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“Anakin is a little … overeager.”

“He did not proceed under your authority?”

“No, Chief Fey’lya, he did not, but he thought the students at the praxeum were in imminent danger. As it turns out, he was correct.”

“Another example, however, of what I’m talking about. Young Solo ran off against orders, breaking several laws in doing so, with no say-so from anyone. This, so far as I can tell, is the essence of what the Jedi have become.”

“I’m coming to you now, Chief Fey’lya.”

“Yes. Now that the matter is too large for you to handle on your own. And I note that you did not come here first. At the very least, you went to General Antilles—and, I suspect, to others. And they all sent you here.”

“I was inquiring into what was possible,” Luke said. “Not making requests.”

“How diplomatic. And where is your sister in all of this? She and her husband also seem to have disappeared.”

“That’s not relevant to this,” Luke said.

“Oh, isn’t it? Are they engaged in yet more unsanctioned covert activity? Are they a part of the little government you’re trying to run on the side, as if the elected officials of the New Republic are incompetent to do their jobs?”

“We’re following our Jedi mandate, Chief Fey’lya. We protect. We serve. I’m sorry if these goals are incompatible with yours.”

“The arrogance,” Fey’lya said. “The sheer arrogance. And you wonder why you are disliked.”

Luke felt matters rushing to a heated conclusion and knew part of it was his own fault. Perhaps the rage he felt pulsing from Jaina was partially responsible, but he was dangerously near losing his own head in the matter. He placed his palms together. “Chief Fey’lya, if you won’t consider military action, at least consider a diplomatic solution.”

The Bothan reclined in his chair. “The matter has already been brought to our attention. Negotiations have been and are occurring.”

“Brought by whom?”

“The Yuuzhan Vong, of course. The Yavin situation has already generated a good deal of tension.”

“What? You knew?”

“The Yuuzhan Vong assure us that their occupation of the system is temporary. They went there in search of raw materials, not captives. They knew nothing about your Jedi praxeum.”

Luke bore down on the chief of state with his gaze. “I ask again,” he said softly. “You knew the Yuuzhan Vong were going to Yavin, and didn’t see fit to warn me?”

“Don’t be absurd,” Fey’lya snorted. “Do you think I could keep that from your Jedi spies? No. The Yuuzhan Vong entered the Yavin system peacefully. There was already some sort of scuffle between smugglers going on when they got there, and some of those smugglers remain and continue to harass the Yuuzhan Vong water-mining activities on Stroiketcy. It took considerable diplomatic effort to convince them that these outlaws have nothing to do with the New Republic.” He cocked his head. “You know nothing of these pirates, do you, Master Skywalker? This wouldn’t be yet another example of unsanctioned Jedi activity, would it?”

Luke narrowed his eyes. “You sold my students out. I won’t forget that. Ever.”

“I see. Instead of answering my question, you threaten me.” Fey’lya waved the back of his hand. “You’ve taken up enough of my time, Skywalker. Let me just leave you with a warning. I’m formally cautioning you that the Yavin system is off-limits to you and your followers. If the forces there are in any way connected with you, you will recall them. Under no circumstances are you to go there yourself or send Jedi in your stead. If you make any move in that direction, you will be placed under arrest. You are already, I rather needlessly point out, under close observation. Is that clear?”

“Oh, it’s clear all right,” Luke replied. “Suddenly, a lot of things are very clear indeed.” He felt Fey’lya’s mind snap down and vacuum seal. The interview was over. He turned to go—and stopped when he noticed that Jaina wasn’t moving, was standing stock-still, tears of anger streaming down her face.

“Chief Fey’lya,” she said in a quiet voice. “You are a poor excuse for a