Star Wars: The Yuuzhan Vong/ Chapter 10: Declaration of War

Solo smirked and just shook his head as one of the bottom doors opened from the cruiser. “Heh, this is how we go out? Against those freaks?” He said, thinking that those doors would release some type of cannon.

Carg looked up at the ship. “Wait, look!”

As mini gunships soared out of the bigger vessel, the heroes on the surface waved their fists up high in the air, having realized that it was in actuality the New Republic. Multiple mini gunships hurdled their way toward the landing pad. Colly, with the help of Ganch, exited the base with huge grins on their face. One of the shuttle crafts landed safely on a pad; out stepped Princess Leia, Senior Commander Stone and other New Republic troopers. Stone had his metallic silver rebel pistol at the ready along with a few others doing the same. They moved in. “Clear!” One of them said.

Commander Rex popped out of the base as well after tying up Aurra Sing and placed her back in her original cell. “Well, I’ll be.”

Leia rushed over to Han and they embraced each other. Leia could sense within her soul and heart that a lot of lives were lost, maybe even Rahr’s. With tears falling from Leia’s eyes, she gripped onto her husband roughly. “Shh, it’s okay. We’re gonna be okay, hon,” Han consoled.

Rex stuck out a hand for Stone and him to dominantly handshake.

Stone went towards both Colly and Ganch. “Colly?” Stone happily questioned.

“In the flesh!” Colly joked.

“Ganch?”

Ganch, with his helmet off, just formed a half-smile and gave a slight nod. “Solo. What the Hell happened?” Stone asked in a much worrisome voice.

“It was the Yuuzhan Vong. Their supreme commander led the charge.”

“How’d they find you?”

“It all started when Rex and Rahr came looking for me. I was captured by the Vong… dammit this is my fault!” Carg complained, turning away.

“Don’t do that to yourself, soldier. This wasn’t your fault,” Rex replied.

“But it is yours!” A voice from a few meters back boldly remarked. Everyone looked over to a pilot standing there, arms crossed. “You’ve ruined the New Republic!” He had to be held back by Han and Stone. “It’s bad enough that the First Order is hot on our heels, but now the Yuuzhan Vong?! Just like the crisis on Carlac, you made a rash decision that got more people killed.”

“It wasn’t a rash decision. It was a calculated risk that saved our comrades from the Yuuzhan’s trial,” Rex countered.

“Chill out, Rag,” Han ordered the pilot.

After Rag began to release his tension and physically calm down, Stone had the opportunity to look for any other survivors. A concerned look was made on his face. “Wait, where’s Rahr?”

There was just dead silence. Rex stepped forward. “He sacrificed himself to save us. Lord knows where he is now.”

Rag shook his head. Stone also noticed Ponds was not there.

“I’m sorry, Stone. He was captured…” Ganch informed.

“What? By who? Aurra Sing?” Stone asked desperately.

“No, the Vong with the help of Scrape.”

Stone turned around and kicked an empty ammo can that was laying on the ground. Stone then realized what had just happened: the can that he just kicked resembled the New Republic - helpless, empty like a pitiful void that was being crushed and obliterated by adversaries. This thought captured Stone, himself. His mouth was wide open, forcing his two hands to rub his aching head. Stone turned to face his fellow comrades. Leia knew what Stone was thinking regarding the Yuuzhan Vong - war.