Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 20_ The Final Prophecy - J. Gregory Keyes [44]
“I explained about the shaper,” the prophet said. “I knew nothing about the priest.”
“Consider,” Harrar interposed. “Nen Yim and I risk far more than this—Prophet. He is already hunted, already condemned. He has little to risk on this journey and everything to gain. I, on the other hand, am a powerful and honored priest. Not only have I consorted with Jeedai, but I also seek Zonama Sekot, a planet absolutely taboo to us. If Shimrra learns of this, I will be dispatched without honor.”
Corran nodded. “Probably. Unless Shimrra himself planned this whole fiasco.”
“I assure you, he would never do such a thing,” Harrar replied.
“But I’ve only your word for that, and we are, you know, on opposite sides of a war.” Not too diplomatic, Corran. He started again. “Look, you three aren’t the only ones who think Zonama Sekot is important. There are already Jedi there, negotiating with it. Your people have attacked the planet at least once. Bringing one of you there—especially one seeking peace—that was one thing. Bringing three of you is another matter.”
“Contact these other Jeedai,” the Prophet urged. “Discuss it with them. Surely they will agree that if peace is to be achieved, the initiative must come from both the Jeedai and the Yuuzhan Vong.”
“He’s right,” Tahiri said.
Corran shot her a hard look. “I’d like to speak to Tahiri alone,” he told the others.
“Of course,” Harrar said. The others didn’t say anything, but they stayed where they were as Corran escorted Tahiri to what was appeared to be some sort of common area.
“Corran—” she began, but he cut her off.
“No,” he snapped. “Listen. We’re outnumbered here. I can’t have you disagreeing with me in front of them.”
“Then maybe you should stop making decisions without consulting me. We’re a team, remember?”
“And I’m by far the senior member of the team. If you want to disagree with me, fine. But do it in private. We can’t have them thinking you and I are divided. And in the end, I certainly hold the power of veto, because I’m the only one who knows where Zonama Sekot is.”
“Contact Kenth. See what he thinks. Or better yet, talk to Master Skywalker.”
“Well, it seems Sekotan ships don’t come equipped with HoloNet transceivers,” Corran replied. “If they did, I would do just that.”
“We could go to Mon Calamari, get a decision from the council.”
Corran lowered his voice. “That’s where I’m going to tell them we’re going.”
“But we aren’t? Where are we actually going?”
“Zonama Sekot.”
“What? But you said—”
“I lied. I wanted to see what their reaction would be.”
“And?”
“I can’t tell yet. Let’s give it a few days, see what shakes out.”
“That’s dangerous,” she said. “I’m pretty weak. If it comes to a fight …”
“If it comes to that, I’ll deal with it,” Corran said, grimly.
“What does that mean?”
“Sorry. The old man has to have some secrets. But if this goes sour, none of us will make it to Zonama Sekot. Orders from headquarters. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes,” Tahiri replied. “I understand you perfectly.”
“Good. Now, did you notice anything a minute ago? Any reaction I might have missed?”
“I doubt it. But I don’t like the priest.”
“Why?”
“Nen Yim and the Prophet are both heretics. I can’t imagine a high-ranking priest cooperating with either of them.”
“If a high-ranking shaper can be a heretic, why not a priest?”
“I suppose it’s possible,” she said. She sounded dubious.
“If you suspect him, why did you think we ought to continue the mission?”
“Because it’s important. I think Nen Yim and the Prophet are on the level. We have the priest outnumbered, and I don’t think he’ll try anything until we reach the planet—whatever else he has planned, he wants to reach Zonama Sekot as much as the rest of us.”
“Could he have some sort of tracer on him?”
“Maybe. That would be bad.”
Corran considered that for a moment.
“Rest,” he said. “Keep your eyes and ears open. We’ve got time to think about