Vortex by Troy Denning

Author:Troy Denning [Denning, Troy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Published: 2011-04-05T23:00:00+00:00

When she was rewarded with the warm touch of half a dozen familiar Force presences, Saba nodded to herself, then let out a long breath and started toward Grand Master Hamner. He was already on his comlink, issuing orders through Temple communications. Whatever happened next, she could not grow angry. It was not impossible that he had reached the same conclusion she had—and even if he had not, she would need to remain calm to win the support of her fellow Masters.

Hamner must have sensed her approach and intention, for as Saba drew near, he signed off the comlink and turned to face her. His blue eyes had gone from steely to soft, his features from dignified to weary. Saba still found it a challenge to read human faces, but it seemed to her that Hamner’s expression was one of sadness and defeat—that the grim set of his jaw remained only because he was too stubborn to surrender.

“Master Sebatyne,” he said, acknowledging her with his usual military propriety. “An unfortunate turn of events on Blaudu Sextus.”

“This one does not think so,” Saba said. She had barely replied before she sensed herself and Hamner becoming the center of attention on the platform. The Masters had witnessed their confrontations many times, and even most Jedi Knights were aware of the tension between them, so it was only to be expected that when they came together, others would watch. “Sothais and Avinoam did well. They did what any Jedi should do.”

Hamner nodded, but said, “They also disobeyed orders, and now we have a mess on our hands. This Chev reporter, Shohta, is drawing the wrong conclusion, and that is going to fan the flames of revolt along the entire galactic edge.”

“And we are certain that is a bad thing?” Saba asked. “Perhapz the time has come for the Jedi to think of what is right, not what is convenient.”

Hamner shook his head. “Saba, we’ve been through this a thousand times.” He looked past her toward the CrewComet. “Our Knights are about to debark. What do you say we give them—”

“No.” The word came from behind Saba, in a voice that was both gravelly and insistent, and Barratk’l continued, “You cannot put this off, Grand Master. What happened on Blaudu Sextus changes everything, yes?”

Hamner shook his head. “No,” he said. “I’ve already sent orders instructing Sothais to turn Rhal and his men over to the Blauduns for prosecution.”

“You what?” This came from Han Solo, who, along with most of the others on the landing deck, was crowding in to watch—or join—the confrontation between Saba and Hamner. “Rhal murdered your own assistant—”

“On the steps of the Jedi Temple,” Corran Horn added.

“—doesn’t that mean anything?” Han continued. “I can’t believe you’d let him go like that.”

Hamner’s eyes began to harden again. “I grieve for Kani every day,” he said. “And I’m as determined to see Rhal brought to justice as anyone here

—but only legally.”

“So you turn him over to the same mugwumps who hired him?” Han scoffed.

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