[Legacy Of The Force] - 03(75)

The sergeant saluted sharply and left to obey. Jacen turned away from the flight deck, leading R2-D2 and the Skywalkers down a short corridor into a state-of-the-art Briefing Cabin with a large holocomm unit at one end of a sunken speaking stage. The area was enclosed by a circle of flowform chairs, each with a panel built into the arm to control individualized” comm units, vid displays, and even automatic caf dispensers.

Jacen went to a chair at the far end of the oval, then turned to face Luke and Mara. “I’m afraid it will be a few minutes before Sergeant Darb arrives with the Queen Mother. After the attempt on her life, I’m insisting on Level Five security protocols even aboard the Anakin,”

“It certainly won’t hurt anything,” Mara said. “Though from what I’ve sensed so far, your crew seems exceptionally focused and alert-almost fanatic. It’s hard to imagine an assassin remaining undetected long enough to defeat security.”

“Thank you. Coming from you, Aunt Mara, I take that as quite a compliment.” He sat down and motioned the Skywalkers toward a pair of nearby seats. “There’s a beverage menu in the arm display, if you’d like something to drink.”

Luke remained standing. “Thanks, but we’re not thirsty.”

“I see.” Jacen’s expression turned from pleasant to disappointed, and he shifted to the edge of his seat. “Then why don’t we get whatever is bothering you out in the open? I know you disapprove of my methods, but the hostility I sense runs deeper than that, and it pains me. You and Ben are the only family I have left.”

“That’s hardly true,” Mara objected. “What about Jaina and your parents?”

“You know how strained my relationship with Jaina has been,” Jacen said. “I’m afraid her insubordination at Corellia finally snapped it. We’re not speaking, and I suspect things are going to stay that way.”

“Maybe things would be different if you hadn’t brought her up on charges,” Luke pointed out.

“What should I have done? Looked the other way because she’s my sister?” Jacen’s voice was cracking, but his expression remained confident and his gaze steady. “The Galactic Alliance can’t survive if her leaders keep playing favorites. That kind of thing is why Corellia thinks she doesn’t have to live by the same laws as the rest of the Alliance. The rules apply to everyone or to no one.”

Luke did not need the Force to sense the conviction behind his nephew’s words. It was pouring off Jacen like heat from a star, bathing everyone near him in its glow-no doubt burning those who came too close.

“What about your parents?” Mara asked. “Are you turning your back on them because they don’t share your beliefs?”

“Not at all. I’m turning my back on them because they tried to assassinate the ruler of an Alliance member state-someone who’s always been a friend to them.” Jacen stood. “My parents are terrorist scum, and that is why I have turned my back on them.”

The fire in Jacen’s eyes was as anguished as it was intense, and Luke finally began to understand just how alone his nephew really was. He had lost his younger brother during the last pan-galactic war and renounced his sister and parents in an attempt to prevent another one, and in his unwavering battle against the evil he saw threatening the galaxy, he was clearly ready to surrender his relationship with his aunt and uncle, as well.

Like the Yuuzhan Vong who had once held him captive, Jacen had become capable of any sacrifice-and just as intolerant of those who did not share his commitment. Jacen Solo had fallen not because he was selfish, Luke realized, but because he was selfless,

“Jacen, I know your parents’ actions are confusing,” Mara said. “But you need to trust your…”

“Let Jacen judge his parents for himself,” Luke interrupted. Their only hope of bringing Jacen back was to shock him-to let him discover for himself just how wrong he was. “At the moment, I’m more interested in where Ben is.”

“He’s aboard a reconnaissance skiff,” Jacen replied. “I’d offer to holocomm him for you, but they’re in the Transitory Mists.”

“What’s Ben doing in the Transitory Mists?” Mara demanded.

“Looking for Jaina and Zekk,” Jacen answered. “They went to Terephon to deliver a message for Tenel Ka and haven’t returned yet. I sent the reconnaissance skiff to investigate, and Ben went along to see if he could help find them through the Force.”

Mara’s voice grew sharp. “Alone?”

“Of course not. As I told you, he’s aboard a reconnaissance skiff-with an excellent crew.” A concerned frown came to Jacen’s face. “What’s wrong?”