The Birth Of Acceptance

By Sienn (2002)

 

Rating (for chapter): PG-13

Protagonists: Luke/Mara

Category: Action/Angst/Drama

 

Series: Part III of "Soul's Trial" Trilogy

 

Time Frame: 26 A.Y. (immediately after "Soul's Trial II: Healing")

 

Spoilers:

See Chapter 1

 

Disclaimer:

See Chapter 1

 

Prologue

By Sienn (2002)

 

Rating (for chapter):  PG-13 

Protagonists: Luke/Mara 

Category: Action/Angst/Drama 

Series: Part III of "Soul's Trial" Trilogy 

Time Frame: 26 A.Y. (immediately after "Soul's Trial II: Healing") 

Spoilers:

"Vector Prime", "Dark Tide I: Onslaught", "Dark Tide II: Ruin", "Soul's Trial I: Jedi Dawn", "Soul's Trial II: Healing" 

Disclaimer:

I do not own most of these characters. I do not intend to earn money with this story, nor do I express any rights. "STAR WARS" belongs to George Lucas alone.

To see a list of original characters, weapons, names and procedures I created, please check out the appendix at the end of the book.

 

The Yuuzhan Vong worldship Doola was an ancient vessel, one of the oldest of its 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 things were going, the inhabitants of Doola were inclined to think that perhaps it would have been better if their home had been a little weaker, 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 last, they should be able to settle down on a real planet.
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 in order to get what they desperately needed to prevent their race's extinction - planets to settle.

The announcement honoured 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 into 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, of 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 fear and be able to give their 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 weren't only those who supported Tsavong Lah in his quest, or such who merely ignored him 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-Yammka the Slayer, who had blessed Tsavong Lah long ago.

The Warriors for their part had learned from Denj Idao's fault and hadn't dared stray from the orders their leader had given them - the few that had sympathised with the rebellious ideas of the late admiral had soon lost their bravery 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, especially those serving Yun-Harla, 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 sworn to obey as long as she travelled under his care. Elan had also acted against every belief of honour the Yuuzhan Vong culture held dear.

Trying to strike at an enemy was fine, expected and not to be chastised. 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 spread among people - speaking of the Priests' obvious distance from their very own culture, of their fear of pain. And most of all, the Priests' untrustworthiness. The influence of the High Priest of the sect of Yun-Harla, the Trickster goddess, had decreased and none of his underlings were present in the infidels' galaxy. This had been a proposal made by Tsavong Lah himself and the Supreme Overlord Shimrra had well accepted it. He had even temporarily banished the High Priest 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's skin 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 have cared for the fate that had befallen the sect of Yun-Harla. The Yuuzhan Vong woman didn't like the Priests - whether Yun-Harla followers or not - and especially those of the Trickster goddess were like vermin to her. Their elaborate and mostly fruitless schemes couldn't match rational intelligence or the skills of her own caste's members.

She admitted that she had tried to use one 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, feelings for an infidel had led to her untimely demise.

Along 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 completely revamp her plans if she still hoped to succeed. She didn't regret that it had been her act of treason that had brought about Elan's death - the Priestess had become useless the moment she had lost her cold, cruel reasoning to the soft pity her heart and her desires had dictated her.

If she hadn't gotten rid of Elan this way, she would have found other means. 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 both Tsavong Lah and the foul New Republic. But a lot of damage wasn't going to suffice.

She had to be flexible 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. Her invitations had been impossible to refuse - she had made sure of that.

After decades of dealing with all of the assembled, she knew things about every single one of them that would ensure her at least that they were going to listen.

It would NOT ensure her any support if she didn't manage 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 gathered Yuuzhan Vong. Forty, to be exact – the totality of her caste's representatives in the infidels' galaxy. As she could see in their faces and headdresses, none of them was delighted 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 row, 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 thought politeness to be a key in the whole matter, she would have enjoyed kicking him out immediately. As things lay, though, she had to keep him more or less comfortable, for she certainly didn't want him to go straight to the worldship's commander and tell him that some cloaked figure tried to rouse the Shaper 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 cooperate with the infidels and the Jeedai?"

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. They probably 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-Yammka the Slayer not only with bravery and strength, but also with knowledge and reason.

The news of the claimed involvement of one of their own 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 THINK at something like this was unbelievable.

When details had become known, the disgust for whoever it had been that had helped Elan had quadrupled. The fine art of shaping a familiar against the very being's will was known only to a few and mastered by even fewer. 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 extremely rare beings that held more in store 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 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 that would have been able to perform the special shaping in theory and only half a dozen who would actually have had a chance to succeed.

After a lot of suspicion, interrogations and heated discussions, they had settled on one name. And after these 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 glided off her as did water off oil.

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

Most of them were Master Shapers, people who had learned the art of Shaping at the same time she had - people who were the closest things to friends she would ever have.
But one of them was a surprise even to her. Young, lean and handsome - for a Shaper - the young one stepped in front of her, bowing in respect. Not a single Shaper finger was visible - 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 - they weren't going 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, that I do not know you yet. What is your name?"

"Nen Yim, Master Shaper."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Nen Yim. Still, 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 – she didn't do so often and hadn't done so at all lately - 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 infidels in quite the way YOU'RE wishing to. 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 in front of 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 quick 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 something entirely different. He wasn't going to be 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 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 forced Tsavong Lah to acknowledge what we can DO if we are just allowed to do it."

"What you are saying, then, is that you want to try 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 in front of her chest.

Kwaad snorted: "Let me assure you all that I wouldn't need any of YOU if I really wanted 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, but I couldn't rely on Elan." 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 create something REALLY useful. Something that would ensure us the victory over the infidels."

She paused for a moment, then continued softly, but clearly: "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 with." 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 thought Kwaad would pursue further later.

After a while, Ood cleared his throat. His headdress quivered 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 that is loyal to him. 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 up as she was addressed like this - "Master Shaper.. Mistress?" shhe corrected herself, hope filling her eyes.

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

Nen Yim's mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she had formulated her thoughts: "Mistress, I was under the impression that you only intended 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 for such knowledge. But come with me now, we have a lot to do and prepare." Nodding mutely, the young girl followed her out of the conference chamber in awed admiration. On still, hidden paths, they made their way towards the hangar bay.

**~

Mezhan was inwardly smiling to herself all the way to her ship. There was indeed a joker left to her – it would not only be crucial to her plight, it would also be a nice little distraction all through the way. Amusing and delighting. 'Isn't it so, my dear Liin?' she sent 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, Mara Jade Skywalker returned her attention to her book-chip and continued caressing through the soft hair of her husband, quickly forgetting the little incident.

 

 

| To Be Continued |

 

 

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