<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Enroute to Capricia...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Leia swallowed hard.

Unconsciously, even against her conscience will, she took a step backwards, away from Tyscio.

She eyed the shards of glass warily, suddenly, they dissapeared, replaced with a spinning world.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Why am I here...?

The vortex swirled around her, engulfed her. She was in the Force, looking at it. She was lost.

Familiarity. She had been here before. She looked to her left, expecting what she saw.

One force, an invading cancer, it spread, advancing towards her. She looked the other way, to her right.

Another Force, light and good, struggling, it backed away from her, away from the pressing threat on her other side. She was in the middle of the two forces.

~Which way do I go, why am I here?~

A new presence joined her in the middle. It was... different than any other. Suddenly the two distinct sides twisted together, became mottled and turbulent.

This presence was an exception... it had no boundaries, like the Vong did not follow her force rules, it was bound by neither the Vong nor the Force. Suddenly the odd aura of that presence dissapeared, it became 'normal' again according to the rules she was held by. The presence, she felt it again, recognized it. It was...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"Tyscio?"

She had spoken aloud. Her eyes snapped open, they had been closed. She found herself staring at Tyscio, who still stood silently across the room. Only a few seconds had actually passed in what Leia had thought to be several minutes...

"You..."

Everything inexplicably dissapeared as whatever had descended passed over, leaving what could be considered 'normal' again. Something had shut it out, restrained it.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Tyscio<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> had shut it out. It was coming from him. But why was she feeling it?

She stared at him, wide eyed, and spoke quietly.

"Frankly... it scares me too..."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Elrood<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



Herridian stepped over the symbol of the first Clannus Prime, his boots clicking against the dusty marble floor. When he spoke, his echo carried farther into the darkness as the massive room seemed to be almost bare.

It took the team several hours to navigate around and into the fissure but that was all forgotten once their feet stepped onto the solid ground of the room.

Mighty.... majestic columns rose on either side of the room and Herridian noted, as his personal light went around the room, that there was no entrance nor exit.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The room was sealed off from the outside... why?

And HOW in bloody blazes did Capricians come to be on Elrood...especially thousands of years ago.??<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He checked the dating figures again from a fellow scientist's machine, and moved toward a wall.

Caprician History dealing with the First Clannus Prime was sketchy at best. With their culture, governmental power and clan structure evolving over the centuries, it was hard to keep tract of the old ways...the "old history".

A square, rather dark crystal floated a bit off center (probably moved due to the fissure knocking a wall down) and several scientists went up to it.

Other's went straight for the walls of silver and gold, trying to read the ancient Caprician writing that surrounded them.

Herridian too was focused on a wall, when the cube suddenly lit up.. more than likely due to the proximity of some scientists getting nearer to it.

A hologram projection appeared over the cube..

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Sort of like an enlarged version of a Jedi holocron<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, Herridian mused.

The figure in the hologram began to speak but the language was nothing like he had ever heard.

Being Capricia's Minister of Education, he knew a bit about Caprician dialects and while the language seemed similar in some respects, the actual translation eluded him.

The figure's voice was calm...measured and seemed amiable enough.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> At least it is not some dead Sith spirit or some nonsense like that..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

The figure seemed to command some authority but his voice betrayed a certain softness...

and then the figure smiled...and Herridian's eyes went wide.


The figure was familiar.....


He'd seen him before...

Suddenly, his comm unit went off..

"Sir! We've found something I believe you will want to see!!"

Herridian snapped in annoyance..."What could be more important than the room I am standing in??"

"Sir, we've found Itala Marzullo's retreat route..and a possible location for Cuzzko."

Herridian winced..

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The plague! You are letting your excitement get in the way of the mission Herridian, my boy!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Send a protocol droid down here.. I want this stuff translated fast..and .."

"...but..but.. it's not going to happen that fast, Sir. This is the find of a lifetime!"

"There may not be a life for Carpricia if we don't stay focused!!" he retorted angrily..still mad that he'd slipped.

"People are fightin--" and that's when it hit him..

He stopped in mid-sentence..and turned to the hologram..going over the same recording (it seemed) again.

The same eyes...

the same humorous glint..

He kicked himself for not realizing it but he hadn't seen the boy since his return from Almania...which was months ago..

There'd been a celebration..


..and he stared at the hologram once more ...seeing it in a new light.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Tyscio Korban<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->




The plan was bold...the plan was messy ...but for now, the Caprician Fleet was holding their own against the massive ships of the invaders.


The Caprician Defense Fleet that had remained at Capricia had lifted up from their hiding spot to destroy the ship that was making a run for the planet...(probably a release device for the Yuuzhan Vong plague) and place themselves directly in the middle of the planet and the invader's fleet.

By themselves, they were outnumbered and outgunned and the mighty destroyers of their forces began to falter..


...only to be supported as the Fleet (under Tyscio Zier) returned from Tirus directly behind the invading forces..

Finding themselves in the middle of two forces, the Yuuzhan Vong met the challenge and fought furiously...


..and in the midst of the conflict, an officer detects the presence of another group of ships..

"Sir, military units bearing 234.321.431!!"

Tyscio Zier snapped an irritated look at the officer as if he had just cursed their homeworld and spit on a baby.

"Identify.."

"Sir, it's...it's.. Vinda Corporation?"


Tyscio blew out an impatient sigh and had a comm channel open.

"We are closed for business today gentlemen..." he snapped out... and then, noting (with eyes widening) what their fleet was comprised of.. "However, if you wish to aid in the protection of your commercial enterprise here then you are welcome... the enemy ships are those big, lumbering oval shaped things that are shooting at any familiar vessel you see with Caprician markings.. you are welcome to enter at any time-"

The ship shook violently..

"-if you will excuse me... there's a war on."


"Sir...we can't protect them if the invaders move to attack them.."


"Carry on, soldier. I am sure those corporate people can take care of themselves..."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Aboard the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Judicator<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->...enroute to Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Tyscio noted Leia take a step backward and inwardly sighed.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Unknown quantities always are feared...but does not fear lead to the darkside?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He turned his face from the swirls of light and faced her...

"I merely mean't the cup as a demonstration. Dramatic.. I know.." his grin became slightly lopsided.

"This..this weird ability is becoming pronounced and I don't know why."

His face grew serious...."But I do not mean to frighten you."

A hand went up to her cheek and she naturally drew back a little, not so much because of what happened but because of <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> who<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> she is.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Such defensiveness.....such walls...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"I felt sorrow from you in the hospital.....when you glanced at your lightsaber.."

His eyes showed concern, more for her than whatever he was going through... "Are you alright?"


Then his old humorous glint returned and he asked, "Are you going to drink that?"

"No" Leia said in response to both questions at once, and then realized she was already starting down the road of evasion again. She sighed, and dropped into a nearby chair next to the table. She eyed her drink for a moment, and then pushed the untouched glass towards Tyscio, who picked it up and examined it.

Leia cast her gaze downwards at the polished table top.

"No, I'm not alright, and it actually makes me less alright, because we should be worried about you, not me..."

She rested her elbows on the table and cradled her head in her hands. Words became difficult, she was battling internally with herself.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Huh, it was even hard to admit that.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"I realize I have been in shellshock ever since the beginning of that first battle. I guess it's only natural. I've always... had a very... defensive personal nature after my past experiences, strong mental walls have always protected me from the pain in there.

But that first battle got past some of those walls. I depended heavily on them. I'm unstable now Tyscio, lost. I still don't understand what is happening, and the fact that you are introducing such a potentially swaying factor into that which I already don't understand... it scares me. I can't handle it yet.

Everyone has their breaking point, so that they can let it all out, and then go on and deal with it. Something inside is keeping me from reaching mine, and I haven't found the time to deal with this yet, time has been very short.

I suppose though, that now just might be that time..."

She let her head drop to the table with a loud thunk. The coolness of the table spread across her hot cheek. She found she was soaked in a nervous sweat.

"I'm just an inexcuseable mess right now, and it's an unneeded extra burden on you. I'm sorry."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Aboard the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Judicator<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->....enroute to Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



Tyscio's eyes glanced at the curves of the glass, taking in what Leia was saying.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> We should be worried about me?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> a faint smile came to his lips and he watched her go silent as her breath cast a slight fog on the table.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> She's sweating..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> as he noted the sides of her hair wet and droplets on the table.


She was breaking....wanting to let loose... wanting to find some sort of equilibrium.


She was vulnerable.

"No apologies are necessary, Leia." he whispered.


So, setting the cup down, he walked over...pulled her chair back, knelt down, picked her up.....and simply held her.


Being in the state she was, there was no resistance..


His grip firm, he carried her over to the observation deck and as he looked down at her, his mind thought..

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Creating the barriers is easy.

The walls.. the defenses...these give us a false sense of security..

..because with these, we have total control.

We don't have that same control over the battlefield...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Yet, as a finger played lightly with her damp hair he simply said softly,


"When we are at our weakest...<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> and it happens to everyone<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->...

THIS is what is important."


He drew her close as if in reassurance..


"Human contact.. the human touch... the human factor...

The knowledge that we are not as alone as we feel...

I know that after this.. you will be there for me... with whatever is happening to me.. Please know that I will be there for you... I am here for you.."


The cascading lights that gave the room a soft erie tone splashed across Tyscio's eyes.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> We thrust ourselves into a vacuum, surrounded with metal forged from the earth, travellng faster than we were meant too....and we wonder why and how things can happen beyond our control...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He smiled an ironic smile and turned his attention to the woman in his arms.


"Whatever happened in your past to create such extreme mental defenses...however you were hurt, never forget that I am here."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Location unknown<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...Two days later...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




*A sharp voice cut thru the comm-link in Richter's Quarters, rising slowly, Richter scowled at the comms-unit recognising Tellum's voice. Despite the current crisis, and the growing list of repairs , Richter had managed to steal a few hours kip.
Sighing, he switched the unit on and answered...*

"..Go ahead..."

*Richters voice was still hoarse from fatigue, Tellum replied...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "...Sir, we have approached the unidentified planet, and are currently in its Orbit. Our short range scanners have detected life, technology, also they appear to have a form of sattelite detection, we have picked up on a small network-sytem of fifteen..."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*Richter nodded slowly, his eyes widening at the mention of life and technology...he paused for a moment, considering this*

"..ah, then its a safe bet they already know we are here then..."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "yes...though they have not hailed us....I was about to do so myself, but then as this is a Vinda-Corp vessel, it might be more appropriate if you...(his voice trailed off slightly as he searched for the right words)...well, they might feel safer seeing a businessman rather than a military officer..."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


*Richter smiled a little....*

"..I see, yes , it might be more favourable, first impressions do indeed make a lasting impression, very well, I shall be on the bridge at 11:00 hrs...."

*Richter caught sight of himself in a wall-Mirror, unshaven, shirt buttons undone, Tie nowhere to be found, creased suit, and his face frowned at the reflection.
Switching on the comm-link, he spoke to Tellum...*

"...better make it 11:30 hrs..."

*As Tellum acknowledged and signed off, Richter took a second glance at himself in the mirror, and shook his head...*


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..space-travel is definately not my thing....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Aboard the Judicator... arriving at Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Leia said nothing in response to Tyscio, only remained silent. There was nothing to be said. There was nothing that was supposed to be said.

She began to tremble slightly with unshed tears, her head came to rest on Tyscio’s shoulder. He offered strength and comfort to her in more than one form, and she accepted them all, let them fortify her ailing mind.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> There is a time for strength... but also a time for weakness...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Old sayings drifted through her mind as she floated halfway between awareness and sleep.

Sleep won over, and Leia drifted into a deep sleep, which deepened further into a Jedi healing trance. A trance that would heal not the flesh... but the soul.


***


The subtle deceleration of the Judicator from hyperspace triggered an instinctive reaction from the sleeping Leia. Her eyes snapped open, and she suddenly sat bolt upright, throwing off a set of blankets as she did so. She looked around, trying to reorient herself.

She found she was sitting in a bed, in a small berthing compartment on the warship. The room was quite dim, but looking down she saw her boots neatly put on the floor, and in the opposite corner of the room she could barely make out the figure of a person slouched motionless in a chair, whom she instantly knew was Tyscio.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> He must’ve put me to bed when I drifted off...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

That evoked a small inward smile.

Around the ship, the general quarters alarm began to blare, and the figure stirred slightly, but nothing more. She noticed he hadn’t been asleep, just watching and waiting.

Due to the fact that there was not really much either of them could do to help at the moment, Leia took her time in getting out of bed and putting her boots on. An unvoiced question from Tyscio caused her to speak first, and at that very quietly.

“I’m much better now than I was before......

Thank you.”

She stood and stretched, then glanced up at a chrono on the wall. She hadn’t been alseep more than 20 minutes, she found. But that time had been well used, Tyscio had helped her do some necessary quick patch healing, though the longer process would probably continue for some time, just much more subtly, something she would be able to easily handle. But the time for contemplating that was already past.

Feeling her mind change modes back to a stronger ‘normal’ form, Leia kicked Tyscio’s outstretched foot, feeling free to do so because it appeared he had finally bothered to put on some footwear.

“Get up, there’s a war on and I think our time out is over.”

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->




*..Vinda's face frowned slightly as he heard Tyscio Zier through the comms..*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...no need to be Carcastic...
...still I don't suppose my mood would be any better....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*...Observing the battle onscreen, Vinda looked for any weaknesses. Turning his chair to face Omar, Vinda gave his orders...*

"...Get us and the VSD's upfront , I want to bombard them from a distance though, stay at maxium range....load proton torpedos..and Captain, relay our actions to the Capricians, after all, friendly fire, isn't...."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ....lets see if we can dent their armour...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"... fire at will..."

*The orders were duly given, and the Core fleet advanced spreading a flurry of Torpedos towards the Vong Capital ships, Vinda-Corp's announcement of arrival came with a wave of explosions that rocked the ships to their core...

Vinda gripped the edges of his armrest, as he watched the battle unfold, the Screen lit his face up , casting harsh, angular shadows across his face...

....Something distracted him...

...The force...

but it was different...cold, no, somehow...

...detached....

Vinda's eyes narrowed as he felt a distant presence...
something..or rather <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> someone<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->...was coming...

...someone powerful....

Vinda sighed quietly to himself....*



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...lets hope whatever, whoever it is ....is on our side....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Location Unknown<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..11:29hrs...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



*Richter stood infront of the viewscreen struggling to make out the figure of a planetary official he was supposed to be talking to...
The technicians had done the best they could in their attempts to repair the communication array, through their efforts they were able to transmit short distances...*

"...yes attacked!, we ask for help and assistance, on behalf of The Vinda-Corporation...."

*As the screen fuzzed and static interrupted the signal, the figure seemed to jump from side to side...
...a garbled reply came through over the noise and interference...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..Per..sion...anted ...proce..d...or ...yo....n...afty..ake sure... breath..g appara..s s...used..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*Glancing towards Tellum, Richters face frowned as he tried to make the message out, Tellum shrugged, as if in reply...*

"..that sounds like permission to me!, get everyone to the shuttles, leave a skeletal crew onboard taken in shifts...the sooner we get things repaired, the sooner we can leave..."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...things don't seem too bad after all...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*..As the bridge crew started to move for an orderly evacuation, Tellum gestured for Richter's attention, taking him aside, the two spoke, almost as if trying to keep it from the rest of the crew's attention...*

"..Sir, we don't know whats waiting for us down there...also we have picked up high-level traces of ....(he lowered his voice further...)....spice..."

*...Richter's ears seemed to prick-up at the mention of the word....*

"...you're sure?..." (he asked cautiously)...

"..very, in fact the levels are off the chart, we had better get everyone to wear breathing apparatus, because from what I can gather from these readings, its so rich, its part of the atmosphere..."

*Richter considered this for a moment...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...so...we've found ourselves a Spice planet...but which one?...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"...this could be a potential business opportunity, but keep your eyes and ears open...you never know what to expect with these places...everyone from hutts to Imperials have an interest in the spice markets ,watch the crew too, spice is near priceless these days..."

*Tellum, nodded , obviously in strong agreement*

"...you have the bridge Commander..let me know the moment any new developments happen...I will see what we can gain from this situation...."

*..With that Richter strode purposefully out of the bridge, and made his way to his personal shuttle...his mind still racing through the possibilties that lay ahead...*


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...lets see if we can turn this situation around....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->