[Dark Nest] - 1(93)
“We came to persuade the council to help the Killikz,” Tesar said. “The Colony can only stop the Chisz through war.”
“And the Jedi can bring other pressures to bear,” Tahiri added. “It’s best for everyone.”
“That will be for the Masters council to decide,” Kenth said. “And when it does, will you abide by our decision?”
“We aren’t wrong about this,” Tahiri dodged.
“The Chisz are committing xenocide,” Tesar added. “We must intervene.”
“Immediately.” Tekli pushed her hood up and came to stand with the others, leaving only Jacen’s brain-currently gold and pulsing-displayed on the medholo. “Aren’t we bound as Jedi to protect the weak?”
“Jedi are bound by a great many duties, often contradictory,” Kenth said. “Which is why we call Masters’ councils. I ask again, will you abide by our decision?”
The trio fell silent, then Tahiri and Tekli dropped their eyes, and Tesar said, “That dependz on what the decision is.”
Kenth and Corran recoiled visibly.
But Kyp Durron smiled. “Well, it’s an honest answer.”
“As much as that is possible for them,” Cilghal said. She turned to Luke. “I don’t like to question their integrity, Master Skywalker, but anything they tell us is suspect. We must assume their judgment has been compromised by the same power that called them away in the first place.”
Tesar glared openly in Cilghal’s direction. “You are saying we cannot be trusted?”
She met his gaze evenly. “You’re not to blame, but yes-that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Tesar looked from Cilghal to Luke to Kyp and back to Luke, then thumped his tail and retreated to his relaxi-chair.
Tahiri took his place. “We don’t deserve this.” She glared directly into Luke’s eyes. “You have no reason to treat us like we’re Sith.”
“Probably not,” Kenth said. “But until those mysterious attacks on Yoggoy and at Qoribu are explained, there’s no harm in being safe.”
“By all meanz,” Tesar rasped from his chair. “This one would not want you to fear us.”
Luke turned to Cilghal. “Perhaps you’d explain your concerns?”
The Mon Calamari nodded. “It’s very simple. The meld always comes from the outside-you know you’re listening to someone else’s thoughts and reacting to someone else’s emotions. But this… this joining feels like it comes from inside.
The things our Jedi Knights see through it-or hear or smell or taste-seem like things they’re sensing themselves. Even the thoughts they share seem to arise inside their own minds.”
“So they don’t know whether their thoughts are their own or someone else’s?” Mara asked. Luke could sense that she was as concerned as he was, that she was afraid their young Jedi Knights were lost to the Colony already. “They can’t just ignore outside thoughts, like we can in the meld? “
“I’m afraid that’s correct,” Cilghal said. “In all likelihood, it’s impossible to know the difference.”
The Masters studied Tahiri and the other young Jedi in silence, their faces betraying the same disappointment and concern and uncertainty that Luke felt. Cilghal could probably find a way to negate the changes to their brain structure. But the patients were clearly going to be uncooperative, and that would make recovery a long, difficult process.
Finally, Kenth said, “Well, that explains a lot. They certainly haven’t been acting like themselves.”
“Perhapz not,” Tesar admitted. He leaned forward, being careful to remain seated and nonthreatening. “But that doesn’t mean we are wrong about Qoribu.”
“Ask Masters Skywalker,” Tekli said. “They both saw Jwlio. They can tell you what the Chiss have done to the moon.”
“Fair enough,” Luke said. “Mara and I weren’t on Jwlio long enough to gather many facts, but it is clear the Chiss are trying to drive the Killiks out of the system.”
“And it’s just as clear that the Killiks don’t have the resources to leave,” Mara added. “The way things are looking, the result will be war or extermination, probably both.”
Tahiri beamed, Tesar assumed a reptilian grin, and Tekli brought her ears forward.
Then Corran asked, “Why?”
Tesar rose. “Why what?”
“Why are the Chiss doing this?” he asked. “They’re xenophobic and secretive, but they’re not expansionists. If they’re trying to drive the Killiks away, they must have a reason.”