Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 21_ The Unifying Force - James Luceno [190]
Red-orange light pulsed brightly from the far end of the tunnel. According to Jacen, the round-topped corridor extended almost half a kilometer to what had been the Great Rotunda, and was now the Well of the World Brain.
“I thought you had your fill of this on Caluula,” Leia said to Han, who walked at her left hand.
“Ah, that was only a yammosk,” he said, feigning nonchalance. “Now we’re going to be sacrificed to a World Brain.”
“We really are coming up in the world,” Leia said in the same unflappable tone. She paused, then in a more serious voice added: “I don’t suppose we can count on Lando and Talon flying to the rescue this time.”
Han compressed his lips, then gave her his best lopsided grin. “Chin up, sweetheart. This isn’t over yet.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a clamor began to build from somewhere outside the Atrium’s missile-torn entry. As the procession came to a halt, Leia could discern the sounds of running feet and dozens of voices raised in conviction. The voices grew louder and more determined, and then the air was filled with the strident whiz of hurled razor bugs and the angry snap of thrashing amphistaffs.
The cadre of warriors shoved the captives to one side, whirled, and fanned out across the cavern. Amphistaffs unwound from the warriors’ forearms, stiffing into poison-spitting batons. Ensconced in their bandoliers, thud and razor bugs vibrated in urgency. All eyes were on the entry when a crowd of scrawny Yuuzhan Vong began to pour into the cavern from the hedge-lined causeway, shouting demands and brandishing crude weapons.
Shamed Ones, Leia realized. Heretics!
Han grinned at her again. “See, what’d I tell you?”
She wagged her head uncertainly. “You’re getting scary in your old age.”
Shamed Ones continued to squeeze into the Atrium, ultimately massing into a mob fifty strong, but taking no action against the marshaled warriors. Clearly appalled by the intrusion, Jakan hurried forward, raising his thin arms over his head, as if about to call on the power of the gods to smite the crowd. Standing alongside Leia, Harrar translated the high priest’s words.
“Jakan is demanding to know who or what inspired them to profane this most sacred of places. He’s ordering them to leave or be killed where they stand.”
Individuals began to edge their way to the front of the crowd. A battered Yuuzhan Vong male limped forward, shorter than many of his comrades and wearing a shredded robeskin. The Shamed Ones quieted long enough for their apparent spokesperson to make a brief statement.
Leia saw Harrar’s eyes widen in disbelief.
“He declares himself to be the Prophet!” The priest glanced at Leia. “It’s Nom Anor!”
Leia traded astonished looks with Han, while the Shamed Ones went back to shouting and gesturing with their weapons. Others began to advance to the front, two of whom stood to either side of Nom Anor, as if his lieutenants or disciples, and three others who ignited the blades of their lightsabers.
Seeing Mara, Tahiri, and Kenth, the atrium warriors immediately tensed and looked to High Prefect Drathul for orders. Leia was at once revived and worried. Several dozen poorly armed heretics, bolstered by three Jedi, against almost one hundred able warriors.
R2-D2 toned in disquiet.
“I agree completely, Artoo,” C-3PO said. “The odds are most unfavorable.”
The Shamed Ones recognized this as well, as did the Jedi. And they, too, began to spread out, if warily. Just as the tension was culminating, sounds of another commotion infiltrated the cavern.
“Reinforcements!” C-3PO said jubilantly.
But in place of boisterous cries came a repetitive chant; and in place of the determined shuffling of bare feet came the cadence of sandaled troops. A murmur of confusion swept through the heretic crowd. Expressions of fervor