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Nom Anor paused at the entry to a room built around a long table. Tsavong Lah saw two infidels seated inside, wearing spotted white gowns.

“To the infidels,” Nom Anor answered, “it seems generous to let them escape destiny.”

“It is not possible to escape destiny. Death is inevitable. How it is faced … that is all-important.”

“Incredible though that may seem, they do not understand.”

Tsavong Lah shook his head. “Then we will give your coworkers better than they deserve, as thanks for their tireless efforts.”

“You speak my thoughts,” Nom Anor said.

“Perhaps some will volunteer to assist with our research?” There were never enough volunteers for that noble work, but his staff had brought the requisite planters and coral seeds.

“I offered that option. Sadly, all declined. Perhaps having directed research makes them reluctant to contribute as participants.”

Tsavong Lah shrugged. “Then we shall consecrate this built-thing for your future use.” He turned to his black-robed priestess. “Vaecta?”

The hunched, older woman had followed them, leading her ritual musicians. She stepped forward, carrying a translucent bivalve shell against her robes.

Tsavong Lah reached inside, wriggling his fingers, calling one of the tkun creatures to his hand. He felt the delicate touch of a furless nose, then the warmth of furry coils wrapping around his wrist.

He drew out his arm with the crimson tkun coiled around it. Master shapers had recently created the species, responding to the need for quick, efficient—but spiritually significant—individual sacrifices.

From another aide, the priestess took a wad of tishwii leaves. She arranged them in a water basin, then held a flint spark against them and dropped them into the basin to smolder.

“Bring the first researcher,” Tsavong Lah said.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Han wrapped an arm around Leia’s shoulders and pulled her close, momentarily resting his chin on her white turban. “Take care of yourself, then.”

“You, too.”

Jacen’s parents kissed each other—barely a peck at first, and then Han leaned into it. Leia went up on her tiptoes. Jacen lowered his eyes, caught Jaina’s glance, and half smiled.

She nodded.

But Han’s expression was grim as he and Droma headed back up the entry. Jacen watched until they disappeared. His memory fled back to Belkadan and a marsh full of villips, and he wondered what the Yuuzhan Vong would do with the Thirty-two reclamation project. Maybe they had creatures who could live in poisoned water.

Leia stared at her feet, grimacing.

“Mom,” Jacen said gently. “You don’t look real diplomatic.”

She raised her head. “You don’t think you three get all your grit from your father, do you?”

“Whatever you’re going to try,” Jaina said, “I’m with you.”

Leia’s smile reflected Jaina’s. For three seconds, all the gaps and irritations between them fell away. They looked like conspirators. Sisters.

And since they thought Jacen had gone soft, he said, “So am I.”

Leia wrapped a hand around his forearm and one around Jaina’s, and squeezed. “First …” She raised her voice. “Mezza, Romany, we did drill out some other bolt-holes, and I have three maps. I need someone to get to that transmitter and someone else to pull people out of those holes. Either to here or to the admin building, and from there to the haulers. We’ll have to ask for volunteers—”

A Sullustan girl rocked forward and stood up. Her mother—or grandmother?—opened her mouth, then plainly decided against objecting. Then several others volunteered.

Leia distributed her datapads, keeping one back for Mezza and Romany. Close by, the rhythmic tick-clink of picks went on as the volunteers headed out.

Then Leia crouched beside Jaina and Jacen again.

“I’ve got an idea,” Jaina said softly. “We could do a lot of damage with that mining laser, if the Yuuzhan Vong haven’t found it.”

Leia nodded, then glanced up at Jacen.

“Is that too violent for you?” Jaina demanded.

“It’s rescue,” he said. “It’s defense. As long as I’m not manipulating the Force—”

“If the repulsor cart hasn’t been sabotaged, you won’t have