"8"^^ . . "5"^^ . "3"^^ . "1"^^ . "Force Exile VI: Prodigal/Part 9"@en . "22"^^ . "19"^^ . "17"^^ . "15"^^ . . "\u201CPrepare for hyperspace,\u201D Zeyn announced. Danni nodded from the seat across from him in the bridge. Behind and above them, a bulbous organic Yuuzhan Vong craft loomed over their ship, an antiquated XS-800 light freighter that Zeyn had traded in their absconded Skipray Blastboat for en route from Zonama Sekot. It was a roomier ship, albeit less well-armed and not as swift, but it also had one other advantage: its comm systems and hyperdrive were not transmitting information to Ariada. In appearance, the ship resembled the more famous CR90 corvette compressed down to a mere 30 meters length. The ship itself was not that impressive, but it had been cheap enough and Zeyn had confirmed it was reliable enough for their purposes. The long trip from Zonama Sekot back to Yanibar had allowed Zeyn to rest and recover from his wounds. The prolonged voyage had also afforded ample opportunities for him to talk with Danni over a plethora of subjects\u2014their families, their interests, places and people on Yanibar, and their pasts. Now, though, as they made their final approach, Zeyn cleared his mind. Turning to Danni, he gave her one last instruction before they jumped to hyperspace. \u201CCall up Niull Shac, remind him to wait for us here,\u201D he said. \u201CThe Yanibar Guard will have a hard enough time accepting a cold approach from a non-secure ship, but if I show up unannounced with a Vong ship in tow, they\u2019ll blast us first and ask questions later.\u201D Danni complied, manipulating the organic villip that had been affixed near the other communications gear. \u201CNiull Shac, stand by,\u201D she told him. \u201CWe\u2019re going ahead to the rendezvous point so Zeyn can convince his people to let you in.\u201D The organic representation of Niull Shac\u2019s head that appeared in the villip scowled, adding to the warrior\u2019s already-foreboding visage. \u201CThis is another complication\u2014just like you swapping ships was not in the original plan,\u201D the Yuuzhan Vong warrior pointed out. Zeyn rose from his chair, moving to face the villip so he could explain. \u201CAnd just like swapping the ship, this is necessary,\u201D he said. \u201CThere\u2019s a very good reason for me to not bring a Yuuzhan Vong ship straight to Yanibar while I\u2019m travelling unofficially, and it involves avoiding a very quick death by turbolaser.\u201D Niull Shac grimaced. \u201CA fate which could still happen if you betray us, or even fail to convince your comrades,\u201D he remarked. \u201CI guess you\u2019ll just have to trust me,\u201D Zeyn remarked acidly. \u201CLike I\u2019ve trusted you up until now.\u201D \u201CA refreshing concept between our two peoples,\u201D Niull Shac said with a sudden twisted smile. \u201COne I look forward to exploring further. Carry on.\u201D The villip reverted, causing the Yuuzhan Vong\u2019s visage to disappear. \u201CI swear he does that to just get on my nerves,\u201D Zeyn muttered, moving back to his chair and running a final check on the navicomputer. Finding nothing else wrong, he did one more sensor sweep. He would have preferred to check for Yuuzhan Vong creatures attached to his ship in case of a double-cross, but their meager freighter lacked the specialized equipment needed to perform such a trace. He would have to act on faith, a thought which left a distinctly sour taste. However, the concept wasn\u2019t as foreign to him as it had been when he had first arrived on Zonama Sekot what seemed like hundreds of years ago. \u201CJumping to hyperspace,\u201D he announced, pulling the lever. It was a short jump, only a few minutes, and one that took them to a pocket of deep space that the Yanibar Guard used as a rendezvous point. It was isolated, with the nearest star dozens of light years away, with no reason for anyone ever to journey here. Zeyn knew that there would be little here other than a hidden sensor station\u2014but the eyes of Yanibar would see them. As soon as they reverted, he began broadcasting a short-range transmission across all frequencies. \u201CThis is Elite Zeyn Kraen, authentication code Five-Oh-One-Senth-Trill. Situation code is Wild Return Over Unsafe.\u201D He waited for a response, but there was no immediate answer. Dutifully, he continued broadcasting the same message every thirty seconds for several minutes. Finally, Danni grew curious after hearing the same thing repeated verbatim a dozen times. \u201CWhat does all that mean anyway?\u201D she asked. Zeyn gave her a wry smile. \u201CMilitary secrets,\u201D he said. \u201CZeyn,\u201D she persisted. Zeyn repeated his message one more time, then finally relented and gave her a basic explanation. \u201CAn authentication code tells them who I am. A situation code tells them under what circumstance I got here.\u201D \u201CSo what is a Wild Return Over Unsafe?\u201D Danni asked him. Zeyn frowned. \u201CThat is a military secret,\u201D he said. \u201CCan\u2019t say.\u201D Danni started to ask another question, but was forestalled by the sudden flicker of psuedomotion as two ships dropped out of hyperspace in close proximity. Zeyn recognized them as Remembrance-class cruisers, formidable midsize warships. \u201CReceiving transmission,\u201D Danni commented. \u201CJust audio.\u201D \u201CLet\u2019s hear it,\u201D Zeyn said. \u201CElite Kraen,\u201D a distinctively male voice addressed him. \u201CIs this channel secure?\u201D \u201CUnlikely,\u201D Zeyn answered. \u201CBut the people who might be listening in are potential allies. I need to speak with the Council directly.\u201D \u201CExcuse me? That is a violation of\u2014,\u201D \u201CSecurity protocol, I know,\u201D Zeyn interrupted. \u201CThis could have implications for the greater wellbeing for all of our people. I need to speak with somebody in authority, as quickly as possible.\u201D \u201CThis is most irregular,\u201D the voice continued. Zeyn sighed. He already knew the Yanibar Guard\u2019s response protocol to such a situation. He also already knew that Elite Guardians had sufficient rank and privilege to bypass such measures if they claimed the situation was appropriately dire. Such as now. The captain of those ships was just trying to stonewall him and avoid showing deference in a potentially dangerous situation to avoid risking the refuge. \u201CCaptain,\u201D Zeyn cut him off again. \u201CYou and I already both know that if I\u2019m who I claim to be and if no clear threats are detected, that I have a right to a relayed priority signal. Quit stalling and let me come aboard.\u201D \u201COf course,\u201D the voice answered in a sullen tone. Several minutes later, Zeyn and Danni had debarked their XS-800 in the forward hangar of one of the cruisers in an isolated ward where it was being checked over by technicians for listening devices or other tracers. A guard of armored marines met them at the ramp and ushered them to a secure conference room near the hangar. Danni took in the sights quietly, and while Zeyn assured her that she would have no trouble, he had advised her to keep silent thus far. Once the conference room had sealed behind them, Zeyn activated the holocomm controls. Soon, an eighth-size hologram shimmered into place atop the rectangular table that dominated the room, but instead of one of the Council members he was familiar with, it was his Aunt Cassi. \u201CHello, Zeyn,\u201D she told him. \u201CYou seem to have got yourself into a situation.\u201D \u201CYes, ma\u2019am,\u201D he answered slowly. \u201CBut I need to speak to the Council.\u201D She gave him an amused smile that quickly turned sad. \u201CI am on the Council now, Zeyn,\u201D she replied. \u201CDo you need me to verify my credentials?\u201D Zeyn flushed red. His aunt had always been very fond of him and had helped raise him after his father had died. He hadn\u2019t meant to imply that she wouldn\u2019t be qualified to sit on the Council. \u201CNo,\u201D he answered quickly. \u201CI just didn\u2019t know, I\u2019ve been out of contact for a while.\u201D \u201CYes,\u201D Cassi\u2019s holo said, glancing down as if looking at something else. \u201CYour situation code says . . .\u201D She looked up. \u201CWhy don\u2019t you just explain it to me?\u201D she said. \u201CI\u2019m still learning what all these definitions mean, and it\u2019s quite mystifying to somebody who hasn\u2019t been in the Yanibar Guard for years.\u201D Out of the corner of his eye, Zeyn saw Danni suppressing a smirk and scowled. Cassi saw his eyes track over toward her and turned to see who else was in the room. \u201CI didn\u2019t realize you had company,\u201D she said. \u201CWho\u2019s this?\u201D \u201CDanni Quee,\u201D Zeyn informed her stiffly. \u201CShe\u2019s an asset that I rescued from Zonama Sekot after Ariada targeted her.\u201D \u201CAnd you\u2019re reluctant to reveal the situation code in the presence of an offworlder civilian,\u201D Cassi surmised. \u201CSomething like that,\u201D Zeyn muttered. \u201CBut you trusted her enough to bring her to a secret rendezvous point and onboard one of our ships?\u201D Cassi questioned him. Zeyn flushed red again. His aunt was doing a good job of making him look ridiculous, and this was not the time or place for it. \u201CLet\u2019s skip the situation code,\u201D he said hurriedly. \u201CAunt Cassi, Danni had an idea on Zonama Sekot that might help our people with the evacuation. It\u2019s pretty . . . hard to accept as a concept, but I think it might work.\u201D \u201CShould I have Sarth listen in?\u201D Cassi asked. \u201CHe\u2019s in the next room.\u201D \u201CUh, sure,\u201D Zeyn replied. A minute later, a hologram of Sarth appeared alongside Cassi\u2019s. \u201CUncle Sarth, Aunt Cassi, this is Danni Quee,\u201D Zeyn told them. \u201CDanni, this is Sarth and Cassi Kraen. She\u2019s come to help us after I stopped Ariada\u2019s attempts on her life. I, uh, told her about our predicament and she has a possible solution.\u201D \u201CI\u2019ve heard a lot about you,\u201D Sarth spoke up to the scientist. \u201CIt\u2019s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Quee. Your reputation precedes you.\u201D \u201CPlease, call me Danni,\u201D she said. \u201COf course,\u201D Sarth answered. \u201CDid you know that we\u2019re actually related? My mother\u2019s maiden name was Quee\u2014and from what I was able to look up, she was also your great-great aunt.\u201D \u201CReally?\u201D Danni asked. \u201CIt\u2019s true,\u201D Sarth said. \u201CAnd perhaps also a topic better reserved for later,\u201D Cassi interjected diplomatically, seeing Zeyn\u2019s impatience. \u201CCertainly, my apologies,\u201D Sarth said. \u201CCassi told me that you and Danni have a possible means to aid in the evacuation.\u201D \u201CThat\u2019s right,\u201D Zeyn answered, \u201Cbut it\u2019s going to sound strange.\u201D \u201CAt this point, we could use any help we can get,\u201D Sarth told him. Zeyn\u2019s hand fidgeted nervously as he wondered how to actually phrase this now that he was standing in front of his aunt and uncle. Danni sensed his discomfort and bravely filled in for him. \u201CWe believe that a group of Yuuzhan Vong could assist in the evacuation effort,\u201D Danni said. \u201CA group of what?\u201D Sarth asked in utter astonishment. \u201CYou realize those are the people who caused this problem in the first place.\u201D \u201CI know,\u201D Danni answered evenly. \u201CZeyn told me.\u201D \u201CSo why should we trust or expect help from them?\u201D Sarth inquired suspiciously. \u201CMr. Kraen, please understand,\u201D Danni said. \u201CIf anyone has cause to resent the Yuuzhan Vong, it\u2019s me. I was the only survivor of their attack on Belkadan, the first world they invaded. I was the first person to experience the horrors of Yuuzhan Vong captivity. I spent the next five years of my life running and fighting and inventing ways to stop them. I saw what they did to countless worlds and I lost many good friends along the way. To this day, I don\u2019t know what became of my family.\u201D \u201CSo why present us with this idea?\u201D Cassi asked neutrally. \u201CBecause at the war\u2019s end, I found myself living on the same planet with them,\u201D Danni told them. \u201CAnd that\u2019s where I\u2019ve been for the last eight years. They haven\u2019t attacked me. They haven\u2019t tried to shape me. What I\u2019m saying is that at some point, I learned to see them beyond just through the prism of an enemy. They are different from us, yes, but they are not innately destined to hate us. Hatred and cruelty are just as much acquired traits among them as they are among humans. The group that is willing to assist you hopes to put some of the past behind both our peoples.\u201D Sarth and Cassi were silent for a moment. \u201CWhat are they offering?\u201D \u201CAre you familiar with dovin basals?\u201D Danni asked. \u201CYes,\u201D Sarth answered. \u201CUnfortunately.\u201D \u201CZeyn tells me that your evacuation ships are having a hard time lifting off,\u201D Danni said. \u201CThe Yuuzhan Vong have offered to provide some of their dovin basals to help your ships reach atmosphere. They have also offered to correct Yorbinal\u2019s orbit to stabilize it.\u201D Sarth and Cassi exchanged glances, considering the matter. \u201CWe will have to consult the Council,\u201D Cassi said. \u201CThis is not a decision we can make unilaterally.\u201D \u201CDanni, if you wouldn\u2019t mind, we\u2019d like a word with Zeyn.\u201D She took the hint and turned to leave. \u201CJust wait outside,\u201D Zeyn murmured to her. \u201CI\u2019ll be right out.\u201D Danni nodded and left and Zeyn watched her go. Once the door had sealed behind her, he returned his attention to his aunt and uncle. \u201CThe Yuuzhan Vong are near, aren\u2019t they?\u201D Sarth asked. \u201CYes,\u201D Zeyn admitted. \u201COne ship, no larger than a medium cruiser. About five parsecs from here.\u201D \u201CDoes this offer make any sense to you, Zeyn?\u201D Sarth inquired. \u201CThe Yuuzhan Vong did save my life on Zonama Sekot,\u201D Zeyn admitted. \u201CTwice.\u201D \u201CSo you believe them?\u201D Cassi asked. He hesitated, then nodded. \u201CI would not have made it this far without their help,\u201D he said. \u201CI wasn\u2019t happy about the idea\u2014or that Danni even told them in the first place\u2014but the more I think about it, the more I think this might be our best chance at a successful evacuation, unless you\u2019ve already figured out those problems.\u201D \u201CUnfortunately, no,\u201D Sarth replied. \u201CThe task is quite . . . daunting.\u201D \u201CI understand it\u2019s a lot to consider,\u201D Zeyn told them. \u201CBelieve me, I already went through the same concerns and thoughts that you two are right now.\u201D \u201CDid you contemplate that your judgment might be clouded?\u201D Sarth asked. \u201CBy what?\u201D Zeyn answered. \u201CGratitude that they saved me? I understand your point, but I had to trust them, or else I would still be stranded on Zonama Sekot. They proved themselves.\u201D \u201CFair enough,\u201D Sarth replied, but Cassi wasn\u2019t quite so sure. \u201CAnd Danni Quee\u2019s influence?\u201D she asked. \u201CIt seems she instigated all this. Did she sway you?\u201D Zeyn sighed. \u201CTo an extent,\u201D he admitted. \u201CShe pointed out that I was being stubborn and narrow-minded regarding the Yuuzhan Vong. She did encourage me to consider their offer.\u201D \u201CDo you believe her judgment sound?\u201D Sarth inquired. \u201CShe was one of the New Republic\u2019s leading experts on the Yuuzhan Vong,\u201D Zeyn pointed out. \u201CI would tend to trust her judgment on the Yuuzhan Vong over most.\u201D \u201CAnd you find her attractive,\u201D Cassi observed. \u201CDoes she reciprocate?\u201D \u201CYes, and yes,\u201D Zeyn confessed. \u201CHow serious is this involvement with her?\u201D Sarth asked. \u201CI offered to let her come with us to Atlaradis if she wished.\u201D Sarth and Cassi were silent again, and Zeyn felt himself growing flustered. \u201CLook, I know what you\u2019re thinking,\u201D he said. \u201CYou think my judgment has been compromised since the mission to Zonama Sekot. I understand\u2014it sounds crazy to me, too. I never thought I\u2019d be bringing a group of Yuuzhan Vong to Yanibar willingly\u2014and certainly not for productive means.\u201D He sighed. \u201CAll I\u2019m asking is that you consider it. I can provide the means for you to meet with the Yuuzhan Vong leader if you want, or speak with him remotely. I wouldn\u2019t have done it if I didn\u2019t think they could help,\u201D Zeyn answered. Sarth frowned. \u201CZeyn, from what I know of Yanibar Guard regulations, you\u2019ve done a number of things that are not exactly approved,\u201D he said. \u201CUnder ordinary circumstances, we would simply let your superiors deal with you.\u201D \u201CI accept that,\u201D Zeyn said. \u201CI\u2019ll accept whatever punishment Master Kel\u2019nerh or Master Kraen has for me.\u201D \u201CThat won\u2019t be possible,\u201D Cassi informed him sadly. \u201CMorgedh is dead. And Selu and Milya are still hunting for Ariada. Qedai left to join the search about a week ago.\u201D \u201CDead?\u201D Zeyn asked in surprise. \u201COn Bespin. It was an ambush,\u201D Sarth told him. \u201CAriada also has Shara, Ryion, and Jaina Solo.\u201D Zeyn\u2019s eyes widened in shock and horror. \u201CI head out to the Unknown Regions for a few weeks and the galaxy decides to go completely sideways?\u201D \u201CAs I said, these are no ordinary circumstances,\u201D Sarth said. \u201CThe reason why your aunt is head of the council is that one of Ariada\u2019s assassins snuck onto Yanibar and murdered the previous members.\u201D Zeyn sat back, struck speechless by the overwhelming news he was hearing. \u201CI had no idea,\u201D he mumbled. \u201CNow you know the gravity of the situation,\u201D Sarth told him. \u201CAnd why we have every right to be concerned.\u201D \u201CI understand,\u201D Zeyn said, tight-lipped. \u201CAll I ask is that you give the offer due consideration. The Yuuzhan Vong are taking a huge risk by coming here\u2014there was always the possibility that the Yanibar Guard would preemptively strike them, or that we would be ambushed en route. They are willing to do this to forge peace.\u201D \u201CWe will consider it,\u201D Cassi promised. \u201CWe need to gather some more information and determine how best to present this to the full Council, but we will give this matter our full consideration.\u201D \u201CThank you,\u201D Zeyn said with relief, bowing slightly out of respect. \u201CIt\u2019s good to have you home, Zeyn,\u201D Cassi told him. \u201CI suspect the Yanibar Guard will want to debrief you fully, but from what I can tell, you accomplished your mission.\u201D \u201CIt wasn\u2019t easy, but I did. Zonama Sekot and Danni Quee both survived,\u201D Zeyn answered, realizing the conversation was nearing its end. \u201COne more thing, Zeyn,\u201D Sarth added. \u201CYes?\u201D \u201CFrom what I can tell of her, you made a good find,\u201D Sarth said. \u201CTreasure her\u2014she seems worth it.\u201D A smile creased Zeyn\u2019s face. \u201CI will.\u201D Daara\u2019sherum Selu leaned over the large conference table, gazing at the holoprojection hovering in it. He was deep inside the Daara\u2019sherum, in the largest planning room available. The translucent light depicted the detailed layout of a ship. It was a design unfamiliar to Selu, an oblong shape roughly cylindrical with an extension jutting out from its underside near the fore of the ship. Twin engine pods at the stern provided propulsion, while crystalline spikes protruded from its sides and weaponry blisters studded the exteriors. The ship was shown without its skin, revealing the deck plan to the best of their knowledge. This was the ship Ariada had created and had been using to terrorize the galaxy. He shuddered as he considered its name: the Knightfall. The fact that Ariada had the audacity to attack the Jedi Order and Galactic Alliance didn\u2019t surprise him. That she\u2019d been able to do so to this degree of success\u2014that was impressive. Now, though, they would finally strike back. Ryion and Jaina had provided the means to find her, and Novera had supplied the information necessary to understand the layout of her lethal cruiser. Red vectors traced their way through the holographic ship, depicting the paths the boarding teams would follow. The plan depended on surprise and speed\u2014traditional allies of the Jedi against most opponents. Against someone as cunning as Ariada, Selu was less confident. He looked around him at the remainder of the occupants of the planning room. It was a small group, and they were studying the hologram as intently as he was. \u201CWell,\u201D Kyle Katarn\u2019s voice cut through the silence. \u201CI think that about does it. It\u2019s not going to get much better than that.\u201D \u201CRecap the plan for us, please,\u201D Selu asked Milya, who was standing off in the corner. She nodded curtly. \u201CThe operation will be a multi-pronged boarding action. Master Kraen will facilitate a covert approach to the Knightfall via the Hawk-bat. Upon attachment, we will detonate an ion charge to temporarily overload its systems and breach, at which point we will split up. Team One consists of Jedi Katarn and Jedi Tainer, as well as four YVH droids graciously supplied by Tendrando Arms. Their job is to reach the sanctum where Ariada controls the bombs from. En route, they will move through the bridge and disable the ship\u2019s command crew.\u201D She traced their path from the entry point through the ship towards its stern compartments. Kyle and Tyria, who were off to the side murmuring to each other, both nodded in acknowledgment. \u201CTeam Two will consist of two commando squads from the Daara\u2019sherum. Their objective is the primary engine room. Reach the engine room and deactivate the hyperdrive by whatever means necessary. The exact location of the hyperdrive is unknown; our source is not an engineer, but we guess it\u2019s in this sector.\u201D The two commando squad leaders gave fractional nods indicating they understood their role. \u201CLastly, Team Three is Master Kraen and myself, along with Qedai. We\u2019re heading for the probable location that the prisoners are being held, and we\u2019re going to free them.\u201D Milya swept her gaze around the room one last time, then turned her attention to the fleet officer off to the side. \u201CMeanwhile, Admiral Arystek will set a course for Tython. She will deploy troops to investigate and ultimately destroy anything we find in Ariada\u2019s laboratory there.\u201D The aged officer gave her own acknowledgment of her orders. \u201CAre there any questions?\u201D Milya asked. There weren\u2019t any after several seconds\u2014and for that Milya was grateful. They had spent the last six hours hashing out the plan in a grueling planning session. \u201CAll right then,\u201D Milya said. \u201CWe jump to hyperspace in an hour, and there will be simulations available en route once our techs finish them up.\u201D \u201CA word before you dismiss them,\u201D Selu cut in. He waited until he had all of their full attention. \u201CAriada Cerulaen represents the greatest threat to the galaxy ever to come from Yanibar,\u201D he said. \u201CShe has forsaken the light side to sow chaos and terror throughout the galaxy, and for that, she must be stopped. Each of you will have a vital role to play in the imminent confrontation, and I can only ask that you remind yourself why you are risking your life\u2014so that others might live. That is why we all do what we do, why we knowingly endanger ourselves in combat. We do this so that others might live free from threats that they cannot and should not have to face. May the Force be with us all.\u201D \u201CDismissed,\u201D Milya added. The others filed out of the room, leaving Selu and Milya alone with the hologram. Milya\u2019s brow furrowed as she stared at it with a troubled expression. \u201CYou know, you don\u2019t have to come on this one,\u201D Selu told her gently. \u201CNobody will think less of you if you decide to go after the Tython base.\u201D Milya\u2019s scowl increased. \u201CI\u2019m coming,\u201D she said flatly. \u201COut of all of us, I know Ariada the best. I\u2019m also not about to let her get away from what she\u2019s done.\u201D \u201CI know,\u201D Selu answered placatingly. \u201CI also don\u2019t want you to exercise any vendettas or to do something reckless in your pursuit of justice.\u201D Milya turned to regard her husband of fifty years. \u201CYou\u2019re worried about me doing something reckless?\u201D she asked him with a wry smirk. \u201CIsn\u2019t that your job?\u201D \u201CThat incident on Yanibar twenty-four years ago was fairly reckless,\u201D he reminded her. \u201CMy daughter was in danger,\u201D she said stiffly. \u201CThat was different.\u201D \u201CAnd now your son is in danger,\u201D Selu pointed out. \u201CNot that different.\u201D Milya thought about it a minute, then conceded the point. \u201CFine,\u201D she said sourly. \u201CNot that different.\u201D \u201CWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201D Selu asked her. \u201CYou\u2019ve been on edge. More than you should be.\u201D \u201CI\u2019m just worried about what might happen,\u201D Milya said. \u201CThe Jedi claim that they don\u2019t know fear, but I do.\u201D The momentary lapse in her normally steely emotional armor showed in her face, revealing a vulnerability and worry that she only displayed sparingly, and to those she trusted implicitly. Selu put his arm around her warmly. \u201CWe\u2019re going to take care of this, and then we\u2019re going to go home and get our people to Atlaradis,\u201D he assured her. \u201CThis ends now.\u201D \u201CIt should have ended earlier,\u201D Milya said bitterly. \u201CWe\u2019ve already sacrificed too much . . . Morgedh . . . the Council . . . possibly Shara . . . and who knows if we\u2019ll all walk away from this one?\u201D \u201CAnd it will be worth it when we succeed,\u201D Selu told her. \u201CEvil must be stopped, and this particular evil is ours to stop.\u201D Milya brushed an errant strand of hair that had escaped the pulled-back chignon, smoothing it back into place. She bit her lower lip, both rare signs of nervousness. \u201CI just wish\u2014that I had seen it coming,\u201D Milya said. \u201CI feel like I should have seen her fall coming before it happened.\u201D \u201CAnd I\u2019m sure Master Yoda regretted that his foresight didn\u2019t show him Palpatine\u2019s true nature,\u201D Selu countered. \u201CThat\u2019s not your fault, and neither was your decision to save those Wroonians on R\u2019alla\u2014and by extension, Ariada. She made the choices that led her to where she is today\u2014not you.\u201D \u201CI know,\u201D Milya admitted. \u201CI just wish I could fully convince myself.\u201D \u201CYou will,\u201D Selu promised. \u201CUntil then, I\u2019m here for you.\u201D She shifted, swiveling towards him and inclining her head forward. Selu took the cue and rested his forehead against hers, an intimate position that she understood meant unity and trust and security. \u201CAlways and forever?\u201D she asked. \u201CAlways and forever,\u201D Selu promised. She nodded, and for now, that was enough. When they finally separated, Milya frowned, recalling one last detail. \u201CThere\u2019s one more thing,\u201D she said. \u201CThere always is,\u201D Selu answered with a wry smile of his own, not flustered at all by her revelation. \u201CNovera asked me to join the strike force,\u201D Milya told him. Selu\u2019s eyebrows shot up in surprise. \u201CAnd you told her no, of course?\u201D he answered. \u201CI told her I\u2019d ask you,\u201D she said. \u201CThen the answer is no,\u201D Selu told her flatly. \u201CThat was simple.\u201D However, something in her posture told him that it wasn\u2019t that simple. \u201CYou don\u2019t seriously think she should accompany us, do you?\u201D Selu asked darkly. \u201CIt\u2019s not the worst idea,\u201D Milya admitted. \u201CMoreover, she feels she needs to do this to atone for her crimes.\u201D \u201CFeelings aside, she is a massive security risk,\u201D Selu pointed out. \u201CNot to mention, she was until very recently one of Ariada\u2019s most trusted operatives. If she betrays our position, the whole operation goes sideways. The answer is no.\u201D Milya sighed. \u201CYou\u2019re right,\u201D she said. \u201CEvery logical bone in my body told me the same thing. But if I was her, I\u2019d ask for the same chance. I don\u2019t think she\u2019ll betray us.\u201D \u201CAre you willing to stake Ryion\u2019s life on that?\u201D Selu asked. \u201CI already have,\u201D Milya answered him. \u201CIt\u2019s her information that gave us the deck plan for the ship and allowed us to set up a plan to jam Ariada\u2019s communications. If she was out to betray us, that\u2019s the easiest way\u2014she doesn\u2019t even have to escape to make it happen.\u201D \u201CBut this could be an escape plan\u2014and she could have done that,\u201D Selu pointed out. \u201CIn which case, all the better to have her near to sense any possible hints of a betrayal,\u201D Milya said. \u201CThe old saying goes . . .\u201D \u201CKeep your friends close, your enemies closer,\u201D Selu finished. \u201CWe\u2019ll have to take precautions.\u201D \u201CI understand,\u201D Milya said. \u201CIn the unlikely event you approve of this idea, I\u2019d recommend sedating her until after we dock. And I wasn\u2019t about to offer her a weapon.\u201D \u201CLet\u2019s keep going back to the part where this is unlikely,\u201D Selu returned. However, deep inside, he knew that as much as his initial reaction was to immediately reject this plan, that Milya was making too much sense for him to just dismiss it outright. \u201CSelu, I think this is the best thing. For everyone,\u201D Milya told him sincerely. He scowled again. \u201CI\u2019ll consider it,\u201D he said. \u201CFirst, I want to know every possible scenario that could go wrong. If we can plan around the worst parts, then . . . we\u2019ll see.\u201D \u201CIt\u2019s a start,\u201D Milya replied agreeably. \u201CI can work with that.\u201D \u201CLet\u2019s just hope there\u2019s a good finish too,\u201D Selu answered grimly."@en . "13"^^ . "10"^^ . "\u201CPrepare for hyperspace,\u201D Zeyn announced. Danni nodded from the seat across from him in the bridge. Behind and above them, a bulbous organic Yuuzhan Vong craft loomed over their ship, an antiquated XS-800 light freighter that Zeyn had traded in their absconded Skipray Blastboat for en route from Zonama Sekot. It was a roomier ship, albeit less well-armed and not as swift, but it also had one other advantage: its comm systems and hyperdrive were not transmitting information to Ariada. In appearance, the ship resembled the more famous CR90 corvette compressed down to a mere 30 meters length. The ship itself was not that impressive, but it had been cheap enough and Zeyn had confirmed it was reliable enough for their purposes."@en . .