Christie Golden - Allies (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi)

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

ABOARD THE JADE SHADOW

B EN WONDERED IF HED BE HIS FATHERS AGE BEFORE THINGS STARTED going right for him on any basis other than what appeared to be happy accidents.

Then he wondered if hed be older than his dad.

True, hed had a couple of uneventful years after the war. But then his father got arrested and exiled for a decade. Jedi who had spent formative years on Shelter in the Mawand yes, Ben was among that number, how reassuring was that little factstarted going crazy. Ben and Luke had learned about some creepy powerful being with dark slithery mental tendrils of need who was probably responsible for the crazy Jedi, and had been going to pay her a visit inside the Maw when they abducted a Sith. One that was definitely easy on the eyes, but who was nonetheless a Sith, from a whole planetload of them, no less. A Sith who was still with them right now, standing and smirking at them while nearly a dozen frigates crammed with her pals surrounded them.

Yeah. He would definitely be older than his dad.

Luke had followed the instructions given by the unnamed, unseen Sith commander of the Black Wave , placing the Shadow in a parking orbit around Dathomir. There was no other choice, not with eleven ChaseMaster frigates ready to open fire.

A wise decision, Vestara said. Im fond of my own life, so Im glad youre cooperating, but if you had attempted to flee they most certainly would have destroyed you.

Luke eyed her thoughtfully. Clearly, he wasnt so sure.

So, Ben continued, what are they going to do with us? Are we going to be the main attraction at some kind of Sith ritual party?

Ive no idea, Vestara said. She might be lying through her teeth. She might be telling the truth. Ben simply couldnt be sure.

Your cooperation is appreciated, Master Skywalker, came the voice that had first hailed them. Ben and Luke exchanged puzzled glances. Of course, Vestara had told them who was holding her captive, but why the courtesy and respectful title?

I am High Lord Sarasu Taalon, commander of this force, the voice continued. Your reputation precedes you. We have studied you, and your son, a great deal.

I wish I could say the same, Luke said. I know nothing about you and your people, High Lord Taalon.

No, you dont. But I am prepared for that to change somewhat. Your vessel carries a Z-95 Headhunter.

It does, Luke said. I presume youre about to ask me to come over to your flagship and chat over a nice glass of something.

You and Vestara, yes, Taalon said. You will have to turn her back over to us, of course. But there is no reason we cant be civilized about this.

No thanks, Luke said. Anything you have to say to me can be said at a distance. Vestara isnt the worst companion Ive ever traveled with. I think Ill let her stay here with us for a while longer.

Ben looked again at the Sith girl. His father was right. She wasnt the worst companion hed ever traveled with.

Let us revisit that subject in a moment, came Taalons reply. As Im sure you know by now, Apprentice Vestara Khai has done a commendable job of keeping us informed of what has transpired. We are aware that you are having difficulty with certain Jedi who were fostered inside the Maw. We believe this is due to the intervention of a being known to us as Abeloth, whom Vestara encountered. Many of our own apprentices are displaying the same symptoms as your younger Jedi.

Your younger Sith were in the Maw as well?

No. But such identical displays of aberrant behavior cannot be attributed to anything else.

Ben was skeptical. But there was so much they didnt know yet. His fathers blue eyes met his and he shrugged slightly. It was possible.

We are many. You are only three, Taalon continued. The third to whom he referred was Dyon Stad, a Force-sensitive human who had joined Ben and Luke on Dathomir and was currently aboard his own Suieb Soro yacht. We have a common cause.