Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 04_ Backlash - Aaron Allston [141]
“Daughter. You are well.”
ABOARD THE JADE SHADOW
LUKE’S EYES WIDENED. DAUGHTER?
Vestara bowed. “Father. I am. It is good to see you. I am pleased that you were among those selected for the honor of this mission.”
“You, it would seem, have already brought honor to the Tribe,” the elder Khai said. “I understand you are the sole survivor of the … initial exploratory team.”
“Thank you, Father. I have always striven to elevate the standing of our household.”
“Master Skywalker,” Khai said. “I understand that you are graciously providing hospitality to my daughter.”
“That’s … a word for it,” Luke said.
“And that High Lord Taalon has agreed that you may continue to provide hospitality. Despite a father’s wishes to the contrary.”
“Let’s face it,” Luke said. “Sith and Jedi don’t exactly go together well. Put us together and we’re about as volatile as Tibanna gas. If you were tentatively allied with eleven Jedi vessels, and my son were aboard your ship—well, I think you’d like to keep him there for a while.”
Khai considered this for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Very well, your point is taken, and it is a shrewd one. You have promised she will come to no harm. I am sure that if Luke Skywalker gives his word, then every hair on Vestara’s head will be safe,” he said. His voice was melodic and rich and beautiful, just like the voice of every member of this lost Tribe they’d encountered so far.
“It seems we have nothing more to discuss then,” Luke said. “Say your farewells and—”
“Dad?”
Luke frowned a little, turning to Ben. “Yes?”
Ben jerked his head a little in the hologram’s direction, and Luke muted the sound. “I know we can’t just turn her over to them,” Ben said, glancing over his shoulder at Vestara, who had been silent as the grave during the debate between the two parents. “But what harm can there be in letting them talk for just a few minutes?”
“A lot,” Luke said. “You know that.” Neither of them had ever bothered to hide their suspicions of Vestara, and Luke did not attempt to do so now.
“But … you said it yourself, what if it were me?” Ben’s blue eyes were intense. “What if this situation was reversed, and Vestara’s dad was keeping a tight grip on me? A hologram is nice and everything, but you know it doesn’t beat actually being with someone. And it’s clear they really miss each other.”
That much was true. “A private conversation would enable her to relay anything she’s learned from us,” Luke reminded him.
Ben rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Dad, let’s face facts here—she already has. Otherwise how would the Sith know about the Jedi going crazy?”
Luke glanced at Vestara. He was not expecting a sheepish grin and a nod—even if their bluff was called, Sith were not likely to simply docilely show their hands—but neither did she make an earnest effort to contradict Ben. She was a smart kid.
He didn’t reply to Ben, but turned around to the console and unmuted the channel. “Since I am prepared to admit that even nexu are fond of their cubs, I’ll permit you to see Vestara for a brief visit. I will extend my hospitality to both Khais. You will be permitted to come aboard the Jade Shadow, alone, and without weapons.” He knew, as he knew Khai knew, that any powerful Force-user did not need weapons to pose a deadly threat. But acquiescing would take this arrogant Sith down a notch. “Any hint of treachery from you and this alliance is dissolved.”
Khai frowned. He was clearly struggling to contain his offense. “I would never dream of doing anything to harm a union that my superiors have deemed necessary.”
“Then if you are truly simply a concerned father anxious to be reunited with his child, I certainly wouldn’t stand in the way.”
The two regarded