It was not sufficient, however, to shut her out.
Tears leaked beneath his closed lids as he struggled, futilely, inevitably, against the restraints, and his heart ached as if it were squeezed by an invisible hand.
Come to me. Come home.
A sob escaped him, hastily bitten back. The Others couldn’t be permitted to think they had broken him. If he could, he would happily tell them, as he spat in their faces, their perfect replica faces, that it wasn’t they who had broken him. In fact, he was not broken at all. He was actually awakening to what had been going on for who knew how long. To the truth. And he was here, here where the greatest strength of understanding and resistance could be found.
He knew her, and he did not know her. All he knew was that she was kind, and good, and understanding, and somehow she held the answers he sought.
You are true and real, Dyon. There are others. You are not alone. Come to me, find me—
He was not alone.
His eyes snapped open, red from crying, but sharp and hard. He stared at the Sith girl—or rather, the Other who was masquerading as the Sith girl—and remained silent, waiting for her to speak.
“She’s calling to you, isn’t she? Abeloth?”
He said nothing.
She stepped closer. Her face, sweet, innocent-looking, no doubt as perfect a replica of the original Vestara as the Not-Luke was of the original Jedi Grand Master, furrowed slightly in speculation.
“I know that you think we’re all imposters,” she said quietly. “I know that Luke and Ben keep telling you that you’re wrong, that you’re insane. I know you’re sure you’re not.”
Dyon Stad said nothing. This was likely a trick.
She smiled, a little sadly. “The real Vestara would be trying to play you. She was a Sith, after all.”
His eyes narrowed. “And you’re standing there telling me that you’re not Vestara.” It was a statement, not a question. She nodded slowly, dark brown eyes watching him.
“You know the imposters who have taken the place of Luke and Ben—you know them to be hostile. I play along with them, but there are some of us that are secretly opposed to them. Think about it. Do you think that Jedi and Sith would ever really agree on anything?”
“But you’re not really a Sith.”
“No. But I am one who opposes those who have taken the places of those who were Jedi. And I’m trying to fight them. All of us who have opted to replace the Sith are.”
He blinked, the drug coursing through him, making him feel like thick honey was flowing through his veins instead of blood. It didn’t make sense. The imposters were taking over everybody. Why would “good” imposters choose to be Sith and “bad” imposters choose to be Jedi? They were all the same.
“You’re all fakes,” he said. “You’re all the enemy. I’ve got no reason to believe you and every reason to think that you’re trying to fool me.”
She smiled. “You’re smart, Dyon Stad. Even drugged, you’re smart. But what would I have to gain? You’re already locked up. What would I get out of tricking you?”
He frowned. He couldn’t think of anything. But he was sure there was something.
She moved closer. In one hand was a syringe filled with a pale blue liquid. Her other hand closed tightly around something he couldn’t see.
“Those of us who are Sith—we’re really on Abeloth’s side,” she said. “And Abeloth knows exactly what’s going on, and how to stop it.”
Dyon stopped breathing for a moment. How did she—
“Think about it, Dyon. I know it’s hard with the drug in your system, but think. Who did the Sith ally with? Who does Ship serve?”
“Abeloth,” Dyon whispered. It was all wrong, terribly wrong. The fake Jedi evil, the fake Sith good? It went against everything he had been taught to believe, everything he had believed. But then again, nothing was the same, not since the coming of the Others.
“Think about Ship.”
“Ship?”
“Ship is a Sith training vessel. And it’s here … protecting Abeloth. It’s not fake, it’s not been replaced—it’s just a vessel. And it’s serving Abeloth.”
A tendril of thought, cold, piercingly clear, stabbed into his brain. If Ship was a Sith training vessel, then it served the dark side. And if it served the dark side, and now served Abeloth, then Abeloth must—
White-hot pain blossomed in his temples. He cried out and sagged against the restraints.
What had he just been thinking of? He’d just had some thought, some idea, but it had slipped away. The drug hadn’t permitted him to hang on to it. It was something important, something key to understanding what was going on—
A shadow fell over him. It was Not-Vestara, the good fake Sith. He looked up at her, mute, shaking with the agony that still shivered through him. She knelt down beside him, put her face to within centimeters of his.
“Abeloth calls to you. And we—the beings who have replaced the Sith—we are on your side. Can you lead us to her?”
He nodded, the gesture causing pain to shoot through him. “I can,” he rasped.
“Will you?”
Again, a shadowy tendril of clear thinking tried to force its way into his brain, to be batted aside and ruthlessly crushed.
“I will.”
She smiled, a sweet smile, her brown eyes warm. “I have a medication that will clear the drug from your system,” she said. “But first … time to fool the fake Jedi.”
She went over to the monitor and waved a hand over it. Dyon watched as the indicators that represented his pulse and brain activity both slowed down. Not-Vestara gave him a smile.
“Now Luke will think I gave you another dose of the drug to keep you docile, and not the antidote.”
She returned to the bed and pressed the needle into his skin. He heard the pop, felt the hot little jolt of pain. For an instant, he wondered if he was wrong to trust her, if this was a fatal moment of weakness, if this needle was the delivery method of death. Instead, a heartbeat later, the confusion cleared from his mind like mist evaporating under a hot sun. He blinked, startled.
She’d kept her word.
“I’ll be back shortly. When I return, I’m going to unlock the stun cuffs.”
“No,” he pleaded, “unlock me now. I must go to her!”
“You will,” Not-Vestara promised. “But not right now. What I need from you is for you to pretend to be unconscious if Luke or Ben comes in. Then, when the time is right, I’ll free you. But if you betray me, if you reveal I helped you, then everything is lost. Do you understand?”
He nodded, slowly. “You promise you will be back?”
“I do.” She smiled at him one more time, then turned and left. Alone in the sick bay, Dyon Stad closed his eyes.
She had helped him. She would help him more.
After all … he seemed to remember that the Sith always kept their promises.
ABELOTH’S PLANET, INSIDE THE MAW
“IT WAS REAL,” SAID BEN AS THEY CAME IN FOR A LANDING. “WHAT WE saw with the Mind Walking. Look at this place.”
Luke nodded. Everything was tinged azure, bathed in the light of the cold-seeming blue star that served as the sun for this world. Below them, they could see the crater of a volcano, and below that, somewhat obscured by the dark tendrils of smoke coming from the volcano, a crimson river twining like a scarlet snake.
Vestara had guided them to where the Sith had first landed. En route they had passed a battle cruiser locked in a decaying orbit.
“That is the Eternal Crusader,” Vestara said. “The vessel that brought us here.”
Ben whistled softly, impressed. “Why did you leave it and go to Sinkhole Station in Ship?”
Vestara didn’t answer, and Ben sighed and shook his head. “Fine. Keep your secrets. Just find us somewhere safe to land.”
“That’s a relative term here,” Vestara said. She peered over Ben’s shoulder, then said, “I know this place. This is where we first met Abeloth. S
et down on the beach. I will at least know the lay of the land.”
As they drew closer, heading for the stretch of blue sand Vestara indicated, she said, “See that cave there? About a kilometer up from the base of the volcano? That is where we found her.”
“Oh great, so we’re ringing the doorbell within minutes of landing,” Ben said.
“Not necessarily,” Luke said. “I never saw her here when I Mind Walked. She could be anywhere. But it’s as good a place as any to start.” He frowned, as if something had occurred to him.
“What is it?” Ben asked.
“There might be a better place … but let’s land here for now, and regroup with Taalon.”
Luke brought the Jade Shadow to a very gentle landing on the wide stretch of blue-colored sand. A few Sith vessels were able to land close to him; others had to find space elsewhere as best they could.
The steamy heat hit Ben almost physically as he, Vestara, and Luke stepped out onto the sand. Vestara’s lightsaber had been returned to her, and she activated it at once and looked around. The red glow of the blade looked purple in the blue light, and it seemed to burn more brightly than Luke’s and Ben’s lightsabers.
Her eyes were on the tall ferns that clustered against the bank, and as Luke watched, she sprang forward, severing those that protruded over the sand. They writhed, as if in pain, and pulled back, fluid dripping like blood from the severed pieces. Even those Vestara reduced quickly to pulp, then stepped back.
“Stang,” said Ben. “The plants really are carnivorous.”
“Vestara said so, did she not?” came a melodious, arrogant voice. It was, of course, Gavar Khai, his own red blade lit, striding over to them. With him were High Lord Sarasu Taalon and a female Keshiri, slender and lovely, her short hair framing her perfect features. “Did you think she could be mistaken about something like that?”
“Not at all,” Luke said. “I thought she lied.”
Gavar Khai did not look insulted on his daughter’s behalf. “She also said that Abeloth was first encountered right over there,” Luke continued. He pointed to the mouth of the cave, a tiny, fingernail-sized dark oval against the base of the volcano. “But I feel certain she is not there.” He nodded to Taalon. “It is good to finally meet you, High Lord Taalon.”
“And you, Grand Master Skywalker. This is Captain Leeha Faal.”
Luke inclined his head cursorily to Faal. Ben remembered the name—this was the woman who had cheerfully abandoned her companions when they got caught in the act of desecrating the Fountain. Great.
“Now that the courtesies have been observed, I think I know how best to proceed,” Luke said.
Ben took petty pleasure in watching a High Lord bridle, and then be forced to calm himself. “I am open to suggestions. However, it seems to me that if Vestara knows that this cave is one place Abeloth visits, then we should investigate it.”
“I agree, but first, let’s do a search.”
“That is a waste of time and resources,” Taalon said sharply, his patience wearing thin.
“I disagree. We wouldn’t even have to leave our ships.”
“You know as well as I do that sensors are useless here!”
“I wasn’t talking about sensors. I was talking about Mind Walking.”
Ben looked sharply at his dad. Vestara’s brown eyes widened. The other Sith looked blankly at Luke.
“It’s a technique that the Jedi on Sinkhole Station taught me,” Luke continued. “They are able to leave their bodies and—”
“I saw what Mind Walking did to them on the station,” Vestara snapped. “You may join them if you wish, but High Lord, I recommend that no Sith attempt this.”
Luke turned to her. “They became as they were after many exposures. Also, they were, I believe, being manipulated by Abeloth. Mind Walking is appealing, but I think everyone here has a strong enough will not to become seduced by it.”
“It killed them. We saw what was left of them,” Vestara protested. “Empty shells that—”
“Vestara.” Gavar Khai’s voice was sharp.
Vestara bowed toward her father. “Your pardon, Father, but I believe what Master Skywalker is proposing is dangerous.”
“Of course it is,” Luke said. “But so is wandering around hoping to somehow stumble across Abeloth. I’d much rather target her than the other way around.”
Taalon considered this for a moment. “I will need to know more of this Mind Walking before I agree.”
Luke obliged, explaining the procedure and emphasizing the need for monitoring on the part of those who stayed behind. Ben listened with half an ear, extending all his senses and keeping a sharp eye on the carnivorous plant life.
“When Ben and I Mind Walked the first time, we went to several sites. I wasn’t sure if they were real, physical places or not, but I am now. We found Abeloth at a certain point—she was trying to get me to come closer. I’m glad I didn’t … at that point, in that … space, she might well have been stronger. But now, understanding how to Mind Walk, it might be a way for us to find out where she is without having to risk physical injury hiking off in some random direction. The dangers posed by Beyond Shadows are real. And it will be a very pleasant experience. It will be tempting to linger, but that would mean death.”
Taalon growled. “Anyone who does deserves what he or she gets,” he said. “I will abandon anyone not strong enough to resist the appeal of this place Beyond Shadows.”
Luke said nothing. He wasn’t sure if fewer Sith was a good or a bad thing. Abeloth was powerful, and she was dangerous. They might need everyone they could get.
“Do not worry, Commander,” said Khai. “You have selected only the strongest and most powerful Sith for this mission. No one will fail you.”
“And I select only the strongest and most powerful Sith to accompany me now,” said Taalon. “Khai. You and Faal will accompany me.”
Luke didn’t miss the flicker of worry that crossed Vestara’s face … or the smile of vindication that curved Khai’s lips into a triumphant smile. He turned to his son, who looked resigned.
“You know what I’m going to ask,” Luke said gently.
“You want me to stay here, to keep an eye on you in case something happens.”
“That,” Luke agreed, and then inclined his head in Vestara’s direction. “And to keep an eye on her.” He didn’t add, which shouldn’t be too hard for you. Vestara heard and rolled her eyes.
“When will you two be convinced that I am not about to violate the agreement the Tribe has made?”
“Not right now,” was all Luke said. Ben seemed suddenly very interested in busily picking at a hangnail. Luke regarded the others. “Take an hour to prepare. I’ll transmit instructions on how to reach the state of Beyond Shadows, and where we will all meet.”
The Sith tried and failed not to look uncomfortable. Luke permitted himself a small smile at their discomfiture.
Dyon could feel her. They were on her world, now, and she was out there. He wanted so badly to go to her, but he couldn’t, not until Not-Vestara came back and—
He heard a sound and opened his eyes. As if he had summoned her by simply thinking of her, Not-Vestara had appeared. She looked as if she was in a hurry.
“Ben and Luke are going to be here any minute now. I’m ready to loosen your cuffs, but I need you to promise me something first.”
His eyes narrowed. Here it was. “What?”
“Luke is going to Mind Walk, to try to find Abeloth. Ben will be—”
“No!” Dyon cried, and started struggling. She placed a hand on him, and he felt her using the Force to send him calm. “He mustn’t reach her!”
“Be quiet and let me finish!” she hissed. “Luke won’t be Mind Walking alone. Three Sith will be joining him, including my commander. They’re going to keep him from finding her in that realm of reality.”
He ceased his struggle. “I’m listening.”
Not-Vestara graced him with a lovely smile. “Meanw
hile, while Ben is stuck monitoring Luke, you escape and find Abeloth first. Tell her of our plan. Tell her that those who have replaced the Sith are on her side. It’s Skywalker she needs to be wary of, not us. If I loosen these cuffs, do you give me your word that you will wait to escape until I tell you the time is right?”
He could lie, of course. He could say yes, then bolt whenever he felt the time was right. He didn’t have to trust her.
“Yes,” he said.
She searched his eyes for a long moment, then nodded. “Okay,” she said. “We trust each other, and we both benefit. And so does Abeloth.”
Now Not-Vestara moved quickly to unlock the stun cuffs. The right one opened, and she moved to undo the left. This was the moment when he could take her by surprise, attack the imposter, render her helpless, even kill her if he chose. But he didn’t. She had proven worthy of his trust. He was not like the real Sith or the fake Jedi. He would not betray one who had helped him.
“When you’re on your way to Abeloth, watch out for the plants. They’re carnivorous.”
“Thank you,” Dyon said quietly. He lay as if he were still imprisoned.
Not-Vestara tensed, paying attention to something Dyon couldn’t sense. “They’re coming. I’ve got to go, but I’ll be back with them soon. And as soon as possible, I will tell you when you may escape. Here’s what you have to do.…”
“You know the drill,” Luke said to his son as they entered sick bay, with Vestara behind them.
Ben nodded, giving Dyon a cursory glance as they entered the small cabin. He lay on the gurney, still strapped down, still asleep.
“Yep. Hook you up to an IV, monitor the signs, and hope I don’t have to go Beyond Shadows to rescue you this time.”
Luke smiled. “I don’t think you will. We have a very specific task. This time, I know where I want to go and who I’m looking for. And trust me, I don’t want to take more time than I have to on this.”
“She knows we’re here,” Vestara said. The words were uttered without undue emphasis, but with such complete certainty that Ben felt a chill.
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