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The immense hold was stacked high with cargo containers of every conceivable shape and size. In the launching bays sat Lando and Tendra’s Lady Luck and Talon’s Wild Karrde, along with dozens of motley starfighters—everything from retrofitted Headhunters to uglies—the owners of which had attached themselves to the Smugglers’ Alliance after the fall of Coruscant. Crev Bombassa, Talon, and Lando stood at the perimeter of Jade Shadow’s landing platform.

Mara walked to the open hatch, where Booster was extending his meaty hand to Luke. “Take care of yourself, Luke. And remember to put in a good word for us with Wedge. After coming this far, I’m not about to sit out the big one.”

“We’ll do what we can,” Luke said. “But we’ve been away for almost a year. I’m not expecting an especially warm reception.” He turned to Lando and the others and nodded his head good-bye.

Mara walked up the ramp and Luke followed her into the ship. Kenth, Cilghal, and Madurrin were in the forward cabin, strapping in, and R2-D2 was waiting in the cockpit. Mara dropped herself into the pilot’s chair and without another word lifted Jade Shadow through the docking bay’s magcon field.

The several battle groups that made up the Galactic Alliance fleet were arrayed around Contruum 6. A small, frosty planet with only two major cities, 6 was a microjump from the Perlemian Trade Route, and two from the Hydian Way. Mara hadn’t seen so many warships gathered in one place for a long while, and the sight gave her pause, especially after the long months on Zonama Sekot. One small light moving among hundreds of others, Jade Shadow began to close on the white behemoth that was Ralroost.

“The Yuuzhan Vong have done the impossible,” Luke said. “They’ve united the galaxy.”

“Nothing like war to bring folks together,” Mara said.

Everyone rose as Luke, Mara, and the other Jedi entered Ralroost’s war room.

“Wonderful to see you safe and sound,” Admiral Traest Kre’fey said from his position of prominence at the head conference table.

“Good start,” Mara whispered to Luke while Kre’fey and the rest resumed their seats.

He returned a subtle nod. “Let’s hope it doesn’t go downhill from here.”

The conference tables formed a square, around which were gathered more than twenty Alliance commanders and strategists, including Admiral Sien Sovv, Commodore Brand, Generals Garm Bel Iblis, Airen Cracken, Wedge Antilles, and Keyan Farlander, Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, and Queen Mother Tenel Ka. In a noisy holofield transmitted from an undisclosed location stood half-sized images of Cal Omas and several of his chief advisers, including Niuk Niuv, golden-furred Caamasi Releqy A’Kla, former judicial prosecutor Ta’laam Ranth, and Jedi Master Tresina Lobi.

Luke, Mara, and Kenth took seats along the side of the square reserved for them. Cilghal and towering Madurrin opted to stand. Luke had wanted to have Kyp accompany them, but he, Lowbacca, Corran, and many of the other Jedi Knights had remained on Zonama Sekot to begin the process of bonding with seed-partners—the embryos of Sekotan ships.

“Welcome back, Master Skywalker and Mara,” Cal Omas said from the weak holofield. “I apologize for having to attend virtually, and also for the absence of Triebakk, who is on Kashyyyk just now.”

“We understand,” Luke said.

Kre’fey cleared his throat in a meaningful way. “Because time is of the essence, I will come straight to the point: preparations are under way to move the combined fleets to Corulag, as phase one of a planned assault on Coruscant.”

“How soon will you launch?” Luke asked.

“Within seventy-two standard hours.”

Luke glanced around the tables, his gaze lingering slightly, almost clandestinely, on Wedge, Tenel Ka, and Keyan Farlander. “All of you are in agreement on this?”

Kre’fey nodded, seemingly for everyone. “But that’s not to say that we won’t delay the countdown, or even rethink the operation if you can show good cause for our doing so. We didn’t invite you here as a mere courtesy. The Jedi have played an instrumental