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“Right, lambents. If we could build more lightsabers like yours, it could be a big help to us.”

“I don’t know. Uncle Luke examined mine. He couldn’t get the lambent to react to him at all when he turned the lightsaber on.”

“Because it’s bonded to you?”

“I don’t think so,” Anakin replied. “The Yuuzhan Vong use lambents attuned to other Vong. You’d think my lambent would react to other humans, since I attuned it. Anyway, to get more, we’d have to stage a raid on some Yuuzhan Vong ag planet. That would probably be too aggressive, for Jedi.” He fought and failed to keep an ironic tone from the statement.

Corran had reached him now. The mirrored faceplate of the vac suit still gave back only stars, but he could feel the older man’s serious expression.

“Anakin, switch to a private channel.”

“Hey!” Tahiri broadcast, from somewhere.

“I need to talk to Anakin alone,” Corran said. “It won’t take long.”

“Better not. It’s spooky enough out here without you guys getting all secretive on me.”

They changed frequencies. “Look, Anakin,” Corran began. “I was a little hard on you back there. But I want you to understand that it’s not just about you. You may not know it, but all of the younger Jedi and a lot of the older ones look up to you. The buzz is you’re the next Luke Sky-walker, at the very least.”

“I don’t encourage those rumors,” Anakin said. “I don’t like them.”

“I believe that. It’s also irrelevant. They’re starting to emulate you. Tahiri, back on Eriadu and on Yavin Four—classic Anakin. On Yavin Four, Sannah and my son, Valin, were trying to be like you when they pulled their foolish stunt. All the candidates want to be like you, but the fact is, most of them can’t. They don’t have the raw strength or the talent to pull themselves out of the kind of scrapes you get into. Part of being a Jedi is setting an example.”

“I know that,” Anakin said.

“And believe it or not, you can still learn a thing or two from your elders.”

“I know that, too, Corran. I’m sorry if I’ve been disrespectful.” He paused. “And I’m sorry I led Valin into danger. I didn’t mean to. It never occurred to me that he would follow me.”

“But he did,” Corran said gently. “He’s lucky you were there to get him out of it. As Tahiri was lucky on Eriadu.”

“Yeah. Corran?”

“Yes?”

Anakin deliberated a moment before continuing. “About Tahiri.”

“You’re worried about her.”

“Yes.”

“Want to explain why?”

Anakin almost did, but then he shook his head. “I want to think about it some more. And I want to talk to her.”

Corran chuckled softly. “Well, we’ve got nothing but time. I’m sure you’ll find an opportunity soon enough. Just give me the sign if you want me to switch channels.”

“Thanks. And Corran?”

“Yes?”

“I do respect you. But you flew with Rogue Squadron. Weren’t you ever the least bit reckless?”

Corran’s mirrored face stared back at him. “Yes,” he said. “And one day, hopefully, you’ll be able to understand something about what it cost me.”

It didn’t take long for Tahiri to come over, curious as to what he and Corran had been discussing.

“Why are they just sitting there?” she asked, waving a gloved hand at the visible stripe of stars and ships above them.

“Any number of reasons,” Anakin replied. “They may be waiting for more ships, or for some sign from their gods.”

“Yeah.” She stepped forward a little too hard and bounced up. She steadied herself against the slanting stone. “Are we going to make it through this?” she asked.

“Yes,” Anakin said, without hesitation.

“I thought so.” She nevertheless sounded a little scared.

“Come here,” he said.

She moved until they could touch.

“Switch off your comm and touch your helmet to mine.” It’s not that he didn’t trust Corran not to listen, but after all, the man had been in espionage most of his life.

Tahiri did as he said, and their helmets met with a soft thunk. He couldn’t see her face, but he could imagine it there, centimeters from his own. He could almost see her eyes.

“What’s the big secret?” she asked. Coming