CHAPTER FOUR
An amazed silence held a strong grip over all of the people in the Senate Chambers. Many of them, including Anakin and even Cal Omas, were throwing quick glances at Han Solo, who was just as shocked as anyone else. How could it be that Han Solo was descended from someone such as Prince-Admiral Jonash e Solo, who won a major galactic conflict, and yet no mention of this had been discovered until now?
Only Governor Aidel Saxan was unfazed, and it was she who broke the silence. "Go on, Master Jedi."
Slightly startled by the sudden noise, Corran Horn cleared his throat again and continued reading the report. "After Chancellor Vedij signed the peace treaty, Prince-Admiral Solo began influencing the senate and general public, which eventually led to his election as Supreme Chancellor. With the Galactic Republic under his control, Jonash e Solo was keen on making Corellia the Republic's capital."
"And there's your answer right there," one of the Corellian councilors said. "Ever since then, we have been trying to have Corellia become the Republic's capital! Our ships are used throughout the galaxy, our pilots are some of the most skilled, and-"
"That's quite enough, Councilor Anato," Governor Saxan said sharply. She turned back to Corran and Omas. "But he does have a point. Chancellor Solo saw Corellia as a stronger planet to lead the Republic rather than Coruscant, and that it should have been made its capital. Now that a new major galactic government has been formed, it can now use Corellia's resources to its advantage."
Chief Omas slowly nodded. "A very good argument, I must say. I shall have the Senate debate over it."
He nodded to Corran, Han, and Anakin. "You may leave."
* * *
"Why didn't anyone tell me my ancestor was a Supreme Chancellor?" Han glanced at Corran. "Not that it's changed my life in any way, mind you..."
The Jedi Master shook his head. "I honestly have no idea. You could look it up, I suppose. But-"
Han scoffed. "Me? Research? I'm a pilot, not a historian."
"My thoughts exactly."
Anakin paid no attention to their conversation as they headed back for the Millennium Falcon. Instead, he felt a strange presence in the Force, as if someone was watching or following them. His hand reaching towards his lightsaber, Anakin carefully turned his head around, only to see a pair of Bothans nearby talking. Neither of them seemed to be aware of him.
"You okay, Anakin?" Corran suddenly asked, startling Anakin. The Jedi Master's eyebrows furrowed with concern. "You seem wary."
"I'm fine, Master Horn," Anakin said. "I just...feel uneasy on this planet."
"Well, Corellia is home to many smugglers and pirates." Corran smirked as he pointed a thumb at Han. "Just look at your father."
Han glared at him. "Shut up."
The three of them finally reached the Millennium Falcon, where Han's Wookiee partner Chewbacca awaited.
Chewbacca growled a question, to which Han answered, "Set a course for Mon Cala. Leia told us to meet her there once we were done here on Corellia. She sounded it like it was urgent."
Corran smirked again. "Doesn't surprise me. When it involves you two, it's always something urgent."
Han made no reply as they boarded the Falcon and soon took off.
* * *
"Donhran owes me ten credits," Zarin Kal said.
Jacen, who sat opposite of the Kiffar in the Valiant's lobby room, gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"
Zarin seemed to restrain a smile. "We made a bet on who would scream the loudest into our comlink when we broke the sound barrier. Donhran screamed like a mynock."
"Why do you two act so juvenile?" asked Tenel Ka Djo as she passed Zarin and Jacen's booth. "Especially you, Donhran. How old are you anyway?"
The Zabrak Jedi Knight shrugged. "Fifty something, I think. I always lose track. Besides, I hear it's best to live young everyday of your life, because it's the only one you've got."
Tenel Ka opened her mouth to say something but she appeared to reconsider. "Never mind. I suppose I still have much to learn about the Force..."
Suddenly, Zarin's comlink beeped and the Kiffar Jedi answered it. "Yes, Master?"
"Tell Captain Tomas to return to Mon Cala," Jacen heard Plun Kil say through the comlink. "Something is...the Sith...just take off!"
Zarin quickly rose to his feet. "Master, what's going on?"
"I have no idea," Kil responded. "Whatever it is, it's bad. Tell Captain Tomas to return to Mon Cala!"
"But Master-"
"Go!"
Unable to protest, Zarin sighed and switched the comlink to Captain Tomas' channel. "Captain, set in coordinates for Mon Cala immediately. Master Kil's orders."
"If you say so, Master Jedi," Tomas replied.
Zarin let out another sigh as he looked at Jacen. "I knew this battle was too easy..."
* * *
Plun Kil strained his eyes over the blazing sunlight as a large, towering object ending with claw-like prongs rose from one of the many Sith temples in the Valley of the Dark Lords.
It had happened so suddenly. One moment, Kil and Krotan's men were watching over the two dozen captive Sith. The next, this...thing had suddenly began rising out of the Sith temple.
"What is that?" Kil exclaimed to no one in particular. He seized one of the captured Sith Lords- a Quarren- by the collar of their cloak and bellowed, "What is that thing?!"
"I-I have no idea!" the Sith Lord said, trembling with panic. "Well, I know what it's going to do, but-"
"Tell me!" Kil shouted, prompting the Quarren to cower.
"It's going to absorb Korriban's sun," the Sith murmured. "That's all I know! Honestly! We're all going to die!"
Kil released the Sith Lord from his grip and turned to stare in awe at the rising tower.
"I thought it was over," he muttered to himself. "I thought we were done..."
As a beam of blue energy began to shoot out from the device towards Korriban's sun, Plun Kil simply closed his eyes and prepared for the worst.
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