“You wouldn’t be breathing if we did. You were lucky. Now, hiss off. I don’t want to see you again today.”

Dee turned, slinking back to the main building. “Bring the girl.”

A couple of Nihil had been watching from the shelter of the doors. Now they scuttled over and grabbed Klerin, dragging her after Lourna. The girl didn’t struggle.

Amarant watched them go and started to plot his revenge.

The Republic transport was silent save for the constant drum of rain. The ramp was still open, but no one came to investigate. It wouldn’t be long. Soon the Nihil would be swarming over the craft to see what they could salvage or adapt to their own nefarious uses.

A panel slid aside in the hold’s low ceiling, and Indeera Stokes jumped down, followed by her Padawan and his charhound.

Bell rolled his shoulders, trying to loosen the stiffness caused by hiding in a maintenance shaft for so long. Indeera had only opened the panel once to check on Klerin. The unconscious Kuranu had stirred at the noise of Indeera jumping down and panicked, but Stokes had calmed the young woman, promising they would keep her safe. Klerin’s kidnapping had not been part of the plan, and Bell had wanted to spring from their hiding place the moment the Lamproid dragged her from the ship, but Indeera had placed a hand on his chest, indicating for him to wait. He knew she was right. They would have lost the element of surprise, no matter how much it bothered him to place Klerin in even more danger than she already was. He gripped the leather-bound lightsaber Stellan Gios had given him to replace his own, which still languished at the bottom of Lake Lonisa. It had belonged to Stellan’s Master, the great Rana Kant, and was an honor to carry. Force willing, he would prove himself worthy of her legacy.

“What now?” he whispered as Indeera peered through the hatch.

“We gather intel.”

“And see that Klerin is safe.”

“Of course. Do you know how to shield yourself in the Force?”

Bell thought back to the rooftop on Valo. “I’ve seen Elzar Mann do it. I think I understand the principle.”

“Gently encourage those around you to look in the opposite direction so you can pass unnoticed. I can help at first, but you’ll need to take over as we move deeper into the camp.”

Bell steadied himself. “I am ready.”

“For this and so much more.”

Indeera reached into her robes, pulling out a small metal device. “I have to say, the Nihil are smarter than I expected. Scanning for a homing beacon before the Lamproid came in to land. That’s impressive.”

She looked for a good spot and clamped the device behind a bulkhead.

“I mean, it’s not like anyone would signal once a ship is safely on the ground …”