Aryn felt the creeping pressure of their suppressed anger, their disappointment. They felt betrayed, deceived. She heard in their words the echo of her own thoughts and started to utter agreement. But before the words had cleared her lips, she saw how the words, the thoughts, if given free rein, would fragment the Jedi Order.

For the first time, the consequences of her decision struck her, but even as they did, she knew she could make no other choice. Hers was the sacrifice. Other Jedi, however, could not make the same choice or the Order would disintegrate.

“Trust that Master Dar’nala knows what she is doing,” she said.

Vollen made a dismissive gesture and went on as if Aryn had not spoken. “There are many of us ready to act, Aryn. If we can coordinate with the surviving members of the Order on Coruscant, we can—”

“Vollen,” Aryn said, her voice soft but her intent sharp.

He stopped talking, met her eyes.

“Do as Master Dar’nala says. You must, or the Order falls. Do you understand?”

“But negotiating with the Sith after this is madness! We are at our weakest. We must retake the initiative—”

“Do as she says, Vollen. I should not even have to say that.” She spoke in a firm, clear voice, to break the conspiratorial spell that Vollen and Keevo had cast with their whispers. “You took an oath. Both of you did. Do you intend to break it?”

Vollen colored. Keevo shifted on his feet and dropped his eyes.

“No,” Vollen said.

Aryn was swimming in Vollen’s frustration, and her own. She felt like a hypocrite.

“Good,” she said, and touched his shoulder. “Things will work out. The Council knows what it is doing. We are an instrument of the Republic, Vollen. We will do what is best for the Republic.”

“I hope you’re right,” Vollen said, sounding unconvinced. Keevo nodded agreement.

Aryn could take no more of her own falsity.

“I must go. Be well, Vollen. And you, Keevo. May the Force be with you both.”

Her recitation of the familiar parting seemed to reassure them.

“And you,” Vollen said.

“Be well, Aryn Leneer,” Keevo said in high-pitched Basic.

“You still haven’t said where you’re going,” Vollen said.

“No, I haven’t,” Aryn said. “It’s … personal.”

She turned and headed for her ship. As she walked, she activated her comlink and hailed her astromech.

“Tee-six, get the ship ready for launch.”

The droid acknowledged receipt and queried about a flight plan.

“None,” Aryn said, and the droid let out a long-suffering beep.

When she reached the landing bay, T6, the dome of his orange head sticking out of the PT-7’s droid socket, beeped a greeting. The Raven starfighter was already in pre-launch and the hum of the warming engine coils made the pad vibrate under her feet.