[Dark Nest] - 3(12)

“Corran, think about what you’re asking,” Leia said. “Exactly how do you suggest we help Raynar? You know how difficult it is to hold a regular Jedi against his will, and Raynar’s resources are immensely more vast. I’m afraid we have to face the reality of the situation.”

“So you’re agreeing with Jacen?” Corran asked. “You think our only choice is to kill Raynar?”

The question struck Leia like a kick in the stomach. She had known Raynar since he had come to the Jedi academy on Yavin 4 as the haughty child-heir to the Bornaryn Shipping Empire, then watched him mature into the sincere young man who had volunteered to accompany Anakin on the illfated strike mission to Myrkr. The thought of actually sending Jedi against him made her lips tremble with sorrow. But she had seen for herself, when the Killik fleet attacked in the Murgo Choke, that he had no such qualms about assaulting his former friends.

Leia nodded sadly. “Yes, Corran,” she said. “I think Jacen is right. Our best option is to take out Raynar. In fact, it is our duty.”

Corran’s face reddened, and Leia knew the exchange was about to get rough.

“Our duty?” he demanded. “What about Jaina and Zekk?”

“What about them?” Han shot back.

“They’re Joiners, too,” Corran pointed out, still looking at Leia. “Will you be so eager to kill them when they take Raynar’s place?”

Luke raised a hand in an effort to restore calm, but the damage had already been done. The question had heated even Leia’s blood, and Han immediately went into full boil.

“They’re not going to take Raynar’s place!” Han shouted.

“You can’t know that,” Corran replied. “Jaina has always done as she pleases, and now she’s with the Colony.” He turned back to Leia. “So I want to know: will you say the same thing when we have to go after Jaina and Zekk?”

“That’s a baseless question, and you know it!” Leia said.

“Not really,” Kyle Katarn said. “I, for one, would find your answer relevant to Raynar’s case.”

“Huttwash!” Kyp protested. “Jaina and Zekk have already demonstrated that they’re Jedi first. It’s not relevant at all.”

“Then why aren’t they here?” Kyle pressed.

“Probably because they’re trying to stop a war,” Han retorted.

And they were off, voices rising, tempers flaring, gestures growing increasingly sharp. Corran continued to press the Solos about what they would do if Jaina and Zekk were running the Colony instead of Raynar. Han and Leia continued to insist it was a moot question, and Kyle, Kyp, and the rest of the Masters continued to line up on both sides of the issue, taking increasingly rigid positions.

Within minutes, it grew apparent that they had reached an impasse, and Leia sensed her brother’s frustration building. His attempt to unite the Masters had failed miserably. They were no closer to reaching a consensus now than they had been while he and Han were trapped in the Utegetu, and even Leia could see the situation was only going to grow worse.

“Thank you.”

Though Luke spoke softly, he used the Force to project his words into the minds of everyone present. The effect was immediate; the argument came to a sudden halt, and the entire group turned to face him.

“Thank you for your opinions.” Luke stepped hack onto the dais. “I’ll consider them all carefully and let you know what I decide.”

Kyp frowned. “What you decide?”

“Yes, Kyp,” Mara said. She stepped toward him and locked eyes with him. “What Luke decides. Don’t you think that’s best?”

Kyp’s brow rose, then he looked around him at the faces of the other Masters-many still flushed with the emotions of their argument-and slowly seemed to realize what Leia already had: Luke was taking control of the order.

Before Kyp found the breath to answer, Han turned and started up the aisle toward the exit, his boot heels clunking on the wood floor. Leia started after him, almost running to catch up. Luke seemed content to watch them go in silence, but not Saba.

“Jedi Solo, where are you going?” the Barabel demanded.

“With Han,” Leia replied. “To get our daughter back.”

“What about the order?” Saba asked.

Leia did not even turn around. “What order?”





THREE


The Yuuzhan Vong’s attempt to reshape Coruscant into the image of their lost homeworld had brought many good things to the planet, and fresh y’luubi was one of the best. Taken from Liberation Lake no more than three hours before smoldering, it had a rich, smoky flavor that filled Mara’s entire head with pleasure. She held the spongy meat on her tongue, allowing it to dissolve as she had heard was proper, and marveled at the succession of spectacular tastes. The flavor went from smoky to sweet to tangy, then ended with a sharp, spicy bite that made her mouth water for more.