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"And how exactly will we do that?" Ferus asked dryly, concealing his concern.

"Tomorrow night, she and her allies plan to sneak away from their government

'protectors,'" Halle said. "They've planned a secret meeting with those of our people foolish enough to believe their Rebel lies. That meeting is not going to happen."

Ferus kept his expression blank. So Halle had someone watching Leia. Against his will, his mind jumped instantly to the boys he occasionally paid to run errands. Mazi and his brothers seemed willing to do just about anything for credits. Had it been mere coincidence that they'd attacked Leia in that alley?

Like Halle, Ferus was reluctant to believe in coincidences.

J'er Nahj shook his head. "Disrupting the meeting won't help. If our people are foolish enough to join the princess and her Rebellion, they will do so—tomorrow or the next day."

"They can't join the princess if the princess is no longer asking," Halle said.

"She won't stop," Nahj said. "She doesn't seem to understand that Alderaan has paid enough."

"Why should she?" Halle scoffed. "When she's paid nothing."

It was far from the truth, Ferus knew. But he stayed silent.

"The meeting won't happen because the princess won't be available," Halle added.

"She'll be with us."

"Kidnapping?" Nahj said. "No."

"You disapprove of the methods?" Halle asked wryly. "I admit I'm rather surprised."

"That was a mistake," Nahj protested. "And the boy proved it when he helped us of his own accord."

Ferus suppressed his anger. He'd heard rumors, but this was the first confirmation. So Nahj had taken Luke to the warehouse against his will—and somehow, Luke had turned the situation to his advantage. But if things had gone wrong…

It was terrifying how fragile the situation was. If Obi-Wan was right about Luke, and the future of the galaxy rested on his shoulders, how could it be right to let him blunder around without proper training and protection? What if the unthinkable happened?

"That may have been a mistake," Halle said, "but this isn't. Princess Leia is a valuable commodity—rumor is the Emperor himself wants to get his hands on her. Just imagine what he might be willing to offer us in return."

"You're talking about ransoming off the princess? To the Empire? " Nahj asked in disbelief. "They'd kill her."

"They'd give us a home," Halle said quietly. "A new planet. A new Alderaan."

"What makes you think that?" Driscoll asked.

"Because they've already agreed."

"You contacted the Empire?" Ferus asked. Nausea swept over him at the thought of Darth Vader's ship hurtling toward the planet, his dark shadow creeping over Leia…

"Halle, how could you?" Nahj asked.

"Look what she's done to us!" Halle cried fiercely. "Alderaan is gone and still she longs for more death. Our troubles won't end until someone stops her. And if, in doing so, we gain a new home for ourselves? Can't you see it, J'er? The sacrifice of one—for the good of so many." She slapped her palms flat against the table. "The Empire is only our enemy because the princess made them our enemy. We were a peaceful people, once, and the Empire understands that we can be peaceful again. They want to help us…if we help them."

"You've been planning this for a while," Nahj guessed.

"We knew Leia would show up eventually," Halle said unashamed. "I intended to be ready."

Driscoll and Trey gave each other a long, intense look, as if exchanging some kind of silent twin communication. They nodded as one. "Yes. We agree."

Halle looked at Nahj. "I don't like it either, J'er," she said quietly. "If there were another way…"

Nahj lowered his eyes. "Yes, if there were another way…but perhaps there is not."

Fess couldn't believe it. Nahj was passionate about what he believed in, but had always seemed kind and reasonable. How could he—how could any of them—convince himself that this was right?

"And you, Fess?" Halle said, turning the name into a hiss. "You're awfully quiet. If you disapprove, feel free to leave right now."

Ferus knew that if he objected,