Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 05_ Allies - Christie Golden [8]
“This is something we can use,” Gavar Khai continued. “I certainly do not want you to fall in love with Ben Skywalker. But if you do feel genuine affection or desire for him, do not be afraid to let him sense that. Especially if he can sense it in the Force, he’ll know it’s real, and that will take him off guard. He will begin to lower his own walls, tell you more, trust you more. You can use that.” His eyes brightened as a thought came to him. “You might even be able to turn him.”
“To the dark side?” A strange little jolt swept through Vestara at the thought. She recognized it as … hope. If Ben were to become Sith, then she wouldn’t have to worry about the growing feelings she was having for the Skywalker boy. It wouldn’t matter. They would be on the same side—fighting, killing together, advancing the Tribe agenda to rule the galaxy. Ben would, she was certain, become as powerful as his father one day. He might even become a Lord—or a High Lord. They—
Her father’s indulgent chuckle snapped her out of her reverie. “That would be my hope as well. Ben Skywalker as a Sith would be a glorious achievement for our family, and you could enjoy him to the fullest. But if you fail to turn him, you must be prepared to be content with toying with him. At least until the time comes when he is no longer useful.”
Vestara nodded. “I understand, Father. You do not need to worry about me.”
He regarded her for a long moment. “I never had to lay a hand on you for punishment, child. You have always excelled. You are driven by the dark side to achieve, to rise.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them slightly in approval. “Vestara, you are a true Khai. I know you will not fail me in this.”
She stood a little taller at the high praise, craving it, craving the power that lay, unspoken, behind his words. She had once dreamed of becoming a Lord, but now her ambition knew no bounds. Fate, or the dark side, had placed the Skywalkers in her path. In, perhaps, her hands—literally and figuratively. She would make certain she took full advantage of the opportunity.
For her family, for the Tribe—and for herself.
ABOARD THE JADE SHADOW
“I’M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING INTO THE MAW AGAIN,” BEN said bluntly. “It was tricky enough the first time.”
“Well,” Luke said mildly, “you’ve done it once, you know what to be aware of.”
Ben grimaced. “Doesn’t mean it’s going to be any easier.”
Vestara nodded. “Agreed. We had difficulty as well.”
Luke scratched his chin thoughtfully. Tadar’Ro, of the Aing-Tii, had told them the safe path to follow through the Maw to go where Jacen Solo had gone so many years before. Not surprisingly, though, considering how mysterious the Aing-Tii liked to keep themselves, he had couched it in the form of a riddle. “The Path of True Enlightenment runs through the Chasm of Perfect Darkness. The way is narrow and treacherous, but if you can follow it, you will find what you seek.” Ben and Luke had indeed been able to follow the “Path of True Enlightenment,” although the way had been treacherous indeed. It had led them between two black holes into an area known as Stable Zone One, in which “stability” was a bit of a misnomer. Ben had been the one to do the navigating of the yacht, and while he’d managed it by a combination of good piloting and trusting his feelings in the Force, it had still been an unnerving journey. Luke wasn’t looking forward to repeating it either, especially not having to worry about a dozen other vessels all making the journey successfully.
“I’m wondering if we might get a little help,” he said at last. “I’ve got an old friend who lives near the Maw who might be able to lend us a ship.”
Instantly, like a nexu scenting danger, Vestara was on the alert. “More ships? You are calling in reinforcements?”
“I said a ship. A specialized asteroid tug that could help us offset the gravitational pull of the black holes. It’s large and it’s designed with more tractor beam