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“The situation has changed,” Luke said. Briefly, he brought Lando up to speed. He did not mention the inner need that was driving him to leave; Lando wasn’t a Force-user, and sometimes they looked askance at such things.

“I see your point,” Lando said. “I’d not be too happy with a crazy Jedi on my vessel for longer than I had to have him around either.”

“He’s not a Jedi, just a Force-user.”

“Just as bad,” Lando said, flashing white teeth in a quick grin. “And I can imagine that sitting around with a bunch of bored Sith doesn’t make for restful sleep either.”

Luke thought about the dream, and simply smiled.

“We won’t get into dangerous territory without waiting for you,” Luke promised, “but I’d like to get everyone doing something, at least.”

Lando sighed. “I can step up repairs, but it’s still going to be another couple of days at the very least. Think you can distract your Sith buddies with shinies long enough so they don’t decide that a Skywalker skin might make a nice belt?”

“I think I can manage that,” said Luke. “Thanks.”

“You got it, Luke. Watch your back.”

Luke expected the second conversation to be better received. He was right.

“I completely concur,” Taalon said, nodding his purple head, his fingers steepled in front of him. “This vessel does sound useful, as I said earlier, but I chafe at the delay. I am anxious to be about our joint task of protecting our younglings and finding out exactly who and what Abeloth is.”

Luke smiled. He kept careful control of his presence in the Force, letting go of all negative emotions connected to the fact that he had conclusive proof that Taalon’s words were lies. Any irritation Taalon sensed would be ascribed to Luke’s open dislike and mistrust of Sith in general, which he had never made any attempt to mitigate.

“Then we are in agreement. I’ve already contacted Lando; he will follow as soon as he can. Let’s use the next day to double-check everything, and make sure every vessel has proper supplies. Then we depart in twenty-four standard hours.”

Taalon held up a long index finger in a chiding motion. “One moment,” he said. “It might be wise to leave a small group behind—say, three or four frigates—to wait for your friend. In case any problems arise.”

Luke did not like the idea of leaving Sith vessels, even one or two, behind on Klatooine. He liked his enemies in front of him, where he could see them. But communication would be impossible in the Maw. What if there was a problem? What if Cilghal learned anything important? Luke was not about to have her contact the Sith, but she could leave an encrypted message for him with Klatooine security and the Sith ship could deliver it if necessary.

“I hate to admit that a Sith has a good point, but you do,” he said at last.

Taalon’s very fake smile widened. “Sith always have good points, Master Skywalker. We consider all the options.”

“One vessel.”

“Four.”

“Only one is needed to carry messages of delays or difficulties.”

“One vessel might have technical problems.”

“Two then. I want the rest with us in case we run into any problems.”

Taalon sighed. “Very well. Two. I shall select which ones and give them their orders. We will be prepared to depart in twenty-four … no, twenty-three hours and forty-seven minutes.” He gave Luke a smirk.

For the briefest of moments, Luke envied Han’s lack of calm, measured response in a situation like this. Captain Solo would cheerfully have punched Taalon in his perfect, purple nose, and Luke had to admit, he wouldn’t have tried very hard to stop his old friend.

Taalon leaned back in his chair, a smile spreading across his face. He went over the logistics in his mind, then sent out three communiqués.

He received a response immediately to the first one. His second in command, Leeha Faal, appeared in front of him within seconds of receiving his request to do so.

She saluted and stood at attention. “Yes, sir?”

“You have served me well,” he said, “and now, I need you to serve in another capacity.