[Last Of The Jedi] - 04(31)

“I heard from Typho on the way,” Ferus told the others. “The Empire is investigating, and it’s already clear that they’re going to engineer a coverup. There will be no retaliation on Naboo. And it appears that Malorum died in the explosion.”

“Love it when a plan works like a well-timed chrono,” Clive said.

There was a pause. It was time to say good-bye, but no one was sure who was going where.

Ferus was anxious to return to the roving asteroid base. There were things to do, systems to set up. He needed to contact Obi-Wan and tell him that the threat posed by Malorum was over.

“I have a safe place,” he told the others.

“You only have to navigate through an atmospheric storm to get there,” Trever amended.

“You are all welcome,” Ferus said. “Each one of you is now an outlaw from the Empire. You’ll need fresh text does, a place to lie low.”

Ferus looked at Solace. He was creating the base for surviving Jedi. Solace had told him she wanted no part of it. He hoped she would change her mind.

“All right, I’ll come,” she said gruffly. “But just to check it out.”

Oryon looked at Keets and Curran. “We’ve been talking. As the Erased, we’ve hidden away for too long. We want to return to Coruscant. But we would welcome a place to be quiet and make plans.”

“After this little adventure, I could use a rest,” Clive said.

“You’re going to come?” Solace asked disdainfully. “I thought you were a solo act.”

“Must be your sparkling personality,” Clive said.

Ferus’s comlink signaled. That was strange. There were only a few people in the galaxy with access. He walked a few steps away from the others. The message played, a miniature hologram.

He stared, listening, and ice entered his veins.

He walked back to the others and placed his comlink on his palm. He held it out. “I think you need to see this.”

An image of Emperor Palpatine shimmered in the air. “Greetings, Master Olin, for I think you deserve that title. Times have changed, and you’ve changed with them. I think our departed Inquisitor Malorum was a bit too hard on you. On behalf of the Empire, I’d like to offer you amnesty.”

“Hey, what about me?” Clive demanded of the message.

“And I’m issuing you an invitation,” Palpatine’s message continued. “Come visit me on Coruscant. I give you my personal word that you will have safe passage. Let us speak together, and if what I offer doesn’t interest you, you may take your amnesty and go. This offer stands for twenty-four hours from the receipt of this message. I hope to see you soon. We have much to discuss. Until then, farewell.”

The hologram faded.

Ferus looked at his friends. “So,” he said, “what should we do? Accept a date with the Emperor?”