Operation Darkness: Limping Home
by Vickie Boyd



I bandaged my arm as we flew through hyperspace. If they were going 
where I thought they might be, someone had to be told. These creatures 
are deadly.

Luke had contacted me a few months ago asking me to come to Yavin 
immediately. He needed my help. That's when I found out about the Yuuzhan 
Vong and their blindness to the Force. He thought I might be able to 
help since I deal with Sci on a regular basis. I've been fighting since.

The wound was deep and already getting infected. That was the bad thing 
about their amphistaffs. They hurt like hell. Thank the gods I'm a Jedi. 
Mara had taught me how to avoid the infection.

Behind me, my R2 unit calculated how far ahead of me the Vong ships 
were. I looked down and frowned at the numbers. "We've got to shave some 
time off or Earth won't survive." I settled back in the acceleration 
couch and concentrated on the Force.



I exited hyperspace on the back side of Jupiter's second moon. The 
scanners told me that Luna Base was pretty much gone. There was a smoke 
plume rising from the dark side. Reaching out with the Force, I found no 
human lifesigns. "I hope someone made it," I mumbled.

Twitch began to squeal excitedly. I looked down to see the Dupe flying 
towards Earth. I scanned the occupants and immediately found Josh. 
*Yes,* I thought excitedly. "At least we have some hope."

I turned my ship towards Earth and slowly followed the two-seater 
X-Wing, keeping my eyes open for Vong ships. I passed close to Mars, 
looking down at the red planet. It reminded me of Tatooine, at least 
from this distance.

My scanners suddenly screamed. I looked towards Venus and saw it. A 
Yuuzhan Vong warship.

"Oh sith," I muttered. "We're doomed."