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It turned obligingly and headed off into the shaft, Lara close behind it.

“But can we believe her?” Solo asked.

Captain Onoma gave him a shrug. “Your analysis team believed her before, and our engagement here at Vahaba confirmed the data she gave us.”

“True. But it could still be a plan to draw us into some trap Zsinj has set up at Selaggis. Trusting her could mean the end of the fleet.” Solo sat back, frustrated, struggling with conflicting impulses.

“Sir,” the comm officer said, “we have more holocomm traffic. A recorded message, not a live transmission.”

Solo sat up. “From Notsil again?”

“No, sir. From some sort of automated router in the Halmad system. It didn’t come straight from there, though. The route data says it went to a holocomm relay satellite in New Republic space first, then Coruscant, then to a high-security fleet satellite, then to us. It’s eyes-only for Commander Antilles or Captain Loran.”

Solo frowned. “That’s odd. And Halmad is so close the timing can’t be coincidence. Captain, is either Wedge or Loran back on board?”

Onoma nodded. “Both are.”

“Get them up to the closest conference room, right now.”

• • •

Solo met the two pilots in the conference room. As soon as the door was shut, he said, “Bring up the message.”

The room’s comm terminal responded in what sounded like a recorded female voice. “State your name and rank for verification purposes.”

Wedge looked at the general, who nodded, and said, “Wedge Antilles, Commander, New Republic Starfighter Command.”

“Thank you.”

The room’s holoprojector activated and a hologram swam into focus in the center of the conference table. It showed Warlord Zsinj against a neutral gray background. “General Kargin and the Hawk-bats, greetings,” the warlord said.

“It’s a recording,” Solo said. “You’re not compromised.”

“I have a proposition for you,” the warlord continued. “It’s my hope that you’re still stationed out of the Halmad system, because if you are, I can offer you a considerable sum to join me on a sort of impromptu exercise. If you’re available, please transit immediately to the Selaggis system—practically your next-door neighbor. However, our window of opportunity is very narrow—in a very few hours from this message’s time stamp, it will close. I hope to see you soon.” With a confident smile, the warlord closed down the transmission and his holo image faded.

“Notsil was telling the truth,” Solo said. “Zsinj is trapped at Selaggis.” His expression transformed from tiredness and premature age to his familiar cocky appearance.

“And he’s desperate for troops,” Face said. “He’s calling in the Hawk-bats and probably every pirate he’s dealt with within a few light-years. We’ve got him.”

“Do you want to go in as the Hawk-bats?” Solo asked.

Face shook his head. “We’d have to put on the makeup, repaint some of the interceptors. Call it half an hour to an hour’s delay. And all it would get us is proximity to Iron Fist in a half dozen TIEs.”

“Where do I know the name Selaggis from?” Wedge asked.

“Another Zsinj strike zone,” Solo said. “One of the first I looked at after I assumed command of this task force. One of the moons of Selaggis Six was colonized. I guess Zsinj decided to make a lesson of someone colonizing on his border without his permission. Iron Fist wiped out the whole colony. I think it would be very appropriate if he were wiped out in the same system.”

“Right.”

“Get back to your squadrons,” Solo said. “We’ll jump immediately.” He raced from the room, showing haste inappropriate for a general.

Wedge and Face headed back for their hangar at a trot. “Shalla is going to be so relieved,” Face said.

“How so?”

“Her assault on Netbers back in the Saffalore complex. She’s been beating herself up for a while, wondering whether she should have risked all our lives to keep the Wraith Squadron/Hawk-bats link a secret. Now she gets to know she was right.”

16

“Second Death is on station,” announced Iron Fist’s communications officer.

“Very well,” Zsinj said.

“Sir.”

Zsinj turned at the sound of Vellar’s voice. “Captain. What is