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“No. It’s not from the official command structure. For some time now we’ve known that there is an underground movement within the Yuuzhan Vong.”

“It’s from the Prophet,” Tahiri said.

Kenth raised an eyebrow. “Yes. We’ve heard of him, of course, but it’s been unclear exactly what his goals are. While any division within the Yuuzhan Vong weakens them, we’ve never known what the rebel attitude toward the Galactic Alliance is. We know the Jedi figure into their creed, but little more than that.”

“Anakin started it,” Tahiri said. “Or, in a way he did. He and Vua Rapuung, when they rescued me on Yavin.”

Hamner nodded. “There were inchoate movements after that, yes, but it’s more recently—with the rise of this prophet, ‘Yu’shaa’—that the resistance has really taken on substance. He seems to have unified the malcontents. There are even reports of sabotage and assassination, especially on Coruscant.” He folded his hands. “It’s not the origin of the cult that concerns us right now, but rather the motives of the Prophet himself. Until this”—he nodded at the qahsa—“we haven’t had much to go on.”

“And now you do?” Leia asked.

“I’ll let you decide for yourself.” He touched the qahsa again, and the face animated, speaking in accented Basic.

“I greet you,” the face said. “I am known as Yu’shaa, the Prophet. It may be that you have heard of me, that I am the leader of the Shamed Ones, those accursed by the gods. That is true, so far as it goes. We are treated as Shamed by our brethren—or by many of them. But we are not accursed. Many of us were once honored and commended by our people. Many of us made great sacrifices for Supreme Overlord Shimrra. Yet we are treated with contempt because our bodies reject the modifications and implants the Yuuzhan Vong have chosen as symbols of rank and pride.

“Before coming to this galaxy, we had little to hope for except dishonorable death. We believed the lies our leaders told us. But now the membranes have been torn from our eyes. We see that we may be redeemed by redeeming our people.

“The Jedi taught us that. The Jedi show us the way. They fight not to show their strength, but to help the weak. You may know that Anakin Solo fought beside one of our own, Vua Rapuung, and restored his honor. Thanks to the Jedi, we are not Shamed. Rather, it is Shimrra and the others who lead who are accursed, who have set our people—and the people of this galaxy—on a course that can bring only Shame to us all.

“The Jedi have helped us in the past. They have shown us a glimpse of the true path. I have seen in dreams and visions where that path leads. It leads to a planet, a planet that can heal and redeem us, that can bring the mighty down and raise up the humble and end the terror we all find ourselves enmeshed in. It is the planet of prophecy. It is Zonama Sekot.

“I have seen this planet, but the gods have not granted me the ability to find it. I do not despair, because I believe the Jedi know where it is.

“Here is what I beg of you: that you take me, and me alone, to the planet of prophecy, so that I may see it for myself, so I can know that my vision was true. I wish also to speak with the Jedi, and seek their counsel and wisdom.

“Unfortunately, I do not have the means to come and go as I please. I live within the clenched fist of Shimrra’s hand, and shall need help escaping. On the planet you once called Coruscant, I await your judgment. This qahsa contains a schedule of times I might meet you in a secluded place. It also contains what I have been able to gather about the planetary defenses of Yuuzhan’tar. I give this as a gesture of good faith, but be wary—I am unsure how complete the information is.

“I look to the stars, Jedi. I look to you. All our worlds can be better, I am certain. I have information that can be of benefit—which might end the war—but I cannot use it unless I reach Zonama Sekot. I may not speak of it here—if this falls into the wrong hands, the danger will be great, and I will not betray others. Heed my humble call, I beg