Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 04_ Backlash - Aaron Allston [139]
Luke didn’t answer at once. Ben knew what he was struggling with. And he was surprised that it was even a struggle for the Grand Master. Luke was a Jedi. These were Sith. There couldn’t possibly be an alliance. Everyone would constantly be watching and waiting for the inevitable betrayal.
But then again … He glanced at Vestara. She came from an entire culture of Sith. They couldn’t possibly be backstabbing each other constantly—they’d have become extinct long ago. Somehow this flavor of Sith had learned how to cooperate. Vestara had proved it was possible. She had worked with Ben and his father before, on Dathomir—and that cooperation had saved Luke Skywalker’s life.
“We do have a common goal,” Luke said at last. “It would be better to work toward it together rather than getting in each other’s way. But don’t think that I will not be expecting treachery at every turn. There are fewer enmities more ancient than that of Sith and Jedi.”
A sigh. “This thing we both fight might be older than that,” Taalon said. “Well, I did not expect this to be a particularly comradely union. Very well. You deliver Vestara Khai. Together, in an alliance not seen since this galaxy was new, Sith and Jedi will confront and defeat their mutual foe—one way or the other. And after that … well, let us see where we stand then, shall we?”
“Vestara stays here.”
The Sith girl froze.
There was a long silence.
“I cannot permit that.”
“Then we have no alliance.”
Another long silence.
Taalon finally spoke. “She has information we require. She comes with us, or there is no deal.”
“Information about how to reach and confront our mutual foe?” Luke said, turning Taalon’s own flowery words back on him. “That, I do not object to permitting her to share. That was the information you were talking about, wasn’t it?”
“She will come to no harm while entrusted in your … care,” said Taalon. “None. Or we will attack and destroy you down to your marrow and obliterate your very cells.”
“Provided you keep your bargain, she’s perfectly safe. Jedi aren’t in the habit of torturing children.”
Vestara frowned—presumably at being referred to as a child. Ben started to smile a little, despite the situation, then realized that she was the same age as he was. He shot his dad a disappointed glance.
“Then I believe we have an agreement.”
“Not just yet,” Luke said. “We need to decide who is going to be in charge of this alliance first.”
“I would suggest we command as a pair, you and I,” Taalon said. “No Sith will take orders solely from a Jedi. And I am sure you would bridle at being told what to do by a Sith High Lord.”
“I would indeed. And I would suggest we begin this joint command by sharing information. You first.”
“Ah, but Master Skywalker, you have our source of information right there with you. Start with her. We will be prepared to depart within a half hour.”
“So will we. I’ll be in touch. Jade Shadow out.”
“Dad,” Ben said the second the communication was terminated. “You just agreed to help the Sith.”
Luke shook his head. “No, son. I agreed to let the Sith help us.”
Ben regarded him, incredulity mixed with curiosity. “You trust them to keep their word?”
“I trust them to do what is best for them. And as long as what is best for them is best for us, then we’ll be fine.”
“And when it’s not?”
“Like Taalon said … we’ll see where we stand then. I’m prepared for that. There are two old sayings, Ben: ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend,’ and ‘Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.’”
Luke pointedly turned to Vestara, who stood straight with her hands clasped behind her back. “Now,” he said, “High Lord Taalon assures me you know everything they do.”
She lifted a small information chip. “Most of it’s here,” she said.
“And what’s not there?” Luke asked.
Vestara smiled slightly and tapped her temple. “And this is where it will stay until it is necessary. We have a card game on—on my world. It is called Mahaa’i Shuur, which means Ultimate Success in the tongue of the natives. The rules are complicated, but the goal is simple. The winner is the one