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The warrior glanced at the prefect in irritation. “What is this babble of hope? The Yuuzhan Vong were born to conquer and die. This is an obstacle, nothing more.”

“Can you heal it?” Ona Shai asked Nen Yim.

“We can seal the rupture. The damage is crippling; the entire inner hull is dead. The medial hull will take many cycles to regenerate, assuming the maw luur still nourishes it. We can perhaps grow a ganglion to control the functions of this arm, but it will remain disconnected from the brain. Furthermore, it is probable that the rikyam is losing control of the other arms as well, if it hasn’t already.”

“You’re saying we must abandon Baanu Miir.” The prefect’s voice was flat.

“Unless the rikyam can be regenerated. I am giving this all of my attention.”

“See that you do. Meanwhile, a new worldship is being grown. I will petition that our people be transferred there. Yet many of the ships are failing; our chances are slim.”

“Whatever our fate, we will meet it as befits the children of Yun-Yuuzhan.” Sakanga gestured at the rim of the galaxy slipping from view. “Already we have warriors poised near that bright center. All of those worlds beneath us will be ours. Our sacrifices here will not be forgotten. It is not our place to complain.”

“No,” Nen Yim agreed. “But we will do what we must to ensure Baanu Miir provides another generation for that conquest. I will do what I must.” Though it will only earn me dishonor and death, I will do what I must.

ELEVEN

Luke watched the blockade grow larger.

“Oh, boy,” Mara said.

“No,” Luke murmured, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t you see? They’re no danger to us.”

Jaina’s voice crackled over the comm. “That’s Rogue Squadron! I can’t believe they would—”

She was interrupted by a hail that came simultaneously to the Jade Shadow.

Gavin Darklighter’s image appeared on the Shadow’s display.

“Jade Shadow—it looks like you could use some help.”

“This is unwise, Gavin,” Luke responded carefully. “Those are Coruscant security forces pursuing us.”

“I’ve explained their mistake to them,” Gavin replied. “They won’t trouble you again.”

“They’ll just send for more ships. This could really develop into a situation.”

“Maybe the sort of situation the New Republic needs,” Gavin replied. “First Corran, now you? Enough is enough. Fey’lya is selling us off to the Yuuzhan Vong a piece at a time.”

“No, he’s not. I have my disagreements with him, obviously, but he’s trying to save the New Republic, in his own way. A civil war can only make us weaker.”

“Not if we make it quick and painless. Not if we have real leadership when it’s over, rather than the fractured, squabbling crowd that’s got us sitting on our thumbs.”

“You’re referring to democracy,” Luke replied. “Something we all fought very hard for. We can’t throw it away simply because it becomes inconvenient. Gavin, we aren’t having this conversation.”

“Okay. I just wanted you to know you have support.”

“And I appreciate it. But now is the time for you to flame out of this situation. If we go right now, we’ll get a clear jump. Then you start talking your way out of this mess.”

“You’re sure you don’t want an escort?”

“Positive.”

Gavin nodded. “Understood. Take care. Mara, you too.”

His face vanished from the screen, and Luke suddenly felt his fingers trembling.

“Luke?” Mara said, concern in her voice.

“That was too close,” he said. “Too close. I won’t be the excuse for a coup. Am I doing the right thing?”

“Absolutely. Let them arrest you, and you think this resistance won’t come back up?”

“Did you know the squadron would do this?”

“I’d guessed it.”

“And you think if we give up …”

“An attempted coup within a week, my guess. At the very least an extremely volatile situation. Skywalker, you were seeing clearly earlier. We have to go. For the New Republic’s sake, for the Jedi’s sake—and not least by a long shot, for the sake of ourselves and our son.”

Jaina answered the private hail from Gavin Darklighter, trying to keep composed.

“Yes, Colonel,” she said. “How may I help you?”

“Watch after Master Skywalker,