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Luke Skywalker watched Vestara Khai the way, long before, a bartender named Wuher had watched him at the Mos Eisley cantina—coldly, expecting the unexpected, and looking for an excuse to cease being civil. Her back was to him, hands on her hips, her long brown hair hanging loose. She was looking out over the gathering of Sith vessels that were starting to fall into formation in preparation for departure, and he didn’t have to sense her in the Force to make a guess as to what she might be thinking. As soon as he had the thought, Luke amended it.

She was Sith. So were they. In Luke’s mind, that automatically meant they could not be trusted. Even if they were sincere in this desire to unite forces and approach the Maw with a lot more firepower than the Jade Shadow would have mustered alone, there had to be a trick, or a trap. They were Sith. Deception was a keystone of their culture.

Vestara Khai was Sith. But she was also a girl who seemed to have at least a few virtues along with her vices, something Luke found unexpected and disconcerting. No doubt she was contemplating treachery. But he was willing to admit that she also might just be missing her people. A soft sigh escaped her, as if confirming his thoughts.

He had assigned Ben the job of being the first to read through the information Vestara had given them, thinking the task would distract his son from the female his own age who was going to be living in such close quarters with them. He was not worried for Ben’s state of mind regarding the Force. Ben had been through more things in his short life than most beings had in century-long ones. He wasn’t likely to be tempted by offers of power or greatness, the usual tools those who tried to corrupt Jedi liked to employ.

But it was, Luke realized, entirely possible that Ben might get a little confused now and then. Vestara was strikingly attractive, and had presumably been through things comparable to what Ben had undergone. And she was extremely, in fact exceptionally, strong in the Force. It was a combination that might make any father at least a little anxious for his Jedi son’s well being.

The Shadow was quiet, the air heavy with all the “not-talking” that was taking place. The only sound was Vestara’s single, almost inaudible sigh and the occasional sounds of Ben shifting position in his chair as he read and occasionally cross-referenced data.

The sudden noise alerting them to an incoming message therefore sounded especially loud. No one actually jumped, but a sense of surprise rippled through them all. Luke glanced at the screen and frowned slightly. Three words flashed.

VESTARA KHAI. PERSONAL.

As far as Luke was concerned, they might as well have been EMERGENCY INCOMING ATTACK.

“Who’s it from, Dad?”

“I don’t know. But it’s for our guest. Do you know who might be wanting to contact you, Vestara?”

Vestara actually looked taken aback. Luke felt the faintest flicker of worry, like an echo of a whisper, in the Force. “I’ve no idea,” she said, and it sounded genuine. “Is there a place where I can—”

“I can’t let you to receive a private message, especially from someone who won’t identify him or herself,” Luke said matter of factly.

Vestara nodded. “Of course not. If I were in your position, I would take similar precautions.”

Luke flipped a switch. “This is the Jade Shadow to the anonymous sender of the previous message directed at Vestara Khai. You must understand I cannot permit her to receive a private missive.”

There was a long silence. Luke could feel young ears straining. Then another message appeared, addressed to LUKE SKYWALKER.

THE MESSAGE MAY BE PUBLICLY VIEWED.

“Well, a reasonable Sith, what next,” Luke muttered, and touched another button on the console.

A small holographic figure took shape. It was a human male, wearing the traditional Sith black robes. A lightsaber of antique-looking design was clipped to his belt. His long dark hair was pulled up in a topknot. His face was chiseled and handsome.

Vestara’s startled gasp revealed her feelings, but