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“Jag,” Daala said, “I see how many vessels I have, and presumably, so do you. But apparently, you are nowhere to be found. Show yourself, and let’s talk like civilized people.” If he was on the Pellaeon, he wouldn’t be able to. It had been reported as having departed the Meridan sector days before, after the “assassination.”

“Oh, I don’t think I’ll show myself quite yet,” Fel replied. “But I’ll send a few friends in, just to assure you I’m quite serious.”

Even as he spoke, several bright flashes of light revealed a number of ships suddenly dropping out of hyperspace, and Daala received her second unpleasant surprise of the day.

Star Destroyers. But no ordinary Star Destroyers, such as the nearly twenty she had at her beck and call. No, while these resembled their traditional Imperial counterparts, they were much more elegant—sleek and needle-like rather than bluntly triangular.

Chiss Star Destroyers.

The three were not alone; they were accompanied by nine heavy escort freighters and a dozen Nssis Clawcraft starfighters, their sleek, almost artistic curves belying how deadly they could be. The ball-shaped fuselage of the craft was still recognizable as the TIE fighter it had once been, but now it resembled a sea beast with long, elegant tentacles.

They held position, quietly. Awaiting orders.

And then, suddenly, Daala understood.

“You’re being granted an honor, Admiral. You’re the first to behold a secret finally come to light,” said Jagged Fel’s voice. “You’re looking at the vanguard of the Empire of the Hand.”

OF COURSE. OF COURSE. DAALA SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED THIS, GIVEN Fel’s closeness with the blue-skinned, red-eyed, xenophobic Chiss. His bodyguard and assistant was even a Chiss. And yet—how could she have known?

“Admiral?” Remal’s voice cut through her galloping thoughts. “Do you think they really are what Fel says they are?”

“It makes perfect sense,” Daala said, recovering. The irony that the Chimaera had once belonged to Admiral Thrawn, for whose “hand” the Empire of the Hand was named, did not escape her. “But he may just have overplayed his hand. Shock value is a very nice thing indeed, but they are grossly outnumbered. Fire when ready.”

For the first time since she had known him, Remal hesitated. “The Chiss Ascendancy—”

“Has nothing to do with those ships out there. They belong to the Empire of the Hand and obviously are Jag’s pets. Now, don’t make me repeat my order.”

“Of course not, Admiral.”

“Target the main Star Destroyer,” she said. “Let’s get their big boys first. Then we can—”

Whatever they could do remained unvoiced as the Chimaera was suddenly rocked by an attack from—

“Behind us!” cried Remal.

“Who the hell?” But of course Daala knew. She didn’t know specifically yet which one of them had suddenly turned tail at the sight of the Chiss vessels, but it had to be one of the Moffs.

Remal knew exactly what she meant and barked, “Getelles!” Even as he issued orders to launch TIE fighters and Daala’s three corvettes to crush the betrayers, Daala watched as the Chiss ships began to attack. The Nssisi Clawcrafts and AirStraekers targeted the TIE fighters while the massive, sleek Star Destroyer fired its masercanons directly at the Chimaera. More than conventional laser weapon technology, the uniquely Chiss masers utilized both laser and kinetic technology to buffet and damage at the same time.

Getelles. Daala swore softly. It all became clear now. “That traitor will be nothing more than messy particles in space by the time we’re done with him. Lecersen!”

“Here, Admiral,” came Lecersen’s oily but welcome voice. “I’ve already begun targeting Getelles. At least now we understand how it was that Jagged Fel managed to escape point-blank assassination.”

Daala felt heat rise in her face. She’d been a fool to trust Getelles. It was a novice’s mistake, to underestimate one’s foe. Getelles was obviously a more intelligent—and more devious—Moff than she had given him credit for. It was all unraveling. First Fel, then the Empire of the Hand, now Getelles.

“Indeed we