“And what do you say to those who are already saying that the fair should never have gone ahead?” Sine asked. “That the Senate was warned of the danger before the festivities began? As we speak, Senator Tia Toon of Sullust has issued a statement that reads—”

But Rhil wasn’t listening. T-9 had picked up chatter on the droid channels, a worrying rumor.

“If I could stop you there, Sine. I’m receiving reports that Chancellor Lina Soh has been found. Our cam is on the way.”

Spenning immediately picked up the commentary for their viewers, informing them once again that the chancellor hadn’t been seen since an attack on the opera house. All the time, T-9 whizzed across the park, his cam picking up the twisted remains of a downed walker. Bodies were scattered around, some moving, some ominously still.

Sine continued to babble in Rhil’s ear. “These are remarkable scenes. Can you confirm that we are seeing Regasa Elarec Yovet, queen of the Togruta?”

That was obvious, wasn’t it? The woman’s montrals were instantly recognizable, but still Sine kept asking banal questions as if the pictures didn’t speak for themselves. The Supreme Huntress was standing in a cluster of people, one of her royal guards by her side. Nearby, another Jedi wearing dark robes, the Master they called Elzar Mann, was helping the wounded, but T-9 had zeroed in on a figure kneeling on the floor, cradling a body, the chancellor’s targons standing guard.

“Oh Stars,” Sine said, actually sounding as if he had been caught off guard for once in his glittering career. “Is that … Surely it can’t be …”

But it was, and Rhil felt as if her heart had been ripped out.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

The Unity Arc

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Stellan knew the galaxy was watching. He could hear the whine of the cam droids, almost feel their lenses closing in, picking up every scrap of dirt on his robes, the injuries on his face, the tears in his eyes.

Jedi weren’t supposed to cry. They were supposed to keep their emotions in check. But weren’t they also supposed to feel compassion for those in pain?

For light and life.

For light and …

Stellan heard a whimper, but didn’t realize it was his own.

There was no avoiding the suffering of those whose lives had been torn apart, no avoiding their pain. If he could, if the anguish and the misery didn’t cut him to the quick, then what kind of Jedi would he be?

People were racing toward him. Togruta military, direct from Shili, running toward their queen. There were others, too; medics both Republic and Jedi led by a Jedi Knight he knew but couldn’t place right now, a Chagrian, clutching a medpac.