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Han thought about Pash Cracken and the rest who had chosen to remain at Caluula—rescued only to be captured again. He was reminded of what had often happened at the beginning of the war, when countless refugees had been taken advantage of by pirates and Peace Brigaders.

“Is there news from Coruscant?” he asked.

Jaina nodded. “Good and bad—but you can hear for yourself. Admiral Kre’fey wants to bring you up to speed personally.”

“Give us a hint,” Leia said.

Jaina lowered her voice. “The Yuuzhan Vong have amassed an armada. We’re expecting them to strike us here.”

Han blew out his breath. “That explains all the ships.”

“Let’s just hope that wasn’t the good news,” Leia said.

Jaina talked nonstop for the several minutes it took them to ascend to Ralroost’s command deck and ride a skimmer to a conference cabin amidships. Han and Leia were disappointed to learn that the Jedi still hadn’t heard from Luke, Mara, Jacen, or the others. It wasn’t like them to remain out of contact for so long.

The white-furred Bothan admiral, Traest Kre’fey, rose from his chair at the head of the long conference table as Leia, Jaina, and Han were being escorted into the cabin space. His violet eyes took in Han and Leia, and he smiled broadly. “We were all starting to wonder if you’d decided to take unannounced leave.”

“Well, we have our own idea about what constitutes a vacation,” Han joked.

Leia managed to smile, but just barely.

By all, Kre’fey had meant the dozen high-ranking officers who were seated at the table. Defense Force Supreme Commander Sien Sovv; Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon; Generals Wedge Antilles, Garm Bel Iblis, Keyan Farlander, Carlist Rieekan, and Airen Cracken; Commodore Brand, Queen Mother and Jedi Knight Tenel Ka, and bulky Major General Eldo Davip—promoted as a result of his brave actions aboard the Star Destroyer Lusankya at the Battle of Borleias.

Han and Leia needed no introductions to any of them, but there were others they recognized only by species rather than name.

Han threw everyone a grin of greeting. Leia shook hands with Gilad Pellaeon and Keyan Farlander, kissed Wedge and Tenel Ka on both cheeks, then went to Airen Cracken, with whom she had spoken briefly from the Falcon.

“Pash was one of the officers captured at Caluula Orbital and taken to Coruscant,” Cracken said. “But I’m hoping for the best. No one knows Coruscant better than my son, and if anyone can escape, it’ll be him.”

Han, Leia, and Jaina found seats for themselves.

“Just to catch you up,” Kre’fey said, “the sacrifice ceremony took place as scheduled. But our agents report that before anyone had been put to the coufee, there was an uprising by several hundred heretics. The heretics managed not only to interfere with the ceremony, but also to abscond with more than three hundred Alliance prisoners.”

“Just to spoil things for Shimrra?” Han asked.

“We’re not sure, at this point. But we have learned that an untold number of Shamed Ones have been rounded up in return, and are apparently going to be put to death. No Alliance personnel were among those seized, so presumably our people are being well hidden.”

“If they’re even alive,” Han said. “The Shamed Ones could have staged a sacrifice of their own, in honor of whatever deity they worship.” He glanced at Cracken. “Sorry, Airen, but I think it’s premature to consider these heretics as allies.”

“We agree,” Kre’fey said. “The possibility of a secret sacrifice or a hostage scenario cannot be ruled out. However, we have also learned the purpose of the original sacrifice was to ensure victory for the armada Shimrra plans to launch against Mon Calamari.”

Han and Leia pretended to be surprised by the news. “Do we know when or how they’re going to do this?” Leia asked.

Sovv spoke to the question. A Sullustan, he looked as if he were wearing a large-eared, heavy-jowled mask. “Intelligence has determined that the enemy plans to attack directly from the Perlemian Trade Route. Secondary salients will be launched from Toong’l and Caluula, both of which