Star Wars_ The Black Fleet Crisis 03_ Tyrant's Test - Michael P. Kube-McDowell [96]
“That is something, at least.”
“But the truth lives side by side with lies, and errors, and self-deceptions—with hopeful dreams, and baseless fears, and mistaken memories,” Luke added gently. “And we have to try to know one from the other. All I ask is that you help me understand the source of your insight. That will help me know what weight to give it.”
“Is the damage done at Utharis still with us?” she asked sadly. “I had hoped to receive your trust again.”
“There’s very little I trust in this life, Akanah—myself included.”
“Too true,” she agreed. “Very well—I will try to explain.” Akanah frowned as she searched for the right words. “Where the Current touches self-awareness, there is a tiny ripple—as when you sense a presence with the Force. The metaphor is more different than the means.”
“But I can’t feel anything here—nothing more than the energy of the ecosystems on the fourth and fifth planets,” Luke said. “Nothing of consciousness—nothing of will.”
“It is not consciousness or will that matters—it is the profound essence of being, nothing more,” she said. “I can perceive the crew just as you would perceive a handful of sand I scattered on the far side of a pool. From a distance, sometimes you can see only the effect, not the cause.” She smiled. “But you must be very still to see even that, for you are also of the Current, surrounded by the ripples of your being.”
“So what you sense is the crew of this ship?”
“Whether they are crew, or cargo, or captives, I can’t say. I only know that there are many thousands there, orbiting J’t’p’tan, and some smaller number on the surface below.”
“Colonists,” said Luke. “They must be here to settle the planet.” At her questioning look, he added, “I heard some rumors in Taldaak that the Yevetha were expanding their territory by taking over the habitable worlds.”
“And you trust these rumors because—”
He laughed grimly. “Because they came from the Fleet. I obtained a tactical briefing on the war.”
“So you already knew that a ship was here,” she said. “And said nothing to me of it.”
“I knew that a ship was here at one time,” Luke said. “I didn’t say anything to you because I couldn’t. I take seriously the oath that allows me access to secure data. I wouldn’t tell your secrets to them, either,” he added.
“Then you weren’t testing me just now? To learn if I’ve spied on you?”
“No,” Luke said. “I just needed to know how you knew. What about the Circle?”
She shook her head. “The essence of concealment is merging with what surrounds you. Not even the best among us could answer your question at this distance, and I am far from the best. I hear only silence—I do not know what the silence means.”
* * *
Pushing Mud Sloth to its navigational limits, Luke began to contrive a spiraling approach that would keep the mass of the planet between the skiff and the Yevethan vessel.
“Best for everyone if they never see us at all,” he said as he charted the course.
“Done,” Akanah said, looking on from behind Luke’s flight couch.
Luke looked up at her quizzically. “It can’t be that easy.”
“Why not?”
“Eh—don’t you have to know who it is you’re trying to hide from?”
“Why?” she asked.
“So you have a focus. So you know whose thoughts you’re trying to deflect. It’s done with precision, not brute force.”
“That’s coercive,” she said. “And invasive. You reach into another mind and bind its thoughts, or place your own there.”
“Well—yes,” Luke said. “But the use of that power is constrained. The purpose must be important enough to justify the deed and the consequences.”
“It seems the Jedi are always finding reasons to justify their violence,” she said. “I wish you would try as hard to find ways to avoid it.”
“Violence? What violence?” Luke protested. “More often than not, all that’s required is to induce a moment’s inattention, or reinforce a suspicion. No harm is involved. A sworn Jedi would never—oh, make someone walk off a cliff thinking there was a bridge