Confederacy Triumphant
Chapter 6 - Year 3 of the Yuuzhan Vong War
Leia stood on the surface of the living world Zonoma Sekot, still amazed at the differences between this world and her home of Dathomir. Beside her was the man who had brought she and her Singing Mountain sisters to this strange world. Her brother Luke Skywalker.
"What do you mean we're leaving?" Leia asked incredulously. "You tell me the galaxy is at war, and we're just going to run away?"
"Leia it's more complicated than that." Luke explained calmly. "I wanted to fight the Yuuzhan Vong myself when I first heard of them. But what we have here is too important to risk."
Leia was still trying to understand everything Luke had explained on the flight here. How their father had been a war hero. How their mother had attempted to bring them to this living world separately to insure their safety. How Luke's flight had made it. And how Leia's had not. Luke had explained how their mother had died trying to bring Leia here, only to be caught in a wartime crossfire leading to a crash landing on the blockaded world of Dathomir.
"And these Jedi, like you. That's what is too important to risk?"
"The Jedi were nearly wiped out during the last great war Leia. When my master found this world, he realized how special it was. It has the ability to travel at lightspeed throughout the galaxy."
Leia fell in step along side Luke, as they entered Windu City, the lone population center of Zenoma Sekot.
"He traveled across the galaxy, finding any surviving Jedi, finding any sensitive to the Force, bringing them here to build a new way of life for us all."
"So that we could all run away when the galaxy needed us most. How noble."
Luke frowned and led Leia towards a small, humble building.
"Perhaps my master can explain it better than I can."
Leia looked across the small city to the center. A large domed structure caught her interest.
"What is that place?"
Luke frowned again. "It's a ...a kind of meeting hall for all of us. But nothing to concern yourself with right now."
Leia sensed his evasiveness. Although she felt a connection to Luke, she did not yet trust the man.
"Jedi meetings?" Leia pressed
"It's not something I think we should discuss right now."
"And why not?"
As they entered the small building, Leia's interrogation of Luke stopped short as a small, ancient looking green being turned to greet her.
"Welcome you are here, Leia Skywalker."
"This is Master Yoda." Luke announced.
"Many questions you have." Yoda continued. "And many doubts."
Leia nodded.
"Address them I will."
"Why aren't you willing to help the galaxy?" Leia asked simply.
"Wish to fight you do." Yoda observed. "Much anger in you, like your father."
"Answer the question." Leia demanded.
"Invaded the galaxy has been, by beings empty of the Force. The power you bring forth with song."
Leia nodded.
"Dominated by machines, our galaxy has been." Yoda continued. "Now Zenoma Sekot tells us, achieved self-awareness, machines have."
Leia furrowed her brow, still trying to understand how a planet itself could communicate with the people upon it. How non-living machines could think.
"Matter it does not, if machines or the Yuuzhan Vong win this war." Yoda continued patiently, "For those strong in the Force, no place will there be."
"So where do we go?" Leia pressed.
"Know where, I did not know, when led I did, the Younglings from the Temple." Yoda mused. "Know where now, I do not. But agreed to take us, Zonoma Sekot has."
"Our galaxy has...boundaries?" Leia asked Luke, struggling to expand her understanding despite her isolated life on Dathomir.
"Yes. And there are other galaxies out there Leia." Luke explained. "Just as the Vong crossed the dark gulf, so can we."
"How long will it take?"
"Generations." Luke continued. "But as the Force leaves this galaxy with us, together we will bring it to a new galaxy that has never known it."
Leia held her hand to her head.
"It's a lot to take in."
"Give it some time. And get some rest, sister." Luke smiled warmly. "You've been through a war of your own. And haven't had time even to grieve."
Leia looked into Luke's gentle eyes. She smiled and nodded.
Excusing herself to Yoda and Luke, she exited the building. Walking across the beautiful city, she quickly returned the living area Luke had shown her Singing Mountain Clan.
"Well?" her sisters surrounded her. "Is it all true? Are we staying here?"
Leia shook her head.
"They are fleeing, just when the galaxy needs them most."