Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 05_ Allies - Christie Golden [92]
“What’s going to happen now?” Jaina asked.
“Only the Ancestors know,” Darima replied. “We will give them the crew of the Starstalker. The law is clear upon that. Such a blasphemy calls for execution. But that will not be enough. I fear that Klatooine is at a crucial juncture. We are beholding the end of something—and the birth of something new. And I fear it will be birthed in blood.”
“Such things usually are,” Jaina said quietly. “I’m sorry we couldn’t be of more help.”
He smiled, gently. “You cared enough to try to find justice. More, no one could ask. Believe me when I tell you this has little to do with your decision. But at least we can say that all formalities were observed. Go now. While it’s still safe for you to fly.”
Go. With a smirking, self-satisfied Leeha Faal accompanying them.
Jaina was glad that she hadn’t eaten any of the little appetizers that had been prepared. She was convinced that if she had, they’d be coming right back up.
Leeha Faal went over to the doomed Vyn Holpur. “Your family will be rewarded for your action,” she said quietly.
“Thank you,” he replied formally. “Tell them I died well.”
She smiled slightly. “I can’t tell them that, because I’m not going to see you die. But we’ll assume so, shall we? It shouldn’t take too long. The pieces were large and sharp, were they not?”
He nodded.
“It is too bad we were not able to take the samples with us, but they can still serve a purpose. And if that does not suffice, then I trust you will bravely face whatever form of execution they deem appropriate. Tell the same to your crew. Their families will remember them. And so will High Lord Sarasu Taalon, when we have achieved our goal in the Maw.”
Holpur smiled faintly. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t bow.”
“Of course.” She nodded at him, then turned and walked out. She withdrew her comlink and spoke into it. “Syndor? All is well. We are free to depart. But before we do, you must do something for me, and quickly. I need you to …”
The conversation became inaudible. He watched her go, hearing the heavy footfalls of booted feet denoting Klatooinian guards coming up behind him, and placed a hand on his stomach before they bound his hands behind his back.
OUTSIDE THE JEDI TEMPLE, CORUSCANT
HIS NAME WAS BELOK RHAL. HE WAS NOT VERY TALL, WITH CLOSE-cropped blond hair and pale blue eyes. His nose looked like it had been broken several times, a long scar ran the length of his left cheek, and he moved with a fluid grace.
He had been appointed to command the Mandalorian forces laying siege to the Temple, and Daala had largely given him free rein to do as he saw fit. “I want the Chev Jedi Sothais Saar, and the human Turi Altamik,” she said. “If the Jedi surrender them, your mission is complete. If they don’t—” She had shrugged. “It’s time to make them understand what they’re really up against.”
A slow smile had spread across Rhal’s face, and he had nodded. “Understood.”
He’d not made any attempts to respond to efforts at contact from Jedi for several hours. The silence would unnerve them. Now, though, it was time to get some movement out of the situation. He was clad in beskar armor, brightly painted in hues of reds and yellows. The armor had seen combat—a great deal of combat. Possibly, it would see more during this mission.
He removed his helmet, so that the watching Jedi could see his face. Enemies, he had learned, found his face more unnerving than an impersonal helmet.
Rhal gestured for the amplifier, and spoke. His voice would carry to the Temple and beyond.
“My name is Belok Rhal. You will remember it. I am here on the orders of the Galactic Alliance to retrieve two Jedi—Sothais Saar and Turi Altamik,” he said, his voice deep and rough. “You have been ordered to relinquish them to the care of the Galactic Alliance, and you have refused. All legal methods have been exhausted. Your