If it weren’t for the Jedi’s vaunted mental abilities—the potential that they might’ve sensed the absence of the hostages—Isamer would’ve killed them already.

In the corner, Thandeka’s eyes met Cassel’s in mutual dread. Cassel whispered, “I hope the Jedi find us soon.”

“You put more faith in the Republic and their wizards than I do,” Thandeka said.

“That’s funny.” It was the first time there had been any edge in his voice, any hint that their worlds were enemies. “Seeing as how Eiram’s the one that begged for their help.”

“I doubt it.” Surely Dima would’ve had more pride, Thandeka thought…then imagined she were the one safely at home while Dima was in danger. Thandeka would’ve stopped at nothing to get her queen back. She would’ve pleaded for help from any who might give it, even the Republic. Even the Jedi. Still, pride made her add, “You can’t know that.”

Cassel sighed, the spark of animosity already extinguished. “No, I suppose I can’t. It’s just strange to think of turning to the Republic when we’ve always guarded against them, well, swallowing us whole.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t have thought of it like that.” She leaned back against the wall and wished for painkiller to treat her throbbing head. “Maybe we should’ve thought about having someone to turn to in times of crisis. About not standing alone.”

“Our two worlds have always stood apart from each other,” Cassel pointed out, but he sounded thoughtful. Well, thoughtful for him, anyway. “Not even the history books know why. It’s just tradition. That’s not actually a very good reason to do anything, is it?”

Thandeka looked at Isamer, and at the heavy blaster holstered on his side. “It doesn’t seem like it at the moment.” Anything that would’ve kept them out of this situation—even friendship with E’ronoh—would’ve been better than sitting there with her wrists bound, waiting to die.

Orla had thought Cohmac and Master Laret were probably being paranoid about the threat of more snakes. How many giant serpents could eke out an existence on a nearly dead rock in space?

Answer: at least five so far.

Fangs slashed down at Orla, backed as she was against the cave wall. Nearby the vibrating hum of Master Laret and Cohmac’s lightsabers told her they were fighting off the fourth of the serpents that had attacked them so far, but number five there was all hers. Unfortunately, she was wedged in a place that didn’t allow her to strike. But it didn’t allow the serpent to reach her, either—by a few centimeters—so she’d take it.

“It doesn’t make any sense for you to be here,” she muttered at the snake. “How does a carnivorous species manage to live on a moon with almost no other animal life?”