Arkania's Open Orbit

The female Yuuzhan Vong called 'Vongoria' to her crew and others dropped out of hyperspace, the focal basins depositing the two craft exactly where she wanted them to be. The Miid ro'ik war ship, coated in its glossy black armor and the slave ship following along behind it approached the planet Arkania. The female, sitting with in her commanding chair strokes the oogzill before herself and watched as the specialized villip unfolded.

Once the structure had completely inverted itself before her, she directed her voice at it and it would be transferred by the organic technology in to radio waves to be picked up by any infidels in the area and their abominable technology.

"To the none Yuuzhan Vong of this world, there is nothing to fear. We do not come to harm you, injure anybody, or cause trouble. We are simply here as explorers searching for something. With your permission, I along five of my Vongalites and two crew to pilot our craft shall descend to the surface of the planet."

She waited for the response she knew would come. Many still feared the Yuuzhan Vong, memories of the recent war between them still fresh and oozing like wounds unsealed by clip-beetles. However she was not here for war, or to rend open old wounds. She was, above her station as commander of her small fleet, a scientist and that was why she was here. For scientific pursuits, not military endeavors.

Leaving Yavin behind, and after changing course several times to deter anyone from directly tracking him (as well as trading ships from the experimental interceptor back to his normal ride), Kel'Al dropped his Corellian Tracer out of hyperspace on the outer edges of the Arkania system. Slowing his engines to a very gradual approach to the planet, the Jedi Master engaged every passive sensor and instrument at his disposal, and commanded Sev to do the same. The Astromech twittered back in an uncertain voice, but the Corellian ignored him. He was already concentrating deeply, eyes closed as he opened himself to the Force, and tried to sense the distant planet.

At first, he could sense nothing, but then he recoiled as if he had received a burn or an electric shock. The planet felt and sounded like pain incarnated. Something awful had happened, something even worse than the civil war in which Arhiia had so recently triumphed (for he considered a victory, although it had cost her much of her power, because the fighting and death were over). Steeling himself and stretching out once more, he sensed death, and the absence of life. The planet was inhabited, but much less densely than it should have been. It seemed that his suspicions and precognition of doom had been correct. He should have come sooner.

His heart sinking, the Jedi eased the controls forward almost without a conscious thought, eager to draw closer so that he might discern more detail about the plight of the Arkanians. And in all of the turmoil, he sought the Force presence of one particular person most earnestly of all. One which he did not expect to feel, but which he could not forget, either.

Kel'Al caught sight of the Nebula-class star destroyer in orbit, along with other craft at a further distance, and although he did not alter his course toward the planet, mentally he hesitated. They had made no move yet to challenge his presence or intercept his approach, but he knew they would see him soon enough, if they had not already. He was surprised by their presence. All reports had implied that Arkanian airspace was deserted. Then again, those reports had failed to mention the darkness he could sense practically bleeding from the planet itself, so maybe he had better set those reports aside, and trust only his feelings and senses.

And then, for just an instant, he felt the touch of another Force presence. There was a force sensitive being on the Nebula, and he was definitely not a Jedi. The Corellian wondered whether he should have concealed his own presence from the moment of his arrival, but that would have largely defeated one of his goals: finding her. Deciding to take a cautious approach, he powered on the shields of his starfighter, although he left the weapons systems alone. Firing up the cannons would have sent entirely the wrong message.

And so his Corellian Tracer (designed by CEC to be the rough combat equivalent of the X-wing) descended toward the planet. The Jedi had no desire to broadcast his presence to the world at large, and the unknown evils that might be lurking below, and so he made no attempt to contact anyone. If the forces in orbit cared to know who he was, they would ask. If not, he preferred to remain anonymous.

Less than an hour after Theo's arrival, Kel'Al returned to orbit in his Corellian Tracer, leaving the young night alone on the surface. Setting his course for the Outer Rim, the Corellian keyed in a circuitous path that would serve to conceal his tracks and his true planets of origin and destination. He briefly considered stopping off to swap starfighter for the one Master Tuhlute had given him, as it would no doubt be recognizable to Adieumus Matango, but then he decided it would be a bad idea to imply any involvement by Tuhlute. It was best if Adi believed Kel'Al's arrival to be a coincidence, at least until he had a chance to determine the man's true state.

Pulling away from the planet, Kel'Al opened a secure com channel to Corellia. First, he sent a message to his sister about his mission, but no location. Theo was the failsafe who would give her that clue, if necessary. Kay'li, I have failed to find any trace of Arhiia Concordia on Arkania, but I do have a new lead on Adieumus Matango. You have no doubt seen the rashly issued arrest warrant by now. I believe that Adi is alive, and that he has been tainted by the darkside. You know what that means, I don't even have to say it. If I need your assistance, I will be in contact soon. He must get there first, to prevent bloodshed, or many unsuspecting Jedi will die, not realizing Adi's power, and assuming him to be an imposter. He believes that only a familiar and trusted face such as himself can safely approach the suspected Jedi deserter.

Then, he sent a different message to Raksha and to Cal, the Sand Panther pilots. I have a job for you, if you are still interested. Both a mission and a test. Come to Arkania and locate the ruined Jedi Guardian Temple. I do not want to broadcast secrets such as this over hypercom, so meet there, and you will learn the rest.

With his course locked, Master Raganella cut the channel and made the jump to hyperspeed.