“Discover everything you can about them, Council Member. I’m not going to make the mistake of underestimating them a second time.”

Stellan’s jaw was set beneath his beard, the bruises along his cheek vivid in the flickering hololight. “None of us are.”

“May the Force be with you all, Master Gios. For light and life.”

The assembled Jedi repeated the mantra as one—“For light and life”—and the holos flickered out.

Lina Soh leaned back into her pillows and squeezed Kip’s hand.

“You okay, Mom?”

She smiled weakly at him, suddenly looking older than she ever had before. Kip glanced up. Rhil had angled T-9 away from the bed.

“I will be, kiddo. I will be. Just stay with me for a while longer, yeah?”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Kip told the most powerful woman in the galaxy, meaning every word.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

Above Grizal

Nihil ships were scrambling into space as Stellan’s drift burst out of hyperspace.

“It’s about time!” Elzar commed up from the planet below.

“I thought you could handle it.”

“I can. I just didn’t want you to miss all the fun.”

Stellan knew it was the adrenaline talking. At least he hoped it was. Letting Elzar pretend to tap into the dark side with the Lamproid had been dangerous enough, but Stellan wondered if sending him into a potential battle had been the best decision. Still, it was done now. He had already planned a trip to Jedha for the both of them as soon as the time was right, perhaps even gaining special dispensation to visit the Kyber Mirrors beneath the Dome of Deliverance. Usually the Priests of Phirma only opened the mirrors on Reflection Day, but Stellan would pull a few strings, not only for Elzar, but for himself, too. They had a lot to learn together, especially now.

“How are they doing that?” Vern asked as the Nihil ships vanished into hyperspace at altitudes that should’ve torn them apart.

“We’ll find out,” Stellan promised his former Padawan, thinking of the data that had been rescued from the sunken Innovator. Vam Targes’s legacy would be assured, Stellan had no doubt.

He led them down into the clouds, the drift feathering out into a standard V-formation. “Stop as many ships from leaving as possible. We want prisoners to question.”

“And their leaders?” Nib asked.

“If the Force wills it.” The sight of the Dee woman chasing after the REW played across his memory. “Support the Jedi on the ground and join them if necessary.”

Burry mewed his understanding.

“Oh, and Vernestra?” Stellan added, unable to resist.

“Yes, Stellan?”

“Try to keep your Vector in one piece.”

“We will!” Imri replied on behalf of his Master.

“I’m glad to hear it, Padawan Cantaros.”