Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 04_ Agents of Chaos 01_ Hero's Trial - James Luceno [58]
“But you are delighted with the food.”
“Ah, the food,” Vergere said, laughing. “That is another matter.”
Elan grew serious. “You could reveal the truth to Showolter and escape back into your own realm.”
Vergere reached for Elan’s patterned hand and caressed it. “I am your familiar. Were it not for you, I would have been sacrificed or disposed of. We are linked until one of us dies.”
Elan exhaled with intent. “Despite what you say or what you choose to reveal, you know these species better than anyone else—even Nom Anor.”
Vergere shook her head. “The executor has made it his mission to study them—to know them better than they know themselves. We Fosh were more devoted to concealing ourselves.”
“From what little you know, then, are Showolter and the women who visited us taken in?”
“Were I privy to the debriefing I might be able to answer with certainty. Undoubtedly the assassin’s dedication to duty has helped to allay some of Showolter’s initial misgivings.”
Elan’s expression changed. “He is most accommodating, that one.”
“Because you have charmed him—as you do all.”
“Of course you would say that. Then you believe they will provide me with an opportunity to meet with the Jedi?”
“It is too soon to tell, mistress. Should Commander Tla deem it wise to furnish the New Republic with a victory to support the data you provided, you may yet meet with them.”
Elan considered it in silence. “Did you know of them in your time here?”
“As I say, the Fosh moved discreetly, but of course we knew of the Jedi. They were manifold. I was surprised to learn that they are now few.” She paused briefly. “I thank you for revealing nothing of my past to Harrar, mistress.”
Elan merely smiled. “Did you ever witness the Jedi employ the Force?”
“The Jedi consider the Force to be all around us, permeating all living things. So in that regard, I’m certain I witnessed the Force at work.”
“Perhaps it would benefit the Yuuzhan Vong to learn how to use it.”
Vergere took a moment to respond. “The Force is a sword with two edges, mistress. Cut one way and vanquish. But be careless on the backswing, or allow your mind to wander, and you risk undoing all you’ve accomplished.” She gazed at Elan. “Indeed, it might befit the Yuuzhan Vong to become aware of the Force, but it is not for all to employ. Such power should be reserved for those with the strength to heft the sword and the wisdom to know when to wield it.”
* * *
Squadrons of T-65A3 X-wings, E-wings, and TIE interceptors dropped from the forward launch bay of the Erinnic, an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer parked between Ord Mantell’s like-sized and close-quartered moons.
“Fighter groups are away,” an enlisted-rating reported from one of the crew pits below the overbridge’s command walkway. “Dispersing to assigned coordinates.”
“May the Force be with you,” Vice Admiral Ark Poinard sent over the command net.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw a wry smile take shape on the deeply lined face of General Yald Sutel, onetime adversary turned ally in the war against the Yuuzhan Vong. “Problem, General?” Poinard asked, raising one bushy white eyebrow as he turned to Sutel.
Sutel shook his blockish head but kept smiling. “It’s just that I’m still not used to hearing you say it.”
Poinard snorted. “Believe it or not, I used to say it to myself even when this ship carried only TIE fighters.”
“I don’t believe that for a moment,” Sutel said.
“Despite appearances, I always held the Force in high esteem.” Hands clasped behind their backs, the two elderly veterans continued to advance on the bridge’s semicircular expanse of triangular windows. As an accommodation to both the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant, Poinard had retained his honorific as captain of the flagship, while Sutel had been designated task force commander.
Of the sixteen vessels that comprised the group, some flew escort to the Erinnic, but most—including a Mediator-class Mon Calamari battle