• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

“And the circles?” Cilghal asked. “They represent assaults you merely believe to be Sith in origin?”

Jaina nodded. “That’s correct,” she said. “There’s no way to be certain, at least until we locate the Lost Tribe’s home base, but they fit the same profile.”

The chamber fell silent as the Masters contemplated what they were seeing. After a moment, Corran Horn rose and stepped over to the holograph, running his gaze along each of the major hyperspace lanes. All eyes were on him, watching in silence as he paused at each of the circle symbols, studying the description of the missing ship and the cargo it had been carrying. Finally, a look of horror came over him, and he turned to face his fellow Masters.

“There are Sith everywhere,” Corran announced. “And they’re building a war fleet!”

AT ONE END OF THE MEETING ROOM STOOD A WELL-STOCKED BAR AND snack center, and at the other a round borlestone conference table surrounded by a variety of chairs and stools chosen to accommodate the galaxy’s most common body types. The lighting was indirect and soft enough to encourage relaxed conversation; even the transparisteel viewing wall, looking across Fellowship Plaza toward the pyramidal grandeur of the Jedi Temple, was tinted amber to create an atmosphere of warmth and well-being. The style was not what Leia would consider typically “Sullustan”—but, according to Lando, Luewet Wuul was no typical Sullustan.

Leia took a seat at the table and motioned for Lando and her other two companions to do the same. “We may as well make ourselves comfortable,” she said. “For a Senator, ‘just a few minutes late’ usually means an hour.”

“You’ll find Luew an exception to that rule,” Lando said, heading for the bar. “He prides himself on courtesy—and on his Maldovean Burtalle. Anyone else?”

Jaina stopped just inside the entrance. “Uh, Lando, we can’t afford to offend this guy.” She began to walk along the wall, pretending to examine the artwork and craftsmanship while she searched for hidden eavesdropping devices. “And I don’t recall the receptionist inviting us to help ourselves.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Lando placed five glasses on the bar counter. “And don’t worry about Luew. He’s already on our side.”

“You’d better be right about that,” Han said, going toward the bar. “Because if this gets out, Daala will hang us with it.”

“No, she won’t,” Leia said. “Because we’re not going to mention that part to Luew.”

Han frowned. “Which part?”

“The part about Jedi working with the Sith,” Lando said. He produced an ice bucket and used a pair of tongs to drop a sapphire cube into each glass. “And Leia’s right. Luew doesn’t need to know about that part—and he wouldn’t want to.”

Leia grimaced, then cast a meaningful glance toward Jaina, who was just finishing her sweep. “I hope he still doesn’t.”

Lando flashed a confident smile. “No worries. The way Luew talks, he’s the last one who’d allow eavesdroppers.” He selected an amber jug off the bar shelf, then shot Jaina a wink. “Besides, why do you think he’s leaving us alone in here? He expects you to sweep for listening devices. He wants you to know you can talk freely.”

“Considerate guy,” Jaina said, turning back toward the table. “Or one with really good techs. I can’t find anything.”

Leia extended her own Force awareness throughout the room and, experiencing no hint of uneasiness, nodded. “Okay,” she said. “So why don’t you have a seat and tell us how it went with Grand Master Hamner?”

Jaina rolled her eyes, then plucked at her flight suit. “He dismissed the Masters three hours ago, and I’m still in the same thing I was wearing when we left the Rockhound.” She shook her head in dismay, then looked up with an expression of equal parts dismay and frustration. “He spent the entire time accusing me of sabotaging his attempts to reconcile with Daala.”

“Reconcile?” Han echoed, returning to the table with a handful of coasters. “With Daala? How’d you keep from laughing in his face?”

“It’s too scary to laugh, Dad,” Jaina said. “Honestly,