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“No.” Saba’s head snapped around so quickly that Kenth wondered for an instant whether someone had reached for a lightsaber. “Why would you think that?”

“My apologies,” Kyle said, frowning in puzzlement. “I thought you meant to suggest them.”

“Tesar and Wilyem are busy.” Saba glared at Kyle a moment, then looked back to the circle. “We must send someone else.”

Kenth did not recall hearing of any mission involving the two Barabels. And these days, not hearing about anything involving a Jedi worried him. He thought for a moment, trying to recall the two Barabel females who had helped the Solos sneak a load of psychotic Jedi off the planet a couple of months ago. They had been the youngest members of the Wild Knights when Saba appeared with the band during the war with the Yuuzhan Vong, and they had flown with honor and ferocity in a half dozen space battles.

“What about Zal and Dordi?” he asked, finally recalling their names.

“This one said no!”

Saba stood and whirled so fast that Kenth had to exert an act of will to keep from leaping to his feet. Several other Masters did not bother, rising to stand in front of their chairs with their hands hovering over their lightsabers.

Saba glanced at their hands, then snorted in derision. “Dordi and Zal are not available, either. Barabel Jedi Knightz are not available.”

Kenth remained in his chair, more puzzled by Saba’s anger than he was frightened by it. In a calm voice, he asked, “And why not?”

Saba’s scales bristled, and her tail lashed around so fast that Kenth and Cilghal both had to jump to avoid being swept off their feet. “It’z private.”

“Private?”

Kenth glanced over at the Solos for some explanation—and found them looking just as puzzled as he was. Whatever the Barabels were up to, they were keeping it completely to themselves—and a secret mission cooked up by Barabels could not be a good thing.

“Master Sebatyne,” Kenth said evenly, “like it or not, I’m the acting Grand Master of the Jedi Order. When four Jedi Knights disappear from the Temple without authorization, it’s my duty to find out why.”

The Barabel continued to regard him with a fang-filled snarl. “No, it is not. What Tesar and the otherz are doing is no one’s concern but their own.”

Kenth dropped his head in frustration. “Master Sebatyne, what I’m asking …” He caught himself and looked back up. “No. What I’m demanding—”

“Master Sebatyne,” Leia interrupted, “I think Grand Master Hamner may be concerned that Tesar and the others are acting against Chief Daala without his knowledge. After the actions of, um, certain Jedi Knights recently, it’s a reasonable concern.”

Saba looked from Kenth to Leia for a moment, her reptilian head rocking in thought. Finally, she looked back to Kenth.

“You think Tesar and Wilyem have gone out? To hunt … Daala?” Her fang-filled snarl changed to an equally fang-filled grin, and she began to siss so hard her shoulders shook. “No. This one … promises they remain in the Temple. They are not going anywhere …” More sissing. “… for monthz.”

A brief glance away from the Barabel revealed that the other Masters—and even the Solos, who knew Saba better than anyone—remained as puzzled as Kenth was. He shrugged and sank back in his chair, very tired and very ready for the Council meeting to be over.

“Very well, Master Sebatyne, I’ll take you at your word.” Without waiting for her to return to her seat, he looked past her toward Barratk’l. “I propose that we send Sothais Saar and Avinoam Arelis to Blaudu Sextus to convince the Octusi to delay their protest. Saar is a Chev, and he’s been working on the slavery problem for some time now.”

Barratk’l nodded. “I agree about Saar. But why Arelis? If you’re worried about a relapse, it’s better to send a Master. And I have a certain understanding of the issue myself.”

Kenth nodded. “That’s true,” he said, “but we also have the Lost Tribe to consider, and we’re going to need every Master available when we go to face them.”

“Then you do plan to launch the StealthXz?