Daala’s face was strained, her green eyes fastened on the unfolding events. This was not the first time news had revolved around something as seemingly innocuous as the Exchange and Exhibition. Plenty of times in the past a creature or two—or three or four—had broken loose to stampede about for a while before it was brought down by crack security teams. Or sometimes the less-than-savory dealings unofficially conducted in back rooms went awry. But even Dorvan was surprised to see this.
“I received the call a few moments ago and took the liberty of sending out some special teams from the GA,” he said to Daala, who nodded absently, her gaze still riveted.
The cam pulled back to show the main floor as Tyrr continued to narrate. “What you’re seeing are empty corrals that should be filled with herd animals. Someone has deliberately sabotaged the gates and set dozens of creatures loose to stampede among the populace. The source of—”
The cam moved so suddenly, Dorvan felt a hint of nausea. And then he saw why. A Falleen, her skin reddened as she exuded hormones, was bringing a lightsaber down upon another gate, this one containing rontos. The animals, skittish in urban areas under the best of circumstances, were terrified, rearing and snorting. As they dived for freedom, the Jedi, for it could only be a Jedi, leapt clear, then darted away.
“A Jedi?” said Desha, disbelieving. “But a Jedi would never put civilians in harm’s way like this!”
“These days they would,” Daala said grimly, her lips pressed together in a thin, furious line. “And have.”
“It’s a Jedi!” Javis Tyrr was crying, echoing their words. “Another Jedi, sworn to protect, has clearly gone insane! Who knows how many innocents will die here, terrorized, trampled or gored to death? When will this stop?”
The cam swung around to a close-up of the back of a woman’s head. Her hair was long, dark, and pulled back in a ponytail. Suddenly the woman turned.
“You!”
“That’s Jaina Solo,” Desha Lor said, her eyes wide as the Jedi strode up to the cam and covered it with her hand. “What’s she doing there?”
“She, her parents, and her adopted sister were attending the exhibition,” Dorvan said. When Desha stared at him, he answered her unspoken question. “While we do not exactly follow her or other notable personages around, the GA does take care to know exactly where such personages are at all times. You’ll soon learn about this. And I’ll be putting you in charge of such operations.” The Twi’lek looked uncomfortable with the idea, but said nothing.
Meanwhile, despite the vibroblades Jaina was metaphorically shooting at him, Tyrr wasn’t giving up. He continued to speak. “Jaina Solo, can you verify that Jedi Natua Wan—”
Dorvan tuned out the rest, instead listening to a message from his earpiece comlink. He turned to Daala. “Admiral, there’s worse going on in the Dangerous Animal Hall. I have reports of injuries and a possible fatality.”
“Oh, no!” Desha looked stunned and shocked, and again Dorvan wondered if anyone could really be this innocent.
Dorvan directed his gaze back to the holonews. Javis Tyrr had moved away from covering the current crisis; apparently he had switched to a second holocam; the image was not as clear as before. Dorvan was willing to bet a month’s wages that Jaina had damaged it somehow. The fact that Tyrr had a backup cam indicated that this sort of thing must happen a lot to a holojournalist.
“ … exclusive footage,” Tyrr was saying. “Natua Wan’s murderous rampage is not the first example of a Jedi harming the public. Nor is it likely to be the last. And yet the Jedi continue to operate without restrictions. While Valin and Jysella Horn are safely encased in carbonite, Natua Wan is still on the loose. And so, we thought, was another rogue Jedi—Seff Hellin.”
What he saw next shocked even Wynn Dorvan.
It was Seff Hellin, captured, raging at nothing, and then collapsing on a comfortable-looking flowform couch. The cam pulled back to reveal what looked like a pleasant apartment complete with tables and chairs and what appeared to be a state-of-the-art holographic center.
“What you’re seeing is footage from deep inside the Jedi Temple,” Tyrr’s voice said. “Seff Hellin, murderer, has apparently been captured by the Jedi and held in a prison that looks like a luxury apartment.”
“Admiral, did you know about—” Dorvan turned. Daala was livid. Her face was white with anger, a vein pulsed in her forehead, and she looked as if she were about to snap the datapad in half. It was obvious she was exercising every ounce of her formidable control.
“I take it you didn’t,” he said mildly, turning back to the news broadcast. Another figure had come into view, blocking the cam for a moment. Then it moved out of the way, and turned to look back at Hellin.
Jaina Solo.
The scene cut back to Javis Tyrr, looking directly into the cam as if into the viewer’s eyes. “When I encountered Jedi Solo a few moments ago, I gave her an opportunity to explain the situation with Hellin, but she refused to grant me an interview. I can only conclude that everything surrounding this criminal has been done on the sly. Shame on you, Jaina Solo. Shame on the Jedi. You have done nothing to redeem yourself in the eyes of the public with this action.
“And Admiral Natasi Daala,” Tyrr said intently, “you are the leader of the Galactic Alliance. You were appointed such with every hope that you would keep us safe. And yet right under your nose, the Jedi are smuggling prisoners to safety and lying about it to you. Or … are they lying to you? Admiral, you owe us an explanation for your abandonment of—”
Daala shut it off.
“Admiral, my advice would be for you not to be overly hasty. Reports do indicate that Leia and Jaina Solo were able to—”
“Shut up Dorvan. Prep Security Team Alpha. And get me Kenth Hamner. Now.”
MASTERS’ COUNCIL, JEDI TEMPLE, CORUSCANT
The emergency meeting of the Jedi Masters was in an uproar.
Only a few had been able to attend in person. Most were simply appearing via hologram. The result was that often one party was unaware another was attempting to speak and they stepped on one another’s words.
“ … is absolutely what Jedi should be doing,” Corran Horn was saying. “Daala’s snatched every other one from us without so much as a by-your-leave and stuck them in carbonite. It’s about time we had one of our own, and if Han, Leia, and Jaina can get Wan to us, we’ll have another.”
“While I admit that I’m glad we have Hellin and hopefully now Wan—not least because that means they’re no longer in a place where they can harm innocents—we should have been informed of his capture,” Kyle Katarn chimed in. “Who knew about this?”
Hamner rubbed his temples. “Obviously Jedi Solo,” he said drily. “Who else?”
“I did, though not until after the fact,” said Cilghal. Hamner shot her a startled glance.
“Master Cilghal,” he said, “why did you not bring this to the Masters’ Council?”
The Mon Calamari did not seem in the least abashed. “Your job is a difficult one at present, and no one wished to add further complications to it. You are an honorable man, Master Hamner. No one wished for you to have to choose between supporting your Order and lying to Admiral Daala. It was simply easier this way.”
Hamner closed his eyes briefly. He’d expected that Jaina would take the words he had spoken to her exactly as she had. He’d expected that she would understand his tacit instruction—Go ahead and do what you need to do, but leave the Order officially out of it.
Wasn’t this, as Horn had said, exactly what Jedi were supposed to do? How could they figure out what was wrong with these young Jedi if they weren’t allowed to study and interact with them? The Order was responsible for Jedi actions; they should be permitted to retain the Jedi who had exhibited such distressing behavior.
“It was certainly easier when none of this was public,” he said acerbically. “Now I’m afraid this incident with that reporter has forced my hand. Daala has already contacted my offices. I have delayed spe
aking with her, but my sources tell me there is a security team en route to demand the release of both Seff Hellin and, when she arrives, Natua Wan. I can’t see how I can refuse the Chief of State.”
The shouting began in earnest. No one wanted to hand over Hellin or Wan. Some took up Hamner’s position, perhaps feeling a slight sting at not having been included in the “plotting.” Others insisted that it was time for the Jedi to stand firm against the bullying the GA had been imposing.
Hamner’s comlink beeped. It was Jedi Leia Solo. He flicked it on and listened while the uproar raged about and without him.
“Sir, request permission to speak with you immediately. I’d like to bring Jaina, as well. I know the situation is … challenging, but with your permission, I’d like to run a possible solution by you.”
“Jedi Solo,” Hamner said quietly, “if you have anything in the neighborhood of a solution to this dilemma, I will most happily listen to it.”
“Thank you, sir. We’re just arriving with Jedi Wan. Once we get her safely into the medcenter we’ll meet you in the Room of a Thousand Fountains.”
“I would welcome the serenity,” he said, and clicked off the comlink.
DAALA HAD CONTACTED JAVIS TYRR AND EVERY OTHER REPORTER SHE could think of. By the time she, Dorvan, and her security team had arrived at the Temple, there was quite a throng of the press crowding the steps.
She had taken a few moments to get her anger under control. While ultimately her desire was to be able to, finally, completely control the Jedi, she had always thought she’d played fair with them. To find out about this deception was insulting and infuriating. She wanted more than simply having the two rogue Jedi handed over to her. She wanted to see the Jedi humiliated, as they had humiliated her. Javis Tyrr’s “special report” stung.
“You shouldn’t let him get to you like that, ma’am,” said Dorvan as they drove up.
“If anyone else had said that to me, Dorvan,” Daala said quietly, “firing would be the least of their worries.”
He absently petted Pocket. “I’m well aware of that, ma’am. I am also aware that you know I’m right.”
Daala gave a noncommittal grunt but continued to compose herself. A free press had its advantages and disadvantages, and she intended to make use of this particular weapon. Hamner had asked to meet with her in private; she had refused, instead insisting on a public meeting at the very top of the steps of the Temple. Eventually they would retire somewhere and speak, of course, but before then she wanted to shake the Jedi up just a bit more.
The night-blue personnel transport speeder she had arranged for was already there, and upon her vehicle’s arrival the sides of the transport, large swing-out doors, opened wide. Two full squadrons of men and women in the instantly recognizable blue of Galactic Security—well, blue except for their black riot body armor—poured out. Each was armed with a blaster rifle, but thus far the weapons were not lifted. The threat was all Daala wanted.
They marched in solid formation up the steps. The beings standing there were equally solemn in their stance. Kenth Hamner, calm, tall, not a hair out of place; Cilghal, standing quietly; Octa Ramis; Saba Sebatyne, her eyes unnervingly unblinking.
And three people Daala did not expect to see: what was left of the Solo family.
Han, as was to be expected in situations like this, looked like he wanted to blast someone or something. Leia—a master politician, and one Daala could not help but respect—looked calm and composed. Jaina, her father’s daughter, looked more like Han than Leia right now. Bright spots of color were in her cheeks, but she stood straight without fidgeting. Daala took her time ascending the steps, then nodded to each of them in turn and briefly introduced Dorvan.
“I’d really hoped there would be no need for this sort of thing again,” she said, knowing that every word was being recorded.
“I share that sentiment, Admiral,” said Hamner. “Shall we retire to discuss the situation?”
“Lead the way.”
JEDI TEMPLE, CORUSCANT
DAALA WAS VAGUELY AMUSED THAT THE MEETING TOOK PLACE IN THE gardens of the Tower of Reconciliation. Despite the short notice, somehow a small table had been prepared and delicacies and caf provided. The air was redolent with pleasing, calming scents, and quiet music was being played somewhere. It was all rather transparent; if the Jedi expected to move her by such pleasantries, they were sorely mistaken.
She and Dorvan sat down. Daala refused sweetcakes but accepted caf. Once it was poured and the attendants had left them in private, she got right to the point.
“You can’t tell me, Master Hamner, that you didn’t know about this,” Daala said.
“I can, and what is more, it is the truth,” Hamner replied calmly. “I was unaware of anything any of the Jedi Knights or the Masters were doing along these lines. Admiral, you yourself specifically requested that I step in during Master Skywalker’s absence. That is because you knew you could trust me to not deceive you. And that, I have not done.”
“I will admit that I, and a few others, have,” Leia said quietly. “I believed and still believe it is in the best interests of everyone involved—in the interests of the Jedi, those poor unfortunates who are suffering from this malady, and in the interests of the Galactic Alliance—that the Jedi who have exhibited this behavior be kept conscious and studied by others like them. With all due respect, we can sense things that your doctors cannot. We—”
“This is exactly the issue I raised with Skywalker,” Daala retorted. “Judge, jury, executioner—Jedi. The rest of us just have to trust that you have our best interests at heart. Leia—beings are getting seriously harmed, even killed by this … malady, as you so delicately put it. And I can’t simply rely on the Jedi to police themselves.”
“Actually, you can,” put in Jaina, and Leia winced, just a little. “Because I did. Master Hamner is completely innocent in this. He knew nothing. I made sure he didn’t. I acted on my own initiative.”
“Alone?” said Daala sarcastically. “That would be quite the trick, even for the Sword of the Jedi.”
Jaina scowled. She, too, was thinking of the news coverage. “Obviously not.”
“Then name your accomplices.” Daala took a sip of caf It was delicious, robust and hot. The Jedi obviously didn’t skimp.
“I can’t do that.”
Daala sighed, placed the caf down, leaned back in her chair, and folded her arms. “Then we’re back to square one. I demand the release of Natua Wan and Seff Hellin, as criminals against the Galactic Alliance. You will hand them over to me and—”
“You have two, they have two,” Han said. He didn’t use we. He was not a Jedi, and the word choice was very clear. “You may not like it, Daala, and frankly much of the time I don’t like it, either. I’ve had to live with it for over forty years, that extra sensing thing they have. But it’s saved my life more than once, and I’ve learned to trust it.”
“You trust it because you trust the individuals,” Daala said. “I’ve got no reason to trust you. Less now.”
Jaina blew a lock of hair out of her eyes. Her mother spoke before she could. “We are all acutely aware of that. And that’s one thing that Master Hamner, Han, Jaina, and I have discussed.”
“Jaina Solo knew that what she was doing was contrary to what I had instructed the Order,” Hamner said. “I have not been able to extract from her the name of her compatriots, only her assurance—which I believe—that none of them other than Jedi Solo, Master Cilghal, and one other are from the Order. Jaina understands that she is to be reprimanded for what she chose to do.”
Daala bit back a retort and instead lifted an eyebrow. “I’m listening,” she said. Beside her, Dorvan entered data quietly. His caf cooled, untouched, in front of him.
“She will be confined to the Temple for a period of two weeks. The same punishment will be enacted upon the other Jedi. Even Master Cilghal will be subjected to this, for her decision not to come forward immediately.”
�
��I’m impressed,” Daala said, and she was. This was a step toward the humiliation she desired to see them experience. “Will this be made public?”
Jaina winced.
“Yes,” said Hamner. “And I’m prepared to talk with any reporters of your choosing.”
“As am I and Jaina,” said Leia.
“And you’ll hand over Hellin and Wan,” said Daala.
“No,” said Leia, quietly but firmly. “As we said before … we have ways of helping them, of understanding them, that you don’t have access to. And as Han rather bluntly but aptly put it … you have two, we have two.”
“I can have you arrested,” Daala said.
“Yeah, you can do that. But you know, it’s gonna start looking uncomfortably like the old Empire if you do,” said Han. “First Luke, then Kenth, whom you asked for by name—and isn’t that the kind of thing that got you so ticked with Jacen?”
Daala’s lips pressed together so tightly they almost disappeared. She took another sip of the caf, buying time to compose her thoughts. She would not lose control. Finally she set her cup down and looked at them all evenly in turn.
“Here is what will happen. My people will have access to the prisoners at any hour, day or night. All your findings will be turned over to them. The other mysterious Jedi involved will be named. Immediately after this meeting, Hamner, Leia, Jaina, Cilghal, and said Jedi to be named will be interviewed by Javis Tyrr. Live. Unedited. With the Jedi Temple in the background. You will all formally apologize for the actions you have taken, or,” she said, eyeing Hamner, “the actions you let slip by on your watch.”
“I don’t think—” Jaina began.
“Obviously,” snapped Daala. “Let me put it this way. If you do not agree to all of these stipulations to the letter, then I have no qualms about conjuring up images of the old Empire and taking the prisoners who rightfully should be incarcerated right out of your Temple. And there are more GA Security members than there are Jedi.”
Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi II: Omen Page 21
