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Mun rose. “Oh, not at all. Their quick action actually aided in defeating the would-be defiler. I imagine you’re proud of them. Their litter should be astonishing.”

She tossed out the comment offhandedly as she rose. It took both Sith and Jedi a second to realize what she was saying. Understanding broke over them simultaneously and both of them spoke at once.

“Oh, they’re not involved,” Luke said.

“There will be no children,” stated Khai. They turned to glare at each other for a moment, then Luke smiled at the confused Mun.

“Our children are not involved in any way. They’re … just friends.”

Mun raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “Didn’t strike me that way, but suit yourself. We personally value strong litters and wise breeding, but I know not everyone shares our sentiments.”

The words were tolerant, but her voice revealed her contempt for their attitude. She beckoned them to follow her as she led them through dimly lit, narrow corridors winding their way between thick duracrete walls. It reminded Luke of a bunker.

He wondered what she might have seen or sensed to come to that conclusion. Had Ben and Vestara’s behavior led her to think that, or was it just her species’ social conditioning? He’d have to talk to Ben when they had a few moments alone. There was no such thing as “harmless” flirtation when it came to a Sith. Vestara would take his son’s innate goodness and optimism and seek to turn him to the dark side. Luke knew she would fail, and when she realized that too …

They turned a corner into a wider room with a mere four holding cells and a door that presumably opened onto yet another corridor. Luke thought that a surprisingly small number for such a major city, then realized that there probably was very little crime. For all intents and purposes, the Hutts owned Klatooine, thanks to the sweeping terms of the Treaty of Vontor. Luke was certain that any threat of misbehavior would result in being sent someplace extremely unpleasant. It was a deterrent to crime, but one that Luke would not wish on anyone.

He was mildly amused to see that the old doors were completely inadequate to housing anyone with even a modicum of Force ability. Ben and Vestara, both possessed of a great deal more than a modicum of ability, would not have been kept there for longer than about half a minute if they had not agreed to be. Mun stopped in front of the first cell and keyed in a code.

Ben’s voice floated out to them. “—and then the rancor says, ‘Then what did I just eat?’”

A peal of girlish laughter was heard, abruptly cut off as the door jerkily retracted into the wall. They were standing stiffly by the time the door was open completely, looking vaguely guilty.

“Oh, hey Dad,” Ben said. “That was uh … fast.”

Vestara’s hands were clasped behind her back and she executed a slight bow. “Greetings, Father. Thank you for coming.”

“Not a moment too soon, it would seem,” Gavar Khai said. “Come, Vestara. Let us leave the Skywalkers to their business.” Before Luke could protest, he gave the Jedi a sharp look. “Do not fear, I shall not abscond with her. We will be waiting for you outside.” Vestara gave Ben a quick, sidelong glance from underneath her lashes, then moved quickly to obey her father.

Luke didn’t much care for it, but he supposed there was nothing he could do. He was just sorry he had no way to record a conversation while they were outside melting in the sun.

“This shouldn’t take long,” Luke said. “We’ll see you shortly, then.”

GAVAR AND VESTARA BOWED, PERFECTLY IN TANDEM, AS IF THEY HAD rehearsed it, then turned and went back the way Luke and Gavar had come. When the sound of their feet had faded, Luke turned to Mun. “Where is Dyon Stad being held? I presume these cells are inadequate to the task.”

Mun growled softly. “You presume correctly. We do not have a great deal of violent crime here, and our population renders very few Force-users. We have had to take special precautions. Follow me.”

She moved to the door at the far end and