Star Wars: Fate Of The Jedi: Omen Part 18

"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 h.e.l.lin.

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 h.e.l.lin, 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 s.n.a.t.c.hed 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 h.e.l.lin 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 speaking with her, but my sources tell me there is a security team en route to demand the release of both Seff h.e.l.lin 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 h.e.l.lin 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 h.e.l.lin, 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 a.s.surance-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 h.e.l.lin 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."

Leia, Han, Hamner, and Jaina exchanged glances.

"Agreed," said Hamner quietly, and he held out his hand.

"WHAT?" YELPED JAINA AS SOON AS DAALA HAD EXITED. YOU WANT me to sit for an interview with that bottom-feeder, you want me to turn in-"

"Jedi Solo," said Hamner, his voice and face both hard as ice. "Whatever tacit approval you had or thought you had from me before you started this little adventure, you knew full well that you would be forced to take responsibility for your actions if they ever came to light."

"We have Wan and we have Seff," Leia said, reaching across the table to squeeze her daughter's hand. "That's what you performed the mission in order to accomplish. Daala's letting us keep them-if not our pride."

Han muttered something and Leia elbowed him. "Your mom's right. We won this round and Daala knows it."

Hamner rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I could wish that no one involved was thinking about winning rounds at all. What's important is that we find a way to help these poor Jedi and keep them and others safe."

"Say that to Javis Tyrr just as you said it here, and you'll have a chance to make Daala's so-called punishment work for us," Leia said. "And I, too, wish we weren't on sides. But we are for right now, and we simply have to deal with it the best that we can."

"MA'AM," SAID DORVAN AS THEY WERE ESCORTED OUT OF THE ROOM and walked the long, imposing hallway toward the entrance where the reporters hovered, "I've taken the liberty of drafting a statement for you to read. There's a way you can turn this all to the GA's advantage."

Daala threw him a disbelieving glance, but quickly skimmed the statement on his datapad. She was impressed. All the facts were there, but the word choice, the order in which they were presented, and the conclusion that would be drawn from it all certainly gave the impression that all was right in the Galactic Alliance.

"Wynn, what would I do without you?"

"I rather think you'd miss Pocket."

Still, Daala mused as she stepped out in the throng of reporters and now gawkers, she had not gotten what she wanted. The Jedi had wriggled out from under this, yet again. A thought began to form in the back of her mind. If she couldn't have the Jedi where she wanted them, she might settle for the next best thing.

She smiled, stepped up to the makes.h.i.+ft podium, and began to speak.

MOFF LECERSEN'S PRIVATE RESIDENCE, CORUSCANT "Vansyn," said Lecersen, speaking into his comm, "are you watching HNE?"

"I am, and I must say, it's absolutely riveting programming." It was, without a doubt, Javis Tyrr's day. First the coverage of the "Insane Jedi Rampage," then the expose of the fact that the Jedi had another crazed Knight stashed away in the bowels of their Temple. And now, the coup de grce, an exclusive interview with no lesser personages than Acting Grand Master Kenth Hamner, Master Cilghal, a Chadra-Fan Jedi named Tekli, and both living Jedi Solos.

"I understand he has his own show now," Vansyn continued. "I wouldn't be surprised if it gets b.u.mped to prime time after this."

"Indeed," said Lecersen. Leia Solo was speaking now, looking directly and sincerely into the holocam, doing her best to smooth over the bluntness of her offspring. "He is a resourceful one, isn't he? He could prove very useful."

JAINI SOLO'S QUARTERS, JEDI TEMPLE,

CORUSCANT.

The reporters finally drifted away at twilight, after the interviews had all been conducted and the Temple had resumed what looked to them like its normal, boring routine. The curious onlookers had begun to drift away in search of other distractions.

Jaina was exhausted and furious. What part of her day had not been spent swallowing her pride had pa.s.sed in basic hard labor. All part of Kenth's punishment for doing something he had known kriffing good and well she- Jaina stuffed that emotion down. He'd been right. Once this came to light, she'd known she'd be forced to own her actions and take the proper punishment for disobedience. So she had not uttered a word of complaint as she helped out in the laundry and the cafeteria along with apprentices and staff members.

Now all she wanted to do was get to her quarters and fall into the blessed unconsciousness of sleep.

She was therefore surprised to open the door to her room and find Jag Fel waiting for her. The room's lighting was dim, and the table that was normally covered with datapads, flimsi, and various a.s.sorted knickknacks had been cleared. Two plates with something lavish and complicated looking on them were flanked by gleaming silverware, along with a bottle of something sitting in a bucket of ice.

"I've been swallowing my pride all day," Jaina muttered. "I'm not hungry."

Jag shrugged. "Well, I am. Do you know what time it is?"

"I've been a bit busy."

"I know. That's why I thought you might want something to eat. You tend to forget to fuel yourself when you're in full-on-charge mode." He rose from the bed where he'd been lying, went to her, gently pressed her into a chair, and tugged off her boots. She was so distressed by the events of the day, she let him.