Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 09_ Edge of Victory 02_ Rebirth - J. Gregory Keyes [37]
“We keep it right at freezing in here,” Kyp explained, “so our humble home doesn’t melt.” He handed her a parka. “You’ll want that.”
“To tell you the truth,” Jaina said, “the cold feels good. Almost as good as it feels to stand up.” Her legs were having a little trouble finding their stride in the lower gravity.
“Well, like I said, it’s not much, but we like it,” Kyp said.
“Kyp, what are you doing all the way out here? This whole sector must be crawling with Yuuzhan Vong.”
“Oh, they aren’t far, though you’d be surprised by their numbers, I think—but they aren’t here. No worlds to colonize, no slaves to be had, no machines to be destroyed.”
“Except you, your people, and your ships.”
“Good point. But there are a lot of these played-out star systems near the Rim. This one isn’t even particularly rich in ore because the star died with a whimper—no supernova to spew heavy metals all over the place. I don’t see them looking here when all of their efforts are focused on the Core.”
“You think they’ll push toward the Core?”
Kyp rolled his eyes. “You’re smarter than that, Jaina. The Yuuzhan Vong are taking a breath, that’s all, hoping their collaborators will do some of the work for them. But they’re building up everywhere. And what I’ve found out here—”
“Yes, you mentioned that.”
“First things first, Jaina. Do you mind telling my why you’re here? And, in all seriousness, give me a little hint as to how?”
“Master Skywalker sent me to talk to you.”
“Really? He has something new to say?”
“He and Mara fled Coruscant after Borsk Fey’lya ordered their arrest.”
Kyp blinked, and his brow creased.
“Come in here and sit down,” he said. He ushered her into what was obviously his war room—a portable sensor sweep, a tactical display, and star charts were its furnishings. He pulled up a collapsible chair for Jaina and one for himself.
“That was uncommonly stupid,” he murmured. “Even for Fey’lya. Do you think our chief of state is working with the Peace Brigade?”
“Master Skywalker doesn’t think so. Neither do I.”
“Huh,” Kyp said dubiously. “So what is Master Skywalker doing now?”
“Aunt Mara’s pregnant, you know. It’s not long before her time comes. Uncle Luke’s hiding out with Booster Terrik. He intends to find a planet to build a Jedi base on.”
Kyp’s eyes narrowed. “A base for what?”
“To operate from. A place where endangered Jedi can go, a place for them to strike from.”
“Jaina,” Kyp said, “choose your words carefully. What do you mean by ‘strike’? Don’t put words in the Master’s mouth just because you think I want to hear them.”
Jaina looked down at the floor. “No,” she said, “he’s still not advocating what you’re doing. He’s trying to build a network to pass people and information in and out of Yuuzhan Vong space. A system of places like this, and ships—”
“But no direct action. No bringing the fight home to the Yuuzhan Vong.”
“Not exactly—not the way you mean. But, Kyp, he is doing something, and he needs your help.”
Kyp shook his head. “I think he sent you out here to find out what I’m doing.”
“Partly. But he also sent me to bring you back into the fold.”
Kyp rubbed his jaw thoughtfully for a moment. “I don’t object to what Master Skywalker is doing. I have my bolt-holes and contacts, but they’re limited, scattered, one day at a time. I don’t have the resources or the leisure to build and maintain a stable network. If Luke does, that’s great. I wish he would take a more active hand, but this is more than I was starting to think he would do. He’s right; I can be of help to him, in certain sectors. And I’ll do it—I’ll meet with him. But Jaina, I need something from you in return.” He frowned. “Though this arrest business changes things.” He mulled that over a bit and shrugged. “I’ll lay it out for you anyway. I’m not on good terms with any of the military leaders. I need someone who is. Is that still you?”
Jaina thought back to her last encounter with Rogue Squadron. And Wedge Antilles,