Located on the fringe of the Ivax Nebula in the Anoat Sector of the Greater Javin along the Ison Corridor, Hoth orbited the blue-white star Hoth on a wide elliptical orbit. Beyond Hoth was a large asteroid belt, known as the Hoth Asteroid Field, from which small asteroids regularly broke off, crashing onto Hoth's surface as meteorites.

The planet consisted of a molten metallic core with dichotomous crust. Its surface was entirely covered by a frozen ocean, except where volcanic fissures opened up steam vents, depositing rock and minerals in darker patches on the glacier planes. A few mountain ranges pierced the permanent ice shelves, some being geologically active. The tidal pull of Hoth's three nameless moons caused fissures in the ice-layers, sending jets of ocean water into the freezing Hoth air. The intense cold froze these jets into spires of ice, suspending primitive ocean algae within these tall columns and glaciers. Massive oceanic currents beneath the southern hemisphere caused regular seismic activity, resulting in a constantly shifting landscape of caves and tunnels. Buried deep in Hoth's equatorial region was a fissure, reaching hundreds of meters towards the core of the planet. In this area never exposed to Hoth's blue-white sun was a cache of lumni-spice, a rare fungal growth.

Its orbit and axial tilt resulted in consistently icy weather patterns. Daytime temperatures reached levels unbearable to most species and rarely rose above freezing, even in the planet's relatively mild equatorial regions. The gale force winds and intense snowstorms that regularly wracked the windswept surface magnified the extreme cold of Hoth.

The frigid biosphere included a minimal food chain: the predator wampas, the omnivorous tauntauns, the herbivorous Hoth hogs, a few rodent species, including snowmice and ice scrabblers, and iceworms, lichens, and Dragon Slugs.

The average planetary temperature was around -61ºC; however at Echo Base, located near the planet's equator in the northern hemisphere, daytime temperatures could reach -32ºC; however night-time temperatures got as low as -60.

Aug 9, 2009 11:13 AM | Report Abuse reply

*Approaching the system of Hoth, Jedi Master Starkiller in his XJ7 X-Wing fighter looks down below at the planet and shakes his head*

Of all the places that they wanted to meeet at, it had to be on the most desolate and cold as hell planets. Go figure...

*He then starts a scan on the planet and sees that there are some lifeforms such as Tauntauns and Wampa's about. So he then starts to search through the force looking for the void that the other Jedi have told him*

Ok Cait...you said that I would notice quite a void and I still don't feel a...

*Just then he realizes what she was talkig about. It was a cold and emptyless void in the force. A chill ran through his spine as he had never felt such a void before. He then looks to see where the void was comimng from, so he then descends towards the atmosphere and there he sees what looks to be a huge rock of some kind. Knowing that the Yuzhaan Vong hate vehicles and machines, he then lands his fighter about a mile away from the Rock. He then gets out of his fighter already dressed in his snow gear and makes his way towards the Rock for the meeting that he hopes will change not only the fate of the war, but also the fate of the galaxy and all it's inhabitants as well*

Aug 9, 2009 11:23 AM | Report Abuse reply

The giant hulking form of what was, in reality, the war vessel H'sltak, rested somewhat precariously upon the platelets of mile-thick ice of the land it occupied, surrounded by a fresh cover of powedery snow, strewn upon the wind and backed up over the rock-like coral surface of the vessels' outer hull. To any passer by, not that there were many, if any on this world, it would have appeared as though it was the result of an asteroid hit, a small scale one at that, but there was little surrounding evidence to suggest that this world had been the victim of an asteroid shower.

Inside the vessel's confines, it's crew of several hundred waited in baited silence for the order to make a move, and it would be a little while in coming. The ships sensory nodes could sense for many parsecs, but it would not have to, they already knew someone was coming, in fact, they were counting on it.

Quiescent upon the command deck, Lotva Shai stared out at the barren wasteland, frozen for millenia, with a baleful gaze. The word was, that the Jeedai had been keeping a close eye on their activities here and would be seeking them out. Why, well, that was the question wasn't it? She had little to go on really and in the wake of Nom Anor's untimely capture upon Sekot, she wasn't feeling particularly hospitable herself either.

Let the Jeedai come, let them find them, it would be entertainment if nothing else, their order was a pointless one in this galaxy, with their numbers now dwindling, they really had little left to bring them back from the brink. Why the Yuuzhan Vong warrior caste had paid them so much mind before now was beyond her, they would extinguish themselves, and take several more down with them, their threat was a non-threat now.
There were new threats arising in this galaxy, she knew, what with the empire reforming - she had witnessed part of their movement first hand - and gathering more worlds to them, eventually they would be able to amass a sizable force against the traditionalists and they would need to be ready.

The intrusive sounds of the sensory biots keening in acute alarm, indicated that they were no longer alone. Hopefully, Lotva Shai looked towards the warrior that was monitoring the sensory array, and quirked a brow in question.

"Another of this worlds creatures?" She asked with a slight growl.

"No Consul, an infidel craft, one of their fighters from what I can ascertain." The warrior responded reverently, watching as the Consul nodded knowingly and then waved off his impending eagnerness to alert others, or to meet the newcomer with force.

"Good, let them approach."

Incredulous, but nevertheless obedient, the warrior saluted in acknowledgement, and continued his observations.

Aug 9, 2009 12:14 PM | Report Abuse reply

*SK continued to walk towards the massive Rock, even though the temperatures here were way below freezing, using the force, he was able to calm himself down and to keep himself somewhat warm. As he continued his approach, he noticed that there were no guards here to greet him, there were no signs of life out here. He started to wonder if they actually knew that he was here.*

*He then checks his lightsaber which was consumed in the horn like organic case that Cait had given him and trusted her that the Vong would not detect it. Nonetheless if they did, it wouldn't matter, because he knows that he needs to speak to them any way he can and at any cost.*

*As he continues towards the rock, he then starts to think about the one he loves and the Jedi that are his friends, the people and worlds all across the galaxy that the Vong have said that they would conquer. But why? Why would they come to our galaxy and expect to conquer us? Was there something that we did? Did we provoke them in some way? These are the questions that he needed answered, that he needed to know more than anything, for his vision told him that this was something that needed to be done, that this is something that could turn the tide of war and hopefully brimg peace to this galaxy and possibly allow him to put his lightsaber away and find his love and settle down, have a family and once and for all, sleep at night without the nightmares and the worry of the galaxy on his shoulders*

*SK then finally reached his destination and looked at the Rock and did not see any doorway. He could not use the force to find an entrance way, though the force was still strong with him, he just could not see or find a doorway. So he then sat started to walk around the Rock like hull to look for an opening or at least until someone would come to greet him*

Aug 9, 2009 12:43 PM | Report Abuse reply

Their instructions were clear, let the infidel approach, let him puzzle out for himself how to get in or gain their attention - which, if he was smart, he would know he had it in the first place - and when he showed himself to be completely confused by the whole prospect, they would lead the way.

It was, perhaps, a little soon then, when the warriors designated to recover the errand infidel actually caused the 'tongue' of what he might have called a landing ramp, descend down through the dilating ribs of coral that opened out to disgorge it's other worldly inhabitants and reveal, quite literally, the belly of the beast beyond.

Four warriors, not particularly high ranking, but all clad in obsidian vonduun crab armour, descended the tongue of the vessel and out into the freezing wasteland beyond. Beneath their armour they were adorned with the heat preserving ooglith cloaker, a sort of living environmental suit that was closely related to it;s masquer cousin, though this did nothing to change the appearence of the wearer, merely transparent around the face and black in all other areas.

Amphistaves unfurled, the warriors spread out , three of them taking up position in a wide arc around the infidel with the fourth approaching the newcomer confidently. The warrior stopped stock still about two meters away from the disgusting creature before him and lightly tapped his own ear experimentally, a motion that would stimulate the language translating tizowyrm into action. It only took a moment or two more for the words to form on the warriors split lips.

"You will come with us." He said, glowering down at the slighter infidel infront of him, even as his cohorts were closing in around them both. There was a distinct guttural edge to everything he said, and there was no hint that he was going to gift this one any leeway in terms of negotiation, far from it, whatever this infidel had to say, was pointless to them, it did not matter one little bit what HE wanted. Assuming of course it was a he, this galaxy had all manner of strange infidels in it, and it literally made the warrior shudder to wonder what part of Yun-Yuuzhan some of them had come from!

They all turned, motioning with bony, black clawed fingers towards the mouth of the vessel, a couple of the warriors giving the infidel an inpromptu shove of encouragement - there was no sense in wasting time.

Aug 9, 2009 1:06 PM | Report Abuse reply

With clasped hands he was standing besides Lotva Shai. Waiting. He had got strict orders by the dread one himself to not leave her side. Well of course he was not anywhere close to her when he received the villip call but he right away set into motion and travelled through dark space to find the woman, an intendant. He didn't know why she would be special to the supreme one. When he first saw her he had an idea why, she was pregnant. He assumed it was the supreme one's child but that was just an assumption and nothing he could say for sure. And then reached word that Nom Anor was captured on Zonama Sekot, and then - reports of his death. He hadn't expect Lotva Shai to react as she did, she nearly got hysterics with anger and thoughts of revenge. She wanted the Jeedai to pay for his death.
Of course he did know the truth behind it all. He was the supreme one's private shaper.

Aug 9, 2009 1:53 PM | Report Abuse reply

From across the command deck Lotva Shai eyed the shaper suspiciously, she knew not why he was here but rather on who's orders. The supreme overlord had a vested interest in the proceedings, no doubt, but why send a shaper? It was not her place to question that of course, and she never would have done so verbally, but it did not stop her mind from asking. Why? Why a shaper?

The consul recalled almost a klekket ago, when she had been summoned by the dread one, for what she had assumed was a meeting during which she would report the results of a past mission. What had transpired was far from that, for once she had uttered her failings, the dreadlord had embarked on something of a questioning session - mainly about her dealings with the prefect, Drag'khul, who she had been working with on many of the traditionalists missions in this galaxy. Of course, Lotva Shai had known that the prefect was not who he professed to be, and as such she carried a rather large burden of a secret with her, in more ways than one.
The dreadlord had known, just as she supposed he would - he communed with Yun-Yuuzhan daily - that she was carrying a crecheling, even before that had begun to show. She recalled freezing in the instant he had rebuked her for her lies, and in those seconds she had truly expected death, she would not have shyed from it. But that had never happened, he'd told her to continue.

And now here she was, mood long since soured by the fateful news she had recieved via means of those spies in place on Sekot - Nom Anor was dead...gone. It still didn't seem real, how was that possible? Harrar and that pitiful excuse for a shaped Jeedai were never capable of doing such a thing...their problem was their compassion, it didnt seem to matter who was sitting before them, jeedai just didn't do that kind of thing. But Harrar? He might have once. She knew not how he had died, just that he HAD, and that hit her like a speeding tsik vai.
Rage had long since taken the place of anything that might have been misconstrude for grief. Yuuzhan Vong did not mourn, they did not long for the return of the dead, they had attained the greatest glory of all, to reside with the gods - be that in eternal shame or glory.

Her gaze shifted sidelong to the shaper, "The warriors are with our infidel interloper now, I assume you wish to observe proceedings?"

Her tone was curt, to the point and beheld just a fraction of curiosity, it would be interesting to see if she could figure out more of his purpose for being here without asking the question direct.

Aug 9, 2009 2:07 PM | Report Abuse reply

He would have scowled at her but he had orders to treat her with most of respect. “Consul, I wish to observe indeed but not the proceedings.” He informed her but didn’t see it fit to elaborate what he indents to observe. It was not her business and he was not instructed to tell her anything at all. He stood by her side and it was in his intention to be there till he would hear otherwise.

Aug 9, 2009 2:18 PM | Report Abuse reply

Her expression plaintive, aside from the single arch of a slender brow ridge, she nodded simply once in acknowledgement. If he had been told not to say a word, he wouldn't, that was a simple fact, she could have performed all manner of tortures upon the shaper and still the liklihood of him uttering the things she wished to know, was exceedingly slim. That was the thing with the dread one's direct underlings, they all knew what awaited them upon their return was far worse than any worldly abominations could behold for them.

So he had been sent to watch then, but not what transpired, rather HER. Though what, precisely, could be attributed to a handful of subjects. If the dread one had an interest in her condition, his concern was far from touching, it was ominous - it unsettled her. Perhaps it was for fear that the truth would be uncovered upon the crechelings birth? Perhaps he suspected her of heresy - no, she would not have sunk as low as to have concieved an intercaste crecheling, he had to know that...didn't he?

"Then I shall lead the way, they will take the infidel to one of the vessels' antechambers." She said matter of factly, proceeding to head for the exit valve of the command deck, the last thing they needed was an errund infidel loose up here!

The walk, for all intents and purposes, was one that was carried out in almost entirely silence - and when they arrived at the ante chamber where they were to recieve the infidel, Lotva Shai paused for thought.

"You were observing, when the news of Nom Anor's discovery among us broke..." She began carefully, the words forming gradually in her mind in such a way as to make them sound as though she did not know much about this.

"You observed my reaction with some surprise, I noticed." It was a presumption, one the shaper was likely to take the wrong way, but she pressed on in spite of this, "Do not take my rage or thirst for revenge with the wrong sentiments, I am just as furious he was allowed to infiltrate us as much as anyone...I should be bid the opportunity to inform the supreme one of this also."

She couldn't technically make demands of the shaper, but it never hurt to try and assert one's self, particularly in competitive surroundings.

Aug 9, 2009 2:30 PM | Report Abuse reply

"Whatever you say, Consul," he muttered under his breath. He knew more than she did obviously with her remarks and trying to twist her interest in the common sentiments toward Nom Anor. A lie it was for her. Not others but for her for sure. She was carrying his child under her heart. It was not his place to inform her of anything. She could rage and stomp as much as she wanted it would not change his task to observe her and take care of her unborn child. And if he needed to bind her into an unmoving state and cut out her tongue so she might shut up and keep her lies to herself then he just might do that and deal with the rage of the dread one later. He knew of his liking of this sharp tongue of hers. He didn't react outwardly to anything she said, what probably got her more raging and her words sharper then they are already.

Aug 9, 2009 2:41 PM | Report Abuse reply

He was leading her up the proverbial path, she didn't have to ask twice to know that, she'd already thought it, he was doing that simply because he could and he knew it would anger her. Inwardly she seethed with the desire to strike out at the pretentious shaper and be done with it, had be been any lower rank, she might well have done it anyway - but she would rather not have to explain, nor answer for, why the Supreme Overlord's personal shaper had been returned to him in pieces.

The shaper, to his credit, had enough insight to mutter his thoughts rather than speak them loud enough for her to hear clearly - though she had enough imagination to know what was said wouldn't be complimentary.

Instead of acknowledging him further, she depressed the sensory nerve bundle beside the oqa membrane that would lead to the ante chamber, and stepped through the dilating porthole into the space beyond. At her back she heard the shaper do likewise, though she was not entirely comfortable - being as she didn't have the luxury of eyes in the back of her head - having the shaper there, she didn't need to be of his caste to know fine well how many had fallen foul of turning their backs on a shaper in the past, fingerspears alone weren't the only thing they could deploy in terms of weaponary.

There in the ante chamber she waited for the infidel to arrive, offering no further word to the accompanying shaper, who seemed eternally on watch. Well then, she had best see to it she didn't make any mistakes.

Aug 9, 2009 3:18 PM | Report Abuse reply

*SK followed the warriors into the mouth of this rock like vessel and was being shoved by two of them from behind. He then looed bac at the two warriors and nodded as they led the way*

So this is a Yuzhaan Vong vessel, it's quite magnificicant isn't it?

*the warriors did not say anything to hm and he felt lie he had no idea what he was thinking. He tried to feel them through the force and got nothing, absolutely nothing. He then looked at the walls and the surrounding areas for which he was being taken into and did not even see one thing that remotely resembled any kind of machine whatsoever. So willingly he followed the warriors thinking that this is gonna be the first step towards peace with the invaders*

Aug 9, 2009 7:29 PM | Report Abuse reply

The warriors leading the infidel towards the ante chamber, that would be used to conduct this conversation in, gave little outward sign that they had even so much as heard what the infidel was saying. It wasn't their orders to speak with him, nor were they to harm him unless he showed any signs of resistance, in which case, he was fair game.

It wasn't far from the maw of the vessel to the chamber at all, though for the purpose of seeing to it that the infidel was properly disorientated - just in case he got any funny ideas - he was lead through a series of winding narrow capillary corridors, bioluminescent fungi lighting their way and casting errie shadows upon their surroundings, blackness amid the greenish blue light.
When at last they reached their destination, two of the warriors entered the chamber ahead of the infidel, with the other two hanging back, amphistaves blocking the newcomers' path so that he would not enter until bid to do so.

When that seemed appropriate, they shoved SK forward and into the cavernous space beyond.

Lotva Shai, and the accompanying shaper, stood waiting at the far end of the chamber, watching the whole affair with an air of superiority. Not once during the announcement of the infidel's arrival had they paid the usual ammount of attention to the fact they were no longer alone, but this was with distinct purpose - the infidel was surely here to ask something, why else seek them out and not attempt to destroy them? He was alone, seemingly, but that hadn't stopped lesser infidels in his place, she remembered well the one who had come to the traditionalists seeking to understand their beliefs, their understanding and immense tollerance for pain. That infidel had not survived more than a ket before he broke...and thus had tried to take an entire ship with him. He had failed of course, just as this one would if he tried anything untoward.

With a simple hand gesture, she dismissed the warriors that had been flanking the Infidel until now, then stepped forward and regarded him for a moment, as though she was trying to gain a better perspective.
Only when the warriors had departed and the membrane that sealed the room had puckered shut, did she speak.

"You have been seeking us, infidel. Why?" The first part could have been taken for presumption, but in her experience everything happened for a reason, she just hadn't interpreted what that reason was yet. Well she would soon sort that.

Hopefully, he wouldn't take her for some fool and do the unthinkable, lie.

Aug 10, 2009 2:27 AM | Report Abuse reply

*SK having been shoved by the guards and into what looks like the main chambers of the vessel looks up at what he assumed to be the leader of the Yuzhaan Vong, or at least the leader of the vessel. He then heard her speak and ask him why he has requested for an audience with the Vong, he then looked around and saw that there were guards stil around and that there was no clear exit for him to go, besides the way that he came from. SK then takes in a deep breath and allows the force to calm him down. He knows that he has been in worst conditions before, but never with a species that were completely immune to the force. He then looks back up at the leader and the other vong that were around what he thought was a female Vong, but was not certain. Finally he spoke his agenda*

Greetings, my name is Jedi Master Markon Starkiller, of the Jedi Order of the Republic. I know that you must be curious as to why I am here seeking you out. Well the fact of the matter is, is that I just want some questions answered and to see if we can possibly have a truce if you may.

*SK then removed his hood of his cloak to reveal his face and smiled*

Now I understand that you have come here before and tried to take this galaxy by force, but why? Why did you have to come in by force? I am sure that there has to be a way that we can try to negotiate peace between the galaxy and you and your people.

There is no need for bloodshed in the galxy any longer. I understand that you and your people hate machines and believe that they are an abomination, but I come before you with no machince on me what so ever, besides my craft that I had arrived in. If you want, you can do whatever it is you want with my vehicle, and I will be fine with it. I offer you no harm to you or your people. All I ask is that we can at least have some sort of communication between our people, first off between you and I, and discuss a peaceful solution to the oncoming war that may be threatning our galaxy.

*SK then takes a knee and looks up at the Vong leader*

Please your majesty, I am only here for peace and nothing more. Can we come to an agreement that will be mutually beneficial to both of our peoples so that we may co-exist in this galaxy?

*Sk then continues to look at the Vong leader and tries to find something, if anything in the force. So far nothing, and if things do not go well, well then this may be a tougher situation than even Markon Starkiller can get out of*

Aug 11, 2009 1:15 AM | Report Abuse reply

Lotva Shai observed the infidel carefully as he attempted to make some sense of his surroundings and new company, and juring his initial words she hadn't been interested in the slightest as to what he had to say...until he had uttered that word.

-Jedi.

The title stuck in her mind like a nang-hul's serrated wings, why would a Jeedai of all people come here seeking them out? Had she not made their point clear on many occasions, and were they really this naive? Desperate, perhaps, but the treatment of Tsiing Yim had proven one thing, they really were beyond redemption, they knew nothing of humility of sacrifice. These people were an abomination in themselves, sparking heresy in the undercaste population and one that had overridden everything that the Yuuzhan Vong used to, and still should, stand for.

Shooting a sidelong glance to the overlord's shaper, she was caught off guard when the Jeedai uttered that honourrific that was certainly by no means hers - but she did not correct him, it was good that he considered himself beneath her in some sense, it was 'right'.

"Jeedai?" She queried, as though in delayed reaction, "I have had dealings with your order before."

Her tone suggested darker meaning, but her expression what wholy indiferrent, her cool azure gaze settling upon SK in a manner that oozed superiority. The irony of this situation was not lost on the Consul at all, he had come here, unarmed, seeking this gods-forsaken 'peez' that the infidels seemed to cling to so vehimently, and he wouldn't be shurked off lightly. She could kill him outright, if she so wished, he would know that - perhaps he was even counting on that reaction, why else come here seeking the one thing that they would never offer so freely, if not to anger them?

"I am Consul Lotva, domain Shai." She introduced herself, then motioned towards the shaper so that he could do likewise, if he so wished.

Brief introductions over with, she moved onto his request for communication, she had a few interesting points to make of her own.
While the infidels genuflection was perhaps a tad more worthy than she had expected, he wouldn't be able to observe everything from a floor-bound position, and with that in mind she bid him rise before continuing.

"I find this perplexing," She said at last, a pensive expression crossing her scarred features, "We have tried, many times and may ways, to communicate with your Jeedai order, yet each time your order has refused to meet our terms."

At this point she fixed him with a gold glare, thoughts boring into his mind but for a moment, and she wouldn't give him chance to reply to that just yet.

"We should never have granted you terms at all."

SK's questions about the reasoning for their trying to take the galaxy by force served as little more than fire for Lotva Shai's ire, and she was sure she had heard the shaper, too, utter a growl of irritation at this infidels pure ignorance. It was also a chance to stick the proverbial coufee in the wound and twist it a bit, which was half the reason she spoke with such a sharp tongue.

"Why did we attempt to take this galaxy by force?" She repeated, voice ominously soft a bare second before she snarled the rest of her words, "No wonder the Jeedai are scattered, with masters as ignorant as yourselves it is a pure miracle that your apprentices can wield your abominable light-weapons, let alone lead forces against our glorious species!"

For those fast few words, she knew she had lost the tenuous hold she had tried so hard to keep on her rage. Her body quaked with ire as she spat them, causing her pause for thought only when she felt the awakening 'kick' against her abdomen that suggested she had just woken the crecheling inside from a peaceful slumber. She attempted to calm herself, ignoring it's silent protest, and continued - she would indulge the infidel, but for a little while.

"We came here on the word of the gods, as interpreted by our priests - The Gods have gifted us this galaxy, so that we might cleanse it of all your blasphemous ways, your abominations, we came to remake your galaxy into something truly befitting of our creator god, Yun-Yuuzhan!"
In their view, the galaxy WAS theirs, they just had to finish the job, but why did this infidel not understant? Even now, after all this time he did not understand why they were doing this...utterly unthinkable.

This Jeedai wanted some form of agreement, she and Nom Anor both, had vied for such a thing, but each time the infidels did not seem to wish for the terms as they stated them, to become reality. There would be no agreement, not as long as these infidels resisted the inevitable.

She had to be careful though, Lotva Shai considered, the shaper was observing everything, and if questioned by the Dread One, he would surely divulge everything that had transpired here. The Consul held a personal disliking for the Jeedai for many reasons, one - her own sire had been slain by one years ago, two - they had foiled a number of her best laid plans at the last moment and with dire results. And then there were numerous other reasons, one of them being, that they were difficult to dispatch, which was why they had created a bioweapon to deal with them.
Poor Tsiing Yim - she thought, mock sympathetically, she had been such a brilliant mind, what a waste, but her word would live on through the newly acquired shapers. Perhaps, in light of this, it was wise to keep the Jeedai alive for a while? It was no less than his people had done during the war - she had heard many creche tales about those form of atrocities.

"No, ignorant one, you should understand that there is no word for 'peez' in our language - and what we can glean from this word of infidel creation, you do not abide by. As long as you are unwilling to accept the terms of peez as we see them, there will be no agreement. You can offer us nothing we cannot take, you waste my time."

Her words were deliberately provoking, she wanted to see what he would do.

Aug 11, 2009 4:00 AM | Report Abuse reply

*SK then raised an eyebrow after hearing Lotva's words of no peace. He then continued to calm himself in the force, as he knew that at any given moment this could go very, very badly. He then started to think about the hidden lightsaber that he had behind his back, and when he may if at all have to use it. This was not gonna easy he thought, but then again, when were things ever easy in his life. He then looked back up to Lotva and started to reply*

So you say that there will be no peace, unless we do it your way? Well what way is that? Extermination? Why? Why can't we seem to be able to work things out? Your people and mine can learn much from eachother. Sure you hate our machines and possibly hate me as a Jedi, but we can move past that. We have plenty of worlds here that have no machines what so ever. you can always occupy those worlds and do what you must. You don't even have to be a part of our Republic either. All we want to do is just try to find some way for our people to coexist without war.

*SK then started to recall the one thing that he learned from studying the data disks that the Vong tend to put thier pride before anything else. He then looked at the Shaper to Lotva's side and then starts to think about what she had said about the "God's" offering them the galaxy and that gave him an idea.*

So Lotva, you say that your God's have given you this galaxy? Well I do not mean to insult your God's or you, but what I want to know is this? If extermination is what you want, then why don't we make a deal then? I am sure that you have some very powerful warriors her in this vessal. What I propose You have your best warrior face me here and now. If I win, then we can start to negotiate a peace between the galaxy and the Vong. If we can have peace, then we can come upo with a solution in which you and your people can still live without our abominations in you space of the galaxy. If I lose, then you can do what you want, as I do not have any way of contacting my people and telling them that I have failed. Either way, you win and can stay in this galaxy.

*SK was hoping that he had challenged her pride enough. From studying her and the fact that he knew these were a prideful species, that this may be the only way to get through to them and earn thier respect. Also having studied Lotva's reactions, he can tell that she may be one of those that makes rash decisions when angry and does not think them through. SK then looks around him and tries to figure out who he will be facing, or even how many at a time. Slowly SK starts to build the force into his center waiting to see what will happen, if anything at all. Still feeling his lightsaber behind his back, he then knows that he may have to bring it out immediately if something were to happen. He then looks back up to Lotva to see what her answer will be...*

Aug 12, 2009 12:35 AM | Report Abuse reply

She observed him with keen eyes and an even keener mind, he was trying, she couldn't slight him as far as determination was concerned, but it was such a pity that his efforts were wasted, all for nothing. His ignorance eclipsed all else, he had much to learn and yet the Jeedai order had sent him here in the hope of achieving peace? The idea would have been laughable if it wasn't so tragic, and in that sense, she barely resisted the urge to chuckle to herself.

Her eyes narrowed to darkened slits of azure-mixed obsidian when he made that little suggestion of a challenge. He would have been right on one thing, all Yuuzhan Vong were predisposed by ritual and culture to never turn down a challenge, no matter the odds, but she had not gone unaware of the symbolism that shadowed this whole little meeting. It hadn't been that long ago, in terms of a Yuuzhan Vong's lifespan, since another Jeedai had challenged a warrior of her domain, after a brief exchange of personal kills, to combat. The winner claiming the ultimate prize - no, that likeness wasn't lost on her one little bit.

Unlike her predecessors, however, she was not a warrior, and as such would like to think that she wasn't as suseptable to all their little unfortunate quirks - though perhaps once, she might have been if the gods had not intervened.
Turning to regard the shaper for a moment, she caught the look that he beheld in his eyes and nodded. The very fact the infidel had uttered something akin to a racial slur in his words hadn't been missed by her either, but she had experienced far worse in her time - while the utterance of 'Vong' in the singular was highly offensive to her species, she knew infidels were utterly ignorant in their learnings.

"But you DO insult me, Jeedai, you do." She emphasized in a tone just as ominously soft as she had done before now, then turned back to the shaper again and shook her head, adding - deliberately in basic, "The ignorance of these infidels is as boundless as the intergalactic void it's self."

When next she allowed her gaze to settle upon SK, she offered him her most alluring - but highly unsettling - smile, spreading her array of facial markings wide as she did so.
Hands clasped infront of her she canted her head slightly to one side and then spoke once more.

"You insult me and you take me for a fool. I have spent time among your kind, I know your blasphemous ways yet you are so ignorant of ours. What is it that brings you into assuming you are WORTHY to fight one of our best warriors?"

When she recieved no immediate response, she continued, stepping closer to the Jedi to regard him more scrutinizingly, pacing slowly and deliberately like a predator on the prowl.

"I see no reason to seek peez with your kind anymore than you would accept the true way. We have no reason to do so, because the will of the Gods WILL be done, with or without your resistance." She carefully watched him at this point, trying to guage his reaction.

"We tried that before, Jeedai, do you not remember?" She was almost chiding him now, patronizing him as one might have a dense crecheling, he seemed to forget what had been forcefully bestowed upon her people upon Zonama Sekot, and why, exactly, that would never work.

Lotva Shai paused, under a meter away from SK's form, though she was slighter in frame to him, even in her condition, she was easily taller and the shadow cast by the light at the far end of the vaulted chamber set an even more ominous ambiance when it eclipsed his.

"Zonama Sekot, the child of our own homeworld, it was supposed to be OURS. It was crime enough that we must share it with those stunted Ferroans, but not only did the world impose the unthinkable on our warriors, to add insult to injury we were joined by these Grey Jeedai..." The disdain in her voice was all too obvious to hear, it was limitless.

"They took from us our settlements, destroyed some entirely, claiming that Sekot had willed them to do so. Our warriors were never content upon a world which imposed the disarmament of their caste, the denial of the Slayer, Yun-Yammka as nothing more than a fabrication. Dissent in the ranks was rife, we all knew it, and we all knew why - "

Was he understanding where this was going? Perhaps...though it was so hard to tell with infidels, their species varied, but usually, most would do very similar things.

"Your kind will submit or they will die - you seem to prefer the latter."

Aug 12, 2009 1:40 PM | Report Abuse reply

**Posting as Shaper, guarding and observing Lotva Shai***

Unmoved he watched as the Jeedai was shoved into the room. Without emotion he listened to his words, his companion had enough of them anyway. Why he offered submission to her was beyond him, if he came as someone who represented his species and was actually able to forge whatever they wanted, then he had not to bow before her, then they were equal.
Then again, he was a shaper and such political things were beyond him, not his area of interest at all.
His name didn’t matter in the situation so he refused to utter a word when Lotva Shai introduced herself after the Jeedai.
He could feel the anger radiating from Lotva Shai and wondered when the crechling growing in her would react to it.
She certainly had a temper on her own and he could observe why she had caught the dread one’s interest. He had rose in the ranks quickly due to the fact that he kept his thoughts to himself and knew when it was wise to be quiet and just observe.
The word “extermination” nearly had him chuckle but his training prevented that. Both sides had invented a virus or poison to kill the other side. How ironic, though neither the Jeedai nor the Yuuzhan Vong had yet released it.
And then came up something interesting, a fight he proposed. That certainly would not bode well with Lotva Shai, whose domain already failed to kill a Jeedai in such an ultimate battle. Even when the Jeedai won, the planet found its death by a disease.
He observed the change in posture and his fingers nearly flexed. His shaper’s hand held surprised for the infidel should he try something.

Aug 13, 2009 2:31 AM | Report Abuse reply

*SK then noticed that he had immaturely and not deliberately insulted them by calling them "Vong". He then sees that Lotva is coming closer to him, so he then starts to back pedal a bit and then takes a look at his surroundings as not olny was Lotva upset, but so were the warriors around him. He then tries to respond back as best he could*

I can see here that there can be no peace amongst our people and yours. I feel that I have offended you by a word that I must have said and for that I apologize.

*He then starts to think of how he could get out of this situation knowing that this is gonna get real ugly and fast. Should he reveal his lightsaber, or should he use the force to his advantage. Knowing that he cannot feel them in the force, does not mean that his powers would be affected, he just would not be able to sense them should he make a mess. Instaed of being able to feel them behind him, he cannot, but the hairs on his skin start to rise as he knows that danger is coming and that is just by instinct. He then hears Lotva say her final words that they will all die and at that moment SK knew what had to be done. He then removed his cloak and put it on the ground and then from behind his back, the horn then comes to his hand and he looks at Lotva as he removes the lightsaber from the organic horn and holds it up in front of him*

Well I guess you leave me no choice then your majesty, but I cannot allow you to destroy millions of people upon thousands of systems. I am a Jedi, and being that I have taken a vow to to protect the galaxy with my life.

*SK then starts to build up the force through his body when suddenly a blue glow is then seen around his figure as he has finally shown the Yuzhaan Vong just how powerful of a Jedi Master he was in the force. He has become one with the force, knowing that this may be the best possible move in order for him to survive.*

*SK then starts to think about the love that he has been searching for all this time and starts to talk through the force to her wherever she may be. "I am sorry my love, but my pursuit for you has come to an end as I do not believe that I can live through this. I love you my sweet, sweet darling. May you live a long life and remember who I was before I had turned. Remember the times that we shared, and the laughter that we enjoyed together. I love you sweetheart, always and forever..." He then looked at Lotva as SK was still one with the force and stared right at her*

I am sorry that this meeting had to come to this, but like I said, I am a Jedi, and as the force as my ally, I must stop you once and for all...

*He then raised his lightsaber hilt about a couple of inches from his face and activated it as a green blade is then seen colming from the hilt and illuminating the chambers. He then went into a Form V Shien defense form, his master form, with his left leg towards the back and his right leg pointed towards her, he then raised his saber up above his head, as the blade was aimed right in her direction. He then muttered what were perhaps his final words*

My name is Markon Starkiller, Jedi Master of the New Jedi Order, and I am a servant of the force. For the Jedi, and for the republic and for the galaxy, Lotva Shai prepare to meet your Gods once and for all...

Aug 13, 2009 2:31 AM | Report Abuse reply

Somehow she had known that it would descend into something akin to this, the air was thick with tension and the moment the Jeedai had started to sound distant, she had an inkling that he was somehow making contact with this mystical 'force' they all seemed to venerate so much.

She did not need to hear his words to know that he was about to attempt to strike her down, the air crackled with static even before he began to raise his blade up, seconds before he would bring it down to bear on her skull. She didn't flinch, didn't break her gaze once, and there was good reason for that.
No sooner had she subtly gestured with one hand than the warriors who had withdrawn from flanking the Jeedai, moved to intercept, amphistaves unfurled they put themselves between Lotva Shai and the infidel.

While this was indeed an open challenge, and she would be expected to kill the Jeedai, there were bigger forces at work in this war - as she well knew - and her instruction had been to preserve her own life, why this was, she could only speculate, it was the same reason the Shaper was here, to observe. Had the quiescent shaper not been here, however, she may well have accepted the Jeedai's challenge with as much conviction as the warriors. In fact, she was less than pleased that she had to take a step back, if her life truly was forfeit, then the gods would have taken it, if they were still with her in this, she would have survived, she had every faith in that fact.

As she stepped back towards the shaper, one of the warriors had taken the initiative to attempt to block and parry the downward strike from the Jeedai, the others taking it upon themselves to wait and see the outcome - that was the problem with warriors, they saw everything as an honourbound opportunity for glory, when sheer numbers would have overwhelmed the Jeedai easily. Or so she supposed. But that was no matter, the warriors were really simply a distraction.

Now at the shaper's side she slid a wary glance towards him, daring him to speak out about what had just happened, for if he didn't like it, she would just as soon as kill him too and blame it on the Jeedai. She was, after all, an Intendant, and they were all too adept at covering the truth with many falsifying or distortive facts.
However, all she had to utter was one word.

"Sensislugs."

The sensislug, was a small grub-like biot that made it's home in the coral walls of worldships and many other Yuuzhan Vong vessels or dwellings - much like this one. On a simple nerve command, they would secrete a potent gas that could fill large spaces within seconds, depending on how many of the little critters there were, and this chamber's walls were littered with them, it was the main reason she had chosen it in the first place. The gas the sensislugs secreted was not poisonous, though victims did feel a dehabilitating nausea after sucumbing to it's effects, rather, it would simply knock them out cold for a few hours. Of course, this worked on both Yuuzhan Vong AND infidel, some of the larger infidels needing twice the ammount to incapacitate them.

The warriors weren't going to last long with that Jeedai the way he was - she hadn't seen many like that, this was of interest and as such, should be preserved for a small ammount of time whilst they figured out how to counteract whatever powers it was that this one possessed.
Deftly, Lotva Shai's hand slipped into a cavity in the yorik coral wall, finding the nerve point that she needed to, to activate the sensislugs. One jab was all it took, and the chamber began to fill with noxious green-tinged fumes.
And through the acrid stench, she motioned to the shaper, speaking to him with the last breath of decent air she was going to find in this vaulted space.

"We go."

Aug 14, 2009 4:29 AM | Report Abuse reply