[Legacy Of The Force] - 03(118)

“What is so interesting there?” Alema asked, following his gaze.

Instead of answering, Jacen oriented himself toward the real, physical rescue beacons, then reached out in the Force and sensed four presences-three of them familiar. They seemed healthy, though perhaps a little impatient, frightened, and-at least in Jaina’s case-angry. Jacen didn’t bother even trying to guess why the three Jedi had returned the Rover to Hapes instead of obeying their orders to rendezvous at Roqoo Depot-or how they had gotten themselves blasted out of their skiff. He simply flooded his presence with reassurance and tried to project that to them, so they would know help was on the way.

Zekk and Ben responded by projecting feelings of gratitude toward him. Jaina simply shut down.

“Isn’t the Longshot one of the Falcon’s false transponder codes?” Alema asked.

Jacen turned and found her frowning at the Longshot’s designator symbol. “It might be.”

If Alema noticed the suspicion and hostility in his tone, she ignored it. “Do you think that is a good idea?”

“Do I think what is a good idea?” Jacen asked.

“Allowing your parents to take your apprentice hostage,” she said.

“Don’t try that on me, Alema,” Jacen said, scowling. “I know how the Dark Nest worked-remember?”

“How could we forget?” Alema turned to him, the hatred in her eyes now open and honest. “We would never try to use our powers on you, Jacen. You have already proved that you are too powerful and smart for MS.”

“Just so we understand each other.” Jacen waved her toward the door. “My parents are going to help Ben and the others, not take them hostage.”

“If that’s what you believe, then we’re sure we are wrong,” Alema said. “We are hardly as well informed as you are.”

“Wrong about what?” Jacen asked. He knew this was how the Dark Nest had worked-by using a victim’s own doubts against him-but Jacen would have known if Alema was using the Force. “You don’t expect me to believe my parents would harm Jaina or Ben.”

“They would never do that,” Alema agreed. “Only, we thought they had taken Corellia’s side in this war.”

“They have,” Jacen admitted. “That doesn’t mean they’re terrorists.”

“Then we must have heard wrong,” Alema said. “We thought they had been involved in the assassination attempt on your daughter.”

“They weren’t,” Jacen said tersely. “That was a misunderstanding.”

“No doubt,” Alema said. “After Roqoo Depot, we know you would never let a personal attachment prevent you from making a necessary sacrifice.”

“I wouldn’t,” Jacen said.

“We believe you.” Alema used the Force to retrieve her helmet, then turned toward the door. “Perhaps we should be going-if you are going to permit us to leave.”

Jacen nodded. “Lieutenant Orlopp will arrange an escort for you.” His hands ached to kill the Twi’lek, but he did not dare-not while he suspected it would expose the secret of Allana’s paternity. “You may consider the message dinghy a gift from the Galactic Alliance.”

Alema lifted her brow in surprise. “Thank you.”

“But if my relationship to Allana is ever exposed, I’ll hunt you down myself.”

“Have no fear, Colonel Solo,” Alema said. “Your secret is safe with us. We know it is the only reason we are leaving here alive.”

Jacen nodded. “I’m glad we understand each other.” He waited until she reached the door, then added, “There’s just one more thing, Alema. If you ever come within a light-year of my family again, I won’t be so forgiving.”

Alema smiled and nodded. “Of course-we understand.” She used one hand and the Force to lift the helmet onto her head. “The Balance must be served.”

The Twi’lek lowered the visor and went out the door. Jacen activated the intercom and asked Orlopp to arrange an escort for her, then retrieved his datapad and checked to see that his daughter was still safe-and her assassin still locked away.

Orlopp’s voice sounded from the door. “I’ve arranged the escort, Colonel, Would you like us to return now?”

“In a minute, Lieutenant. I need to think.” Jacen went to the holodisplay, where the six surviving Battle Dragons of his rescue flotilla were in full pursuit of the Galney attackers. The remains of the defensive screen-seven rapidly blinking Battle Dragons and a like number of Nova cruisers-were gathering to give chase, but Jacen had anticipated that possibility and had a plan to stop them. Tenel Ka’s small force was already laying fire on the leading elements of the Galney fleet, and he thought it more likely than not that the Queen Mother would survive.