“She was gone when the smoke cleared,” Stellan told the Quermian. “Master Mann believes she escaped in a nearby Nihil junker.”

“Is there a possibility she was arrested by the Togruta military?” Rosason asked.

“Unfortunately, we have no idea,” Veter said. “Now that Regasa Elarec has been recovered, the Togrutas have broken contact with the Republic. I attempted to contact the regasa myself but have been unable to talk to anyone in her court. I fear this incident has put back Shili-Republic relationships by several decades.”

This Stellan could believe. The Togruta fleet had left as soon as Elarec Yovet had been evacuated, taking Ambassador Tiss along with them. Images of the monarch steeped in the blood of those she had been trying to save had replayed repeatedly on the newsnets, as had the footage of Stellan cradling the injured chancellor, his anguish laid bare. Like it or not—and Stellan did not—the picture of him openly weeping over Lina Soh’s body had become a defining image of the atrocity. Tia Toon had obviously gone into overdrive, praising Stellan and the Order to the skies, while also using the image to tell the galaxy that the Jedi had been pushed to the limit. How many more lives would have been lost if it hadn’t been for the timely arrival of the Togrutas, especially, the senator was keen to add, with the Longbeams arriving too late. Obviously all this fed into his narrative about establishing a central Republic defense force, but the worst thing of all was that he was right. The death toll on Valo was astronomical, but just how much had the Jedi held back the tide? How much difference had they actually made?

Stellan’s thoughts were broken by a courteous cough at the chamber door. Stellan didn’t need to look to see who it was. He could feel his friend’s presence, troubled though it was, him and every other Jedi on the planet.

“Master Mann,” he said formally, gesturing Elzar into the room.

Elzar stepped forward, bowing respectfully in front of the Council members.

“Apologies for the interruption, Masters, but the chancellor has requested Stellan’s presence.”

“Acting Chancellor Reza?” Rosason asked.

Elzar shook his head. “No. Lina Soh. I’m pleased to say she’s awake …” He turned to face Stellan. “And she wants to see you.”

CHAPTER SIXTY

The infirmary, Valo Temple Outpost

Stellan wasn’t surprised to find Rhil Dairo beside Lina Soh’s bed, T-9 hovering at a discreet distance.

“She insisted on giving an interview almost as soon as she was awake,” Larep Reza told him, with the weary look of a man who had recently engaged in an argument he would never win. “Thankfully Quo wasn’t here to burst a blood vessel.”

“How is Norel?” Stellan enquired.