[Legacy Of The Force] - 03(24)
Alema kept her gaze fixed on Lobi, who was continuing to record every word.
After a moment, Jacen spoke in a calmer tone, “Sorry. I lost a friend today.”
“I see.” Lumiya’s voice held just a hint of disapproval at Jacen’s sadness, “That must be why the Ferals are rioting.”
“Yes. The World Brain died this afternoon.” Jacen’s voice actually cracked. “But the Ferals aren’t exactly rioting-they just don’t have any impulse control without the World Brain to guide them.”
“And you want me to provide some?”
“No, Coruscant Security can handle that,” he said. “I need you to finish that list I gave you.”
“The Bothans?” Lumiya asked. “Jacen, you can’t let your personal feelings…”
“I’m not,” Jacen interrupted. “The Corellians finally figured out how GAG has been tracking them. They’re planning to send their whole network after the World Brain.”
“But not if they realize it’s dead already,” Lumiya surmised.
“Right,” Jacen said. “And I need them to attack. It will bring the terrorists out in the open.”
“And GAG will be waiting?” Lumiya asked.
“GAG will be watching,” Jacen corrected. “Coruscant Security will handle the actual ambush. Our agents will concentrate on the terrorists who escape. Some are bound to panic, and with any luck we’ll be able to follow them back to their ringleaders.”
“So, many Bothans must die to bait your trap,” Lumiya said.
“No one would understand the necessity better than Bothans,” Jacen said.
As Jacen said this, Lobi was pulling her comlink from her utility belt. Alema watched with increasing despair as the Chev carefully set the parabolic antenna on the ground and donned her headset and throat mike. This could not be in the interests of the Balance-not when Alema still owed Leia so much.
After a moment’s pause, Lumiya said, “You know that finishing this list will force Bothawui to declare war. Their ambassador is on it.”
“Do him first,” Jacen said. “Bothawui is going to declare war anyway. Niathal says they’re already outfitting three cruiser fleets for Corellian crews.”
“Fine,” Lumiya said. “The ambassador first… if you’re sure.”
“Don’t I sound sure? “Jacen snapped. A pair of military boots began to clack down the walkway as he departed. “Just do it. I can’t keep the admiral waiting any longer.”
Tresina Lobi reached for her throat mike and started to depress the SEND key in rhythmic sequence, using a click code to begin a silent broadcast to whoever was on the other end. Alema could see her finger movements just well enough to make out some of the message. “… Skywalker he was… Lumiya IS following Ben…” That was as far as Lobi made it before Alema understood the reason the Force had brought the Chev so close to her hiding place. “… is more …”
Alema jerked her Ughtsaber off her belt. She was a Jedi-and Jedi served the Balance. “… Lumiya is…”
Alema sprang from her hiding place, activating her blade as she flew through the air. Lobi was already rolling, her hand flying from her throat as she reached for her own weapon.
Alema stretched her jump into a Force leap and brought her mangled half foot down between Lobi’s shoulder blades… then felt a crushing pain as the Chev continued to roll, smashing the back of an elbow into Alema’s knee and knocking her legs out from beneath her.
Alema landed flat atop a chrysanthus shrub, surprised and hurting. Lobi had never been a flashy fighter, but she was powerful and effective-and clearly deserving of her rank. Alema whipped her lightsaber around to protect herself, half expecting to feel the death slash before it reached middle guard.
But the Chev had been disoriented by the unexpected assault and decided to buy some reaction time by leaping into a high Force flip. Alema arched her back and sprang to her feet-then nearly fell when her aching knee buckled. Instead of leaping into another attack, she extended her hand and used the Force to pluck the headset off Lobi’s head.
The Chev landed an instant later, her eyes wide with rage and disbelief, but she wasted no time acknowledging Alema’s identity. She merely ignited her own lightsaber and raced forward to attack.
Alema barely had time to slash the headset apart before the Chev was on her, driving her back toward the hedge with a combination of high slashes and powerful front thrust kicks. The first kick that landed drove the air from Alema’s lungs. The second doubled her over, making her an easy target-until she used the Force to accelerate herself off Lobi’s foot and deep into the hedge where she had been hiding a moment earlier.