The ship Elegos took returns to the New Republic along with a recording from him that sends compliments to Corran from Shai. The ship is covered in scab like growths. It opens only when Corran allows it to take a sample of his blood. He and Wedge enter the craft and find a message from Elegos. Elegos tells him that Shai hopes to meet Corran in the future and passes along some information so he can learn of the Vong as Shai has learned of him. There is also a gift, the jeweled covered bones of Elegos himself! A message from Shai reveals that he has killed Elegos to show how to properly honor the dead, and now demands the return of the bones of his ancestor.

The New Republic now plans for the battle of Ithor. Corran suggests a truce by returning the bones and by going to meet Shai himself in a duel. If Corran wins, Ithor is saved and if he loses, the bones are returned. He hopes that the duel will by time to evacuate those that need it on Ithor.

As the attack nears, Jaina leads the Rogues, several of whom are killed in the battle. Vong Carriers are able to land and unleash the hoard of Vong warriors onto the planet without their living armor along with reptoids and slaves. Daeshara'cor and Anakin converge on the group. Daeshara’cor is poisoned while saving Anakin. Anakin is furious and wants to seek revenge for all the pain the Vong has caused, but he thinks better of it and pulls his anger back. He is able to carry her body back to the city.

In another area, Shai leads troopers towards a city that is protected by droids (an abomination the Vong despises). The battle is intense, but Shai soon realizes that the droids are a decoy and the buildings are empty. The New Republic force, lead by Corran and Jacen rumbles in surprising the Vong. Corran delivers his challenge to Shai and the duel is set for one week’s time.

Back in the medical bay, Daeshara'cor tells Anakin not to feel guilt for her death, nor Chewbacca’s either. She dies and her body fades into nothingness.

Luke and Corran await Shai and his second, Deign Lian. After several minutes Shai plunges his amphistaff into Corran’s chest. He can taste the victory as he tastes Corran’s blood from the staff, but Corran feels the Force through his body and he rises again. As Shai’s fury grows he comes in for the attack again, but Corran deactivates the lightsaber throwing Shai off balance. Corran places the saber against Shai’s stomach and reactivates his saber killing the Vong Commander. He takes Shai’s mask as a sign of the vulnerability of the Vong.

Deign Lian returns to the Vong base and is promoted. He launches pods over Ithor that releases bacteria throughout the planet. Nothing can hide as the bacteria kills everything on the entire planet! His pleasure, however, is short lived. The time Corran had bought them with the duel allowed Kre’fey and Pellaeon to discover weak spots in the Vong defense. The ship is destroyed and explodes as it crashes into Ithor.

While Pellaeon returns to the Remnant, Jagged Fel decides to remain with Rogue Squadron for the time being.

Jaina feels guilt over the death of her friend Anni in the fight. Anakin enters and sits with her. He imparts his newfound knowledge that he learned from Daeshara’cor and helps to ease Jaina's guilt.

Corran returns to the body of Elegos. He retells the duel and feels that he has dishonored Elegos and has been turned to the Dark Side. The reputation of the Jedi has been sullied in the media as the reason that Ithor was destroyed. Corran wishes to be disowned by the Order so that he can take the blame and not the Jedi on a whole. He plans to return to Corellia with his wife, but leaves his children to be trained as Jedi. His final wish is that Jacen and Ganner provide Luke with the support he needs to withstand any power struggle with Kyp Duron. He hopes that the galaxy will never need him again or perhaps it will mean it is already beyond saving.