Book 6 - Vortex by Troy Denning

Author:Troy Denning [Denning, Troy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction
ISBN: 9780345509208
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 2010-11-29T08:00:00+00:00

Hamner turned toward Barratk’l wearily, his eyes filled with betrayal and disappointment. He was the one who had recommended that Master Barratk’l be recalled from her post on Nal Hutta and asked to join the Council. It was obvious from Hamner’s expression that he had expected her to repay the honor by remaining loyal to him. But that wasn’t how the Council worked. Masters were expected to speak their minds and vote their consciences, and it was clear, to Saba at least, that Barratk’l agreed with her.

Finally, Hamner said, “Barratk’l, the Yuzzem were enslaved under the Empire, so it’s only natural that you would want to help others escape. But these are hardly the circumstances—”

“Then what are the circumstances?” Cilghal asked, surprising even Saba. “The Mon Calamari were also enslaved by the Empire, and I can no longer stand by in good conscience while other species suffer the same fate.” She turned to Saba and nodded. “I feel it, too, Master Sebatyne. The Force is moving in this.”

Once Cilghal had voiced her feelings, Hamner looked to the other Masters and, finding no support in any of their faces, he merely shook his head in determination.

“I appreciate your honesty,” he said. “But when Grand Master Skywalker went into exile, he didn’t ask you to stand in while he was gone. He asked me, and I must do what I think is best.”

Hamner turned toward the door with an air of finality.

He had not even taken two steps before Han called out, “Tell them about the deal with Bwua’tu.”

Hamner stopped in his tracks and spun around, his eyes wide with outrage and surprise. “What?”

“I said, ‘Tell them about the deal with Bwua’tu.’ ”

Hamner clenched his jaw and balled his fists, obviously struggling to contain his anger.

Han looked him straight in the eye. “You can do it, or I can.”

Saba could tell by the way that Han’s pupils had opened that at least part of what he was saying was a bluff.

“Who knows?” Han continued. “They might even understand.”

Kyp and Kyle looked at each other, then Kyle stepped toward Hamner. “Understand what, Grand Master?”

Hamner glared blaster bolts at Han, but said, “Admiral Bwua’tu commed me during the siege. He wanted to make a deal.”

“And you didn’t tell us?” Corran asked, clearly outraged.

“He asked me to hold it in confidence,” Hamner replied. “He didn’t want Daala to know.”

“And this deal, what was it?” Corran demanded.

Hamner hesitated, obviously reluctant to break his promise to the admiral.

“It’s the reason your Grand Master here doesn’t want to do anything,” Han prompted. “He’s still hoping Bwua’tu will wake up and fix everything with a wave of his hand.”

“Not exactly,” Hamner said through clenched teeth. “But Admiral Bwua’tu did offer to use his influence to convince Daala to be reasonable.”

“In return for what, exactly?” Kyle asked.

“Not launching the StealthX wing,” Hamner said. “The Mandos saw us preparing when they stormed the Temple, and the last thing either of us wanted was starfighters battling over Coruscant.”

Saba felt her blood turn cold.

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