Lourna leaned off-screen and pressed a button. “Coming over to you now.”

The Elegencia’s navigation console bleeped, and Chell Trambin confirmed that everything was in order.

Pan gripped the arms of his command lounger, relishing the feel of the soft leather beneath his hands. Soon they’d be rid of Ro and his blasted legacy. They’d have his ship and his savant, plus whatever treasures the scud-fisher had been hoarding over the years.

The future had never looked brighter.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

Valo Jedi archive

Senator Tia Toon sat back as the screen went blank. “How was that?”

“Spoken like someone who believed every word.”

The Sullustan looked up at Stellan, his dark eyes searching the Jedi’s face. “Do you think that little of me?”

Stellan shook his head. “You have strong convictions.”

“But I am not so entrenched in my views that I am blind to the needs of the Republic. A Republic I love.”

Stellan couldn’t let the moment pass without at least asking, “And the DFP?”

“Is still a necessity as far as I am concerned, but until such a time as the Republic catches up with me, I will do everything I can to assist you and the chancellor. As I always have.”

While Stellan didn’t quite believe the latter half of the statement, he had no doubt that Toon wanted to help. The senator had certainly made the most of the situation on Valo, but had also pledged Sullust’s unquestioning support to the rebuilding of the planet and securing the system.

Beside them, Rhil checked the transmitter controls.

“Did it get through?” Toon asked.

“To the Nihil? There’s no way of knowing, but I’d bet my best ratings they were listening.”

“And the order to mass on Hetzal Prime?” Elzar Mann asked from where he was standing with Bell and Indeera Stokes, Bell’s ever-faithful charhound at their feet.

Rhil returned to the readout and nodded. “Also sent.”

“Although no Jedi will ever receive it,” Stellan told them, having provided Rhil with an antiquated frequency that OrbaLin had doctored to make it vulnerable to the Nihil tap.

“Then my job here is done.” The Sullustan senator rose from his seat. “If you will excuse me, I have a consignment of prefabricated buildings arriving from SoroSuub, a donation to house those whose dwellings were destroyed by the Nihil.”

“A gesture I’m sure the Valons appreciate,” Stellan acknowledged. “As do I.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Toon said, pausing in front of him. “I mean what I say, Council Member. I have only the greatest respect for the Order …”

“But believe that the Republic should be able to defend itself, yes, I know.”

“We are all the Republic,” Toon told him. “That is one principle where Lina Soh and I are in complete agreement.”

“A Spirit of Unity?”

Toon chuckled. “That is all any of us can hope for, Master Jedi. Excuse me.”