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“Our conspicuous vulnerability is meant to lure the invaders here,” Ebrihim said, “to prompt an assault. Then, once Centerpoint has immobilized their fleet, New Republic ships deployed at Bothawui, Kuat, and other worlds will supposedly jump to engage them.”

Anakin’s forehead creased in concern. “How is the Defense Force expecting to get ships through the interdiction field that’s holding the Yuuzhan Vong fleet at bay?”

“By outfitting the ships with the same hyperwave inertial momentum sustainers the Bakurans used during the crisis,” Ebrihim said. “You must understand, Anakin, this operation has been in the works for some time.”

Marcha confirmed it with a nod. “Just how much of it is understood by the demonstrators, or even by the Centerpoint Party, is immaterial. The protestors are reacting to the fact that Coruscant has withheld defense and commandeered Centerpoint without factoring Corellia’s citizenry into the equation.”

Anakin grew pensive, then looked at Marcha. “You make it sound like everything is already set. It doesn’t sound like I’m really needed here.”

Marcha smiled faintly. “I wish that were so. But, in fact, the success of the strategy rests very much with you.”

Ebrihim explained. “The Defense Force has had their best people working nonstop to bring the entire network on-line, including the repulsors housed on the Five Brothers—Corellia, Drall, Selonia, Talus, and Tralus. The goal now is to slave all five planetary repulsors to Centerpoint itself, providing it with even greater power and range than it already enjoys from tapping the gravitic energies of the Double Worlds. Theoretically, the station will then be capable of creating interdiction fields wherever Admiral Sovv and the rest desire them to be created. Centerpoint would also have the ability to alter the course or location of distant planets, or cause stars to explode, as occurred twice during the crisis.”

“But the scientists have not yet been able to realize their ambitions,” Marcha emphasized. “As was the case during the crisis, the mysteries of Centerpoint continue to elude everyone. The station remains unpredictable and unstable, and at this point no one is certain that it can re-create a massive interdiction field, let alone that it can incite a distant star to go nova.

“And this is where you and you alone figure in the scheme, Anakin, because many of the scientists are convinced that the system still bears the imprint you imparted to the repulsor here on Drall, and that such a network can be brought into synchronization only by you.”

Ebrihim reinforced it. “Eight years ago you were responsible for disabling Centerpoint. Now you may be the only person who can successfully rehabilitate it.”

Concern shone from Anakin’s eyes. “Jacen sensed this from the beginning, but …” He glanced at everyone. “It’s not that I don’t trust what you’re telling me, but I have to go to Centerpoint and see for myself. I might be able to reenable it as a shield only. That way, Corellia and Drall and the rest can at least protect themselves from attack, no matter what plans the Defense Force or any others devise.”

Marcha smiled sadly. “Yes, perhaps you’ll be able to do just as you say, Anakin. But a word of warning before you go: When it came to reactivating the repulsors and the station, Coruscant had no choice but to call on many of those who were directly involved in fomenting the crisis.”

Anakin nodded. “The Sacorrian Triad, you mean.”

“Along with several others who played a role in those events,” Ebrihim said.

Marcha looked from her nephew to Anakin and Jacen. “It’s just this, boys: You may not like what you’re going to find on Centerpoint. Therefore, you must take care. Think carefully before you agree to anything.”

TWENTY-TWO

“We’ve got an inspector here from Comestibles and Curatives,” the sentry posted at the entrance to Salliche Ag’s district headquarters said into his comlink. “Human. Yeah, I already told him that we’d had some CCA folks through here last week, but he