaber wounds were evident upon them but also specially placed blaster marks. Callista knew that Jacen Solo had led a team of Jedi down here from the Venture but he wouldn't have been in this area. Only one conclusion remained. It was the assassin. And based off of what she saw from the bodies the assassin was good. Very good. She went ahead and found more corpses; no doubt courtesy of the assassin. Callista continued to follow the trail straight to the palace.

Blood was everywhere. Bruised, battered and beaten, Jacen and his forces moved forward into the fray. Bodies of innocent civilians, Hapan soldiers, Republic military, Mandalorians and Jedi all littered the streets. But forward they went. Jacen had lost a few members of his team in the crash but the majority had escaped with the capability to fight. There was one other Jedi in his company besides himself and his wife. Nelani Dinn was young and inexperienced but she was very bright and had hoped to gain extra training under Jacen's tutelage even though she was a Jedi Knight. That inexperience no longer existed for her. The three Jedi formed a protective wing around the squad of soldiers that fired on the enemy once they came in sight.

Amid all the fighting stood the Fountain Palace in the distance. Even with all the blood and fire surrounding it the palace looked just as serene as ever. Tenel Ka felt no small amount of longing for her people's home. For her home. But such feelings gave way to pure shock as a large explosion sounded in the streets and cloud of smoke filled the air blocking out any view of the magnificent structure.

Terror gripped her and she began to run. "Hurry!"

As predicted the assassin led her straight to the palace, but not a place where Callista would have thought. There was no entrance in this area. The only one that the Jedi knew of was the palace gates but that was where all the fighting was taking place. Callista, despite her older age, had caught up to the assassin and now saw that it was humanoid. The figure was intently searching for something but Callista couldn't see what for from behind the rubble that served as her surveillance spot.

Suddenly, the assassin disappeared without warning. Alarmed, Callista stood up and ran toward the place she last saw the humanoid. There was nothing there. No evidence. As she frantically looked for some sort of opening in the ground, the thunderous sound of a thousand marching Mandalorians was heard approaching in close proximity. Callista knew time had run out but something on the ground caught her eye. It was a Hapan symbol. But that was not what held her attention. It was the symbol within the symbol that she had failed to notice earlier. She put her hand on lightly at first but then pushed down and turned it so that it conveyed the same image as the larger symbol. A small break in the ground beside her revealed an opening into a dark hallway. She leaped in just as the Mandalorian army came onto the scene and the passage sealed itself behind her.

All the outcast Jedi could see was darkness. She reached for her Lightsaber and activated it bathing the dark hall in blue light glittering off the walls of the tunnel. The tunnel seemed to go on for miles but the longer Callista walked the more uneasy she felt. This could only be the private tunnel of the Hapan Queen Mother. But according to Tenel Ka, only the Queen Mother and her predecessor alone know the secret paths about Hapes. Tenel Ka knew them during her time as Queen Mother before she abdicated in favor of living the life of a Jedi so that would leave Ta'a Chume, Tenel Ka's grandmother as the only ones who knew. But Callista knew from experience while her spirit was bound to the Eye of Palpatine that knowledge proved to be essential. Whether that leverage would support or influence someone was irrelevant. If her info was correct Jacen Solo would know where to look for these hidden passageways but neither he nor Tenel Ka would dare share that information with anyone and they certainly wouldn't expose the entrance during a battle. Then a thought came to Callista which sent a cold shock down her spine. This wasn't about the war at all. Neither were the Solos involved. The battle for Hapes was about political power.

The front gate was in complete chaos. The body count was rising on both sides. But the Hapans had drawn a battle line and were holding to their last breath. However, the Mandalorian numbers were swelling the Hapan defenders and had just broken through the line. A large hole could be seen in the gate as Mandalorians poured through. The Solo party had just arrived at the gate and were greeted by the ferocious Zel twins. Taryn and Trista Zel were barking out orders and firing on the charging crusaders. Many went down but there were always more to take their place and they were now flooding to the gate. Waves would come but only a few got past the Hapan Security Force.

"Taryn! Trista! What's the situation?" Tenel Ka demanded adamantly.

"They've broken through the gate! We need you in there to keep them away from the Queen Mother," Trista replied sternly.

Jacen gave a nod to the soldiers under his command and they joined the Hapan ranks. "We'll leave my men with you." Turning toward the palace entrance, he said, "Let's move!"

Taryn shouted out, "Give them covering fire." The Hapans all began to pour down the heavy weaponry on the Mandalorians giving the three Jedi the cover needed to enter the palace.

Jacen, Tenel Ka and Nelani were instantly met by blaster fire from the last group of Mandalorians to enter the palace. Jacen immediately raised his blade to block the first two shots and sent a third back into his attacker. One by one the Mandalorians were cut down until only one remained which Jacen engaged in a quick duel. One staggering blow to the shoulder brought the crusader to his knees and Jacen promptly finished him with a stab of the saber into the gut.

Tenel Ka quickly moved into the corridor to scout for more enemies. Seeing the hallway to be clear she called back to Jacen and Nelani, "Follow me and keep close."

Space. Usually it was supposed to be calm and bring about a gentle serenity to the watcher. However, today the cold void was filled with fire and death. Valin Horn looked at the devastation from aboard the Corellian capital ship and thought the contrast for but a moment until he was brought back into the battle that was raging around the planet. The Corellian fleet had lived up to its reputation and quickly aided the Republic in laying waste to the Mandalorian armada. Only three enemy vessels remained and Valin intended to be the one to end this battle.

"Master Solo, come in," the Jedi said into the com unit.

"Solo here," came the brief reply of Jaina Solo.

Valin wasted no time. "We're going to end this now. I need your squadron to escort my bombers to the vessel on your starboard."

There was a slight pause before Jaina answered. "Will do. Send them out."

Valin immediately scrambled the bombers and watched as they blew the vessel to Tatooine's two suns. Only two left. Mandalorians were a peculiar people. Even when they were utterly defeated in battle, they were honor bound to fight till the last breath. Very seldom did they ever flee from battle. But these two wouldn't back down. They beaten and essentially dying and now they would pay the price for their mistake.

The Jedi looked at his crew and gave the order. "Concentrate all our firepower on those destroyers." The cannons roared as they unleashed their deadly payload on the enemy. Unnoticed by all, including himself, a ghost of a grin appeared on Valin's face while he watched the Mandalorian destroyers disintegrate into fiery explosions.

Screams could be heard all around the palace. The Mandalorians had gotten through! The terrifying thought entered Ta'a Chume's mind as she and her personal guard felt the vibrations and heard the deafening sound of the gate being blown apart. And soon after the screams blaster shots echoed in the halls of the Fountain Palace. Since then, they had been holed up in the Queen Mother's personal chambers, leaving the Throne Room vacated. Ta'a Chume had hoped that the invasion could be repulsed and therefore had refused to leave palace. She was well aware that the Republic was sending ground units and the Corellian fleet was engaged with the Mandalorians in the skies but now that the gate had been breached the Queen Mother began to rethink her stance on leaving.

"Milady, it's time. You must go," one of the guards bravely declared to her.

And so her mind was made up. "And so it is."

Ta'a Chume walked swiftly through the adjoining doorway and wound up in the nursery for the Queen Mother's children. There was a shelving cabinet in the rear of the room which she began to open. Her guards surrounded her facing the doorway while preparing to defend their Queen till she was safe. She finished unlocking the door and opened it. Ta'a Chume was caught completely unprepared for the violent kick to the head that sent her sprawling across the room. The guards had no time to comprehend just what happened before a dark clothed figure leaped out of the escape tunnel's shadows and engaged them.

Two were shot point blank in the back. The first guard to turn around was greeted with a kick to the head, effectively breaking his spine. The next raised his blaster to shoot but the assailant grabbed his arm and whipped it around so that his body acted as a shield for the assassin. This mysterious enemy fired one shot with the victim's blaster at a guard sending him tumbling to the stone floor. The assassin ducked behind the human shield as a blaster bolt struck the defenseless guard killing him. The man that fired the shot went into a minor form of shock that lasted only a moment but it was more than enough to make him easy prey. The assassin let the dead body fall and shot the shocked man in the head once then quickly spun to the left and hurled a spherical device at the remaining six guards.

"Grenade!" came the shout but it was soon drowned out by the small blast of concentrated explosive.

Ta'a Chume had been lying on the floor this whole time trying to regain her senses. Once the grenade went off she was once again fully alert. However, her elderly body did not agree with her mind as she struggled to sit up. She glanced slowly to the right to see all but one of her personal guard were dead. The last one was on his knees struggling to stand. Then in a flash the assassin appeared in the air wrapping feline-like legs around the guard's neck and slammed him to the ground with no more pulse.

Panic filled Ta'a Chume and she started to crawl toward her salvation within the tunnel. A strong foot pushed down on her suddenly making her level with the floor and knocking all the air out of her lungs. Then just as quickly she was spun around so that the Queen Mother was staring into the dark eyes of Alema Rar. Ta'a Chume was filled with terror at the site of the Twi'lek. She knew that Rar was once a member of the Dark Nest before its destruction. She remembered very well that she had hired the Gorog to kill her granddaughter's child. She had told them to attack this very room but Rar could not have known how to get in. Even if the Dark Nest told her, she wouldn't have remembered it by now. After all, the reports filed by the Jedi suggested that she was insane even before she was presumed dead.

"Please, I can give you anything you want. Anything at all. As long as you keep me away from the Mandalorians, you can have whatever pleases you. Whoever sent you here . . . it doesn't matter. I can pay you double what you are getting if you get me out of here!" Ta'a Chume said. The words were spilling out of her mouth far too rapidly for her to believe.

But Alema slapped a cold hand over the fearful Queen's mouth. The Twi'lek grinned maliciously and leaned forward so that her forehead was against Ta'a Chume's. "Your money is not our mission," she slyly whispered. "You are ours."

Then Alema stood up and walked away three step before turning around with her blaster aimed at the Hapan Queen Mother, relishing her cries for mercy, and shot her directly in the head; then proceeded to fire five more shots into the Queen's head, completely deforming the face beyond recognition, much to her genuine pleasure.

"An impressive display," said a voice from behind Alema. She jumped at the sound and whirled around to see Callista Ming standing at the tunnel entrance. "Your skills have certainly not degraded. They may have even improved, though you left a body trail leading to your . . . destination."

"You." Alema quickly called upon the Force and her Lightsaber was summoned to her hand from a concealed pouch on her belt. The blue light cascaded up as the Twi'lek activated her saber and leaped at Callista.

Callista Ming's hands shot out and her Lightsaber was brought up to block the strike instantly. The two combatants stayed locked together, gauging each other for the next move. Callista decided to go on the offensive first. She pushed Alema back with a shove and began a flurry of strikes aimed at Alema's head which drove her backwards. But Alema would not back away from her. The Twi'lek spun around stopping Callista's forward momentum and kicked her, sending the Jedi sliding away on the floor. The Dark Jedi then leaped over Callista and swung her blade to decapitate her but the Jedi was ready.

Ming was able block Alema's first strike with ease, then she spun away from the second and thrust forward with her lightsaber to pin down Rar's exposed saber hand. Then with one swift motion, Callista kicked Alema's lightsaber out of her hand and brought her own up to the Twi'lek's throat.

Alema stood completely still, her lips curled into a snarl and her eyes filled with hatred. In that one moment, Callista pitied Alema Rar. There was a time when Alema could have been a great Jedi Knight and, on the flip side, a powerful Sith Lord. But now, she was no more than a deranged tool, incapable of her own independence. Her only purpose now was to fulfill the purpose of others.

Alema spit at Callista's face. "Well Jedi, finish it. Kill us."

Callista had no intention of killing her prisoner. Instead, she wanted to get to the bottom of this plot immediately. "No. You have not failed your assignment and I wish to know more about it," she said with an amusing tone. The Jedi deactivated her lightsaber and, in a surprising move, flipped the blade end toward her and held it out to Alema.

Alema's eyes widened in unbelief nut she took advantage. She instantly reached out and took Ming's lightsaber from her and reached out with the Force to pull her own lightsaber back to her. With both blades in her hands she activated them and held the lightsabers crossed over Callista's neck. "Now you die, stupid Jedi," she hissed with an evil glint her eyes.

However, Callista was not daunted in the least. She continued to hold eye contact with Alema. "I don't believe it is your master's plan for my demise. Do you?"

Callista had taken a big gamble by handing over her weapon and making such a comment to Alema. She was not entirely certain if her theory was correct. For just a split second, a terrified look of uncertainty crossed over the Twi'lek's blue skinned face. The gamble had paid off. A sneer once again took over as the dominant attribute of Alema. "Why did you follow us, Jedi?"

Now it was Callista's turn to relish the moment. "I wish to meet your master."

"Jacen, behind you!" Tenel Ka said as she put yet another Mandalorian down.

Jacen looked up just in time to see a vibroblade coming down on him. The Jedi Master quickly rolled away and came up with his lightsaber ready to parry. The Mandalorian charged down on him once again and swung his blade in a wide powerful arc that knocked Jacen back when their blades collided. This Mandalorian would be a test for any Jedi which Jacen was not excluded from.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nelani and Tenel Ka approaching to aide him. "Keep going. I'll handle this." The two women faltered for a moment before turning around and sprinting toward their destination.

Jacen turned his attention back to his opponent and they began to circle one another. Halfway through the revolution, the Mandalorian lunged at him. Jacen parried the blow and launched an attack of his own. His onslaught drove the Mandalorian back and had him on the verge of defeat. But Mandalorians were well known for their physical prowess which few Jedi could match and while Solo was well built, he did not have the strength to fight a crusader in a fistfight. The Mandalorian locked blades with Jacen then grabbed onto the Jedi's saber hand with his free one. Jacen reciprocated and they were now in a lock of strength which Jacen would not be able to win in the long run. Then the Mandalorian pulled back his helmeted head and bashed it into Jacen's which laid him flat on his back.

Fortunately for Jacen, in what would normally be a show of strength, the Mandalorian made a fatal mistake. Now that he was free, Jacen could see the clear weakness of his adversary. Once again the Mandalorian brought his blade up in an attempt to dismember the Jedi but Jacen rolled to the right of the strike. Reaching out with the Force he summoned a piece of debris and flung it at the Mandalorian knocking him down. Jacen then leaped over his enemy, bringing his blade underneath his body to parry a strike meant to split him in two. Then upon landing, he swung his lightsaber back and the Mandalorian was too slow to block. The Mandalorian's head fell to the floor just before his decapitated body landed alongside it.

Jacen stood up slowly gasping for breath at the physical exertion of the fight and touched his head softly to feel it pulsing from the blow. A sticky substance leaked onto his hand and he drew it back to see blood seeping from the gash. Suddenly a high pitched scream echoed through the halls and Jacen jumped to alertness and began sprinting down the hall after his wife and apprentice.

Through the hallways he ran full speed, calling on the Force to aide his weak body. There were more corpses littering the rooms and halls of the palace but he could sense life forms still within. Most were Hapans but he could feel the agony of his wife against the dark aura of the Mandalorians. When he reached the Queen Mother's private chambers, he stood rooted to his place in the nursery doorway. There in the middle of the room sat the crying form of Tenel Ka with Nelani attempting to give her some consoling words. Before them lay the mutilated body of Ta'a Chume, grandmother of Tenel Ka and Queen Mother of the Hapan Consortium. All around her body were the corpses of not only her personal bodyguard but also Mandalorian crusaders.

He finally got the courage to walk up to his wife and crouch beside her with an arm around her shoulders. After a few moments she looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "They were just standing there looking at her like she was nothing but a sack of bantha fodder . . . to destroy her in such a way . . . is there no morality anymore!"

Jacen pulled her against his chest as she began to sob, her tears wetting his tunic. He had never liked Ta'a Chume even before she tried to kill her granddaughter and her child. After that incident he had let his feelings get the better of him, when he used the Force to send her into a coma with a brain hemorrhage. Anger and no small amount of hate had been the dominant feelings he had for her but now all he could feel was pity and loss.

After the Corellian forces led by Jedi General Valin Horn defeated the Mandalorian fleet in orbit, they began landing legions of troops on the surface to aide Jacen Solo and the Hapans who then routed the Mandalorian ground troops. But there was no celebration once victory was achieved. The Queen Mother had fallen and for all the Hapan people had done, they failed to protect the most important woman in their society. Members of the Jedi Council soon arrived with Chief Omas and other political figures and word was received that General Skywalker would be arriving as well.

Ta'a Chume was laid to rest by way of Hapan ritual and now unrest grew among the multitudes of Hapans over who would become the new Queen Mother. However, secluded in the Fountain Palace, the Jedi Council and those among the Republic and Hapan personnel they trusted were in a deep discussion over recent events.

"We are all very grieved by the events that have taken place here and your loss weighs heavily upon us all," Luke Skywalker said to Isolder son of Ta'a Chume. The words were true but even Isolder knew that many of the people present did not care much for her.

Isolder accepted Luke's condolences gratefully. "Thank you, Master Skywalker. However, it cannot change the fact that I have lost a mother and the people have lost their Queen."

"What are your people's options?" asked Leia Solo.

Tenel Ka suddenly spoke up in a bitter tone, "We've been over this before."

"We merely wish to know the options, Tenel Ka," Luke subtly reprimanded. She averted her gaze to the stone floor to avoid looking at anyone.

Isolder then continued after his daughter's outburst. "Obviously, you would be the people's first choice by far. I could remarry but that would be unfair to both myself and my bride and it would be doubtful that the line would continue." He began to pace and the assembly waited in expectation for him to return from his thoughts. "Our only other choice would be to allow the Royal Court to attempt to elect a new Royal House before they start to plot against each other. This will be the first time in years that the royal line has failed," he said dejectedly.

"No!" cried Tenel Ka with an air of anger. She was not about to let the throne go to those vultures in the court. "There has to be another way."

Isolder's face turned dark with anger and yet he still managed to speak in a caring but elevated voice. "Then take your birthright and save your people!" he breathed out.

Tenel Ka was once again looking at the floor with Isolder gazing eagerly at her. No one in the room dared to speak. Luke had learned long ago as well as Leia that this was an issue that was purely between father and daughter. Jacen was looking between Tenel Ka and her father with unease. The room was as silent as the grave. What had begun as a discussion of Hapes future had suddenly turned into a battle between kindred blood for the right of the throne.

Luke remained patient but though he seemed to be calm and content on the outside, he was fearful of what the outcome from all this would be. Softly, as if spoken from a young child, a female voice said, "I will."

Every eye was then trained on Tenel Ka. She lifted up her head and for the first time in years put on the face of royalty as she gazed directly into her father's eyes. "I will reclaim my birthright as Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium," she declared proudly but somber.

"Are you sure?" Jacen whispered into her ear, concern etched in his tone.

Tenel Ka shared a tender look with him before turning away to speak to the assembly. "A Jedi must do her duty and this is mine." She then turned her gaze to Luke who was watching the whole conversation, "I know I chose the Jedi over Hapes on Ossus but I have to do this. Are you angry with me?"

Luke let his stoic persona fall for the moment and gave her a smile. "No, I could never be angry with you. You had a difficult choice to make and think I speak for everyone here when I say that you are and always will be a Jedi."

Tenel Ka whispered a thank you to him. Then the Jedi Master asked Isolder, "I believe there is plenty to be done before the coronation?"

"Yes, we have much to do," Isolder said eagerly. He nodded his head and all the Hapans and lower level personnel left the room.

Tenel Ka made to follow but she noticed that Jacen was not by her side. She looked back at him with an imploring look. He made a dismissive gesture and said, "The Council has some business to discuss. I'll see you tonight." She sighed but continued on out the door.

Luke's formerly happy face now held a look of deep concern. "How many losses have we suffered?" he asked.

Admiral Darklighter was the first to answer. "We lost five cruisers and we're still counting our ground units. I hate to admit it but without the Corellians none of us would be here."

While Luke was indeed thankful for the arrival of Valin and the Corellian fleet, he could feel the shroud of the dark side around their sudden eagerness to aide in the battle. "And what of the Jedi?" he asked Jaina, the leader of the operation.

"Our losses were much less. Most of those who died were killed engaging the Mandalorian fleet." Jaina paused for a moment, hesitant to tell her uncle the news.

"Jaina?" Luke pressed, wishing to know what she was keeping from him.

The woman lowered her head and stared at the floor until she found her courage and raised her gaze to meet Luke's. "Callista Ming is unaccounted for."

The Jedi Master's eyes widened at this while he vaguely heard others murmuring amongst themselves. "Are you sure?"

This time it was Booster Terrik that replied, "She left the Venture shortly after Solo's assault force went. She hasn't been seen since."

Luke barely registered what was said. He was too busy staring off into space as if he had completely withdrawn from the physical world. Mara was suddenly beside him and placed a hand on his arm shaking him away from his thoughts. "Luke, she's gone," she said in a gentle tone. She had never liked Callista Ming but she knew how much she had meant to her husband.

"I know," he responded sadly, "It's just . . . it doesn't matter. We should move on to other business."

Thankfully, Corran spoke up voicing his interest in his son's activities. "Do we know any more about the Corellians involvement?"

"As I have said before, Valin Horn said they came courtesy of General Skywalker," Darklighter said. He looked pointedly at Luke, "Is there reason to doubt their motives?"

Luke hesitated. It was obvious to all that the question was meant for him. The Skywalker, Solo and Horn families were the most intrigued by this and eagerly awaited his answer. Still, it required a lot more thought than most people knew. "I am not sure. The Dark Side of the Force clouds everything. But I don't like the way events are unfolding. No one does anything without a motive."

"Luke-," Kyle Katarn started only to be silenced by Luke himself.

"My father returned to the light because he could no longer bear to see me, his son, suffering. The Corellians would have needed some type of incentive to fight with the Republic." Luke said all of this as if he were stating common facts that people needed to be reminded of.

Katarn looked away from Luke feeling like he had been dealt a blow to the heart. He truly felt dirty for making the suggestion. But the point was valid. Had the Corellians benefited from this or did they really have a change of heart? The question remained.

Luke was similarly perplexed. But he still held to his convictions. "No one changes that quickly without a reason. I think it would be a good idea to keep a closer eye on the fleet and its commanders."

Corran agreed completely. "I agree. My son was the one to arrive with the Corellians, perhaps we need a different approach to this situation." A chorus of "I agrees" resounded round the room.

Luke looked at Jacen and the younger man nodded at him. He sighed to himself and shared a glance with Mara. It was time to change tactics.

Nelani walked quietly through the halls of the Fountain Palace. Inner turmoil was spreading through her like wildfire ever since she was summoned by Master Solo to meet with the Council. She had never been requested to be in their presence on her own before. Had she done something wrong? The continued to gnaw at her. No, she couldn't have. Master Solo had commended her for her bravery as soon as the invasion was repelled. Maybe it was a new mission or a promotion. She had no way of knowing but something didn't feel quite right about it.

The Jedi Knight halted just behind the door leading to the Council. She knew she would go in regardless but it was always best to center oneself before entering a room full of Jedi Masters. She took a deep breath, calling on the Force for comfort and entered the room. She was greeted by the sight of the Jedi Council standing in a group, some standing closer together than others. Master Solo beckoned to her with his hand and she glided over to stand by his side.

Jacen smiled at her for a moment and then turned to Master Skywalker. "She is ready for this, Uncle Luke," he said with a serious face once again.

"Are you sure, Jacen?" Mara Jade Skywalker asked from her husband's side.

"Ready for what?" Nelani asked in confusion. She didn't know what they were talking about. The uneasy feeling she had was beginning to intensify in the back of her mind.

Luke cleared his throat catching her attention. "Jacen believes you are ready for an assignment. Though some of us may have reservations about that."

An assignment? That was what this was about. It didn't seem like such a big issue but Luke had said some of them didn't agree with Jacen. Why? "Why do you say that?" she asked him.

However, Jacen was the one to answer the question. "This conversation cannot leave this room. Understand?" At Nelani's nod he continued, "The Council wants you to join the Revanchists and report on all of General Skywalker's and General Horn's dealings. We want to know what they're up to."

At the mention of Ben Skywalker and Valin Horn her inner feelings turned even more uneasy. That was the reason for Luke's hesitation. The Council was divided on the issue but the vote had passed and now they wanted to know what her reaction would be. "I will do whatever the Council wants of me." She declared confidently. Nelani saw that she had pleased Luke with her reply.

"As you know, many Jedi have joined the war effort. Your mission is to join their ranks and gain the favor of the admiralty and get close to my son and Knight Horn. Once you glean any useful information you must then transmit it to us as soon as you are able," the Grand Master told her with an even tone. His face then gave her a look of sympathy, "I have been through many wars and I know you will not be excluded from the fighting. Your skills have been honed and they will only get better but no matter how well you performed in battle today, this war will test you in ways you cannot yet realize."

Nelani swallowed the lump in her throat and responded. "I understand, Master Skywalker. If I may ask, how do I get close to them if I am just another Jedi joining the war effort?"

Jacen grinned at her. She was very perceptive. "Ben will be arriving tomorrow for the celebration. After it is over you must meet him and play on his pride. He knows that you have been learning advanced saber techniques with me. If you can convince him that you wish to join the Revanchists then relate to him that I told you he was the greatest swordsman in the Order. For one as young as he is, he may be the best. Tell him that you wish to learn from him. If he agrees to teach you then you are well on your way. The rest is up to you."

"Thank you for having faith in me, Master Solo," Nelani told him gratefully.

"You have been well trained Nelani. The Force will be with you," Jacen replied. He genuinely believed that she would be successful on her mission.

The crowds of people surrounding the Fountain Palace had not been so great in many years. The coronation had gone according to plan and now Tenel Ka Solo was Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium and Empress of the Empress Teta system. The people had celebrated with rejoicing as Tenel Ka took up the mantle of queen again. It was the Hapan belief that men were incapable of ruling. Many in the Republic did not understand this theology and thus gave their applause with an air of confusion. But for the Hapans themselves, hope had been rekindled and they would avenge the loss of Ta'a Chume.

The current celebration was not for the Queen Mother but rather a patriotic gathering of the locals signing up for war. Nearly every available Hapan of fighting age had enlisted as the military and the Hapan Royal Navy began to mobilize. The Jedi were currently assisting where need be and Admiral Darklighter was going over strategy with Isolder and the other Hapan commanders. After victory had been achieved, Valin Horn was labeled a hero by the Hapans but they were weary and angered by the presence of the Corellians. While they were thankful for their timely arrival, they had not forgotten what Thrackan Sal-Solo did during the Yuuzhan Vong War. Three quarters of the Hapan Royal Navy was wiped out when Sal-Solo decided to fire Centerpoint Station during the Battle of Fondor and they did not forget or forgive it. But when Ben Skywalker arrived, he was able to persuade the people that the Corellians came to their defense willingly and convinced the Hapans to tolerate if not accept the Corellians.

Like Valin, Ben was given a hero's welcome by the people and vowed to drive the Mandalorians to the very brink of the galaxy which awarded him favor in their eyes. All of this happened in view of the ever watching eyes of the Jedi and Queen Mother. In a corner away from the Jedi, Ben Skywalker and Valin Horn had been going over reports from the Dxun. So far the battle was going terribly. Losses were mounting on both sides but as the casualty reports came in, it seemed that for every Mandalorian that went down ten Republic soldiers went with him. The fighting was incredibly fierce and it was unknown who was truly winning.

Finally there was a break in the conversation and Nelani Dinn saw her chance to talk with Ben when the meeting ended and Valin walked away. She made her way slowly over to him from her position on the opposite side of the room. He must have sensed her approach when he turned to greet her. "Knight Dinn, I didn't expect you to speak with me," he said with genuine surprise in his voice.

Nelani smiled politely. Though she was several years older than Ben he had long surpassed her in both status and skills. "I need to speak to you about a personal issue, if you don't mind."

It was impossible to tell what his expression was behind the mask but Nelani truly believed he was at the very least mildly intrigued by her sudden confession. "Not at all. What is on your mind?"

She came closer to him so that they were only a mere foot apart. "I wish to join you and the others in the war." She took a moment to look over his form to gauge his reaction but he showed no emotion whatsoever. "I can no longer ignore it. Not after seeing what happened here . . . what happened to the Queen Mother," she said with a choked voice at the end.

It was quiet for a moment, neither person moving. Nelani began to feel fear start to grip her heart but that fear was alleviated as Ben spoke. "You do realize you will be facing the possibility of leaving the Jedi Order. Are you not currently learning from Jacen Solo?"

"Yes, but I was hoping that you could take his place," Nelani said in a low voice. "He often said that you were the greatest duelist in the Order. Master Solo has nothing left to teach me, but I know I could learn much more from you than I ever could with him."

There it was. Her part of the plan was now over. She had requested to join his ranks and she appealed to his pride by asking for him to train her. Now it was up to Ben to decide whether to accept her request or not.

Once again he was silent. Ben Skywalker had an uncanny way of unnerving her by simply standing still without speaking. That combined with his mask and dark attire made him a very eerie and polarizing figure. Finally he disturbed her from her thoughts. "I accept your offer. You will be required to follow my lead in all situations. Are you ready to make such a commitment even to the death?"

Nelani raised her head proudly and said, "Yes. I am ready to follow you to victory and death."

"Very well. Your training will commence immediately. Report to my ship at dawn tomorrow."

Nelani bowed her head indicating her submission to his authority, "Yes Master."

She was about to say more but Ben raised his hand stopping her in mid-thought. "I am not your master, merely your commanding officer. You may use whatever term you wish to address me as I am known by many names to many people."

Nelani thought for a moment before speaking, "I have heard of some. I think Revan stands out above the others though.

Ben inclined his head, the first sign other than his voice that made her believe he was actually alive. "That is . . . appropriate. And you would be surprised just how many beings refer to me by that name. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must make preparations."

He made to walk away but Nelani's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Where are we heading to, General?"

She eyed him from behind but he didn't turn around. He resumed walking but she heard him quite clearly which sent a cold chill down her spine. "Dxun."

Author Note

I want to thank everyone that has continued following this story over the years. I know it's been over a year since my last update but I have had several problems and time consuming issues to deal with and that has not changed. Sadly, I have to leave this story on the shelf for now. I said it before that I would continue it and I am sticking with it but I don't know when and how often updates will come. This story will be finished SOMEDAY! Thank you to all the suggestions on names but I have decided to stick with Revan and Malak partly because as far as we know their stories are now legends instead of canon which is to bad. As always I love to have reviews and if you want this story to continue sooner than later please review and pm me with your opinions and suggestions. Right now I don't have the motivation to make enough time to write at this point but if the readers want it I may attempt to write quicker. Review and refer others to this story!