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Squeezing past the table with the holoprojector on it, Wedge extended his hand to the man. “I’m Commander Wedge Antilles, New Republic Armed Forces. I lead Rogue Squadron. I knew your daughter.”

The man shook Wedge’s hand firmly and kept a brave expression on his face, but the slight tremor in his lower lip betrayed his true emotions. “I am Kassar Forge. This is my wife, Myda. I want to thank you for the hologram you sent after Lujayne …” He fell silent for a moment and his wife rubbed his back with her hand. “She always said she wanted to be a hero and show something good could come from Kessel.”

“She succeeded.” Wedge turned back toward his own people. “This is Nawara Ven and Lieutenant Corran Horn.”

Kassar shook their hands as well.

Corran didn’t release the man’s hand, forcing himself to smile as he looked up into Kassar’s dark eyes. “Your daughter really was a hero. She kept the unit together. She told me about what you do here, about teaching people so they don’t have to return to crime. She spent a lot of time teaching all of us, too.”

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you.” Corran patted the back of the man’s hand. “I owed her a big favor I never got a chance to repay. If there’s anything I can do for you, please, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Kassar nodded, then freed his hand from Corran’s grip and turned back to Wedge. “I guess I have to ask what it is I can do for you, Commander? I’m sure all this wasn’t just so you could say hello. Your strike on the moon base caused a lot of excitement, and Doole is not happy about losing his missile launchers.”

“If Doole wants to be happy, today will not be his day.” Wedge ran a hand along his jaw. “We’re here to take some people away from Kessel—some very bad people. We are also going to take as many of the good people from here as we can. On the top of my list is you and your family, if you want to go. And go or stay, I want you here to point out people who should be on the list but aren’t.”

The tall man clasped his hands together against his stomach and stared at the orange fabric floor for a moment. “I came here by choice a long time ago—well before any of you were born. Back before the Clone Wars even. I don’t know if I have done much good here, but I think I’ve done very little evil. I’ll stay. Myda?”

Her hand grasped the back of his neck and shook him gently. “I didn’t come here willingly, but I did stay because I wanted to be with you. We will stay, and our family will, too.” My da’s voice took on an edge at the last of her statement and Corran saw her exchange a sharp glance with her husband.

Kassar nodded slowly. “I am willing to help you, Commander, but I don’t want to make decisions about who goes and who stays. I’ll offer what I know.”

“If you are afraid of reprisals …”

“No, no, I’ve long since been judged harmless by everyone here. You’re taking them, the decision is yours to make.”

“I understand. Lieutenant Ven has my list of the good folks that we want to get out. I’d like you to review it with him.” Wedge twisted around and touched the holoprojector. “I’ve left Moruth Doole with the impression that this is very much a rogue operation. He thinks I’m setting myself up as the middleman in this hostage operation. I’ve told him I am willing to transport prisoners off Kessel—prisoners he’ll be well rid of—in return for getting my people off. That’s an accurate description of what will happen, but not my focus in this project. Still, Doole has to think I’m willing and able to kill his prisoners, blow up his stores of spice, and toss him into the Maw.”

Myda looked over at Wedge and Corran with a piercing stare. “Are you capable of doing that?”

“Capable, yes,” Wedge nodded, “and not particularly reluctant to do so.”

She smiled. “Good. Fear is as much a part of life on Kessel as spice or air. Control it and you’ll do fine.”

Wedge hit the power switch for the holoprojector. An image of Moruth Doole the size of a pilot’s helmet glowed to life. The batrachian Rybet hopped impatiently from one foot