Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 05_ Allies - Christie Golden [5]
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 each other for a long moment. Out of the corner of his eye, Luke saw Ben and Vestara exchange glances, and the young man stepped closer to her. He seemed to want to put a hand on her shoulder, but stopped just short of making the gesture.
Khai was good. He gave away nothing. At last he said, “Your terms are acceptable.”
A short time later, Khai’s small, podlike ship was secured to the docking port of the Jade Shadow. The port was located on the underside of the vessel. Vestara, Ben, and Luke stood awaiting him as he emerged from the connecting tube.
Khai was, not unexpectedly, an imposing presence, both physically and in the Force. He was tall, much taller than Luke, and while not bulky, was clearly muscular. Luke guessed he was in his early forties, but there was no trace of gray in the jet-black hair, and the lines on his face seemed to be either furrows of concentration or laugh lines rather than the marks of age.
Khai’s belt was empty of weapons, and scans that would detect even the smallest bits of metal on his person had turned up nothing. He paused before stepping fully onto the Shadow and spread his hands. They were strong and callused, with long, clever-looking fingers.
“Saber Gavar Khai,” the Sith said, bowing. “Permission to come aboard.”
“Permission granted. I am Master Luke Skywalker. This is Ben Skywalker, my son and Jedi Knight. And Vestara, of course.”
Vestara had locked down her feelings. Save for the brightness of her eyes, she looked composed, almost bored. She bowed, deeply, respectfully.
“Father.”
Saber—whatever that meant—Gavar Khai opened his arms and Vestara went into them. For a brief moment, they were simply a reunited father and daughter, and Luke felt a brief flicker of embarrassment. It was swiftly quashed. Father and daughter they might be, and Luke was willing to grant that there might even be familial love between them, but they were still Sith. They probably fought pretty well as a father-child team, just like he and Ben did.
Vestara pulled back, keeping her face averted from Luke and Ben until the mask was back in place.
“Thank you for permitting me to see her,” Khai said, his arm still around his daughter’s shoulders. “Her mother and I have missed her greatly.”
That comment raised a hundred other questions in Luke’s mind, but he didn’t think any of them would be answered. At least, not honestly.
“I’m a father myself. I know how it is,” he said instead. “If you like, you two are welcome to use my quarters for