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“I wonder if it will be as easy as you think it will be,” said Vestara. “Sith do not flee from a fight. And you have no idea how many of them are on Coruscant—or how powerful they might grow while we deal with Ship.”

Luke could tell she was rattled by the revelation, but he also sensed … pride? That was to be expected, he supposed. It was easier to turn your back on an ideology that was clearly harmful than on beings you loved who practiced that ideology.

“Sith are also arrogant,” Luke said. “Ivaar Workan is posing as a high-profile Senator. I am willing to bet that you know most of the Lords and High Lords by sight.”

She nodded. “Yes. They are public figures on Kesh.”

“I can’t imagine any Sith Lord or even Saber being content with a job that doesn’t involve some ego-stroking.”

“They are proud of what they do,” Vestara said.

“And you’re proud of them,” Luke said. It was a statement, not a question.

Vestara hesitated, then nodded. “Yes,” she said. “It is difficult not to be. To have moved so swiftly and so thoroughly.”

“Thank you for not lying,” Luke said, giving her a smile. “I’m sure this is a difficult time for you.” Vestara nodded again, more comfortably this time. “The Lost Tribe makes for dangerous opponents,” Luke went on. “I’ll give them that much. I didn’t enter into this lightly. But I thought it was the swiftest way to end the threat they pose. One planet—one strike by Jedi they think long gone—and we have the most powerful Lost Tribe members killed or in custody.”

“That’s … one of the craziest things I’ve ever heard,” Ben said. “But it makes a really weird kind of sense.”

“I’m glad you approve,” Luke said wryly.

“Still—you might have told someone,” Ben grumbled.

“I did. I told Leia and the Masters. The Masters know about the plan so that they can lead in the Jedi forces the second we’re ready. Leia was informed because, as the only Jedi staying behind, she could report to me anything she discovered.”

“That’s why she didn’t protest when they arrested her,” Ben said. “She went so quietly when Suldar—er, Workan—arrested her because she knew we couldn’t risk anything getting stirred up on Coruscant.”

Luke nodded. “The Sith must not be forced to act prematurely. Innocent beings could be harmed. And we also must make sure we strike when they are at their most vulnerable.”

“You didn’t tell Captain Solo or Jaina?” asked Vestara. “When their wife and mother was arrested? Could you not trust them?”

“Jaina isn’t a Master,” Luke said. “I can’t give her preferential treatment simply because Leia is her mother. And Han—well, Han can’t easily conceal his feelings. Particularly when they regard his family. Any Sith worth the name would pick up on his lack of distress right away, and our advantage would destroyed.”

She smiled a little. “Rather calculated and unfeeling for a Jedi,” she said.

“It was what was necessary for the greater good,” Luke said. “They all understand.”

Ben turned to Vestara. “You know this Workan guy. What motivated him to arrest Leia? And do you think she’s in any real danger?”

“He took Leia to make sure the last Jedi on Coruscant would be safely watched,” Vestara said without hesitation. “And to cement his personal power. To capture and contain such a prize reflects well on him. As for whether he’ll harm her—I don’t think so. Not right away, at least. She’s too important and beloved a personage to openly harm, and any ‘accident’ would be far too suspicious. And she’s a marvelous bargaining chip if it comes to that—a famous political figure, and the sister of Grand Master Luke Skywalker. But she’s not going to be released anytime soon, I can tell you that much.”

“I agree with Vestara on all counts,” Luke said. “Upsetting as it is, we can’t make any attempt to rescue her until we’re ready to move on all the Sith on Coruscant. She’ll be all right.”

“So we’re still going after Ship first?” asked Ben. He might understand his father’s logic, but he clearly didn’t think he had to like it.

“Let me put it to you this way: do you want