Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 06_ Vortex - Denning Troy [32]
Daala quickly stepped forward. “Dr. Tharn isn’t here to debate—”
“Unfortunately, Captain Solo, I do,” Tharn said, motioning Daala to stand aside. “Until we find a way to cure these patients, freezing them in carbonite is the only responsible thing to do. Jedi Knights are just too powerful to have wandering about in a psychotic state.” Tharn’s tone grew rhythmic and soothing. “Surely you agree with that.”
Han rolled his lips over his teeth, trying to pretend that this wasn’t going even better than he had hoped, then finally sighed and dropped his head. “So you think they can be cured?”
The Bith gave him a reassuring nod. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
“That’s not a yes,” Han noted.
“It’s not a no, either. I give you my word, Captain Solo, I won’t rest until we can thaw them out. No one here enjoys freezing Jedi Knights in carbonite.” Tharn turned to Daala. “Isn’t that true, Chief Daala?”
“Of course, Doctor.” The coldness in Daala’s eyes betrayed her lie, but she managed to put enough sincerity in her voice to avoid sounding vindictive. “Once we can be certain the sick Jedi are no longer a threat, they’ll be released immediately.”
Han resisted the urge to smile. “Then I guess we should get on with this.” He let his shoulders slump like a man defeated, then turned to Captain Harfard and spoke the words that Saar and Turi were waiting to hear. “Tell your bucketheads to hold their fire, will you? They’re coming out.”
“Who’s coming out?” Harfard demanded.
“Sothais Saar and Turi Altamik, for starters,” Han said. “Assuming you don’t blast them, there’ll be a few others.”
Daala sensed the trap and quickly looked to Tharn. “Do you think that’s wise, Doctor?” Her demanding tone suggested her own opinion. “Wouldn’t it be better to take custody of the pris—um, patients—under more controlled circumstances?”
Tharn paused a moment, as though considering the merits of her suggestion, then nodded sagely. “Indeed it would.” He turned to Captain Solo. “If you could just have someone open an entry bay, my orderlies will be happy to go in and remove the patients.”
Han ignored him and continued to look at Daala. “Our mistake,” he said. “When you told Kenth you wanted a public surrender, we thought you meant out here in front of the news, where everyone could see how well you’re going to treat the patients.”
“I meant that I wanted the situation resolved publicly,” Daala replied. “I didn’t mean we should endanger scores of beings by making the actual exchange out here in Fellowship Plaza.”
“Well, stang.” Han turned toward the Temple entrance, where Saar and Turi were already stepping out of the portico with their hands raised high in the air. “I wish you’d told me that earlier.”
A low growl sounded inside Harfard’s helmet as he barked an order, and a knot of blue-armored guards closed ranks around Daala. There were already hundreds of Mandalorian weapons pointed at the two Jedi, but a couple of dozen GAS commandos went rushing up the stairs to intercept the pair.
Han turned toward the wall of guards surrounding Daala. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, Chief Daala,” he said. “But if you’re scared, we could let—”
“I am not scared, Captain Solo.” Daala pushed through the knot of guards and turned to Harfard. “I think it’s safe to have the troops stand down, Captain.”
Harfard made no move to obey. “With all due respect, Chief, this could be a Jedi trap.”
Daala looked up the stairs toward Saar and Turi, who were standing, calm and unarmed, with their hands raised, while dozens of blue-armored GAS commandos thrust blaster nozzles in their faces.
“They’ve already sprung their trap, you idiot,” Daala whispered. “Stand down … now!”
Harfard’s helmet remained turned in her direction for a moment, then he finally muttered something into his commset and turned away. The guards surrounding Daala quickly retreated