Legacy of the Force 06: Inferno by Troy Denning

Author:Troy Denning
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Skywalker, Interplanetary Voyages, Fiction, Star Wars Fiction, Space Warfare, Fantasy, Adventure, Luke (Fictitious Character), General, Media Tie-In
ISBN: 9780345477552
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 2007-08-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Ben found his cousin on the bridge of the Anakin Solo, a gaunt black-clad figure silhouetted by flashing fans of turbo-laser fire, staring out the Tactical Salon viewport as though he could actually make sense of the conflagration he had ignited. It occurred to Ben that he was finally seeing Jacen in his true form: a stain on the galaxy, a shadow spreading fire across the stars. He pushed that recognition from his mind as quickly as it had come. If Ben wanted to get close enough to kill his cousin, he had to keep his thoughts pure, to actually believe in the dark dream again. Jacen would see through anything less-Omas had been right about that much, at least.

A dozen analysts were bustling around the holodisplay of the battle in the center of the Tactical Salon, and several glanced in Ben's direction. Their eyes flashed sometimes with sympathy and sometimes with scorn, but no one seemed surprised to see him, and no one offered a nod of greeting. Even Jacen's administrative aide-the cheeky Jenet, Orlopp-was careful to ignore Ben and continue clicking his datapad.

Clearly, Jacen was determined to make Ben lick decks before taking him back. It was a good sign. Were Jacen planning a bad end for Ben, he would have tried to put him at ease. But it rankled nonetheless, and only the memory of that last happy afternoon with his mother gave him the strength to reach for the contrition and embarrassment he would need to fool Jacen.

Ben was still trying to summon the feelings when his head began to prickle beneath the pressure of someone's careful inspection. At first, he was confused about where the scrutiny came from, since the tactical staff continued to ignore him and his cousin's eyes had not strayed from the unrelenting battle beyond the viewport. Then a small Force tug summoned Ben forward, and he realized Jacen had been studying him with a faculty other than sight.

"I must say, you Skywalkers continue to surprise me." Jacen's gaze shifted so that he was looking at Ben's reflection in the viewport. "Did you come all the way out here to gloat? Or are you just here to slip away with the fleet's bacta supply?"

"I'm sorry about Dad." Ben started forward, circling wide around the holodisplay to avoid interfering with the analysts. Jacen's back was still turned to him, but he knew better than to think he stood any chance of killing his cousin now. He would have to be patient, win Jacen's trust again, and then strike. "I didn't think he'd blame you for Omas."

"That's the trouble. You didn't think-not at all." Jacen turned and faced Ben. "You killed a former Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance. Technically, he was still the Chief. The Senate hadn't even had a chance to begin a formal inquiry."

Ben stopped in front of Jacen and shrugged. "He killed Mom, "he said, forcing himself to believe in the lie. "I'll stand trial if you want."

Jacen shook his head.

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